A Cauldron Full Of Revenge

Thursday evening. Half past six. After dinner. Potions Classroom. Those were the details that Romeo Zabini had given to a fellow Slytherin. He needed revenge, the perfect revenge. The Slytherin had something in mind, something cunning and enchantingly nasty. Romeo never has the type for confrontations, which mean't he needed to fulfil his revenge in sneaky style: contamination.

The fellow Slytherin that he was meeting was a year older, pretty but not overly-beautiful and went by the name of Vivianna Varnes. Of course Romeo had flirted with he from time to time, asked her out on occasions but the chemistry he had with her was different than that between him and the other girls. It was more of a friendship, a playful, flirtatious friendship - or flirtatious on Romeo's half. 

The reason why he had slipped a note  into Vivianna's bag, that was sitting on a chair in the common room yesterday morning, was because she was potion guru. That was what Romeo's revenge plan involved. Potions. Two, to be precise, one for each of his victims. Unlike the Gryffindor's he wasn't one to go heckling across the Great Hall firing jinxes and curses. No. He planned for much worse, something that would give him more pleasure. Of course brewing the potions were only the first stage of his revenge, pouring them into the drinks of his victims was going to be tricky. He would need to be sneaky. Very sneaky.

At half past six Romeo found himself sat in the potions classroom, in the Professor's chair. A sudden feeling of power rippled through his veins as he glanced around the room. The tables were empty, chairs unoccupied and jars of the most vilest of things stared back from shelves around the Walls. Right in front of him however, perched on the teachers desk, were two cauldrons - a copper edge in gold (Romeo's) and a plain old pewter cauldron that he'd found in a store cupboard further in the dungeon. 

One of the potions Romeo knew how to brew. A forgetfulness potion. Simple enough? Not the one Romeo had in mind. He wasn't sure if Viv would be able to help with that one, but it was worth a shot, there were rumours she could adapt potions and this was one of those moments. 

The clock above Romeo's had ticked to thirty-one minutes past six. The feast was over and soon enough Vivianna would be making her way down into the dungeons with the rest of the Slytherins, although taking a different route than that to the common room - given she had read the note. 

((OOC: Ah! Sorry this took so long!))

Vivianna had spent the evening meal of a certain Thursday rather preoccupied. Not that she usually spent the last meal of the day chattering away with everyone within talking distance, but if one cared to look, it would be noticeable that she spent a little more time inside her own head than usual. To be fair, this wasn't that uncommon of an occurrence. The girl often spent meals lost in thought if she came up with a new idea for a potion, or if she'd just had a run-in with a certain Dixon.

However, on this particular day, her dinner-time thoughts concentrated on one basic topic. A note.
Thursday evening. Half past six. After Dinner. Potions classroom.
That was all the note had said. Just to make the matter even worse for Vivianna, she recognized the handwriting. She knew that quillmanship from somewhere. The only problem was, she couldn't quite pinpoint where. The uncertainty was killing her.

Vivianna was one of the first Slytherins to leave the house table towards the end of the feast. While the Great Hall technically hosted dinner until around seven on Thursdays, it was rare that many students stayed until then. However, few students ever left the evening meal before six thirty. Not wanting to draw attention to herself, the female left along with the group of her housemates whom exited the hall at exactly half past six.

Standing outside the Potions classroom two short minutes later, Vivianna gently pushed the door open with her index and middle fingers. Stepping through the door, the girl could have slapped herself upon realizing exactly whom was in the room with her. Romeo, of course.

Lifting an unimpressed eyebrow, the female shot the Zabini a crooked grin. "The cryptic note-writer fancies himself a Professor," Vivianna teased. Taking in the two caldrons that sat in front of the largest desk, the Slytherin let out a resigned sigh. "I always knew you'd just end up using me for my Potions genius," the redhead announced, mostly joking.

