Let Me Hear You

[ Year Seven, Night One ]

I had received a letter from Professor Dumbledore a week before term resumed, announcing my appointment of Head Girl. I can't say I was shocked; Professor McGonagall's mind had been awfully loud when bidding me farewell at the end of 6th year. "Goodbye, Miss Goldstein, have a wonderful break." She smiled wider than I had ever seen. "You're going to make a wonderful Head Girl." She added. It took great strength not to react with anything other than the appropriate, "Thank you, Professor. You too." I was excited, yes; but incredibly nervous.

The first day back is always the hardest. Everyone chatting loudly about their summer break, while their minds are practically screaming, waiting to share their next story. I do enjoy it, though; it's great fun hearing overexaggerated stories, when they actually did nothing even remotely exciting.

I heard Dumbledore begin his usual, beginning of the year, speech. I often don't listen, but tonight his announcements piqued my curiosity. A new teacher, Professor Slughorn, Potions; he looks a bit slimy. Professor Snape is now teaching Defence against the Dark Arts; he seems uncomfortable with the attention on him, poor guy. And Voldemort is back; shocker. A lot is going to change this year; it feels dark and heavy. Worse, even, than when Sirius Black escaped from Azkaban and the Dementors literally sucked the happiness from the air around us.

I stopped listening when Draco caught my eye. Merlin, he looks so tired. I couldn't hear him clearly over the buzzing minds of the Great Hall, but I could feel him. A powerful, overwhelming sense of anxiety and dread was radiating from him. Although he was a year below me, we had quite a good friendship. Only in private, though; I was a half-blood, after all.

When he glanced at me, I smiled softly. His response was a clenched jaw and a slightly raised eyebrow. As close to a "hello" that I would get from him in a crowded room. I managed to catch a glimpse of his thoughts: "This is going to be a long year." I frowned slightly, knowing I needed to pay close attention to him this year.

My thoughts were interrupted when I heard my name being announced by Dumbledore. "And now, for our Head Girl. Please join me in congratulating Miss Hazel Goldstein, Slytherin." The hall erupted into applause and cheers, mainly from Slytherin, of course. Dumbledore gestured for me to join him on stage, much to my chagrin. As I made my way up, I briefly locked eyes with Professor Snape. He applauded me along with the rest of the school, but with a smirk. He was feeling proud; it sent a chill down my spine. I smiled back at him and bowed slightly, blushing.

I stood beside the Head Boy, Augustus Bagshaw, Ravenclaw. We have a few classes together; he is quite vile, and he frequently confesses his desire to take me out on a date. I do my best to let him down easily, but his mind is consumed with images of me in highly undignified positions. It makes me uncomfortable, but we were 17, after all, and I often see similar images from just about every student in the school.

"Congratulations, Hazel. I guess we'll be spending more time together this year." He smirked. "hopefully in more ways than one." I shuddered, not at his insatiable thoughts, but at his hand on the small of my back. It took everything in me not to roll my eyes. I took a small step to the side, so I was just out of reach.

As Head Girl, I unfortunately had the responsibility of escorting the first years down to their dormitories. However, this did mean I was able to leave the Great Hall ahead of everyone else. I often slip away from dinner early to try to get to sleep before everyone returns. Minds are the loudest when trying to fall asleep.

As I was leading the hoard of 11-year-olds down to the dungeons, listening to their excited minds and their loud chatter, I felt someone fall into stride beside me. I knew in an instant who it was. "Congratulations, Miss Goldstein." I blushed, feeling his pride stronger now that he was closer. "Thank you, Professor Snape." I glanced at him and caught another smirk. "Are you quite pleased to have one of your Slytherins be appointed Head Girl?" He kept his gaze ahead of him. "I wouldn't expect anything less from one of my Slytherins." I couldn't suppress my giggle. I could feel him pleased with my response, and I blushed again. How odd.