★
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x. The Slytherin's Song
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★

DESPITE THE SLIGHT headache she has after such a late night, by ten 'o clock the next morning, Thea is huddled in her coat with Dean and Seamus in the Gryffindor Quidditch stalls, her eyes trained on where the team will fly onto the pitch. The whole stand is screaming and chanting with excitement, the Slytherins more so than usual.

Thea narrows her eyes.

"Can you hear what the snakes are saying?" Thea asks Dean and Seamus, turning her ear towards them and feeling her heart beating faster.

"Somethin' about Weasley," Seamus says.

Thea can feel her body start to swell with anger as she tunes into the words.

"Weasley cannot save a thing, he cannot block a single ring, that's why we Slytherins all sing, Weasley is our king. Weasley was born in a bin, he always lets the Quaffle in, Weasley will make sure we win, Weasley is our king!"

"Are they for real?" she yells, stamping her foot and moving to go and storm into the Slytherin stands and curse every one of them into oblivion.

"Oh no you don't!" Dean and Seamus say in unison, grabbing an arm each and pulling her back into her place.

"It'll put Ron off! It's not fair!" Thea says, gritting her teeth.

"That isn't your problem, Ron is a big boy, he can handle himself –"

"Do I look like I care?" Thea is shouting now, trying to rip from Dean and Seamus' grasp.

Dean rolls his eyes. "Now I know why you fancy Harry. You both have the same hero complex."

"I DO NOT FANCY HARRY!"

"Sure you don't." Dean winks, smirking at Thea.

Thea hates that Dean isn't intimidated by her anger like most, so sits down on the bench and folds her arms, sulking like a toddler.

"Best hope the winds don't change, or your face will freeze like that. You're much prettier when you don't look like you want to murder me," Dean says, sitting down next to her and putting his arm around her.

"I will slap you," she growls, raising her hand threateningly, only to get Dean and Seamus erupting into laughter again.

Finally, the teams march out onto the pitch, and Thea suddenly feels her face break into a grin as her eyes land on Harry.

She and the rest of the Gryffindors in the stands let out bellowing chants in support of their team, jumping and stamping and clapping as the teams meet in the middle, the captains shake hands, and the match begins.

Thea's eyes are trained on Harry through the whole game, occasionally checking on Ron to see how he's doing; she winces every time, knowing he isn't doing too well.

She watches Daisy fly effortlessly through the sky as though she hasn't got a single care in the world. It doesn't sit well with Thea how she just agreed to bury their whole disagreement, but hey, there isn't much she can do. It's easier to just let it all go, and she doesn't really want it spreading to Umbridge that she's fallen out with someone because they don't believe You-Know-Who's back. And two stubborn people having an argument will just mean they go in circles. Even the thought of it tires Thea out.

Meanwhile, the Slytherins are still screaming their song, which she knows is part of the reason for Ron's incompetence, as she doesn't miss him often sparing looks in their direction.

Her fury doesn't dilute even the slightest bit. It only strengthens when Harry catches the Snitch, and the whistle blows to end the match. Thea's knuckles clench and turn white as she thinks, wait until I get my hands on that little brat, Malfoy, I know this is his doing. Then she thinks about Jude, and thinks, if he had anything to do with this –

"Let's go, Thea – hey, not that way!"

Dean's hands shoot out to grab his friend's arm, hoping to stop her from going down and beating the living daylights out of the Slytherins, but fails, his arms hanging pathetically outstretched in the air.

Thea is marching down onto the pitch as she catches the two teams squaring up to each other, Malfoy at the front and a disgusting smirk on his face, like he knows the damage he's going to cause. She sees Harry's holding onto one of the Weasley twins for dear life as they try to rip out of his grip, and makes her way over.

"Malfoy, you lost! Get over it!" she calls, her arms folded now she's stood face to face with him. "Your dirty bullying didn't even work! Gryffindor still won!" she says angrily, watching his face turn to a look of hatred.

She's waiting for his response until her eyes fall on Jude and she marches up to him, forgetting about Malfoy.

"YOU!" she snarls, her finger jabbing hard into his chest. "Did you have anything to do with it?"

"No –"

"Don't lie to me!" she yells, staring up at him. "Did you have anything to do with this?"

"Cinders, come on – it was just a bit of fun!"

