Battle Scars {Draco Malfoy}

Chapter Fifteen

Draco would never say it out loud but he was definitely confused by Clara's company. He enjoyed having someone to talk to, someone that actually looked at him like he was still a human being, but he was still confused that she wanted to spend time near him. She was so incredibly kind though that Draco couldn't help but crave her company. Everything she spoke of sounded like Clara had the wisdom way beyond her years although Draco didn't find himself arguing the idea either.

She knew about his scarring along with Abby, so he didn't want to have them as enemies either. The last thing he needed was everyone talking about it and putting it on display. But he was sure Clara wasn't the gossiping type. Outside of him and Abby, he hardly saw her speak with anyone except for the professors. She and Abby would sit with him for meals with the exception of dinner, but sadly, it was during dinner that he found himself feeling extremely lonely.

That particular evening, he sat by himself at the Slytherin table and glanced across the way to where Clara and Abby were. The younger Hufflepuff was going on and on about something while Clara's eyes were wide as if Abby was speaking in a different tongue. He was glad to see that Clara was in a better mood, unfortunately earlier she had a run in with her former friends and it ended up with Clara skipping out on Herbology class.

She apologized to him about ditching in class which surprised him either further, the fact that she continued to apologize to him for things she shouldn't be.

He saw that Clara looked over in his direction and a small smile appeared across his lips. She gave him a smile in return when Professor McGonagall arose and called for everyone's attention in the Great Hall.

"As you all know, we've been very fortunate to hold all the classes that were normally held at Hogwarts this year, despite the shortage of professors. However, as much as we enjoyed the company of those who temporarily held the positions, it is with great honor that I announce we have filled the positions on a more permanent basis." Professor McGonagall said with slight grin, her eyes bright.

"Please join me in welcoming our professors. "

Clara watched as Professor McGonagall signaled someone from the wings near the great table up front.

"Returning to the position of Professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts is Professor Lupin."

Clara recognized Professor Lupin right off the bat, and smiled happily. He had been the best Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher back in her third year and held that title throughout the other years. No professor came close. However, a sense of uneasiness washed over her as she remembered why he left in the first place, he was a werewolf.

Her hand shook slightly as she touched over the scars on her arm. She knew he wasn't the werewolf that had attacked her, but it still caused her to shiver slightly as the traumatic memories flooded her vision.

Abby, the ever observant, looked at the new professor and smiled.

"Hey Clara..." she said. "That man...he has scars on his face. Do you think he was attacked by a werewolf too?"

"Well...Abby, it's kinda known fact that he was."

"And he survived too...that's amazing. "

"Very." Clara replied quietly.

"Next we have a new professor that will be taking over in the Astronomy department. Please welcome, Professor Sirius Black."

Draco froze in his seat as he looked up to see his second cousin on his mother side stand on the small stage. He had already felt incredibly awkward as Professor Lupin took to the stage as Draco had been one of the many Slytherin students to spread the truth that Professor Lupin was a werewolf at the end of third year. And while the man was still a werewolf, since the end of the war he had been deemed one of the many heroes of the wizarding war and also through the marriage of Tonk's was also distant family to Draco.

Draco had grown up hearing all sorts of nasty things about his cousin Tonks from his Aunt Bellatrix and awkwardly enough, his aunt had attempted to take the life of Sirius, Tonks, and Remus. Just to add on to the awkwardness of the situation, Professor McGonagall had one more professor to introduce.

When Draco heard the name "Nixie Dover" as the new Transfiguration professor, he assumed his Hogwarts days were over. Nixie was a name he had heard in household on numerous occassions, but it never with anything nice, as a half-breed and Sirius' wife, she wasn't held in any good light in the Black or Malfoy household.

He was completely screwed.

Abby turned to Clara, super excited as the new professors gave a wave to the students before taking their seats.

"They look awesome! I'm so excited! Can you tell? Of course you can!" the girl clapped her hands together. "Professor Lupin looks like he's really nice but Professor Black and Professor Dover...they look like they're going to be a lot of fun."

"They're all going to be a lot of fun." Clara told her. "I'm sure."

"Oh just when I thought this magic stuff couldn't get any better..."

Clara chuckled. "Wait until you find out the cool thing about Professor Dover."