Chapter 6
The prank planned by the Potter twins had to be done as soon as possible, and that was precisely why on the very evening of their return, Daisy went to the kitchens to corrupt Winky and Dobby into putting the potion in the right people's drinks.
" What are you planning? " said a voice she had not heard in too long. The sound alone made her heart leap with joy, confirming what she had suspected for some time. When she turned around, Theo looked at her amused as she pushed the vial into Winky's hands with a resolute look.
" Nothing. " she said quickly to Theo, before whispering to the two elves that she would not let them get into trouble for helping her. When she was sure she had finally convinced them, she hugged them contentedly.
" Sure, hug the elves and not me. " He snorts as he moves closer. " It just seems like appropriate behavior after weeks of not seeing or hearing each other. "
" I was thanking them. What would you have done to receive something from me? " Daisy asked, crossing her arms over her chest and ignoring the way the boy sneered at her poor choice of words.
" Nothing yet. But you could give me some ideas. " he said, lowering himself enough to have his face inches from his friend's. " For example, I could not tell anyone that you will probably poison someone during breakfast tomorrow morning. "
" It's not poison. " she huffed, before hugging him. She tried to stubbornly ignore the hateful butterflies in her stomach that threatened to take over her mind, making her cling to the boy for an awkward time. " Everything all right at home? "
" Lucky me, I stayed in school. " He whispered against her neck, before pulling away quickly looking embarrassed. " Now would you like to tell me why Luna Lovegood came to tell me you had left a week early? "
" Luna always knows what is happening around her. " she defended herself. " However, my brother dreamed that Ron's father was almost killed and we found out that it really happened. "
" Sorry, repeat. " he said, shocked. " Potter would be some kind of seer? "
" Don't be an idiot, prophecies are big bullshit. " she muttered. " Although I believe Luna when she says anything. But that doesn't count. "
" I had missed your positivity. " she rolled her eyes at Theo. " So... you left early before I could ask you what was going on between you and Diggory. "
" Nothing, he cares a lot about me since my first year. " she explained while signaling for him to go toward the Room of Requirement. " He says I'm always alone so when he saw me hugging Luna he was over the moon. "
" And how did you end up almost choking him to death? " the boy asked, amused.
" I made a comment that took him by surprise. " he explained evasively.
" Poor guy, you must have traumatized him with your obscene double entendres. " he said, feigning understanding. In reality, the boy found his vulgar slips hilarious, which most of the time she didn't even realize she had done.
" I'll have you know I didn't do any of that. " she mumbled, as they hid in an empty classroom. Filch was making the rounds on their own floor, and it was definitely not the year to get caught by him given the amount of times they heard him talk about chains and torture. " I just made an innocent comment about a kiss. "
" With Cho? His girlfriend? " he asked, confused. He hadn't seen them together for a while.
" They broke up a while ago. " Daisy informed him. " I only realized who he was infatuated with and gave him advice about it. "
" Ah, your famous detective skills. " he commented, giving her the go-ahead to continue. Once they arrived in front of the tapestry of "Barnabas the Barmy" she began to walk past it three times, thinking hard about the room that was to appear. As usual, it was a small room that resembled the layout of a common room (albeit narrow in size). It contained a cozy black leather sofa, a fireplace in front of it that would keep them warm, and a bookcase that contained all the books they could think of.
" I had missed this place. " he said, groaning with relief as he sank into the comfortable sofa. " I noticed that you seem to be even closer to your brother since you came back. "
" We spent three and a half weeks practically glued together. Especially the last one since we were grounded and couldn't do anything but leave the room to eat. " she said biting her lip to keep her smile from showing. " Obviously it was a big mistake on their part because they only gave us more time to make trouble. "
" Does it have to do with what will happen tomorrow? " he asked, hesitantly. If the girl had that look, he wasn't sure he wanted to know the answer.
" I'm still suffering the consequences. " nodded Daisy, revealing her hair in pink locks hidden by a glamorous spell. Theo remained silent, not reacting in any way except for his slightly open mouth. " Are they horrible? Don't tell me they changed color to yellow. "
A corner of Theo's lips twitched in an attempt to hide a smile. " They are pink and cute. "
" Cute? " she repeated doubtfully. " I find them magnificent. "
" They are! " he stammered, panicked. " Okay, let's start again. They are pink and seem to be perfect for you. Better? "
" Much. Thank you. " she said, kissing him on the cheek and smiling when she saw him blush. " Were you alone here at Christmas? "
" No. Blaise, Daphne and Astoria stayed here. " He told her about the party they threw, inviting everyone who had stayed at school. " We drank so much that Blaise and I started dancing on the table. "
" I hope you at least kept your clothes on. " she joked, telling him soon after that she did not see Blaise as a chaotic person.
