Chapter Twenty-Four:
( thoughts and wonders )

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             SPENCER BEGINS TO WORRY for one simple reason. Morgana Montague has not yet make her dramatic advance of jinxing, hexing, or cursing her in any way. In fact, Spencer begins to think that avoiding her is not just a one-way street and that her sister is doing the same thing. Except, that's ridiculous, right? The young Montague is not the kind to want to provoke unnecessary anger, but come on, Morgana is quite literally a she-devil. Something is stopping her from murdering Spencer and she wants to know what! Ricky does not agree with her, however. He is quite adamant in not wanting to leave her out of her sight just so she would not go up to her alone. That is how desperate Spencer is awaiting for some kind of response from the girl— there is no way she decided to change her mind after all these years and finally is giving her a break.

             "—to get from the dungeons to the Great Hall, she has to pass directly by the Grand Staircase which is where we come from—" Spencer rambles, a parchment neatly place down in the library's table with ink being splattered into it. Her arm became a victim of ink abuse having it be covered in black much to both of their dismays, most specifically Ricky's since he wears a troublesome gaze.

             "You're starting to sound like Harry obsessing over Malfoy," Ricky interrupts her long-debates speech, his eyes staring down at the parchment with little to no interest. Spencer parts her lips offended. "What if— and hear me out— we do our homework? Morgana is not going to attack out of nowhere and frankly, we should be glad she has not done anything. Now go cleaned up."

             He points his finger to the restrooms inside the library. She glowers silently before deciding he is right and stands up in defeat. Spencer scrunches up her nose in utter disgust realizing that her best friend is somehow right. She seems to dwell on her sister for the reason that she has not been yet tormented. Talk about being overly fucked up in the head.

             Cold water drips in the side of her arm, the blackness of the ink scrubbing off slowly all at once. She looks up into her reflection, noticing the difference between how she appeared in her fifth-year and now. Hazel colored eyes staring right back at her, familiar and yet not. There is something about them. Older and possibly scarred, a distinct feature differing from when she first arrived. Her dirt brown hair grew longer since summer arrived— she debated cutting it half past her shoulder, but has not gotten the chance to do so. Well, that and she is not sure if she wants to. Truthfully, she only debates it because of the upcoming war. Her long bits would probably only get caught in the crossfire. Noticing she is letting the water continue running, she shakes her head and exits the restroom, briefly crashing into someone else.

             "Sorry," the person mutters quietly, holding onto her arms gently. Spencer notices the familiar silver and green colors first before she realizes who it was. Theodore Nott, her former friend who now appears taller and older. The charismatic smile he used to wear— even before they were friends— no longer visible.

             "Theo..." Spencer inhales deeply, letting her hand reach his solemn one. It seems that he barely realize who he bumped into as well, flinching his hand back in surprise. There is a flash of hurt in his eyes that quickly vanishes as it came. Even so, she notices it with her own clever mind. "You're in pain."

             Theodore clears his throat and denies her statement, "No, I'm fine. I should head back."

             She unintentionally grasps his left arm and in response, he grabs her hand tightly and his lips purse themselves into a thin line. Spencer feels the tightness around her throat reappear, her eyes widening in surprise and confirmation. Theodore Nott has the Mark. Even deep in her heart, she cannot find it in her to scream and run away.

             "I can help you, please, let me help you," Spencer begs, walking toward him slowly with her hand held out. Theodore glances down at it hesitantly before backing away.

             "It's too late, Spencer. Just leave it," Theodore sighs, his eyes turning away from hers before he leaves her to be by herself.

             Spencer scoffs and loudly exclaims, "I'm not giving up on you, Theo!" All he does is stop for a few seconds, and yet those few seconds manages to give her even more hope for him. She raises an eyebrow interestingly, before realizing her homework has yet to be done.

             When she returns to her original seat, her hand begins to move along a different set of parchment, following the directions of the homework that is left for them. She does not bother trying to inform Ricky who she just barely talk to and instead focuses on something else. Like her homework for Transfiguration which she had gone for some confirmation in the new lesson with Professor McGonagall. Just as she begins writing her last few notes, Spencer lets her mind wander elsewhere.

             Although, she is very glad to have find friends in the Gryffindor students and having left her horrid manor, there is still part of her that is not ready to transform into... this. A student soldier where there are only two alternatives: death or survival. Spencer lets a frown form on her lips... maybe that's how Theodore sees it as well. With his father being thrown into a prison and him being who knows where, he may think his only solution to survive is to join them.

