Valentine could confidently admit that she had never been more motivated in her life. Christmas was over and she was back where she was supposed to be. She'd just spent two weeks thinking of every possible thing that could have been in the book Lucius slipped Ginny Weasley and now she was able to actually do something about it.

The first second she could, she left her friends in the common room and set off for Dumbledore's office. She stopped by the potions class on her way and told Snape that she had news and then went ahead on her own. Walking with Snape the entire way and listening to him complain would be nothing short of a nightmare.

The door to the Headmaster's office opened as she approached as if inviting her inside. Dumbledore was standing over his desk, digging through the bowl of sherbet lemons, probably looking for the one that looked the best.

"Enjoy your holiday, my dear?" He asked.

"It was what it was." She shrugged. She didn't want to talk about her holiday or her Christmas or anything so pedestrian. "I'll presume you got my letter."

"Yes." Dumbledore straightened, unwrapping a sherbet lemon. "I believe you may very well be on the right track. Miss Ginny Weasley returned today with the rest of the students and going forward shall be watched closely."

"I knew my uncle was up to something from that first day in Diagon Alley I just didn't have any more facts to go on. I'm certain he's connected to this somehow, so Ginny might be as well." Valentine explained. "I'll take a closer look at her myself. She may still have the book with her and at this point, it could be anything. I wouldn't even put it past my uncle to have put a curse on the damn thing."

The door opened again and the familiar sight of a disgruntled Snape stepped inside.

"Ah, there you are. Do catch up. We're discussing Ginny Weasley."

"I have read your letter." Snape rasped sardonically.

"Brilliant." Valentine clapped her hands together. "Then we're all on the same page."

"You appear to be in a good mood, my dear," Dumbledore observed, popping the candy into his mouth.

"Just eager to get this all sorted out, sir. And to destroy my uncle's plans whatever they may be. The first thing I will do is find out if she still has the book and if she doesn't try, if possible to find out where it went."

"And what about Potter and his little miscreant friends?" Asked Snape.

"They're not miscreants." Valentine rolled her eyes at him. "They're just...tenacious. And since you asked, nothing has changed I'm still going to find out what they're up to. Which leads me to this, Head Master, I have a favour to ask."

"Yes?"

"My probation. Will you take me off at if I promise to be a good girl?" Snape scoffed loudly and Valentine ignored him. "I only ask because I may have to start a fight or two to get what I want. I'm not talking bloodshed here, but it can be a little more, how shall I put this, bold? Threatening?"

"You are sure it would be beneficial?"

"Definitely. Then I won't have Lockhart dangling my probation over my head every damn time he gets in my way."

"Very well then." Dumbledore nodded. "I shall inform the other teachers, as well as your aunt and uncle that your probation is henceforth lifted."

"Congratulations to me."

-----Pretending To Hate-----

From what Valentine could see, Ginny Weasley was a sad sort of girl. She had plenty of friends and when she was with them she seemed perfectly content. They'd laugh loudly and talk over one another in their own excitement, beaming with smiles. Ginny herself, had a wide and honest smile and when she didn't feel like smiling, she simply didn't. Almost the exact second she was away from her friends and the giggling and chatter, she seemed to become a different person. She appeared so sullen to Valentine that, if she hadn't seen her do so, she thought she wouldn't have been able to smile at all.

Valentine had been following her for the last hour and after a close call, was keeping a fair distance. Ginny was very perceptive and had started glancing over her shoulder every now and then like she knew she was being watched. Valentine was honestly impressed and not concerned. Ginny appeared to be a clever girl, but Valentine was confident that she was cleverer still.

She watched Ginny turn the corner ahead of her, the girl tugging on a pair of knitted woolen gloves. So far, she hadn't seen the book on her and she wasn't anywhere near close enough to see inside the bag she carried over her shoulder.

Perhaps I should approach her out right? She'll put up a fight naturally but all I need is a look in that bag, confirmation that she still has it.

As she pondered this, creeping forward at a careful pace, Ginny stepped out into the green courtyard. She suddenly caught sight of someone she knew and rushed over with a friendly grin.

