song(s) for the chapter: Selfish by Madison Beer; favorite crime by Olivia Rodrigo

T/W: Swearing (brief)

My eyes keep shifting towards the classroom doors as Hermione continues to talk about forming a study group. She thought it would be a good idea to get some members of the D.A. together to study, yet also let out our feelings on everything that has happened.

She's already thought of code words and names. For instance, Umbridge is "Pink Cat" and the Inquisitorial Squad is "icky slimeballs."

"I'll ask Harry and Ron and see what they think. Don't you think it's a good idea, Libby?"

I nod along with a smile, bringing my gaze back to hers.

"Pink Cat hasn't seen the last of us!" Hermione exclaims with a smirk. The nickname causes me to let out a laugh.

I glance back over to the doors, seeing Draco walking in with Blaise and Pansy.

My mouth speaks before I can fully process what I'm doing.

"Morning, Draco." My voice is barely above a whisper, but somehow he hears it. His head snaps over towards me, and I can't help but to be shocked that he's giving me attention due to the words we last spoke to each other.

I almost feel hopeful of our relationship, and I can't help but to softly smile.

"Piss off, Tonks." What did he just say? It's hard to tell with his over-pronunciation of words.

"What?"

My smile begins to falter as hateful words spew out of his mouth. From absolute lies that make me out to be some 'whore' to degrading comments about my weight, voice, and blood status.

This all feels like a nightmare, but it's not.

It's much worse.

I can't take it anymore; his harsh words and vile glare, Pansy's Merlin-awful snickering, the stares of everyone within the classroom, and the absolute gut-wrenching nausea building up within my stomach. I dash out of my seat, bolting out of the classroom and down the hall.

I run into the closest girl's lavatory I come across, rushing into an empty stall and locking the door. Positioning myself on top of the toilet seat, I hang my head into my hands and continue bawling.

The only sound within the lavatory is the sounds of my wailing and the 'drip-drop' of one of the broken sinks. This only lasts a few moments until a familiar, shrill voice speaks up.

"Oh, here I am minding my own business, and someone comes and disturbs my peace."

I look up, seeing Moaning Myrtle hovering above the stall's door. I don't know if I can handle her right now.

I begin to stand up from the stall, wiping my tear-stained cheeks as I unlock the door and step out.

"Sorry," I mutter out, bringing my gaze onto the ground.

She floats further down, her face questioning as she says, "you're welcome to share my toilet over there and cry some more."

"Um thanks?" I say, sniffling a bit more before shuffling to 'her toilet.'

She floats down to my level more, her ghostly eyes quizzically studying me through her thick frames. I spy the Ravenclaw badge on her almost transparent robes.

"From your age to the way you're crying, I assume a boy is the reason?"

Yep, she is definitely a Ravenclaw.

I wipe my nose with my sleeve. I hate how congested I get after crying.

"You could say that."

"Oh!!!!" She wails out, and I have the urge to cover my ears. She floats up towards the ceiling before swooping back down towards me again. "Did he pour his inkpot onto your freshly cleaned robes? Or did he sacrifice you to a Basilisk to open up the Chamber of Secrets??"

"That's oddly specific, but no. He's just a complete arsehole who—"

"Language!" Myrtle gasps out, her eyes growing wide.

"Sorry—" I say quickly, earning a nod of forgiveness from her. "He's not a good person, and I idiotically got attached to him. Today he—he began to spew horrible things out at me. Like how I'm—" I look up at her, wondering why I'm telling this ghoul this.

Does she even care?

"Like what?" She seats her ghostly figure on the ground, though her body is still slightly hovering above it.

I let out a sigh. "Like I'm a—now I'm quoting him, so don't get mad at me—like I'm just a 'shag of his."

She gasps at this. I'm not going to lie, it feels as though I'm talking with Susie or Hannah. She seems genuinely concerned, and I honestly appreciate it.

"He also pointed out my weight and called me a 'blood traitor.' Which, I know you know how much that hurts when people call you out based on your blood status." She nods solemnly along, her pale lips quivering.

"Oh! That is so terrible! What a foul boy! Do I know him?"

"It's—um—Draco Malfoy."

"The weasel boy?? Oh!!!" She shrieks out, floating a bit closer towards me. She places a ghostly hand on my shoulder; I can't feel it there but I swear a chill runs through my body. "Harry dislikes him, that I know. He's not worth any tears from what I've seen and heard."

I softly smile at that. "Thank you, Myrtle."

Just then, a familiar, soft voice catches our attention.

"Libby? Are you there?"

Luna.

