Friends and Enemies

Chapter four

"A Muggle-raised Mudblood Squib?" Lucius taunted Severus. "Please tell me it isn't so."

Severus waved his hand impatiently. "She's a friend. We practically grew up together until they left for America."

"And I hear that she's a Mudblood even in the Muggle world, a half-breed they call them, don't they? Her mother's one of those Indians they have over there. I don't think I could think of anything worse, even if I tried." He chuckled, studying Severus. "Except maybe that old goat of a father..." Lucius's eyes gleamed with malicious mirth.

Severus's expression was bland, although he would have killed Lucius on the spot, if he could have done it and not gotten caught.

He looked Lucius in the eyes and stated scornfully, "The point is, Lucius, that Mudblood Squib or not, she is an employee of this school, not to mention the Headmaster's niece, and it would be wise for Draco to learn early on the ways in which things can be done, and things that would not be excused. Don't you agree?" he asked, eyebrows raised.

"But fifty points, Severus? Don't you think that's a little extreme?" Lucius fondled his stick, wishing he could use it to smack that smirk off Snape's face.

"He's lucky I didn't give him detention. I can overlook harmless pranks and such, but disrespect for authority will not be tolerated here," Severus pointed to himself, "or elsewhere, in this case especially, I would imagine."

Lucius fumed with frustration because he knew that Severus was right.

"Or perhaps you would prefer your son to be pampered and spoiled, to grow into some kind of pansy... " he paused. "Like Girlyboy Lockhart?" Severus scoffed.

Lucius shuddered, and faked a smile. "You're right, Severus."

He walked to the door and then turned. With his most evil smile, he almost purred, "Perhaps a few whacks with this stick will teach him swiftly. Beating is one effective method, I have heard."

Severus's face revealed nothing as he stonily agreed, "It is."

"Good evening, Severus."

"Good evening, Lucius," he replied cooly.

Outside on the stairs Draco waited. Lucius approached him and said in an undertone, "He says they're just friends, made some self-righteous remarks about authority, so that was a complete and utter waste of time." He glared at Draco.

"He's lying," Draco chuckled.

Lucius studied his son's face carefully. "You think so?"

"Huh! I know!" Draco looked smug. "The whole bloody school knows. If you saw them together, you would know. The way they can hardly keep their eyes off each other. The way he caters to her constantly. It is disgusting really."

"You're certain?"

"Look, he goes around smiling at her and brings her stupid magical charms and stuff because she's a bloody Squib! I've heard they walk around the castle at night, though we haven't been able to see it ourselves, the rumors are flying." He looked at his father and asked, "Have you ever known Snape to act like that?" and smirked. "He's whupped."

Lucius smiled his most evil smile, told Draco to wait around for him, and strode toward the library. It was high time he met this woman to whom Draco had been forced to apologize. And then he might have a few more words with Severus Snape. But first, that bitch. She didnt even belong here. Mudblood, Muggle, and Squib!

Lucius opened the door, noting the time. Close to closing time. The place was empty and Lucius felt a vicious glee. He walked toward the woman, noting the ridiculous blue dress and red shoes.

She looked toward him, and was instantly on her guard. Something about the eyes. Something bad. Her face betrayed nothing, but inside her pulse was racing, adrenaline surging. She wanted to click her ruby red slippers and go anywhere but here. There's no place like Rome. There's no place like Nome. There's no place like... Stockholm!

"Miss Evelyn Dumbledore, I presume," he said without a smile.

Before she could answer, he began. "Yes I know all about you, Miss Dumbledore. The damsel in distress!" He exclaimed in mock sympathy, "Poor little goat-girl, from a broken home, with mental problems and drug addictions. What a pity."

He began to slowly walk in a circle around her and her heart skipped a beat. The other girls had left earlier; it was her turn to stay late. They were alone.

At this very same moment, Fred and George Weasley were walking into the castle, and Neville Longbottom was watching in horror as Lucius circled Evelyn on the Marauder's Map; he had spy duty tonight. The girls, they had learned, knew not much more than they. Evelyn neither brought up Severus's name, nor did she enter any conversation that had anything to do with him. The girls knew only what they could "see" in Evelyn, which was mainly emotion, rather than actual events. That she still loved Severus was obvious. The boys kept the map to themselves, much to the relief of Neville, who was wondering what would happen if Hermione or Ginny had been on duty tonight. On second thought, they could hold their own in a duel, or even an all out battle if needed. Neville ran harder. Anything could be happening by now.

"And what is the drug du jour?" Lucius asked maliciously. "Oh, don't tell me the name, just tell me what color in that rainbow of a pharmacy of yours is on the menu today? I wonder if dear old Daddy and Uncle Albus know about that?"

"No answer?" he sneered. "Ah, well. Perhaps you've given up the pills for potions?"