The relationship between herself and Romeo was a complicated one. Not nearly as complex as a fair amount of her relationships, but far from simple all the same. They were friends, by standard definition. The two weren't all that close, but enjoyed the other's presence well enough. One of the reasons their relationship was so unusual, was because Romeo was something of a ladies man. Due to this, Romeo often flirted with her. For Vivianna, allowing someone like Romeo to casually do that without throwing something nasty in their pumpkin juice wasn't an occurrence that often happened. The witch also had her suspicions that the younger student didn't exactly have many female friends. Females that he was just friends with, that is.

Grabbing a chair from a student desk and dragging it to right by the caldrons, Vivianna sat down. Examining Romeo's high-quality caldron; the Slytherin gave it a mental mark of approval, despite that fact that the added gold could be slightly impractical for certain brews.

"So," the witch said, nose wrinkling at the state of the school's caldron, "what do you need my clearly superior brain for?"

Romeo's dark eyes flicked to the door as the familiar red head entered the dungeons, a somewhat attractive arrogance about herself. Not that she at all an arrogant person, usually, although she didn't hide the fact her mind was rather marvellous when it came to potions. 

'You must be Vivianna, right?' Romeo smirked as he extended a hand across the table once she had sat down - trying not to smirk at the look of disgust on her face at the school cauldron. He couldn't blame her. Hogwart's cauldrons weren't the best. In fact, none of Hogwarts equipment was any decent: the brooms were battered and the telescopes tatty. 

Romeo knew full well who the red head was, yet, he found it refreshing to flirt. Behave as though they'd never met. Rarely she flirted back, once she'd bashed a book against his head, but he continued to flirt. It was in his nature, wired into his DNA. Romeo was a Zabini. 

'It seems you've got the beauty and the brains then.' He replied making sure to show each and every one of his pearly White teeth.

"Correct, I'm Vivianna and you're Romeo, do keep up," the witch snarked back with a roll of her eyes. If a line like that really got Romeo girls, the Slytherin needed to do some serious re-evaluation about the intelligence of her fellow students. Then again, she'd already had her theory's about some of the female population's brains being affected by too much perfume.

"Yes, yes," Vivianna said with a wave of her hand, the frustration in her tone not completely hiding the hint of amusement there, "my hair is red like flames and my eyes sparkle like the stars, you've said."

"Now you've brought me here to brew you something, and don't even try to deny it. There's something else I need to get done tonight, so what do you need?" Vivianna asked, tone firm but not snappish or angry. They both knew that Vivianna was probably going to agree to whatever Romeo asked, as long as it involved potions. The only variable left in the equation was which potion. The Slytherin shifted on her seat, waiting.

Romeo couldn't help but let a quick grin escape him at his wit. He liked Vivianna. She was blunt in a way that didn't turn him in a different direction. Even if he did pretend to flirt with her, he couldn't deny, her personality was rather hot... As hot as her fiery locks perhaps?

'Wow. You're eyes really do sparkle like the stars.' He gasped raising a hand in fake astonishment as though he'd never notice and they'd suddenly caught him off guard.

Although something about Vivianna didn't make Romeo feel as though it was time for joking. She had other things to do and wasn't going to waste her time listening to him flirt excessively, besides, she wasn't the type to appreciate what he had to offer. At at least that's the impression she gave off, no doubt in Romeo's mind he thought she secretly liked him. It didn't make sense for a girl to dislike him - he was pretty sure even Maura Goldstein had a slight thing for him... Then again, perhaps it was simply his over inflated ego.

'You know me so well.' He replied leaning forward with a slight grin and sparkle in his own eyes. 'I'm guess you've probably heard about the incident on the staircase?' Chances are she had. Vivianna wasn't the center of all things gossip but she knew what was going on around the castle. Romeo had the suspicion that she knew more than she let on at times, meaning the incident in which Jamie Griggory had stunned him in the back making him topple down the staircase had probably filtered through her ears at one point.

