American Beauty

Chapter 7: Christmas Break

Sorry I haven't been updating. I had a bunch of school trips this week and absolutely no time.

-ToucanStan

School has not been busy lately and I am very thankful. Christmas vacation is coming up and I can't go home. My dad doesn't have enough money to send me home for the holidays so I am staying at school. Much to my chagrin, so is Malfoy.

I was walking down the hallway to the last DADA class before break. As per usual, Malfoy was following me. He never said a word, just stalked me everywhere until I got back to Ravenclaw tower at night. Today was a little different.

"Laila!" he called. I was so used to hearing the sneers of "mudblood" that I almost didn't turn around. "Laila," he said. "I need to talk to you."

"No can do," I replied. "I have a very important DADA class to get to." He continued to talk anyway.

"I'm sorry," he said. 

"You're what?" I answered incredulously.

"I'm sorry," he whispered. 

"For what?" I asked.

"For bullying you and calling you a mudblood and calling Hermione a mudblood." He looked so heartbroken and scared that I would hex him across the corridor so I sighed and turned to him.

"We are not friends Malfoy," I started, "but we can be on speaking terms. If I catch you making fun of any member of the trio, we go back to being enemies. Do you understand?" He nodded furiously. "I am going to class now," I said. "Don't follow me."

.____________.

The teachers did not give any homework over the holiday so I spent most of my time reading in the Ravenclaw common room by the fire. It snowed part way through break so I spent some time with the Weasley's and the trio outside. Fred and George even hexed some snowballs to bounce off the back of Professor Quirrell's turban. 

A week later, I was sitting in the common room when I heard the muffled sounds of the door arguing with someone. I sighed and set down my book to see who it was. When I opened the door, I saw Malfoy standing there with a red face while the door continued to shout at him.   

"Calm down door," I said, "I'll talk to him." 

"Thank you Laila," said the door. "Much appreciated." I stepped out of the common room and glared at Malfoy. 

"What was that all about?" I asked.

"I ordered the door to open for me when it gave me a blasted riddle to solve," he answered.

"You are an idiot," I said. "Have you never read Hogwarts: A History? The door has to tell you a riddle when you knock and if you can't answer it, you can't come in." 

He sighed. "That's not the point of this conversation anyway. I came to see you." I raised an eyebrow. "Here," he said. In his hand was a small wrapped box. I took it gingerly and opened it. 

Inside was a small locket. When I opened that up, I saw the faces of my dad and Logan smiling up at me. "If you don't like it, that's ok--"

"I love it," I said sincerely. I then turned around. "I'll be right back," I said. I knocked on the door. 

"Here is your riddle," said the door. "I am once in a year but twice in a week. I am the beginning of eternity and the end of time and space. What am I?"

"The letter e," I answered. The door swung open. I dashed upstairs to my dormitory and grabbed a small wrapped object from under my bed. I tore down the stairs and out to the landing where Malfoy was waiting.

"Here," I said. He opened it and laying on soft velvet was an eagle feather quill that also happened to write in invisible ink. When I told him so, he looked ecstatic. He then proceeded to hug me. 

"Malfoy," I said.

"Oh right." He let go of me awkwardly. 

"Well good night," I said. He turned and started down the stairs. 

The door then gave me the next riddle. "With pointed fangs I sit and wait; with piercing force I crunch out fate; grabbing victims, proclaiming might; physically joining with a single bite. What am I?"

"A stapler," I answered. "What is with the violent riddles door?" At that, it sniggered.