secret

   Vanessa found her way to the Slytherin common room, mostly just following all of the people with a gloomy look on their faces. She followed a couple of kids through a giant painting, not being able to hear how they opened it but she's sure she'll figure it out.

    Her eyes roam around the room, admiring the art on the walls and the green theme, it reminds her of home and her green-themed bedroom. The dark couch in the middle of the room surrounded by two black chairs tells Vanessa that this is where most Slytherins hang out. The fireplace crackles, making the room feel cozier than it actually is. 

    "Do you need help finding your room?" a voice startles Vanessa, her hand goes to grab her wand but as she turns around she's met with no enemy, just a girl. 

    "Sorry to scare you. I'm Pansy, Pansy Parkinson. But most Slytherins just call me Parkinson." the girl laughs while Vanessa eyes her, wondering if this is someone she can trust.

    "I'm Vanessa." again with the short sentences. Pansy nods, letting out a little laugh, "Yeah, I know. Everybody is talking about you, the Secret Snape is what they're saying." 

    Vanessa doesn't know whether to laugh or hide of embarrassment. She's been here for all of two hours and already has a weird nickname. 

    "So, do you need help? Or you got it?" Pansy repeats the question, Vanessa nods as she shakes off the embarrassment. 

    "I'm supposed to be in a room by myself apparently." Vanessa shrugs, after everyone ate earlier, professor McGonagall explained how to get to her room. Vanessa's father didn't bother to come to speak to her. 

    "Of course you are, you're Snape's daughter. You most likely got an old prefect room, they're huge. The only other person with a room by themselves is Malfoy. You spoke to him at the feast, remember?" Pansy leads Vanessa up a set of stairs as she talks about how lucky Vanessa is to have her own room. 

    "Alright, here you are. If you need anything else my room is right down the hall and to the left. Though, I spend most of my time in the common room." The two girls reach a room with a dark oak door decorated with the Slytherin crest on the front. 

    "Thanks." Vanessa nods, opening the door, Pansy walks away. 

    Vanessa looks around the room that looks like it hasn't had someone in it for at least two years. Dust and cobwebs fill the room but it's furnished, already set with a bed, a desk, two chairs, a wardrobe, and Vanessa's trunk. It definitely needs some fixing up but one of her favorite things is cleaning. 

    She walks over to the door on the other side of the room, opening it up. A bathroom with a tub, that could fit at least two people, sits on one side of the room while a walk-in shower sits on the other. A long counter with a sink and an even longer mirror is on the wall beside the toilet, Vanessa can definitely get used to this. 

    Vanessa walks out of the bathroom and looks around for anything she could use to clean this place up, but is quickly disappointed by the lack of supplies. I mean it makes sense though, who would expect a school of teenage wizards and witches to clean?

    She walks out of her room and makes her way back down the stairs, looking around the common room for a supply closet. And again, disappointed. Vanessa lets out a frustrated breath before walking out of the common room. 

    As she walks down the corridors she pays attention to the architecture, the art, everything. She's only ever seen the home she's cooped up in, and to go from that to this giant castle-school, is definitely an upgrade. 

    Soon, she forgets about cleaning entirely as she turns down every corridor, changing which way she goes each time. Right. Left. Right. Left. Straight. She finally reaches a dead end, coming to a flight of stairs that looks as if it goes on forever. Now wanting to stop her adventure, she starts up the stairs. 

    Making it to the top, she's able to look out over the whole school. Vanessa lets out a breath as she leans onto the ledge, admiring the sunset. She's always loved the sunset, the art in the sky. She can remember climbing onto her roof every night, just to watch the sun go down and the stars light up. 

    A sound pulls Vanessa out of her trance, the sound of someone walking behind her. Quickly her hand goes to her wand, pulling it out, and turning around. 

    "Sectumsempra." she spits out the spell her father taught her, whoever is in front of her moves, dodging the hit. 

    "Woah, calm down, new girl." the familiar voice laughs, Vanessa relaxes, lowering her wand and tucking it back into her robe. 

    "I don't know what that spell does, but I’m almost certain you just tried to kill me." Draco looks at her. Ironic, because that's what she has to do anyways. 

