A Harry Potter Fanfic

Chapter 30

----------- Chapter 30 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

               “Hey, mind if I sat with you? All the other cabins are full,” the gentle voice breaks me out of my reverie.

I look up to see a pretty girl with dark hair and eyes. I gave her a tentative smile and gestured for her to sit.

               “I’m Astoria Greengrass,” the girl introduced.

               “Deidre Dursley,” I answered, smiling at her.

I racked my brain for information about the girl, but I couldn’t remember ever having run past her in Hogwarts.

               “I was actually quite surprised to find you in an empty cabin,” Astoria admits, smiling.

               “Really? Why?” I ask her curiously. Honestly, I was quite grateful for the distraction. My mind had wandered back to Draco.

               “You just seemed very popular last year. You were the exceptional new student. The only student who was ever taken in straight into the fifth year and yet passed her OWLs. Plus, between you and me, being Harry Potter’s cousin, doesn’t hurt in the whole popularity bit,” Astoria shrugged.

I sighed silently to myself. I hated it when people brought up Harry. I miss him, and...well, for some reason the moment I think Harry, I also think Draco.

               “Why aren’t you with your friends?” I ask her after a moment of silence, trying to break the awkwardness.

               “Well...okay, you see, they’re all talking about this guy, who I kind of have a thing for. And they know I do. I’m just trying to escape from the crude questions they would definitely ask,” she admits candidly, her cheeks colouring slightly.

               “Wait, are you related to Daphne Greengrass, by any chance?” I ask suddenly, finally making the connection.

               “Yep,” she nods proudly.

I try my best to hide the grimace that is threatening to make itself visible. Daphne was one of Pansy’s loyal followers. And the fact that she was so proud of the fact that she was related to that twit could only mean she’s going to be trouble too.

I grab my Defence Against the Dark Arts book from my bag and randomly flip to the middle, trying to eliminate the need for conversation.

               “I heard Professor McGonagall is going to retire this year,” Astoria continues, clearly oblivious to my subtlety.

               “You don’t say,” I murmur quietly.

               “I wonder if we’ll have any additional staff this year,” Astoria continues. “Oh! Did you know Draco Malfoy?” she abruptly asks.

               “Yea,” I mumble, ducking my head, trying to block out the tears that were forming in my eyes.

               “He’s training to be a professor in Durmstrang! Isn’t that wicked?” she exclaims, her cheeks slightly red.

               “Why would it be?” I ask sourly.

               “Okay well, Draco is kinda gorgeous. And having him teach in an all guys school...” she trailed off, smiling contentedly.

               “Let me guess. The guy you have a crush on. It’s him, huh?” I ask, trying to sound bored, but somehow I think I sounded slightly retarded instead.

               “Well, can you blame me?” she asks, smirking.

               “No, I can’t,” I whisper. And I mean it. Astoria was so much more his speed, beautiful and intelligent and fun to be around. I bet she never breaks down and goes all temperamental, I think bitterly to myself.

The rest of the train ride was eventless and silent. But that was because I pretended to fall asleep. Astoria seemed perfectly content talking my ear off!

***

               “...Another year of education awaits. So off to bed, and tomorrow school begins,” Professor McGonagall announces, clapping her hand to emphasise her point.

All around me chairs scrape and people begin talking. The first years follow the prefects up to the common rooms and everyone else catches up with their old friends.

The mistakes I made the year before become so painfully obvious. I spent all my time with Harry, Ron, Hermione and Draco. I hadn’t bothered with making friends my own age...and now I had no one.

I walk dejectedly up to the Gryffindor tower. What else could I do? I felt like fleeing, running away from Hogwarts. There isn’t anything here for me anymore.

               “Hey Deidre,” a cute guy calls from one of the armchairs by the fire.

               “Hey,” I call back. I didn’t even know his name.

I shoot him a fleeting smile and walk up six flights of stairs to get to my dorm. I change into my PJs and get under the blanket, depression setting in around me.

Just as I was about to drift off to sleep, a strange tapping sound came from the window by my bed. With a racing heart, I opened the window slightly and a tiny little owl came soaring in. The little bird landed on my bed and looked up expectantly at me.

I gently untied the little letter from around his leg and off he went, back outside. I closed the window and sat on my bed. I recognised the writing on the letter...

D,

I don’t get it.

50 Owls! I’ve sent you 50 owls and I haven’t gotten a single reply!

Are you mad at me?

Do you hate me?

Please, even if you do, reply me. I can’t help but wonder if you are alright.

Love,

D.

50 owls? What is he talking about? I got one stinking letter about him teaching at Durmstrang! That’s it!

I grab an empty parchment from off my bedside table, snatch my quill up and scribble down my angry reply.

D

Am I mad? Yes.

Do I hate you? Yes.

Am I alright? No.

Love? No.

50 owls? Try 1.