Chapter 3: Lesson Learned?
Supper passed quickly and Meissa - if pressed to describe it - would not be able to say anything about it.
She hardly bothered with Draco or his friends and she spoke not a word to anyone. Though she had noticed that he and his two friends - Crabbe and Goyle - were up to something, gathered at the Gryffindor's table. Suspicious of what they might be doing with the Gryffindors - she does have a deal to uphold after all - she makes a mental note to corner her cousin later.
She had actually been prepared to retire to bed without another incident had it not been the fact she overheard Pansy Parkinson gripe loudly about how she didn't appreciate the Black name being defended.
With the reminder of her earlier anger it came back with a vengeance.
Her wand in hand she returns her cauldron to its proper size and summoned her potion kit, curiosity of her godfather. Remembering everything he had taught her she starts the first step of brewing her potions.
It took her a moment to remember the spell she wanted to use but she did transfigure a quill she wasn't too attached to into a cauldron. Within minutes she had the potions brewing and she was splitting her time evenly between the two. She made sure that she was adding the necessary ingredients to the right potions.
She was actually nearly done when the door to the room opened and Daphne stepped in, pausing when their eyes met.
"Um… do I want to know?" Daphne inquires as she shuts the door behind her.
"It's up to you if you do want to know," Meissa replies, uncaring if Daphne disagreed with her actions.
"Um… What are you brewing? And are you sure you can brew whatever it is you're brewing?"
"I was taught by the very best," Meissa answers simply, her tone short.
"And… what is it you're brewing?" she repeats.
"Volubilis," she points at one cauldron, "Befuddlement."
Daphne crossed the room, carefully moving pass the cauldrons and their open flames, and sat on her bed.
"Aren't those 7th year potions?"
Meissa shrugs her shoulders, she never thought about whether the potions she was brewing would be considered difficult or hard to brew. She just chose the potions she wanted and started brewing. Without a care for the rules.
"So who is this meant for?"
"You're smart, I'm sure you can figure out who this is meant for."
Daphne sighs, shaking her head. "Meissa…"
"You're not going to be able to convince me to leave this be."
"Embarrassing her could make the situation worse."
Meissa glances at her just as she was adding the final ingredients.
"She needs to learn that I won't let her speak for my name. And that I won't tolerate her attempts to further her family's status."
"You're obsessed with that."
Meissa doesn't say anything at first but once she doused the flames she sat back and stared at Daphne. With that one sentence Meissa started thinking about before.
Wordlessly she grabs two empty and clean vials and filled them, pressing the stoppers in place before stashing them into her trunk. The remaining brew she vanished instead of bothering to put in vials. She doesn't believe it would be necessary for her to have to repeat the experience for Pansy to learn her lesson.
Though if she proved to be as dense as she appears, well, she'll just have to find a better form of punishment for the girl.
She was about to turn in for the night when she remembered that she wanted to talk to her cousin about what he was doing at supper. So she grabs her shoes and makes to leave, ignoring or not caring that Daphne had asked her where she was going.
When she didn't find the platinum blonde in the common room she went up to his room and entered without knocking. Catching him as he was changing she pushes him onto the bed and crosses her arms.
"Out with it, what did you do," she glowers at him.
"What makes you think I did anything?" he tries to ask innocently.
"One, you're talking to me. Two, I saw you talking to Harry. So I know you're up to something and I want to know."
He rolls his eyes at her as he pulls his shirt on properly. "If you must know, I arranged for them to meet me for a Wizard Duel in the Trophy room."
"What!" she makes a grab for him but got nothing but air when he ducked out of the way. She made another grab but stopped when she noticed that he wasn't wearing clothes for a duel. In fact, he looked ready to turn in for the night.
"You have no intention of meeting them," she mumbles quietly to herself, her mind working double time.
Draco scoffs, "Why would I?"
She knew her cousin, knew him quite well. He hates Harry and Ron for the slights on the train. She knew that which is why she made the deal with them in the first place - though she would change it in a heartbeat now that she knew who Harry really is.
Which means…she makes a face as she realizes what he had done and left the room in a hurry, her robes bellowing after her. She was out of the dormitory within seconds and was well on her way to the trophy room.
She needed to get to them before a Professor finds them.
~MJB~
Meissa was walking quickly to the Trophy room, aware that it was getting late and she ran the risk of being caught by one of the professors or even Filch. But she needed to get Harry out of the situation her cousin had put him in. Not to mention she had made a deal.
She rounds the corner to the Trophy room on the third floor, her wand in hand in case someone is jumpy.
"Malfoy, it's about time you showed up," she hears someone say - probably Harry.
"It's me, Meissa."
"What are you doing here?" Ron hisses.
