The Savior

39. Connections

To say James was absolutely terrified at the sight of a large stag huffing over him would be an understatement. The boy had woken up almost the entirety of Gryffindor tower with his scream. It didn't take long for him, Remus, and Sirius along with their animal counterparts to be escorted out of the tower by McGonagall. The only problem after that was the fact that the animals kept trying to herd them into the opposite direction of her classroom. 

"Bloody hell fine where do you need us dang it!" McGonagall huffed waving her arms at the animals. They didn't really care for her attitude as they huffed in return before taking off down a separate hallway and up the stairs.

James had a sick feeling in his stomach as he broke out into a run following the animals. He didn't know why the animals had appeared or how, but he knew it had to do with Victoria. The others followed closely behind when the animals suddenly stopped in front of an empty wall. It took no time for a door to appear as McGonagall grumbled on about how she was going to pretend she never saw this. The last thing she needed was another place to patrol and keep students out of. 

The space that was once a forest reverted back to the small dim room. The animals quickly lead James who was front of the line to a pale blood-soaked Victoria. If the Stag didn't scare him enough this did. This was his worst nightmare as he bent down in a panic scooping up the unconscious girl. He would be surprised if she was still alive. Without a thought he watched as the animals faded into thin air before walking past the professor and his friends. He had no time to waste as he rushed off to the hospital wing hoping to merlin, she would survive this. 

*_*_*_*_*

Victoria sat in her bed staring at the walls of the hospital wing. She felt numb as she watched the sun rise. It was quiet and everything was still. It was odd that none of the marauders had managed to stay but then again what did she expect. Her mind raced as she laid on her back now staring at the ceiling. 

Unfortunately, the quiet didn't last long as the hospital doors swung open. She could hear the loud chatter of her boys as they made their way to her. She sighed quietly rolling her eyes. She didn't want to see them. She didn't want to see anyone. 

"Quiet down or you'll have to leave." Poppy said sternly glaring at the marauders who all nodded obediently. Remus was the first to move or do anything after that pulling the curtain back and placing a tray of food on the table next to Victorias bed.

"We brought you something to eat Love" Remus said sweetly as he brushed her hair out of her face softly. She looked like she was dead inside without a thought behind her eyes. It left him worried, but he didn't want to say anything. 

"I'm not hungry." Victoria replied shying away from his touch. 

"Vic you need to eat. You lost a lot of blood last night." James said from the other side of her. He looked like he hadn't slept at all and could pass out any second. 

"I know but I'm not hungry and I really appreciate the effort, but I would like to be alone." Victoria said in a monotone voice. Her face void of expression as well. 

"We've barely seen you and when you are around it's like you're a shell. Come on we just want to be here for you." Remus replied quickly. His temper was short after this incident. Ever since that stupid dream she's been like this, and he was getting sick of it.

"That's not true." She scoffed irritated by his accusations. 

"But it is V. I mean honestly what's going on? Why were you in the room of requirement and what the hell even happened?" James jumped in with his own questions. The two continued to throw question after question at her. It was like an interrogation they just wouldn't stop. 

"I'm a dead man walking that's what my fucking problem is!?!?!" Victoria roared in anger tired of their questions. "I am going to die whether it be by his hands or my own because I'd rather be dead than married to some low life scum like your brother" she sneered turning to Sirius. 

"Vic we're going to figure this out none of that is going to happen. I promise we'll get out of this. Dumbledor has plans. The ministry will get Voldemort." Remus started to speak when Vicotria scoffed. 

"Please nothing's stopping them. He's in the ministry. I know it." she started to ramble. Then James shushed her and started to speak taking over Remus's point ignoring her words.

"Once they get Voldemort, we're going to have a big wedding, and you'll be the big star you always wanted to be and then maybe if life works out, we'll have a big family and all will be well." He smiled sadly at her, but she wasn't paying attention as she started staring at the ceiling again trying to hold back tears.

Her mind was playing tricks on her. It felt like someone else was in there trying to manipulate things. Flashbacks of them teasing her, ignoring her, bullying her played through her mind at lightning speed.  The most prominent face being Sirius's. The worst memory being of early last year in the library. You're unlovable. You're nothing compared to her. You couldn't possibly think she would choose you. Everything around her was muffled as she heard ppl talking and running around. The world around her blurring as she felt the tears fall down her cheeks. This was different these tears hurt. It felt like excruciating burning everywhere the tears touched. 

"Please stop." Her voice cracked as she tried to breath.