Prosapia Aenigmatis - The Family Riddle

Chapter 11

Aislinn stared at her breakfast; nothing looked appealing. She had hoped to talk to Quinn the day before, but she didn't see her at all. Marianne was talking about something loudly to Nathanial but Aislinn wasn't paying attention. She was busy trying to catch Quinn's eye across the room at the Ravenclaw table. No such luck. Quinn had been avoiding her gaze for nearly a month, Aislinn should have realized today would be no different.

She began pushing the food around on her plate when she heard the screech of hundreds of owls. Mail time. Aislinn looked up and saw Hera flying to her with the usual package from home. She opened it and found a letter from her mother and a package of Bertie Botts. She began to read the letter and a large package fell right into her food. Aislinn stared at it for a moment and put down the letter.

"What is it?" Marianne asked. "I have never seen that owl before."

Aislinn looked at the owl that was flying away from the Slytherin table. It was the biggest owl she had ever seen and it was solid black. Odd, Aislinn thought as she began to open the package. She gasped when she saw what was in it.

"Snapey Bear!" she cried, hugging the black bear tightly. "Oh, he gave it back to me."

Aislinn looked up at the head table and Professor Snape was watching her, a slight smile on his lips. She mouthed a soundless 'Thank You' to him.

"I'll be in the library if you need me, Marianne. I have to finish a report for Binns," Aislinn said and left the Great Hall, happy for the first time in weeks.

* * *

Quinn watched Aislinn leave the Great Hall with her precious bear in her arms. She felt anger bubble up within her. Snape had given her back that stupid bear. The bear was obviously a reward for becoming a faithful Death Eater just as her father was. There had been rumors about Snape's affiliation with the dark side of the magical world, and Quinn had always secretly believed them. Anyone with such a foul disposition surely would be drawn into the realm of dark magic.

The idea that, under Dumbledore's very nose, Snape could reward Aislinn for an affiliation to the dark side made Quinn's blood run cold. The worst part however, was the look of immense happiness on Aislinn's face when she hugged the bear. Quinn felt anger overwhelm her normally good judgment, and she stood up and stalked out of the Great Hall.

Quinn walked into the library and stopped as she saw Aislinn sitting in their usual corner. Quinn watched her former friend studying a large book. Quinn was furious. She was sick of ignoring and avoiding Aislinn; Quinn wanted answers. She strode over to the table and slammed the huge book shut. Aislinn looked up at her with surprise.

"Why didn't you ever tell me?" Quinn asked. A million more questions were queuing up in her brain but Quinn was too upset to ask them. She simply stared at the face of someone she had known for 15 years, and at the same time someone she didn't know at all. No explanation would ever fix what had changed between them but Quinn wanted to hear what Aislinn could possibly say to defend herself.

Aislinn felt the tears beginning to well in her eyes. She had pictured over and over again in her mind the conversation that she would have with Quinn, and not once had it started this way.

"Why didn't I tell you?" Aislinn's voice was soft at first and then became increasingly louder as her emotions came spilling out of her. "Why didn't I tell you? How could I have told you something that I knew nothing about? Do you think I've known all this time?" Aislinn quieted her voice as Madam Pince cleared her throat. She looked back up at Quinn who was standing over her. Quinn was looking at Aislinn with a disgusted sneer, and Aislinn wondered how much she knew. "How did you find out?" Aislinn looked away from Quinn. Aislinn knew exactly how Quinn had found out, but she wanted to hear it from her.

"How did I find out? That's all that's important to you? God Aislinn, I would have thought coming from your family and spending so much time with Draco you would have learned to cover your arse a little better." Quinn tried to control her voice, which threatened to reach ear-splitting level. Never had she felt so disgusted in her life. She had come here for an explanation, even if she knew she wouldn't accept it. Aislinn didn't even want to give one. "I can't believe you wouldn't tell me about your...family," Quinn spit the word out. Characterizing the Macnairs as a family was so absurd, it nearly made her laugh.

