Forced to Love Them

Chapter 6: Make it Through Today

Courtney's POV

After my illuminating conversation with Draco and Mattheo, I decided to grab my drawing stuff and started walking around Hogwarts trying to find the perfect landscape to draw, I might not like coming here but I will not miss perfect artistic moments. I wandered around for what felt like hours, constantly getting lost or going in circles. By the time I was ready to sit down and start drawing, my stomach signaled me for lunch. I wanted to avoid running into the girls again that I quickly grabbed food from the Great Hall and went to the library. Once there I grabbed a History of Magical Creatures book opened it up and start reading and eating. It was more so for me to pass time than to actually learn anything but it was all the same concept at that point.

I watched as students from every house walked in and out of the library some in groups and some alone. A few kids even said hi to me but besides that I was basically alone. I enjoyed the silence as my mind wracked through the events of the last few days, my fathers death now hitting me harder that the actual day. That day aside my father had always done right by me, and always had sacrificed for me. Took a muggle job, never fought me when I wanted to do something crazy. He always made sure that whatever I wanted, I would always get. Looking back it might've been driven by guilt, but I had never been mistreated.

I always thought that when I got married it would be out of love and my father would walk me down the aisle. I never thought that both of those thoughts would vanish in the same moment. I was so deep into my own thoughts that I never noticed Draco taking the seat across from me, I also didn't notice him staring at me, that is until York shine of metal caught my eye.

"I thought I was gonna have kick your foot to get your attention," he chuckled, "Word of advice? Don't sit here alone like this, the older teachers find it suspicious, especially so close to the forbidden section."

"Thanks, not that I asked."

"Well, even though you didn't ask about this as well, your only goal should be making it through the next few days. Without issues," he warned, his tone turning deadly serious.

We sat there in awkward silence for what felt like hours , when I looked up he was still sitting there, reading a book about fourth year potions. "Seems like a bit of a juvenile book to read considering we are fifth years, don't you think?"
His head snapped up quicker than I could've imagined, and he had this terrifying look on his face.

With a huff he gathered himself and started to walk away, leaving all the students watching shocked at the ferocity  of which he walked away with. Embarrassed I grabbed my stuff and left trying to make it to the dorms without any drama. I thought I was was doing well until I realized I was in a hallway I didn't recognize.

"Hey!!! You're not supposed to be down this hallway," A mean looking guy said,  " This area is off limits to students!!!"

"I'm sorry, I'm new I just got lost," I explained as he waved me back the way I came, a cat following behind him.

"Don't apologize, just don't let me catch you down this corridor again." And with that he was gone, and I was still struggling to find my way get through this day.