Snivellus

40

Later on that night, Hermione, Darah and Harry all sit in the library, with it being the only place all three of them can hang together.

'Ron has anger issues, doesn't he?' Darah says.

Harry and Hermione turn to each other, trying to hold it together but fail and burst out laughing. 'He's... protective, that's all.' Hermione pauses. 'Just like Draco is over you.'

'What?' Darah raises her eyebrows. 'He hates me.'

'He adores you.'

Darah sighs. 'I guess we're complicated.'

'Sure.' Hermione muses.

'I still can't believe I did that to Pansy.' Darah shakes her head in disbelief.

'Me neither.' Harry smiles.

'I mean... she didn't really deserve it. Not from me anyway.' She pauses. 'Do you think I should apologise?'

'No.' 'Yes.' Harry and Hermione say at the same time, making Darah laugh.

'Even if I apologise, I don't think she'll be friends with me again.'

'Then it's a win win?' Harry shrugs.

'You don't know her like I do.'

'What's she like, Darah? As a friend- or ex friend, is she nice?' Hermione asks.

Darah pauses to ponder for a moment. 'Yeah, to be honest, she's a good friend to have. She'll stick up for you, and truthfully, even though she doesn't show it, she cares about her friends.'

'Damn.' Harry says, sitting back on his chair and crossing his arms.

'Thought I might find you here.' Ron had appeared behind them.

He had a plaster on his cheek where he had been cut and a slightly bruised nose bridge.

'Ron...' Hermione starts.

He sits down on the spare chair. 'Sorry, Mione.'

Hermione bites down on her lip.

'And I'm sorry, Darah for all the things I said just because Malfoy was being nice to you.'

Darah shrugs. 'I accept your apology.'

'Me too, Ron Weasley.' Hermione smiles, going in to hug him.

'You know, just after you left, Darah did the most badass thing.' Harry explains.

'Haha, no way!' Was Ron's reaction as they finished the story.

'Well it's getting late and I want to be ready for Professor Lupin's class tomorrow.' Hermione smiles, picking up her books and tucking in her chair. 'See you all tomorrow.' She walks off.

'I think I might go fix things with Pansy. Is Draco still in the hospital wing, Ron?' Darah asks.

'No, he left just before me. Swore at me on the way out.'

'Yep, sounds like Draco. I might try talking to him too then.' She gets up to leave.

'Just don't go pissing him off anymore. Don't tell Hermione, because she'll make some witty comment, but that actually hurt.' He joked whilst rubbing the back of his neck.

'Sure, I'll try my very best. But you have to promise the same thing.'

Ron thinks for a second then finally says, 'deal. But no promises.'

***

Darah walks through the dimly lit, damp dungeons and heads into the Slytherin common room.

Snape stands right in front of her, facing the opposite direction, talking to Draco who is slouched on the sofa, his arm in a sling.

She breathes in, her eyes wide and quietly tip-toes around the edge of the room.
She slowly makes her way to the stairs as Snape continues his conversation with Draco.

Just as she reaches the step Snape says, 'not so fast, Miss Lucie.'

Darah sighs and rolls her eyes, turning around to face him, putting on a fake smile and tilting her head. 'Yes, Professor.'

'I think you'd be quite helpful in this discussion. Sit.' He commands and Darah huffs.

She flops down next to Draco and Snape carries on.

'Now I do believe you witnessed today's events. Can you elaborate on what Mr Malfoy is saying?'

Darah raises her eyebrows and speaks cluelessly. 'There was a duel?'

Snape squints and looks her directly in the eye. 'Shall we try a truth serum?'

'No, Sir.'

'Then by all means, carry on.' He ushers.

'Hagrid- er Professor Hagrid, was introducing us to the Hippogriff and Harry Potter demonstrated flying on one.'

'Of course he did.' Snape snarls quietly to himself.

'Then that's when the fight broke out.'

'And who started this duel?'

Darah started to sweat at this. 'Who?'

'Yes. Was it Mr Malfoy or Mr Weasley?'

All of a sudden everything felt like an interrogation. Like when Darah was younger and she had accidentally broke something with her magic that she struggled to control, Snape would question her just like this, to the point where she was close to tears. She hated it but it made her a stronger person.

Draco looked at her; the same damn puppy dog eyes.

She thought about Ron, even though he said those things, it was only truly because he was hurt and trying to stick up for his friends, he didn't mean any of it. Not really.

'It was... me.'

Snape's eyes widened and focused.

'I started the duel.'