Lost Memories

xliii. decisions

Madam Pomfrey stood inside the room as we pushed the heavy doors of the Hospital Wing. Instead of mending their wounds, she had her arms on her hips, glaring at us.

"You will not cause a ruckus, you two will sit with your friends, letting them rest," she ordered.

"Yes, ma'am," I bounced on the balls of my feet, waiting for her to step aside and allow us to enter further.

Moving to the side, I ran to Hermione and Ginny's side while Harry ran to Ron's and Neville's. Hermione was conscious, sporting a large bandage over her chest, whereas Ginny sat up with a rod strapped to her ankle; Ron was impatiently waiting for Harry while Neville held an ice bag to his face, not seeing us.

"Oh my goodness, are you guys okay?" I cried, giving them a hug. Hermione groaned at the impact, still sore from her wound, while Ginny laughed softly at the affection. "I thought you died," tears welled in my eyes, looking at Hermione's sad face.

"No! I was just knocked out pretty rough," Hermione assured me. "I woke up a few moments before you two came in."

"And I only broke my ankle, I'll be good as new by tomorrow morning," Ginny smiled.

"And you?" asked Hermione.

The tears that sat in my eyes soon fell, remembering how I had failed.

"I'm all right," I nodded, "but I couldn't save him."

"Save who?"

"Sirius," I whispered and looked back at Harry whose eyes glared into my back.

"What?" said Ginny.

"Bellatrix k-killed him a-and I tried to s-s-s-stun her with your wand," I turned to Hermione, "but I-I missed."

"How— that's impossible..."

"N-no, I somehow c-can t-throw—"

"No, not your magic, but Sirius being dead," Hermione but me off.

"What?" Harry stood up and rushed over to us.

"He's the one who brought us here, with Lupin," Ginny explained.

"I– I watched him d-die," I whispered.

"Where is he?" Harry shouted at them.

"They said they were going to go to Dumbledore's—"

Harry didn't allow Ginny to finish her explanation. He jumped up and ran out of the Hospital Wing.

"B-but Bellatrix killed him. I watched her, I tried to Stun her, but I missed," I said.

"I think you hit Sirius, not Bellatrix Lestrange," Hermione sounded.

"I– I got to..." I trailed off and ran out of the Hospital Wing, just as Harry did.

My mind whirled as I ran up the stairs and to Dumbledore's office.

Sirius stood with Harry clinging onto him. I gasped and covered my mouth, tears falling from my eyes. Sirius, Remus, and Dumbledore were all watching me; Dumbledore smiled at me and beckoned me in.

"Ah, Charlotte," his eyes twinkled with happiness, "you are absolutely shocking."

"I– I thought y-you..." I pointed to Sirius who extended his arm out and invited me for a hug.

Running up to him, I embraced him, along with Harry, and muffled a cry.

"Quiet a Stunner, you are," Sirius mused.

"I- I didn't mean to h-hit you, I was a-aiming f-f-for—"

"You saved his life, Charlotte," said Dumbledore from his desk.