|In The Dark|

85

1 WEEK LATER...
ANNABELLE LUPIN-BLACK

When I walked into the hospital wing and saw the cot where Ron was empty, I felt a wave of panic. "Madam Pomfrey?" I called out. She walked over and smiled. "Where's Ron? Is he alright?" I asked. "Yes, dear. He was released last night." she said. Relief washed over me and I nodded. "Thank you." I said. I headed to the Great Hall and as I walked in, Harry rushed past me. He was running so fast, I barely saw it was him. Strange. I walked over to Ron and Hermione and sat down. "How are you feeling, Ron?" I asked. "Better." he said. "That's good. What's wrong with Harry?" I asked. They exchanged looks. "Katie Bell just came in. When she saw Malfoy, he ran out and Harry followed him. My face fell. "Bloody hell." I mumbled.

I ran out of the Great hall, and looked around frantically. "Did you see where Harry went?" I asked as I walked down the halls. I followed people's fingers as they pointed me in his direction. I ran down the halls and when I turned the corner, there was nobody in sight. I was just about to leave when I heard the shattering of glass. "Harry? Draco?" I yelled. Another crash came from the boys bathroom and I ran in. It was quiet and I heard the sound of water. "Harry?" I called out. I walked closer and there was water on the floor. "Harry?!" I called out. I heard footsteps and Harry ran over, out of breath. "It was an accident!" he exclaimed. My face paled and I pushed past him. I ran over and froze, stopping dead in my tracks. "Draco?" I choked out. He laid, soaking wet in the water as blood poured from gashes in his chest. "Oh my- Merlin-" I choked out. I dropped to my knees next to him, water soaking me clothes. I pressed my hands to his chest and he looked at me. I could see the fear in his eyes. "Please, Anna. I don't wanna go. I don't wanna go, please." he cried. "You're not going anywhere. Just- just hold on." I said, tears filled my eyes. "I'm scared." he said. Just then, Snape walked in. "Move." he said firmly. I sat back and he kneeled next to Draco, pressing the tip of his wand to his chest. "Vulnera Sanentur, Vulnera Sanentur, Vulnera Sanentur." he said. He repeated it over and over, almost like a song. The blood started to seep back into Draco's chest and I watched with wide eyes. Draco's eyes closed and my heart stopped. "Is he-" I started. "He'll be fine." Snape said. Madam Pomfrey came in and levitated him into a stretcher. I stood up to follow them out, and Harry grabbed my arm. "I- I'm sorry. I didn't mean to-" he started. "Let go of me." I said. He let go and stepped back. "I'm sorry." he said. I walked out, walking next to Draco's stretcher, holding his ice cold hand. When we got to the hospital wing, I sat on the chair next to his cot and held his hand as she continued healing him. Once she was done healing him and changing his clothes, I sat back down. "You're going to be ok." I whispered.

THEODORE NOTT

Hogwarts is a small school. So when something happens, everyone finds out and they find out fast. I was sitting in the Great Hall with Astoria, Pansy, Blaise and Enzo for breakfast when I heard the commotion. It started at the Gryffindor table. First, Potter ran in and said something to Granger and Weasley. Then they ran out. The Weasley girl must have heard it because she started talking to everyone at the table. It must be pretty interesting because Longbottom got up and told Lovegood. Then from there, it spread like wildfire. A few minutes later, we were still eating breakfast and talking when Daphne ran over. "There was a duel in the bathroom. Now your friends are in the hospital." she said. A pit formed in my stomach. "Who?" Pansy asked. "I don't know but she's all bloody. Millicent saw her with the stretcher." Daphne said. We all stood up and took off. Please don't be Annabelle. Please let her be ok. Please. I ran into the hospital wing and I saw her. She was sitting with her back to us but I saw the blood. She's hurt. Oh Merlin, she's hurt. "Belle!" I yelled. I ran over and pulled her into my arms. She went stiff. "Belle, thank Merlin. You're ok. You're ok, right? Are you hurt?" I asked. She wrapped her arms around me and looked up. "I'm alright." she said. I hugged her tighter, resting my head on her shoulder. I sighed in relief and nodded. "Ok. Ok, you're ok." I said, trying to slow my breathing. She nodded. "I'm ok. Ok? Everything is fine." she said. Blaise cleared his throat and I glanced up at him. He nodded slightly towards Astoria and I quickly let go of Annabelle. Astoria forced a smile and looked away. "What happened?" Pansy asked. "Draco and Harry got into a duel. Harry used a spell. I've never seen it before. But Snape got there in time." she said. I walked over and stood over the bed. "Draco, mate?" I said gently. "He's asleep. Madam Pomfrey gave him a sleeping potion. She said he needs rest." she said. I nodded. "But he'll be ok, right?" Enzo asked. She nodded. "I think so." she said. We all just nodded. The silence settled over us and we all sat down, around his cot, waiting.

ASTORIA GREENGRASS

He loves her. He loves her and he doesn't love me. I can't keep pretending that it's not true. The way he looks at her, the way he still cares, I thought it was just because of their past. But then he said her name. And now, when he thought she was hurt, I've never seen him more panicked. The way he hugged her, the way he looked when he led her, he's never like that with me. I thought I was doing the right thing, keeping them apart. I thought I was doing right by him. I know what happened, I know how miserable he was with her. But then she changed. And with that, so did everything else. He likes me, but he doesn't love me. He loves her.