|In The Dark|

61

Chores

ANNABELLE LUPIN-BLACK

The next day was the first day of lessons. I wasn't excited. I just don't have the passion for learning that I used to. Classes used to be so fun. With my dad, and my friends. Now it feels like another chore. Not to mention the fact that the person replacing my father this year is Professor Snape. He's been after dad's job since the jump. I guess he should be pleased Umbridge gave him the boot. "Anna," Ginny said. I looked up from tying my shoes and she gave a small smile. "We should go. Breakfast starts soon." she said. I nodded. We walked to the Great Hall and sat down. I was eating my cereal when Draco walked in. He glanced over at me with a guilty look on his face. He was so pale and there were bags under his eyes. He looked ill. I looked back down and Theo walked in with Astoria. Ginny and Hermione stared at it. "What the fuck is that about?" Ginny asked. "Ginny, not now." Harry said. She just nodded. The Great Hall was filled with students and I kept eating. And then I heard his voice. The laugh sent a chill down my spine. I looked up again as Edmund sat down with his only remaining friend. Clarence was the only one that still hung out with him. Everyone else hated him because of what he did to my dad. Clarence stuck with him because he didn't like my dad either. Edmund glared at me and I looked down. Harry looked at me with concern. "He won't touch you ever again. I promise." Hermione said. I shrugged. "I kicked him off the quidditch team too. Told him not to bother coming to tryouts." Harry added. "You didn't have to do that. He's a dick but he's good at quidditch." I said. Harry shook his head. "I'd rather lose." he said. "I think we should let him play." Ginny said. Everyone looked at her. "Yeah. Put him in the goal and tell the Slytherins to aim the bludgers at his head." she said. I chuckled. "Thanks Gin." I said. We continued breakfast and then lessons began. First up, Potions with Slughorn.

When we walked in, there were already a few potions brewing. All the students stood in the back and waited for him to begin. Draco, Theo, Blaise and Enzo walked in and they stood in the back too. Slughorn started to talk and Theo scooted over to stand next to me. "Belle, can we talk?" he whispered. "I'm trying to listen." I whispered back. "You hate potions and I want to explain-" he started. "Shhh!" Hermione said sharply. He rolled his eyes and stopped. After an interruption of Harry and Ron coming in late, which gave me flashbacks to our first year in McGonagall's class, we began. Slughorn gave us our first lecture and then our first assignment. We were to brew Draught of The Living Death. I found a station and Draco set up on one side of me. Hermione headed to set up on the other side but Theo cut in front of her. She scoffed and rolled her eyes as she went to get another station. I kept my eyes glued down and continued setting up my ingredients. "Belle, you have to look at me eventually." he said. "No, I don't. I need to brew the potion." I said. "Fine. Can I explain while you do it?" he asked. I stayed quiet. "I'll take that as a yes." he said. I opened my potions book and started prepping my ingredients. "Belle, I'm sorry." he said. I just nodded. "Is that it?" I asked. "Are you mad at me?" he asked. I forced a smile and shook my head. "I gave you an out. How you choose to live your life doesn't concern me." I said. His face faltered. "Belle, I still care about you." he said. I nodded. "And I care about you. That's why I want you to be happy. That's why you should be with her. So you can be happy." I said. He nodded. "Thanks Belle." he said. I nodded. "We can still be friends, you know?" he said. A pit formed in my stomach. Great. Friends. I hope I die soon so I don't have to watch him fall in love with someone else. But I smiled and nodded at him. "Friends." I said. He smiled. "Do you want to tell me what happened last night? You seemed really shaken up." he said. I felt Draco tense up next to me and I glanced over at him. "It was nothing." I said. "Belle, come on. Talk to me." he said. I looked at Draco and his hands were trembling as he tried to cut the beetle for his potion. I smiled. "I got into an argument with someone. But it was nothing. I forgave them." I said. Draco looked at me and I kept my eyes down. Theo nodded. "So you're ok now?" he asked. I nodded. "I'm fine. We're fine now. It was my fault anyway. I started it." I said. He just nodded. Finally, class ended. I walked out wondering how the hell Harry won the liquid luck when he's never once brewed a successful potion. Harry is smart, he just hates potions because of Snape. I guess the new teacher gave him a chance to shine. I'm proud. I was walking to charms when I heard my name. "Anna!" I turned around and Draco walked up next to me. "Draco, I know you heard me in Potions. It's ok. We're fine." I said. "It's not fine. I scared you- I almost- you thought- I almost hurt you." he said. "But you didn't. And you won't. No matter how dark you go and how bad you think you are, I know you. I know you, Draco. You won't hurt me." I said. I saw tears pricking in the corners of his eyes. "I don't know what to do, Anna." he said quietly. I forced a smile. "I know. After school today, I'm going to help you." I said. "How?" he asked. "I don't know yet. But you aren't doing this alone." I said.