I
Being a ghost isn't quite how I'd ever imagined it. I could at least of been granted the ability to haunt and frighten a few people for my own personal amusement. But as aforementioned, I had been banished to a frequency too low to cause any physical changes in the environment.
If you're wondering if I see and can interact with the other ghosts and paintings around the castle, the answer is yes I can. They don't interact with me though, I'm a socially outcast ghost. And it is as pathetically embarrassing as it sounds.
Myrtle often glances my way, remembering the many nights she was my only company as I sobbed alone in the bathrooms. But not even she could see past what I'd done in the two years leading up to the war. Weasley is around, waiting for the others to find the strength and mental stability to return to the castle. In true Weasley fashion, he's been with Peeves non-stop, although neither of them have tried to pull anything, yet. Even Peeves knew that now was not the time for fucking around.
I've yet to cross paths with any of the Professors, they likely had the good sense to 'move on' and 'cross over' pretty immediately. That is a whole other process in itself, and yet again a courtesy only offered to the purer souls. Everyone gets their opportunity of course, but only once they've either served their time in purgatory or redeemed themselves and made peace with their unfinished business.
Others simply choose to hang back, as Weasley and Myrtle had done. I didn't get that choice, but it made no difference. I wasn't ready to go through that door yet.
So instead I'm going to tell you about the first time I met y/n. It was one term in to sixth year, right at the start of when everything went to utter shit for me. I'd been branded like a calf and processed ready for the slaughter house if I didn't succeed in the task bestowed upon me by the dark army.
I was fucking miserable, not that it was unusual for me but this wasn't like being in a mood or acting a spoilt and obnoxious idiot. I mean really, genuinely miserable.
The entire day had been spent desperately evading certain people and trying to fix some sort of fucking magical wardrobe. For some reason the death eaters wanted to roll up in style but chose that as their mode of transport.
Not descend on dragons or something noble, no, a fucking wardrobe cabinet thingy.
And then made it my problem.
By the time I had emerged from the room of requirements for who knows how many days in a row, most others were fed, watered and off about their own free time business. Throw in the fact it was a Friday evening which only meant one thing, gatherings. They were never big enough to call parties, but they could certainly get out of hand quickly.
Yet there I was, moping in the halls by myself, slumped beneath a stone arch with my head pressed against the cold brick. I couldn't think of anything worse than having to go back to the common room and face a million questions from the others and no doubt an obscenely drunk Parkinson and Nott.
It had become a competition on who could get the most fucked up on moonshine the quickest, which only resulted in both of them falling asleep drunk on the couch with their mouths hanging open wide enough for Bullstrode, Greengrass and Farley to start aiming things to throw at them for points if they got them in their mouths. Zabini like me had a little common sense and avoided the flamboyant duo when they were in that mood most of the time, only giving in to their debauchery occasionally.
That was before I grew distant though and I knew damn well they sensed something was up, although I don't think any of them would be pleased to learn the truth; they are Slytherins through and through but certainly not the types to go bad like the myths and stories portray.
Such as only happens occasionally and as fate would have it, I'd drawn the winning numbers on the lottery. It was me, I was going to be the moron that tarnished the house reputation this time.
It was all I could think about as I remained slumped over for an immeasurable amount of time, counting the cracks in the floor and running my fingers tips over the crumbling limestone.
Then, footsteps came tap, tap, tapping towards this direction. Likely just someone on their travels or prefects, either way I'm likely to be ignored just how I like it as they scurry on past.
She floated beside me, and the first thing I noticed about her was the smell of her perfume as it lapped over me in a wave. No discernible sort of fragrance, just a rich floral aroma. It burnt my nostrils it was so strong, probably cheap and tatty.
Y/n stopped in her tracks, almost like she had come to an invisible brick wall. That was until she pivoted on her toe to face me and looked at me like I was wearing a top hat made of dicks on my head. "What the fuck are you looking at?" I snarked. "Problem?"
"Not really a problem no but I am interested as to why you're sat on your own in the dark being a weirdo."
The first words she ever spoke to me, and strangely enough in that very moment I had no idea if I was offended or impressed.
"Avoiding people clearly, so you can just fuck off now. You're wrecking the mood."
"Well obviously I'm not going to now."
I straightened up defensively. Who the hell does this girl think she is? "Why not?!"
"Because you told me to so now I'm just going to do the opposite because it's funny." She folded her arms and looked down at me with a smirk. Her hair draping over her shoulders and a mauve colour painted on her lips. She was dressed for an occasion but not overly done up. Classy casual if you will. "Oh I know who you are.. DrAcO MAlFoy."
