The Cursed

Chapter Nine

Ella Crouch was angry. She didn't like to allow such negative emotions to run rampant through her, as it tainted the aura around her, but today she was going to allow it. Just when they finally got a teacher who truly understood the worth of their Care of Magical Creature class, Pandora's little shit of a brother had to go and mess things up for everyone. She knew she couldn't stay angry with Draco forever. He was like a brother to her as well, but after spending the last hour helping the twins with their flobberworms reading, she was ready to put a baby basilisk in the young Malfoy's bed.

"Ella, please we're dying here!" Fred whined, "Pandora won't even look at us!"

"Well, you did kind of mess up big time. I mean, you know that the Malfoys hate your family with a burning passion! It's a very sensitive topic for Pandora, and you need to stop and see things through her position. She's torn enough as it is!"

"I know we blew it! We need to know how to fix it!" Fred groaned

"Correction: You blew it. I was just collateral damage." George said matter-of-factly.

Ella giggled. Just being around the dynamic duo made her happy. She smiled mischiefly at a certain twin in particular, "If you want my help, I'm going to need some answers. Just where did all of that jealousy come from?"

George, catching her drift, chimed in, "My lil' Freddie boy is in love!"

Dodging a barrage of embarrassed swatting, George pulled Ella to her feet, "Let's go, Ella. If he won't talk, then he's not going to get any help from us!"

"Wait!" Fred said, his face as red as his hair, "Okay, okay. I like Pandora Malfoy! I let my anger get the best of me, and now I've gone and ruined things between us."

Ella put an arm around her love stricken friend, "Oh Fred. The best thing to do with Pan is to give her time. You really hurt her, and she is still healing. She will come to you when she's ready, but just know she will be expecting answers. I suggest you take that opportunity to tell her the truth! You might just be surprised by what she says."

"Wait, what does that mean?!" The boys asked in unison

"Figure it out for yourselves!" Ella chuckled, "I've got to go meet Pandora! Have fun!"

Pandora Malfoy was already in the forest when her friend arrived. Her raven hair was unusually unruly and her cheeks were flushed pink.

"More make out sessions with Pretty boy Diggory, yes?" Ella prodded with a grin.

Pandora didn't answer. She just rolled her eyes at her friend, and giggled, "Let's just get to practice. I'm quite excited to see your animagus in person!"

The girls transformed at the same time, and both were impressed by the other. Today, their main goal was getting used to transforming at will. After a few hours of this, along with a few playful breaks full of racing and tumblings, the two worn out girls sat at the entrance of their secret tunnel.

"Hey Pan, I was wondering something about your direwolf," Ella said, "Do you feel a connection with the animal even when you're yourself?"

Pandora thought for a moment, "I guess I do. I feel restless if I haven't transformed in a while, and when I'm angry, I have to resist letting my direwolf out. Is that what you mean?"

Ella nodded, "In a way. I'm not sure how to explain it. I guess I just see magic differently."

"Well, speaking of confusing things, did you get a load of Snape's homework?" Pandora said, "It was absolutely mental! Why are we covering werewolves all of a sudden? I'd rather go back to study the Nundu."