ARCANE - G. WEASLEY

25

Cheers fill the air but also shouts of confusion as Harry, Reyna and Caleb's corpse land in the field. Reyna rests her head against Caleb's still chest as she sobs so loudly that she was almost wailing. The cheers cease as the audience takes in Harry and Reyna's battered states and Caleb's unnatural stillness before screams begin to fill the air.

"Reyna!"

Arms wrap around Reyna, trying to pull her away from Caleb's corpse but the witch's grip and will were too strong.

"My boy!"

Reyna feels hatred rise in her gut as she lifts her gaze to Amos Diggory. The man was wailing but there were no tears in his eyes.

"Don't you dare," Reyna snarls. "Don't you dare dishonour Caleb by pretending you care about him now"

"How dare you-"

"You destroyed Caleb," Reyna shouts. "I have spent the past six years helping him piece back together the pieces of his heart that were shattered knowing that his father never loved or cared about him"

Reyna turns to see Harry being led away by Moody and the witch gets to her feet, quick to follow as the Professors and Ministry officials descend upon Caleb's body. As Reyna turns around the corner, a spell hits her in the chest and she manages to let two words escape her lips before the darkness engulfs her.

"Not again,"

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Reyna's eyes open to see Moody leaning over Harry, a wand pointed to the boy's throat. The witch's eyes flicker orange as her consciousness slowly becomes more stable. She feels the bindings on her wrists slowly disintegrate before she gets to her feet.

"Back up," Reyna snarls. "You touch that boy and I promise you that I'll kill you"

"You'll go to Azkaban," Moody states and Reyna shrugs. "You don't care do you?"

"I'm one of the most powerful witches on earth," Reyna sneers. "Azkaban wouldn't hold me for five minutes"

"I underestimated you,"

"That's the second time I've heard that today, people should really stop making that mistake,"

Reyna's eyes glow orange and she watches as Moody's face turns an ugly shade of red as his blood boils within his body. Blood begins to seep from the wizard's nose as Reyna steps in front of Harry. With great difficulty, Moody lifts his wand, pointing it directly at Reyna who had not an ounce of fear on her face.

"AVADA-"

"EXPELLIARMUS!"

Reyna's eyes quickly change back to their original murky grey as Moody is forcefully thrown back. Albus Dumbledore's sudden shout startles her, momentarily distracting her from the chaos around her. The wizard is then hurled into a nearby chair as both Dumbledore and Snape rush over to subdue him, pinning him down with force.

"Miss Lupin," Professor McGonagall wraps an arm around her. "Miss Lupin, are you hurt?"

"Reyna, you're bleeding!" Harry exclaims.

As the witch lowers her gaze, she notices a crimson fluid soaking through her shirt. Her eyes blink several times in disbelief as Professor McGonagall places her hand over the injury. Blood starts staining the Professor's hand as she applies pressure to the witch's wound.

"That's not good," Reyna murmurs.

"Get away from the trunk," Dumbledore commands.

Reyna's face was extremely pale as she sways slightly, nausea rising in her stomach and bile rising in her throat. The witch hunches over slightly as the burning sensation in her throat amplifies. Retching fills the corner of the room as Reyna's stomach contents splatter across the floor.

"I don't feel-"

Reyna sways on her feet and Harry wraps a supportive arm around her, holding her up as her face rapidly pales. Sweat forms on her brow as she struggles to keep her eyes open.

"Who is he?" Reyna murmurs.

"Barty Crouch Junior,"

"That's crazy," Reyna slurs her words. "Harry?"

"Yeah?"

"Don't drop me,"

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As Reyna's consciousness comes back to her, she finds herself in the familiar surroundings of the Hospital Wing. Gradually her eyes adjust to the light and she notices the blood-stained fabric of her shirt, her blood. With a deep breath, she rolls her shirt up to reveal a long, jagged scar that runs from her left hip to her ribs.

"That's another one to the collection," Reyna murmurs. "Honestly, soon all of my skin is going to be scarred"

"Reyna, you're awake!"

As Reyna shifts her gaze towards the group of visitors, she spots George, Fred, Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny, all perched on hospital chairs that surround her bed. She suddenly feels a soft weight on her legs, which turns out to be Scout, the adorable little creature that squeaks and nuzzles into her stomach. She tenderly strokes his head, feeling his soft fur under her fingertips.

"Caleb-"

"The memorial was this morning," Hermione says gently.

"I want to see him,"

"Reyna, no," Hermione shakes her head.

"I need to see him," Reyna's tone was determined.

"If that's what you need Miss Lupin, then we can arrange that," Professor McGonagall's voice interrupts the brewing argument.

"Thank you,"

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Madam Pomfrey's office had been stripped of all her personal effects, a metal trolley sat in the centre of the cold room. Caleb's face was the only thing visible, a sheet pulled up to his shoulders. His face was unmoving, his skin was paper white and his eyes were closed. Reyna stumbles back, slumping down to the floor. Her hand comes to her mouth as she stares at the corpse of her best friend.

Reyna pushes herself to her feet, and walks over to the metal trolley, staring at Caleb as tears drip down her cheeks. She places her hand on his face, feeling the coldness of his skin against her palm. Her tears drip onto his face as sobs fall from her lips.

"I'm so sorry," Reyna whispers. "You deserved so much better. Life is all just a game. You followed all the rules, you did no wrong and it still wasn't good enough for whatever higher power is out there. It doesn't matter whether you're a sinner or a saint, you still lose"

Reyna leans down, pressing a kiss on Caleb's forehead before she slides her braided bracelet off of her wrist, sliding it onto Caleb's wrist.

"How lucky was I to have something that is making saying goodbye so hard?"