stages of denial

chapter 13

Another week had passed of hateful glares and snarky comments. Isabel had refused to leave her room for any unnecessary reasons.

After Blaise's visit, no one came, just girls passing through the common room.

She had thought deeply about the meaning of his visit, Draco had sent him.

Why did Draco care?

The last thing she remembers of him was their argument in the hallway where he addressed she was in a "state of denial."

Breaking her thoughts, something slid under the door, footsteps reciting down the hallway.

She looked around, wondering if it was yet another snarky note or threat to leave the school.

Growing more curious her body forced her to her feet, her fingers wrapping around the paper.

"Meet me in the great hall -D" the note read

Draco?

What could he possibly want? To ramble on about their sex life, that never happened?

Anger beginning to stir in her body at the thought of him led her heads to tossing the piece of paper in the fire.

—

It was now after hours, her eyes were focused on the fire were the note was now ashes.

Should she go?

But what good would come out of that?

Maybe, she thought, maybe she could finally get through his thick skull and stop the rumors from spreading.

Maybe she could get Cedric back.

Her feet pushed to the ground, wrapping a hoodie around herself and gliding out the door.

She was going.

Carefully sneaking through the hallway she pushed through the doors into the great hall.

"Draco." She called out sternly.

"So it was true?" Cedric peered out into the middle, his eyes tired and hurt.

"What are you doing here?" Her eyes followed him, surprised at his presence.

"Did you leave the note?" She walked towards him slowly.

"I was driving myself mad, trying to decide if I wanted to believe rumors or you, but now I know." He pushed past her, heading to the doors.

"You gave me a test? Because you wanted to believe rumors over me?" She turned to him, walking after him, her sadness had formed into anger

Who was he to test her when he hadn't even had the balls to confront her himself?

"Don't do that, don't make me look like the bad guy, you're the bad guy." His voice was raising, still shaking.

"Oh i'm the bad guy? Because of what a bunch of first years like to gossip about? Because of what a blonde boy with a big ego likes to spread?" She walked in front of the door, refusing to let him leave.

"Even if the sex is a lie, you still had a moment with him, while we were together, or so I thought." He reached for the door.

"You seem to forget the part where I walked in on you and another girl, and god only knows what happened after I had left." Her voice was shaking.

"I was drinking, you were sober." He walked out into the hallway.

"Oh don't you dare give me that excuse, I did what I did with Draco, but at least I can be mature and admit my faults." She was now yelling, her hands clenching.

Kids had now began shuffling out of their rooms at the sound of loud voices.

"Mature? You're here for what a few days and get it going with Harry, me, and Draco, hey probably Ron too, very mature of you." He looked into her eyes.

You could hear gasps around the room, giggles too.

"You want to call me a whore, then say the fucking words." She stepped up to him, refusing to break eye contact, challenging him.

"Whore." He spoke between his teeth, pushing his finger into her chest.

Biting the inside of her cheek she nodded her head slowly with a sad smile, "Feel better?" She pushed passed him, glaring at the surrounding kids who ran to Cedric's side with smiles.

Whispers filled her ears as she walked to her room. Her feet stopped as a hand met her chest.

Slowly looking up her eyes fell on Harry.

"Are you okay?" He spoke softly, "I saw that."

"I'm pretty sure the whole school did." She spoke quietly, walking past him and continuing to her destination.

"He shouldn't have spoke to you like that." He walked beside her.

"It's true." She shrugged her shoulders in defeat.

He stepped in front of her, lifting her chin up, "No it isn't, don't let that get in your head." He forced a smile.

"See what I mean?" Cedric laughed pointing to the two of them as he walked past.

Harry stepped towards him, Isabel placing her hand on his chest to stop him, "It's not worth it."

He smiled sadly at her, accompanying her back to her dorm.

"I'll see you tomorrow, alright?" He spoke gently.

She nodded her head and slid into her dorm.

"What did he do?" She jumped at the sound of a voice, her eyes swirling around to find Draco walking towards her.

"What?" Her mind was boggled and tired.

"Cedric." He spoke sternly, meeting her at the door.

"Why are you here Draco?" She sighed softly.

"I asked you a question." His eyes followed hers, his eyebrow lifting.

"I don't have the energy to deal with you, if you need a new rumor to spread go find another desperate girl." She huddled into the couch, her eyes fixed on fire.

He watched her carefully, "Look.." He spoke vulnerably before cutting himself off, clearing his throat, "Fine."

The door slammed behind him and Isabel immediately fell into a sob.

He stood on the other side of the door, listening to her silent cries, clenching his jaw angrily.