Disclaimer: I am just a mere visitor in the sublime world constructed by the brilliant mind that is J.K Rowling. Anything that rings a bell is hers.

Chapter 30

I ran my hand along the cool wall, I leaned my ear against it, listening to the slight flow of water. I forget that part of the Dungeons lie under the lake. I straightened my back against the wall, I swear the room was so small you couldn't fit two of me, I bet I couldn't even stretch my leg. I lifted my leg up and pressed my foot against the opposing wall, just as I thought, my knee had to bend considerably,

"What the fuck are you doing?"

I turned to the now opened door. Pansy Parkinson stood at the entrance, her pug face more pug like in its confusion.

"I was wondering if my leg could…you don't mean that do you? You mean why am I here considering you got a message to meet Malfoy here? Don't look so disappointed, I bet I could do anything Malfoy can do and better." I laughed at my own joke but she didn't respond. Tough crowd.

She turned to walk away and I grabbed her hand, "Look…wait. Fuck Parkinson do you have to make this harder than it already is."

She turned around, her pug face pink, "You think what you have to go through now is hard!"

"Look Parkinson, I know OK. I'm…"There it was, the vinegar that always materialised with my apology, and it was more potent than ever considering who said apology was directed to. "I'm sorry."

"Is that supposed to fucking-"

"No. It doesn't make anything better. I know that. It doesn't undo what Malfoy did to you."

"What he had to do to me because of what you wrote!"

I took a step back and hit the wall awkwardly, "Listen to yourself! You're defending him…you came here with the intention of meeting him…after what he did-"

"Because of what you-"

"No Parkinson."I took a step forward, "He made a decision. Yes…I know he…he wasn't left with much of a choice…but he made the decision. And so did you. You signed that parchment just because Malfoy asked you to without even batting an eyelash…I apologise for having concocted this whole plan in the first place…but don't you shove your lack of dignity onto my plate as well."

Her face went pale, trying to find the words to defend herself but coming up short. I was lousy at this. I took a deep breath,

"Look…here." I handed her the balm that I spent most of last night making, "Every two hours for two days, it'll take the scar away."

"Madam Pomfrey said-"

"I know what she said, but it will go away."I looked at the gash that extended from her lower lip to her chin, a slant of pain…of punishment.

She looked hesitantly at the bottle, fucking Founders she thought I was trying to poison her or something.

"Look Parkinson, it's your choice to use it or not." But you better fucking use it, I spent hours tailoring it for you. And let's not forget the amount of time it took to coax Malfoy to relive how he had hurt her.

She stashed it into her bag, obviously scared enough of the prospect of being scarred for life she would try anything from anyone. She grabbed the door handle, but took a step back instead of forward.

I wasn't surprised. I did call Greengrass as well. I was surprised to have a very pink bra thrown at me however. I caught it and cocked an eyebrow at Greengrass whose seductive smirk fell off her face. She looked at me and then Parkinson, shock etched on her dainty features. I then realised what she was getting at, this was a notorious make out haunt for the Slytherins.

"Don't even think it."I told her as she smirked at me. Pansy looked at the two of us and then stepped through the door,

"Stay the fuck away from me."

And slammed it shut afterwards. Greengrass looked at me,

"I didn't think you were THAT bad of a kisser."

"I guess I'm an acquired taste." I tossed the balm at her and she caught it, my eyebrows rising in shock at her display of dexterity.

"You get shocked at me catching something but not at me throwing my bra at you."

"Well I always knew you were loose, I didn't know you could catch anything but a cold."

"I happen to be an excellent chaser. Better than any of the idiots on our team anyway."

"Why didn't you try for the side?"I leaned against the wall,

She laughed, "Girls are not allowed on the team."

"Another one of those unwritten Slytherin rules."

"Yes…if you called me here to apologise then save your breath. I'm a big girl, I knew what I was getting in to."

I nodded at her, "I know that. I just wanted to give you that. It'll heal the scar, make-up can't cover it up forever."

She nodded, "If that's all…"

"No Greengrass, just one more thing."

She looked at me, blank faced and nodding.

"How did you do it?"

"Do what?"Her eyebrows were knitted in confusion that didn't reach her green orbs.

I shook my head and sighed, "Run a knife down your own cheek."

Her eyebrows rose in shock and then she let out a loud sigh, "What gave me away?"

"The mere fact that you would show up after Zabini apparently hurt you is inconceivable to me, you have self worth unlike Parkinson. Then I thought about Zabini and how protective he is of you, he wouldn't hurt you. Not on his life. But you knew he would be liable if you went unpunished so you took matters in your own hand."

