Inferno | Draco Malfoy

095 | The Devil's Temptation

Today is the first Hogsmeade trip of the year.

It's November, so, Scotland has turned into a winter wonderland. It's cold and beautiful, the snow-covered landscape takes my breath away. Yet, I can't help but wonder how different it must be in Willoughby right now. And I say wonder because Owl Post has been banned, halting all incoming and outgoing mail, meaning, I have no idea what is going on beyond Scotland.

What makes this situation worse is that it was Snape who enforced this rule, not the Carrows. If it were the Carrows, I'm sure they would have allowed me to continue corresponding with my loved ones long ago, seeing as they idolise me and put me on a pedestal. I tried to reason with Snape, asking for permission to keep in touch with my family, but, he downright refused without providing any explanation, despite my insistence.

Since we're going to Hogsmeade today, I considered taking all my letters to the Owl post office there. But, when I heard that the office had been placed under magical enchantments to prevent students from entering, I gave up and faced reality. All because the fact that my letters won't reach my recipients anytime soon dawned on me. I'll just have to wait until I return home to send letters.

It's hellish, I can only imagine how worried my parents must be, for their letters are unable to be delivered to me, nor are my letters able to be sent to them. Not to mention, Camden will turn twenty tomorrow, and I won't even be able to wish him a happy birthday. Oh and to top it all off, Selene must be confused by my slow reply, after all, we've been getting good at exchanging letters faster.

Selene has been my backbone throughout my dilemma. She's given me great advice and made sure I don't act recklessly (even though she was the one who suggested dumping Malfoy's corpse into a room full of spiders). Selene was taken aback when I told her about Terry, but she supported me, much like Daphne and the rest of my friends.

It didn't take long for word to spread among the students about Terry and me forming an attachment, thanks to Etain Haine's loud mouth. We haven't denied any of it because, well, what's the point? It's the truth. We are forming an attachment, though it's casual. We'd talk like friends, and hang out like friends (most of the time), only we'd occasionally kiss and make out just for the thrill. As I said, he's not a bad kisser. And I guess it's a friends-with-benefits situation that we're both comfortable with.

Regardless of these rumours circulating, no one cares because there are greater matters to focus on. A trivial attachment is nothing compared to the raised torture from the Carrows. And from what we know, it's only bound to get worse.

Anyway, as the girls and I prepare to depart for Hogsmeade from our dormitory, I take my time to lace up my boots, making sure that the knot is tied pretty. My outfit consists of a stylish green off-the-shoulder jumper paired with a black body-fitting skirt, complemented by tights since it's cold. I also opt for simple jewellery and leave my long hair down, flowing straight.

"Adria, just be safe and have some common sense," Daphne says with a half-smile as I finish getting ready. "oh and don't catch a cold darling."

This particular Hogsmeade trip is quite the departure from the norm for me. I won't be accompanied by Daphne or any of the other girls, nor will I be with Theo or Blaise. Instead, I'll be accompanied by Terry Boot. And no, it's not a romantic date, outgoing or anything of that sort, it's just a casual meet-up.

"You have nothing to worry about," I reassure Daphne. "I was born with common sense."

"Agree to disagree." Pansy playfully interjects, and I throw a pillow in her direction before swinging on my trenchcoat to head out alone.

***

Terry and I had met up just beyond the castle gates' periphery and strolled to Hogsmeade together. However, we were the last ones to depart from the castle as Terry had forgotten his money, even though I did offer to pay for him. Unfortunately, the snow had thawed overnight, leaving a trace of frost coating the ground. Nonetheless, I am sure it will snow again very soon.