Armilla II

Chapter 20

I woke up feeling strangely optimistic on Thursday morning. Why? I had no idea. The fact that today was the first anniversary of Merle's death had nothing to do with it. Nothing much had changed in the last few days. In fact, life had a bit of a monotonous feel to it at the moment: get up, run into Merle, tell Severus, go to class, run into Merle, tell Severus, do homework, run into Merle, tell Severus, go to bed.

I wasn't looking for a huge change in life, mind; I'd had enough change in the past year to last me several years at least. I sighed and rolled over, staring up at the canopy of my four poster bed, listening to Lisa murmur in her sleep.

In fact, there were three things I wanted in life at the moment and they all involved a sense of good riddance. Firstly, I wanted You-Know-Who to meet the most sticky end imaginable; and with the amount of people sharing that wish at the moment I fervently hoped some divine power would hear our plea. It wasn't just for the fact that I wanted peace restored to the wizarding world; I wanted Severus to live a life doing what he wanted, without pressure from anyone else. Not that I begrudged Dumbledore; I just thought that he expected a lot from Severus.

Secondly, I wanted to hear the news that Father's old age had finally caught up with him. Not that he was really that old; he was only in his sixties, but as long as he was alive and breathing I would not feel entirely safe from him.

Speaking of feeling safe from Father, the third thing I dearly desired was to stop Merle's visits. Seeing as Severus and I were convinced that Father was the guilty one where the ghostly Merle was concerned, as soon as my second wish came true, it would be inevitable that the third would have to as well.

Now, were those three things really that much to ask for? They were the main three things anyway. There were lots more petty things I wanted.

I wanted to invent a magical Great Ideas Generator so I could solve the problem of what to get Severus for Christmas and his birthday. Why did they have to be so close together?

I wanted to do well in the Defensive Magic project Harry and I were working on. I also wished Harry wouldn't be so...aloof when we were working together. It made me really uncomfortable.

I wanted Ravenclaw to win their first Quidditch game, so Terry wouldn't feel disappointed.

I wanted free reign of Fred and George Weasley's shop to purchase what I liked.

I wanted to stop forgetting things; the night before I had searched everywhere for my hairbrush, only to remember when I had finally gotten into bed that I had left it on my desk in my bedroom in the dungeons. That could have been dismissed as a simple thing to forget if I hadn't done the exact same thing the night before.

Actually, there had been a slight change over the last few days as far as classes went, but I'd been pretending I hadn't noticed. In addition to forgetting things, casting new spells hadn't come to me as easily as they should have done. I was determined that it was just an off week, something that I wouldn't mention to Severus. Next week would be different.

I wanted Mandy to get over giving me the silent treatment. She had been giving me the cold shoulder ever since the perfume incident. Not that I really cared that she wasn't talking to me; I wasn't close enough to Mandy to care if she talked to me or not. It was more the effort that she was putting into not talking to me that bothered me.

Honestly, she made a big show of dramatically turning around whenever I entered our dorm, or dropping her voice to a hushed whisper. Ruby, being Mandy's closest friend, was happy to oblige, but Padma always looked uncomfortable.

Mandy had also taken to loudly declaring where she put her possessions. Only the evening before she had waved a small fan about, another gift from Anthony, and had stated, "I am going to keep this in the first drawer of my bedside table, where I can keep track of it."

Lisa had then politely suggested another place where Mandy could stick it, which had resulted in a scornful look from Mandy and a flourishing of robes as she dramatically turned and swept into the bathroom, slamming the door behind her. I was convinced she was going to give herself an ulcer if she kept this up.

I crawled out of bed and had a shower. When I returned, it was to find Lisa and Mandy at loggerheads with each other, making no effort to keep their voices down.

"I don't know where it is and I don't care where it is!" Lisa was standing in the middle of the room with her hands on her hips, while Mandy was standing near my bed.

Mandy turned to me as I made my way over to my bed. "Do you know where it is, Armilla?"

"Where what is?" I asked. "Elaborate."

"My charm bracelet, of course!" she snapped. "I left it on my bedside table yesterday. It's gone!"

Oh, Merlin, here we go again...who was doing this?

"It's probably in the room somewhere, Mandy," said Ruby, who was sitting on the edge of her bed. "Did you check behind the furniture?"

"Of course I did!" Mandy shrieked, stamping her foot. "I've searched everywhere!"

"Stop yelling, Mandy," said Lisa, shaking her head. "You sound like a banshee."

It was true, but not at all a helpful thing to say.

"I'll yell if I want to!" Mandy was now turning the colour of a beetroot.

The door suddenly opened, and Corinne Giusti, a Seventh year prefect, stuck her head in. "Is everything okay in here?"

Mandy clenched her fists, while Padma, also a prefect, gave Corinne a forced smile.

"Everything's under control, Corinne," she said.

Corinne gave her a dubious look. "It sure sounds like it, Padma. I just caught some First and Second years trying to eavesdrop at the door."