             What she finds even more interesting, however, is Voldemort's past. Yes, Voldemort's past. Becoming one of Harry's close friends gives her both benefits and not-so-well disasters. One of those benefits is having to hear what he tells his other two best friends— this being that Lord Voldemort is in natural actually Tom Riddle. Spencer never imagined she would feel the slightest pity for that wicked man. Imagine being conceived under a love potion? She knows very well what that meant for the young Riddle— anyone conceived during the time of a love potion would be utterly emotionless, cold, unlovable. From the start, Voldemort had been doomed for destruction and to Spencer that is just plain despairing.

.･:*:･ﾟ'✫,'✫'ﾟ･:*:･˙

             SPENCER HAD NOT BEEN prepared when Roger Davies came up to her later on asking her if she wanted to try out for the Quidditch team. Her. The moment he asks her that question, she laughs straight away thinking it is a total joke. However, she slowly begins noticing it is not some prank at all and that he is absolutely serious.

             "You're not kidding?" She stops laughing, her eyebrows raising high in confusion and surprise.

             Roger shakes his head lightly, his eyes carefully gazing at her full-shock expression. "Look, many students aren't really offering themselves up to try-out with what's going on and I know that in that mind of yours you've probably thought out some mathematical way to win or something—"

             "Uh, not really—"

             "I think you may be good if you practice, I mean— you're good at everything, honestly," Roger stammers over his own words, embarrassment slowly creeping in on him. Spencer purses her lips shut as she waits for him to finish his rambling. He wipes his forehead nervously, his left hand clutching tightly into the broomstick he owns. "So, you know, I reckon if you practice it'll work— but of course, you don't have to try-out since it's probably not your thing... um, yeah."

             Spencer gives him an awkward smile. "That's sweet of you, but trust me, I've tried playing before and not even 'some mathematical way' can help me be good. You should ask Cho Chang for advice, though," she replies easily.

             The older boy seems a bit disappointed, but nods nonetheless in appreciation. How incredibly odd? She continues walking by the battered field and only stops when she hears sniffles close by. Finding herself slightly worried and curious on who it is, she follows the source of the noise and widens her eyes in surprise when she notices who it is.

             Pansy Parkinson. A Slytherin sixth-year girl she has gone to school with for their whole Hogwarts years. The two never interacted, but they also don't hate one another. She is actually quite pretty, or at least that is what Spencer thinks. Especially with the hair she began growing as time went by since she always wore it short. It is odd watching her cry because for years of having her as a classmate, she always sneers at anyone who dares look her way. Though, Spencer figures this isn't a time to purposely humiliate her and instead quietly places herself beside her.

             "What's wrong?" Spencer questions in slight concern, letting her eyes gaze at her tear-faced expression. The Slytherin girl rubs her eyes hurriedly and gives her a weak glare.

             "Nothing! Leave me alone, Montague," the tempered dark-haired girl sneers unpleasantly. Spencer raises her hands up in defeat and yet still continues sitting beside her. She knows the girl will most undeniably not want to share anything with her, but honestly, what has Spencer got to lose? She finished with her work, Ricky is most likely in the kitchens, and her other friends were dealing with their own Hagrid situation.

             Spencer clicks her tongue. "See, Parkinson, I can't do that. You're obviously not okay and although I'm not the best person to talk to, it is better to unleash your hidden emotions to someone random," she informs smartly enough, having already experienced something like that before. Her mind takes her over to the times she used to vent to a certain Slytherin and she frowns.

             Parkinson stays quiet for a few moments before she lets out an uncontrollable sob. "I really liked Susan. Ever since she decided to break up with me it hurts," the Slytherin cries, her hands covering up her face.

             Susan Bones, a Hufflepuff in the same year as them. Spencer knows her well because of the DA's meeting and barely this summer, her aunt had been ruthlessly murdered by Voldemort himself. In a way, she somehow understood why Susan broke up with Pansy, especially since the Slytherin is one of the people who tried to capture students when Umbridge found out about Dumbledore's Army. And now with the death of her aunt, perhaps she thought it best if she did not associate herself with the Slytherin girl surrounded by future or already Death Eaters. Spencer purses her lips unsure of what to do before placing her arm around the Slytherin. All Parkinson does is cry even more and does not even bother to push her away.

             "If you two love each other," Spencer begins slowly. Love? She does not know what that type of love meant, but whatever. "Then there is a chance the two of you will find one another. However, after what happened with her family, I think she needs time. I mean— do you even know who you're going for? Because Susan does."

