Chapter 11

When everyone else left for St Mungo's to visit Mr Weasley, I didn't go. There was no point in me visiting him when I had never been properly introduced to him besides that one time during the summer.

During the whole winter holidays, I refused to call it the Christmas holidays anymore since I didn't celebrate it, I found more and more small trinkets being placed on the bookshelves in my bedroom. There were many different ones and Silver said that Kreacher, the HouseElf, was leaving them in here since he knew I wouldn't touch or mess with them without a good cause. Apparently, I was the most trusted one with Dark artefacts in the house. I wasn't very surprised by this, considering I liked to know what I was touching before I held anything.

The night before we would leave for Hogwarts, Molly Weasley called me down to the kitchen at a time that would be too early for dinner. I went down, finding Harry and Sirius standing with a sour Snape. He definitely looked like he didn't want to be here.

"Sit down, Miss Potter," Snape said. "We have something to discuss."

I sat down next to a sheepish Harry as Sirius put a hand on my shoulder.

"The headmaster has sent me to tell you that it is his wish for you both to study Occlumency this term,"

Harry's face was blank, "Study what?"

"Occlumency, the defence of the mind. It stops people from almost reading your mind, in the plainest terms," I told him before turning to Snape. "Are you sure I need it? I haven't got any visions from You-Know-Who before."

"You might not have before but it is a possibility that the Headmaster wants to prevent," Snape said. "Mr Potter will receive private lessons once a week, as will you, Miss Potter, though on different days. You will not tell anybody what you are doing, least of all Dolores Umbridge. You understand?"

I scowled, "As if I'd tell her anything."

"Yes," Harry said. "Who's going to be teaching us?"

"I am," He said.

"Why can't Dumbledore teach Harry?" Sirius spoke up. "Why you?"

"I suppose because it is a headmaster's privilege to delegate less enjoyable tasks," Snape said coldly. "I assure you I did not beg for the job. I will expect you at six o'clock on Monday evening, Mr Potter. And Miss Potter on Wednesday evening."

Snape stood up, his travelling cloak billowing behind him.

"Wait a moment," Sirius started as he stood up straight.

Snape barely looked at him. "I am in rather a hurry, Black…unlike you, I do not have unlimited leisure time…"

"I'll get to the point, then," Sirius said. He was actually a little taller than Snape. "If I hear you're using these Occlumency lessons to give Harry and Viktoria a hard time, you'll have me to answer to."

"How touching," Snape sneered. "But surely you have noticed that Mr Potter is very like his father? At least, Miss Potter has the decency to keep her opinions to herself within classes. Still, they're both much like their father."

"I know," Sirius gritted his teeth.

"Well then, you'll know they're so arrogant that criticism simply bounces off of them," Snape's words were like silk, almost like they were backhanded compliments towards us.

I could agree with the fact that we were arrogant. Harry was because he thought he was better than everyone because he saved the world when he was a babe. I, on the other hand, had to pretend I was the best because I couldn't show weakness. That was why I was trying so hard with my classes, trying to get the best grades and the most experience I could.

Sirius strode towards Snape, squaring up to him as the other did the same.

"I've warned you, Snivellus," Sirius growled. "I don't care if Dumbledore thinks you've reformed, I know better —"

"Oh, but why don't you tell him so?" Snape whispered, a cold look entering his eyes, something all Slytherins had perfected. "Or are you afraid he might not take the advice of a man who has been hiding inside his mother's house for six months very seriously?"

"Tell me, how is Lucius Malfoy these days?" He sneered. "I expect he's delighted about his lapdog's working at Hogwarts, isn't he?"

"Speaking of dogs," Snape softly continued, "did you know that Lucius Malfoy recognized you last time you risked a little jaunt outside? Clever idea, Black, getting yourself seen on a safe station platform…gave you a castiron excuse not to leave your hidey-hole in future, didn't it?"

Sirius raised his wand.

