RIDDLE ME THIS

24

LOLA

white light filtered through my eyelids and i raised my hand to block it out.

"did she just-"

"Lola?" a warm hand was on my arm.

i groaned and rolled over.

"come on, Lo."

i opened my eyes slowly and stared up at my brother and...

"Draco?" i croaked.

"yeah," he grinned. "yes, i'm here."

"Matteo,"

"hey," he held my hand tight.

i sat up, taking in my unfamiliar surroundings until my head began to spin, forcing me to lay back down.

"where are we?"

"Malfoy Manor," Draco said.

"could someone get me some-"

"water?" Matteo already had a glass in my hand.

"thanks," i took a few sips.

"i'll go and tell Mother and Father that you've woken up." Draco edged towards the door.

"alright," Matteo nodded.

"you didn't have to apologise." i grabbed my brother's hand as soon as the door closed. "it wasn't your fault."

"what?"

"i heard you," i told him. "i could hear everything."

Matteo's face paled a little before regaining its usual tanned appearance.

"i feel terrible," he kneeled by my bedside.

"i can't remember what happened," i frowned. "how did we end up here?"

he frowned as well.

"where's Tom?"

the frown turned into a scowl. "what's the last thing you remember?"

i knew the icy tone couldn't be directed at me.

"you and i were sitting at the edge of the woods...."

"it that it?"

"yes."

"shit..."

the door opened and Mr Malfoy entered, followed by Draco and Mrs Malfoy.

"you woke up," Mrs Malfoy breathed.

"Cissa," Mr Malfoy murmured, then turned to me. "how are you feeling?"

"i could be better."

he nodded. "i'll inform the Dark Lord of your recovery."

Mrs Malfoy hustled over to the bedside and pressed a hand to my forehead.

"you feel fine to me, just take it easy—stay in bed if you need to." she smiled a little.

"i'm fine." i stood, ignoring the fact the room spun. "when do we go back to school?"

"oh, whenever you're ready."

i glanced at the clock on the bedside table; 7.15am.

"then we'll leave at nine."

*

the train was quiet, but calmingly so.

i stretched out on the bench, leaving Draco and Matteo to share the one opposite me.