Severus had paced the length of the train, perusing each carriage and it's inhabitants with a curled lip and judgmental sneer. He wasn't the only one moving from compartment to compartment as the train left the station. Other students were bustled excitedly through each doorway, hoping to settle among peers for the long ride to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
Severus, however, wasn't searching for anybody. He hadn't made any noteworthy friends in the last five years at the school, he didn't see why now should be time for a change. Book stuffed into the crook under his arm, Severus found a compartment mostly empty, save for a dark haired Ravenclaw girl whose face was hidden by a lengthy tome.
"Suitable," he stated dully, mostly to himself, announcing his entrance. Taking a seat at the furthest end of the pew, Severus bought his knees up and too buried his face in a book.
Before he could even take in the first word on the page before him, the door swung open on it's hinges with a mighty crash and his reading material was sent flying into the lap of the Ravenclaw, forcefully.
"Do you mind?!" he hissed, turning on the disturber-of-peace, the-bringer-of-plagues, Gryffindor's very own witch-of-the-wastes, the dreaded Dulce Carter.
The lord-of-the-flies flashed him a smile, but her eyes were deadly.
"Manners, Snape," she replied, coolly, pulling her ashen blonde hair up into a rough ponytail, "I'm simply looking for a place to sit. I'm not here to hurt you physically."
"Well keep on then--" he scoffed, teeth grinding. Her velveteen voice made him increasingly nervous. And hoping to completely avoid her black Medusa-like gaze Severus instead turned towards the Ravenclaw who had unfortunately been planted his book in the disruption.
"Do you mind not slamming a door open with enough force to fling a book across a compartment?" came a smooth voice from the far end, the Ravenclaw's brilliant blue eyes were now focussed away from her own tome and were glaring daggers at the Gryffindor newcomer.
"Some of us have valuable first edition books that could be damaged by such an action." the Ravenclaw growled, sliding Severus his own book back, without really looking at him.
She paused a moment as though expecting some ind of apology, and then sniffed and returned her focus to her book, one long fingered hand smoothing out the slightly creased pages, where the Slytherin's copy of advanced potion making had landed.
"Well I'm glad I picked this carriage!" stated Dulce loudly, dark eyes flitting towards the exchange of books between Snape and the Ravenclaw girl. She brushed herself off just as carelessly as she brushed off their agitation, sat down and tugged a thoroughly disgruntled looking tabby cat from her shoulder bag.
"Make yourself at home," she told the cat, now emptying mysterious little trinkets from the innards of her satchel, very obviously looking for something...
Carter was wicked, Severus thought. Her very presence unsettled him, as though she were a great pressure in the room, pressing down upon him. Simply via reflex, he snatched the book out of the Ravenclaw's hand, and stuffed it away safely. Unfortunately, Severus no longer felt like reading...
"I don't have a first edition book, you're right!" Dulce piped up again, and Severus' shoulder's sagged with the feeling of dread. "But I do have these!" And brandishing another handful of odd looking beads, she scattered them to the floor, where they began to vibrate.
Without even meaning to, Severus found himself peering at them. 10 or so black, stone beetles were now humming on the carriage floor. Recognizing their shape and size from potion ingredients, he drew his legs up from the floor and hissed aggressively. "Scarabs?!"
"I'd put your legs up if I were you," Dulce signalled to the Ravenclaw, drawing her own feet off the floor. "They bite." And she began to laugh as the insects erupted from their rock-like shells to scuttle in a panic. The cat began to chase them, and eat them in turn.
Severus was certain even the people of Pompeii would have picked Mount Vesuvius for company over Dulce Carter. And he too, would have gladly joined them.
"Urgh..." The Ravenclaw lifted her feet from the floor with a sound of disgust, "That's pretty disgusting..." she commented, her voice cool as she closed her book and pulled out her wand.
"You know... for a Gryffindor, you're a little creepy..."
She flicked her wand and muttered a spell under her breath, the spell pulling the scarabs into a pile and the cat began purring as she picked them up one at a time.
Tucking her book into her bag she sighed and studied the two students sitting in the compartment with her.
"So I'm assuming the rest of the train is full..." she only half asked.
"Yeah... I get that a lot," Dulce spoke nonchalantly, watching the girl interact with her pet, a bemused expression on her face. Creepy was definitely one word for it, Severus thought. But Dulce's smile widened like a cheshire cat's at the girl's last remark, and Severus was thankful Dulce didn't choose to speak again.
"Not full," Severus spoke now, voice clearly laden with resentment of his situation, "but full enough of fools for me find a place elsewhere... Only now..." he dared a glance at Dulce, but her manic expression was immediately directed toward him. Severus' snapped back to staring at the floor, and the Ravenclaw's booted feet.
"I'm Severus Snape," he muttered gruffly, "if there are to be introductions to this circus..."
"Like she doesn't know who you are," Dulce laughed, inching ever closer to him. "You're only the top bloody student in potions... Slughorn thinks you're the greatest thing since bezoars were discovered! If she's listened in only one potions class in her whole five years, I'm sure she's heard your name at least once."
If he'd been asked what he'd have thought Carter would possibly have said to his introduction, that was certainly not it.
"I -- er--" he caught the Ravenclaw's face, properly, for the first time, but was quick to avert his gaze, chest swelling with a certain pride despite himself. She had been dark haired thing -- pretty, even. Severus forced a cough without needing to.
"And I'm Carter." Dulce stood up at this, offering her hand to the pretty Ravenclaw. "Dulce Carter." And she grinned like a devil would do.
So, the rest of the train was full of more headache inducing fellow students. There was no escape.
Lonita loosed a soft sigh as Severus Snape introduced himself. She knew who he was, of course. She knew everyone at Hogwarts, by name if not by face, even if most of them never saw her, but before she could respond, Carter cut in almost gushing over the Slytherin's potion prowess.
He seemed torn between pride and embarrassment at the Gryfindor's brash assessment, and as lonita studied hi he ducked his head, and looked away.
"And I'm Carter, Dulce Carter..."
A hand was thrust into her face and Lonita just stared up at the girl with a small amused smile on her face that made her blue eyes twinkle softly.
"I know who you are..." she said softly, a hint of amusement in her tone as she shook Carter's offered hand.
"Dulce Carter, daughter of infamous tomb explorer Howard Carter. Suspected by the ministry of dabbling in the dark arts but with no solid evidence to back up their claims."
She turned the still sparkling blue eyes on the Slytherin, "And Severus Snape, potions prodigy and in line to becoming the youngest ever potions master, if Professor Slughorns judgement is to be relied upon... and then there's you, Tom Riddle... the Mystery of Slytherin house. All round excellent student and my academic arch nemesis... You were the only person to match my score in Charms and Transfiguration last year.. My grandfather wasn't pleased."
