𝐍𝐚𝐢𝐯𝐞 | 𝐃.𝐌, 𝐓.𝐍

027 - ғᴏʀɢɪᴠɪɴɢ ᴛʜᴇᴏ

(Sorry this is kind of a filler)

𝐂𝐨𝐫𝐚 𝐁𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐥𝐞𝐲

—

Gossip spreads so fast in Hogwarts.

—

Annoyance and hatred was the only thing running through me as Potter walked is way up he aisle of the Great Hall. The only thing that I had almost smirked at was the towel he had under his nose, it being covered in blood.

In just a few seconds, everyone's chatter calmed as Dumbledore approached the podium in the front of the room. Seeing him for the first time made my breath hitch at the remembrance of the task at hand. "Very best of evenings to you, all."

"First off, let me introduce the newest member of our staff. Horace Slughorn." Applause was sounded throughout the room, it being very scarce from the Slytherin table, as per usual.

"Professor Slughorn, I'm happy to say, has agreed to resume his old post as potions master. Meanwhile, the post of Defense Against the Dark Arts, will be taken by Professor Snape." As gasps of surprise and disgust went through the hall, gasps of excitement went through the table I was sat at. Finally, our head of house was to get the position he'd been wanting.

I found myself a little excited, though Draco beside me was still silent, staring off into space. I let myself clap a little before his hand went over my hands nonchalantly, just pushing them back onto the table.

I attempted to drown out the rest of Dumbledores speech, until I heard an unmistakable name come out of his mouth, that instantly grabbed my full attention.

"Tom Riddle. Today of course, he is known by a different name. Which is why as I stand, looking out upon you all tonight, I'm reminded of a sobering fact." He started. The hall fell so silent that you could hear a pin drop up front. The only other sound I hear was the heavy breathing of my nervous peers.

"Every day, every hour, this very minute, perhaps...dark forces attempt to penetrate this castle's walls." My stomach did a nauseating flip as he glanced over to the Slytherin table.

To Draco and I.

"But in the end, their greatest weapon...is you. Just something to think about. Now off to bed, pip pip." I was so zoned into the front of the hall that I was a little dizzy when I snapped out of it. Chatter filled us all around as students hurriedly filed out of the room, me dragging up Draco's shoulder from his seat to follow.

—

I huffed and shook a little with chills in the cold and empty corridor. It was dark, and I had to use my wand for light. I made my way up to the astronomy tower, eager to relieve my stress with a cigarette. I didn't do it often, but nicotine always helped when I was stressed.

Plus, Draco and I already have planned to leave the common room at 1am to try and find the Room of Requirement. I'd rather be relaxed and not a second away from panicking.

I hadn't smoked in a long time, but only started up again this summer, after it proved to be the most stressful patch of my life. But I didn't want to get caught; and since the windows of our dorms are, well— underwater, I had no alternative but to come all of the way up here.