Harry vaulted over the table, slamming his chair into part of my left shoulder and collarbone while trying to get between them. It stung and I knew a bruise would form. Silver would heal it when I asked. He didn't heal everything, he could but the more he used his powers, the weaker he felt. I decided not to let him heal me. It was only a bruise.

"Are you calling me a coward?" Sirius tried to push Harry out of the way but he wouldn't move.

"Why, yes, I suppose I am,"

Sirius tried to shove Harry aside again.

Both adults raised their wands.

"ENOUGH!" I clenched my hands before pulling them to opposite sides of my body. It forced them to take a few steps back, trying to rebalance themselves on their feet as they shook the effects of my Magic off.

"Apparently, Miss Potter needs some lessons on Wandless Magic too," Snape slowly said. "They will be conducted after the Occlumency on Wednesdays."

He left without a word.

)()()(

Getting back to Hogwarts was one of the hardest journeys so far.

I wrapped up in my leather jacket, charmed for warmth like the rest of my clothes. A thick black scarf was wrapped around my bare neck, keeping me warm from the chilly wind. Snow still fell in January as I began the journey to King's Cross.

Sirius had handed me a small package right before we left for Hogwarts, telling me to wait until I was in my own room in Hogwarts before I opened it. It was something that would let me contact Sirius if I needed him desperately. I doubted I would need to but he insisted that it would put his and Remus' minds at ease.

A car was waiting.

Tonks and Remus went to summon the Knight Bus but Silver nodded to the car. It was the same one as before so I walked over to it, getting in without pausing to tell anyone else to follow me. I journeyed to King's Cross by myself, not missed by any of the others. I was going to take the Hogwarts Express back to Hogwarts. It would take a lot longer but I preferred it over spending any more time with Harry and his friends.

He kept giving me glances every once in a while.

Station Nine and Three-Quarters was as busy as ever but I made my way onto the train with ease. I walked to the same carriage as last time, finding Slytherins slowly trailing in with younger years following the older.

"Hey," Montague began as he sat down. "The Aces sent word for you to go down to the last compartment. Don't ask why. I don't know."

"Alright," I said. "Thanks."

When I walked to the last compartment of the train, getting past everyone else still trying to get in and settling themselves down, the doors opened before I could even reach for them. Blaise had a dazzling smirk as he opened the door for me. He ushered me in.

He sat next to Theo on one bench while Draco lounged on the other, his arms spread out on the back of it. He didn't say anything as I sat down. The presence of his arm behind me was hot, barely touching me as I paid attention to all three of them. They looked ever the dapper young men, suited up in black slacks and white shirts and Slytherin ties.

While Theo was the broadest of them all, Draco had the most fitted shirts and was the tallest. Blaise was more soft-spoken out of all of them.

"Good morning, Viktoria," he said, rolling the R in a way which made me narrow my eyes and cross my legs. It shouldn't have sounded so good on his tongue. "We've got something to discuss with you."

"Morning," I greeted. "What's up?"

I unzipped my leather jacket, pulling off my scarf as it was adequately warm in the carriage. I had jeans and one of Sirius' old t-shirts, cutting the neck into a V-shape and fitting it better to my form. Draco's eyes pivoted to me before he turned back to the window, watching the snow fall outside. Without my scarf on, the heat of his arm was worse and I had to sit up straight.

I knew he noticed because the bastard had the faintest smirk on his face, turning his face away from me. It didn't stop me seeing it.

Theo was the first to speak, leaning forward a little as he balanced his elbows on his knees. The ends of his undone tie hung on either side of his neck. Blaise shifted back, putting his own arm on the back of the benches as he tucked the end of his tie into the top of his trousers, keeping his outfit neat.

"Your brother and his little group of misfits, what are they doing?" Theo asked, intently watching me. "There's been rumours he's started a duelling club of sorts."

I released a frustrated breath, sagging in the seat. Draco's arm was inches from the back of my neck but he didn't move so I didn't care.