Her flood of information stopped then, and she waited for one of all of them to leave, or demand how she knew so much about them, but the 'Mystery of Slytherin' standing in the doorway with an unreadable expression seemed to halt the reactions of Snape and Carter for a moment at least.
"That's some extensive knowledge you have there, Ms Stewart," Tom Riddle almost purred, looking smug, "But I also beat your Defence Against the Dark Arts scores too..."
Severus was quick to hide his surprise at Riddle's entrance, masking himself with his signature scowl and clearing his throat -- though he didn't choose to speak. Tom, a fellow classmate of his, despite sharing his house, had always been a stranger. He was, after all, a disgusting popular, tall, handsome boy, who was not only exceptionally gifted, had also saved the school during their last year at Hogwarts. Naturally, he was insufferable as the rest of them. He took one more sideways glance, before turning to stare intently out the window.
"Well, while we're all busy making such good friends six years too late, I did come sit here for some peace and quiet, if you don't mind--" Carter's tone was sour now, and that pressure Severus felt upon her entering had swollen.
"You could afford me..." Severus muttered then, scoffing against the glass. Carter's cat now chewing his laces, and catching the skin of his ankle. "Get off!"
Carter, having left her seat to retrieve her pet from his clothes, turned to Tom and said, quite loudly. "This obviously isn't the carriage for you Riddle... Unless you've taken a little fall from your ladder of popularity."
Not a truer word had been spoken, Severus could feel the heat radiating from the girl as she finally freed the cat, coming to stand level with Tom. Her face was defiant. The same look he'd seen many times before. He glanced at the Stewart girl, half wishing to revel in a fight he had no involvement -- half hoping to crawl into a hole and die.
Tom stared down at the small Gryffindor, cradling a cat in her arms and smirked, "I just thought I'd come and share my presence with those less fortunate, Carter." He took a step further into the carriage and smoothly closed the door behind him.
He'd not planned on stopping, but the Gryffindor needed to be put in her place.
"Being a Gryffindor, that includes you..." He patted her head with no small amount of patronisation, and turned a gleaming smile on Severus and Lonita, leaving Carter standing by the carriage door.
"Severus, good to see you back. Having Hogwarts so close to closing last year... well some of the students didn't return."
Lonita shook her head and moved to take her book back out of her bag as Riddle elegantly slid into a seat and the two Slytherin's began talking, but then Riddle pulled her into the conversation as well.
"Find any good defence books over the Summer Stewart? I'm sort of hoping you might give me a challenge during the exams at the end of the year this time."
Her shoulders tensed in irritation at the subtle slight, but the taunting grin on his face suggested that his words had been trying to draw just that reaction from her, and she narrowed her eyes calculatingly.
Severus was the one to wince when Riddle decided to pat the devil's head gently. He had witnessed her, one class, having thumped the brawny Slytherin beater so hard during transfigration, he'd fallen back and out the window onto the grassy verge below. And Severus didn't think Tom, slight as he was, would come out of such a collision as smug as he was currently feeling. But to his surprise, though the fire in her eyes was like staring into Hell itself, she did nothing, watched him pass, and allowed him to settle down.
She's building, Severus thought, with great unease, her rage is building.
Idle conversation broke his train of thought, and he turned to see Tom had involved him in conversation, inviting the Ravenclaw to join. Wisely ignoring Carter, who was glaring like a woman possessed in their direction.
"Well, it's all thanks to you after all," Severus replied, dryly. Attempting, and failing, gratitude.
And just as Lonita appeared to be once again engaged, and Severus braved another look at her, properly, Dulce had grabbed her bag, turned it inside out, and literally poured the remaining contents of her bag on top of Riddle's head. The beetles were now everywhere. Severus, thinking quickly, responded only by grabbing the Ravenclaw's arm and dragging her to the seat opposite.
The shock froze everyone in the compartment apart from Severus, apparently, as by the time Lonita was able to react the potions prodigy had puled her from her seat to the bench next to him, keeping the attacking scarabs away from her.
"Merlin's bloody balls, Carter!" Lonita hissed, "What the hell were you thinking?!"
The smooth facade Riddle had been wearing since he entered the carriage had gone and a blazing hot fury coated his features now, at least what could be seen beneath the mass of writhing scarabs clinging to his clothes and flesh, biting at his pale skin and drawing a pain filled hiss from between his clenched teeth.
Despite the pain he must have been in, Lonita was surprised to see that instead of casting something to remove the attacking creatures he was eyeing the defiant Gryffindor as though considering what to curse her with.
"Depulso!"
Lonita's wandwork was sharp and precise, and it seemed that the pain the beetles had been causing had been the only thing holding Riddle in place because as they vanished how wand raised, meeting Carter's across the carriage.
"Woah, woah!" The lone Ravenclaw stepped between the two of them, her hands outstretched brushing away their wands, "Why don't we all just calm down... you're both prefects for Merlin's sake, so just relax and we can hopefully have a quiet trip to Hogwarts, yes?" she asked the two livid magic users, a thread of hope in her voice.
As Lonita moved between the two harbingers of death, Severus found he'd subconsiously reached for his wand, and leaned forward -- eyes wide and staring at the situation that had befallen their compartment. He kept close watch on the Ravenclaw, Stewart, very concious of her position between their wand points, his breath caught up in his lungs.
"Then tell your darling serpent friend here to keep his hands off of me in future--" Carter's dark eyes did not waver from Riddle's face, her jaw set. "Unless he'd like them cut off, that is." She gave him a wide, wicked smile, unblinking. Severus was convinced she was about to bury her wand in Riddle's windpipe.
"Stewart is right," he added, despite himself. His voice as calm and deliberate as ever. "Unless you both want to be on the next train back home." He eyed them all, disguising his caution with carelessness, daring to stand a little behind Lonita, whatever that was worth to her.
Snape's silent support at her back surprised Lonita, but she found herself relaxing. Riddle hadn't responded to Carter's hissed threat, but the very find trembling she could see emanating form him suggested that rather than not having a response, he was merely too angry to react.
"Carter, why don't we go and find the food trolley and you can tell me about some of those curses on the Tutakhamun Tomb?"
There was silence as a response, neither Riddle or Carter seemed willing to back down, and Lonita found herself transfixed by a droplet of blood from a scarab bite sliding down Riddle's pale cheek.
"Riddle, you were telling Severus about how close the school came to closing..."
Still nothing, neither moved until the door slid open again and four sets of eyes shot round to stare at a 2nd year hufflepuff.
