The Sound Of Silence | D.M · Y/n story by @RvnBlck

The Great Hall was a sea of whispers, the scrape of knives against plates and the low murmur of hundreds of conversations filling the cavernous space. The enchanted ceiling mirrored a bruised purple sky, heavy with clouds that threatened rain, and the candlelight flickered across the four long tables, casting long shadows across the faces of students catching up after the summer holidays.

Hermione Granger

Did you finish the Potions reading? I know Snape said it was optional, but he always tests on the optional material. And you remember what happened last year with the werewolf essay—

Ron Weasley

groaning from across the table Hermione, it's the first feast of term. Can we at least pretend we didn't just come back to school?

The noise of the hall swelled as Professor McGonagall approached the lectern, her tartan robes sweeping behind her. The chatter died down, heads turning toward the front of the room with a mixture of anticipation and reluctance.

Minerva McGonagall

Good evening, and welcome back to Hogwarts. Before we begin the feast, I have a few announcements.

Her voice carried easily through the hall. She offered the usual warnings about the Forbidden Forest, the third-floor corridor, and the importance of responsible behavior. But then she paused, her lips pressing into a thin line.

Minerva McGonagall

I also regret to inform you that due to a series of events over the summer, the Quidditch season has been postponed indefinitely.

A collective groan rippled through the hall, loudest from the house tables. At the Slytherin table, Y/n caught a flash of pale blond hair. Draco Malfoy was sitting with his usual entourage—Zabini, Nott, and Parkinson clustered around him—but something was different.

Pansy Parkinson

louder than she probably intended Just tell them it's a throat thing, Draco. It's not—

Draco Malfoy

a sharp, violent gesture, his hand slicing through the air. He shook his head once, hard, then pushed back from the table and stormed toward the doors of the Great Hall, the silence of his stride somehow more damning than any words.

The hall went quiet. Every head turned. Some Slytherins exchanged looks. McGonagall's eyebrows lifted slightly, but she continued speaking as if nothing had happened.

Theodore Nott

low, to the others at the Slytherin table He's been like this all summer. Doesn't say a word.

Blaise Zabini

glancing around the hall, voice dropping Does anyone actually know what did it?

Theodore Nott

No. And he's not exactly willing to write it down either.