Violet Summer: The Philosopher's Stone

Chapter 18: Dragons and Such

 The following days buzzed with the lingering excitement of Gryffindor's triumph in the Quidditch cup. The students radiated joy, despite the weight of their impending coursework.

Toni walked through the halls alone, her day cut short after feigning illness that morning. Professor McGonagall had accompanied her to the infirmary, where Madam Pomfrey had examined her. Though no physical ailment was found, Madam Pomfrey had prescribed some medicine and allowed Toni to leave. Deep down, Toni knew she wasn't truly sick, but the emotional burden she carried had taken its toll on her. Since her conversation with Draco after the Quidditch game, she had been crying incessantly, unable to understand the true source of her distress.

Initially, Toni believed her tears were a result of feeling torn between Draco and her newfound friends at Hogwarts. It pained her to witness Draco's actions and words towards those she cared about deeply. While she couldn't bring herself to turn against Draco if forced to choose, she feared that she might eventually have no other option. Suppressing those thoughts had only intensified the mental strain on her, manifesting as sleeplessness, loss of appetite, and the subsequent headaches and stomach issues she experienced the following days.

There was no solace or escape in her own thoughts and reflections as she turned the corner, leaving the infirmary behind. To her surprise, she spotted Harry, Ron, and Hermione ascending the stairs. In Harry's hand, he held a bouquet of vibrant pansy flowers and a box of chocolate frogs. Toni paused at the top of the stairs, observing them approaching, and caught their quick glimpse of her. Hermione's face lit up with a smile, and she hurried up the steps to envelop Toni in a warm embrace.

"Careful, Hermione! What if she's hurt?" Harry teased, his concern evident as Hermione released Toni from her embrace.

"Or worse, what if she's contagious?" Ron chimed in, a touch of disgust crossing his face. Hermione rolled her eyes.

"If Toni was ill or injured, Madam Pomfrey wouldn't have let her leave," Hermione reasoned. She turned to face Toni, her smile sparkling, showcasing her two prominent front teeth. "I'm glad to see you're well! We knew something was wrong when you headed to the infirmary after the match and we had hardly seen you since. I assume you were feeling worse this morning when Professor McGonagall took you in."

Toni felt a pang of guilt, fully aware of the true reason she had visited the infirmary. None of them knew that she had gone to see Draco after his altercation with Ron during the Quidditch game. She had missed the celebration in the common room as well as any days following, and her guilt intensified as she gazed at Harry, carrying treats and flowers meant for her. It was his special day, and she had chosen to spend it checking on Draco. Looking back, she struggled to find a valid reason for favoring Draco over Harry after the Quidditch match.

Toni mustered a weary smile. "Y-Yes, I felt a bit off after the game. Perhaps it was the sudden rush of adrenaline. I didn't realize I had hardly eaten or drunk anything."

"You need to be more careful with that. Professor--" Hermione began, but Harry interjected, cutting her off.

"We're just glad you're feeling better," he said, offering Toni a warm smile.

Toni returned the smile gratefully. Their eyes met for a moment, and there was a lingering connection before Harry took a few steps up the stairs and handed her the flowers and chocolates. Toni accepted them graciously, yet guilt continued to gnaw at her. Looking at the flowers only intensified her feeling of undeserving. If anyone deserved recognition and praise, it was Harry for his victory. She met his gaze once more, her smile genuine and heartfelt.

"I'm genuinely thrilled for you, Harry. You won the Quidditch cup for Gryffindor. It was incredible to finally see you play and I am sorry I've been too ill to celebrate with you," Toni said. A blush tinged Harry's cheeks, and he smiled.