Chapter 13

James watched his siblings go, dragging his feet a little as they all left the hospital wing. Watching Albus and Lily disappear around the corner, he quickly grabbed Wyatt's arm and dragged him off.

Wyatt was utterly flustered as he was unceremoniously dragged across the floor toward wherever the Gryffindor was taking him. "I have legs!"

"Move faster then!" He hurried him along and finally stopped at an empty corridor. He released his arm without remorse for mistreating the Slytherin Prince's delicate self.

"What is your deal, Potter?" He frowned as he fixed the wrinkles left behind by James's rough grip on his robes. He began to pace, unsure of how to start this conversation, which only served to annoy the shit out of Wyatt. "Merlin's beard! Just come out with it already!" He hissed in displeasure.

James stopped and pressed his back against the wall, only to slide down along it. "Okay, so you've got girl experience, right?"

"What the hell kind of question is that?" He put his hands on his hips, annoyance plastered all over his handsome face. Strands of dark-colored hair came down over his eyes as they studied the other boy's face.

"You didn't answer the question." He glanced up at him, trying to fix him with a glare but failing.

Wyatt rolled his eyes, "Yeah, I suppose. What is this about? You going to start grilling me about expectations with your cousin?" He let himself sit down against the wall, just a bit of distance between them.

"What – no! Should I?" James shook her head, "No, never mind that. I need help."

"Understatement of the century."

"Mate, be so fucking for real right now. I'm literally begging you to help me out…" James decided to play to that Slytherin pride he knew for a fact Wyatt had, "we're practically in-laws." Wyatt's face was fucking priceless. He was so red he was practically matching James's tie. He sputtered ungraciously, and James wished he had a phone to record the reaction so that he could show Endora himself. He'd have to pensive this memory to show her if he could manage to convince his dad to meet Endora during Yule.

"In-laws." Wyatt kept muttering to himself and pressed his palms into his face, trying to remember all those intensive occlumency training to reign his emotions in. His relationship with Endora was still too new, but the comment sparked a warmth he hadn't expected. After a few breaths, he let his head drop, "Alright, you fucking wanker. What's your problem?" There was no real bite to his words toward James; a year ago, that would have been a different story.

James just grinned, though, totally not offended, "So there's this girl."

"Mmhm, I figured that much."

"Let me finish." He growled, "So there's this girl, and I think I like her. I mean, I feel something, but I don't want to just jump into it all cock out, you know? How do I ugh… broach the subject?"

Wyatt gave a thoughtful look as he assessed the Gryffindor beside him. James looked very serious, so Wyatt would be serious in turn. "Well, before Endora, if there was a girl I thought interesting, I would just spark a conversation about whatever was in front of her at the time. Most of the time, the girls had the same classes as me, so I used schoolwork help as an excuse. Surprisingly, that works really well. Unfortunately, the relationships with them never lasted very long because the attraction was superficial, and most of them were in my stupid fan club." He scowled.

The Gryffindor tilted his head, considering Wyatt for a long moment, "You don't like your little club?"

"No. I never wanted that kind of attention, but I played into it because it benefited this image I had to project."

"You know, I thought you actually started it to boost your ego."

"Fuck no."

"Then who did? Do you know?" He quirked a brow at his tentative friend.

"Valbis." He looked even more annoyed just at saying her name, his face scrunching up as though he'd just eaten an entire bowl of lemons. "The girl is obsessed with me in a way that makes me really uncomfortable. Then she had the nerve to recruit other girls into the fray. I think I started dating those girls, not because I liked them, mind you, but because I knew she'd think she was next. I could see how jealous she was at first, but then, as I made a habit of dating girls in the club, it became less so. I'm sure she started to believe she'd be next."

"Brother, ew. Why do you think she's so… weird about you?"

"Our parents are friends, so she feels entitled to me." He met James's eyes. "I think that's why I pushed Endora away when I started feeling something for her. I was scared."

"That she'd end up like Vatera?" It was his turn for his face to scrunch.

"Stupid, I know, but yeah. I didn't want to admit that I felt something, and if she turned out to be so unhinged over me, I wasn't sure how I'd take it. It honestly made me sick thinking about it, so I kind of just kept feelings at bay and to myself as much as possible." He played with the edge of his robe, eyes on the ground for a moment, "But this year…" He sighed and let his head drop.

"You couldn't keep lying to yourself." James surmised, "Endora's a smart girl, and I saw how her eyes lit up when she honed in on you in the hospital wing. Try as she might to hide it, I think she likes you back." James put an arm around Wyatt's shoulders, grinning widely, "so don't fuck it up. I don't want to have to beat you up if you hurt her."

