Rose:

I don't believe I was fully aware of the consequences of attending a magical school until it was far too late. The year started off well enough, but now, June was beginning, and everything had unexpected consequences. Sollux, Jade, and Aradia had just gotten out of the hospital, and though they were fine, it only went to prove Karkat's theory of just how screwed up the wizarding world was.

Aradia's mother was dead, and she appeared to be suffering from some form of mental apathy, not willing to communicate her feelings to anyone or anything. I tried, but nothing appeared to help, and all the situation had progressed to was worried looks exchanged with Sollux, and a few conversations with Terezi.

And don't get me started on Vriska Serket. Perhaps it was an irrational hatred that drove me against her, but it appeared as if every move she made was planned out to end in the best possible outcome, benefitting herself and those she liked. I will admit I do not know what end she expected from pranking Caliborn Umbra, as the only retaliation was sure to be harsh and severe, but all in all I felt as if she was lying to Kanaya with every word she said.

Dave seemed to believe that my problem with Vriska lay simply in her relationship with Kanaya-as if I had some feelings for my friend that lay outside the expected realm of friendship. His way of phrasing it, was, as usual cruel and harsh, and hopefully the smallest bit 'ironic'. I managed to shut down the conversation there, as I did not wish to delve into my feelings for Kanaya, complex and strange as they may be.

I prefer not to feel something that I will never act upon without consuming copious amounts of alcohol and becoming the mirror image of my cousin and mother (Imagine my shock when I arrived at Hogwarts to find my cousin here).

Of course, instead of focusing on such things, or, even on the possibility of another attack from the heinous Dersites, I turned to studying, determined to do as well as possible on the exams. I could be found in the library or the Ravenclaw common room every day as the end of the year approached, studying, sometimes by myself, or often with friends. One such afternoon placed me in the library with John, Kanaya, and Jade. John, who appeared to have a limited capacity for long books, was getting bored. He was fidgeting with his fingers, and I was doing my best to ignore him.

"Joooooooohn," came a coy voice, and from the corner of my eye, I could see Vriska leaning against the wall. My mouth tightened, and I bent further over my book, choosing to ignore the way both Kanaya and John whirled around to face the spider girl. John laughed nervously.

"Hey, Vriska," he said.

"We've all been studying so much!" she said. "Come outside with me," John looked at the other three of us nervously. I raised my eyebrow at him.

"You should come too," she said, this time gesturing to Jade, Kanaya, and I. I shut my eyes briefly.

"No, thanks," I said coolly. "I would prefer to finish my Transfiguration work, and indulge in a bit of light reading afterwards." Vriska shrugged.

"Suit yourself. Anyone else?" I wasn't looking, but I assumed my friends were all looking at each other. Finally, both John and Kanaya stood up and walked out of the library. I sighed, ignoring the looks Jade sent me.

"From the palpable, commiserating glances you are sending me, I take it there is something you wish to disclose," I finally spoke, irritated with the awkward silence. Jade giggled a little.

"Well...I would say something, but I don't think you want to hear it. I mean, if you want me to say it, I will, but…"

"I suppose in these circumstances, in which I am quite assured on the words about to depart from your mouth, it would be optimal for you to remain silent."

"Whatever you say!" Jade hopped up from where she was sitting. "I need a break from studying. See you later, Rose!" She exited the library, and I was left alone with my thoughts.

Finally, the exams came, and I found myself disappointed with the content they covered-after studying for so long in such depth, I knew everything easily and did not hesitate over an answer even once. I had no cause to be worried over my results, as there was no mishap that could possibly result in any failure.

Upon finishing the majority of the exams earlier than most students, I exited the building and walked down to the lake, a pre-decided spot where we would meet after the tests. Kanaya showed up next, and we had an in-depth conversation on the practical Transfiguration test, which only lasted a few minutes. Sollux was out quickly, followed by Aradia and Terezi, and then Karkat and Jade. Tavros was the last out, having struggled with his Defense Against the Dark Arts practical, the last exam of the day. I only hoped that Jade's tutoring and our assistance would lead him to pass the classes he struggled with.

