And Then I Met You

Mysterious Mansion

I'm standing in an elaborate garden. Behind me, I can hear a fountain. Two rows of bushes line a pathway leading up to a majestic mansion. Where am I? I glance down at my feet to realize I'm not wearing any shoes. The ground feels cold and damp underneath my feet. As I approach the entrance of the mansion, I feel a wave of goosebumps flood over me, like an icy cold hand reaching down my back. I tell myself to stop walking, but my feet have a mind of their own and I find myself walking straight towards the entrance of the residence. Ahead of me, the doors swing open, as if I'm being expected. Antique furniture lines the entrance hall, luxurious woven carpets covering a slippery stone floor. The air is cold and musty and I squint as my eyes adjust to the dimly lit room. A deafening silence lingers in the air. In fact, it's so quiet, that I can hear my own heartbeat. I walk up to a couch on the far right side of the room, running my hand over the velvety cushioning. A thin layer of dust clings to my fingers and I wipe them off on my shirt. A deep voice suddenly pierces the silence. "So we finally meet, Ophelia".

"Madison!"

My eyes fly open abruptly. I squint to see Draco standing above me, waving a hand in front of my face. The sun is high in the sky, indicating that it's at least late noon.

"Merlin's Beard you were out for a while", Draco sighs in relief, running his hands through his hair.

My stomach drops to my feet as I realize what just happened.

No. No no no no no.

"Shit", I clutch my throbbing head, trying to figure out what I saw. Where I was. Who the hell I heard.

Panic floods over me like a wave, and I can feel myself hyperventilating.

Draco sinks to his knees, "Madison, are you alright? You're shaking like a leaf!", he grabs my hands tightly.

I shake my head, trying to steady my breathing.

"Madison talk to me. What happened?"

"Um, just a bad dream", I clear my throat, swallowing my distress. "I suffer from sleep paralysis... Hence, the inability to wake me." 

Draco raises his eyebrows, unconvinced. "Alright... Let's get you back to your dorm."

- - - - - - - -

Like I had suspected, Professor McGonagall is already standing next to the quidditch field when we arrive, lips pursed.

As Draco plants his feet on the ground, she marches across the field to confront us, a stern look on her face.

"Oh shit", Draco mutters under his breath, "Brace yourself."

"Draco Malfoy, Madison Monroe", MacGonagall crosses her arms in front of her, "Where on earth are you coming from?"

"We went on a quick flight. I wanted to teach Madison some techniques for her next flying lesson", Draco insists, "Quite frankly, she isn't great at flying so she needs all the help she can get."

"I must admit, that's a very believable story", McGonagall says, glancing over at me, "Only, one of your classmates told me you've been out since last evening."

Draco and I make eye contact. We both know who it was.

Fucking Pansy.

"Based on your inability to prove this claim wrong, I supposed you're already looking forward to a week of detention?", McGonagall asks, shaking her head. "Off you go then."

Draco grumbles, turning on his heels. I pull away from him, and take a step towards Professor McGonagall.

"Actually, I need to talk to Dumbledore", I burst out, "Please."

McGonagall raises her eyebrows, "Unfortunately, the professor is busy at the moment."

"Please, it's very important", I plead.

"Certainly you don't think that getting yourself out of detention is more important than the tasks he is busy with at the moment?"

"It's not about detention! It's um", I glance at Draco, who is shooting me a confused look, "It's about something else. Something incredibly important. Dumbledore told me to talk to him about it."

McGonagall sighs. "Alright." She turns to Draco. "Mr Malfoy, I assume that you can find your way to my office? Miss Monroe will join you shortly." She turns to me, placing a hand on the small of my back, "I'll bring you to the professor."

I can feel sweat trickling down forehead as we walk down the hallway. I swipe my sleeve over my forehead.

"Are you alright dear? You seem incredibly distraught."

"Um", I exhale shakily, "Not really. Hence the fact that I need to see the Dumbledore so urgently."

McGonagall nods, "I don't suppose I can be of any help?"

I shake my head. "No", I whisper, "No, I don't think so."