Nicole Stevens: Blood and Daggers

Nicole Stevens: Blood and Daggers

Chapter Nine: Wiser Than Wise

AquilisRose

"Miss Stevens! Stop drawing this instant!" McGonagall's shrill reprimand caught me off guard, and my head snapped up. I was confronted with the professor's sharp gaze. McGonagall stared pointedly at me as I blushed.

"Yes, ma'am," I answered, shoving my sketchbook into my bag.

I felt everyone's eyes on me as I blushed again, and McGonagall continued with her lecture.

"It's all right, Nicky," Harry whispered in my ear, wrapping a comforting arm around my shoulders.

I nodded, and began paying attention to class. This was the first day of school, and I had just gotten in trouble for the second time today. The first time, was for poking my partner in Charms with my wand. Hey, Ernie had been kicking me under the table! I was just supposed to let him kick me? I thought not, but apparently Flitwick had disagreed.

"So, as I was saying before, each of you will have the choice--yes, Mister Finnigan, it is optional--to co-teach a class with another student, whom you will NOT choose. Now, the sign-up sheet will be posted in your house common room. You are dismissed."

I stood, along with Harry, pulling my schedule out of my bag.

Nicole Stevens: Gryffindor: Sixth Year

Monday: 8:00 Charms: Gryffindor, Hufflepuff 9:30 Transfiguration: Gryffindor, Ravenclaw

11:00 Lunch 12:00 Care of Magical Creatures: Gryffindor, Slytherin 1:30 Defense Against the Dark Arts: Gryffindor, Ravenclaw

Tuesday:

8:00 History of Magic: Gryffindor, Hufflepuff 9:30 Arithmancy: Gryffindor, Slytherin

11:00 Lunch 12:00 Divination: Gryffindor 1:30 Defense Against the Arts: Gryffindor, Ravenclaw

Wednesday:

8:00 Potions: Gryffindor, Slytherin 9:30 Arithmancy: Gryffindor, Slytherin

11:00 Lunch 12:00 Charms: Gryffindor, Ravenclaw 1:30 Herbology: Gryffindor, Hufflepuff

Thursday:

8:00 Care of Magical Creatures: Gryffindor, Slytherin 9:30 History of Magic: Gryffindor, Hufflepuff 11:00 Lunch 12:00 Divination: Gryffindor 1:30 Herbology: Gryffindor, Ravenclaw

Friday:

8:00 Potions: Gryffindor, Slytherin 9:30 Transfiguration: Gryffindor, Slytherin

11:00 Lunch

Scanning it quickly, I said,

"Lunch. Thank god. I think I'm going to starve."

"Yeah, I'm hungry too. Let's go, Ron and Hermione'll be along soon, I bet. They did come to class, right? I didn't see them."

"They were at the front...I think."

"Right, well. We'd better hurry."

We hurried down the stairs, towards the Great Hall. As we walked through the entrance hall, I bumped shoulders with a girl, causing her to spill her books all over the floor. I bent to help pick them up, and then noticed that the girl was Ginny Weasley. She had tears steaming down her face, and looked startled to run into me.

"Need any help?" asked Harry, oblivious to Ginny's crying state.

"No, go sit down," I ordered. He obliged, still blissfully ignorant as to her obvious depression.

"What happened?" I inquired Ginny once Harry had gone.

"N-nothing," she lied, drying her eyes on the sleeve of her robe. "I--uh. Never mind. It's really not important. No one needs to know."

"No, what is this about?"

"Ron," was all she would say.

"Come here, let's talk somewhere private for a while," I suggested. She nodded and I grabbed her books and carried them for her, so she could dry her eyes. I led her up the great marble staircase, up a second set of stairs, and into an empty corridor. Then I walked to a portrait of an ivory coloured dragon sleeping beneath a silvery moon.

"Draco Luna," I said, hoping the password had not been changed. The portrait swung open, revealing a dark corridor. I snapped my fingers and the torches lit. Ginny followed me, looking extremely bewildered. As we came near the end of the hall, I stopped and put a finger to my lips, listening. There seemed to be voices from ahead.