She tilted her chin up haughtily, denying nothing. "He was so fucking pissed. I couldn't let him fight my battles though, I wouldn't let him get in trouble for something I had done. And…I'd rather have a blade run through my own skin than Blaise's…"

"I see…Malfoy doesn't suspect a thing by the way. He thinks Zabini gave you the same scar that he gave Parkinson."

She shrugged, the motion looking out of place on her dignified shoulders, "I can see why he thought so, I used the same cursed dagger he did. Blaise won't speak to me, and you probably should keep out of his way, he blames you for this whole thing."

"I don't blame him, it is my fault." I bit the inside of my bottom lip at that, it was all well and good playing nonchalance…but I didn't sleep a wink last night…

"Look, you didn't force anybody to come on board. We all knew what we were getting in to."

"I didn't." I had no idea it would be this bad.

"Well now you do. I better go, I'm going to have to spend a lot more time with my bra off to get Blaise to talk to me again."

I smiled at her and tossed the garment back, we stepped out of the portrait just as two second year Slytherins walked past. They took one look at Greengrass who was adjusting her shirt after slipping the bra back on and then me, let out matching squeaks and ran off. I laughed all the way to my lab, only imagining what the rumour mill will spill.

"Hey sexy."

"Gosh Ky." Mi snapped the book shut as I hovered behind her. I laughed and plopped down on the chair, she tossed me a glare which had more to do with me defiling the library with my laughter than giving her a scare.

"You're doing homework." My lips turned upside down at what I could tell was that arithmacy essay we were given. "It's Saturday."

She stared at me wide eyed, "I know, and therefore the best day to do homework, you can go right into the night and not worry about sleep because tomorrow is Sunday."

I took out a chocolate bar, I started with the wrapper, "I don't think they were talking about homework when they said that. Anyway, thanks for last night."

She smiled at me, "Ky you don't have to even-"

"No, I know. Not having to say thank you in friendship and what not…but Malfoy." Her brown eyes got darker, "Thanks for seeing to his wound. I know that…must have been difficult."

She sighed and looked over her shoulder for Madam Pince, then sneaked a bit of chocolate. I stared at her, framed in laughter; Mi was being such a bad ass, eating in the library. "Well…it wasn't easy but he was hurt. And he did go back to help you…it was strange."

"Strange?"I tilted my head at her.

"Well he isn't a brave person…is he? Once you left the table last night I ran after you, I shouted a few times but you couldn't hear me. When I reached Nott you had already left him. I thought something was going on when Malfoy left the room after you did. But he should have gotten there first but then he must have stopped for his broom…Nott told Malfoy where you were and he stormed off after you. I took Nott to your lab…he refused to comply with anything else…we should tell your grandfather Ky."

I shook my head profusely at her, "Nonno must know already…Sev was the one…he transferred the orders. He must have told him. I don't think they know what they did to Liam though."

"Did you manage to find Liam?"

"No. He's still holed up in his dorm. I'll try again after dinner. I saw Parkinson and Greengrass earlier. I don't think we should tell Nonno…the Slytherin's have their own way of dealing with these things and it's best we stay out of it until we comprehend it…I don't want another-"

"I understand."She placed her hand on my own and I held back the rest of my words. "Don't do that though."

"I can't help it Mi." It was only natural to second guess myself. I didn't think the newspaper article through properly, I didn't know the depth of the Slytherin dementia.

"You couldn't have known. How's Nott?"

"Sleeping. I think. I hope."

"I am sure he is just resting."Mi placed her hands over my fidgeting fingers. I was still on high alert after last night; it was natural to fret over Theo.

I had spent hours just sitting next to Malfoy in absolute silence. When he finally left for bed, I headed to the lab to make the balms for the Snakettes. I missed Ron's celebratory party for him making the team, I knew Harry and him must be at the first training session as we speak.

"You think I shouldn't have written the article?"The question was bugging me. I know nobody was seriously injured but Liam could have died…we could have not showed up in time…and that would have been on me.

"No. I think you did what needed to be done. The world deserves to know about Cedric and more importantly Cedric deserves the world to know of him. You are not what is wrong with the picture…it's the Slytherin mentality that's at a disadvantage, and it's not their first time that they are so royally wrong on something."

Her brown eyes shone with determination and I nodded my head slowly trying to chase the whispers of blame that echoed in my soul…I did the right thing…I think.

A/N: This is more of a filler chapter after the drama of the aftermath that was the article. A bit slow but necessary none the less.

Have a great day and please review,

Kalina