RIDDLE ME THIS

15

after a while we strolled back into the castle.

Tom had the sword tucked into his cloak and told us to take different routes back to the common room.

i went the quickest way, slipping past the curtain and heading for the stairs.

"morning," a voice startled me.

i turned to see Draco sat on the sofa in his quidditch uniform.

i glanced at the grandfather clock in the corner of the room. it was 4.05am.

"you're up early," he said.

"so are you."

"where were you?"

"i went on a walk."

"at this time of the morning? without either of your brothers?" he raised his eyebrows.

Tom and Matteo entered the common room.

"of course," he chuckled.

i walked over to the stairs, heading for my room.

"we've got early morning training for the match later." Draco called.

"alright," i didn't turn around.

training didn't start until a quarter to six, so why was he up already?

my brothers followed me up to my room, Tom removing the the sword from his cloak.

"so what're you going to do with it?" i took off my cloak and shoes, leaving me in my black silk pyjamas.

"bring the Basilisk back to life," he answered.

"with a sword?" Matteo raised his eyebrows.

Tom rolled his eyes. "there's this incantation to bring certain things back to life, to complete it you need the thing that killed it."

Matteo walked over to the windowsill and stroked Venus who was stretched out, seemingly asleep.

"when are you planning on doing it?" i answered.

"well it'll have to be today won't it. during the game." he snapped.

"sorry," i pulled a face at him.

he made the same face back.

"me and Lola can't help you." Matteo snatched his hand away as Venus swiped angrily at him.

"why?!" Tom scowled.

"we need to sleep! we've got our first match of the season today and we have to be up in an hour!"

"fine, i'll do it myself, but i'll tell Father you didn't help!"

"go on then, be a snitch!" i pushed him out of my room and slammed the door in his face.

i sighed and turned to get in bed to find Matteo already laying beneath my covers.

"get out," i folded my arms.

"no, it's a double bed." he grinned.

"i'm not in the mood. get out of my bed."

Matteo didn't move.

i picked up Venus who purred and nestled into me, then dropped her on Matteo's face.

she immediately hissed and began scratching at him.

"ouch! ok i'm getting up! just get her off me!" Matteo jumped up.

i lifted Venus up and cuddled her close, getting in bed and putting her next to me so Matteo couldn't get back in.

"i guess i'll sleep in my own room then." he grumbled.

"good."

"want me to wake you up later?"

"sure." i wrapped the duvet round my
head.

"fine."