Nicole Stevens: Roses and Mistrust

"Get out your cauldrons and ingredients for the Wormwood Potion. You all should know what the purpose of this potion--" I raised my hand in the middle of his speech.

"But, what if we don't?" I asked sweetly.

"Excuse me?" he asked in a deadly whisper, but I spoke up louder this time, his death glare wasn't going to stop me.

"I asked, what if we don't know what the purpose of the Wormwood Potion is, sir," I repeated, adding 'sir' for good measure.

"Are you saying you don't know its purpose?"

"No, sir. I was merely curious as to the reasoning that we all know its use. I know perfectly well that it is a healing potion that is used in St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries. It is also common in most households, because it isn't a particularly difficult potion to brew," I stated loudly, getting way-to-go looks from the rest of the Gryffindors.

"Miss Stevens, as you seem to be so confident of your ability, we shall test your Wormwood Potion on someone in this class. Five points from Gryffindor for your cheek."

Neville, at the next table, was having great difficulty. His potion was purple, when it needed to be light blue. I knew he had added too much acid of itol, but I couldn't help him without Snape seeing. I held up a hand to show Neville to stop stirring, and he complied quickly. I wrote down the way to fix it and handed it to him. Neville mouthed 'thank you' and I shook my head.

"Wash your ladles now, before we test Miss Stevens's potion." I walked casually over to the stone faucet and washed mine off. I sat back down and waited for him to tell me who my potion was going to be used on. "Now, does anyone have a cut in this class of incapable children?" Most students shook their heads, but Neville nodded and Snape stalked over to my cauldron. "Longbottom, over here. Now!" He walked slowly over and Snape picked up my ladle. He dipped it into the milky-blue substance, and Neville held out his arm, where there was a small scrape. Snape poured the liquid onto his arm, and there was a popping sound.

Snape took a rag and wiped the boy's arm clean. The scrape was gone, and the flesh looked normal. I smiled. "Five points from Gryffindor, for being overly pleased at your results."

"Excuse me, Professor, but that is not one of the punishable acts listed in the Hogwarts Book of Rules. I do not find it amiable to deduct points from Gryffindor, for not breaking a rule."

"She is correct, Professor Snape," someone added. I turned to find myself face to face with Draco. He was smiling slyly. "It isn't against the rules to be glad that you did well. I have read the rule book back to front and it's not in there."

"Mr. Malfoy, do not criticize the way I reprimand. You and Miss Stevens will join each other in a week's worth of detentions. We shall arrange it after class. Start cleaning up your messes." I walked sulkily back to my table and plopped down onto the stool. I shoved my things into my bag and stared angrily at the board.

Not fair! Not fair at all. The injustice of it was making me sick. Snape had a cruel desire to punish me. Well, he did a really good job of that. A week of detention! With Draco! Well, the Draco part wasn't so bad. He was someone to talk to, at least. But a week! Ugh, would life never ease up on me?

"Class is dismissed," rang Snape's cold voice through the equally cold dungeon air. As everyone else got up and walked out, I stood and made my way up to Snape's desk. Draco followed after me. Snape rose from the desk and told us, "Your detentions will begin in two weeks, on the twenty-eighth. You will meet here every evening at 9:00 and clean the dungeon for two hours. No magic. I shall not bother with overseeing your efforts. If I find that you have been slacking off," he paused and looked at us menacingly, "then I will assign a week more detentions. You may go."

I turned and strode out of the dungeon. Draco came out after me muttering, "Evil git. When my father....." He caught up with me and asked, "May I walk you to your next class? It's Arithmancy."

"Have you memorized my schedule?"

"If I tell you will you let me walk with you?"

"Maybe. Have you?"

"Yes, and no. I memorized the subjects you have with me. Aren't I clever?"

"No, you're an idiot, and you're following me."

"You said I could walk with you."

"No, you assumed I had. I never said 'yes, Draco, you may way walk me to class.'"

"So say it now."

"What's the point? We're here," I walked in the door and sat down by Hermione, leaving him to find a seat.

The class was usual, and we talked about our homework, that was due in two weeks. We had no extra homework so class was okay. I sat and listened to the teacher speak, but I didn't really pay attention. When class was finished, Professor Vector called out, "I shall be telling you about the project I mentioned yesterday sometime before Christmas break. That is all."

"Hey, Hermione, what d'you think the project'll be? Do you think we'll have to write an essay or something?"

"I dunno', maybe. Or we might do something a bit more complex. I suppose we'll just have to wait and see."

"Yeah, probably."

"What's your detention?" she asked as we trudged out the door.