"I don't know," I frowned. "He hasn't said anything about it to me. I didn't even know about it until recently so your guess would be as good as mine at this point."

Draco turned to me, his own lips curling down, "He really hasn't told you anything?"

"Not a thing," I glanced out the window before going back to the conversation. "He already had a go at me for being a Slytherin and being on the Quidditch team. He's taking the match really hard."

Theo rolled his eyes, "Typical Potter."

"Yeah. Harry hasn't stopped talking shit since he found out I was a Witch," I pulled at the loose stitch in my sleeve. "He wasn't happy. He's never happy since I came here."

"His happiness doesn't matter," Draco tapped his left hand on the bench behind me. I felt the pattern vibrate against my seat. "You've become a serpent. Once you're a serpent, you're ours. We protect what's ours, even against what everyone thinks doesn't need to be protected from. Your brother is a Gryffindor who is used to the school not being against him. You'll be targeted by other Houses but perhaps because of your Potter name, less so than others."

"You help us, we help you," Blaise said. "That goes for anything. You get bullied, you tell us. You get attacked, you tell us. When someone attacks one of us, they attack all of us."

"I've been meaning to ask, how'd you get known as the Aces?" I asked, looking at all of their faces. "I get the rings. I can see the resemblance between the ace rings and what you're called but why?"

"There's only four aces in a deck of cards," Draco turned his head to look at me. When lightning struck outside, his eyes looked more silver and inhuman than I had ever seen. Like a predator watching its prey. "Within Hogwarts, there are always four Aces. The first was the Founders, but since then, only four Aces come every generation. It's seen as a sign of pride to be one but it comes with responsibilities. We became Aces at different times. I was a Third year, Blaise Forth, and Theo didn't join until the beginning of this year."

"How do you get chosen?"

Theo's smile was secretive but amused, "That's part of the Ace secret, no one but us will ever know."

"So you're a secret little society?" I raised an eyebrow. "Who even knows about this?"

"The whole school I reckon," Blaise shrugged. "When an Ace becomes a Seventh year, that's the final year they're an Active Ace. Then everyone wants to figure out who'll be the next one."

"Why have I only heard of you three being Aces then?"

"Molly Whitehorn is graduating this year. She's the last Ace of her generation and she's a Ravenclaw so you've probably not seen much of her. She's also Head Girl this year so it's one of those tricky situations to juggle," Theo said. "We try to work around her schedule more than anything."

"Hmm, fair enough," I said. "Is there anything else or can I go back to the carriage?"

Draco fixed his half-windsor knotted tie, standing up abruptly as his leg grazed mine as he strode to the door, keeping it open with one arm. "Whitehorn is joining us soon enough so we should expect her arrival any moment. I'll walk you back."

"No, thank—"

His next words interrupted me, shocking me with how sharp they were, like claws sinking into flesh. "I said, I'll walk you back."

I crossed my arms, scarf in my pouch, stifling a rude remark and settled on something a little more pleasant. I scoffed.

"I'll walk myself back, thank you very much," I turned to the door but he raised his other arm, blocking my way. He didn't even bother to scowl at me, only intently staring me in the eye before it flickered to my bare collarbone and the chain of the locket I wore.

"That wasn't a question, Viktoria."

I laughed, shaking my head, "As if."

I bowed my head to go under his arms, ready to walk down the hall to the Slytherin carriage. I made it halfway under Draco's arm before he shifted quicker than I thought possible. The door closed as I felt the bite of the wall on my back, my head protected by his hand as the other gripped my left shoulder.

My eyes widened in fear as he crowded me in but when his hand clenched over the fresh bruise on my shoulder, I hissed in pain. It had healed somewhat, having refused to let Silver heal me. It had just turned blue, previously being purple.

His hand retracted like I had cursed him, eyes widening like a frightened child.

Blaise stood up, gently shoving Draco aside as he gazed at my shoulder.

