Open Wounds (Sirius Black)

Hospital Wing

I found myself standing before a towering, ancient clock tower. Its massive gears turned with rhythmic precision, casting elongated shadows in the pale moonlight. The tower stood against a starless, ink-black sky, the atmosphere heavy with an eerie stillness.

My gaze was drawn to an enigmatic veil that hung nearby. It swayed gently in a spectral breeze, its edges shimmering with an ethereal light. Faint, haunting whispers emanated from the veil, the voices barely discernible yet laden with an undeniable sense of longing and sorrow.

Suddenly, a flash of green light pierced the darkness, illuminating the scene with a sickly glow. The brilliance of the light gave way to piercing screams that echoed through the void, a chorus of anguished cries that seemed to reverberate from the veil itself.

Amidst the tumultuous cacophony, Regulus's face appeared, distorted and barely visible through the haze of torment. His voice rang through my head, the hateful words cutting like a knife. "Muggle-loving bitch."

But then, as if a lifeline in the darkness, James's face materialized, his expression filled with urgency and concern. His voice, much softer now, called out to me with a plea. "Dessa, wake up."

The dream unfolded like a surreal tapestry, leaving me disoriented and haunted by its vivid and haunting imagery, unsure of what it all meant and where reality ended and the dream began.

Slowly, like a ship emerging from a thick fog, I began to regain consciousness. The world around me was hazy and indistinct, and my senses gradually returned one by one. The first thing I noticed was the soft, cool sheets beneath me, their texture familiar and comforting.

As I blinked my eyes open, the dimly lit room of the Hogwarts Hospital Wing came into focus. The moonlight filtered through the windows, casting a gentle glow on the surrounding beds. The soft rustling of curtains and the distant ticking of a nearby clock filled the air, creating a soothing ambience.

I felt a dull ache in my head, a lingering reminder of the fall down the stairs. It was as if I were emerging from a deep slumber, my body slowly awakening to the world around me. The events of the dream, or perhaps the twisted reality that had unfolded in the Shrieking Shack, still lingered in my mind, their meaning elusive.

As I lay there, the memories and sensations of the dream gradually fading, I couldn't help but wonder about the significance of it all and how it connected to the cryptic events that had transpired earlier. The mystery deepened, and I knew that the answers I sought were still shrouded in darkness, waiting to be unveiled.

Lying in the quiet of the Hogwarts Hospital Wing, my mind raced with questions and uncertainty. What had truly happened in the Shrieking Shack? The dream had been a haunting blend of reality and nightmare, leaving me with a lingering unease.

The memory of being flung down the stairs by Regulus, his cruel words echoing in my ears, was vivid and painful. How had I ended up here in the Hospital Wing? Who had found me, and what had they seen or known about the events in the Shrieking Shack?

Sirius's absence weighed heavily on my mind. The last I remembered, we had been facing a dangerous confrontation with his brother and Kas. Had he managed to escape? Was he safe? The uncertainty gnawed at me, and I longed for answers.

Exhaustion and the lingering effects of the events of the night eventually overcame me. I closed my eyes, the weight of unanswered questions and the unsettling dream fading into the background. The gentle rhythm of my breathing and the familiar sounds of the Hospital Wing served as a lullaby, easing me into a much-needed slumber.

In the embrace of sleep, I hoped to find clarity and rest, ready to face the mysteries and challenges of the following day with a renewed sense of determination and resilience.