The time outside was enjoyable in the sun, until Vriska appeared and my friends flocked to her. After the incident with Caliborn Umbra, it was not only Kanaya and John who adored the spider like girl, but Sollux, Jade, and even Karkat. Aradia, Tavros, and Terezi wouldn't go near her (I was still curious to what had occurred between Terezi, Aradia, Vriska, and Tavros, but all I knew was gathered but slips of the tongue and overheard conversations). I hung off to the side for a few minutes, sitting with the three of them before I made my excuses and practically fled to the library.

I ran into Dave there, coming back to the library. Naturally, he too was outside, but he decided to enter my territory, and attempt to psychoanalyze my hatred of Vriska. It was not a skill he had developed well, and the conversation ended awkwardly. I continued my reading, practically staring a hole in the Grimoire.

It was not long until I found myself interrupted again, this time by Tavros.

"Can I assist you?" I asked him, and he shook his head, face a bit sheepish.

"I just needed to get away from…" he trailed off, head looking around.

"From the spider bitch?" I asked, and he smiled, relaxing a little.

"Uh...yeah actually. I'm not comfortable around her, and Aradia's being weird, so she doesn't seem to care, and Terezi can talk to anyone. I'm sorry, I don't mean to lay my problems on you like that." The last words came out in a rush, but the entirety of what he was saying was muddled, as if he was afraid to say it.

"It's no problem," I assured him. "I have no particular love of her either. Please, feel free to continue venting." He hesitated for a moment, before speaking.

"It's just...I've been struggling all year you know, to uh, make friends or do well in class, and I convinced myself that I wasn't smart earlier. And, I mean, it was hard enough, but it felt like every time I felt horrible about myself, Vriska came around and make me feel worse." Tavros looked down as he finished speaking, nervous even as he said the words. I immediately slipped into a therapist-like set of mind.

"How did you do that to you?"
"...I was just, uh, so alone, and she told me that I was pathetic, and uh, it's silly really, but it really hurt at the time. Rufioh, my cousin, told me to ignore her, but it was really, really...hard."

"You seem better now."

"Yeah, Jade found me, and she really helped. But now, it seems like all of our friends are just crowding around Vriska, and I don't know what they see in her." I laughed a little, though it wasn't funny.

"Trust me, I understand how you feel." Tavros gave me a little smile.

"But, you know, the reason, I'm in this," he gestured down at the wheelchair. "is because of her." My interest spiked, but I made sure not to show it.

"Oh?" I said, voice nearly indifferent.

"Yeah, I used to play all these games with her and Terezi and Aradia, and Vriska was really competitive. She always had to win, and one time, she used magic to her advantage, and basically forced me to jump off this cliff. So, yeah, there's that." Tavros looked down. "Thanks for listening, Rose, but, uh, I don't think I can talk about this anymore." He wheeled away hastily, and I was left to contemplate his words. If he was telling the truth, which I did not doubt, Vriska was not just bitchy, she was dangerous. I would, of course, need to assemble a more comprehensive case before I could prove this to someone.

I went to bed that night, mind spinning as I thought over Tavros' words. Three days left in school, but perhaps next year, I would focus on Vriska Serket, and figure out just what was wrong with her.

Three days later, all of that was taken out of mind with Doc Scratch's announcement of the winner of the house cup. Ravenclaw had won, and I was so happy and proud of my house. I could hear Terezi screeching in victory, and I sporadically hugged Kanaya. Surprisingly enough, even Sollux looked happy.

The next day, we rode the train home in near silence. I was going to miss my friends, and was not looking forward to the summer, in which my warfare with my mother would continue, and I would be subjected to an agonizing silence. Thankfully, I would be able to contact them with letters, and possibly see a few of them. The train slowed as it pulled into Hogwarts, and I said my goodbyes to all my friends, making promises to write, and already looking forward to September 1st. The next two months would not be the most enjoyable.

As I exited the platform, I saw Vriska, hand raised in goodbye to Kanaya, and I promised myself I was going to figure that girl out. Vriska Serket would not remain a mystery for long, and when I found out what she'd done to my friends, she was going to pay.