Putting Trust into the Wrong Man

Chapter 6: Legacy

"SLYTHERIN" the Slytherin table erupted into roars of cheer and welcoming phrases. Poppy hopped off the stool and found Draco among those trying to congratulate and get a good look at her. Draco smiled and had her sit next to him, I told you, she whispered and smiled at her.

Poppy looked across the tables and found Harry and Ron looking disappointed she couldn't join them in Gryffindor. She looked down the row next to them and found 4 more red heads the same color as Ron's: Ginny, Fred and George, and Percy all sitting together while talking with their fellow house mates.

Poppy couldn't believe the food she saw which kept appearing after each plate became empty, she was amazed at how hungry she actually was after the long train ride. Her father always raved about the beginning of the year feast, the food was always delicious, and it never stopped coming. She looked all around her and saw hundreds of students talking and laughing, making new friends.

The colors of each house hung above each table marking which table belonged to which house. Many Slytherin still looked at Poppy, curious what she was like in person, was she filled with hatred after what Voldemort did? Was she full of sadness where she couldn't bare to talk to anyone? Or was she normal like the rest of them. Draco noticed the staring and could sense how uncomfortable Poppy felt being in the spotlight after just meeting these people an hour before.

"Do you want to get out of here? I could show you around the castle," Draco locked eyes with Poppy and put his hand on her back, Poppy nodded and stood up with him while everyone watched this encounter. Draco led her out of the Great Hall and down the hallway towards the dungeons where the Slytherin common room was, he would stop along the way and say which classrooms belonged to which teachers.

They got down into the dungeons where there was one classroom, this is Professor Slughorn's classroom, "he took over for your..." Poppy interrupted, "dad."

She walked into the classroom and saw all the empty tables where students would sit and brew potions in the days to come. She went up to the desk where her father used to sit looking over his students and awarding or deducting house points based off the situation. She walked passed the numerous tables and stopped at the one in the back corner, the moonlight hit the table just right where she saw letters carved into the table SS+AL she knew this was her parents table back when they took this class.

Draco stood by the doorway and watched as Poppy traced the letters with her finger, a single tear falling down her cheek. He walked slowly towards her and put his arm over her shoulder, giving her somewhere to cry peacefully and without being seen. After a few moments, Poppy straightened up and wiped her eyes, "sorry, I shouldnt have done that. I've only just gotten here and now look at me, pathetic," she chuckled lightly to herself and looked at Draco.

They looked into each others eyes and realized they were really alone, Draco looked down to Poppy and moved slightly closer to her, she could feel his breath coming closer. There was a moment, a single moment where Poppy felt something she had never felt before, but just as quickly as that moment appeared, it disappeared as students voices could be heard coming down the dungeon stairs and filling the Slytherin common room.

Poppy and Draco looked at each other sheepishly and left the potions classroom to join the others.