A/N: I forgot a general disclaimer in the first chapter: Anything you may recognize from the original books is not mine.
Chapter 2: Meddling frogs
"What…." Started Melody, and I noticed hesitance in her voice, prompting me to look up from my book and see that she was still dumbfounded by the conversation that took place. "Was that?"
"It seems Blaise stepped up his game" smirked Arielle, waggling her eyebrows suggestively in my general direction. "Will you give in, oh queen of ice?" laughed she.
I took out my wand and cast a stinging jinx her way, and she hid behind a Protego Clo had cast in anticipation of my response.
"I am aware that your intelligence is below average Arielle dearest" I sneered, opening my book again and lowering my gaze to the letters, as the conversation suddenly lost its appeal to me. " But I do find it dreadful when you choose to display that trait , or lack of it, so openly. It is disturbing to say the least."
I heard her laugh heartily at that remark and I added as an afterthought "And if you dare even think that I would have any sort of relationship, or Merlin forbid, contact, with the slime, I promise you that a Protego will not stop me from rearranging your awful features."
"Don't be mean Linds" chided Melody, causing the other two occupants of the compartment to laugh.
I just hummed in response, the both of us knowing that I would not abide her words. Arielle provoked me and I knew that she did it intentionally, knowing that I would insult her immediately. In my opinion, that was more than enough reason to put her back in her place.
"Linds always is so charming to be around " laughed Arielle, squealing as she ducked to avoid being hit by one of the cushions in the compartment I had charmed to aim for her insufferable red mane of a head.
"Shut it " I snarled, muttering "Muffliato!" and pointing to myself, drowning out all of the noise from my surroundings, folding my feet beneath me, my back straight as I leaned back, ready to enjoy my book for the rest of the journey, despite my obnoxious friends.
After about a half of the train ride, the doors to the compartment slid open, and I looked up, noticing the movement.
There stood a rather tall boy, whom I recognized as Gabriel Truman, a Hufflepuff in the same year as both my sister and I. He had rather long, sandy brown hair, almond shaped murky green eyes and a prominent jaw line. He had the potential to develop in a rather handsome man, despite his inability to hold a decent conversation. His eyes darted across the compartment, widening slightly as he noticed me, moving to my sister and once more shortly glancing back at me. He therefore demonstrated another trait I disliked in men, cowardice.
I raised my wand lazily, waving it slightly and lifting the charm from myself, in order to hear the conversation that was about to take place, smirking as I noticed that the boy before us grew ever so pale at the movement.
Arielle chuckled opposite me and I knew that she was amused as well by the behaviour displayed.
Melody seemed to take pity upon the boy, as one would upon a wounded puppy and spoke, drawing his attention away from me and to her. I didn't miss the chance as his eyes left my wand to meet my eyes in passing to smirk with an eyebrow raised , twirling my wand in my fingers and observing the boy over the rim of my reading glasses.
"Hello Gabriel" spoke my sister, her voice ever so soft, full of kindness. Rather annoying, to be honest.
"He- hello" stuttered he, obviously still nervous. "Professor Sprout wishes to let you know that the meeting of the prefects will be taking place an hour later than scheduled."
"Thank you" smiled my sister in response, dismissing the boy subtly. He took the cue rather quickly and wasted no time in departing from the compartment, as if the Dark Lord himself was on his heels. Now that I think about it, he may as well have been.
As soon as he had closed the doors to the compartment, Arielle started to laugh loudly, her laughter ringing through the compartment, joined by the small giggles coming from Clo sitting beside me.
My sister bit down on her lip, trying hard not to laugh.
"You…" laughed Arielle, her voice cracking from laughter "sent .. him.. running… with … a …. Look Linds!" managed she, gasping for breath.
"Now, now, that's not nice" I smirked, slightly entertained myself, "We should not mock the boy. I am a scary witch. He did find me reading a book, dangerous…. He is right to fear the big bad snake."
This sent my sister of the edge and she shook with unrestrained laughter, and as I heard my friends chocking with laughter, I could not help but chuckle as well.
I pulled my cloak around myself tighter, observing the lit station filled to the brim with students making their way to the carriages.
My friends were slow to get out and I was starting to get annoyed really fast. The carriages would be filled by the time we got to them, and I'd be damned before I walked the road all the way to the old castle.
I glanced back, only to see the three of them walking leisurely to me, seeming not to have noticed that the station was becoming emptier by the second.
