Chasing Shadows || Draco Malfoy x OC

Year 5- Ch. 154

It had been a few days since the event in the Ministry of Magic and the entire school was buzzing about it. The Daily Prophet had come out with the news the very next day.

HE-WHO-MUST-NOT-BE-NAMED RETURNS.

That was the title of the front page. And it went on with an interview with Minister Fudge finally realizing the truth and announcing it to the Wizarding community and to have the community stay vigilant and if they were to see any of his followers, to not approach, but to send an owl to the Ministry. And although, it never mentioned what happened, it did say that something did happen at the Ministry. Resulting to the Minister saying that everything that Dumbledore and Harry said was true. He also went and admitted that the Dementors that guarded Azkaban were no longer following the Ministry's employ, but seemed to be taking direction of You-Know-Who.

Céline was out of the hospital the following evening after her return, as was Ginny, Neville, and Luna. Hermione and Ron continued to reassure her that they thought no differently of her and to not listen to what Ginny said. Ron said that he was sure that Ginny felt the same, but was more concerned for her.

Celine understood. She knows that Ginny has always had a fierce personality.

Daphne and Tracey had met her at the entrance of the hospital wing. They apologized profusely about failing to keep Draco busy, but she dismissed their apologies, letting them know it wasn't their fault and how they still managed to distract half of the squad, to which she was thankful for. 

Céline felt grateful for her friends who jumped in to help without know what was happening. They tried their best regardless. She always knew she had amazing best friends.

Céline hadn't seen Harry since the Ministry, she noticed that they both seem to be avoiding each other. She wasn't sure how to face him yet. With everything that happened, she really wanted to comfort him, because she knew he wasn't fine at all. But she still needed to talk to him about everything that happened before they left. Céline understood the urgency, but there was no reason to speak to her like that. 

Draco didn't want her to speak to Harry again. He was absolutely furious with him, for not only putting Céline in danger, but also because his father was arrested and awaiting trial, along with her own father and other Death Eaters.

Céline sat at the bank of the Black Lake, in a small cove that was sheltered by shrubs. She needed some alone time. The thought of Sirius and everything plagued her mind. She kept thinking back to the holidays at 12 Grimmauld place, when she was saying goodbye to Sirius. How she felt this twist in her stomach leaving him. It was the same feeling she got right before Cedric went in for the last task, just around this time the year prior.

She sighed and hugged her knees. Her rib had completely healed after three days. Though she still had a bit of a bruise on her right temple, not as bad as it was on the first day, but still noticeable.

She heard the soft crunch of footsteps on the ground. She turned her head, just as Harry came around one of the shrubs, freeezing in place as he looked at her. He was surprised because he hadn't expected her to be there.

"Oh.. sorry." He said, "I didn't know anyone was here— I'll go-"

"Harry." Céline said softly. He had turned his body to leave, but stopped when he called for him. He knew they needed to talk, but he still felt guilty about putting his friends in danger, especially Céline, who not only saw her father, but was tortured by him. Draco's words still lingered in Harry's mind. "We need to talk."

She patted the ground next to her. He contemplated for a moment, but the sad look in her eyes, told him to stay. He moved over to her and sat down. They both stared off to the lake for a moment.