"Coming from my family...is that how it is now? 'My family' wasn't so bad when you were spending every summer and Christmas holiday of your life with us. My family wasn't so bad when my father taught us how to fly our first brooms when we were four years old. Do you think I knew about my family? When Draco told me about him, I almost threw up on the spot! I had no idea that my father was connected with him in any way! Do you know that my last name isn't even real?" Aislinn lowered her voice and looked at Quinn. "You might think that you don't know who I am anymore, but let me tell you something, I don't even know who I am anymore. Merlin, what would people say if it got out that Voldemort was my Grandfather?" Aislinn was crying now, emotions of shame and anger racing through her but she didn't care. She turned away from Quinn, feeling relieved that she had finally spoken it to her. Aislinn knew that Quinn would probably never speak to her again, and rightly so. After what had taken place over the holidays, Aislinn was beginning to think that she deserved no better than Draco Malfoy for a friend.

Quinn stood there in shock, she felt like she couldn't breathe correctly. Quinn reached out to the chair and sat down, convinced she had misunderstood. "He...what?...you?" Quinn sat down now and looked at her friend. Aislinn was avoiding her eyes but Quinn could hear sniffles coming from the girl. "What?" Quinn said again. She looked around her now, convinced this was a dream or an alternate universe she had stumbled upon. Quinn searched the room for anything out of the ordinary and bit her lip when she realized that it was real. "Aislinn, what in the bloody hell are you talking about?"

Aislinn looked at Quinn in surprise. Quinn must have never known about Voldemort . . . Quinn must have only known about her father being a Death Eater. "Quinn, being so smart and studying so often, did you never run across the meaning of my last name?" Quinn looked confused and Aislinn continued with a sigh. "My last name is not real, it was made up, by my . . . Grandfather." Aislinn shuddered at the thought. "Macnair means 'Son of the Heir'. Tom Riddle, Voldemort's birth name, was the last remaining heir of Salazar Slytherin. When Tom was 29 he began formulating a plan to continue his ancestors work of ridding the Wizarding world of Muggle-borns. During this time, Tom decided that he wanted an heir of his own, so that the heir could continue his work should anything happen to him. Tom Riddle searched the Wizarding world for the families with the purest bloodline and the most power. That is when he found the MacLeod family, my father's family. The family had a 20 year old daughter named Minna and upon seeing Tom, she fell instantly in love." Aislinn paused as she saw a look of revulsion pass across Quinn's face.

"Anyhow, Tom spoke to Minna's parents and they agreed to assist him in his plan for an heir. The MacLeods are one of the oldest Wizarding families in Scotland and are very . . . opinionated about Muggle-borns. They understood his plight. When Tom was 30, Minna gave birth to a son. Tom named the boy Walden Macnair, which means mighty son of the heir. My father never knew who his father was until he turned 18. He had been friends with Mr., " Aislinn shuddered at the thought of Lucius but forced herself to continue. "With Mr. Malfoy during school and Lucius taught him all about hating Mudbloods and Muggle-borns under the authority of his father. The Malfoys have been servants of Voldemort since Draco's grandfather went to school with Tom." Aislinn looked down after she had finished talking, waiting for Quinn to respond.

"Who told you all this? Are you sure Aislinn?" As soon as Quinn said this she felt like smacking herself. Of course it was true, even if it seemed impossible. "I mean, did your dad tell you?"

Aislinn laughed a bit. "My dad? No, he doesn't even know that I know." Aislinn paused; she didn't want to tell Quinn who had told her. She drew in a deep breath and sighed. As far as Quinn knew, Aislinn was still head over heels for the despicable boy. Aislinn looked back at Quinn who had a pained look on her face. "It was Draco. He told me the morning that we came back to school. That is why I was so upset on the train." Aislinn wanted to add 'If you even noticed' but she didn't. She sat silently waiting for the Draco comments to come bursting out of Quinn's mouth.

"So he's known the whole time? Why did he just now tell you?" Quinn forgot for a moment that Draco was a horrible slimy git and wondered what his motives were.

"You're asking me to explain Draco Malfoy? If I were in any condition to do that, then I would certainly need to be committed to St. Mungo's!" Aislinn scoffed. "I suppose he thought that I knew. I had asked Draco about my father, about why he became, erm, Tom's servant in the first place. Draco told me that his father had told him the story long ago." Aislinn couldn't read Quinn's expression but she desperately hoped that her friend would forgive her. Aislinn thought back to that morning that Draco had told her the story and another thought came to her mind. "I am sorry about George. I didn't find out about it until the morning that Draco told me the story. Quinn, can I ask you what happened that night?"