"Hurry up will you?" I demanded, more than a little annoyed at them for taking their time and walking on forward, letting Arielle whine behind me about impatience.
If I had thought that I was annoyed before I arrived in front of the two remaining carriages, I was sorely mistaken. You see, neither of them was empty.
There were three seats available in the carriage occupied by a second year Hufflepuff and one seat available in the carriage that was occupied by none other than Pansy Parkinson, Draco Malfoy, and to my immense disappointment Blaise Zabini.
Now, if one was intelligent in the slightest possible degree, it would have been obvious what the solution to the problem would be.
There was no way for me to force the little runt to move to the Slytherin carriage , save for brute force, and none of my friends would volunteer to ride with my housemates. So, with one angry glare backwards to my friends, I walked up to the carriage looking up at the occupants who were staring back at me.
Melody seemed sorry that I was forced to sit with Blaise in the same carriage, and she bit on her lip, this time nervous, Clo seemed equally anxious but Arielle smirked at me, knowing that I disliked the man with every fibre of my being. And she enjoyed it, she was always up for teasing on the romance matters, especially on such "hopeless attractions" as she mockingly called the unfortunate situation. What a lovely friends she was.
On the other hand, the Slytherins seemed to be hiding their emotions rather well, save for Blaise who was positively glowing down at me.
"Do you mind if I ride with you?" I asked, looking up with my head tilted, making it clear that this was not a question.
"Of course not Rosey!" exclaimed Blaise, placing his hand on his chest, right where his heart was, in mock shock. "It will be our privilege!"
I blatantly ignored him and observed Draco who nodded in response.
"Here, let me help you Rosey " spoke Blaise, offering me his hand.
I glanced at it shortly, raised my eyebrow and climbed the carriage on my own, sitting next to Draco and ignoring Blaise who didn't seem to be put off in the slightest by my behaviour.
"How are you Roseycheeks?" spoke he and I glanced at him, immediately glancing away as he beamed at me.
"Fine." I replied curtly, turning to Draco.
"Hello Draco, Pansy" I spoke, glancing at each in turn and promptly ending the conversation, before it could start.
"Hello" spoke Draco, and Pansy nodded mutely, obviously annoyed with Blaise.
"Enjoyable summer?" I asked, more to interrupt Blaise as he made to speak, than out of any true interest.
"Fairly" responded Draco and I glanced at Pansy, expecting an answer.
"Quite." Responded she grudgingly.
"You cut your hair" I remarked, trying to avoid Zabini that was about to open his mouth to respond even though I did not address him in any shape or form. "It looks…. Lovely."
The both of us knew that I was lying through my teeth, but Pansy nodded, and spoke just as dishonestly. "Thank you."
"I always preferred short hair" spoke Blaise, winking at me and I had to fight with myself to keep my hands clasped without drawing my wand. I knew he was referring to my own hair, that was cut short since third year and that only annoyed me since most of the girls he had been with had long hair, therefore proving that he was lying.
I remained silent and I stared to the side, observing the path we rode on, although the sun was setting and not much could be seen.
One would therefore not be surprised that I stood up as soon as the carriage came to a halt, walking away briskly from my company.
I stepped in front of the carriage my friends had arrived in ,and I glared at each of them in turn as they climbed down, scaring the little Hufflepuff half to death and sending him running from the group.
"Do you have any idea" I started, my gaze moving from Clo, who looked away, to my sister that seemed genuinely remorseful, and finally landing on my red haired friend who was smirking at me. "How utterly obnoxious, disgusting and most of all disturbing this ride has been?"
"Oh chill Linds" spoke she, turning away from me and reaching a hand to touch the thestral in front of her.
I narrowed my eyes at her, but did nothing further, knowing full well that this battle could not be won. Therefore, I huffed, annoyed with her and with the obnoxious prat, and with the world.
I approached another thestral myself, offering my hand for him to sniff. I felt warm breath on my skin as he took in my smell and as he neighed in content, in the same time giving me permission to pet him. I gently ran my hand from the top of his head to his nose.
"Don't you think that you're overreacting about this whole Blaise thing?" spoke Arielle, and I noticed that both Clo and my sister decided to keep their distance.
"No, I do not think I am. I have made it clear on several occasions that I do not in fact wish to interact with the boy in any way, shape or form. It seems that he only understands hexes and curses. So that's exactly what I am going to use, in order to make him stay as far as possible from me." I spoke and the horse nudged my hand in a silent request for me to continue my petting, which I had stopped doing in my response.
