Athena Potter - Completed (WTM)

Chapter 17: Nothing to tell

The trio study. Athena, burdened by dark thoughts, looks up at Ron. He smiles at Athena, then, seconds later, Hermione does the same -- something forced about it all. Unable to bear it, Athena gathers her books, gets up from the table. As Athena walks, students glance up, meet her gaze, then look away. Even Madam Pince eyes her from her desk.

"Seriously what the actual fuck is this! Please don't tell me they think you set the attacks" Regulus exclaimed, "oh please uncle Reg this isn't even the worst of it" Athena sighs shaking her head. Regulus sits there shocked at hearing Athena call him 'uncle' his mouth opens and closes like a fish, a hand clasps his shoulder, he turns to the right to see Sirius and James smiling at him, he smiles widely back; 'maybe they'll accept me into the family'.

Ginny Weasley, tired and pale, scribbles furiously in a small black book. Athena exits, walks into the hallway and pauses. From inside a room, the voices of a group of Hufflepuffs can be heard.

Ernie: So, anyway, I told Justin to hide up in our dormitory. I mean to say, if Potter's marked him down as her next victim, it's best he keep a low profile for a while.

"Oh hell no" Lily jumped up and tried jumping through the screen, she was pissed.

Hannah: But why would she want to attack Justin?

"From what we've seen already Athena would never do such a thing" Barty said making many other Slytherins nod their heads.

Ernie: Justin let it slip to Potter that he was Muggle-born.
Hannah: And you definitely think Potter's the Heir of Slytherin?
Ernie: Hannah, she's a Parselmouth. Everyone knows that's the mark of a dark witch or wizard. Have you ever heard of a decent one who could talk to snakes? They called Slytherin himself Serpent-tongue [whispering darkly] Remember what was written on the wall: Enemies of the Heir Beware. Potter had some sort of run-in with Filch. Next thing we know, Filch's cat's attacked. That first-year Creevey's been annoying Potter. Then Creevey's attacked. [Athena is seen rolling her eyes and clenching her fists making her knuckles turn white]
Hannah: She always seems so nice, though. And, after all, she is the one who made You Know Who disappear.
Ernie: That's probably why You Know Who wanted to kill her in the first place. Didn't want Dark Lady competing with him.

Shouts and curses were thrown at the Hufflepuffs on screen, Professor Sprout shook her head, disappointed at her house.

Athena doesn't need to hear anymore. She slips quietly away. But what she didn't see is Fred and George hiding around a pillar listening in too. Fred's face was extremely red with anger. He and George look at each other and nod. Ernie and his little Hufflepuffs were going to pay.

Muttering, Athena storms straight into Hagrid, who stands covered in snow, a dead rooster dangling from his hand.

Hagrid: All righ', Athena?
Athena: Hagrid... what're you doing here?
Hagrid: [holding up the rooster] Second one killed this term. Reckon it's either foxes or a Blood-Suckin' Bugbear. Need Dumbledore's permission ter put a charm round the hen-coop. Yeh sure yeh're all righ', Athena? Yeh look all hot an' bothered.
Athena: It's nothing Hagrid, you worry about your roosters. I'd better get going. I've got a lot of studying...

Athena enters, slows. Up ahead, in the light of a flickering torch, something dark lies. A  windowpane rattles in the wind and the torch... goes out. Athena steps closer, finds...Justin-Finch-Fletchley. Lying rigid on the floor, a look of shock on his frozen face. Nearby, an inert Nearly Headless Nick floats, body teeming with black smoke. Kneeling, Athena notices a trail of spiders scuttling away from Justin's body and out the loose windowpane... when suddenly...