𝐄𝐱𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐲 - ʰᵖ

35.

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THIRTY-FIVE:
HAGRID'S SPIDERS

    Elsie had thought things were finally looking up at Hogwarts, but now that Dumbledore was gone it seemed as though morals were darkened beyond belief.

    It had been a week since their headmaster and gamekeeper had been taken off the grounds, and without them the school seemed empty.

    Elsie had tried to concentrate on her studies, but all she could think of was the monster. What if she was next?

    Elsie, Harry, and Ron had tried many times to visit Hermione in the hospital wing, but had no avail as Madam Pomfrey had banned visitors. Students would hurry from class to class, never lingering in one place for too long, Professors would jump at every little noise and scold anyone who seemed to be suspiciously happy.

    The school wasn't right.

    However despite this, there was still one person who seemed at ease, if not joyful.

    "I always thought father would be the one who got rid of Dumbledore. I told you he thinks Dumbledore's the worst headmaster the schools ever had." Malfoy said loudly to an uninterested Theo Nott one afternoon in potions.

    "Maybe we'll get a decent headmaster now. Someone who won't want the Chamber of Secrets closed. McGonagall won't last long, she's only filling in." The blonde boy continued.

    Snape burst into the classroom and swiftly sauntered up to the front, making no comment to Hermione's empty spot.

    "Sir, why don't you apply for the Headmasters job?" Malfoy exclaimed to Snape.

    Under her breath Elsie muttered, "Kiss ass,"

    Snape didn't bother to hide his please smile, "Now, now Malfoy, I dare say Dumbledore will be back with us soon enough."

    When Snape had turned away Malfoy faced Nott again, "I'm surprised the Mudbloods haven't all packed their bags by now. Bet you five galleons the next one dies, maybe it'll be Jones." Malfoy snickered and Nott turned away carelessly.

    Thankfully the bell rang at the exact moment Harry and Ron shot up with anger written clearly across their faces.

    "Its fine, leave it." Elsie frowned before gathering her books, trying to ignore the awful words that had pierced her like knifes.

    "Let us at him! I'll kill him," Ron cracked his knuckles trying to move towards the Slytherin.

    "Don't listen to a word he says," Harry said as they began walking to the next class. "I won't let you get hurt. I promise."

    Before Elsie might have blushed, but now all she could do was muster a weak smile. "Don't make promises you can't keep Harry."

*    *    *

    Elsie would rather be anywhere else than Herbology at the moment. The girl was working in a group wit Ron, Harry, and Ernie, a Hufflepuff who had given Harry an apology for not believing him.