September 1st, 1991 (Part 3)

It was at this moment I realized how horrible my brother was. How arrogant. How insufferable. I was going to kill him.

“I have to go,” I stated to my dorm mates. Currently, only Pansy and Daphne were in, and I had silenced our casual chatter with my statement. Millicent and Dorothea, the Spektor girl, were out socializing or reading or something. Now was not the time for me to worry about it.

“What happened?” The haughty voice of Daphne Greengrass met my ears as I started for the door. The girl was shorter than me with soft chestnuts curls that cascaded down her back.

I let a frustrated expression fill my face. Of course Draco would do this. Merlin forbid he thinks anything through. I thought he knew better.

“My brother has taken it upon himself to use my trunk as his own personal smuggling operation.” If there was offense in my tone, none would hold it against me.

At my words, Pansy rose from where she was sitting on the opposite side of her bed, scrunching her nose, “What did he bring in?”

“A broom.” I forced out, offended by the very thought.

Both Daphne and Pansy pulled confused expressions, Pansy with an arched brow and Daphne with pursed lips.

“Well, that’s not so bad, is it?”

I scowled.

“It’s just so…” I struggled to find the words before I slumped against the wall, “Unimaginative.”

“The broom?” Pansy’s skepticism was clear even as I focused my eyes on the window into the black lake.

“No, the smuggling.” I sighed, “The broom too, I suppose. What was his plan?” I was so busy lamenting, I didn’t even noticed Pansy was about to comment and continued, “Does he expect me to be chuffed he got into my trunk? He’s daft if he thinks I’m letting him get away with this without right compensation.”

Daphne’s expression had settled into one of disbelief, “Are you saying that it isn’t the fact he used you to smuggle his broom in but that his plan to do so was uninspired that you are upset over?”

I waved my hand dismissively, “My trunk has a dozen privacy wards on it -his broom is hardly the most dubious item in my trunk.”

“But he tried to use you as a scapegoat,” Pansy sounded offended on my behalf, which was flattering, really. Despite her cold expressions, the girl made it clear she was on my side. And blood thirsty. I liked that in a girl.

“It’s a family trait,” I said coolly, “He is probably expecting to get off with a light hex.”

“I know a particularly difficult to dispel muttering charm?” Pansy offered, tucking her midnight black hair behind her ear as she turned to reach for a leather clad book she’d just pulled from her trunk.

“If it was just us at the Manor, I’d take you up on that,” I muted my disappointment, “I’d have to do something subtle though. Can’t have an heir candidate running around sounding crazed. I’ll simply do what I do best -irritate him into internal insanity.”

Daphne seemed to decide this conversation no longer warranted her full attention and went back to flipping through the book in her lap, “Do tell.”

“I will be holding it hostage until he gives me something worthwhile”

I heard Daphne let out a huff and Pansy lit up, a malicious glint in her eye as she looked back to me, “Should we use a sticking charm with a password locked dispel to display it in the common room? Make it something right embarrassing to say in public?”

I blinked.

“Pansy, call me Medea,” I gave her a sincere smile, and while it was still small -as is the way, I was fondly reminded that I was in a Viper’s den, “You are diabolical.”

-

Dearest Mother,

I am, unsurprisingly, a Slytherin. Do you think I should wear the emerald tiara to breakfast tomorrow? I feel it would be a statement.

All is well. I’m roomed with the Parkinson and Greengrass girls, as well as Bulstrode and Spektor. Pansy Parkinson and I have bonded over our love of charms. Could you send over your charm book for short hair? I believe it was called ‘Katoline’s Timeless Designs and Other Oddities’.

Please give Apollo lots of treats when you receive this. He deserves them.

With love and venom,

Medea

P.S. How is Wiltshire? Any new socials planned since this morning?

-

Most Esteemed Father,

Have you already forgotten my face? Much like yours but more youthful? No? Well, you’ll be happy to know your serpent bearer is in fact a serpent herself. It was rather thrilling.

Please remember to not be horrid to Dobby. I worry.

I met the Potter boy on the train. He’s a git. He fits right in with the other Gryffs. We put our best face forward. You’re welcome.

