Authors' note: We want to thank you all for the response to the last chapter. If you were looking for more on the Hogwarts crew, here you go...
It had been nearly three weeks and Katie was still looking for her grandfather's ring. She had looked everywhere in the Slytherin dorm, the library, her classrooms and the Great Hall. It was nowhere to be found and with each day, she found her hope of ever finding it dwindling.
She'd had to keep her search confined to just telling her friends. She didn't want word getting back to her mother about Draco Malfoy putting it in her pocket on Christmas Day.
Since her search had left her empty-handed, she decided to bite the bullet and ask Ashley. She just hoped that her sister would keep her mouth shut where their parents were concerned.
She found her sister in the library sitting with Brittany and Evan. Katie was surprised not to see Zander anywhere- usually wherever Ashley was, he wasn't far away.
"Ashley?" Katie asked approaching their table.
"Hey," Ashley smiled at her sister.
Katie smiled back. "Um, I was wondering if I could talk to you alone---outside."
"Is everything okay?" Ashley asked.
"Just come outside," Katie pleaded.
"All right," Ashley cast a look at Brittany and followed her sister into the corridor.
Katie checked to make sure no one else was around. "Okay," she said turning to face her sister. "You have to promise not to tell mum and dad about this. I mean it, Ashley. Not one word."
Ashley looked alarmed. "Did Jemima do something to you?"
Katie shook her head. "No, of course not. Jem's my friend."
"I don't understand--" Ashley began.
"Do you remember Christmas at the Burrow?" Katie asked, cutting her off.
"What about it?" Ashley asked.
"Do you remember Grandfather Malfoy?" Katie asked.
"How could I forget?" Ashley asked with disgust.
Katie sighed. "Ashley, do you remember what he tried to give me?"
"That ring," Ashley recalled. "And dad said no."
"What if---what if I told you that grandfather gave me that ring anyway?" Katie asked.
Ashley gaped at her. "How?"
"Magic, of course," Katie replied. "It really is gorgeous, Ashley. And don't look at me like that---it's our heritage."
"Not mine," Ashley replied. "I'm done trying to get to know them."
"Just because he didn't like you?" Katie asked.
"Because neither of them are worth it," Ashley said.
Katie figured her sister would understand if she was in Slytherin instead of Gryffindor.
"So what about the ring?" Ashley asked.
"Well, I brought it here," Katie said. "But, I've misplaced it."
"What?" Ashley stared at her. "How do you lose something like that?"
Katie shook her head. "I don't know. I was wearing it on a chain around my neck."
"Well then how did you lose it?" Ashley asked.
"I don't know!" Katie exclaimed. "Ashley, I have to find it! I've looked everywhere."
Despite the subject matter, Ashley felt bad for her sister. This ring obviously meant a lot to her. "What did it look like, again?"
Katie described the ring for her sister. "If you could just look around Gryffindor Tower. Maybe someone stole it..."
"I doubt anyone in Gryffindor would want a Malfoy ring, but I'll see what I can do," Ashley replied.
"Thanks," Katie said. "And you promise that you're not going to tell Mum or Dad?"
"I promise," Ashley said reluctantly. "But you know eventually they're going to find out, Katie."
Katie laughed. "Ash, people always say that but it doesn't always happen like that."
"Mum and Dad are smart," Ashley pointed out. "They may not find out now, but they will."
"Well, I don't plan on telling them and you've promised you won't tell them," Katie said grinning at her.
"And I won't," Ashley said. "But don't be too disappointed if you can't find the ring. If it meant so much to you, you should have kept a better eye on it."
Katie rolled her eyes. "You always have to lecture, don't you?"
"I'm not trying to lecture you," Ashley sighed. "But--"
Katie opened her mouth to say something when she saw the strangest thing. Zander walked down the staircase and without a glance in Ashley's direction, walked into the library.
"What's up with him?" she asked her sister.
Ashley frowned. She and Zander had not spoken to each other in weeks.
"Are you two fighting?" Katie asked curiously.
