|In The Dark|

5

Manipulation

ANNABELLE LUPIN-BLACK

I saw Theodore Nott.

"What the hell do you want?" I snapped. He smirked at me and stepped in the cabin and shut the door. "I don't quite understand you Belle." he said. I raised my eyebrows at him. "Don't call me Belle." I said. He just smirked again. "Why not? I think it suits you." he said. "I'm not some princess in a poofy yellow dress." I said. He looked confused. "It's a muggle thing." I said. "You muggles-" he started. "Yes, I know. Not worthy of magic, corrupting your bloodline, blah,blah,blah. Your friend Malfoy is very descriptive." I said. "I was going to say they are pretty amazing." he said. Now I was confused. "They come up with all sorts of cool shit. It's pretty interesting how they do it all without magic." he said. "Why are you here Theodore?" I asked. He gave me a grin. "Call me Theo." he said. I rolled my eyes. "Do you need something...Theo?" I asked. "Like I said, I don't understand you." he said. "What does that mean?" I asked.

"Well, when Malfoy starts stuff with you, you always shut him down. You are quick on your feet and you don't take shit from him." he started. "What's your point?" I asked. "Why don't you do the same with that boyfriend of yours?" he asked. My face dropped and that pit came back. "I don't know what you are talking about." I said and I pushed past him and left the train. I started walking towards the carriages and he followed me. "You are smart Belle, how do you not see it?" he asked as he walked next to me. "Go away." I said. "He's manipulating you and you are falling for it." he said. I looked at him in shock and walked faster. "When you were in that compartment, I heard every word he said to you. I know emotional manipulation when I see it, trust me." he said. Then it clicked. "What do you mean you know it when you see it?" I asked. Now his face fell. "Nothing, I-I'm just saying-I know the signs or whatever." he said. I stared at him and he was panicking. "This is insane. You are Theodore Nott, best friends with Draco Malfoy. For all I know this is some plot to mess with me. Just leave me alone." I said "Belle, don't you-" he started.

"She said to leave her alone, Nott." I saw Julia and Alexa walking up together. I smiled and Alexa winked at me. "Relax ladies, we were just talking." Theo said, putting his hands up in surrender. "Anna, do you want to talk to him?" Alexa asked. I stared at him. "Just go Theo, I'm not falling for your game." I said. He sighed. "I tried to warn you Belle." he said. Then he walked off.

I hugged Julia and Alexa and we all got on an empty carriage. "I missed you guys so much!" I said. "We missed you too!" Julia said. "What was up with Nott?" Alexa asked. "I'm not actually sure. He was just making some joke, it was stupid." I said. They nodded. We talked about our summers and caught up. "You were there?!" Julia exclaimed. "Yeah, Harry and I got separated from everyone else. It was terrifying." I said. "Bloody hell Anna" Julia said. "We are so glad you're ok." Alexa added. I nodded. "What would we do without you?" Julia said. I just smiled. During a lull in the conversation, Alexa spoke up. "So how'd it go with Edmund?" she asked. "I didn't see him all summer." I said. Their eyes widened. "So he's going to be expecting quite the performance tonight?" Alexa said. Julia's face turned red. She was rather innocent in that department. "I told him I want to take things slow." I said. "How slow?" Julia asked. "We have our fun but I don't want to have sex with him yet." I said. "Why not? It's fun." Alexa said. Julia slapped her arm and we laughed. "I'm serious. I did my fair share of sleeping around over the summer and even Julia got some." Alexa said. My jaw dropped. "You are kidding?!" I exclaimed. "Keep your voices down." Julia whispered. "Who? When? How? What!" I exclaimed. "He's a friend of the family. We both got a little drunk and wanted to try it out. It wasn't too bad." she said. "Oh my- you are a naughty little puff." I teased. We all laughed. "Who would've thought that Annabelle would be the last one to lose her virginity in the group?" Alexa asked. "Well, I heard Edmund talking and it won't be for much longer. According to him, you are doing it soon." Julia said. I looked at her with shock and confusion. "He said that?" I asked. She nodded. "Maybe I heard him wrong or maybe he was just bragging with his friends. Don't overthink it Anna." Alexa said. I just nodded. I was quiet the rest of the trip to Hogwarts. Finally, we were back in the Great Hall. My home away from home. I sat down and waved to my dad who sat at the teachers table.

"That was intense." I whispered to Hermione and Ginny. We were eating our feast and Dumbledore had just announced the TriWizard Tournament. Then Beauxbatons and Durmstrang came in. It was incredible to watch. I could see everyone eyeing that Goblet. Eternal Glory. Tempting but I'll pass. I don't need to risk my life. (Being friends with Harry kinda already does that.) Then the ceiling shook and Mad-Eye Moody came in. I recognized him from the Ministry. He used to be an Auror and I think he worked with my dad. Dumbledore announced that he would be here to keep an eye on the champions and sit in on classes. "What do you think he's drinking?" Dean asked. "I don't know but I don't think it's pumpkin juice." Harry said. I agreed.