Denying Draco

42 - Rings And Veins

Ginny and Hermione were thrilled to hear the story about Cedric when she returned to the castle. When she told them about Pansy spotting their goodbye hug, they urged her not to worry too much but Poppy couldn't help it. There was something about Draco finding out she'd been with Cedric that unsettled her. She wasn't afraid. She wasn't worried for his reaction. She just didn't want him to know and cause more drama between them when she was trying to move on. Another small part of her was also torn between two tiring thoughts. She didn't want Draco to think she had moved on with someone else and be completely done with her whilst also wanting him to know so that he could see that someone else was interested in her and would treat her the way he hadn't. Either way, both thoughts were unhealthy, but she couldn't help it. Clearly she was still tied to him in some way.

Monday came around after spending the rest of the day in the common room with her friends and she arrived at her first class of the day - Defence Against The Dark Arts. She was the first one to arrive and sat at her desk anxiously awaiting Draco turning up. She wondered if Pansy had told anyone by now, something that was very likely.

The class all filed in and took their seats and Draco was amongst them. He took one look at her when he entered and stopped, his usual empty stare taking hold that she could never read. He moved on quickly, taking a seat at his desk and Snape arrived promptly to begin class.

'Today, we will be learning about the Imperturbable Charm,' Snape informed the class. 'Tell us all exactly what that is...Patil?'

Parvati Patil, another Gryffindor student, cleared her throat. 'An Imperturbable Charm creates an invisible barrier around an object, Professor.'

'Correct,' he responded, as he paced slowly in front of the class. 'So if I were to cast the charm at the door...' Snape raised his wand and moved it around slowly in the direction of the door, an almost invisible fog falling across it. '...anyone on the outside would not hear anything going on inside.' He turned back to the class. 'Turn your textbooks to page 293 where you will all do some reading around the charm for the next thirty minutes in...silence.'

The whole class could sense that Snape was certainly not in the mood, even more so than usual, so everyone opened their textbooks in silence and focused on the task at hand.

Poppy read from her book, ignoring the dull feeling she had inside of her that was making her feel like she was being watched. She knew he probably wasn't. She knew he was probably reading his book but she still felt uneasy.

The next thirty minutes passed by with the whole class staying silent and Poppy read through the information about the Imperturbable Charm and eventually forgot about Draco even being there. Defence Against The Dark Arts was her favourite subject and she thoroughly enjoyed learning new spells. This charm in particular was new to her and she wanted to get it right.

When the thirty minutes was over, Snape stood up from his desk. 'Close your books.' The class obeyed and Snape remained unmoving as he blinked slowly and continued. 'Now you will get into pairs. I want you to take turns practising the charm on your textbooks and then, should you succeed in doing so, you may practice on your partner.'

The class all mumbled as they got to their feet and moved around to join their chosen partner. Poppy looked to her left where most of the Gryffindors were sitting but they already seemed to be sorted into their pairs.

'That leaves us.' Draco appeared by her desk and she slowly turned around and looked up at him. He looked back with a nonchalant stare and when she didn't say anything, he took a seat beside her.

'I didn't say you could sit there,' she told him, bluntly.

'There is no one else for either of us to pair up with,' he replied, as he took out his wand and set down his textbook. He clearly did not care for her evident discomfort.