Unrelated, you should change the wards on the artefact room. I accidentally broke them.

You’ll be thrilled to know you were right. The headmaster could not be more of a clown if I cast Riddikulus on him.

Please give Apollo lots of treats when you receive this. He deserves them.

With disdain and disrespect,

Medea

P.S. I miss you already.

P.P.S. Don’t tell Mother I said that.

-

The joy of Hogwarts is that only the girls dorms prevents the opposite sex from entering. Which means, while Pansy, Daphne, and I practiced the required charms -brought to fruition thanks to a mysterious book Pansy had packed, Draco was unable to come and try to retrieve his broom. Though Bulstrode and Spektor did say he was waiting for me in the common room once they returned. Thus, when I left with Pansy and Daphne in the morning, we did so a bit earlier than necessary to see my brothers reaction.

We had positioned ourselves on a sofa facing the mantle where we stuck his broom near the top of the ceiling. It had required a strategic wingardium leviosa and false wind charm. It wasn’t long before Draco, flagged by Crabbe and Goyle, emerged from the boys dormitory. He quickly caught sight of me, casually chatting about todays schedule with the girls, and pulled a frown. He bee-lined direct to me, towing the goons behind him.

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“Medea, what happened last night?”

I simply turned to look at him, a pleasant-neutral expression on my face, “I spent most of it unpacking -the portraits kept wanting to be rearranged. You?”

What had been a mild frown was slowly worsening as he spoke, “I waited for you. You were supposed to come down.”

“Ah, yes, it seems I overpacked,” I let a smile form, no teeth, but all savagery, “In fact, I don’t even remember owning some of the things I packed.”

I watched as my brother seemed to force a pleasant expression on his face, clearly misunderstanding my temperament.

“That’s my bad, Dea, it seems Dobby misunderstood me. It’s likely my package you can’t remember.”

“Oh,” I widened my grin, “That’s terrible. I’m so sorry.”

“What?” His expression dropped, “What have you done?”

I tilted my head, forcing a mock frown, “Well, I don’t have a use for things that aren’t mine. So, I decided to add some personal touches to the common room.”

Pansy and Daphne both snorted, knowing full well we spent more than a couple hours getting the placement just right. I gestured with my hand to the mantle that was decorated with the serpent painting. Above which was a crown made up of Draco’s Nimbus 2000. His eyes followed the movement.

I felt a vindictive satisfaction as I rose up from the sofa and righted my skirt. I didn’t need to see Draco’s face. I heard his scream. And swiftly Pansy and Daphne joined me to leave for the Great Hall. Crabbe and Goyle had been enlisted to help him get up there and unstick his broom.

“How long until he realizes it requires a password?” Daphne’s hushed voice filled the corridor as we climbed the stairwell out of the dungeon.

“I give it until tonight. He’ll be glowering until lunch then furious through dinner.” I didn’t bother forcing amusement into my voice, letting my words do the work for me.

-

My darling Dea,

Congratulations! I knew you would be a snake, my cunning girl. You will do great things in Slytherin, I know it.

I sent the book you wanted, but do be careful. I still remember when you first learned those braiding charms. Do you know how to cast engorgio? Just in case, I have included a parchment with instructions.

Oh, I went to Pillory’s yesterday and found the most wonderful bracelet. I knew the other snakes would adore you, so I bought a few of them -emerald of course. Please give one to Pansy for me. Have her tell her mother I look forward to her next garden party.

Everything is the same as when you left yesterday. The house won’t crumble without you, I promise.

I have made sure to give Apollo the best treats an owl could want. He loved it, if I’m interpreting his head nudges correctly.

With love and venom,

Mother

P.S. Don’t tell your father to keep secrets. He’s terrible at it.

-

To my least favorite daughter,

I’m terribly sorry my age has offended your sensibilities. Perhaps you should worry more about yourself. Green suits you, Medea.

The house-elf is fine. Do not worry.

I do not trust your best face. Your brother said he “set him straight” about proper wizarding families. Be civil.

