𝑜𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑢𝑝𝑜𝑛 𝑎 𝑑𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑚 \\ 𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗿𝘆 𝗷. 𝗽𝗼𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿

𝑋𝐿𝐼𝐼.

— ✩ ☽ ✩ —

𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙮-𝙩𝙬𝙤

— ✩ ☽ ✩ —

FROM THE DAY of Harry's trial to the train ride to Hogwarts, Caroline had barely uttered two words. She stayed quiet at meals, and she rarely spoke to her friends. The only person Caroline wanted to talk to was Harry, but he was being equally quiet. She didn't eat much, and most nights she would wander the house.

Remus tried to coax her to do normal things, participate in wizard chess matches with her friends, play cards with the adults who were staying at Grimmauld Place, and even simply sit in the living room with everyone else. She wouldn't do any of it. Caroline didn't trust easily anymore, and she'd rather be alone, wallowing than pretending everything was fine. She didn't used to do that.

Caroline was different. Before the incident, she would always jump at the chance to play chess, or socialise with her friends. She smiled, and she made happy conversation. Now caught in the aftermath, Caroline couldn't force herself to do any of that. She tried, she really did, but everytime she thought of smiling, she saw his face. It haunted her.

On the train, Caroline sat with Penny, reading. Hermione was glad to see her doing something she used to do, getting back to a routine. Harry, though he had been quiet, still conversed with Ron and Hermione, holding Marie. He sat next to Caroline, stealing glances at her every few minutes.

He was worried about her, and she knew it. She was worried about him too. But they barely spoke. Just stole hidden glances they hoped the other wouldn't notice. They both did every time. Caroline was reading Little Women. It gave her a sense of familiarity, and she needed that. Penny was curled in her lap. Caroline loved Penny, and Marie. Harry smiled at them, looking away before he was caught, focusing on the white kitten on his leg.

"We're here." Hermione announced quietly. Caroline put her book away and placed Penny in her bag, standing up with the others. Harry put Marie into his bag, the little thing curling up and sleeping quickly.

No one made conversation as they exited the train and began to walk to the carriages. Caroline walked next to Harry, with Hermione and Ron behind them. Then the voice Caroline dreaded to hear most came into range. "I'm surprised the Ministry's still letting you walk around free, Potter. Better enjoy it while you can. I expect there's a cell in Azkaban with your name on it." Draco sneered, shoving Caroline as he got close to Harry.

Harry snapped, seeing Draco touch Caroline. He saw the way she flinched. He lunged at him, but wasn't able to make it as Ron held him back. "What'd I tell you? Complete nutter." Draco said as he walked away with his friends.

"Just stay away from me!" Harry said, arms being clasped by Ron. Caroline looked over to Hermione, both wearing the same unnerved expression as they held their bags.

"It's only Malfoy. What'd you expect?" Ron said to Harry, who pulled himself free and began walking away towards the carriages.

Ron, Hermione and Caroline joined him after a moment, staring after the last carriage as it moved towards the castle. Neville joined them, holding a plant. "Hi, guys."

"Hey, Neville." Hermione said, dejected.

"Hey there, Neville." Harry replied.

Caroline sent her friend a nod. He understood. Neville had sent Caroline a letter, at the beginning of the summer. Caroline replied to him, and had Remus respond so she didn't have to. Remus explained to Neville that Caroline wasn't in the right state of mind, and that she wasn't doing well. Neville understood immediately and offered his help in any form.

Harry turned around suddenly, and Caroline did too, seeing him staring at a large, grey horse-like animal. It was beautiful, but Caroline didn't know what it was. "What is it?" Harry asked, causing their friends to turn around.

"What's what?" Ron asked.

"That. Pulling the carriage." Harry pointed to where the animal stood.

"Nothing's pulling the carriage, Harry. It's pulling itself, like always." said Hermione.

Caroline shook her head. "No, I see it." she almost whispered, brushing her dark curls from her face. She didn't have motivation to style them anymore. Most days her hair just stayed down, laying on her shoulders, or tied up halfway to keep away from her face.

Harry started walking towards the entrance of the carriage, staring at the animal the whole time. Caroline followed him, until she noticed a person in the carriage. "You're not going mad. I can see them too," the person, a blonde girl Caroline had seen at the Ravenclaw table, said, lowering her upside-down magazine. "You're just as sane as I am."

Caroline bit her tongue to keep her from saying something she might regret. She walked into the carriage, squeezing next to the girl, across from Neville. She noticed Ron shifting away every so slightly, on the girl's other side.

"Everyone, this is Loony Love..." Hermione began. Caroline knew who the girl was immediately. "Luna Lovegood," she corrected quickly. "What an interesting necklace." Hermione said to diffuse the awkwardness.

"It's a charm, actually. Keeps away the Nargles," said Luna. Everyone gazed around uncomfortably. Ron leaned behind Luna's head, glancing at Caroline, who looked frightened. "Hungry. I hope there's pudding."

As the carriage began to move towards the school, Caroline leaned forward to Neville. "Hey, Nev, what's a Nargle?" she whispered.

Neville shrugged. "I don't know." he replied. Caroline sat back in her seat, looking out the carriage. Harry stared at her, as usual.

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