Chapter Two: I grew right next to your heart. I should have grabbed it and pulled it down. I feel what you're feeding me. I hear what you really speak.
The basement was pleasantly warm, which added more comfort to the Hufflepuff common room. The students were surrounded by delightful yellow tapestries and banners promoting their house colors. The Head boy pointed all of the new badgers in the directions of their dormitories. A couple boys jokingly headed towards the girls' dorm, but were halted by the stern 7th year. All the girls giggled, possibly flattered, at their foolishness.
The living quarters cleared out fast as everyone was exhausted from the late night spent at the ceremony. A few older students slipped out to stroll the castle and seek further privacy. Jayna claimed a cushiony arm chair close to the fireplace and stared at the flickering flames. So many thoughts raced inside her head. She started thinking about the day to follow. Being a 6th year was grand: more privileges, the gain of more respect, and free periods.
Gryffindors usually got paired with Slytherins to have classes together, so Jayna rarely saw her friends. Though, first session would be great. She could spend two hours socializing with them on their summer events, especially Draco. Oh, how she adored him. Ever since she was introduces to him 5 years ago, a hotrod of emotions took over every time he was near. Her chances forming something more that a friendship seemed highly doubtful to her.
The Malfoy family only accepted pure blooded wizards into their inner circle; she was lucky enough that he warmed up to her at all. The entire school knew them as an inseparable group: Draco, Sarah and herself. They were almost never seen without at least one other from the group. A click sounded from behind her, drawing her away from her musing. She turned around curtly to investigate, but saw nothing.
She took this as an opportunity to turn in. The next day would com faster once she was snuggled into her four poster bed. Lazily, she made her way down the hall to the girls' dormitory. Only a few girls remained awake, gossiping in the corner quietly as not to disturb those in a deep slumber. A large suitcase was waiting patiently on Jayna's bed. She tossed it aside, only bothering with it to retrieve her pajamas. Finally, she pulled the cotton sheets over her tired body and was immediately asleep.
Rays of sunlight peeked through the small windows accompanying the basement room. Politely, they caressed Jayna's eyelids, bringing her to a state of consciousness. She stretched her body routinely and emerged from her bed. Only one girl remained in the room, still sleeping. She dressed in her grey and black robes with the yellow accents to showcase her house.
The common room was so bare and quiet as she walked through it to reach the painting that acted as a door. The parlor, on the other hand, was decorated with scattered groups of six and seven year students and Prefects, supervising. She entered the Great Hall and scanned the Slytherin table for her pigment challenged friends. There they sat on the opposite side of the room from the entrance. Timidly, she made her way over to them, trying not to make eye contact with the other students sitting at the table. She could feel their eyes digging into her back as she walked by.
A copy of The Daily Prophet newspaper was laid out in front of them. Draco glanced up and did a double take as he recognized the girl approaching. He nudged Sarah's arm to gain her attention. She looked in the direction he was staring and crammed the newspaper under the table in a hurried fashion. They both grinned to disguise their stress. Draco grabbed a piece of toast, stood up and walked towards Jayna; Sarah followed suit.
"Here, breakfast. Let's all go outside. What say you?"
Jayna had grown used to these mornings over the years. The Slytherins' hate for other houses prevented her from being able to sit with Sarah and Draco for a relaxing meal. They all headed to the main doors. The weather outside was very inviting, almost beckoning the students to play a game of Quidditch or visit Hogsmeade. Sarah tossed the apple she had been munching on aside once she lost interest in eating it. It rolled through the grass collecting dirt and serving as an unattractive lawn ornament.
A slim, yet muscular arm reached out for Jayna, but she nervously scooted to the side in order to avoid its touch. Her eyes trailed up the arm until they met with Draco's confused looking face. She couldn't risk beads of sweat crawling along her brow and palms whilst a scarlet blush devoured her cheeks. She readjusted herself to make it seem like she didn't reject his gesture on purpose.
"Why don't we all sit? We have a lot of making up to do."
Howell:Sorry, that was kind of boring.