Chapter 2
Classes started that day, and you headed off to your first one, Defence Against the Dark Arts. Professor Lupin wasn’t there when you arrived, so you sat down, took out your books, quills and parchment. The class was Slytherin and Gryffindor combined, and you could see the Weasley twins on the other side of the classroom with their group consisting of; Lee Jordan, Angelina Johnson, Alicia Spinnet and Katie Bell. They were cracking jokes and laughing, your heart lurched at the sight.
Daphne took the seat next to you, surprising you. Students rarely sat next to you. It was either due to your parentage or your shining personality, both were extremely likely. Lupin finally entered the classroom, smiling vaguely as he placed his tatty old briefcase on the desk. Although still looking shabby, he seemed to have a healthier look to him today.
“Good morning,” he said. “Would you please put all your books back in your bags. Today will be a practical lesson. You will only need your wands.”
Curious glances were thrown around the classroom and the puzzled but interested students got to their feet and followed Professor Lupin out of the classroom. He led them down a stairwell as well as a corridor and around a corner which took them outside the castle. Further in the distance, you could see Dementors hovering over the ground, a few fellow Slytherins glancing at you after observing them.
“Now, then,” said Lupin, beckoning the class further towards the dreaded Dementors.
“Nothing to worry about.” Professor Lupin stated calmly.
Most people seemed to feel that this was something to worry about. Daphne gave Lupin a look of pure terror and a Gryffindor boy raised an eyebrow apprehensively.
“So, as many of you are aware, this is a Dementor. They infest the darkest, foulest places, they glory in decay and despair and suck the peace and happiness out of the air around them.” Lupin flicks his eyes over the group. “Dementors are supposed to drain a wizard of his powers if he is left with them too long. There are certain defences one can use. The spell I am going to teach you is highly advanced magic – well beyond Ordinary Wizarding Levels. It is called the Patronus Charm.”
When it works correctly, it conjures up a patronus,” said Lupin, “which is kind of an Anti-Dementor – a guardian that acts as a shield between you and the Dementor.”
“What does a Patronus look like?” A Gryffindor girl piped up curiously.
“Each one is unique to the wizard who conjures it. Before you ask, you conjure it with an incantation. This will only work if you are concentrating, with all your might, on a single, very happy memory.”
You think back to your childhood manor of positivity and quickly veto majority of them, not many would suffice for this spell.
“The incantation is,” Lupin cleared his throat, ”expecto patronum!”
The words were murmured throughout the class, everyone repeating it under their breath.
Lupin quieted the class down, “Alright, I want you all to practice it here first.”
“expecto patrono-“ “expecto patronum- no that’s wrong” “expecto patronum-”
Wisps of silvery gas were suddenly whooshing out of the end of people's wands, their excitement loud in the air.
“Right then class – ready to try it on a Dementor?” Lupin asked, smiling.
A resounding yes was heard around the class. They trotted down towards the outskirts of the school, Dementors looming above. Students started to shout the incantation as Dementors started swooping down near them. The wisps of silvery gas morphed into something akin to animals, each one representing a person.
You pull out your wand made from Walnut, 12 ¾ inches with a dragon heartstring core, mustering up the courage. Your wand was made for an intelligent wizard, not to fight dreary dementors.
“expecto patronum!” You shout at the dementor barreling towards you.
The silver coming from your wand turns into a blinding, dazzling, silver animal in the shape of a decently sized wolf. It charged towards the threat and the Dementor fell back, retreating into the darkness. You were in awe at the sight and kept your eyes on the wolf as it turned around and languidly ran towards another Patronus in the shape of a Magpie. The two chased around each other before both creatures vanished.
You glance at the boisterous Gryffindor group and felt your stomach lurch the longer you looked at them. Something akin to jealousy rose in you, startling you. No, you weren’t jealous, that was for sure. The more you pondered on the subject, the more you started to feel uncomfortable at the thought. Thay were huddled close to one another, yet all of them were relaxed, their stances non – threatened. All of them were conversing jests and jokes.
