𝐃𝐑𝐀𝐆𝐎𝐍𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐄𝐃 - 𝘢 𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘺 𝘱𝘰𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘧𝘢𝘯𝘧𝘪𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯

09. | Mary Janes

This is probably going to be the last update for awhile! Here soon I'm going to be undergoing a medical procedure and thus will be unable to update for a little bit as I recover. Hoping to be back as soon as I can!

*.·:·.☽✧ ✦ ✧☾.·:·.*

Waking up Friday morning to the sun casting light through the green waters of the lake, and not cutting through the infirmary, is something I never knew would bring me such happiness. Even seeing Hestia's forever long red hair splayed across her pillow is a familiarness I welcome.

I slip out from under my covers, the chill of the dungeons creeping into my bones. The promise of autumn breathes life into every morning and cusps upon every evening. As quiet as I can, I undress and pull on my outfit for the day. I roll my sheer black tights over my thighs and tug on a black skirt over top. A tight black vest over my white button-up nips in at my waist. I hastily tie my silver and emerald tie around my neck, and pull on my robes overtop. I carefully pull up my hair in a tall ponytail, the tip of my hair barely touching my lower back.

I gaze at myself in my body-length mirror, before opening my long-forgotten makeup drawer. It shrieks as I open it, earning me a groan from across the room.

"Sorry," I mumble as I pull out an eyeliner pencil. I darken the corners of my eyes before coating my lashes in the thick black goo of what is more than likely expired mascara.

"Why... Why are you dressed so nice." In my mirror, I see Hestia looking at me, her eyes still heavy with sleep.

I cap the mascara, biting my lips. "I don't know," I finally answer. "I just feel... nice today."

Hestia scoffs.

*.·:·.☽✧ ✦ ✧☾.·:·.*

The heels of my mary janes echo through the halls as I make my way to the Great Hall. I can already hear the chatter of my classmates. The mornings before great Quidditch games are always alive with activity. The air is practically pulsing with the energy of students gearing up to cheer on their houses.

"Damn Jaylene," Franchesca shouts when I approach the table. The other two already sitting down, Luna and Stephen, giggle at her words.

"What?" I chuckle as I sit my things down and lower myself into my place beside my best friend.

"Don't think I didn't notice that skirt and super cute shoes. And makeup? Girl, you put in the effort today!" Franchesca squeals, throwing her arms around me excitedly. "You are feeling yourself today and I love it!"

"You do look lovely," Luna murmurs, Stephen nodding quickly in what I hope is agreement.

"Now-" Franchesca grabs both of my hands before I can even reach for the warm, icing-coated sticky bun calling my name. "What happened to you? Harry told me that you were in the infirmary and that boy would not tell me why, and I swear I almost had a heart attack. And then when I went to go visit you, Madam Pomfrey would not let me in and oh my gosh I swear-"

"I had an incident with Professor Trelawney-"

"Incident? Jay, what did she do to you?" Stephen gasps.

"No, no, no!" I glance around before leaning in closer to them, gesturing to my friends to follow suit. "Don't tell anyone this," I whisper. "Professor thought that I could potentially be a Seer-"

"Oh-em-geee Jaylene!" Franchesca giggles.

"Shh!" Stephen mumbles. "I wanna hear her story!"

"Anyway," I say, "So she said she's been thinking about it for awhile, due to how advanced I've gotten in her classes. So yesterday, after she told me, she guided me through a ritual to better open my third eye. She said her family had been doing it for centuries. But for some reason, while we were performing it I fainted. I woke up feeling bloody terrible in the infirmary."

"Holy shit," Franchesca breathes, her hand taking mine once again. "Jaylene, that's incredible. Not that you fainted, but that you could be a Seer"

"I wouldn't be surprised- if you were one," Luna says. "You've always been so well educated in that part of witchcraft."

I shake my head slowly. "I don't even think I saw anything. The whole day is so... fuzzy now. I pretty much failed my very first attempt at it."

"Then go and try again!" Stephen exclaims. "If you don't get it the first time, keep trying until you one-hundred percent get it."

"Steph's right." Franchesca nods solemnly. "And as your very best friend, I won't get off your back until you get this. Jaylene, ever since you learned what a Seer was you've been so enticed with it. It's your dream."

My cheeks flush. "Yes, yes I suppose it is."

"Stephen?" Connor, clutching two piles of books, practically appears behind Stephen. The Hufflepuff jumps off and scampers off with his boyfriend with little more than a wave good-bye to us.

"I guess that's our cue," Franchesca mutters, picking all her things up. Luna does the same, floating out of the Great Hall after saying a quick goodbye. "I'll see you at the Quidditch game?" Franchesca raises her eyebrow.

"Of course. I'll try to sneak into Hufflepuff."

Franchesca snickers. "That's my Slytherin."

I clutch my books to my chest as I leave the Great Hall. The halls of Hogwarts are just as alive as breakfast was. Everywhere I look, people are smiling and chatting with friends.

That is, except the Slytherin King Draco Malfoy. He stalks through the hall alone, surprisingly not with the rest of the Quidditch team. As I pass him, I notice his eyes drift over to me, roaming up and down my body before finally settling on my face. The corners of his lips quirk ever so slightly, and he stops. He reaches out for my arm, stopping me in my tracks.

My entire body goes hot.

"I'm glad you're feeling better," Draco says softly, his eyes bearing into mine.

"Yes, I just needed to rest," I say between deep breaths, trying to slow the rapid beating of my heart. "Thank you for doing my homework, by the way."

He chuckles darkly. "I have no idea what you're talking about."

My cheeks flush, and once again I'm so angry at myself for it. I smile at the floor. "Hmm, okay," I giggle.

Sirius's charred, fireplace face suddenly comes to my mind. The promise I made to him flashes in my thoughts. I take a deep breath, and touch Draco's arm. A weak attempt at flirting, I know, but the quirk of his eyebrow tells me something- that maybe, perhaps, it's working.

"I can't wait to watch you play tonight," I hum. "I know you'll bring us the win."

He nods. "The party if we win will be insane. Perhaps I'll see you there?"
A grin breaks across my face. "You can bet on it." I squeeze his arm gently, before stepping past him and making my way to Defense Against the Dark Arts. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Pansy.

The scowl on her face is absolutely incredible. I smirk, my easy step turning into what I could only describe as a strut. With my robes billowing behind me, I felt nothing less than powerful. I was getting in on Draco Malfoy, not only helping my godfather but pissing off Pansy. I was becoming stronger in Divination, my favorite magical practice. Even with all the shit going on with Umbridge and my brother, I was managing to thrive.

I laughed to myself, earning a few odd looks from students around me. But I didn't give a shit. This year was looking to be the best year yet.