Fragile Delay

Chapter 3 - Chapter Three

The day's classes were nearly over, and for whatever reason Draco had insisted on walking with Cecelia to all of hers the day before as well as today. Annoyingly enough, they had the same electives as well, leaving her to deal with Draco throughout all of her classes.

It wasn't that she truly minded his presence. For the most part it seemed he was trying to get away from Crabbe and Goyle, which was perfectly understandable. She just didn't get why he'd come and bug her in particular. He had plenty of friends in Slytherin to fall back on if he really felt like he needed a break. They'd never been close and had only ever had one real conversation up until now. She didn't understand why he was suddenly latching on.

The last class she wanted to spend with Draco Malfoy was Defense Against the Dark Arts. She already knew this class would be nothing but a massive headache considering their toad-like professor. And based on Draco's words from the other night, he had a rather high opinion of the woman. She supposed it made sense considering his father likely worked with her, but she definitely didn't agree with him.

Even worse, they shared this class with Harry Potter. Cecelia had never so much as interacted with her infamous classmate despite being in the same year as him. She'd never had any reason or desire to. Hanging out with someone like him was just asking for trouble. She didn't need the unnecessary risk, and didn't need to be outcast in her House even more than she already was.

He was also going to have one of the biggest issues with Umbridge's presence. The Ministry had been opposing the Boy Who Lived ever since he started spouting off about Voldemort's return. Cecelia knew she wasn't the only one in Slytherin House who believed him, though many others were more aware because of their family's involvement with the Dark Lord. To her distaste, Draco was included in that group.

When they entered the class, it was set up like any standard muggle classroom. It was almost disconcerting with its plainness. The desks were lined up in rows with enough room for two to three people per table. At the front of the room was an empty blackboard along with a few pieces of chalk and a crisp, seemingly unused eraser. Beyond the basic layout of the room, there were some sparse decorations. A few paintings here and there, and some educational or inspirational posters dotted around on the walls. It almost felt like Cecelia was back in primary school.

Professor Umbridge stood at the front of the room, leaning against her desk and watching intently as each of them filed into the room. They weren't the first ones there, but they certainly weren't the last. Cecelia went to take a seat in the very back of the class, and like a lost puppy, Draco eagerly followed.

Over the next few minutes, the rest of the class slowly trickled in, filling up the rows of tables in front of her and Draco, as well as Pansy Parkinson who had decided to take a seat on Draco's other side. She was far enough away that Cecelia didn't mind her being there too much, though she could feel the calculating glances the other girl kept shooting her.

As soon as the class was full, Umbridge was ready to go. She clapped her hands together with a falsely cheerful smile adorning her features. "Good evening, class!"

There were a few grumbles in response, but no one bothered speaking up for the most part. "Hem, hem," she coughed daintily, "now that won't do. I said, good evening, class."

"Good evening, Professor Umbridge," the class chanted back unenthusiastically. Despite their lackluster response, her face lit up like it was Christmas morning.

"Lovely," she said in a dreadfully high-pitched tone. Cecelia could already feel her annoyance bubbling up. Combining her over enthusiastic attitude with an already stressful day of classes led to nothing but a headache. "Alright, wands away, please. Quills out."