Antares

Chapter Six ~ Deal Slipping

"It's ten o'clock Moira, what are you still doing running about?"

"I could ask you the same, Ursula."

Moira strolled over to the three-seater couch that Ursula was sitting on. She was comfortably propped on it; legs sprawled out over all three cushions, reading a small but thick book. Moira dropped into the adjacent armchair and softly pounded the armrests.

"I'm in line for the shower," Moira said. "Karen has been in there for a bloody half-hour."

"She's touching herself in there," Ursula remarked, not taking her eyes off her book.

Moira snorted and shifted in her chair. She got a peek at Ursula's book title in the header of the pages.

'Inside a Wizard's Greymatter'

Ursula sure did read a lot of books about the brain, Moira noted.

"I saw the drunkard today," Ursula said dully. "Gave me that evil eye of hers, but I gave her one right back... ten-fold!"

Moira didn't have anything to say to that.

"She'll get what's coming to her. She won't be looking so smug then, will she, Moira?"

"Ursula, why don't you just let it go, already?" Moira said calmly. "It's been almost six months..."

"Don't remind me!" Ursula grouched, throwing her book down. "I don't know what the fuck is taking Flint so long."

"Marcus has given up, why can't you?"

"Flint would not give up. Not on me."

"Ursula, please. You can't tell me that this whole matter isn't tiring you out the least bit."

"It's not tiring me out. I'm just annoyed that nothing has happened yet."

"But... come on now, so she wanders around with Rachel and occasionally gives you nasty looks. What's the big deal?"

"That's not the point, Moira. Inside her pissed up head, I know what she's thinking about me, about you."

"You don't know for sure--"

"You don't know that she's not."

"Just... just forget the whole thing, and let's move on."

"I can't do that, Moira."

"Why, Ursula?"

Just then, the entrance door scraped open, disturbing the late-night quiet. Seven loud boys entered, all in muddy, green robes. It was the Quidditch team, coming back from a late practice, apparently. Ursula immediately spotted Marcus Flint at the front of the pack, ruffling the dirt out of his hair.

"Flint!"

Ursula beckoned her finger to the sweaty captain and moved to the far wall.

"What d'you want, Ursula? I'm fuckin' tired."

"Just a quick talk, I promise."

Huffing, Marcus dragged his feet to join her. Ursula stood in front of the fireplace, her arm resting on the mantle.

"How was practice today? Good?"

This would've sounded like a very innocent and polite query, but the way she grunted her words made it clear that she didn't really care.

"It was fine."

Ursula didn't talk for a moment, as she picked at muck from under her nails. Marcus cleared his throat in an impatient way.

"There's something that I've been thinking about, Marcus."

"What?"

"Thinking a lot about it," Ursula repeated. "For the past six months..."

His whole body falling asleep rather quickly, Marcus had a hard time trying to recall what had transpired in the last six months.

"Do you remember, before the start of the term, when I told you that I would make Thane the shit of Slytherin and, in exchange, you promised me that you would do me the simple task of banging the Ravenclaw?"

It all came flooding back to Marcus, along with reminders of how unsuccessful he was as of yet.

"I thought I should tell you, Marcus; I've got Thane practically eating out of my hand."

"That's good to hear."

"Yes. I'm just waiting until I've heard from you that the Ravenclaw has been taken care of before I do my last, final step."

"M'hm..."

"However, you have been pretty scanty with me about your progress, Marcus."

"Just don't see you much, that's all."

Marcus was a little thankful for that fact.

"Where are you?" she questioned. "Di'ye fuck her yet?"

"The both of you!" Moira broke in. "Just stop this... scheming already! This is ridiculous!"

Ursula snapped her head in Moira's direction. Moira was still over by her armchair, standing very alertly.

"Go to bed, Moira."

"Ursula--"

"Go. To. Bed, Moira!!!"

Moira hesitated and looked at the two plotting Slytherins with puppy eyes, imploring them to spare Thane and the Ravenclaw girl. Both Marcus' and Ursula's stare did not flinch. She gulped deeply and trudged away, up the girl's bedroom stairs.

