Secrets (D.M)

fresh parchment and ink

In the Gryffindor common room, Neville and Adeline were sitting on the sofa.

"Why did Malfoy call me a mudblood?" Adeline asked Neville.

"Because he's rude. Ignore him." Neville told her.

Adeline forced a smile, as she was scared why her blood status would affect her knowledge.

"Adeline." Said Hermione. "It's getting late, you should really get to bed. You too, Neville."

"Night, Neville." Said Adeline.

"Goodnight."

Up in the dormitories, Hermione was flicking through 'Hogwarts: A History'.

"Hermione, what does mudblood mean?" Adeline asks Hermione.

"It's a horrible word. It's another word for muggle born, dirty blooded." Hermione tells Adeline.

"Oh. Okay.." Says Adeline, her eyes filling up with tears. Adeline tried to hold her tears back.

"Go to sleep now. Don't worry about anything Malfoy has to say." Hermione tells Adeline.

Adeline turns over and falls asleep.

***

In the morning, it was raining heavily. The cold raindrops fell on the the window, dripping down.

Adeline got out of bed and put her robes on, ready for breakfast.

She brushed her teeth and brushed her hair.

Trying to forget what Draco said yesterday, she went down Gryffindor tower's staircase.

In the common room, it was lit only by the fireplace. A warm glow.

Adeline walked down the stairs, hoping to find the main hall soon.

Staring at her shoe laces, Adeline wasn't paying attention to where she was going.

Adeline tripped over her own feet, ended up falling on top of none other than Malfoy.

Adeline's eyes widened as she stood back, away from him. Cheeks burning with embarrassment.

Malfoy looked at her disgusted.

"Maybe you should get a pair of glasses, perhaps then you'd know where you're going! It would make you looks smarter as well." He told her, harshly. "You know, considering you're not a great witch."

Adeline's eyes went all glassy. "I'm sorry.. I wasn't paying attention as my shoe laces were undone."

Malfoy scoffed and turned away, heading to the Great Hall.

***

Adeline dropped down on to a bench in the Great Hall, next to Neville and Hermione.

"Why is Malfoy so against muggle-born witches and wizards?" Adeline asked them, pulling a plate towards her, filling it up with toast.

"Ughhh! Stop worrying about him, Addie." Hermione told her.

"He's got an even smaller brain than you!" Neville teased Adeline.

Adeline smiled.

"I suppose he is keeping what isn't his to keep to himself, and other pure-blooded wizards." Adeline muttered.

"What do we have first today?" Neville asked Hermione.

"Neville, honestly. We were given schedules with classes yesterday, where's yours?" Hermione tutted.

"I- um.. Lost it." Neville said awkwardly.

Adeline giggled.

"We have potions first." Adeline told him. "Professor Snape."

***

In the potions classroom, Adeline sat next to Pansy Parkinson, as Slytherin and Gryffindor are in the same potions class.

They were sat next to a tall pillar, with rotting stone on it.

Snape kept talking. On about "bewitching the mind" or something like that.

Neither Adeline or Harry were really listening, however, Harry was spotted writing something down on his parchment.

"POTTER!" Shouted Snape.

This didn't sound good. Adeline made sure she was paying attention from now on, as she didn't want to be on Snape's bad side. However, she probably would, she is a Gryffindor after all.

"You should really pay attention." Pansy told Adeline. "Adeline, isn't it? Muggle parents.."

"Yes. And I am paying attention, thank you." Adeline gave Pansy a cruel smile and turned away from her.

Pansy rolled her eyes.

Snape shot a look at Adeline. "PAY ATTENTION, SMITH!" He shouted.

"But- Professor- it was Pansy! She distracted me. She spoke first." Adeline protested.

"Silence! I will not hear of it." Snape swished his black cloak and muttered "class dismissed."

***

Adeline was exhausted after her first day at Hogwarts.

She decided to write to her mother.

Dear mum,

I am writing to you, just to see if you're okay. I thought you might be worried about me! Hogwarts is brilliant! It's like a castle. A lot of people don't like when people are born by muggles (non magical people) like myself. However, I seem to be doing fine. Professor Flitwick, the charms teacher, says that I have a knack for charms, and should be expecting at least an acceptable in my OWLs (which are practically GCSE's, but the magic type) so that's good. Writing with a quill is VERY different but I seem to be fine with the grip. I've made lots of friends already! Three girls named Hermione, Hannah and Susan, and a boy named Neville. I seem to have made an enemy, however, named Draco. He is very rude! He keeps on calling me a 'Mudblood'. Neville says that it's a foul name for someone who's muggle born. Hopefully this letter found you okay. How are you doing? This is all very weird, I hope you're coping fine without me at home. I've sent an owl out, just write a letter and give it to the owl.

Lots of love,

Adeline xoxo

Adeline put her letter in an envelope and licked the seam, she passed it to an owl in the owlery. "To mum" Adeline told the owl, giving it two sickles.

***