"Oh, that. I have a week's worth of detention, in the dungeons, with Malfoy," I was always careful to call him Malfoy around my friends. "We have to clean it every evening from nine 'till eleven, which is a bit later than I'd like, but I guess it's better than having to go there every morning at four. We can't even use magic. Well, I probably should've expected that, but still, it would be so much better if I could. Oh, well."

"With Malfoy," said Hermione slowly, as if she was trying to figure something out. "I don't think that's a good idea. Not after what happened on the train, I mean...well, it just isn't a good idea."

"Look, I can't go request that Snape give me a different detention. It won't do any good, in fact it'd only make him inclined to punish me more. I don't want that." Had I just accused her of being mistrustful? Had she just indicated that she didn't think I was trustworthy? No, of course not. She was my friend. She'd never do that, right?

We walked the rest of the way to lunch in silence. I pushed open the door and followed Hermione through it. I sat down beside Harry.

"I told you not to mess with Snape," he said by way of greeting.

"Oh, shut up. I didn't get into too much trouble. Just stop pestering me. I'll be fine."

"Yeah, but...."

I ignored him and started filling my plate. Today it was chicken, potatoes, bread rolls, and ice cream of all varieties. I ate my fill and rummaged through my bag for a book.

I frowned as my hand touched something circular and cold. I pulled it out and inspected it. It was a....ring; silver with a circular, ornately cut emerald. The silver band was shaped like two twining snakes, with the heads around the emerald. Engraved on the inside was Malfoy. I absentmindedly slipped it on my middle finger. It fit perfectly. It was sooo pretty. And, besides, it couldn't hurt anything to wear it.

I brought out the book I'd been looking for in the first place and began to read. It was soon time for my next class, so I shoved the book in my bag and left with Harry by my side. We all walked up the marble stairs and into the classroom. I sat down at the back desk and took out my book and quill. Professor Flitwick stood on his desk and called out to the class, "Good afternoon, today we shall learn the Severing Charm. The charm is Diffindo. The reverse charm is Reparo. The reverse charm is used for many types of restoration, not just this spell. I shall hand out pieces of fabric to you, for you to practice on." He came around the room handing out the fabric to each of us. Professor Flitwick only came up to the height of the table-top, so it was odd to see him stepping around bags to hand out the fabric squares.

I got a piece of blue satin and immediately started practicing. "Diffindo!" The satin ripped in half and I smiled to myself. I muttered, "Reparo!" and the cloth joined back together. I did the charm a few more times and became better.

Class seemed to end quickly. Flitwick called out, "A paragraph on this charm will be due next class. Turn in your homework from Monday now." I picked up my bag and headed to the front. I set my parchment on his desk and walked out with the rest of the Gryffindors.

"Herbology next. Let's go," I said to Harry. We pushed open the great double-doors leading outside. Harry led me around to the Greenhouses. We walked in and I saw the strangest variety of plants. There were large red ones, small green ones, and even fuzzy purple plants. I stopped for a second to marvel, before Hermione chose a table to sit at.

The professor stood up, "A new year, again. And this year we will be studying more exotic plants. Today the plant is an Athyla. An Athyla is a large, orange plant, with large maroon blossoms. They are used for poisons and sometimes dark magic. We will be repotting them today. The plants are over there," she pointed to a bunch of orange, maroon flowered plants. "And the soil and pots are in that cabinet. Work with the people at your table. Wear your dragon hide gloves. Athylas are poisonous, however slightly. You may begin."

We started by slipping on our gloves. I was careful not to let my new ring fall off in the process. The emerald glittered in the sunlight that was shining in the glass walls. Then we brought over the plants and extra pots. It was tedious work, pulling the stalk up, holding it while the soil was poured into the fresh pot, gently setting the plant into the soil and piling more dirt around it, but eventually we had finished repotting all of the Athylas.

"Please research the Athyla and do a foot-long summary of what you read. To be handed in next Wednesday. You may go."

I pulled off my gloves and stuffed them into my bag. Then I headed up the lawn only half-listening to Hermione's chatter on Athylas. I headed up to the Gryffindor tower with her talking all the way.

"Tempus," I told the Fat Lady when we'd made it to the portrait. I said bye to Hermione and went up to my dormitory. Once I was inside I grabbed a light pink skirt, a lighter pink tank-top, and a matching robe. I picked up my Nikes and walked back down into the Common Room. Then I went out the portrait hole. I headed up a staircase to the girls bathroom.

I undressed and took a hot shower. When I had finished, the mirrors were fogged with steam, then I dressed and put my hair up with some hot pink chopsticks. I made sure to put on my ring again. Then, I went out and back up to Gryffindor tower. Hermione was sitting doing, surprise, surprise, homework. I went up and dumped my dirty clothes on my bed, then walked back downstairs.