"Um..." For once, at a loss for words, the Ravenclaw stared at a bleeding riddle, a furious Gryffindor, both with their wands drawn, and she sensed Snape shift behind her again. "Was there something you needed?"
Severus jolted a little upon the 2nd year entering, but thankfully due to the chaos, no one seemed to notice. He turned to face the little student, whose eyes were bulging, drinking in the scene, both panicked -- and fascinated.
"I -- err -- I came to find my brother --" the boy stammered, hands wringing. "I -- I'm sorry I--"
Severus saw Carter's expression change instantaneously as the child spoke. Though clearly still maddened, she opened herself up to vulnerability, promptly (fearlessly, he noted) withdrew her wand, brushed herself down, and smiled a somewhat manic smile. "He isn't here," she replied, with a forced gentleness to her now. "Perhaps you missed him on your way down?" And without even looking at Riddle, she pulled a clean wad of bandage from the inside of her robes and thrust it at his chest. "Sort it. Now."
Severus hung back. He could feel at least some of the tension ebb away, having been disrupted by the Hufflepuff at the perfect moment. He cast a sideways glance at Lonita before recalling their previous discussion prompt. "It certainly would have been a shame," he added, lip curled, finding it ever more difficult to hide his contempt. "Although, I would obviously have passed on the journey if that were an option."
Lonita watched Riddle take the bandages, and although his glare never wavered from the back of the Gryfindor's skull, something in his shoulders softened, and his wand vanished no longer held in a death grip.
As Tom reseated himself, just as elegantly as the first time and began wiping away the trails of blood from his feature, while Carter ushered the Hufflepuff from the carriage and as the sureal nature of the situation began to sink in, Lonita saw Severus turn to her out of the corner of her eye.
"It certainly would have been a shame," he added, lip curled, finding it ever more difficult to hide his contempt. "Although, I would obviously have passed on the journey if that were an option."
Blue eyes stared at Severus as Lonita tried to work out what he was responding to, and as her mind linked the sentence back into the conversation she let herself almost collapse back onto the bench, returning to the seat next to Snape that the young potions prodigy had pulled her into.
"I swear, you Slytherins and your bloody pride..." she muttered to herself softly, one hand rubbing over her eyes in despair.
Severus followed Stewart's suit, and sat, albeit a little awkwardly next to her. He prickled at her comment, but made no remark, sitting back straight and eyes forward, contemplating the sheer discomfort in his situation. After a moment of stillness, and daring to move, Severus pulled the Advanced Potions Making back onto his lap, and cautiously opened to the first chapter.
"You can call it pride," she started, "but I prefer to call it stupidity." Carter had pushed the student a little roughly from their carriage, closing the door behind him abruptly. She sat back at her seat, pulling her hair from it's ponytail and brushing it through with her fingers, occasionally glancing at the other three, like a cat just waiting to pounce back toward their direction at the slightest notice. Her face was no longer like thunder -- but her stance was by no means calm. Wrapping her ashen hair into a bun, she pulled one last item from her robes and began to trace her fingers round it. Severus made note of it in his mind. An old cracked jar, topped with the head of an obsidian jackal.
Flipping back to his book, he gave a lengthy sigh, surveyed the others once more and when all appeared calm as could be, returned to the pages.
The carriage had gained a tense silence for a moment, and Lonita wondered why they didn't just scatter to other parts of the train. She almost asked the question aloud, but decided that probably wasn't the bed route to take.
Riddle was sitting across from her, staring out of the nearest window and ignoring them all, but his hand was occasionally flexing around the bloodied scrap of bandage he still held.
Severus had returned to his book, and in some ways Lonita wished that she could do the same, but when she glanced at her own back sitting innocently on the seat Severus had pulled her from, she could see a shiny black scarab crawling just under the edge of the zip.
The cause of the chaos was sitting on the other side of the carriage, stroking a small anubis topped jar and although she attempted to smother it, Lonita couldn't contain her curiosity forever.
Twenty minutes passed in silence, and then thirty and as the city turned into countryside and the sun began to settle on the horizon, the Ravenclaw could no longer remain silent.
"I'm sorry, I have to ask... What is... is that an egyptian burial jar?"
Carter obviously hadn't expected to be spoken to for the rest of the journey since as soon as Stewart piped up a question, breaking the silence, Carter pulled herself from her own -- probably twisted, Severus guessed -- thoughts, with mild surprise.
Immediately, Carter smiled at the question, and it appeared genuine. "It is indeed a canopic jar," she replied, lightly. "My father took it from an exhibition, and I stole it for myself." Carter gave a little laugh, and Severus felt his attention to the written words waver. "Since it's so old, and the cast indistinguishable, I don't know what organ it would have had inside." She shrugged at this, as though carrying around parts of thousand-year-old corpses was almost common place. "But I think it's very pretty," she continued, mostly to herself.
Severus scoffed, shaking his head. "You would." Of course, Stewart was a Ravenclaw, so questions and discussion were to be expected -- however, considering the company they shared in the cabin, it was beyond him why the dark haired girl would even bother herself to make conversation. Wasn't it clear as day they were in the company of a smug narcisist and a violent psychopath?
"I'm not sure I'd want to carry an ancient body part around with me, to be honest, " Lonita admitted easily, "But the practices were uniquely fascinating... Was it wizarding or muggle?"
"Only filthy muggles would tear out parts of themselves and put them into containers in an attempt to prolong life after death, " Riddle spat across the carriage, still clearly furious with the Gryffindor, but unable to remain silent any longer.
"A witch -- actually --" she shot a quick, deadly smile at Riddle, before turning back to Stewart. "And it wasn't to prolong life," she laughed loudly as though the suggestion had been absurd. "It was a way of giving up their mortal bodies, their vessels, I suppose -- so that they could go on into the next life. And for that, you'd only need your heart intact." She paused to look down fondly at it. "Of course, that is what old witches and wizards believed."
"Since you're the only one to interject anything of interest," Carter spoke directly to Stewart then, making a clear point of it.
Severus paused, pretending to read but all the while listening to the girls converse.
In a half hearted attempt at smoothing out the building argument Lonita could see behind Riddle's eyes, she threw another question at Carter.
"If they believed in moving onto a next life, isn't that technically extending life overall? Maybe not the same life, obviously but still life as opposed to a final and finite death?"
The rage was still there in Riddles hard blue eyes glare, and Lonita coughed slightly, "The creation of the curses on tombs is a fascinated, a lot of them are uniquely crafted for that one use... I was considering applying for a mastering in spell crafting and warding after Hogwarts..."
"You could see it that way, sure. It is called an afterlife after all." Carter said, simply. "But that's not for me to decide what they meant by that. For all I know, we just drop dead and rot, whether in ground or in jars." She shrugged, as though the thought of either fates did not phase her even the slightest. "Carpe diem, and all that," she concluded, lazily.
