ethereal - draco malfoy

avoidance

The sun peeked through the curtains and hit my eyes, waking me up. I rolled out of the sunlight and blinked the last few traces of sleep away before sitting up and looking around. It was eerily quiet, so I'm guessing Beth wasn't here.

Just as I was about to get out of bed, the door opened and Beth walked in. "You're up!" she exclaimed as she closed the door. I rubbed my eyes and yawned. "Yeah, good morning." I said. My voice was more raspy than usual, no doubt because of the screaming.

"Good afternoon." she corrected. I shot her a confused glance and she beckoned towards the clock. It was 3:47 p.m.

"Oh." I said quietly. I looked up to see her digging through her bags. "Ah! This one." she said as she came across a black bag.

"I got you a toothbrush and a hairbrush, along with some sweaters and leggings so you won't have to go back to your dorm." she said giddily as she handed me the black bag.

"Thank you. For this and for letting me stay here." I said. She gave me a small smile before going into the kitchenette. I placed the bag down and grabbed the toothbrush before walking into the bathroom.

I brushed my teeth, used the bathroom and washed my hands and face. I looked at myself in the mirror for a few more moments. I looked at my eyes. I had my father's eyes.

I small tear rolled down my cheek and I quickly wiped it away before walking out of the bathroom and sitting back on the bed.

Beth came back into the living area a few moments later with tea and green apple pastries.

As I took a bite out of one of the pastries, she spoke up. "Your birthday is in a month exactly." she pointed out. I nearly choked on my pastry. No one knows when my birthday is except for my parents.

"How did you know that?" I queried. "It's on your file. Only certain professors can read it." she explained. "January twenty-sixth. Has a nice ring to it, don't you think?" she added.

"I guess, yeah." I said quietly. "Is there anything you want?" she asked hopefully. "For my father to be alive." I prompted lowly. Beth frowned and slumped in defeat.

"He was visiting the muggle world and tried to save a girl from being taken away by two men and they pulled out a muggle weapon called a gun and shot him with it." I explained as tears started rolling down my cheeks.

"My mother was crying, Beth. My mother never cries, but she was crying for my dead father. She usually dresses in expensive clothing and her hair and makeup is never anything short of immaculate. But you know what she looked like last night? Her hair was a complete mess and she had no makeup on. There were dark circles under her eyes. She was wearing sweatpants and a hoodie." I ranted as I was now sobbing.

"He's gone and I can't bring him back. I'll never get to see him again. I'll never get to hug him or read with him again. I'll never get to laugh at one of his bloody jokes ever again." I continued.

"I just want to sleep. I want to cry and sleep. Can I do that please?" I ask, finally looking up at Beth with an exhausted, pleading look.

"Yes, you can do that." she said softly.

I placed my cup of tea back on the table and crawled back into bed before going back to sleep.

—

I woke up to the sound of knocking on the door. I stretched before getting up and trudging over groggily, my feet dragging against the floor. I was about to open the door when a thought popped into my head.

What if someone knew I was here? What if they tried to bring me back? I shook my head before opening the door. I was met by a very relieved looking Dumbledore.

He brushed past me and walked in, and I closed the door behind him. "Have you been here the whole time?" he asked. "I just got here last night, it hasn't been that long." I said defensively.

Just then, the door opens and in walks Beth. "Oh, Albus. What are you doing here?" she asked while closing the door.

"I was just asking Cynthia if she's been here the whole time." he explains. I start walking and bump into him slightly.

"To which I was explaining that I just got here last night." I said, plopping down on the bed.

Dumbledore cocks a brow at me and then gives Beth an expectant look. "Actually, you've been here for a week. You've been in and out of sleep, and you keep waking up screaming so I've been giving you tiny doses of dreamless sleep potion." she explains.

"Never mind that. Cynthia, you need to come back to your classes. You can't hide here forever." Dumbledore said sternly.

"Obviously. I just need another week, Headmaster. Just give me another week and I'll be all better." I pleaded. Dumbledore sighed in defeat.

"Fine." he agreed and started walking towards the door.

"Please don't tell anyone," I called, "don't tell anyone that I'm here. Please." I finished.

Dumbledore nodded before leaving the room.

"I have your assignments from your teachers. We can work on them together whenever you're ready." Beth said, making me take my attention off of the door.

"I don't want to do it." I mumbled while attempting to drag my fingers through my hair.

"I need to shower." I pointed out. Beth nodded with an awkward smile. I walked over to the side of the bed and grabbed a changed of clothes. "Be right back." I announced before walking into the bathroom.

—

Beth had bought my signature body wash and conditioner. We more than likely talked about it and I forgot because my brain hasn't been working.

I turned the water on and undressed before stepping in the shower.

Once I was done washing my hair and body, I sat in the floor of the tub with my knees to my chest and my arms wrapped around my legs, letting the water hit my entire body as I sat there and stared blankly at the faucet of the tub.

I sat in the floor, numb, thinking of my father. I felt tears start to run down my face, and I leaned backwards against the wall to let the water hit my face so I could convince myself that it was water droplets running down my face and not tears.

'Where are you, Morningstar?'

'Leave me alone, Malfoy.'

—

When I got out of the shower, I got dressed and walked back into the living area. I was wearing sweatpants and a large sweater.

A loud knock came from the door again, and I looked at Beth with a confused look.

"Who is it?" she called out, not breaking eye contact with me.

"Cedric Diggory." he said from the other side of the door. My eyes widened and my eyebrows shot up high on my head.

"Don't tell him I'm here." I whispered. She nodded and walked over to the door, and I hid in the kitchenette.

"Cedric, hello! How can I help you?" Beth asked.

"Have you seen or heard from Cynthia? She's been missing for a week and all of her friends are worried. We heard that her father passed, but she didn't go home because her owl and trunk are still here at Hogwarts." he replied.

"No, sorry. I haven't seen her." Beth said.

"Well, if you do, could you tell her to come back please?" he asked.

I'm guessing she nodded her head because I heard the door close.

I walked back out into the living area and plopped on my bed with a sigh. I looked up at Beth, who was giving me a look that said 'stop being a little bitch and go back'.

"Nope. Do not give me that look. I'll go back in a week." I said with a huff and crossed my arms, looking away from Beth.

She sighed and exited the room, walking into the kitchenette as I laid back and stared blankly at the ceiling.