"Haven't been able to do that yet, Dowell, but--"

"What do you mean you haven't fucked her yet?" Ursula demanded hoarsely.

"I mean, I haven't gotten the chance to bang her brains out," he restated pointlessly.

"Why not?!?"

"How the fuck should I know?"

"Have you been approaching her while you smell like this?" Ursula said, crinkling her nose. "You smell like shit, Marcus."

"Obviously not, for fucks sake!"

"You must be doing something wrong--"

"I don't do things wrong, Dowell."

"Six months... and the Ravenclaw isn't even the slightest bit taken with you yet!"

"She's coming around. There was that time at Christmas when I--"

"Christmas!!! You had the time at Christmas?!?"

"We both stayed at Hogwarts, and--"

"Why didn't you get her a bloody gift?" Ursula shrieked, throwing her arms in the air. "Don't you know how much girls fall for that crap?!?"

"I sent her a Valentine, damn it, I know what I'm doing!"

"A Valentine?" Ursula ridiculed. "Did ickle poopykins like it???"

"I felt so fucking dirty afterwards."

"How did she react to it?"

"The girl you picked out has iron knickers or something. Impenetrable, I say."

"She's most likely a virgin, Marcus. She's not like those other manky tarts you've went after."

"Maybe she's a bean-flicker."

"You wish, Marcus."

"Fuck..." Marcus groaned. "I'm so tired of spending all my free time trying to charm that stiff bitch."

"Are you backing down?!?"

"W--"

"God... damn it! Don't do this to me, Flint!!!"

"I'm taking care of it, Dowell! Don't bite my goolies off!"

"A deal is two-way, Flint! How--"

"I'll do what I'm supposed to, damn it, I just need more time!"

"You're taking... too... long, Flint!" Ursula boomed. "At this rate, the term will be over by the time you do what it is you're supposed to!"

"Calm the fuck down! It's just taking longer than I expected!"

"You're pathetic, Flint," Ursula spewed, shaking her head scornfully. "You're popular and everything and you can't even charm a drunkard."

Something popped inside Marcus' head, and he said goodbye to keeping it cool.

"Fuck you, Dowell! Shut 'jer fuckin' trap! Just shut your mouth, and put a bag over your head! Everyone around here will be tons happier!"

Ursula felt her face prickle with an interior heat, and a tic start up near her left eye. She wasn't so much bothered by the 'shutting up' statement, it was more the latter. Sure, she wasn't that appealing to anybody with sight, but no one was ever bastardly enough to tell her that to her face.

She took one solitary step towards Marcus, robbing any personal space between them. She could smell the dried-over sweat and mud all over him. Given their distance from each other, it looked as though Marcus and Ursula were on the verge of snogging, if not for their hateful grimaces. With a fiery glare burning into Flint, Ursula's next words came out in sort of a rasp.

"You'd better do something quick, Marcus. If the Ravenclaw still has her virginity in a week, I'm severing our ties."

Ursula moved an inch closer.

"You will rue the day you broke a deal with me, Flint."

Ursula turned away sharply, so that her hair smacked across Marcus' face. Marcus spluttered with rage, getting the strands off his tongue. She thumped her way up the stairs, and about five seconds after that, a loud slam of a door rumbled through the dormitory. Marcus saw that two younger Slytherin boys were poking their head from around the corner, awakened by the yelling, screaming, and slam of the door.

"What the fuck are you two lookin' at?"

The two boys darted back up the stairs, stumbling clumsily. Marcus exhaled hard and rested his elbow on the mantle. He pressed his cheek against the palm of his hand and gaped into the fire. The popping and crackling noises were soothing at first, but now he wanted to shut them up. He wasn't sure if it was because of the fire, or his encounter with Ursula, but he was heated all over.

"This is it," Marcus said to himself. "No more shitting around."

*****

Marcus pressed his temples, thinking harder than he had ever before. He was in Professor McGonagall's class at the present time, but Transfigurations work was the last thing on his mind.