Quinn hesitated, she wasn't sure she was ready to switch the topic to her yet. Quinn bit her lip, remembering the moment after she had realized who was behind the mask of the tallest Death Eater. Quinn thought about the guilt Aislinn must have experienced once she discovered what had taken place. Still, Quinn couldn't trust her friend the way she once had. She wanted to know more before she was ready to share something that was still so fresh and painful in her mind. "What are you going to do? Are you going to talk to your father about it?"

Aislinn looked away from Quinn and shook her head. "I can't talk to my father, I can barely look at him." Aislinn sat back in her chair and sighed heavily. "I can't believe that I was such a fool and never realized the truth. That disgusting, arrogant bastard thought he was doing me a favor when he told me the story. I wish Draco would have just kept his stupid mouth shut." Aislinn felt the tears run down her cheeks. "I had been so happy not knowing about who my father is, about who I am." She stopped for a moment and then let her head fall into her hands; she could hold it back no longer. "How can this be happening Quinn?" It was more a statement than a question.

Quinn looked at Aislinn. She fought the urge to hug Aislinn tightly and pretend none of this had ever happened. She had to know how Aislinn felt. Even if she had been appalled at first, people had a tendency to believe that if they were born one way or another that was the only thing they would ever be. Draco Malfoy was a prime example. His father had always told him what he was and Draco had never questioned it. Aislinn could easily do the same thing, but Quinn couldn't let that happen.

"Aislinn just because you're uh, his granddaughter doesn't mean you are him. You don't plan to join him do you?" Aislinn gave her such a hurt look that Quinn felt like cursing herself into the next room. Still, over the last month she had gotten used to her best friend being someone unrecognizable. It was difficult to let go of that image now. Quinn bit her lip again and looked down at the table.

Aislinn felt a sob escape her lips as Quinn looked away from her. "Join him? What do you think I am Quinn? I wanted to die when I found out, never once did I think of joining him. I don't know what I am going to do, but I would rather have a Dementor suck out my soul this very instant than ever join that horrible man." Aislinn paused, she had thought about this several times, but it was still painful.

"I know that it is expected of me one day, but I will find a way out of it, I have to. I could never live with myself if . . ." Aislinn stopped in mid sentence. She did not want to think about what her father might force her to do when she came of age. "I have decided that I will play my part, and try to help if I can. The only way I can think to do this is...Draco. I have to make him think that I am loyal to my family, that way he will tell me things and I can then tell someone who can help. Anonymously of course, I can't risk being caught."

Quinn felt more emotional than she had in weeks. It was one thing to think that maybe Aislinn had been deceiving her this entire time, that maybe Aislinn wasn't the person Quinn believed her to be. The situation was entirely worse when the truth was that Aislinn had been hurt and that Aislinn was in danger. Quinn felt nauseous at the idea of Aislinn dealing with all of this alone. Especially since Quinn herself had surely made the situation worse. "I'm sorry Aislinn. I was an idiot. I should have asked you about it on the train. I just . . . Well, I felt like I couldn't trust anyone but the Weasleys after . . .everything that happened. I should have realized that you couldn't have known. But your father . . . he spared me; pushed me out of the way. I thought that meant you knew, and had asked him to keep me safe. I . . . Merlin!" Quinn paused and raked her fingers through her hair. "Aislinn, I'm sorry this had to happen, to both of us."

Aislinn was overcome with relief; she had worried terribly about what had happened to Quinn during the attack. "Don't be sorry Quinn, there is nothing either of us can do about it. And I am so glad that you weren't hurt. When Draco came and told me that the Burrow had been attacked, I thought I would collapse. I was a wreck but I couldn't let him know it. God Quinn, why did we have to go to that bloody place anyway? I hated it there, the whole time. Draco is disgusting; his father is disgusting. I had never wanted to leave a place so badly. . ." Aislinn stopped. She didn't want to throw all this on Quinn's shoulders when they had just made up. She decided to change the subject. "So, how was your holiday, apart from the night of the attack? Any luck with Fred?" Aislinn gave Quinn a weak smile, she didn't know what else to talk about.