"Sort of," Ashley admitted.
"What happened?" Katie pressed.
"We're just not agreeing on something," Ashley said looking down at the floor.
"Oh," Katie said, realising this was all she was going to get out of her sister.
"Look, maybe someone in your house took the ring," Ashley said to her. "Did you show it to anyone?"
"Yes..." Katie twisted a lock of her hair around her finger.
"Or should I say showed it off to anyone?" Ashley asked pointedly.
"I didn't show off," Katie said defensively.
Ashley folded her arms. "Katie..."
"I didn't!" Katie said. "Honest! I showed it to Jem and Piper, and then a few other people in the library."
"Jemima," Ashley said shaking her head. "Katie, come on."
"She wouldn't do that to me," Katie said.
"She is ruthless, calculating and ambitious," Ashley told her. "If you had something she wanted, she wouldn't think twice about taking it. Remember poor Erin?"
"That's different," Katie insisted. "Erin was never her friend."
"Yes, she was," Ashley said. "I imagine Jemima didn't fill you in on this little tidbit of information, but she, Piper and Erin were thick as thieves their first year at Hogwarts. Well, when it came out that Erin's family was having financial troubles, your good friend Jemima dropped her as a friend and never looked back."
"How would you know?" Katie asked disdainfully. "You're in Gryffindor."
"I'm best friends with Brittany," Ashley reminded her. "She knows everything about everyone at this school."
"Look..." Katie pushed her fringe out of her eyes. "Just see if anyone has seen my ring. I want it back."
"I'll keep my eyes open," Ashley promised. "But, you need to do the same, Katie."
"I am," Katie said.
"I should get back to studying," Ashley said.
Katie nodded. "I'll see you later, Ash."
Katie hurried back upstairs to the common room. She did not think Jemima would do something like this to her, but it wouldn't hurt to ask.
She saw Jemima sitting by the fireplace with Piper. The two girls were looking at something small and laughing.
"Hiya," Katie said coming up behind them.
Jemima hurriedly stuffed something back into her bag. "Hello, Katherine."
"What are you guys doing?" Katie asked.
"Waiting for Tristan," Jemima replied.
"Oh," Katie said. "It looked like you were looking at something..."
"Just talking," Piper said quickly.
"And planning for this weekend's Quidditch match," Jemima said.
"We're going to cream Gryffindor," Piper said confidently.
"The after party is going to be wicked," Jemima said with a gleam in her eyes.
Katie nodded, but her heart wasn't in it. She desperately wanted her ring back.
"There's something I wanted to ask you both," Katie said. "You remember that ring I showed you?"
Jemima and Piper shared a look.
Katie did not miss this and she felt a sinking feeling in her stomach. "I was just wondering if either of you had seen it? I can't seem to find it anywhere."
"If we saw it we'd give it back to you right away," Jemima said smoothly. "We know it's very... important to you."
"Thanks," Katie told them. "It is. It's very, very important and I'd die if anything happened to it."
Jemima patted her shoulder. "I'm sure it will turn up, Katherine."
"Absolutely," Piper agreed.
"I guess..." Katie sighed.
Piper looked over her shoulder and saw Tristan walking into the common room...with Erin. "Jem--look."
Jemima turned and her eyes narrowed dangerously. "She didn't learn her lesson the first time, did she?"
The three girls were quiet so they could hear the conversation. "It'll be okay," Tristan was telling Erin. "And if you need to talk, just---just know I'm here."
"Thank you," Erin said. "I'm sure things will look up now... but I appreciate it all the same."
Tristan smiled reassuringly at her before Erin headed upstairs. He turned and saw Jemima glaring at him and he reluctantly headed over to the sofa. "Jemima."
"Tristan," Jemima stood up. "Why are you talking to her?"
Tristan rolled his eyes. "Jemima, not this again."
"You said you wanted to be with me," Jemima hissed.
"I was just talking to Erin," Tristan told her. "She's been having a tough time. I found her crying in the corner."
Jemima rolled her eyes. "What now?"