"I think it'd be a great job!" Carter nodded, now leaning forward enthusiatically. "My father had to crack a few curses in his time on the field -- many men have died on the field because of them! One muggle funding my father's project died a terrible death, along with his dog, who was all the way back in London at the time! Muggles were going mad about it -- took the ministry ages to cover the traces of magic!" She appeared to revel in the morbid details.
"But, yeah, I don't know what I'm going to do after Hogwarts," Carter spoke openly. "Maybe travel some more? Maybe try and get an experdition funded so that I can go discover more of the unknown." After saying it aloud, she suddenly felt that was quite ridiculous, and changed her mind rather dramatically, "or maybe, I'll just, y'know, work at Gringotts or something." Her cheeks had flushed a little, and she ushered herself back to staring at the jar.
"Travelling and discovering new or forgotten magic is a truly worthwhile goal," Riddles smooth voice grumbling a reluctant compliment drew a surprised sound of agreement from the Ravenclaw, but she shut her eyes with a sigh when the Slytherin Pride jumped in and ruined what could have been a beautifully subtle apology.
"I'm truly shocked that you have the skills, let alone the willingness, to invest in such an expedition, what with being the daughter of a Gryffindor blood-traitor."
Severus also looked up at this, unable to remain buried in the pages listening any longer. He glanced at Stewart first, and then to Carter, whose expression, to his utmost surprise, remained entirely composed.
"Let's face it," she spoke, directly at Riddle now, eyes unwavering, "it doesn't take all that much to surprise a Slytherin now, does it?" her voice was steady, and her smile firm.
"That's better than not being surprised by anything because Gryffindors are too dense to notice an unexpected occurrence!" Tom hissed, leaning forwards in his seat and the tension in the carriage ramped up once more.
"We're going to be at Hogwarts soon!" Lonita cut in, her voice forcefully bright, "Carter, why don't we leave the guys and find somewhere to change into our uniforms, hmm?"
She feigned ignorance at Riddle's last comment, and instead spoke brightly to Stewart, "gladly."
But as Carter gathered her things, retrieved the cat, and fastened her satchel, she turned back to Riddle and feigned the most sarcastic curtsey Severus had ever witnessed. "It's been an absolute pleasure Tom," she smiled, voice like silk, to then turn on her heel and pass into the next compartment unperturbed.
Severus nodded once to Stewart, the slightest notion and recognition. His own silent goodbye to her, before looking back at Riddle, feeling increasingly awkward now sharing a cabin alone with the seething prefect. "Are you alright?" he said, not out of concern but to cut into the tension. He was thankful not having to change in front of Riddle. Sharing a carriage today had been an ordeal all of it's own already.
Blazing eyes spun to Snape and Riddle loosed a dangerous hiss, "Am. I. Alright?" he repeated softly, "Do I look. Alright?"
Tom drew in a long slow breath before settling back in his seat.
"That Gryfindor will pay, mark my words, Snape..." Tom growled softly, slowly relaxing now that the presence of anyone not of Slytherin house had left.
"The Ravenclaw could be useful though... She's skilled, and obviously smart... feel her out, Snape... see if she can be recruited, she would be a valuable asset to utilise..."
There was a beat of silence before a wicked smirk graced the Slytherin's pale features, "I'll have to come up with something special for Carter..."
***
"Merlin's balls, Carter, you and Riddle do know how to make a room tense, don't you?" Lonita muttered as the two girls slid into one of the compartments set aside of changing students, and began swapping her long cotton skirt and blouse for the regular Hogwarts uniform.
Long socks, black boots, a simple blouse and stupidly short grey skirt.
It was only when she shrugged into the outer robe, emblazoned with her Ravenclaw Insignia that she returned her blue eyes on the Gryffindor.
"Certainly made for an interesting train ride though," she added with a grin, making it clear with one simple sentence that despite the tensions and the biting scarabs, she'd found most of the trip interesting, amusing, and as far from dull as a train ride could get.
Severus would have groaned at Tom's reply, only thought better of it considering the boy's current mood. Instead, he nodded solemnly in agreement. "Yes, Miss Stewart would be a valuable asset." Even as he repeated those words, he felt a pang of unpleasantness. The girl had been gifted, it was only the natural order then that Riddle would want her watched, and maybe, one day, recruited to the cause. There was still a nastiness about it, he'd never admit, and never show. The girl probably deserved more than Riddle, or anyone for that matter, could offer her.
And then -- things had been left so uncomfortable, perhaps it would be fitting to scout her out, and at least talk to her. Severus weighed up the options in his mind, but ultimately, understanding Riddle the way he did, there was no question proposed to him there. He would feel her out. He would drag her into this. The cold, blue stare from Riddle confirmed all of these things to him. "An excellent choice," Severus responded blankly.
But the anger for Carter had not yet subsided in Riddle -- and Severus understood, quite well, the way the Gryffindor was able to crawl right in up underneath your skin and settle inside like a bloody demon. "Carter has always been difficult. Perhaps it best you put her out of your mind?"
---
"It wasn't my fault," Carter smiled, knowing full well that it most likely was. "Riddle's always sulking the corridors, lording about. Frankly, I won't put up with it." And she began to change in a hurried fashion, as though sped up by her heated thoughts. "What I would do to that boy--" she sniffed to herself, fists clenched tight over her robes as she pulled them on.
She paused for a moment, as though caught in her thoughts -- and then broke away from them abruptly. "Thank you, by the way, for playing mediator back there." She flashed a brilliant grin Stewart's way.
"No... That Gryffindor ***** needs to learn some humility... I'll think on what punishment she deserves..."
Riddle fell silent for a long moment before nodding to himself, "Yes... find out more about Stewart, Snape. Her strengths are clear, but dig out her weaknesses, find out something we can use against her if necessary..."
"Who are her friends, her enemies, who are her family, what are her hopes and dreams and desires, and what dirty little secrets is she hiding; everyone hides something and if she can't be recruited, she will be manipulated."
Tom pulled himself together, realising suddenly that his darker intentions were showing more than he'd intended, and the mask that every Slytherin wore crept back over his features as the train began to slow as it made it's final approach into Hogsmeade Station.
"Occlumency shields up, Snape, we're back in Dumbledore's territory now..."
***
"What wouldn't a lot of the witches at Hogwarts do to that boy...." the 16 year old corrected, laughing easily at the dark glare she got shot at her implication.
Her laughter eased off though when Carter thanked her for playing mediator, and she just shrugged "No problem, I do have a first edition copy of Dark Arts and Their Defence in my bag after all... oh and one of your scarabs is crawling around in there too, Carter." she added, remembering spotting the creepy creature earlier.