Quinn smirked. The whole situation was so ludicrous she had to laugh. "Oh you know, traumatic situations tend to pull people together. Everything went according to plan." Quinn felt weird, thinking about all the concerns she had busied herself with before the holidays. Now they seemed ridiculous and small. "Well, we . . . I feel like he's really my friend right now because that's what he needed while George was ill. I've never seen him so upset." Quinn remembered Fred's haunted face while he watched his twin unconscious and immobile in a St. Mungo's bed. "It was horrible to see him that way." Quinn shuddered.

"Quinn, I am so sorry." Aislinn looked out the window, thinking about that morning when she had heard about the attack. "Damn Lucius Malfoy! Who does he think he is?" Aislinn banged her hand on the table and sat back again. "How could one individual be so sick and perverse. And Draco . . . Quinn, I really am sorry. If I could have done anything, I would have. I feel terribly for the Weasleys. I would love to tell them how sorry I am, but..." Aislinn's breath hitched in her throat. "Quinn, did you tell the Weasleys about my father?" Aislinn was numb thinking that everyone might know about her family.

"Are you kidding? I didn't even want to think about it. I thought about telling, because I don't want anyone else to get hurt. I should have told." Quinn began this argument for the hundredth time in her mind. "But I kept picturing him, when I was six, telling us stories before bed on Christmas Eve." Quinn looked at her friend's desperate face and sighed. "I couldn't do it."

Aislinn began to cry again. Her father was such a kind man, how could he be a Death Eater? Aislinn had thought about it endlessly during the past month, but never more so than now when Quinn had talked about her father. "I don't know what to say Quinn. I am sorry that you had to find out that way, that you had to see him. I can barely even look my parents in the eye anymore. What are we going to do? What am I going to do?" Aislinn didn't expect Quinn to answer; she just needed to say it out loud.

Quinn stiffened her jaw and grabbed Aislinn's shoulders, meaning to shake her out of this emotional stupor. "First of all you're going to stop crying. I'm alright, you're alright, and we have an opportunity here to do something about our situation." Quinn thought back to the night of the attack "Do you know what they were looking for at the Weasleys? I didn't see what they took but it was hidden in the basement wall. We've got to figure out what they're planning. And you have to stick like glue to Draco Malfoy. Gah, never thought I would say that." Quinn shook her head in disbelief and handed her friend a tissue. Aislinn had to use all this emotional energy to accomplish something or she would go crazy. In Quinn's opinion, nothing gives you more of a sense of accomplishment than acquiring knowledge.

Aislinn took the tissue from Quinn and wiped her eyes. "Yes I know what they were looking for, but I am not sure if you want to know what it was. If Voldemort succeeds with his plan...Well, lets just say it won't be pretty. There is a potion that . . . someone made for him a long time ago. If Voldemort drinks it, it will make him one of the most powerful wizards on Earth. Dumbledore already knows about it, and they are working on a plan." Aislinn stopped for a minute. "Quinn, if I am to get close to Draco, that won't be pretty either. I might even have to resort to being . . . Pansy." Aislinn cringed. "I certainly hope he won't be that hard to convince." Aislinn shuddered at the thought of having to be close to that foul, slimy brat. "I can't believe that I actually used to like him. Although I know why I couldn't see his faults before: the Malfoys are half veela. Gah . . . How could the ministry allow veela to walk around free, don't they know what they can do?" Aislinn closed her eyes, trying to block out the image that was slowly forming in her mind.

"Draco is half veela?" Quinn gasped. "Well that explains it. Aislinn you never had a chance. Even half-veela are very powerful. I've read somewhere that they can control your mind or your body, not both like full veela. Still, they're difficult to resist. Although I wouldn't think Draco would be very powerful." Aislinn gave Quinn a strange look. "They have to train their powers. It takes a long time but they can be almost as powerful as full veela if they work at it. They can decide when and where to use their powers, and even at different levels of intensity, but from what I read that takes years. Besides," Quinn smirked, "from what I know of Malfoy he wouldn't think it necessary to use his powers. He's convinced everyone is already in love with him."

