Chasing Shadows || Draco Malfoy x OC

Year 4- Ch. 45

Once the last Beauxbatons student entered their name in the goblet, Madame Maxime led them back out to the grounds, Ron moved towards the front doors, "Where are they sleeping, then?"

"In the Carriage..." Céline said quietly, reluctantly following them.

A loud rattling noise behind them, let them know that Hermione had returned.

"Oh good, hurry up." Ron said as he stepped down the stone steps keeping his eye on the foreign group of students. They followed down the steps, Céline careful to still be behind Harry, trying to stay hidden, in case any of the Beauxbatons students were to turn around.

"Cél, is there a reason why you're hiding behind me?" Harry asked gently.

"er— well...." She hesitated, "Do you guys remember the things that I told you... about what happened to me at Beauxbatons?"

The trio stopped in their tracks and looked back at her.

"Yes?" Hermione said curiously.

She sighed, "The ones who... did it... are here to participate...That's why I'm hiding... to avoid being seen."

"Merlin," Hermione gasped,

"Why didn't you tell us earlier?" Ron asked with his eyes widened. He looked back at the group of students who were now halfway across the lawn.

Harry touched her shoulder, making her look at him. His face was serious, "You should go back inside."

"No, she needs to stay with us. It's better for her to not be walking by herself." Hermione said.

"Honestly, I agree with Mione.." Ron said, "Céline needs to avoid walking alone this year, I'm sure her friends from her house would agree to that."

"Yeah... they might have mentioned something about that on the way back to our room last night.." said Céline.

"Sorry Cél, I was so focused on that Veela girl, I didn't even realize.." Ron said as he scratched his head.

She looked at him confused, "Veela?" She thought for a moment, "Oh.. you mean Fleur Delacour? She's part."

"I told you." Ron said to Hermione.

Harry sighed in frustration, "going back to the main topic," he eyed Ron, before looking back to Céline, "Can you please promise that you won't go around on your own, and try to stay with someone at all times?"

"No, I can't promise you that." She said, which earned a groan from the three of them. "Trust me when I say, running into them by myself is the last thing I want to happen. But making sure I stay next to someone at all times wouldn't be possible. Me being alone at some point this year, or at least being alone with someone who doesn't know my situation, is inevitable. I can't expect all of you to babysit me all year. I will not expect it."

"but—" Harry started.

"If I need help, I will look for it. I promise." She said definitively. Her tone left no room for argument. They begrudgingly agreed and continued down the path to Hagrid's hut.

Harry knocked on Hagrid's door, and Fang's loud parks answered instantly.

"'Bout time!" Said Hagrid, as he flung the door open. "Thought you lot had forgotten where I live!"

"We'v e been really busy, Hag—" Hermione started to say, then stopped at the sight of Hagrid.

He was wearing a heart brown suit with a checked yellow and orange tie. He also had apparently used large amounts of axle grease to slick back and tame his hair.