𝐄𝐱𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐲 - ʰᵖ

18.

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EIGHTEEN:
UNCONSCIOUS CONVERSATIONS

    After Harry had left, Elsie and Hermione focused on caring for Ron, not daring to think of what their other friend might be dealing with.

"One of us needs to go alert Dumbledore about whats happened." Hermione eventually said.

    Elsie watched her red head friend, praying he would sit up and go right back to his chatterbox self.

    "You go ahead, I'll wait down here with Ron." Elsie looked up at the bushy haired girl.

    "Are you sure?" Hermione frowned.

    The brunette gave a firm nod. "Go on, get help."

    "I'll be back soon," Hermione promised, taking one last worried look at Ron before running back the way they came.

    Now it was just Elsie and Ron.

    The minutes went by and Elsie found herself stealing glances at the door Harry had gone through. Was he in trouble? Why was it taking so long?

    Elsie didn't want to leave Ron alone and defenseless but she was running out of patience.

    "I can't believe all this," Elsie muttered to the unmoving boy. "I mean- chess pieces shouldn't move on their own. Keys shouldn't fly, plants shouldn't move."

    The girl gave a dry laugh and shook her head. "I want to go help Harry, but- what if I'm not supposed to. I know it sounds stupid but maybe you were right. Maybe he was the only one who had to go on,"

    She paused before continuing, "And- I'm also scared I guess. Scared of what might happen I mean." She went silent staring into the boys closed eyes.

    What would Ron say if he saw her like this?

    Probably something mildly offending but true, like, "Are you a Gryffindor or not? Now get off your butt and help Harry."

    Somehow that did the trick, Elsie felt inspired by her fake Ron monologue. She picked herself off the cool marble ground and faced the door.

    "Don't move," She muttered to Ron.

    She tied her brown hair back into a messy pony-tail and pulled out her wand. Even if she could do wandless magic she felt better having it.

    She could always stab someone in the eye with it.

    Elsie let out a puff of air before making her way to the door and throwing it open.

    She was greeted with fire.

    "There is no good and evil. There is only power, and those too weak to seek it. Together, we'll do extraordinary things. Just give me the Stone!" A raspy voice called from beyond the fire.

    Elsie held in the need to cough and quickly ducked behind a stone pillar. They were in a circular room, fully empty save for the familiar Mirror of Erised in the center.