Aislinn noticed Quinn's smirk but she couldn't force one of her own. So that was how Lucius had done it. Aislinn wasn't surprised in the least that he had taken years of his time to learn the technique. Aislinn was absolutely disgusted, but a little grateful to hear that Draco had no hope of having an affect on her like his father had. Still, there had been a few times since she returned to school that she had caught herself staring at him from across the room. Aislinn wondered how long it took them to train their powers, knowing that for the next two and a half years, she would probably have to be glued to Draco's side. Aislinn thought of Lucius again and knew that she had to tell Quinn, she couldn't hold it in much longer. She hadn't actually told anyone yet. "Quinn, something else happened over the holiday. I haven't told anyone. Only Draco knows the whole story." Aislinn stopped to look at Quinn. Aislinn wondered how she would react to this news, and hoped desperately that Quinn didn't blame her for it like she had blamed herself at first.

"Something else? It...it can't be worse than what you've already told me!" Quinn's jaw dropped at Aislinn's face, which told her that it was just as bad. She decided to shut her mouth and let Aislinn talk, when she was ready.

"Quinn, have you ever met Draco's father?" Aislinn eyed Quinn nervously.

"No, I have never met him. I have seen him once or twice I think, why?" Quinn asked, thoroughly confused.

"Well, the evening that we arrived at Malfoy Manor we all had tea in Lucius' study. He was asking me about Quidditch and if I wanted to play. He told me that . . . that he could get me on the team." Aislinn paused to draw the breath she had been holding as she spoke. "Well, I couldn't tell him no, seeing as how he and my father were smiling at me so strangely. Anyhow, there was a party at the Malfoys that evening and Draco told me that his father wanted to speak to me in his study." Aislinn stopped again for a moment. She didn't know how to go on, she was embarrassed, ashamed and angry. Aislinn looked down at the table and willed herself to continue; not meeting Quinn's gaze.

"I sat in Mr. Malfoy's study waiting for him and he seemed to appear out of nowhere right in front of me. He started talking about Quidditch. I told him that I couldn't play in my dress. Then he told me that we weren't going to be playing Quidditch. I looked down at my ring, and it was red, but I couldn't move. Then he...he undid my robes and...forced me against the wall...Quinn I couldn't move, I couldn't scream. He just kept running his hands over me and smiling. It was awful; I couldn't control my body. I was giving in to him and I was fighting it with all my power. He knew what was happening and he kept on." Aislinn felt the tears rolling down her cheeks as she covered her face with her hands. She couldn't look at Quinn, but she had to continue.

"Draco came in the room and Mr. Malfoy stepped away from me. As soon as he moved I regained my sense of self and ran out of the room." Aislinn looked up at her friend's horrified face. "Quinn, Draco knew all along what his father was going to do. He had even told me that I was stupid after agreeing to let Mr. Malfoy get me on the team, he told me that I would find out what it was about soon enough. How could anyone be so cruel as to let another person experience that?" Aislinn tried to compose herself, but only managed to stifle her sobs to a barely audible whimper. She quickly glanced around the room, hoping that no one had noticed the girl's conversation. The library was thankfully empty, aside from Madam Pince.

Quinn balled her fists in front of her. "But..he stopped right? Did you tell anyone? Aislinn why didn't you tell your dad?" Then Quinn saw the guilt on Aislinn's face. Without thinking, she reached across the table and flicked her finger sharply on Aislinn's forehead. "Do not feel guilty. You know it's not your fault and if you think it is I will curse you. You saw what I did to Terry Boot. If you let yourself feel guilty then that means he is still controlling you. You can't let him do that to you."

Aislinn rubbed her forehead and smirked. Quinn always had a way of pulling her out of despair. Aislinn wiped the few remaining tears from her eyes. "You're right. I'm all right now; I really just needed to talk about it. I didn't tell anyone at all, and I am not going to either. I certainly cannot tell my father, he would kill Lucius Malfoy, I am sure of it. Anyhow, I knew I would feel better once I told you. Now, will you tell me about the rest of your holiday, before the attack? I would really like to hear something pleasant. I'm sure Ginny was quite amusing."

Quinn felt uncomfortable. Before the holidays she and Aislinn had laughed at Ginny's antics but now Quinn felt intense loyalty to all of the Weasleys. She couldn't say anything bad about them if she tried. "Well, what was really amusing was," Quinn grinned, "the older brothers. Well, Percy was amusing because he kept making a fool of himself. But the oldest two, Bill and Charlie . . ." Quinn sighed. "I swear if Fred looks anything like Charlie in a few years I . . . I can't be held responsible for my actions. They were so nice, too. It was hard to concentrate on Fred actually," Quinn giggled at Aislinn's shocked face.

