The Lost Potter-Draco Malfoy

Chapter 40 ✔️

Charlotte-

The three of us changed into our pajamas after dinner. I couldn't stop thinking about Umbridge's awful speech we had just endured. 

"That was strange, wasn't it?" Parvati said, frowning as she tugged her hair into a loose braid. 

"What was strange were her clothes," Lavender grumbled, rubbing her forehead. "All that pink, it made my head hurt."

"Her speech was worse," I agreed, sitting down on the edge of my bed. 

"The Ministry's trying to take control of Hogwarts after last year." I said with a shrug, "It's going to be a disaster." 

"But honestly," Lavender said, ticking points off her fingers. "Under Dumbledore's care, we've had disaster after disaster. First year, Quirrell tried to steal the Sorcerer's stone and died. Second year, the chamber of secrets and the monster petrifying everyone. Third year, a mass murderer breaking into the castle. Last year, a student died during a tournament it's insane."

"It won't be any better under that--frog lady's--rule." Parvati said, shaking her head. "There's something...wrong about her. I can feel it."

"Trust me, it won't be." I muttered.

Lavender crossed her arms. "The paper says Dumbledore's gone mad. So has Harry."

My heart dropped. "What are you say, Lav? You don't believe, Harry?"

Lavender shifted awkwardly in her bed. "I'm not saying he's gone mad, Charlotte."

"Then what are you saying?" I asked, my voice rising. 

"Just that...you-know-who is dead. Dead people don't come back," SHe said, defensively. 

"You're saying Harry killed Cedric?" My stomach twisted at the accusation.

"Well..." She paused, "We don't really know what happened, do we? Harry and Cedric were alone."

"They weren't alone!" I snapped. "Voldemort-" 

Lavender and Parvati flinched at his name. "-Was there! His death eaters were there!" 

"Charlotte, be reasonable!" Lavender insisted. "Your brother did something to Cedric. Maybe he lied to you. They were alone! He obviously wanted to win the tournament-who else would have entered his name?"

I gaped at her; I could barely believe the words that were coming out of her mouth. "Yeah, well, you didn't care about that when Harry was winning, did you?" I said, pointing an accusing finger at her.

"Guys, please calm down." Parvati said, we both ignored her.

"I'm just saying!" Lavender shouted, her cheeks flushed. "Dead people stay dead! You-know-who isn't some zombie come back to murder Cedric and everyone else!"

"That's just it!" I yelled. "Voldemort-" They both winced again, "-was never dead in the first place!" 

The door burst open before Lavender opened her mouth. 

"What's going on here? I can hear you two screaming from the stairs." Hermione said, looking exasperated. 

"Lavender's being an idiot!" I said shortly, I yanked down my bed covers down and sat up. 

"I'm not being an idiot!" Lavender shouted. "I'm not the one believing all the lies coming out of Harry's mouth."

"You don't believe Harry?" Hermione asked, stunned.

"No. I don't." Lavender said, flatly. "My family believes he's lying and I stand by them."

Hermione's face darkened. "Keep your fat mouth shut, Lavender." She snapped. 

Lavender gaped at Hermione, then whirled on Parvati. "Well! What about you, Parvati?"

Parvati hesitated, looking miserable. "I...I don't know." She admitted, "I want more information before deciding. Yes, people say Harry killed Cedric, but if had, why bring his body back? It doesn't add up. Something about the whole story doesn't make sense." 

I smiled at her, relieved. "Exactly! Too many things don't make sense." 

Lavender scowled. "Fine! Believe whatever you want! I'll be what I want, too." 

"Fine!" I snapped, yanking my bed curtains closed around me. 

---

The next morning, Parvati cornered me while Lavender was still in the bathroom. "Just give her a couple of days." She pleaded. "She'll come to her sense." 

"She said she wouldn't change her mind." I muttered, shoving my hands into my robes. "I can't believe she would think Harry would lie about something like this. You two are supposed to be my best friends." 

"I am your best friend!" Parvati said earnestly. "And I believe you. And I believe Harry. Lavender's just...she's just saying what her parents told her. She's not thinking for herself right now."

"I don't care." I said stubbornly, stuffing my books in my bag. "She made my brother sound insane. Until she apologizes. I'm not speaking to her." 

"Charlotte, it's the first day of school," Parvati said miserably, trailing after me. "We haven't seen each other all summer! Don't let this ruin everything!" 

"I'm not pretending everything's fine when it's not." I said sharply. "Either she realizes she's wrong or we're not friends right now."

Parvati signed but nodded her head. She knew I wasn't going to cave, my family is the most important thing in my life, and I don't take shit from anyone about them, ever.

"I'll head down to breakfast first." I said quietly, grabbing my bag. "You can sit with Lavender if you want. I don't mind. I have other friends."

"I don't want to sit without you." Parvati said, but I was already heading towards the door. 

I could hear the bathroom door opening just as I left. I didn't spare her look, as I walked out of the room, and let the door shut behind me.

--- 

I got to Potions early, determined to find a spot away from Lavender and Parvati.

"Mind if I join you?" a voice asked.

I looked up, startled, to find Dean Thomas smiling at me, pointing to the empty seat beside me.

"Um—sure," I said, surprised. I couldn't remember the last time Dean and I had spoken more than two words to each other.

He slung his bag onto the bench and sat down.

"You're early," he said as he pulled out his supplies. "Didn't think you liked Potions."

"I don't," I admitted, smiling a little. "Just didn't feel like sitting with Lavender."

Dean raised an eyebrow. "Heard she doesn't believe Harry. That why?"

"Yeah," I said shortly. "What about you? Why so early?"

"Seamus was being annoying. I figured I'd escape while I could." Dean smirked. "Worked out pretty well. I got to sit with you."

I laughed, surprised again at how easy he was to talk to. We kept chatting quietly while the classroom slowly filled up with students.

Right before the lesson started, Draco Malfoy walked in. I saw him scan the room, his eyes locking onto Dean and me immediately.

His expression darkened.

"What the hell?" I heard him mutter.

"Did you say something, Malfoy?" Snape's sharp voice cut through the room as he entered behind Draco.

"Oh—no, sir," Draco said quickly, tearing his gaze away from us.

"Then find your seat," Snape said coldly.

Draco nodded stiffly and stalked to the only open seat—next to Crabbe—slamming his books down on the table so hard I jumped a little.

I didn't need magic to know he was furious.