Chapter Ten:
( fixes and breaks )

▂✫⌒*･ﾟ

             FOR SOME ODD REASON, Spencer and Harry have created a routine in meeting up when the sky is dark, sitting in one of the benches that is around the corner of their dormitories. It had begun the day of the rivalry game between Slytherin and Gryffindor, but it was not the last time they did it. Around twice a week or so, they would somehow gather up and Spencer would place a silencing charm around them in case what they were to say was personal— or top-secret. It certainly surprises her when Harry decides to bring up the Daily Prophet and the local news of the Azkaban prisoners escaping.

             "Mordra Montague is your aunt, I'm guessing?" Harry brings up carefully, his head tilts in confusion. Sometimes, Spencer forgets that he grew up as a muggle and not a wizard. When he brings up topics like those she finds it easier to remember. Purebloods and some half-bloods knows of her delusional aunt just like how they know how incredibly insane Bellatrix Black is as well. One would think the two women obsessed with the Dark Lord were to be the best of friends— truthfully, the two spite each other for their obsession. They are practically in love with the mass murderer himself.

             The young Montague nods as her response. Four muggles are dead because of her. The first one Mordra killed, the Ministry blew it off because her own parents (yes, Spencer's) defended that the woman (her mom's sister) had been in their manor and the person killed was found elsewhere. Someone had communicated with the Ministry about it, but the case was shut down until they later figured out the person who called them was correct. She is not sure who had accused her aunt, but they had not been wrong. Spencer had not been born by then— and neither had Morgana. Their aunt was free to walk until Spencer was around five and the truth was revealed. Morgana was distraught to find her favorite aunt heading to Azkaban (not the cold murders) and aspired to be just like her. Spencer shivers in disgust realizing how that is still true before thinking back to the newspaper and the other information she read about.

             "They blame Sirius Black for it," Spencer recalls on what she read. As expected, her friend's green eyes shift awkwardly to the side. The first time they met up in the place they were at, he confessed something deep and trusting about himself. In the process, he mentioned his godfather. Spencer did not know that Harry knew his godfather and thought back on who it could be. It did not take long for her to make a connection between the accused murderer and the boy who lived. What confused her endlessly is how Harry seems to talk and care about him? Which is why she brought this conversation on.

             Harry glances around before remembering she put a charm around them either way. "What I'm about to tell you... you cannot tell anyone— not even Ricky, okay?"

             Spencer grimaces before accepting the deal. "I promise I won't tell anyone," she swears, gulping slightly before focusing entirely on him.

             It takes a few seconds before he confesses, "Two years ago, I found out—like everyone else— that Sirius Black escaped Azkaban. However, it turns out that he was best friends with my father and well, my father and mother gave the title of godfather to him. For some time I was so angry that Sirius could have betrayed him, but toward the end of the year I found out that Peter Pettigrew was the traitor all along."

             Her eyebrows furrowed together. "Isn't he dead?"

             "Everyone thought he was, even Professor Lupin. Remus— I mean Professor Lupin was also best friends with my dad and Sirius. On the night of the full moon we all found out the truth and it turned out that Ron's rat whose name was Scabbers was truly Pettigrew," Harry spits out, his face growing in disgust. Spencer wishes that she could say he is crazy, but she knows him better. The chosen one never lied and the two are now good friends. She believes him wholeheartedly, no matter how crazy it sounds. Crazy, but understandable.

             "And so Black is actually innocent and now in hiding?" Spencer guesses, her eyes widen in disbelief. Harry gives her a thin smile and nods shortly. "Wow, that's... wow, but I believe you. Now that just makes it better to understand that Azkaban is corrupt inside with their guards. That or they were under the Imperius Curse," she mumbles thoughtfully.

             "Voldemort was happy that day," Harry admits, making her head snap in his direction. That is another thing she notices about the green-eyed male. He always holds some sort of feeling when or before Voldemort intervenes. She decides not to question it since it is most likely because of what happened to him the day his parents died. The scar is connected to the darkest wizard of all time.

             "Makes sense why," she agrees, "his most loyal and deadliest followers were able to escape."

             Harry sighs in exhaustion. "This isn't gonna end well, is it?"

