I thought I knew my ending - Year 1 and 2

Chapter 25 - The House Cup

When I got up the next day, I half-expected to be buried in questions or at least stared at in the corridors by students from all departments. I assumed that despite Remus probably not having said anything, the Gryffindors would link Peterson's sudden dismissal and my strange behaviour yesterday. Sirius Black sure was smart enough to connect the two incidents and they would be only too happy to spread around this gossip throughout the school to get under my skin.

But when I yawned and sat down at the table next to my friends, no one noticed me. I looked around in surprise. Several students were sitting with their heads together, whispering, watching and pointing to the teacher's table where one person was missing. They had obviously been informed about Professor Peterson, but did not know that I had anything to do with him leaving the school.

I looked questioningly at the Gryffindor table and saw they were eating and having a cheerful conversation about something that probably had nothing to do with me or Peterson. I didn't know why, because if they were indeed aware of everything and kept it quiet anyway, it was to protect me, but for some reason their indifferent behaviour infuriated me. Didn't they realise what I had to go through yesterday? Did they have any idea that less than a day ago I was subjected to one of the most painful experiences I could imagine?

Evelyne also stared angrily in their direction.

'Those jerks.' Severus nodded diligently.

'How did it end just yesterday?' I whispered, 'what happened after Dumbledore took us to his office?' Evelyne leaned forward so she could whisper to me.

'They started arguing with each other.'

'What?'

'I couldn't quite follow what they were talking about, but it seemed to be about you.' She was silent for a moment and then said, her gaze fixed on me, 'it seemed like they knew about Hazel and Black was talking about a group of Slytherins you had seen at Peterson's one night?' I turned away from her, feeling the blood rise to my cheeks.

'Lily?' asked Evelyne, 'what were they talking about?' Maybe it was time to confess everything. In the past, keeping things from my friends hadn't done me much good anyway.

'I um...'

'Miss Evans?' Professor McGonagall had walked up to us. 'Can I have a word with you?' I stood up quickly, grateful for the distraction she had caused. 

Professor McGonagall and I walked out of the Great Hall. She took me into her little office. I felt hesitant as I took a seat in the chair opposite her. Could I expect another scolding?

She placed her hands together and rested her chin on them as she looked at me with a piercing gaze.

'Miss Evans,' she said.

'Yes, professor?' I tried to wipe my sweaty hands on my robe without her noticing. There was a pause.

'How was your visit to the infirmary last night?' I felt the blood rise to my cheeks. McGonagall sighed before continuing, 'you didn't go, did you?' she asked with raised eyebrows.

'No, professor,' I said so softly she could hardly hear me. She rubbed her eyes. Did she always look so tired and jaded?

'I should have expected that.' We were silent.

'As Professor Dumbledore has probably already told you, Dean Peterson has been taken to Azkaban yesterday after the um, incident. He will be given a trial within days before they hold him there permanently.' I nodded.

'Some members of the ministry came by yesterday. They asked if any students wanted to testify against him.' I slumped down in my chair. No... they couldn't do that to me. I felt nauseas when I thought of having to see Peterson again at a trial and tell everything that had happened to a packed room.