Beauty and the Beast

chapter two

September 1, 1944

Samantha and Tom were sitting together on the train to Hogwarts in one of the prefects' compartments, smiling at each other. Raine managed to sneak in as she laughed. "Tommy and Sammy sitting on the train-"

"Stop!" Sam laughed. But she continued on. "First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes a baby in a baby carriage!" Raine sang. Tom was less amused than the other Slytherin prefect, but not by much. They looked at each other and teasingly held hands, quickly moving them back after a couple seconds. A certain look was exchanged between the pair. Neither of them could tell if it was a look of desire, embarrassment, or happiness.

Soon enough, the train stopped and the prefects hurried out, Raine following her friends. Samantha and Tom held the doors for their fellow students, then shortly after led them off onto the carriages and got them in. The feast went on as usual, and before long, they were leading the first years to the common room. Right before Sam would've gone with Tom, someone pulled her aside. It was Professor Slughorn. "Miss Dalton, welcome back to Hogwarts!" He greeted. Sam smiled and nodded. "Great to be back," she replied.

"Congratulations on being prefect for another year. I talked to the Headmaster, since you are responsible, and I believe you represent Slytherin well," the Potions professor told the student.

"I am honored," Samantha thanked. "Thank you, Professor."

"Absolutely no problem. I came here to ask of your opinion to be part of the Slug Club."

"I would be delighted to return this year."

"Thank you," the professor said, then wrote a checkmark on his paper as Samantha then went back to the common room and met up with Tom.

December 4, 1944

"Welcome back, Miss Dalton. By the way, well done brewing Felix Felicis in class yesterday," Slughorn complimented. Samantha smiled and nodded as she looked at the door. In walked Tom, his robes smelling of s'mores and a campfire, at least according to Sam. Of course, that was her favorite smell. He had sprayed Amortenia, the love potion on his robes. He sat next to the other Slytherin prefect, who had invited him. Slughorn could smell the potion, and was tempted to joke Tom about his choice. But Samantha was drawn to the boy by the potion, so it was clearly working. But no one but the brown-haired sixth year knew its original purpose was to hide another smell, a more wet scent with just a hint of giant reptile.

Afterwards, the two Slytherins stood up together. "Thank you, Professor," Tom told Slughorn.

"You are surely welcome," He responded. But he still did not forget the horcrux knowledge incident of five years ago. Later, in the common room, they were sitting together on a couch. The potion had worn off by then, but had taken out the other smell too. But still, Samantha was drawn to the boy. But Tom was drawn to her too. Raine watched her two best friends from behind a wall. "I was just joking all those months ago... I didn't think..." she whispered to herself. But the boy heard and followed the sound. "Raine, what the h**l!"

"I'm sorry! I wanted to talk to you guys, but I didn't want to interrupt you!" Raine defended. This did not slow Tom's everlasting inner rage, which was now being expressed outwards. "That still gave you absolutely no reason to spy on me and my... friend!" Tom snapped. He began to cast, "Petrif-", when a female voice shouted over him. "EXPELLIARMUS!" Samantha cried out, wanting to keep peace, if possible. Tom's wand flew out of his hand. Raine was shocked and confused as she rushed to the girls' dormitories. Sam wanted to scream at Tom, but she didn't want to further fuel his anger. "Don't do that again," she cautioned Tom with a strictness in her tone. He would've fired back, but he knew it would be useless.

January 17, 1945

Just a few weeks ago, there had been a strange message sent out.

"The chamber of secrets has been opened. Enemies of the heir beware."

Since then, a few students had mysteriously turned to stone. Just last Friday, Slughorn took a picture of the new couple, holding their bottles of grape soda and added it to his desk. It was there that pictures of other Slug Club members were, and where pictures of future members would be. Samantha was in Transfiguration, copying down notes from the chalkboard. Professor Dippet, the headmaster came in. "May I have a word with Miss Dalton? The woman in charge of the class nodded. Sam walked out of the classroom, her notes still in her hands. "Samantha, come with me to the Hospital Wing," Armando told the student. So they walked towards, the girl's anxiety slowly rising.

The headmaster opened the doors as Samantha followed shortly behind. There was about five petrified students at the front. She looked at each of them, all of them seeming to have a slight expression of fear. At the back was Raine Baker, stuck in place as she seemed to look in a mirror, only to be ambushed by whatever creature caused her petrification. "I apologize, miss," Professor Dippet told the student. He then had to leave to discuss matters with the staff. The prefect looked at her seemingly lifeless friend. Her ginger hair and blue eyes did not move, but still stood out, as always. Tears escaped her eyes. "Why her... why her?" She cried. "Why does it have to be her?"