Nosebleeds and Daggers (DM)

Chapter 2- Return to Hogwarts

Odette Viotto-

The train ride alone felt foreign, wrong, sinful.

As though the scarlet steam engine were escorting her to prison, a place no one in their right mind would choose to visit voluntarily.

The outside land seemed to know what atmosphere the train held as the sky adorned masses of dark clouds, thunder could be heard brewing in the distance with the occasional shine of light within the stormy beasts.

Every so often a familiar face would pass by Odette as she sat alone in a compartment, some offering a pitiful smile, others even a wave- one girl in particular seemed to be looking for Odette as when she spotted the dark haired girl sat inside, she was quick to join.

"It's so great to see you again, how are you?" The bushy haired girl queried as she hugged her Slytherin friend, her voice laced with both worry and pity.

How is Odette, truly?

Not great, if she is being honest.

Shit, if she's being utterly and completely truthful.

But she merely whimpered an "I'm okay" to her bushy haired girl.

The dark haired girls friend didn't quite buy her response, noticing the distinct change in appearance to her Slytherin friend.

The bushy haired girl couldn't help but glance over the slimmed features of her friend, the sunken eyes that once displayed bright energy, but now only a storm of dread. Her skin had paled to almost a pallid shade, worrying the bushy haired girl.

Odette noticed the gleam of fret in her friends hazel eyes, assuring she was truthful as she spoke "I am fine, Hermione, it's just the weather".

Though reluctant, Hermione kept her thoughts to herself- instead engaging Odette in forced conversion.

Odette couldn't help but envy her Gryffindor friend on how well she seemed to be, despite the events of last year.

They spoke quietly until they arrived at Hogsmede, where they further rode in the carriages in silence- both thrown over the sight of the mystical beasts that pulled the carriages that they now realised almost everyone would be able to see now.

Sitting on the familiar wooden benches in the Great Hall, glancing around the room in her usual Emerald green robes felt strange.

Though it appeared just as it had in her previous years- warm and inviting- the usual eccentric chatter of new students and returning students was replaced with quiet, forced, murmurs.

Another odd factor that created a peculiar feel to the room was the newly appointed Headmistress, Professor McGonagall.

It was a bizarre sight to see, the old transfiguration Professor sat on Dumbledore's golden chair in her pine coloured robes, talking quietly to Professor Flitwick aside her.

Despite the start of year feast appearing before everyone, the atmosphere in the hall didn't lighten a tad.— Odette did, however, manage to hear a few "ooooos" from the new giddy first years further down the Slytherin table.

As her eyes lingered along the table, she challenged a glance at those she had grown through Hogwarts alongside.

Gregory Goyle. Ever since his best friend Vincent Crabbe fell into the midst of flames- evidently to his death- in the Room of Requirement, he hadn't been the same.— Not once had he tossed a cruel insult to the new first years, or even offer a glare towards the Gryffindor's.