Tania stared at the door handle in her hand. It seemed strange that life seemed to keep going on, despite all the pain and horror that had been inflicted on the world. It amazed her that the world didn't stop to catch its breath. It just kept on going, like the teachers and students. 'Keep moving and maybe you'll get through it.' It should really become Hogwart's new motto, she mused.
Turning the handle slightly, she rattled it, letting the occupant of the room know she was there. He was lucky that Tania had come to get him. She had intercepted Melissa on the way up, diverting her with tales of her boyfriend's flirtations. If two people ever deserved each other it was Melissa Bandy and Cray Hunt; what with Melissa's attempts to get Malfoy and Cray's flirting with the third-graders.
The door sprang open, surprising Tania out of her thoughts and back into reality. Draco Malfoy stood in the doorway, silver-blonde hair falling about his pale face. He seemed relieved as he took in her face, sighing slightly. She smiled brightly, understanding the reason behind the relief. If she'd had Melissa after her, she'd be worried too.
"Hey, don't look so worried, Malfoy, Melissa's checking on her boyfriend. It seems she heard a rumor about some extra-curricular activities going on with a certain third-grader and she decided to… discover just what those activities were. I'd say she'll be out of your hair for a few hours." Tania grinned widely, trying to lend some of her cheerfulness to the solemn-faced teen before her.
"You are a life-saver, Tania. An absolute angel." He smiled back, forced to reply her cheerfulness with some of his own. It was fake, a farce, not really there. Tania had seen the same forced smiles on the teacher's faces, on the Headmaster's face. Most faces wore such looks nowadays. There was nothing to really smile at, just the feeling of obligation. That one must smile in order to make it all better.
Aware of the silence between them, Tania turned away and began walking down the stairs. She left him where he stood, a silhouette in the doorway. She had breakfast and classes, and she didn't know what else to say or do.
***
Hermione watched Professor Flitwick's demonstration in silence. Feathers floated around the classroom, following the directions the Professor put on them. The younger pupils seemed to forget their ills as they watched in amazement. She envied them that ability; for her, the memories always remained.
Harry and Ron chatted together, trying to find an interesting way to teach the first-years some spells. Their mid-year projects were to be teachers. To take an element from each of their current classes and teach some of the younger pupils for a class.
Harry and Ron liked the idea and had announced their intentions of becoming teachers after school. The Professors shuddered when they heard of the declaration, hoping against hope that their brief experience with the younger pupils would change their minds.
Looking up, Hermione caught Malfoy's eye. He looked at her, nodded once, then looked away. Shaking her head, she remembered what a total jerk he had been during the first five years at Hogwarts. To say that the current situation had changed him was an understatement.
Sighing deeply, Hermione took out some of her overdue homework. It was becoming commonplace for Hermione to neglect her studies, focusing instead on the memories that haunted her everyday.
Not that it really mattered. The only class that she hadn't already passed was Potions, and that was in no way due to lack of trying. Really, the homework she had been neglecting was just that, HOME WORK. Extra information to cram her brain with, hoping that she could forget her meeting with the Dark Lord, and the pain that had ensued…
***
Dark. Lightning forked across the sky above at irregular intervals. Despite that, it was dark.
He was also dark. A figure, standing against the skyline, only seen in a flash of blinding light; then disappearing, melting into the night.
She watched in awe as he vanished. Her pupils dilated, trying to find him in the black night beyond. Anxious to keep track of his movement.
She was afraid, very afraid; yet, it seemed as though she was invincible, invisible. Safe from his wrath.
How wrong she was…
***
A/N: It's a short chappie, and if ya don't understand anything, review me. I'll be happy to straighten things out.
Hey, I know it's sort of slow moving, but it'll get better soon…
~Liberty