Forsaken Bloodlines {HP x GOT}

Chapter 12: Nightmares

Moonlight streamed through the tall windows of the Ravenclaw tower as Lyanna's roommates, Padma, Lisa, and Mandy, slumbered peacefully. But for Lyanna, sleep was elusive, and when it did come, it was far from restful.

Tossing and turning in her bed, Lyanna's dreams were plagued by restless visions. Suddenly, there was a flash of red flames, and she jolted awake with a gasp, sitting up in bed, trembling. She glanced around the dimly lit room, her heart pounding in her chest, before slowly lying back down, her eyes wide open.

It was not the first time she had experienced such disturbances in her sleep, but it was becoming more frequent. Each time, the flashes of red flames were accompanied by blurred images of white-haired figures, their faces twisted in anguish or fear. And then, just as suddenly as they appeared, the flames would engulf everything, and Lyanna would awaken, shaken and disoriented.

As the nights passed, Lyanna found herself dreading sleep more and more. She would lie awake for hours, unable to shake the sense of unease that clung to her like a shadow. The visions haunted her, lingering at the edges of her consciousness even during the day.

In an attempt to distract herself from the nightmares, Lyanna threw herself into her studies with renewed fervor. She buried herself in books and assignments, seeking solace in the familiarity of her textbooks and the comforting routine of academic pursuits. But no matter how hard she tried to focus, the unsettling visions continued to plague her, lingering just beneath the surface of her thoughts.

Despite her best efforts to push them away, the nightmares persisted, casting a dark shadow over her days. And as Lyanna struggled to make sense of the fragments of her dreams, she couldn't shake the feeling that they held some deeper significance, something she couldn't quite grasp.

But for now, she pushed the thoughts aside, burying herself in her studies once more, hoping to find some respite from the restless visions that haunted her sleep. Little did she know that these nightmares were only the beginning of a mystery that would soon unravel, revealing secrets long buried in the depths of her subconscious.

As the school year pressed on, Lyanna found herself sinking deeper into exhaustion. Despite her best efforts to shake off the nightmares that plagued her sleep, they persisted, leaving her feeling drained and weary.

It was only the middle of the school year, yet Lyanna felt as though she had been running on empty for months. Her nights were spent tossing and turning, her mind consumed by restless visions and unsettling dreams. And when morning came, she would drag herself out of bed, her body heavy with fatigue.

The toll of sleepless nights began to show on Lyanna's pale skin, dark circles forming beneath her eyes like shadows. It was a stark contrast to her usual vibrancy, and even her closest friends couldn't help but notice the change.

Draco, ever observant, was the first to voice his concern. "Are you alright, Lyanna?" he asked one evening, his silver eyes filled with worry.

But Lyanna merely brushed off his concern with a forced smile. "I'm fine, Draco," she replied, her voice lacking its usual warmth. "Just a bit tired, that's all. Nothing to worry about."

She repeated the same reassurances to her Gryffindor friends, the Golden Trio, whenever they inquired about her well-being. But behind her false bravado, Lyanna was struggling to keep up appearances. The weight of her exhaustion pressed down on her like a leaden cloak, threatening to suffocate her with each passing day.

Still, she soldiered on, determined to maintain the facade of normalcy despite the turmoil raging within her. She buried herself in her studies, seeking refuge in the familiar routine of academic pursuits. But no matter how hard she tried to distract herself, the nightmares continued to haunt her, their relentless grip tightening with each sleepless night.

And as the days turned into weeks, Lyanna couldn't help but wonder how much longer she could keep up the charade. The exhaustion was becoming overwhelming, threatening to consume her entirely. Yet, she refused to give in, clinging to the hope that somehow, she would find a way to break free from the shadows that stalked her every step.

But little did she know that the answers she sought lay closer than she could have ever imagined, waiting to be uncovered in the depths of her own mind. And as the school year marched on, Lyanna would find herself drawn into a mystery that would test her courage, her resilience, and her very understanding of reality itself.

Timeskip

As the weeks passed, it became increasingly evident to the teachers at Hogwarts that Lyanna was struggling. Her once impeccable academic performance showed signs of decline, and her usually vibrant demeanor was overshadowed by a weariness that seemed to seep into her very bones.

Among those who took notice was Professor Snape, whose sharp eyes missed nothing. Concerned by Lyanna's apparent fatigue and diminished performance, he decided to check up on her himself.

One evening, after class had ended and the students had left the dungeon classroom, Snape lingered behind, waiting for Lyanna to approach him.

"Miss Malfoy," he said, his voice clipped and authoritative. "May I have a word?"

Lyanna, caught off guard by Snape's unexpected attention, nodded hesitantly. "Of course, Professor."

They moved to a quieter corner of the classroom, away from prying eyes and curious ears.

"I've noticed a slight decline in your academic performance as of late, as well as a marked exhaustion in your appearance," Snape stated bluntly, his dark eyes fixed on Lyanna's face.

Lyanna shifted uncomfortably under his scrutiny, her defenses rising instinctively. "I-I'm just not getting enough sleep these days, Professor," she replied, her voice tight with strain. "I've been feeling rather homesick, that's all."

Snape regarded her with a look of mild skepticism, as if he sensed there was more to the story than she was letting on. But he chose not to press the issue further.

"I see," he said, his tone unreadable. "In that case, I may have a solution that could help alleviate your symptoms."

Lyanna's eyebrows rose in surprise. "You do?"

Snape nodded, his expression unreadable. "I can brew a special potion for you, one that will allow you to have a peaceful, dreamless sleep. It should give you enough respite to regain your energy and focus."

Lyanna hesitated, torn between gratitude for Snape's offer and reluctance to accept his help. But in the end, her exhaustion won out, and she nodded in agreement.

"Thank you, Professor," she said quietly, her voice tinged with relief.

Snape merely nodded in response, his features softened ever so slightly by a rare display of empathy. With a flick of his wand, he summoned a vial of potion from one of the nearby shelves and handed it to Lyanna.

"Take this before bed," he instructed. "It should help."

With a murmured thanks, Lyanna pocketed the vial and turned to leave, feeling a glimmer of hope flicker within her tired heart. Perhaps, with Snape's potion, she could finally find some peace in the midst of her restless nights. And with that thought in mind, she headed back to her dormitory, her steps lighter than they had been in weeks.