Chapter 9: Confrontations and Feelings

                                    

                                          
I sat in the Hogwarts library, surrounded by stacks of books, trying to focus on my studies. 
But my concentration was shattered when Hermione, Ron, and Harry approached me.
"Y/N, can we talk?" Hermione asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
I nodded, curiosity getting the better of me.
"What's going on?" I asked.
Ron pulled up a chair, his eyes locked on me. "You were with us last night, at Hagrid's hut."
I nodded, my brow furrowing. "Yeah...so?"
Harry's eyes narrowed. 
"McGonagall called us into her office. We got detention. But you didn't."
My expression changed from curiosity to confusion. "What? I had no idea."
Hermione's eyes searched my face. "You really didn't know?"
I shook my head. "No, I swear. What's going on?"
Ron's voice rose, though still hushed. "Draco snitched on us, but left you out. Why?"
My eyes widened. "I... I don't know. I didn't do anything different from you guys."
Hermione's gaze intensified, her eyes boring into mine. "That's exactly what we're trying to figure out. Why did Draco protect you?"
My face flushed, warmth spreading across my cheeks. "I don't know! Maybe he just... I don't know."
Harry's skeptical tone made my flush deepen, and I felt a surge of embarrassment.
"Forgot? Unlikely," he said, his voice dripping with doubt.
The group fell silent, tension hanging in the air like a challenge. 
Students nearby cast curious glances, drawn in by our hushed conversation.
My eyes darted between my friends, worry etched on my face. 
Why were they looking at me like this?
Hermione's expression softened, her voice gentle. "We're just trying to understand."
I swallowed hard, my voice dropping to a whisper. "I really don't know anything."
The silence stretched out, heavy with unspoken questions and doubts.
"We'll talk further on this later." Harry added.
I watched as the three of them collectively glanced at eachother and then walked away.
My thoughts began to swirl.
Were my friends mad at me now?
Did they hate me?
Why did Draco do this? Why did he protect me, but leave them to face detention?
Guilt gnawed at my conscience. 
I hadn't asked for special treatment, and now my friends were paying the price.
Anger simmered beneath my guilt. 
Draco's actions reeked of his family's elitism, their disdain for those they deemed "beneath" them.
Ron, a "poor Weasley" in the Malfoy's eyes, because of his family's lack of wealth and "tainted" bloodline. 
Hermione, a Muggle-born, considered impure by the Malfoy's standards. 
And Harry... well, Harry was just Harry Potter, the Chosen One, a constant thorn in the Malfoy's side.
Draco's snitching was a calculated move, a reminder of the old pure-blood families' influence and power.
My thoughts turned cold. I was angry with Draco, not just for putting my friends in trouble, but for dragging me into this mess.
Why did he think he had the right to decide who was worthy of punishment? 
Who was worthy of protection?
My Slytherin pride warred with my loyalty to my friends. I knew I couldn't let this slide.
I will confront Draco, demand answers, and make it clear I won't be used as a pawn in his family's games.
The library's silence seemed oppressive, but my resolve was clear.
I will stand up to Draco, 
for my friends, and for myself.