the dragon's daughter

Chapter 28: But What Does It Mean?

Right where we left off...

Orion POV

I almost stood frozen at the scene before me.  Aquila was having her soul sucked out by a dementor.  It felt like an out of body experience.

James was the first to recover, fumbling out his wand.  He pointed it at the dementor.  

"Expecto Patronum!" A silvery blue light emanated from the top of his wand.  It took the form of an eagle seconds later.  The whale flew towards the dementor, crashing into it.  

The dementor retreated into the dark sky. A hard thud following.  I snapped out of my daze and rushed to Aquila.  She had a weak pulse and shallow breaths.  I picked her up carefully and rushed to the infirmary wing.  Madam Pomfrey had me set her on a bed and started fussing over her.  She shooed us out, and as the door closed, we fell into a silence.

"J?" Rosie said, gaining out attention as he 'hmm'ed in response. "How did you know that charm, it's not till fifth year." She asked the question we all wanted to know the answer of.

He shrugged like it was last weeks Daily Prophet news.  "Dad told me the story of when he learned it when he was- my age?" He paused, "I think? Anyway, he taught me behind Mum's back, she eventually found out but wasn't that mad.  Surprisingly."

We all looked at him with dropped jaws. "So you've known how to do this? This complex charm? Since first year?" Roxy spluttered 

He nodded slightly after thinking "yeah, although I think it was my first accidental magic.  I don't really remember."

We stood there wanting to question it further, but decided against it.  We all turned to the sound of rushing footsteps.  McGonagall came into view first, followed by my parents, Uncle Harry, Aunt Maria, Uncle Theo, Teddy, and Uncle Jakob.

Mom hugged us whispering how thankful she is that we were okay, but when Pomfrey opened the doors and they rushed inside she almost collapsed.

"Oh my baby," she sobbed out.  We had all made our way in their by that point.  Aquila laid on the hospital bed.  Her hair looking a little less wavy than natural.  Her skin looked sickly pale, not the usual Malfoy pale.  Her face looked slightly pained and she looked troubled.  It was terrible.  I saw Cal and Scorp from the corner of my eye.  They along with everyone else in the room looked miserable and fearful.  We turned to Pomfrey who stood with McGonagall.

"She's gone into a coma, we don't know when of if she'll wake up." Pomfrey said with a pained expression.

We all shared a look between our parents, siblings, friends and family.  I stood forward with tears in my eyes, taking her hand,

"Please wake up soon, Quila," I whispered while kissing her head.

I walked out with Richie close behind.  

"Hey mate? You okay?" He asked seriously.

I sniffled, only then realizing I'm crying.  Richie walks over to me and hugs me, letting me cry freely.

Richy just rubbed my back soothingly, whispering that everything will be alright.

"But what if it's not? What if she doesn't wake up? What if I loose another sister? What did she do to deserve this?  Why is it always her?" I sniffled.

He took a deep breath, "I wish I knew, I know how much she means to you, which is why i know she wouldn't want you to be pent up like this.  She'd want you to keep moving on.  Remember, she's not gone, more like missing."  He paused, "She has a good chance of waking up, maybe not soon, but the chance of her waking up is still good.  It's like she's just in a deep sleep.  It's to help her body recover.  She's gonna be alright." He said patting my back and letting go.  I nodded wiping my tears off my face and the door opened to my parents and siblings.  I walked over to my mother and hugged her waist.  He pat my back as she rubbed my shoulders.