With the lesson concluding, you turned and uneasily dashed towards the classroom to collect your bag.
The Slytherin dormitories were cold and stark in furnishing. It didn’t help that they were located in the dungeons under the lake. You were changing into your night clothes consisting of a long sleeve tee and plaid shorts, when your dorm mates Hestia and Flora Carrow entered. You were never much of a fan of that set of twins, and their nosy and upturned attitude grated on your nerves on the regular.
Hestia approached you (more crooked nose, plain giveaway), “Professor Snape is demanding we all head to the Great Hall right now. They think it has something to do with Sirius Black.”
You rolled your eyes, “Thank you so much Hestia for letting me know, I had no idea that was why Snape is calling on us, really.”
Flora scowled from the doorway. Hestia turned back to look at her, about to sprout some nonsense when Daphne came hurdling into the dorm.
“Gemma, we need to go to the Great Hall. All the other houses are there, not just ours.” That last bit was directed to the other people in the room.
Daphne moved closer to you and lightly grasped her arm, tugging her towards the exit. The two of walked at a brisk pace, not one word conversed at all. You didn’t know whether that was a prayer answered or ignored.
Rounding the corner to the Great Hall, you could see the other houses and most Professors gathered.
Many students were grouped up, all similarly looking either half asleep, confused or both.
“The teachers and I need to conduct a thorough search of the castle.” Professor Dumbledore spoke as Professor McGonagall and Flitwick closed all doors to the Hall. “I’m afraid that, for your own safety, you will have to spend the night here. I want the Prefects to stand guard over the entrances and I am leaving the Head Boy and Girl in charge. Any disturbances should be reported to me immediately.” He directed the last part to Percy Weasley (Stuck up prat) who looked immensely proud to be addressed.
One casual wave of Dumbledore’s wand and the long tables flew to edges of the Hall and with another wave the floor was covered with hundreds of squashy purple sleeping bags.
Dumbledore left with a ‘sleep well.’
Once the doors shut, the Hall buzzed with excitement; many Gryffindors were informing the rest of the houses what had transpired.
You glanced over at one particular redhead, pointedly ignoring the stares you got from a lot of the students. He was chatting animatedly to a group of Hufflepuffs about the recent Black-break-in. You felt your stomach twist since it wasn’t you he was talking like that to. Ouch.
“Everyone into their sleeping bags!” shouted Percy, “Come on now, no more talking. Lights out in 10 minutes!” Merlin, that authority really corrupted his mind. He’d be a half decent Dark Wizard, the only thing stopping him was his Godric-awful hair.
With that, you took claim of a sleeping bag towards the edge of the Hall. The thought of people surrounding you made you shudder in distaste. You’d be turned away from everyone, the wall being your scenery, thank you very much.
Trying to get comfortable in a thin, cushiony sleeping bag was not an easy feat. The solid flooring underneath was a truly pleasurable constant.
“Hiya!”
You jumped at the whispering voice from behind you. Alright, that put it mildly. The fear of Salazar Slytherin had been struck in you.
Turning around hastily, you come face to face with Fred bloody Weasley. Possibly 20 minutes ago you wouldn’t have minded him being in your close vicinity, however, now was a different story.
“What do you want Weasley?” You whisper imploringly.
“You never answered my question.” He replied, undeterred.
“You never asked!” You responded incredulously.
“I never got the chance to!” He retorted without missing a beat
“Well get on with it Weasley! It’s not like we’re in our own little bubblehead charm!” Your voice was starting to rise in volume. In your defence, it was Fred’s fault.
“Shhhh.” He whispered evenly, somehow?
“You shhh!” He was catching on your last nerve, quickly.
“Go to Hogsmeade with me?” He questioned, tone laced with apprehension.
What in Merlin’s magic world was going on?
