The incident was fresh in everyone's mind, Cortney was now in the Slytherin common room, she was getting to leave for Slughorn's party. It was to start in about twenty minutes. She was standing at a table, sliding on some jewelry. As she put her ring on, a hand landed on her butt. She pushed it away instantly. She turned and saw Theodore Nott.

" Get away from me," Cortney demanded.

" You look so good though," Theodore groaned.

" I know, I didn't spend thirty minutes to look crappy," Cortney sassed.  

" You look so good that it makes me want you," Theodore beamed darkly.

" I think I'm going head down," Cortney spoke as she started to leave, slightly afraid. 

" I think not," He laughed. Theodore grabbed her wrist and shoved her up against a wall. He then groped her butt and began to assault her.

" Get off me! " Cortney squealed trying to fight back. Everything she tried was useless, Theodore dragged her up to his dorm forcefully. He then violated her into another level. About thirty minutes later, Cortney came out of the dorm in tears. Her hair was messed up.  She went into her dorm fixed her hair and went down to the supper party.  Ginny just opened the door, Cortney walked in right after her. 

" Ah, Ms. Weasley. Ms. Lestrange I was beginning to worry," Slughorn breathed. He was very happy to see them both. All eyes were on them.

" Sorry, I'm normally not late," Ginny replied.

" Look at her eyes, she's been crying, they've been fighting, Dean and Ginny," Hermione said to Harry and Neville. 

" No worries, just in time for dessert," Slughorn said. When Ginny went to go sit, Harry stood up awkwardly, both sat down. Cortney sat by Blaise, and Ginny took a seat by someone else. Side conversations started up.

" You alright? " Blaise asked her.

" No," Cortney whispered looking at him. 

" What happened? " He asked.

" I don't want to talk about it," Cortney spoke in a weak voice. She was swirling her spoon around the ice cream.

" You should eat some ice cream, it'll make you feel better," Blaise advised.

" Not this time, nothing can make me feel better about what happened," Cortney said. She then stood up.

" Everything alright Ms. Lestrange? " Slughorn asked.

" Oh..umm.I'm not feeling too well.....I think I'm just going to go," Cortney stuttered.  " Thank you for supper". With that, she left. 

" Get better! " Slughorn called out as she left. Soon everyone else left. Slughorn closed the door, he turned around to see Harry looking at an hourglass. 

" Potter? " Slughorn asked.

" Oh sorry sir, I was just admiring your hourglass," Harry lied.

" Oh yes. Such an intriguing object. The sand runs in a quality of a conversation. It is stimulating the sand runs slowly and if it is not-" Slughorn began.

" Well I guess, I'll be going," Harry said.

" Nonsense; you have nothing to fear. As for some of your classmates well let's just say they're unlikely to make the shelf," Slughorn explained.

" The shelf sir? " Harry questioned.

" Anyone who inspires to be anyone. Hopes to end up here," Slughorn explained pointing towards a shelf full of pictures. " But then again you already are someone aren't you? "

" Did Voldemort ever make the shelf? "Harry asked. Slughorn froze where he was standing. " You knew him didn't you sir....Tom Riddle ? You were his teacher ".

" Mr, Riddle had a number of teachers while he was at Hogwarts," Slughorn replied quietly.

" What was he like? " Harry asked. " I'm sorry sir, forgive me. I was just thinking that he was different. Before he killed my parents".

Of course, i-its natural you should want to know more, but I'm afraid I must disappoint you. When I first met young Mr. Riddle he was in choir, a brilliant boy, and committed to becoming a first-rate wizard. Not like others I've known, but alike you in fact. But a monster existed, it was deep within".

************

Morning of the first Quidditch game of the season. It was Ron's first time as a keeper. He came into the Great Hall dressed, he looked like he was going to be sick. He sat down next to Hermione looking at his food.

" So how was it then? " Ron asked breaking the silence.

" What? " Cortney asked. She was avoiding the Slytherin table as much as possible.

" You dinner party," Ron reminded.

" Pretty boring actually," Hermione responded. " Slughorns having a Christmas Party and we're meant to bring someone".

" I expect you'll bring Mclaggen, he's in Slug Club, isn't he? " Ron asked harshly.

" Actually I was going ask you," Hermione mentioned.

" Really? " Ron asked in disbelief. At that moment Lavender walked up to them.

