After fleeing the lawn and towards the Great Hall, I could feel the heat in my cheeks slowly diminish. Why did that dumb bloke have such a power over me? And more importantly, why did I let him? He had mocked me, made fun of me, and laughed at my misfortune. Why did he cause such a stir in me?
I made my way back towards the library, the only place I could go to clear my head. I had just told Ron that I loved him, but obviously, that wasn't how I truly felt. I knew it, but it was a completely different thing when a bystander could notice it too.
I arrived at the doors of the library and scurried through the maze of bookshelves to my back corner of the library. During my first year at Hogwarts, I had discovered a small alcove near the Muggle literature that contained three large windows that peered over the Forbidden Forest, a comfortable recliner, and a study table that contained four chairs. Whether Harry, Ron, and I were studying for a Charms test or I was reading her favorite Muggle novels, I always came straight to the alcove to get my work done.
I approached my recliner and turned it around, so it faced the large windows. I couldn't get in that chair fast enough before I let my emotions get the best of me. I had been stressed out for so long because of Voldemort and the search for Horcruxes, and then the idea of love and the nearing future overwhelmed me before I had any time to recuperate. So I sat there in the chair and watched the sky turn from a bright overcast to a stormy darkness and had myself a good cry.
I didn't acknowledge time as it passed. Once I finished crying, I allowed myself to feel comforted by the quietness and the familiarity of the library. In the peace and quiet, I knew things were going to be okay. I was strong enough to ensure that my future would be decided by me and my feelings, and I was hopeful enough to assume I wouldn't sever any ties.
The torches clicked on in the library and I knew from being in the library many times when the torches would click on that it was close to 8:30 pm. I had sat there all day and missed lunch and dinner. My muscles were tense when I rose from the recliner, and after stretching, I strode out of the library with some sort of idea of aligning my future:
I knew that my priority was finding my parents and restoring their identities. My next priority would be to return to school for my last year as a student at Hogwarts and focus on my studies and building my resume. I needed to find something I was passionate about and run with it. Then, I would find a career. My love life, whether it would be with Ronald Weasley or some unknown man or no one entirely, would be on the back burner for a long, long time.
I felt a pep come into my step as I confidently thought about my plan.
The first step to putting my plan into action was informing Professor McGonagall. She was someone whom I admired, and I wanted her approval. The trek from the library to Dumbledore's office took a little over five minutes, but my head was swimming with hope to even notice. I arrived in front of the staircase that led to McGonagall's makeshift office and took the liberty to head on up. Approaching the door, I knocked twice and then, opened the door to pop my head in. My eyes locked with her hazel ones.
"Ah, Miss Granger! Please come in!" she welcomed. I hurried inside and took a seat in front of her desk. "What do I owe the pleasure? You were able to untangle yourself from Mr. Weasley long enough to come visit?"
My blush was apparent. "Um, yes, I was. I wanted to run something past you, something regarding my next few months."
"Well?"
"Well, I am very interested in coming to back to Hogwarts. I couldn't dream of doing anything different! But I have something very important that needs to happen first," I said. She lifted her eyebrows, waiting for me to continue. "I need to find my parents."
"Oh yes, of course Mrs. Granger! That is something of the utmost importance!" McGonagall explained.
"Thanks, Professor! I'm so glad you understand!"
"I know that finding your parents and restoring their memory has to happen before you could ever be happy here again, so I completely understand! It's just rather unfortunate it needs to happen right NOW..." she trailed off, avoiding my confused eyes.
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"Well, my dear, I was going to name you Head Girl." Happy alarms started going off in my head. I was going to be Head Girl? This was something I had dreamed about since Day One! I had always tried my best in everything, waiting patiently for this moment, the moment that I was awarded Head Girl!
"Professor, I don't see the problem!" I happily cried, not thinking about anything else, except my new Head Girl status!"
"There is a slight problem, actually. You see, this year, Head Boy and Girl have new duties. Because of the amount of second-time Seventh Years, I was going to use you and Head Boy to work closely with them and lead the rest of the student body from afar, just as usual. Because of the amount of work that is going into the job of Head Boy and Girl, I was going to invite you both to stay at Hogwarts this summer and prepare for the upcoming school year. I'm afraid that time with the Head Boy is essential!" she explained.
I only saw one option: Professor McGonagall taking back her proposal... As much as I loved my parents, I was preparing myself to tell her that I would search for my parents much later, once I finished school and most importantly, my duties as Head Girl.
"Unless..." I heard McGonagall mutter. My hope was returning! McGonagall was scheming a way for me to have my cake and eat it too!
"Unless what, Professor?"
"Unless you asked the Head Boy to accompany you on your travels..." She tapped her chin and pondered her idea. "Yes, that is marvelous actually! While you are searching for your parents, you two could be prepping for the year ahead! Plus, it would give you time to get to know each other! And you would also have protection! This is marvelous!"
I was too relieved to think the idea through. This was the only way I would get to keep my position and I wasn't going to let anything hold me back!
"Oh that's wonderful, Professor! Alright, fill me in, who's Head Boy? Neville? Blaise Zabini? I would even settle for Seamus!" My heart was pounding in excitement and nervousness. I couldn't wait much longer; the anticipation was killing me.
Professor McGonagall looked at me kind of sadly, and opened her mouth to speak. I simply couldn't believe the name that came from her lips:
"Draco Malfoy."