We were now mere inches apart. I leaned down, my face level with hers, my eyes blazing with barely contained fury.
"You don't want to make an enemy of me, Hawke." I growled.
Lyanna swallowed hard, but her gaze remained defiant. "I'm not afraid of y...
The stern voice pierced through the veil of sleep, jolting me awake.
My eyes peeled open, adjusting to the dim light of dawn filtering through the hospital wing windows.
The blurry outlines of Professor Dumbledore and Professor Fig slowly came into focus, their faces etched with concern and disappointment.
My heart rate instantly spiking.
Awareness flooded back, I became acutely conscious of Lyanna's warm body nestled against mine.
I hadn't woken up early enough to leave the hospital wing undetected.
"Will you come with me, please."
Dumbledore's request was gentle but firm, his expression unreadable.
I glanced between Dumbledore and Fig, the latter's disapproval radiating off him in waves.
Swallowing hard, I carefully extracted myself from Lyanna's embrace, my movements slow and deliberate to avoid waking her.
Tugging on my shoes, I followed Dumbledore out of the hospital wing, the silence between us heavy and oppressive.
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Once in Dumbledore's office, surrounded by the whirring and ticking of various magical instruments, the headmaster held out a crystal bowl.
"Liquorice wand?"
He offered, his tone casual as if we were meeting for a friendly chat.
My brow furrowed, confusion momentarily overriding my anxiety.
"No, thanks."
I replied, my voice rough with sleep and tension.
Dumbledore shrugged, selecting a sweet for himself.
The sound of his chewing filled the room as he settled behind his ornate desk.
"Can I ask why you were sharing a bed with a female student recovering in the hospital wing?" He began, his blue eyes piercing into me.
I hesitated, my mind racing.
But instead of answering, I decided to go on the offence.
"She told me, you know." I said, my words tumbling out before I could stop them.
A flicker of surprise broke through Dumbledores composed facade.
"About your plan to use her, for her ancient magic." I continued, irritation flaring in my chest, fuelled by a protective instinct I hadn't realised was so strong.
"How did you—"
Dumbledore started, but I cut him off, stepping closer to his desk.
The portraits on the walls seemed to lean in, listening intently.
