YEAR 3: FOUR

                                    

                                          
YEAR 3
                          
¦FOUR¦
                          


I hadn't seen Draco in the first few weeks of term, he was busy with his school work as was I. Terence and Adrian have been at Quidditch practice a lot recently, meaning that I was mostly left with Laura and Madeline - which wasn't a bad thing, just conversation wasn't interesting. In the time that I was by myself, I was trying to study up on Harry Potter. It confused me that everyone in the school knew who this boy was and yet, I was left in the dark. In the two weeks I spent researching, I found nothing. 

I sat in the courtyard, studying Potions, trying to get my grade up from a 'D' to at least an 'A'. Despite having a good relationship with Snape, my grades were just 'not good enough' according to Ted and Andromeda. "Hey." I heard a familiar voice come toward me. I looked up to see Fred and George.

"Oh," I said, expecting Adrian and Terence from Quidditch practice, "Sit." I said moving my books to my lap so Fred and George could sit down, but George chose to sit on the ground in front of me, "What's going on?" I noticed across the courtyard, Ron with that girl Hermione and Harry Potter, "How's Ron getting on?"

George shrugged his shoulders, "He's doing good. I think so anyways, I haven't really asked."

"We were just talking to Harry." Fred said, indicating to Harry who talked briefly with his new friends before following Hermione somewhere, "He's just been made seeker for the Gryffindor team."

I looked between the two boys confused, "I thought first years never make the team?"

George shrugged, "They usually don't -"

"- Not because that they're not allowed," Fred said, "It's because they're not good enough."

I furrowed my brow, "So, this Potter kid is good enough?"

"According to Professor McGonagall." Fred answered, "Why? Are you scared that you're precious boyfriend will get beaten by a first year?" He mocked Terence.

I shook my head, laughing, "First of all, he's not my boyfriend -"

"- Oh right, yeah, the chaser is." George corrected referring to Adrian.

I continued laughing, "No," I answered, "And secondly, we're not scared. I'll bet you both five galleons that Slytherin will beat Gryffindor."

"Wait, wait, wait." Fred said, "So, if Gryffindor win, you will give each of us five galleons?"

I nodded in response, "But, when Slytherin win, you both give me five galleons each."

"Deal!" They both said taking turns to shake my hand. 

"So, what's the story with this Harry kid anyways?" I asked, hoping to get some answers from Fred or George, "How does everyone know him?"

Fred and George looked between each other in shock, "You don't know who Harry Potter is?" George asked.

I nodded, "Yeah, I was told but like, how does everyone know him?"

"How do you not know him?" Fred asked, "He defeated the Dark Lord himself. He survived the killing curse-"

"- Avada Ked -." I began to answer before Fred's hand covered my mouth.

George jumped up also, helping Fred covering my mouth, "Ssh, are you insane!" George said. I looked up to them trying to speak but their hands prevented that, "How do you know that curse?" George's voice turned to a harsh whisper, "How do you know it?"

I shrugged my shoulders since their hands still remained over my mouth. They realized that I couldn't speak and took their hands away, "I don't know." I shrugged, "How do you not know it?"

Fred and George looked between each other, "Because it's the killing curse." Fred answered, "No, but seriously Pandora, how do you know it?"

I tried to think back to where I could of possibly known the curse. I wasn't sure weather it was my mother or father that had used it, but I have just always seemed to have known the curse and what it does, "I don't know." I responded, "I guess it's just always been there. Don't worry though, I haven't used it." Even though I was aware of the killing curse, the one that stuck in my mind was the Cruciatus Curse - but I wasn't going to tell them that. At that moment, I noticed Terence and Adrian across the courtyard, "There's Terence and Adrian, I have to go." I said, standing up and gathering my things followed my 'oooh's from Fred and George who remained where they sat. I tried my hardest not to go bright pink, which was nearly successful since neither of the boys noticed but I felt myself go hot and become flustered. "How was Quidditch practice?" I asked.

They both shrugged, "It was alright." Terence responded, "Did you see that Potter boy is the new Gryffindor seeker?" I sighed and nodded knowing where this conversation was going.

I was sick of hearing about this 'Harry Potter' and not have a full understanding of him, "Actually," I said, a thought coming to mind, "I'm going to have to catch up with you later. I have to go see Professor Snape." If one person in this school can fill me in fully on Potter and the Dark Lord, I know Snape is that person.

Terence and Adrian looked to me confused, "Snape?" Adrian questioned, "Why do you need to see Professor Snape?"

"He said he's going to help me with my Potions." I simply stated before quickly making my way toward the dungeons, so that Terence and Adrian couldn't question me more about Snape. I walked as fast as I could toward my Potions classroom where Professor Snape usually is. The door was shut, "Professor Snape?" I called, knocking on the door.

"Enter." His dull voice replied from behind the door. I opened the door to reveal the typical Potions room with cauldrons boiling, ingredients filling the tables and Snape sitting at his desk in the corner of the room. He looked up to me, "Ah, Ms Tonks." He said putting emphasis on my name, knowing that it was false, "What can I do for you?"

