The Prince Returns

Chapter Six

Pomfrey only allowed Regan a few moments alone with her brother was he had awakened. Still, that would be the most time she had spent with him all week. She was not expecting him to look as he did. He looked perfectly normally. His hair was a little messed up. That was it.

"You don't look like you just had a Centaur attack," she said.

"I know, but the animal didn't do much, did he?" Braydon asked, shrugging.

"I guess not."

"More embarrassing than anything. Well, I suppose it isn't as embarrassing as a verbal war between classmates in front of the entire school," he said, smiling at his little sister. Regan blushed.

"I'll owl Mom and Dad, let them know what happened."

"Don't forget your little quarrel with the red head."

"Of course. Are you really okay?"

"Yeah. Fine. Listen, Rae, I need to talk to you. It's important."

"Sure, go ahead." Braydon looked to make sure Pomfrey wasn't in hearing distance before beginning.

"About what the Centaur said..."

"What a load of rubbish! I have never heard something so-"

"Regan, you're smart. How often are Centaur predictions wrong?"
"Practically never."

"Regan.."

"Okay, never. They have never been wrong. But there is a first time for everything. How could one of us do that? Whenever he regains consciousness, Dumbledore will get answers."

"Regan, I think I know what he was talking about. I have gotten offers."

"What offers?"

"From Lucius Malfoy. From Voldemort."

"Braydon! How many? How long?"

"It just started a few weeks ago. I was surprised when I first got them, but I suppose it makes sense. They couldn't get Dad so they went for the next best thing."

"What were the offers?"

"Standard stuff. Unlimited power. Endless Muggles to torture. I would be in Voldemort's closest circle. Hang out with Malfoy all the time. All the money and women a guy could ask for..." he said, his voice light and casual.

"Don't joke about this Braydon. You need to tell Dad."

"Why? Dad has enough to worry about as it is. I don't want to add to his problems."

"Braydon, Dad would want to know about this."

"I'll tell him if Lucius gets more persistent. Right now it's just letters. I can handle letters."

"The Centaur did not say that one of us was going to get letters from a Death Eater."

"I know. He must have just read into things a little to deeply. What else could he mean?"

"I don't know..."

"Listen Regan, Promfrey is starting to give us dirty looks. I'm not going to be able to join you at Hogsmeade tomorrow."

"Why not?"

"My captain is going to freak when he hears about my accident. I need to go home, see the team's mediwizard, make the captain feel better. I probably need to hit the gym, spend some time flying. Get back in shape and all that. Sorry, sis."

"It's fine. It's my fault that we haven't seen each other this week. I've been so busy."

"Forget about it. You're a teenager. Enjoy it while it lasts."

"Yeah, and you're so old," she said sarcastically, as they slipped back into their normal routine, the previous tension gone.

****

After leaving the infirmary, Regan slowly made her way to Snape's dungeon. She hoped he would be lenient. After all, her brother could have been seriously injured. She wondered briefly how the students had reacted once she left. She wondered how many had heard exactly what the Centaur said, and what they would think about it.

She entered Snape's office to find Ron and the professor waiting for her. Ron sat in a chair opposite the desk, terrified. Snape sat his desk, sour look seemingly more sour at that moment. She slowly sat into the chair next to Ron. She soon realized that Snape did not know how to be lenient.

"Halloween has always been a joyous occasion at Hogwarts," Snape began, though it looked as if he had never experience anything joyous. "I do not understand why two students would ruin it. I am not surprised that Wesley acted so inappropriately; I am very used to his antics by now. However, I expected much more from you, Regan," he said, looking down his nose at her. She couldn't help but gulp. "Whenever you came to Hogwarts, I hoped you would be sorted into Slytherin. I knew your parents and I knew you would be a bright student. Up until tonight, you have been the perfect example of a perfect student. However, you were not sorted into Slytherin. Therefore, it is up to McGonagall to punish you. However, I am fully capable of taking thirty points from Gryffindor."

"But Professor-" Ron began.

"Each." Snape finished. With that, he ushered them out his office. Avoiding each other's eyes, they headed upstairs to McGonagall's office. She looked very angry. Regan would almost prefer Snape.

"I cannot believe that two of my students would act so inappropriately," she began. Regan wondered if she knew how much she sounded like Snape. "I know that Snape has probably lectured you two enough for the both of us. However, I hardly think that sixty points from Gryffindor is enough punishment for that despicable display."

Ron and Regan leaned forward in their chairs as she considered which punishment was enough for such a despicable display. "Detention all next week in my office immediately after your classes are finished," she said.

Once out in the hallway and heading for the Gryffindor tower, Regan and Ron sighed in relief. "Detention," Ron said.