Blood drums in her ears and it's like something's battering her brain, the way it seems to be swelling against her skull. The sounds around her magnify and minimise, sometimes too close, sometimes so far away she wonders if she's still on earth. Her heart flickers with flames and her mouth opens, letting out a cruel and harsh voice.

"Whatever you thought was going on here," she points between them. "You can forget it. You're nothing to me. You're just as bad as the rest."

She doesn't feel regret. She's still so livid that everything around her is spinning, but in her rage is also confusion. She's not really sure why she said that, what it was that told her he was quite fond of her. What she does regret though, is looking into his eyes, because something in his gaze hurts her, and her heart flickers. There's a fine thread of betrayal in his eyes as she looks at him. Only a bit, but she sees it because she feels the same. A bit of humiliation too, and only now does she hear the snickers and laughter of the Gryffindors around them.

"Ouch, Strenegal, I bet that one stung."

"No little Romeo and Juliet story for you then, Strenegal."

She wouldn't have considered Jude a friend, that word feels too close, but there was an understanding between them, something that stings to lose. Her piercing look doesn't falter though.

"I told you guys not to mess with Harry and Ron – maybe next time, you'll take me seriously!" she shouts, turning around just to see Harry punch Malfoy hard in the stomach.

She feels a wave of satisfaction and pride fall over her before a call of "Impedimenta!" knocks him back and wipes the smirk off her face.

"Cindercroft."

Shit.

Thea's suddenly face to face with Snape, and now it's Jude's turn to gloat. She gives him a glare, only for it to be met with a softened expression of helplessness instead of the smugness she expects.

Snape speaks again.

"Come with me."

She trudges after him, her eyes meeting Harry's, who is marching away with one of the twins, his face hard-set and full of rage.

★

A few hours later, she's making her way back to the common room, her bones and brain empty of energy and thought.

How could she let her anger get in the way like that? She imagines Jude will never speak to her again, Umbridge will have her expelled, she has three weeks of detention with Snape, and she doesn't even know what the consequences will be for her mother if – when – Umbridge finds out.

"Thea!" calls Hermione when she enters the common room.

The bushy haired girl looks like she's going to explode, and Thea thinks this is the first time she's ever feared anyone her own age.

"Yes?" she barely gets out.

"How could you and Harry be so stupid? You've completely embarrassed yourselves; you're probably going to get kicked off the Inquisitorial Squad – "

"I couldn't care less, I hate it anyway – "

"Don't interrupt me! I was going to say, which will put you very high up in Umbridge's bad books, and Harry's banned from playing Quidditch..."

Thea allows Hermione to continue to rant as she takes a glum seat next to Harry in the armchair by the fire.

The two drown the other girl's voice out.

"You know, Harry..." she starts.

He looks at her, his eyes still bright with anger.

"...that was the coolest punch I've ever seen."

Harry cracks a light grin. "It's only because he insulted my mother."

"I'm sorry to hear that," Thea says. "Malfoy is completely disgusting. I hope you're OK – well, I know you're not OK, I just mean after what he said –"

"It's fine, Thea," he says, trying to reassure her.

Dropping her gaze so she doesn't lose her nerve, she places her hand over his, and squeezes it a little. Her heart has jumped into her throat and her chest is full of flames, but when she sees him smile out of the corner of his eye, relief washes over her. She's even a little...happy.

★

Thea's elated when she realises that her detentions with Snape won't clash with the final DA meeting before the Christmas holidays, as the last one was the night before. She knows she doesn't really deserve detention at all, never mind one every night for a week, as her 'crime' was trespassing on the Quidditch pitch. A load of bullshit, she thinks.

There's a slight skip in her gait as she makes her way to the meeting slightly early, knocking on the door and opening it to find Harry rushing to take down what appears to be hundreds of sparkling baubles, all sporting his face and the message 'HAVE A VERY HAPPY CHRISTMAS'.

She stifles a laugh. "Well, Harry, you do have a nice face, but I don't think everyone wants to see it on thousands of baubles," she jokes. "Great effort though."

He has a nice face. What? Why on earth did she just say that?

"Erm – thanks. I'd honestly say my face is fairly average really," he replies. "I'd have chosen your face over mine."

Is he saying she's pretty here? Thea doesn't want to assume anything and embarrass herself even more, so she stays silent, and busies herself with helping Harry to take the decorations down.