Aislinn regarded her friend with one eyebrow raised. "So, an older Weasley has now turned your head? I was never one for redheads, but I think I would actually like to see this one. Oh by the way, Percy was at the party at the Malfoy's. It was rather funny, he looked scared the whole time, and I think he was absolutely terrified of Mr. Malfoy, not that I blame him. I think my father scared him, too. But, the funniest thing of all was when Professor Snape showed up. Percy attached himself to Snape like a leech, as if they had been old friends for years. Snape looked at Percy like he had just doused him with Flobberworm mucous." Aislinn and Quinn both laughed. Aislinn was glad to be talking about something amusing for once. She hadn't had a light conversation in almost two weeks. It was rather draining.

"Are we okay Aislinn?" Quinn asked tentatively as the laughter died down. Aislinn nodded. "Good because I could not stand the idea of picking out an outfit for the Valentine's Day Ball without your input. Plus we both know you'll need my help to tame that hair of yours." Quinn smiled, glad to be thinking about something so vapid.

Aislinn gave Quinn a look of mock offense. "What do you mean, that hair of mine?" Aislinn laughed. Her hair was as impossibly thick as it was long, and she could never manage a sleek style without Quinn's help. "There is only one small problem Quinn, no one has asked me to the dance yet. Who are you going with, by the way?"

Quinn blushed and smiled. Aislinn's jaw dropped. "He asked me a few days ago. You have no idea how much I wanted to run and tell you." Quinn giggled with happiness. "Oh no, I've turned into a moron, Aislinn you've got to snap me out of it. I will be turning into Pansy soon if I don't watch it."

Aislinn laughed at the thought of Quinn throwing herself at Fred and declaring her undying love for him, as she had seen Pansy do to Draco on so many occasions. "Quinn, I don't think I have to ever worry about you becoming Pansy. Now, we need to find me a date. Let's think about the possibilities, shall we?" Aislinn raised her eyebrows to her friend and began to think of the eligible guys in school.

"Well Terry Boot was pretty desperate for dates for a while, but his hair has grown back now. Hmmm." Quinn tapped her finger to her chin in mock thought. "You are welcome to Crabbe if you want him. Call him Vincent, then he'll do whatever you want."

Aislinn cringed at the thought. "Urgh, can you not think of anyone who is normal? I mean, Crabbe, ick. And Terry, well, let's just say that I have had it with arrogant guys. I lived in the same house as the source of all arrogance, Lucius Malfoy, for two weeks. I can't take anymore." Aislinn paused to think, "Well, I could always ask George, it could be a double date." Aislinn looked at Quinn and laughed. "No? Well, how about, erm, well . . . There really isn't anyone, is there? I suppose I could ask Potter . . ." Aislinn waited for Quinn to laugh, but she didn't. "It was a joke Quinn."

"I'm sure he has developed quite a crush since the last time you insulted him. Men like abuse you know." Quinn said with a smile. "Isn't there anyone you like? From your house? You know going stag isn't the end of the world. I would loan you Fred but you need to keep up appearances with Draco."

Aislinn groaned, she had momentarily forgotten about her problem with Draco. "Stag it is then, how embarrassing. God, I will be sickened having to watch Draco and Pansy all night. It is ridiculous the way she paws at him; you should see her in the common room. Ick. Wait, I know who I could go with. I wouldn't have to worry about anything with him anyhow; he is like a brother to me. We could go with Marianne and Nathanial; it is perfect. Now, how to get him to ask me . . ." Aislinn didn't look up to see the revolted look on her friends face.

"Oh my, Merlin. Please don't tell me. I need to go be ill. Stag is better than that dentally-challenged troll." Quinn glanced at the look on Aislinn's face and bit her lip. "Well maybe he's not that bad. I'm sure I've just been spoiled by sexy Weasleys in leather pants." Quinn stared dreamily off just thinking of it.

Aislinn got a mental image that she hadn't thought of in weeks. Leather pants, more importantly Draco in leather pants. "You know Quinn, I saw a very nice pair of leather pants myself over the holiday. Unfortunately the person who was wearing them is a conceited arse."

