I settled down at the Gryffindor table with a "humph". I've never liked the fact that the different houses have to eat at separate tables. I waved at Anna with a gloomy expression and she gave a small smile in response. I was jolted out of my annoyance when the Sorting ceremony started. BORING. I sat in my seat not paying attention to anything until I heard the name,
"Wellington, Marie" I perked up and watched as Anna's little sister approached the stool nervously, though I couldn't see why. Marie was very smart and one of the sweetest kids I've ever known. There was no doubt in my mind that she'd be put into Ravenclaw with her brother and sister, so I was rather surprised when the sorting hat exclaimed,
"Hufflepuff!" I glanced over at Anna and Jon who also were wearing shocked expressions. But their faces soon cleared and Anna and Jon were ecstatic and cheering like crazy.
I envied them. I'd always wanted siblings, but I guess my parents had other plans. Marie walked over to the Hufflepuff table and quietly took a seat and I zoned out once more (even through Dumbledore's little pre-feast speech). However, once the feast began, I woke out of my dreamlike state and piled food on my plate. I conversed with Ginny and Katie, but I was barely paying attention. Mostly, I was scanning the room for friends.
I looked over at the Ravenclaw table where Anna and her brother Jon were sitting together; talking to a few others I didn't know. Over at the Hufflepuff table, I saw Elisabeth sitting next to Marie and chatting with her. I smiled and moved on to the Slytherin table. My eyes skimmed the table, looking for- ah! The jackass. I was about to move on and look for my actual friends, but my eyes lingered. After a moment, I realized he wasn't eating at all, just sitting with his elbow propping up his head, staring off into nothing. His expression was... thoughtful and just a tad confused. Almost, dare I say it, nervous? No, not Draco. NOTHING makes Draco uneasy.
-Katie's right though. He's certainly grown up over the summer... well in his looks at least.
-Stop it! I refuse to even think about that jerk.
-It's just a fact! There's nothing wrong with appreciating the way he looks, which is kind of gorgeous.
- He's a jerk. End of story.
I sighed internally. Arguing with myself is never a good thing. I forced my gaze elsewhere and ended up staring back at the food I was placing in my mouth. Then, suddenly, the noise quieted down. I turned my head up to where I knew Dumbledore would be standing, about to make a speech.
"The very best of evenings to you!" Dumbledore said, raising his arms as if to embrace all his students. But I noticed something odd. I peered closer. His hand. His right hand was black and charred-looking. The hall resounded in whispers, and Dumbledore quickly covered his hand with his sleeve.
"Nothing to worry about," he said. I snorted to myself. Yeah right. When someone's hand looks like that, there is definitely cause for worry.
Dumbledore continued his speech (which consisted of all the same boring announcements he made every year). Dumbledore then introduced the new teacher, Professor Slughorn. Honestly I wouldn't have cared at all except that Dumbledore announced that Slughorn was going to be teaching Potions while Professor Snape was taking over Defense Against the Dark Arts. I gasped in shock. I wasn't the only one either. Conversation broke out instantly all over the Hall while Anna and I simply stared at each other with the same bewildered expressions. Hadn't Dumbledore been deliberately keeping Snape from that position all these years? Why change now?
However, after clearing his throat, Dumbledore continued as if he'd said nothing shocking at all. I listened nervously as Dumbledore talked of Voldemort and his return. He warned us to be careful, and told us not to go breaking any rules. I glanced over quickly towards Anna, but my eyes missed their intended target. Instead, I found myself gazing at Draco again. He still seemed to be completely out of it. His eyes would drift to Dumbledore from time to time, but mostly he stared at the table or off into nowhere. I couldn't bring myself to take my eyes off him. Once, while his eyes were slowly roaming away from Dumbledore, he caught my eye. He made a face that seemed disgusted before looking down again at the table. Whatever. My attention turned back to Dumbledore just as he was dismissing us to our dormitories.
After exiting the hall, Katie and I met up with Anna and hugged goodnight before heading off to the Gryffindor common room. Once I was finally in my room, I realized just how exhausted I was. I changed into my pajamas, a light blue tank top and dark blue pajama pants, before collapsing in bed and quickly falling asleep.