“You want me to go to Hogsmeade with you and your friends?” You raised your eyebrow suspiciously, not that he could completely see in half darkness.
“No,” He spoke uncertainly, “I want you to come to Hogsmeade with just me. Just us.”
A feeling akin to hope rose in you. Before you realized.
“Is this some sort of sick joke Fred Weasley?” You hissed furiously.
How dare he?! A prank like that was not only embarrassing and humiliating, but incredibly hurtful. The thought of going to Hogsmeade only to be laughed at by that group of Gryffindors struck a chord in you. It was a known fact you struggled with making friends, Draco being your only trusted person, but this was next level.
“What? No-“
“Oh sod off Weasley.” You interrupted whatever he was going to say, rolling over in your sleeping bag and blocking out the rest of the Hall.
A grunt was heard from behind you, but you were too busy hiding your face in your pillow to care.
Bloody gingers.
When morning came, you felt like doing nothing more than hiding away for an undetermined period of time. Between pranking Weasleys and rumours circulating about your involvement with Sirius Black, especially after the chaos of night, you were over everyone.
Sitting up in your sleeping bag, you noticed the Great Hall doors were open and students that were awake had been given the all good to return to their dorms.
It was only when you stood, did you realize that despite your hostility, Fred had slept next to you all night.
The school talked of nothing but Sirius Black for the next few days. And without fail, at every meal you could feel seemingly undeterred brown eyes on you. In between everyone stealing glances at you.
Surprisingly, Daphne approached you in your shared dorm after camping out in the Great Hall. She asked if you were alright since your interaction with Fred caught her attention. You had dismissed her by telling her all Fred wanted to know was if you helped charm Black undetected.
It was one of the tamer theories of how Black snuck in, or how you helped. They ranged from your charm work (it was pretty excellent, if you do say so yourself) to Black being able to turn into a flowering shrub. That one wasn’t even logical; it definitely did not originate from a Ravenclaw.
Friday night dinner at the Great Hall was definitely… something. You didn’t need to look up from your plate to know that in between Fred’s resolute gaze and Daphne’s occasional questioning glances, Draco would flat out stare at you throughout the night.
It was mostly unnerving, not intimidating. Despite whatever he claims.
The mashed potato on your plate tasted like glue and felt heavy in your stomach. You quickly discarded of the dinner and walked back to your common room. Another sad, early night. It was all you knew at this point.
“Gemma!” Draco called out. He had most likely left less than a minute after you.
“Draco if you’re here to voice anything about Black, just can it before I hex you, alright?” You called out, desperate to reach your dorm before an interrogation. You were not in the mood to socialize. Maybe that’s why you had no friends.
Alas, he was quicker.
“What’s going on with you and Weaselbee?”
That stopped you.
“Nothing, he just annoys me at every chance.” You tried to come off nonchalantly and unbothered.
“It wasn’t me who noticed; it was actually Snape.” Draco had come up close behind you since you stopped moving.
Now that surprised you. Snape? Although he could be pretty observant, it wasn’t his greatest talent. Oh, Salazar, is there more to it than you thought?
Turning to meet his eyes, you raised an eyebrow in question, “And he felt the need to pull you aside and speak to you about a bunch of rubbish?”
Draco’s face twisted into a look of indignation, “I’m only asking because I’m worried about you!”
“Do you think I’m weak or something of the sort!” You retaliate furiously, “I know bloody damn well how to look after myself, since you don’t seem to think so!”
“You don’t need to yell at me! I don’t think you’re weak, I just think the Weasel is up to something, don’t you think?” He had eased off halfway through his sentence, but the damage was done.
“Well how about you go sod off to play Quidditch since you’re obviously well enough to come bombarding me with questions!” Alright, that was harsh. But he was milking the most out of his injury. His already healed injury.
Draco looked at you, really looked at you before turning dramatically and walking off.
You let out a sigh of frustration. He struts just like his father.