"Well, tell them to bugger off," Mandy muttered, sitting down hard on her bed.

"Just keep the noise down and sort out whatever it is, or Flitwick's going to have to hear about it." Corinne shut the door with a loud snap.

"You know," I said, using my wand to dry my hair, "if the bracelet's simply lost, why not summon it?"

"You are a witch, aren't you?" Lisa muttered.

Mandy gave a stiff nod. She was probably mentally berating herself for not thinking of it earlier. Sometimes when one is so fired up, the simplest solutions are never thought of.

Mandy pulled her wand out. "Accio charm bracelet!"

There was a muffled thudding noise from nearby.

"It's coming from your trunk, Armilla," said Padma, moving over to watch.

Indeed it was. Something was thudding against the lid of my trunk. The lid suddenly burst open and the gold charm bracelet, glimmering in the morning sunlight, shot out and zoomed straight into Mandy's outstretched hand.

"Gee, what a set up," Lisa drawled.

Mandy ignored her and look expectantly at me instead.

"I can give you no explanation," I said calmly, anger boiling up inside me. "I didn't put it there."

Mandy narrowed her eyes. "Seems weird that someone would bother stealing it, only to hide it in your trunk."

"Exactly," I said coolly. "Clearly the person who is doing this isn't very clever. If the object is so easily found, they want you to think it's me."

"Well reasoned," said Lisa, promptly, giving a nod of approval. I gave her a look to let her know that she wasn't helping.

I turned back to Mandy. "Why would I want to steal your bracelet?"

Mandy shrugged.

"Perhaps you like it?" Ruby suggested.

"Armilla wears silver jewellery," Lisa pointed out, looking bored. "Stealing gold jewellery really wouldn't be worth her while."

"That's not the point," I snapped, causing Lisa to frown at me. Mandy was giving me a doubtful look. "If I had really wanted to steal it, wouldn't I have found a much better hiding space? Wouldn't I have put a spell on it to block summoning spells?"

"She's right," said Padma, nodding. "Armilla had no reason to steal it, Mandy. Someone else came in and put it there. The person who did it wasn't subtle, which has to mean that it was intended to be found in Armilla's trunk."

"Who do you suggest did it then?" Mandy asked, putting on the bracelet.

"Well there were plenty of First and Second years eavesdropping outside the door just then," said Lisa. "Either they were attracted by the sound of your lovely voice or they came to find out something...maybe one of them was dared to do it."

"It's not a real Ravenclaw thing to do," muttered Mandy, sitting down on her bed.

Ruby shrugged. "But it has to be a Ravenclaw who did it."

I didn't care which Ravenclaw it was. All I wanted was to find out who it was so I could try out a lovely rage of hexes.

o o o o o o o o o o o o

So much for waking up feeling optimistic about things. The ghostly Merle paid me a visit between classes when I was waiting for Lisa outside the girls' bathroom. I immediately started reciting potions ingredients in my head as a distraction, as Severus had suggested. Thankfully the visit was cut short, as she disappeared right as Lisa came out.

I did not enjoy Transfiguration that day at all that day. We revised vanishing spells on vertebrates, something which I had mastered a long time ago. Today, however, it had taken me five attempts before it would work, resulting in McGonagall to give me a strange look. I hoped she would not tell Severus.

"Don't worry about it," Lisa said quietly, as we made our way to the dungeons for Potions. "You're just having an off day."

"Isn't it Merle's anniversary today, Mill?" Terry asked.

I nodded.

"Well, that's it then," said Lisa. "You're thinking about Merle. No wonder you're distracted."

I nodded again. I'd let them think that. They didn't know that Merle was always on my mind at the moment, because she was always around.

"Lisa told me about Mandy." Terry looked over his shoulder. "Mandy's an idiot, Milly."

I shrugged. "I already knew that. But someone in Ravenclaw is an even bigger idiot...whoever is behind it all had better watch out."

"Do you think we ought to tell Professor Flitwick about all this?" Terry asked. "You could warn him that you're Mandy's number one suspect. You know, get there before Mandy does?"

I shook my head. "I'm not sure I really want to bring teachers into this just yet. It would seem rather petty."

Terry wasn't convinced. "Yeah, but think about it, Milly. Someone is setting you up. They might do something far worse next time."

"Look," Lisa said impatiently, as we headed down the dungeon steps, "how would this look to Flitwick? A bunch of Sixth Years who can't sort out a simple problem?"

I shrugged. "It's simple right now, but Terry's right; it could get worse. I just don't want to tell him just yet. We might be able to sort it all out...or catch and deal with the culprit."

Lisa grinned. "May I throw a hex too?"

Terry rolled his eyes. "Have you told Snape at least?"

I nodded. "He knows about the perfume incident. I haven't told him about this morning though."

Our conversation stopped as we reached the corridor of the Potions classroom. The Slytherins, as usual, had gotten there first. I could see Malfoy near the door, more pale-faced than usual. He seemed oblivious to the chatter going on around him.

