Harry Potter: The Forgotten Chronicles- Book 6

Chapter 4

Chapter Four

The next morning, Evelyn walked with Draco to Potions immediately after breakfast. They made quite the striking pair, his effortless confidence radiating off him like a beacon. Evelyn followed his lead with an ease born of their shared understanding. Draco's posture was relaxed yet commanding, and Evelyn's own quiet strength complemented his energy, making it impossible for anyone to look away.

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. Articles about the Malfoys' tarnished reputation following Lucius's imprisonment and whispers about Evelyn's connection to Voldemort painted the two of them as figures of suspicion, even as Harry and Dumbledore's warnings about the Dark Lord had been proven true.

Draco, the son of a Death Eater, and Evelyn, the Dark Lord's niece—it was a narrative too enticing for the press to ignore. Evelyn knew the weight of those headlines, the way they painted her as a tangible figure to channel the wizarding world's fear and doubt. It didn't matter that she'd spent years proving herself at Hogwarts or that Dumbledore himself had vouched for her. To them, she was a convenient target, a living reminder of the darkness that loomed over their world.

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, grounding her in the moment. 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 rolled her eyes but couldn't suppress a small smile. "They're just curious," she said, though her voice carried an edge of defiance. "Let them stare."

Draco chuckled, clearly pleased by her response. "That's right, love," 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.

"Come on," he said, his tone light. "We don't want to be late. Slughorn might be less terrifying than Snape, but I don't fancy being on his bad side either."

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 but firm 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.