"Ooooh," Quinn said, getting a dreamy look. Aislinn stared. "Okay he's a conceited arse but...what an arse . . ." Quinn blushed.

Aislinn stared at her friend. Did Quinn just 'Oooh' over Draco Malfoy? "Quinn, are you feeling okay? I could have sworn that you just complimented Draco's, erm, assets." Aislinn burst out laughing at the look on Quinn's face. "It's all right, I won't tell your precious Fred that you are pining over Draco; I will keep it a secret." Aislinn giggled.

"I'm not pining!" Quinn said, her face turning red. "I complimented one tiny little speck of his existence. I don't think I need to remind you that I despise the other 99.5% of him, especially after he led you to his father like that."

Aislinn stopped laughing abruptly. "I know, Quinn. I feel the same way." Aislinn didn't want to think about Lucius Malfoy anymore, but she had to know what happened at the Weasleys. "Quinn, will you please tell me what happened that night? I mean...if you really don't want to talk about it, I will understand . . ." Aislinn trailed off, not knowing what else to say.

Quinn sighed, she didn't want to talk about it or think about it ever again. "Let's run down to the kitchens, I'm starved. Fred told me how to get in there and nick food. We'll talk about it later." Quinn stood up and waited for Aislinn to do the same.

The girls headed out of the library and Quinn led them down toward the kitchen. Being Fred's friend was turning out to be quite beneficial. He knew almost everything about the school from what she could gather.

Quinn felt wonderful to be walking down the hall with Aislinn again; she could almost pretend none of the last month had happened. The girls continued around the corner and almost ran into what appeared to be two large boulders in the middle of the hall. Upon closer inspection, the girls realized the great masses were Crabbe and Goyle. Quinn immediately stood slightly behind Aislinn, hoping to avoid Crabbe's attempts at an alluring gaze.

The two boys stood staring at the girls for a moment. They appeared to have been coming from the kitchens themselves because they were each holding handfuls of biscuits and éclairs. Crabbe aimed a smile at Quinn and she shuddered behind Aislinn. He had a bit of chocolate on his lips and she felt ill just looking at it.

Aislinn watched as Crabbe smiled at Quinn and rolled her eyes. ""Well, do you two need something?" The boys both had a blank expression on their faces. "In that case, I am sure you need to hurry back to Draco's side. He is surely getting cold without you two blocking the wind for him." Aislinn sneered. Crabbe and Goyle didn't move however. Aislinn was about to grab Quinn's arm and lead her away from them when Aislinn spotted three figures out of the corner of her eye and they were heading to the kitchens as well. Aislinn noticed Quinn stiffen and turned to see who was approaching them. It was Fred, Ron Weasley and Potter. Perfect, Aislinn thought. How would she get out of this one, she had never been confronted by the Gryffindors in Quinn's presence. Aislinn looked around for an escape, but before she could even formulate a plan, the three boys were heading toward them.

Aislinn saw Fred wave to Quinn. Ron then looked at Aislinn and gave her a disgusted look. This was not a good situation.

"Hey Quinn, taking my advice on the kitchens I see." Fred laughed and Quinn smiled. Aislinn felt glad for Quinn, but that thought was pushed out of her mind by what happened next.

"Shouldn't you be somewhere licking Malfoy's shoes right now?" Ron Weasley said to Aislinn with a scowl. He then looked over at Crabbe and Goyle. "No wait, that is your job isn't it?"

Aislinn watched as Crabbe cracked his knuckles and Goyle grunted menacingly. Goyle walked over to Aislinn and put his arm around her, squeezing her shoulders. Aislinn was too stunned to speak. She looked up at Goyle, revolted and back at Quinn, who looked equally sick. Aislinn then saw Crabbe move to do the same to Quinn, but Quinn withdrew her wand and aimed it right at him. Crabbe squeaked and immediately moved his hands to cover his matted brown hair. Aislinn, who was still suffering under Goyle's clutches, looked over to the Gryffindors who began hysterically laughing at Crabbe's expression. Aislinn then took this opportunity and thrust her elbow deeply into Goyle's stomach and pushed him off her. Goyle doubled over gasping for air. "Get off me you disgusting jerk!" Aislinn hissed at him. Fred looked as if he would collapse with laughter and Potter and Ron were clinging to one another, breathless with mirth.

