the hallows - f. weasley

- c h a p t e r - t h r e e -

"Gemma...you mustn't forget him. He holds the key."

Gemma–for the first time in a long while–was standing before Regulus Black.

They were somewhere in a set of unfamiliar woods–and there was snow all around them.

She opened her mouth to speak but couldn't–her tongue swelled up just as it did when she tried to speak to Regulus.

If he knew she was upset she couldn't speak, Regulus didn't show it as he just repeated, "He holds the key."

WHAT BLOODY KEY?! Gemma wanted to scream, but she couldn't.

So instead, she tried to move toward him–but something under her cracked and hissed.

Her gaze fell to her feet–bare and pink from the cold.

Oh, no...

She was on the frozen lake.

Gemma lifted her eyes to Regulus, listening to him say just one more time, "He holds the key," just as the ice gave way and she was submerged in the dark waters of the lake.

"GEMMA!"

She shot up and immediately fell back–cradling her forehead as she cracked it against the ceiling of Ginny's bedroom.

Sunlight streamed in through the curtains of her room, and she knew it was far past morning at this point.

Merlin, I must have been tired...

Gemma honestly wasn't even sure how she got to her bed last night–not remembering coming into Ginny's room or even falling asleep. But she was shocked that she had slept so late–even though she shouldn't have been, her body just giving up was normal after long stretches of time without good sleep.

She almost wished she was still asleep, but seeing Ginny's flushed face, Gemma knew something was up.

"Gin?" She yawned as Scotch gave a huff of annoyance as Gemma moved away from him. "Wha's up? You okay?"

"I snogged him."

Gemma just stared at the younger teenager, "Huh?"

Ginny slammed the bedroom door and moved to Gemma's side, "I snogged Harry."

Gemma's brows shot up, a smirk lifting her lips, "Realllllllyyyy?"

Ginny's face was red, "Yes, really."

"And?"

"...it was magical."

Gemma's smile widened, and she wrapped her arms around her best friend, "See? There is nothing to worry about. Harry's being an idiot right now–but he obviously still cares about you. Otherwise, I'm not sure he would have snogged you to the point of you calling it magical." Then she pulled away and asked, "Wait...what happened after?"

Ginny looked pissed, "Ron interrupted."

Gemma scoffed, "I'll kill him."

"You promise?"

"Swear it."

Ginny fell back on the bed, "Thank Merlin."

Gemma rubbed her throbbing forehead before looking back at Ginny again and asked, "You okay?"

Ginny shrugged a little–not meeting Gemma's eyes, "Just worried about Harry–all of you. That's all."

Gemma sighed–taking Ginny's hand, "Thank you for being worried–it's very sweet of you."