Snivellus

22

Darah ignored Snape the whole week, trying her best to feel good about it but deep down she was feeling sick to her stomach. She needed her father's reassurance now more than ever, there had been so many attacks now and she was frightened about who and what would be next.

It reached the end of the week and Darah was sat in the great hall eating her dinner. Every so often she would look up at Harry and Ron sat nervously at their table. Ever since Hermione had been petrified they had both been extra worried.

After Darah had finished her food, she waited for Harry and Ron to make eye contact with her as a signal to leave.

She saw the slight nods from their heads and they all got up from their tables.

'Hey, Lucie, where you off?' Draco had tugged at her robe sleeve, trying to pull her back down.

She looked at him and back at Ron and Harry who had reached the door and were looking cautiously back at Darah.

'Oh, stomach problems. I'm going to try and get an early night.' She smiled at him.

Draco let go of her and allowed her to leave. 'Be careful.' He said quietly.

Darah's heart warmed up inside and she felt her cheeks blush. She couldn't help but grin at Draco before she left.

She had finally reached Harry and Ron just outside the great hall. 'What was all that about?' Ron questioned her, gesturing towards Draco.

'Oh, just Malfoy being Malfoy.' She brushed it off.

'You've gotta be careful around him, he might say he's not the heir but...'

'Yeah I know, I know, but I believe him. Anyway, everyone's saying it's Harry who's the heir.'

Harry perked up at this. 'Me? They still think it's me?'

'Yeah. But I believe you, I mean, it's makes no sense.'

'You'd be stupid not to. I mean, come on, a Gryffindor being heir of Slytherin!' Ron threw his hands up in the air a shook his head in disbelief.

'Alright, let's get going.' Harry announced. He pulled out a cloak hidden inside his robes.

'Is that?' Darah's eyes widened with bewilderment.

'Yep. Invisibility cloak.' Ron crossed his arms proudly with a hint of sass.

Harry wrapped the cloak around the three of them, only just fitting beneath it. They started walking outside to the courtyard and down the steps towards the outskirts of the forbidden forest.

'How's Hermione?' Darah asked carefully.

Ron shook his head. 'Not good. Been petrified but Madam Pomfrey said she'll be back soon. I just hope it's not too late.'

Darah clenched her teeth together at the update. 'I still can't believe all the petrified students and there's no culprit yet. It's so...mysterious.'

'I'll tell you what is mysterious.' Harry begun. 'I got sucked into a memory.'

Darah looked at him with the strangest facial expression. 'Excuse me? You what?'

'There was this diary, it belonged to someone named Tom Riddle who went to this school around the same time as Hagrid. He showed me his memories.' Harry tried to explain what had happened.

'So it was Hagrid?' Darah said in shock. 'I didn't see that coming.'

'Exactly, and that's why we're on our way there now. I mean, Hermione doesn't believe it and I can't comprehend it either.' Ron said.

They reached Hagrid's hut. 'Huh, it's kinda cute.' Darah giggled.

Harry took ahold of the heavy knocker on the door and banged it three times. The door opened cautiously and a skittish looking, large man stood inside.

'Hagrid...' Before Harry could finish Hagrid hurried them inside and quickly closed the door.

'Hagrid, are you alright?'

Hagrid gestured at Harry to lower his voice.

'Hagrid, this is Darah.' Harry gestured to Darah as she nodded her head at him and smiled.

Hagrid looked at her with a squint. 'You got the same eyes as Harry ain't ya.'

Darah looked at Harry's eyes. 'I guess I do, cool.'

'Slytherin although, Harry what you and Ron doing hanging around with Slytherins now? Changed ye mind on them?'

Ron and Harry exchanged looks. 'Um, yeah. I mean we'd still never befriend Malfoy.' Ron joked. 'Darah's alright.' He smiled weekly at her. 'I think.' He murmured quietly after and Harry elbowed him.

'Hagrid, did you... are you the heir of Slytherin?' Harry whispered, changing the conversation, unsure of how to ask without it sounding rude.

Hagrid raised his eyebrows. 'I'd never!' His voice began to raise a little.

'Sorry, it's just that... well with all the rumours...' Harry couldn't find a way to finish his sentence.

Hagrid grumbled. 'It's false I tell ya, FALSE!'

The three of them grimaced at Hagrid's booming voice.

'I'd expect that accusation coming from Malfoy, but not you two! Has she put you up to this eh?' He gestured at Darah who sat back, quite frankly frightened.

'No, no!' Harry waved his hands in Hagrid's face.

Hagrid lowered himself back down. 'Well alright then.' He grumbled.

A loud knock at the door had sounded making Hagrid panic. 'Quick!'