Chapter 43 – Start of the 2nd-Year
Stepping off the train, it was good to be back at school, especially now that there was no more Umbridge. I already forgot the question of who would replace her, and instead, I felt excited to have a year where I didn't need to be tiptoeing around, afraid to stumble into her and get myself tortured for no reason. Bye-bye detention, and welcome real school life!
"Hey..." Quincy nudged me, "Do you see that?" She pointed at the carriages we would take to the castle, as the boat ride was for only the first-year students.
"That is one ugly horse." I nodded, watching the dark, black skeletal horses with their bat-like wings. It wasn't that surprising; I could see that some wizard would want something like that... even if they looked like the horse that Death would ride to battle.
"Those are... thestrals, I think." She added, watching them tied to the carriages while she climbed up, me right behind her.
"They are." A voice replied, making me look back; one of my legs was already up, my hands clasping the handlebar, turning my head around. "Up." He pushed me, and she sat before us with a weird smile.
"Draco." I raised an eyebrow while the carriage started moving, and we were bouncing uncomfortably in our seats. "We didn't see you on the train."
"I came early." He answered, leaning back with an extremely smug look, "I had important things to do!" He added with a chuckle, making his sleeve fall back, showing her mark as a Death Eater.
"Congratulations?" I replied, trying not to sigh or roll my eyes.
"Why, thank you! Now that you mention it, I have two open spaces for subordinates! And, as you somewhat helped me, I thought offering the gesture to you~ You know, many others would jump on the opportunity, but I don't want them to say I am not taking care of my people!"
Just hearing his smug voice, seeing his head swelling to triple its original size... I felt sick. I stole a glance at Quincy, whose face was as placid as a corpse's, refusing to show any emotion toward Draco.
"Well, I feel humbled, but I think we will refuse the offer! We are good as is, thank you."