Chapter 303: Diary and Letter
Hogwarts had entered its summer holiday.
The end of the school year was always busy, though this time the term had ended a little earlier than usual. The exams were over, and students had already boarded the Hogwarts Express, heading home to enjoy their well-earned vacation.
Pansy spent much of the holiday at Malfoy Manor.
She visited Lucius and Narcissa frequently, keeping them company and trying to comfort them. The relationship between the Parkinsons and the Malfoys had grown even closer because of everything that had happened. Pansy's father had never distanced himself from the family; instead, he often came by to offer his support.
Most of the time, however, Pansy remained alone in her bedroom, quietly occupied with her own thoughts.
---
"So this is what it feels like to have a boy's body... It's really strange."
"Still... it feels wonderful that my leg has finally healed. I can walk normally again."
"But I'm really worried about Draco's match tomorrow."
"He must be in great danger."
---
"Thinking about it now is so embarrassing..."
"Draco couldn't have secretly looked at me... could he?"
"If I'd known sooner, I would have tried harder to lose weight."
"No... my leg hadn't healed back then, so I couldn't exercise."
"I should have just eaten less..."
---
"I knew he would win."
"But he didn't seem happy at all."
"Did something happen in the lake?"
"Never mind..."
"I'm so sleepy."
"Time for bed."
---
"Tomorrow is the Third Task of the Triwizard Tournament."
"I don't know whether Draco will become the champion..."
"But as long as he comes back safely..."
"That's enough."
---
"I was so stupid."
"I should have noticed something was wrong much earlier."
"Why didn't I?"
"Draco must have known something was going to happen."
"Otherwise, he wouldn't have eaten so much at the banquet. He never even liked those dishes."
"But if he knew..."
"Why didn't he run away sooner?"
"Although..."
"He really did run away that day."
---
It was her diary.
Inside were records of the past few days, along with all the small thoughts and feelings hidden within a young girl's heart.
After finishing that page, Pansy reached into the drawer and took out another sheet of parchment.
This one was not a diary.
It was a letter.
---
"You're probably hiding somewhere right now..."
"Living a carefree and happy life, aren't you?"
"You left me here worrying about you all by myself."
"And when you ran away, you even remembered to kidnap a beautiful girl."
"If you'd come to me instead, I definitely would've cooperated with you even better than she could."
"Or..."
"Do you think she's prettier than me?"
---
At this point, the words still carried a trace of anger.
But as the letter continued...
The anger gradually disappeared.
Only worry remained.
---
"You'll write to me when you have time..."
"Won't you?"
"You're safe now..."
"Right?"
"You'll come back alive..."
"Won't you?"
---
It was a letter destined never to reach its recipient.
Draco Malfoy was still missing.
It was as though he had vanished from the world without leaving behind a single trace.
Pansy felt her eyes beginning to sting.
She rubbed the corners of her eyes with her fingers before suddenly turning toward the window.
Warm golden sunlight streamed in, reflecting off the mirror nearby and making her eyes ache even more.
A few soft feathers drifted past outside.
A moment later—
Tap. Tap.
An owl pecked gently against the window.
Pansy immediately stood up from her chair, crossed the room, opened the window, and let the owl inside.
The Dark Magic that had once injured her leg had mostly healed by now.
As long as she didn't run too quickly, walking posed no difficulty.
With age came stronger magic, and the lingering effects of Dark Magic grew weaker and weaker.
The owl obediently stretched out one leg.
A letter was tied securely to it.
Pansy untied it with a trace of anticipation, despite knowing that what she hoped for was almost certainly impossible.
> Dear Miss Pansy Parkinson,
Based on your usual conduct, your final examination results from the previous school year, the recommendation of your Head of House, and your influence within Slytherin House, you are hereby appointed Prefect beginning in your fifth year.
It is our hope that, during the coming academic year and beyond, you will faithfully fulfill your responsibilities, assist the Head Boy and Head Girl in maintaining student discipline, and serve as an example to the student body.
Sincerely,
Albus Dumbledore
Headmaster
A flicker of disappointment crossed Pansy's face.
Even becoming a Prefect failed to make her happy.
In the past, she would have run to her closest friends to show it off proudly.
"I'm a Prefect now."
"Surprised?"
Slowly, she sat back down and continued writing on the parchment before her, unsure whether it was still a letter or had become another diary entry.
---
"If you were still at school..."
"If none of this had ever happened..."
"Maybe we'd both be Prefects now."
"You definitely could've been one."
"It would've depended only on whether you wanted the position."
"I know you hate troublesome things like that."
---
As she wrote, she couldn't help imagining the two of them wearing Prefect badges together, standing proudly before the Great Hall and delivering serious speeches to the incoming first-years.
Watching those nervous little first-years tremble in fear...
The image was strangely amusing.
And somehow...
Rather impressive.
---
"If you really do get caught and sent to Azkaban..."
"I'll wait for you."
"I looked it up."
"Underage wizards aren't imprisoned for very long."
"Besides, Azkaban has already been destroyed."
"The Ministry will probably reduce your sentence."
"Uncle Lucius and Aunt Narcissa are both very worried about you."
---
"Uncle Lucius was temporarily suspended from the Ministry because of your case while they investigated him."
"But he'll return to work very soon."
"So don't worry too much if you hear about it."
---
Pansy's eyes drifted toward the newspaper lying on the table.
It was the latest issue of The Daily Prophet.
The front page featured an unpleasant-looking woman seated behind a desk, diligently handling official documents.
The pink cat decorations that had once filled her office had all been temporarily removed.
The bold headline read:
> It is reported that Acting Minister Dolores Umbridge displayed extraordinary diligence and devotion throughout her tenure, achieving remarkable success in reforming and improving wizarding society. Defeating the formidable Rufus Scrimgeour, she ultimately secured victory in the election. It is hoped that she will become a guiding light for the Wizarding World during the turbulent years ahead.
The Daily Prophet spared no effort in praising the new Minister.
Even so...
Its flattery still couldn't compare to Rita Skeeter's shamelessly exaggerated writing style.
"This is such nonsense..."
"And she's really ugly."
"But she did help Uncle Lucius a great deal."
Pansy glanced at Umbridge's photograph with unconcealed disgust before continuing to write.
Lord Voldemort had very few capable followers left.
Naturally, he wanted Lucius restored to his position within the Ministry of Magic.
"I need to go to Diagon Alley."
"I should buy my black-and-green Prefect badge first."
Muttering quietly to herself, Pansy carefully put away both the diary and the unfinished letter before locking them safely inside the cabinet.