SHE'S A MALFOY

TEN

"The world is a curse
it will kill you if you let it"
-K.Flay

I felt utterly betrayed. I had believed Evan was my friend, someone I could trust because we shared a similar situation. But now, all I could see was the regret on his face when I left, while everyone else seemed indifferent. They didn't care at all. So they pretended, then? Did they all see me as an outcast now, just because I was sent away?

My mind whirled with these thoughts, spinning out of control. Had they all seen me as nothing more than a spoiled kid these past two years? A fucking outsider? It was a harsh realization, one that cut deep. So, is that how shallow men can be?

When I returned home, Mom and Dad weren't pleased with what had happened. Even though they could see the regret on my face, they still grounded me. What did I expect—a sweet welcome back with parties and celebration? I huffed at the thought, knowing better.

Draco was still at Hogwarts, and he wouldn't be back until the end of the year, I supposed. I wasn't in the mood to talk to anyone. I felt utterly alone—fake friends, parents who sent me away, and a brother who ignored me. What a life. I sighed internally, the weight of it all pressing down on me.

The conversation with Madam Maxime and my parents had been long and draining. We talked about everything I had done and the reasons behind my expulsion. Dad hadn't been pleased at all, and when I arrived home, he barely acknowledged me. The house felt grey, lifeless, devoid of any joy—no colors, no fun, no Draco. Mom called for Dobby to take my things to my room, while Dad went straight to work. I trudged upstairs, needing to lie down and process everything that had happened. But before I could sink too deep into my thoughts, there was a knock on the door.

"Athena?" Mom's voice was soft as she entered the room with a tray of food.

I was lying on my bed, absentmindedly playing with the ring on my finger.

"Yes?" I replied without looking at her, my voice flat and disinterested.

"I need you to eat, love. I know this is hard, but there's nothing we can do about it now. Your father decided that you'll be studying at home until the school year ends. You'll be re-enrolled in the same grade as Draco next year. I'll be tutoring you in the mornings, working on spells and potions. And... do you want Draco to come over? Or should I tell him you're home?" She sounded almost hopeful, trying to brighten the situation.

"No, don't tell him anything. It's not like he'll care," I said, curling into a ball on my old bed.

She frowned, about to protest, but I cut her off. "We're not on good terms, Mom. I don't want to see him. That's my final answer, so don't try to change it."

I picked up the plate she brought and started to push the food around with my fork. With a sigh, she relented. "Alright, darling. Just remember, he's your family, and that bond is forever. He loves you in his own way." She gave me a sad smile, rubbing my hand gently. "I'll leave you to rest now. Your Quidditch gear is in the usual room if you feel up to it." She paused at the door, glancing back at me with a sideways look. "I'm sorry for sending you away, Athena. But at the time, I didn't see any other choice." And with that, she left the room.

As soon as she was gone, Silas emerged from his cage and slithered up to my wrist, curling around it like a bracelet. He was good at staying completely still, blending in seamlessly. "It's just you and me now, little buddy," I whispered, though he wasn't so little anymore. I had brought Silas with me to Beauxbatons, but I hadn't given him much attention due to my hectic schedule. Still, I made sure he was always fed and cared for.

As I sat there, my brain began to torment me with flashbacks: Evan and I pulling pranks together, me starting to fall for Marcus, the time Lorenzo and I staged a Quidditch match in the Great Hall, painting Corey's nails, throwing Philip into the boys' bath, and the wild parties with the girls. Ugh. Those memories, once so sweet, now felt like salt in an open wound.