Something In The Way

9

𝘾𝙤𝙧𝙖 𝙈𝙖𝙡𝙛𝙤𝙮

I finished writing my letter on a parchment and made a roll of it.

"I'll meet you in the classroom. I'm gonna go send this," I told Draco, who barely listened. He was focused on his conversation with Theodore Nott, another Slytherin in our year.

On my way out I glanced over at Potter, Granger and Weasley sitting by a round table on the other side of the library. Harry tilted his head up, gazing straight at me. After him shouting at me about my father it was pretty clear we were enemies, so I ignored him and left the library with a charming hair flip.

I didn't know how Draco deep down felt about our father being a Death Eater. I didn't know if he worried about what was going on outside Hogwarts, but he seemed just as happy and arrogant as usual. Maybe he simply didn't care. Maybe he agreed with our father.

When I got to the Owlery I read through my letter one more time.

'I've been writing for weeks and I'm starting to get a feeling like something is wrong. I just want the truth. Is everything alright?

Draco doesn't seem to notice that you and dad are ignoring us, but I do.

Cora'

Secretly I feared my mother's reply would be something I didn't want to hear. I knew that while we were at school, worrying about our classes and exams, Voldemort was gaining followers and probably growing stronger.

A small, white owl flew up to me. I pet it's little head and attached the letter to its leg.

"Please take this to my mom, Narcissa Malfoy," I said softly. The owl made a little sound and flew away through the open window. I watched it flying on the bright sky, my blonde hair swirling in the chilly wind.

"Oh, hi."

I turned around. Luna Lovegood had just stepped in. She was smiling slightly while searching for an owl to deliver her letter.

"Interesting necklace," I commented, rather sarcastically. She was wearing a Butterbeer cork necklace.

"Thank you. It keeps away the nargles," she said, stroking the owl. I frowned. What the hell are nargles?

Shortly after I left the Owlery, I was stopped by Adrian Pucey in the hallway.

"Cora, hey."

I turned to him blankly, taking a deep, irritated breath. "Do you want something?"

"Yes, uh, I just wanted to apologize for what happened in the common room.. well, you know," he awkwardly rambled. "I mean, if you don't want anything between us, it's-"

"It's never going to happen, Pucey," I cut him off. "I gotta get to class, so why don't you do that too, or just, stay here and keep dreaming," I gave him the most sarcastic smile I could before leaving him standing alone in the hall.

"Late again, Miss Malfoy. Sit down," said Umbridge as I stepped into the classroom. I didn't even look at her since it would've made me feel even worse than I already did. Constantly.

"What's wrong with you?" Draco asked with a frown as I sat down beside him. I shot him a glare.

"Like you care," I mumbled coldly.

"You've been acting strange," he stated.

"No, I haven't," I answered quickly, picking up my book.

"Yes, you have," Draco argued. "Did something happen?"

"Everything is fine. In fact, everything is amazing," I huffed sarcastically. "Go back to your studies, would you?" I added grumpily. Draco gave me a questioning glance but didn't say another word.

The rest of the day I stayed silent until April ran up to me in the hallway. I noticed her but kept walking, definitely not in the mood for a chat.

"Cora, you wanna meet up in the library later?" she asked. "I promised to help Luna with something first. Of course, I'd ask you to hang out with us, but-"

"I can't," I said insensitively.

"You've been ignoring me for over a week. Is something wrong?" she asked, sounding concerned. I rolled my eyes. She was right. I had been ignoring her. I had no lust to interact with anyone.

"I'm fine," I answered briefly.

"Hey," she grabbed my arm. I turned to look at April, highly irritated. "You can tell me if something is wrong. Did I do something?" she asked, worry in her voice, trying to study my blank expression.

"No. Just leave me alone," I yanked my arm away and left.

Most people were walking the opposite way. I walked past them, hoping no one followed me. The last thing I wanted at that moment was to talk to anyone. Definitely not Draco, or Pansy.

When I finally found a quiet hallway my eyes fell on Potter, standing alone, leaning against the wall. He was breathing heavily, like trying to calm himself down. How impossible was it to avoid people in this school?

Without a word I turned on my heels and started walking back the same way, huffing in annoyance.

"Malfoy," he loudly said, like asking me to stop.

"What?" I said sharply without turning around.

"I'm sorry for how I acted.. after the Quidditch match... I'm sorry I dropped all that on you, about your father," he rambled. I turned around, suddenly feeling very angry.

"Why are you talking like you care? Like you're sorry?" I snarled through gritted teeth, my grey eyes piercing into his.

"Well, maybe I am sorry!" Harry shrugged.

"Do I seem like I'm deeply hurt by your words?" I seethed. Harry was quiet for a moment as I glared at him.

"I don't know, I just wanted to say I'm sorry either way! And now I realize, you're just like the rest of them so clearly I made a mistake!" he shouted.

Now I was hurt.

I cleared my throat, quickly recovering from the fact I'd basically just been compared to my father. "Yes, you did," I mumbled coldly.

Hermione and Ron had shown up behind the corner. They were both looking at me blankly, a hint of fear in their eyes, like they were expecting me to curse them any moment. On the outside I looked calm, but on the inside I was fuming with rage. I wanted to hurt someone, to make them feel what I felt.

I glanced at Harry one last time, whose expression was blank, and then walked towards Granger and Weasley.

"Get out of my way, mudblood."

Hermione stepped out of my way, slightly frightened. I could feel their stares on my back all the way through the corridor.