Her Name Was Lily

Year 3 - Chapter 9

When he finally woke up, I was nearly in tears because of the overwhelming feeling of concern for him. As he sat up I handed him his glasses and hugged him tightly. "Are you alright? That thing was doing something to you and then Professor Lupin drove them away but you fainted."

"I think I'm okay. What was that... thing?"He questioned, looking at me with his fearful blue eyes.

"It was a dementor, one of the guards of Azkaban. Don't worry, it's gone now. It was looking for Sirius Black." He pulled something from his pocket and handed it to Harry. "Eat this, you'll feel better. Don't worry, it's chocolate." Harry reluctantly took the chocolate from Lupin and took a small bite. "Now... if you'll excuse me, I need to have a word with the driver. Eat, you'll feel better."

He walked out of the compartment, leaving the four of us alone. "What happened to me?" Harry asked us after taking another small bite of the chocolate.

"Well you went sort of rigid, we thought you were having a fit or something."Ron answered with concern in his voice.

"Did any of you... you know, pass out?"

"No, I felt weird though. Like I'd never be cheerful again." Ron had a certain worry on his face that I'd only ever seen on my parents when I had returned home. This situation felt similar due to the fact someone I cared about was in a position where I couldn't do anything to help them.

"But I heard someone screaming, a woman." Harry's voice snapped me out of my thoughts about my sister.

"No one was screaming, Harry." Hermione answered.

"It's okay." I assure him. "You're safe now, just try to relax. We'll be at Hogwarts soon."

When we eventually arrived at Hogwarts, Hermione pulled me aside as the boys sat down at the Gryffindor table. "I didn't want to ask you this around the boys but why exactly did you leave?"

I was stunned by the question and was unsure how to answer. I managed to keep my composer and take a deep breath. "Look, I don't want to go into it, but something happened with my little sister and I needed to be home."

"Is she alright?" Not only was she asking me this question but I was asking myself the same thing. I hoped and prayed that she was going to be okay but there was always a possibility of... no, I can't think like that.

"Uhh- yeah, she'll be fine." I needed to tell myself that Caitlin was going to be okay, I needed to convince myself that she was going to live a long and happy life without worrying about her health.

Hermione could see the conflict in my eyes, "You don't have to talk about it if you don't want to." She placed a gentle hand on my shoulder and wore a sweet smile. "Well I did have another question for you." She said, removing her hand and changing the subject.

"Yes?" I ask. I was glad she noticed my discomfort while talking about my sister and brought my attention to something else.

"Do you... fancy Harry?" She questioned as if she struggled to get the words out of her mouth.

"Harry? Harry Potter? No, I mean he's great, but no. I guess I- well- no, I don't fancy Harry." I stuttered my way through my answer and she could definitely tell I was lying.

She furrowed her brow in denial but shrugged it away quickly, "If you say so." Her tone was almost sarcastic.

I roll my eyes playfully and walk back to the table, sitting next to Zane, Ron, and Harry. Had Harry's hair always fallen that way onto his forehead?

(word count: 628)