Wyatt blinked at the sentiment and looked at him. The seriousness mixed with something playful behind his eyes made him burst out in a warm laugh, "Whatever you say, mate, I think I have more to worry about from Endora taking revenge on me than anything you'd do." Despite the very real fear of her doing something against him, Wyatt was smiling brightly, bigger than he ever had in a long time, even among friends.

"You're right. She'd probably hex you to hell and back." He eyed Wyatt, "but you'd probably like that, damn masochist." The way Wyatt's face went red just confirmed it. "Ugh, you're so sick." He moved his arm away and rubbed his palms against his trousers. "So, I just talk to her? I mean, I'm already doing that. She's helping me with transfiguration, and I think I might have scared her a bit. I came really close to losing my cool and kissing her without permission." He sighed.

Wyatt tilted his head, "This wouldn't happen to be Blake, would it?" James laughed nervously and looked away, only confirming Wyatt's question as his hand moved up to rub at the nape of his neck. "What was her reaction?"

"She got flustered but practically ran off from me. I mean, she usually is kind of flirty, but maybe that's just how she is. Did I get it wrong?" He started to hit his head against the wall and let out a sigh.

A contemplative look crossed Wyatt's face. "Honestly, I don't even know what to tell you. Some people just have flirty banter as their default but then freeze when faced with someone being attracted to them." Wyatt has an older cousin who was like that, flirty but not really interested in anyone. "I say wait it out a bit. You're already doing the getting-to-know part, right?"

"Er… outside of talking about transfiguration… not really?"

"Ask her about stuff she likes, get to know her a bit. Observe her as much as you can, but don't be a stalker. Girls don't like that… er… most girls." He'd heard his mother gossiping with friends over a muggle dark romance novel that had a witch swooning over how aggressive the male lead was. Wyatt didn't get it and was certain he never would.

James made a face at that comment, then heard the bell in the distance. "Ugh, okay, thanks… in-law." He teased as he got up and dusted himself off.

Wyatt squinted at him as he also stood. "You're going to be impossible, aren't you?"

"I'm gonna get Albus to call you that, too, so be prepared to hear it often." He was grinning as he made his way down the hall, expecting Wyatt to follow him to their next class.

Wyatt simply rolled his eyes and stuffed his hands in his pockets, following the Gryffindor. He wondered what he was getting himself into.

.-.

Endora stared up at Ameris, brows furrowed. "What do you mean the potion was mostly water?"

"Just as I said, I retrieved the vial from Ms. Morgan, who luckily had the foresight to grab it this morning before she left for classes." Professor Quintell shifted with discomfort on the implications this had. There was no doubt in her mind that someone had tampered with Endora's things, but to what end? Judging by the way Endora had tensed, grabbing at the sheets and twisting them between her hands, Ameris was sure she knew who it could be. "Ms. Dursley-Wynne, have you any idea who could have done this?"

Endora let out a long sigh. She hadn't wanted to believe it, but she couldn't continue to be in denial with this evidence. "Vatera," she said softly.

"Ms. Valbis? Are you two not friends?" Ameris was confused. She crossed her arms as she tried to understand the motive behind such an act. Surely, Vatera knew just how debilitating Endora's ability was from time to time. Had she meant it as a prank, or was this malicious intent? She motioned for Endora to explain but could see how she was clearly struggling to come to terms with the fact that her friend had done something that not only mentally harmed her but physically as well.

"She's upset with me." She looked up at Professor Quintell and saw how she urged her on with a gentle nod, "I… started dating Wyatt Silverthorn, but he had approached me, not the other way around. She seems to be of the mind that," she closed her eyes, swallowing down the ick, "I am not worthy of a pure-blood's attention."

Ameris felt her frown deepen. "What a load of …" she reigned in her language. She couldn't help but rub at the bridge of her nose. She had heard, time and time again, of jealousies between friends, but this was ridiculous. "When you are released from the hospital wing, I advise you to ward all of your belongings, double check that nothing was tampered with, and if it has been, bring it directly to me. In the meantime, I will report this incident to the Headmistress and deal with Vatera. I don't think she'll be expelled for this, as it's a one-time occurrence, but perhaps we can have her or you move from that dorm to avoid further incidents."

Endora just sighed and nodded.

