The Girl Who Vanished

Chapter 27: A Pit Stop

(TW: Implied child abuse, abuse & intimidation)

The time had come where all their exams were over and everyone was collecting their items for their trips back home for the holidays. Alex and Calista nearly spent an hour yelling at each other, trying to separate their clothes that had slipped into each other's trunks throughout the year. Alex insisted on wearing whatever band tees Calista was willing to go without; Ana wanted them too considering all her shirts were far too formal for daily wear, but she knew they meant more to the younger Bole so she didn't put up any fight.

After her surprise from the twins in the dungeons, Ana collected the Dreamless Sleep Potion that she brewed herself and left it behind for the potions master on his desk with a little note that said:

"I have finished the potion. From what I can tell, it was brewed perfectly, but of course you'll be able to confirm or deny. Have a good holiday.

-B. Malfoy"

She didn't care for seeing the man again, a little part of her wanted to avoid going to the classroom again given the way Professor Quirrell intruded the last time she was there. Seeing him in class was fine, but when he imposed on her in the early morning hours Ana found that talking to him as little as possible was better. Also his preference for staring at her like a madman was a bit off putting to say the least.

Once everyone was packed and on the train, the five of them enjoyed the little stereo that Calista brought for their birthday celebration for Alex. Like the year before they enjoyed sweets and music, but Alex nearly screamed when Calista presented her with a whole box of thrifted muggle clothes from her aunt. The two of them hugged for the longest time as the other three were talking about Quidditch.

Her stomach hurt from laughing; Aeron was convinced that he could be a better beater than Lucian and the two of them engaged in multiple rounds of arm wrestles, nearly each time the older boy won with no issue. The mixture of music and laughter made her heart flutter; and as Ana ran her mitten covered hands over her new hat, she sighed at the warmth the Weasley family unknowingly brought her. If this feeling could last the whole of winter break, Ana would never have to search for a fire again, she would just have to think of her friends to keep warm.

~
Unfortunately that fuzzy feeling disappeared as soon as Ana and Draco stepped off the train; the energy felt different from last year. When she returned a year ago, she was met with an excited and cushy Draco who welcomed her back with open arms. Now, he was distant. His smirk was a permanent fixture on his elfish face, and it made her miss how things used to be. Her mother and father didn't say much to either her or Draco when they collected them from the station, the four of them moved around silently as if talking or interacting with anyone was beneath them.

The chill that typically ran through her when she was outside stayed with her even as she sat on her bed alone. Instead of hanging out with her like he usually did, Draco stayed cooped up in his room, sending owls all day for a week straight. She had asked him to hang out, suggested they chase his golden snitch or play hide and seek like they did a year ago. But whenever she brought up the idea, he'd promise they'd get to it by the end of the day. Ana would wait for hours, just praying for her bedroom door to open, sometimes she'd even sit outside his door on the cold marble floor. No matter how long she waited, he never joined her, and she would have to walk back to her room alone.

There wasn't much for Ana to do without Draco, so she stayed in her own room and made small conversation with Dobby whenever he popped in, but even that was short lived. She lamented at the fact that all she could do was sit back, play with her new woven hat and think about how being at Hogwarts would've been a better option for her.