The Disappointment

Chapter 9 - Christmas

Almost everyone was gone for Christmas break. I gave Roger his Christmas present before he left. It was a copy of one of my favorite books that Ive read over a dozen times and I could quote it by heart now. I just hope he likes it.

It was Christmas morning and everyone was smiling and giggling at their new presents. Both Hayley and Alex left for the break so I wouldn't be seeing them for a while so it was just me in our dorm. Shadow walked through the halls with me on our way to breakfast. It was snowing pretty hard. I had my warmest sweater on, with thick tights under my skirt. I stopped halfway to the Great Hall and picked Shadow up.

"It's super cold for the both of us. More than it usually is at home," I said holding him and giving him some head scratches as I walked. He purred against my chest.

"Oh look, it's Malfoy and her little shadow," I heard someone taunt from behind me. It was Malory. She was a Hufflepuff in the same year as I am. She had medium-lengthened brown curly hair and small glasses. She was one of the few that were my constant bullies. She was with her group of friends.

I ignored her and continued on my way. I fastened my pace and was in the Great Hall before you could say 'Quidditch Pitch'.

I let Shadow down before I found a seat. I sat away from everyone so I could eat in peace. I could feel someone's eyes on me. I looked around trying not to make it obvious that I was searching for a pair of eyes looking at me. It wasn't soon before I caught Lockhart staring at me out of the corner of my eye. What the bloody hell is wrong with that man?

I was almost done with my breakfast when I felt something hit me on the shoulder. I looked at what hit me and saw it was a piece of toast. I looked back up to see Malory and her friends giggling with each other while looking at me. I ignored her and continued to finish my food. Her and her friends continued to throw pieces of toast at me the rest of the time.

I got up to leave but Shadow was lying on the floor at my feet before I moved. He really is my shadow.

"Come on Shadow," I said gently as he stood up to stretch before following me out the door.

I was starting to walk out the door when I could feel something coming towards me and fast. I turned in time and caught a pear that was being thrown at me. It was meant to hit me in the back of the head. I looked and saw Malory and her friend's shocked faces. I smirked as I bit into the pear before continuing out of the Great Hall. I took a few more bites before placing it next to a tree for the animals to eat the rest of it.

We hadn't gone far before I could feel something off. I turned in time to see Malory and her friends rushing into the same hall as me. Malory had her wand out. Mine was tucked into the back waistband of my skirt.

"Hey Malfoy!" she yelled down to me. "You had some nerve showing off like that."

"Like throwing a pear at someone's head after having a head injury recently. Definitely some nerve," I said in a monotone voice. I wasn't in the mood to deal with any of them.

Her face contorted into anger.

"Stupefy!" she cast at me.

I grabbed my wand quickly and quietly casted 'Protego' before it hit me. I made sure Shadow was behind me.

She kept shooting the same spell at me thinking it would hit. But Uncle Sev taught me to duel in my second year, so I've had practice. Her friends kept encouraging her, cheering her on. Her spells were weak, to be honest. When she took a break for a moment she looked winded and exhausted.

"Was that it?" I asked with no expression. I was bored.

She shrieked and it echoed off the walls. I think everyone on the grounds heard her with the way she sounded. She looked even more pissed than before. I could see both students and ghosts coming towards us out of the corner of my eye.