Draco's Hufflepuff | Emerging

Thirty: Betrayed

**

Monday, 2nd December, 1996

I was sat down in the Hufflepuff common room all on my own. I had woken up an hour earlier than everyone and decided to get ready quietly. I was flicking through a very old copy of the Daily Prophet from about ten months ago, when everything was much simpler and easier.

My heart stopped as I heard some footsteps coming down one of the staircases. I couldn't tell if it was from the boys or girls side. I placed the newspaper down onto the coffee table, not knowing what else to do.

He looked right at me as he walked through the archway. It felt like forever since I had seen Patrick. I wasn't sure how I should greet him, or whether I even should greet him.

Patrick seemed to take a deep breath and went over to the small tea and coffee station. It looked as though he had gotten two mugs out, but I thought I might have been imagining things.

I fiddled with the end of my braid that was sat over my shoulder and tried not to watch him. I was picking at the skin on my finger, straightening my back and smoothing my skirt down over my knees.

He then placed one mug in front of me and sat down opposite me. Patrick ran his fingers through his slightly damp hair and let out a puff of air. He re-positioned his tie and Head Boy badge.

"Thank you, Patrick," I said to him simply, wanting to fill the silence, "For the tea, I mean,"

"You're welcome, Maddie. How've you been?" Patrick asked indifferently, a tone I'd never really heard from him before,

"Yeah, I've been okay, thank you-" I cut my sentence short, as I could have sworn I saw Patrick roll his eyes slightly,

"Good. I want you to know, if you need someone to talk to, I'm always here, as your Head Boy," Patrick nodded his head sharply at me.

I couldn't help but notice the way he only said Head Boy... it was the first time he didn't include friend as well. So, that just confirmed it, everyone really did hate me.

"I was actually hoping to talk to you today, Patrick. I never received my rota for December's Prefect duty," I cleared my throat, hoping I concealed the hitch in my throat enough,

"Oh, didn't anyone tell you?" Patrick cocked his head slightly, crossing his leg over his knee,

"Tell me what?" I asked,

"You've been relieved of duty this month, you won't be needed at all," Patrick said, sounding as though he was trying to sound more polite,

"Oh, okay then. Is it something I've done wrong?" I asked quietly, chewing on my bottom lip. I could feel how my cheeks were glowing scarlet now,

"No, of course, not. It's nothing bad, honestly. We all just decided you could do without the responsibility-"

"I had sex with Draco, big deal. I didn't break any rules, did I? Am I no longer responsible enough to be a Prefect? Because if I'm not, then strip away my title. I'll give it up now and give you this badge back," I interjected, sounding a little colder than I intended to, "To the Head Boy,"

"Oh, I never meant to offend you, Maddie. It's just because you've been through a lot just recently," Patrick replied instantly, looking genuinely taken aback,

"It's fine," I said in a clipped tone, "Thank you for being thoughtful," I added, wanting to sound a little more courteous.

I then picked up the old copy of the Daily Prophet I was reading before Patrick came downstairs to silently tell him the conversation was over. I wasn't sure why Patrick had made me feel so irritated, when his reaction had been no different to anyone else.