Futures

~~~~~

Professor Trelawney frowns at me as I enter her classroom - late. I just smile and sit down next to Harry and Ron. Ron shows me his healed finger, it's good as new.

Only one more hour until I can get back on the Quidditch pitch with Madam Hooch. I am really not in the mood for Divination.

"Today we will be learning palmistry. Even those of you with no gift of sight may still be able to discern something from the lines in your partner's hands. Please get into pairs."

"Professor?" I raise my arm. "There seems to be an odd number."

"Very well," she snaps. "Work with another pair."

Harry grins at me. It feels good to have allies.

The three of us sit in a small circle as Professor begins to point out certain lines on a large diagram at the front, naming each one and what it means.

"You don't seem to have a fate line Harry," Ron says. "Explains why your life is pointless."

"Wait, he does," I trace the crease down the centre of his palm. "It's just very faint and broken up."

Professor pricks up her ears. "An uncertain fate line means a difficult and painful journey through life, with an obscure destiny."

"Wow, something new and different for me," Harry mutters. "Let me see your hand." He and Ron bend over my left palm, frowning studiously. Around the room teenagers mutter and talk, discussing the probable length of their lives or their likelihood of marriage.

"Hmm . . . "

"Interesting . . . "

"What do you see?" I ask, playing along.

"This looks bad Leila," Ron sighs. Over his shoulder I see Trelawney listening intently.

"Your fate line is even more broken than mine, it's all over the place - "

" - your life line is crooked, and has a gap in it part way through - "

" - and you don't actually have a heart line."

"That's impossible!" I gasp in mock horror, knowing the last part is a blatant lie.

"I'm afraid it's true." Harry echoes Ron's sigh. "You're destined for a life of loneliness." He gives me a look of earnest sympathy before taking my hand in both of his. "I'm truly sorry," he says softly. "You have a good soul, and I hate giving good people bad news."

There is a moment of silence in our circle before Ron cracks up. The teacher glares at us, and even I can't hold back laughter.

Eventually we quieten down. The class continues around us, a few students actually making some progress.

"I can hardly believe this," Ron says. "We're sitting with Malfoy's sister and actually having fun in Divination."

I smile, but I wish he didn't have to mention Draco. I hate to think what he'd say about my new friends.

But the ringing bell saves me from responding.

"I'll see you later Harry, bye Ron."

With my satchel over my arm, I practically run for the Quidditch pitch.

~~~~~

I sit alone at dinner, wishing I could be in the kitchens as I slice my crumbed chicken into small pieces.

Suddenly there's someone beside me, Draco. He has a knack of appearing as if from nowhere.

"Father owled me."

"About what?"

"You."

I pause with my fork halfway to my mouth. Then I regain control and continue eating calmly. I raise my eyebrows at my brother as if to say 'So what?'

"Don't you want to know what he said?" he takes a folded parchment from his robe pocket.

I shrug. It takes a lot not to snatch the letter from him.

"Here," he holds it out. "Only a Malfoy can read it." I set down my cutlery and take the letter. The harsh contact of it against my skin almost brings tears to my eyes.

Draco. Do not try to protect her. It is folly.

I expect an explanation of your silence immediately. It is imperative that she returns here.

That's it. Two lines of curling green script. But it's like I can hear his voice in my head, the cold sneer that holds no feeling but contempt.

Why am I important to him?

"I don't understand," I murmur to my brother. He just looks at me, his expression grim. He suddenly looks older than he really is. "What are you going to do?"

"I wrote back that I didn't say anything about you because I didn't know you were here. It's only been three days since you started school - he just might buy it."

"He won't. You know he won't."

Draco just turns to his plate and begins attacking his dinner. We don't say anything else.

~~~~~

More ripped off Matrix lines in here. Can you spot them?