CHAPTER SIX

THREATENING

"Where the fuck is she?" Al shouts to no one in particular, "Where is Hailey-fucking-Frockler?" This is the angriest I've ever seen Al. But I can tell that behind that anger he is hurt. Hurt that she would say something like that about him and even more hurt that everyone would believe it.

"Like we're gonna tell you." Someone shouts.

"Yeh" Shouts someone else, "You'll probably go hit her like you did Lily." There are shouts of "shame on you" and "woman-beater" until Al finally has enough.

"No!" He screams,"Shame on you! For actually believing her lies. You all know me, or at least I thought you did. I would never hit a girl - never mind my own sister - and that you actually believe I did is ridiculous!" He turns to me, "If you still don't believe me, ask Lily. Lily would I ever hit you?" The whole hall turns to look at me, as if only just realising that I'm standing there. I feel sick from all the attention, like I have stage fright or something. But in spite of that my voice comes out loud and clear and strong.

"Albus would never hit me. Ever. In fact Albus would never hurt anyone. Hailey Frockler is a liar. Now tell me where she is so I can't get her to retract her story. Because that's what it is, a story. Where is she?" There is a long silence. I think they are in shock, even Al is standing staring at me, his mouth hanging open. That is probably the most anyone has ever heard me talk. After all, I am "the quiet one".

No one talks, moves or even breathes for what feels like minutes - but is actually mere seconds. Then someone shouts. I turn to look at the voice. It's Sara Becket (the muggle-born Slytherin).

"I-I think she's in the L-Library." She stutters "I was there earlier, returning a book, and she-she was pestering some boy about a story or-or something."

"Thank you Sara." I give her a half smile, which she returns, and quickly march out of the Great Hall, uncomfortable with the feeling of everyone watching me. Al follows behind me for a minute then starts to take the lead.

"Al, promise me something. Promise not to do something to get yourself into trouble. Don't threaten her or hex her or even talk to her in anyway that sounds like you want to hurt her. If you do that then she'll publish it too - it'll make things even worse. We just go and politely ask her to retract her story ok?" But by the end of my request, I'm shouting because he starts to run up the stairs ahead of me. He didn't listen to a word I said.

I get to the library second after Albus, but spot Hailey before him. I walk up to her with more confidence than I have ever had in my life. I tap her on the shoulder. Her face is covered in makeup but despite that even I have to admit she's gorgeous. Hair long black hair is piled on top of her head, her long eyelashes frame her baby-blues perfectly and she has a figure any girl would die for. When she turns around and sees me, she automatically plasters a fake sympathetic smile on to her full pink lips.

"Hey Lily, how are you feeling, sweetie?" She talks to me as if I'm 8 years old. I feel my face turn red with rage.

"How am I feeling? Well, I'd feel a whole lot better if you would retract your lies about my brother." I'm aware of Al standing behind me.

"Lily, your in denial, sweetie. I'm only trying to help you. As soon as you face this the better. There are people who can help if -"

"Shut up. Just retract your story. It's all lies. If you don't retract it we'll go to Professor McGonagall, and you'll be fired from the paper and - in fact don't bother retracting your story. Getting you fired sounds so much better." I'm surprised by the calm yet cunning tone my voice has taken. I'm quite proud of my ability to blackmail - until she smirks evily at me.

"Al can you give Lily and I a moment to talk." I hear Al protest but I hold my hand up to stop him, wanting to hear what she has to say.

"Go get to class Al, I'll be fine." He huffs at me but goes anyway. I'm pretty sure if he's late to class after being with me all week he'll have detention for sure. Hailey leans in close to me.

"Listen to me close Lily. You think you can threaten me? Your about as scary as a kitten. Besides, you really don't want to get me fired, bitch. I have loads more gossip on your family than an accidental bump on the head and an argument about a fucking broomstick. Yes, I know the truth about all your family's little fights but no one wants to read about the boring truth, so I thought why not make it a little more interesting? But I do have some interesting truths on your family, things I'll bet you don't even know. And a paper isn't the only way to get news about Hogwarts now, is it? So I suggest you run back to your little family and tell them to just ignore it. And if you try something? Well, let's just say this news will not be forgotten in a few days. See ya, Sweetie." And with that she walks away.

I go through the whole day worrying about what she could possibly have on us. There is nothing I can think of but then again, she did say it was a secret. I seriously hope she's bluffing but if she isn't then we can't let whoever's secret it is get out. I always thought our family had no secrets.

Speaking of secrets, when I get back to the common room at the end of the day Rikki and Mel are nowhere to be seen. In fact I haven't seen them apart from the class we have together. I go up to our dorm and lay down on the bed, trying to do homework, when my bag starts beeping. It's the family parchment.

The family parchment is what we call the enchanted parchment Rose charmed for us all a few years back. Basially, what it is, is a system we delveloped. We all have a sheet of parchment that we have to keep with us at all time. If one of us has a problem that we all need to discuss, we write down a meeting place and time and it gets send to all the other bits of parchment (eg family members). I had been expecting it to go off today to dicuss the article.

I pulled it out of my bag and read the message: Room of Requirement, after dinner ~James.

At 6 O'clock I went down to the kitchens and asked the house elves nicely if I could have a sandwich. Of course to them that meant a 3 course meal. I tried to tell them it was fine but they insisted. I like the house elves, I try and visit them whenever I can. Sometimes Rose comes with me. But tonight I only went to avoid people's stares and spectulations. After I had finally covinced the house elves I was full, I headed to the Room of Requirement. Our family meetings are always ... eventful. I can't wait.