I nodded my hello to Hermione, but I didn't bother with Harry. He had quickly turned and pretended to be interested in his books instead. I didn't care; I normally didn't acknowledge Harry when Slytherins were about.

The door opened and Severus appeared. His eyes swept up and down the line before he curtly nodded and gestured with his hand for us to enter.

We filed in silently, no one wanting to be noticed by Severus as a standout. I sat next to Lisa today. Terry must have been feeling charitable since it was Merle's anniversary and had offered to sit next to Anthony, to whom he wasn't speaking much at the moment.

Severus stood in front of his desk and eyed the last couple of people who had taken too long to withdraw their books. The rustling stopped at once when they realised the sneer was for them.

Severus gestured towards a pile of parchments stacked neatly on the desk. "An improvement for most of you, I must say," he said in a voice so low, that some people leaned in to hear him. Severus pointed his wand at it and immediately the pile separated and the parchments began to distribute themselves to their owners. "Some of you managed to make valid points, a vast improvement after the drivel I had to endure earlier on in the term."

There was some uncomfortable shifting around the room. I could see the E on Malfoy's parchment. He tossed it aside as if it was of no real consequence. Hermione however, who was seated in front of me, had also received the same mark and was looking far less tense now.

I also received an E on my essay; I had found the last set of homework rather difficult and certainly hadn't been expecting an O. I had been to Severus about the essay, but hadn't entirely caught on to what he had been talking about.

"We are going to be looking at the Euphoria Elixir today," Severus announced, as the last of the parchments found their owners. "A theory lesson." He began walking around the room, his footsteps alerting the people who hadn't been paying attention. "Let's see if anyone has read ahead. If brewed correctly, what colour will the elixir be?"

A few hands shot up, Hermione's and Lisa's included. Truth be told, I had absolutely no idea. I was sure I had looked at this elixir with Severus over the summer, but for the life of me I couldn't remember what it even looked like. I began to feel nervous.

Severus didn't seem to care that my hand wasn't up. I often didn't put it up because I didn't want to seem a know it all.

"Miss Turpin?" Severus nodded at her as he passed.

"Yellow, sir," she answered. "Sunshine yellow, I think."

He nodded. "Correct." He stopped at the front of the room again and looked around. "Why sunshine yellow?"

This time a few more hands went up than before.

"Mr Malfoy?" Severus asked.

Malfoy looked startled; his hand hadn't even been up. He gave Severus an annoyed look, which my brother returned with a raised eyebrow.

"It's sunshine yellow," Malfoy said slowly, "because it's a colour that implies cheerfulness, which is the point considering the purpose of the potion."

It was a pretty good answer considering he hadn't been prepared. But then, Malfoy had never been too bad at Potions.

Severus looked satisfied. "Correct. Open your text and read pages two hundred and seventeen to two hundred and twenty. After that you will be closing your books and we will be having a discussion about the elixir, it properties and the implications of taking it, both positive and negative. Begin."

We all hastily picked up our books and began to read. I tried to drill the information into my mind in case Severus called on me for an answer. He generally didn't; it would be just as embarrassing for him to have his sister not know the answer. I wanted to be prepared all the same.

We read and reread for about twenty minutes, by which time I had memorised the basic properties of the elixir, its ingredients and some of the wand movements. I was pretty certain that we had made this potion over the summer. I was pretty sure though, that Severus had added peppermint to that one...maybe it had been a different potion because nothing about peppermint was mentioned in the text.

Severus looked up from his desk. "Close your books." He stood and began to walk around the room again. "We shall begin our discussion. Any thoughts on the elixir in general?"

Terry raised his hand.

"Mr Boot?"

"I was wondering, sir, if this elixir could be made to different strengths. Wouldn't it depend upon exactly how happy the person would want to feel? Would it be a matter of changing the strength of the potion or calculating how much of it is to be taken?"

Severus nodded, his eyes fixed on Terry. I could tell that he was impressed by what Terry had said, not that he was likely to show it. "A valid point. Would anyone care to venture a response to this?"

No hands went up. The book had only mentioned consuming one teaspoon every five hours, but only for the duration of a day or two. It hadn't mentioned being able to change the strength of the potion.

I looked up from staring at the cover of the book to find my brother's eyes roaming about the room, waiting for someone to contribute. When they rested on me, his expression changed ever so slightly. He expected me to answer. Had I asked him the same question over the holidays? Clearly he thought I knew the answer.

I shook my head slightly. I didn't know.

He looked away immediately. "Well then." He nodded at Terry. "Thank you, Mr Boot, your discussion point has now become homework."

The groaning around the room stopped when Severus looked up sharply. "Three feet on the point Mr Boot presented today. Research and discuss whether the ingredients used can be altered to change the strength of the elixir and the effects if the amount consumed is changed. We shall be brewing the elixir in our double session tomorrow."