"What happened?" Blaise asked.

I shrugged, rubbing my shoulder gently. "Nothing, just a bruise."

"Show us,"

Now that, with the way he stood before me, ready to make me obey him if I didn't want to do it myself, was not a question. I dipped a finger under the cut collar and tugged it to the side. The bruise was double the side of a golf ball and splatered in blue and purple with yellowish edges.

All of them stiffened. Theo straightened his shoulders, sitting up in his seat as his amber eyes blazed in anger. Draco stayed by the door, fists clenched by his sides. Blaise was the calmest of them all, the only thing telling me he was angry was the set of his strong jaw.

"So," Theo began, arms spreading out over the back of the bench, getting comfortable in his seat but he looked ready to leap out of it if needed. "Who do we have to kill?"

"No one," I said instantly. "It was an accident."

"May I?" Blaise raised a hand and his eyebrow, letting me answer before he assumed he could even think of touching me. I nodded once. His dark hand grazed over the bruise, feeling the extent of it. I refused to hiss out of pain, biting my lip instead. His frown deepened. "A bruised collarbone."

"I'll go Madam Pomfrey when we arrive,"

Draco shook his head, looking at Theo, "Heal it."

The Nott Wizard leapt from his seat and crowded round. Draco was on my left, closest to the door while Blaise moved to my right so Theo could stand right in front of me. He took his wand out and I stiffened.

"What?" Theo laughed, twirling his wand between his fingers. "I'm going to heal you. It's better than anything Pomfrey would give you. Instantly healed instead of downing disgusting potions."

My patience was wearing thin and with them so close, their body temperatures making mine skyrocket, I was close to getting angry.

"Fine," I watched his wand as he raised it towards me.

"Viktoria," Blaise said.

I didn't take my eyes off Theo, not trusting him with a wand so close to me. I didn't trust anyone near me. I didn't like touching people and I didn't like them touching me. I had to make sure they weren't trying to hurt me. I might have been a Slytherin, and I might have been Harry's sister, but it meant nothing when it was the three people everyone had warned me of.

I ignored Blaise's second chant of my name, like a melody on his tongue but I couldn't risk looking away from the wand as it neared my skin in slow motion.

Fingers were tucked under my chin, forcing my gaze up and away from Theo's wandtip and straight into the abyss of Blaise's eyes. The shadows in his eyes kept me staring at him but the tinge of warmth in them stopped my eventual panic of Theo and his wand.

Blaise raised my chin some more and I craned my neck to look him in the eyes easier. He was much taller when he was this close. When he spoke again, my eyes drifted to his mouth and he smirked.

"Theodore here is a good healer," he said to me. His thumb grazed just under my bottom lip, far away enough that I felt the difference but to the other two, it must have looked like he ran his thumb against my lip.

I figured out what he was doing when I felt the sharp burn in the bruise, echoing throughout my shoulder and collarbone. I gritted my teeth as Theo worked, letting him as I felt it start getting better. The burn sizzled down until I could no longer feel it.

Theo put a gentle hand on my shoulder and Blaise let my chin go.

"All better now," Theo said, pocketing his wand. "How does it feel?"

I shifted my shoulder and nodded, "It's better now. Thank you."

"Who did it?" Draco inquired, glancing to the now healed area. "It's an unusual area to get hurt unless it's Quidditch."

"I said it was—"

He gritted his teeth, "I don't care what you said. I want to know—"

My hand moved before I could think, balling up his tie in my hand as I pulled him in close. Inches separated us as he was much taller than me and had to hunch. He had no choice in the matter as I wrapped the tie in my fist.

"Listen here, you serpentine bastard," I snapped in his face, my jaw tight and my free hand clenched by my side. "I don't give a shit about the Ace stuff. You don't get to order me around. You don't get to speak to me like that. You especially don't get to touch me."

I shoved him back and forced the doors open, striding away to the Slytherin carriage.