Vivianna rolled her eyes, not even bothering to hid her grin. She couldn't bring herself to be truly annoyed by Romeo's flirting. It really just was an ingrained part of his personality. The day Romeo stopped flirting was the day Vivianna walked around handing out candy to Gryffindors. In other words, it wasn't going to be happening any time soon.

Vivianna couldn't deny that the male was attractive. She wasn't blind, after all. The witch just wasn't looking for the same things that most of her fellow students were in a boyfriend. Not that she was actively looking for one, but the redhead knew what she liked. As sweet and charming as Romeo could be, the Slytherin needed someone whom could keep up with her, challenge her, and intrigue her all at the same time. While Romeo was certainly intriguing, she couldn't really see the two of them sitting down and seriously discussing politics, potions theory, and dark magic.

Vivianna hummed an affirmative response, nodding slightly. "I heard, never liked that brat," the witch admitted. What she didn't elaborate upon was how furious the girl had been upon finding out what Jamie had done. He'd probably thought it all fun and games, but Romeo quite literally could have died. It would have been far too easy for her housemate to have snapped his neck during the fall. However, it was now clear why Romeo wanted to talk to her.

Leaning in towards the wizard, Vivianna allowed a wicked grin to form upon her face. "So, revenge," the redhead practically purred, "I'm almost flattered, you certainly came to the right girl." All thoughts of the Charms assignment she'd been planning upon completing that night had flown out of the window as soon as the concept of revenge had been brought to the table. The Slytherin had always been extraordinarily fond of revenge, a bit too fond in accordance to most. Besides, she could always do her Charms homework in Transfiguration class the next morning. It wasn't like paying attention would affect her rather pathetic grade anyway.

Romeo paused for a moment, was that a flicker of a grin? Could it be possible that the sharp tongue redhead, Vivianna Varnes, was actually into him? Unfortunately no. Not that Romeo was looking specifically for her but if he did have to pick a girl to settle down with, considering that could be the near future given the marriage law, the redhead would be high on his list.

There was just something about Vivianna that excited him. He couldn't quiet put his finger on it and everytime he was with her it was something that made him wonder. Maybe her affirmative responses? She was smart. Romeo, although usually pulled the naive and brainless, preferred older girls. They were more mature, maturity is something he liked.

Romeo was mature, sure, but he wasn't exactly the brightest. Throughout his time at Hogwarts he'd hovered around the exceeds expectations marks, the odd outstanding in defense against the dark arts and the unfortunate troll in history of magic, astronomy and divination - nobody cared about them.

There was that flash in her eyes once more. That devilishly alluring trait of hers. 'Revenge.' He replied, the glint in his eyes shining that little bit more as his smile crept to one side. 'Although here's the catch. Little Miss Griggory isn't the target.'

Romeo hoped this sudden surprise would lead to Vivianna indulging even more into their brewing plot. Then again she was a smart girl, he wouldn't be surprised if she didn't batter an eyelid at this statement.

Vivianna paused in thought for a moment. Griggory wasn't the target. Well, that certainly was a plot twist. Vivianna was slightly surprised by this statement, not that she allowed it to show on her face. It didn't take more than a moment or two for the female to make sense of the comment, however. After doing so, the witch couldn't help but feel slightly proud.

The redhead had always known that Romeo was a Slytherin. Of course she'd always known, the girl has watched his sorting. However, Romeo had never stuck her as one of the most Slytherin-esque of her housemates. She'd never been of the opinion that Romeo didn't belong in the serpent house, but it would hardly be impossible for him to be more cunning or sly.

Which was why Vivianna felt oddly proud of her younger friend. He was taking an incredibly Slytherin approach to his revenge. After all, embarrassing or hurting someone was all well and good, but going for someone they cared for. Well, that was practically guaranteed to do twice the damage. It was a very Slytherin move, to be sure.

Nodding slightly to show her housemate that she understood his reasoning, Vivianna's smirk returned to her face. "In that case, who's the target? I would guess, but I've never exactly bothered to pay attention to who Griggory spends time with," the girl admitted shamelessly.

