= Wands High =

Chapter 59 - 24 May 1998, Sunday

- Daynen... ? Daynen?

Hermione's words sounded as if coming from afar, though his senses still let him know that she was standing right next to him.

- I'll go get someone from the Hospital Wing – actually it was Jessie who had said it firmly. – Ri told me of this shortcut... What... what are you doing?

Hermione had taken out her wand and was just about to raise it above the boy's head, when a trembling, cold to the touch hand suddenly pushed it away.

- No Madam Morris – Daynen managed to say, face all chalky-white. – And definitely no wands...

He was sitting on the very last step at the castle entrance, both arms wrapped around his shoulders, rubbing intensely and visibly shivering.

- Nonsense, Daynen, you are not well! We should get you checked right away...

- Listen. To. Me – the boy half-hissed, suddenly taking both her and Jessie aback. – Please. Both of you. Just sit next to me for a few minutes and be quiet. Don't. Touch.

- Perhaps we should trust what he says, Fairylocks...

Jessie had placed her hands on her shoulder, as if sensing that the potential for a serious confrontation was a real possibility. And her judgment seemed to be right on the money, if Hermione's expression was any indication on the matter.

- I'm sorry – said Daynen, though his eyes remained closed as he uttered the words. – I know exactly what this is. Just don't touch me until I tell you. Please.

The two girls exchanged a few more glances before finally conceding to the plea and taking a seat beside him on the steps, be it very reluctantly.

The stone was unusually cold, Hermione soon discovered. Icy cold even. She had to muster all her inner will not to reach for him, as the boy's skin had turned from pale to misty-blue, as if he had been out in the cold for hours. A hundred different spells seemed to pass through her mind then, but none of them really fit to what she was witnessing.

It was probably another minute or two, but when finally Daynen's eyes did open, it felt like an eternity had passed. His breathing was shaky; he was rapidly inhaling large gulps of air, as if he had been chocked all this time.

- Okay – he said. – I am mostly fine now. But please, no spells, okay?

He tried to smile, but could only keep the grimace for about a heartbeat.

- Fine!? You looked like you were about to die! – Jessie yelled.

Hermione's approach was a little bit more controlled, though that only indicated to him of how worried she actually was.

- Is it okay if I touch you now? The wand is back in my pocket, see?

Daynen nodded, but shivered even more when the girl's hand neared his forehead, to the point of convulsions even.

- I can't believe it... - she gasped. - You are so cold that it is almost burning my palm.

- Had you touched me before... it would have done just that. And more.

- So this has happened before then? – The girl asked, surprisingly getting the question out before Jessie had.

Daynen blinked rapidly.

- Fairylocks, look... - the French girl whispered.

Hermione's gaze shifted towards the location her girlfriend was pointing at and couldn't help but gasp again, as the stone underneath Daynen seemed to be shining against the sunlight. It took her more than a few heartbeats to realize the exact reason why.