             Her eyes wander to the students passing by unaware of their conversation. "I can't disagree with that."

.･:*:･ﾟ'✫,'✫'ﾟ･:*:･˙

             THE FIRST HOGSMEADE TRIP of their fifth year resulted in Spencer receiving possibly the worst date to exist (perhaps not the worst because she remembered reading about Ted Bundy and how he once lured a woman for a date and then killed her). However, this time she is excited for the trip because although it is on February 14th, Theodore and Ricky would be joining her. According to the charming Slytherin, he stopped returning to the place as a visitation for when it came to Hogwarts. Spencer is willing to change that fact and convinced him to go with her and Ricky. Thankfully, he agreed.

             "It's not that fun," Theodore grumbles out, crossing his arms as he hears laughter coming from all around him. Spencer rolls her eyes and drags him to the Three Broomsticks. Majority of the students are already sitting in their place, sipping in their butterbeer drink.

             Ricky scoffs at the boy's words and places his arm around his shoulder. "That, my friend, is a fat lie," the muggleborn wizard disagrees, a pleasant smile on his face. Theodore hums with doubt in his vocals while relaxing under his touch.

             "Don't be a downer! I mean— Smith gifted me my worst date possible, but I'm not gonna let him destroy the trip with my friends, okay?" Spencer reminds the two, raising her finger accusingly. The Slytherin frowns for a total of five seconds before accepting the condition.

             "Fine, but you're paying for my butterbeer," he tells her, a playful grin on his lips. The young girl groans at his words before doing just that as they went up to Madam Rosmerta. Ricky, Theodore, and Spencer sit in that exact order and waits for their drink to appear which hopefully would be ten times better than the one from Hog's Head. When they were placed down in front of them, Spencer grasps onto the drink and sips on it, a smile forming on her lips immediately. Theodore seems to have the same reaction as he then slowly admits, "Okay, maybe it's not so bad."

             "'Not so bad' stop trying to make up excuses, Theodore," Ricky mocks, smirking slightly as he notices a touch of red appear in both the boy's cheeks. Spencer glances at the two of them curiously before silently drinking once more from her cup when Theo responds back to banter with him. The three of them continue their time conversing while walking as they wander to shops like Zonko's and Honeydukes. Theodore isn't really interested in any of the two, but he still followed along happily. For him (and him only), they went inside Spintwitches Sporting Needs and let him eye the Quidditch brooms with amazement. It reminds her of Fred and George's plan and she can only wonder when they would expose it to the students. Leaving Hogwarts? Man, that still caught her off guard even from them.

             Spencer notices a peculiar shop and she stops in her tracks, her head tilting in thought. Ricky and Theodore bump into her and waits for the girl to return to earth so they could ask. "Can I go to Schrivenshaft's Quill Shop?" Spencer beats them to it, glancing at her two friends in anticipation.

             Ricky blinks in surprise before slowly nodding. "Yeah... okay?"

             The girl smiles brightly before dragging the two inside the shop. It always amazes her how each shop had its own smell, whether it is astronomical or hideous. This shop smells like the perfect combination of new books and ink. To be frank, she only wanted to head inside so she could buy some painting supplies. Last time, Blaise Zabini bought a few utensils on his own when they had gone to the bookstore. Knowing the boy is still upset with her, she hopes that maybe he could ease up on her. If he doesn't, well, he could just keep her gifts to him. Spencer never thought she would miss talking to her sister's ex-boyfriend, but guilt ravels her up for making him drift from her. It is a bit too much to call them friends, but they were definitely not enemies. She liked his presence.

             "I didn't know you like art," Theodore points out in confusion.

             Spencer shrugs. "Actually, I do like art. It's quite interesting trying to determine if they truly have a message or if it was for one's own amusement. I'm not good at it, though."

             "Who is it for?" Ricky barges in with a question of his own, knowing his best friend far more than he should.

             Her lips form a small line. "Um," she pauses momentarily not knowing how they would react. "Zabini, if you must know."

             "Zabini?" Theo repeats the surname in surprise. His nose scrunches up in disgust. "Why?"

             Ricky forms a small smirk on his own, watching Spencer's ear turn the lightest of red. "He may have gotten upset over something I told him... and I have been feeling regret for what I said," she confesses quietly.

