𝑜𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑢𝑝𝑜𝑛 𝑎 𝑑𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑚 \\ 𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗿𝘆 𝗷. 𝗽𝗼𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿

𝑋𝐶𝑉.

— ✩ ☽ ✩ —

𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙩𝙮-𝙛𝙞𝙫𝙚

— ✩ ☽ ✩ —

TENSIONS WERE HIGH among the four friends, and it had only been a day since they arrived in the forest. Harry was quiet, a certain kind of quiet only Caroline could recognize. He was on edge from Ron's radio inside the tent, Caroline could tell, so Caroline watched him gently from where she sat against a tree opposite him, reading.

        Caroline took notice of Harry's heavy breathing, the far-off look in his eye, the tension in his hands. He was seeing Voldemort through visions in his mind. Harry shook, his back pressed against the tent. Caroline abandoned her book and walked over to him, squatting at his side gently. She grasped his hand, holding it between both of hers, putting pressure on it. This was how she grounded him, brought him out of his mind.

        Then it stopped, and Harry's green eyes focused back into reality as Hermione walked over to them. "It's okay." Caroline whispered, feeling Harry squeeze her hand, needing to focus on something.

        "I thought it had stopped," Hermione said over Ron's radio. Harry sighed quietly. "You can't keep letting him in, Harry."

        "He knows that, Hermione," Caroline spoke softly, one of her hands now on Harry's shoulder. "What did you see?" she asked tenderly.

        Hermione sat down across from Harry and Caroline. "You-Know-Who has found Gregorovitch." Harry said.

        "The wandmaker?" Hermione questioned, a small pile of leaves in her lap.

        "He wants something that Gregorovitch used to have, but I don't know what. But he wants it desperately. I mean, it's as if his life depends on it." Harry said. Ron's radio went off again and Harry turned towards the tent, inhaling sharply.

        "Don't. It comforts him." Hermione said sternly.

        Caroline stood up, gathering her book from where she left it. "It sets my teeth on edge. What's he expecting to hear, good news?" Harry snapped. Something wasn't right, Caroline knew that.

        Tossing her braids over her shoulder, Caroline stood up straight. "I think he just hopes he doesn't hear bad news." Caroline said, her book tucked under her arm, now standing beside Hermione.

        Harry sighed sharply, standing up. "How long before he can travel?" he questioned the girls aggressively. Caroline didn't like his attitude.

        Hermione looked up at Caroline, and Harry sighed. "We're doing everything we can." the brunette girl said gently.

        "You're not doing enough!" Harry snapped, brushing past Caroline to walk away from her.

        "Take it off." Hermione instructed, standing up.

        Harry paused. "She said take it off, now," Caroline said strongly, stepping towards Harry, holding her hand out. As soon as he took the locket off, he instantly felt more relaxed. "Better?" Caroline said, taking the locket from him.

        Nodding, Harry spoke. "Loads." he answered.

        Hermione took the locket from Caroline. "We'll take it in turns, okay?" she said, turning and walking away.

        Caroline looked back at Harry, flicking him in the forehead. "You need to rest. You can't be constantly awake, on edge. That's how he'll get to you." she said gently, Harry taking her hand. He would listen to her, because he knew she was right.