|| Star-Crossed ||

82

What If

HARRY POTTER

"You kids have done some crazy things, some truly mad things, don't get me wrong. But this is by far the craziest!" Bill exclaimed. "What about when the sorcerer's stone incident happened in our first year?" I said. "Or when Harry and I time traveled?" Hermione added. "Or when we broke into the Ministry of Magic...twice?" Ron added. Bill and Fleur exchanged looks of surprise. "I still think it's a bad idea." Bill said. "Harry, what about Caroline?" Fleur asked. I sighed. "She's still recovering. There's no way I'm taking her with us to break into Gringotts. I just got her back!" I said. "So we are doing this without her?" Ron asked. I nodded. "It's just strange. Ever since our first year, we have done everything together. Now we got her back, I thought we would-" he started. "I won't risk it. I won't risk losing her. Not again," I said. They nodded. "We should get going." I said. I pulled out my invisibility cloak and we headed for the door. "What the bloody hell are you doing?!" A voice said. We turned around and Theo was standing at the bottom of the stairs. "We have to go, Theo." I said. "You are leaving? What about Caroline?" he asked. "She's safe here. With Bill and Fleur. And with you." I said. "What is she going to think when she wakes up and you are gone?" he asked. "Tell her we'll be back soon," I said. He scoffed. "And what if you're not? What if you get captured? Or Merlin forbid... what if you die?" he asked. My heart sank. He's right. "Take care of my sister for me. I'll be back soon," I said. His face fell and he shook his head. "You better be. You better not make me tell your sister you left her without saying goodbye and got yourself killed. Not after everything she's been through," he snapped. I just nodded. Then we walked outside and apparated away.

CAROLINE POTTER

I woke up to the feeling of my bed shifting. Memories of those death eaters holding me down and raping me in Draco's bedroom while I begged for his help flashed through my head. I shot up and crawled back, gasping for air as I screamed. "No! No! Draco!! Please, help me!" I screamed. The door burst open and Theo ran in, out of breath. "Caroline, breathe! It's ok, you're safe!" he said. He sat next to me and pulled my thrashing body into his arms. "You're safe. Ok? Just breathe. Nobody is going to hurt you," he said. Tears streamed down my cheeks as I cried against his chest. "Breathe with me. Smell the saltwater. Listen to the waves. I've got you," eh whispered. I nodded and sat back, exhaling a shaky breath. "It was just a nightmare. You aren't at the Manor, you are free and you are safe," he said. "It was just a nightmare," I repeated. He nodded and held my hands. "How about some tea?" he asked. "Ok," I said. We went downstairs and it was empty. I looked outside and Harry, Ron and Hermione were gone. "Where's my brother?" I asked. His face fell and he sighed. "Why don't you sit down for a moment?" he suggested. I shook my head. "Where is Harry?" I repeated. "They had to do something," he said quietly. "Theo, tell me where they are right now!" I exclaimed. "They are breaking into Gringotts. Hermione thinks one of the horcruxes is in Bellatrix's vault," he said. My stomach lurched. "He left without telling me? Without saying goodbye?" I said. Theo nodded. "He knew you wouldn't want him to go. He told me to tell you he'd be back soon," he said. I scoffed. "There's no way we know that's true. What if something happens?" I asked. "Nothing is going to happen. Your brother has done crazier things and gotten out unscathed. He'll be just fine. So will Weasley and Granger. It'll be ok and they'll be back before you know it," he said. "Theo, what if-" I started. "Don't do that," he said. I looked at him. "Don't let your mind go there. Wandering over every single what if. It won't do you any good." he said. "I can't. I can't stop thinking about it. The what if's. What if they're torturing him? What if they are beating him? What if he's in that cage? What if he's dead?!" I yelled. Theo's face faltered. "We aren't talking about Harry anymore... are we?" he asked. I sighed and shook my head. "We shouldn't have left him behind. I never wanted him to die for me. But that was his plan the whole time." I said. "He loves you, Caroline," Theo said. "I know. That's the problem. He loves me and it's going to cost him his life," I said. Theo just nodded. I sat down in the chair and waited there for the rest of the day, waiting for Harry.