Abigail Edgecombe

Abigail kepted her eyes on Alecto the whole time she spoke.

She had always believed that she was the moments were she was the happiest were the moments she spent bullying people, pushing them around. She loved watching the face of her victim decompose after she spat her venom.

Maybe she wasn't the most powerful witch magically speaking, but she truly believed words could hurt just as much as spells. And at this little game, she was the best.

But now that she had met Alecto, who was just as twisted as she was, who was so much like her on so many points, she was realizing that she could have different relationships with people. She knew that Alecto had a history. A complicated, heavy one. And the fact that she had chosen to share a part of it with Aher...well, it was the best token of love that had ever been given to her.

And she would be there if Alecto ever needed to talk to someone. Or not talk.

Well, good for you if you can have at least another year before entering this parenting madness. But you know what ? You're right, boys are barely more evoluated than gorillas. And that's why none of the guys here are good enough for us, she said in fake pretentious tone. And if they don't want you, that simply mean they don't deserve you, she added slyly. Because, if you ask me, they should literally be crawling at our feet, begging for attention. She paused, laughing.

Oh, when I say it might be among my brother's friends, I'm only assuming. She shrugged. It wouldn't be that bad though... I've know them for a long time, since they were always coming over for the summer and all. And...well, they're not exactly hideous, if you see what I mean. She laughed.

Abigail stormed out of her common room, smoking.

Then the noise of someone – something – heavy falling down..

Breathing fast, she approached cautiously from the place where the scream had come from, her wand raised.

''What the...'' she began, lighting the scene at the light of her wand.

It wasn't a werewolf, or a troll, or even a centaur – it was a boy. And a young one, from what she could saw.

She tried to suppress a giggle. That was what had nearly scared the hell out of her ? That was who she was ready to run away from ? She took a step toward the inconscious boy, when -

Crack

The noise, again. Farther away this time, it seemed, but Abigail's eyes still widened with fear, and her laughter died before it could reach her lips.

Suddenly, the fact that it was only a young boy – barely more than 15, she thought – wasn't such a funny thing. Because that meant he couldn't be any useful in leaving this place if it came to a fight. She didn't want to think about what they could be forced to fight against.

Abi approached a little closer and lit the boy's face.

''Hey !'' She snapped her fingers in front of his closed eyes. ''Hey, you ! Wake up !''

But the boys' eyes remained closed.

''Come on, wake up'' she begged, kneeling beside him..

Hadn't they been in this situation, she wouldn't have given a damn about him dying – especially since she had noticed he was wearing a Gryffondor uniform - , but she was hoping he could take her back to the school grounds.

After all, he was able to come here in the first place, so he must knew the way back – he had to.

Why had he come so far inside the Forbidden Forest, Abigail had no idea. But then again, he was a Gryffindor.

She looked for any visible injury on the body, struggling because of the darkness, but at this moment the clouds obscuring the sky moved, and the full moon illuminated the scene like a projector.

''Damn'' , she sworn, when she saw the more-than-weird angle his right arm was forming.

She had always sucked at healing spells – the only thing she had ever had trouble with. Too bad, this was precisely what she needed the most right now. But maybe, maybe he would know ? After all, Charm classes were compulsory even for the Gryffindor.

Abigail got up, just to check they wouldn’t be interrupted. But they were hidden by several ranks of bookshelves and, let’s be realistic : who would dare disturbing them ?

Abigail kepted her eyes on Alecto the whole time she spoke.

She only closed them for a second when arrived the torture part – she knew it was a reality in a lot of traditional pureblood families. But usually, only the boys were concerned. Hearing that parents had done that to their daughter... Just the thought made her sick.

Obviously, she wouldn't even flinch if such a thing happened to mudbloods – to her they weren't more than a dirt on her shoe. But Alecto was the first person in her life she was actually beginning to consider as a friend.

Had they both been different persons – weak persons – , Abigail would hug her, holding her tight, and then they would cry together while sharing candies.