"That's none of your business," Tristan told her bluntly. "You know, this possessive act of yours is getting really old."
Jemima gasped. "How dare you?"
"I think I'll be taking Erin to the after party," Tristan said. "If she'll go with me, given how I treated her. But, you'd know all about that, wouldn't you?"
"I didn't make you do anything you didn't want to do," Jemima said coldly.
"Right," Tristan chuckled. "I'll see you around, Jemima."
"I can't believe he just did that," Piper said as Jemima sat back down.
"Nor can I," Jemima said angrily. "Who needs him? Besides, snogging him is like snogging a worm."
"Eww!" both Piper and Katie replied at the same time.
"Loser," Jemima scoffed.
"You can do better," Piper told her.
"Absolutely," Katie said.
Jemima sat back. "I'll need to find someone new. Fast. I cannot go to this party alone."
Piper pulled a notebook from her bag. "Let's see. Do you want someone in our year or older?"
"Older," Piper scoffed. "The boys in our year are completely juvenile."
Piper looked through her notebook. "Ooooh. Quentin Moore's a fifth year and he just broke up with his girlfriend."
"Hmmm..." Jemima said. "A possibility..."
"Or Brendan Burgess," Piper suggested. "Sixth year."
"Two decent possibilities," Jemima said. "What do you think, Katherine?"
Katie shrugged. "I don't know. Listen, about my ring---"
Jemima brushed the subject aside. "Katherine, you'll find it."
Katie did not like how dismissive Jemima was about this.
"We have something important to decide," Piper said to Katie.
"Focus," Jemima told her.
Katie bit back an angry retort.
"Piper," Jemima ordered. "Let's do the pros and cons for both Brendan and Quentin."
"Right," Piper nodded and Katie sat back, trying not to show her boredom. She didn't really care who Jemima went to the after party with. She just wanted her ring back.
"Jem, do you want me to bring your books and things upstairs for you?" Katie asked, an idea suddenly coming to her.
Jemima looked at her in surprise. "That would be lovely, Katherine."
Katie smiled sweetly at her. "I'll be back in just a bit."
She rushed upstairs and tossed Jemima's things on her bed. She knew she didn't have much time.
"What are you doing?" a voice asked from the distance. Katie turned to see Erin sitting on her bed.
"Um... just putting Jem's things up here," Katie replied.
"You could fluff her pillows while you're at it," Erin said sarcastically.
Katie glared at her. "Don't worry about what I'm doing."
Erin watched as Katie rifled through Jemima's bag. "What is it you're looking for?" Erin asked.
"Don't worry about it," Katie said, feeling a sudden sense of panic. Would Erin tell Jemima that Katie had been looking through her things?
"She usually keeps it in the zipper on the side of her bag there," Erin said to Katie. Katie turned to look at her in surprise.
"What?" she asked, confused.
"The ring," Erin said. "That is what you're looking for, right?"
Katie stared at Erin in shock.
"Look," Erin told her motioning to the bag.
Katie thrust her hand into the side pocket and felt her stomach plummet when her fingers closed over something small. She withdrew her ring, dangling from the chain.
"She's had it for awhile," Erin said to Katie. "And she and Piper have been laughing about it behind your back."
Katie bit her lower lip. "I really thought she was my friend..." she said quietly.
Erin laughed half-heartedly. "Jemima doesn't have friends. She uses people. That's all she knows how to do."
Katie crumpled the chain in her fist and clenched it tightly.
She could not believe Jemima and Piper had done this and worse still---they'd laughed about it. It was all a joke to them.
"Look, for what it's worth, I'm sorry," Erin said. "I didn't' know until last night about what they'd done."
Katie felt a twinge of guilt about her role in the plot to get back at Erin. She knew the older girl could have kept quiet about all of this. "Thank you," Katie said quietly.
Erin nodded. "What are you going to do?"
Katie shrugged. "I'm not sure."
Erin shrugged. "It's up to you of course... but the best path of action is public humiliation... that's what Jemima fears most."
