Pros & Cons

9. The Curse

Violet had arrived back at Hogwarts around three in the afternoon and was now sitting in the common room with Hermione, Ron and Harry.

"What did you lot get up to while I was away" Violet was fiddling with the hem of her jumper while sitting cross legged in front of the fire. She felt bad but she didn't really care what they had to say, she was thinking about her mum while staring into the glowing embers of the fire.

"... yeah that was mental" Ron finished off his sentence, him and Harry were laughing about something that Violet had obviously missed.

"How was it at home Violet" Hermione queried.

"Yeah bloody brilliant 'Mione, thanks for that" she blurted sarcastically.

Hermione's face pursed into a frown. She came and sat on the floor beside Violet, she held her hand and lowered her voice so only Violet could hear her.

"Why what happened?"

"What- what do you mean what happened?" Violet was a little baffled. "'Mione I told you everything that's happening"

"What, when?"

"In the letter..."

"What letter?"

"The letter I sent you over half term"

"Violet, I never received a letter from you"

"Yes of course you di-"

"I promise you, I never received a letter"

"'Mione stop fucking playing this isn't funny" Violet started to smile because she was sure Hermione was playing a trick on her.

"Violet I never got a letter, but I don't see what the problem is"

Shit. Shit. Shit. You've got to be absolutely shitting me.

"You're sure you didn't...?"

Hermione slowly shook her head trying to understand Violet's panicked expression.

"I've got to- I'm um..."

Violet scrambled out of Hermione's grasp and stood up.

"Violet what's wrong?"

"I need to speak to McGonagall" Violet's breathing was picking up rapidly. "I'll explain when I get back 'Mione, promise."

She stumbled out of the common room and could hear the faint voices of Harry and Ron asking where she was going from inside Gryffindor tower but she was already hurtling down the stairs. Her heart was beating almost as fast as her mind was racing.

What if the letter was intercepted?

I'm so fucking stupid. The only bit of information that the letter didn't have was mum's exact location.

How could I have been so fucking stupid.

Violet was tearing down the corridors, her hair was whipping around behind her and her slippers kept getting caught on the stone floor.

She eventually halted in front of McGonagall's office and pounded on the door. It was already eight and past office hours but this couldn't wait.

McGonagall arrived at the door - luckily she hadn't prepared for bed yet - she opened it to Violet panting and spluttering, clutching her stomach. McGonagall quickly ushered her into the room and sat her in a seat in front of her desk.

"Professor. You... need... check.... Mum..." Violet was still trying to catch her breath whilst passing the urgent message to McGonagall.

"Miss Gardner please calm-"