"So why not give him a chance?" asked she and I turned around, expecting for her to be joking. But she was not, instead, she was deadly serious.
"Because I am no trophy to be won." I snapped, irritated even more at her stupid remark. She made it sound like I was the one at a wrong here. "He only wishes to sleep with me, and to boast about it later on. Excuse me for finding that offensive."
"That doesn't have to be true Linds" spoke my sister, ever trying to see the good in people. "it may be that he truly likes you."
"I don't think so " spoke Clo, still as far away as she could possibly be from the skeletal horse. "I think Linds is right."
"Thanks Clo" I replied, "Finally someone with some sense in this group."
"Now Clo dearest" grinned Arielle, abandoning the thestral she had been petting and throwing her hand around the shorter girl's shoulders, pulling her in a half hug and making her stumble in the display of brutish strength. "Don't you go turning cynical like little miss I hate the world over there" she spoke, pointing her thumb in my general direction.
"I am not cynical "I snapped at her, narrowing my eyes at the stupid red head. "I am merely seeing things as they are."
"No you are not!" laughed Arielle, "you are the most bitter girl I have ever seen."
I was about to retort, but my sister beat me to it, typically siding with Arielle. Thanks a bunch Sis.
"Well, you do tend to see the bad side of things Linds" spoke she, in the same time giving me an apologetic smile.
"Yes!" spoke Arielle, letting go of Clo and throwing her fist dramatically in the air, as if she won some prestigious award.
"Thanks Mells!" exclaimed she, grinning from ear to ear in my direction "It's three against one, we win!"
"Oh but Ari" I spoke, smirking at her, "Clearly you do not. Three against one is hardly fair is it? I reckon you need a couple of dozen of people more to win over me."
"Ego much?" smirked Arielle at me and my answer was intercepted by a gasp from Clo. Arielle spun about, her wand drawn out, ready to tackle anything, and her eyes searching the perimeter quickly before settling on Clo's watch.
"We're late!" exclaimed she with sadness and horror one normally feels upon learning they have lost a very close relative. The shock and horror quickly morphed into desperations that turned into panic. "We're going to get expelled!"
She turned to run up the hill to the castle, but my sister and Ari held her back.
"Breathe Clo " smiled my sister, patting her back gently.
"Don't panic!" laughed Arielle, once more hugging the girl jokingly as they set off on the path, and I joined them immediately. "They can hardly kick us out!"
"What… What do you mean?" asked Clo, slightly more in control of her fear at the moment.
"We are the four most important people in that entire student body, the castle is nothing without us!" smirked Arielle and Clo did not look so impressed with her confidence.
"Ego much?" I echoed and Arielle only grinned my way in response.
"What is it you midget?" asked she, pretending not to have heard me, making me draw my wand and aiming at her. "I can't hear you , you have to speak up !"
"Come again?" I spoke, narrowing my eyes at her and she laughed merrily in response.
"We're going to get expelled…. We're going to get expelled…." Chanted Clo, still very much panicking.
"Listen Clo" tried my sister, still walking with her, hand in hand "Remember all those stupid things Ron and Harry and Hermione did, and they never got expelled over it. The headmaster is hardly a cruel man… he won't kick us out sweetie, don't worry."
"But if he does… " spoke she, and I turned towards her "I don't know what I'm going to do. I can't go to the Muggle world, not after seeing all of this, and I can't get educated at home…"
"Listen to me Claudia Amity Beck" I snapped, turning towards her as we walked, nearing the castle.
"Albus Dumbledore is not a fool .He would never dare expel a Kersey over something as trivial as being late. Detention, perhaps, but I don't think so. And you are my friend, I promise you that the Kersey name will apply to you as well. I will bring this school to its knees if he dares expel you over something as stupid as being late for five minutes."
She didn't look that sure, but after a brief consideration she nodded in response, fear still evident in every step she took. She understood what some of the lesser intelligence could not. Money talked in this society. And there is always someone above you. Even above the headmaster, there was a school board. One that could be easily manipulated, proven by Lucius in my third year. A Malfoy was by no means more powerful and influential then a Kersey, and expelling me or my friends would be a move worthy of a fool. And if I knew something, I knew that Albus Dumbledore was no fool.
We approached the doors of the great hall and heard chatter, one that indicated the feast had yet to commence. We stood in a perfect line, and I spoke.
"So, still going to be expelled Clo?" I asked, allowing a small hint of annoyance to seep into my voice.
