Chapter 45: Couple

The news of Draco and Madeline spread around Hogwarts like wildfire.

It was expected, really. Everyone loved the gossip, and with the pair being notorious in their disagreements in the past, it came as a shock to many people. To others, it was expected. Of course the king and queen of Slytherin would one day find each other. And really, the prospect was somewhat terrifying.

Madeline and Draco didn't feel the need to hide their relationship, either. Madeline would walk into the common room in the morning to a forehead kiss and a 'good morning' murmur from Draco (which definitely did not make her heart skip a beat nor her skin tingle, thank you). In the evenings, she'd find herself draping her legs over his lap on the common room couch. His thumb would stroke her knee while they laughed and joked with their friends.

And she was really, really happy with Draco.

She didn't feel like she was trying to impress him. Ever. He'd seen her at some of her lowest moments, and liked her despite them. He'd known about her father since first year when he'd called her a Dearborn. She felt like she didn't have to hide anything when she was around him.

And of course, it was all Ron Weasley could talk about.

"I bloody knew it," Ron huffed in the Gryffindor common room, "I knew she was like Malfoy-"

"-Only because she's dating Malfoy doesn't mean that she's like Malfoy," Hermione pointed out, "Besides, you might not be sat here today if she hadn't come with us to the Department of Mysteries, would you?"

Ron grumbled, crossing his arms, "One good deed doesn't make you good."

"And one bad deed doesn't make you bad," Hermione retorted, eyes scanning a copy of the Evening Prophet that had been left on the coffee table.

"Malfoy is trouble," Harry added, "Don't you remember what we saw in Knockturn Alley?"

"Funny you should mention that," Hermione interrupted, "The paper says Ron's dad has been to visit the Malfoys' house. 'This second search of the Death Eaters residence does not seem to have yielded any results. Arthur Weasley of the Office for the Detection and Confiscation of Counterfeit Defensive Spells and Protective Objects said that his team had been acting upon a confidential tip-off.'"

"Yeah, mine!" Harry explained, "I told him at Kings Cross about Malfoy and that thing he was trying to get Borgin to fix! Well, if it's not at their house, he must have brought whatever it is to Hogwarts with him-"

"But how can he have done, Harry?" Hermione stressed, putting down the newspaper with a surprised look, "We were all searched when we arrived, weren't we?"

"Were you?" said Harry, taken aback, "I wasn't!"

"Oh no, of course you weren't, I forgot you were late," Hermione sighed, "Filch searched us all when we got into the entrance hall. Any Dark object would have been found, I know for a fact Crabbe had a shrunken head confiscated. So you see, Malfoy can't have brought in anything dangerous."

"What are you lot on about now?" George asked as he and Fred descended the Gryffindor dorms stairs into the common room, plopping themselves on either side of Hermione on the largest sofa.

"Madeline's pretty little new boyfriend," Ron rolled his eyes, spitting out the last word.

"Listen, it's not my fault Slughorn invited Hermione and me to his stupid party, but you don't have to get in such a mood about everything-"

"Hold on," Fred interrupted, turning to Ron, "Boyfriend?"

"Don't you know?" Ron snorted, a sour look on his face, "Bisset and Malfoy are together."

Fred felt like all the air had been sucked out of the room, "Oh? No, I didn't know."

"We should've seen it coming, really," Ron shrugged, "It was only a matter of time until they realised they were perfect for each other-"

"Ron, stop being a prat!" Hermione insisted, glaring at Ron.

"I'm just saying what we're all thinking!" Ron argued, standing up with his hands held up, "I'm off to bed."

With that, Ron was off, leaving the twins, Harry and Hermione.

Fred's head was spinning. As much as he really and truly respected Madeline's decision to break up, hearing her dating someone new still hurt. And Malfoy of all people… He was confused to say the least. The Madeline he'd known was bold, brash and brave. She'd stormed into the Gryffindor tower and given them all a piece of her mind when she'd barely even known any of them. But now, she seemed more reserved. More pensive. Like there was a weight on her shoulders that he couldn't see.

Often, he wondered if he'd helped put that weight there.

"You alright?" George asked him lowly.

Fred nodded, leaning back, "Yeah, why wouldn't I be?"

"Because your ex girlfriend is now dating the biggest prat in the school?"