"My cousin set you up," the raven haired girl replies as she walks over to them, glancing around the room. Cups, shields, plates, and statues winked silver and gold in the low moonlight that shone through the night. Once she was close enough to be able to whisper without difficulties she noticed with a surprise that Harry had an entourage. It wasn't just Ron with him but also Neville Longbottom and Hermione Granger.
She wanted to ask the Gryffindor girl why she had come along when there was a noise in the next room that made them jump. Harry was raising his wand when she grabs his hand, shaking her head furiously.
They needed to get out, now.
"Move," she whispers.
"Sniff around, my sweet," they heard someone whisper as she ushered the Gryffindors away. It was Filch speaking to his cat, most likely. "They might be lurking in a corner."
"They're in here somewhere," she hear him mutter, "probably hiding."
There was a shuffling noise and she realizes with a sinking dread that he was getting closer to them. "Go!" she hisses as low as possible, gesturing for them to get moving.
Wand in hand she stayed to the rear of the group, keeping an eye out for Filch to cast a quick confundo if needed. But her pace was much faster than the one the group was keeping and she was just turning around when suddenly she hears a frightened squeak. Out of the corner of her eye she sees someone break into a run before tripping, knocking into Ron.
Before anyone could try something the boys knocked into a suit of armor and the resulting clash of noise was enough to wake the dead.
A pounding migraine in her temples she turns towards the group just as Harry yelled, "RUN!"
She scoops mid-run to help the boys to their feet before giving them a shove in the direction of the others. In a dead run she follows the group in the near darkness of the corridors, her heart pounding in tandem with her migraine as she kept up with them.
A hidden passageway later they emerged near the Charms classroom on the third floor - still - and stopped. Meissa runs her hand through her hair, panting as she slumps against a wall.
"I think we've lost him," she hears Harry pant, doing the same as her. Neville was somewhere around, wheezing and spluttering.
"I-told-you," Hermione gasps and when Meissa looks at her she saw that she was clutching her chest, probably at a stitch. "I - told - you."
"We've got to get back to Gryffindor Tower," Ron points out, "Quickly as possible." Though he did give Meissa a glare to say - you're not invited. Just as well.
"Meissa," Hermione turns to Harry, "How did you know about the Duel?"
"I saw my cousin talking to Harry," she shakes her head as she ties her hair back. "I know him too well. Thought he might be up to something. Looked like I was right." Harry had a look on his face that said that Hermione had tried to tell him that this wasn't going to go well but it was also a look that told her he was never going to admit to being wrong.
"Let's go."
Meissa pushes away from the wall and made to follow them away from the third floor - she wanted to make sure they get to their tower - even if it meant leaving the group a bit early since she has no desire to learn their secret entrance nor would they be willing to risk her learning it.
But before they went too far a doorknob rattled and something came shooting out of the classroom in front of them.
It was Peeves and before she could cast a spell to conceal them he caught sight of them. With a merry cackle he grins impishly at them. "Wandering around at midnight, Ickle Firsties?" he drawls as Meissa edges her way to the front of the group. "Tut, tut, tut," he clucks his tongue as if scolding them. "Naughty, naughty, you'll get caughty."
"Peeves," she greets in a clipped tone, getting his attention immediately.
"Oh my, a snake with the lions?" he started to laugh loudly, getting shushes from the Gryffindors behind her.
"Peeves, let us by and I'll tell you of a prank you can use," she tries to bargain.
He appeared to think about it. "Mm… Should tell Filch, I should," he remarks, his eyes glinting wickedly. She needed better bait.
"I could tell you of the night terrors of a First year," she tries and this one gets his attention.
But before any agreement could be met someone lost their patience.
"Get out of the way!" Ron snapped, taking a swipe at Peeves.
"No!" It was too late.
"STUDENTS OUT OF BED!" Peeves bellowed, "STUDENTS OUT OF BED DOWN THE CHARMS CORRIDOR!"
"Run!" she yells, ducking under Peeves.
She ran until she saw a door up ahead. "Get to the door!" she yells at the others before she stops to guard their rear.
Behind her someone almost wail desperately, "This is it!" It was Ron. "We're done for! This is the end!" Meissa could hear footsteps approaching - it had to been Filch and he was running straight for Peeves.
"Oh move over!" Hermione practically snarled. She grabs her wand, tapped the lock and whispered, 'Alohomora!' (1)
Meissa heard the distinctive click of a lock becoming undone and ran for the door just as Hermione hissed for her. Her hand grabbed the knob and she shuts it just as she was through. Panting she leaned against the wood as Hermione pressed her ear against it.
When she had the chance to breathe again she took in their surroundings and almost instantly saw something that made the corridor forbidden in the first place.
Breathless she stares as everyone besides her pressed against the door.
