|| Star-Crossed ||

1

Brave Or Stupid

CAROLINE POTTER

"Come with me." Harry whined. I rolled my eyes at my brother. "I said no." I stated. "You can't stay inside all day, everyday," he replied. "Yes, I can. And you should too. Voldemort could come for us at any moment and you want to go frolicking through the fields." I said. "Where's your Gryffindor bravery?" he exclaimed. "Piss off." I said. He scoffed. "I'm being smart. Wandering around aimlessly in the muggle world is practically handing Voldemort your wand and asking him to kill us." I said. "So you really want to just stay here and clean the kitchen?" he asked. "The Dursley's have been making us their slaves for our whole lives. I don't really care anymore." I said. "Fine. I'm going then. You can stay here." he snapped as he pulled on his shoes. "Have fun getting killed." I snapped back. He rolled his eyes and walked out. I sighed.

I sat on the bed in our tiny room and began to write. I had nothing else to do and with Harry being a prat, I needed to relax. Ever since Cedric died, he's been different. I wasn't there so I can never imagine what it was like but I know it was hard for him. He feels guilty for surviving. He can't even look Max in the eyes. I know Max doesn't blame him. I guess Harry blames himself. Ever since then, he's been sorta self destructive. For example, right now. He's going to the park in the muggle world. Voldemort or death eaters could attack him at any time and there would be no back up or anything. I would have gone with him but he needs space. He needs time to figure stuff out. He needs to realize it wasn't his fault.
I just hope he can.

"Caroline!" I heard Aunt Petunia yell from downstairs. I quickly jumped up and pulled my shoes on. I ran downstairs and into the kitchen. "Yes, Aunt Petunia?" I asked. "You and your brother need to start your chores." she said. Then she turned around. "Where is Harry?" she asked. "He went for a walk." I said quietly. "Speak up!" she snapped. "He went for a walk." I said louder. "And who gave him permission for that?" Uncle Vernon asked as he pushed me against the wall, holding my neck. I gripped at his wrists and tried to breathe. "He- he didn't think you would mind." I said. They scoffed. "Please, just let him go. He needs some time, ok?" I pleaded. They exchanged annoyed looks. "I'll do his chores for him." I offered. Aunt Petunia rolled her eyes. "Get to it." she said. I nodded quickly and began to sweep. Harry so owes me for this.

A few hours later, I heard the front door open and shut with a slam. Then Harry and Dudley came stumbling in. Dudley looked wrecked and Harry was a mess too. "Dudleykins, is that you?" Aunt Petunia called from the couch. Then she saw them. Dudley collapsed on the chair and Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon immediately rushed over to him. I went to Harry. He looked like he just saw a ghost.

"What the bloody hell happened?" I exclaimed. "Dementors," he said in a low voice. "Dementors?! Here!" I exclaimed. He nodded. I hugged him tightly. His skin was cold and clammy and his hands were shaking. "What happened? What did you do?" I asked. "The Patronus charm. They got to Dudley though, that's why he looks a mess." he said. "Karma" I mumbled. He chuckled. "This is what I meant Harry, it's not safe out there." I said. "Ok, I get it." he said. I nodded. "Did you know Miss Fig is watching us on orders from Dumbledore?" he asked. I gave him a confused look. "Really?" I asked. "Yeah." he said. "You still can't go roaming around, I mean look what happened, you could have-" I started. "I know, C. I won't." he said. "Ok. Good. I'm just glad you're ok." I said. He smiled. "Who did this to you boy?" Uncle Vernon yelled. We both whipped around as he pointed to Harry. "Shit" Harry mumbled. "Are you happy?! You've finally driven him mad!" he shouted. "It's not his fault. He didn't-" I started. Then I felt the sharp sting on my face as Uncle Vernon backhanded me. My head swung to the side and into the wall.  "Hey!" Harry yelled. "I'm fine, Harry. It's ok." I said as I held my face. I could feel my cheek bruising. I felt something trickling down my face. I touched my eyebrow and saw blood. I looked in the mirror and above my left eye was a cut. I was so focused on the blood that I could barely focus on what the howler was saying to Harry. But one word rang through my head like an echo. "Expelled."

Uncle Vernon smirked. "Justice" he hissed. Harry stormed up and upstairs. I ran after him. He slammed the door and I stopped. I opened it slowly and shut it behind me. He slammed his fists into the wall and Hedwig screeched. "Harry, calm down." I said. "Calm down?! Calm down?! I've been expelled, Caroline!" he yelled. "They can't do that and you know it. You were using magic to save your life." I said. "I can't prove it," he said. "We'll get Dumbledore or Sirius to help." I said. "This is just great, I've been expelled and now-" he started. Right as he turned around, he stopped. "Your face!" he exclaimed. I looked in the mirror and my cheek was bruised and there was blood on the side of my face. "I'm fine, it's not that bad." I said. He grabbed a cloth and pointed to his water. "Aguamenti," he said. Then he pressed the wet cloth to my face and wiped away the blood. We both sat next to each other on the lower half of our bunk beds and I held the cloth to my face. "We'll figure this out, ok? We always do." I said. He just stared at the floor. "Do you really think they are going to expel the boy who lived?" I asked. He smiled at me. "Let's go to bed, I'm tired." he said. "Oh yeah, all that underage sorcery must have been exhausting." I teased and we both laughed. I climbed to the top bunk and laid down. I kicked off my shoes and dropped them to the floor. I tucked my wand under my pillow and laid down. Then I dozed off.