Terry, who was now a similar colour to the beetroot colour Mandy had been that morning, was doing his best to ignore the glares sent his way from around the room.

"Side effects?" Severus asked. "Mr Macmillan?"

"Excessive singing and nose-tweaking, sir," said Ernie promptly.

"What about additives?" Severus went on, giving Anthony, who was still glaring at Terry, a particularly scornful glare. "Any thoughts on possible ingredients that could be added in an attempt to decrease or diminish the side effects?" He looked around the room and found only one hand up. "Very well, Miss Granger?"

"Perhaps armadillo bile would make a difference, sir," she suggested. "If it's a vital ingredient in wit-sharpening potions, it may stop or at least tone down the excessive singing."

"Perhaps," Severus said indifferently, "but it wouldn't matter too much because the horrid stomach ache that would occur would prove a much unwanted distraction. Armadillo bile does not mix well with dried nettles, which are an essential part of the Euphoria Elixir."

Hermione looked disappointed.

Severus looked around the room once more. "Any other suggestions?"

When no more hands went up, he caught my gaze again. He thought I knew. Was it the peppermint he was referring to? I didn't want to take the chance. I shook my head slightly again.

He narrowed his eyes slightly, but looked away. I had the strong suspicion that I'd be re-educated on the Euphoria Elixir later that evening.

o o o o o o o o o o o o

As it turned out, I didn't end up seeing Severus that evening. He had insisted that we have dinner together, since I hadn't wanted to do anything else to mark the day. Instead, he ended up being called by You-Know-Who shortly before dinner. I hadn't had a chance to see him before dinner because I'd had a violin lesson with Flitwick.

I ate dinner in the Great Hall with my friends as usual. It seemed Terry and Lisa were determined to make the evening a pleasant one for my sake. Terry was full of more jokes than usual, and trifle was served for dessert, which was something the house elves didn't normally make. Seeing as I saw pudding everywhere else, I suspected that Terry, who often snuck down to the kitchen, had asked the house elves for it.

As nice as dinner was with my friends, I was growing more uncomfortable with the discussion going on around me. Mandy had decided to share her problems not only with Anthony, but with all the other people in our year. As a result, there was much discussion going on as to who the culprit could be. I was heartened as I overheard Michael, Stephen and Padma insisting that there was no way it could be me, but I didn't enjoy the calculating looks sent in my direction.

I made sure I went back up to Ravenclaw Tower with my friends after dinner; I didn't want to see any more of Merle that day. I was tired, but I wanted to study the Euphoria Elixir before I went to bed. I didn't want to make mistakes in Double Potions the following morning.

For a change, Lisa and Terry were keen to play a game in the common room that evening, but I was more intent on studying. To keep them happy, especially since I could tell they were trying very hard to make it a nice evening for me, I played a couple of games of gobstones with them before talking them into revising the elixir with me.

"I don't know why you're worried about it," said Terry, after we met down in the common room and retrieving our books. "You're always confident in Potions, well, since Snape started privately tutoring you in it."

"It doesn't mean I'm naturally good at it," I pointed out, something which I often told my brother.

"You held off answering some questions today," Lisa said, sitting down.

Terry nodded. "Yeah, Snape looked at you a couple of times."

I didn't answer. I opened my book. "You're doing the quiz questions first, Terry. Hard ones."

"Yeah, okay," he murmured, finding his page. "I'm good at coming up with work. I caused Snape to give us more work today."

"Nah," I said, shaking my head. "He would have had that in mind anyway. He probably appreciated you bringing up that point so he could look like a git."

Lisa laughed. "You say that so affectionately."

I rolled my eyes and began to read.

An hour later we were far less enthusiastic and feeling very tired. All three of us had stopped with the questions, convinced we knew the elixir inside out, and were talking about nothing of importance. I was considering going to bed so I would have plenty of energy for Potions in the morning.

By nine, much of the common room had cleared out. The Sixth and Seventh year prefects were herding the remaining First and Seconds years off to bed, as was Flitwick's rule.

Just as we heard the doors belonging to the First and Second year dorms closing, two owls flew in through the open window, weighed down by a rather large package. I was surprised when they came right to me, happily plonking themselves down on the table in front of us. Lisa hastily conjured up a tray of water for them, whilst I cast a security charm before releasing them of their burden.

I recognised the two owls. I knew the snowy one was called Judith.

"It's from Matilda," I murmured.

"She remembered the day then," Terry said quietly, stroking Judith.

I noticed that many eyes were upon us, curious to see what the package was.

"Come on," I said to Lisa, getting up. "I'll open it upstairs."

"Aw," said Terry, looking disappointed.

"You can see the owls out, Terry," said Lisa pleasantly, giving him a look.

Terry smirked. "Certainly, sweetums."

"Yuck," I shuddered. "Goodnight, Terry."

Terry waved. "Night, Milly!"

