WITHDRAWAL. draco malfoy

xiv. christmas

« CHRISTMAS »

Umbridge's voice rang through the halls as she spoke out the following decree, "Those wishing to join the Inquisitorial Squad for extra credit may sign up in the high inquisitor's office."

And Lillian wasn't surprised when she saw Draco and all of his group walk around proudly the halls of Hogwarts with their badges on their robes as they scared a lot of younger students. But before they could catch her at all, she ran in the opposite direction, until she was in the Gryffindor's common room where her friends were already gathered around the fire.

"Well, how was it?" She heard Ron ask Harry with a smirk.

"How was what?" the blonde asked, dropping on the sofa, knowingly throwing her legs on Ron's lap.

"Harry and Cho kissed," Hermione answered, causing Lillian to squeal.

"You cheeky boy! Then, how was it?" Lillian asked, copying Ron's tone.

"Wet," Harry blurted, "I mean, she was sort of crying."

"That bad at it, are you?" Ron mocked, giving Lillian a high-five as he heard her burst out laughing.

"I'm sure Harry's kissing was more than satisfactory," Hermione retorted, Lillian laughing even harder.

"Want to try it out?" she asked in a sarcastic tone, only getting a death glare in return.

"Cho spends half her time crying these days."

"You'd think a bit of snogging would cheer her up!" Ron pointed out.

"Don't you understand how she must be feeling? Well, obviously she's feeling sad about Cedric and confused about liking Harry and guilty about kissing him," Hermione started, Lillian's head already about to explode with so many informations.

"Conflicted because Umbridge might sack her mum from the Ministry and frightened of failing her OWL's because she's so busy worrying about everything else."

After a few seconds filled with silence, Ron decided to speak up, "One person couldn't feel all that. They'd explode!"

"Just because you've got the emotional range of a teaspoon.."

Lillian felt extremely cheerful today, and she was the first one to let out her laugh, soon followed by the three others. And at this moment, she felt quite peaceful and happy, nothing else seemed to disrupt her mind and she was glad.

+ + +

Lillian quickly packed her suitcase, Hermione patiently waiting for her to finish before she helped her close it. The two girls jogged downstairs in the common room where all the Weasley's and Harry were standing.

"Time for Christmas!" Lillian cheered as they all walked out of the castle to take the train.

The ride to London was quiet, the Weasleys were still very worried about their father even if now they knew he was completely out of danger, but the atmosphere was a bit tense as Lillian had her nose in her divination book to avoid it all. Ever since Trelawney had been fired, Umbridge didn't bring in a replacement, which meant they didn't have divination anymore. But Lillian was still determined to take this subject next year, as she worked on the dream analysis.

They made it to the Order's Headquarters safely where everyone found the Weasley's family, Sirius Black and Lillian's parents in the dining room.

"Mum, dad!" Lillian said, giving them both a warm hug, "I've missed you! Hogwarts' going mad."

"We have missed you too, we know, we read the newspaper everyday in case we hear a new foolish arrangement from Fudge for the school."

"It wouldn't change much to add new rules, there are already like a hundred decrees?!" Lillian sighed.