Normal Raquel Dodd 2 1 2003-05-13T09:16:00Z 2003-05-13T09:16:00Z 1 3561 20304 169 47 23818 10.2625 MicrosoftInternetExplorer4
Chapter 9
Remus Lupin sat on a stool in the dungeon, watching Snape sprinkle some dried substance into a bubbling cauldron. Remus had always been curious as to how Wolfsbane was made, but he could never follow the entire procedure. The potion list alone was long and complicated, and the process to make it took hours. Thank goodness Snape had already started a cauldron the night of the attack on Malfoy in preparation for his and Elizabeth's arrival!
"It should be ready in another hour," Snape murmured, measuring out some slimy substance that Remus preferred not to identify.
"Good," Lupin replied. "Thank you Severus."
Snape grunted, turning and entering his storeroom. Lupin stayed seated, wondering how to phrase his next question without starting a fight. Snape had deliberately caused the delay in Germany that had made Remus and Elizabeth's return to England almost impossible, and the former Defense Against the Dark Arts professor wanted to know why. He refused to put it down to childish spite, though Severus wasn't above that. Thanks to the delay, Remus had missed seeing Sirius when he'd made a brief stop in England. They had planned to discuss a strategy for tackling a nest of rogue vampires that was rumored to be in Wales, and Remus had been forced instead to beg the Wizarding Customs Office to send an owl to England and inform everyone of what he'd learned in Romania. Now they had vampires attacking students on the grounds of Hogwarts and Remus had no doubt that they were part of the rogue group. Several Aurors had been combing Wales for weeks now, but were no closer to finding anything. It was frustrating, and Remus ultimately blamed Snape. He knew his own compulsion to ask was itself rather childish, but he really wanted to know why, after all these years and everything that had happened, Severus was still more than willing to cause trouble between them all -- trouble that cost them in more ways than one.
But he had to be careful. Snape would be more than ready to start an argument about it, and Remus knew he would jump for the bait himself in his state.
Snape came out of the storeroom and paused when he spied Remus still sitting at his desk. "Is there anything else?" he asked forcefully.
"I want to know…that is, I was curious as to why you chose to inform the German Ministry about mine and Elizabeth's conditions. The delay-"
"Was hardly long, Remus." The Potions Master rolled his eyes. "I'm so terribly sorry if you think I acted foolishly, but I was concerned that your…personal feelings might have been clouding your judgment in regard to the woman."
Lupin's eyes narrowed. "Her name is Elizabeth, and you know nothing about her! She is as dedicated to eradicating Voldemort as you or I, and you have no reason to question her loyalty!"
The professor smirked, making Remus long to throw the bubbling cauldron at him. "I have every reason to question her loyalty. I have reason to question her character as well. Do you know her history, Remus?"
Lupin scowled, his face flushing and his hands clenching tightly. "That has nothing to do with what's happening now."
"I disagree," Snape replied cheerfully. "You go out on one of your scouting missions for Dumbledore and just happen to meet a beautiful woman named Elizabeth Morgan. Did she tell you right away that she was kin to Augustus Rookwood? Or did you find out yourself, and have a nasty confrontation?"
Remus glared at the Potions Master and heartily wished he would fall dead. "That doesn't matter! She has renounced all ties with her family, and she's a caring, giving person."
"Renounced her ties?" Severus put a jar of clabbert livers on the desk and brought his face close to Lupin's. "Or was she disowned for being a monster?"
Only Lupin's strong self-control stopped him from belting the Potions Master right upon his hooked nose. Snape chuckled when Remus didn't answer and turned away.
"You can think what you like, Severus," Lupin growled, "but Elizabeth is no supporter of Voldemort's. I know her; she wants him destroyed as much as any of us. She helped us save your student; would she have done that if she was working for Voldemort?"
Snape frowned. "We don't know who is after Mr. Malfoy at this point, so try again."
But Lupin was not about to waste any more time trying to convince the Potions Master of Elizabeth's sincerity. He glared at the ground and stood. "The Auror from the Ministry is with the prisoner at this moment, and we're to meet Albus there at seven. Don't be late."
Remus turned on his heel and stalked out, willing himself to stay calm as Snape's mocking laughter followed him out of the dungeon.
