Sweets

CHAPTER 11

"Ugh. I can't believe it's 'Back to school' already. Why do the good times never last?" Kristie and I were sitting in a compartment on the Hogwarts Express once again. The holidays had passed by fairly quickly and after my talk with Malfoy I spent a lot of time with Kristie since there was no more reason to consult the library about something that it didn't hold the answer to.

"C'mon. It's not that bad, And besides, These weren't exactly the best holidays, right?" I answered. Before I gave up on the books Kristie was mostly on her own, often wandering the gardens outside the estate.

"Yeah, you could say I had better ones before... But nothing beats a holiday with someone that actually cares about me." Kristie aimed a crooked smile at me. She'd told me before that her parents always made her spend time at the Malfoy's, that they didn't want her there and that she didn't really want to be there either.

"I bet. But still, school isn't that bad... You just have to see things differently, that's all." I smiled back.

"'Course it isn't for you, Smarty. You have the brains! I don't!" We laughed. "Anyway, I'm hittin' the ladie's room for a while, so get me a Cauldron Cake and some Pumpkin Pasties when the trolley comes by." With that Kristie left our compartment.

It wasn't long after when Ryuzaki came by.

"Oh hello Sylvia. How's it going." He greeted me as he let himself in.

"I'm doing alright I guess." I replied. "So, he's here, huh? Where is he staying?"

"What do you mean? Oh, you saw Watari on the platform, didn't you? He is staying in that village off the school, but for the holidays, we returned to headquarters." He answered with ease.

"Hogsmeade?" I panicked. He was that close? I had no idea!

"Ah, yes. That was the name." Ryuzaki confirmed it. "So, have you thought about it during the holidays?"

"No. I have had a lot of other things on my mind. And besides, even if I thought about it, my answer would still be the same. I am not going to throw everything away just for this." I decided that being truthful couldn't hurt in this situation. I didn't say anything severe anyways. But there was one more thing, I wanted to know...

"I see. You won't change your mind. I could wrap this up right know, but I am bound to stay until this school year ends. What a pain..." Ryuzaki complained.

"Has he made a move?" I blurted the question without thinking. I had been worried all the time but I wasn't able to obtain any information about the Muggle World seeing how pureblood-crazy the Malfoys were.

Ryuzaki turned to look at me. I know he won't relay any information to me unless I agree to cooperate with him. But before I could say anything else he began speaking.

"No. Not much time has passed since he broke out. Only about three months, maybe four. I think he still has to form a plan. But it would be good to take precautions as soon as we can." He said flatly. "I believe the next time B surfaces, it won't be as a person. It is much more likely that we will find him in the form of a case that is like none other."

"Yeah, you already told me as much." I stated blankly.

"Ah, of course. It wasn't the warm reunion that I expected, was it?" With that, the conversation flowed freely as we remembered the good times. We were the best of friends back in the days, but we gradually grew apart after I was brought underground and he was taken away to solve the difficult cases of the world.

Kristie didn't come back for the rest of the ride. She must have found other friends and decided to stay with them. She knows that I often like some time alone.

#

"Hey! Wait up!" Kristie called after me. We were on our way to Potions and already late. So big trouble heading our way.

"Wait up? Are you insane?! Just run faster!" I called over my shoulder. "Snape's gonna be pissed enough as it is! I value my life thank you very much!"

Panting we arrived in front of the classroom.

"Well? Watcha waitin' for? Knock!" I pushed Kristie forwards.

"Me? Why?! You knock!" She grabbed my hand and made for it to slam on the door.

"Because you're the reason we're late in the first place. If you had found your tie sooner or just left without it we would be inside already." I snatched my hand back out of her grasp. "You knock. And explain."

"It's not my fault that stupid tie decided to lay hide and seek with me now! And go without it? Into Snape's class? That's just like saying 'Hey here I am. I waNT TO DIE!'" Right at that moment the door flew open.

"And what do you think you're doing?" Snape's annoyingly monotone voice reached our ears.

"O-Oh! Hi there Professor! We were just-" Kristie broke off.

"Just what?" Snape inquired, pressing for an answer.

"Just say it." I whispered in Kristie's direction.

"Say what, Miss Frost?" Damn. He must've heard me.

"Well... we were just... looking for Kristie's tie?" Gosh, this was so embarrassing. The whole class was listening! I could hear the snickers from our classmates.

"Looking for her tie, you say? And why was it missing, Miss Rose?" Snape turned his attention to Kristie, who was fiddling nervously with her messily tied tie.

"Well, I seemed to have lost it. And I didn't want to show up to class in an incomplete uniform! But I have it now." My friend blurted.

"Is that so? You still disturbed my lesson. You will come tonight after dinner and clean out all the cauldrons. Without magic, and I expect to see the both of you!" With that Snape pointed his thumb behind him and commanded us into the classroom. We sat down silently at our table and started our work.

"Hey. Meet me before dinner in the library." Ryuzaki's low voice reached my ears.

"What? Why?" I whispered back, not wanting to get caught again.

"We still need to catch up. And I have news, too." He simply stated and turned back to his potion. I didn't notice Kristie's stare.

News, huh? Just what is going on inside your head, Ryuzaki?