Challenge Me; I Dare You

Chapter 5

   I sat cross legged in the girls' abandoned lavatory. Moaning Mertle, as she introduced herself hovered beside me, chiding my movements if they were incorrect.

"No! No! While creating an illuso serum you have to give a drop of blood! Don't cut there! No!" she shrieked in my ear.

I turned my glare on her. "Bloody hell! Get out of here before I suck you up with a vacuum cleaner!" I shrieked, batting my hand at her, my physical attack was weak because my hand went straight through her, but she began to sob otherwise.

"No one every listens to me!" she sobbed, moaning she whipped out of my sight and into a stall where I heard the unmistakeable sound of a toilet flushing.

"Finally." I muttered. I carefully sliced the tip of my finger with a knife I had -erm borrowed.. from the kitchen while the house elves weren't looking.

A drop of blood fell into the cauldron, a puff of deep purple smoke erupted from the cauldron. And then, I filled vial after vial until the cauldron was empty.

I downed one, turning to look in the mirror I watched as the scars on my body began to fade away.

Sure you can hide them..

But they're still there..

_____

The pads beneath my paws made a clicking sound as I jogged down the corridor in my Animagus form.

I had been missing from Hogwarts for a single week, within that time I had gathered information on Delores Umbridge.

She was a spy from the Ministry of Magic, she planned- with the help of the Ministry of course- to take over Hogwarts from Dumbledore.

Man, looks sure can be deceptive.

'Yeah, you know from personal experience.' my inner-self mocked.

I silenced the voice and continued down the corridor. Worry and self-shame dwelling in the pit of my stomach.

I should've told Vincent where I was.

Then again.. He would've followed me and tried to talk me out of it.

I sighed heavily, shifting back to say the password for access to the Gryffindor dormitories.

I stumbled through the Common Room, too tired to make it up the stairs I collapsed heavily on the couch, knowing that in the morning someone will find me.

___

"Candy-Cane!!!!" suddenly my face was pressed into the red couch. Panicked overwhelmed me as I realized I could breath.

I struggled beneath them, rolling out from under them, falling on the floor with a thud.

I gasped for breath, staring wildly at the red haired boy.

He took in my fearful expression and wild eyes with wide eyes.

"Bloody blazes, I didn't mean to scare you!" he apologized weakly. I smiled half-heartedly, willing myself to calm down.

"S'okay George, just not something I'm used to waking up too." I murmured.

Anymore at least..

"You said my name." he murmured under his breath, a smile lighting up his features.

"Where were you, we were worried about you, 'specially Vince." Guilt filled me, of course Vince was worried, he probably thought 'they' got me.

"I was-"

"PIP-PIP!" Again I was tackled in a hug, only this time I could breathe. "Oh Merlin I was so worried." Vince breathed into my ear.

I clung tightly to him. "Sorry Twin, I had to do some research." I murmured. Vince sighed, pulling back he stroked my cheek.

His thumb grazed my jaw, he stared intently at it. Besides myself he was the only one who knew I had a scar there.. And well, everywhere else.

Vince was the lucky one, he was able to get out unharmed.. To get away from everyone without a scratch. I wasn't quick enough, but I don't regret it, I did it for him.

"I'm sorry." I murmured. He pulled me into a hug.

"Hey is that Candy-Cane?" I saw Fred Weasley jogging down the stairs, a look of confusion crossing his features. "Yup.. GROUP HUG!" George shouted, he tackled Vince and I, soon followed by Fred.

I sighed heavily, groaning in pain internally as I was squeezed too tightly.

It's good to be back.