Severus' features remained completely placid, though his mind reeled and a bitter taste crept up his throat. "Indeed," was all he could manage without the vacant expression cracking a little under Riddle's unwavering gaze. As much as Carter was bad -- unbearable, even -- the way Riddle spoke made Severus feel dirtied for having listened to it.
And then Riddle spoke of Stewart, and Severus again began to nod complacently, though his insides squirmed. "Of course. I will find out everything there is to know about her." Thankful, finally, to hear the hiss of the tracks and slowing of the train.
---
"Not when I've finished rearranging his face they wont," Dulce stated, as though this occurance was bound to happen at some point during the school year.
But she remained friendly, and signalled to Hogwarts as it's imposing sillouette came into view, laden heavy in thick fog. "But that's not all we've got to look forward to after all," she said, wrapping her thick outer robes tightly about herself, and bracing for the damp outdoors.
"Just don't forget to be discreet, Snape," Tom added, making sure that his tone said this was a reminder and not a criticism of his fellow Slythern's talents.
"Dumbledore will be even more suspicious of the Slytherins after the death last year... Prejudiced old codger..."
Riddle left the carriage before Snape could form a reply, and a moment later he stepped onto the bustling platform, making his way over to one of the horseless carriages. He toyed with the idea of waiting for Snape and the two girls he'd ended up sharing a carriage with, but knew that the behaviour would be far enough out of character to draw questions, and the last thing he needed this early in the year were people asking question, so he smoothly stepped inside, and let the spell softened walls block out the bustling noise of Hogsmeade station.
"If I get a detention because the scarab bites one of the house elves, I'm bringing you down with me Carter," Lonita threatened, but the grin on her face belied the stern tone in her voice.
She said nothing about the Gryffindor's potential rearranging of Riddle's features, but stared up at the castle as they both stepped off the train.
"What's up there for you to look forward to?" Lonita asked, curiously. There was nothing in the castle that she couldn't learn elsewhere, and once again she'd be under the constant watch of her grandfather.
She shivered and tugged her cloak around her shoulders, before nodding her head at one of the carriages, "Shall we?"
Severus watched Riddle go off haughtily on his own, and breathed a sigh of relief in his absence. He too, chose to travel alone through the crowd, and although headed in the same direction, slowed. He certainly wasn't all that eager to reunite with Riddle. Instead, he caught sight of Miss Stewart and the Princess of Darkness headed towards their own cart. He considered following, but Riddle's snappy little voice in his head told him otherwise. Be discreet. In all honesty, he'd had enough of today, and didn't want to sit through Riddle scolding him once he was back in the Slytherin dorms for choosing to sit with the Ravenclaw too soon after the events on the express.
He gathered with other Slytherins, Malfoy, Black and others. Deciding that this was the preferable option for an easier life right now.
* * *
"Doesn't matter where I am," Dulce continued, as they stepped out into the cold night air. "I always manage to make my own adventure." And she flashed an infectious smile the Ravenclaw's way. "Shall we begin, then?" She swung up onto the nearest carriage door, and flaked inside, unable to contain much of her excitement.
"I wonder if anyone'll die this year?" she feigned an expression of shock, and was obviously morbidly entertained. "I wonder if we'll get treacle pudding for dessert, once everyone's sorted and that." She paused. "Maybe the treacle pudding will be poisoned?" She was talking mostly to herself, staring unblinking out the window and fidgeting in her seat.
"They wouldn't have to poison it, Carter, Treacle Pudding is poison..." Lonita told her, faking a haunty sniff and sturggling not to reciprocate the Gryffindor's infections smile.
The carriages began to move up to hogwarts as one by one, but as Lonita and Carter's began moving, another Gryffindor with long red hair swung herself up and into a seat, all but slamming the door behind her to block the school hearthrob from following.
"Come on Evans! Just one date!..."
He didn't quite manage to catch up before the horseless vehicle was moving up the path to the castle, and the girl shook her head back from her face with a sign.
"Lily Evans ," Lonita murmured, a hint of surprise in her voice, "Don't you usually ride up with your friends?"
Carter's excited smile turned immediately predatory upon Lily's entrance, and her eyes were dark in the dimness of the carriage. She glanced the fellow Gryffindor up and down, teeth dragging her bottom lip, as she leant back, fully relaxed and claiming her space (and much of it.)
Blatantly ignoring Lonita's friendly tone, she quirked up, "what Stewart here, is asking, darling is-- haven't you got someplace else to be?" And she leant forward, staring intently at Lily. And though the carriage was still moving, Carter thrust open the door and signalled Lily to shift out of it. "you're not welcome."
"Oh get over yourself, Carter," Lily spat her green eyes blazing, and Lonita blinked in surprise at the venom between the two housemates.
"It's ten minutes up to the school, I'm sure I won't convert you into an appropriately behaved human being in that short space of time, so no fear!"
"Well that would spoil all our fun, wouldn't it?" Dulce beamed, though there was no friendliness in it. "And we wouldn't want that."
Dulce pulled her ash blonde hair from it's bun and began pruning through it aimlessly. It was though she casually brushed off the girl's insults while self-pampering. "In all seriousness though, you could have found another carriage."
Dulce turned tartly to Lonita, a warmth returned to her eyes. "As I was saying before we were rudely interrupted. Perhaps someone else will die this year. I know I could put a few names forward--" and she shot a wickedly playful smile at her fellow Gryffindor, winking.
Somehow Lonita found herself, once again stuck between two very volatile people, coughed softly.
"I wouldn't so loudly proclaim your murderous intentions, Carter," she answered quickly, cutting off the tirade Evan's had opened her mouth to release, but Lonita didn't like the smug agreeable nod the red head gave, so continued.
"After all, if something were to befall someone you named, you would be the prime suspect..."
She could see this becoming a very long coach ride.
Carter shrugged, now tending to her nails. "It's not a confession," she spoke, bemused. "merely my humble wishful thinkings is all..." Her voice trailed off as she looked out towards the Hogwart's grounds. "Don't worry yourself Lily, you're unfortunately safe for the time being." She laughed to herself, crossing her legs and further declining into the seat.
There was a tense silence for the next few minutes before the coach pulled to a stop outside the castle. None of them seemed comfortable enough to break the silence, as Lily was the first to leave the carriage, stepping out without a word to Lonita or Dulce.
It was only as the Slytherin and Ravenclaw stepped out that conversations sprung up once more.
"Why am I not surprised to be find you sharing a coach with a mudblood, Carter?" came the voice of Riddle, the arrogance from before the 'scarab incident' had returned to his voice now that he was once again surrounded by his loyal Slytherin fanbase.
