How It Started

Chapter 33 - Selina Black

Freds gaze ran across the circle and landed on Vess, she chose not to respond to this and kept her eyes on the ground. I don't know why she was so embarrassed, it wasn't like her usual self at all, in fact I couldn't recall a time where Vesper was embarrassed. Draco on the other hand always seemed to be doing something that would embarrass his and the "name of the Malfoys" and Lucius would say. I didn't like Vespers father at all I felt like he was over bearing and often had too much power over the family and what they did, it seemed.... Unfair.

Harry seemed to be getting more annoyed the longer Fred paused and delayed his response, I couldn't help but smile, it was funny to watch.

"Well are you going to answer?!" Harry said annoyed, his face was stone cold as it glanced at each of us around the circle.

"Well dear Harry since you want to know so bad, Vesper here asked Ginny why she put you through all of that, the dare but you already know that" Fred said starting to smile

Harry still looked annoyed and was obviously very eager for Fred to finish the little monologue he was starting to say.

"And of course me being the incredible joker I am said back to her, nothing you've already seen before, except of course she hasn't in fact as Lina pointed out you haven't even had your first kiss yet, i imagine you keep the relationship to strictly hand holding" Fred finished his monologue, with a sly smile. I had to admit that was quite mean, maybe I hadn't of said that.

Judging my the glare I received from both Harry and Vess I was supposed to keep that to myself. I mean they had been going out for three months and I get they wanted to take things slow, but I also felt Vesper was worried about something.

Before Fred could ask someone else a truth or dare question I yawned, quite loud. Everyone's gaze was casted on me.
"Sorry I guess I'm just tried what is that time?" I asked hoping someone would know. Neville flicked his wrist to check the time, on the watch he was wearing. His raised his eyebrows shocked by the apparent time.
"It's three am" Neville said surprised.

I wasn't surprised by the time if I was being completely honest we had been playing for a while although I was become tired and I was starting to concentrate on keeping my eyes open rather than the game.

"I think we should call it a night" Ron said standing up. Everyone agreed and started to stand exiting the room. Neville and Ginny left holding hands, while ron just walked out I think he was still upset about the now hermione and lavender situation. Harry smiled at Vess but she didn't return one, which left him to just leave.

"Goodnight Lina" Fred said turning to leave
"Night Freddie" I replied back, closing the door after everyone left

I glanced around the room, vesper had left and gone into the bathroom, the door was still open so I walked inside, she was brushing her teeth. I opened the toothpaste silently and I too started brushing my teeth. She looked annoyed as she stared at my reflection. I spat out the toothpaste and rinsed my mouth out before I started talking.

"I'm sorry I wasn't supposed to tell them that you haven't kissed yet, you know it's no big deal, i get you want to take it slow" I said facing Vess

"That's not the reason..." she said pausing, she sighed "I'm scared..,,scared I'm going to hurt him, people around me they always end up getting hurt and leaving or worse, I....I just don't want that to happen to him" she said a single tear rolling down her face, I wiped it immediately off

"That won't happen, he really liked you Vess and I don't believe you would do something like that, and I'm still here aren't I? I'll always be here" I said giving her a hug.

The events that followed on Christmas Day were still raw in my mind, although it had been weeks since the night of the fire, and the games of truth or dare I could still see everything. I was scared, the fire had proven no where in the wizarding world was safe anymore. The muggle world where my now foster parents were living seemed safe enough at the moment, I had gone to the Smiths house occasionally over the break just to check up on them. Thankfully they lived far enough away from the attacked and seemed oblivious to what was going on around them.

I had also spent a large portion of the short Christmas break at Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes, mostly to spend time with Fred. We had gotten a lot closer in fact admitting we liked each other had worked out for the both of us as we started dating. I was sad by the time school came back around as I would have to leave, although Freddie promised he would write, which was good enough for now.

It was the last class of the day, Potions with Professor Slughorn, Snape had taken over the role as Defensive Against The Dark Arts Teacher, which made it easy for me to excel in art although Potter seemed to still be finding a way to somehow figure out the correct method to creating potions. I had been invited to Slughorns party, which I was expected to attend although I wasn't too sure who to go with seeing as my date wasn't at the school.

"I can't believe you're dating a Weasley I mean that's just pathetic" Draco argued as we walked into the potions classroom

Slughorn had insisted that Slytherins and Gryfindoors were to mix and all complete his class together so far it had caused a lot of heated arguments.
"Shut it Draco" I said rolling my eyes, his low insults at the Weasleys were nothing i couldn't handle
"I'm just saying, you could do so much better" He said standing around the crowd forming around Slughorn who was fixated on a poem. I ignored his comment and instead looked at Mattheo
"So how was your break, were the new foster parents any good?" I asked, his real parents were alive of course, but Mattheo wanting nothing to do with them, so instead he hid in plain sight in the muggle world. Once had Hogwarts dumbledoor assured him he would be safe, he would take care of him.
"They're horrible, they're favourite thing to do is family group night, do you know how much I hate the game of monopoly?!" Mattheo emphasised this, I started laughing but was interrupted by Slughorn.

"Hello children, I hope you all enjoyed the break although being back at school I expected you all to pay full attention and strive towards completing your best, now can anyone tell me what this potion is....how about you Miss Black" Slughorn said ignoring the only hand that rose in the class, that of which belonged to Hermione, I glanced at her she looked back annoyed that I had been called on.

I took one look at the bubbling potions, I knew exactly what it was I just hoped I didn't have to provide an example.

"Amortentia a love potion it causes a powerful infatuation or obsession from the drinker, It's supposed to smell differently to each of us, according to what attracts us" I said practically reciting what I had read on Amortenia.

Slughorn seemed overly pleased with my answer, I had become aware that Harry and I for some unknown reason were his favourite students and he would tend to be overly nice towards both of us, which really annoyed Hermione.

"Very good, now can anyone give me an example...you Mr Malfoy" Slughorn said glancing at Draco who was whispering to Mattheo. Draco walked overly confident up to the cauldron and spelt the potion.