***************
"See how far you can throw it!" Harry shouted to Ron, running backwards to avoid being hit by the snowball in Ron's hand. Seamus and Dean laughed as they packed more snowballs beside them, and Ginny smiled from the sidelines and shook her head. No matter what their ages, boys would be boys!
There were snowball fights going on all around as Ginny, Hermione, Cho, and Susan watched and attempted to do some extra studying at the same time. The studying wasn't going too well, as they were too distracted and amused by the boys' play. Ginny found herself seated between Susan and Cho, and wished she could get up and move without looking like a complete bitch. Although the pain was not nearly what it had once been, it still made Ginny slightly ill to see Cho smile and wave at Harry, and to see him grin widely back at her.
She turned away and tried to continue reading Magical Drafts and Potions, Grade 6. She was having trouble with her Glorifam Mix, a particularly powerful potion that left the person ingesting it without a trace of fear. They would charge headlong toward a fully grown dragon and try to fight it, or stand at the edge of a cliff and leap into a lake of water below, all with their reason still intact. They simply ceased to be afraid of doing these things. Obviously a person could put themselves into a horrible amount of danger after ingestion, so use of the potion was strictly controlled. She already had the antidote down perfectly. But Snape was not testing the antidotes until after he tested the Mix itself, and she had a nasty feeling that she would end up killing her hamster, Mr. Noodle, if she wasn't careful. They would be testing out their potions on their pets, as usual, and Ginny only hoped that none of them died. It would be just like Snape to devise nasty and dangerous obstacles or enemies for their pets to take on. She just hoped Mr. Noodle wasn't pitted against a snake or something similar.
The ingredients required must be stewed carefully, the dry text read. It is important to remember that the powdered unicorn horn must not be added to the snake eyes for five minutes after boiling begins!
Perhaps that's where she kept going wrong. She was passing Potions, but just barely. And being a Gryffindor didn't help her chances for leniency in Snape's class. He still lived to take points from Gryffindor, and Ginny was certain that everyone who got a failing mark would receive another five points just for spite. Snape was evil that way.
"Uh-oh," Susan suddenly murmured, "trouble approaches on stealthy legs. And they belong to Draco Malfoy, Gregory Goyle, and Vincent Crabbe!"
Ginny froze for a moment, then casually looked over at the well-worn path from the castle. The Slytherin trio was indeed approaching, and seemed to be heading for the copse of trees nearest the lake. Crabbe and Goyle were casting envious looks at the various snowball fights occurring all around, but they loyally continued to march behind their leader. Draco seemed lost in thought, frowning at the ground in front of him and seeming not to see anything. Even when a snowball passed right in front of him, narrowly missing his nose, he only blinked and kept walking. Ginny's heart contracted, and she found herself wanting to touch his face and ask what was wrong. She hurriedly dropped her gaze, her face burning. She had to get over this concern for him, and stop looking at him as if he hadn't been a cruel, malicious, and hateful person the entire time she'd known him.
He's been through a lot, a voice in her mind said. He's capable of fear and laughter, as well as everything you've known.
Yes, that was true. She still remembered his silly laugh, and blushed when she recalled his flushed and tear-streaked face, rendered even more beautiful by an easy and careless smile.
"Gin," Susan touched her shoulder, looking at her with concern. "Are you alright?"
"Yes Susan, I'm sorry." Ginny plastered a smile on her face at once. "I'm just worried I won't get this potion right and Mr. Noodles will be dead from charging into one of the cauldron fires!"
Ginny should have known that wasn't going to work. Susan continued to look closely at her, frowning slightly.
"You've been really distracted lately," Susan said quietly. "Are you going to tell me what's going on?"
Ginny tried not to fidget. "Nothing's going on, and I'm fine. Really, I am. There's just a lot on my mind right now."
"I can see that," Susan replied. "You hardly ever talk to me any more."
Ginny stared at her friend, taken aback. "What are you talking about? We're always together Susan."
"Yes, we sit together and study together and go to Hogsmeade together, but you haven't really talked to me in weeks. Something's bothering you and you've shut me out!"
"Susan…I…I'm sorry!" Ginny frowned, furious with herself. She hugged her friend and felt tears sting her eyes.
"Let's go someplace quiet to talk," Susan whispered. "I'll tell Seamus."