I walked up to the dorm alone, letting Lisa say her own goodnight to Terry. She caught up with me as I reached the door and I was glad to find the room empty.

There was a scent coming from the package. "I think she's sent flowers," I said, sitting down on my bed. "Probably daffodils...Merle's favourite."

Sure enough, inside the package was a huge bunch of daffodils, complete with details about how often to apply a freshening charm. Matilda had sent a simple Thinking of You note with it. I was grateful she hadn't written a long, heart-felt letter about her memories of Merle. I wasn't in the mood for that at the moment.

"They're beautiful," said Lisa. "I'll transfigure a vase for you."

"No, I'll put them in the wardrobe," I said, standing up.

Lisa gave me a strange look. "Why?"

"I don't want to display flowers in here," I said quickly. "I'll put them in the wardrobe and then access them from my bedroom in the dungeons."

Lisa shrugged, but opened my wardrobe door all the same. "Your choice."

"Ooh, flowers!" said a voice. We turned and saw Padma in the doorway. "They're nice, Mill. Who are they from?"

"A friend," I said quietly. "A friend of Merle's."

Padma's smile faded. "Oh, sorry. Has it...-" She paused, looking like she was working something out. "Merlin, has it been a year already since she passed away?"

I nodded.

"A year today," said Lisa.

Padma shook her head. "Time flies."

"Something smells in here." Mandy appeared in the doorway, Ruby just behind her.

"Oh, they're pretty," said Ruby, as they made their way into the room. She gave me a silly grin. "What's the occasion, Armilla?"

Mandy folded her arms and gave me a mocking smile. "Secret admirer then?"

I shook my head. "No."

Ruby giggled. "So there is a boyfriend then!"

Padma scowled at her. "Boyfriends aren't the only people who send flowers, Ruby."

"Why so secretive then?" Mandy was staring at me.

"They're from an elderly friend," I said evenly. "Nothing worth gossiping about."

Ruby frowned. "But why send you flowers?"

Padma shook her head "Isn't it obvious? It's a year ago today that Merle died."

"Merle?" Ruby repeated.

"Her guardian-" Mandy said hastily, "-erm old guardian, remember?"

"Oh," said Ruby, looking guilty. "Yeah." She gave me a nervous smile. "Sorry, Armilla."

I shrugged. I shook my head at Lisa, who closed my wardrobe door. The others didn't know about the wardrobe connection and they'd think it odd if I put the flowers in there.

"I'll transfigure that vase then," said Lisa, picking up a hairpin.

While I watched Lisa transfiguring the pin, a speciality of hers, I noticed that Mandy was watching the flowers. I looked over at her, trying to read her expression. All I could tell was that she didn't appear very happy now. As our eyes met she hastily looked away and began busying herself with preparing for bed.

o o o o o o o o o o o o

"Get started then," Severus ordered. "You have this morning's session to complete it."

I watched as Severus sat down at his desk and began organising some parchments. He looked a little tired to me. I wondered what time he'd gotten back to Hogwarts the night before.

There came the sound of scraping seats as people hurried to set up their cauldrons and collect ingredients. Before long, the only sound in the room was from the chopping of ingredients and the bubbling of cauldrons.

I concentrated hard on what I was doing, determined to have this potion perfect. I pushed the ghostly Merle, who I'd seen that morning once again, to the back of my mind.

After half an hour had gone by, Severus began to roam the room to inspect the progress at each cauldron.

"Too thin, Potter," he stated, when he reached Harry's cauldron. "You've added a few to many nettles."

Harry frowned as he peered into the cauldron. Instead of telling Harry how to rectify the problem, Severus simply moved on to the next cauldron. He only stopped when something wasn't quite right. Generally when Severus couldn't find fault, he'd simply move on without comment.

I didn't hear him approaching my cauldron. I was too busy trying to work out why the potion hadn't turned the lime colour indicated in the text. What was wrong with it? I couldn't get this wrong.

Severus, perhaps by habit, made to simply walk on by my workbench, but he paused when he saw the colour of my potion, which was now more of a forest green. He frowned slightly and then stared at the chopped palm leaves on the chopping board.

Realising that I'd forgotten them, I hastily put them in and Severus turned and walked away, clearly not wanting to draw attention to what had just happened.

I felt a pain in my stomach. How could I have forgotten to add the palm leaves? They had been right in front of me. How could I have been so stupid? The potion was turning a brighter green and was close to being described as lime, but it certainly wasn't the exact colour of the picture in the text.

Severus did another walk around fifteen minutes later, stopping more often this time. Some people, tired of concentrating, had started making silly mistakes. I feared that I was one of them. By now the potion should have begun turning bright yellow; mine was gold. On top of that, I was feeling positively queasy.

When Severus reached me again, he was sure to stop this time. He didn't frown at all this time when he saw the potion. His hand brushed my forearm as he made to walk on and I noticed that his index finger was making circular motions...anticlockwise. I had been stirring clockwise! I glanced at the text's instructions. Sure enough, it said anticlockwise.

