The Unusual Slytherin

Chapter 3: Badger and The Snake

Mina and I sat in silence. "That's a big deal." Mina said.

"Yeah, you can't just spring that on us." I added.

"Well," Dumbledore said, smiling at us. "I don't exactly know how to prepare you for such information. It'll be a shock no matter how I told you that you'd be fighting Voldemort."

"We never said we would do it." I said with a small frown.

"Well..." Mina looked at me. "I want too."

"What? You can't just make that decision! Think about it!" Anger rolled of me in waves and my hands clutched the armrests of my chair. The wood threatened to crumble beneath my hands.

"I can make this decision and I will." Mina sat up straighter and held her head high. 

I stood up. "You're not going. It's too dangerous. I like Potter, but, this is too much." I looked at Dumbledore. "Mina and I can handle Draco and whatever Death Eater friends he has, but, I'm not fighting Voldemort."

"Astarte, you're always treating me like a child! I can handle myself, I'm just as good of a Witch as you! We're the same age, I can make my own decisions!" Mina yelled at me angrily.

"Dammit, Mina! I'm not trying to run you, I know you're a good Witch! That's not the point!" I countered.

"Well, tell me why I can't go!" Mina said with her fists clutched to her sides in anger.

"Because I love you! And it'll kill me if you get hurt!"  I whispered.

Dumbledore, who'd been silent during our small arguement, stood up. "And this is precisely why you two should help fight Voldemort."

Mina and I looked at him. "What?" I asked slightly confused.

"Love." Dumbledore walked around his desk and put an arm around each of us. "Yes, love can be a powerful thing, exceptionally powerful. And, it's the one thing that Voldemort doesn't understand. The one thing he dismisses as stupid. The one thing that'll be his downfall."

"I'm still not sure if I want to..." I said looking at the floor. Dumbledore steered us to the door and smiled.

"You don't have to make the choice now. This is a serious task, I wouldn't ask you to make such big decision immediately. But, don't take too long. Voldemort is constantly plotting our demise." He patted us on the back and opened the door. "Now, get to your next class."

Mina and I said muttered our goodbye's to Dumbledore as we left. I looked at my watch and groaned internally. It was free period and I knew Mina would want to talk. I could go to the Slytherin Common Room, but, I didn't want to deal with other Slytherins.

I sighed as I followed Mina. I noticed that we passed the same area three times. She was taking us to the Room Of Requirement. And, sure enough, a door appeared and she opened it, waiting for me to enter.

I entered. The room looked cozy: the floor was carpeted, and two big beanbags sat in the middle of the room. A fireplace sat in front of the beanbags. A bookshelf lined one wall and a table sat in the corner with a set of Wizard Chess on it. I noticed that the colors in the room were yellow, black, green and silver. I sat on a bean bag and waited for Mina to speak.

"I didn't know you loved me." Mina said.

"Wow, getting right to the point huh?" I smiled, but Mina was serious. "Well, you've always known I love you. We're best friends."

"Astarte, you know what I mean. The way you said it..." Mina, who was usually shy, looked me directly in my eyes.

"Ok. I love you, well, I'm in love with you." I looked into the fire.