Venom & Virtue

chapter 7

A brisk knock at the dorm door pulled my attention away from Draco's book.

I looked up as Violetta entered, smiling once she spotted me lounged across my bed.

She was the vision of effortless beauty as always, dressed in her favourite green mini skirt which she'd paired with a white crop top and a cashmere jumper. She'd added a light coat and tights, her hair thrown into two space buns as a finishing touch.

"Put your shoes on, we're going to Hogsmeade."

"I'm busy," I replied, indicating the book in my hand, Draco's personal notes scattered in each margin.

She waltzed over to me, pulling the item from my grip before I could stop her.

"It's Saturday, you can't spend all day cooped up in here-"

"But I-"

"No buts, Adrian and Terence are already waiting downstairs anyway."

I rolled my eyes but climbed out of bed, knowing the determined blonde would drag me if she had to.

I quickly gathered my wand and coat, sliding my shoes on in a clumsy rush.

We made our way down the dormitory stairs to where our friends were waiting, each of them bundled up in thick layers and Slytherin scarves.

We greeted one another before leaving the castle, making our way down to the village.

It was a classic autumnal day; October was setting in properly as the leaves had begun to change colours, rich greens replaced by rusty brown, marmalade orange and deep red.

Whilst I fell into step beside Violetta, I couldn't help but think that it was strange to know I had been a proper student for just over a month.

It had become second nature to attend classes and hang out with people my own age, I'd almost forgotten what it was like to spend my time traipsing through the Ministry hallways or waiting for Kingsley to give me some secretarial task.

In a lot of ways, I preferred being at Hogwarts.

It wasn't a feeling that I had accounted for in the beginning, but as the weeks had drifted by, I'd come to feel quite at home amongst my new friends.

"What is there to do in Hogsmeade?" I spoke up, burying my hands into my coat pockets.

So far we hadn't had the chance to venture outside of the school grounds, although I knew that a lot of other students eagerly visited the village every weekend.

"Shop mostly," she replied, "there's pretty much a store for anything you can imagine. And the train station is nearby, there are pubs and a tea shop too."

"Do you need to go somewhere particular?"

"Gladrags for sure, I sent her some clothing to tailor for me. And probably Dominic Maestro's, I need new strings for my violin."

I turned to look at Adrian and Terence as they caught up with our walking pace.

"What about you two? Where do you want to go?"