𝐍𝐚𝐢𝐯𝐞 | 𝐃.𝐌, 𝐓.𝐍

017 - ʜᴏɢᴡᴀʀᴛs ᴇxᴘʀᴇss

Cora Bentley

There's only two hours until the train boards for winter holiday, with my anxiety only rising by the hour.

The past couple weeks of rounds with Draco have been quite boring. We don't speak, hardly ever. We maybe exchange two words if that.

I finished packing to go home— more like Malfoys. I can already tell I'm staying there.

I went to classes today, trying to get as much work as I could done in time before the term ends and we get our grades. I've been having so much trouble focusing lately, however. It takes me nearly two hours to complete one assignment.I am most definitely not in the right headspace right now.

Which is why I am even more terrified to go home and face my parents. If they find out how I've been performing in school— I get shivers just thinking about it.

I snapped shut my trunk, it being pretty easy to pick up since I've only packed for two weeks.

"Hi, babe." I heard from behind me. Pansy stood by my door, a smile on her face. I gave her a light smile back. "Hey."

"Are you ready to go?" She asked. My smile disappeared almost instantly. "Not really." I shrugged. She came up to me, hugging me lightly and helping me finish closing my trunk, before we exited my dorm.

Theo, Blaise, and Draco were waiting for us in the common room. None of us have seen Astoria for the past while. I'm honestly starting to think she left school.

I made no eye contact with Draco as I set my trunk down for one of the boys to take, which they always did. They always carried our things to the train.

We walked almost silently to the train, Pansy and I in front of the boys as they made small conversation, mostly about plans for the break. Well, as Theo and Blaise made conversation. Draco was silent the whole way.

I could tell everyone had noticed something different with me. It's not known for me to slack off in my lessons, even if I don't get that high of a grade I still try.

Though with... recent events this school year, I have found it hard to focus on my school work. Everything is so overwhelming.

Things with Theo and Draco have been...weird. They hardly even look at each other. Draco has cut almost everyone off. He hangs around us, but doesn't talk or interact. Everyone eventually stopped questioning it.

Stepping onto the platform, my heart felt like it was about to explode. My nerves were at an all time high, I really did not want to face my parents.

I must've stopped once I reached the platform, because my back hitting something knocked me out of my thoughts. "Go, Bentley." All of the others had moved forward, I'm not sure why he stayed behind me.

Rolling my eyes, I started moving again. "Shut the fuck up, Malfoy." He scoffed from behind me. "What— are you scared to see mummy and daddy again?"

My feet stopped below me, my body swinging around to face him. "That's rich, y'know, coming from you."

His expression faltered. "You know damn well that you're not going to see them for more than a day. Then you'll be back with me. At my manor." He pointed to himself.

"You say that like I have a choice to go to your manor every holiday, Malfoy."

"You do have a choice, Bentley. Just don't come. Stay the fuck home."

I swallowed the huge, dry lump in my throat. "Fine then, I won't come." I left him standing on the platform, as I swung around and went back toward the train.