             "Who I'm going for?" Parkinson stops herself from crying and stares at her with insult. "How dare you? I don't have to choose— it doesn't involve me!"

             Spencer sighs disappointedly. "That mentality will get you killed as well, Parkinson. If you think not one of your Slytherin companions— or any Death Eaters among us will not make you choose, then you're in for a ride. The only question you'll be left to answer to is: will you fight along Susan, or against her?"

             She decides to stand up, knowing her words will only make the dark-haired girl think deeper on them. With one last comforting tap on Parkinson's shoulder, Spencer makes her way to the Great Hall, a smile appearing in her face at the sight that Ricky is already sitting there conversing lightly with Luna. It is only when Luna waves to her enthusiastically that Ricky finishes his conversation with her and then looks back at his best friend.

             "Where'd you come from?" He questions curiously.

             Spencer makes a face. "Roger Davies asked if I wanted to try-out for the Quidditch team," she reveals first on. Ricky raises both of his eyebrows.

             "He what?" The boy utters out with a tone of disbelief.

             "Right! I know it was unexpected that I even laughed at his face— poor guy got embarrassed," she grimaces as she remembers how he appeared taken back. Spencer thinks about telling him what just happened with Pansy, but then changes her mind. It is not exactly her stuff to talk about, is it?

             With a polite tap of her shoulder, Spencer turns around and notices Professor Slughorn smiling widely at her appearance. "Ah, Spencer, how are you, dear?"

             Just as she opens her mouth to answer, the man continues speaking, "What do you say to a spot of supper tonight in my rooms instead? We're having a little party with others you've met already. Oh, and Hermione Granger is coming as well! You know her well, correct?"

             At no time does he acknowledge Ricky and instead focuses solely on her. Spencer purses her lips and nods politely.  When Professor Slughorn leaves, the young girl groans and gives her friend an apologetic glance. Well, it looks like she is going to a goddamn 'party'!

.･:*:･ﾟ'✫,'✫'ﾟ･:*:･˙

             ARRIVING DOWN THE DUNGEONS makes Spencer shiver in coldness, her hand neatly rubbing her arms to warm herself up. She enters in the classroom where a few students are already placed stiffly, food right in front of them. Slughorn greets her with enthusiasm and she nods her head in return, walking toward Ginny and Hermione right away. The two Gryffindors grin up at her, though, Hermione's does not seem to be as genuine with the boy right beside her.

             "Harry has detention, right?" Spencer confirms curiously, remembering that her friend told her when Snape gave him detention for his wonderful line. The two girls nods in agreement and she snorts with amusement in her expression. "What are we even doing?"

             "Probably talking about famous relatives or his own past students that has become well-known," Ginny rolls her eyes, staring down at the food in disinterest. Hermione shrugs unknowingly while Spencer agrees with the redhead.

             "Well, my Uncle Tiberius is splendid. Maybe one day you or Spencer could meet him," Cormac McLaggen offers seductively, his eyes shifting from the Gryffindor brunette to the Ravenclaw. Spencer narrows her eyes at him before nodding with a fake smile.

             "Nice," she comments sarcastically, rolling her eyes a second after. In that moment, Blaise Zabini enters the room, his Slytherin robes complimenting his height and body type. He wears a bored look, his eyes wandering around the students, nose scrunching up when he realizes no one he tolerates seem to be there.

             Professor Slughorn pats his back out of nowhere, his annoyance increasing by the moment. "Sit among them all, Blaise. Spencer won't bite, come on," the former head of Slytherin practically drags Blaise in the seat beside the Ravenclaw.

             "Will you let me ap—"

             "I just can't seem to hear," Blaise interrupts coolly.

             Ginny leans toward Spencer and glares at the Slytherin. "Leave her alone, Zabini," the redhead snaps.

             Blaise looks at her uninterestingly. "Gladly," he responds coldly.

             Before Spencer can intervene, Slughorn begins talking about his past accomplishments. The room quietens down and the only noise turns out to be the sound of chewing. The young girl eats stiffly and barely manages to pay attention to his words. If Tom Riddle used to go to Hogwarts and Slughorn has been teaching for years— does that mean...? Was Professor Slughorn Tom Riddle's head of house and Potions professor? This would mean that he personally taught the person they've come to know as Lord Voldemort. That... is crazy. Just as she is about to whisper her thoughts to Ginny, Filch comes into the classroom rather disgruntled and a letter on his hand.