Not really waiting for a response from her friend, the Slytherin grabbed her bag from where she'd put it down. Reaching into it, the redhead began to extract brewing tools, subtly hinting to her companion that she wanted to know what she'd be making. Vivianna wasn't exactly the most patient of people. Besides, they could always talk while she worked.

Romeo watched as Vivianna thought for a moment but asking about his target, seeming non-impressed by what he hoped would be a slightly thrilling plot of revenge. 

'Shane Diamond for one, and then the vampire Maura Goldstein-' unaware that she was no longer a vampire. 'If it wasn't for Maura rejecting me and getting all defensive then Griggory wouldn't have got all riled up.' Romeo said bitterly, still slightly hurt that she had rejected him despite already having a boyfriend. 

'I was thinking making a memory potion, which is what I need your help with.' Romeo began, hoping his initial statement didn't make him sound a little stupid. He wasn't stupid, he was above average just not fantastic. In all honesty doing well in school wasn't high up on his list of priorities although he knew which subjects would be useful in life... Meaning revising for divinations was at the bottom of the to-do-list. 

Romeo continued: 'I was wondering if there is a way to make her forget a specific memory, making her forget she has a boyfriend. That's the only reason she rejected me.' He added quickly in a matter-of-fact way not really caring if he came across slightly big headed. He was attractive and he knew it, no need to beat about the bush. In addition he felt the rest of his plan would be clear to Vivianna. He would entice her and essential get her to cheat on Ryo Hiroku, making her look like a cheat in front of all her loyal Hufflepuff's. 

Before going into his idea for Shane Romeo paused, hoping that Vivianna would know how to help him - that's if it was even possible. 

Vivianna smiled; how impressed she was finally showing on her face. Romeo had thought this out, seriously thought this out, before even coming to her. His plan was also elaborate. Not too elaborate that it would fall to pieces, but complex enough to be good and hard to trace. Perhaps she had slightly underestimated her charming friend. Or perhaps it took a blow to Romeo's ego to bring out his cunning side.

The redhead hesitated slightly before speaking. It was a scarcely-known fact that Vivianna and Maura were friends. Or, at least, they once had been. The two girls had been rather close, back when the Slytherin was far more innocent than she was these days. They hadn't spoken in a long time, however. They'd rather suddenly drifted apart, and both witches had been too wrapped up inside their own minds to care. It was far too late for Vivianna to even think about fixing the metaphorical bridge, for the very land the bridge had been built upon had transformed from dirt to stone.

Despite her past, the redhead was closer to Romeo than she was Maura, and so that was where her loyalties would lie. Besides, she'd always loathed Ryo. "Maura Goldstein isn't a vampire anymore," Vivianna corrected automatically, just a few moments after Romeo had finished talking. Realizing exactly what she'd just revealed, the girl busied herself with her supplies again in an attempt to seem as though she was thinking. If Romeo was astute enough to make such an inference based upon her words, the younger student would know that she'd been actively keeping an eye on the Hufflepuff.

A part of Vivianna wanted to tell Romeo that he shouldn't be going to such lengths just because he was rejected. The witch knew that, one day, Romeo's ego would be his downfall. She wouldn't tell him that, however. Not only would it be slightly hypocritical of her, but it was the type of thing that needed to be taught through experiences and not words.

"I can do it," the redhead stated simply after a few more seconds of heavy silence. "I'll have to erase all her memories of him though," she admitted, knowing that having to target every memory of them being in a relationship together would be far more difficult. "The original draught has a pretty short half-life, so I'll have to modify it, how long do you want it to last?" Vivianna asked, mind already cataloging different ingredients and the amounts needed.

The witch was about to get to work, when she realized that there were two caldrons out. Clearly, Romeo wanted some sort of potion-related revenge for Shane as well. "So what do you have in mind for Diamond then?" Vivianna asked, quirking her right eyebrow at her fellow housemate.