Carter had been the last to leave the carriage, hopping out distractedly, until she heard that voice call out to her. And though, Lily may have not have been her favourite person in the world, the one speaking to her now was infinitely worse. "As sweet as your concern for me is, Riddle, I can sit with whomever I like." Her amber eyes were narrowed as she glanced him up and down.
---
Severus' entire journey, he'd spent in silence. He'd nodded when spoken to, but otherwise kept his mouth shut. It wasn't until he left his own carriage that he quickly noted both Riddle and Carter having met up once again outside the school's entrance. He quickly scanned to catch Miss Stewart -- and Lily too. The situation possibly worse off than even the train incident. Blood running cold in his veins, he was quick to pass on through towards them.
"Take my word for it, Carter," the brunette snapped, his voice a soft hiss of distain, "The last thing in the world I feel for you is concern, I was merely stating my lack of surprise that someone born from a mudblood would be associating with one."
Riddle smirked as his fans snickered, having simultaneously insulted Carter, her mother, her father, Evans and every half-blood and muggle born in the school.
"Riddle!" Lonita exclaimed, blue eyes blazing, "I think that''s far enough!" There was a cool note to her voice that drew an interested look from the Slytherin boy, and his head tipped curiously, the tone that was almost a command was familiar but he couldn't place it.
Severus' arrived as the slanging match began -- and although his face remained a blank slate, inside he groaned. They couldn't even make it into the school without insulting each other -- and if this was any indication of how the next year was going to be, he felt it more a curse than a blessing that the school had reopened for their 6th year.
Carter rolled her eyes at Riddle, waving his comment away with a flick of her wrist. "Whatever you say --" and she took ahold of Lily's shoulder. Snape watched, in horror, as the devil ensnared her, but was surprised to see that instead of making things worse, Carter turned Lily away from the scene and spoke loudly, "don't worry, I'll gut him later." Her smile was fixed, as though she found it all quite entertaining.
Severus wanted to go to Lily then, but with Carter lingering, could not muster the courage. Instead, he became distracted, hearing Miss Stewart snap out, and again, Severus groaned from deep inside. Must this really be the start of his year? He felt remnants of a killer headache building. He thought to speak to Riddle, distract him, but--
As if the situation could not get any worse, Potter's voice piped up through the clearing. "Riddle, will you ever just **** off?" And to Severus' grief, Potter was closely followed by his burly, rugged best friend and partner in crime, Sirius Black. And tailing them both, a exasperated Remus Lupin.
Sensing all out war, Lupin was first to speak out. "Move along, everybody, unless we all want to lose house points before the year even begins."
Severus was certain he'd heard Carter whisper roughly to herself then, "who actually cares?" That girl was phased by nothing. She really was a demon queen gone awol, as he'd always suspected.
"Move on," Lupin repeated firmly.
"And you, Snivellus," Sirius sneered, catching Snape in the crowd. And Severus swallowed, black-eyes full of loathing. Potter laughed aloud, aggressively, the Gryffindor crowd now beginning to swarm to match Riddle's cronies.
"MOVE ON, JAMES! NOW."
"Riddle, don't you think you've stoked the fire's of hell enough for one day?" Lonita asked, before turning flaming cold blue eyes on the Marauders, "And I thought Gryffindor's claimed to be above such pettiness?"
She had a slight glimmer of hope that being in Ravenclaw, the two sides might see her as a neutral party.
That hope was very small.
The longer they stood there, the more carriages drew up and the more students began gathering around, already anticipating a Gryffindor/Slytherin fight before the term even officially began.
Lupin gave a Lonita a small smile, nodding in agreement -- though with none of the smugness Lily had shown previously. Severus caught this, his mouth a thin line, ignoring the energy of the gathering crowd. He turned swiftly on his heel, sour taste in throat. "I think it's best we move on, before we're all caught out here like imbeciles." He spoke directly to the Slytherin crowd, eyes deliberately plastered to them now.
"GET. INSIDE." Carter was snarling at the Gryffindors with no less hostility than she'd show the snakes. She pointed angrily at the newcomers, and upon seeing the fire in her eyes, promptly scattered.
"What's got you so ****** off?" Sirius purred, but she didn't honor him an answer.
And very slowly, the students dispersed and made their way towards the entrance, gossiping before they'd even made it to their tables.
The group dispersed and Lonita breathed a sigh of relief, responding to Lupin's friendly response with a smile she let herself get lost in the crowd of students and swept along to the Ravenclaw house table before becoming, once more, absorbed in her book.
She clapped where appropriate, but didn't pay much attention to the sorting or Dumbledore's announcement until the food appeared.
The rest of the evening passed in a blur, she occasionally glanced around the hall to see Carter reacquainting herself with the other Gryffindors, and Riddle making the rounds among the Slytherins.
She'd never tell either of them, but they were very much alike, both respected members of their own houses whose opinions were listened to.
Snape was glaring daggers at the marauders, but Lonita couldn't say she blamed him, they really were nasty excuses for wizards, Lupin excluded.
Dinner was over in a flash and she fell asleep later than night with her face on the last few pages of her book.
********
The following morning, the brunette was running late, and didn't bother tying her long black hair back into a plait before dashing from the empty Ravenclaw Tower to the great hall.
As she dashed down hallways, and slid around corners, she just kept hoping that she could get her timetable from someone, anyone, who might still be eating twenty minutes before the first class of the day.
Severus wasn't ever late for class, and didn't intend to be today. But, knowing the list of students lined up for his first lesson of the year, wasn't all that eager to rush himself. The awkwardness of waiting in the hallway with other houses was simply commonplace, and usually he would have been able to shut it out with ease. Yet, the events of yesterday still played on his mind -- and knowing every one of them were still nursing their bruised egos and ready to bite, he would rather wait until they'd filter to their seats, than witness another blowout in the corridor.
He lingered, toast in hand but having never touched it, pondering his schedule and counting the down minutes. He was surprised when Miss Stewart appeared, looking a little flustered. If he had the guts to smile, he would have -- "Stewart," he nodded in recognition, voice as monotone as he could make it.
*** *** *** *** *** ***
Carter was last in line of the Gryffindor crowd, perusing a book of hieroglyphs and ignoring their loud and excitable antics. Her brow was furrowed in concentration. Dulce donned small, rectangular red rimmed glasses now, her hair was pulled back off of her face, and gathered into a messy bun high up on her head. She chewed on her lip, quite closed off from the world outside the pages. Even Sirius and Potter's loud and obnoxious voices couldn't draw her from the symbols.