"He thinks this door is locked," Harry whispered. "I think we'll be okay - get off Neville! What?"
"Shh!" Meissa hissed just as Harry turned around.
Meissa was staring into the eyes of a monstrous three headed dog that filled the whole space between ceiling and floor. It was something she recognized from old stories - a Cerberus, a hellhound with three heads and each head with its own distinctive personality.
It was standing quite still, all six eyes staring at them though their growls were vibrating through the stone and she could see that any advantage they had was very quickly vanishing. Meissa, closest to the doorknob, quickly patted the door behind her for it and just as the dogs lunged their heads forward the door gave way underneath them, causing them to fall backwards and out of harms' way.
Together they jumped back up and shoved at the door to try and prevent the dog from getting at least one of their heads through. But the hellhound had a leverage and strength they were lacking in so Meissa grabbed her wand and fired off a conjunctivitis curse. (2)
A loud yelp resounded in the air and the push was gone instantly, allowing them to push the door shut. "Colloportus!" she growls quickly, locking the door once more. (3)
Panting she turned to find that the others have already started running and gave chase until they were at the stairs. Once she saw them take the nearest stairs to the higher levels she turns and headed straight for the dungeons. She needed to get back to her dormitory and she wanted to drink her migraine potion before it got too worse.
~MJB~
Meissa was silent at breakfast and her plate contained the barest minimal amount of food necessary to hold her over until lunch. If she could be bothered to eat.
Her appetite has been... well, absent lately. She hadn't been interested in eating and when she tried it felt like she was eating something with an ashy taste.
But when she spotted Pansy taking a seat by her cousin Draco she perked up, sharing a look with Daphne who glanced between Pansy and her. Meissa could see that Daphne didn't quite approve but so far the blonde made no move to warn Pansy of her impending lesson.
She nibbles at her fruit, fighting to keep from smirking.
She was getting way too excited by the prospects of what's coming up causing her to use the trick her godfather taught her when she was younger. It helped a lot but she always had to remember that she couldn't lock away her emotions forever - as much as she would love to.
She using the Occlumency pools her godfather taught her she slides her emotions away from her.
"Meissa?"
"Almost," she replies before Daphne could ask.
She watched out of the corner of her eyes as Pansy took a long drink of her pumpkin juice.
She distracts herself by nibbling on the handful green grapes and just as she was reaching for more, Pansy opened her mouth to say something to Draco. Except, when she tried to talk she brayed like a donkey.
The loud clamor of the Great Hall died as everyone registered the loud braying noise while Pansy looked horrified.
Meissa couldn't help the snickers she had over Pansy's humiliation, more than a little bit amused. She watched Pansy try to explain or excuse herself but the more she tried to talk the worse it was. She was actually rotating through different animal sounds.
By this point everyone had broken into laughter over her misfortune while the Heads of the Houses were trying to restore order. Meissa had a hand pressed firmly to her lips, her eyes dancing with joy while Daphne was laughing just as much.
"Who did this," Snape questions as Pansy sobbed, quacking as she blubbered.
She quickly roped her amusement together and tossed it deep into the pool but when she looked at Daphne she saw that she wasn't quite capable of doing the same. She also saw the way Pansy's eyes narrowed angrily at Daphne.
"Well?"
No one says anything. Even under his dark gaze promising punishment not one person spoke up to confess.
Meissa was quick to get bored with watching the situation unfold and started sipping her pumpkin juice. Snape, when he saw that he wasn't going to get an answer, administered an antidote. Knowing Snape, he would be able to identify the potion from the symptoms the girl had exhibited. But she also reasoned that he wouldn't have known to expect this so he would be carrying an antidote capable of treating a broad amount of potions.
"If the culprit turned themselves in tonight before midnight I promise that there will be no expulsion for this morning's antics," he declared coldly before he returned to his seat.
Meissa hummed, thinking. Daphne hissed to catch Meissa's attention.
"You should," Daphne whispers.
"Why? I had no part in it," Meissa retorts.
Daphne narrows her eyes at the Black Heiress before she shook her head. She couldn't quite figure out the raven haired girl but she knew that she probably shouldn't interfere with Meissa's fun.
"Hey," Meissa calls her attention, her dark eyes glancing at Pansy who had sat down and was now eating.
"Yes?"
"Are you ready for class?"
"You're not staying?"
"Why? There's nothing here for us."
"Really?"Meissa nods her head as she finishes the rest of her pumpkin juice. "Oh, okay then," Daphne finishes off her toast and stood.
Without another word they walked out of the hall, ignoring or not caring about the fact that Pansy was glaring at them as they left.
~MJB~
"How did you manage to cause her to mimic different animals?" Daphne asks her quietly while they were waiting for their classmates to join them and for Professor McGonagall to start class.
