Treacherous - Theodore Nott

Chapter Twenty Seven

Astoria's voice hissed at me from a few tables over, "Violet, wake up."

I lift my head from my cramped hand, dazedly looking around and blinking.

Eventually I pull myself together well enough to make eye contact with my friend, who is jabbing her head in the direction of Professor Slughorn.

I turn my attention to him, and try to pick up on his lesson. We've been talking about the histories of several poison antidotes, and history has never been something I've found particularly interesting.

I grab my quill and look at my parchment to see where I left off.

Garnish Pink Blended Poison

That's all I have.

Unfortunately my nightmares have continued, and mixing lack of sleep with quidditch practice and grueling sessions of dueling practice every day with the boys lead to intense exhaustion. I'm too tired to even write notes, let alone keep up with my schoolwork.

Luckily, Professor Slughorn announces our dismissal and the line of dark, billowing cloaks files out of the dungeon classroom.

"You need to figure this nightmare thing out Violet, it's getting bad." Astoria whispers, suddenly beside me.

I shake my head. "I know, I'll talk to Madame Pomfrey soon."

She looks at me with an incredulous expression.

"I promise!"

I feel bad lying to her, I just need to figure out how to get my hands on more dreamless sleep and everything will be fine.

We walk down the chilly corridors next to each other, headed up to the Great Hall. My peripheral vision is blurry, a side effect of lack of sleep I'm guessing.

We make it to the entrance of the Great Hall and walk in, heading to our usual spots to sit at the long wooden bench. Astoria sits, piling the various lunch foods offered on her plate.

I'm far too nauseous to eat anything big, so I grab an apple from a fruit bowl center piece.

My stomach grumbles, loudly.

"Is that all you're eating?" Astoria looks at me in concern.

I take a bite and smile. "Yep, I feel to gross. Anyways, I've got to go."

I told the boys I'd meet them in the Room of Requirement at lunchtime today, given we all have a free period at the same time. I didn't think far enough ahead to plan a lie for Astoria, so I'm hoping she won't ask.

Thankfully she just nods. "I'll see you next period."

I offer a small wave goodbye and shuffle off to find the Room. I'm still not entirely sure how to get it to show up without them, so I hope they're waiting at the entrance for me.

Even though I wouldn't admit it out loud, I really have enjoyed our dueling sessions so far. Today will be the fourth day in a row we've practiced and I feel like I'm already tons better.

Whether I use their lessons to fight with or against the Dark Lord though, is really none of their business. I do hate to think of the future and the war that I know is just around the corner. The idea of fighting against some of my best friends horrifies me. Maybe the more well prepared I am, the better chance I have at saving them. That's what I'm using as my motivation.

It's so hard to work through the exhaustion, though. Every night I sleep less and less. I need to get my hands on more Dreamless Sleep. I know it's addictive but I can't keep living like this.

As I come around the final corner, I see Mattheo and Lorenzo facing the door waiting for me.

Suddenly, I get a fantastic idea.

"Stupefy!" I whisper and flick my wand at my unsuspecting friends.

They were standing close enough together that the jinx hit them box. The two fly up and spin into the wall with a thud.

"Lesson number thirty-seven," I say, walking up behind them. "Always be prepared."

Lorenzo, slumped against the wall, grins up at me. Mattheo just rolls his eyes playfully.

"Very well, you got us," Mattheo says, grabbing for his wand.

I grab their outstretched hands and help them both up. "Finally," I mumble to myself.

"Hey, you'll get it. It takes time and you've already improved loads," Lorenzo says.

I nod my head graciously as we walk through the disappearing door.

As we go through practice, I miss everything.

I barely last seconds before Lorenzo is able to hit me with a spell.

"Expelliarmus!!"

I groan as my wand flies out of my hand for the sixth time in about five minutes.

Lorenzo drops his wand and looks at me. "What's up with you?"

"You need to try harder, Violet." Mattheo urges me. He looks angry.

"I am trying, Mattheo," I snap. "I haven't slept in weeks. Enzo is literally spinning. I can hardly see him, let alone focus enough to hex him."

His hardened complexion falls to one of sympathy. "I hadn't realized, Vi. Are you still having nightmares?"

I nod. "It's the same thing every night. And I know it's coming but I wake up every time. I can't ever fall asleep. I'm exhausted."

Lorenzo walks up to me and rests a hand on my shoulder, his face dark. "I think that's enough for today. I'll brew you some dreamless sleep, I'm pretty good at potions." He smiles, but it doesn't quite reach his eyes. "I know how adamant he can be. I'm sorry we didn't do something sooner."

I am so relieved I could cry. I slump forward, into his hand. "Thank you," I whisper. I don't have the energy to dance around it and be polite. I'm not going to ask 'If he's sure'.

"I should have some for you tomorrow."

"Merlin bless you," I say, looking up at him. Then, I grab his face and kiss him right on the cheek.

He blushes, and his smile finally reaches his eyes. "You haven't asked what I want in return yet, Violet." He cocks an eyebrow.

My smile immediately drops. "What?"

"Merlin, I was kidding. What are friends for?" He claps my shoulder and drops his hand.

I smile back, relieved. "Let's head to class?"