Chasing Shadows || Draco Malfoy x OC

Year 6- Ch. 168

Céline made her way through the front entrance of Hogwarts with Draco, Daphne and Tracey. The doors to the Great Hall was open and the students flooded in to get to their tables. In the far end of the Slytherin table, Céline saw Pansy laughing with her click, which included Daphne's sister Astoria. Pansy's hair grew a bit longer now. She alwasy kept it a bob through the years, but it seemed to have grown out just past her shoulders now.

One of the girls nudged Pansy and nodded her head over to Céline's direction. Instantly, the smirk that was on Pansy''s lips vanished and her eyes narrowed. Pansy was glaring at Céline, which no longer had affected her, so she looked away and sat in her usual seat. As soon as she sat, she felt a tap on her shoulder, when she looked, she saw a very anxious Hermione and Ron.

"Hey Cél, have you seen Harry?" Ron asked.

"Harry? No. I haven't seen him since we all got onto the train?" Céline said, with a tone that was growing concerned.

"We haven't seen him since he left for Professor Slughorn's lunch. But he never came back. Neville and Ginny said that he.." Hermione paused and glanced at Draco, who was talking to Crabbe and Goyle from across the table. "He just hurried off somewhere after the meeting and he didn't come back. We didn't even see him on the platform either."

"Did you want me to help you look for him?" Céline asked.

"No, no." Hermione stopped Céline from getting out of her seat. "I-I'm sure he'll show up soon enough and I doubt that they'll let us leave the grounds now."

Ron glared at the back of Draco's head. "Maybe Malfoy did something--"

"No, it couldn't have been." Céline quickly dismissed the idea. "Draco has been with me the whole time and Harry never came into the compartment."

"Even when Céline went to see you two, Draco was with Tracey and I, and Potter never showed up." Daphne chimed in from next to Céline.

"I see.. Well, we'll let you know when he turns up.." Hermione said to Céline and she gave a nod in return. "Come on, Ron." She said, before walking off, her head darting back and forth, searching the hall as they made their way back to the Gryfindor table.

When she turned her head, she found Draco watching her. She stared back at him, wanting to ask him, but ultimately deciding against it. She gave him a soft smile and turned to face Daphne and Tracey. Draco continued to looked at her, a little surprised that she didn't question him.

Draco thought if she had asked, whether he told her the truth or lied, she would end up angry with him.

Dumbledore stood from his seat after the new first years got sorted into their houses and spoke his few words like he usually did, welcoming everyone and letting everyone know it was time to eat. The long empty tables, were magically filled with plates filled an assortment of entrees.

All the eager students filled their plates with food and began to dig in. Every once in a while, Céline would look over to the Gryffindor table, only to see her two worried friends and still no Harry. Her concern grew as the time passed. She thought maybe something had happened to him.

"I'm sure he'll turn up soon." Daphne said next to her. "Don't pick at your food. Eat before it disappears."

Céline nodded. She looked back once more, just as one of the large entry doors opened. Professor Snape and Harry had walked in. Céline gasped at the sight of him, causing Daphne, Tracey and Draco look in the direction she was facing.