" Honey, when people are with me they tend to become one. " he sneered, before winking at her. " However, on the day of the party I had an idea about what you meant when you said that Hufflepuffs are not just docile. They fucking know how to have fun. "
" What exactly did you see? " Daisy asked, concerned. She was aware that the parties in her common room tended to be a bit racy.
" I definitely didn't know couples could do those things on a dance floor. " said Theo, amused. " I can say I've learned a thing or two. "
" Oh my God. " she said, mortified for all her hpusemates before she understood the meaning of his words. Ignoring the twinge in her stomach she felt, she asked, " Wait, you danced like that with someone? "
" I've discovered the joys of Muggle thrust dances but haven't tried them with anyone. " He said, turning to her and studying her. " Are you jealous? "
" Of missing Blaise without his shirt on? Absolutely. " answered Daisy, trying to keep a straight face. " But, tell me, did he also take off his pants? "
" Completely naked, he was a treat for the eyes. " nodded the boy, looking at her just as seriously. They remained staring at each other until they burst out laughing.
" Seriously, Theo. " said the girl, resting her head against his shoulder. She knew her friend would be more likely to talk about it if she didn't look at him.
" As usual. " he sighed. " He had more important things to do than spend the holidays with his only son. I don't have to expect anything from him, while he expects everything from me. How is that fair? "
" It isn't. " she said, grabbing his hand. " I wish you could get away from that house. "
" He would never let me, you know how I am treated when I don't behave like a perfect heir. " Theo said, leaving a kiss in his forehead. " The only time I can be myself is when I am with you. "
" Also because I am the only one who tells you to stop the act when you start behaving like a pompous jerk. " she joked.
" Tell me something happy. " he asked, almost begging her. " I don't want to sleep with him in my head. "
" I have 3 news. " said the girl then. " First, my brother and I were officially adopted by Sirius. "
" I'm happy for you, babe. " he answered sincerely.
" Second, you have to help me with some research because I have a dark artifact that I have to destroy and I don't know how to do it. " she said all in one breath.
" You certainly can't drop a bomb like that and expect me to keep up. " said the Slytherin bewildered. " Did you bring the item to school? "
" Yes, it's in my trunk. " replied the girl, in a judgmental tone. " You should be more observant. "
" Merlin, one of these days you are going to kill me. " he complained before asking her for further clarification. When she explained the features of the artifact, the boy looked at her frightened. " I fucking hope I'm wrong but if I'm not you're going to tell me where you found such a horrible thing. "
" I promised someone to get rid of it. " she said evasively. " Anyway, I brought some books with me from home that I hope will help me. I have read a couple of them and I am pretty sure it is one of the darkest magic ever invented. The feeling described in the book is the same as the one I felt when I first touched it. "
" You even held it in your hands. " whitened the boy. " So you brought a possible Horcrux to school, and how do you plan to destroy it? "
" My brother, although he doesn't know it yet, destroyed one during his sophomore year using basilisk venom. " Daisy explained.
" Knowing you will get me into a lot of trouble, won't it? " asked Theo, with a little smile on his lips. " So you will go with Harry into the Chamber of Secrets and take the poison from the body? "
" Exactly, and I forbid you to complain. " retorted the girl. " You love danger. "
" Not as much as you think. " he snorted. " So what will our quest really consist of? "
" We, my dear, will try to figure out how many Horcruxes Voldemort has created. " she said, ignoring the way the boy gasped at the name. Sooner or later he would have to get used to it.
" You're playing with fire by telling me these things. " Theo said, reminding her whose son he was. His behavior was cold and detached as he added, " You know what he expects me to do next year so why tell me these things? You are putting your weapons in the hands of the enemy. "
" You would not betray me. " said Daisy, resolute. " Besides, I still have time to stop you. "
" I am not a project to be carried out. " he growled, getting angry.
" Why are you being such a jerk? I never said such a horrible thing. " she said, getting up from the couch and standing in front of her friend. " I wouldn't waste my time on someone I don't care about but, if you think I'm with you out of pity, then you can leave. "
" You talk so easily about such topics. " He shook his head, upset. " We shouldn't do these things because we are still teenagers. "
" What should we do then? Make adults fight? " she taunted him. " Have you seen what they are doing not to admit to themselves that he is coming back? And those who have chosen a side, they don't fight among themselves but think of recruiting the younger ones. "
" And I bet you could still not fight because your people love you enough to give you a choice! " he retorted, unnerved.
" My brother never had that choice. Wherever he goes, I will follow. " she said defeatedly as she watched Theo walk away.