Through the Darkness | Draco Malfoy

Seven

"Honeydukes have got a new kind of fudge, they were giving out free samples, there's a bit, look, we think we saw an ogre. Honestly, they get all sorts at the Three Broomsticks–"

"Will you shut it? I'm trying to learn here!" Aries snapped at Ron in annoyance.

Ron had been rambling about Hogsmeade ever since he and Hermione came back, and Aries did not appreciate him bragging about that place, disturbing her concentration.

"You're trying to learn? please, you can barely read the title." Ron sniggered, earning an angry glare from Aries.

"I reached the index, see?" she pointed at it. "And it took me only ten minutes to read the first chapter's name, so yes, yes I did read the title. That's more than what you're capable of doing." she argued.

Before the argument can continue and Hermione erupting, the four of them stopped after seeing a crowd of Gryffindors gathered around Sir Cadogan portrait.

"What's going on?" Hermione asked.

Aries moved closer to see what was happening, and what she saw had her petrified, her body suddenly felt very sweaty and itchy.

"What is it?" they stood by her side to see what she is seeing.

Every Gryffindor turned their heads towards Aries, including the Professors. The room grew silent as they stared at the girl intensely.

The portrait of Sir Cadogan was slashed so viciously that strips of canvas littered the floor, and Aries knew it was her father's doing. But she didn't know why.

"We need to find him," said Dumbledore, taking the attention away from Aries. "Professor McGonagall, please go to Mr Filch at once and tell him to search every painting in the castle for the Sir Cadogan."

"You'll be lucky!" said a cackling voice.

It was Peeves the poltergeist, bobbing over the crowd and looking delighted at the sight of wreckage or worry.

"What do you mean, Peeves?" said Dumbledore calmly, and Peeves's grin faded a little.

"Ashamed, Your Headship, he. Doesn't want to be seen. Saw him running through the landscape up on the fourth floor, sir, dodging between the trees," he said happily. "Poor thing," he added, unconvincingly.

"Did she say who did it?" said Dumbledore quietly.

Harry took Aries' hand and squeezed it without looking at her. He knew she felt uneasy.

"Oh, yes, Professorhead. He got very angry when he wouldn't let him in, you see." Peeves flipped over, and grinned at Dumbledore from between his own legs. "Nasty temper he's got, that Sirius Black. And look, there's the little menace he produced with Witty Wisty!" he said as he flew right through Aries and away.

Aries, in this awkward situation, wanted nothing more than to start a fight right now, but before she could open her mouth to defend herself, Harry stood by her side and placed a hand on her shoulder as he glared at the students who were staring at her, making them look away.

"Well stop looking at her," he told the students and pulled Aries away with him.

Harry took her far away from the crowd, he was in a rush, angry rush. Aries was confused, why is he behaving like this?

"Are you mad?" she asked, he stopped walking. "At me?" she added.

Harry sighed, rubbing his temples. "No, not at you. At them!" he looked at her. "Aries, I know you did nothing wrong, and that you have no part of this, but why can't everyone understand that?"

For the first time someone defended her, it was very strange for Aries, it warmed her heart and teared her up.

"A- are you crying?" he asked after noticing her flooded eyes, it seems that she was trying so hard to keep the tears inside.