The Charmer (A Harry Potter Fanfiction)

Chapter Three - UnCommon Common Room

-Veronica Brunswick-

The stone walls only added on to the chilly vibe of the Hogwarts Dungeons. Why was the Slytherin house in the dungeons?

I suppose I do feel somewhat trapped, after all.

Finally, we reached a tall, dark oak door with carvings of snakes.

"Polyjuice Potion," Professor Snape said to it. There was a slight rumble, then the ancient door slid open. "That's the password, don't forget it."

The professor turned and walked away, his footsteps echoing throughout the hallway, leaving me alone in front of the Slytherin common room.

As hesitant as always, I walked in and the door shut behind me.

The Slytherin common room was a long, low underground room with rough stone walls and ceiling, from which round, greenish lamps were hanging on chains. A fire was crackling under an elaborately carved mantelpiece ahead of them, and several Slytherins were silhouetted around it in the carved chairs.

I never thought I'd ever say this, but, the Slytherin common room looked nice. And I liked it. 

"You're Veronica Brunswick, right?" a Slytherin girl with pale skin and long, sleek, platinum blonde hair approached me. Behind her was a girl with rosy-pale skin and black hair in a high ponytail. I think they were both first-years. The blond-haired girl continued, "We noticed how you stayed back at the Grand Hall, so we saved you a bed in the dorms."

Surprised, I replied, "Oh, thank you..."

"Venetia Malfoy," the blond-haired girl introduced, "and this nerd over here is Lyra Goldstein."

Wait, Malfoy? Draco Malfoy has a sister? Should I really trust her, then?

"Nice to meet you two," I smiled as I followed them to the girls' dormitory.

Before disappearing up the stairs, I took one quick glance back at the common room only to see the piercing grey-blue eyes of Draco Malfoy looking at me.

"Veronica? You coming?" Lyra called out as if the tiniest delay in her schedule would make the most enormous difference.

"Coming!" I responded, turning away from the common room and running up the staircase.

~~~~

Because of Lyra, we talked about tomorrow's classes as I unpacked, but eventually, that shifted into the topic of the Hogwarts professors.

"Have you seen that one professor in the turban? He stutters so much!" Venetia remarked.

"I know, right? He teaches Defense Against the Dark Arts, so he's supposed to be brave and all," Lyra input.

I kicked my suitcase under my bed. Finally, I was done my unpacking.

I looked over at Raven, sitting in her cage. I held out my hand towards her, slowly, in hopes that she had finally put aside her disliking of me.

Raven glanced curiously at my finger, and quickly opened her beak and snapped it shut at where it was. I had drawn back my hand just in time.

"Hey, what's the owl's name?" Venetia asked and she and Lyra came up to the cage and began stroking its feathers.

I was baffled at how Raven let them do so as I dramatically sunk to the ground, "That pesky little beast over there is named after her dark, dark feathers that are as dark as her soul. I desperately seek the day she finally accepts me. Until then, I'll spare my fingers and heart the pain and send her off to the owlery."

Venetia and Lyra let out a laugh at my speech.

For the rest of the night, the three of us chatted and learnt more about each other, about Hogwarts, and the house of Slytherin.

Soon, we were nudged by Lyra to slide into our beds and get some sleep. 

I turned to my side. "Ven?" I spoke into the darkness of the dorm, "Lyra?"

No response. They were fast asleep.

As quietly as possible, I got out of bed and reached into the pockets of my robe from earlier. Something smooth and cool, like a type of metal, sent chills down my spine when my fingers touched it, but I knew it was what I was looking for and slid it out.

I never got the chance to examine what I had found in the river, but whatever it was, it dimly glowed green.

It was the shape of an oval, and there was a capital 'S' carved into it. The 'S' was elegantly decorated with tiny green gemstones inside the space of the carving.

There was a chain attached to it. Was it a necklace to be worn? Whatever it was, it called out to me. 

Without much thought, I put it around my neck and crawled back into my bed.

~~~

That's right, run.

Let's see how far those little feet can carry you.

You cannot escape my grasps. 

Let's see how long it takes for you to crash.