             "Well, why don't you go fix it now?" Ricky pushes her to a specific direction. Spencer almost falls in retaliation and disbelief. She sends him a quizzical look. "Theo and I will find something to do," he continues, keeping the same mischievous smile on his face.

             Noticing that his eyes went past her shoulder, Spencer turns around to try and find what he is staring at. It does not take long for her to realize what he meant. About a couple of feet away (more like twenty) stood Zabini with Malfoy beside him. She turns back to her friends before noticing that Ricky had made Theodore run out of her view. Her mouth gapes at them in betrayal as she watches Ricky blow a kiss of goodbye and his right hand with Theo's. The Slytherin did not seem to like the idea of leaving her with the others, but it appears that Ricky did not give him a choice.

             Sometimes she questioned if Ricky truly was the embodiment of being a best friend.

             Spencer purses her lips in hesitation before marching up the courage. Perhaps even Malfoy could help in letting her talk since he is actually not bad. Annoying, definitely, but not bad. The blond Slytherin is the first to notice her as he tilts his head in wonder and a small smirk begins appearing in his face. The dark-skinned male only seemed to notice her because of his best friend.

             "Ah, if it isn't Spencer," Malfoy teases gently, recalling the fact that in her own manor they had to treat each other as equals. Not that they weren't, but they definitely were not friends. Zabini furrows his eyebrows in confusion, his eyes darting from his best mate to the Ravenclaw girl. Spencer rolls her eyes and yet still gives him an appreciative look. They may not be friends, but she is definitely thankful for all he did back in Christmas. He had been her only entertainment and help in such a gloomy family. "Mother has been asking me about you... I think she's rather keen on you than your sister," he informs her with a short chuckle.

             "What the hell are you talking about?" Zabini steps in, his eyebrows shot up at the words his best friend let out of his mouth. Spencer glances at Malfoy in confusion. Did he not tell his own friend that he visited the Montague Manor?

             Malfoy lets a smirk rest in his face. "Ah! Right, I did forgot to tell you something from break," he fakes himself to be solemn, but based on his voice, he does not seem to regret it. "My family and I were invited to her family manor during Christmas. I even had the pleasure in seeing her with a wonderful dress."

             Spencer sends him an annoyed look. "And I was left to hear how 'ravishing their kid is' and my personal favorite 'I cannot wait for him to marry Morgana!'" She retorts back with distaste.

             At the sudden reveal, Malfoy begins to cough in surprise and even Zabini raises an eyebrow. "Wait—what?" The blond stammers out in fear.

             The young Montague gives him a look of pity. "Oh, yeah. My parents are keen on intending Morgana to marry you because she is absolutely 'in love' with you and that I am going to 'steal you' if they don't do anything about it," Spencer explains, shuddering at the thought. Morgana knows exactly how to anger her parents and put the blame right at the youngest.

             "My mother will not allow this!" Malfoy grumbles out angrily.

             "I like your mother," she compliments, smiling at the thought of the woman. It was the first that she truly found herself feeling better for having an adult listen to her. Though, they were clearly going off-topic than why she originally went to them. "But I didn't come to talk about what happened a month ago," Spencer changes the topic.

             Zabini scoffs at her words and then goes to turn away. The blond Slytherin notices the desperate expression in the brunette's face and grabs his friend's arm. The two Slytherins glares at one another, but Malfoy seems to win the competition as he crosses his arms and backs away to give them some privacy. He does not go on his own and instead waits patiently by a brick wall. The Slytherin faces her in defeat and motions for her to talk.

             Spencer freezes right in her spot. Thousands of words ran through her head and yet she could not say a single one of them. What if she says the wrong stuff? The Ravenclaw lets her eyes wander to his, wondering why she even cared.

             "I—" she begins to speak, but it is barely above a whisper. Spencer clears her throat and regains the confidence she arrived with, "I am sorry for snapping at you. You did nothing wrong and I came out as rude."

             "Why are you apologizing?" Zabini cuts her off, his eyebrows furrowing together. He keeps his face blank and it reminds Spencer back to the letter she wrote him for Christmas. Her hand clenches into the small bag that holds a few art supplies— she even found the muggle type. "We're not friends," he continues, swallowing deeply as he realizes she had gazed down at his words.

