"Didn't know you was into gingers, Malfoy?"
"Shut up Weasley"
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Gemma Weasley shared many similarities with her siblings, the ginger hair, pale skin, freckles and a super sense of humour, yet she was the one that stood out from them all. Even her tw...
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The common room was quieter than usual tonight. Most people had gone up to bed early, leaving just a few of us by the fire. Seamus, Dean, and I had claimed the sofa closest to the corner, huddled together as though sitting too close might land us in detention. With Umbridge in charge, it very well could.
"Eight inches apart," Seamus muttered, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "What's she gonna do, carry a ruler and start measuring?" He glanced toward the door like she might pop out of nowhere.
I rolled my eyes. "Honestly, she probably would. At this rate, we're all going to get docked points for breathing too loudly in her presence."
Dean snorted, but there was a grim undertone to it. "And what's all this about 'illicit activities'? Does sneaking into the kitchens count, or..." He trailed off, smirking at me.
I narrowed my eyes at him. "Don't even start." My face heated up before I could stop it. Draco wasn't the topic of conversation right now—thank Merlin.
Seamus leaned closer, dropping his voice even lower. "I heard she's got Filch working overtime, hunting for anyone stepping out of line. Detentions are worse than ever."
"She's completely out of control," I whispered back. "And now the paintings are coming down? Even the Fat Lady's been grumbling about it. It's like she wants Hogwarts to feel as miserable as possible."
Dean shook his head. "I don't know what she's playing at, but the whole school's on edge. And the way she's been watching Harry... it's like she's just waiting for him to give her a reason to expell him."
I crossed my arms. "Well, she's going to regret it if she pushes him too far. The DA's not going anywhere."
Seamus let out a low whistle. "You've got a lot more faith than I do. Where do you think Dumbledore's gone?"
Before I could answer, the portrait hole creaked open, and Draco's familiar figure slipped in. He scanned the room quickly, and when he spotted me, he made a beeline for the couch.
"What are you doing here?" I asked, raising an eyebrow. "You do know you're not supposed to be in here, right? And how do you know the password?"
He ignored my acquisitions and lowered his voice. "I'm here to warn you."
Seamus and Dean exchanged alarmed looks, but Draco wasn't finished. "She's got a punishment lined up for all of you that were caught. It's not just detentions—it's writing lines with that quill."
My stomach sank. I'd heard about the quill from Harry a few months ago, the one that etched the words into your skin.
"How do you know this?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.
Draco glanced toward the door. "She's been boasting about it in her office. I overheard. Just... be careful, Gemma. All of you."
I studied his face, searching for any sign of ulterior motives, but he looked... serious. Worried, even.
