Hi guys :) Just a heads up the next update may be a bit later than usual as I'm working every day this week so I'm going to be pretty tired, but I'll try and get it done as quickly as possible. Remember to leave a comment telling me what you think and I hope to hear from you soon :) Enjoy!
By the time we got to Hogwarts it had gotten dark, and my ADHD had nearly driven me crazy. I twitched and patted my feet and ruffled my hair and adjusted my tie countless times to the point where Draco had told me to knock it off. It's not as if I have a choice.
The train pulled into the station with a loud whistle, the only light outside coming from a lantern that Hagrid was holding, his large silhouette melting into the shadows. I stood, grabbing my bag as Draco led the way out. I know we're not supposed to take our things with us (that's why I've left Βοήθεια's cage) because it gets picked up and taken to our rooms. But I don't want to risk Chara being found out.
We followed the outlines of the older students who seemed to know where they were going until we reached some horseless carriages. At first I wasn't sure how they were supposed to work as we climbed in them. It was when we sat down and they lurched forwards that I realised that I was just an idiot, and the carriages had a spell on them to make them move. I was glad that I hadn't said anything aloud then. I would have looked really stupid.
The air was cold and sharp as the carriages rode through the night up to the castle. I sensed Chara's discomfort as the wheels of the carriage passed over a large bump, but thankfully she stayed silent. Draco and his parents might know I have a snake, but only Narcissa and Lucius know I can talk to them. I don't want any of that information to leave Malfoy Manor.
We reached the castle without incident with the other carriages. The courtyard was lit up for us to go through the main doors to the Great Hall. I noticed Hermione out of the corner of my eye getting out of her own carriage, but I didn't see Harry or Ron with her. I didn't think anything of it as we walked into the Great Hall, each student almost subconsciously moving towards their fellow house members before we got to the tables. I sat down next to Draco and carefully put my bag under the table, making sure Chara was safe. At the head table the stool and sorting hat had already been placed in preparation for the new first year students. I didn't notice who sat next to me as I looked around – this place is just as it was last year, but it's somehow different experiencing it as a second year. As a first year you're amazed by everything – the floating candles, the enchanted ceiling, all the faces staring at you as you come through the massive Great Hall doors. Now that I think about it, it's quite overwhelming. It's a good thing I was never a nervous kid or I might have actually had some trouble here. I never really was a 'kid' anyway – I took no pleasure in playing with the other drawings, or drawing and colouring pictures to stick on the wall and the fridge. I was always alone, always planning something – just the way I liked it. The way I still like it. And one of the reasons I still like being on my own, to brood and plot away, is sitting down right across from me with a slowly growing smirk on her face.
"Well, well. Not joined up with the freak-show yet, muggle-lover?" Pansy snickered.
"'Muggle-lover?'" I said, bored of her already.
"You know what I mean. Going to be hanging around with the mud-bloods again this year?"
"Shut up, Pansy," the voice next to me piped up. I turned to them, and saw it was Daphene, staring across at Pansy with a stern look. Pansy's jaw dropped, as I was tempted to raise an eyebrow. Daphene was always so quiet last year, always avoiding conflict.
"Well no one's taking crap from you this year, huh?" I said with a grin, and gave her a single pat on the back. She looked to me with a nervous grin, but her eyes were fully focused. Looks like I'm not the only one who's been having training over the summer.
Pansy said nothing else as the last few students took their seats. The chatter in the hall died as Professor McGonagall walked with a strong stride through the middle of the hall and through the massive doors, closing them behind her, read to greet the new first year students. We didn't have to wait long for the doors to open again, McGonagall leading the way with a crowd of tiny first years following her, staring in awe at everything around them. I glanced over each of them, analysing every detail possible. The way one walked, the way another talked, the way another was silent, another snickering. It was all very interesting.
The sorting hat sang an extremely long and boring song and then began to sort people into their houses. At first it looked like there weren't going to be many Slytherin students. Everyone seemed to be going to Gryffindor and Ravenclaw. And then halfway through the sorting there seemed to be an almost explosive amount of Slytherin's joining our table before it died down again, and Hufflepuff started to get new house members. I noticed Ginny Weasley (one of the last to be sorted but clearly visible with her fiery red hair) was sorted into Gryffindor like the rest of her brothers. I watched as she went to sit near Hermione, and then noticed I couldn't see Harry of Ron near them. That's odd. They always sit together, and it didn't look like they'd fallen out or anything back at Flourish and Blotts. I would have thought they'd have followed Hermione, or even some of the older students, to the carriages. After all they weren't that hard to find. They couldn't have missed the train, could they? Ginny's here, and looking around I can see her older twin brothers. Shouldn't Ron have been with them, if not both Ron and Harry? Curious. Very curious.
