Changing from within

Chapter Eleven

Changing From Within

Chapter Eleven

Advantages

The rest of Saturday passed in a blur. I went back to the Slytherin common room after seeing Neville off back to his dorm. Once back down stairs, outside the Great Hall, I had debated for a couple minutes whether or not I should go find Katherine, Megan and Gregor, to apologize to them. But, knowing how badly I must have hurt them, I change my mind, instead making my way back to Slytherin dormitories. With the evil snakes, the villains. Where I belong.

That night, by some miracle I remember I have Detention with Quirrelmort and head out, waving my goodbyes to Daphne, Tracy, Millicent and Pansy as soon as I finish my food.

Once I reach the door to Quirrel's classroom, I stand outside for a few seconds, attempting to calm my heart before taking a large breathe of clean, unpolluted air and holding it.

I raise my fist and knock on the door of doom four times.

"C-c-come in," The annoying fake stutter drifts out through the door. I groan before opening and stepping in.

"Professor," I say as I step into the stinkfest, wincing at the absurdly strong scent of garlic, positive it is more potent than it was before.

"Miss Nelson, t-take a seat." I glare at the teacher, the image of Voldemort on the back of his head burning into my retinas. My anger boils for the second time today, how could Dumbledore be so stupid as to allow this-this prat into the school?

"I said, take a seat" Quirrel says, his voice turning sharp, but I catch the lack of a stutter and smirk.

"You can cut the act," I tell him simply.

"I-I d-don't know what you mean" he stutters back, I roll my eyes.

"I have a strange talent on knowing when someone is lying to me, and my spider senses have been tingling since the first time you spoke." I say, my eyes narrowed.

"It appears you do have a brain in there after all," Quirrel replies, thankfully cutting the stuttering act, I take a step back, surprised at how easily he decides to give himself up.

"Why the act?" I ask him, "Remember my senses before you answer." I may as well push my luck before he comes back to his sense. Instead of answering, his face turns red and he stands up, pointing his wand at me which starts to spit out green sparks. "Bad idea sir, my friends and the headmaster all know where I am. You will immediately be under suspicion if I suddenly disappear."

"No one would suspect me if I tell them you never arrived in the class in the first place," he answers. I gulp loudly, I hadn't thought of that.

"Steph walked with me here, she watched me enter." I lie quickly. He narrows his eyes, unsure on whether or not to call my bluff.

"Funny, it looked like you were not on speaking terms at dinner." He informs me, I curse mentally. I had hoped he hadn't noticed that. But I suppose, being the only person to go to the other tables, it would be noticed when I suddenly don't.

"They still know where I am. And thy will inform someone if I don't reappear tomorrow." I quickly inform him, holding my breath as I reach into my pocket, grasping my wand.

"My reasons are for me to know." He tells me, "now sit down, you still have a detention to complete."

"Sure about that?" I ask him.

"Stupefy!" A jet of red light shoots towards me and with a gasp, I dive to the floor, the spell crashes into the wall behind me.

"Watch it!" I exclaim as I nervously raise my head, peeking over the desk at the deranged teacher.