Right Where You Left Me | DM

TWO.

I skipped the Sorting ceremony.

If McGonagall were to find out, well, let's just say Nearly Headless Nick would certainly be jealous of the outcome.

Honestly, I normally looked forward to the ceremony. After the first couple names were called, everyone pretty much stopped paying attention unless the hat mentioned their house. Really, it was about catching up with friends and the food--oh my Merlin, after a summer of my own handiwork in the kitchen, the food was everything. But lately, I haven't been hungry.

Then again, lately, I haven't really been much of anything.

. . .

The moment I stepped into the common room, I felt myself let out a breath I didn't even know I had been holding in.

It's strange to think about how quickly a literal dungeon had begun to feel like home my first year here, but it was special. I loved everything about it: the way an earthy green lazily cast a shadow across the room, the comforting crackle of the fireplace as it filled the room with warmth in spite of the house's cold reputation, and perhaps most of all: the smell of old books and leather. The second I breathed in its' scent, it felt real that I was actually here, that I wasn't stuck back at my house anymore and I wouldn't be anytime soon.

As I walked up to the girls' dorm, I ignored the tugging sensation in my heart that was pulling me towards the other side--to the room which had held the love of my life, back when he used to hold me.

Merlin, since when was I so pathetic? Hogwarts used to be my favorite place, but I'm not sure I've smiled since I've arrived here.

I shake myself out of my thoughts of self-pity, and resolved myself to stop thinking about Draco for the rest of the night. Loving him has taken a lot away from me lately, but I won't let him have Hogwarts.

I quickly pushed through the door to the room I share with Farrah, Pansy, and another girl in our year, Devon. I wasn't particularly close with Devon, but Pansy knew her from a couple of classes they shared so when she asked to dorm with us we all agreed. As usual, our stuff was all here already and I fell back onto my bed.

Despite it still being early, I found myself already aching for sleep. In hindsight, I wished I had gone to the ceremony.

. . .

FLASHBACK -- YEAR TWO

"Is it bigger than a breadbox?"

"What?" Draco looked at me, confused, "What in Merlin is a breadbox?"

I rolled my eyes. "Honestly, Draco, the name in and of itself is pretty self-explanatory."

"Yeah, well, this is a stupid game. Life for muggles must seriously be boring as all hell if  this is what passes for entertainment."

"Hey, you're the one who asked me what twenty-questions was," I defended, "which, by the way, is another self-explanatory title. The Sorting hat certainly knew what it was doing by keeping you out of Ravenclaw."

"Oh shut up!" Draco scowled and lightly shoved my shoulder, but a smile creeped up his face that gave him away.

We were lying down on the grass by the lake, underneath the shelter of large tree I only approached after Draco assured me it wouldn't attack me. Apparently, that was another tree. I personally didn't understand the necessity of having any tree with combat capabilities on school grounds, but Draco, being Draco, thought it was "brilliant," saying he wants one for himself when he gets his own house to "keep out the muggles and mudbloods."

I smiled to myself as I thought over the ridiculousness of the notion, turning my head to watch him as he laid there with his eyes closed. I studied the way the sun cast a shadow of leaves on his face before I closed my eyes, too, just letting myself enjoy the afternoon warmth.

"I'm hungry. Race you to the Great Hall? Loser has to ask Snape a stupid question," Draco challenged with a smirk, standing up. He knew he was faster than me.

"Sure," He looked shocked at first that I agreed, then smug. "But first, help me up, yeah?" I asked innocently.

He extended his hand towards me, and as he saw my smirk recognition flashed across his face--but too late. Seconds later, Draco was face down in the grass, fuming, while I was gleefully on my way towards the Great Hall.

"Start thinking of your stupid question, Draco! Not that that should be hard for you!" I hollered back at him.

"This isn't the end of this, Y/N!"

END OF FLASHBACK

My eyes flew up and shot up from my bed, breathing heavy. The room was dark but still empty.

No, I thought to myself, it wasn't.

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A/N: I know it's been boring so far, but I need to some filler chapters to establish things at the start. I promise it'll get more interesting soon!

As always, any and all feedback/suggestions are welcome.