The Malfoy Project

𝟔𝟕 - 𝐁𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐨𝐝𝐬

     "I'm sorry, but I'm afraid there's nothing I can do."

     It is raining exceptionally hard today. The storm shrouds the room in a blanket of grey, and the fire casts dancing shadows all over the furniture. We stand on the carpet in the middle of the headmasters' office; McGonagall presides over us like a judge in a courtroom. 

     "Excuse me?" This is Ernie, sounding more confused than shocked.

     The headmistress tilts her head down and peers at us from above the rims of her glasses. "The three of you come into my office telling me one of our students has been assaulted, and yet, there doesn't seem to be a single scratch on her at all. I'm not sure what you expected, but I cannot launch an investigation without cause or evidence." 

     The room falls unnaturally silent. The rain patters against the thin glass windows. For a moment, nobody says anything; we are all too shocked to speak. Hannah is the first to gather herself.

     "But it wasn't recent, so of course there aren't any bruises." 

     McGonagall, picking up her quill and hovers it over a sheet of parchment. "When did you say this alleged assault took place?"  

     "We told you," says Ernie. "About last month. And it wasn't the first time. He's been doing this to Ains since—" he looks to me for help.

     "Earlier this year," I finish, feeling my cheeks beginning to warm.

     McGonagall scribbles something down. "If this is true, why didn't you come to us then, Ms. Ainsley?"

     "What?" Ernie and Hannah's voices overlap. "Don't answer that, Ains," says Ernie. Then, to McGonagall, "I'm sorry, Professor, but are you saying you don't believe us?"

     "Mr. Macmillan," says McGonagall patiently. "I've watched Graham Montague for Seven Years, and he seems to me an incredibly clever, talented, and stalwart boy who treats his peers with great consideration, behaviours I expect from any and all students. And as far as I'm aware, Ms. Ainsley and Montague have been in a relationship for little more than a year now. If an attack did happen, why has Ms. Ainsley only decided to come forward now?"

     "The Teachers at Hogwarts," she continues when Ernie opens his mouth to protest, "treat each student with equal respect and fairness. We cannot go about punishing students willy-nilly, and certainly not based on the unfounded claims of another!"

     "Ern, it's fine," I whisper. "Let's go—"

     Ernie ignores me and takes a step forward. "But we're not asking you to! All we're asking is that you look into this, at least! Montague had an accident in Fifth Year that messed with his head. It's made him violent, and dangerous to the rest of us. Couldn't you ask Pomfrey to do something about it?"

     McGonagall sets her quill back down. "When Montague had his... accident, he was taken to Madam Pomfrey at once and — if my memory serves me correctly — mended incredibly well in a matter of weeks. To request that he see her again for this matter, I must have substantial evidence to show for it, or risk this matter floating up to the Ministry. And we're already under their microscope as it is, thanks to Ms. Ainsley's foolish antics at the Prophet!" 

     The squawk of laughter comes from Hannah. "Since when we were so afraid of the Ministry? We had no trouble going against them when it came to Harry, Ron, and Hermione. Are you sure it's not because Montague's father has been making very generous contributions to the school every year?"

     This provokes McGonagall enough to stand up. "I don't have to tell you that whatever insinuation you're trying to make, Ms. Abbott, is thoroughly false. Hogwarts prides itself on honesty, and while I understand you care very much for your friend, this is a very serious allegation you three are making against Mr. Montague." She turns her gaze back to me, and her next words prick my skin like thorns.