3.0 - Confrontation
Disclaimer: Unfortunately, I don't own Harry Potter. If I did, I'd be a woman, rich, and blonde, none of which I am.
Terry, Corner, Goldstein, Li Turpin all agreed to go to the Common Room together while I declined, as I wanted to see the Library.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Penelope getting up. "Penny!" I called out as she turned towards me, a light smile instantly on her face, which had previously been a neutral look.
That… ticked me off. I didn't like being thought of as a naive child.
I can't afford to play these little games anymore; I barely have enough time to start putting a plan in motion.
"Hey, Harry!" she called back, smiling a bit wider. "Did you need something from me?" she said, standing just a couple of inches away from me.
I took a step back, seeing her smile falter for a brief second. "Ah, I was wondering if you could show me where the Library is?"
"You're truly a Ravenclaw, then," she said, giving a light chuckle, looking genuinely a bit happier.
We left the Great Hall together. We walked silently, though whenever I'd take a glance at her, her smile would widen lightly.
"You really think I'm an idiot, Clearwater?" I said, looking around, seeing that everything around us was clear.
She looked startled and tried to put on a hurt look. "What?"
I have to admit she definitely isn't a bad actor. Unfortunately for her, not the best either, especially at acting hurt. Her eyes were narrowed, and her lips were pressed together; her eyes should have been a bit wider in surprise, mouth slightly open.
"You're not as good of an actor as you think you are," I said harshly. "Cut the bullshit and tell me what you want."
Her face shifted again, a light smile present on her face. "I'm glad to see that you're not as dumb as some of the others here."
"I can't talk here, unfortunately. Most of the students don't realise that the portraits are aware and do listen in on the students," she whispered. I could barely hear her, even though she'd whispered in my ear, which unfortunately got little Harry to awaken; we were walking in the centre, both sides full of portraits.
"I know a place," she said, grabbing my hand, leading me to a… broom closet.
I gave her a judging look, to which she replied, "It… It's been enchanted to not let any sounds leave."
I sighed and entered, though I did have my wand in my hands; a Lumos in her eye can still give me enough time to escape or call for help if she decides to be hostile.
We entered the small closet, our bodies touching together. She raised her wand towards the door. "Colla-" I interrupted her by putting my wand right in front of her right eye.
"Yeah, no," I said. "There will be no locking the door, and before you ask, the wand will stay right there." I paused for a moment and added, "Actually, just give me your wand," I demanded.
She looked a bit nervous now. "Is that really necessary, Harry?" she said. From what I could tell, she wasn't acting, but still.
"Yes, I don't trust you. You blatantly want to manipulate me into doing something for you; give me the wand, or I cast Lumos, run, and start shouting loudly."
She paled slightly; it certainly wouldn't be a good look for her. She reluctantly handed her wand over, which I pocketed, though I still didn't lower my own wand.
"So, what the fuck do you want from me?" I said, glaring at her.
"I- Well- Do you know about how the Muggle-borns are treated?" she said nervously, to which I shook my head.
While I know they were bullied and mistreated in the original, surely in an actual world that sort of behaviour would be curbed by the teachers, right?
"It… It isn't good," she said, her tone sombre. "I remember my first week here; it was all so wonderful. Magic! Who wouldn't want to learn more about it? Then… came the bullying," she took a deep breath before continuing. "Every single day, those motherfuckers tried to bring me down," I was taken aback by the vitriol in her tone. "Every single humiliation that you could think of they tried to do; sending a stripping spell in the middle of the Great Hall was the kindest of them, and you know the consequences those bastards faced, Harry? NONE."
She took another breath, slightly calming herself, and a small smile took over her face, "I shot back, unlike other muggle-borns I wasn't afraid to practise ahead of the curriculum, making those bastards regret ever being born."
Was it wrong to find that incredibly hot?
I frowned, "That still doesn't explain what you want from me." I said, narrowing my eyes.
Her face turned bitter, "While those bastards never admitted to the teachers about what I did to them - It would break their fragile ego that they get from their reputation which would take a hit if their friends heard what a 'mudblood' did to them - They still did - or well, their parents - did ruin any chance I had a for a career.
She took a deep breath before continuing, "This year we are meant to start and find either internships or apprenticeships, I applied for Jobs that I am well-qualified for and for some that I am well-above for, I didn't get a single one and apprenticeships cost a ridiculously large amount, I compared it to a half-blood friend of mine, my fee was nearly twenty-times more. They ruined any chance I had of getting a career."
"So what do you want from me? Money?" I said, annoyed, "If you think a sad face is all it takes for me to in your own words give a 'ridiculously large amount' of money without gaining anything, you'll be sorely mistaken, I'm no Hufflepuff."
"I never expected you to," she said, "I… can tutor you in return?"
I gave her a flat look, "I can get someone older than you to do that… probably for free."
She looked incredibly nervous now, her hands were clasped behind her and she was blushing lightly.
"I-If you want, you can sleep with me whenever you want."
I just deadpanned at her, "Plenty want to sleep with me, once again, for free. I doubt it'll take thousands of galleons."
She slumped, "Is there really nothing I can do?" she said, her tone defeated.
"What mastery do you want to get into?" I questioned. If the mastery in question could be something useful to me, then it might be worth it.
"Enchanting and Potions," she answered nervously, a slightly hopeful look returning in her eyes.
"Do you know the exact sum?"
"1500 Galleons," she whispered, looking extremely nervous. Well, at least she was aware that the sum was ridiculously large.
I tried to recall the amount that the Goblin had told me. I believe it was somewhere in the ballpark of 250,000 Galleons accumulated over generations of Potters, so it would barely be a noticeable amount for me.
Still, having a pet Enchanter and Potioneer could be vital against the Death Eaters and potentially Dumbledore.
Wasn't Arthur Weasley's Car enchanted? That could be a useful tool as well, though I would have to research it and find out what limitations it has.
"I want you to give me a detailed list of all your grades as well as everything that you can do, from Spells to Potions to Enchanting. Everything should be comprehensive. You'll do everything you offered, then I might accept after receiving that, is that acceptable?" I said, putting emphasis on everything.
She offered herself, and seeing all the beautiful women here has really gotten me pent up, and having a tutor should allow me to surpass everyone else. Plus, I can have her brew potions and enchant for me.
She blushed lightly but nodded nonetheless looking determined.
"Now, can you lead me to the damn Library?" I said as she and I both left the broom-closet, thankfully there wasn't anyone around to see us.
AN: A shorter chapter, originally it was going to be longer but frankly I keep putting it off. Does anyone know how to edit story tags?
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