THE DOLL PEOPLE; Theodore Nott

< IV >

COLIN CREEVEY HAD BEEN THE FIRST STUDENT PETRIFIED, BUT HE HADN'T BEEN THE LAST. Each new attack stirred up more whispers, and Emery noticed the accusing glares directed at her growing sharper. She had sworn to her friends many times that she wasn't the heir, and while Hannah wholeheartedly believed her, she could sense that Justin had become wary. Her friends couldn't ignore the rumors forever.

Emery tried her best to stay focused in her classes, keeping her head down and tuning out the gossip. Although her lessons were getting more difficult, her late nights spent studying meant she was usually a step ahead. She found some comfort in her books, even though her mind often wandered back to the rumors circling through the school.

Her cousin, Draco, had tried talking to her a few times since their first conversation in the library. He understood her position; after all, rumors about him being the heir had spread too. But unlike Emery, Draco seemed to revel in the attention, as if he enjoyed the fear his name stirred among their classmates.

One evening, Emery joined her friends as they headed to the Great Hall for the much-anticipated Dueling Club. She was nervous about attending but too curious to resist. The hall was packed with students buzzing with nervous energy. Professor Lockhart, looking far too pleased with himself, stood at the front, bragging about his dueling expertise.

Emery stood beside Justin and a few other Hufflepuffs, exchanging a quick, encouraging smile with Justin. The tension in the room rose as Snape and Lockhart demonstrated a duel, with Snape effortlessly disarming Lockhart in what looked more like a warning than a lesson. Then, with a dramatic flair, Lockhart invited Harry Potter and Draco up to duel.

Emery's heart pounded as she watched Harry and Draco face off, spells flying between them with surprising aggression. Her hands wrung together nervously when Potter sent a spell toward Draco, who responded by conjuring a snake from his wand. The snake slithered menacingly across the floor, landing in front of Emery and Justin.

Justin tensed, and Emery felt her own hand freeze mid-reach for her wand. Just as the snake lurched forward, Harry Potter spoke, startling the entire room as he spoke to the creature in an unknown, hissing language—Parseltongue. Emery's eyes narrowed as she watched the snake obey, freezing in place before slithering away harmlessly. Snape quickly disposed of it, but the damage had been done.

The room was silent, and Justin's face turned ashen as he stared at Harry, panic flashing in his eyes. "What are you playing at?" he spat, shoving Emery aside as he backed away.

Emery tried to reach out to him, calling his name, but Justin stormed through the crowd, disappearing into the hallway. She scanned the room, hoping to spot Zacharias or Hannah, but everyone seemed scattered, some whispering, others casting wary glances her way.

She pushed her way through the students, ignoring the harsh mutters in her direction until she finally caught up with Justin in the corridor. "Justin, wait!" she called breathlessly, grabbing his sleeve.

He turned sharply, almost knocking her off balance. His face was pale, eyes wide with anger and fear. "What do you want, Emery?"

"Are you okay?" she asked, voice soft. But Justin was hardly listening, his words laced with bitterness and fear. "How would you know, Emery? For all we know, you could be the heir of Slytherin! You're a Black, aren't you? You're cousins with Draco!"

She felt her throat tighten. "That's not fair. I'm not—"

"Yeah?" Justin interrupted. "How do we know? Muggle-borns are the ones being attacked, and if you forgot, that's me! And now Harry's speaking Parseltongue to a snake—this school isn't safe, and who knows where you stand?"

"I would never hurt anyone," Emery whispered, but her voice barely carried. She watched helplessly as Justin stormed off down the corridor.

She slumped against the wall, her heart heavy. The distrust from her friends was harder to bear than she had anticipated. Trying to shake off the encounter, Emery wandered through the castle, finding herself in an empty classroom. She sat on the edge of a desk, taking deep, steadying breaths. Yet, the familiar ache of isolation pressed down on her more than ever.

Lost in her thoughts, she barely noticed when a shadow appeared in the doorway. "Need some company?" Draco's voice was gentle, and he stepped in, giving Emery a small, understanding smile. Without another word, Draco pulled out a chair beside her, offering quiet support as they sat together in the fading light.