Evelyn Riddle: The Forgotten Chronicles- Book 6

Chapter 7

Chapter Seven

Evelyn nestled comfortably among her friends at the Gryffindor table, her figure swathed in a cozy red and gold sweater borrowed from Hermione. The Great Hall buzzed with an electric air of anticipation, the chatter swelling as the upcoming Quidditch match against Slytherin loomed near. Students from every house exchanged animated predictions and rallied their support for the Gryffindor team, their voices a vibrant tapestry of excitement and school spirit.

Ron's entrance into the hall broke through the animated buzz, his demeanor markedly different from the lively atmosphere. Shoulders hunched, his gaze tethered to the floor, he moved with a hesitancy that spoke volumes of his nerves. As he neared the Gryffindor table, his eyes darted towards the Slytherin team gathered in a cluster, their smirks and jeers directed pointedly at him, their laughter piercing across the cacophony of the hall.

The color drained from Ron's face, his steps slowing even more as he drew closer. Neville, passing by with a buoyant stride, clapped Ron on the back, his voice booming over the din, "Good luck, Ron! You've got this!" The encouragement, though well-meaning, seemed to falter against the tide of Ron's anxiety.

Seamus, trailing behind Neville, leaned in close to Ron with a conspiratorial grin. "I've got a Galleon on Gryffindor winning today. No pressure, mate."

By the time Ron slumped into his seat next to Harry, his spirit appeared thoroughly dampened. Harry, quick to notice his friend's plummeting morale, pushed a plate of breakfast towards him. "You need to eat something," he urged, his tone both gentle and insistent.

Ron mechanically shuffled the food around his plate, his appetite lost. His eyes couldn't help but wander back to the Slytherin table, where every echo of taunt seemed to chip away at his dwindling confidence.

Catching sight of Evelyn's unusual attire, Ron's curiosity piqued, momentarily distracting him from his own troubles. "You're not cheering on Slytherin today then?" he asked, a note of surprise in his voice upon seeing her draped in Gryffindor colors instead of green and silver.

Evelyn looked down at her borrowed sweater, her voice slightly strained as she replied, "No... Draco's not playing today." She avoided their gazes, feeling the weight of their stares.

"Why not?" Hermione asked, her tone laced with genuine concern.

Evelyn's discomfort grew, the words feeling heavier than they sounded. "He's not playing for the rest of the year, actually... He quit the team," she confessed quickly, hoping to circumvent further questioning.

"He quit?" Harry echoed, his surprise morphing into suspicion. "Why would he do that?"

Trying to maintain composure, Evelyn bit her lip, regretting that she might have divulged too much. "I'm not really sure," she murmured, her unease palpable. "He just... said he didn't want to play anymore."

Hermione's expression deepened with worry, her analytical mind ticking over this unusual decision. "That doesn't sound like Draco," she observed quietly. "He's always been so competitive about Quidditch."

Agreeing, Evelyn nodded, feeling trapped under the intensity of their concern. "Yeah, it was a surprise to me too," she admitted, her mind racing back to her the conversation when Draco had told her. She wished more than anything to shift the conversation away from Draco and the probing eyes that seemed keen to unravel more than she was ready to share.

Lavender Brown's enthusiastic voice provided the perfect diversion Evelyn needed. Her high, clear voice sliced through the tension at the table as she approached. "Good luck today, Ron!" she called out, her eyes sparkling with admiration. "I know you'll be brilliant!" she added, her smile bright and encouraging.