"All right," Ginny agreed, closing her book. Making their excuses, she and Susan began to wander towards the lake, to the spot where they'd carved pumpkins together back in October. Almost three months ago, Ginny mused. So much had happened in that time, and to Ginny it felt like years had passed. Christmas was a week away, and Susan would be leaving to spend the holidays with her parents, as usual. She and Ginny would have their own private gift exchange a few days before, sharing tea and cocoa with crumpets and tearing open the gifts they'd gotten each other. Ginny raised her hand and stared at a delicate gold bracelet that had been Susan's gift to her last year. It had a thin, gold, heart shaped charm that had their initials inscribed upon it -- G.W. and S.D -- beneath which read "Friends Forever". She felt a stab of guilt, realizing that she'd been so caught up in her roiling emotions about Draco and angry musings about the Trio that she'd forgotten she had a friend. And at that moment, Ginny felt very unworthy of her friend's gift.
Ginny stared at the clouds as they walked, wondering at how they could be so gray, yet so bright. The wind coming off the lake was cold and brisk, but she and Susan had always laughed when it blew past them, loving the sensation of cold friction and freedom, even if they were practically frozen when they went inside. It drew a smile from Ginny even now. The thick clouds were almost dazzling in their leaden tones, and Ginny was fascinated by the seeming paradox. Like Draco's eyes, she thought absently, then shook her head slightly. There it was again, another thought of him intruding on her peace when she ought to be thinking about those who cared about her! She exhaled impatiently, determined to think about how badly she'd been neglecting Susan and nothing else.
"Come on, Gin," Susan took Ginny's arm and led her to an empty spot under two bare trees. When they sat down, Susan forced Ginny to face her.
"What's going on, Gin?" she asked in a low, worried voice. "You've withdrawn from me, from almost everybody. Even Harry's noticed, and I didn't think anything could get his attention away from Cho! Something's eating away at your heart, I know it! Please, talk to me!"
"No," Ginny smiled, "I'm not going to talk to you, but with you. I've been neglecting you, and so we're going to catch up!"
Susan started to protest, but Ginny grabbed her hand and began toying with the slim gold ring crowned with a sapphire that she was wearing. "This is so beautiful!" Ginny whispered. "I'll bet you were speechless even though you knew that he was getting you a ring."
Susan smiled tenderly. "Yes, I was. He'd already picked it out, and he just took me to pick it up. When I concentrate on the stone I see his face in my mind, and he knows I'm thinking of him. Though we shouldn't need a ring for that! He'd owled mum months ago for my ring size. She and dad are ecstatic." Then Susan glared at her friend. "Nice move, Weasley, redirecting me like that!"
Ginny laughed. "It's good to have a skill. And I'm a master of that particular one."
"Too true," Susan said, scowling. "Now you have to at least tell me why you've been so moody lately. It's had me worried. Is it because of the attack? I know something like that can change a person, but please don't let it take you from me!"
Ginny stared at her friend. How could she tell her? How could she tell anyone if she couldn't tell Susan? She felt her mixed emotions tugging on her heart, and for a moment wished heartily that she could perform a memory charm on herself. She wanted to forget the last few weeks. Hell, she wanted to start the whole year over!
"It's not going to, Susan!" she said finally. "And it isn't that. It's all the damn weirdness going on lately. An explosion, a werewolf, and an attack of vampires. What's next, a Pixie rebellion?" Ginny tried to laugh, but only managed a weak chuckle. Susan smiled reassuringly.
"It's been an awful lot, hasn't it? But we've weathered a lot more. Remember the attacks on Muggle born students, Sirius Black on the loose, and Lord Voldemort's rise? We'll get through this, Ginny, we'll be fine. Besides," she smiled mischievously here, "it seems to all be focusing on Malfoy, and he could do with a bit of scaring, if you ask me."
Ginny frowned. "Don't say that!" Susan turned in surprise, and Ginny softened her tone. "I'm sorry, but I feel badly for him. He's…he's been through a lot lately."
Susan shook her head. "Only you could still feel compassion for a bleedin' arse like Malfoy!"
"Good afternoon, ladies!" a voice suddenly cried, making them jump. The girls turned to find Caleb Anderson, a Slytherin sixth year and the Quidditch announcer, walking towards them. Susan scowled.
"What do you want, Anderson?" she snapped.