"Yeah. Can't believe we got off so easily," Regan agreed, laughing.

"I thought for a minute there we would get expelled."

"Me too." The two looked at each other, suddenly remember why they had detention. They were fighting. Quickly, they looked away and remained silent.

****

The next morning, Regan and Hermione went downstairs, ready for their Hogsmeade trip, to find Ron and Harry sitting in the common room, doing homework. They were surrounded by books and looked as if they had been at it awhile.

"What is all this?" Hermione asked, clearly surprised.

"Homework," the two boys said in unison.

"It's about time. You have been putting off your work for ages, playing games of Exploding Snap when you should be working on that essay Snape assigned ages ago. Homework should come first. Before you know it, you'll be seventh year taking N.E.W.T.s with no idea what the difference between wolfsbane and wolfsbark," Regan said with an air of importance.

"What is the difference?" Harry said, finally looking up from his parchment. Regan and Hermione both rolled their eyes. "Why are you dressed up?"

"Hogsmeade," Regan said, a far-off look in her eyes. "Do you have any idea how long it is since I've went shopping? I need a new pair of shoes so badly.."

The boys looked at the shoes she was currently wearing. They looked brand new. "Harry, I completely forgot it was a Hogsmeade weekend," Ron said, suddenly not interested in his homework.

"No, Ron, we have to work," Harry said with determination.

"Actually, Ron should go to Hogsmeade. He can stop by the bookstore and by a new Potions book. That one is falling apart," Regan said, nodding towards the book Ron was using. Indeed, it was falling apart. The cover was torn and loose, barely hanging on by a thin strip of paper and glue. Several pages were simply stuck in the book, the glue no longer working. Ron felt his ears turn red. "Oops, forgot, Weasley. That's probably the best book you've got."

She and Hermione said a quick good-bye to Harry before leaving. Ron looked after them in shock. "That girl is unbelievable."

"Why?" Harry asked, turning back to his homework.

"Sometimes, I can't decide what is the thing I hate the most about her. She is smart, I'll give her that, but she is constantly parading about her knowledge and chastising us about our lack thereof. I am tired of hearing about her clothes. I really don't care that her shoes are Manali Blaock."

"Manolo Blahnik."

"Whatever. She is such a snob. I know she has money. The robes, jewelry, clothing, school supplies, and broom say that enough. She doesn't have to keep reminding me that she has money and that I don't. Sometimes, I think that she has the worst qualities of Hermione, Lavender, and Malfoy."

"That's an interesting combination."

"Whatever. I can't stand her any more."

"You two were getting along fine."

"That's before last night. Did you hear that Centaur? Said she was going to become evil."

"No, it didn't. It said that a child of Richard's would become evil. Regan has a brother."

"Yeah, but Braydon's a Quidditch star for the Tornadoes, who are doing quite well now. He wouldn't become evil."

"Braydon was the one attacked by Centaurs."

"Maybe the Centaur was wrong."

"I don't know, Ron, but I hope so. Listen, if you try to get along with Regan, and forget the Centaur thing, I'll talk to her. Tell her to leave you alone. Maybe be nice."

"I don't think she can be nice."

"Ron."

"Fine. Fine. I promise."

****

By the time Regan and Hermione reached Hogsmeade, it was clear to her that everyone heard exactly what the Centaur said. There were several whispers as she passed. She got several stares as well. Hermione told her to ignore them. Regan tried her best but it certainly wasn't easy.

They went to several different clothing stores before ending their shopping spree. They went to Madam Puddifoot's cafe for tea before heading back to Hogwarts. Several students stopped at their table to offer their condolences to Regan for her brother. She couldn't tell whether they were sorry he was hurt by the Centaur, or whether they were sorry he was suddenly an evil Death Eater, Quidditch star by day, evil Muggle-killer by night. Everyone she spoke to had a questioning glance about them, as if they wanted her to bring up the Centaur's words, but couldn't bring themselves to do it. Regan was tempted to place a large sign on her head proclaiming that her family was not evil.

When Hermione went to the bathroom, everyone left her table. Regan thought that they didn't want to be near her, not when Hermione wasn't there for protection. Hermione had only been gone a few moments when someone suddenly joined her table. Regan looked up to find Draco Malfoy sitting across from her.

"What the hell are you doing," she demanded.

"I just wanted to welcome you and your brother," he said, his ever-present smirk only widening.

"What?"
"You don't have to hide it any more, Rae."

"What?"

"Everyone heard last night. I wanted to be the first to welcome you to our side."

"Go away," she said, looking towards the bathroom, willing Hermione to hurry up.

"Father didn't mention anything. I'm surprised. Getting Prince's children, what an accomplishment..."