Soon after, Thea swears her jaw almost drops to the ground when Luna Lovegood arrives with Eden in tow. Clare never shows up, and Thea isn't holding out much hope for her doing so ever, but honestly, she'd expect to see her here before Eden.

"What are you doing here?" Thea and Harry both ask the Slytherin in unison, their arms folded.

"She's here with me!" Luna says dreamily.

"Why would you bring her –"

"Because I want to," Luna says, a little defensively.

Harry and Thea exchange looks before the rest of the DA enter, all shooting looks to Eden, some pointing, some glaring. Thea herself is more preoccupied with the fact that she came with Luna Lovegood. She decides she doesn't really care much, just before Harry calls for everyone's attention.

"I thought we could just go over everything we've done so far since it's our last meeting before the holidays. I don't think there's any point starting anything new right before a three-week break –"

"We're not doing anything new? If I'd known that, I wouldn't have come," says Zacharias Smith loudly.

Thea opens her mouth to speak, but Dean beats her to it, clamping a hand over her mouth.

"Keep it to yourself."

She huffs like a toddler and nips his hand, so he'll remove it, which he does with a reproachful look.

"You're in enough trouble – I'm trying to help you," Dean hisses.

Thea just rolls her eyes before looking back at Harry.

" – we can practise in pairs. We'll start with the Impediment Jinx for ten minutes, then we can try Stunning again," Harry says, triggering people to start rushing to friends for a partner.

"Come on then," Dean says to Thea, looking at her expectantly.

She raises her eyebrows. "Oh, do I look like Ginny Weasley now?"

"No?" Dean frowns.

"You made your decision. She's over there, on her own. Neville is my partner," she says, making her way over to him and smiling at him.

"Hi Neville –"

"Impedimenta!"

Thea's body stiffens. She can't speak or move for about ten seconds, and when she can, she breaks out into a grin and bounds over to Neville, pulling him into a hug.

"You did it!" she exclaims as she pulls back and looks at him, her hands still on his shoulders.

He looks unbelievably shocked, still staring at his wand until Harry comes over.

"Well done Neville!" he says, patting him on the back and giving Thea a smile before moving onto the next pair.

Soon, they're dragging out cushions and setting them up in order to practise the Stunning Spell, one Thea is yet to master.

"Stupefy!" she shouts, her wand pointing at Neville.

To her surprise, the boy flies backwards and lands with a groan on his back.

"Thanks, Thea," he says, standing up with difficulty.

She grins widely. "You're welcome."

Harry eventually calls for the group to stop.

"You're getting really good! When we get back to school, we can start on the big stuff – maybe even Patronuses."

Everyone starts to whisper excitedly amongst them as they leave in their small groups. Thea hangs back, hoping to catch Harry and thank him.

"Thea!"

She turns around to Eden. "What?"

"Why didn't you tell me about this?" she demands, her face glowing and Luna on her tail.

Thea gives her a look. "Are you really asking me that?"

"Sorry. That was a stupid thing to ask. Anyway, um, I hope you have a nice Christmas," she says quickly.

"Come on Eden! We're going to miss the Silver-Tailed Square Swallows," Luna says.

Eden smiles a little at this before walking off.

Thea doesn't move; she's never been more confused in her life. She kind of regrets being sharp with Eden, and she hates the fact that there's drama from literally every angle of her life right now. She decides to send everyone a Christmas card this year, like an olive branch. Even to Daisy and Eden.

"Thea, are you coming back to the common room?" Ron asks, Hermione stood next to him.

"Aren't we going to wait for Harry?" she says back, her head cocked to the side.

She looks around for the familiar head of messy black hair and sees Harry approach Cho Chang. Her shoulders slump and her stomach fills with frenzied butterflies, but this time, they're not the nice kind.

"He'll meet us there," Ron shrugs.

"I'm sure he will," Thea says quietly, turning around and making her way out of the room, not caring whether it's her 'turn' or not.

As she storms down the corridor, she realises she doesn't know really why she's annoyed, which irritates her even further. Harry can talk to anyone he wants. Why would she care? She hears Ron's voice call her name.

"What's got your wand in a knot?" Ron asks, looking genuinely confused, while Hermione has a knowing look on her face.

Thea is scared of her again.

"Nothing, I'm just tired and have some homework I need to finish," she lies, to which Hermione raises her eyebrows.

The three make their way to the common room, Thea saying the password and entering before falling down in one of the armchairs by the fire and pulling her essay out of her bag and making a start.