"What's this? You suspect me of an ulterior motive? You wound me, Miss Dresh!" Caleb drawled smoothly, and Ginny was torn between wanting to laugh and wanting to kick him. She settled for rolling her eyes.
"Mr. Anderson," she said in a mock severe voice, "it has never been proven that Slytherins always have an ulterior motive. But it's also said that they don't waste their time with small matters. So what do you want?"
"Well said, Miss Weasley." Caleb grinned, leaning back with an impressed air. "It's also said that Gryffindors don't mince words, and you prove that point rather nicely!"
Susan snorted. "As do you. Now what can we help you with?"
"Help me? I need no help, Miss Dresh," Caleb replied cheerily, suddenly dropping to the ground beside them.
"That's what you think!" Susan muttered, shifting away from the handsome young Slytherin as he sat. Ginny definitely had to concentrate on holding back her laughter. She actually liked Caleb, as he was different from most Slytherins. He had an open, humorous manner that charmed everyone he came into contact with. She'd actually seen him make Harry laugh on one occasion, as he was joking with others on the grounds. Of course, Harry had quickly made some excuse and left -- probably high tailing it back to the Gryffindor common room so he could forget he'd actually joked with a Slytherin, she thought. Caleb hadn't minded; he'd continued to talk and laugh with whoever was around. Unlike others of his house, he didn't only associate with Slytherins, seeming to prefer constant attention and laughter from whomever he saw, which made her wonder why the Sorting Hat had put him there in the first place. He had the manner and attitude of a showman, always talking, joking, and gesturing dramatically. He could be a theater actor, Ginny thought. He would certainly garner a great deal of attention, with his long black hair and clear blue eyes. This wasn't to say that Caleb wasn't an irritating and sarcastic git at times -- he was. He could be as infuriating as he was funny, and it knocked many people off balance. Ginny strongly suspected that he liked it that way.
"Then you were merely stopping by to say hello?" Ginny's smile was sweet, and her eyes held a humorous twinkle. "How thoughtful of you. I'll have to mark this day on my calendar."
"No need to do that." Caleb laughed, suddenly grabbing a hand from both Susan and Ginny. "A charming fellow is always on the lookout for lovely ladies to compliment and entertain."
Susan yanked her hand away. "If you don't mind!"
"Oh, turning down the affection of a Slytherin -- why? Who says that all must be enmity between the Lions and the Serpents?" Caleb's voice grew dramatic, and he raised his hand to touch his forehead. "For all these long eons-"
"Centuries," Ginny corrected.
"Yes, that. For all this time our houses have been divided by an ethereal competitiveness that defies logic! And so the story has gone, from father to son, mother to daughter, and so on…"
"What is your point?" Susan asked impatiently.
"I don't have one!" He grinned devilishly, and Ginny couldn't contain the chuckle that escaped her, which caused Susan to glare at them both.
"Sorry." Ginny smiled at her friend, then looked at Caleb. "Well, my fine fellow, if you're finished with today's entertainment, Susan and I were having a serious discussion-"
"Were you?" Caleb cried. "Oh good. I haven't been entertained yet."
"And you won't be now!" Susan cried indignantly.
"Oh, but I can give gossip as well as get it! For instance, did you know that Pansy Parkinson has been in a snit all week because-" He looked around suspiciously, lowering his voice into a conspiratorial whisper, "rumor has it that Mr. Malfoy has given her the Heave Ho, right on her non-existent bum!"
Ginny's heart tripped at Caleb's words, and she felt her face flush slightly. Draco had officially broken up with Pansy? Why would he do that when just a few days ago he was willing to endure her endless chatter and pointless gossip? Of course, he'd been attacked again not an hour later. Perhaps all this danger was forcing him to reevaluate his life? She felt her soul begin to swell with something like hope, and had to force her mind back on Caleb and Susan to banish it.
Susan raised an eyebrow. "Really? Oh, the tragedy."
"And then," Caleb said even more quietly, darting a look towards Draco who was standing a distance away from them, looking out over the water, "the news comes down that he's been cut from the Quidditch team! Halford thinks we need fresh blood to take on your lot."
