When We Were Beasts

Salad

BIG ANNOUNCEMENT:

Starting Monday, I will upload a chapter a day until we reach the final 5 chapters, which will be uploaded all at once. We're so close to the end, and so much is about to be packed into these final pieces. Enjoy!!!

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Theo had joined them for dinner last night. And it had been awkward for everyone but Luna.

Theo hadn't trembled the entire time, hiding behind Luna or his tent walls. He had been there, truly present.

He had conversed with almost everyone, and was finally able to properly listen to Malfoy's tale of how they ended up at The Haven, though Malfoy made sure to censor his stories as to not trigger Theo into an episode.

Theo had even laughed at a joke Pansy told. It had spooked everyone except Luna, who simply said, "It sounds like wind chimes when he laughs, doesn't it?"

Afterwards, when everyone had gone to their own tents, Neville and Hermione made their way into Theo and Luna's tent.

Now that he was more relaxed, they were able to do a full body scan using both of their wands.

It was weak, and they didn't fully understand what they were looking at, but then again they hadn't finished school, either.

With Hermione's minimal knowledge in muggle and magical medicine, apothecary, and potions, and Neville's knowledge in Herbology, the two of them were able to come up with a plan to help Theo heal.

"A Draught of Peace as soon as you wake up," Neville told him. "And one more right as the sun sets. You'll also take a Dreamless Sleep for the next 10 days."

"During the day, when it's worn off," Hermione said. "We'd like you to take a walk and speak with either Zabini, Pansy, or Malfoy. Luna can come with you, of course, but we want you to try and open up to one of them."

"Why?" He had seemed to agree easily to everything else with ease except this.

"Because I think it would help you, to talk to someone." Luna said before Hermione could reply. "Someone other than me."

"You don't have to say anything now," Neville cut in. "We'll be back later. You can let us know then."

They made to turn away, but Theo's voice stopped them.

"Why help me? We weren't friends."

Hermione looked at Neville, but he shrugged at her as if to say, I'll let you handle this one.

"Because," Hermione finally said. "We're not at Hogwarts anymore. We're no longer defined by just our houses. And I've hurt too many people here. It's time I finally helped someone heal."

Neville gently reached for her shoulder, when they were outside of the tent.

"Do you want to leave to forage soon? Say, half an hour?"

Hermione considered it. They'd eaten early, there was still a lot of day left.

She'd felt so heavy since they arrived here.

With just Malfoy, she didn't have anything to hide. He knew she'd killed, and had become something entirely knew in this place. But the weight of everyone else's opinions was threatening to crush her. As far as she knew, her and Malfoy were the only ones who'd slaughtered their way through the rooms. It left her exhausted, carrying the weight of it all.

"Yeah, I need to get out and feel some air. But one of us needs to stay here."

"Why?"

"We're the only ones with wands, Neville. If something or someone attacks this place, there needs to be one wizard that can cast a spell. And I don't know about you but I'm not passing my wand to anyone else."