Chapter 58 ~ Manipulation.

Maxine awoke in her old dorm once again, feeling a slight stab of disappointment as she realised where she was. It always happened after she changed locations, her waking up and thinking for a second she was in the previous place she had been. It had happened the previous day and happened now, remaining her Christmas was over and she had retained to Hogwarts. But, surprisingly, the disappointment was followed by relief. At Hogwarts, she felt safe, secure. Despite the incident at the station having been exciting, it had also been terrifying, and it was good to be back.

Yesterday had been good, as well. She and Stefan, back to their normal friendship, had gone about their business normally, spending time in the library and walking round the grounds. They hadn't discussed problems, they hadn't mentioned Theon, they hadn't worried about further attacks. They and just acted normally, returning to the freudnship they had had before the troubles and opinion battles had come.

Theon came to mind as she thought that, though. She was going to keep seeing him, she had decided, though only if he offered. She would also only be cordial with him. Stefan could manage that and it wouldn't cause any more tension if he did as they had agreed and turned a blind eye. But that was onto if Theon came to her - Maxine wasn't going to go chasing around after him. 

Sitting up, she completed her normal toilette and made her way down to the common room, finding it empty, a sign breakfast had already started. Stefan would be down there already, she predicted, or studying in the library. She was up a little late, but oh well, it was still the holidays. School started on the second and they still had a few days of holiday left. In that time, Maxine simply aimed to get her life back to normal, into a normal routine. Avoid conflict.

But Maxine had forgotten her enemies. She had forgotten her reputation. She was unaware of the plot forming around her.

And sure enough, it came into play once more.

She came off the stairs, looking through her bag for the letter she wished to send to her parents, when she heard the familiar voice of Theon Hallow. Looking up, she saw him being pushed around by two members of the golden club in the corner of the entrance hall, whispering aggressively.

"Get off me! I won't give you the rotten money, I tell you!"

Maxine watched, unsure whether to intervene due to her past promises. A second later, however, one of the golden members had made it physical, pulling on Theon's shirt collar and trying to haul him up in an attempt to scare the boy more. Looking around, Maxine sighed and moved her hand to her pocket, retrieving her wand. But as she turned her head back to view the scene once more, she received a surprise. Theon was gripping the boy and holding his wand to his throat, a look of determination and strength on his face that Maxine wasnt used to. Then some words passed between them that she didn't hear and all of a sudden the boys were gone and she was left to impulsively stare at Theon. He was still his usual self but there was a slight strength that she had glimpsed before that he displayed now, reminding her of Stefan. She was still looking at him as he turned and met her gaze, smiling. He put his wand away as she diverted her gaze awkwardly and made to move, approaching her as she moved to go.

"Maxie!" She was forced to turn as he called her name, smiling a stiff smile at him. Stefan had had an effect on her and suddenly she felt extremely dubious about acknowledging the boy.

"Hey The-" She only got as far as greeting the boy before he enveloped her in a hug. Maxine herself was stunned, extremely surprised by this intimate action. But it did remind her of that night that was misty in her mind but held the poignant image her embracing Theon before, the bonding moment they had shared. But Maxine was still tense, still stiff. Spending time with Stefan had made her question Theon slightly, especially after seeing his reaction to the members of the golden club only a minute before. Theon didn't see anything wrong with what he'd done, however, speaking with a friendly grin as he stood to face her.

"How was your Christmas?" He asked warmly.

"Good, thanks." Maxine half-lied, smiling slightly. "What about you?"

He shrugged, smile fading a little. "It was ok....the persistence of Ava and Avery hasn't stopped but I'll live with it."

She made a sympathetic face, despite wishing to get away from the boy. Now that she was wary, something about the boy didn't seem quite right. Or perhaps she was paranoid. For the life of her, Maxine didn't know. "They'll stop - eventually." She attempted to add comfort to her tone and failed.

But Theon just smiled at her. "Thanks Maxie."

There was a pause as they stared at each other, Theon noticing the anticipated change in Maxine's opinion towards him  due to her time spent away from him and Maxine longing to go. Her unease had come at the sight of him threatening the members of the golden gang, a sight which had confused and stirred her. And then Stefan and her new paranoid nature, triggered by the attacks, had come into play. Suddenly, Maxine wasn't all to sure about Theon.

"Well I...I need to go, I'm afraid." She pulled her bag up higher onto her shoulder awkwardly and flashed a shy smile at him, looking into the great hall. "I haven't had breakfast yet." She moved to walk away, but Theon stopped her.

"Wait - Maxine - I have something for you." Maxine turned back round dubiously as Theon began to search his pockets nervously, as she stood there with the same emotions running through her head. Stop being stupid, Maxie, she told herself, it's only Theon. You trust him. 

