Second chances *ੈ✩‧₊˚ (harry potter x reader)

Draco's dilemma

by the second day back at school, i found myself in Mcgonagall's office first thing in the morning after being called upon.

"over the summer did you not receive the letter that you are a prefect Miss. Diggory?"

i was sat in the chair opposite her, her desk separating us. "i did, Professor."

she sighs, "then what might your excuse be for not showing up to any duties? you're not even using the privileges that come with the title i am told...? i also notice the lack of the badge on your robes. it's as if you're completely ignoring the fact."

"i just don't think i'm cut out for this Professor." i lie with a shrug. what i didn't have was the heart to live out Cedric and i's dream alone, this feeling was accompanied by a tinge of guilt.

she most definitely sensed my lie. "listen y/n... i know you may have had a rough summer regarding the events that happened at the third task," i shuffled uncomfortably as she continued, "but i think this may be a wonderful opportunity for you. what happened doesn't mean it's the end of the road. Cedric would've wanted you to pursue this... for the both of you, for he, too, was a prefect."

i look down at my lap, i had not once met her gaze. of course she played that fucking card.

at my lack of response she says in a very gentle and understanding tone that i was not used to, "okay y/n. i'll tell you this. be a prefect for this semester. the duties, the privileges, all of it. and if you can tell me in January that you still feel this way and don't want it, i'll let you step down from your position... just try it out."

i swallow hard. her kind tone had nonetheless suggested that this was not a choice, more a compromise. "yes Professor."

she smiles and nods. "alright then. off you go Diggory. and i expect to see you start right away."

i stand up and swing my bag back on my back. i push the chair in and as i reach the door, Mcgonagall adds, "and i think your badge would look suitable pinned to your robes."

i turn around awkwardly and nod. she smiles at me approvingly before i exit. this was going to be a ass long semester.

i head to the Great Hall for breakfast and spot my friends. Ron and Harry were on one side of the Gryffindor table, while Hermione was on the opposite in front of Harry. i sigh and walk over to them.

"i cant even eat my bloody breakfast without everyone gawking at me Hermione."

"look, you don't understand what it was like after it happened, you arrived back in the middle of the lawn clutching Cedric's dead body ... none of us saw what happened in the maze ...we just had Dumbledore's word for it that You-Know-Who had come back and killed Cedric and fought you."

"which is the truth!" said Harry loudly.

"i know it is, Harry, so will you please stop biting my head off?" said Hermione wearily.

the moment i take the available seat opposite Ron, they all go quiet. apart from Harry explaining to me before the summer what had happened the night of Ced's death, none of them dared to speak about it around me. probably in fear of my reaction. i immediately reach for a slice of toast and start buttering it.

"morning." i say awkwardly. i receive a greeting back and the topic is instantaneously changed.

normal conversation replaces the previous one, Ron and Hermione being much calmer with each other than usual. i was actively avoiding talking directly to Harry, and he was doing the same. i was exchanging a lot more words than i had been the previous day. after about 10 minutes and two slices of toast later, Ron teases, "so y/n? who'd you shag?"