Chapter Six: Friendly Banter.

Faint scribbles echoed across the room, the indecisive strikes of a quill as a student scratched out or noted down a new word seeming drastically clamorous against the epiphany of silence settling upon the Transfiguration classroom. The majority of the classroom's occupants chose to modestly murmur amongst one another, while a select few scrambled to complete the homework due that morning.

Cordelia and Riddle had each ensured their selective friend groups (or followers for the latter) completed the impending assignment, making most if not all Slytherins ideally equipped for the lesson. However, the house joining them that morning hadn't been tactful enough to indulge in such activities. A tired yawn escaped Lia's lips as she set down her quill, her gaze slipping from the incomplete doodle to the room around her, pondering their professor's unusual delay as her blue eyes scanned the premises.

Beige walls contrasted vividly against the dark wood furniture, the hickory benches blending into some students' robes. Blue and green parties were methodically placed around the classroom, the ravens sticking to their nest while subconsciously choosing not to dwell closer to the snake pit, regardless of the abandoned column dividing each house's seating area. Sudden movement collectively drew forth each student's attention, their gaze settling onto their perplexingly dressed professor.

Deep red robes contrasted against the entirety of the room, the vibrant and bold choice of clothing drawing forth an idyllic yet puzzled smile from each teenager as they yet again pondered over their professor's queer wardrobe. His eyes crinkled and a grin coated his face, a whimsical beard and moustache covering the tips of his grin in true Dumbledore fashion. One arm swept outwards to address his pupils in a merry greeting, while the other hoisted his wand, a spell allowing the elderly man to retrieve a bag full of fresh mice.

"I apologize profusely for the delay, Headmaster Dippet required a few minutes of my time. Dire Tournament things were to be discussed."

The students who had chosen to continue their frenzied attempt at completing their homework drew their gaze towards the professor, examining the male in hopes to retrieve information regarding the subject of each student's (and teacher's) mind. However, his remarks proved lacklustre as Dumbledore merely proceeded towards his desk, settling down into the comfortable chair and procuring the location of his pupils' homework.

"Now, usually I would be more lenient with the task at hand, however with the Tournament's date drawing nearer, we have been commanded to tighten the reigns and declare tardiness as inexcusable."

When all was settled and each student's homework either accepted or sentenced to detention, Dumbledore rose from his seat and flicked his wand, the white chalk writing neat words onto the chalkboard.

"Today we shall go over the final lesson of turning a mouse into a cosmetics box, forcing each of you to put your notes and knowledge into a practical test."

While others let out groans towards the declaration, Cordelia and Phyllis smiled, turning towards one another and laughing at their prior discussion regarding each of their boxes while the pair made their way towards the current classroom.

"Aren't you two lucky."

The pair's gaze descended onto Aurora's pouting face, her upper body contorted as she gazed back at her friends. A cheeky smile etched onto Lia's face as she contemplated her retort, addressing the Fawley heir as well as her desk partner when she spoke.

"Well, if you and Ignatius weren't so busy sucking face in a broom cupboard, perhaps you would've joined in on our discussion."

At this Ignatius stuck out his tongue towards Lia while Rora chose to instead chime back with a flustered utterance glazed in denial.

"Oh hush now, we all know Lia's right. We're not blind, darling."

Druella chimed in from Lia's right, Theodore nodding along from his position beside the Black heir, causing Rodolphus and Cygnus to agree from their spot in front of Theo and Ella. Thankfully, Aurora didn't have to defend herself as Dumbledore once again addressed the class.

"Your cosmetic boxes will be graded on their design and complexity, while points will be knocked off for evident rodent features."

Each student nodded along, heading the warning as they shuffled to collect a mouse for themselves. Cordelia chose to stay seated and instead send Phyllis to collect a mouse for her, her lack of sleep showing in Lia's subtle lethargic tendencies.