Yes. She trusted him. Trying to change her awkward feelings, Maxine started to smile, Theon grinning also as he looked up bashfully and held out a wrapped gift, saying apologetically; "For Christmas. Sorry it's late."

"No it's fine - thank you Theon." She felt slightly guilty, looking at him. "I didn't get anything for you, though."

"I don't mind." He answered, eyes soft. "It's fine. Just open yours."

Maxine, still a little tense, smiled and looked down at the gift, moving her hands to unwrap it. It looked to be another site of jewellery, the wrapper revealing a plush, dark green box. Slowly, Maxine lifted the lid, then gasped. It was not as pretty as Stefan's, but it was certainly not worth her. For inside was a pretty silver ring inlaid with misted white jewels, sparkling in the light. Speechless, she removed it and slipped it on her ring finger, the item fitting perfectly. At once, though, something changed - she became more relaxed and thoughts of doubting Theon exited her mind. With no hesitation, she looked up and moved to hug Theon, the boy acting surprised.

"Oh my god, thank you Theon!" She pulled out, grinning at him and back to normal, showing much more affection to him. "It's beautiful."

She missed the quick smirk that crossed his face. "I thought you'd like it." His voice was soft as he said it and the smirk quickly changed to a warm smile.

"I love it!" She looked up, eyes bright. "Thank you so, so much!"

Theon grinned. "I'm glad you do." There was a pause as he noticed two figures signalling to him from the stairs and turned back. "Well - I'll leave you to have your breakfast. I just need to visit the owlery before class."

She smiled at him, nodding. "Ok - yes, I'll go for breakfast." She came forward to hug him again, the action being strangely natural. "Thank you so much again."

He laughed, the pulled out, looking at her fondly. "It was no problem, Maxie." There was a moments silence, then he turned to go. "Anyway - see you! Think we could meet some time?"

"Of course? What about later today?" The words slipped out of her mouth and she didn't question them.

Theon grinned, satisfied and triumphant inside. "Sounds good."

And Maxine, ring fitted comfortably around her finger, turned away, smiling to herself stupidly as she made her way to the Ravenclaw table. Everything with Theon was back to normal. Everything was going smoothly. Everything was fine once more.

Just in the blink of an eye.

Theon, however, changed as soon as her back had turned. Looking around carefully, he moved to run up the stairs, following the hands of the beckoning figures he had seen there before. He reached the top and was lead off to one of the corridors, and with bemusement, followed the whispers into a broom cupboard, which he opened the door of to see Avery and Ava, faces anxious in the dim light.

"Really guys? A broom cupboard?"

"Just get in here. Now." Avery snapped, Ava suddenly reaching to grab Theon and pull him into the cupboard before closing the door and turning to him in less than five seconds flat. then opened his mouth but Avery got there first.

"We've no time for that." The Golden Boy snapped. "Just tell us - did you give her the ring?"

"Yes, you idiot, I just gave it to her." Theon said with equal venom, pulling away from Ava's grasp and straightening his shirt. 

The twins stared at him, waiting, but Theon just straightened his clothes tannoy them until Ava was forced to demand the answer. "Well? Did it work?"

"Of course it did, why wouldn't it have?" Theon snapped back angrily. "The change was immediate."

"What happened?" Questioned Ava with more than a hint of eagerness and satisfaction in her eyes. 

Theon shrugged, though he too was pleased within. "She just put it on and acted like we were best friends. She had been stiff before, awkward - most likely cause of that Stefan idiot - but then she just started hugging me and everything."

Ava and Avery's eyes shone. "This is brilliant." Ava spoke first, after a hushed pause. She looked at Theon. "And you're sure those charms will continue to work?"

Theon nodded. "Yes. As long as she keeps the ring on, everything will go smoothly. And by the looks of it, she won't be taking it off any time soon."

Avery grinned maliciously then reached to pat his friend on the back. "Good job, my man."

Theon finally grinned back, the same spite in his eyes, but Ava had already got over the joy and was getting down to business now, addressing him again as she looked up. "How long will it take, Theon? For romance to be an effect of those spells?"

Theon tried not to screw up his face in disgust at the thought of a fake romance with Lestrange. "About two months, I reckon. It has to build up."

"What?" Avery suddenly blew. "Two months! That's ages away! How on earth-"

"No. It'll work." Ava cut in calmly, smiling her usual snake-like smile. "Two months - meaning it'll be in full effect in February. Which brings us to the fourteenth..."

"Valentine's Day?" Avery creased his brow.

Ava nodded. "The Hogsmeade weekend." She looked from Avery to Theon, smile widening even more. "The perfect time to strike."