Always

Chapter Fifteen

Maizy and Siebel walked on eggshells around Maia for the next couple of days, never mentioning a certain name or band within Maia's hearing. They had already had to change their hair back from putrid green once and that was enough of a warning. The only thing they were allowed to speak of in excitement was their upcoming class with Professor Potter-Malfoy. They were permitted to ooh and ahh over the fact that they had a celebrity teacher this year who was also their friend's father. Their social points had skyrocketed beyond their wildest dreams with the situation.

"Maizy, you will research the theory and I will conduct the experiment. I will check over your work, of course."

Rolling her eyes, Maizy smiled at Maia across the library table from her. "Of course," she agreed sweetly.

Maia's black eyes came up from the book she was reading and focused on her friend sharply. With a sigh, she put the book down. "That was rather high-handed of me, wasn't it?" she asked with a small smile. "I do enjoy partnering with you. Either of you, really. I just want to make sure that this project goes well."

"We know, Maia," Siebel answered. "It's Potions. You always stress over Potions."

"I just want to make sure it's the best." Maia went back to her book and her friends exchanged glances.

Since they had become friends in first year, Maia had always made Potions class the focus of most of her energy. It had taken nearly the entire first year before the eleven-year old girls had understood that Professor Snape was considered family to Maia. The thought of having a demanding family member like Professor Snape was all they needed before they focused just as hard as Maia. Neither girl could decide if Maia worked so hard at the subject because Snape was grading her harder due to her being family, because she wanted to put any nepotism allegations away, or because Maia and Snape were competitive enough that she felt she had to prove something. In any case, Maizy and Siebel both stayed clear and thanked their lucky stars that they were able to make it through Potions with only a few scratches.

"Maia, it's close to lunch. Let's pack up," Maizy suggested and started collecting up her scrolls.

"Malfoy! Hey, Malfoy!"

Maia looked up at the call. Madame Pince hissed at the boy in the hall to be silent when passing the library. The boy's face flushed and he quickly moved away without a look at Maia.

"What was that?" Siebel asked.

"He looked like a first year." Maizy turned back to Maia. "Maybe he was calling one of your brothers?"

Maia frowned, grabbed her bag, and quickly moved out of the library in the direction of the boy. She found him not far away, standing in a window alcove with three other boys, one of them being her brother.

"She really clocked you one!" one of the boys exclaimed. "But you got her! Both of you went down, but I know she got hurt worse!"

"She was fair steaming mad when Snape came in and stopped her from going after you!" another crowed.

"Bran!" Maia strode quickly to the group and saw her brother turn around with a frown. He had a red mark starting from his ear and ending at his chin. Maia gasped. "What happened to you? Have you been fighting?"

"Watch it, she's Head Girl," someone whispered.

"Bran, answer me! Who were you fighting with?"

Bran was sullen and glared up at Maia. "Are you going to run to Dad?"

"If you don't tell me what happened!"

His lips pursed in anger, Bran replied, "It was the Irish slag! I heard she was harassing Az and I told her to stop it. She got mad and punched me!"