𝑜𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑢𝑝𝑜𝑛 𝑎 𝑑𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑚 \\ 𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗿𝘆 𝗷. 𝗽𝗼𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿

𝑋𝐿𝐼𝐼𝐼.

— ✩ ☽ ✩ —

𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙮-𝙩𝙝𝙧𝙚𝙚

— ✩ ☽ ✩ —

DURING THE FEAST, Caroline barely ate. She didn't feel right. Everyone was staring at her and whispering. Harry noticed her distress, and had her sit next to him. He could protect her. Harry and Hermione kept telling Caroline that she needed to eat, and Hermione even prepared her a plate of her favourite things, pushing it to her from across the table. She merely nibbled at it, but was thankful for it nonetheless.

      Caroline noticed that the people staring at her were her friends. Seamus, who ignored her when he saw her, Dean, who sent her an awkward smile, and numerous other Gryffindors, even some of her Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff friends. The Slytherin table mercilessly spoke about Harry and Caroline openly and out loud. Harry felt the same stares and heard the same words. It seemed that everyone had read the Daily Prophet.

      Caroline was zoned out as everyone finished their dinners, sitting with her chin in her hand, beside Harry. Her shoulder was tapped, and she snapped out of it, looking between her and Harry to find Carson Creevey standing there. Jacob's best friend. "Hi, Carson." Caroline said quietly, giving the third year a soft smile. It was fake.

      "Hi," said Carson, frowning. He was holding something behind his back that he needed to give to Caroline. "I have something for you."

      Caroline's false smile faded as soon as she saw what Carson was handing to her. Jacob's Ravenclaw sweatshirt and Gryffindor gloves, labeled with Jacob's name. He said he wanted to be able to support Caroline, like she always supported him. "Where did you get these?" Caroline asked. She wouldn't cry. Not here. She couldn't.

      "I accidentally packed them with my things at the end of the year." Carson answered.

      Caroline folded the clothing up neatly. "Thank you, Carson." she said, wishing she could comfort him without it hurting her. She gave him a tilted smile, one that said she understood.

      Carson and Jacob were inseparable since the day they met. Always together. "I'm so sorry, Caroline. He didn't deserve it." Carson sniffled, wiping his nose as he looked at his dead best friend's sister.

      "No, he didn't," Caroline whispered, gently wiping Carson's face. "You should go back and finish your dinner, okay? Thank you for this."

      Carson nodded, and he left, going back to the Ravenclaw table. As soon as Carson left, Caroline took a deep breath, facing forward again. She closed her eyes briefly, trying to stay calm. People were staring at her more now. But that wasn't the worst of it. Caroline's interaction with Carson made her heart sink. She talked to him just like she used to talk to Jacob. She wiped his tears like she used to do with Jacob. Everything reminded her of him.

       "Are you okay?" Harry's voice warped in and out of Caroline's ears, ringing. His voice felt distant, far away. She had to pull herself together.

      Caroline nodded, opening her eyes. The ringing stopped. "Fine." she answered, putting Jacob's clothing next to her nearly full plate.

      "Are you sure?" Harry whispered again, leaning dangerously close to Caroline's face, his hot breath fanning her neck.

      "Yes." was all Caroline said, giving Harry a tightlipped smile that he saw right through.

      Before Harry could speak again, Dumbledore stood up. "Good evening, children," Dumbedore said, and the chatter of students subsided. "Now, we have two changes in staffing this year. We're pleased to welcome back Professor Grubbly-Plank, who'll be taking over Care of Magical Creatures while Professor Hagrid is on temporary leave," Caroline frowned at the absence of Hagrid. She loved his classes so much.