|| Star-Crossed ||

27

Explosions

TIME JUMP: 1 WEEK
CAROLINE POTTER
"Have you studied at all?" Hermione asked me. I was sitting on my bed talking with Hermione and Ginny and braiding my hair. "Yes, I have. Draco and I study every night." I said. "That's not the only thing you do every night." Ginny said with a laugh. I rolled my eyes. "I have no idea what you are talking about," I said. "Some advice, silence the room when you two have sex." Hermione said. My jaw dropped. "Shit, does Harry know?" I asked. "I don't think so." Hermione said. I nodded. "Is he big?" Ginny asked. "Ginny!" Hermione exclaimed. "I'm not discussing this," I said. "Come on, give us something," Ginny said. I groaned. "He doesn't disappoint." I said. Ginny laughed. "Lucky you," she said. "Can we please talk about anything else?" Hermione said. "Yes, sorry Mione. Are you nervous for our OWLS tomorrow?" I asked. "No, you guys?" she asked. "Always. No matter how much I study, sometimes I get in there and forget everything." I said. They nodded. "It'll be ok." Ginny said. I smiled. "Thanks" I said. Then we went to sleep.
The next day, Hermione woke us up bright and early to get ready. We were some of the first ones in the Great Hall for breakfast. I studied my transfiguration book while I ate and tried to retain as much information as possible. I noticed my scar was burning but I didn't think much of it. "You're going to be fine, C" I looked up as Harry and Ron sat down with us. "I know, I'm just nervous." I said. Everyone continued talking but I mostly continued my studies. Then it was time. We made our way to the class and I sat behind Harry. I knew why. He turned around and before he could speak, I did. "Yes." I said. "How did you know what I was going to ask?" he said. "I'm your twin sister. And I saw you rubbing your scar earlier." I said. He nodded. "It's probably nothing. We'll be fine." I said. Then Umbridge came in and the exams began.
It was an explosion in the distance that shook the classroom that distracted everyone. We all looked behind us as Umbridge walked to the door. Then I saw it. A small firework was flying in front of her. All of the sudden, Fred and George flew in on their brooms and our papers went flying. Fireworks exploded and I instinctively stepped next to Harry, grabbing his hand. He looked at me and smiled. "It's ok. It's Fred and George. Just one of their pranks." he said. I nodded and watched in awe. Then we all followed them outside and there were more fireworks. One even formed a W. It was incredible. Then suddenly, a sharp pain pierced my brain and I fell backwards. I closed my eyes as I saw him. Sirius was being tortured. When I opened my eyes, Draco was holding my shoulders upright and he had a look of concern. "Line, what happened?" he asked. I scanned the crowd for Harry as my scar burned. "Caroline?" he repeated. Suddenly, I felt Harry pulling me up. "You saw it?" I said. He nodded. "What's going on?" Draco asked. "Nothing, Malfoy," Ron snapped. Harry started to leave and Hermione and Ron followed. I tried to follow but Draco grabbed my wrist. "Caroline, what happened? Talk to me." he said. I sighed and shook my head. "I'm sorry." I said quietly. Then I kissed him and pushed him into the crowd. Then I ran to Harry.
"Hermione, he's all we've got left!" Harry exclaimed. They looked to me, as if I was the decision maker. I looked at Harry and nodded. "Harry's right. Maybe he's there and maybe this is a trap. But it's not a risk I'm willing to take. Our parents trusted him to take care of us, but I know they would want us to take care of him too." I said. Harry nodded, we all did.
We went to our dorms and changed and then headed for the floo.

