Draco's Hufflepuff | Emerging

Twenty-Seven: Nightmare

**

Monday, 25th November, 1996

Because of Professor McGonagall's generosity, I managed to avoid pretty much everyone yesterday. Even though my thoughts were filled with Draco, I went through the entire day only crying just once.

I felt a little guilty about being in Professor McGonagall's office. I didn't want to annoy her, because she had offered something so selfless, so I mainly just sat in the corner and read silently.

After a round of buttered wholemeal toast in Professor McGonagall's office, I started making my way down to the dungeons, and with every step on the walk down there, I felt like I could be sick.

My heart was racing as I got closer and closer to Professor Slughorn's classroom. I couldn't help but wonder how people were going to be with me today. I knew for a fact not a single person in this castle had forgotten about Draco and me, because I could almost hear their thoughts as soon as I caught eyes with another person.

It's the silence I couldn't take. Walking from Professor McGonagall's office and back to the common room, no matter who it was, they would stop speaking and stare at me with wide mouths and shocked expressions. Even if it was a student who was alone, I just knew their thoughts were fixed on me.

I had to admit, I was frightened of seeing Draco again. I was frightened of how he was going to act towards me. I was frightened of seeing Hannah again, too. It was the longest we'd ever gone without speaking because of a fight, and I hated it. I couldn't be too upset about it because it was all my fault after all.

**

I peered round at the main Potions classroom and noticed it was empty. Of course, it had to be today of all days we were in the theory-based workroom. I hoped it wasn't too full. The thought of all those people staring at me made my insides swirl.

My feet were rooted to the ground for a few seconds. I was shaking as I rapped on the door three times. I had never been so afraid to walk into a room.

"Sorry I'm late, Professor," I mumbled as every single person snapped their heads towards me,

"Oh, no matter, you're not late! Take a seat wherever, Miss. Parsons," Professor Slughorn chuckled as he nodded his head at me.

I kept my head down and chose the only empty desk at the far-left back, hoping the snickers and whispers would stop in a minute. I threw my hair over my shoulder and tried to ignore the thumping in my chest.

Draco was looking at me, I could feel it. I couldn't explain why, but I could recognise his eyes on me out of anyone else. I really wanted to fight the urge to not take a glance at him, but I couldn't help myself.

He still had that same expression on his face. I wasn't sure what to take of it. He probably just hated how sad I looked – he probably thought I was absolutely pathetic. Blaise, who was sat with Draco, looked over at me and pulled his lips into a small line.

Susan was sat with Lisa, and they were both looking at me for a moment, then silently communicating with each other. Megan and Ernie were doing the same. Hannah and Seamus were exchanging what looked to be harsh words, an argument of some sort. Leanne was sat with Lavender Brown, and they were laughing about something... probably me.

**

The very last potion I wanted to read about was Amortentia. The love potion. It just seemed like especially cruel timing, but at least we'll be finishing our work on it soon.

We were allowed to discuss the properties of Amortentia with the person we were sat with, and because I was sat alone, that meant just reading through our textbook.