Changing from within

Chapter Thirteen

Changing From Within

Chapter Thirteen

Stupor

AN - Sorry, this chapter IS shorter than the other, only JUST surpassing 2,000 words, but I have been really struggling with this one. And it was either no chap up tonight, or this shorter one - I decided a shorter chapter is better than no chapter, right?

I wake up in a mood. Partly due to my stupid ass alarm clock, and partly due to feeling crappy over crying myself to sleep. Thankfully, the other girls recognize my mood and stay clear, allowing me to get changed and head down to breakfast by myself.

Spotting Snape at the staff table, I spare a death glare his way and take a seat the closest to the door, keeping half an eye on the Potions Professor in case he tries anything, ensuring I have a secure escape route.

After finishing a quick bowl of cereal, my escape is impeded by the incoming Hufflepuff's and Gryffindor's, three of which immediately cut of and surround me, Mega, Hannah and Steph. They're worried non-stop talk reminds me that they don't know what happened last night. The last thing they would have heard, was me fainting in Transfiguration.

Deciding to sit down at the less boisterous Hufflepuff table, I am reluctantly dragged to the over end of the hall where the other Hufflepuff's empty a space for us, allowing the privacy they want. Sighing in defeat, I wait until they have filled they're plates and start eating before filling them in on both the hospital visit and detention with Snape.

Through my stupor, I vaguely take notice of Steph's unnatural quietness, she smiles makes the appropriate noises, but she doesn't speak up as she normally would. With the weekends fight still fresh on my mind, however, I take note and decide to confront Steph about it later, instead sulking quietly as Hannah and Megan discuss Snape and what we should do about it.

When Breakfast finishes, I wave my goodbyes to the girls, nod a quick greeting to the Ravenclaw's and follow my housemates to our first class of the day – History of Magic. Sitting listening to a ghost drone on about Goblin rebellions quickly sends me into a mindless stupor, which I spend imagining I am back home, playing on the computer with Katherine, driving my parents mad as I shout at the unfairness of being killed non-stop. Or lying in bed chatting to Steph, Megan and Hannah via messenger. Annoying my sister by asking stupid pointless questions, taking Samson, Milo and Trojan out on a nice long walk around the park. Even the two hour bus journeys to college, knowing I can just text mum and dad, message my friends and get instant replies.

But, my daydreams are cut short by an elbow to the ribs, Tracy informing me class has ended. Still half dazed, chest heavy with tiredness, I mindlessly follow the girls, tuning their chattering out as we head up the stairs, back into Transfiguration.

As we enter the class, I notice Draco looking back and me and smirking, I childishly stick my tongue out at him, causing his face to turn bright red as he quickly turns away, whispering furiously with Blaise and Zabini.

I take my seat, shaking myself out of my stupor and finally paying proper attention to my surroundings. At the front of the room, McGonagall is informing us of our task for today, to either continue turning matches into needles, or to turn them back around again, throughout her speech, she keeps looking back towards me, stern eyebrows furrowed slightly in worry. Setting everybody to their tasks, she comes straight to my table, Tracy and Millicent look away, concentrating on their needles but I can still see them peeking over at me, curious, and rightfully so, I did collapse right next to them in this class yesterday.

"Miss Nelson, I trust you have resolved your incident from yesterday?" McGonagall smoothly interrupts my inner monologue, causing me to look away from my friends to catch her eye. I smile sheepishly and nod, schooling my expression into one I know she would be expecting.