    "Where did you even learn that? I've never heard of that spell?" the boy asks causing Vanessa to shake her head.

    "Did you follow me up here?" Vanessa changes the subject, knowing she can't tell him about how she's been trained. Draco laughs and shakes his head, "I come up here all of the time, don't flatter yourself." 

    His cocky attitude makes Vanessa wish the spell had hit him. She rolls her eyes and turns back around to look at the end of the sunset. Draco's eyes practically burn through her, even with her turned around Vanessa can feel him staring at her. 

    "Do you need something?" Vanessa turns back around to catch him staring at her still. 

    "No, do you?" the sarcasm burns off his tongue and Vanessa thinks this killing him thing won't be so hard. 

    "Yes actually, cleaning supplies. Would you happen to know where I can find some?" she takes advantage of the situation by remembering her original task. Draco laughs as he nods "Yes, but why?"

    "Because my room looks like a spider-infested cave." Vanessa rolls her eyes and Draco nods, "You got the old prefect room, correct?" Vanessa nods. 

    "Alright, follow me, we can go get some supplies." Draco shrugs and Vanessa laughs "Can't you just tell me where they are?" she asks. 

    "I could, but then you wouldn't get my help cleaning. And we both know that's why you asked me for supplies?" he smirks and Vanessa shakes her head "Forget it."

    She pushes passed him and starts her way back down the stairs, this time in the dark. Draco follows behind her, taking the stairs two at a time. 

    "Alright, listen here, Vanessa, if we're going to be friends then you have to put up with my jokes." Draco makes it beside her. Vanessa can't stop the small sting of guilt in her chest. This boy just wants to be friends, wants to know her, and she has to kill him. But quickly, she pushes the sting away, remembering her task, remembering that she's worked her whole life for this.  

    "What tells you I want to be friends?" Vanessa laughs and Draco looks at her, an obviously fake offended look on his face. 

    "You're telling me you DON'T want to be friends with me? Why? I'm amazing" he scoffs making Vanessa laugh, "You're an idiot" 

******

    He looks at her smile, the sparkle in her grey eyes, and just admires the art in front of him. The way she walks, the way she talks, everything about her seems too perfect. Draco's still astonished someone like this came from Snape. 

    "Here we are." Draco says as he gestures to a supply closet, Vanessa smiles as she opens it and grabs an arm full of cleaning supplies. 

    "Thanks." Vanessa nods towards him and he shakes his head, "I told you, I'm helping you. I know how fucking nasty that room is. Besides, you're not tired of me yet are you?" Draco says, she rolls her eyes. 

    "Fine, carry this." Vanessa hands him part of the pile she picked up and Draco laughs, following her to the common room. 

    The two reach the painting and Vanessa looks at him, "Could you open this thing? I'm not entirely sure how to yet." Draco can't help but laugh at her, she seems so smart but yet, she can't figure out a simple password. 

    Draco opens the painting and Vanessa looks at him, "That's amazing", she smiles as she starts to walk inside. 

    Vanessa leads Draco up to her room and opens the door. She was right, this room does look infested. He notices the trunk in the middle of the room, not covered in dust but freshly cleaned, it must be hers. 

    "You really don't have to help me, no man I know cleans." Vanessa laughs and Draco realizes she's so used to Snape's old-fashioned rules, that she sees him as a superior, even with her snooty remarks. 

    "I do though" Draco shrugs as he sets the cleaning supplies down, Vanessa laughs.

    The two of them work on getting the room spotless, talking and joking the entire time. Draco learns that she likes the sunsets more than sunrises, the rain more than the shine, likes writing but not reading, and enjoys learning more than she should. Though Vanessa doesn't ask many questions, doesn't wonder what he does in his free time, doesn't ask his favorite color. She just cleans, laughs, and answers questions. 

    "Thank you, really, I know this was not how you wanted to spend your evening." Vanessa thanks Draco with a smile. 

    "It was a nice time, if you need help finding your classes tomorrow, I'm your guy." Draco winks and she laughs as she rolls her eyes. 

    "I'll definitely remember that." Vanessa nods as Draco starts to make his way out of the door, leaving with a smile. He walks down the steps, two at a time, thinking of the night he had. She's a delight. Surprising, considering who her father is.