Denying Draco

16 - Harry's Return

Poppy's first week at Hogwarts came to an end and as she sat down in the Great Hall for breakfast, the mail arrived and a letter landed right on top of her empty plate. She recognised her mother's handwriting right away.

'Oh no,' she murmured.

'What's up?' Ron asked, looking up from the letters in his hand.

'It's from my mother,' Poppy sighed.

'You best hurry and read it then,' Hermione told her. 'She could be on her way here right now.'

Poppy ripped open the letter and took a calming breath before reading it.

Poppy,

As promised, I have allowed you to have your week of fun at school and now that time has come to an end. Today will be your last day so please say your goodbyes to your friends, pack up your belongings and Professor. McGonogall has arranged for the train to bring you back to King's Cross Station where your father and I will meet you there this evening at 6pm.

I look forward to seeing you.

All my love,

Mum x

'Shit,' Poppy hissed.

'Not good then?' Ron questioned.

'I have to leave tonight,' Poppy sighed. 'As if she's making me leave on the bloody weekend too.'

'I'm sorry, Poppy,' Hermione murmured, sulking sympathetically. 'I wish we could help.'

Poppy felt a deep ache in her chest at the idea of leaving Hogwarts. It had started off rocky, especially with what she had involved herself in with Draco, but she hadn't seen much of him since the drama in Snape's class; he hadn't bothered turning up to any classes they shared and besides that, she loved this school.

She pictured herself back in Tinworth, learning magic from her tiny study room, spending her days reading books, watching re-runs of Muggle shows with her parents or hanging down the coast with the Muggle girls from her village. Now that she'd experienced Hogwarts, that did not feel like a life at all.

'You look deep in thought there, Pop,' Ron stated. 'You're not planning something are you?'

'No,' Poppy replied. 'I'm just thinking...about how I'm certainly not going home tonight.' She crumpled up the letter and threw it across the table, turning to the food and filling her plate with breakfast.

'Your mother says you have to,' Hermione replied. 'How is that going to work?'

'I'm simply not going,' Poppy stated. 'I don't care how my mother reacts. I am making this decision for myself.'

'But you are risking your relationship with your mother, Poppy,' Hermione told her. 'Are you sure that's something you really want to do? Ask yourself, is it worth it?'

'The answer to that is yes, Hermione,' Poppy replied. 'Sometimes you have to sacrifice something that matters to you to give yourself something that matters more.'

'Fair enough,' Hermione replied, nodding slowly. 'I think it's very brave of you.'

'Me too,' Ron agreed. 'And you know we're here if you need to talk about anything.'

'Thanks, guys,' Poppy replied, smiling as she continued to eat. 'So...have either of you heard from Harry? I haven't seen him for days now.'

'No, we haven't,' Hermione murmured.

'I know he's not in school right now, I'm just wondering if he's actually coming back,' Poppy said.

'Oh, he'll be back soon,' Ron told her. 'He's just got a lot going on right now.'