By the lesson's end, I had produced a Euphoria Elixir of sorts, but it was more of a buttercup yellow than sunshine yellow. I felt so embarrassed. What hadn't I concentrated harder? I had studied last evening. I had gotten plenty of sleep. There was no reason as to why the elixir was the colour it was...a colour that caused me to avoid my brother's eye when I left it on his desk.

"Wait behind," he said quietly, as the other students moved out of earshot.

Damn.

"Have your friends wait too."

I looked back at him. My friends? Why?

We finished packing up and the bell went, signalling break. As everyone forwarded out, I gestured for my friends to stay behind with me. They complied, but not before giving me apprehensive looks.

Severus closed the door with a flick of his wand before casting a soundproofing charm.

"I haven't the time to go into this now because I have a meeting with the Headmaster," he said, looking at me before addressing himself to my friends. "But it is important that neither of you leave Armilla by herself in the castle until I give further instructions. Is that clear?"

Terry and Lisa looked startled at the instruction, seemingly given without foundation, but they nodded their assent all the same.

"Yes, sir," they said in unison.

Severus nodded curtly, before waving his wand to open the door again. "Very well. Dismissed."

Terry and Lisa didn't need to be told twice. They immediately turned and headed for the door, waiting for me there.

I looked at Severus, waiting for him to look at me.

He shook his head at me. "Not now," he said firmly. "I'll see you after classes today. Remember my instructions. Go. Your friends are waiting for you."

o o o o o o o o o o o o

I ended up having a ghastly day after that. It was like I had lost confidence. I hadn't known the answer to one of the questions Slughorn had asked me in Defence, and Flitwick had seemed rather perturbed when I had trouble with one of the charms we had been studying for the past two lessons. I just hoped that the teachers wouldn't mention anything to Severus. That was the problem with having a brother on staff. Anything out of the ordinary I did in class wasn't likely to remain private.

It wasn't like I could avoid Severus; I always went down to the dungeons on a Friday evening and stayed the night.

I didn't go there immediately after classes. I wanted to get my nicer stationary parchment from my trunk so I could write a thankyou note to Matilda for Morag to take later. I checked my chocolate frog card on the way up.

Come down to the dungeons before dinner if you can. Have Miss Turpin escort you to the portrait.

My friends, to their credit, hadn't spoken much about the instruction Severus had given them that morning. I was reluctant to discuss it anyway, seeing as I thought it must be related to Merle, something which I hadn't told my friends about yet.

It seemed such an effort to get up the stairs to my dorm. I felt exhausted.

"You know," Lisa said, pushing open the door to our dorm. "I'm so tired that I might just do nothing this evening."

I laughed. "That's unlike you."

We made our way over to our own areas to put our things away. Mandy, Padma and Ruby were already there. I was surprised that all three of them greeted us when we came in. It seemed Mandy was over her silent treatment.

"You'll regret it though," I said to Lisa, opening my trunk. "You'll get up tomorrow and realise how big your workload is."

"Yeah, I suppose," she said, flopping down on her bed. She stretched. "Actually, I think I might just spend the rest of the night right here. Are you going down to the dungeons, Mill?"

I barely heard her. Someone had been through my trunk. I could tell because some of the stuff that had fallen to the bottom was now resting on top.

My wooden Ravenclaw jewellery box, which had been a posthumous gift for my sixteenth birthday from Merle, was out of its wrapping and was wedged into a corner. I reached in and picked it up, noticing that there were some new scratches around the etching of the Raven on the lid. I opened it up, not feeling confident that the little Rowena Ravenclaw would be there conducting a melody. She was indeed there, though she was completely bent over. A noise could be heard coming from the box, but it was more of a muffled tinkling sound than a melody.

For some reason I didn't feel anger; I wasn't sure what the feeling was. Someone had ruined the last gift I'd received from Merle. How could I have forgotten to take it out of my trunk? I should have kept it in the dungeons or at the Merrigan Estate.

Lisa sat up when she heard the sound, frowning at the box in my hand. "That doesn't sound healthy."

"No, it doesn't," I said quietly, closing the lid. "Someone's been through my trunk."

Ruby and Padma knelt down on either side of me to get a better look at the box. Ruby reached out and ran a finger over the scratches on the lid.

"Were they already there or was that done recently?" she asked.

I shook my head. "It didn't have scratches until today."

"We're going to have to tell Flitwick," said Padma, standing up. "This can't go on." She turned and left the room.

"I agree," said Lisa. "That box is very special. It's disgusting to think that someone would break it on purpose."

I couldn't bring myself to look at Mandy. I supposed I understood how she felt now...not sure who to blame. It seemed strange to think that she might have done it.

"I need to go," I said, grabbing the stationary I needed and wrapping it around the box.

"Armilla-" Lisa said, looking upset.

I forced a smile back at her, moving towards the door. She immediately got the hint and came with me, remembering her instruction.