             Maybe they aren't. That does not mean Spencer does not like his presence. "I like talking to you," she admits, her voice coming out with a crack. She tucks in a piece of her hair and when she feels the air turn hot (in other words she could practically feel her blood run up to her face in embarrassment), Spencer lifts up the bag.

             "And uh— well— I bought this for you," Spencer grimaces at the way she spoke. For someone with a high IQ, she truly does not know what is wrong with her. The stuttering mess? The way no words could escape her mouth when her thoughts were killing her? Merlin, she would pleasantly throw herself into the Black Lake. Zabini blinks in confusion while grabbing the bag. Before he could say anything else, Spencer lets her embarrassment win and she finds herself fleeing from the scenery. It is not like it matters since Malfoy shakes his head and holds out his arm to get her to stop.

             He raises an eyebrow. "Nope, you're not leaving," he disagrees with a chuckle. Malfoy glances back and then gives her a pitiful look. "Plus, Morgana is over there. You never told me what she did, but it didn't mean I ignored it." Malfoy lets his eyes wander down to her healed wrist. Spencer sends him a glare and stays in her spot beside him.

             Just in that moment, Zabini walks toward them. "What do you mean 'what she did'? What did Morgana do?" His eyes darken immensely and Spencer couldn't help but frown.

             "I can handle my sister, thank you," Spencer counters, specifically toward the blond male. Zabini glances at the two of them in suspicion before making them stay on Malfoy only. His best friend seems to realize what he wants and so the boy purses his lips before sending a nod at the girl as his goodbye. Once again, the two students are left in each other's presence like the first Hogsmeade of the year. Instead of heading to any particular shop, the Ravenclaw and Slytherin walk around the area.

             "I suppose I owe you an apology," Zabini speaks up, his eyes drifting to the supplies. Spencer shakes her head at him, waving off what he said. He gives her a look. "No, seriously. You just wanted to be left alone, I get that. I'm sorry for how I acted as well. And you really did not have to buy me the utensils."

             "It was nothing," Spencer responds back awkwardly.

             The Slytherin quirks an eyebrow. "Was it?" There is a moment of total silence where the two stare at each other. Spencer is not sure what she is searching for in his dark brown eyes. She herself feels exposed— as if she is practically nude by the way he continues gazing at hers back. William Shakespeare, the famous poet and playwright, once claimed that the "eyes were the windows to the soul" and she fears that he is right. Spencer always stares at his eyes the moment she could because they reveal so much more than the average expression. There's a connection when your conscious realizes that the two know that they're staring at one another. Like how they are doing now. Some people may say staring at something for long can cause a slow decrease of attraction, but obviously Blaise Zabini does not follow the norm. He still stays sharp-looking and if anything... more beautiful? The moment she notices his pupils dilate, Spencer finally forces herself to gaze away.

             She coughs to herself, blocking it out with her arm and in the meantime also hiding her face. Zabini backs away from her, but still walks beside. "What did Draco mean when he mentioned Morgana? What did she do?"

             Spencer hesitates to tell him the truth. Then she recalls the reason why he strayed from her for weeks even as they sat together during Umbridge's class. "During break... she finally showed me what she's capable of even without magic," the girl vaguely explains.

             "The marks...?" He stops to think, his hand gently being placed on her arm. Spencer shivers when her sister's face flashes through her mind; the way she had been furious and dark. Still, she nods at what he intends to say. It looks as if he wants to question more but is unsure if she would want to continue to share.

             "When I was eight years old, she found a way to hex me and instantly blamed it on accidental magic being released," Spencer informs him, keeping the same topic but different story. His eyes widen at the information she just told him. "I wasn't exactly afraid then. It had been awful, but I told myself she would outgrow it. Now she's done it again without the use of magic, and I- I think she won."

             "No," he contradicts, "she has not won and I don't believe you will let her."

             Spencer chuckles, but it does not match her spirit. "Why do you have so much faith in me?"

             Zabini narrows his eyes at her. "Somehow, you always manage to lessen yourself. The real question here is: why do you not?"

             And the two make their way back to the High Street, where one finds his way to his friend, and the other is found by her two closest.