A slow smile spread over Katie's face. "Public humiliation...yes."
Erin had to hide her own smile. "Especially in front of the blokes."
Katie looked at Erin. "She's downstairs with Piper comparing notes on Quentin and Brendan."
"Neither of them would want anything to do with her," Erin replied. "My brother is good friends with them."
Katie smiled. She figured she owed Erin for the information. "By the way, she and Tristan broke up."
Erin smiled back at her. "I figured as much. The only reason she fancied him to begin with was because he was interested in me."
"I'm sorry for what happened," Katie said.
Erin shrugged. "You're only eleven, Katie. You're going to do a lot of things that you wonder about later on. It's no big deal."
"Well, this is the last time I do what Jemima tells me to do," Katie said firmly. "I can't believe she would do this to me. She knew how important this ring is to me."
"It's like I said," Erin replied. "Jemima uses people to get what she wants. People like her will always steal and cheat to get ahead."
Katie nodded. "Well, she needs to learn that there are people that you can't do that to."
"I hope you're able enough to take her on," Erin warned. "She's vicious."
Katie smiled at her. "I'm a Malfoy."
Katie put the ring back around her neck. Just having it back again made her stand up a little straighter. There was no way she was letting this piece of jewellery out of her sight again.
"Good luck," Erin told her.
"Thanks," Katie replied.
"And don't worry," Erin said. "She's not going to hear from me that you have the ring."
"I'm sure she'll realise it soon enough," Katie answered.
"If you need any help, just let me know," Erin said.
"I may have to take you up on that," Katie said. "But don't worry."
The door to the dormitory opened and Piper and Jemima came inside. Katie quickly tucked the chain under her jumper.
"What the hell was taking you so long, Katherine?" Jemima asked suspiciously.
"I was just making sure everything was put away properly," Katie said in a sugary voice. "And of course... making sure Erin doesn't take anything." she cast a look at the older girl.
Jemima laughed. "Seeing as she is a charity case now..." Erin glared at Jemima. "Jemima, as if it is any of your business, my father did get another job. So you can take your biting remarks elsewhere. This is my room too even though you wish it wasn't."
"You make the air in here reek," Jemima said icily.
"That's not me," Erin retorted. "That's your perfume."
"You bitch," Jemima sneered.
Erin rolled her eyes. "Whatever. I'm going to the library."
"You better watch your back," Jemima threatened when Erin pushed past her.
Piper giggled. "Good one, Jem."
"What are you going to do?" Erin asked coolly. "Read my diary aloud again?"
"So everyone can see how pathetic you are?" Jemima asked with a laugh.
Erin just shook her head. "You're one to talk about pathetic..." she replied before leaving the room.
Jemima huffed. "I'm so sick of her. I'm sorry you had to be alone with her, Katherine."
"No big deal," Katie replied. "Let me just finish putting your things away." she went for Jemima's bag.
Jemima grabbed for it. "Not necessary, Katherine. Thank you."
"Are you sure?" Katie pressed her.
Jemima nodded and tossed her bag inside her trunk.
Katie resisted the urge to smirk, although she wanted to reach out and claw at Jemima's face.
"So, um, who did you decide on?" Katie asked instead.
"We haven't yet," Piper said haughtily. "Get with it, Katherine."
Katie glared at her. "How would I know, Piper? I've been up here?"
"Piper," Jemima admonished.
"Sorry," Piper said but Katie could tell from the tone of her voice she did not mean it.
"Whatever," Jemima said. "Let's get out of here. We can go observe my two new blokes."
"Absolutely," Katie agreed.
Piper glanced at her suspiciously.
"What?" Katie asked.
"Nothing," Piper muttered.
Katie followed the older girls out of the room. They were silent as they climbed out of the portrait hole and into the main corridor. To Katie's surprise, she saw Sebastian talking to Zander's girlfriend. Katie did not remember the girl's name.
She tuned out Jemima and Piper and tried to listen in on their conversation as the three of them walked past.