Ginny gasped, and even Susan looked shocked. Draco cut from the Quidditch team? Draco, whose father had purchased six new Nimbus 2001 brooms to get him on to the team in the first place? Ginny looked over to where he stood alone, Crabbe and Goyle having joined in one of the various snowball wars. Draco's back was to her, making it difficult to judge his mood. But she could tell it was bad by the stiffness of his posture and his absolute stillness. What is he thinking of now, she wondered, her heart suddenly aching for him. She knew he loved Quidditch as much as Harry or Ron did, any fool could see that. And he was an excellent Seeker; why would the Slytherins cut him from the team?
"Who are they going to replace him with?" Ginny asked, frowning.
"Ha! See, Miss Dresh? My news is of great interest. I don't know yet, Miss Weasley. Although," Caleb's smile abruptly dropped as he looked towards Draco's still figure, "I personally think it was a huge mistake. Malfoy is the best Seeker Slytherin's had in some years. Oh, we beat everyone well enough before your Mr. Potter came along, but Draco is talented. Potter's the only one who can get past him, and that's actually a compliment!"
"Yes it is," Susan murmured, watching Ginny closely.
"Well ladies, no time to dilly-dally," Caleb said suddenly. "What say we all head for Hogsmeade? You can be my dates!"
Susan stared at him in amazement. "Are you mad?" she blurted.
"No actually, I'm quite serious." He grinned. His roguish charm failed to sway Susan, however.
"Oh well," he shrugged, then turned his charm on Ginny. "Then it's just you and me, Miss Weasley."
Ginny opened her mouth to refuse, but at that moment a shadow fell across the grass. Ginny looked up to see Seamus standing over them, looking quite irritable.
"What are you doing here, Anderson?" he growled, making Ginny shiver. Seamus was no longer the small boy he'd once been. He stood an inch over six feet, and had filled out rather nicely. His short sandy hair glinted with highlights even in the gloomy winter light, and his green eyes could sparkle with laughter or burn holes with his anger. They were definitely burning now!
Caleb, however, didn't seem at all ruffled. "Making conversation with the ladies," he replied as though it should be obvious. "How about yourself?"
"Humph," Seamus grunted, doubting him. "I came to ask Susan if she'd like to take a walk with me to-"
He stopped abruptly, his eyes moving shyly to his girlfriend. Susan's eyes lit up in return, and a smile played upon her lips. Then she looked at Ginny with wide eyes. Susan didn't want to leave Ginny alone with Caleb, which would be awful as far as Susan was concerned. Ginny guessed her thoughts at once and laughed.
"Go on, then." She grinned. "It's too cold a day to be alone."
"Indeed it is," Caleb agreed with an impish grin at Ginny.
Susan looked anxiously at her friend, then glared at Caleb. "Are you sure? We haven't really talked much today…"
"We can talk tomorrow." Ginny smiled, then looked fondly at Seamus. "Go on! Your gentleman waits!"
Susan smiled gratefully and hugged Ginny. "Thank you," she whispered. Then she stood, and the young couple was gone in a heartbeat. Ginny sighed, feeling envious of her friend's happiness. Harry was out of reach, but that was bothering her less and less as the months passed. Then there was Draco…
Her stomach clenched as she thought of her feelings for him. It was ridiculous that she could be in love with him, utterly impossible. And yet he was always with her, walking through the shadows of her mind no matter how hard she tried to banish him.
"Sickle for your thoughts," Caleb said softly. Ginny started, having forgotten he was there. Her eyes narrowed as she regarded him, but his easy grin made her smile.
"Well, Mr. Anderson, thank you for the gossip and conversation, but I have to go now," Ginny said, standing. He stood as well.
"I think not, Miss Weasley. You owe me a trip to Hogsmeade, and I intend to collect!"
"I owe you?" Ginny asked incredulously. "How in the world do I owe you a trip to Hogsmeade?"
"Never mind the details," he said airily, grabbing her hand and tucking it under his arm. "Let us go and wander the cobbled streets of that fair wizarding town. I'll buy you lunch, and then we can stop at Dervish and Banges for a bit of afternoon shopping. I myself am in dire need of a Lunascope. Astronomy is my worst subject, you know."
Ginny laughed; she couldn't help it. Caleb's brazen self-assuredness was charming, in its own way. And his humor was infectious. She stared at him while he continued his chatter about all they would do once they arrived in town. Before she knew it, they were on their way.