She's A Witness ~ III | d.m.

10. Jinx

Scar's POV ~

The train had come to a stop and I was gently nudged. I sat up from my sleeping position and met the grey eyes I had learned to love.

We were in that stance for a quick minute before I looked away and stood up. I walked out grabbing my bag as he followed me through the corridors of the train.

I passed by each of the other cabins and soon was stopped by one, Potter's.

"Scarlett, Scarlett. I just wanted to say thank you again for helping me with the hearing."

I gave a curt nod, "I already told you it's fine, but remember I have a reputation to uphold. So you can't just pretend to be good friends with me all of a sudden, and I may or may not taunt you every now and then, but don't take it personally."

I heard a snicker from behind me and proceeded to talk again, "However, I can't stop Draco and his ways either so you might have to deal with him." I assured turning away.

"It's alright. But thank you, Scar."

I snapped my head back to him and sent daggers into his own eyes whilst blocking the path from Draco, "Don't call me that. There's only so few who call me that and it isn't you."

He backed up putting his hands up, "Alright. Alright, I'm sorry- err, Scarlett."

I nodded and walked away pulling Draco with me.

I checked to make sure my items were all there and left ahead to grab a carriage. Draco had a problem with the bag checking and stayed behind a bit but I ignored the notion and took my seat.

Blaise is soon joined me along with Crabbe and Goyle soon followed by Draco.

It was a silent ride to the castle as she was always the one to start the talk about our summers, but she wasn't here.

When we arrived at the castle we quickly made our way to the welcoming feast.

I took my usual seat with Draco to my right as Blaise sat across. Crabbe and Goyle took their usual spots a few seats down.

We had left her spot as did others as it was for her memory.

We didn't chat very much, we only listened to the first year sorting and clapped for those in Slytherin.

"Slytherin!" The sorting hat yelled and we all politely clapped. I turned and rested my head on Draco's shoulder as he held my hand under the table.

Only seconds later, a young girl took her spot. I sat straight up and glared at her, "What do you think you're doing?" I said coldly and she backed away but didn't move.

"This was an open spot, so I took a seat. I will move if this is a seat you were saving for someone else."

I met Blaise's eyes and he only shook his head, I sighed and replicated his action, "No, umm it's alright. You can sit there I guess."

Draco began to draw circles on the back of my hand with his thumb as he could see I was getting tense.

I slowly relaxed and ignored the little girl but she chose to speak up.

"Oh, my Merlin! You are her! You're Scarlett Grindelwald! Hi, nice to meet you!" she reached out to shake my hand but I shook my head and she continued, "Well, I'm Esmeree, Esmeree Jinx."

"Well Esmeree, one question..." she nodded listening, "Blood status, what are you?"

She cringed and then hesitated to answer, "I am a pureblood, but my mother passed away and my father then married a muggle, so.."

I sighed and offered a small smile, "You're fine, your father's actions do not have an impact on your blood or you. Though it is an action frowned upon, you are your own person."

She let out a breath and smiled turning back to the sorting as I just began to carve numbers into the table.

3, 7, 45, 97

The numbers were all I thought of at the moment until the feast stole my attention. I began to pile my favorite foods onto my dish as everyone else did the same.

"Good evening children!" the hall fell silent as we turned to listen to Dumbledore, "Now we have to changes in staffing this year, please welcome back Professor Grubbly-Plank who will be taking Care of Magical Creatures, as Hagrid is on temporary leave. I would also wish to welcome our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher," I looked up to the table and scanned it for the new advocate.

"Oh bloody hell. No way." I said gripping my cup, as the guys turned to me.

"What is it, Scar?"

"Huh?"

"It's her, the pink demon. I can't believe this."

"Professor Dolores Umbridge. I hope you will all join me in wishing the professor, good luck. Now, as usual, our caretaker, Mr. Filch has reminded me to tell you-"

*ahem*

She stood from her seat and began to walk out to the podium. I held a scowl across my face but soon met Harry's eye as he recognized who she was.

I turned back to the lady as did everyone else as we waited for her words, "Thank you, headmaster, for those kind words of welcome. And how lovely to see your bright and shining faces smile up at me."

She walked to block Dumbledore as she continued to speak, "I'm sure we're all going to be very good friends."

"Likely!" The twins shouted and I stifled a laugh knowing what they could do.

"The ministry of magic has always considered the education of young witches and wizards to be of vital importance. Although each headmaster has brought something new to this historic school."

She turned and nodded to Dumbledore before pacing the stage slowly.

"Progress for the sake of progress must be discouraged. Let us preserve what must be preserved, perfect what can be perfected, and prune practices that ought to be prohibited." She ended her speech with an annoying giggle as there was scattered applause.

"What does she mean, Scarlett?" Esmeree turned to me with a curious face.

I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding, "It means the ministry is interfering at Hogwarts. But no worries, we're Slytherins: resourceful, ambitious, but most importantly, most Slytherin parents work in the ministry. They won't touch us. So don't you worry."

The hall had broken into the sound of a large classroom as everyone had something to say.

There goes the start of the new year.