Of The Solstice

Alone

I found myself in a dimly lit room, the air thick with tension. Before me stood a trembling and bound Muggle, their eyes filled with fear. The haunting presence of Bellatrix loomed over me, her eyes gleaming with malicious intent.

"Go on, little Calista," Bellatrix cooed, her voice dripping with sadistic pleasure. "Show us your loyalty. Prove yourself."

My heart raced, torn between my own revulsion and the terror of defying Bellatrix. I raised my wand, my hands trembling with the weight of the moment.

"I won't do it," I managed to whisper, trying to muster the strength to resist Bellatrix's taunts.

But Bellatrix laughed, her manic grin widening. "Oh, dear Calista, you disappoint me," she said, her voice sending chills down my spine. "I thought you were one of us."

Before I could react, Bellatrix raised her wand and shouted, "Avada Kedavra!" The green bolts of lightning consumed my body, and I felt a searing pain like nothing I had ever experienced before. My vision blurred, and I gasped for breath, feeling my strength waning.

Suddenly, I jolted awake, my heart pounding in my chest. I clutched my pillow to my face, screaming and crying into it, trying to erase the haunting images from my mind. As I wept, I could hear shuffling around the room, causing me to tense up with fear.

A soft hand touched my back, and my immediate reaction was to grab my wand and point it at the unknown person. But as I turned, I saw no one I gasped, my eyes darting around the empty room, searching for the source of the touch. My heart continued to race, and a cold sweat covered my trembling body. The echoes of the nightmare still lingered, leaving me disoriented and on edge.

"Who's there?" I called out, my voice quivering with fear.

Silence answered me, and I could feel the weight of the emptiness around me. There was no sign of an intruder, no trace of anyone's presence. It was as if the room had swallowed up the mysterious touch, leaving me to question my senses.

I sat on my bed for the rest of the night, clutching my wand tightly in my hand. The dried tears on my face left my skin feeling tight and raw. It felt like hours had passed before a faint glimmer of sunlight started to shine into the room. The first rays of dawn painted the walls with a soft, golden hue, gradually dispelling the darkness that had engulfed me.

As the room brightened, I took a deep breath, trying to calm my still-racing heart. The nightmare had left me emotionally drained and shaken.

I stood up, my body feeling heavy from the weight of the restless night. I reached for my Gryffindor sweater and a pair of pants, hastily dressing myself. My unbrushed hair was a tangled mess, but I didn't have the energy to fix it properly, so I settled for a messy bun.

I decided to leave the dormitory, the common room would be too crowded and lively, and I craved a moment of solitude to gather my thoughts. I found solace in the empty halls, where I could walk in silence, undisturbed by the hustle and bustle of the castle waking up. The early morning light painted the walls with a soft glow, and the gentle echo of my footsteps filled the air.

I made my way to the library and settled into my usual nook. Taking out the book James had gifted me for my birthday, I began reading, hoping to find solace in its pages.

As the sun's rays gradually illuminated the room, more students started to trickle in. Among them were familiar faces Regulus, Evan, Pandora, Barty, and Mulciber, who took seats around mine.

"Well, you look like shit," Mulciber stated, directing his remark at me.

"Good morning to you too," I replied, without looking up from my book.

"Rough night?" Regulus asked, showing concern in his voice.

I looked up for a moment, "You could say that," I replied, my voice tired and heavy with emotion.

Pandora leaned forward, her eyes filled with genuine concern. "Calista, are you okay?" she asked softly, reaching out to touch my hand.

I forced a small smile for her sake. "I'll survive," I said, trying to sound more optimistic than I felt.

Evan, who was seated across from me, leaned back in his chair, arms crossed. "Seems like your nightmares are getting worse," he remarked, a hint of smugness in his voice.

I shot him a glare. "Don't act like you care, Evan," I snapped.

Pandora shot Evan a disapproving look. "Be nice, Evan," she scolded.

Barty, who was lounging lazily in his chair, chimed in with his signature sarcasm. "Oh, come on, can't we all just get along and bond over our mutual hatred for everything?" he said, smirking.

Mulciber, who had been silent until now, added his own cold remark. "It's a wonder you even have friends," he said, referring to me.

I took a deep breath, trying to ignore their taunts and the growing sense of frustration. My emotions were a mess, and their comments were the last thing I needed. "Just leave me alone," I muttered.

After a few moments passed, the tension in the room still palpable. "I need some air," I said, excusing myself as I walked away from the table and out of the library. Regulus followed behind me, calling my name.

As I reached the front doors of the castle, Regulus grabbed my arm, his expression filled with concern. "Calista, stop running away from me," he pleaded.

I turned around quickly, my frustration evident in my voice. "Reggie, I cannot continue sacrificing my mental stability by hanging out with those three lunatics," I snapped.

Regulus looked at me with a mix of concern and sincerity, gently letting go of my arm. "Being around those lunatics is what's keeping you alive, Calista," he said softly.

"I want MY three lunatics back!" I snapped at him, my voice filled with frustration and pain. "My best friends HATE me, and it's because of them," I added, my voice cracking as I spoke.

Regulus looked at me with empathy, understanding the weight of my emotions. "Calista, they don't hate you," he said gently. "They're just hurt and confused. You know they care about you."

Tears welled up in my eyes, and I struggled to hold them back. "It doesn't feel like it," I murmured, feeling a knot forming in my throat.

I took in a deep breath, my voice heavy with emotion. "Please, just leave me alone," I said with a defeated sigh. Before he could reply, I pushed the doors open and walked out of the grounds, heading towards the whomping willow. It is where I knew no one would follow me.