Who do you see? || Draco x o/c

23. promise?

Just like I wanted, it was soon time for me and Cedric to head back to Hogwarts without uttering a word to my parents, who looked guilty as me walked out the front door.

I felt bad ignoring them, but I needed time and I think they understood that due to the fact that they didn't attempt to hold me back when I left, they just watched us go in silence, not even saying goodbye.

Of course I wanted to speak with them for an explanation and simply because I hate arguing with them, but not yet, it would have to wait.

Cedric would usually encourage me to sort things out with them when we had a falling out, but he knew too not to say anything, this was different from all of our other arguments and it was going to take a while to fix.

I also didn't know whether I wanted to see Ronnie again, I couldn't break down like that in front of her again. Cedric had told me how he wanted to and it made me wonder how he wasn't sorted into Gryffindor, because that is brave of him. I don't think I could do the same.

When he finally arrived at platform nine and three quarters, he was hesitant to leave me like he usually did when he went to his friends and I went to mine.

"Are you sure?" He reached out to grab my hand as we waited for a space to get onto the train, "I promise it's not a problem-"

"Ced, it's fine." I shook my head, giving him a small smile to reassure him, feeling thankful for his presence but also not wanting to rely on him.

Although I would have him and others there for me, I needed to get through it on my own.

He quickly pulled me into a tight embrace before jogging off to meet up with his friends, twisting around and waving goodbye to me as he did. He was great at putting on an act, but I knew that he was struggling and I felt awful for him.

For some reason, I felt responsible. She was my sister and that meant that I needed to be there for her and protect her, but I wasn't there. The one time I wasn't there, is when it happened. Now, Cedric and the rest of my family were in pieces and no matter what anyone said to me, I blamed myself.

Thinking over that in my head, I grabbed my trunk and bags and made my way onto the Hogwarts Express through the closest door. It was busy, like always, but I didn't feel like sitting near anyone.

Scanning the compartments as I walked down the corridor, I could feel myself growing more and more anxious when I failed to find one that was empty.

I didn't know why I didn't want to sit with my usual group, I had been missing them for the entire holiday, but now all I wanted was to be able to sit in silence and not have to speak, maybe even catch up on my sleep.

From looking in the mirror before I left, I knew that the bags under my eyes were dark and visible, exposing the fact that I hadn't been sleeping, not since I visited that Hospital.

Then again, I never really got good sleep before the day I had to return to Hogwarts and I quite frequently slept on the train if it was quiet enough. Going back to Hogwarts was like Christmas morning, I was always too excited to get to sleep.

I loved Hogwarts too much, I hated when I was away from it and it kills me knowing that I only have a few more years here before I have to leave.

That's one of the main reasons I plan to come back as a teacher, I love the school too much.

I finally came to a stop when I found a booth that looked empty at first glance, but then I poked my head around the door to see Neville sat at the back, resting his head on his hand before he twisted it to smile at me.

"Hi, Neville. Do you mind if I join you?" I returned the smile, knowing that it was going to be the closest I could get to an empty booth.

He quickly nodded and I hurried to shut the door behind me, sitting down in front of him and immediately slamming my head against the wall behind me, closing my eyes and letting out a sigh of relief.