The Malfoy Project

𝟐𝟖 - 𝐑𝐢𝐛𝐛𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐑𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐬 (*TW)

*TW: suicidal thoughts     

     Hannah has stopped talking to me.

     Last night, I tried to tell her that there's nothing between Draco and I and that he wasn't sleeping with me behind her back, but she wasn't having any of it.

     Still isn't.

     At the first shrill of morning, she slammed her alarm clock before the second ring, washed, got dressed, and stormed out of the dorm without uttering a single word.

     Susan tightened her lips at me in an obligatory greeting, but it's clear the Digest team are also still nowhere near forgiveness.

     They all left for breakfast without waiting for me. I idle around the dorm, packing this and that and pretending the sudden loss of friendly faces doesn't bother me one bit.

     My throat sings in pain. I had not gotten any sleep because of it. Even the simple movement of swallowing saliva sends a shock wave of pain up my throat and into head.

     At last, I gather enough courage to stand before the mirror. A wreath of purple had formed around my neck overnight, some areas spotting red and others a deeper aubergine.

     Basic healing spells don't work on the lilac blooms. Hannah and Susan are hardly inclined to help me, and Madam Pomfrey is out of the question.

     The bell chimes fifteen minutes before breakfast. I tug Tuttlehorn's silk ribbon loose from my hair and hold it against my neck. It's just wide enough to cover most of the splotching. I knot a bow and twist it to the side.

     It doesn't look so bad. In fact, it goes with my Oxford shirt and black skirt rather well.

     Godric, how low have I sunk to even think that?

     After finger-combing my hair and some more adjusting, the bruise was hardly visible at all. I sidle off to breakfast, feeling a shameful sense of pride for my innovative use of the ribbon.

༻❁༺

     The post owls arrive ten minutes late today, hindered by yet another heavy sleet of rain. Amongst the fluttering tawn-and-white feathers comes a raven¹. The ebony bird swoops in with panache and lands right next to my steaming mug of tea. Around its right foot is a leather strap with a loop attached to it, and in the loop is a meticulously rolled piece of parchment.

Dear Gabriella Ainsley,

By now you must be well-aware of the Daily Prophet article regarding certain allegations made by Draco against his father.

We were of the impression that it was you who made this information public, but in light of yesterday's article, we're no longer inclined to believe that to be true, and thus, thought to inform you that despite these unfortunate circumstances, it is still a wish of Lucius and I to continue the weekly interviews with you, should you be willing.

If this is agreeable, we would like to invite you to tea this weekend to discuss this matter further.

We look forward to your favourable response.

Regards,
Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy