Her first two lessons went smoothly. Although Candice got a glare from Dais Penmark in History of Magic, he didn't try to approach her; nor did anyone else for that matter. Nevertheless, his eyes made the girl uneasy. In the lesson before her last - Transfiguration - was when hell started to break loose. Professor McGonagall told them to pair up. Candice dreaded the lesson when she had to pair up without Lyra there... The downside of not having many friends: you work alone in pair tasks. Except, this time it worked out differently.
"Candice? Do you not have a partner?" McGonagall came to her.
"N-"
"I'll work with her, Professor." Dais cut in.
The girl's sea-green eyes widened as the smirking boy walked towards her. She gave her professor a desperate look and shook her head slightly for emphasis, but the elder didn't get her message. Or perhaps she ignored it?
"Perfect." the professor said and went back to her desk.
Everyone stayed quiet as she explained what everyone was to do. But the Slytherin girl couldn't concentrate. Her focus was on the male hand that slowly snaked around her lower back, then gripped her side with a bit of force. She bit back a squeak, and gathered all her self-control to stop herself from trembling. As soon as the professor finished speaking, everyone got on with the task, and the boy's grip loosened. Candice took it as the perfect opportunity and dashed towards the exit.
She saw Dais grab after her, but luckily unsuccessfully, as she was out the door in no time. The panicking girl didn't stop running until her dorm room slammed shut behind her and she could consider her surroundings safe. She barely stripped her robes (leaving her in a plain t-shirt and leggings) before she was under the boiling shower, just like a few days prior.
"Miss Candice?" a small voice sounded from her room some time later.
The girl didn't know how long it had been since she stepped in the cubicle. The hot water had long turned cold, and eventually dripped to a stop. Candice was seated the bottom of the wet mess, her soggy clothes heavy on her weak body. The bathroom light flicked on, and she put a hand in front of her eyes. She didn't notice how dark it had become before.
"Miss Candice?" the voice sounded closer.
It took a minute for the girl to connect the voice to a face.
"K-keely?"
Her whisper was caught by the elf's amazing hearing and the little creature was beside her in no time, helping the girl out. Keely snapped her bony fingers and Candice instantly felt dry. Soon the Slytherin found herself in her bed, under her covers, warmth surrounding her.
"Miss Candice can't do such things!" the elf scolded, "Miss Candice will get a cold! Not to mention that Miss Candice worried the Professors!"
She noted the words, and her mind spiralled around one phrase: she ran out of class. She ran out of class. She ran out of class. And then she skipped her last class! Candice thought of her timetable for a moment, then realised it was Potions last. Meaning Professor Snape was going to kill her! Keely saw the girl's face of horror and her scolding subsided.
"Miss Candice is not to worry about the Professors. First, Miss Candice listen to Keely and get better. After, Miss Candice can talk to her Professors. Keely will make sure that Miss Candice is not bothered until Miss Candice is better."
Candice gave the creature a thankful look as she popped away. Laying on her side, she noticed her wand beside her. She picked it up and cast a tempus spell to know the time. Nearly 6pm... She sighed remembering it was Friday, and she's missing two tutoring sessions, in addition to her missed classes. Perhaps, she could get up? She considered, but she was no Gryffindor but a coward. Candice was terrified of stepping outside her room and leaving her safety bubble. She made quite a scene in Transfiguration, and was scared to face the consequences.
Professor McGonagall was probably disappointed, and would want an explanation on why she ran out; as well as taking away house points or maybe even giving her a detention. She shivered at the thought of her Head of House also hunting after her for her unacceptable behaviour. She was a shame to the Slytherin house! The grand clock rang six, alerting her of her first session beginning, yet she still laid unmoving.
She had one hour. One hour to the dot, to collect herself and face the wrath of the Potions Master.
"Miss Candice." Keely reappeared with a tray of food which made Candice scrunch her face in disgust, "Keely has bad news Miss Candice."
The elf's ears turned down and she placed the tray next to the girl.
"Headmaster Dumbledore would like to see Miss Candice in his office..."
"T-the Headmaster? He's b-back?"
The Slytherin sat up and winced at her aching joints. Keely looked cross and attempted to push the girl back down.
"Yes, the Headmaster is back. But Miss Candice first needs to rest and eat."
"I'm n-not hungry Keely. I'll j-just go and see t-the Headmaster now."
Candice pushed her covers away and got to her feet. She swayed slightly, and the creature grabbed her hand. She could feel the wrinkled skin against her own palm, then a feeling of her insides expanding and constricting came over her as the room around her shifted. She landed on some soft carpet, coughing. A silver bucket appeared in front of her face, and she didn't hesitate to spew up whatever little food she had in her system from this morning's breakfast. When she was finished, took note of her posture on hands and knees and the fact that her hair was held back by a pair of hands. The girl cast a cleaning spell on her face, then glanced up at her helper.
Professor Snape.
She was sure if she hadn't had already emptied the contents of her stomach, she would have surely been puking again from the fear.