"Olivia."
"Hmm?" Olivia who was writing away in her book didn't look up. "Yes, Leah?"
"Look at me?"
Olivia did so and Leah grinned.
"You look so cute today."
"Thanks, Leah." Olivia turned bright red like she did so often and gave a shy smile. "I think you look nice today as well."
"I know." Leah rocked from side to side in her chair.
Valentine could practically hear Draco, Liam, and Blaze rolling her eyes in the row behind them.
"Miss Lovat?" Professor Flitwick called down to her from his stack of books. "Please, copy down the notes so we can continue."
"Yes, sir." Leah pouted and grumbled but did as she was told.
They were covering the Severing Charm today, although they were only studying it in a theoretical capacity much to Valentine's disappointment. It wasn't that she didn't already know how to perform it, but she wouldn't deny that she was prone to little ego-stroking. Being scary could be fun when no one was getting hurt in the process.
But in truth, her mind was on other things. She's had that dream again last night. It wasn't every single night that it came but it was far too often and distinctive not to notice. It unnerved her and she hated that.
"Olivia." Leah leaned in closer to the girl and whispered. "Olivia."
"What?" Olivia whispered even softer, clearly not wanting to get in trouble although Flitwick was generally pretty tame.
"I heard this story when I was a kid, right? It had a lion, a lamp and a picnic basket. Do you know it?"
"Um, no?" Olivia blinked in slight confusion.
"It was really funny." Leah nodded. "I tell you what happens if I can remember who got dismembered after the game of charades. It was either the lady with an orange coat and the blue hair or the man with the blue coat and the orange hair."
"Okay." Olivia nodded. "But you should do your work now."
"Okay." Leah smiled and went back to writing.
"Her weirdness gives me a headache," Blaze whispered.
"I heard that!" Leah twisted around in her chair to glare at him.
"Miss Lovat!" Flitwick called down again. "Is there a problem?"
"Yes!" Leah pouted. "He called me weird!"
"You are weird." Blaze shrugged.
"Want to play charades?" Leah's eyes narrowed to slits.
"Huh?" Blaze screwed up his face in confusion.
"I'm sorry, sir." Said Olivia. "They were just messing around. It won't happen again."
"Very well, then." Flitwick was sated. "Try not to fall behind."
Usually getting teachers to back off was Valentine's prerogative, but she was far too distracted to be paying much attention. She was only vaguely listening to Flitwick's explanations and instructions as is.
"Hey, Olivia." Leah just couldn't help herself.
"Leah, please." Olivia threw a glance at Flitwick. "Just do your work."
"But I don't know how to spell 'precise'."
"P-R-E-C-I-S-E."
"Thanks."
"You're welcome."
Valentine didn't bother with writing down the notes. She already knew it all, after all. By now, most teachers left her to her own devices provided she wasn't distracting anyone else. Once they saw her test scores, they could exactly act like she needed complete focus to keep the top position in the grade. The perks of being a prodigy were many.
Leah sat between Valentine and Olivia like she often did. She insisted on being able to sit beside them both and this was the only way to achieve that.
Valentine glanced over at Leah's book to see how far she's gotten. It seemed to be about three lines before she started drawing an incredibly detailed picture of a kangaroo wearing gloves and a scarf in the snow.
Valentine wondered just what went on in Leah's head for a brief moment before deciding not to go there. Leah is as Leah does and Leah does weird things that cannot be explained. Easily distracted and amused, that was Leah. She had never been any different. Valentine almost envied her freedom but then remembered how often Leah ran into walls and people, slammed her fingers indoors, got paper cuts and got long-lasting cases of hiccups from eating and drinking too quickly. Leah could keep her freedom and Valentine would keep her fingers.
On the other side of Leah, Olivia worked diligently. She was fairly intelligent and excelled in multiple subjects, but she was no prodigy and worked hard for her grades, something Valentine hadn't had to experience but could appreciate. If anyone deserved perfect scores it was Olivia. She stayed up the longest studying, always paid the closet attention and never handed in homework late. Valentine always had hers completed on time but liked to leave hers behind in her dorm to irritate Snape.
