Swallowing Stormclouds

Chapter 6

After a quite meal of soup and bread eaten in the infirmary both me and Draco were dubbed well enough to leave, during the meal itself all you could hear were the sounds of chewing and swallowing echoing through the expanse of the infirmary. We shared a few awkward glances but avoided them for the most part, the curse was in full affect and the feeling of utter loss was starting to take its toll on my mental health.

When we both walked out of the infirmary we did not share any words, instead we stood there in silence for a moment, the wind whistling throughout the vacant hallways, I shivered despite myself, feeling the feeling of loss chill me to my bones. Draco looks me once over making me feel even colder than before. He turns swiftly and walks towards what I presume is his house common room. I watch him go, as his form becomes smaller and smaller in my vision I start to feel like myself again, sad, but sad because I want to be, not because of some stupid curse put on my when I wasn't old enough to give my consent.

When I return to the Gryffindor tower I'm greeted by a chorus of "Aria, how are you", "you had me so worried", "nasty fall you took there" and finally "I'm glad you're okay." I appreciated all the well wishes but honestly I wanted nothing more than to sink into my bed and pretend everything I ever knew wasn't a lie. After I tackle the onslaught of well wishes I make an excuse of being tired and head for the girl's dorm.

"Aria wait." I turn to see Harry staring into my face, he looks worried. I sigh and gesture to a small seating area. I sink into the velvet fabric, it's soft and it caresses the exposed bit of skin between the hem of my skirt and knee high black socks. I tug at my skirt to pull it down, only doing so because Harry hasn't said anything and I'm starting to feel awkward. "I'm glad to see you're okay."

I smile and give him my thanks. "I know what's happening tomorrow." I go wide eyed, tomorrow me and Draco will be going to Dumbledore's office, he called in a curse breaker from the ministry specifically for us.

"How?" I croak out.

"Dumbledore told me, I guess because I'm responsible for you settling in here, and because you'll need someone to cover for you when you're not there for lessons." Dumbledore had wanted the curse to be lifted first thing in the morning, to do it any later would just be delaying the obvious and it would mean both me and Draco would be subject to the side effects of the curse throughout the remainder of the day. I nod simply, understanding Harry's role in all this.

"Thanks, I'd appreciate you not telling anyone about this?" I ask softly. "It's just... I don't really want to stand out right now, I mean I already do I'm the new girl, but I don't also wat to be the girl who was cursed and has messed up memories."

Harry smile softly at me "I won't tell a soul, promise." I smile again, much wider this time, standing. I thank him one last time for his silence and head off for a well-deserved rest. I'd say sleep but I know I won't gain the pleasure of its acquaintance. I will most likely spend the night lying in anticipation of some answers and some memories. This will be the foretelling of my origin.

The next day I wake up energetic and full of life, I'm excited, I really am. The first several hours of the night I was terrified but after working my way through all of that I am truly excited. I dress in my regular uniform and dash straight for Dumbledore's office. I was running the entire way there, the sound of my shoes clapping harshly against the stone, echoing throughout the halls. I skid to a halt right before the imposing statue in front of Dumbledore's office. I touch the head and close my eyes, inhaling deeply. Here I go

When I enter the office Draco is already there along with the head master and the curse breaker. I lock eyes with Draco and his stormy eyes swallow me whole. Suddenly the feeling of loss slams into me, I feel sick and I sway backwards slightly, I grab for the edge of a chair and sit down quickly the feeling of utter sadness engulfing me, by the look on Draco's face I can tell he is also feeling what I feel. His face is set in a frown, not an angry sad, a true sadness, like he'll never smile again. He is clutching his heart, as am I, probably trying to tame the feeling of wanting to plunge into a vat of darkness.