Punishment- Reader POV

Chapter 10

CW- manipulation, rape, abuse, disordered eating habits

January 2nd, 1997

The remainder of the break flashed by. I had fun staying with Valentina. We talked about everything. Now that she knew it made me feel a bit better like a small weight had been lifted off of my shoulders. Sirius and Remus would ask Valentina questions because they wanted to help but she only told them what I told her she could. Remus took us to the platform but sat alone in his own compartment. We found Draco sitting with Blaise and joined them.

"Have a fun holiday?" Blaise asked me and I nodded.

"Was okay, yeah," I smiled a bit and looked at Draco who was glaring at me. Blaise gave us both a look before getting up and leaving with Valentina.

"Draco I'm so sorry I-"

"Save it, I went looking for you and then you weren't there so fine whatever I figured you must not been feeling well but then I thought oh but she must have written me to let me know so I went to check and oh what a surprise, nothing. Then I see your parents at the party and they said they came with you but haven't seen you around so I searched for you the whole time only for some old twat to tell me she saw you sneaking off with my father. What were you doing sneaking off with my father?!" He was so upset. I swallowed hard and looked up at him.

"Nothing Draco he just wanted to ask me about how you were doing and school and about the wedding, he said he doesn't like talking to you about the wedding because you don't answer him," I lie but his face softens. I am not sure if he completely believed me but I think he wanted to believe anything besides what he was. He was catching on and it was going to be harder and harder to lie to him. Draco let out a sigh.

"Well still, you should have written to me or something, anything because I was bloody worried about you,"

"I couldn't Draco, I was staying with Valentina and their location is secret so if I sent a letter it would have been traced," I chewed on the inside of my cheek.

"Fine. But next time I won't forgive you, I got stuck having Christmas Dinner at your house without you but got to listen to your parents bitch and moan the entire time about what a letdown you are and how they wouldn't be surprised if they caught you on the streets of London doing drugs with a bunch of delinquents."
"Well I don't care what they think, I hate them, they're vile. I am sorry you got stuck with them for dinner but I don't plan on going home again, I need a plan to get out of there," I felt my blood boil. I needed a way to get out of staying at home this summer.

"You can always stay by me," Draco smiled a bit. If only he knew.

"Thanks, Draco, but I am sure I'll figure something out," you put on the best smile you could manage. The rest of the train ride back was spent in silence. Draco and I did not like arguing so we apologized like we always did but this time I feel like he is still upset or maybe even suspicious. We all got to the castle and settled back in to prepare ourselves for the next term to start.

January 3rd, 1997

Today is the first day back in classes. Valentina and I went down to breakfast together as usual and sat with Draco. I only ate toast with butter and listened in on everyone's conversations. I had a bad feeling that I just could not shake. I felt on edge for the entirety of breakfast.

We had potions first and headed off early so we could wait out in the hall. Draco stayed back with Blaise so it was only Valentina and I. We sat on the floor outside potions and Valentina started giggling. "What?" I give her a look.

"You fancy Professor Snnnaaapppeeeee," she says all sing-songy.

"Shuuutttt upppp," My eyes widen and I look around but no one is there. Valentina laughs it off and once the bell rings we go sit in our seats. Today Professor Snape is doing a review of what we learned before the break. We all took notes and answered the questions on the board. I could feel Professor Snape's eyes on me for the entirety of class. I felt my heart flutter but tried to brush it off. Towards the end of class, we were all working quietly on a quiz and he would not take his eyes off of me. My cheeks were flushed and I looked back up at him. We kept our eyes locked for a second before he looked back down and continued to grade. I smiled a little bit to myself and could hardly focus on my quiz.