That was another thing about Olivia. Her behavioural record was squeaky clean, the teachers all loved her. Valentine could only imagine how much that confused the other students. Olivia was a goddamn delight, an absolute peach and yet, she'd found friends with the school's most notorious bullies? Maybe they all thought that Olivia was being forced? That they weren't friends at all? However, that certainly wasn't true.
Olivia was their special little mouse, as twisted as that could be perceived. Valentine had never asked the others, but perhaps they found her just as mystifying in her sweetness? She was this confusing little treasure, this totally innocent being, that was well, innocent. Valentine had never met anyone so meek and conscious of everything she said. It was like her mission in life was to never do a thing to upset anyone. She took everything that came at her with politeness, a blush, and a smile. So, utterly humble. Valentine almost laughed at the thought of being so unassuming herself. To walk somewhere and not have people stare because 'there was something different about her'? That was both highly unrealistic and laughable.
Then Olivia was setting her quill down and Valentine realized that Professor Flitwick was talking again.
"-quills down now, please. Yes, you should have plenty of time to get it all down Weasley, I'm sure one of your classmates can help you out if you didn't finish it all. Now, as you all know, the Severing Charm is not on the practical curriculum for you lot until next year...however," That caught Valentine's attention. "I do believe a demonstration would not be out of bounds."
Students around the class straights in their seats.
Flitwick pulled a length of red ribbon from his robes and muttered something under his breath. As he did, the ribbon went straight and rigid, hovering in the air.
"Alright, now as you've just written in your books, the Severing Charm was created in the fifteenth century by wizarding seamstress Delfina Crimp as a way to assist in trade and more efficiently cut cloth and thread. Severing Charm's can be very dangerous no matter how small you intend the outcome to be. That is why you should never attempt a charm like this unless you are confident that no one, including, yourselves could be injured. It only takes a little nick to lose an eye, after all, and in reckless or unpracticed hands, it can do a lot worse." Flitwick readied his wand. "Now, I ask that you all stay seated for the demonstration. I don't want any accidents today, alright? I also don't want any of you trying this outside of class, this isn't a silly little jinx to play on your friends. This can cause serious harm."
Flitwick studied them all seriously for a moment before straightening his wand arm.
"Watch closely now." He said and then bought his hand down in a swift, quick motion. "Diffindo."
The ribbon, still suspended in mid-air, was sliced in half, following the movement.
The students grinned and whispered to one another.
"This charm is all about control." Flitwick gestured to the now two lengths of ribbon. "Like any other spell, it requires your attention and focus."
"Professor!" Dean Thomas called out. "Can't we try? It should be safe if we're in class, shouldn't it?"
"Ah, well-"
"I reckon I could do it." Said Ron.
"Well, Mr. Weasley-"
"And, sir, you could step in to help if anything goes wrong," Dean added.
"Yeah, and I'm more of a practical learner anyway." Said Seamus. The class started at him and the black smug on the tip of his nose. "What?" He challenged.
"Really, not that I don't admire your enthusiasm..." Flitwick smiled wearily as if he was about to have a riot on his hands. "but the charm is still a little advanced for you. You'll only have to wait a year."
The students groaned at that.
"Sir," Hermione raised her hand.
"Ah, yes Granger?"
"Here we go." Valentine heard Draco scoffed in the seat behind her.
"It's just that I'd like to give it a try, sir." She said evenly. "I'm sure I could manage without hurting anyone."
A handful of students nodded and made sounds of agreement. It seemed perfectly reasonable that Hermione could handle it. Flitwick however, still seemed unsure.
"I don't think you students understand just how dangerous this spell can be-"
"But I do, sir," Hermione spoke again. "I've read all about. And I'm always careful."
Flitwick looked at her and to the other eager students and back at her. Hermione just stared back, shoulders square, perfectly serious.
Flitwick sighed.
"Oh, alright." He conceded. "But only you Miss Granger."
Several students groaned again but Flitwick ignored them. This was already pushing it.
Hermione grabbed her wand and headed down to the centre of the room.
Flitwick flicked his wand and the ribbon was repaired, once more in one piece.
"Repeat after me. Diffindo." He said.
"Diffindo." Hermione recited clearly.
