The sun was shining high, illuminating the green fields of Hogwarts, as we gathered around Hagrid for the first Care of Magical Creatures class. The Hippogriff in front of us, a majestic being named Buckbeak, was shaking its wings with a mix of impatience and pride. I couldn't help but feel a sense of wonder, even though I hid it behind an indifferent expression, as I had learned to do over the years.
Draco, as usual, was trying to draw attention to himself, throwing venomous remarks at Harry. "Let's see if our Potter can do something right for once," he hissed with a sarcastic smile, making Pansy and a few other Slytherins burst into laughter.
I stood next to Blaise, watching the scene with growing annoyance. Harry, with his usual air of silent superiority, mounted Buckbeak without hesitation, under Hagrid's vigilant gaze. Despite my disdain for his presumed perfection, I couldn't ignore the skill with which Harry handled the creature. Buckbeak accepted him, and with a powerful flap of his wings, lifted him into the air.
A wave of envy washed over me as everyone admired his prowess. He had always been first in everything just because of his scar, if it weren't for that he'd be nobody. There are many students more intelligent and skilled, like Blaise or Hermione, but he's the only one who gets noticed and rewarded.
"Why does Potter always do everything right," I muttered through clenched teeth, clenching my fists.
Blaise gave me a sympathetic look. "Don't let it bother you, Sarah. You know he's nothing special, just lucky," he said, trying to calm me down. But his voice seemed distant, as if my bad mood had isolated me from everything else.
When Harry returned to the ground, greeted by Hagrid's applause and the other students, Draco decided to show off. With his pride wounded and a desire to prove his superiority, he approached Buckbeak with his usual arrogant attitude. I had a bad feeling about it, and my instincts were right.
"Stop it, Draco!" I whispered, but my voice was lost in the wind. Ignoring me, Draco made a contemptuous comment about the creature's intelligence. Before I could intervene, Buckbeak reacted quickly, striking Draco with his beak.
Time seemed to slow down as Draco fell to the ground, his face contorted in pain. His right hand clutched his injured arm, and blood began to pour from the deep gash. Hagrid rushed towards him, his face pale with anxiety.
"Draco!" I shouted, running towards him, with Blaise by my side. The world seemed to shrink to that single moment, to that single wound that looked very deep.
Draco is one of my best friends, he's like a brother to me, I still remember the day we met.
flashback
The Sorting Hat had just pronounced its verdict, and I had been placed in Slytherin. The smile I forced on my face hid a deep disdain for my fate and for the irony of my situation: Dumbledore's daughter in a house known for its ambitions and rivalries.
I sat randomly at a table, not paying attention to the housemates around me. I could feel everyone's gaze, but I pretended not to notice, focusing only on my thoughts.
A boy with hair as light as the moon approached. "Nice to meet you, I'm Draco, Draco Malfoy," he said with a confident smile and a tone that already betrayed an air of superiority.
I turned to him, noticing his impeccably arranged hair and his innate attitude of superiority. "You have nice hair," I said, trying to break the ice with a sincere but irreverent comment, "even though it looks like it was licked by a cow."
Draco was initially surprised, but then burst into contagious laughter. His reaction surprised me, and I began to relax. "Don't worry, it's the first time someone has given me such an original compliment," he said with an amused smile.
Meanwhile, another boy approached our table. It was Blaise Zabini, who seemed to watch the scene with interest. "You seem to have a peculiar sense of humor," he said to Draco, with a look that was both curious and friendly. "I'm Blaise, Blaise Zabini."
Draco and I looked at him curiously. "We've just been sorted here," I explained, as we began to talk, not paying attention to who else was still waiting to be sorted. "Do you want to join us?"
Blaise nodded enthusiastically. "Sure, it seems like we're already enjoying it here," he replied, sitting down next to us.
The table filled with laughter and lively conversations. Between jokes and stories about our school days and expectations for the year at Hogwarts, the three of us quickly bonded. It no longer mattered that we had just arrived and that the orientation towards Slytherin wasn't what I had imagined. That moment marked the beginning of a solid friendship, a bond that would withstand the challenges awaiting us in the following years at Hogwarts.
end flashback
As Hagrid tried to reassure Draco, his eyes grew teary with worry. "We need to get him to the infirmary right away," I said decisively, without waiting for Hagrid's permission. Blaise lifted Draco, who kept moaning and casting hateful looks at Harry, who watched the scene in silence, guilt written all over his face.
As we headed towards the castle, supporting Draco on both sides, I felt everyone's eyes on us. Some seemed worried, others curious, but I didn't care. The only thing that mattered was getting Draco to safety. The walk to the infirmary seemed to last an eternity, and the weight of the envy I felt for Harry mixed with the guilt of not being able to stop Draco in time.
When we finally reached the infirmary, Madam Pomfrey was already there, ready as always. "Lay him on the bed," she ordered with her usual authority, while already moving deftly to treat the wound.
Blaise and I obeyed, and as we stepped back, Draco gave us a look full of gratitude and repressed hatred. "The wound isn't serious, but it could have been if your friends hadn't brought you here immediately," said Madam Pomfrey decisively, beginning to treat the wound.
As we headed towards the exit, we ran into Fred and George in the corridor. Fred, with a light and reassuring smile, scrutinized me with interest. "Hey, everything alright?" he asked, noticing my worried expression.
"It hasn't been a good day," I replied, trying not to let my feelings show too much. But Fred always seemed to see right through me.
He approached, lowering his voice so that only I could hear. "If you need a distraction, we could plan an epic prank. You know, to cheer you up," he suggested, with that tone of his that always managed to make me smile.
Despite everything, I couldn't help but smile. Fred had that special gift; he always managed to make me feel better, even in the darkest moments. "Maybe later," I replied, feeling a warm sensation of relief as I lightly squeezed his hand. Fred looked into my eyes, and for a moment all my bad mood seemed to vanish.
As Blaise and I walked away, my thoughts wandered. I thought about Harry, his damned perfection, and how unfair it was that he always attracted everyone's attention, especially Dumbledore's. But I also thought about Fred and that spark of happiness he always managed to bring me.
In the afternoon, after unsuccessfully trying to study in the Slytherin common room, I decided to go for a walk in the corridors, hoping to calm my turbulent thoughts. As I walked, lost in my thoughts, I ran into Professor Lupin.
We both stopped, surprised by the encounter. "Sarah," he said with that warm and reassuring voice, "How's Malfoy?"
"He's better, thanks," I replied, trying to maintain a neutral tone, even though my heart was beating faster. There was something about Lupin, in those kind and deep eyes, that made me feel seen in a way no one else did.
He observed me for a long moment, as if he were evaluating something. "Remember to take care of yourself too, Sarah," he finally said, in a tone that seemed to contain more than just advice.
I nodded, not knowing what to say. There was a subtle strength in his words that touched me deeply. As Lupin walked away, I felt a mix of emotions growing inside me.
Returning to the Slytherin common room, the weight of my reflections was lighter, but no less complex. Harry, Fred, Lupin... each of them had a role in my life, and each of them carried with them a part of me that I still couldn't fully understand.
YOU ARE READING
Forged in Darkness (English) ON PAUSE
Fanfic"Sarah's soul was forged in total darkness, she is destined to save and preserve our world."
