Forever, I Promise

Disappearing Ink

"Come on, please?" I begged as The Fat Lady rolled her eyes.

"No! Absolutely not. You're not a Gryffindor! And you don't even have the password!"

My eyes lit up. "So if I had the password you'd let me in?"

"No." She stared me down but I didn't budge. The corridor was silent, no students coming to let me in.

"Fine, I guess I'll just have to guess then. I mean, you did let me in literally two days ago when I had to talk to Hermione but I guess you're going to be two-faced." She pursed her lips but didn't say anything, her wine-blush deepening. It had been a week since the first supper, the arrival of Durmstrang and Beaubatons, and the news about the Triwizard Tournament. Draco and I had known for a few weeks beforehand, as our parents worked in the Ministry and Draco's father was directly involved on the school's board. But it was still strange to adjust to not that it was all happening for real.

"Bravery. Hogwarts. Red, wait no, gold," I muttered, trying to think of passwords that Gryffindors would use. Something basic and cliche. Something about Harry. "What about polyjuice? Or pinstripe newt?"

"No!" She cried out smugly, crossing her arms over her chest, "You're not even close!" I turned around and looked at all of the portraits surrounding The Fat Lady.

"Hey, you!" I called to a dozing short man with a very pointy hat, "Do you know the password?"

He grumbled, rubbing his eyes. "If I tell you will you shut up? I'm trying to-"

"Yeah, yeah. An eye for an eye. I go in, you get peace and quiet. What is it?"

"Aconite," he forced through clenched teeth. I grinned. "Now will you-"

"Bartholomew! You aren't supposed to tell her! She's a Slytherin, for Merlin's sake!"

"Aconite-"

"Look at her, all dressed in green and-"

"Aconite," I said louder before she looked down at me, fuming.

"Shut up!" Bartholomew added.

"I can't let you in! You know the rules!"  But hurried footsteps from around the corner stopped her next speech of degradation. I spun around, watching Neville Longbottom half-stumbling, half-sprinting towards me.

"Rue," he panted. "You're here to see the show?" He paused, placing his hands on his knees and glancing up at me between breaths. His rememberall tipped out of his pocket and rolled across the floor, bumping his scuffed shoes. The fire red spiraled inside, bumping and pushing to get out. He snatched it up off the ground, a tipsy smile creeping across his cheeks.

"Show?" My eyebrows folded inward.

"The twins. They're doing some tricks or something." I rolled my eyes as he stuffed the Rememberall back into his pocket and pulled out a sheet of crumpled-up paper. The Weasley twins were nothing but trouble. And not to mention drop-dead annoying.

"Oh," I feigned indifference. I hadn't been invited to the party. How rude. There was usually a party the first Friday night of term but I'd been invited every year prior. Maybe they forgot.

"I thought you didn't like the twins."

"Who said that?" I asked. Most of the students liked them, even Draco, and I wasn't going to spoil their fun. Even if they drove me up the wall. Longbottom was smarter than he looked. Not to mention he had been one of my best friends for the last three years. He knew a thing or two about who I did and didn't like.

"Oh, just a guess." Neville flushed, a smile creeping up on his face, and ducked his head down. "Now what's the password again?" His eyes searched the paper.