"Luna! Hello there." Her downcast expression changed altogether and within a mere second, she appeared like she hadn't a trouble in the world.

"Hello, Ginny." This girl had tumbled waves of white hair, a Ravenclaw uniform and a voice lighter than air. "How are you?"

"Oh, I'm fine," Ginny said dismissively. "You?"

"Perfectly alright." Luna herself smiled so softly and yet it seemed so substantial and warm. "I was just watching the sky."

"The sky?" Ginny glanced up. "What for?"

"Nothing in particular. Just watching."

"Ah. Alright then, well don't let me stop you. See around."

"Yes." Luna tilted her head to look up above her. "See you."

Well...she's a character.

Ginny headed off through the courtyard and Valentine had to stick to the shadows and pathway. Luna wasn't the only student wandering about and she would have rather been unseen altogether. Once someone caught sight of her, they tended to her keep her in their peripheral vision for their own safety. If anyone realised she was stalking a first year and went running off to tell a teacher it would definitely be a damper on her mood.

Ginny left the castle grounds and at first, Valentine thought she might have been going down to Hagrid's house but instead and stopped on the hill. She stood hidden in the trees, overlooking both Hagrid's house and the edge of the Forbidden Forest.

The trees were near completely bare and the ground was thick with dead leave and twigs. Valentine paused and quickly unlaced her boots, following thereafter in only her stockings. She swore for a split second that she could hear Narcissa having an aneurysm.

For all her obvious perceptiveness, Ginny never noticed that another was hiding in the trees with her. She sat on the ground, back against a tree. Valentine knew he ground was cold, she could feel it under her feet. The girl shivered for a moment by stayed where she was.

Ginny reached for her bag and Valentine crept closer ever carefully. Valentine thought back to that day in Diagon Alley when this might have all really started. She pictured the book her mind. It was bound in black worn leather with two gold metal corners turning dull with age. That was what she had seen that day and that was what Ginny pulled from her bag.

She has. That has to be it.

Ginny then pulled out a quill and inkwell and started to scratch away fervently at the pages.

Valentine watched her for some time. She would write, stop and read something then write again. She repeated the process over and over. Valentine assumed she might have just been doing homework and proofreading but she couldn't be sure.

So, she has the book. What now? How do I get it? I could always just take it. I am a bully after all. The others are always bringing back stuff that they've taken from students. But...well, she doesn't seem like the type that is going to simply let me have it. She'll put up a fight and I'll have to pull my wand. Then the first thing she'll do is go running for a teacher and there isn't a Professor in this entire school that wouldn't take her side over mine. Then my choices give the book back, pretend I don't have it or just flatly refuse. Either way, my butt while end up back in probation in an instance, which wouldn't be a problem if I'd figured out of Harry, Ron and Hermione were up to right. No. I'll have to find another way. Taking it by force is a last resort.

An idea struck her. She slowly backed away, stepping out from the cluster of trees. She then pulled out her wand and sucked in a breath.

The Summoning Charm wasn't taught until fourth year but naturally, Valentine had read all about it. She had used it successfully in practice but only with objects in her direct line of sight. Objects one couldn't see required more thought. One had to see the objects clearly in her mind.

She visualised, raised her wand and cast.

"Accio parchment." She took another breath, repeating the same steps and speaking softly. "Accio quill. Accio ink well."

She lowered her wand and waited. Her things would have to come all the way down from the castle so she didn't expect for them to suddenly appeared out of thin air. Seconds passed and then more and she started thinking she may have done the spell incorrectly. Then she saw it.

For where she stood it looked like a speck slowly growing bigger. She smiled. It had worked. She braced herself, catching each one in quick succession as they arrived. This was all she needed. She tucked the things into the pockets of her robes and set off for the owlerly.

-----Pretending To Hate-----

Once Valentine had finished in the owlery she headed back up to the school. It was starting to get dark and dinner was approaching so she knew her time was quickly dwindling away.