When a rodent was placed in front of each student, Dumbledore allowed them to engage in the spells, urging them to dive deep into their creativity. With a sigh Cordelia examined her black mouse, preferring to stick to the dark colour scheme yet change up and cosmeticize the object.

A gush of air poured into her form as she allowed herself a series of deep, calming breaths, aware that the spell's result would be more authentic if she cleared her mind and composed a vivid image of the object.

A black box drew its way to the centre of her brain, its corners brusque and freshly painted with a few realistic, wooden creases near the sides. The front was adorned with a silver latch, two similar objects placed towards the back of the lid to ensure it would open without fault, but the insipid colour drew a frown from its creator.

Cordelia asserted her mind to add embellishments to the box, materializing a protruding diamond to replace the latch, producing an elegant look. Satisfied, she moved onto other decorations, drowning out the sounds of her friends' chatter.

She started small, adding dark emerald lace across the box, being sure to make the intricately designed ribbon pristine in condition, and perfectly placed towards the centre of the box's sides.

Her mind painted a series of elegant designs on each edge, adding to the sophisticated yet elevated look. Then, she tailored a few patterns to the lid, choosing to curve it slightly outwards while placing a silver snake with emerald eyes onto the centre.

Satisfied with the image, Cordelia's lips parted mutter the spell, allowing her vivid image of the cosmetics box to materialize and replace the flimsy mouse presented to her.

"Whoa."

The sudden exclamation drew Lia's eyes open, a satisfied smirk forming onto her face as she gazed upon a perfect replication to her mind's eye.

Nonchalantly, she flipped open the lid of her new creation, muttering spells to encase the bland dark wood in a deep green cushion. For a final touch, she shifted her wand's tip towards the interior of the lid, muttering a quick pattern spell she had learnt as a child, the white and green flowery result drawing a smile akin to the one young Cordelia would emit each time she used the spell to decorate an object.

"You've done a great job, Lia."

Green eyes flicked towards Phyllis's pink and black box, her smile evident as Lia examined her friend's creation.

"You too, the black stars near the sides and the girl in the right corner turned out quite well."

At this, the Parkinson heir smiled keenly, aware of her friend's tendency to dish out unfiltered criticism while judging a piece of art.

As Dumbledore drew closer to their area of the classroom, Cordelia snatched up a quill, changing the colour of the deep blue ink placed beside her parchment and box. When the ink had settled into an ebony white, she dipped her feathery quill's tip into the substance, allowing it to thoroughly absorb the liquid before she quickly painted her name onto the lid's interior.

Cordelia Lucretia Black. Perfect!

"It seems we have three complete boxes! Each belonging to Mr Riddle, Ms McMillan-Black and Ms Parkinson."

At this, the ravens sought out the aforementioned students, examining the finely decorated cosmetic boxes. Cordelia took this time to examine Riddle's box, smiling at the silver and black box with intricate green designs, much like her own colour scheme. Except he chose to accent different colours.

Aurora glanced back at her friends' boxes, allowing the Parkinson and Black heirs a glance at their friend's failed attempts to produce the desired item. The pair of girls giggled at this realization, paying no heed to their professor as he bestowed twenty points to the three respective snakes.

"What do you think Beauxbaton will be like?"

Phyllis gushed out the question she had been mulling over for quite some time, allowing herself to relax and engage in a discussion regarding the topic.

"Blue."

Cordelia's retort drew out a smile and an eye roll, the short yet accurate word failing to quench her friend's curiosity.

"I presume it'll be quite sophisticated, and have decorations created from ice rather than the warmer ones Hogwarts prefers. It'll also be quite...French."

The last sentence drew a giggle from Philly, each of them aware that the word itself summarized the opposing Wizarding school.

"Your parents are friends with quite a few French ministers, are they not? Remember Mr Raven?"

If Phyllis had been paying more attention, she would've noticed how Cordelia suddenly flinched, choosing to curve her right hand firmly around her wand.

"Ravenport. Edgar Ravenport, the French Minister of Foreign Affairs."

