A/N-

Hello there! So I'm really sorry for the delayed update and the short chapter! We're doing mock exams next week and I've been working really hard towards them. I just hope I do well! Art especially has been taking up a lot of time and I have to spend an entire day doing an acrylic painting at school!

Anyway, I hope you like this chapter even though it's quite short. :)

Chapter 12 (Ava)

I stared at Draco across the table as he ate his dinner.

Why did you do it? Is your wish to follow Lord Voldemort? What’s wrong with you?

It had been a week since Katie had been transferred to St Mungo’s Hospital. At first, I’d struggled to even look at Draco. I was so angry with him. Now I could look at him, but I couldn’t do so without thinking about Katie and wishing I’d been able to stop her from becoming cursed. I’d been such an idiot for not realising what was going on sooner, and I hated myself because of it.

Draco looked up at me and our eyes met. I took a deep breath and turned away. I could tell from the expression in Draco’s eyes that he knew I was angry with him. He just didn’t know why.

I sighed and stood up, mumbling an excuse as I left. The corridors were so empty and quiet but it felt better than the noise of the Great Hall.

I was surprised when I noticed Professor Dumbledore walking down the corridor towards me. I stopped,

“Professor? Weren’t you eating in the Great Hall?”

He shook his head,

“I was doing some reading in my office. How are you, Ava? I believe you were there when Miss. Bell touched the necklace.”

I looked down at the floor to hide the tears that filled my eyes,

“I was. I’m just trying not to think about it, and-”

I stopped talking as a sob escaped me. I looked up at Professor Dumbledore and wiped my eyes,

“Sorry, I’m just…”

I trailed off, embarrassed. I gulped,

“Professor, I should probably be going to my common room now.”

He looked at me over his half-moon glasses and nodded as I walked away. He was probably confused about me. Confused about my behaviour towards Harry, more than anything.

Even though I’d told Professor Dumbledore that I was on my way to the common room, I took a left turn and made my way up the stairs to the AstronomyTower. As usual, it was deserted.

I walked up to the railing and leant against the cold metal. I looked out at the inky night sky and whispered,

“It was my fault that Katie touched the necklace. I should have realised, I should have stopped her before it happened.”

I shook my head,

“Gosh, I’m so sorry Mum, Dad, Sirius. You must be so ashamed of me. I bet you’re watching over me as I hurt everyone around me and wishing that I’d turned out to be a different person.”

I paused to catch my breath before continuing,

“I want you to know that I regret everything. And if I could change what’s happened, then I would do it in a heartbeat.”

I stared out at the dark sky and studied the stars alone.

*                    *                    *

“Draco! Come and sit next to me! I’ll give you a massage- you look a bit stressed again.”

I looked up from my spot on the sofa in the Slytherin common room. I’d left dinner in the Great Hall early again but it appeared Pansy, Draco, Blaise, Crabbe and Goyle hadn’t been too far behind me. Crabbe and Goyle sat down next to me and Blaise perched on the end of the sofa. Pansy sat down on the one opposite and patted her lap. Draco lay down on the sofa and placed his head on her legs. She began to stroke his hair and he closed his eyes.

I rolled my eyes and stared at the book I’d been reading before they walked in. Pansy sneered,

“Reading again?”

I looked up at her and nodded slowly. She turned to Draco,

“What were you reading recently, Draco? You kept renewing that same book from the library and every time I saw you you’d be reading it. What was it called?”

I expected him to tense up and stay silent for a moment, but he sighed,

“Professor Snape had suggested that I read a book to help me with my non-verbal spells. I’m not quite sure how it’s helped me to improve, but I was reading it so much because I wanted to make sure I was doing them correctly.”

Blaise snickered,

“Not like Potter, then. That first lesson he just shouted the spell out without thinking about it.”

I looked at him,

“He may have said it out loud, but it was good reflexes, you’ve got to admit. Harry’s good at spells.”

Pansy frowned,

“He used to be awful at Potions but Slughorn is obsessed with him at the moment. He won that Felix Felicis fairly quickly. I wonder where he developed those skills from?”

Blaise shook his head,

“Probably from his mudblood friend, Granger.”

I muttered,

“Or maybe he’s just found a new skill this year. He is a very good wizard, so I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s developed skill for Potions.”

There was a small part of doubt inside me. Everyone knew Potions was definitely not Harry’s best subject, and I doubted Hermione had the time to be teaching Harry extra Potions. Where was he learning it all from?

Pansy smirked,

“Feeling a bit protective over your brother, are you?”

I looked at her silently for a moment before I stood up,

“Goodnight.”

I picked my book up from the sofa and walked straight towards the dormitory in frustration. Even Draco didn’t call for me to come back.