Courage

-25-

Book: Courage
Chapter 25
Word Count: 2722

Summer was creeping over the grounds around the castle; sky and lake alike turned periwinkle blue and flowers large as cabbages burst into bloom in the greenhouses.

Harry and Ron had informed Layla on everything that she didn't seem to be aware about since she was... with Tom. Apparently, Hagrid had been sent to azkaban after being accused of opening the Chamber of Secrets, and Dumbledore had been sacked from the position as Headmaster as the Ministry didn't think he could protect the students well enough.

Of course, after Layla learned that, she was flooded with guilt. If she just came clean about Tom and the basilisk, then Hagrid and Dumbledore would still be at Hogwarts, and not in azkaban or sacked from a high-status job.

Layla had tried to visit Hermione multiple times alone, just to sit by her and cry to Hermione's petrified body about how it was all her fault and apologize over and over, but visitors were now barred from the hospital wing.

"We're taking no more chances," Madam Pomfrey told Layla severely through a crack in the infirmary door. "No, I'm sorry, there's every chance the attacker might come back to finish these people off."

Layla realised that Madam Pomfrey was half-right. If she'd let Layla into the hospital wing, she would literally be letting the attacker in. Layla was as much at fault with the petrified beings as Tom and the basilisk were. But she would never hurt anyone willingly. Ever.

With Dumbledore gone, fear had spread as never before, so that the sun warming the castle walls outside seemed to stop at the mullioned windows. There was barely a face to be seen in the school that didn't look worried and tense, and any laughter that rang through the corridors sounded shrill and unnatural and was quickly stifled.

One person, however, seemed to be thoroughly enjoying the atmosphere of terror and suspicion. Draco was strutting around the school as though he had just been appointed Head Boy. Layla didn't realize what he was so pleased about until the Potions lesson about two weeks after Dumbledore and Hagrid had left, when, sitting right behind Draco, Layla overheard him gloating to Crabbe and Goyle.

"I always thought Father might be the one who got rid of Dumbledore," he said, not troubling to keep his voice down. "I told you he thinks Dumbledore's the worst headmaster the school's ever had. 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."

Snape swept past Layla and Seamus' desk, making no comment about why Seamus and Layla were sat with each other. Layla's old partner was Hermione, and Seamus' was Neville, but Hermione was petrified and Neville was in his dorm sick (mostly sick with worry and fear), so Layla and Seamus partnered up together.

"Sir," said Draco loudly. "Sir, why don't you apply for the headmaster's job?"

"Now, now, Malfoy," said Snape, though he couldn't suppress a thin-lipped smile. "Professor Dumbledore has only been suspended by the governors. I daresay he'll be back with us soon enough."

"Yeah, right," said Draco, smirking. "I expect you'd have Father's vote, sir, if you wanted to apply for the job — I'll tell Father you're the best teacher here, sir—"

Snape smirked as he swept off around the dungeon, fortunately not looking over at Seamus beside Layla, who was pretending to vomit into his cauldron.

"I'm quite surprised the Mudbloods haven't all packed their bags by now," Draco went on. "Bet you five Galleons the next one dies. Pity it wasn't Granger —"

Layla's hand clenched into a fist as she rested her balled-up hand on her bouncing knee under the desk, glaring at Draco with so much hatred that Layla was surprised she even had that much hatred fueled in her body.