Her head peeks around the door, her eyes find mine, and she smiles gently. Then her eyes land on Myrtle beside me, and she gives her a friendly wave as she walks over towards the open stall. She kneels beside me, her eyes gentle.

"My favorite Ravenclaw!" Myrtle exclaims with her high shrill; it's odd to see her not wailing or crying.

This causes Luna to smile more.

"Hello, Myrtle." She looks back at me. "I think I got this covered. Thank you for helping my friend."

"Yes! Yes! I am a great help! Take all the time you need!" She shrills before disappearing into the sinks, leaving Luna and I alone.

"Libby, are you alright?" She places her hand on my hands which have been twisting the bottom hem of my skirt.

"Yeah, I'm okay. I don't know if I can go back to class though." I look into her eyes, seeing that her full attention is on me; a rarity from her as she's usually in the limbo state of dream and reality. "I'm so humiliated."

Luna squeezes my hand. "If it makes you feel better, Blaise and Hermione scolded him. It cost Slytherin and Gryffindor points."

Hermione is always sticking up for those who can't stick up for themselves, so her standing up for me doesn't surprise me.

I'm incredibly thankful and appreciative though that she did.

Blaise Zabini, on the other hand, surprises me. I know him and Draco don't get along, but to know he actually stood up for me—someone who isn't even in his house or on the same level financially or blood status-wise, is mind-boggling.

"Really?" I ask, perking up a bit more at her words.

She nods. "Oh, yes. Blaise pushed him while Hermione called him—hmm—oh! I've already forgotten exactly, but regardless, she stood up for you. Malfoy also has a detention with McGonagall."

"He will get out of it, I'm sure."

There's a moment of silence until Luna says, "I don't think he meant what he was saying. Something was off with his demeanor. It felt like ingenuine meanness."

"What do you mean? He's ruthless and cruel and—did you see the way he looked at me?—That's what really hurts." At this, the tears begin surfacing again, and Luna envelopes me into a hug.

She smells a lot like lilies and the earth; it's a very comforting scent.

"It was foolish to think he and I could ever be together. So foolish."

As she pulls away, she wipes a couple tears from underneath my eyes.

"Souls are all tainted with black as we pass through the years. His soul is more tainted than ours due to unfortunate influences in his life. Your soul holds more light than his, it's only natural for your soul to be attracted to bring more light into him. Don't ever lose that, Libby."

I smile at that, although completely confused as to what she's fully implying.

She is wise beyond her years, that is for sure.

Before either of us can say anything more, the lavatory door opens revealing my two other friends: Susie and Hannah. Both rush over towards us with looks of concern in their eyes.

"Oh, Libby! There you are! I was so worried about you!"

"Oh my Merlin! Libby!! Malfoy is a disgusting piece of shit—"

"LANGUAGE!!!" Myrtle yells at Hannah, appartating from the stall across from the one I am sitting in. "Oh!! My poor, young ears!! How horribly you all talk these days!!"

Hannah lets out a shriek at Myrtle, swiftly turning around to look at the ghoul.

"Sorry! Sorry!" Hannah cries before leaning close towards Luna and I. "What the bloody hell is up her arse??"

"Hannah!" Susie scolds her before enveloping me in a sweet hug. "I'm so sorry, Libby. If I could've stopped him, I would've."

I embrace her hug more. "It's alright, Susie. I didn't know he would start acting like that."

Hannah bends down, so she's at our level more. "You are a strong, beautiful girl who doesn't need no foul boy!"

Luna and Susie nod along. My heart is slowly mending thanks to my wonderful friends.

After a little more words of encouragement from all my friends, we slowly make our way out; I make sure to say my thanks to Myrtle as well before leaving the lavatory. Susie holds onto my hand as we all make our way back into class.

She gives me a reassuring squeeze as we slip in, my eyes first landing on McGonnagal who continues her lecturing as she gives me a sympathetic nod. Some of the students turn around to look, and my eyes instantly want to look over at him...but I don't.

I feel him staring at me, but I don't give him a glance. I simply sit down beside Hermione who pats my shoulder.

Throughout the whole class, I feel his stare on me, but I continue my note-taking, acting as though he isn't worth anything to me.

He isn't worth anything to me anymore.

Although my heart still wants him, I don't. I don't want him, and I certainly don't need him.

Draco Malfoy will never be a part of my life ever again.

He's shown his true colors, and they're colors I don't want to paint my world with.

—————
**unedited**
A/N

Next chapter update Sept. 20th. I will be switching to uploading on Mondays rather than Wednesdays due to schedule changes. Thank you to those that are reading!

Much love <3
-Madelyn Joy