Nicki's POV: Despite not having slept much last night, I woke up early, though I did not feel well-rested at all. I felt more like one of the Hogwarts carriages had just rolled over me. The others still slept soundly, so I quietly crept out of the dormitory, took a quick shower and went for an early breakfast. There weren't many students in the Great Hall yet so it was quiet, the few people just munching on their toasts or half falling asleep over full teacups. I sat down at the Gryffindor table, filled a bowl with cereal and milk, then opened my Astronomy textbook. I tried to read while having breakfast, but I just couldn't concentrate. With a sigh, I closed the book and let my gaze wander around the Great Hall. Soon enough, Christmas decorations would be put up and the days would be filled with a festive atmosphere. I couldn't wait for that, Christmas was my favourite holiday. I was looking forward to going home and seeing my family again. Completely lost in my thoughts I sipped my tea, only interrupted when someone let themselves fall on the bench opposite me. I was startled, sloshing tea all over my clothes. I groaned, then looked up to see who it was. Angelina smiled at me, then waved her wand at my clothes that immediately dried.
"Thanks, I guess", I said. "Even though it was you who startled me."
"And I'm sorry for that, Nicki, but honestly, what is it with you?" She regarded me with a look of true concern.
"What do you mean?", I asked, trying to stall. I did not want this conversation, especially not right now.
She made a vague gesture. "You know... the last few days. You are being really weird and evasive and you're not talking about anything with me. I'm supposed to be your best friend. You know that you can talk to me."
I nodded. "Thanks, Angie, I know", I said. "And I appreciate that immensely. But there is seriously nothing wrong with me. The last few days have been... a lot and I'm kind of tired. But I promise you, if there's anything coming up that you should know, I'll tell you."
Angelina looked uncertain. "Why have the last few days been a lot? What happened last night? You were looking really weird when you came back without cookies, mind you." "
I met Hatchet, Flint and Malfoy and we had some problems getting back to our houses", I finally said.
Angelina raised a brow. "Flint again, huh?"
I rolled my eyes, glad that she couldn't read my mind.
"Well yes, he was with them."
"What were they even doing?", she asked and I shrugged.
I had never thought to ask. I took another sip of my tea but only slurped in air. I looked into my mug, realizing its contents had emptied themselves over me. I poured me another cup.
"But Angelina, there was nothing else. This encounter just stopped me from bringing the biscuits."
She really didn't need to know that I had given them away freely like the dumb idiot I was. She nodded but didn't seem satisfied. Luckily, she didn't prod and let it slide. I knew that it was only temporary and I had to tell her eventually. Or I had to get my shit together and focus on my studies instead of having my mind on things that didn't matter. Right when I thought that, Flint and Hatchet strode into the Great Hall, both looking as exhausted as I felt and I realized it would be impossible to just take my mind off them. They both looked over to where I sat with dark glances that I retorted with the same expression. Angelina looked between us with raised brows. The two Slytherins sat down with their backs to us, talking and gesticulating in stressed, angry motions. I was sure that at one point, Hatchet was pointing behind her to where I sat and I quickly looked away only to meet Angelina's eyes.
"Nothing to tell, huh?", she said. "I'll wait for that explanation and it better be a good one, I'm really interested in this story."
"As I said, there is no story", I said but I probably couldn't even convince myself.
"Sure", she said lightly and finally took a slice of toast. I guess the interrogation was over. For now at least. The others trickled in slowly and sat with us and somehow it felt almost like a normal morning where we just broke our fast and laughed and joked around as always. The only difference was that I sneaked glances to the Slytherin table now and then and Flint looked back.
Lexie's POV: My mood was at rock bottom. With dark circles around my eyes and heavy limps, I made my way to my Charms classes. Marcus and I had a heated discussion at breakfast where I blamed Shelley for my additional 8 weeks of detention. We strolled into the classroom like a pair of zombies and took two seats at the back of the classroom. As much as I tried to focus on the explanations of Flitwick, my mind just kept on strolling off to other things. Very unpleasant other things. I sighed and buried my head between my hands. The rest of the day was like in a trance, foggy and blurry. It wasn't until Professor Snape stopped me in the hallway in the afternoon that I snapped back to reality.
"Miss Hatchet, tomorrow after dinner I will prepare the Wolfsbane potion."
"Isn't the full moon tonight?" I asked, still not really focused on today's events.
"You might assist me to learn how to prepare the potion, Miss Hatchet, not to actually give it to a werewolf." Snape eyed me suspiciously. "However, the potion can be prepared one month in advance."
"So, it's for the next full moon?" I asked.
"No, Miss Hatchet, it's for practice." I felt that Snape's patience was very strained, so I thanked him again and made my way to dinner.
Draco sat down next to me.
"Hey, I got a new set of wizarding chess figures from my mother. Fancy a game later?"
I had to focus very hard on bringing my spoon with soup successfully to my mouth, as my mind was still drifting in all directions and my body felt stiff and tired.
"Sorry, Draco. Still have to do this week's homework." I sighed.
Draco eyed me carefully before saying, "Alright, then maybe tomorrow."
"Sure", I mumbled. "I think I'm going for a little walk while it's possible." I excused myself and made my way outside the castle. The last leaves were slowly falling to the ground as I walked down the hill to the Whomping Willow. Once I reached the room behind the secret tunnel, I let myself fall into the old bed. Just ten minutes before working on my homework, I whispered to myself before drifting into sleep.