How It Started

Chapter 66 - Vesper Malfoy.

My brother and I straightened up at the familiar voice of the one we had vowed to always protect and serve, he seemed to just be murmuring to himself for a short moment and Draco exchanged a look of pure panic with me, we both knew he wouldn't forget our betrayal, however we had been trying hard to forget the betrayal ourselves.

" Harry potter.. " The voice seemed to boom, however it was barely more audible than a whisper. I twisted the sleeve I had torn of previously, around the snake-mark etched onto my wrist, that'd remain there forever, Draco seemed to cross his own arms, covering his mark that matched my own.

" I want Harry Potter. " He hissed, I looked around for the source of the noise. Knowing fully well that it was most likely inside our heads, rather than any external noise. I looked over at Harry for some form of comfort but saw a panicked stricken state that must've matched my own.

A loud scream pierced through my ears and I snapped my head over to see a rather tall, browned haired girl clutching onto her ears and screaming for dear life. My moral compass instructed me it'd be wise to run and comfort but as I stared down at the black cloth that covered the death-eater mark, I knew that one of the people causing her this pain, despite only being second-handedly would not be very wise.

" Give me Harry Potter. " The voice commanded, I now was whipping my head around at anyone who would look at me, craving the comfort and validation of others as his voice pierced through my own ear-drums. Every-time he spoke it served as a reminder to the decision engraved on my arm forever, my eyes fell on Selina at last, who remained as calm as you could be.

She was gripping her stomach tightly, a look of determination clearly written on her face. As the voice slowly faded away, she smiled at me reassuringly. I smiled weakly in response.

" Well what are we waiting for? " A familiar feminine voice yelled, I spun back around, facing away from Selina to see who the voice responded to. Pansy had the same look of determination on her face, much alike Selina. However, this determination was rooted solely from her own selfish desires and I understood that.

" Hand him over! " She demanded, I gritted my teeth in response to her cruel words. I saw my brother grimace in response to his friends implication, now seeking reassurance from McGonagall her jaw was set rigid, this increased my panic severely as I considered the fact she may be weighing up Parkinson's words.

Harry seemed to sense the rise in my panic as he turned to face her as-well, she smiled sympathetically at Harry before turning to face Pansy once again, her face was a mix of anger and sadness. Filch burst into the room just as she had opened her mouth to speak, he jogged the same high-knee way he had always done, I couldn't help but smile, my panic subsiding, at the familiarity of the situation.

" Students in the corridor! Students out of bed! " He shouted, clutching his cat to his chest tightly. McGonagall raised her right hand, pinching the bridge of her nose.

" They are supposed to be out of bed, " She began, waving her hands around at the crowd of students gathered in the great hall.
" You blithering idiot. " She finished, with a sly grin. I couldn't help but smile myself at what she seemed to believe was rebellious, she turned back to Parkinson.

" I'm glad you're here however. " She announced, taking to Filch. He looked back up from his cat with a sheepish smile.

" Escort Parkinson and the rest of her slytherin cohort to the dungeons. " She asked of him, he nodded, raising one of his hands and waving it, indicating they all follow him. As they all followed him, a few shot glares and glances at our small group, I couldn't help but feel a twinge of guilt at their sad and angry expressions.

I know McGonagall hadn't done this to offend them, or to discriminate. But she knew about the battle fast approaching and she probably just didn't want them to see their parents fighting against their friends, or have to choose a side amongst friends or families.

Draco went to walk along behind them, Fred snatched his wrist, playfully elbowing him with a grin. Draco smiled back in response, falling back into line with the order. I was glad he was finally finding a spot in our group, it had gotten awful saddening watching him spend days and nights alone constantly at the cottage. McGonagall finally turned to properly address our group, more so address Harry.

" I'm glad you're back and oh so happy to see you. " She greeted him, after a moments silence. He grinned at her and I could tell he found some form of comfort from these welcoming words, although I'm sure he very much wished to of heard them from someone else.

" Also, glad you're alive. " She continued, she then looked back at the rest of our group, she zeroed in on me, finally noticing the small mark on my arm. Her smile faltered and at once fell, she brought her wand out and held it towards me.

" Woah! " I yelled, raising my hands, one containing my wand, in a matter of moments. She eyed me, her eyes furrowing in severe confusion.

" She's with us Professor. " Harry said hurriedly, observing McGonagalls expression. She slowly lowered the wand, facing him. She then looked back at me with an apologetic expression, she opened her mouth as if to apologise.

" It's alright Professor. I know it's an honest mistake. " I cut her off, she smiled gratefully at my acceptingness. She turned her gaze over to my brother.

" I assume he's the same? " She asked, we all nodded, although I noticed a slight hesitance in Harrys nod. He still had never fully forgiven him, although truthfully I did not wholly disagree with that choice. My brother had threatened to take away someone he considered family, although he didn't end up being the one to do it, I'm sure that night runs in Harrys head constantly.

" Well, I'm glad to see all- " She begun, then froze staring at someone located behind me. I spun around to see Selina smiling sheepishly, McGonagall stared at her for a short moment, then shaking her head and forming a coherent sentence.

" Well! isn't that splendid? " She announced, surprisingly enough. Selina bore a smile of pride as she nodded at her previous professor.

" When are you expecting? " She asked, drifting over to her in a matter of seconds and looking down at her. Selina considered this thoughtfully, smiling over at Fred who beamed back. I knew they were going to make just the perfect parents.

" Shortly after the war, I believe. " She announced and McGonagall looked about ready to jump up with joy. I'd known that Selina and McGonagall had gotten on quite well, but not this well.

I couldn't help but feel comforted by Selinas now severely confident smile, that replaced the scarce smiles we had received from her at the time in the cottage.