Chapter 3
The hours ticked by as everyone waited in baited breath for Harry to wake up, and uncomfortable silence had settled across the compartment with everyone crouched on the floor or placed precariously on seats. Snape was trying to maintain order and privacy to Harry, who had soiled himself during his fit, there now rested a sweater over his trousers to convey some element of modesty. The train lurched forward to a halt.
The relief from everyone was palpable.
Snape quickly stood and produced his doe patronus, summoning madame Pompfrey to the last compartments of the train. It broke to tension and silence within the Slytherin 3rd years.
Pansy had been pulling and biting at her lips, chewing them raw. Theo was recounting everything he knew about Pot-Harry and reevaluating. Blaise sat in solemn silence with Daphne at his side holding his hand.
Draco had tears streaming down his cheeks one after another, gasping for his breath and composure . He didn’t know why, he thought as Snape ushered them from their compartment, muttering thanks and appreciation of their quick actions.
“But Profes-“
“No Draco, he needs privacy and medical care now. We will ensure his health after myself and Madame Pomfrey return to the medical wing.”
Softer he added “I wont let anything happen to him”
His reassurances comforted the frightened teens as they shuffled off of the train and towards the carriages.
They all piled into the last carriage, it was only designed to seat three, but the five of them couldn't bear to be parted from each other. Emotions were running high and the adrenaline that was pumping through their veins seemed to lessen.
Abruptly Pansy bursts into uncontrollable tears. “He-he was j-just lying there!” She wailed into Theo’s shoulder. It sparked tears from all of the slytherins but only she had lost her composure, recognised as the emotional one. However each of them had tears seeping out, Blaise quickly tried to hide his by wiping his eyes but Daphne saw. She gently rested her hand on his as a symbol of silent support.
The rest of the journey to Hogwarts was made in silence, broken only by quiet sniffles and pained whimpers.
“Do you think Professor Snape would understand if we said that we didn't want to go to the feast?” Asked Daphne as they neared the doors to the great hall. Excited chatter could be heard beyond them which only furthered the negative mood between them.
Blaise replied “I'm sure he would but we don't know the password to the common room yet and people will wonder why we weren't there.”
“And the start of term feast is seen as compulsory” added Theo, No one was in the mood for celebrations and pumpkin juice.
The doors magically swung open for them and they marched confidently to the middle of the slytherin table, they had to keep up the masks of perfect pureblood heirs and heiresses.
They sat in a close knit huddle at the centre, Pansy sandwiched between Draco and Daphne, with Blaise and Theo sat on the opposite bench.
Suddenly Draco spoke for the first time in a while “Is anyone else wondering why Potter's friends did not try to find him at any point on the train? Surely they would be worried about his after so long”
This sparked inquiries from the surrounding slytherins like 7th year Gemma Farley who was nearby. “Why are you worrying about Potter?”
The 3rd years kept their mouths shut, it wasn't their secret to tell and they sure as hell weren't going to say anything.
“No reason. It is none of your business.” Pansy spoke harshly, her red rimmed eyes evident to all those who were watching.
There was an unspoken agreement to leave it at that. They were right, it was none of their business.
Whilst this was happening, Theo's gaze kept drifting over to the griffindor table. Granger and rat Weasley were laughing and eating their dinners without a care in the world. As if they hadn’t even noticed that ⅓ of their golden trio was missing. Theo's neutral face morphed into a frown as he mused over the possible reasonings, they all seemed unlikely. There was no way that they actually didn't enjoy Harrying company.
The feast passed by so quickly, everyone was distracted with little appetite. As they were dismissed to their common rooms, they were following the slytherin 7th year prefects and told the password.
The ritual of going in one by one to ensure everyone, especially the first years knew the password for the next term.
All the slytherins were gathered in the common room waiting for their head of houses yearly beginning of term announcements.
A paper aeroplane of parchment flew through the air and landed in Gemma Fawley's hand. She unwrapped it quickly and read over the contents before handing it to the other prefects and addressing the common room.
“Professor Snape is very sorry for his absence but his presence is required elsewhere this evening and will address the rest of the common room in the morning. Please ensure that yourselves and your dormmates are down here by 7:30 at the latest.”
Whispers broke out throughout the common room as people wondered what could be so important on the first night at Hogwarts. The five from the compartment shared knowing glances.
”First years please follow me to your dorms and any questions from other years can be directed to the other prefects. Good night everyone.” She continued.