Chapter Thirteen

THE SUN WAS streaming in through the thin curtains that lined Aria's windows, waking her from her peaceful slumber.

She stretched out, yawning. A small smile came onto her face when she realized that it was finally holidays and that she would be going home.

The events of the previous day made their way to the front of her mind. She remembered exposing Annabelle, cursing Madison, and getting yelled at by Professor Carrow.

She sat up and looked around her room. The other beds were stripped down and the cupboards were empty. All the bags were gone. Her roommates had left, which she was thankful for - Aria hated awkward goodbyes.

"Alright, father. Give me a minute-" She turned to see his cage, only, it wasn't there. There was no sign of it or him. Panic set in as Aria realized what had happened. "Oh, Merlin! They've stolen my father!" She screamed to herself.

Those thieves had something coming to them. They had no idea that the stupid canary they had stolen was in fact their head of house who was due to become his human self again in a matter of hours.

Aria recognized that as long as her roommates were not murderers, her father was perfectly safe, regardless of where he was, and that when he did return to being human, those girls would be the ones to pay the price.

A smug grin appeared on Aria's face as she considered them getting expelled. She began to get dressed and packed her bags, heading down to the common room.

It was mostly empty apart from Malfoy and a few other students.

Despite not exactly liking him, Aria knew it would have been good manners to at least say goodbye. "Happy Christmas, Malfoy." She sat down on the sofa beside him, glancing at the clock and seeing that there was another half an hour before the train left.

He turned to look at her and smiled. "And to you. Going home?"

"No, I just felt like packing all my bags up for the fun of it." She mumbled sarcastically. "Yes, I'm going home." Aria rolled her eyes.

"No need to be rude. I only assumed Professor Snape would be staying at Hogwarts."

"And what about you? Are you leaving?"

He scrunched up his nose in disgust. "Obviously. Couldn't imagine staying in this horrid place for Christmas break."

"You've only been here a few months."

"And it's horrid." He looked away for a moment, seemingly deep in thought. "Where is your father? I'd like to speak with him before I leave."

"What about?"

"Father wants me to invite him over for tea or something. You're welcome to come."

"How polite of you." She snorted. "Let's go find him, then." Seeing as Aria had half an hour to waste, she figured that messing with Malfoy was the perfect pass time. He wouldn't find her father and watching him search would be amusing.

Cedric was standing right outside the common room and his face lit up when he saw Aria. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Malfoy gag.

"Hey, Cedric. What are you doing here?"

"I was hoping to catch you before you left."

"Oh, why's that?"

He smiled and leaned down, placing his lips onto hers. "I had to give you your goodbye kiss."

Aria found herself unable to form a complete sentence. It wasn't often that she was rendered speechless, but Cedric seemed to be awfully good at taking away her breath and ability to form words. "Uh... thank you."

He chuckled. "I'll see you after Christmas break." And with one last hug, he turned the corner and vanished.

Aria sighed dreamily and looked down at Malfoy who had the nastiest grimace on his face. "Look, I know he's a Hufflepuff, but I think he's a Pureblood, so if you could keep this to yourself I would greatly appreciate it."

"I'm already keeping it to myself. Do you not remember the deal we made?"

"Please, refresh my memory." Aria didn't know what he was implying when she clearly remembered him leaking her business to the Slytherin Weekly.

"I promised I wouldn't tell anyone about your secret affair if you helped me with something. Obviously, you haven't helped me yet-"

"Yes, yes. I remember." She rolled her eyes. "A true friend wouldn't have a price for keeping my secret."

"Who said we were true friends?"

Aria smiled against her will. "Yeah, I mean who'd ever want to be friends with you anyway?"

The humor vanished from his face at her words and was replaced by his usual indifferent expression. "Just find your father, would you?" He snapped.

Aria didn't understand his sudden foul mood, but she nodded and headed towards her father's classroom. She pulled at the door. "Locked."

"Stand back, Snape." He pulled out his wand. "I've been learning this new trick. Alohomora!"

The door clicked open.

Aria held back her laugh. That was such a basic spell. "I'm glad something got into that thick head of yours." She laughed and headed into the classroom.

Her smile soon vanished when her eyes landed on two red-headed twins rummaging through her father's desk.

One turned to look at her. "What are you doing here?"

"Me? I'm looking for my father. What are you two doing in here?" She snapped, folding her arms.

"You lost that stupid bird already?" They laughed amongst themselves.

"Yes, you're so awfully funny." She mumbled sarcastically. "But no. My friends stole the bird last night. It's going to be hilarious when he turns back into Professor Snape and expels them."

"Wait, what?" Malfoy asked from beside her. Aria had quite forgotten that he was there.

"You heard correct. That bird I was carrying around yesterday wasn't just any old canary. These two twits decided to transfigure my father for laughs." She glared at them.

"You mean to tell me that when I said he was funny looking and had stupid eyebrows, I was... talking about Professor Snape?" Malfoy's face betrayed a horrified expression.

Aria laughed. "Yes, indeed."

"Wait until my father hears about this." He snapped and glared up at Aria. "And you! Leading me all around the school looking for your father when you knew damn well he was gone!"

"How else was I supposed to keep myself amused for half an hour?" She smirked and then turned to the twins. "Now, what were you doing in his class?"

"Go on, Georgey, you tell her. She's all scary when she's angry." He was clearly mocking her.

George sighed. "We came to find out quills. Your father confiscated them at the beginning of the term."

"Why would he confiscate your stupid quills?"

"Because they're not just any quills." Fred chimed in. "They write invisibly and the words can only be revealed by another one of these quills when the feathers are brushed over them. Genius, right?"

Aria grimaced.

"Rather stupid if you ask me." Malfoy sneered.

"Well, we didn't ask you," Fred replied and turned back to George.

Aria snorted. She didn't know that a Weasley could be amusing. Her father loathed them, complained about them all the time, especially the twins.

"How do you two plan to get away with what you did to my father? As soon as he finds out you'll be expelled."

"You can't tell him!"

"And just why not?"

"Because it was only a joke."

Aria crossed her arms. "Turning people into birds isn't funny. Give me one good reason why I shouldn't tell him."

"I could give you one hundred good reasons."

"Go on."

"First, he's a grumpy old man who singles out Gryffindor and takes away all their house points."

"Second, he storms around like he owns the place."

"And third." They spoke together. "He'd probably use the Cruciatus curse on us if he ever found out."

"My father is not a criminal," Aria assured them. "But you are right. He won't be happy. Fine, I won't tell him, but you have to promise me that you'll stop pranking him. He deserves your respect."

They looked between each other and seemingly discussed telepathically for a moment before agreeing to the terms.

"Good." Aria glanced at the click and felt her heart skip a beat. "Malfoy. The train's left!"

"Bloody hell." He grumbled. "We'll have to use Floo Powder."

"I've never used it by myself! What if I get lost?" She panicked.

"There's no need to cry." Malfoy rolled his eyes. "Just come stay with me until we find your father. All you have to say is Malfoy Manor. It's not difficult."

Aria nodded. "Okay, okay..."

The two headed back to the common room. "You go first." Malfoy handed her some Floo Powder.

She grabbed her bags and stepped into the fireplace, throwing the powder down and yelling out, "Malfoy Manor!" Hoping that she didn't disappear or get lost.