human again / hp.

Chapter 13

The Gryffindor common room was still alive with celebration well past midnight. The air buzzed with cheers, laughter, and the clinking of mugs. Harry, Hermione, and Ron were basking in the spotlight, surrounded by their housemates, all of them still riding the high of their victory over Slytherin. I stayed at the edge of the crowd, trying to keep my expression neutral, but my stomach churned with unease.

The night had been a blur of adrenaline, excitement, and moments I wasn't sure how to process. As much as I wanted to join in their celebration, something held me back. I couldn't shake the image of Draco's glare after the match. His eyes—narrowed in disgust—had followed me the entire way out of the stadium. I could feel the weight of his judgment, as if he were already mentally writing his report to our father. And I knew what that would mean.

"Celeste!" Hermione's voice snapped me out of my thoughts. She was smiling, her cheeks flushed with excitement. "Come on, sit with us!"

I hesitated, the sound of her voice cutting through my swirling thoughts. But her smile was so genuine, so warm, that it made my hesitation seem foolish. I managed to force a smile and joined them by the fireplace. The heat from the flames didn't do much to ease the cold knot of dread that had settled deep in my chest.

"Did you see the look on Malfoy's face?" Ron said, his voice filled with a sense of glee. He was grinning ear to ear, clearly relishing the thought of Slytherin's defeat. "Absolutely priceless."

Harry chuckled, a playful glint in his eyes. "He's probably still fuming."

"Yeah," I said weakly, forcing the smile to stay on my face.

Hermione gave me a curious look. Her brow furrowed slightly, concern creeping into her features. "Are you alright, Celeste? You've been so quiet tonight."

I could feel the lie forming on my lips before it even left my mouth. "I'm fine," I said quickly. "Just tired from all the excitement."

But I wasn't fine. Far from it. There was a churning storm inside me, a whirlwind of fear and guilt, and no amount of Gryffindor cheerfulness could push it away.

The noise in the common room faded as I stood up abruptly, excusing myself from the group. I couldn't stay there, pretending to be caught up in their happiness. I needed to be alone. As I made my way out of the common room and slipped through the portrait hole, the cool, empty corridors of Hogwarts felt like the only place where I could breathe.

I wandered aimlessly, my footsteps echoing in the stillness, until I found myself at the Astronomy Tower. I leaned against the stone railing, staring out over the sprawling grounds. The moonlight washed over the Forbidden Forest, its dark shadows a stark contrast to the brightness of the castle. The chill of the night air bit at my skin, but it helped clear my mind, even if only for a moment.

"Celeste," a voice drawled from the shadows, sending a jolt of fear through me. I froze, my heart racing in my chest. "Enjoying your newfound popularity with the Gryffindor lot, are you?"

I turned to see Draco stepping out of the darkness, his pale face illuminated by the faint light from the moon. His expression was twisted in disgust, his arms folded across his chest.

"Draco," I said, trying to sound casual, though my voice betrayed me, cracking slightly. "What are you doing out here?"

"I could ask you the same thing," he snapped, his voice sharp as a whip. "Though I suppose I already know. Spent enough time with your little Gryffindor friends tonight, haven't you?"

"They're my housemates," I said stiffly, trying to keep my voice steady. "I'm just—"

"Don't insult my intelligence, Celeste," he interrupted, stepping closer. The venom in his voice was palpable. "You're practically one of them now. A Malfoy, sitting with a Mudblood, a Bloodtraitor, and the great Harry Potter. Do you have any idea what Father's going to say?"