"Very well, you continue to get rest. I'll ensure you have a fresh batch of the potions you need in a warded box." She added as a quick afterthought. Ameris sighed as she patted Endora's shoulder, "Rest well, Ms. Dursley-Wynne." She promptly turned on her heel and left the wing, nodding to Poppy as she did. Ameris felt a strong headache brewing, and her mind wandered to her former head of house, Severus Snape. Had he ever had to deal with this when he was alive? She could always ask to speak to his portrait in the Headmistress's office. Lost in thought, Ameris didn't notice Dominic until it was too late, her face smashing right into his chest. She took a few steps back, shaking her head as her eyes flicked up, "apologies Professor Spires."

Dominic felt his face flush. "No worries, Professor Quintell." He rubbed at his cheek, pushing back shoulder-length hair behind his ear. "You seem distracted today. Is it concerning the student I took to the hospital wing this morning?"

She sighed, "Yes, the problem is bigger than I initially thought."

"Oh?" He tilted his head, his eyes searching her face as he waited for her to continue.

Ameris nodded and joined him on the walk to the teacher's common space, where they often gathered to talk about problems that arose. "Ms. Dursley-Wynne's roommate was the cause of it." She crossed her arms. The emerald green chiffon of her robes billowed majestically about her with each step, adding to the physical charm of the purple-haired witch at his side.

"A prank gone wrong then?" He looked down at her as they walked. Dominic's fingers played with the cuffs of his sweater, poking out from the wide sleeves of his black robes.

"No, it's far worse than that. It appears this roommate is jealous of Ms. Dursley-Wynne's relationship with a boy in their house who has a rather large following."

Dominic looked thoughtful, putting pieces together. "The Silverthorn boy?" The teachers were aware of a few fan clubs in the school, and Wyatt's was one of the most prominent outside of the one for the Ravenclaw seeker, Yugorio Krum.

"The very same." She sighed, "I should have stopped that fan club when it was started."

"I don't think it would have mattered if I'm being honest here. The club would have just gone underground, so to speak."

"Perhaps you're right. Obviously, I have to report this as a student-on-student attack. I'm not sure what consequences there will be, but I'm hoping I can separate the girls into different rooms so this won't happen again."

"I echo your sentiment, Ameris."

She let out another sigh, more out of exhaustion than anything else. Her eyes moved to consider the man beside her. He was a bit paler than normal. Her brows furrowed as she gave a quick glance around them. "Dominic, are you feeling alright?" Ameris searched his face as he faltered.

"Yes! I mean, of course, I'm fine. Why do you ask?" He tried not to look at her. He knew exactly why she was asking.

"You're ghostly." She looked at him with skepticism. "Have you been eating?"

Dominic cleared his throat, fidgeting with discomfort at the question. "Of course I have."

"The correct amount?" Ameris squinted.

He looked away, avoiding her prying eyes, "Please drop it." He muttered.

She threw her hands up. "You are impossible." She stormed off into the faculty room, leaving Dominic sighing in the hallway.

He crossed an arm over his chest, supporting his hand as it rubbed at his head. Okay, so he had been very restless since term started and hadn't been doing what he was supposed to. He pinched the bridge of his nose as a deep, dark voice spoke from somewhere within his mind.

She doesn't like it when we're not well.

Ugh, not you. I don't need a lecture from you.

Say that all you wish, but you do. If you keep this up, I will be forced to come to the surface. And we both know how much you hate that. The voice scoffed, not sure why. I'm a delight.

Dominic rolled his eyes and turned to look at his reflection in the large window overlooking the courtyard down below. But what he was looking at was not exactly his face. There was a sharpness in his eyes that were steadily becoming more red, a cruel smile forming on the face as his hands moved up to begin carding through the dark strands in an attempt to slick it backwards. You just want an excuse to come out to bother Ameris.

If you don't want me touching her as I please, then take the damn elixirs she makes for us. But please, by all means, continue to be a stubborn idiot. I would love a chance to take that firecracker into my embrace and make her mine. You know, really sink my teeth into her.

Dominic slammed his hand into the wall beside the window, glaring at the reflection, his hair moving over his eyes. Fuck off, Alphonse. Leave Ameris alone.

Then, do what she tells you. Honestly, as much as you don't want me here, you continue to go against what's best for you. If you keep this up, I will have no choice but to step in for our own good. I certainly don't want to die because you were too stubborn to listen to your nature.

I hate you so much.

To hate me is to hate yourself. I'm only the part of you that knows what he needs. We wouldn't be like this if you'd stop being so adverse to what needs to be done. If you don't take the elixir soon, I will come to the surface, and you know how much I hate the potion's taste. I prefer something more… robust. I'm sure Ameris will be willing to go for a bite… or two.

