Snatched; Draco Malfoy

three

I get into one of the school carriages and everyone hesitates to join me. In just 10 minutes, most of the carriages have left. It's dark and rainy. I look pathetic sitting in a carriage by myself.

The thestrals won't move.
'If you could move that would be much appreciated. It's raining and I don't have a coat. Please?' The thestrals don't move. 'Typical. Even the animals hate me.'

'I don't hate you.'

I flinched at the sudden voice, so clear against the soundless night.
'Sorry. Did I startle you?'
I stared round and saw a pretty blonde girl with dazzling blue eyes.

"Oh, Luna!" I said in surprise.
"Did I scare you? I'm so sorry. I tried to approach you in a calm way. Father says I need to work on it. "
She was a funny girl. Sweet. But funny.

"Oh no it's fine don't worry. What are you doing here? I thought you would be with Harry?" I asked, hoping she would stop staring at me.

"I was checking the carriages for Nargles. The train is always full of them. Can I join you?" Luna asked, gesturing to the carriage.

"What? Oh right! Um, yeah of course!" I exclaimed.
Luna hopped into the seat opposite me and said to the Thestrals, "You can go now if you want!"

The winged beasts let out a high pitched roar and set off towards the castle.
"Your really great with animals."
"I've always had a soft spot to anyone who will listen to me." Luna told me, flicking through the pages of an old addition of The Quibbler.

We sat in silence for a bit and I looked out onto the rainy Hogwarts grounds and Luna looked through her tote bag full of many strange possessions.

"How are you Poppy?" Luna asked, not looking at me, but staring out into the forest.
"Um. I'm fine thank you. How are you?" Her question took me by surprise.

"I heard the rumours about you on the train today. About what happens in the ministry and with Sirius." she carried on.

Trust Luna to get straight to the point. I always liked that about her.
"Oh you have? Right. Um..."

How was I supposed to reply to that? Luna did often make people feel awkward in conversations.

"I don't believe them. You weren't responsible and I know it. Harry's just angry. He'll get over it." Luna said, looking at me now.

"Thanks Luna." I felt a wave of gratitude towards her. At least I'm not totally alone. "But I could have done something. That's what the problem is."

"You tried though didn't you? You screamed Sirius' name and he just didn't hear you. It's really no ones fault. Except of course Bellatrix."

She was right. I did try and save Sirius. I still didn't feel right though. I was always going to blame myself. And it seems the whole school would too.

"The whole school doesn't believe Harry you know," Luna told me, as though reading my mind.

"You should have seen the looks on people's faces when I walked onto the train." I said.

"I suppose it's just instinct. Isn't it? I talked to a few people on the journey here and they said that they just didn't want to get on Harry's bad side." Luna spoke, looking back down at her bag of possessions.

We didn't talk the rest of the way to the castle. I thought about what Luna has just said. Could people really believe me instead of Harry?
"Oh look! We're here!"

I turned and looked behind me where Luna was pointing. The beautiful Hogwarts castle was drawing nearer and nearer. The windows were brightly lit with candles and hundreds of students were filing into the Hogwarts entrance gates.

I can't help but smile. Hogwarts has always felt like home.

~~~~~~

I decided to go straight to the Gryffindor common room. It was completely deserted as everyone was still in the great hall.

Dumbledore was probably talking about another new defence against the dark arts teacher.

No one had event lasted more then a year since I started Hogwarts. Not that I'm saying it's because of me.

It's because of Harry more than anything.

I planted myself on one of the squashy red beanbags near the already lit fire. My stomach rumbled. I realised how hungry I was.

I had a few chocolate frogs and liquorice wands from the train journey but i needed real food. I longed for the brilliant meals and puddings down at the great hall.

I highly doubt anyone would bring anything up. Especially not for me.

Around twenty minutes later, I heard the portrait door swing open, crashing against the passageway.

I stood up and tried to run towards my dormitory but everyone was already piling into the common room.

The laughter and chatter quickly died away. I turned back round and everyone was staring me in the eyes. I gulped and started to walk up the stairs, trying to ignore the whispers.

"Hey look everyone!" a fifth year called," its the girl who let Sirius Black die!"

I turned round again. Some were laughing to their friends, some gasped at the mention of Sirius. Others just turned away.

I ran up to my dorm and flopped onto my four poster bed. I could feel my heart pounding against my chest and hot tears stung at my eyes.

I don't know if I can take a whole year of this. It's awful. I longed to go back to this time last year. Everything was perfect.

The running around the corridors at night with Harry, stargazing with Hermione, dinner at the great hall with Ron. I missed the Weasley twins more than ever. They could always make me feel happy.

A knock on the dormitory door caused me to sit up. "Who is it?" I tried to say but my voice was broken and croaky from crying.

Hermione poked her head round their door. It was the first time I had seen her since we left school.

"Professor McGonagoll wants to see you. She's outside the portrait door." Hermione said, not looking me in the eyes. Something so simple as this hurt me in a way I couldn't describe.

"Yeah okay. Thanks. I'll be down in a second."

"Just so you know, I still like you. I don't hate you. Neither does Ron." She told me.

My heart appeared to glow inside of me. They still liked me. It meant a lot.
"Thank you Hermione. I appreciate it"
Hermione smiled at me and I heard her go back down the stairs.

I shook myself down and wiped my tear-stained cheeks. My legs felt wobbly even though I knew I haven't done anything wrong. I hated it when teachers asked to speak to me.