I sat down next to Midnight and watched as Pansy Parkinson made a beeline for us. Midnight was too busy looking around to notice. I prepared myself for a cat-fight between Pansy and Midnight, even though I knew deep down it wouldn't come to that. Midnight is too calm to start a real fight with Pansy. She's analytical, observing, and she always has this look like she could kill you with a flick of her wrist – she just doesn't want to. I wouldn't put it past her to be able to, either. And she can make you do anything she wants just by ordering you to do it. It's never asking, always an order. She can handle Pansy fine without me.
But I have to learn to stand up for myself, like my father's been telling me all summer. After all, I'm Midnight's friend, and any friend of Midnight's is an enemy of Pansy. I don't want her bullying my sister when she comes up next year. Maybe if Pansy thinks I'm as strong as Midnight, she'll leave me and my sister alone.
Pansy sat down, fully focused on Midnight.
"Well, well. Not joined up with the freak-show yet, muggle-lover?" she snickered.
"'Muggle-lover?'" Midnight asked, looking to her slowly, sounding very bored.
"You know what I mean. Going to be hanging around with the mud-bloods again this year?"
"Shut up, Pansy," I said sharply, feeling the words almost fall from my mouth. Both of them turned to look at me as I mustered my strongest glare and directed it at Pansy, her jaw dropping. I felt Midnight give me gentle pat on the back – as if she wanted to give me a well-done slap on the back but didn't want to be as forceful. I smiled at her, but still felt on edge, before we turned away from each other to watch Professor McGonagall bring the first year students into the Great Hall.
If there was a choice between standing in front of Professor Snape right now, or being back with the murderous tree – I'd pick the tree.
"You were seen by no less than seven muggles," Snape said, gritting his teeth, holding up an edition of The Daily Prophet. How did they get that out so fast? "Do you have any idea how serious this is?" He asked, although we clearly weren't meant to answer.
"You have risked the exposure of our world," he continued "Not to mention the damage you inflicted on a Whomping Willow that's been on these grounds since before you were born."
"Honestly Professor Snape, I think it did more damage to us," Ron said nervously. Shut up Ron.
"Silence!" Snape spat. He really is mad this time. As if he didn't hate me enough already. I felt Ron tense next to me as Snape stood from his desk.
"I assure you, that, were you in Slytherin and your fate rested with me the both of you would be on the train home. Tonight." He paused, letting the threat sink in before continuing "As it were,-"
"They are not." A familiar and welcome voice finished as Professor Dumbledore walked in the room, quickly followed by Professor McGonagall.
"Professor Dumbledore. Professor McGonagall." I said, almost relieved. Their arrival is a welcome event. But as I looked at them I began to regret thinking that, as I knew they'd be incredible disappointed. I'd hate for it to be Professor Dumbledore that sends us home.
"Headmaster," Snape said, almost trying to plead his case, "these boys have flouted the Decree for the Restriction of Underage Wizadry. As such-"
"I am well aware of our bylaws, Severus, having written quite a few of them myself." Dumbledore said calmly. "However, as the Head of Gryffindor house, it is for Professor McGonagall to determine the appropriate action."
"We'll go and get our stuff then," Ron said miserably.
"What are you talking about Mr Weasley," McGonagall asked as we hung our heads.
"You're going to expel us, aren't you?" he said, almost like he'd accepted it. She looked us up and down.
"Not today, Mr Weasley," our heads shot up as we looked at each other. We're not expelled? We're not expelled! I couldn't help but let a grin slide onto my face, and then I quickly let it drop when she started talking again, seriousness settling on our shoulders.
"I must impress on both of you the seriousness of what you have done. I will be writing to your families tonight and you will both receive detention." The Dursley's won't care – it's Ron I feel sorry for.
We glanced to Professor Snape, and I could see the anger on his face. That was the only thing that made the detention seem a lot more bearable.