Silence is Deafening

Chapter 7

I woke up early the next morning to write to Remus, requesting green and silver ties. I didn't dare put the word Slytherin in the letter. I just couldn't bring myself to write it yet.

Dear Remus,

I hope you are doing well after a few nights ago. I am worried about you because you didn't show up to Kings Cross. I know you wouldn't have done that unless it was necessary.

I will need 2 ties for my term. Green and silver. I'm sure you understand what I mean. I hope you are not disappointed in me.

Please give my love to Tonks and Andromeda. I miss you so much already. Write me back as soon as you can.

Lots of love,

Lizzie x

I sent the letter with Squidge, stroking his feathers and saying "Get this to Remus as soon as you can."

He was off, beating his large wings and flying away. I watched as he disappeared out of sight, and started my descent from the owlery. As I was walking down a corridor, hoping I was going the right way, a stiff and scary voice called out from behind me.

"Miss Clarke." it said, and I spun on my heel. A rather tall teacher, with long, greasy black hair and a hooked nose was walking quickly toward me, a slip of parchment grasped in his hand. He had mean eyes, which were black and cold as he caught up to me.

"Miss Ivanov informed me that you might be here. Your schedule." he said, thrusting the parchment into my hands. I looked at it blankly and looked back at him, a confused expression settling on my face. The man read it, and rolled his eyes.

"I'm Professor Snape, your head of house and Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher." He said, almost in an annoyed voice.

"My apologies, sir. Thank you. Er--which way is the common room?" I asked, hoping he wouldn't blow up on me.

His long finger pointed over my shoulder, at a set of stairs that led down. His cold stare never left my face. I stammered out my thanks and retreated to the staircase, hoping I wouldn't be running into Professor Snape unnecessarily.

Bonnie met me on the stairs, her books under her arm. "There you are! Oh, good, Professor Snape must have found you. He said you have Transfiguration first, too. Go grab your books, we can walk together!" she said, leaning against the wall to wait for me. I hurried into the common room and up to my dorm, grabbing all of my school books and my want. I flattened my hair again in the mirror and dashed back down the stairs.

If I had been looking, I would've avoided him. I bumped into something solid, and almost fell back down. Instinctively, a hand caught my arm, and I quickly looked up. Draco Malfoy was standing above me, holding my arm in his hand. When he registered who I was, he let go of me quickly. I lost my balance, falling hard on my backside. My books went scattering around me.

"Watch it, idiot." he sneered, and his two bodyguards behind him laughed. My face turned red in anger, and I gathered my books. When he was out of earshot, I muttered "You watch it."

He was not out of ear shot. He spun around, his cloak fanning out behind him. "I'm sorry, what did you say?" He asked, his voice raising an octave at the end. I was terrified, because he wasn't meant to hear me. However, I refused to allow myself to be bullied, especially not by a 16 year old boy.

"I said you watch it, blondie." I snapped, standing up to my feet. One of his goons, a fat kid with spiky hair, looked at Malfoy in horror. Malfoy raised his eyebrows calmly, and pushed his tongue into his cheek. He smiled, but not in a happy way. His smile was the type of smile that made you want to flee the room, and fast.