HIDDEN REFLECTIONS

TWENTY-NINE

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

"Can it wait?" I ask Hermione, using the back of my hand to wipe away the remnants of nausea from the corner of my mouth. My stomach churns violently, an empty void threatening to betray me once more.

She shakes her head, her expression unwavering. "I'm afraid not. It's quite urgent," she insists, her gaze cutting through the air like a knife, undeterred by the fact I had just puked before her.

I drag my hand over my face in frustration. What kind of mess is my life?

Tilting my head back, I close my eyes and let the water cascade over me, hoping it might wash away the last ten minutes like a river cleansing the earth after a storm.

"You're in danger, Leah," she says, her words slicing through the haze of my thoughts.

I reopen my eyes, having momentarily forgotten her presence. "Let me change and clean myself up first, yeah?" I mumble, the irritation in my voice as clear as the biting cold water running down my face.

She nods. "Meet me in the library when you're done."

I nod back, and she walks away. I scan the area, relieved to find no one else outside, and no prying eyes from the windows of Hogwarts.

I drag my feet to the entrance and head for a shower, moving on autopilot. My mind is a blank slate, and I mechanically pull a random shirt over my head.

With wet hair dripping down my back, I make my way to the library, glancing over my shoulder every few steps. Anxiety and paranoia are my constant companions, whispering that I'm being watched, even though I know better. My phone buzzes in my hand, and I grip it tighter. I know my friends are joking around in the group chat, pretending as if they hadn't been flaunting their Death Eater marks in the astronomy tower just an hour ago.

The nausea threatens to overwhelm me again.

It feels like an eternity before I reach the library. I slip into the deepest part, hoping Hermione has chosen a discreet spot.

Rounding the corner, I spot her curly hair at the far back, hidden behind rows of bookshelves. The few other souls in the library are engrossed in their own worlds, oblivious to us.

It's only when I reach her that I notice two other figures sitting with her. Of course, she brought them. They're a package deal.

I look around, torn between staying and fleeing.

"I told them not to join me, but they are quite stubborn," Hermione says, scooting over to make room for me.

I hesitate for a moment before walking over and taking a seat.

Before I can say anything, Harry Potter speaks up. "I know you're putting yourself in a tough spot by talking to us, even being seen with us. But there's something we have to show you."

He pulls out what looks like a crumpled piece of parchment and begins unfolding it. Murmuring a few words, he taps his wand on it. I watch in silence as ink seeps across the paper, transforming it.

"What's that?" I ask, my voice strained. I sit up straight, fidgeting with my hands.

"It's a map," Hermione says.

As Harry unfolds it further, I peer closer and see our names, along with the names of a few people around us. My eyes dart over the map, searching for Theo and the others. Thankfully, they all seem to be holed up in the common room.

"Okay, so?" I exhale, trying to keep my voice steady.

"For the past few weeks," Hermione starts slowly, choosing her words carefully. Ron opens his mouth to speak, but she shoots him a hard glare, silencing him. "We've seen a name on this map that might be of interest to you."