"Think, dammit."

Marcus was sweating, he was thinking so hard. He pondered heavily of how he would be able to bonk the Ravenclaw within six days, considering that his subject wasn't a loose one. Now that his time was limited, he was getting the feeling that all this was more a pain in the arse than it was a task.

He puffed out a deep breath and rubbed his eyes. Even though he had a tough character, Marcus couldn't help but dwell on the insults thrown at him last night. What Ursula had said did have a hint of trueness, considering his lack of progress.

"You're pathetic, Marcus..."

Ursula's sneering voice echoed in his brain. He shook it away, but it just came screaming back after ten seconds.

"You're popular and everything and you can't even charm a drunkard..."

Something stirred from within him. He at first thought it was bubbling anger, but this was something different.

"Charm a drunkard..."

The more he repeated it in his mind, the closer an idea came into his grasp.

"A drunkard..."

He had straightened up in his seat by now, eyes wide with realization. It hit him like a tidal wave. This was it; he had it. This was how it could be done.

The end of Transfigurations class couldn't have come any slower. As soon as the bell sounded, Marcus jumped from his seat and dashed out of the classroom. He wasn't sure what his hurry was; perhaps he was just hyped up, but he also felt the need to tell Ursula that she would get her request soon enough.

As he started down the stairs, he noticed a tall blonde girl about to come up them. It was Rachel, and Marcus knew that she and Ursula were together frequently and might've just had class together. He realized that Rachel wasn't with Ursula, and he cursed under his breath. Ursula was never around when you wanted her to be, but always around when you didn't. He took one step down the stairs, and saw something even better than the sight of Ursula. Not too far behind Rachel, Aki was nosily listening in on a conversation between two of her housemates. He sauntered through the people, gently pushing aside the people who collided into him. As he approached, he could clearly hear the dialogue that Aki was so intent on hearing.

"I think Roger is quite cross with you, David. Perhaps you'd better apologize. It can't be good for any of us to have a conflict on the team."

"Me? Apologize? It was a simple slip of the mind, Charlotte. I don't know why Roger is getting so shirty..."

Marcus put a firm clutch on Aki's arm.

"Aki," he said quickly but quietly.

The two conversing Ravenclaws paid no attention that Aki suddenly disappeared from their side. They were probably a touch grateful that she was gone anyway, Marcus concluded.

"Tonight, eleven o'clock, by the three gargoyle statues. Meet me."

"Why?"

"I can't say."

Why not?"

"I don't have time to explain it now!" he said, getting frustrated. "Can you come meet me or can't you???"

She sneered, and folded her arms across her chest. This was not the way to get a girl to do something you wanted, Marcus reminded himself. He cleared his throat and mustered up his most courteous voice.

"I need to see you."

Aki stared oddly at him. His eyes were filling with emotion, and he looked like a desperate little child. It was a tense moment, mostly for Marcus, as she stood speechless for long while.

"Err..."

"I don't know what I'll do if I can't."

Marcus could hear scoffing in his head when he said this.

"Al-alright. I'll be there," she agreed.

Marcus' intimidating face crinkled as he grinned. It was good to have someone like Marcus Flint grin at you. He slowly raised his hand, and Aki watch as a single finger settled on his lips.

"Keep this quiet, between you and me, hmm?"

She returned a small smile and nodded lightly. As he walked off confidently, a peculiar thrill flushed through her, and she was left simpering stupidly in the middle of the stairs. Aki thought that perhaps Marcus was going to ask her out tonight. No boy had ever asked her out, especially an older one like Marcus. Aki was not one to break her word, and firmly agreed to keep this quiet. Aki had the feeling that Victoria would find this a bad idea, but that was only if she found out. No one was going to make Aki reconsider; she was going tonight.