Once again Phyllis overlooked Lia's tone, continuing on with the conversation.

"He had a cute son around our age."

At that the Parkinson heir wiggled her eyebrows, drawing a laugh from Lia as Druella joined in on the conversation.

"Forget it, he's promised to Scamander's daughter."

At this Phyllis groaned, complaining about how all the good ones were either taken or blood traitors.

"Oh don't fret, you still have Dolohov to look forward to."

The gaggle of girls burst out laughing at Cordelia's reminder, making Phyllis pout in dismay. The rest of the session continued this way, each female snake inserting a new addition to their conversation.

Sharp clicks and a series of laughter graced the dungeons as the trio of pureblooded sixth years continued their journey towards the Slytherin common room, paying no heed to the dirty looks sent their way by the Gryffindors awaiting Slughorn's permission to enter the potion's lair. Druella hooked her arm around her cousin's waist, doubling over in a fit of giggles as she reminisced on the previous moment.

"How dare you set Diggory's hair on fire?"

The three girls burst into yet another cacophony of laughter, each leaning onto or clutching one another for dear life as the Potter heir yelled out to them questioningly.

Phyllis shook with giggles as she proceeded towards her two friends, refusing to answer the rhetorical question and in no state to do so. When her blonde and brown hair bobbed beside the two Black girls, she congratulated Cordelia on the successful prank, gushing at the innovative spell.

"You're lucky his skull didn't light up."

Druella chastised Lia as the latter muttered the common room's password, the brick wall in front of them receding to allow them access to their dorms.

"He's lucky only half of his hair burnt off."

At the queer retort, the trio of girls once again set about giggling, unaware of the quizzical stares directed at them by Riddle's gang. When they had once again calmed down, Phyllis was halfway up the girl's stairway with Druella right after her, Lia choosing to lean onto the railing as she chuckled.

"What did you do this time?"

The bemused question drew Cordelia's gaze towards her brother, a lopsided grin set onto her face.

"Set Diggory's hair on fire."

At this, the group of boys joined in on the laughter, some sending Cordelia admirable gazes while others were too busy picturing the event in their mind's eye. Phyllis and Druella chose to retreat from the stairs, seating themselves near the boys as they retold the story.

All except two of the common room's inhabitants were in a jovial mood, the mentioned snakes choosing to gaze at one another as one made his way to the other.

"That was a dirty trick you pulled yesterday, quite unfortunate that I still recovered the potion."

Cordelia grinned, perplexed at Riddle's sudden audience but unwilling to show it.

"That was just the start, Riddle, I have far too many tricks up my sleeve, some more brutal than others."

A sneer was sent her way as Tom let his picturesque act fade away, choosing to glare at her as he quickly muttered a response.

"We need to talk."

At this, Lia raised an eyebrow, urging him to 'go-ahead'.

With a groan the young male yanked onto her arm, dragging her behind a bookshelf, out of sight and hearing range.

"Slughorn wants you to help me conjure a Patronus-" Cordelia delightedly opened her lips to form a retort, but he cut her off as he continued. "-don't flatter yourself, I have no interest in seeking your help. I merely require you to spend time around me in order to paint such a picture."

"And why would I do such a thing?"

Riddle smirked, evidently holding the upper hand.

"You wouldn't want to disappoint Slughorn, would you?"

At this, she rolled her eyes and finally accepted defeat.

"Tomorrow, after lunch, the abandoned classroom beside the Veratisium room."

Cordelia made her way to the edge of the bookshelf, before turning back and brandishing her wand. With a flick of her wrist, she muttered a cruel curse, one that sent a series of deep gashes across Riddle's arms and chest.

"Now, we're even."

As the half-blood writhe onto the floor and muttered profanities and threats, Cordelia made her way towards the main area of the common room, sending a shrug and smile to her brother who held a questioning gaze. She then proceeded to climb the stairs to the girls' dorms, lying on her bed as Druella and Phyllis finally entered the room.

"What have I gotten myself into?"