I noticed. What on earth did you do to these wards? It took me most of the afternoon to simply remove the remnants. I know what you took -do you know what you took?

I have, of course, told your mother everything. I hope you are flushed with embarrassment, you sentimental child.

I gave Apollo some of the treats I have reserved for Noir. If his hoots mean anything at all, I would wager they mean he enjoyed them. I sent a pack for you to give him.

The man who bought you that owl,

Lucius

P.S. The Manor is empty without you and your brother.

P.P.S. As a sorting gift, I have included a copy of the blood wards you broke in the artefact room. Next time, fix them yourself.

-

As I placed the letters on the table, I sunk my fingers into Apollo’s feathers and gave him a scratch, “You did wonderful, Apollo -would you like a treat?”

He pushed his beak into my hand in expectation. I gave a pointed look as I pulled a treat from the pack Father had sent and gave him one. With a final hoot he launched himself up and presumably went back to the owlery.

Looking back at the three packages in front of me, I started by packing the owl treats and blood wards Father sent into my bag -with an ever-expansion charm, of course. The second package unfurled with several familiar sweets that I had loved when we visited a distant cousin in France. They looked like lemon drops but tasted of summer sunshine and could warm you up on a chilly day. The last package refused to unfurl and I was forced to look at the parchment for Mother’s directions.

“What am I supposed to do with this?” I muttered, “I’m a witch, not a miracle worker.” The instructions had a full circle with two straight lines protruding from the top, “This movement is actually impossible.”

Most of the books I read focused on restricted or uncommon charms -several were of the hedge witch variety and included half a verse of poetry to be recited. But I hadn’t actually read all of the standard charm books. I figured I would have to sit through the class anyway. I let out a mild breath and withdrew my wand. May as well try.

“Engorgio.”

“Engorgio.”

“…”

“En-GOR-gio.”

“Bloody ridiculous,” I sighed. Three times the charm failed. Daphne and Pansy had pointedly focused on their own conversation and breakfast in the meantime. I was tempted to incendio the package. Instead I stood and looked up the table to several upperclassmen chatting. When there was a lull I made my move.

“Hello,” I gave them a small smile, putting on my socialite mask Mother ingrained into me, “Could one of you do me favor? Mother sent me a package that requires engorgio but…” I gestured in a ‘I’m only a first year’ movement, “She also sent sweets I’m willing to share as a thank you.”

“Yeah, I can do it. Hand it here.” With relief I placed the small package on the table in front of the dark haired boy who offered. He looked only a few years older. Within seconds the package was the rightful size of a book and book-sized box.

“Thank you, I appreciate it. Her directions were… less than helpful,” I sighed and placed a half dozen Summer Drops in front of him, “I’m Medea Malfoy.”

“Anything for a sweet,” the boy flashed a smile, dimples and all, and I decided I didn’t like being eleven. I’d much rather be whatever age this boy was, “Adrian Pucey.”

I nodded, and grabbed the packages, “I’ll keep that in mind if I need any other spell help. Mother sends the best sweets.”

I waved to the other boys I’d interrupted as I went back to Daphne and Pansy, an extremely neutral expression forced on my face.

Gingerly, I opened the thinner of the two packages. Inside were five black felt jewelry boxes. I quickly tucked away two of them into my bag and arranged the remaining three right in front of me. All of them had names assigned. Dea. Pansy. Daphne. I nearly laughed at how prepared Mother had been but swallowed it. I hadn’t told her Daphne’s name, which means she either pulled out a pureblood registry, had offhandly remembered the Greengrass’ middle daughter, or she memorized all the purebloods attending as first years. My galleons are on the third. Mother was particularly meticulous when it came to social circles, after all.

I lifted the two boxes meant for the other girls and held one in each hand. Pansy and Daphne were already looking at them.

“My mother would like to say ‘congratulations’ on our sorting,” I held out the boxes with a slight smile, “Mother says that she cannot wait to see the Greengrass’ and Parkinsons at the next social. Likely to trade gossip.”

Daphne took her box first, a flat expression on her face. Pansy was not as subdued in her curiosity.

We all opened them at once.