.･:*:･ﾟ'✫,'✫'ﾟ･:*:･˙

             LUNA LOVEGOOD GRANTS HER father's newspaper, The Quibler, for no charge at her, claiming that she is a friend. Spencer smiles in gratitude before secretly leaving a galleon in the girl's robe and then focusing on the head title. Immediately, her eyes widen in disbelief and she only thanks Merlin that Theodore and Ricky are busy fighting over who is getting the first chicken wing. Their hands clasping each other's while trying to stop the other from taking it. She glances at them with a frown before choosing to read the section first.

HARRY POTTER SPEAKS OUT AT LAST: THE TRUTH ABOUT HE-WHO-MUST-NOT-BE-NAMED AND THE NIGHT I SAW HIM RETURN

             It does not take long for her to finish the whole newspaper. Perhaps only two minutes minimum and four the latest— but only because she is too mixed about the reveal. Her Gryffindor friend finally revealed the Deatheaters who took part in the graveyard scenario back when Cedric was killed. Her mind is not surprised at any of the names being sold out, but she knows this would gain attention to the children, and perhaps anger some of them as well. Crabbe. Goyle. Malfoy. Nott. She stares up and takes a look around the room. Already, people are whispering among each other or finding themselves looking at the children of the father's that were mentioned. Attention given to her Slytherin friend who has no idea what just happened. Spencer lets her eyes wander to the Gryffindor table and she finally gains Harry's attention.

             She is not angry or disappointed in his decision to reveal the truth. In fact, she thought what he did is the best for everyone else to get their mind wrapped in the idea that Voldemort is alive. But she could not help but sympathize for Theodore who continues fighting over a piece of wing that he most likely will not eat. Spencer sends Harry a thin smile, her eyes shifting toward the boy who sits beside her best friend. Understanding crosses his face and he gives her an apologetic glance before his attention went back to Hermione.

             "Theo, Ricky..." Spencer decides to face the truth. The two boys instantly stop their bantering and she could not help but soften her gaze as she spots Theodore's smile. Slowly, it begins shifting into one of concern as he realizes she looks solemn more than anything. Ricky sends her a questioning glance. The young Ravenclaw clutches the paper in her hands before placing it on the table and sliding it over with the title in front of them. Almost immediately, Theodore grabs the newspaper as he realizes what the title said. His eyes scans the paper and they hurried as he finally notices what it is about. Ricky read it over his shoulder just the same and he leans back in surprise, his lips slightly apart when he read who exactly took part in such horrid event.

             The young Montague flinches at the reminder that she never told him about what Harry confirmed. She couldn't. Firstly, it was not something that she had to say— not her part. And secondly, she fears her friend would gain a distrust in someone he grew close to. Theodore's smile vanishes from his face and within seconds, his whole face went black and void of emotion. He was pushing them away and those thoughts of Spencer's are confirmed as he slams the newspaper into the table and flees from the Great Hall. Spencer sighs in defeat and rubs her temples in frustration.

             It does not get better when Ricky glances at her with a different expression on his face.

             "You knew... didn't you?" A hint of betrayal is noticeable in his voice. One that manages to break Spencer's heart in ways she did not think of as possible. Her best friend is staring at her like if he lost her... like if she is not the person he knows.

             "Ricky, let me explain," Spencer laments, placing her hand over his. Pain struck her right in her heart as she watches him forcibly takes his hand out from hers. She thought guilt is to starve her up, but even though she is hurt by the way he reacted, she knows that guilt and regret is not something she will feel. Sure, she feels terrible for keeping it to herself, but this was not something Spencer had to reveal.

             "Seriously, Spencer? You don't think telling me the man you decided to befriend is not only a part of a muggle-hating family, but a Deatheater?" Ricky scoffs out, a fake chuckle escaping his mouth in retaliation. Spencer stares at him in complete shock.

             "What do you mean 'man'? Theo is still a kid just like us. He's our friend," Spencer defends the Slytherin, looking taken back by how her best friend is acting. Ricky raises an eyebrow in mockery.

