Putting Trust into the Wrong Man

Chapter 22: Learning New Things

Poppy ran to the common room only to be quickly reminded she had detention starting that night at Hagrid's. She would grab dinner then walk across the grounds to his hut that sat just outside the Forbidden Forest.

Poppy changed into Muggle clothing under her robes in the case she had to get dirty working on the grounds, she didn't know what wizards detention would compile of, she's never even had Muggles detention.

She got changed and headed for the Great Hall, hoping no one would really be there since it was early for dinner. Poppy sat at the Slytherin table and saw some people munching on their dinners, most sitting alone. She looked around her and barely saw anyone she knew except for Harry Potter sitting at the Gryffindor table.

Poppy quickly turned back around so her back was facing him, she didn't want to be seen. Another Slytherin joined the table and sat near Poppy, she could feel their presence. She was too afraid to look, scared it could be Harry who snuck over to get a word in, she's been ignoring him all week.

"Could you help me?" Poppy looked up and saw Pansy Parkinson sitting 3 feet away with tears in her eyes. Poppy had never seen Pansy look anything but happy and center of attention, she looked broken and miserable.

Poppy didn't know what to say, she nodded quickly and stood up with Pansy while heading to the girls lavatory. Pansy ran to the mirror and splashed water on her face, she looked at her reflection and focused on Poppy standing a few feet behind her.

"What happened?" Poppy stepped closer, realizing Pansy was shaking and after washing all the makeup off, saw that she had a black eye, Pansy...who did that to you?

Pansy shook her head and laughed at herself, "I'm so pathetic, I shouldn't have gone to him or anyone, no one can help me."

"Who did this to you? Help with what, Pansy?" Poppy stepped up to the adjacent mirror now facing Pansy.

"Adrian, I've been seeing him since New Years. I thought he'd be different, we got in a fight and he shoved me and I landed into a desk and got this stupid black eye. I needed help finding something," Pansy shook her head again with tears streaming down her face.

"Finding what?" Poppy pressed on, this could help her.

"You're not the only one with truths that need to be found, Poppy," Pansy wiped her eyes and walked out of the bathroom, Poppy looked after her trying to figure out what truths Pansy would need to find.

Poppy looked at her watch, it was leaning towards 6, she had to get dinner down before she left for Hagrid's. Poppy walked back to the Great Hall, putting food on her plate when Adrian walked up and sat across from her.

"What did she tell you?" He whispered across the table.

"Why'd you shove her?" Poppy snapped back.

"Is that what shes told you? Listen, Poppy, we both know she likes to exaggerate. We can help each other here," Adrian smiled and sat back, watching Poppy struggle to decide.

"How can we help each other, we barely know each other," Poppy chuckled lightly, she barely spoke a paragraph to Adrian since she started at Hogwarts, how could he know anything about her.

"Because I know where everyone was the night your mother was killed, I know the inside of death eaters, lets just say I've taken your fathers place," Adrian winked and watched as Poppy gasped.

"You're going to get yourself killed with that job, why on earth would you take it. Where was everyone?" Poppy leaned forward, begging for answers.

"What did she tell you?" Adrian asked again.

"Nothing, just that she had truths to find just like me, Adrian, what do you know?" Poppy was still leaning forward when Adrian suddenly sat back and laughed.