"Shut up George."

"I'd be happy to hex him into a ferret-"

"I, um, don't mean to worry you," Harry interrupted, "But Malfoy… He's not just a prat anymore. I reckon he's got something darker going on this year."

"Harry, you're stressing about nothing," Hermione huffed, "Once again, they searched everyone! They're even checking the owls and the post!"

"I reckon we've got reason to be worried," Harry argued.

Fred tuned them out as he continued to mull over this new discovery. Madeline was… Not what he remembered, clearly. Perhaps he should've been paying more attention.

Meanwhile, Madeline was in Snape's office, and she was not having a particularly pleasant evening.

Snape had called on her to begin the lessons Dumbledore had mentioned the previous year. She'd been trying to push the notion out of her mind, but clearly, Snape couldn't wait any longer to begin 'training her'. She didn't know what the lessons were for yet, really. She'd soon find out.

"You possess the ability to cast a rebound curse," Snape began, "You may not know how to access this ability yet, but you possess it nonetheless. And so, people will want to use you for this ability. We need to ensure that doesn't happen."

"Professor, I don't quite know how I'm meant to prevent that if I myself don't know how to use the curse," Madeline explained.

Snape raised his eyebrow, "I believe you have studied the Unforgivable Curses?"

Madeline felt a chill run through her body, "Yes. I have."

"And if I recollect correctly, the person we believed to be Professor Moody attempted the Imperius curse on you, and failed?"

"Yes Professor."

"I see," Snape's expression did not waver, "Then it is safe to assume he did not truly cast the curse."

"Excuse me?"

"In my professional opinion, Barty Crouch Junior wanted you to believe you were strong minded enough to not be affected by the curse so as to be more vulnerable when the curse was eventually cast on you," Snape explained dully, "Now, please take a seat."

Madeline hesitated, but eventually took a seat at the gestured chair. Snape took his wand out with bored ease, as if this was nothing more but a chore to him.

"What we're going to do in these lessons is build your resistance," Snape explained, "We need to ensure that your mind and will are impenetrable. We wouldn't want someone to command you to cast the curse, would we?"

"No Professor," Madeline agreed readily.

"Dumbledore has given me permission to train you in this way, Miss Bisset," Snape continued, picking up his wand, "I will be casting the Imperius curse on you, and you will be resisting its effects. Is that clear?"

Madeline swallowed. This was… Not what she was expecting. But the prophecy echoed in her head; her duty. She couldn't let anyone take advantage of her. And so, she nodded.

"Imperio!"

Snape had most definitely been right; Barty Crouch Junior had most definitely not been casting the Imperius curse on her. She suddenly felt calm, like the feeling of responsibility and anxiety she was just feeling was gone. She felt… Dare she say it, at ease.

And then, through the fog in her mind, Snape spoke.

"Miss Bisset, please pass me that cauldron."

Madeline tried to remember what her task was - tried to grasp at any semblance of free will that she had left. But it just felt so easy to do what he'd asked, and going against it made her feel so heavy. Before she knew what was happening, the cauldron was in her hands, and she was passing it to Snape.

In an instant, the foggy sense of calmness dropped. Madeline felt exhausted. She blinked a few times, realising what had gone wrong. She was too weak-willed.

"Pathetic first try, Miss Bisset. Looks like we'll have to go again," Snape huffed.

He waited for her to nod. She didn't really have many words left, but she had half a mind to curse Snape for calling her pathetic. But… He was right. She'd have to work harder. And so, she nodded once more.

"Imperio!"

"Am I doing this right?" Pansy asked as her and Daphne sat around the chess board in the common room. Everyone else had gone to bed, leaving the two of them with privacy they desperately needed.

"Kind of, yeah," Daphne laughed, moving her pawn, "But unfortunately for you, that one was checkmate."

"How are you so good at this?!" Pansy whined, "I've never understood why people enjoy this stupid game…"

"You were enjoying it when I made you believe you were winning."

"Oi!"

Daphne laughed as Pansy stood up and began to tickle her, "Apologise!"

"Never!"

The two girls dissolved in a pile of giggles onto the floor (no, Pansy would never admit she giggled, ever). Daphne ended up with her arms wrapped around Pansy's waist, leaning against the wizard chess table as they caught their breath.

