the art of noticing ~ hjp fanfic

𝟎𝟒. 𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞

TW - abuse, blood mentioned

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Kali had just woken up from a great sleep. She had no idea why she had awoken in such a good mood but she was excited for the day ahead.

Daphne and Kali went down to the Great Hall together because everyone else were such early birds.

They were just at the doors of the hall when Daphne noticed where everyone's attention was. Too creeped out by the stares of everyone, she nudged Kali for support.

Kali looked up and realised. "Why are they all looking at us?"

"They're not looking at us. They're looking at you," Daphne said, cautiously.

The two stood there in confusion and were too baffled to do anything. Sure, Kali was used to the staring presence, especially when something about her or her friends got out to the rest of the school. But usually she knew why they were staring. Today... it was so out of the blue.

"Kali! Daph! Come over here!" Athena called.

Daphne and Kali sighed in relief and strutted over to the Slytherin table. Although they had their arms clung onto each other, they kept their heads held high.

"Why's everyone being weird?" Kali whispered and slowly sat down.

"Look here." Theo handed Kali the Daily Prophet and she saw herself and Harry on the front page.

POTTER AND ASTOR - HOGWARTS SWEETHEARTS

"Bloody hell!" exclaimed Daphne. "See, it was a bad idea."

"Why would they put it on the front page? It wasn't meant to be front page," Kali angrily said. Her plan did work but it wasn't the way she wanted. Especially because the highlight was her with Potter. It had made everything much worse.

Kali looked up to Athena who was also puzzled. 

Draco walked over, crunching on a green apple. "I insisted they put it on the front page for you."

Everyone stared at Draco. Kali nearly had tears in her eyes. Her parents would go crazy. Becoming the face of the news wasn't what she wanted. All she really needed was her name to be mentioned. Not part of the bloody headline. Seriously, who actually reads the Daily Prophet to read about a school ball? 

"Thena told me that you went with Potter for publicity. So I talked to Rita and she agreed to put it on the front page. I did you a favour, be a bit more grateful," Draco said.

"You did WHAT?!" Kali shouted, her voice slightly shaking. 

"It's not even that bad. Hagrid's on the front page with you!"

He indeed was. Exposed for being a half-giant. It was certainly a lot more interesting and even Kali paused for a moment. "I— No. That doesn't matter! You know what's going to fucking happen, right?" 

Draco shrugged in response. Athena and Theo gasped at his unconcerned reaction. 

Kali scoffed, now with water building up in her eyes. "You know what?" she said.

She got up and slapped that 'innocent' look off his face. She stormed out of the Great Hall, trying to regain composure, while Athena and Daphne followed her.

"You're a dick," Theo said.

Draco's face was red from the slap and embarrassment as everyone was now looking at the Slytherin group. He left the Great Hall, his hand holding onto his cheek, and Pansy following after him.