Supernova: The Malfoy Twin's Story

Year 1 Part 8

"What if we just don't show?" Draco asked as we walked through the hall.

"We'll probably get 2 more detentions."

"This is ridiculous. Our punishment for being out past curfew is making us go out past curfew? Rubbish if you ask me."

"I didn't ask you. You've been complaining all week, Draco. I just wanna get this done so we can go back to studying." I huffed.

He rolled his eyes at me as we walked the rest of the way in silence. I was already tired, and I was ready for this night to be over. As we approached the great hall, it shocked me to see Harry, Neville and Hermione there as well. I guess it made sense seeing as they were being punished as well, but I wasn't quite sure why Longbottom was there.

"Follow me." Filch spat without even another word.

I threw my hands into my robe as we walked silently to who knows where. Filch was going on and on about how he wished we could be tortured as punishment (absolutely mental, by the way), but I found it easier to tune him out. Longbottom kept sniffling, and it took everything in me not to slap him upside the head. It was a punishment, not a death sentence. Besides, a Hogwarts punishment couldn't be worse than a Malfoy punishment.

"Is that you, Filch?" A voice called from the outskirts of the forbidden forest. "Hurry up, I want ter get started."

      Harry's face lit up, and only then did I realize who has spoken.

      "I suppose you think you'll be enjoying yourself, boy. It's the forest you're going into, and you're much mistaken if you think you'll come out it one piece."

      Both Draco and I stopped walking as Longbottom let out a moan.

      "The forest?" I asked.

      "We can't go in there at night! There's all sorts of creatures!" Draco finished.

       Filch started to talk again, but I looked at Draco as I tried to control my fear. I wasn't one to back down from a good adventure, but this seemed to be taking it to an extreme. We weren't allowed in the forest for a reason, but apparently for a punishment it was acceptable.

     "Home alone." I said, trying not to draw any attention to myself.

     "I'm uncomfortable too, Em. What do you want me to do about it?" He whispered into my ear.

     His hostile remark was expected, but it still wasn't helping my nerves. I felt a few tears start to spring to my eyes, but I quickly tried to brush them away. Draco looked over as he sighed loudly.

     "We're not going into that forest." Draco stated, fear even showing in his voice.

     "Yeh are if you want ter stay at Hogwarts. Yeh've done wrong an now yeh've got ter pay fer it." Hagrid countered.

      "Then make us pay for it by writing lines or.. or.. I don't know! Don't send us into the middle of the forest with deadly creatures!" I finally said.

     "If our father knew about this.." Draco started.

     "If yeh think yer father'd rather you were expelled, then yer better get back to the castle! Go on!"

     My blood boiled as Draco and I exchanged glances. Maybe we did happen to be spoiled, but our apprehension about going into the forest had nothing to do with that. All year we had been warned about the dangers that awaited past the tree line, and now we were expected to just walk in without hesitation? I slightly shook my head no as both of us refused to say anything.