Chasing Shadows || Draco Malfoy x OC

Year 4- Ch.28

As they arrived at Hogsmeade Station, Céline noticed the heavy downpour. She wrapped herself up in her robes, making sure her arms were also covered. Not only for the rain, but also to hide dark greenish purple bruises splayed all up her arms.

She was thankful that the collar of her uniform covered almost all of the bruises on the base of her neck. There was one small part peeking through but her hair covered that. Her father was in such a blind rage that he wasn't careful of where he hit her.

She shivered at the thought, Daphne gave her a small hip bump as she held her new owl's cage close to her. "You've only stepped outside for two second and you're already shivering." Her best friend chuckled.

Céline could only give her a small laugh. Her body was starting to ache from the cold and wet weather. The coziness of the train was welcoming and almost soothing to her bruises, so she didn't feel too much discomfort during the journey. Only the occasional abrupt movements she would accidentally make.

But this thunderstorm is not welcoming. It felt like buckets of ice falling over them over and over again. It was making her shiver and her muscles contract and spasm. Sending waves of discomfort to her hurting body. She tried her best to hide it, but eventually the discomfort was so steady, by the time they got to the horseless carriage she had a permanent frown on her face.

"Oooh, are you still upset with Malfoy?" Theodore asked, nudging her playfully. She sat right in between Theodore and Daphne. Draco of course by the window, Pansy, who Céline hadn't seen the entire train ride, was seated next to him, and Blaise by the other window.

Céline looked at him, frown plastered on her face. "No. I'm just cold and wet. I don't like being cold and wet."

He opened his mouth to say some sort of joke, but given her mood he decided against it. He mumbled an apology and looked away.

The carriages soon began stopping in front of large stone steps that led to an enormous wooden arch set of double doors. Céline watched the carriages in front of her slowly making their turn in front of the steps. With students quickly making their way up the steps to avoid as much downpour as possible.

Once their carriage stopped finally, the doors swung open. Everyone hurriedly got off. Céline on the other hand, though quickly, carefully got off as her body began aching even more. Once she finally reached the doors, she was even more wet and in pain. She had her arms wrapped around her torso trying hard for her body to stop trembling.

Draco, who had purposely slowed down so that he was barely behind Céline, was watching her. He couldn't tell if she was in pain or if she was just freezing. Maybe both by the looks of it.

Students were shrieking and screaming trying to get out of the line of fire from something that had been dropping from above them. And before Céline could even register what was happening, a large balloon filled with cold water dropped in her head, exploding, and drenching her even more. She screamed from the impact and the shock.

"PEEVES!" Shouted a very angry Professor McGonagall just ahead. "Peeves, come down here at ONCE!" She yelled to the poltergeist above her. He was cackling maniacally, sticking his tongue out. He threw the rest of his water balloons and flew off up the marble staircase.

Draco gently pulled Céline back by the shoulder, holding her steady as she nearly slipped from the water. Another balloon narrowly missed her, crashing down to the floor in front of them, soaking both Céline and Draco's shoes.

"Well come on then." Professor McGonagall said to the crowd of students, "into the Great Hall, come on!"

They all carefully entered the Great Hall, Céline and Draco finding their friends already sitting at the table, saving them a couple of spots between Theodore and Daphne. He glanced over to Céline once they sat down next to each other. Daphne grabbed a clean cloth napkin and started grabbing sections of her hair trying to dry them off.

Céline stopped Daphne from doing the other side. Giving her an appreciative but slightly strained smile and taking the napkin to do it herself. She touches the side of her head making sure that her hair pins were still in place, sighing in relief that they were.  She felt the pain ease a little from the warmth of the Great Hall. It was much warmer there, but Céline was still shivering from being soaked with water.

All the upperclassmen waited for the new first years to arrive. Finally after what felt like ages Professor McGonagall opened the large doors and stepped in with the small students following behind. Each of them looked around in awe and excitement.

The sorting hat broke into a song. Céline vaguely remembers it also sang a song last year, but wasn't the same one. Once the song was over the great hall rang with applause. They all watched as the first years got sorted into their respective houses.

Once it was over, Professor Dumbledore stood up and walked to the podium. "I only have two words to say to you." His deep voice echoed through the Great Hall. "Tuck in." Everyone cheered as the tables magically filled up with different delicious looking entrees. Everyone started filling their plates.

Céline barely filled her plate with a few roasted potatoes and one piece of chicken. Only taking a few bites. "You're not eating?" Daphne asked beside her, she looked at her friend.

"Oh, I'm not very hungry..." She lied. She was incredibly hungry, the pain that throbbed all over her overpowered her hunger.

"Wow the weather really did spoil your mood." Pansy said in a snarky tone, from across the table. "It's just a bit of water. What's the big deal?" Before she shook her head and continued eating.

"Don't listen to her, she's also been in a bad mood since the train left London." Daphne whispered to Céline. "I reckon she was upset that Malfoy didn't bother talking or sitting with her the whole way here. Poor Tracey was suck with her complaining the whole time." She shrugged and took a bite out of her meal.

Tracey, who sat on the other side of Daphne, looked over to Céline shaking her head and rolling her eyes, "it was horrible." She then smiled at her, "it's good to see you again Cél."

She smiled back at her, before she could say anything there was another thunderous clap and the first course disappeared and was replaced with puddings.