|| Star-Crossed ||

51

Poison

2 WEEKS LATER
CAROLINE POTTER

It was the middle of the night when someone started banging on our door. "What in the bloody hell?" I said. Hermione rushed to the door and opened it. "Harry?" she exclaimed. "Ron's been poisoned. Get dressed and meet me at the hospital wing," he said. Then he left. It was already 3am so we just put on our school uniforms and rushed to the hospital wing. Ron was laying there, unconscious. "Oh my- what happened?" Ginny asked as she sat next to him. Harry explained everything from the love potion to the mead. "It was poisoned?" Hermione said. He nodded. "Will he be ok?" I asked. "Madam Pomfrey said he'll be fine. He's resting now." Harry replied. We nodded and sat down. Then Madam Pomfrey walked over. "Ron needs rest. You should all get some too. You may stay if you like," she said. We all nodded. I sat on the chair and closed my eyes. As I tried to fall asleep, my thoughts raced. What is going on here?

When the morning came, so did the Professors. Dumbledore, Snape, McGonagall, and Slughorn all came to the hospital wing. "Hints of licorice and cherry, when not laced with poison." Dumbledore said. "Actually, I had intended to give it as a gift myself," Slughorn said. "To whom, might I ask?" Dumbledore said. "To you, sir," Slughorn replied. I looked at Harry and he was just as concerned as me. Then Lavender came running in. "Where is he? My won-won. Has he been asking for me?" she said. I scoffed and Ginny elbowed me. Then when Ron called out Hermione's name instead of Lavender's, I nearly burst out laughing. Lavender ran off and Hermione sat down holding Ron's hand. I smiled at her and she was blushing like mad. "About time, don't you think?" Ginny whispered to me. I nodded. At least someone gets to be in love.

DRACO MALFOY

I'm screwed. He's going to kill me. I was pacing in my room when Theo came in. "I heard what happened," he said. "I'm dead," I replied. "Draco, we'll figure this out," he started. "No, we won't. I failed. Twice. 2 innocent people have been hurt because of me. Katie Bell never did anything and I hate the Weasel but he didn't deserve to be poisoned." I said. "But they'll both be fine. Neither of them died." he said. "Yeah, but I will. At least I deserve it." I said. "You don't, you don't deserve any of this." Theo said. I yanked up my sleeve to show my mark. "Yes, I do." I spat.

1 WEEK LATER
CAROLINE POTTER

"So Ron was released from the hospital?" Max asked. Classes had ended for the day and we were eating in the Great Hall. "Yeah, yesterday. He's doing just fine," I said. "That's good. Did we ever figure out what happened? Who poisoned the bottle?" he asked. I shrugged. "I haven't heard anything," I said. He nodded. "How are things with Parker?" I asked. His cheeks turned red and he looked down. "What?" I asked. "Promise to keep it a secret?" he asked. I nodded quickly. "We had sex, last weekend." he said. My jaw dropped. "Really?" I exclaimed. He nodded. "That's great! I'm so happy for you guys! You are perfect for eachother." I said. He nodded. "There's just one problem, he isn't out." he said. "At all?" I asked. He shook his head. "Aside from a few muggle hook ups, his sister, you and me, nobody knows. Well, Cedric knew." he said. His face fell. "Cedric knew him too?" I asked. He nodded with a small smile. "Not well. He helped him a few times with quidditch. That's how he got on the team." he said. I smiled. "You're brother was amazing," I said. He nodded. "I know you miss him," I said. "Cedric would be happy for me, I know he would." he said. "You're right." I said. Just then, Harry ran behind me and out the Great Hall. "You should probably go check on that, your brother has been a bit paranoid lately," he said. "What do you mean?" I asked. "Well, with Malfoy," he said. My face dropped. "What are you talking about?" I asked. "He didn't tell you?" he said. "No, what's going on?" I said. "Go talk to him," he said. I nodded and ran out of the Great Hall. I rushed through the halls stopping people to ask if they'd seen him. "He just went into the boys bathroom, down the hall on the left." a young Ravenclaw told me. "Thank you," I said. I ran there and went inside. There was shattered glass and water on the floor. "Harry? Are you ok?" I asked. Then I saw it.
Blood.