Chapter Ten

I didn't ask Draco about what his hand-holding meant, there was no good time do bring it up and it was probably just an impulsive action that meant nothing anyway; at least that's what I kept telling myself anyway. Nevertheless, I did think about it a bit, when I was bored in class or falling asleep at night, it kept me company and gave me something pleasant to think about. He acted differently around me after that, not noticeably so that the others could pick up on it, but little things changed. He kept catching my eye, in the common room, at dinner, in lessons, anytime really. It was as if we had this alert that would go off when one of us was looking at the other; it was cute.

Exams were starting to get unnervingly close. All the teachers started stressing out because we weren't really where they expected us to be with our knowledge and understanding, so they started cracking down even more in lessons and giving us even more homework. They took no shit from anybody, starting to lose some of the guilt and fear they felt when they sent you to the Carrows for bad behaviour as they did so more. All of this, of course, stressed us out a lot as well.

All professors did this; well, all but one.

Professor Sprout remained her jolly, good spirited, calm self, even in the run up to the end of our final year. We got a fair amount of homework from her after every lesson, but not nearly as much as from every other teacher, and the lessons were always so enjoyable. Even though Herbology wasn't my best subject, it definitely became my favourite. None of my other friends did it, so, though this isn't usually something I'd be happy about, it was nice to have to alone time, really.

"Good afternoon, class!" we all replied with the same, "Okay, seeing as we've finished the course now, we'll be revising from now until the end of term. You'll be doing a practical with some Chinese Chomping Cabbages today so you'll need all your safety equipment and to get into pairs. Well what're you waiting for? Go!"

I looked around for someone on their own, a downside of not having friends with you in the class. I spotted Neville across the table doing the same and decided to go over to him, "Hey, Neville," I smiled at him, "You got a partner yet?"

"Err what? No, everyone else is paired up."

"I'm not. Wanna partner with me?"

"Oh, yeah sure, sounds good," he seemed apprehensive.

"You okay, mate? You looked worried about something."

"Yeah, it's just… I probably should be talking to you, let alone working with you."

"Why not? I don't bite!"

He chuckled, "I know, but your aunt and uncle do, and probably will when they find out about this."

"Well, first off, I have no intention of telling them so odds are they won't find out; and second, why would they bite you for it?"

"They hate me! Ever since the start of the year, I've, probably stupidly, stood up to them when I didn't agree with something they've said or done. So, of course, they've punished me harder and harder each time, so, naturally, they hate me… And I guess after hearing all this you do, too."

"I don't hate you; I think you're brave," he looked at me, grinning, as he put the pot on the table, "Believe me, I'd do the same if they were the kind of relatives you could challenge. But they're not, they'd just get angry and have a go, and then send an owl to my mum who would get angry and have a go."

"Fair does. At least you don't get it too bad, being their niece and all."

"If you think that then you're wrong, mate. I got cursed just for going to them after curfew because I got an owl saying my dad was ill."

"Crucio?"

"Yup. I'm just lucky I didn't get it a multitude of times, really," I grimaced, "I'm still so sorry about that."

Neville shrugged, "It's not your fault. Think he'd been looking for an excuse to really cause me pain for a while and I just gave it to him that day."

"How bad was it?"

"Some of it wasn't too bad, what with people not meaning it, but then again that's only in comparison to Crabbe and Goyle. It was all bad enough to make me wish I was anywhere but there, but then some people just really meant it so it was so much worse. I remember waking in the hospital wing that evening with Ginny and Luna by my bed and Dean explaining to them what had happened. I wasn't allowed out until dinner time the next day."

"That's terrible!" I exclaimed.

"That's life," he shrugged again, pausing after to actually do some of the work we were meant to be doing, "Can I tell you a secret?"

"If you like. I promise I won't spread it if you do."

"I'm gonna disappear someday soon."

"You what?!" I cried out in surprise.

"Keep your voice down! I don't need everyone knowing!" he paused again while the rest of the class got back to work, "Your aunt and uncle have realised they've got nothing on me anymore. They tried to get my gran the other day, I guess they've been doing a lot of that recently, only in reverse. They assumed that capturing a weak, old lady would straighten me out, but they got a surprise when they found out how strong she was! She gave 'em a run for their money and is now on the run. I got an owl the other day, though, explaining it all and telling me she's alright."

"Bloody hell. So why do you need to go too?"

"Well, seeing as they've seen that discipline has no effect on my behaviour, and they can't blackmail me with my family's safety, so fuck knows what they're gonna try next! I've decided I don't wanna find out, so I'm gonna go into hiding sometime soon."

