Sweets

CHAPTER 9

The odd feelings continued to plague me for the rest of the week. Other than that, Hagrid was back in business and held his first class on Thestrals - magical, winged horses that only those people could see, that have seen someone die before. Of course, I could see them - I unfortunately have witnessed many deaths before... But not many others could do so, too.

In my free time, I spent hours in the library, trying to find something on the odd glowing in the halls the other day. Sadly, the library didn't didn't help much on that particular... thing? Whatever it was, tuesday the week after, it happened again.

I was walking back to the Ravenclaw Tower after dinner. I had left early so I was alone, and suddenly, there it was: A strange symbol glowing in bright blue. It was nothing I had ever seen before! A symbol... But I have never seen it anywhere - not any books and it was not mentioned or ever pictured in any Ancient Runes class.

I tried to memorise the symbol so I could ask Professor Babbling about it at another time. But as soon  as people started to file into the corridors, dinner had ended only moments prior, the glowing symbol disappeared and my memory of it started to become blurry. I couldn't picture it clearly anymore and the harder I tried the more unfocused would the shape get, until it was just a speck of blue light in the distance once more.

#

With the blink of an eye, december arrived and with it, the weather became even colder, if that was even possible.

Kristie and I were passing through the door of the Room of Requirement for the last DA-Meeting before the holidays, just when Harry started the lesson.

We were to practice all that we had learned to this point and improve it a bit along the way since there was a three-week break ahead of us in which none of us would be able to practice.

"We can practice in pairs" Harry began. "We'll start with the Impediment Jinx, for ten minutes, then we can get out the cushions and try Stunning again."

Everyone spread out and soon cries of jinxes could be heard all over the room. Ten minutes later, cushions were laid out and half of the group sat on the side observing the other half practice stunning, as there was not enough room for all of us to do it at once. One hour passed by like a gust of wind and Harry called a halt.

"You're getting really good." He said, beaming at us. "When we gat back from the holidays we can start doing some of the big stuff - maybe even Patronuses."

Everyone murmured in excitement at those words. Slowly the room began to clear in the usual twos and threes. Kristie poked me in the arm.

"Ready for the holidays?" She asked excited. It was the first time I would be spending them with her. And seeing where she always was during any holidays really - We were going to the Malfoys...

#

"I can't believe you're actually coming!"

The next day I was sitting next to Kristie in an otherwise empty compartment on the train. It was snowing outside and the sight was really beautiful, so staring out the window was making listening to Kristie's random outbursts actually quite enjoyable. Though I was dreading the next few weeks at the devils house - forgive me, great, big manor - the trip in this fairy-tale like environment was making me forget the downsides that were awaiting me at the end of the journey.

"What's with you today?" Kristie looked questioningly at me. "You're just... staring at the outside? What's the fun in that?"

"Not fun, Kristie. Beautiful." I replied. "I mean, just look! Isn't it magical?"

"Um... you might wanna check about the magical part there, sweetie. 'Cause I know magical and that's just regular snow." My best friend deadpanned.

"That's not what I mean." I chuckled. "You just need to let it envelop you. It's a really beautiful sight you know? Almost right out of a fairy tale."

"You're freaking me out girl. What's with all the crazy talk all of a sudden?" Kristie stared at me as if I was a creature out of this world.

I just smiled at her. "I'm just appreciating nature's beauty for once. You should try it too sometimes. I heard it makes you a better person."

She raised an eyebrow. "What stupid people have you been listening to lately? Just say their names and you will never have to hear their voices again."

We looked at each other for a little longer than necessary - and burst out in fits of laughter.

#

Of course, our casual bickering and delightful train ride had to come to an end. Deboarding the train, I saw a face that I wish didn't exist in my memory. But it was soon pulled from my side as Kristie dragged me along towards the Malfoys. Not much better, to be honest, but what do I know.

"Ah, you must be Sylvia. It is a pleasure to meet you." The words didn't match the tone of Mr. Malfoy's voice and the smile didn't reach his eyes which remained cold and unforgiving.

"Yeah, the pleasure is mine...?" I looked around, clearly distracted, and made sure I was out of sight from... him.

"Everything alright dear? You don't have to worry, we won't hurt you." Mrs. Malfoy's comforting words reached my ears and pulled the fears from my mind.

"Um... thanks." I smiled back.

"Can we just get going? I can't stand this place." Malfoy junior stated.

"Now, now Draco. There is no need to be so impatient." But after Malfoy senior's words, all of us started moving towards the barrier. We passed through it with ease and took a portkey to Malfoy Manor.

The building is enormously big with towers and turrets here and there. If it didn't look so eerie, it would have actually been beautiful. But it was as if a dark cloud was hanging over the entire premises, as the manor gave out something icy, something creepy. I didn't see how anyone could find a comfy home in such a cold place.

"Now, let's get inside shall we? Show our new guest around." Despite trying to sound nice, Mrs. Malfoy's cold demeanor was still shining through and I knew that Kristie had, sort of, forced my being here on them. Of course, they despised muggleborns.

Malfoy Manor was just as overwhelming from the inside as it was from the outside. The entrance hall alone was stretching up into the second floor and the marble staircase that led up from where we stood was polished so clean, one could almost see their own reflection. We settled in our rooms first and went to dinner after. The dining room was incredible as well as practically any other room in the entire building probably. The food was delicious and there was a lot of it.

After dinner we just went back into our rooms to call it a day. Kristie came by around ten and we talked well into the night. But after she left... it caught up to me again.

Today at King's Cross... I knew it was him. Watari, I would recognise him anywhere. But that means...

I might be a lot closer to trouble than I imagined...