Maggie

Chapter 32 - Missing

 When Malfoy pulled me aside on my way into the great hall for breakfast the next morning, I knew immediately that something was wrong. I concentrated on slowing my breathing and followed him away from the sounds of hundreds of students eating and pouring coffee. We went into the small chamber just off the great hall that they used for the arriving first years.

"Look, I don't want you to worry too much about this and if I had my way I wouldn't be telling you at all but, unfortunately, McGonagall is insisting on making an announcement to the school." He looked extremely grave as he gripped my shoulders. "I know how you're going to react and I think you'll appreciate me taking you away from your peers for your reaction."

My terror must've shown in my eyes because he pulled me into a hug, clutching me to him the way my father used to when I would have nightmares as a child. And as he rubbed my back and stroked my hair, he spoke the sentence I was most terrified to hear right into my ear.

"Someone else went missing last night."

If at that moment, I wasn't panicking so much, I might've found the fact that Malfoy was handing me a calming draught amusing. He knew exactly how I would react. He knew exactly how to help me. And, as I knocked the potion back in one swift movement, my breathing was back under control before it had even picked up. He handed me another vial. This one was corked and sealed with wax; another calming draught.

"I know this is distressing for you but I need you to try and act as normally s possible. Too much attention has been drawn to you already because of that boggart. But keep this in your pocket and use it if you start to panic again."

I slipped it into my pocket, my lips tight. It was extremely odd to feel nothing at all - no waves of nausea, no chest pains or palpitations of the heart, no sweat on my brow and no glitch in my breathing. The contrast between the hysteria of my mind and the hush of my body was unnerving. But, I was grateful for the composure, no matter how unnatural it was.

"You've really gotta teach me how to make this particular brew for myself."

He let out a breath and gave me a weak chuckle, though there was no humour in the action whatsoever.

All pretence gone, I almost whispered, "Who?"

"Morgan Thai."

My stomach dropped.

"Morgan?!"

Draco's eyes were tight with grief. "Yes, Maggie."

"Someone needs to find Damon," I muttered, almost to myself.

Malfoy smiled again, though his mouth and brows were lined with pain, not joy. "I've already spoken to him, Maggie. I knew they were... involved with one another. A team of house-elves are putting my office back together as we speak."

My eyebrows jumped up in surprise. "He destroyed your office?"

"He destroyed my pride too. I haven't been insulted so uncivilly for many years. But the boy was distraught and he needed to get it off his chest. I was just glad I could be of use, even if that wasn't quite what I pictured when I imagined consoling him.

"I knew he liked her but that sounds like something else entirely. Under any other circumstances, I would've wished I could be there." I pushed the heels of my hands into my eyes, trying to stop the stinging in my tear ducts. I couldn't afford o feel Damon's pain. I was barely coping with my own.

I looked up at my potions professor. "Where is he now?"

"He's sitting with Alfie in their dormitory."