"Wow… You really are a proper Gryffindor, aren't you?"

"Is that meant to be sarcasm, Carrow?" Neville smirked at me.

"No! No, I mean it! I would've caved long before now and would just be conforming so I didn't get hurt. But you're really standing up for what you believe in."

"Well, thank you. Hopefully it won't be the last thing I do, but you can never tell these days…" he sighed, "Hang about, I've heard you're one to stand up for your beliefs too."

"How so?"

"I heard about you and Blaise."

"What?! How-"

"Well, it's a secret. So, naturally, it's travelled like wildfire in Hogwarts."

"Sounds about right. Who did you hear from?"

He squinted in thought, "Luna, I think. She told me that she'd been told that he got with Pansy while he was smashed one night, and when you found out you whacked him one and told him where to shove his affection."

"Well you make it sound badass when you put it like that! It was more just trying to find out what was going on calmly, and then hold back the tears once he'd revealed all. Yes, I slapped him, but I'd never regret it."

"So you shouldn't! It's disgusting what he did and he deserved all he got and more."

I smiled up at Neville and he concentrated in on the cabbage, "Why have we never been friends before?"

"Because of the people we hang out with. I'm pretty sure you'd be exiled if you were caught hanging out with me or any of my mates."

"I guess you're right… Well it's a shame. You're a great guy, Neville."

"And you Florence, and you," the bell rang to signify the end of the lesson, "You coming?"

"Nah, I'll stay behind to help clear up. I usually do anyway and should probably explain to Professor Sprout that I won't be around for much longer."

"Well, if I don't see you again until then, good luck."

I looked around to check that at least all the Slytherins had emptied the greenhouse. When I saw that everyone had vacated, I moved in to hug Neville, giving him a quick, friendly kiss on the cheek before grabbing my satchel to leave for lunch.

A couple of weeks before we were due to leave for the Easter holidays, we were told that we wouldn't be allowed to. We'd have time off, less than we would've had we been going home, but still time off. I was upset that I wouldn't be seeing my parents again until the summer, now, but at least it meant I'd get some decent revision done in time for exams. A few people actually tried to sneak out of the school to go home for the holidays, foolishly thinking they'd get past the Death Eaters and Dementors on the exits. They were subject to all kinds of torture; Alecto and Amycus, and Crabbe and Goyle who helped in an attempt to boost their grades while 'having fun', were straying even out of the Unforgivable Curses to punish people now, usually physically beating them up. Students came into the Great Hall for meals with battle scares all over their bodies, if they came in at all, that is.

I decided to write a letter to my parents, a little update to make up for my upcoming absence. I wrote a bigger letter to both of them, and then a smaller one just addressed to dad:

Dear dad,

I hope you're feeling better and being well looked after at home. I tried to see if Alecto and Amycus knew anything about it but didn't have great success, so I hope you are better!

I broke up with Blaise some weeks ago now. There was a party on the first night back at school after New Year, and I was still ill from the Indian so didn't go. They ended up getting drunk and getting it on in my absence. I found out around a month later, or something like that, and ended things. It was hard, but for the best. At least I got a proper relationship before leaving Hogwarts, even if half of it was a lie. Do you remember Terrence in fifth year? Yeah, sadly I do, too.

I'll stop beating around the bush and cut to the chase. Dark things are happening at Hogwarts, and they're getting more and more frequent. Students are getting punished if they step one foot even slightly out of line. Students are rebelling against staff they don't trust. Students are trying to run away and go into hiding. We haven't seen Snape in weeks! Something's going to happen so, before the end of the year, I can feel it.

There's are problem though. I don't know what side I'm on. On the one hand, I'm with the Dark. I mean, Alecto and Amycus are, so there's a bit of a history of it in the family, and mum's obviously more in favour of that side. And then there are my friends, most with Dark Pureblood names: Malfoy, Crabbe, Goyle, Nott. When the time comes, I know what side they'll be choosing.

But then, I don't believe in the Dark ideologies that they do. I don't care about blood supremacy, I'm happy to be friends with anyone no matter what their background. Harry Potter's never given me any cause to want him dead, I don't think we've ever said more than a few words to each other.

So where does this leave me? It's something I've been mulling over for ages now, and I just draw a blank every time! Can you help me? Tell me if there's anything I'm missing? Oh, and keep this to yourself. I know what mum will tell me to do.

Miss you lots, but love you more,

Florence x