LIFELINE | 𝙋𝙚𝙧𝙘𝙮 𝙒𝙚𝙖𝙨𝙡𝙚𝙮

▪︎ 38.

Writer's block sucks. I haven't gotten a single chapter written down in two weeks. Send help T_T

***

Mid-way through their Charms class, the horror within the chamber had struck again.

Professor McGonagall's voice boomed through the class, making many people squeal in terror, and Professor Flitwick squeaked and ran out.

"All students to return to their house dormitories at once. All teachers return to the staff room. Immediately, please." Her voice boomed through the castle.

"Prefects, you know what to do, I must leave now!" Professor Flitwick said as he walked out as fast as possible.

"What now?" A Ravenclaw boy said.

"Later!" Holly's voice came sharply before Percy's. "You're a Prefect, Dawson! Chat later!" She said, hurrying over to Percy.

"I'll manage the younger students. You take this lot and others in the corridors back, alright?" She said, leaving Ruby with them and hurrying away.

Percy scowled. He didn't like it when people told him what to do. Eliza caught his hand before he could say anything. 

"Come on," She said, "Not the time."

Within five minutes, the Gryffindors were packed into their common room, waiting anxiously for further news. The talking was subdued as for the first time, even though everyone was present, it was eerie silent. 

Harry and Ron (who was white and looked like he was about to cry) came into the portrait few minutes before Professor McGonagall. Percy was already nervously waiting for the announcement that he didn't even remember to scold them for being late. Fred and George were already near Percy when Ron and Harry came towards them. Eliza asked why Ron was looking white, but both he and Harry couldn't form the words.

Professor McGonagall came in looking grim as well. 

With a shaky breath, she spoke, "A student has – has been taken into the chamber." She choked out as the room gasped in disbelief. "The Hogwarts Express will be prepared tomorrow at eleven o'clock, and you will be sent home. It is likely that the school may not reopen."

Then she beckoned the Weasleys over. "If you please." And she proceeded to tell them how Ginny was taken into the chamber, much to their horror.

When they came back, the four boys were shaken, white, and possibly ready to start bawling.

"Wh-What happened?" Eliza asked concerningly as Percy drew closer to her.

He looked at her, his brows furrowed in disbelief and shock and despair. He opened his mouth and shut it again, inhaled a shaky breath, and spoke smally, "G-Ginny, she – she was taken i-into the chamber..."

Eliza gasped. "I-I must s-send a letter to Mum a-and Dad..." Percy said, pulling his parchment and quill closer, writing his letter with shivering hands, delivering the letter with Hermes, and then without a word, he walked up and shut the room door.

James, Claire, and Rehan looked at Eliza as she whispered, "Ginny, his sister was taken in the chamber."

The three of them had similar reactions to her. Ron, Fred and George sat together in a corner of the Gryffindor common room, unable to say anything to each other. Eliza glanced at them, and five minutes later, she made up her mind.

"I'm going to Percy..." She whispered as she slowly made her way up to the sixth years boys dorm.

Worriedly, she knocked on the door. "Percy?" She called out softly. "Do you want me to come in?"

There was no answer. Eliza pressed her ear to the door, and even then, there was no sound.

Uneasily, she spoke again. "I'm coming in." She said gently, turning the door knob and pushing the door open.

Percy was on his bed, turned away from the door as he was bent over, clutching his hair, his glasses, aside.

Taking a step towards him, Eliza voiced out, "Percy? Are you OK?"

He didn't speak again. In fact, he didn't even look at her or even make movement in her voice. He was overwhelmed in disbelief.

It wasn't until Eliza reached him and put a hand on his shoulder that he turned, his eyes nearing to tears.

"Percy?" She said delicately, watching him.

And then, he held her. "Ginny! W-What has she ever done that she was – she was taken away!?" Percy choked out.

Eliza held him comfortingly, running a hand through his hair. "It'll be alright... don't worry..." She tried to say to calm him down, but even she knew it wasn't worth giving him false hope.

At her gentle touch, Percy loosened up, tears slowly streaked down his cheek as he held Eliza close and afraid. A pit in his stomach was formed as he replayed McGonagall's words. He didn't want to believe her words, but he couldn't help but believe them. He should've known something was up – he should've asked her what happened – he should've talked to her better – he should've—

Eliza rubbed his cheek, drying his tears, but they continued to flow down anyway silently. It broke her seeing him like this. She wanted to see him happy, not like this, sad and devastated. 

"It's OK, Percy..." She said, rubbing his tears, "Let it all out..."

He continued to choke out words of disbelief and sadness, and he kept thinking: He should've done something!

It was only hours after exhaustion that Percy tiredly wiped his own tears and fell asleep. 

She didn't want to leave him, but as he pulled his covers on his legs, she let her hand run through his hair one more time before gently kissing in cheek and bade goodnight, hoping for the best.