Evelyn Riddle: The Forgotten Chronicles- Book 6

Chapter 5

Chapter Five

Evelyn walked with Draco to Potions immediately after breakfast. It was easy to notice how the crowd in the corridor seemed to part for them. Students moved aside, some with wide-eyed curiosity, others with poorly hidden whispers or sideways glances. The attention wasn't new. Evelyn had grown accustomed to being the center of speculation. Over the summer, the wizarding papers had been relentless.

Now, walking hand in hand with Draco, their presence seemed to stir a mix of unease and intrigue among the students around them. Evelyn could feel the weight of their stares, but she didn't flinch. She kept her chin high, matching Draco's stride. His hand in hers was steady, his thumb brushing over her knuckles every so often. Together, they made a statement: they were unbothered, united, and unapologetic.

Draco glanced down at her, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips as he noticed the hushed whispers and furtive glances around them. "Quite the audience this morning," he remarked dryly, his tone laced with amusement.

Evelyn huffed, though she couldn't help the smile tugging at her mouth when he looked at her like that. "It doesn't matter."

"That's right," he murmured, squeezing her hand lightly. He leaned in and pressed a kiss to her temple, his lips lingering there for a moment longer than usual. "They don't matter"

They continued down the corridor, Evelyn's hand still clasped in Draco's, his touch a steady and familiar comfort. As they approached the Potions classroom, the buzz of whispers and stares began to fade into the background, replaced by the quieter hum of students settling in. Evelyn shot Draco a loving smile, catching the way his smirk softened ever so slightly in return.

Inside the classroom, Evelyn's gaze swept over the room, immediately noticing how much smaller the class had become since the previous year. It didn't take much to guess that fewer students had scored well enough on their OWLs to continue with advanced Potions. Her eyes landed on Hermione, sitting alone at a workstation near the front, her quill already poised and ready. But there was no sign of Harry or Ron. Evelyn hesitated for a moment, half-considering walking over to sit with Hermione.

Before she could act, Draco gave her hand a gentle tug, guiding her toward a table near the back. It was clear from his expression that he expected her to join him. Evelyn sighed inwardly but didn't resist, allowing him to lead her. They settled at a table with Blaise and Theo, the four of them quickly falling into their usual camaraderie.

Slughorn, standing near the front of the classroom, was greeting students as they arrived, his booming voice carrying easily across the room. When his gaze landed on Evelyn, his face lit up with an almost theatrical enthusiasm.

"Miss Riddle! A delight to see you in my class! Welcome, welcome!" Slughorn exclaimed, his round face beaming as he waved her in.

Evelyn forced a polite smile, nodding in acknowledgment. "Thank you, Sir," she replied, her tone measured.

Blaise and Draco exchanged amused grins, while Theo leaned forward, his grin positively gleeful. "Day one," he began, his voice low but dripping with mockery, "and you're already the teacher's pet."

Blaise chuckled, clearly enjoying the teasing. "Don't forget, she's not just Slughorn's star pupil. She's also the top of Snape's list too. Maybe she's aiming to collect them all."

Evelyn shot them both a pointed look, though her lips twitched in amusement. "Oh, shut it," she muttered, flipping open her Potions textbook.

Draco, ever the picture of nonchalance, leaned closer to her with a smirk. "Don't worry," he drawled. "If Slughorn starts getting too attached, I'll remind him you're taken."