" Good luck Ron. I know you'll be brilliant," Lavender stated before walking away.

" I'm resigning after today's match. Mclaggen can have my spot," Ron confirmed.

" Have it your way," Harry said. " Drink some juice". He pushed the cup towards him. Ron slowly took a sip.

" Hello everyone,' Luna said out of nowhere. They turned and saw her with a lion hat, she was sitting a bit away from them. " you look dreadful Ron. Is that why you put something in his cup? Is it a tonic ?" Harry quickly shoved a vial into his pocket.

" Liquid Luck," Cortney breathed. Ron now looked at the cup as if it was gold.

" Don't drink it! " Hemione hissed. He ignored and chugged his drink down. " You could be expelled for that! "

" I don't know what you're talking about," Harry spoke.

" Come on, we've got a game to win! " Ron said with much enthusiasm. The two high-fived stood up and left the hall. At the game, Cortney sat with the Gryffindors.

" Hey Cort, are you feeling better? " Neville asked.

" Yup," Cortney replied shortly after.

" Are you sure? Neville said you look like you had just been crying. Then leaving you looked like you were about to cry," Seamus stammered.

" I said I'm feeling better," Cortney huffed, trying to forget yesterday.

" Are you lying? " Seamus asked getting angry.

" Can you just drop it," Cortney ordered?

" No-something is obviously bothering you-" Seamus trailed.

" Seamus! Please can you drop it! I don't want to talk about it! " Cortney replied. 

" Cort-" Seamus said. She looked at him tears in her eyes. " You are obviously not okay," Seamus growled. Cortney pushed her way out of the crowd and went back to the castle.

" I hate when she hides information," Seamus said angrily.

" Did something happen between her and Pansy? " Hermione asked. In the end, the Gryffindors won the match. People were in the room cheering.

" Weasley! Weasley! " People cheered as Ron stood in the middle of the room smiling.  Lavender walked up to Ron and began to snog him. Hermione disappeared into the background. She was on the stairs crying. Harry found her. Birds were flying around.

" Charm spell. I was practicing," Hermione cried wiping her tears.

" Well they're really good," Harry said. He sat down next to her.

" How does it feel Harry, when you see Ginny with Dean," Hermione's voice shook. " I know, I know the way you look at her I'm your best friend". Before Harry could answer Ron came into the area with Lavender clinging to his arm.

" I think this room is taken," Lavender giggled before taking off.

" Birds? " Ron asked staring at them. Hermione stood up, angry and hurt.

" Opogono," Hermione said. The birds dove and aimed at Ron's head. He ducked so he wouldn't get hit. He then took off after Lavender.

" It feels like this," Harry answered.

*********

In the common room, Cortney sat on a chair, close to the entrance.

" How about we have another round in the common room, Theodore said coming up to her. She got up began to go to the entrance. " Where do you think you are going? " Theodore asked devilishly grabbing her wrist. He began pulling up her shirt, revealing her bra. Before it got worse Cortney punched him in the face and left the common room. He followed her out angrily.

" Come back here! " Theodore shouted. Cortney sprinted all the way up to Gryffindor Tower. She said the password and zipped inside. The door closed before Theodore even made it to the top of the stairs. She ran all the way up to the six years boy's dorm. She entered the room in tears. Someone sat up and looked at her.

" Cortney ? " a voice asked walking over to her. He lit a candle and walked over to her. It was Seamus, his eyes went wide when he saw her state. " What happened? " He pulled down her shirt.

" Can I stay here for the night ?" Cortney asked tears rolling down her cheeks.

" Cortney, this is serious, what happened? " Seamus demanded.  Cortney collapsed on the floor crying.

" Please don't make talk about. Please," Cortney wept. Seamus didn't know what to do, he has never seen her like this.

" Tell me, I can help you," Seamus pleaded as he knelt down next to her. Cortney shook her head.

" No, it will make things worse," she cried. Someone else came over.

" What are you doing here? " Neville asked.

" Please, just let me stay here for the night," Cortney pleaded more. The two boys looked at each other and nodded. Neville picked her up and put her on Seamus's bed. Seamus went to go make a spot on the floor. She grabbed his wrist as Neville climbed back into his bed.

" Can you stay with me, up here? " Cortney asked. Seamus nodded. He climbed back onto his bed. And wrapped his arms wound her. She cried into his chest for a good part of the night.