"...not talking," Katie heard the girl say to Sebastian.
"That's exactly what you wanted, isn't it?" Sebastian asked.
Katie nudged Jemima. "Who is that girl? The one Sebastian's talking to?"
"I don't know," Jemima said. "I think she's one of those... Hufflepuffs."
Katie tried to remember that girl's name. It started with a "C" didn't it? The bigger question, Katie wondered, is why Zander's girlfriend was so chummy with a Slytherin.
"Celia," she said aloud.
Jemima looked at her. "What?"
"That girl," Katie said. "Her name is Celia. She's supposed to be going out with my sister's friend Zander."
"Looks as if she might have traded up," Piper commented.
Katie looked back at the duo as they passed. Her eyes met Celia's.
"Hello, Sebastian," Katie said to her fellow Slytherin.
"Hi," Sebastian jerked his head.
"Slumming?" Jemima asked him, motioning toward Celia.
Celia gaped at her. "How dare--"
"I was assigned a project with her," Sebastian interjected. "We were just talking about it."
"I see," Jemima smiled wickedly.
Celia looked a little hurt by Sebastian's remark. Katie saw the flash of anger on the other girl's face.
Something else was going on here. Katie thought Zander was a bit boring, but he was all right. He didn't deserve this girl playing him.
"Enjoy your studying," Piper said giggling as she gave Celia the once-over.
"Sebastian can do better than that," Jemima said in a stage whisper as the three of them walked away.
"A Ravenclaw would be better than a Hufflepuff," Piper agreed.
"Bitches," Celia muttered.
Sebastian reached for her hand, but only after making sure the other girls were out of sight. "They're just jealous, Cel."
"That little one, that was Ashley's sister." Celia said worriedly.
"I know," Sebastian said. "So what?"
"What if she says something?" Celia asked.
"She won't," Sebastian said dismissively. "For one thing, she's a Slytherin. And for another, she's a first year. They're babies, Celia."
"She's not dumb like you think she is," Celia pointed out.
"Celia, are you doubting me?" Sebastian asked, putting his arm around her.
"No..." she said softly.
"Good," Sebastian said grinning at her.
"I just can't wait to drop him and be done with all this," Celia said.
"Just keep me posted on whatever he does and after the match, he's history," Sebastian promised.
"Fine," Celia sighed.
"That's my girl," Sebastian said giving her a quick kiss.
"I should go," Celia said. "Talk to Zander before I turn in."
Sebastian nodded. "I'll see you in the morning."
"Oh," Celia turned. "He doesn't have the SideWinder."
Sebastian looked at her. "For real?"
Celia shrugged. "I told him I had heard rumours and he said I'd heard wrong..."
Sebastian grinned. "I knew it."
"So you have nothing to worry about." Celia said over her shoulder.
"Thanks to you," Sebastian said winking at her.
Celia grinned before disappearing down the corridor. Zander had been in the library earlier so she headed to see if he was still there.
To her delight, she saw him sitting at a table by himself. On the other side of the library sat Ashley Malfoy, Brittany Murray and Brittany's boyfriend.
"Hey," Celia greeted him, leaning over and pecking him on the cheek.
"Hiya," Zander said forcing a smile.
"What's wrong?" she asked.
Zander chanced a look in Ashley and Brittany's direction. "Nothing."
"You're still upset with your friends?" Celia asked. "Over me?"
Zander shook his head. He did not want Celia to feel bad over Brittany and Ashley's stupid accusations. "No, just a difference of opinion is all."
Celia ran her fingers through his hair. "I can't wait to see you cream Slytherin this weekend."
Across the room, Brittany saw what Celia was doing and she made gagging noises.
"What?" Ashley asked.
"That," Brittany said, her nose scrunching up in disgust.
Ashley shook her head. "She's really playing it up isn't she?"
Brittany nodded and nudged her. "Watch this." Brittany walked over to the reference table where Madam Pince was reading a book. "Madam Pince, I hate to be a tattler, but my friends and I are trying to study, but that Hufflepuff, Celia, keeps trying to flirt and snog her boyfriend in here. It's very, very distracting."