"Nothing the Centaur said last night was true. You know that. Everyone knows that."

"I don't know that. I'm not stupid-"

"That's debatable."

"Centaurs' predictions are never wrong. Either you or Braydon is going to join us. I'm hoping it's you Rae; your brother didn't seem to friendly."

"You better sod off, Malfoy. Hermione will be back any minute."

"Draco, Rae, Draco. We're on the same side now. Sharing tea and everything. See you around." He left the table just as Hermione emerged from the bathroom.

"What was that about?" she asked as Malfoy joined a group of Slytherins across the room.

"Nothing. Let's leave," she said, getting up.

****

The past four weeks had been terrible for Regan. Everyone had heard the Centaur and everyone seemed to think that it was true. The entire school thought that Regan and her family were going to turn evil any moment, or that they were already evil. Everywhere she went, students whispered to one another and stared at her. Malfoy and a few other Stlytherins had found a new way to tease and annoy her- pretend that they were on the same side. They would make references to future meetings and rendezvous. Before the Centaur incident, the school would have ignored them. However, the students seemed to believe that Malfoy and friends were suddenly telling the truth.

Harry, Ron, and Hermione tried to help. They would assure classmates that Regan was not evil and would not turn evil. Harry tried to help Regan by telling her of his second year, when everyone thought that he was the Heir of Slytherin. He offered little comfort, however. Regan was glad the Christmas holidays were coming up. She wanted to leave Hogwarts. She missed her family. She just wanted to go home.

Regan was also sick of Ron. She was ready to have some time away from the Weasley. One evening in December, she was reading a Muggle novel in the common room. Ron was sitting in a nearby chair, doing homework. Harry and Hermione were surprised to find them sitting together, not fighting. The peace was momentary. No sooner had the two sat down than Ron began. He had given up on his homework and was staring at the bottom of Regan's robes. "What?" she asked, not leaving her book.

"You have a tear in your robes."

"Excuse me?" she asked, putting her book down. Hermione and Harry looked at each other. Here we go...

"You, Regan Prince, with all your money and expensive things, has a tear in your school robes!" he said with sarcasm, looking at the bottom of her robes. The other three also looked towards her robes. Sure enough, there was a very small, hardly noticeable rip along the hem of her robes. Regan shrugged and went back to her book. Ron was not satisfied. "I thought you had so much money. I thought you would never use or wear anything not perfect, not more expensive than my entire house. Shouldn't you go out and by new robes? Maybe a new pair of shoes. Those have dirt along the sole."

Regan remained silent, reading her book. Hermione and Harry were confused. Why wasn't she responding? Ron seemed confused as well. After a few more attempts at a verbal battle, he picked up his things and headed for his dormitory.

"Why didn't you fight back?" Harry asked once Ron was gone.

"Why fight back? It'll never stop. Ron will just continue. It isn't my fault he hasn't got any money. It just isn't worth fighting with Ron." She shrugged. Hermione smiled.

"Glad you think so. Good to see someone is finally growing up," she said, looking pointedly at Harry. "Now you just have to convince Ron of that."

"No. I think my silence will be enough. Eventually, he'll just leave me alone once he realizes I'm not going to play along."

"Why the sudden change?"
"Well, with the way things are, I could use all the friends I can get. At least Ron doesn't run in the other direction when I approach, like some people," she said, looking to a few first years who were whispering in the corner, sneaking glances at Regan.

****

The final feast before Christmas break was the next evening. The castle would be practically deserted over the break; everyone seemed to be going home. Ron, Harry, Hermione, and Regan were making their way towards the Great Hall for the feast when Regan realized she forgot something upstairs. She went back to her dormitory. For Christmas, she had gotten Ron a signed picture of Braydon. The Weasleys would be having Christmas at the Burrow and Regan wouldn't see him again until after the break. The two hadn't really talked except for the occasional fight and she really wanted the two of them to become friends. She had meant what she had told Harry the night before.

The school seemed deserted as she made her way back to the Great Hall. She was on the staircase when she heard someone behind. She turned around to face Draco Malfoy. "I am so glad you've come over to our side, Rae." She rolled her eyes and kept walking. She wasn't in the mood for him. He followed her. "There are all kinds of benefits to being on the Dark Side. You and your family will be surprised. Much better than being in the Light, I would think. I haven't been able to fully enjoy the benefits yet, but my father has. He especially enjoys the tortures, the murders. I think his favorite instance happened this summer. In New York."

Regan stopped in her tracks. Gretchen. Draco smiled. He knew he had struck a nerve. "It was a young girl, 'bout our age. Best part is, it happened in Muggle New York. He simply charmed her vehicle. Looked like a complete accident. No one suspected a thing."

"Shut up Malfoy," Regan said through clenched teeth.

