Venom & Virtue

chapter 24

TRIGGER WARNING

there's going to be some triggering content in this chapter, if you wish to avoid it
then look for the five asterisks (*****)
that will indicate the start and end

at the beginning of the next chapter i will put another TW, with a brief summary of what happened, so those who chose not to read it aren't confused for the rest of the book

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I struggled through the passageway, attempting to keep a hold of the stack of books in my hands.

A brief visit to the library had turned into a two-hour exertion, hunting for anything that might help me write my essay for History of Magic.

As it turned out, I hadn't accounted for how broad the Gargoyle Strike of 1911 would prove to be; both a boring and extensive topic.

I burst into the common room, trying not to trip over my feet as I looked around desperately for a table to rest the mound of literature upon.

I made my way over to the nearest available space, dropping the items onto it with a sigh of relief as my arm muscles relaxed.

I accio'd my notebook and quill set from my dorm, getting comfortable on the wooden chair as I delved into the first book at the top of the pile.

I was busy reading about the political climate of the time when I felt a presence looming over me, casting a distracting shadow over the page.

I frowned, glancing up to find Pansy standing next to me, an unimpressed grimace on her face.

My eyebrows raised a fraction at the sight of her so nearby; she had never bothered me directly before, always resigning herself to rude glares whenever we happened to cross paths.

Seeing her close up for the first time made me admire just how naturally beautiful she was.

Her face was formed into a pleasant heart-shape, her jawline emphasised by the chopped black bob and a dainty nose.

For a moment I envied her perfect complexion, a pale ivory that made her large black eyes pop, emphasised by the wings of eyeliner across her monolids.

I thought it a shame that she never seemed to smile, for it might have added to the angelic appearance even more.

"Can I help you?" I kept my tone light, friendly, hoping it might encourage her to do the same.

"You must think you're so smart," she sneered.

"I have no idea what you-"

"Oh save it freak."

"Listen, Pansy, if I've done something wrong then I'm sorry..." I trailed off, confused about what had made her so wound up.

"Sorry? You're sorry? Is that all you have to say?"

"Maybe if you told me what we are talking about then I could offer something else."

"Don't act so coy you stupid witch," she hissed, "I know okay... about Draco."

I leaned back, placing my quill down onto the notebook, ignoring the ink that splattered across the lines as a result.