I stepped further into the room, "Professor," I started, taking a heavy breath, "You know how we get along really great." I beamed at him. He gave me a look of 'really?' with a 'hm' sound following. I suddenly got this sudden urge of confidence and walked up to the desk, taking a chair with me, "I need your help."

Snape, who was correcting sixth year essays lifted his eyes from the paper to face me, "You could help me by improving your grade to a pass."

"You're so funny." I said sarcastically.

"And what do you need my help with?" He asked, placing down his quill and intertwining his fingers with one another.

I breathed heavily, "Well, I was thinking, since you knew my parents well and you know what happened, I'm guessing, I was just wondering if maybe you wouldn't mind telling me the full story about Harry Potter and the Dark Lord." Snape's eyes locked with mine. His facial expression showed that of interest and deep thought. "Sir, please. I know my parents were associated with the Dark Lord in some way or another - which I don't want to know. But, just please help me out. I feel clueless on this whole situation."

"Do you not think this is a conversation to be having with Ted and Andromeda?" Snape asked, his voice sounding nasal and dull. 

I sighed, "I don't want to live with Ted and Andromeda anymore."

Snape looked at me with surprise, "And what made you come to that conclusion?" 

"When I saw Draco."

"Mr Malfoy?" Snape questioned, "And why would Draco influence your decision to give up on a good home?"

"I don't know." I sighed, "I just have this feeling that I'm not supposed to be there, with Ted and Andromeda. I know for a fact that I was suppose to go to Malfoy Manor, the night Ted and Andromeda began taking care of me." I brought myself back to that night, the feeling of pure excitement filling my body at the thought of spending a few days with my new baby cousin, only to miss out on his childhood altogether and somehow mine. "I belong in the place that I was supposed to go that night. Please Professor, please tell me the truth when I ask you this." I paused for a moment while Snape nodded slowly, "My mother knew she was going to be taken that night and she was shipping me off to live with the Malfoys." Snape nodded as I continued, "Did Ted and Andromeda kidnap me?"

There was a long pause. A long, uncomfortable pause that I wished I had never began. Snape gazed down at the parchment in front of him, "Bexley," He sighed, "I don't think I'm the right person to be having this conversation with."

"Then who am I supposed to have this conversation with?" I asked, "I can't wait until Christmas. I overheard Ted and Andromeda talking to Mr and Mrs Weasley about me potentially finding out that I was actually reported as a 'missing child' in the Ministry and that 'Bexley Lestrange' is missing, presumed dead. But guess what? I found out and I want you to tell me the truth, starting with this Potter boy."

Snape sighed, "I'm sorry Bexley, but I seriously think you should speak to Ted and Andromeda about this. Send them a letter or something. Just speak with them before you speak with me."

"So, you're not going to tell me anything?"

"I'm sorry."

I gathered my things, "Well, thanks for your time, Professor." I said, putting the chair back where it was and leaving the dungeons. I felt a lump in my throat, but I tried to hold it together. I put a hand through my hair, hoping that it would prevent tears, which it didn't. I decided to go to the bathroom, so no one would see me cry. I went to the nearest bathroom, which was luckily empty. Then, I let my tears flow, "What are you doing to yourself?" I asked myself in a whisper.

I dried my eyes with tissue and tried to fix my hair in the mirror. All of a sudden, the bathroom door swung open and Hermione Granger walked in, "Oh, sorry." She said, stopping in her tracks, "I didn't know anyone was in here."

"It's fine." I sniffled, trying to hide the fact that I was crying, "I was just leaving."

"Are - are you okay?" Hermione asked, stepping closer to me.

I turned around and faced her, "Yeah." I said, "Why are you asking?" I couldn't help but ask since we've never spoken before and I already knew Ron had warned her about Slytherin's being 'bad' or 'evil'.

Hermione shrugged her shoulders, "I see that you're friends with Fred and George, so I figured you were nice."

"Thanks." I said in a sarcastic tone, "But, I'm fine. Why are you down here? In the dungeons?" I asked since this bathroom is usually filled with Slytherins.

"I have a Potions class with Professor Snape now." She answered, "But, I hope you're okay." 

"I am." I said just as she walked into a stall. I sniffled once more before gathering my things and making my way to the common room. I noticed Terence and Adrian sitting on the sofas. "Hey." I said, sitting down opposite them.

"How did your extra class go?" Adrian asked.

"Hm?" I asked confused, but quickly caught on, "It was okay." I faked a smile, "I'll be passing Potions in no time." I faked a laugh.

"I really need to pass Charms this year." Adrian said, "My parents are going crazy. They said that if I fail, then I can't play Quidditch next year."

"I'm decent enough with Charms." I responded, "I got an E last year, I could help you out, if you help me with Potions because I know you're passing it."

Adrian thought about this for a moment, "What about your classes with Snape?"

"I think he's too busy to continue." I said making up the lie as quick as possible, actually surprising myself with how quick it came to me.

"Well," Adrian said, thought trailing in his tone, "Yeah, we can do that." He said as he high-fived me, "We'll be acing this year no problem. And we're going to win the Quidditch house cup."