We got to Umbridge's god awful pink office and Harry was talking frantically. I could barely focus over the pounding in my head. "We're in this together" Hermione said. "You certainly are," Umbridge said. Then I saw them, standing behind her, grinning from ear to ear. Marcus, Adrian and Graham. "Get them." Umbridge snapped. They charged towards us and Marcus grabbed Ron, Adrian grabbed Hermione and Graham grabbed me. "Don't touch her!" Harry yelled. Umbridge waved her wand and she had Harry tied to a chair. "Get your hands off of me!" Hermione snapped. "Let us go, you fucking git" Ron shouted. I couldn't breathe. I couldn't breathe all over again. He wrapped one arm around my waist and dug his wand into my side. Then he held his other hand over my mouth. Harry looked at me as he fought in his chair. I've never seen him so furious. Graham pulled me up against his body and I felt his breath on my neck. My eyes watered and I wanted to scream. I could hear Umbridge questioning Harry but I couldn't focus. Graham pressed his crotch into my back and his thumb grazed the underside of my breast. I tried to pull away but that made him pull me closer. "Everyone otherwise occupied on this interrogation, they won't notice a little fun back here, will they?" he whispered. "No, no, please don't do this" I cried but it was a muffled noise. Then I felt his hand sliding down my hip. I struggled but he dug his wand into my side again. All of the sudden, the door burst open. "Found these three trying to-" Draco started as he, Theo and Blaise came in holding Ginny, Luna and Neville. I locked eyes with him and he stopped. He pulled Neville over to us and grabbed me. "You take Longbottom, I've got Potter" he snapped. Graham rolled his eyes as he took hold of Neville. "I fancy Potter far more than this idiot," he spat. "I don't care," Draco replied. He pulled me in front of him and held his wand against my side. "Are you ok?" he whispered. I gave a small nod and watched Snape walk in. "He's got Padfoot. He's got Padfoot at the place where it's hidden." Harry said. "What is he talking about?" Umbridge asked. I looked at Snape with pleading eyes and he shrugged. "No idea" he said and he left. My hope is gone too.

"I guess the cruciatus curse ought to loosen your tongue," Umbridge said. "No!" I yelled. I launched forward trying to get to Harry but Draco grabbed me. He held me just like Graham did, only gentler. I screamed against his hand as Umbridge pointed her wand at my brother. "If you won't tell her, I will." Hermione said. We all looked at her and I couldn't help but smirk. I should have known Umbridge is no match for the brightest witch of our age. I watched them leave and we all stayed put. But Draco was still seething. "What did I tell you would happen if you laid your hands on her again?" he spat. Graham shrugged. "Your empty threats mean-" he started. Draco pushed me aside and slammed Graham against the wall. Graham gasped for air as Draco squeezed the air out of his lungs. "Mate, that's enough!" Blaise yelled. But Draco held firm. That's when I saw my wand poking out of his jacket pocket. I grabbed it quickly and grabbed Draco. I held the wand to his side and his face fell. "Caroline, what are you-" he started. "I'm sorry, Draco. I really am." I said. Then I looked at Blaise. "All of you, give us your wands and ours and step back." I said. "Are you crazy? Caroline, let him go." Theo exclaimed. "I can't do that. Wands on the table or I hex him." I said. "Line, what are you doing?!" Draco said. I could hear the hurt in his voice. "Wands on the table. You have five seconds or I hex him." I said. Blaise looked at me and shook his head. "You won't hurt him. I know you, Caroline. You won't hurt, Draco." he said. "You love him." Theo added. "You're right. I can't hurt him. But I can hurt you." I said. Their faces dropped and I pointed my wand at them. "Stupefy!" I yelled. With every firing of the curse, each boy dropped to the ground. Then I pushed Draco away as my friends grabbed the wands. "Theo! Blaise!" he said. He ran over and shook them. Then he faced me. "What the hell?" he yelled. "Please don't make me hurt you, Draco." I said quietly. All my friends kept their wands trained on him. He was outnumbered, 1 to 5. "You won't hurt me," he said. "I will if you don't move." I said. "I'm not moving an inch until you explain-" he started. His face dropped and I closed my eyes. "Stupefy" The light flashed and he hit the floor. They ran out and before I followed, I knelt next to Draco and moved the hair from his hair. I kissed his cheek and stepped back. "I love you." I whispered. Then I ran to catch up with my friends.