"...yes, of course...I know, all right, I know...now, just let me get back to class..."

"Do you hear that?" I whispered to Ginny.

She nodded. And I began to creep slowly down the hall, peeking into the large common room where Snape had led us many days ago. Draco was sitting in one of the chairs, running his hand through his hair in a frustrated manner. He spun around as my companion tripped and fell, her bag clattering to the floor. Ginny picked herself up and stood brushing dust off her cream-coloured blouse.

"Oh, it's you, is it?" Draco smirked.

"Huh--?"

"Yes, Malfoy. It's me," Ginny answered.

"What do you two--?"

"She was asking me earlier if we could pretend to be dating, so she could make Weasel mad," Draco clarified, "Silly Weasley."

"Shut it, you--"

"Shh, Ginny," I said. And then, "What are you doing here?"

"I could ask the same of you, could I not?" Draco returned.

"Draco, stop trying to confuse me. I'm serious," I stared pointedly at him.

"Later," he stood and made his way to leave, pinching my cheek like a little girl as he passed. "I'll be seeing you soon."

"Yeah right," I replied, rubbing my cheek. He left, and I led Ginny inside. I gestured at her to sit in the chair across from me, and she obliged gladly. "Now, what happened, Ginny?"

"It was all Ron's fault! If he hadn't--said that...He hurt my feelings," she suddenly began sobbing into her hands. I bit my lip awkwardly; I was no good at comforting people. I had always been horrible when it came to soothing upset people.

"Well, um, what did Ron do? I mean, can I...help you, or something?" I was unsure of what to say to console the crying girl across from me, so I waited silently for her to elaborate

"He said--he said 'Gin, I'm glad you've stopped fawning over Harry, because it really wasn't a good thing. I mean, you don't need to be dating at so young anyways.' And then I told him that... that I liked Seamus, and he began laughing at me, saying that I must have been joking. And, Seamus heard, and just turned and...ran!" she wailed. "And Ron was wrong, I still like Harry. I still like him a lot! And he doesn't even notice--"

She continued her rant, apparently oblivious of the fact that I was Harry's object of affection. Ginny continued wailing undistinguishable phrases and I could only sit rigid and wait for her to finish. When she had finally stopped crying, I mumbled,

"Maybe you could--um..."

"But, there's more," she added quietly. "Before lunch, I asked that smart-arsed Malfoy if he would play Ron the fool and trick him into believing we were dating. He laughed at me too, and told me I was a crazy weasel with curly hair and freckles."

"Oh, dear," was all I could say. "Well, you can sit here, I guess. There a bedroom down that hall," I pointed down Hufflepuff's hall, "just don't touch the book called Historia Magick. And there's a bathroom that's really awesome, if you want to take a bubble bath or something."

The miserable-looking girl nodded and I left her.

She is going to think I am a heartless ice queen, I though inside my head. Why didn't I say something comforting? God, I suck.

You're an idiot, the truth be told, my conscience returned. If you would only act like a nice person, then you'd be so much better off. How stupid she must have thought you were!

Shut up, you. I'll bang my head against a wall if you don't.

That'd hurt the both of us, it said.

True, but I don't care.

Fine by me.

I ignored the voice again and began heading to my next class; which was--what was it!? I dug through my bag, rummaging for the schedule. It was gone.

"What! It was here earlier, I know it! How could it have just disappeared like that?"

I jogged down the hall, cursing my own stupidity. It was one thing to be caught drawing, but it was a lot worse not knowing for certain which class I was due in next.

Rushing past groups of chattering friends, I thought that at least I still had time to find someone else in my house that might have the schedule. Now going at a full run, I rounded a corner, smashing into another student. I landed on the floor in a heap, all of my books emptying out of my bag. I watched from the ground as an elegant hand was extended, offering help. I hardly dared suspect, but, no it really was Draco. He smirked as I stared cautiously at his hand.

"Really, I am offering to help you up, I wish you would just accept it, for once," Draco smiled dazzlingly, but it was a sarcastic grin.

