The Abuser

Nothing More

"Friends give us the courage to open the blinds on our hearts; to open up and show what we generally keep hidden from the rest of the world."

- Anonymous

.......

"Hey! Watch it!" I say to a first year, who has just trampled my foot.

The cattle-like herd of Slytherin students surges into the Great Hall, where we are joined by confused looking Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs. I notice that Gryffindor has already gathered in a corner.

I'm not sure what happened! One moment, we were stepping into the common room after our trip to Hogsmeade, the next, Professor Snape was bundling us all out into the hallway.

Professor McGonagall is closing a door next to me, so I hurry through the crowd to her side.

"Professor, ma'am, I was wondering if I could...um, talk to you." I say, shyly, as she bolts the door firmly shut. If I'm going to rat on Malfoy, now is probably a time to try.

She turns on me, and despite her kind expression, I can't help but feel more than slightly intimidated by her. "Unless it's a piece of information vital to the security of this school, please save it for a more opportune moment, as we are all very busy right now. The Headmaster will be explaining the situation in a moment, dear." She walks away, and begins to close another door.

As I turn back to the group, Professor Dumbledore speaks up. Immediately, the low buzz of whispering students ceases, as all wait for his explanation.

"The teachers and I need to conduct a thorough search of the castle," He says, calmly. "I'm afraid that, for your own safety, you'll have to spend the night here." He gives some direction to the Prefects, and then turns as if to leave. At the last moment, he pauses. "Oh, yes, you'll be needing..."

I gasp in surprise as the furniture filling the Great Hall zooms to the side, leaving a wide, empty, space that is now filled with cozy looking sleeping bags in a brilliant shade of purple.

Several students laugh in delight, as we spread out to find the perfect sleeping spot. I'm about to head over to the Golden Trio, who have dragged their bags into a corners, when I spy Malfoy, resting on his knees, not far away from me.

Squinting my eyes, I can just see my precious pearl earrings sticking out of his back pocket.

Ha! He didn't have time to dispose of them before we got sent here, I think, with a glimmer of hope.

Edging silently towards Malfoy and his 2 cronies, I choose a bag right next to his. Thank God his back is turned! I slip off my boots, and climb into the sleeping bag as fast as I possibly can, burying my face just moments before he turns.

Making sure that my face and hair are well covered, I quietly eavesdrop on his conversation.

"Why did you take her jewelry today, anyway?" Crabbe growls. "You're not really going to give it to Pansy, are you?"

I hear Malfoy sigh. "No, of course not. I hate her; she's ugly and stupid. I don't know why I took DeLuce's stuff...she was just getting on my nerves."

"Mate, everyone gets on your nerves. Potter, DeLuce, Parkinson, I mean, I'm probably getting on your nerves right now!" Goyle chips in, helpfully.

Draco flops onto his sleeping bag, and I immediately try to stifle my breathing, as his eyes search in my direction. "Well said Goyle. And, as a matter of fact, you're correct."

Crabbe laughs stupidly, although I figure that he doesn't even get a thing that Malfoy just said. "Still, she's...you know...a...girl..." He says, haltingly.