I turned and left, moving as fast as I could, Lisa behind me. The empty feeling I'd had was turning into anger and I didn't want to explode right there in the dorm.

I hurried as fast as I could to the dungeons, reciting potions ingredients in my head just for good measure in case Merle decided to show up. It wasn't likely, considering Lisa was with me, but the way my day had been, it would be just my luck if she did show up.

My quick movements also made it clear to Lisa that I wasn't in the mood to talk about what had just happened. Besides telling me to slow down at one point, she didn't say anything else.

I thanked her when I reached the portrait and promised that I would see her the following evening.

I went inside and found that our quarters were empty. I went to my bedroom, determined to have a go at repairing the box.

Morag, who was sporting the exact colour of lime green that my elixir should have been, hooted and flapped her wings in greeting.

"Bet your day has been better than mine," I grumbled, as I opened the door of her cage. She immediately hopped out and took off, soaring around the room three times before settling on top of the armoire, her favourite spot.

I sat down on my bed and removed the parchment from around the box. I wasn't sure if it could be repaired. Sighing, I took out my wand and began casting all the repairing charms I knew. I managed to lessen the depth of the scratches on the lid, but it seemed the little Rowena Ravenclaw inside was intent on staying bent over.

I was probably a bit foolish for attempting it in the first place. The magic in the box was so old that it was unlikely that it would respond to the charms. I gave up after spending a good half hour attempting to mend it.

I had just sent Morag off with my note to Matilda when I heard Severus come in. My insides immediately clenched at the sound of the door closing. I was suddenly reminded of the day that had just passed.

Severus came to stand in the doorway of my bedroom. "What's this about a box of yours?" he asked.

I frowned. "How do you know?"

"I was in the staffroom a short while ago when Miss Patil came knocking on the door in search of Flitwick." He moved into the room and sat down in the armchair next to my bed. "I understand a couple more incidents have taken place since we last spoke?"

"Yes, yesterday and today."

Severus nodded. "Miss Patil gave the particulars to Flitwick, which he relayed to me. What is this about a piece of Miss Brocklehurst's jewellery being in your trunk? Flitwick-"

"I didn't put it there!" I snapped.

"Armilla," he said, warningly. "I was going to say that Flitwick has agreed that you are not to blame for any of this."

I let out a hollow laugh. "That's nice of him. I know I'm not to blame."

Severus glared at me. "Keep up this attitude and you will have something to blame yourself for."

I stared back at him, trying to work out how serious he was. Pretty serious, it seemed. He hadn't given me a look like that in a while.

"Flitwick has suggested removing all valuables from the room for the time being," he went on, eyeing me with a stern expression. "He will carry out investigations himself and speak to Ravenclaw House about the issue."

I nodded, looking away.

"Which box is it that needs mending?" he asked.

"The one Merle gave me," I said, handing it to him. "I've already tried mending it. It seems too old to be fixed."

"Indeed," he said, looking closely at it. He opened the box and grimaced at the odd sound that came out. "I think this box should be kept down here from now on."

"It should always have been kept down here," I said bitterly, looking at the box in his hand. "It won't ever be the same again."

"Perhaps not," he said, peering closely at the scratches on the lid, "but one can always try. I'm confident I can remove the scratches, but I'm not so sure about Rowena Ravenclaw and the music. I'm sorry it's broken." He looked up from the box. "How was your day yesterday?"

I shrugged. "Fine. Not great. It's always a great feeling to be accused of something."

"What about Merle?"

"I saw her again, like I always do. I recited potions ingredients, like you told me too. I really didn't need reminding yesterday that it was her anniversary." I shook my head resentfully. "Oh, and Matilda sent me flowers, which was great fun to receive in Ravenclaw because the girls are always looking for reasons to gossip."

"Did you tell them who they were from?"

"Yes, but I shouldn't have had to," I said moodily. "It was none of their business anyway."

Severus opened his mouth to say something, but then closed it, changing his mind.

We sat in silence for a few minutes. Severus continued to examine the box and I continued to stare moodily at the bedspread.

"Peppermint," I said quietly.

He raised an eyebrow. "What are you talking of?"

"Peppermint," I repeated. "It's the additive for the Euphoria Elixir if you want to counteract the excessive singing and nose-tweaking. Is that right?"

He frowned. "It is. Why didn't you say that yesterday?"

"I wasn't sure," I admitted.

"Oh." He went back to examining the box.

Wasn't he going to say anything about what had happened in Potions? I thought I'd be remaking the elixir in his lab by now at his insistence.

Actually, I wasn't sure I was in the mood for potion making at the moment. I did know what I was in the mood for.

"Can we duel?"

"I'm not sure you're in the right frame of mind for duelling, Armilla," Severus replied, not looking up.

"What is the right frame of mind?"

He looked up and gave me an appraising look. "Touché."