"No thanks," I refused. I picked myself up, and Draco began picking up my books and slowly replacing them into my bag. He slung my bag over his own shoulder, and I stared curiously at him.

"Come on, Nicole. We have class together," he told me.

"Oh? Well, I regret to inform you that I don't believe it. I seem to have--"

"Misplaced your schedule," hinted Draco.

"You stole it, didn't you!" I cried indignantly. "How dare you? You crook!" Draco held up a hand, and I saw a folded sheet of paper between his fingers.

"You pig! Give it to me!" I made a grab for it.

"Oh, no. No, no, no, no, no...I don't think I will, you see, calling me a crook and a pig is not the right way to go about getting it," he drawled, "and I must say your manners are practically nonexistent."

I clenched my teeth and said, "Draco, darling, give me back my schedule," I paused, "before I rip out your heart!" I lunged at him, knocking him backwards. His look of sheer amazement was uncannily entertaining. He landed on the stone, flat on his back, I on top of him. Our faces were merely centimetres apart, and I felt his quick breath on my face. He smirked up at me, his grey eyes glittering with malice.

"Oh dear, it seems we've fallen and can't get up," he chuckled softly.

"Shut up," I growled. I made to roll off of him, but he held me in place.

"I still don't think you understand. I own you still. Your debt to me is not yet fulfilled."

"Bite me," I snarled, yanking my book bag off his arm and standing up. He stood deftly, grabbing my arm and pulling my back to him. He leant down as if to whisper in my ear, but suddenly kissed my neck, biting me softly.

"There. I bit you."

"You better not have rabies," I muttered, wiping his saliva off my neck, "I'll kill you if you do."

"Yes, I'm shaking in my frilly stockings," he laughed.

"Yeah, you and Voldemort too," I gibed haughtily striding swiftly down the hall. Then, I realised he still was in possession of my schedule. I turned back, blushing, and stalked up to him as he waited for me. He offered me my schedule, and I took it, my face burning crimson. I turned and headed down the hall, aware of his eyes on me even as I hurried to the landing.

*--*--*--*--*--*--*--*--*--*--*--*--*--*--*--*--*--*

"'Ell, to'ay you'll be learnin' 'bout the Feoxi--"

"Fee-lee-o-see?" asked Seamus, confused. "What in the world is THAT?"

"It's not Fee-lee-o-see, it is Fee-ook-see," Hermione corrected knowingly.

"Yah, tha's true. Now, who knows what a Feoxi is?" Hagrid asked the class.

Draco raised his hand lazily from the back and said, "A Feoxi is a Phoenicia Moon Dragon. It is classified as a five X animal by the Ministry. In other words, it is completely and totally illegal."

"Aye, tha's true. Unless, o' course, ya're registered by the Ministry to keep 'em. 'Ogwarts is registered," Hagrid said. "Anyone like ter see it?"

There were murmured dissents throughout the crowd of students, and no one volunteered. Finally, the class quieted down, and I looked at Harry, who was standing beside me. He had a resolute expression on his face. I then knew what he was going to do. I tugged on his arm, saying, "If that Fooksie, or whatever it is called, catches you and you die, I am going to kill myself. Don't do it."

"No. I have to. No one else is going."

"All the more reason for you not to. Don't you think that if no one else is volunteering, that there's a good reason for them not to? I mean..."

"No," Harry answered stubbornly, "and I'm not going to believe that. Hagrid," he said to the giant before us, "I'd like to see the Feoxi."

Hagrid beamed at Harry, who managed a slight smile/grimace. "Alrigh' Harry. C'mon forward. It's tied out be'ind."

Harry followed Hagrid, his grim determination unwavering. God, my boyfriend was such an idiot. I rallied some of the Gryffindors to go see the Feoxi, managing to interest some of the Slytherins as well. I started walking around the hut, but Draco grabbed my arm and pulled me back as the rest of the class headed to the Feoxi's enclosure, if there even WAS an enclosure. I scowled as Draco dragged me back to the front of the hut, growling,

"What are you trying to do, get yourself killed? Potter may be a bigheaded heroic moron, but you certainly aren't. That thing isn't safe. Do you know why they're five X on the Ministry's scale? It's because they're dangerous!"