"This is nice," Pansy mused, turning to face Daphne, "Don't you agree?"

Daphne had a coy smile on her face, nodding, "Yeah, this is nice."

Their lips were mare inches apart, and Daphne was about to close that gap before the sound of someone opening the common room door echoed into the room. The two girls scrambled apart, Daphne darting up to sit at the chess table whilst Pansy dashed for the sofa.

Madeline strolled in without a second glance to the girls, looking absolutely exhausted.

"Where have you been?" Daphne tried nervously.

Madeline shrugged, "Snape wanted me for detention. You two?"

"Couldn't sleep," Daphne shrugged.

"All I've been thinking about for the past hour is sleep," Madeline grumbled, "Goodnight, you two."

She waved at the two tiredly, almost bumping into a table as she made her way to the girls dorms. The two girls held their breath. Once she was up the stairs and out of sight, Pansy and Daphne could finally breathe again.

"That was close," Daphne joked, expecting Pansy to laugh or agree. Instead, Pansy seemed deep in thought, looking down at the floor.

"Parkinson?" Daphne tried again, "Not getting all pensive on me now, are you?"

Pansy shook herself out of her thoughts, clearing her throat, "No, uh. No. But we should get to bed, don't you think? It's pretty late."

Daphne frowned as Pansy began getting up, "Uh, yeah. Sure. You alright?"

"Fine," Pansy nodded, "Goodnight, Greengrass."

Daphne nodded, but something felt off, "You too, Parkinson."

Daphne watched as Pansy shuffled over to the girls dorm corridor, barely giving her a second look as she disappeared from Daphne's sight.

Realistically, Daphne knew that Pansy was clearly not ready to tell people about them.

She didn't really care for what people thought of her anymore. She was a Greengrass; that said enough. But Pansy, despite her cold and brash personality, was definitely more insecure than she let on. And so, Daphne hadn't pushed the matter. It didn't matter to her wether the whole world knew, or if it was just them two.

But… She was a Greengrass. She was bold and outgoing and wanted to make the whole world celebrate how incredible Pansy was. She wanted to be selfish and show Pansy off as hers. But she couldn't, and she wouldn't do anything Pansy didn't want her to do.

After all, it wasn't just her relationship. It was theirs.

…If she could even call it a relationship.

Madeline had noticed the change.

It seemed that wherever she went, whoever she was with, people were whispering. It didn't all seem malicious, but it was noticeable nonetheless. She'd seen a couple of people give her odd glances, wether they be from jealousy or disgust she wasn't sure. The Hufflepuffs seemed even more wary of her than they had ever been before. The Gryffindors seemed to have their noses upturned to the sky, and the Ravenclaws… Well, she'd only really spoken to Luna so far, and she was the same as always.

She knew Draco wasn't the most popular student in Hogwarts, but she was sick and tired of people sticking their noses in her business. They'd done the same when she was dating Fred! She'd proven herself as a person time and time again (not that she should've felt the need to, thank you). Honestly, the vast majority of Hogwarts needed to learn how to mind their business.

Madeline was queuing up outside of Defence Against The Dark Arts with Blaise and Theo, the others on their way from their last lesson. Looking around, she spotted Neville just a few people away from her, and realised that she hadn't spoken to him since the beginning of term. She liked to think they were friends, somehow. In their own, odd way. Excusing herself from her friends, Madeline began walking over to him. They had, after all, been desk buddies for two years in this subject.

"Neville!" she greeted, tapping him on the shoulder. She didn't miss the way he jumped when she did so, "I haven't managed to catch you yet this year. How are you doing?"

Neville seemed to visibly relax once he turned and actually saw her. Hadn't she known better, she wouldn't have thought him to have been at the Department of Mysteries with the rest of them, battling against Death Eaters. He smiled softly, "I'm alright. How was your summer?"

"Boring," Madeline huffed, leaning against the wall with her arms crossed, "Family events and all that. Yours?"

"I spent most of it with my grandma," Neville shrugged, hands buried in his pockets, "You look…. Well."

Madeline raised her eyebrow with a grin on her face, "Really?"

Neville shrugged once more, "You seem… I don't know, lighter."

