|| Star-Crossed ||

43

A Favor

CAROLINE POTTER

I watched him walk away and I just sighed. I'll find out what's going on. I have to. Then I finally found Harry, Ron and Hermione. They were sitting in a cabin and I heard their conversation first. "Hermione saw it with her own eyes," Harry said. "I told you I don't know what I saw," Hermione replied. I opened the door and they looked at me quickly. "C," Harry said. I gave him a small smile. Hermione stood up and reached out to hug me. Then she stopped. "Can I- Can I hug you?" she asked. I nodded. She hugged me with tears in her eyes. I hugged Ron and then I sat down next to Harry. "Harry told us what happened, I've been worried sick." Hermione said. I just nodded and stared at the ground. "When we heard what happened, mum wanted us to come get you straight away but Harry wouldn't tell us where you were. He said you wanted to be alone." Ron said. I looked at Harry and he nodded. "I was with Blaise and Theo and Enzo. I just needed time." I said. They nodded. Hermione nudged Ron and gave him a look. "We'll give you two some time to catch up," Hermione said. Harry nodded and they left. He moved to sit across from me and I was quiet. "I brought your trunk. It has all your stuff, everything you need." he said. "Thanks," I said quietly. He sighed. "Listen, C. I'm sorry. For everything. I shouldn't have said that stuff to Theo. I do appreciate what he did for you. I was just angry." he said. "You need to apologize to Theo," I said. He nodded. "I will, the second the feast is over. I promise." he said. I smiled and hugged him. "I missed you, Harry." I said. He hugged me tightly. "I missed you too," he said. We talked about Fred and George's joke shop but I could tell something was bothering him. "And they even have love potions. Maybe you should get one for your tosspot loverboy Malfoy," he said. I rolled my eyes. "Are you going to tell me what's bothering you?" I asked. He shrugged. "Nothing," he mumbled. "Is it about what happened to me?" I asked. He shook his head. "No, it's just- I went back. To the Dursleys. To get our things." he said. My face dropped. "Harry! That's dangerous!" I exclaimed. "Ron and Hermione came with me. I was fine." he said. I nodded. "The thing is, I told Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia what Dudley and his friends did to you. Dudley said we're lying. And they- well they believe him." he said. My stomach sank and tears filled my eyes. "C, are you alright?" he asked. I looked up and forced a smile. "I'm fine. You aren't surprised, are you? Of course they believe him." I said. "But C, he ra-" he started. "It doesn't matter. I'm fine." I said. He had a look of concern. "So that's what this is? You're just going to pretend it never happened. Right?" he asked. I was quiet. "Caroline, you were raped. You can't just forget it happened!" he said. "I haven't forgotten. I can never forget. I remember it every time I close my eyes or try to go to sleep. I have nightmares about it far worse than anything Voldemort can put in our heads. I'll never forget." I snapped. "I'm sorry, I just-" he started. "I just don't want to talk about it. I have too much to think about with everything going on," I said. "What do you mean?" he asked. Shit, he can't know about Draco. If he becomes suspicious about Draco, that won't be good. "Nothing, just the war." I said. He nodded. "Ok. But if you ever do want to talk," he said. "I know." I said. Then I went to change into my robes.

Later that night...
Ginny, Hermione and I were sitting in our dorm talking after the feast when I heard a knock on the door. I opened it and it was Harry. "I spoke to Theo. I apologized for what I said at the cabin." he said. I nodded. "Thank you." I said. He nodded. "Can I speak to Ginny for a moment before you guys go to sleep?" he asked. His cheeks turned red and I smirked. "Late night snog?" I asked. He rolled his eyes. "No. We are just friends." he said. I scoffed. "Yeah... right," I said. I walked in and sent Ginny out. She stepped into the hall and they shut the door. I looked at Hermione with a smug grin. "So to recap, you and Harry both have the hots for a Weasley." I said. "I have no idea what you mean," she said. I laughed. "It's fine. I guess I didn't get the memo. If I had I would have gone for Fred or George," I said. She laughed and threw a pillow at me. "Caroline!" she said. I laughed. "What? They're fit," I said. She smirked. "What about Malfoy?" she asked. My face fell. "It's complicated," I said. She sighed. "You love him, he loves you. Doesn't seem complicated." she said. "Things aren't always what they seem," I replied. And they aren't. Because there is no way Draco just stopped loving me. I know him, and he wouldn't do that. He couldn't. He was special to me and I was special to him. I know I was.

HARRY POTTER

When Ginny stepped out into the hall, she looked so pretty. I loved her, but she wasn't mine. She was Dean's. "Hi Harry," she said. "Hi Ginny. I have a favor to ask." I said. "Anything," she said. "Caroline has nightmares." I said. "I know, Voldemort and you two share a-" she started. "No. She has nightmares about what happened to her. This summer." I said. Her face fell. "Oh," she said. "If she has one, a bad one, do me a favor and come and get me. I just want to make sure she's alright." I said. She nodded. "Of course, you're a good brother, Harry." she said. I nodded.