Black Rose

9 ~ Death and Dementors

I smile as our family owl lands in front of me, delivering a letter from my parents. However, as I read over the letter, my entire mood shifts. 

Dog has been ill for a while, they've made the decision to have her put down. 

I understand that its the best option for her, she'd be suffering otherwise, but it hurts. That cat has been an important part of my life, I grew up with her always being there. 

"Are you okay?" Luna asks and I realise I'm crying. 

"Yeah, yep, I'm fine," I mumble, quickly wiping away the tears. "I'm gonna go on a walk before class." 

Before she can say anything more, I get up from the table, rushing out of the Great Hall. 

I walk around for a little while, just trying to stop crying. Eventually, I lose track of time and I realise it's half way through first period. 

I wrack my brain trying to figure out what class I'm supposed to be in. Potions. Yep, Snape is going to kill me. 

I sigh, deciding there's no point going, and instead start wandering to Remus' office. 

I knock on the door before walking in. 

"Aren't you supposed to be in class?" Remus questions, looking up at me from his desk. 

"I accidentally ended up skipping it," I mumble, sitting down across from him. 

"Your dad told me what's happening," He says. "Are you okay?" 

"I don't know." I shrug. "I mean obviously Dog was old and we all knew this was coming, it just sucks." 

"You're free to stay here for the rest of the day if you want," He says. "Do you want some tea?" 

"Yes please," I answer and he stands up. "And thank you." 

"You know you're welcome here any time," He says, walking over to the kettle at the side of the room. "I do have a class to teach next period, but you're free to stay and hide out in here. And I can help you catch up on any schoolwork you miss." 

"Thanks." 

So, for the rest of day, I chill out in Remus' office, just hiding away from the world. But I decide to head down for dinner. 

"Are you alright?" Luna asks the second I sit down. She's looking at me with concern. "Where have you been?" 

"I'm fine," I say. "Sorry for worrying you." 

"Do you want to talk about it?" 

"No." 

"That's fine," She responds. "You haven't really missed much in classes by the way, but you can look over my notes whenever you want." 

"Thank you." 

She changes the subject and we talk about random things for the entirety of dinner, which thankfully manages to take my mind off things. 

But then dinner is over. And I head to Remus' office. I knock on the door and when it opens I'm shocked when mum wraps her arms around me. 

"Hey, how are you?" She asks. 

"I'm okay," I answer quietly. "Is Dog-?" 

I trail off, not wanting to say the words. 

"Yeah," She responds without me even having to finish the sentence. 

Knowing that Dog is really gone makes me feel awful. 

Mum hugs me tighter for a second before letting go.