She was crossing the fourth floor when she heard a horrifically familiar voice. Just down the end of the hall, Lockhart was leaning back against the wall talking to a group of older girls, though it seemed more like outright bragging than a casual conversation.

With her friends shared distaste for Lockhart, Valentine often forgot that he had actual fans that praised the ground he walked on. She couldn't imagine how someone could ever like this buffoon. She thought perhaps maybe one day she would have the chance to Hermione.

What the hell? What the actual hell? How does he always show up like this? This has to be some kind of sick joke. Does this freaking idiot know that he's always in my damn way? The mere inconvenience of his existence is making me miss having Quirrell in his place! Well, jokes on you, Lockhart. There's more than one way to the third floor.

Valentine turned on her heel, mentally cursing Lockhart and his stupid, smiling face. This time it was a familiar face that made her freeze. Hermione Granger glanced at her for the briefest of moments before averting her eyes and rushing past. Going right in the direction of Lockhart and the group giggling girls.

Valentine fought the very real urge to facepalm right there in the hall. She had no words for how she felt and she was never one to be speechless. She both wanted to beat Lockhart to death with a blunt instrument and throw herself off a cliff.

Dragging her feet she turned back around. Hermione got a little distracted, staring at Lockhart as she moved on past. Lockhart didn't notice her and Valentine was practically begging to receive the same treatment.

She walked with purpose, hoping people would see she had somewhere to be and that they would leave her alone.

As she neared the group she could hear Lockhart telling them all about how he had saved a village in Africa from an attacking erumpent, a magical rhino-like beast. Valentine knew that erumpents only acted with aggressive when provoked. She didn't put it past Lockhart to have done just that so he could it kill. It would have been a cruel and senseless killing if it had happened at all, that was.

She took care not to even glance their way but she had never had a great deal of luck.

"Well, if it isn't, Miss Lestrange!"

The girls hadn't noticed her, far too enraptured with the mockery of conversation. They all quickly shifted away, not wanting to get involved with the trouble maker. They couldn't possibly know that Valentine wanted the same.

Valentine picked a random girl from the group. Black hair, pretty hazel eyes and Gryffindor robes.

"Ugh." Valentine made a disgusted face. "You must be the one he's always going on about in class. How you're 'so charming and intelligent'. Care to do my entire class a favour and die?"

The girl barely noticed the insult and flushed bright red. She looked up at Lockhart in surprised.

"Sir?" She blinked rapidly. "Did you really say that?"

"No, I- Yes! Well, no- I mean, not no either. Perhaps not in those words, ah..." He stood there wide-eyed and panicked. He had his back against the wall. Literally.

"Well, what did you say then?" A girl pressed.

"You have to tell us!" Insisted another.

"Rather concerning that." Valentine rolled her neck languidly and stretching her arms. "A teacher speaking so fondly of a single student like that. One really begs for context."

"You little-!" Lockhart jabbed an accusatory finger at her but she was already walking away.

"Sir, what does she mean context?" A girl asked. "What have you been saying?"

Valentine allowed herself a cruel chuckle under her breath as she picked up her feet and hurried after Hermione.

Serves him right.

In truth, Valentine had never quite gotten over that first day in class when Lockhart had winked at Hermione. A twelve-year-old girl. She'd been ready to bury him with all his books, painting and photographs that day.

Speaking of Hermione, she caught up with her on the third floor. She followed her until the end of the hall, outside the unused bathroom. Hermione continued on inside and Valentine paused.

No one ever used that bathroom because of all the rumours of it being haunting, which was a bit ridiculous seeing as how it was a well-known fact that the entire school was haunted. Valentine had never used it herself. There were bathrooms all over the school and it wasn't strange to have not used every single one of them. But this bathroom was said to be unique. Apparently, the ghost hunting it was extremely irritating and beyond putting up with just because you had to use the toilet. Valentine had scoured these halls trying to get to the bottom of the Gryffindor trios secret but she had never look in there. After all, it was a female bathroom. Harry and Ron couldn't very well go in there, could they? And she assumed the rumours would deter Hermione as they had everyone else.