I brought my bag with me over to Hermione's table. I sat down beside her and brought out my nearly-completed Arithmancy assignment. Working quickly, I was soon finished with it. Amazing, it was supposed to have taken me at least a week to finish. I stashed it in my bag and looked to Hermione. "Dinner in fifteen minutes. Let's go."

"Oh, yes. How much more homework do you have?"

"Well, Charms from today, Herbology, and I think that's all. I'm hungry, let's go now." We stood and brushed past the tables and bags that littered the floor. Hermione pushed open the portrait hole and we hurried out. Down many corridors and stairs we went, in getting to the Great Hall. I went in and sat at my usual spot. Dinner was good that evening.

Afterwards, we went upstairs and I started working on my Charms page. It was remarkably tiring, in that it was dull and made me want to fall asleep where I sat. But, eventually I finished and began reading some of my books for information on the Athyla. I read up on the plant and began summarizing it. For an hour I sat reading and writing. Once I had written a page on the Athyla, which happened to be very dangerous and used a lot in Dark spells, and ceremonies, I packed away my bag. Then I headed up to my dormitory.

I saw a black owl sitting on the window sill. I threw my bag onto the floor by my bed and walked over to the window, I recognized the bird as Draco's owl. I saw a package tied to its leg, so I untied it and the owl flew off. It was the size of a small book. There was a letter tied to the package. I picked up the envelope and slit it open. Inside was (amazingly) a letter, written in the hand that I had become familiar with.

My Dearest Nicole,

I hope that you have found my gift by now. If not, go look in your bag, you will know what it is when you see it.

That ring has been in my family for seven generations. It is pure silver and emerald. My father gave it to my mother, and my mother gave it to me. I am giving it to you, for your keeping. I trust that you will wear it and keep it safe. It is a show of my trust and love of you. It reflects your beauty in its deep forest-green depths. The ring is magically connected to me, and you, the bearer of it. If you need me, the ring will call out to me, and I assure you that I will answer its call no matter what. That works vice-versa, but you don't absolutely have to listen to it.

In this package is a Diary. It was also made special. It is red leather, with over four-hundred pages for you to fill with your thoughts, hopes, dreams, and most importantly, your loves. This is a gift for you, as well. I do hope that you enjoy writing in it every day. It is my greatest hope, besides one other of my hopes (which I think you know of), that you write in this each day.

I also enclose you an eagle quill to write with. I don't think that it would be the same if I didn't finish this gift by giving you a quill. Your new quill may be used for anything, but I wish that it be the only quill to ever mark the pages of the diary. It may seem stupid, but I don't think it is. Bully for what you think if you find it idiotic.

With All My Love,

Draco Malfoy

P.S. Correspondence would be nice, Nicole, but it's your decision. You have an owl, I know, so it isn't possible to tell me there is no way for you to send a letter.

I smiled at the letter. How did he manage it? How did he always manage to make me smile? I folded the letter and gingerly slipped it back into the envelope.

Then I took the package over to my bed and sat down. My fingers were nimble as they untied the string on the parcel. The heavy black satin that had wrapped around it fell away. Underneath, was exactly what he'd said would be there; a red, leather-bound diary, and a quill. The front of the diary said, in gold letters, 'Nicole Stevens's Diary'. I set the quill aside and opened the cover. Inside were the same words that proclaimed it to belong to me. Turning the pages, I found that they were light, but very strong and durable. The milky whiteness of the pages was the same color as Draco's skin. I wondered if he'd planned it. He probably had, come to think of it.

I put the diary on my bedside table, and took a closer look at the quill. It was a pure silvery-white color. I pulled out a piece of parchment, and my rainbow colored ink. Then, using my new silver quill I began writing a letter.

Dear Draco,

Thanks for the letter. I didn't know you had a fondness of writing notes. You said correspondence would be nice. I suppose that that's true. So long as your letters to me are not cursed, I guess we can write to each other. It can't hurt to.

Secondly, thank you for the ring. I am honored that you find me worthy of such lavish gifts. You say it's been in your family for generations? That's good. How'd your family manage to keep it untarnished? Magic? It's really beautiful, and the emerald is very well cut. And the silver is flawless.

Next, I thank you for the diary. I will do as you request, and write in it every day. It would be my pleasure. I've needed a diary for ages. How did you manage to have my name embossed on the cover in so short a period of time? You are very well prepared, do you know that?

