𝑜𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑢𝑝𝑜𝑛 𝑎 𝑑𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑚 \\ 𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗿𝘆 𝗷. 𝗽𝗼𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿

𝑋𝐿𝐼𝑋.

— ✩ ☽ ✩ —

𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙮-𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙚

— ✩ ☽ ✩ —

CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY WAS nearing, and the members of Dumbledore's Army were growing in skill every meeting. Caroline was getting over her fear of dark magic with every lesson, and her patronus was taking a more distinct form. It was a black stallion, and a beautiful one at that, looking just like her father's animagus from what Remus had described. They were in the Room of Requirement, which had been decorated for Christmas. Neville stood opposite Parvarti and Padma, attempting to disarm Parvarti.

"Expelliarmus!" Neville said, and Parvarti's wand flew out her hand, gasps of delight sounding around the room. Everyone rushed over to Neville, congratulating him.

"Fantastic, Neville. Well done, mate," Harry said, walking away from the crowd and to Caroline, who smiled lightly when she saw him. Hermione and Ron stood beside them as they adressed the group. "So, that's it for this lesson. Now, we're not going to be meeting again until after the holidays. So just keep practicing on your own as best you can. And well done, everyone. Great, great work." Harry said, everyone clapping for him.

"Well done, mate." Ron said to Harry, who thanked him. Caroline moved to grab her bag along with everyone else. It was something tacked to the large mirror in the back of the room that gained her attention.

Someone had pasted a picture of Caroline and Jacob, smiles on their faces as they practiced sparring outside one spring day, just before the final task. Caroline knew whoever had done it meant well, but it caused a tear to fall down Caroline's dark cheeks, her bag landing on the floor, the sound echoing like a curse in her head. She stood there as everyone else cleared out, all except for Harry.

He placed a delicate hand on her shoulder, expecting her to instantly recoil. Instead, she leant closer to him, dropping her head to his shoulder. "What is it?" Harry asked, stroking Caroline's arm.

She wiped her nose with the sleeve of her sweater. "He was so happy, Harry. Jacob was always so happy." Caroline said, feeling Harry nod, holding her impossibly close.

"I know. I know he was." Harry said gently, pushing down Caroline's curls.

Caroline didn't say anything else, and instead let the silence tell Harry everything he needed to know. They stared at the picture of Jacob and Caroline, their faces moving in the enchanted picture, Caroline dodging from her brother's playful fist. And then Caroline saw Cedric's photo, and she wiped another tear. He was young, too young. They both were. Now, they would be young forever.

Caroline looked up at Harry, and he met her gaze. They were so close. It was just them in the room, listening to the other breathe. And Caroline felt her self drawing closer to Harry, his eyes flicking down to her lips. Just before anything could go further, to what they both knew the other wanted, Caroline grabbed her bag, walking out of the room. She rushed back to the common room, ignoring Ron and Hermione by the fire, and entered her dorm.

It was empty, and Caroline collapsed on her bed, stroking Marie and Penny. She almost kissed Harry. She almost kissed her best friend. Caroline's mind was racing, and she knew she had to relax if she wanted even a chance at sleep that night. So she drank a vile of calming draught and changed out of her uniform, curling up on her bed with Penny and Marie, while her three friends discussed the event downstairs.

— ✩ ☽ ✩ —

CAROLINE'S NIGHTMARE LEFT her shaking as she laid on the couch in the common room, her tears leaving marks on the pillow she clutched. The crackling fire calmed her slightly, but her nerves spiked as her ring glowed three times. Harry needed her. Caroline sat up and looked over to the stairwell as her ring continued glowing. Ron came rushing down the stairs, helping a sweating and terrified Harry walk. "Harry? Ron, what happened?" Caroline asked, springing up from the couch and rushing towards Harry.