He looked at her with contempt. "Why would the head of Slytherin House give such an unjust punishment to a Slytherin student? Hmmmmm. I think we both know the answer to that, don't we? I'm sure Uncle Albus would find it quite interesting, don't you?"

The mention of Severus made her angry. "That's enough!" she hissed at him. "I dont have to listen to this."

"Yes," he insisted. "You do. Here we are.....alone." He smiled his evil smile. "Let's talk."

Neville had begun to run wildly toward the library, wondering where everyone was, but ready to kill Lucius Malfoy with his bare hands if he had to.

I can kick that old fart's ass, Neville thought. He blanked out the map and tucked it into a pocket of his robes as he ran.

He met Fred and George in the hallway and quickly told them. "Lucius Malfoy. In the library." None of this meant a thing to George and Fred but Neville's voice implied urgency and danger. The twins exchanged a glance and followed Neville.

Evelyn had started toward the door but Lucius caught her halfway across the room. His tight grip on her arm would leave a bruise. She struggled, couldn't get free, so she slapped him hard. He laughed and slapped her in return. He was still laughing when her fist struck him in the gut and then the other right on the mouth.

He fell to the floor, and then his wand was out."IMPEDIMENTA!" Suddenly she couldn't move. He stood, growling, and raced toward her, hair disheveled, blood on his lip. He's insane! she thought. When he reached her he put one hand on her throat and pushed her against the wall, hard. He leaned on the wall beside her, breathing heavily.

Her voice was barely audible, but he heard every word. "I'd have kicked your ass, if you didn't have that wand, you pussy."

"You Mudblood bitch," he panted. "You will pay for this."

Then the door burst open and Lucius turned to see the Weasley twins, and Neville, all with wands out and ready. Lucius released Evelyn, and looked at the boys with a haughty expression. "We'll talk later Evelyn," he said in a conversational tone.

"No, you won't," announced the trio in unison.

"If you ever lay eyes on her again," Fred began,

"We will hunt you down," George vowed.

"and kill you," they said together.

"I'm sorry, guys, but I saw him first." Neville glared at Lucius, hating him. "I am already plotting ways to kill you and not get caught."

"Make it look like a suicide," George suggested.

"Or a freak accident," Fred added.

"This will be a great subject for discussion on a night out drinking," George happily declared.

"Or a night in, thinking," Neville broke in.

Fred raised one hand. "I am thinking of ways to work that stupid stick into the murder."

"So if she breaks a fingernail," Neville warned.

"You'd better be watching your back," the twins finished.

Lucius ran his fingers through his hair, smoothing it back down, and sneered at the three of them, then turned to glare at Evelyn, who glared right back.

Lucius left, and the boys rushed to Evelyn, who was touching her throat and breathing deeply, still beside the wall. They put her in a chair and conjured a glass of water. Then they hovered around, not knowing what to do.

"I don't know how to thank you. Thank you."

"By the way, I'm George Weasley. This is Fred."

She looked at them with a tearstained face and a sad smile. "I want to go home," she sobbed.

"No way!" George said.

"We're bringing you straight to Mum," Fred told her gently.

Fred smiled, partly to reassure her, and partly because he had just noticed the wickedly wacky outfit and the cute braids in her hair.

"Shouldn't we tell the Headmaster?" Neville suggested.

"No!" Evelyn insisted. "No need to worry him. I'm fine. And I don't want to cause problems."

"Ok then. Neville, you coming too?" George offered.

"As long as Miss Evelyn is ok." He searched her eyes, and at her assurance that she would be ok, he patted her hand, and admitted, "I have so much studying to do."

"Thank you, Neville." She began to cry again. Then she smiled and declared, "The hero always wins a kiss from the damsel in distress." She kissed Neville softly on the cheek, which caused him to blush and smile. He left without a word.

Fred and George were exchanging sly grins.

"What about us?" they insisted.

"En francais, s'il vous plait," Fred teased.

"We'll wait until you're feeling a bit better though," George assured her.

As they left the castle and grounds, George turned to Fred. "Portkey please," and Fred pulled a copper necklace from inside his shirt. He held it out and instructed Evelyn to take hold of the chain.

George suggested she hold the chain in her hand, not between her fingers as he did, "We wouldn't want to lose you and it's your first time."

Fred warned her, "This is not painful, but you may find it somewhat, er, intense, until you're used to it."

Fred and George each put an arm around Evelyn's waist. The was a wrench inside her, and then they were standing in a very cozy warm kitchen, where Molly Weasley, shocked as always by the twins' sudden appearance there, was nevertheless quick to begin fussing over Evelyn. A night with the Weasley's was the best thing for Evelyn, and she did feel better, but she never again left her room at Hogwart's unarmed.