Courage

-76-

Book: Courage
Chapter 76
Word Count: 6098

Harry had been pulled along to the hospital wing by Professor Tofty, and luckily, the exam was ending anyway. Layla sighed and collected her things, rolling her eyes. Harry was always such a drama queen. He only had a little nightmare! It was his own fault for falling asleep in the middle of an exam.

Trying to rid Harry from her mind, Layla left the hall. She debated waiting for Hermione and Ron, but simply decided to leave on her own instead. However, as soon as she exited the hall, she saw Dean waiting for her, leaning against the wall.

"Hey," he greeted, walking closer to his girlfriend. "How do you think you did on the exam?"

"There was some rough patches but I'm pretty sure I scraped a pass," said Layla as the two began to walk down the hall to head back to the common room. "What about you?"

"Same as you. There were some things in there that I had forgotten to revise, but I think I passed," said Dean, shrugging nonchalantly. "I don't care either way. If I fail, I can find an easy enough career to live off. You know, prove that I can make a life without qualifications."

"Oh. Um, okay," said Layla quietly, not knowing what else to say to that. School was a big priority for her. Sure, she had let her education slip this year due to her grieving process, and her hatred for Umbridge certainly didn't help, but she still made sure she was doing well and studying.

"What do you think happened with Harry back there?" Dean asked, linking his hand with Layla's as they neared the bottom of the stairs.

"I don't know. Probably just him being dramatic as usual. Everyone knows he craves attention," said Layla, trying to brush off the topic.

They began ascending the stairs. However, they were stopped by the sound of hurried footsteps running down the hall towards the staircase, and then a voice calling over to them.

"Layla!"

The two turned around. Layla furrowed her eyebrows in confusion when she saw that it was Harry stood there, a little out-of-breath from having to sprint down the long hallway to catch up to them.

"Layla, um, can we talk?"

Layla stayed silent for a moment, but as she opened her mouth to reply, Dean beat her to it.

"Hey, Harry," he said. "That was quite something in the exam. You doing alright, mate?"

"Um, yeah, thanks," Harry muttered, barely paying any attention to Dean, his eyes locked on Layla. "So, um, a word? It's important."

Layla sighed, turning to Dean and plastering on a small smile.

"I'll meet you back in the common room, okay? This won't take too long."

"Okay," said Dean, pressing a kiss to Layla's cheek and nodding in Harry's direction before continuing his journey up the stairs. Layla then slowly turned back towards Harry, annoyed.

"What do you want?"

"Uh, Ron and Hermione are waiting down the hall. I figured I could tell you all together. Saves explaining it twice," said Harry, gesturing with his head down the hall.

"I don't see why you need to speak to me about whatever is going on in your head this time," said Layla, rolling her eyes. "Just go speak to them." She went to turn around to continue walking up the stairs but froze when Harry spoke again.

"It's about Sirius."

"What?" Layla whipped back around instantly. "Is he okay?"

"Come on," Harry gestured down the hall again, "I'll explain."