The librarian immediately jumped to her feet and stormed over to the couple at the table.
With a smug smile, Brittany sat back down beside Ashley.
"I suppose you two think this is a place for public affection but it's not," they listened to the librarian scolding them. "This is a place of learning, and studying, and RESPECT for these novels!"
"I-I was just leaving," Celia stammered. "I'm sorry."
"If I catch you doing this again, its detention," Madam Pince barked. "For BOTH of you!"
Celia said a quick goodbye to Zander before hurrying out of the library.
Zander looked over and saw his cousin, Evan and Ashley quickly look away. He figured they were behind this.
"I think that might have made it worse," Ashley whispered to Brittany.
Brittany shrugged. "He's being a jerk, Ash."
Ashley agreed, but she hated this tension between the three of them.
"So," Brittany said. "Has James written you again?"
Ashley shook her head. "No, but I'll let you know the moment he does."
"He really seems to fancy you," Evan told her.
Ashley blushed. "We're just getting to know each other."
"Yeah but he's already made me promise to let him come visit for summer hols," Evan said with a grin. "So he can see you."
Ashley smiled. "Really?"
"Ooooh," Brittany teased. "He's in loooove!"
Ashley opened her mouth to respond, but Madam Pince announced that it was time for the library to close.
The three of them gathered up their books when Zander swept by their table. "Thanks for getting me in trouble," he snapped, but his angry glare centred on Ashley.
"We have no idea what you're talking about," Brittany said glaring right back at him.
"You told Madam Pince I was snogging with Celia," Zander said angrily.
"I didn't," Brittany retorted. "Besides, the woman has eyes Zander. She could see you!"
"Yeah right," Zander said bitterly.
"Whatever," Brittany said. "Come on, Evan."
Ashley packed up the rest of her things and followed them after shooting a disappointed look at Zander.
"Ashley," Zander called after her.
Ashley just shook her head and didn't stop walking.
"Ashley!" Zander ran after her.
"I don't want to talk to you," Ashley said coolly.
"Why are you doing this?" Zander asked.
"Excuse me?" Ashley asked.
"Why are you and Brittany doing this?" Zander asked.
"Doing what?" Ashley asked tersely.
"Making things hard," Zander said. "Celia and I weren't bothering anyone in the library."
"I didn't say a word," Ashley replied truthfully.
Zander folded his arms and looked at her.
"But, I'm going to say something now," Ashley said. "After all we've been through, you still think I'd lie about this. I know what I heard and I know what I saw."
"You're jealous of Celia," he maintained.
Ashley stopped in her tracks. "What?"
"You're jealous because I fancy her now and not you," Zander said.
Ashley gaped at him, anger surging through her veins. He thought she was jealous?
Zander crossed his arms and looked back at her, unflinching.
Ashley shook her head. She did not even know who this person staring back at her was. He certainly wasn't her best friend. Not anymore.
"I'm with her now, and I'm not planning on breaking up with her," Zander said. "So you should get used to it. You liked her just fine."
"I don't have to get used to anything!" Ashley retorted. "Because I don't want to be around you. Not anymore!"
"You--" Zander began.
Ashley turned on her heel and stalked away.
Zander shook his head and went to collect the rest of his things.
There was a nagging voice in his head that was trying to tell him that Ashley would not lie about this.
"Shut it," he grumbled, stuffing his books in his bag. Besides fighting with Ashley and his cousin, he was also worried about the match. The Slytherins had not stopped bothering him about the SideWinder and he knew there was no chance of getting Harry Potter's broom now.
As he exited the library, he was nearly knocked down by some crazy girl. "Watch where you're going!" she exclaimed, glaring at him. "Oh--it's you."
Zander sighed. "Katie."
Katie rolled her eyes. "No Celia?" she asked pointedly.
Zander picked up the piece of parchment that Katie had dropped. She had written down the title of a book. Katie snatched it out of his hand. "Nosy much?"