*****

Aki had to sit uncomfortably in a corner of the common room for the whole evening. As soon as supper was finished, she made her way up and crammed herself into a particularly dark area of the room. She planned to sneak out when the time came, and sitting smack dab in the middle of the room and then disappearing all of a sudden was a touch too obvious. Gradually, the common room emptied while she remained there with her nose in a History of Magic book, trying look as busy as possible. It worked, and no one short of Victoria bothered her the whole night. Aki got very antsy when 10:49 came around, and Quentin and Ivy were still on the couches talking. Frantic voices danced in her head about how her plan was shot to hell, and how Marcus was going to be very upset when he saw her at breakfast tomorrow. She mostly certainly did not want to see that, and she cursed the two Ravenclaws still left in the room to hurry the hell up. Aki checked the clock again. 10:52. The edge of her history book was all dog-eared and ripped. Her palms were covered in a fine layer of sweat, to which she hastily wiped on her skirt. She was getting both angry and nervous, not the best combination in terms of sweat production. Just as Aki was impatient enough to tear out a page of her book, Ivy stood up, twisting awkwardly.

"Oh, Merlin!" she exclaimed. "Oh my Lord, stop!"

"But isn't that true? Wouldn't it just come out of his arse?"

Ivy was laughing very hard.

"S-stop! Pl-please! I have to... I have to...!"

"Have to what, Ivy?" Quentin asked mischievously.

"The loo!" she spluttered.

"Ah. Those knickers about to get a little soggy, eh?"

Ivy stumbled to the bathroom, walking with her legs tightly together and chortling.

"This discussion is far from over, Q."

"Do your business before you explode all over me, Ivy."

Aki's nails scratched against the book pages as it looked like Quentin was going to sit and wait for Ivy to come back from the bathroom. She was seriously considering tossing the covert method and just storming out the portrait hole, when Quentin forced himself off the couch straightened his clothes.

"I'm just going to nick some sweets from me room, Ivy. I'll be right back."

He hurried up the flight of stairs, and both fourth years were finally out of the room. It couldn't be more than thirty seconds before Quentin returned, and perhaps another minute before Ivy did. This was Aki's only chance. She threw her book behind the window curtain and sprinted to the exiting hole. She slipped out as soon as there was enough room, and was gone before Quentin had even reached the top of the stairs.

Aki stopped in the hall and listened closely; she heard no nearby footsteps. She prayed that there were no light-stepping prefects nearby, or worse, Filch. The gargoyle statues that she was supposed to meet at were near the Slytherin dormitory. It was quite the inconvenience, considering that she had to descend down a couple floors to get to it, while Marcus just had to step outside his dormitory. Sticking close to the walls, she slid her way through the darkness.

When she arrived at her destination, she must've had a few minutes to spare since no one was there yet. She leaned against the first statue to regain her breath and whisk away the sweat on her nose. She was starting to feel shaky all over, but she wasn't sure if that was from the running, or the anticipation of what Marcus had in mind. She couldn't help but wonder what it would be like to be Marcus' girlfriend. Hanging off the arm of popular Slytherin Quidditch captain Marcus did seem like fun. Aside from the fact that everyone would know her name, Aki figured that there would also be lots of extra little perks. For example, Marcus would probably let her touch the Quidditch cup, or beat up anyone she asked him to. No student would dare try to give her trouble, and that was something she longed to experience. However, she would have to just wait it out until Marcus did show up. He could, after all, maybe just want to know if Daphne was still single or something.

Slow clopping footsteps came from down the corridor. A shadow cast itself on the wall by the torches. The figure was coming from the direction of the Slytherin dormitories.

"Hello?"

She shouldn't have shouted out, but she couldn't bear to wait much longer. The shadow paused on the wall for a second. Just from the shadow, she could tell that the person was trying to follow her voice. The steps picked up again, and were now a kind of rushed, forced pace. He came around the corner, black robes fluttering behind him. The sight of his face made her want to run, but her legs wouldn't comply.

"Hello," he drawled.

"P-P-Professor Snape!"

"Right you are."

His mistrustful eyes moved from left to right as he surveyed the surroundings.

"Explain your business."

"Ah... I have no business."

"Clearly."