I yanked myself out of his hold, frowning. I stared insolently up into his face, daring him to question my behaviour further.

"Look, Draco, I really don't have time to chat. I've got this thing--it's called a class, you see--and I really must see that Feoxi. Now, I'm going." I turned and strode away, marching to the edge of the crowd that was hovering at the fringe of the Forbidden Forest. Draco did not follow me.

"What does it look like?" I asked in a whisper to the student nearest me. It was Pansy Parkinson, who spun around and looked sharply at me.

"No one knows except them," she pointed up to the front, "We can't see it. Now go away and leave me alone before he sees we've been talking."

"Who--"

"Go!" She gave me a firm shove, knocking me off my feet. I landed with a thump on the soft soil, grimacing.

"Ow," I muttered, rubbing my hand where I'd fallen. "That hurt."

"Oi, Nicole, come here and look at her!" Harry called from the front. I stood and pushed my way through the chattering crowd, finally arriving at the very edge of the forest. There was--was I dreaming? No, it was really there. It was like the dragon from the Founder's entrance.

The Feoxi had opal-coloured scales, which reflected the dim, murky forest light magnificently. It was about six feet tall, and ivory smoke continued billowing from the Feoxi's nostrils. The smoke curled in thin wisps, floating into the thick canopy of trees. I watched in awe as the dragon saw me, and began slowly thudding toward me. Its footsteps, though heavy, were graceful. It stopped directly in front of me, bending its head down to look into my face. The Feoxi bumped my cheek with its own, and I felt the cool scales sliding across my skin. Too startled to move, I stood frozen as the Feoxi leaned its mouth to my ear. I was amazed when I heard, "You smell awfully like a honeysuckle blossom. What is it that you're wearing? No, never mind that. Your friend," it meant Harry, of course, "is very intelligent. It was almost as if he was expecting me. He wasn't the least bit frightened when I spoke to him. But--" thin wisps of sweet-smelling white smoke curled up into my ear, and floated into my hair, "--tell me how you think of me."

"Um..." I paused, "you smell nice. Your smoke, I mean. And your scales, they're nice and sparkly--"

"No, no, no," she said chuckling softly, "I meant of me, not of my appearance."

"Oh. Well, you're very interesting. Intelligent, as well. And I think you're cool." I did not mention that she was intimidating, thinking it best if she did not think I was frightened.

"Very well," she answered, stepping back. The Feoxi stared at me, looking over my appearance. When she seemed satisfied that she'd gotten the measure of me, she stepped away and began nuzzling cheeks with other students. I noticed that she spoke to few, and that whomever she spoke to, seemed frightened.

As class was dismissed and every one left, the Feoxi called to me,

"Girl! Come here."

My eyebrows rose curiously, and I turned around and trudged back to the edge of the forest. The Feoxi was entertaining herself by blowing smoke rings into the air. I stared at her for a moment, before she looked at me and said mystically, "Be wary. There are mysteries abound and traitors underfoot. Do not be misled. There are those about you who live only to see you dead. Believe little. Question everything. I see great things for you, my dear, great things indeed. But, I warn you this, there are those who will lie to get things for themselves, and then there are those who lie for the good of others. Rare it is that I find such of either, but I see it here. Do not let your inner eye be clouded by pleasure and flattery. If you find yourself thirsty, drink not that water which you see on the horizon, but that water which is before you. When you are hungry, eat not the slaughtered beasts, but the fruit of the trees. Only the slain beasts can contain the poison. Take not what others offer, but earn for yourself. Be dependent on yourself and only yourself. Go now, and heed my warning, lest you find yourself in a dire strait."

"Yes," I assented.

I turned and walked back up to the castle, pondering the Feoxi's words: If you find yourself thirsty, drink not that water which you see on the horizon, but that water which is before you. When you are hungry, eat not the slaughtered beasts, but the fruit of the trees.

What she had meant, I was not sure. But one thing I was certain of; I had better watch my back, for there were mysterious things happening that I could not begin to imagine, and if I was not careful, I would end up as countless others had: deceived.