Inferno | Draco Malfoy

080 | Fallen Apples, Treacle Tarts

After a very much-needed break, it's the first night back at Hogwarts. And within the dormitory, the girls and I are unpacking our belongings as we prepare ourselves for dinner.

The first person to whom I disclosed the existence of the envelope was Selene. But, the nature of our exchanged letters is not what one might expect, for I hardly wrote about Malfoy. Instead, I primarily detailed my thoughts on the strange circumstances surrounding the Dark Lord's choice to send me such an envelope, since that was the main thought that occupied my mind.

Why would he send me this? Why?

Even after throwing away the photographs and sending the note to Selene in my letter, all I wanted was to know why I was sent these in the first place.

Selene promptly suggested that the Dark Lord's intention was to empower me, although she too, was baffled by the overall bizarreness of the situation. She expressed that had I not been Adriana Harlow, then she would have feared for my life. Yet, she isn't, as she knows of my family's ties and affiliation, so, given the Dark Lord's apparent favour towards me, both Selene and I are of the opinion that I am not in danger.

Anyway, hours prior to our arrival at Hogwarts, I had deliberately chosen not to share the same compartment and carriage as my friends on the express, all because if Malfoy even dared to breathe near me, I would have ended up punching him. So, I opted to sit in a separate carriage with Daphne, who remained by my side throughout the whole travel. I told her about the contents of the envelope, and she listened attentively. As expected, her reaction was a blend of belief and disbelief. She could believe it because it was Etain-Trouble-Haine out of everyone, and she couldn't believe it because, according to her, Malfoy would never show interest in someone so shallow.

I didn't and don't intend on telling any of the other girls about this matter anytime soon. If I do, then I'm only exacerbating a minor issue with senseless meaning, causing unnecessary drama, which is something I'd rather avoid.

Upon opening my nightstand drawer, I carefully place my pretty jewellery box next to my vintage pocket watch. The box, unfortunately, does not contain the beautiful emerald earrings gifted to me by Narcissa, for they adorn my ears at this very moment. Listen, I may be frustrated with her son, but I refuse to forsake such luxury.

With a flick of my wand, I cast a spell on my trunk, without uttering a single incantation. To my delight, my clothes start to ascend from the depths of my trunk, and one by one, they momentarily hover in mid-air before gently descending onto my bed in neat piles.

"... Oh yeah!" Tracey waves her wand towards her belongings, causing the girls' voices to enter my ears again. "Why did you two get on a separate compartment and carriage?" The girl looks between me and Daphne.

"Darling, poor Adria here was feeling terribly ill, someone must've been there to attend to her needs." Daphne lies and I nod. "Who knows what it could've been? The mumblemumps or even dragon pox!" She lies again and this time I shake my head.

"You should've told Draco then, he could've been the one to tend to her needs." Pansy sorts her clothes out on her bed.

"If the boy has a fear of spiders, and virtually finds everything disgusting, then what makes you think he'd attend to my needs?" I eye-roll.

"He was worried about you." Pansy glances at me and her eyes roll in a manner to mock me. "You know that people are disappearing every day without a word due to the rise of... him. Draco just wanted to know if you were alright. And he didn't stop panicking until Daphne told Blaise that the two of you were together elsewhere."

"If he truly was worried about me, he would have looked for me, sought after me, and searched every compartment there was, and he would have waited for me at Hogsmeade Station. He would have put in the effort and tried but, he did not, he never did."