“Merlin-“

“Morgana-“

They both started at the same time that I choked on my exhale.

“Your mother is invited to every social we hold for the next decade -no. The next century.” Daphne’s voice was far off.

“What is the opposite of a blood feud? Blood fealty? Take every ounce.” Pansy’s voice was higher pitched than I’d heard it since we met.

I hadn’t looked away from the box.

“Mother.” I inhaled.

The bracelet had three chains. The base setting for two of the chains was a black gold. Of the two black gold settings one was made up of cut and polished white howlite, the black veins creating the appearance of shadows haunting the bracelet. The second black gold setting were made up of ever-deep emeralds. As I examined the gem, I could see forests sprouting within the stones. The third chain was made up of white gold settings adorned with black opals that reflected in vibrant greens and translucent blues. Between each stone on all three chains were diamonds.

“Wrists, now,” I snapped up and gestured for Daphne and Pansy to hold out their arms. Both girls immediately held out a hand. I made deft work of the clasps and without any preamble I held out my own wrist. Daphne was the one who clasped the bracelet.

For several moments we just left our arms on the table, taking in how the gems reflected the light of the hall and how they seemed to embody the very essence of Slytherin. Eventually, we were interrupted but he slamming of several boys violently sitting next to us.

“Control yourself,” my lips twitched as all three of us pulled back and looked at my brother and his goons, and I slid a couple of the sweets Mother sent in front of him, “I saved you some summer drops, after all.”

“One day,” Draco hissed into his quickly filling plate, “I will stick you above the mantle with an ever-stick charm.”

I knocked his shoulder with my own, “I look forward to it.”

-

“Ms. Malfoy. Take a seat.”

I made sure my movements were measured, controlled, never a stray motion, not a muscle twitched. It was, of course, a show for no one but my ego. The thin man before me, with his hooked nose and greasy black hair, likely wouldn’t care even if I had shown up with my hair on fire.

“Yes, Professor,” I lowered myself into the uncomfortably hard chair in front of his desk and decided he had hexed it to be just so.

“I was in the common room earlier, and I found a rather interesting sight,” His voice was soft, but as contained as any wizard within Father’s circle, “What charm, exactly, did you use to affix the broom?”

“It was a simple sticking charm, Professor.” I kept my voice bland, and restrained the small smile that wanted to break through as Snape gave me an unconvinced look, “With a password lock dispel.”

“And who else cast such a spell alongside you?” Despite the intense air around him, his countenance had shifted from displeasure to… perhaps not displeasure. I wasn’t sure, he only appeared on occasion over the past decade and didn’t often socialize with Draco and I. No way to pre-analyze his tells if he’s never showed any.

“Strictly speaking, I am the one who cast the charm on the broom…” I started, unsure of Snape’s purpose.

“What other charms were involved?”

“Wingardium leviosa and an incantation for false wind?”

“Very well,” Snape opened his palm and nine emerald gems appeared, “5 points to Slytherin on behalf of Medea Malfoy for innovative charm work above the expected level. 3 points to Slytherin on behalf of…”

He looked at me blandly, but clearly expecting me to fill in the blanks. I did so, with a genuine smile.

“Pansy Parkinson and Daphne Greengrass.”

“Pansy Parkinson for exceptional spell work of Grade 1. 1 point to Slytherin on behalf of Daphne Greengrass for innovative use of an incantation.”

The gems rose from his hand and separated into three groups -one of 5, one of 3, and one single gem held apart. All nine spun and silver sparks flew off them before they disappeared. Across the room, I heard the tinkling of stones hitting glass. When I turned I saw the four hourglasses that represented the House Cup standings, with Slytherin having a majority of the stones.

Nine points. Tibble’s merry gang had received 150 for their idiocy in the third corridor. I did the math.

My smile, previously muted and pleasant, now spread. It was the predatory smile I preferred to keep to myself.

“You may go, Ms. Malfoy,” I turned back to Snape, and nodded.

“Thank you, Professor.”

This was going to vex Draco, thrill Pansy and Daphne, and probably not impress Father. But likely please him.