His fists slowly moved to his hips as he stared down at her.

"Do you realize that it is past the time for students to be running about?"

"Y-yes."

"You are obviously lying, or very foolish then if we are having this conversation."

"I-I would... nev-never lie to you prof--"

"Stop this nonsense!"

Snape drew up a single, bony finger and jerked it repeatedly to the stone floor.

"Just explain to me what it is you're doing here at this hour!"

"I... err... was asked to... come and wait here and... ah--"

"Speak properly!"

"Marcus Flint told me to wait for--"

"How dare you try to blame your rule-breaking on a Slytherin!" he hissed. "I just saw Mister Flint, and he assured me he was off to bed!"

Aki felt like she had just been walloped in the stomach. She was infuriated over the thought that this was Marcus' plan all along. That it was all just a joke, a trick, a laugh all the Slytherins would have over breakfast tomorrow.

"That's a lie! He told me to meet him here! I simply--"

"Enough!"

"It's the truth! You have to believe me--"

"Silence!!!"

Aki cowered as the Potions Professor began to spit because he was so agitated. His usual sallow face was all rumpled, making it look like he was wearing a badly fitted mask. Through the strands of filthy hair covering his face, she could make out very savage eyes.

"Enjoy lying don't you, Ravenclaw?"

"I'm not--"

"Think you can just cause trouble, blame a Slytherin for it, and everyone will believe you, Ravenclaw?"

"No! I--"

"I am not so easily fooled!"

"But I really--"

"I know your type, Ravenclaw. I can see right through you."

She didn't quite know what Snape was getting at with the "your type" remark. Perhaps Snape thought that she was a little rat who threw the blame onto everyone else for her own mistakes. That was not like her at all, but considering a Slytherin was on the other end of this, it most certainly looked that way to Snape.

"You will be given the punishment you deserve."

She did not like the sound of the words, "punishment" and "deserve."

"I'll make sure that you personally contribute to improving the Slytherins' image that you are so intent on defiling!"

Snape rolled his neck as he browsed the corridor they were standing in. He stopped, and his mouth twitched slightly as he admired each of the three gargoyles.

"These statues grace Slytherin territory," Snape observed.

No, Aki thought, she definitely didn't like where this was going.

"I think a prettying up would show everyone of just how considerate the Slytherins are to their school," he proclaimed, standing imperiously.

"Y-you want me to clean them? As in... now?"

"In detention."

"Detention???"

"Tomorrow night, at nine o'clock, you are to be right back here," Snape said, pointing to his feet. "You will be hand scrubbing the fine marble of these three statues until they gleam."

Aki slowly looked up the gargoyles, which looked so much bigger now. They weren't so much tall as they were wide, and just generally large.

"And don't even think about pulling something to make the job easier. Your attempts will only embarrass you."

With her face still twisted in abhorrence, she faced the Potions Professor to convey just how much this was unfair. Snape just stared at her vacantly like it was nothing. Getting a look at her screwed up face; he returned his own signature sour look.

"Now get back to your dormitory and get out of my sight!"

Aki turned away, feeling both fearful and enraged, and stomped off to the Ravenclaw dormitories. Okay, so she had been caught outside her dormitory after the allowed time and there was some finger pointing. If it had been anybody but Snape, and maybe the caretaker, she would've just gotten a nag and scolding to get to bed. There was no doubt about it; the Slytherin-blaming was what did her in tonight.

Aki scowled as she thought about the Slytherin boy who was responsible for all this. He certainly was a devious little bastard. He seemed harmless enough when he asked her to meet. Of course, she was dim enough to trust him in the first place; or maybe he was just convincing enough. He was probably having a good chuckle in bed right now. Aki could picture him strutting over to the Slytherin table in the Great Hall tomorrow morning, throwing condescending glances her way, then informing the whole Slytherin table of what he'd done, causing all the Slytherins to throw her condescending glances. She got a churning feeling in her stomach just thinking about it.

Marcus Flint, he was the reason.

He was always the reason when it came to something bad.