Madeline smirked, nudging Neville, "Well aren't you nice. It could be something to do with the fact that I'm not currently kicking a Death Eaters ass-"

"Neville, you alright?"

Of course, none other than Seamus Finnigan interrupted their conversation. He was exactly the same scruffy and obnoxious Gryffindor he had been last year and the year before. He glared Madeline up and down, "No one's giving you trouble, are they?"

"Funny you should care," Madeline retorted, pushing herself off the wall, "Of course, it's only because it's me, isn't it?"

"Well there's a few funny things flying around about you, Bisset," Seamus retorted, "Have to make sure my mates are alright. Malfoy seems to have you on a leash, though."

"Its none of your business who I date, Seamus," Madeline snapped back, "I know you're just dying of jealously, but please keep my name out of your mouth. People might think you have a crush."

A couple of people around them had tuned into the conversation, snickering at Madeline's remark. Even Theo and Blaise had stepped a bit closer to Madeline, just in case.

Seamus raised his eyebrow, "You really think I'd fancy someone like you?"

"Oh, I was talking about Draco," Madeline smirked, a few people laughing around her.

Seamus frowned, "You talk a big game for someone-"

"You okay Darling?"

Seamus was promptly cut off by Draco, who had sauntered up to the pair and immediately wrapped his arm around Madeline's shoulders. Everyone seemed to freeze up, including Seamus, who was currently being glared at by Draco. Madeline felt smug, but she didn't want to rely on Draco to fight her battles for her. So instead, she wrapped her arm around his waist, raising her eyebrow at the Gryffindor.

"Just having a nice, friendly conversation with Neville here," she explained, eyes still glues to Seamus, "Seamus, what were you saying?"

"Bugger off," Seamus muttered, turning away from the couple and moving back towards the other Gryffindors.

Madeline scoffed. That was pathetic. She glared at the few students still staring at her, and instead turned to Draco, her other arm finding his waist too.

"Well don't you look dashing today," Madeline teased, appreciating Draco's sharp jawline and the way the corner of his lips was just the slightest bit upturned.

"You saw me at breakfast like, two hours ago," Draco's fingers found a strand of her hair, twirling it between his fingers.

"Point still stands," Madeline shrugged just as Snape opened the classroom door. She removed herself from his waist, nudging him with her shoulder playfully, "After you."

"How chivalrous of you."

"One of us has to be the nice one."

"Oi," Draco rolled his eyes, but stepped into the classroom all the same.

Madeline smiled. Yeah, the others didn't matter. All that mattered was that she was… Well, happy.

"Are you happy?"

The question had clearly caught Pansy off guard. She was lying on the grass next to Daphne, their friends further down the Courtyard playing with some sort of ball. Daphne's eyes were locked onto Pansys, her expression unreadable.

Pansy cleared her throat, "Pardon?"

"As we are," Daphne clarified, "Are you happy with us as we are?"

Pansy looked around skittishly, lowering her voice, "I don't want to talk about this here."

"Then where, Pansy?" Daphne pressed, "Because it seems to me like you don't know what you want anymore."

"What I want," Pansy hissed, moving closed to Daphne, "Is for this, whatever this is, to be ours and ours only. You've seen how everyone has been towards Madeline and Draco! I don't want that for us."

"And that's fine, but I need you to be honest with me," Daphne replied, "I like you. I really like you. And I'm fine keeping this a secret, I really am. But I can't stand it if you're hiding things from me, alright?"

"I'm not, I promise," Pansy shook her head, "This is still… New to me, alright? I'm not the best at explaining how I feel, but I'm working on it. And whatever we are, whoever we are, is what's important to me. I don't want to mess this up."

Daphne sighed, nodding, "Alright. Yeah. Sorry for like… Hounding you."

Pansy smirked, nudging Daphne's hand with her pinky, "Never thought I'd hear you apologise, Greengrass."

"The first and last time," Daphne grinned, "Shall we join the others."

"Sure, if you want to get your arse kicked."

"We'll see about that, Parkinson."

And despite the laughing and the giggling the Slytherins shared between them, the Slytherin Trio all knew there was something missing. A feeling in the pit of their stomachs. Madeline felt uneasy. Theo felt guilty. And Daphne felt like there was more to the story that she wasn't seeing.

And it was only the start of the year.