Wands and Wildflowers - J.S.Potter

A dark turn

The New Year celebrations at Hogwarts had come and gone, leaving behind a somber mood that seemed to hang in the air. The usual warmth and camaraderie that marked the start of a new term were absent, replaced by a tense undercurrent that everyone felt but no one dared to address.

It was January, and the cold seemed to have seeped into the very walls of the castle. Snow covered the grounds outside, turning the world into a silent, white landscape. Inside, students bundled up in thick robes, shivering as they hurried between classes.

Daisy was in the library, as usual, lost in the pages of a book that she hoped would distract her from the persistent ache in her chest. Things had only gotten worse between her and James. Every time she saw him, she was reminded of his careless prank on Oliver, a prank that had crossed a line. She still hadn't forgiven him, and she doubted she ever would.

As she sat in the quiet corner of the library, she felt a sudden, ominous presence behind her. Turning around, she found herself face to face with Robert Rosier. His usual sneer was firmly in place, but there was something darker in his eyes—a cold, calculated malice that sent a shiver down her spine.

"What do you want, Rosier?" Daisy asked, her voice steady despite the unease creeping up her neck.

Rosier didn't reply immediately. He simply stared at her, his gaze intense, as if he was sizing her up. Finally, he spoke, his voice low and dangerous. "You think you're so special, don't you, Dawson? A Mudblood who thinks she can outshine everyone."

Daisy's jaw tightened, but she refused to give him the satisfaction of a reaction. "I don't need to prove anything to you, Rosier."

That response seemed to push him over the edge. Without warning, Rosier pulled out his wand and pointed it directly at Daisy's chest. "Let's see if you're still so confident after this," he hissed.

Before Daisy could react, Rosier muttered a curse under his breath—a spell she recognized immediately. Sectumsempra. A curse designed to cause deep, slashing wounds as if cut by a sword.

Daisy gasped as she felt a sharp pain slice across her arm, then her side. She clutched at her robes, feeling the warmth of blood seeping through the fabric. The pain was excruciating, and she could barely breathe as she stumbled backward, her vision blurring.

But just as Rosier raised his wand for another attack, a voice rang out from across the library. "Expelliarmus!"

Rosier's wand flew from his hand, clattering to the floor as he was thrown backward. James Potter stood in the doorway, his eyes blazing with fury. He crossed the distance to Daisy in seconds, catching her just as she was about to collapse.

"Daisy, I'm here. You're going to be okay," James whispered, his voice thick with worry. He gently lowered her to the floor, his hand pressing against her side in a desperate attempt to stop the bleeding.

Rosier, now disarmed and panicking, scrambled to his feet and fled the library, casting one last venomous look at James and Daisy before disappearing through the doors.

James barely noticed. All his attention was focused on Daisy, who was pale and shaking, her eyes wide with shock. "Stay with me, Daisy. You're going to be fine," he repeated, though his own heart was pounding with fear.

Within moments, the doors burst open again, and Gwen, Chris, and Ben came rushing in. Gwen's face was ashen as she knelt beside Daisy, her hands trembling as she helped James try to stop the bleeding.

"We need to get her to the hospital wing," Gwen said urgently, her voice breaking.

James nodded, his throat tight with emotion. "I've got her," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. He carefully lifted Daisy into his arms, cradling her against his chest as he stood up.

Daisy felt herself fading in and out of consciousness, the pain overwhelming her senses. But through the haze, she could feel James's arms around her, hear his voice calling her name, and for a moment, that was enough to keep her grounded.

As they hurried through the corridors, James's thoughts were a whirlwind of guilt, anger, and fear. Guilt for not being there sooner, anger at Rosier for hurting Daisy, and fear that he might lose her. He had never felt so helpless, and it terrified him.

When they finally reached the hospital wing, Madam Pomfrey was waiting, her expression stern but worried as she quickly ushered them inside. James laid Daisy gently on a bed, refusing to leave her side as Madam Pomfrey began her work.

"This is a dark curse," Madam Pomfrey muttered as she examined the wounds. "What happened?"

"Rosier," James spat, his voice shaking with rage. "He attacked her."

Madam Pomfrey's expression darkened as she waved her wand over Daisy, muttering incantations under her breath. Slowly, the bleeding began to stop, and the color returned to Daisy's cheeks, but she was still weak, her breathing shallow.

"She'll recover, but this was a serious attack," Madam Pomfrey said gravely. "I'll need to inform Professor McGonagall."

James nodded, unable to tear his eyes away from Daisy's pale face. He reached out, taking her hand in his, and held it tightly, as if afraid she might slip away if he let go.

As Daisy drifted into a restless sleep, James stayed by her side, his heart heavy with guilt and sorrow. He knew he had to make things right, but he also knew that he might never be able to undo the damage that had been done.

But no matter what, he wasn't going to leave her. Not now, not ever.

A/N: Thank you so much for 200 reads<3 love you all so much