SCREAM | DRACO MALFOY

chapter two

As a morning person, I never considered just how hard it can be to drag one's self out of bed. The dull ache in one's head as the sun pouring in through the curtains irritates their closed eyes. The sound of others in the room getting up and ready as you still feel as if you can't even lift your head. The way you have to push yourself up in annoyance and stumble towards your clothes to get ready. It seems silly to say, but I would die to have to deal with those tasks in the morning.

My wake up time was usually about the time the sun was rising over the hilltops. One of the best parts of being in Ravenclaw was the fact that the high tower we lived in gave us arguably the best view of the castle grounds. From my window seat, it felt like I could see everything and even then some. I used to consider what it might be like to be sorted into a house like Hufflepuff or even Slytherin. The lower parts of the castle was probably the only places I would say I don't like being in. They always seemed cold and dark, far different from the warmth and brightness of the rooms above.

The silence that accompanied me in the morning was a gift. Hogwarts always seemed to be alive with people chatting and footsteps gracing one's ears no matter where they are. At this time, however, it seemed like even the ghosts were slumbering along with the paintings. Although most people might, I never seemed to feel alone during this time. In fact, I would even say this is my favorite time of the day. Well...for the most part.

I never seem to remember most of my nightmares after they occur, so whenever I awoke in the morning to find that the dream had etched itself onto my memory it was safe to say that I was a little frightened.

This morning seemed to go by slower than usual. I was struggling to focus as I pulled my robes on and brushed out my hair. Despite the warmth and humidity I knew was awaiting outside, my arms were covered in goosebumps. I tried to rub them away as I walked down to the common room, grabbing my bag and wand beforehand because I knew I wouldn't be coming back to the dorm anytime soon.

I wasn't surprised to see that the common room was still empty. The fireplace hasn't been lit yet and the only sound I could hear was the ticking of the clocks hanging around the room and the soft whispers of the portraits talking to one another. I smiled at a few as I passed, making my way towards the window seat.

I usually spend the mornings drawing. I really love painting although lugging paints around isn't quite as easy as a few pencils and a notebook.  I didn't have much inspiration this morning like I usually seemed to. My dream was still floating around in my head. I felt my pencil start to move.

It was a weird experience that morning. I knew what I was drawing, I just...wasn't thinking about it all too much. I wasn't in a trance, I felt very much like myself, but my mind felt foggy. I reached in to my bag at some point and grabbed the color green.

I could hear students coming down the stairs and small conversations staring to form to my left but I ignored them like I usually did. My hand started to ache from holding the pencil for so long and I was about to put my things away and shut the book whenever I heard someone shout my name.

"Isobel!" I froze. That was strange. He isn't even in this house. There was no possible way he could have made it into our dormitory. Yet why did his voice sound so real. Like it was right next to me. I slowly turned my head towards the voice, my hands starting to shake slightly.

I knew it. I was insane. Delusional. Why did I even think that I heard his voice? Maybe I got less sleep than usual because of my nightmare. I shook my head, focusing instead on the people coming down the stairs. I could see Penny's curly black hair coming around the corner. She would be looking for me soon.

I turned back to my notebook, ready to flip it closed and pack it away for the day. I paused. I hadn't had the chance before to take in my work. It was...strange.