Valentine moved a window a little further down the hall. She sat on the sill and pull out the things she summoned to herself earlier. She pretended to write, all the while, keeping an eye on the bathroom.

Ten minutes passed.

What'd she done? Fall in?

Another five minutes and Hermione stepped back out into the hall, leaving in the direction she had come.

That was...a strangely long amount of time...

Valentine tucked the parchment and quill back into her robes. The hall was now empty. She assumed that everyone else would be heading for dinner on the first floor and the other side of the school.

The bathroom looked just like any other. Washing basins, faucets and cubicles. Then something on the floor caught Valentine's eye and she stepped in further. Just out of her previous line of sight was a cauldron, surrounded by your typical potion brewing setup.

So, this is what they've been up to? Right here under my damn nose too!

Valentine knelt down beside the set up for a closer look. She took a whiff at the potion and poked around in the vials and containers of ingredients. She immediately started compiling a list of all the things they could have been brewing. She had a handful of likely suspects, though one in particular stuck out to her.

Well. I suppose I know what Snape was ranting about that day when he accused me of stealing more supplies. He's going to be so pissed when he finds out.

Valentine considered, right there and now, tipping out whatever this potion came to be. She frowned. If she was wrong she could very well be pouring something down the drain that most certainly shouldn't be disposed of so light. She groaned and decided she would have to go get Snape. Although asking him for any kind of help was a painful thought, so was completely destroying the schools plumbing because she wasn't careful.

She turned and started heading for the door when she heard a nearby whimper. She froze.

There was supposed to be a ghost in here somewhere, right?

The whimpers turned into something like quiet broken sobbing. Valentine glanced over her shoulder and saw the figure of a girl in school, perched up high on the sill of a window. She had pigtails and glasses and didn't seem to have noticed Valentine yet.

Well. Best leave her to it.

Again, Valentine tried to leave but her boot scraped loudly against the floor and the crying sob.

"What do you want!" The girl screeched in a horribly high pitched voice. "Why won't you leave me be!"

I'm freaking trying to.

Valentine took another step.

"Of course, you'll just walk away and leave me here! Who would ever want to talk to me!"

Okay, I think this girl is a few sandwiches shy of a picnic.

Valentine posed a hand on either hip and turned back to the ghost, who was again sobbing and blubbering.

"I guess the rumours were right then." Valentine sneered. "You are annoying."

The girl had swooped down from the window, bringing herself inches from Valentine's face. Valentine didn't even flinch.

"I am-!" She stopped abruptly and flew into an open cubicle.

The ghost peered out at her bitterly.

"You look like a bully."

"Thank you." Valentine smiled as if showing fangs.

"I hate bullies! GO AWAY!" The ghost squealed.

There was a splash of water and then silence.

Bloody hell. I think Leah has a rival for Most Irritating Inhabitant of Hogwarts.

-----Pretending To Hate-----

Snape had been on his way to the Great Hall when Valentine stepped out of the darkness and grabbed hold of the back of his cloak. He'd twisted violently and grabbed her arm, eyes wide in shock.

Valentine scowled and kicked at his leg until he realized it was her and let go. She mocked him for being so jumpy and gestured for him to follow.

"You better have a good reason for this, Lestrange."

"Just trust me, would you?"

"Not even if you paid me too."

She led him to the third-floor bathroom and headed inside without explanation. Snape hesitated but did the same.

"Why are we here?" He glanced around like this some kind of trap.

"Behold." She pointed to the cauldron. "Proof that you were wrong to accuse me."

"Do you take me for a fool? How do I know you didn't just leave that there yourself?" He glared at her.

"No one ever comes in here." Said Valentine. "Surely you've heard the rumours? That's why I was surprised to see Hermione come in here. I followed, and as I have said, behold."

"I am hardly going to take your word for it," Snape replied stiffly.

"Oh, for the love of- Hello!" Valentine started looking inside all the open stalls. "I know you're in here, you irritating ass. Come out, come on, wherever you are!"

Snape watched her with a look of bewilderment.

"Have you gone mad or are you just