Lily was eyeing the wall, drumming her fingers against the brickwork as she waited, squished protectively between the rebellious Gryffindor boys. Lupin, however, was sneaking little glances at Carter's book inquisitively.
The Ravenclaw skidded to a halt and brushed her hair out of her face, "Snape, thank goodness... What's the first class on our schedule?" she asked, slightly breathless from her mad dash down from the tower.
"I absolutely cannot be late on the first day, Grandfather would kill me..." she muttered, eyeing the food still laid out on the house tables, before her gaze flickered over the head table, the large clock on the wall above the house points counters, and back to Severus' black eyes.
***
"Like what you see, Lupin?" Riddle asked as he arrived at the classroom with several Slytherin's at his back, he'd turned the corner at the perfect moment, watching the prefect staring at Carter.
Who knew the bookworm could be interested in the fire sprite of gryffindor. Something twisted in his stomach, and Riddle put it down to disgust as he purposefully attempted to embaress as many lions as possible before Mcgonagall opened the door to the classroom.
Severus blinked blankly, taken aback by the sound of someone actually being glad to see him -- and more so that that someone was Stewart. Though, the realisation of her thankfulness dawned far too quickly, and he adjusted his collar, attitude shifting to one as professional as possible.
"Oh -- well, I see. Well, it's transfiguration, Miss Stewart," he replied, voice dull. "Why don't you take this?" Stiffly, Severus offered his own copy of the timetable, having already having scrawled his down into the back of his Advanced Potions book late last night. "I won't need it." One side of his mouth curved, and that was the friendliest face he could muster.
*** *** *** ***
Both Lupin and Carter's eyes glanced up from the book, Lupin scowling, but Carter's expression quite plain.
"It seems like an interesting read?" Lupin spoke cautiously, raising an eyebrow, trying to scout reason for the odd question. It was less likely to stir than simply asking "what is it you want?" anyways.
Carter said nothing, but her eyes didn't leave Riddle's face from behind the crimson edges of her glasses.
On the arrival of Riddle and his closely knit Slytherin gang, Sirius and James had practically shielded Lily completely from view, loudly and obviously ignoring the stare-down building in the queue.
"Oh brilliant, thanks!" Lonita offered, not noticing Snape's sudden unease, "Shall we go then? oh and do you mind if I steal half of that?" she asked, indicating the slice of toast still held in his hand.
"I fell asleep last night reading that defence book..."
***
One of the other Slytherins loosed a harsh laugh at Lupin's response, and the others were grinning behind their hands.
"Like it was the book you were staring at, Lupin," Rudolphus Lestrange taunted, drawing snickers from some of the other Slytherins, but not seeing the sneer Riddle sent at him for the bluntness of his comment.
Severus looked to the toast in his hand, and then to Miss Stewart. Only now did his stomach tighten with hunger. Only now that she was asking for it. "Here," he held it out to her oddly -- as though he'd never shared food in his entire life.
And though he heard her start like she wanted conversation, he just couldn't hold her bright eyed gaze. His fingers pulled at his collar, like it was difficult for him to swallow. Perhaps it wasn't the hunger that had his stomach in knots. "That's nice," he tried, as they walked together at a hurried pace to their classroom. "So, you read a lot then?" He swore loudly in his mind at the sheer stupidity of the question that passed his lips. You idiot!
*** *** *** ***
Lupin flushed at the suggestion -- it was so outlandish, what on earth were the Slytherins talking about. "No -- that is not --" Did they even realise what they were suggesting? Carter exuded the kind of energy that told a man she'd crush his windpipe. He didn't think it right to explain at this moment that that was not something he found attractive.
"Oh look, Lestrange is suddenly an expert at human interaction!" Carter started, her expression holier than thou. "You can't tell a laugh from a cry, Lestrange, so please tell me how you came to that conclusion..." Her golden eyes rolled, scoffing as she closed her book into her chest.
"Lifesaver..." she muttered, taking the toast, with a smile and biting into the cooked bread with a relieved sigh as they turned to head towards transfiguration.
Lonita couldn't stop a small giggle as he questioned her love of reading though, she was a Ravenclaw, after all, but she let him off the hook a moment later.
"Not as much as some," she admitted, still grinning as she nibbled on the slice of toast, "But that book wasn't too bad and besides if I'd not finished it by the time I speak with my grandfather next..." she rolled her eyes, her smile vanishing swiftly.
Lestrange stared at Carter for a moment, before his eyes turned on Riddle, his face going a pale pasty white when he saw the dark glare his own house-mate was sending him, and the disgusted glance up and down had him stepping back and falling silent.
Riddle's own annoyance with Lestrange seemed to fill the corridor with an unusually tense air, but he couldn't suppress his frustration at the lack of subtlety displayed by a member of Slytherin House.
Where was Snape when you needed him?
"He sounds very... strict," Severus started, a lame attempt to hold her attention as they hurried along the corridors together. "Though I'm sure it's out of concern for you --" he added abruptly, unsure of how and which way to tread in their little interaction.
He usually did not care for social graces -- he did not care to what extent he could or would offend. On this occasion, with Stewart, he found that he suddenly did care -- and quite a bit indeed. It was, after all, his new important mission to engage her... Because it was the mission that he was interested in, wasn't it?
Severus offered her a very small and unconvincing smile, only to have it wiped clean as they turned the bend and onto the corridor filled with their classmates. Gryffindors were leaning against the wall, acting casual, but clearly tense and ready to pounce if the situation were to arise. And Slytherin's, led by Riddle (of course, by Riddle) were baring down upon them from the opposite side.
Severus spotted Carter among them, and felt his heart sink rapidly deep into his belly. "Again?" he groaned. "Oh, for Merlin's sake..."
***
Carter was smiling now -- which Remus did not find the least bit comforting. And found himself inching his way behind her, even as the Slytherin's appeared to step back. After all, being behind Carter was probably one of the safest places to be...
"Now that you've so kindly called off your dull friends, Riddle, I think that it's time for class. In the future, try not to let them address me publicly -- what with your rapport to consider and all..."
Lonita shrugged finishing off the slice of toast as they walked, "Strict's the wrong word... more controlling?... I suppose he means well but I've been disappointing him since the day I got sorted-What on earth...?"
As they turned into the corridor for Transfiguration and came face to face with two households, both alike in dignity, In Hogwarts Halls, where we lay our scene....That was a book, Lonita reminded herself, this was reality and there was not an ounce of dignity to be found in the barely concealed expressions of loathing and fury on the Slytherin and Gryffindor students faces.
"Again?" She heard Severus groan beside her "Oh, for Merlin's sake..."
