𝐄𝐫𝐮𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐞|| 𝐓𝐨𝐦 𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐝𝐥𝐞

Chapter two

The first light of dawn cast a gentle glow through the high windows of the corridor, bathing the ancient stone walls in a warm, golden hue. Eleanor walked alone, her footsteps echoing softly in the stillness of the morning. The grandeur of the halls, usually abuzz with the chatter and laughter of students, now lay in serene silence, a stark contrast to the days that would soon follow.

Eleanor's gaze swept over the familiar tapestries and portraits that adorned the walls, their colors more vivid in the quiet light. She took a deep breath, the cool, crisp air filling her lungs and bringing with it a sense of peace and anticipation. It was the first day of term, and the castle seemed to be holding its breath, waiting for the rush of life that would soon fill its halls.

As she approached the Great Hall, the aroma of breakfast wafted towards her, a promise of warm pastries and freshly brewed tea. Eleanor couldn't help but smile, relishing the rare moment of solitude. Today, the students were not yet accustomed to the early wake-up call, granting her this brief respite, a tranquil interlude before the day's hustle began.

She paused at the entrance, taking in the sight of the almost empty hall with its long, untouched tables and the enchanted ceiling reflecting the rosy hues of the sky outside. There sat only a handful of students and teachers quietly chatting or reading the daily prophet. This was a moment to savor, a fleeting stillness that would dissolve as the rest of the sleepy students stumbled in, signaling the start of a new school year.

"Mornin'," a deep voice rumbled from the Slytherin table. Eleanor turned her head, her eyes catching sight of Rabastan Lestrange struggling to keep his heavy eyelids open, propping his head up with his fist. With a soft smile, she made her way towards him, slipping into the seat beside him.

"Morning," she greeted, reaching for a nearby goblet and pouring herself some fragrant coffee. As she grasped the handle of the kettle, a sudden sting jolted through her fingers, causing her to jerk back for a moment. She took a deep breath, inhaling the rich aroma of the coffee, but her senses detected something else, a peculiar scent that lingered in the air.

"What's that smell?" she asked, her nose wrinkling as she searched for the source of the unusual odor. Rabastan merely shrugged, his eyes still closed as he attempted to savor a few more precious minutes of sleep. Curiosity piqued, Eleanor inched closer to Rabastan, her nostrils twitching as she tried to catch a whiff of the scent that intrigued her. Sensing her proximity, Rabastan's eyes popped open, his head turning towards the blonde girl, curiosity mirrored in his gaze.

"Do you mind?" He asked a weirded-out expression taking over his features. His query went ignored as Eleanor realized he was the source of the peculiar odor.

"Lestrange you reek of alcohol" Eleanor declared as she tried swatting him away before sitting upright once more.

"Maybe because I was drinking?" He retorted, his voice tinged with irritation. He straightened up and reached for the tongs before him, heaping a portion of scrambled eggs onto his plate.

"At eight in the morning?" She questioned, cradling the warm cup of coffee and gently pressing the rim to her lips. Through her half-lowered lashes, she watched him shrug carelessly. She took a careful sip of the hot liquid before adding, "You might want to consider taking a shower."

"Already did," he grumbled, his annoyance directed at the girl. He proceeded to cram a spoonful of eggs into his mouth. Eleanor watched him with a slight grimace, regretting what had transpired in the train bathroom the day before. Rolling her eyes at his noisy chewing, she turned away and grabbed the Daily Prophet. With a lazy glance, she skimmed the headlines on the front page, all while the sound of students trickling into the breakfast hall reached her ears. The serene silence that once enveloped the Great Hall was shattered by the boisterous laughter and excited chatter of the kids bouncing off the walls.