             "Oh, what do we have here?" Slughorn cuts himself off and focuses on the squib.

             Filch gives him a distrustful eye before raising up the crushed letter. "This is for Montague," he sneers in disgust.

             Slughorn brightens up and grabs the letter from the man's hold, handing it over to the Ravenclaw. Spencer scrunches up her nose as she notices the obvious wrinkles and fact that Filch tried opening her letter. Though, he also did not succeed by the way it appears all crinkled up. The man stays by the doorway, his eyes practically popping out of his head by how hard he tries to look closer into the letter.

             "Thank you, sir," Spence smiles sweetly, placing the envelope right in the table as if she is not in a hurry to read it. Filch glares at her with suspicion before leaving quite angrily. Slughorn chuckles amusingly before resuming to his long lecture.

             Hermione and Ginny gives her interested looks which Spencer temporarily ignores as she opens it up.

Dear Spencer,

             Thank you for you help in your last letter. There's some stuff you and I need to talk about. When the first Hogsmeade meeting comes up, I'll be roaming around. Maybe after you can introduce me to this Ricky, if the both of you'll like. I'd love to say more, but that should wait until that Saturday. Take care.

Sincerely,
Daniel

             The letter is rather short, but Spencer figures that what they need to talk about is important. She places it away on her robes and then gives her two friends a look.

             "It's just Daniel," she tells them vaguely, her eyes revealing more than her words.

             Having forgotten that the Slytherin boy is beside her, she shivers when his voice comes closer to her ear and quietly whispers, "Instead of talking about your boyfriend, maybe you should listen to Slughorn."

             Spencer narrows her eyes and glares at him. "He's not my boyfriend, gross," she snaps back at him.

             "I'm starting to think you despise all men," Blaise retorts back, his eyes smoothly (and finally) glancing over her features.

             "Well, not all men. Certainly not y— Ricky," Spencer corrects him, finding herself wanting to hide in a despair of misery when blood begins rushing up in her cheeks. Thankfully, he looks away before he can notice of it. "Why do you care, anyway?"

             "I don't," he answers just as quick. "You can date anyone you'd like."

             "Fine, maybe I will!" Spencer finds herself exclaiming.

             "Fine by me!" Blaise huffs, crossing his arms in annoyance and turning away from her fully.

             Ginny raises her eyebrows in surprise and then whispers to Hermione, "What the fuck just happened?" 

             "Yeah, I have no clue," she sighs out, giving a side-eye glance to the Ravenclaw and Slytherin who purposely ignores one another.

Spencer ignores their small conversation and starts taking out a piece of parchment. It is the one that she worked on about how Morgana may be avoiding her. She does not understand it which infuriates her because this is Morgana they are talking about! She has to be planning something and Spencer knows she might be paranoid but for good reason too. Her quill moves quietly as she makes notes on who had the Mark. Theodore Nott and Morgana Montague confirmed. Draco Malfoy— most likely. She glances at her own left arm. Her face pales at the remembrance before she shudders and scratches the back of her right ear where her own special family mark is.

"Hey, Montague," a voice from beside Hermione calls out to her in interest. Hermione rolls her eyes and leans back while Spencer forces herself to gaze away from her arm and toward McLaggen. He wears a haughty smirk and his eyebrows raise curiously. "What are you doing?"

Spencer scowls for a few seconds before replying, "Nothing." Any other time she would ask 'why?' but she did not feel like asking him. Unfortunately, McLaggen did not seem to care and continues, "Well, I overheard you tell Zabini that you're going to date someone and I was wondering—"

She raises an eyebrow in wonder when he suddenly seems sheepish and stops talking. McLaggen gulps nervously before turning his attention back to Slughorn. Before Spencer can see what caused him to change his mind in whatever he was planning to say, her eyes glances up toward Professor Slughorn who smacked his hand on his desk for effect and started to explain how someone he knows escaped an explosion.

             (Maybe if she turned she would have seen that Blaise Zabini definitely does not not care about who she dates).

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AUTHOR'S NOTE:
wtf both of them are dumbasses but i love
them either way <3 anyway, i miss writing
theo & spencer together bc they deserve
better :,) pansy made a short appearance and
yes, she dated susan bones — it was originally
gonna be some random hufflepuff but im
too tired to make up another character 💖

if you see me waiting for blaise and spencer
to stop acting like idiots and return to being
smart yes you did ❤️

also, daniel's gonna appear next chapter 😁
and fair warning,,, these chapters are gonna
go by fast ✨