Chapter Text
Chapter 11
A few weeks later, Ariana was in her bedroom listening to some music as she worked on her homework. There was a soft knock on the door.
“Come in.” Ariana said, lifting her head. She saw Dumbledore walk in with Snape.
“I’m sorry, Ariana. Some things are missing from Severus’ personal stores. Do you mind if we look through your ingredients?” Dumbledore said.
Ariana didn’t seem bothered by this. She hadn’t been anywhere in Snape’s stores. She motioned over to her desk where she stored her potion supplies.
“Go right ahead.” Ariana said. She hummed softly to the music as wrote down her answers.
Snape went over to look through her stuff. He even checked the small bag that Ariana kept in her school bag. She didn’t have what he was missing. However, it looked like she was missing a few things herself.
“I thought I gave you Lacewing Flies last year as a birthday gift.” Snape said.
Ariana looked up at the Potions Master. “You did. Was it not there?”
Snape shook his head. “Neither was Fluxweed or Knotgrass.”
Ariana was confused. She got up from the floor where she was studying to check on her shelf above her desk where she kept her own ingredients. Snape was right. She was missing a few things herself. Even some of her Potions supplies were missing.
“Who all knows that you have your own ingredients?” Dumbledore asked.
“The whole school.” Ariana said.
“Who knows you have the ingredients used to make Polyjuice Potion? Snape asked.
Ariana leaned against her desk. “Not many. Draco does. Maybe Ron, Harry, and Hermione as well."
“If I might, Headmaster. I think Potter and his friends are brewing Polyjuice Potion." Snape said.
“What makes you think we're behind this?” Ariana asked, defensively.
“Should we go back to second year?” Snape asked.
“Just because we brewed Polyjuice Potion then doesn’t mean we are brewing it now, you Troll.”
“Don’t lie to me, Ariana. You know the consequences for lying.”
“You are able to read minds, Professor. You should know that I am not lying. Or are you really that thick?”
“Alright enough!” Dumbledore’s voice echoed off the walls of Ariana’s bedroom.
“If we are done here, then please leave. I have homework to do.” Ariana said. She pushed past Snape back to the coffee table where she was studying.
"Scooch." Ariana said.
Harry moved a tiny bit on the bench. There wasn't much room left for Ariana. Harry wrapped an arm around her waist to keep her falling.
"So do you three want to explain to me about why Snape came to look through my potion ingredients?" Ariana asked.
"I thought after second year we wouldn't brew it ever again." Ron said.
"We did." Hermione said.
Harry looked over at Ariana. This was the first time he ever saw the beauty of Ariana. He found himself pulling her closer to him.
"Snape thinks it's us brewing Polyjuice Potion." Harry said.
"I am actually missing a few things myself too. I had Lacewing Flies, Knotgrass, and Fluxweed. They are gone. I am even missing a few of my supplies. Like viles and my extra cauldron." Ariana explained.
"That doesn't make sense. Everyone knows to ask you before they take anything." Hermione said.
"I know. And it isn't like they can get in my room without approval. My father is usually at his desk. He doesn't let anyone just go up there if I am not in my room." Ariana said.
"Has anyone been in your room this year?" Harry asked.
"No one that usually isn't in my room. Snape, my parents, me. I did allow Neville in, but that was because he needed Gillyweed for the second task." Ariana explained.
"Did Snape or your parents seem out of place?" Ron asked.
Ariana thought about it for a moment. She then shook her head.
"Is Dumbledore doing anything about it?" Harry asked.
"I don't think so, Moral Fiber." Ariana teased.
"You know what." Harry said, lightly shoving Ariana off the bench.
Harry wasn't expecting Ariana to drag him with her. He found himself on top of the Headmaster's daughter.
"Hi Harry." Ariana giggled.
"Hi Ariana." Harry said, smiling.
Just then Harry was shoved.
"Dimitri, what the hell!?" Ariana asked as she stood. She took a protective stance in front of Harry.
"She's mine!" Dimitri yelled. He then grabbed Ariana by the hand, leading her away from the trio.
"Dimitri. Stop. Please." Ariana pleaded.
Dimitri slammed Ariana into the stone. She will definitely have a bruise there tomorrow.
"You're mine!" Dimitri yelled.
"I'm not a piece of property you can own, you twit." Ariana said, narrowing her eyes.
Ariana's cheek began to burn. Her hand went to her cheek. He hit her!
Harry shoved Dimitri back as he took a protective stance in front of Ariana. Hermione comforted Ariana as best she could. Draco came up with his friends a few moments later. He pointed his wand at Dimitri.
"Potter, I suggest you get Ari out of here." Draco said.
Harry took Ariana by the hand. He led her away. He took her all the way to the Gryffindor Common Room.
"I can't believe he would do something like that!" Ariana exclaimed as tears ran down her face.
"What happened?" Ginny asked.
"Dimitri slapped her across the face." Ron said.
"Do you want me to get Professor Dumbledore or Professor McGonagall?" A Gryffindor girl asked.
Ariana shook her head. "They don't need to be involved in something like this. Karkaroff and my father are good friends."
Ariana sat down on the couch next to Harry. She found herself laying her head against his shoulder. She cried softly as Harry held her hand.