For as long as she could remember, Esmeralda Grisky and Lorenzo Berkshire had been inseparable best friends. But in their sixth year at Hogwarts, something shifted between them, drawing them closer than ever. Esmeralda begins to realize that her fee...
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TW: This chapter mentions miscarriage. Please don't read if this topic makes you feel uncomfortable.
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THE HOSPITAL WING WAS OPPRESSIVELY QUIET, THE KIND OF SILENCE THAT SEEMED TO AMPLIFY THE TICKING OF THE CLOCK ON THE WALL AND THE SOFT RUSTLING OF MADAM POMFREY'S ROBES AS SHE MADE HER ROUNDS.
The sterile smell of disinfectant lingered in the air, mixing with the faint floral scent of the bouquets scattered around the room. In the far corner of the wing, behind a privacy curtain, Danielle sat beside her best friend's bed, her fingers absently tracing patterns on the blanket that lay over Esmie's still body.
It had been several agonising days since Esmie had slipped into a coma, poisoned by a chocolate frog that had been meant to delight, but instead had nearly killed her. Enzo had found her unconscious on the floor of their dorm, the half-eaten chocolate still clutched in her hand. He had rushed her here, his face pale with panic, carrying her limp body as if she might shatter if he moved too quickly. Since then, it had been a waiting game. Professor McGonagall had taken the chocolate frog to investigate who was responsible for the attack, but all anyone could do for Esmie now was wait and hope.
Danielle sighed softly, her eyes sweeping over Esmie's peaceful face. Her breathing was steady, her chest rising and falling in a calm rhythm, but her skin was too pale, and her usual glow was nowhere to be found. It was eerie to see her like this, so motionless, so unlike the lively, fiery girl Danielle had known for so long. The stillness weighed heavily on her heart, each passing day making it harder to hold onto hope.
"Hey, Emmy," Danielle whispered, her voice cracking as she spoke. "I know you probably can't hear me, but I just needed to talk to you."
Her hand shook slightly as she reached out, gently brushing a stray lock of hair from Esmie's forehead. The sight of her best friend lying so still made Danielle's chest tighten with emotion. She had never seen Esmie like this—Esmie, who was always full of energy, who could brighten a room just by walking into it. Now, it felt as though the light had dimmed, and Danielle didn't know how to navigate through the shadows that remained.
