In The Next Life - Theodore Nott Fanfic

Chapter 33

To say that Mattheo Riddle made my life miserable, was an understatement. Ever since he found out about Theo and I, it is like he became this insufferable asshole that never felt the need to hold back from anything, and it was beginning to make my life a living hell.

Throughout the week, I found out from Draco that he decided to join the Inquisitorial Squad, which gave him all the more reason to irritate me. I decided it was best to leave Theo out of it, so I just began to leave out information here and there, whether it be from the comments that came my way, or the ridiculous reasons Mattheo wrote me up for, which caused even more detentions with Umbridge. Although, I'm not sure he realized the same punishment was being used.

"I'm not so sure I can take another one of those detentions that involve her special quill," I mentioned to Harry, as we both walked into the Great Hall. I tried to rub the scar back and forth gently, hoping the stinging would stop soon, but nothing seemed to stop the pain this time. 

"You don't deserve this, Florence. No one does," he started, but soon trailed off as his eyes diverted onto something else.

As I looked to see what he was looking at, I couldn't help but notice all of the frantic students going around from table to table, holding what looked liked to be the Daily Prophet. As I scanned the room, I instantly noticed a worried Ron and Hermione, so I quickly walked over to them with Harry following right after me.

"What's happened?" I asked, as I looked down at the paper. Immediately, my heart seemed to have stopped beating, and my breath hitched at my throat. "That can't be true," I spoke softly, my voice almost a whisper, as I read the title, MASS BREAKOUT FROM AZKABAN, over and over again with none other than Bellatrix Lestrange's picture following after it.

"Dumbledore warned Fudge this could happen. He's going to get us all killed just 'cause he can't face the truth'," Hermione blurted out, and I just shook my head side to side. I couldn't help but scan the room over towards the Slytherin table to see if Draco had heard the news, but I noticed that he wasn't there.

As I looked back at Harry and the others, I couldn't help but notice Neville sitting glumly at the table, looking down with a blank stare. "Poor Neville," I sighed, as I nodded over towards him. "I can't imagine what he's going through," I added, and the group just sighed.

"Harry, perhaps you should try talking with him. You know, help him out of his thoughts," I hinted, and he just shrugged his shoulders, before he nodded his head in agreement. "I can try," he offered, and I just gave him a smile.

"Meeting tonight at 6, right?" I asked, in which I received a nod from all of them. "Great. I'll catch up with you guys later."

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As soon as I walked into the common room, I immediately went searching for Draco. "Have any of you seen Malfoy?" I asked a couple of fourth years, and they just pointed up towards his room. I quickly offered them a thanks, before I ran up the stairs and hesitantly knocked on his door. 

"Draco?" I called out, as I slowly opened the door and allowed myself in. I watched as he quickly rose from his bed, as he tried to hide something behind his back, but he soon relaxed once he noticed it was me. "Florence, what do you need?" he asked, and I could tell by his face he had been upset.

"I -- heard the news," I started, and I noticed his body tense up. "I just wanted to make sure you were okay," I explained, and he just looked me up and down. "I'm assuming everyone has heard, then?" he asked, as he brought out what looked like to be a letter from behind his back, and set it down on his bed. I just shook my head in conformation and he just offered me a sigh.