"I was just picking it up for you," Zander pointed out.
"I have to check this out before the library closes," Katie said folding the paper.
"Don't let me stop you," Zander stepped aside.
Katie made a move for the shelves, but she stopped. "You---you'd better watch your girlfriend. I think she has something going with Sebastian."
"I bet Ashley told you to say that," Zander said sarcastically.
Katie raised an eyebrow. "When have you ever known me to say something just because someone told me to? I could care less what you do."
Zander just stared at her for a long moment.
"What?" Katie asked.
"Nothing," Zander muttered. "See you around."
Katie ran up to the reference desk. "Madam Pince! I know you're closing, but I really, really, really need this book. Can I just have two minutes to find it?"
The librarian sighed. "One minute." she said. "I honestly don't know why you students always wait until the last minute..."
Katie beamed at her. She could not tell the librarian what a lifesaver she was being. This particular potion was going to take about three days to make and Katie did not have a moment to spare. If this was going to go off without a hitch, she'd have to get started tonight.
"Thank you," Katie said gratefully and darted off to the Potions section.
She would have made it here sooner if she hadn't had to listen to Jemima and Piper drone on and on about Brendan versus Quentin. The only thing that had kept Katie there was plotting her revenge.
"Come on," she said. "Where are you?"
Katie grinned when she found the book. She pulled it from the shelf and hugged it to her chest.
She checked it out and Madam Pince practically shoved her out of the library before locking the doors.
Katie did a little dance of triumph outside the library.
Hurrying back to the Slytherin dormitories, she flipped through the book to find the right potion.
She would need to borrow a few of these ingredients from Professor Snape. It shouldn't be too hard, Katie thought, since Professor Snape liked her.
She took a slight detour down to the Potions classroom and knocked on the door, hoping Snape would still be in there.
"Miss Malfoy," Snape said looking up from his paperwork.
"Good evening Professor," Katie said. "I'd like to brew this potion for um... for extra credit. Can I borrow a few ingredients?"
Snape gave her a nod. "Take what you want, Miss Malfoy."
Katie beamed. "Thank you so much, Professor!"
Snape nodded again before returning his attention to his paperwork.
Katie took a pinch of everything she needed to create the potion and headed back up to the dormitory. She would brew the potion in one of the stalls in the loo.
Katie had really taken to potion making and she had top marks in the class. It came easy to her unlike the other subjects where she really had to work hard. She still struggled with her reading, but with help, she was doing well in her classes.
She would start the potion later that night when everyone was sleeping. For now, she stashed the ingredients in her trunk.
Katie smiled as she thought of her revenge against Jemima. That girl would rue the day she decided to cross Katie Malfoy.
Katie headed into the common room. She had an essay to write for Charms class and wanted to get it done.
She set her books, parchment and ink down on one of the tables.
"Katherine," Jemima said from her perch by the fire.
Katie rolled her eyes. She did not want to be around Jemima right now. Slowly, she turned around. "Jem. I didn't know you'd be here."
"Where else would I be?" Jemima asked her eyes not on Katie but on two boys across the room.
"I really need to work on my essay," Katie said to her.
Jemima gave her a look. "This is important, Katherine."
"What?" Katie asked curiously.
Jemima sighed impatiently. "Which guy I'll be taking tot he party."
"Oh," Katie said. "That."
Unwillingly, she gathered her things. She could still work on her essay sitting over there.
Jemima studied the younger girl.
"What?" Katie asked, trying to keep the annoyance from her voice.
"Your skin," Jemima commented. "You look as if you're glowing."
Katie fought to hide her smirk. "Oh it's just a cream my dad's stylist sent me."
Jemima tried to look disinterested. "Oh?"
"Yeah," Katie sighed. "I usually put it on to try and cheer myself up. I still can't find my ring anywhere."
Jemima patted her on the arm. "I'm sure it will turn up, Katherine."
"I hope so," Katie sighed, inwardly seething. "I mean... it's very important to me."