About ten minutes later, she realises it's fruitless, constantly getting distracted by Hermione and Ron's conversations. She puts her essay away and sits back in her chair. This catches Ron's attention.

"Hey, Thea, what's going on with you and Strenegal, then?"

Thea makes a noise of repulsion. "Nothing. I hate him," she says simply, making Ron laugh.

"Yeah, right –"

"You literally were there when I...uh..." she suddenly stops, looking at Ron with a little embarrassed look. "...I told him he means nothing to me. So he shouldn't bother me again."

"Ouch, T. Please tell me how to not get on your bad side."

"Just...don't be horrible about yourself. Or Harry," she says.

"What? Why would I do that?"

"That's why I said that. He was being nasty about you. And Harry. But mainly I was bothered that he was being mean about you, because he messed up your first game."

Hermione's eyes are scalding holes in the side of her face, but Thea keeps her gaze locked on Ron's.

"Why?"

"Because I like you."

Ron smiles a little. "Well, thanks. That means a lot."

She smiles back a little, before she carries on talking.

"...So do you see now? That's hardly a basis for a relationship...and I don't even like him," she responds.

"Like who?" asks Harry's voice, taking a seat opposite Thea and next to Hermione.

The softness in Ron's eyes has now vanished, and his usual light-hearted mischief is back as he looks between Harry and Thea.

"She's trying to convince us there's nothing going on with her and Strenegal," he grins.

Harry looks at her blankly.

"I'm not trying to convince anyone, I'm telling you there's nothing going on because he's awful, and if you so much as suggest it again Ronald, I won't just break your heart –"

"Fine, fine, Merlin's beard woman, calm it – anyway, Harry, what kept you?" Ron turns to his friend, gulping lightly.

He doesn't say anything. Thea feels her stomach drop again.

"Harry, are you all right?" Hermione asks him, looking up from the letter she is writing.

The boy shrugs. Thea watches him curiously.

"What happened?" Ron asks, abandoning his Transfiguration essay and looking at Harry.

Hermione speaks. "Is it Cho? Did she corner you after the meeting?"

More like he approached her, Thea thinks, a rush of annoyance filling her.

Harry nods slowly.

"So – er – what did she want?" Ron tries to be casual but ends up sniggering halfway through his sentence.

Thea is very aware of her heartbeat, and she bites her lip nervously. She doesn't like where this is going, for some reason...

"Did you kiss?" Hermione asks him bluntly, sparing Thea a little glance.

Thea's fingers go to play with the end of her hair. Her heart beats even faster as she stares at Harry, waiting for him to answer.

"Well?" Ron asks.

"No. Well, she went to kiss me but I don't know, I moved out of the way – I don't really know what came over me – it was really dreadful, I mean she was already crying, but then she started crying again and I was just stood there like a lemon and then she said 'Merry Christmas' and ran off so I think she hates me," he says all in one breath.

Thea finds her voice after he says he didn't kiss Cho. "I don't think she hates you at all, she's probably just embarrassed. I would be if I went to kiss you and you moved out of the way," she looks at Harry, who raises his eyebrows at the last part.

"I mean, not that I would, obviously, but you know, theoretically," she says very quickly.

She wishes she had the gift of thinking before speaking when it came to Harry, but somehow, she can never string together a sentence that isn't mortifying in his presence. She thinks absentmindedly that she's never complimented one person so much as she has Harry considering she's only talked to him for about two months, and it's this that turns her face even redder.

"Cho's crying all the time these days; I mean, all you had to do was be nice." Hermione says, before pausing. "You were nice to her, weren't you?" she asks with a nervous look.

"Well, I patted her on the back a bit," Harry says awkwardly.

"Why didn't you give her a hug?" Thea asks, frowning.

Harry shoots her a glare.

She returns it with a smile.

She doesn't even know what she's so relieved about. All she knows is that it seems to make the flames torching her insides constantly a little more bearable.

As she turns back to her essay, a little more energised, she hears Hermione snap to Ron,

"Just because you've got the emotional range of a teaspoon, doesn't mean we all have."

She laughs, "I hate to say it Ron, but she's right,"

"Oh, go back to Jude," Ron retorts, picking up his essay with a little huff.

She launches a pillow at him, for once not feeling the war in her bones, but a comforting feeling of calm.