Chapter 9 - Self-Pity

Hannah walked normally until she was sure she was out of Neville's sight. Once she was positive he could no longer see her, she ran. She didn't know where she was going but she ran. Luckily it was still sunny outside and the corridors were empty. Her vision was now obscured and a collision would have been guaranteed, had there been anyone to collide with. She knew that Neville hadn't bought her excuse, but she hadn't been expecting that!

"That's what comes of being a pessimist. When good things happen, you always manage to mess them up."

Before she had time to even focus on the "Out of Order" sign outside door she was inside a bathroom, and she wasn't the only one crying. She turned to go. She didn't want anyone to see her, and she thought this girl would probably feel the same. Her parents had always taught her not to show emotion in public.

"Who's there?"

Hannah knew that voice. She realised instantly where she was, and that was definitely not where she wanted to be. The last time she had been here was when she had been an innocent first year. She had been desperate (but cheerful nonetheless) and jumped in on her way to Charms. She had left feeling thoroughly miserable and something told her that this would be no better.

Myrtle had been a little forlorn recently because she too realised the seventh years were leaving, which only reminded her that she wasn't. She was stuck here with all the horrible people who didn't want to talk to her, some of whom couldn't even remember her name! She had been in her toilet for a little over an hour now, crying and muttering ever since she had bumped into the Grey Lady, who had asked her how she was feeling. After a lengthy description of every ailment Myrtle had ever had (or suspected she had), the conversation had turned to next year. Ravenclaw's premier ghost had expressed an interest in what next years new students might be like, and a regret in losing some pupils of her house that she had come to know quite well.

"Stupid spirit, …can't be called 'lady'…, so rude…, forgetting I'm dead…" Myrtle grumbled from her U-Bend, ignoring the fact that the Grey Lady was also a ghost as it didn't sit well with her anger. She heard her toilet door opening.

"Who's there?"