Chapter 19: Part Two
"Hello Draco" she said with a smirk, she was wearing a plaid skirt, festooned with safety pins and a shirt that looked much the same. Her hair was clipped back, and her eyes were lined in black and gray liner.
"Oh...........hello" he muttered as he stepped inside, everything was awkward enough, why did he have to run into her as well?
"Out after curfew?" Sestine queried, her smirk widening.
"I was with Professor Snape, helping him look after professor October and Professor Cariad's home"
Sestine nodded idly and patted a package that sat next to her on the couch. "I see, well this came for you a while ago, from your mother I believe."
Draco nodded and made his way over to the couch where he picked up the bundle and the letter attached, he didn�t even bother reading the letter, he could do that later. Instead he opened the bundle, to find another package of sweets, he rolled his eyes, extracted a piece of chocolate and sat down on the couch, nearly forgetting Sestine was there.
"You know Draco, people are.... well, talking...." she trailed off, as if unsure of what to say.
Draco's brows quirked and he chewed for a moment before clearing his throat and speaking.
"Talking about WHAT exactly?" he asked, finally turning to look at Sestine.
"You........." she paused again, twirling a strand of blood red hair that had fallen loose from the clip around her finger. "You and Professor...Cariad" she finished rather abruptly.
Draco stopped chewing and turned a bright crimson, he took a deep breath. "Oh?" That was all he could manage to say.
Sestine nodded. "Really, I'm only telling you for your own good.... I mean, well nothing to terrible is being said about you, really it's mostly about her and Osanna...how Ivy has seduced you or something worse, perhaps bewitched you to be her and Osanna's little boy toy...they are calling her some rather nasty names."
Draco's expression went from confused and perhaps a bit embarrassed to rage and concern in an instant. He sneered and clenched his fists together so hard his knuckles went white. "Oh ARE THEY? Who is saying what exactly?"
Sestine didn't say anything for a moment, not entirely sure if she wanted to go into all of this. She took a deep breath and sighed. "Some of the Other Professors, a good deal of students...." she paused again...." Potter, Weasley and even Granger at that...they are.... well calling her a bitch, a whore, a dark wizard, a seductress that doesn�t care if she robs the cradle or not..........but mostly a bitch and a whore."
Draco's eyes widened and he felt a scream building in his throat, he tried to breathe and control his anger, he ground his teeth together, bit his lip...ANYTHING to keep control, his expression however gave it away. His eyes were nearly blank and devoid of expression, they were wide and wild, like an animal that had been backed into a corner and knew nothing but rage and anger. His mouth was distorted into a sneer of hate and disbelief. His fists were clenched in his lap and he twisted his robes so hard in his hands he was nearly tearing the material. How could they talk about her like that? HOW DARE THEY? He had already warned Potter once...apparently it had not been enough. They were all going to pay for it, EVERY, SINGLE, LAST WORD OF IT!
"Have you...HEARD them say these things?" he asked from between his gritting teeth.
Sestine nodded. "Oh yes, many times, I passed the Teachers Lounge with the door open and heard them there, and I heard Potter, Weasley and Granger in the library, and other students as well...."
Draco nodded, trying to accept it all. How stupid could they be?
"Thank you.... if you...hear anything else, I would appreciate being told." He then rose to head to his dorm, nearly forgetting the bundle form his mother in his anger.
"Wait" Sestine said after him.
Draco turned..."What?"
"If there IS something going on, I suggest you be very careful, both of you...and I mean that, there are some people here who think this school would be better off with Professors October and Cariad not around, and I have a feeling this is only going to get nastier before it gets better...."
Draco only nodded and turned down towards the boy's dorms. Oh it was going to get nastier all right, especially if he had his way about things!