"You'll find it," Jemima said dismissively. "Now, about that cream..."
"What about it?" Katie asked. Jemima was playing right into her plan.
"What's it called?" Jemima asked. "Is it from Paris?"
"I'll have to ask Zoë," Katie replied.
"It's not like I need it," Jemima boasted. "I have never had a blemish, of course."
"Never," Piper said loyally.
"I just finished up my sample bottle that Zoë gave me," Katie told them. "But, Zoë's supposed to send me a new bottle. Hopefully, it will arrive before the party."
"Write to her," Jemima commanded. "See if she'll send you a new one tomorrow."
Katie resisted the urge to glare at Jemima. How dare she think she could command her to do something? "Oh, I don't know, Jemima. It's very expensive and Zoë's very busy."
"I thought we were friends, Katherine," Jemima frowned. "Friends do things for each other."
"I suppose I could ask," Katie said smiling sweetly at Jemima. "After all, I do want you to make a great impression at the party. Brendan and Quentin will do a double take when they see you, Jem."
Jemima sat back with a smile. "Thank you, Katherine."
"What are you going to wear?" Piper asked Jemima.
"I'm not sure yet," Jemima replied. "Something a bit low cut, of course... to show off my skin."
Again, Katie hid her smirk. "You definitely want to do that, Jem."
Jemima nodded. "And of course, I'll do something fabulous with my hair and makeup."
"I think you should wear your hair up," Piper commented.
"Perhaps," Jemima said noncommittally.
"You should," Katie agreed. "I think it would really show off your face."
"Well," Jemima said, pleased. "I think I will then."
Katie grinned. "Fantastic."
"Brendan's looking over here," Piper reported in a loud whisper as Katie began work on her essay.
Jemima sat up a little straighter and slowly turned her gaze to where Brendan was sitting.
Katie fought the urge to roll her eyes.
"He's coming over here," Piper whispered.
Jemima nodded and nudged her friend. "Shut up, Piper. Don't say a word."
Katie concentrated on her paper but kept an open ear to the conversation.
Jemima smiled flirtatiously at the older boy, but he ignored her. The smile on Jemima's face turned into a grimace when Brendan tapped Katie on the shoulder. "Katie, right?"
"What?" Katie asked. "Um... yeah."
"I was just wondering if you knew when your aunt's first match will be." Brendan asked. "Puddlemere's suffering without her."
"Oh," Katie replied. "She's off for another few months."
"With your niece right?" Brendan asked.
"Yes, Ellie." Katie nodded. "She misses it, so I know she'll be back as soon as possible."
Brendan smiled. "I really like her tenacity. She's the best player I've seen in years. Even if she was a Gryffindor."
"She's amazing," Katie replied proudly.
Brendan nodded in agreement. "She is. Well, I guess I'll see you around, Katie."
Katie smiled at him. "If I hear anything I'll let you know."
"Thanks," Brendan said before heading upstairs to his room.
Katie turned back to her homework only to see Jemima glaring at her. "What?"
"You didn't mention me," Jemima hissed.
Katie raised her hands. "He didn't even bring you up."
Piper sighed. "You should have mentioned her, Katherine."
"He was asking me about my aunt," Katie replied. "And I really wasn't thinking about anything else."
"Some friend you are," Jemima huffed.
Katie nearly snapped on her right then and there. She stood up and rolled her eyes. "I have work to do."
Jemima shrugged. "Whatever. Quentin's much cuter anyway."
Katie put her things down on a nearby table and got back to work on her essay.
"She's come so far," Jemima commented to Piper. "But, she still has so much to learn."
Piper smirked. "She'll never be like you, Jem."
Katie clenched her teeth. She would never want to be like Jemima.
"She'll learn someday if she wants to live up to her family name and drag it out of the dirt," Jemima replied.
Katie bit her bottom lip and resisted the urge to tell Jemima off. Those two girls obviously knew she was within earshot, but of course, they did not care.
She couldn't wait to see Jemima's face when the 'cream' worked. It was going to bring her down where she belonged.