             "Oh, right! When did he tell you this?" The Ravenclaw sarcastically questions, leaning forward as if he is truly interested. The young Montague purses her lips and just stares at him which earns a doubtful nod. The boy mumbles something under his breath, but she could not hear what he said.

             She knows it is a lost battle for now. It doesn't stop her from saying, "He didn't have to. The Notts are known for being a part of the Sacred family... and Harry told me beforehand."

             Ricky claps at the new information. "Wow. Harry. He told you this already? And you thought 'why not keep it away from my muggleborn friend!' it's not like it matters when it's his life in the line," he huffs out like if it's a joke.

             Spencer opens her mouth in disbelief. "This is not about your blood status! Theo never once looked at you any differ— you know what? Since you're incredibly mad at me and choosing to focus on the wrong realization, I'm out of here!" The Ravenclaw stands up from her seat angrily and marches out of the Great Hall, ignoring the fact that she basically caused a scene and had about majority of the student's eyes on her.

             From the Gryffindor table, Harry Potter stares at the Ravenclaw table with a solemn expression. Hermione, Ron, and the Weasley twins seem to hold similar faces because they noticed something. Ricky Adams and Spencer Montague rarely fought with complete anger in them. And yet, the young girl had left a furious boy behind.

             "Did I cause that?" Harry could not help but frown as he asks the question. It would be a surprise if no one heard what the young Montague had yelled toward the end. Ron grimaces slightly and shrugs, hoping he would be able to convince his friend otherwise. The others stays silent instead.

             Meanwhile, Spencer places her hand in her mouth, stopping herself from letting out a sob. She can never forget the face Ricky had done when he found out she knew. It hurt her completely; a gaze that felt like poison. But this is not about her. She forces herself to keep her tears in and instead closes her eyes to think. Where would Theodore Nott go? Her friend is a closed-off person. He would most likely head somewhere close to his dormitories, but definitely not inside. Secretive and not crowded with people. It takes her longer than usual before her mind finds a coherent answer. The kitchens!

             She ignores the fact that class would be starting soon (she had Professor Binns, she'll be fine and simply ask Hermione for notes) and instead quickly runs to the destination. Luckily, Dobby the Elf strolls outside the kitchens and he gladly welcomes her in by showing her how to (apparently they had to tickle this painting). Just as she suspects, her eyes lands on the boy who had been kneeled down in distraught. Unusual tears streams down his cheeks and when he glances up, he hurriedly rubs his eyes and turns away. Spencer gulps at his expression before making her way toward him. She sits beside him and grabs his arms, pulling him into a warm hug. His face hides on the breach of her neck and she can feel his chest vibrating.

             "Ricky hates me, doesn't he?" Theodore cries out, his face still hiding in her shoulder.

             Spencer frowns and soothes his back calmly. "He's not handling it well, but he does not hate you," she assures, not only to him, but herself. Ricky, no matter how infuriated he can get, cannot physically hate someone. He is hurt and scared and he has every reason to be as his family are muggles.

            " You knew?" The boy detaches himself from her and gazes right at her face. With a nod of confirmation, he stares away in shame.

             The young girl gently places her hand on his cheek. "I knew your father had been one... my aunt is too and she bragged consistently upon her respected peers. It was Harry who told me beforehand that your father had..." she trails off, rubbing the dry tears forming in his face.

             "Then why did you continued acting normal? He gave you a warning."

             Spencer frowns at the sentence. "Theo, you're my friend. I knew what I was getting myself into the moment I welcomed you to sit with us. You're not a bad person and that is what I told Harry as well," she defends the boy from himself.

             Theodore swallows deeply. "I think you're the only one who truly believes that," he confesses, pressing his forehead against hers. Instead of allowing him to get eaten up by his own sorrow, she brings him back to her arms and lets him squeeze her tight— ignoring the fact that it feels like he thinks she is leaving him.

             (Spencer finally realizes what it means to feel lonely and yet not be alone).

▂✫⌒*･ﾟ

AUTHOR'S NOTE:
who told me to write some angst
between ricky and spencer??????
im never doing that again it hurts
worse than m*rgana (jk but still)

also, theo deserves a better father pls
and at least blaise isn't a cold bitch to her
anymore 😁💔

is it safe to warn u guys the trio is gonna be
uhhh ¿ complicated now ?