"I swear to Merlin, Crabbe if you ever come near me again your hair won't be the only thing you'll lose," Quinn said with anger flashing in her eyes. She moved her wand to point below the belt, emphasizing her point. Crabbe's eyes widened and his hands flew to cover the area. He backed away quickly, almost tripping over a gargoyle. Quinn turned her wand toward Goyle now but he took the hint and ran before she could speak. Quinn and Aislinn both shuddered with repulsion.

"Quinn if you already had a boyfriend you should have told me!" Fred said, putting on a false expression of injury, "I'm sure you would rather go to the ball with Crabbe anyway. I mean, a stud like that could do wonders for a girl's reputation."

"Fred," Quinn was too angry to speak, she could only growl. At this point she wanted nothing more than to drop kick Crabbe's head across a field. "I'd rather go with Professor Snape than Crabbe," Quinn shuddered just saying this aloud and Aislinn got a dreamy look in her eyes.

"As flattering as that is, Miss Finnigan, I do not believe that it would be prudent for me to accompany you to the dance." Aislinn felt her eyes widen in horror at the sound of that familiar silky voice. They all turned around simultaneously to see Professor Snape standing behind them, sneering dangerously. Aislinn looked back at Quinn, and she thought that her friend looked as if she would pass out right there.

"Sir, I was just . . ." Quinn began.

"Silence." His voice was low and quiet, but full of warning. "I have no desire in hearing your petty excuses, nor do I recall hearing of anyone giving any of you permission to be wandering into the kitchens. If you cannot eat enough at dinner, then you shall have to go hungry. Get back to your dorms at once." Snape growled and they all began to scatter. Aislinn turned to run, but Snape grabbed her arm before she could move.

"No, Miss Macnair. I shall escort you back to the Slytherin dorms personally. I need to speak to Mr. Crabbe and Mr. Goyle anyhow." Snape's eyes flashed angrily and Aislinn looked away from him. Snape turned around and made his way down the hall, with Aislinn following closely behind him.

They reached the Slytherin dorm and Snape muttered the password. "Praestantia."

Aislinn followed him into the common room and a hush fell over all the students. Snape's presence never failed to quiet the whole room. Aislinn walked over to the couch and plopped down by Marianne, her eyes never leaving Professor Snape. Snape walked over to Crabbe and Goyle, yanked them both up by their robes and drug them into the hall that led to his office. Everyone watched as the door closed behind them. The voice on the other side of the door grew louder as Snape unleashed his fury on the two boys, but no one took any notice of this. Everyone had grown accustomed to Snape's lecturing Crabbe and Goyle on a daily basis.

Aislinn looked over to Marianne who was looking at the latest Gladrags catalog. "Marianne, I wanted to talk to you about something."

Marianne put down the catalog and looked at Aislinn. "Sure Aislinn, what's up?"

"Well, I was wondering, is Marcus going to the ball with anyone? I want to ask him to go, you know as friends. I thought the four of us could go together, it would be fun." Aislinn smiled hopefully at Marianne.

"No Aislinn, he isn't going with anyone. He thinks he is too old, and that no one would go with him because of it. I told him to ask you, but he didn't think you would go with him. You know how Marcus is." Marianne laughed a bit. "Aislinn, I am glad to see that you are in a good mood again, you had me worried for a while."

"Thanks, Marianne. I am definitely in a better mood. I'm sorry if I have been rude over the past few weeks, I have had a lot on my mind." Aislinn gave her a weak smile and Marianne gave her a light hug.

"So, do you want to come with Nathanial and I to Hogsmeade tomorrow? We are meeting everyone there in the morning," said Marianne.

Aislinn grinned, a day in Hogsmeade would be just what she needed to further boost her sprits . . . although, she would have to spend most of the day following Draco and watching Pansy paw him like a cat in heat. "Sure Marianne, that sounds great. I need to talk to your brother anyhow." Aislinn got up from the couch and retreated into the dorm, calling over her shoulder, "Goodnight Marianne."

Marianne watched Aislinn bounce off into the dorms. "Goodnight Aislinn, welcome back."