Last (maybe), thank you for your quill. Its silver color is gorgeous. I will only use it for our letters and the diary. If it cost more than five sickles, I am going to kill you (that's a threat, Draco, get used to it).

Okay, now HERE is the real end of my letter, thanks you for all of your wonderful gifts. I suppose I owe you one or two hundred favors then, don't I? Oh, well. I expect a reply, Draco. You said you wanted correspondence, well, so do I.

Yours Truly,

Nicole Stevens

I looked at my letter. I decided that I'd send it to him tonight. I got up off my bed and hurried downstairs. It wasn't too late to go. I walked out of the portrait hole and down the corridor.

Fifteen minutes, five halls, and seven staircases later, I was standing in the owlery tying the letter onto Verita's leg. "Draco Malfoy," I whispered to her. She nipped my finger and soared out through the window.

I gazed absentmindedly up into the stars, pointing out my favorite constellations; Scorpio, the Big Dipper, and some lesser known ones, that I didn't really remember the names of. I looked down at my watch and saw that I'd been standing there for twenty minutes. I spun around and half-ran back to Gryffindor tower.

I went into the Common Room, where Ron and Harry were playing chess (Harry appeared to be losing badly and Ron was declaring, "I got your Queen, Harry"), and Hermione was (oh, wow) doing work.

"Hey, Nicole."

"Hi, Harry. Move your rook, Ron's going to take it."

"Nicole! Don't help him! It's not fair!"

"You're just jealous because I can help Harry, and he doesn't understand it when you try to."

"Hmph!" Ron watched as Harry moved his rook out of danger. I went over to Hermione's chair.

She was working on her Arithmancy paper. "Hey, Hermione, you messed up right there," I leaned over and tapped her page with my forefinger.

"Oh! You're right, it should be ¾ ---3/7."

"Yeah, I had a bit of trouble with that one, too. It thought it was ¼---2/5. I'm going to bed." I trudged tiredly up to my dormitory. Parvati was sitting with Lavender on her bed. They were actually READING something. "Hey, what're you doing?" I had walked over to her bed and was looking over Lavender's shoulder.

"We could ask the same of you," Parvati said holding a piece of paper up. I recognized it instantaneously; Draco's letter. "What's Draco Malfoy doing sending you letters?"

I grabbed at the letter and she pulled it out of my reach. "Give it to me! It's mine! You moronic, idiotic, nefarious brat!!!"

"If you don't give me the letter," I said slowly, "then I will curse the hair off your heads, I will turn your insides out, I will KILL you. I strongly suggest that you don't mess with me, because if you do, I will go to ANY lengths to hurt you. I will put you through such pain, that you will wish that you had never been born, not that you probably don't wish that already." Parvati looked skeptically at me, so I pulled one of her pillows off the bed. "Diffindo!" I said loudly. The pillow split, leaving the bed covered in feathers. "Now, give me the letter, or I will tie you up and use that spell on all of your clothes, as you sit there and watch. Then, I will beat you, curse of your noses off, kick you, pull your hair, and so many more painful tortures. Now, you WILL give me the letter, and I will leave you alone. When you give me my letter, you are going to forget you ever saw it. You are going to forget that this ever happened, and you are going to forget who it's from, what it's about and most importantly that it ever existed. If you refuse to hand it over, then I will hurt you."

Parvati shook her head. I took my wand from my pocket and pointed it at her chest. She threw the letter onto the floor. I bent down, never letting my eyes leave her. Then I grabbed the letter and stalked over to my bed.

I threw my self down onto my bed and grabbed the diary from my bedside table. I got my inkwell to write. Then I picked up my new quill and began to write in the diary:

Dear Diary,

Today was eternally boring. Classes were alright, except for Potions, when I got detention with Draco. The real problem isn't Draco, but the detentions themselves. After class, I was looking through my bag, and I found a silver and emerald ring, with the name 'Malfoy' engraved on the back. Draco slipped it into my bag without my noticing.

I took a shower and then did my homework. Then I went upstairs and found Draco's owl. He sent a letter, this diary, and the quill I'm using. In the letter he told me that the ring had been in his family for years. And he said that if I'm in danger or need him, that the ring will call him and that if he's in trouble, the ring with call me.

Then I sent him back a letter. When I came back, Parvati and Lavender had stolen Draco's letter and tried to bribe me out of my new ring. I threatened them so they gave it back. I am officially annoyed with them. They're dead if I find them taking any more things of mine.

Nicole Stevens

I put Draco's letter inside the front cover of my diary, and put it into my trunk with the ink. Then I locked the trunk with a complex spell and changed into my short burgundy nightgown. I fell onto my bed and was asleep instantly.