Sofia's view

I look at my watch every minute. Actually, at every second. Time passes quickly, but Pansy is still not here. I searched at the whole school for her, but I didn't find her. What if something happened to her, and she never comes back? Elara exhales loudly and gets out of bed. – Okay, this is the end of waiting. I am so hungry and also had enough of your melancholy. We will go to the Great Hall to eat something.

She grabs my hand, but I don't move. – I'm not hungry – I mutter.

- Sof, I know this situation is hard for you, but starving won't help – I silently nod and follow her.

As we step inside, Draco greets us with a warm smile, but the moment his gaze meets mine, his expression shifts to concern. – What's wrong, Sofia? – he asks, his voice laced with worry.

I know he is worried, but the words are trapped inside me, refusing to come out. I am not able to talk about our…relationship. Is it even a relationship? Or it's just a mistake, like when she called me darling? I'm not sure. The only one who could answer this question is Pansy. But she is gone.

Instead, I quietly take a seat and try to focus on the food in front of me, though my appetite is nowhere to be found. Draco watches me in silence for a moment, his eyes searching mine as if trying to understand what I'm going through. The silence between us feels heavy, almost suffocating. Finally, he sighs and comes over tot the other side of the table, sitting down next to me. – You know you can tell me anything, right? – he says softly, his voice filled with patience and an unspoken promise to be there, no matter what. – I am your friend, and I want to help you - But even as he speaks, I find myself staring at my plate, the food before my eyes as the weight of my thoughts presses down on me.

- Yes – I say with a trembling tone.

- Sorry, – I turn around, when someone taps my shoulder – do you know where is Pansy? We have an assignment for Friday.

- No.

- But how? You are always together.

- Please, go away – Elara answers.

- Why?

- Just go – Elara says again, but he doesn't move even an inch.

- Don't want me to repeat what she said – Draco stands up, and looks at him with a deadly gaze.

- Okay, chill Malfoy – he says before leaving us alone.

Even the thought of eating make me nauseous, so I push the plate away from me and go back to my room. As I retreat to my room, the heavy silence seems to press down on me, amplifying the weight of my thoughts. The familiar surroundings offer little comfort; instead, they only remind me of the countless times Pansy and I shared this space. We played, studied, slept and did literally everything here, but now it's not the same. It almost hurts to be here. Her laughter echoing through the walls. Now, the emptiness feels suffocating, as if the very air is tinged with the absence of her presence. My mind races, replaying the recent events, the harsh words, the looks exchanged – everything that led to this unbearable void. It's as if the world outside continues to move forward, oblivious to the storm raging inside me, each step toward my bed feeling like a step further into isolation. The room, once a sanctuary, now feels like a cage, and I can't shake the gnawing dread that things might never return the way they were.

Collapsing onto the bed, I bury my face into the pillow, hoping to block out the flood of emotions that threatens to overwhelm me. But it's no use – the memories come unbidden, each one a sharp pang of regret and longing. I can almost hear Pansy's voice, laced with sarcasm or affection, depending on her mood, as if she were still here beside me. The ache in my chest tightens a hollow reminder of how thing have unravelled so quickly.

I close my eyes and travel back in time. Because it's easier to be in the past, than live in the present. We stand in a field that near my parents house. – You are the catcher – I said laughing and started to run.

Could hear the soft thud of her footsteps behind me, quickening in pace as I darted through the tall grass, the cool wind brushing against my skin. The sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows that stretched across the field, and for a moment, it felt nothing could ever change. Her laughter echoed mine, filling the space between us with a carefree joy.

But even as I ran, there was something different about this memory. The air felt heavier, the sky darker than it should have been. I slowed my pace, suddenly aware of how quiet everything had become. – Sofia, Sofia – I heard my name, but when I turned, no one was around. – Please, open your eyes.

As soon as I did as the voice said, Elara sighed calmly. I looked around slowly, but Pansy is still not here. – Elara, where is she? – I asked, my voice trembling despite my best efforts to stay calm. The room felt colder, and the shadows in the corners seemed to stretch toward me. Elara hesitated, her eyes darting to the door before looking back at me. – Do you know something about her?

- No, sorry – she whispered, her usual confidence faltering. – I didn't see her anywhere.

The air around us seemed to pulse, thick with an energy I couldn't quite place. My heart raced as I stood up, the floor creaking beneath my feet. I took a step toward the door, but Elara grabbed my arm. – Wait. We shouldn't go after her alone. Not without knowing where she is.

I clenched my hands into fists in anger. - But she could be in danger.

- Sof, this is Hogwarts, not the Forbidden Forest.

- I don't care. Whit you, or without you, but I will find her! – I shouted. But as she hugged me, something broke in me. Tears rolled down my cheek.

She held me tighter, her grip steady despite my trembling body. – We will find her – she whispered, her voice softer now, trying to calm me down. But the panic inside me only grew stronger.

- Are you sure? – I murmured, pulling away from her embrace.

- Yes – she handed me my pyjamas and pointed towards the bathroom. – Take a shower, then go to sleep. You had a really hard day.

- But what if she…

- Sofia, nothing will happen to her. – Go or I'll pick you up and carry you in the bathroom. And not in a gentle way.

- You won't do that.

- Why not?

- You can't lift me up.

- Maybe I can, but you don't know about it– I look at her questioningly. – Okay, you won. I really can't. But I can drag you by your hair. It could be really painful.

- This is a very promising offer, but, no, thanks – I say with a little smile and head towards to the bathroom.

As I touch the doorknob, new memories flood in. I can see myself standing here waiting for her. Ohh, how stupid I was. I stood here because…I don't even know why. Maybe in deep inside I thought she would come and explain everything, or perhaps I was just clinging to a hope that now feels so distant.

The door creaks open, and I step inside, the cool air of the room contrasting sharply the heat of my frustration. I glance around, the familiar surroundings bringing a pang of nostalgia. The sink is still the same, the mirror reflecting a face that looks older, wearier. I lean against the counter, try to stop this pain.

Was it all worth it? – I wonder, as I undress and step inside the shower. The sound is oddly soothing, but it doesn't erase the confusion or the regret.