Black Magic

Chapter 3

 Libra woke up and looked outside. She groaned softly when she realized she had Care of Magical Creatures today. Normally, Libra loved to attend Hagrid's class. Except, Fred and George were still mad at her, Marcus was going to kill her and Libra wanted to crawl into a hole and die. And crawl into a hole and die she tried. McGonagall found her and dragged Libra into the Great Hall. On towards plan B. Wing it, and hope for the best. Or, she could quickly fake her death and- Nah. The Dementors would get her first.

Slowly Libra crept towards the Slytherin table, her head high, gaze fixed on Draco. She avoided looking at the Gryffindor table. However, that didn't stop Libra from feeling two gazes burn into her back. As Libra sat beside the blonde, she locked eyes with Marcus. He grinned vilely at her. A cold shiver ran up Libra's spine, and now more than ever, Libra wanted to shrivel up into herself. Libra scrunched up her nose and looked at the teacher's table. She found Remus shooting daggers at Marcus before giving her a "Need help?" look. She shook her head and mouthed "I'm fine."

"Libra, babe. It is so good to see you after our misunderstanding last night." Marcus's voice drifted over. "My dear, you have now been thrust into the scorpion's den. Welcome back Libra." Her face turned hot and Libra's hair turned garnet red in frustration. Marcus chuckled darkly and Libra kept her gaze straight.

That was a big mistake on her part. Libra managed to look at Fred and George who were intently staring at her. Libra's chest tightened as she saw guilt and anger flicker across their faces. Libra silently pleaded with them to come over. To come and save her from the unsettling, and almost predatory conversation Marcus was starting up. She was backed against a wall and honestly, Libra couldn't exactly Reichenbach Fall herself out of the situation. She wasn't Sherlock, and Remus would know what she did. He made her read Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes series when she was ten.

A sob caught in her throat as she saw Fred stand and walk out, followed by George. Libra looked over and saw Draco sneering at her. A smirk grew across the quidditch team's faces and Libra hissed out: "I hate every one of you. Except for Draco. Love, we need to talk later. Everyone else can go to Hell."

She stood up and flew out of the Great Hall. Today was going to be interesting, and quite awkward. Libra ran into her room, grabbed her books and walked out towards Hagrid's Hut. They were learning about Aracumantulas, and as much as Libra was terrified of spiders, she was trying to keep herself from breaking down, and she wanted to make up with Fred and George. As the hut came into focus, Libra's heart plummeted. Oh Hell no. She couldn't deal with two missing redheads right now. Instead, Libra smiled at Hagrid who nodded stiffly at her. "Hello, Hagrid."

"Ms. Black. Ahh, everyone is here. Let's go!" He led the class towards the forest. Libra looked back and saw the twins. They brushed past her silently.

"Fred, George!" Libra ran after them. "Wait a minute! Are you still mad at me?"

"Yes! You are truly the most vicious person I have ever met Libra! If you thought we were dumb and didn't make the connection between you and Black years ago, then shame," said Fred.

"We knew. We didn't care. Libra, you were our friend." George finished.

"I'm sorry! What does a scared animal do when it's backed into a corner? It lashes out," Libra pleaded desperately now. "I thought I was still your friend."

"Not right now." the twins said in unison.

"I hope you get eaten by a giant spider!" she screamed.

Well, another mistake on Libra's part. Fred and George turned around and advanced quickly on Libra. "There she is. Our old Libra seems to be regaining her spirit." George smirked.

Fred leaned down and whispered in Libra's ear. Immediately shivers ran down her spine. "Libra, you have a special place in our family-in my heart. But you crossed a line. One day, not today, we will forgive you. But not today." he quickly kissed Libra on the cheek. Her face flushed and Libra walked briskly after the class.

They were all going to die. Hagrid had gone too far. These children of Aragog were big and terrible. Goodbye world, you'll never see Libra Black again. She was close to fainting, and out of the corner of her eye. "Professor, how dangerous are these spiders?" Fred Weasley...

"Not at all right now. They wouldn' hurt ye. Aragog is mer friend." came Hagrid's voice.

Fred smirked and walked up to one of the spiders. "'Get eaten.' she said. We'll see." He went to touch it and like lightning, the spider grabbed Fred's leg and started dragging him into the forest. "Wait! No! Georgie! Help me get free of this thing!"

George ran after Fred while Hagrid herded the class backwards. Libra broke free and ran forward, her annoyance leaving for a bit. She felt her throat close up, her mouth going dry, just as she dove under the spider. The beast swept her to the side and Libra collided with George. The breath was knocked out of her, and she blinked dazedly. A large black leg reared up before Libra and she rolled to the side just as the spider's leg crashed down. Libra grabbed her wand and slid under the spider again, yelling "Stupefy!"

The spider lurched to a stop and folded in on itself. Fred was released and he fell to the ground with a soft thump. Libra walked cautiously over to him, George already by his twin's side. The girl knelt down and slowly released a shaky breath. "Libra..."

"I just thought you were going to get hurt. I'm sorry for everything."

"No. Thank you, Libs. A-are you okay?"

Libra at that moment decided to roll onto her hands and knees. She began to dry heave on the ground. A firm but soft hand placed itself on her back. "I'm fine. Just saw the underside of a spider. Twice." Libra gave one more heave and looked up. A small, wavering smile graced her features.

"Things are raw right now between us. But, give it time. We'll see what happens."

Libra nodded and stood up, walking back towards the class, and following everyone into the castle. For the first time since the school year started, she thought that perhaps, maybe, everything would be okay.