Broken Bonds

Chapter 20

Alone in her room, Y/N crumpled onto her bed, the weight of grief crushing her chest like a leaden weight. Tears streamed down her face unchecked as she tried to process the enormity of the loss they had suffered. Pansy's sacrifice weighed heavily on her mind, her heart aching with the knowledge that her friend had given her life to save hers.

With trembling hands, Y/N clutched onto the blanket, seeking solace in its familiar warmth. But the comfort it offered was fleeting, overshadowed by the overwhelming sense of loss that consumed her. Each breath felt like a struggle as if the air had turned to lead in her lungs.

Meanwhile, Draco sat alone in his room, his grief threatening to consume him whole. Pansy had been more than just a friend to him; they had been inseparable, spending countless hours together exploring the castle grounds, sharing secrets, and making memories. Their relationship had been a source of comfort and joy in the darkness that surrounded them.

But now, with Pansy gone, Draco felt adrift in a sea of sorrow, his heart shattered into a million pieces. Every memory of their time together felt like a dagger to his soul, each one a painful reminder of what he had lost.

As the minutes stretched into hours, Y/N and Draco grappled with their grief in their separate corners of the castle. Each sob echoed in the empty chambers, a haunting melody of sorrow and despair. And though they were alone in their pain, they found solace in the knowledge that they were not truly alone; for in their shared grief, they found a bond that transcended words, a silent understanding that united them in their time of need.

As Y/N lay on her bed, consumed by grief, memories of happier times flooded her mind like a torrential downpour. Amid her despair, a vivid flashback transported her back to a moment of pure joy, a moment shared with Pansy.

She saw them laughing together, the sound echoing through the corridors of Hogwarts as they raced each other down the winding staircases. Their laughter mingled with the soft melody of the castle, filling the air with an infectious energy that was impossible to resist.

In her mind's eye, Y/N could see Pansy's radiant smile, her eyes sparkling with mischief as they embarked on another adventure together. They had been inseparable, their bond forged through countless shared experiences and shared secrets.

As the memory played out before her, Y/N felt a pang of bittersweet longing wash over her. How she wished she could return to that moment, to relive the joy they had shared, if only for a fleeting moment.

But just as the memory reached its peak, the door to her room burst open, startling Y/N back to reality. There stood Mellony, her face etched with concern and sadness as she rushed to Y/N's side.

"Y/N, are you okay?" Mellony asked, her voice filled with worry as she took in the sight of her friend's tear-streaked face.

Y/N blinked back tears, grateful for Mellony's presence. "I'm... I'm okay," she replied, her voice trembling with emotion. "Just... remembering."

Mellony's own eyes glistened with unshed tears as she nodded understandingly. "I miss her too, Y/N. We all do."

Then, a glimmer of hope flickered in Mellony's eyes as she spoke again. "Come to the common room with me, Y/N. Someone is waiting for us."

Curiosity mingled with Y/N's grief as she followed Mellony out of her room and toward the common room. As they entered, Y/N's eyes widened in surprise at the sight of Mattheo standing there, his expression sad and regretful.

Y/N's heart clenched at the sight of him, memories of their complicated relationship flooding back. But amidst the pain, she felt a flicker of hope; perhaps, in their shared grief, they could find a way to heal old wounds and move forward together.

As Draco and Mattheo's confrontation reached its boiling point, the common room door swung open, revealing Theo's presence. His eyes narrowed as he surveyed the tense scene before him, his gaze landing on Draco with a silent understanding.

"What's going on here?" Theo's voice cut through the heated exchange, his tone firm as he approached Draco's side. He cast a disdainful glance in Mattheo's direction, his allegiance clear.

Draco's lip curled in a sneer of satisfaction as Theo stood by his side, a silent confirmation of their shared stance. "Just dealing with some unfinished business," he replied, his voice dripping with disdain.

Mattheo's jaw clenched, his fists balling at his sides as he braced himself against the dual onslaught of Draco's hostility and Theo's betrayal. "You don't know the whole story," he shot back, his voice laced with frustration.

But Theo remained unmoved, his loyalty firmly rooted in his alliance with Draco. "We know enough," he countered, his tone dismissive as he levelled a challenging gaze at Mattheo.

As tensions between Draco, Mattheo, and Theo reached a boiling point, Mellony couldn't stand by and watch the situation escalate any further. Stepping forward, she raised her hands in a calming gesture, her voice firm but compassionate.

"Alright, that's enough," Mellony interjected, her eyes darting between the three boys. "We're all hurting, but this isn't the way to handle it. Pansy wouldn't want us tearing each other apart."

Draco's gaze flickered with anger, his fists clenched at his sides, while Mattheo's expression remained defiant, his jaw set in a stubborn line. Theo, however, stood beside Mellony, his posture tense but resolute.

Before anyone could respond, the common room door swung open once more, admitting Snape's imposing figure. His stern gaze swept over the room, a frown etched deeply into his features.

"What in Merlin's name is going on here?" Snape's voice was sharp, his tone cutting through the tension like a knife. "Fighting among yourselves like a pack of first-years? Have you all lost your wits?"

The room fell into an uneasy silence, the weight of Snape's disapproval heavy upon them. Draco shifted uncomfortably, his cheeks flushed with embarrassment, while Mattheo's defiance wavered under the intensity of Snape's gaze.

"Now, pay attention," Snape continued, his voice commanding the room's full attention. "Due to this disgraceful behaviour, Theodore Nott, Mellony Greengrass, Y/n Malfoy, Draco Malfoy, and Mattheo Riddle will be relocated to the Gryffindor common room until further notice."

A collective gasp rippled through the room at Snape's announcement, shock and disbelief written on the faces of the students. Y/N exchanged a worried glance with her friends, a sense of apprehension settling over them at the prospect of being uprooted from their familiar surroundings.

As Snape's announcement reverberated through the room, Mellony's brows furrowed in disbelief. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. With a determined expression, she stepped forward, her voice cutting through the tense atmosphere.

"Wait just a minute," Mellony protested, her tone firm and unwavering. "Why should we be punished for the actions of a few? We didn't start this fight, and we shouldn't be the ones to suffer for it."

Theodore, standing beside Mellony, nodded in agreement, his expression mirroring her frustration. "Mellony's right, professor" he spoke up. "Mattheo is the reason for all of this, he is the reason Pansy died. He shouldn't even be here."

"professor, you can't honestly be considering this!" Draco protested.
The three of them proud of their statements looked at Y/n for her to support them but Y/n couldn't. She just couldn't. Her feelings were inexplainable. Did she disappoint her friends by not saying anything?
She had already proven to be a disappointment to her brother, but what about Mellony and Theodore?

"Enough!" Snape yelled "I've had enough of all this nonsense, all of you will be moving to the Gryffindor common room this instant. This decision is final!"
The six of them made their way to the Gryffindor common room disappointed.