The smirk behind the words made Dominic shudder. He knew Alphonse was right, that he was just doing himself a disservice, especially when Ameris worked so hard to make those potions. Why he was torturing himself like this when he had something to sustain him, to make him more what he projected himself to be, he didn't know. It was a hard habit to get out of. Years of suppression, only to black out and become what he hated most, was counterproductive. But it was so hard to break his self-torture. He sighed and turned around, letting his back hit the stone wall behind him. Dominic turned his gaze toward the faculty door, a frown marring his handsome features.

.-.

When Ameris entered, she found Minerva sitting in the faculty room, drinking tea. She was frustrated with the situation and with Dominic's lack of foresight or care for himself. She snapped out of her thoughts as she looked upon the much older woman and nodded to her, "Good afternoon, Minerva."

"Ah, Ameris! Good afternoon, dear." She flicked her eyes up toward the young witch and noted the look in her eyes. "What's the matter?"

Ameris sighed and poured herself some tea, a spoonful of sugar, and a splash of milk. She sat at the table next to Minerva. "I have an issue with two of my students that I hoped to discuss with you."

"Students in your house? Normally, the Slytherins are a tight-knit group; what happened?" She set her cup down, her sharp cat-like eyes staring at her colleague.

"Jealousy. You remember my gripes about the fan clubs some of the students have started for particularly talented individuals within the school, yes?" At Minerva's nod, she continued, "Well, the president of one of these clubs did something that harmed another girl out of jealousy. I was wondering if there's precedent for moving one of the girls into another dorm to prevent any other attacks or if perhaps the attacker might be expelled."

Minerva's brows shot up toward her hairline for a moment. Her face twisted to one of concern. "What exactly happened?"

"The students involved are Ms. Valbis and Ms. Dursley-Wynne. Apparently, Ms. Valbis has become so jealous that she took it upon herself to punish the other girl for dating Mr. Silverthorn." She took a sip of tea to calm her nerves over the problem, her mind whirling with the consequences of this incident. "Ms. Dursley-Wynne occasionally must drink a sleeping draught which I brew for her. Last night, she drank from the vial and found it tasted off. Her ability plagued her, and she woke up in need of the hospital wing. When I investigated the vial, I found that the contents had been replaced with water. At first, I wondered if this was a prank gone wrong, but from what Ms. Dursley-Wynne told me, this no longer seems to be the case. It was deliberate."

Minerva frowned deeply. The wizened witch stroked her chin in thought. "A change in rooms is doable. It is within the authority of the head of house, after all. As this is the first infraction, warn Ms. Valbis of the consequences of continued attacks and move her or Ms. Dursley-Wynne to another dorm. Should there be another incident, then I will consider suspension or expulsion. Make it known that this will be her only chance. I will not tolerate students attacking one another for silly reasons." Her mind went back to a time when she had been complacent in the face of her students bullying others. As she grew older and times changed, seeing the results of her accepting former Headmaster Dumbledore's boys will be boys logic, she vowed that as Headmistress, she would not tolerate such behavior again.

Ameris nodded and finished her tea. "Thank you, Minerva. I was beside myself on how to proceed truthfully. I would hate to have to expel a student as talented as Ms. Valbis, but this behavior is very unbecoming." She frowned. "I remember girls being jealous of other girls for dating boys they also had their eye on, but I have never seen something like this. To willfully harm her own dorm mate over a boy is just insane."

Minerva sighed softly, "I have witnessed a group of boys attacking a single boy simply for having a friendship with a girl in their house. I often regret not enforcing more punishment on bullying, especially when those offenders were from my own house." Her aged fingers moved along the delicate porcelain of her cup, her eyes distant with memory. How would things have changed if she had been more stern? What would have changed if she had instilled better moral standings in her Gryffindors? Once again, she had to remind herself that the past was in the past and there was nothing that would change it; she could only learn from it and do things differently from the experiences gained. That was what it meant to be human, after all.

Ameris sighed, "It's hard to punish any student harshly, especially when that student is supposed to be under your watchful eye. I don't know what could have happened to Ms. Dursley-Wynne over the tampering of her needed potion, nor do I want to think about it." She stood up and vanished her cup to be tended to by one of the many Hogwarts elves. "I'll summon her to my office now. I'll let you know how it goes."

Minerva nodded, "Very well. Thank you for keeping me informed. Should there be any problems, let me know immediately."

"Will do. You have a good afternoon." She nodded to her superior, closing the door behind her.

Minerva watched Ameris go and hoped there would be no incidents. With Voldemort long gone, things had been peaceful in their world and at their school, and she intended to keep it that way.