"No" grinned she, more than obviously relieved by the fact that we were only slightly late, and that the fact seemed of no importance. She also ignored my annoyance and I couldn't help but smirk at the absurdity of her behaviour. It was after another look at her that I realized that she was still very young, and that her view of the world still held hope.
For once, I decided that it was not my role to extinguish that hope.
"Ready girls?" asked Arielle and grinned in front of herself, more than pleased with the fact that we got to make a big entrance.
"No" giggled Melody by my side, also realizing how entertained our friend was by the flashy appearance. I swear, the fact that she was supposed to be the oldest and the most mature out of the lot of us never showed. Instead, she acted as if Clo was her senior at times, annoying me to no end.
"Tough" I smirked, waving my wand and hiding it up my sleeve in one move, opening the doors of the great hall. The entire student body, fell silent and one glance up the teacher's table told me that the headmaster was not yet present, although my head of the house was, and he was observing us with a disapproving frown on his face. I would be hearing about this later on, but I knew that that would be as far as professor Snape would take it. I had no trust for him, nor he for me, and we lived in a cohabitation of sorts for a while now, waiting for the other to slip up.
My gaze then moved to my own table and I walked up to it, never breaking my stride and taking a seat in the middle between my two peers, who scooted over to make some space for me and greeted me by nodding in acknowledgement.
I briefly noted that the Greengrass sisters sat a little further off, and as Daphne caught my eye she sent me a warm smile. One of the very few I would be receiving amongst my peers. I also noticed Astoria who smiled as well, but her eyes kept returning to a blond figure sitting a couple of seats away from her. So she fancied young Malfoy. Troublesome.
And without fail, there also sat Zabini who grinned at me, receiving no response save for a cold look. I sincerely hopped he would have given up this year, since I had shown him rather clearly that I disliked him with every fibre of my being.
And no matter how many owls he sent, and no matter that I replied to none of his letters and distinctly avoided him during social events, he persisted. Insolent brat. It seemed I would have to be more direct.
Just as I had formed that decision, a small parchment bird landed in front of me, drawing the attention of the girls sitting around me, trying to take a peek at it subtly. It was entitled "For Rosey" and I took out my wand, hissing "Incendio!", without even having read the content.
The small piece of parchment disintegrated before my eyes and as I looked up as a flurry of pink caught my eye at the teacher's table.
My stomach twisted in disgust as I recognized the figure with no discernable fashion sense, and a known fetish of cats. Dolores Umbridge, a half blood, trying to climb the social ladder. Despicable. I had the misfortune of meeting her, and acquired a distinct urge to buy her a mirror, or a stylist. Preferably both.
"Akhm" she called, right in the middle of the headmaster's speech. Dear Dolores thought that she had some kind of an authority here. Amusing.
The old man turned to her with an arched eyebrow. To my slight surprise, he stepped to the side, giving the obnoxious creature, for she could hardly qualify as a witch of any kind, a chance to speak.
"Thank you Albus" spoke she, giving him a sweet smile that created a distinct urge to vomit in most of the student body, myself included, before turning to us. "The Ministry of magic has always considered the education of young witches and wizards…."
As her speech went on, I felt less and less fond of the idea that she would, as it was announced, take up the post of the Defence against the Dark Arts teacher. She was stubby, slow and by the looks of her, not very skilled in a duel. The corners of my mouth turned up in a smirk as I considered my new teacher. There was nothing the woman could teach me, in defensive magic or otherwise.
As her speech continued, in a flurry of words with no real meaning but whose choice was made beyond a doubt with great consideration, I realized the point of her post as a new teacher. The ministry was interfering with Hogwarts. And despite the fact that I had no love for the current headmaster I found it insulting indeed that old Cornelius thought of himself as important as to meddle in the inner workings of this renown school. It seemed to me, and I was fairly certain of this conclusion, that Cornelius had no interest in education, and that his fears laid only in his own profit and privilege. Petty little thing he was, like a fly trying to be a bird. Too bad they never succeed.
My eyes searched the room and encountered those of my sister. There was a slight frown on her face and I knew she too had read well into the speech the distasteful woman had made. And it worried her.
I briefly glanced at each of my other two friends and found that they too had been paying attention. Arielle was whispering with the Weasley twins, which could not bode well for the frog, while Claudia was staring at the frog. I could almost see the gears turning in her head, as she analysed every word that was spoken, trying to find a solution. She was a smart kid, and I decided that this task was best left in her hands.