"Excellent." Flitwick nodded. "Now, there's no need for anything flashy. Just a small, precise motion is all that that is needed, just as I did. Now. When you're ready."
Hermione sucked in a deep breath and raised her wand.
"Diffindo." She slashed her wand with just a flick and ribbon was again severed into two pieces.
"Well done! Well done!" Flitwick beamed.
Harry started to clap other students immediately followed.
"Please," Draco's arrogant bite could be heard over the applause. "that's nothing. Val could do that and more."
Leave me out of your pettiness, please. Can't you just let her enjoy a small triumph?
"Well, Malfoy," Flitwick said pointedly. "we do not need more. Miss Granger did perfectly."
"All she did was cut a bit of ribbon." Liam scoffed.
"You should let Val try." Said Draco. "She has the top marks in our year, you know. If you want an example of what that charm can really do, she should be the one showing us, sir."
Cousin, I'm begging you. Shut the hell up.
"No, no. We've head example enough. I shouldn't have let it go this far in the first place. Brilliant work, Granger, please return your seat."
"But Val's smarter then she is!" Leah objected. "That means she'd do even better!"
"I will not repeat myself again." Flitwick pinned them with a firm stare. "One example is more than enough."
"What utter rubbish." Draco huffed under his breath. "Wait until I write to father."
Oh, for the love of-
Valentine ripped a page from her book and scrunched it into a ball in her hand. She then stood from her spot and everyone turned to look at her apprehensively.
She pulled back one hand and threw the paper into the air.
"Lestrange-" Flitwick tried to speak but Valentine was already raising her wand.
"Diffindo!"
Keeping her eyes firmly on the paper and her movements decisive and without hesitation, she slashed her wand upwards. The paper was immediately severed in two prefect pieces before it could even begin to fall. Then they did fall, thumping to the stone floor with a light crunch.
Flitwick and the students gapped at her. Some looked utterly terrified, even Flitwick seemed somehow paler. If she could do that to a moving target, what could she do to a living one? As if she wasn't intimidating enough already.
This wasn't like with Hermione. She could be a little annoying, a bit of a know it all with her constant corrections but she was good and she wanted good things for people. The same could not be said for Valentine from an outsider's point of view.
Valentine was dangerous, truly frightening. Her parents were serial killers and essentially, cultists. She had a vibrant, entrapping gaze that made people uncomfortable and a name with a horror story to go along with it. Knowing what she could do was no comfort to anyone who could end up as one of her victims.
I may have overdone things a little.
The gaze of so many pierced her skin yet she didn't even flinch. Hell would freeze over the day no one stared.
"See?" Draco just had to say. "I told you."
-----Pretending To Hate-----
"I had you looking in the wrong section! How could I be so stupid? I checked this out a few weeks ago for a bit of light reading." Hermione said as she slapped the heavy tome down on the table.
"This is light?" Ron Weasley asked, his eyes wide.
Hermione took a moment to glare up at the boy before continuing.
"Of course! Here it is! Nicholas Flamel is the only known maker of the Philosopher's Stone!"
You're bloody kidding me.
"The what?" Harry and Ron exclaimed as one, looks of confusion shared by both.
"Honestly, don't you two read?" Hermione sighed and read from the book. "The Philosopher's Stone is a legendary substance with astonishing powers. It will turn any metal into pure gold and produces the Elixir of Life, which will make the drinker immortal."
"Immortal?" Ron frowned.
"It means you'll never die." Said Hermione.
"I know what it means!" Ron snapped at her.
They're looking into the Philosophers Stone? How the hell do they even know about it? And Granger had them looking? What for?
Only two bookcases away Valentine huffed and placed the book in her hands back on the shelf and then continued to look for another. She hadn't been purposely listening in at first. She often saw Hermione at the library, but it was Harry and Ron that was a rarer sight. She thought a check-in wouldn't hurt and now she was glad she had. This was definitely worth hearing.
How could they have known about the stone? Surely a teacher wouldn't have said anything, it's supposed to be a secret.
"The only Stone currently in existence belongs to Mr. Nicholas Flamel, the noted alchemist, who last year celebrated his six hundred and sixty-fifth birthday!" Hermione read aloud. "That's what Fluffy's guarding on the third floor. That's what's under the trapdoor. The Philosopher's Stone!"
