Wants of the Heart

Chapter 13

I take note of my sister, Ron, Neville, and Ginny gathered together at the fireplace as I descend the stairs from my dorm. It's as I'm making my way across the common room, to the portrait hole, that I hear Neville speak.

"Where are you going?" I don't pause in my steps until, "Rosie!"

I startle slightly as I turn to look at the group. I point to myself in clarification. "Me?"

"Yeah, Neville asked where you're going." Ginny speaks this time, as if it should have been obvious the question had been directed at me.

"Oh, sorry. I'm not used to anybody speaking to me here." I cringe after the words leave my mouth, hoping I don't sound bitter. "But I'm going to get Luna. We're meeting up with my brother and our friends."

"Your friends?" Ron's question surprises me, even more so the guilty look on his face.

"Um, yeah. Blaise invited us to play cards with them." I shift uncomfortably on my feet, the air fraught with tension.

"What about Malfoy?" My gaze trails to Hermione, taking in her anxiety. She picks at the hem of her shirt, avoiding my eyes.

"Draco has detention with Snape tonight. What's with all the questions?"

The four share furtive glances before Ron speaks up. "You shouldn't go."

I gape at the red head for a moment. "What?"

"Harry and Dumbledore are gone, they won't be back until later. Harry thinks something is going to happen tonight and asked us to gather the DA, tell everyone to be on alert." Ron's words are rushed.

The firelight glints against the glass in Hermione's hand. I finally take note of the small potion phial she holds, recognizing it as the Felix Felicis that Harry won in Potions all those months ago.

"What exactly is going on? What bad thing do you guys think is going to happen?" My heart pounds in my chest as I consider the possibilities. "And since when do you care if I'm affected by them?" My tone sharpens with the last question.

There's a strained moment of silence before Hermione steps forward. "Rosie, we've always cared-"

"Bullshit!" My voice cracks with the exclamation, eyes burning with tears of rage. The anger I've felt toward their treatment of me since September finally roaring to the surface. "You all have ignored me and treated me like the dirt under your feet for the better part of a year!"

"It wasn't our fault!" Hermione's eyes glisten with her own tears. "We were spelled to hate you. It's not our fault."

I take a step back, shock coloring my features. "What?"

"I found out when Madam Pomfrey made me do a purge from that love potion." My gaze flicks to Ron. "After I left the hospital wing, I kept trying to figure out why I had said those horrible things to you so suddenly. I eventually convinced Hermione to have a purge done, and then Harry. We don't know when, how, or by who, but somebody placed a compulsion spell on us to hate you."

My breaths are shallowing as I take in the information. "So, you-you don't hate me?"

"Never." Hermione says the words vehemently, closing the distance between us and wrapping her arms around me tightly. I return the embrace, burying my face in her shoulder. The first hug I've had from my sister in almost a year. The first conversation in almost as long.

"Godric I've missed you, Mya." My words are wet with tears as we separate. I take a moment to dry my face and compose myself. "So, what's the plan?"

A few moments later, as the potion is passed between us for everyone to sip, I hand it to my sister without drinking. "The rest is yours, throw it back."