Less than five minutes later we were out in the sitting room, wands at the ready. I was trying not to think about the fact that Severus hadn't brought Potions up yet. Maybe he was biding his time. Maybe I'd spend the weekend making potions...

Severus struck without warning, something I was rather used to and I concentrated on putting my mental shield up. Once I had blocked a few hexes, I focused instead on trying to cast my own hexes whilst maintaining the shield.

There seemed to be a problem pretty early on. I seemed to have gone backwards. The progress I'd made recently seemed virtually non-existent. Instead of trying to cast my own hexes, it was all I could do to steady my mental shield.

"I don't know why I can't do it," I said breathlessly, when Severus stopped. "All I can do is hold up the shield."

Severus didn't look surprised at all. Rather, the expression he was wearing seemed to imply that he'd been expecting this. "You won't be making any progress for the time being," he said quietly, putting hid wand away and sitting down on the sofa.

"What do you mean?" I asked, sitting down next to him.

"I mean your magic is not what it should be." Severus shook his head. "I came to that conclusion this morning."

Now I felt bad. "I was having an off day," I said earnestly. "I'm sorry. I studied last night. I went to bed on time. I don't know what happened today. I've never felt that way before."

"Yes, exactly," he said at once. "What about your performance in Charms, Transfiguration and Defence?"

Now it was my turn to shake my head. I looked away. "I knew they'd tell you."

He waved a hand aside. "They told me out of concern, Armilla. It's not like you to be mediocre in class."

I looked back at him. "Thanks."

Severus shook his head, glaring slightly. "If you will stop being defensive for a moment, I will attempt to explain my thoughts on this."

I was silent. Severus waited until I made eye contact with him.

"I thought nothing of your reluctance to participate during Potions yesterday," he said. "Apart from the fact that it was Merle's anniversary, it is entirely possible to have moments when knowledge you do possess completely escapes you. I concluded yesterday that that is what happened."

"You're not normally so forgiving in class," I commented, though I was relieved that he was indifferent.

"No, I'm not," he said simply. "I would have moved passed it, if not for the fact you seemed unsure of yourself during Potions this morning, and a visit to your cauldron proved you had reason to be."

"I don't know what happened."

"I know." He didn't seem angry at all. He wasn't telling me to get my book out and start again.

"I thought I'd be remaking the elixir by now," I said quietly.

He inclined his head. "If I'd thought the errors were due to a lack of study or proper concentration then you most certainly would be."

Ah. So he thought something else was going on.

"One could conclude that your performance in your classes today could have been a result of a lack of concentration due to what happened in your dorm this morning. However, I do not believe that to be the case."

"No?"

He shook his head. "I noticed that the last time I duelled with you that your magic was not what it should have been. Your teachers reported that you have taken a little longer than you normally do to conquer new spells. You apparently hadn't noticed that many others in your class who are normally behind you kept up to speed with you for once."

I didn't say anything. I felt horrible.

"It's not your fault, Armilla," Severus said slowly. He paused. He seemed to be thinking very how about what he was about to say. "I cannot be entirely certain about this, but I believe I know what is causing this to happen."

I nodded. "Merle?"

He nodded. "I believe so. Nothing else in your life has dramatically changed and Madam Pomfrey and I can detect no illness in you that would cause a decline in your magic."

"A decline in my magic?" I repeated. "You mean it's going to keep going backwards?"

"Armilla, at the moment this is merely conjecture." He sighed. "I am of the opinion that the purpose of this ghostly Merle is to drain your magic."

Now I was alarmed. "Will it come back in time?" I didn't want to become a squib!

"That's open to speculation."

Severus was being remarkably calm about all this. That should have been enough to convince me not to worry, but how could I not?

"In any case," he continued, his voice suddenly sounding harsh. "You are not from now on, under any circumstances, to be alone outside these rooms at any time."

I nodded, slightly put off by the severity of his tone.

"I don't care if it makes you late for classes, or you miss out on anything, as long as you are never alone."

"This means I'll have to tell my friends the reason behind it."

He nodded. "That's fine. We'll keep monitoring if this thing becomes frustrated and eventually shows up in front of other people."

"I doubt that it will." I sighed. "I'm far more worried about my magic. I don't want to be mediocre the rest of my life."

"I'm determined you won't be," Severus said. His voice held an edge to it for some reason. "I will start looking into how it can be restored as soon as possible. Just keep in mind that I am taking precautions due to the conclusion I've drawn...I cannot be certain if I am indeed correct about this. It may turn out that you're indeed having an off week...I just don't think that's likely."

I stared back at him. "I thought lost magic can rarely be restored. You either have it or you don't. Isn't that right?"

He nodded. "Generally. But in this case I believe the magic has been taken from your body by force. I am hoping to find a way to reverse it. In the meantime, that ghost is to completely disappear from your daily routine."

I nodded, feeling only dread. What if it was a curse that would keep draining my magic whether I saw Merle again or not? Would I eventually become a squib?