ℒℯ𝓈𝓈ℴ𝓃 ℴ𝒻 ℒ𝒾𝒻ℯ 𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑙𝑖𝑠ℎ

❀ 𝓒𝓱𝓪𝓹𝓽𝓮𝓻 𝓮𝓲𝓰𝓱𝓽 ❀

❤︎𝓨𝓸𝓾 𝓬𝓪𝓷'𝓽 𝓸𝓹𝓮𝓷 𝓪 𝓷𝓮𝔀 𝓬𝓱𝓪𝓹𝓽𝓮𝓻 𝓲𝓯 𝔂𝓸𝓾 𝓱𝓪𝓿𝓮𝓷'𝓽 𝓬𝓵𝓸𝓼𝓮𝓭 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓸𝓵𝓭 𝓸𝓷𝓮 𝔂𝓮𝓽❤︎

As Wednesday dawned, my steps carried me through the hallowed corridors of Hogwarts, echoing the rhythm of the day. Arithmancy beckoned, its mystical allure tugging at the edges of my mind. With each passing moment, anticipation swelled within me, for beyond those classroom doors lay the knowledge and intricacies of numbers waiting to be unveiled.

Emerging from the lecture, burdened by the weight of my bag, I ventured toward Defense Against the Dark Arts. There, outside the classroom, a familiar trio greeted me — Pansy, Theo, and Draco. A mischievous grin spread across my face as I raised a hand in greeting.

"But where might Blaise be?" I inquired, my curiosity piqued.

Concern etched Draco's features, and Pansy's expression mirrored his sadness. Together, they conveyed the troubling news.

"He lies in the hospital wing, still plagued by the curse he inadvertently suffered during the battle. This morning, a throbbing headache befell him, and we hastened to seek aid from Madame Pomfrey," Pansy shared, her voice laden with sorrow.

Taken aback, I instinctively covered my mouth, the revelation catching me off guard. I had been unaware of Blaise's affliction, his suffering veiled from my knowledge. Sensing my confusion, Pansy leaned closer, her voice a whisper.

"Few are privy to this information, only Draco, Theo, myself, and now you. And, of course, Professor Snape."

A shiver coursed through me as his name slipped from her lips, an unbidden mix of anticipation and apprehension stirring within my core. Denial served as a feeble shield against the truth, but I knew deep within that my thoughts would inevitably wander to the professor and the imminent return to his secretive laboratory. No amount of denial could alter that undeniable fact.

"Is everything alright?" Draco inquired, his gaze penetrating.

Caught off guard, I winced momentarily, gathering my composure before offering a reassurance.

"Yes, indeed. It was merely unexpected news, that's all."

Draco remained unconvinced but wisely chose not to press further, diverting the conversation. We exchanged words for a few more moments until Professor Brandon, a figure both amiable and respected, opened the classroom door, summoning us inside. Taking our respective places, I thanked the stars for my early bond with Neville, who joined me just in time, his breath betraying the haste of his arrival.

Amused, I shook my head, a grin adorning my face.

"What led you astray today, Neville, nearly making you late?"

Still catching his breath, Neville placed his belongings on the table, his face contorting in mock agony.

"Professor Snape. I had to take a detour after witnessing him reprimanding a first-year. I swiftly changed course to avoid further confrontation."

Chuckles escaped me as I covered my face with my hands, incredulous at the situation.

"You faced Nagini, vanquishing her, and yet you remain wary of our professor, who is quite amiable."

The bewildered expression on Neville's face was priceless, and had it not been for the commencement of Professor Brandon's lecture on vampires, I would have burst into laughter. The irony was palpable. Neville had confronted the Dark Lord himself, risking his life in the process, yet retained a hint of trepidation towards the professor who taught them.