"It wasn't too hard," Meissa shrugged, "The potion is useful for changing the voice. Since I brewed it, I could choose what noise she makes."
"Remind me to not piss you off."
Meissa laughs, "That would be a brilliant idea."
Daphne shakes her head.
"Is there anything else I should be aware of?"
Meissa props her head on her fist, seemingly studying Daphne. "I cannot think of one."
Daphne shakes her head in disbelief, "It's going to be trial and error with you."
"But of course."
Meissa smirks at the look of disbelief on Daphne's face but before either of them could say anything the door opened. Curious Meissa looks pass Daphne to see that Hermione had come to class early.
"Good morning, Granger," she greets the witch, ignoring the questioning look Daphne was giving her.
"Oh, Meissa," Hermione smiles at her, "Good morning."She then adopted a curious, worried, look and Meissa had a suspicion about what she might ask. "Did you…" she trails off, unsure how to ask. "Did you get back to your dormitory last night without trouble?"
"Yes, thank you for asking."
Hermione smiles brightly before she moved to sit near them but stopped when Daphne made a noise.
Meissa catches the noise and looks sharply at the blonde, her dark eyes impossibly darker. "Is there a problem?" she practically hisses
"She's a -."
"A witch. Just like you and me."
"But she's -."
Meissa stood suddenly, startling Daphne into silence.
"She is a witch, Daphne. Nothing more, nothing less," she bites out angrily. "She could be a great and brilliant witch, stronger than any witch in history." Angry she turns away and moves to leave Daphne and sit somewhere.
"Wait, Meissa, I'm sorry!" Daphne tries to stop her from leaving, grabbing Meissa's wrist. "I just don't-."
"I don't care for the social restraints of our families, Daphne," Meissa cuts her off. "It is because of the pureblood's arrogance that he was able to raise to power and our families fell under his sway."
Disgust colored Meissa's words as she shook off Daphne's grasp, "Precious people, lost because of one man's senseless need for revenge."
"Meissa…" Hermione whispers, reaching for the Black Heiress' arm, sensing that something is wrong with the girl.
"I'm sorry, I'm not feeling terribly good anymore," Meissa mutters as she shakes off Hermione's hand. "Do tell Professor McGonagall that I'll be by to pick up today's homework."
"Meissa you can't go skipping classes all the time," Daphne tries to protest.
Meissa shakes her head and simply left instead of staying like they insisted.
~MJB~
Meissa stares blankly at the calm surface of the lake. Her eyes' distant as she sat there, occasionally she would flick her wand to skip a levitated pebble across the surface.
Occasionally her fingers would begin to twitch, her eyes becoming unfocused as she lost herself into a memory. Her hands would begin to tremble violently the longer she stayed lost in her memory until she forced herself to come out of it.
Each time her magic would lash out violently, the water boiling as the grass around her turned brown. She bit at a knuckle, fighting to stay in the moment. To push through the memories of the past and hating herself for letting it happen to her.
"Meissa."
She glances over her shoulder, grimacing when she realizes that it's Hermione.
"What is it?" she mutters quietly.
"Um… I didn't see you at all today," she hears Hermione comment before she sat down next to her.
Meissa props her head up with her fist, finding it hard to focus or even fake it. "I've been here," she replies, skipping the pebbles again.
"Is it even a good idea to skip classes two days in a row?" Hermione asks as she searches through her school bag.
"I don't really care," Meissa replies tonelessly.
"But you… don't you care about graduating?"
Meissa stares blankly at the Gryffindor, absentmindedly biting her thumb. "That's seven years away," she mutters before Hermione presents a biscuit. "What is this?"
"Um… food?"
She blinks repeatedly, looking between the offered food and Hermione before she takes it with mumbled thanks.
"So… why are you out here?" Hermione asks as Meissa took small bites of the cold but still delicious biscuit.
"It's better to be here than destroying a room," she answers quietly.
"Is it truly that bad?"
Meissa doesn't answer at first, breaking a piece of the biscuit off before she eats it.
By the time she's ready to answer someone called out her name.
The girls turned to find that Snape was approaching them. He did not look please.
"You best get going now," Meissa mutters as she stood. Offering a hand up before she urges for Hermione to go on without her.
"Will you be okay?" Hermione asks, hesitating.
"Okay or not it's best for you to leave now," Meissa mutters.
"Will you start going to class again?"
"If I say yes will you go?" Hermione nods, prompting Meissa to sigh. "Then yes, I will start."
"Then I'll see you tomorrow." Hermione agrees before she moved quickly to return to Hogwarts' safety.
Translations:
1) Alohomora - unlocking spell
2) Conjunctivitis curse - eye inflammation
3) Colloportus - locking spell