The Abuser

The Dead Boy

Quit your wining, your  blood-shot crying. Faking like you're dying never pays.

- Home by Johnnyswim

.............

I hurry along with the rest of the Slytherins towards Hagrid's small hut on the edge of the Dark Forest. I've been looking forward to Care of Magical Creatures for years, ever since hearing my mother's tales of her time in that class as a child.

Draco laughs softly about something with his cronies but I try to ignore him. Thankfully, he seems to be returning the favor and has only dropped a few slurs in regard to me since our "run-in" yesterday evening.

I pick up on the sound of Pansy's winy voice as she giggles with a small knot of her Slytherin girlfriends. "Bruises?! Don't be such a git, Millicent. They're hickies, duh. We were up all night and it was wild." She pauses for a moment and I hear a low buzz coming from the group. "Yeah, whatever. He's better than your boyfriend, I can promise you that! Come on, witches. Let's see what that oaf Hagrid has got for class." Her voice trails off as she moves away.

What a liar. She's no doubt talking about the marks on Draco's face and I get a secret squirm of delight from the knowledge that her tale is nothing but a bunch of bull. It's so dull of Pansy to keep chasing him; she even acts like their scuffle in Diagon Ally never took place. Of course...I don't care. I'm not jealous.

I'm glad that Hagrid is the new teacher; I've met him several times with the Golden Trio and I like him. I glance ruefully at my book bag, however, where my "Monster Book of Monsters" rests bound tightly in a length of rope. I hope that Hagrid can give us a few tips on controlling these terrors! I think as we mix with the Gryffindors at the door of Hagrid's home where he is waiting, a massive grin on his bearded face.

"Got a real treat for yeh today! Great lesson comin' up! Everyone here? Right, follow me!" He booms, leading us along the edge of the trees, until we come into a clearing with a small, empty, paddock. "Everyone gather 'round the fence here! That's it- make sure yeh can see- now, firs' thing yeh'll want ter do is open yer books."

Draco shoves his way to the front of the group and calls out loudly in his cold, drawling voice. "How?"

"Eh?" I can't help feel bad for Hagrid; he looks really shaken by Malfoy's question and glances falteringly around the group.

Malfoy. I it practically his life to mission to ruin everybody's dreams? I look at him, standing there like an idiot, smirking deviously. He practically radiates triumph. Get a life, looser. You just can't understand how much your actions hurt others, can you? He touched me last night, tried to destroy my honor; but I got him back. I almost gloat at the sight of the bruises on his face and the white handkerchief wound around his hand. This time, it was I who left an impression. I, Hazel DeLuce. I may be ugly and unpopular, but I was able to show him that I'm a warrior who isn't going to stand for any of his cruelty.

As I watch him a memory floats unexpectedly into my brain. Last year in Diagon Ally as we stood awkwardly in the bookstore...Flourish and Blots, was the name? He had grinned shyly at me, called me by my first name. His father had mentioned that he had talked about me. Draco had been sweet and kind, or at least, considerably so compared to his typical disposition. He had almost...just barely, been a friend.

Hazel! What the hell?! Draco is not your friend. He beat you up just last night! Get over your stupid thoughts... Yeah. But he kissed me! I shake my head convulsively, shocked at my thoughts. Hazel, you promised that you would never remember that again. Never. He said that it meant nothing, and clearly, it doesn't. Damn. Are you serious?! You better not be catching any damn feelings for that bloody prat! I mentally slap myself over and over. The thought of his cold touch still haunts me, lurking around the corners of my mind. I resolve to block my thoughts away...and turn back to my class.