Harry Potter: The Forgotten Chronicles- Book 5

Chapter 3

Chapter Three

During the quiet days at Hogwarts in the week that followed, Draco and Evelyn reveled in the rare solitude of the castle. They explored the empty hallways, their footsteps echoing off the stone walls as they shared laughter and stolen glances. They spent lazy afternoons by the Black Lake, talking about everything and nothing, the serene waters reflecting the warm hues of the late summer sun. In the evenings, they snuck into the kitchen, sharing midnight snacks and whispered secrets under the soft glow of the enchanted ceiling. Away from prying eyes and the weight of their usual roles, they found comfort in each other's presence, savoring the freedom to simply be themselves. For a brief, perfect moment, the outside world and its complications faded away, leaving only the bond between them, growing stronger with each passing day.

As the first day of school arrived, Evelyn waited with anticipation in the Great Hall for her friends. The hall buzzed with excitement as students poured in, and her heart leapt when she spotted Hermione, Ron, and Harry. She couldn't contain her happiness and rushed to greet them, wrapping them all in a warm, heartfelt hug. As they embraced, she noticed the curious glances from other students and the occasional pointed finger at the articles in their hands. The Daily Prophet had been relentless, painting Harry and Evelyn in an unflattering light—Harry as a deranged follower of Dumbledore and Evelyn as the next potential dark wizard, already commanding Death Eaters in private.

"Forget it," Hermione said firmly as they made their way to the Gryffindor table. Despite Hermione's words, it was impossible to ignore the whispers and sidelong looks. The Prophet had seized on the trials to further their agenda, creating an atmosphere of suspicion around them.

The four of them took their seats, and an awkward silence fell over the table as other students subtly shifted away. Harry's annoyance was palpable, and he huffed as he sat down across from Evelyn. "So, Evelyn, what have you been up to the past week?" Ron asked, trying to redirect the conversation away from the tension.

Evelyn managed a genuine smile. "Nothing much... just enjoyed some quiet time. It was a wonderful week," she said, her cheeks flushing pink as she remembered the time spent with Draco. As if on cue, Draco entered the hall with his friends. He shot Evelyn a smirk and a discreet wink before taking his place at the Slytherin table. Evelyn felt a warm blush creep up her neck.

Ron, oblivious to the exchange, continued talking about his own experiences over the past week, while Hermione, sitting beside Evelyn, couldn't help but notice the subtle interaction between Draco and Evelyn. She glanced at Evelyn with a knowing smile but said nothing. Evelyn understood the unspoken message and felt a mixture of embarrassment and joy. Despite the attention from the other students and the press, she found solace in the familiar faces of her friends and the secret smile shared with Draco.

Up at the front of the Great Hall, the teachers sat in an unusual state of discomfort. The usual buzz of chatter quieted as students took their seats, and the hall was filled with the murmurs of anticipation. Dumbledore stood and began his customary welcome speech, his twinkling eyes scanning the room as he spoke.

"As always, it is a great pleasure to welcome you all back to another year at Hogwarts," Dumbledore began. "I trust you have all had a restful and enjoyable summer."

As he reached the middle of his speech, he introduced some notable staffing changes. "We are pleased to welcome back Professor GrubblyPlank, who will be taking over Care of Magical Creatures while Professor Hagrid is on temporary leave." The announcement sparked a wave of puzzled looks among the students. None of them had heard anything about Hagrid's absence.

Dumbledore continued, "We also wish to welcome our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher—Professor Dolores Umbridge." He gestured towards the end of the staff table, where a stout woman in garish pink attire was seated. Her saccharine smile stretched wide as she surveyed the room. The students responded with a hesitant and obligatory round of applause, their discomfort evident.