"Draco, Rae, Draco. We're on the same side now. Actually, maybe I should be careful. I suppose it's rather dangerous being your friend. Have to watch myself. Isn't that what happened to that girl? Gretchen, was it? Friends with the wrong sort."

Regan could no longer look at him, could no longer stand him. She thought of Gretchen, of what had happened to her. Malfoy was right. It was all her fault Gretchen was dead. It was dangerous to be a friend of Regan's. And what was Regan doing? She certainly wasn't mourning. She was at Hogwarts, acting as if she hadn't killed her best friend. Regan hurried to the Great Hall. She wouldn't let Malfoy see her cry.

****

"Where is Regan?" Harry wondered aloud, looking around the Great Hall. "She has been gone quite some time."

"Who cares?" Ron asked. Hermione rolled her eyes.

"Grow up, Ron," she said just as Regan entered the Great Hall. Hermione gasped. Regan was crying. She looked very upset.

Regan joined the table and threw Ron's present at him. "I'm going upstairs, no longer hungry," she said and made to leave. Harry grabbed her arm, ignoring the stares coming from other tables, especially Slytherin, where Malfoy had taken his seat.

"What happened?"
"Nothing," she said, looking at the Slytherin table.

"What did Malfoy do?" Harry asked in a low voice so that no one else would hear. Sighing, Regan sat at the table next to Harry. She quickly told her three friends what had happened. Harry and Ron looked furious. "How dare he!"

"C'mon, Harry, let's kick his ass!" Ron said, getting up from the table. Regan grabbed both boys and pulled them back into their seats.

"No," she said. "He isn't worth it. He wants to fight. Why else would he say those things. You two will get into so much trouble, possibly even expelled. Don't give into Malfoy."

Harry suddenly remember everything Regan had said last night. She was right; Malfoy wasn't worth it. Harry turned back to the feast. Confused, Ron followed suit.

'Thank you," Regan said. "I'm not hungry. I'm going to go back upstairs. Do some homework so I don't have to over break. Go to bed early. Merry Christmas," she said, leaving. The other three said similar good-byes to her.

"So, we're still gonna kick his ass, right?" Ron asked once she had left.

"No, Ron, we aren't," Harry said.

"I'm confused," Hermione said. "I thought you didn't like Regan. You two are always fighting."

"No. She all right. I think she's grown on me a bit."

"But you're always teasing her, saying mean things."

"But she always says them right back. It's more of a game for us, really. We don't really mean any of it. But Malfoy, he was just trying to be mean," he said, as if trying to convince himself.

"Hypocrite," Hermione muttered.

"We told Regan we aren't going to hurt him and we aren't going to," Harry said. Ron mumbled something unintelligible and finished his food.

****

Malfoy caught Ron and Harry as they were leaving the Great Hall. They were alone, Granger had gone on ahead of them earlier. "Potty, Weasel."

"What do you want, Malfoy?" Harry said, looking annoyed. Malfoy was surprised. They were supposed to be angry, completely enraged. They were supposed to be fighting him, supposed to be defending Regan. The three were supposed to get into a fight so that Snape could walk along and find them, resulting in the expulsion of Harry Potter. But the two boys did not look as if they were about to break into a fight. Well, maybe Ron.

"What happened to Rae? She looked terribly upset."

"Shut up Malfoy," Ron said, clenching and unclenching his fist.

"'Shut up Malfoy.' Is that the best you can do, Weaselby?" Malfoy asked.

"C'mon Ron. Let's go," Harry said and headed for the stairs.
"What's wrong Potter? Not going to defend your girlfriend's honor?" Malfoy asked as the two boys stopped at the foot of the stairs and turned back to him.

"She isn't his girlfriend," Ron said.

"Regan is fine. She doesn't need any one to defend her," Harry said.

"Oh I see. You're scared. You know the two of you are no match for me."

"Oh please. We could kill you if our bare hands if we wanted to, I reckon," Ron said proudly.

"It just isn't worth the trouble Malfoy. You aren't worth it. We have better things to do with our time. Regan has better things to do worth our time," Harry said and turned to leave.

"Sad, really, bragging about your father's accomplishments. How pathetic," Ron said, following Harry.

"You just don't understand because your father hasn't accomplished anything," Draco called after them, but they didn't

even look back. He stared after them for awhile, stood in that spot until they had gone. Draco just didn't understand. He

hadn't expected that response at all. He had hoped they would be furious and fight with him. He had counted on that reaction.

A fight would get them expelled from Hogwarts. Draco needed to get them expelled, but he no longer had any chances.

Suddenly, Draco was scared to return home for the holidays. He had not managed to get Harry Potter expelled. Father would

be angry.