My attention was diverted from my friends by the voice of Draco Malfoy, who was sitting next to the obnoxious prat Zabini.
"Finally, the minister decided to interfere" I heard him speak and I fixed my stare on his figure. "It serves him right" continued he, looking at the headmaster. "He was given by far too much freedom. My father told me that the minister was less and less fond of the old man, perhaps he will be replaced soon."
Although I had no ill will towards Malfoy, his words unnerved me. Not because of him, or because of the headmaster, but because of Tori. She fancied him and I feared that were she to gain his attention, his influence on my younger cousin would be most damaging.
The rest of the feast seemed to fly by me as I contemplated the ever growing amount of problems I had gained. I stood up that night, leaving for my common room with a decision formed. Astoria would not be a subject to the pure-blooded mania the Malfoy family supported. I would prevent her fancy for that boy from growing into anything else.
I sat in the common room later that night with a book in my hands. There was a special sofa in the common room that, by an unwritten rule, belonged only to me. It was located in a rather favourable proximity to the fireplace, close enough for me to stay warm, yet far enough so that I was never hot.
The common room was quite empty at the moment and I enjoyed the brief moment of solitude, for I knew that the classes were starting tomorrow and that my time alone would be drastically cut. An event that caused me no joy.
Therefore I had no trouble noticing a figure that approached me, and as I recognised her from the corner of my eye, I had no desire to reach for my wand, which I had laid bellow my book, for quick access. It was a sort of a necessity in the Slytherin house to be prepared for the worst at any given time.
"Hello Astoria" I greeted as the figure sat down beside me, one of the very few people allowed to do so and not face my wrath.
"Hello Linda, how was your summer?" asked she, and I looked up from my book, noting that my cousin had kept her voice down, as to not be overheard. She was learning, it seemed to me, the etiquette of Slytherin students on higher years. Always keep your guard up.
"Somewhat enjoyable, and yours?" I replied, as we had not seen each other all that much during the summer.
"Rather dull, you know banquets and dinner parties, the usual." Spoke she, sighing remorsefully. I knew how my cousin liked to travel, yet her parents thought it best for them to refrain from doing so in these troublesome times. Her eyes shone as she continued :" I stayed in England the whole time. But you got to leave, and to such a place as Balkan, rather interesting choice I must say."
I was just about to reply before I got interrupted as a boy sat on the arm of my side of the sofa.
"What are you reading Rosey?" came the obnoxious voice, making me question my original dislike of Dolores Umbridge. Compared to Zabini, she made for a perfectly enjoyable company.
"Yes, well" I spoke, completely ignoring the arrival "my grandmother got to pick the place. And you know how she gets when she doesn't have her way. So Balkan it was. I rather liked it, especially Dubrovnik."
I could see that Astoria was about to answer, but the blasted boy interrupted once more, making my fingers twitch for my wand. "You went to Dubrovnik?" exclaimed he, being overly dramatic as per usual "And you didn't think to contact me? You could have visited me Rosey, such glorious times we could have had."
He seemed to remember that Tori was also present as he addressed her next : "And hello to you Astoria, you look as lovely as always."
"Hello Blaise" replied Astoria, obviously on the verge of laughter. She knew how annoyed I was by such blatant displays of idiotism and it amused her to no end. Thanks Tori.
"You are ruining the chair Zabini; do be as kind as to leave." I spoke, barely restraining myself from hexing the boy.
"I couldn't leave now Rosey, it's just getting interesting." Replied he, ever so sweetly. Too bad his charm would not work on me as it would on any daft bimbo that walked past him. Tracy for example.
"Oh, that's not a problem, then we will leave. Come on Astoria" I spoke, instantly getting up, my wand in hand, and my book put away in my bag with one flick of my wrist. I did not wait for Astoria to follow, as she exchanged a couple of more words with the prat.
I was rather proud of myself, for not hexing him that is. My self-control was growing, perhaps one day, I'll be able to move my record of spending fifteen minutes in the same room with him without him suffering a, preferably painful, curse. Or maybe not, I thought as I heard him say: "Oh she would never harm me …. Permanently."
"Oh yes she would" I spoke and ascended the first stair. I turned around, however, and spoke as another thought occurred to me "And if you have any doubts about it, do consider which limb you are willing to lose Let me know tomorrow, I will be more than happy to help you out." And with one more sneer I disappeared up the stairs, followed by the laughter of said boy. It was really not that funny, since I was, in fact offering in all seriousness.