But they weren't weak, and they didn't cry – ever. So Abigail just stayed there, listening. And for them it was enough.

You're right, the Sorting Hat offered me the choice, she said. She understood that Alecto didn't want to talk about what she had just confessed her, and Abigail respected it. And honestly, that was a though one. She shrugged. My brother had been sent to Slytherin the year before, so I didn't really had any ''parenting'' pressure on me for, you know, keeping with the tradition. Finally I decided to go for the house that, and I quote what this dumbass hat told me ''would allow me to explore the intracacies of my mind as well as learning how to think in a whole new way so as to developp my intellectual capacities''. She smirked. Of course, had I known what a mudblood nest this house would become, I probably would have made a different choice.

About this bethrotal thing... She paused, and took a chocolate from the box her brother had sent her. I'm gonna need it for this, she explained. Obvioulsy, with me being the only girl in the family – guess you know that position –, this have been in the pipes for some years now. It was the main topic of conversation the whole summer between my parents – and my brother, who somehow thinks he's got a word to say – , yet I couldn't care less.

As long as he's a pureblood with money, and I know he will...She shrugged. I'd like him not to be too repelling, though, she added after a minute of reflexion, smirking. It might me a friend of my brother's, now that I think of it – since all the good ones here are already taken. Not too ugly, would be nice.

Abigail got up, just to check they wouldn't be interrupted. But they were hidden by several ranks of bookshelves and, let's be realistic : who would dare disturbing them ?

Oh, don't get me started on the housemates topic. she rolled her eyes. I love Ravenclaw, but I'd love it even more without the Ravenclaw. Just in my dorm, I've been stuck with two mudbloods and a near-mudblood for six years now, and I still want to throw them all by the window everytime I see one of them. - and vomit. They also make me want to vomit.

Anyway... You wanna know what my story is ?... Sadly, the same as every single pureblood family's daughters'. Rich and pure ancestors, working father, stay-at-home mother. Then the private parties, starting when your parents begin to think about you future – and by future I mean future husband, of course. All those be-pretty-and-keep-your-mouth-shut soirees...I'm sure you see what I'm talking about.

Well, I'm not complaining... I mean, I know that the parents who are looking for a daughter-in-law want beauty and elegance and good presentation before anything else - if there is a something else. But, (and her voice became colder) I'm not only that. I know I'm not. I'm in Ravenclaw. I'm even one of the best of my year, for Merlin's sake ! She paused for a moment, trying to calm herself.

Sorry, she smiled. I think you're the first person I've ever told that. But, I don't want to to reny it all. I don't feel the need to walk into that blood traitor Black's footsteps. I know what I want my life to be. I want power, money. But I also want to be recognized for something else than...than just my talent to match the naprons with the tablecloth.

She sighed. She had never spoken like that to anyone before, but somehow she felt like she could with Alecto. And it felt good to drop the mask for once. Marcus, my brother, despite being the annoying and over-protecting person I've described earlier, is probably the person I'm the most close to, buy yet I've never been able to tell him that. He wouldn't understand. She shrugged. Never mind, I guess.

But then she decided she was. First, that girl was too much like her to have her as an enemy. Plus, she was getting tired of always being on her guards with everyone, and there was something special about this Alecto girl that she liked.

She smiled – an actual amused smile.

She turned around to face him, absolutely furious now, but she struggled to keep her mask of indifference on.

Well, she muttered, slightly out of breath, that was not a very smart move you've made here, Potter.

She reached for her wand, taking a deep breath, but though better of it and changed her mind. Responding to his attack would be causing a scandal, and the last thing she needed was having her parents on her back again.

Lucky for you, I have a bit more class and education than that, so I'll leave it there. For now, Potter. Because – and I'm sure you'll agree on that – I don't have a lot of flaws, but I don't forget easily and...well, I tend to be a bit spiteful.

She brushed her hair off her shoulder, and waved. I'll guess I'll see you around ! Oh, and – you might wanna tell your little mudblood friend not to walk alone at night. I know some friends who would be thrilled to have a little chat with her, myself included.