I don't know why she just had to say my name that way, I've done absolutely nothing to deserve this bullshit since I had no clue what her name was, I'd seen her face around a bit but never thought much of it. Until she was stood here insulting me for no reason.
"Yeah I'm DrAcO MAlFoy, what's it to you?"
My mockery didn't have the intended effect at repelling her, instead only forcing her to purse her lips in an attempt to stop the loud snigger that escaped them anyway. I have known this human being for less than a minute and I'm more stressed than any dark spell could ever make me.
I kinda like it.
"So you're just going to sit here sulking all night then DrAcO MAlFoy? Are your housemates or whatever, not doing anything?"
"Not in the mood."
I'm just going to have to resort to blunt responses until she gets bored of me and goes on her way.
"Why?"
"Because."
"Because why?"
Suddenly y/n sat herself right down on to the floor cross legged and rested her chin between her hands with a glint in her eye. She absolutely was in it for the long haul now, she knew she was getting on my nerves and loving every single second. I rolled my eyes and pinched the bridge of my nose until it ached. "What is it going to take to get you to fuck off and leave me alone?"
"A kidney and the soul of your first born."
I almost answered her agreeing until what she had actually said registered. "Pardon?"
"Yeah I like to sacrifice souls and bathe in the blood of their ancestors."
I stared in silence. I could potentially be in real danger here, is she even really a student? Is she a spy? Is she fucking mental?
"Merlin's fuck take a joke! On my life it's like you have no personality. I don't think you even have a soul I could sacrifice if I really wanted to. Lighten up."
"Yeah cool whatever, ha so funny." I turned away again to stare at the wall, at least trying to pretend like it was interesting. Until I felt her presence move closer and she held a hand out to me. "What?!"
"Come on, come with me instead of sitting out here like a saddo."
"I'm not going anywhere with you..?"
"Y/n," she smiled nudging her hand again. "Come on, don't be boring."
"I don't even know you."
"That's why it'll be fun and exciting, no pre-judgement apart from the last five minutes of depressive stubbornness."
She refused to take no for an answer no matter how many times I shrugged her away and grumbled. "Where could you possibly be going that's so enticing anyways?"
"What?" She smiled deviously, running her tongue across her teeth and tilting her head. "You think only you and your little group of Slytherins are the only people who know how to have fun?"
Just the way she proposed it and the tone of her voice had me doubting everything on the spot. There's no way that anyone else throws better parties or evented nights than us lot. It's just common knowledge, we're the highest grade of class and sociality; no question. "No y/n, just leave me be and be on your way."
To my horror she began singing and wailing obnoxiously in the worst possible voice, it pierced through my ears and entire head. Triggering a physical reaction that manifested as a sort of shudder. Y/n transported me to hell and back in a millisecond with that shrieking racket.
"Oh my god stop!!!"
She did stop but only wound up smirking harder than ever whilst nudging me with her hand again. "You coming then??"
"No."
"LALALALAAAAAAAA!!"
I thought I was going to have a stroke, it was either that or punch this girl. Something was going to have to give but as it turns out it was me. She took the win this time.
"Oh my fucking god fine just stop singing!!!!"
Ah, silence. Beautiful, beautiful silence. But now I had to actually carry out what I agreed to, no doubt it was about to be excruciating. I'll just dip and run the second I get the chance, easy peasy. Y/n continued to hold out her hand at me. "I am literally not holding your hand you absolute predator."
When she sniggered and shrugged I almost did too but managed to catch myself before the grin graced my cheeks, I cannot show any sign of weakness. I am in control of this situation. I've got it under control, complete control.
So she took cheerful, striding steps through the winding corridors ahead of me whilst I followed and continued to seek out any sort of indication as to where we might be going.
But it was just the usual atmosphere around the castle. I heard no music nor saw any suspicious looking people sneaking around together looking up to no good. That was until we stopped at a door I'd not come across before on the very top floor of the building. It looked like a small storage cupboard where brooms and old boxes might be kept.
"Now what?" I snapped, trying not to sound even slightly interested which matter of fact was a lie right now. "It's just a cupboard?"
"No it isn't," y/n crooned, again holding out her arm. "But you're going to have to put your big boy pants on and hold my hand for a second if you wanna find out.."
I looked down at her hand, to the door, back to her hand and then up to her eyes that sparkled beautifully either side of the prettiest nose I had ever seen now that I was studying it closely. And I sighed sarcastically before agreeing and pressing my palm against hers.
"You piss me off.."
"Good," she whispered and winked. "That's what I strive for."