Valentine let out a sigh and rubbed a hand over her face.
Well, this could get very complicated.
-----Pretending to Hate-----
Valentine hated waiting with a burning, blazing passion. She tapped a finger to the hardcover of the unopened book in her lap. She didn't even bother to disuse her irate temperament. Everyone just assumed that she was in a mood and she was.
No one had approached her since she sat down. She could only deduce that she must have been drenched in her own displeasure. That was enough to keep anyone away.
"Father said that Dumbledore is an old fool, totally unfit for a Head Master!" Draco exclaimed arrogantly, from the other side of the common room.
"Oh, you're so right, Draco." Pansy Parkinson nodded eagerly.
"He should have retired years ago," Draco scoffed. "but for some reason, everyone seems to respect him."
That would probably be because he's a powerful wizard with a long list of achievements, including but not limited to, leading the war against Voldemort.
"I think he's absolutely mad." Pansy nodded again. "Who do you think would make a good Head Master, Draco?"
Valentine rolled her eyes hard enough to dislodge them. Pansy was like an irritating bug, buzzing around her head. And Draco tolerated her because she agreed with everything he said.
Before Draco could give his reply, Liam and Blaze were swooping in.
"Don't mind us, Parkinson." Liam smiled brightly. Valentine thought it was quite convincing.
"We just need to borrow our dear friend Draco." Blaze threw one arm over Draco's shoulders with a smile not nearly as smooth.
"We were having a conversation." Pansy frowned darkly.
"We know." Liam nodded. "And we are sorry for the intrusion but we really must have Draco."
"You guys are acting weirder than usual." Draco eyed them suspiciously.
"What?" Blaze gasped. "No!"
"What do you need me for then?" Draco arched a brow at them.
"It's more like you need us really." Liam shrugged.
"What are you on about?" Draco's brow creased in confusion.
"Allow us to tell you!" Liam smiled widely again and threw an arm of his own over Draco's shoulder and started leading him away.
"Hey!" Pansy whined. "We were talking!"
"Liam, what are you up to?" Draco tried to get away but Liam tightened his grip as Blaze slipped away to look back at the pouting girl.
"Find your own impressionable blond." Blaze crossed his arms over his chest with a serious expression. "Ours is taken."
"What?" Pansy blinked, mystified.
"Seriously?" Draco growled as Liam shoved him onto the couch beside Valentine. "The hell is your problem tonight?"
"That's a funny way to thank me."
"What? That wasn't a thank you."
"You're welcome."
"Are you deaf? I said that wasn't a thank you!"
"Did we fix it?" Blaze appeared again, peering down at Valentine with a combination of expectance and trepidation.
"I'm sorry?" Valentine arched a brow icily.
"Pansy." Said Blaze. "She was putting you in a bad mood, right?"
What?
"You were kind of glaring daggers at her," Liam explained. "I'm surprised she didn't keel over and die right there."
"Did we get it wrong?" Blaze cocked his head to one side with uncharacteristic innocence.
Oh, my, God. These freaking boys.
"Was something else bothering you?" Asked Liam.
Valentine stared at them. Standing there patiently, waiting for her to speak. Like two puppies waiting for their master's orders.
"Everything bothers me." She huffed cryptically. "But good work. Parkinson is a thorn in my side."
Both boys grinned and high fived one another.
They're such complete and utter idiots. If they wouldn't have died from shock, I would hug them both.
-----Pretending To Hate-----
"Did you know that my friends are total idiots?" Said Valentine as she marched into the Head Masters office.
Snape, who was lurking against one wall like a shadow rolled his eyes and drawled.
"I am aware of that, yes."
"Well, I wasn't talking to you." She plainly snubbed him and held quickly held up a hand as he went to rebut her. "But there's no time for our playful banter. I have something important to say."
"That would be a first." Snape scoffed.
"What did I just say?" She sent him a scathing glare.
"Miss Lestrange?" Dumbledore sent her an expectant look.
"Right, of course." She stepped up to the desk. "Potter, Granger and Weasley know about the Philosopher Stone."
"What?" Said, Snape.
"Are you certain?" Dumbledore
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