"Please tell me I'm not the only Ravenclaw in this group of insane people..." she added softly, watching the eyes in the hall turn on the two of them, but before anything could erupt, like the words that Riddle had opened his mouth to shoot at Carter or the malicious gleam in the eyes of Potter and Black as they spotted Snape, the door to the transfiguration classroom opened.
"Get inside, we haven't got all day," McGonagall quipped, eyebrows raised high into her hairline, addressing the students with nothing but a stern and intense stare -- as each of them entered, quite separate all of a sudden, like parting waves. "I'm going to list off names, and I want you to partner up -- quickly now. I would very much like to get started."
The students hovered over seats they'd chosen, full of disappointment and dread at her suggestion. Some about to protest, were quickly stalled by the Proffessor's voice.
"Potter, go with Evans."
A groan came from the redhead and James fist-punched the air. McGonagall ignored this, continuing... "Lestrange, next to Riddle."
Severus held his breath for a full 30 seconds, watching Lonita almost hopefully, as though maybe McGonagall would consider it because he was quiet, complacent, and looking so desperately...
"Snape, with Carter, thank you."
Please, no. His body and mind was aptly screaming.
"Stewart with Lupin."
What? He caught Remus' looking at Lonita too. Had McGonagall noticed and favoured her own house? Severus lip curled. That *******. Hadn't he been standing with Carter not two seconds ago? Why couldn't he sit with her now?!
"Black, sit with Malfoy. Don't look so sorry for yourselves -- honestly..."
Severus dragged his feet as he made his way to the desk Carter sat at. Her head was tilted, and her smile sharp. She was predatory, and he hated it.
"Don't look so nervous," she winked, "you're on my team, for now."
"What fresh hell is this?" he wondered dryly, prompting her to laugh. Please, no.
"You task for the day is to successful transfigure one feature of your partner, such as fingers into claws or a nose into a beak." Mcgonagall announced to the classroom as she approached her desk.
"You should all have this down to a t after last years lessons, so let's see which of you retained that information. Anyone who ends up in the hospital wing, will earn their partner a detention and cost their partner's house 25 points, so no messing about!" she instructed, glaring at the students before her.
"Begin."
Lily immediately began shooting spells at Potter, just to keep him at arms length. Lonita watched them for a moment. The Gryffindor male truly didn't understand the meaning of the word "no".
She watched a sheepish looking Lestrange pull his wand on a seemingly calm Riddle, and didn't envy the man his partner for a moment. There was a reason Ridddle was her academic rival after all.
In fact, had they been paired up this might be become an interesting lesson, as it was...
She watched Snape head towards Carter slowly and shook her head as she turned to see a smiling Remus Lupin.
"Hi..." she said softly, the forwardness of Gryffindors always made her a little uncomfortable and this one grinned brightly and waved his wand through the air.
"Which of us should go first?"
The last thing Lonita wanted was someone casting a transfiguration spell at her on the first lesson of the day so she volunteered to go first, tipping her head sideways and considering her partner for a long moment.
After taking a moment to decide what to cast her wand raised, and her mouth opened. Something small, like a patch of scales on the back of his hand or fingernails into claws, but before she could form the words Lupin stepped forward and grabbed her wand hand.
"You're holding it a little tightly, if you just relax your wrist you'll get a better spell result..."
Her pale blue eyes turned from sparkling to cold in a moment and she snatched her wand back.
"I do know how to cast a spell, Lupin." she murmered softly, her voice dangerous but the Gryffindor didn't seem to notice.
"Of course you do!" he responded brightly, but all Lonita could hear was the patronisation there, and her wand flew out, grip firm and arm movement stiff, she still cast a perfect example of capillum pluma, and every piece of hair on Lupin's body turned into bright green feathers.
***
Riddle waited until the rest of the classroom had split, reluctantly, into their assigned pairs before turning his gaze on the terrified looking Lestrange.
Both of them had their wands out but Tom knew, as did Lestrange, that only one of them was going to walk away from this little encounter.
"Go on then," Riddle urged, his own wand spinning around his fingers as he silently cast a shielding charm, "You can go first Lestrange... make it a good one eh?"
The challenge was clear, and something in Riddle's fellow Slytherin rose to the challenge.
Riddle didn't pay attention to the spell, it bounced off his shield and hit Lestrange square in the face and Riddle smothered a smirk as the Slytherin began to shift into a small ginger cat.
The idiot had only tried to hit him with a full transfiguration. How embaressing that would have been.
Carter's eyes were jewels now at McGonagall's words, and Severus could no longer hide his unease at the joy in her expression. Was the woman some kind of sadist? Was this at all fair, even? The only person he pitied more in the class, was that of Rudolphus Lestrange, who too, had been partnered with an absolute ******* of a human being -- if either of them could be even considered as such.
"Terrific," Severus started, feeling very sick as they stood up together, regretting now that he'd even woken up this morning.
"I'll be gentle," she leaned in and whispered, as though he were a lover. Severus' skin prickled and crawled, and his stomach writhed in a panic. There was absolutely nothing remotely gentle about Dulce Carter.
"I'd prefer if you'd just kill me, to be quite honest," he drawled, so unenthusiastic he simply couldn't muster any courage to face this -- this demon, head on. "I'm assuming you're about to go first?" he asked, feeling very sorry for himself. Even the quick look he'd caught off Lupin, the humanoid peacock, could not rouse his spirits.
"Well, of course," she smiled, flicking her wand effortlessly. He hadn't even heard her speak, and yet instantly felt himself changing. And Severus shuddered as the spell cast, great eagle-like talons grew and replaced his fingernails. His skin itching terribly as a croft of feathers burst about his neck. He choked as his body shook with the transformation -- half-bald wings struggling to escape from the back of his robes, and forcing their way down his sleeves instead.
A vulture?! He couldn't even dare himself to retaliate, watching her with all of his loathing as he descended, silently, back to his seat.
"Pretty bird," he heard her say, so softly. And his throat burned with hatred. He hoped, prayed, that among the chaos, his awful appearance would go unnoticed.
"Shut it, Carter --"
***
Lupin coughed out an array of brightly coloured plumes -- but smiled as encouragingly as he could, though admittedly he felt (and looked) rather stupid. "Well, very good, then!" he tried, encouragingly, plucking at his own feathers a little frantically. "That, was um -- really good!"
Sirius and Malfoy, however, hadn't even attempted to transfigure anything. Unless of course, they thought that transfiguration worked better when rearranged by fists.
"Well, very good, then!" he tried, encouragingly, plucking at his own feathers a little frantically. "That, was um -- really good!"
Lonita stared at Lupin for a moment, an eyebrow raised. "I know," she answered, her voice still soft with her anger, "Why don't you go and rescue you frie
