Hogwarts was supposed to be a safe haven. But as she watched the final blows of the battle surrounding her, she knew. The body of the boy she clung so tightly to was all the proof she needed.
It had always been a lie.
~~~~~~~~~~~
The healer sets a glass of water on the side table. She eyes me warily, pauses before sitting down at the edge of the bed.
"Let's see how you do with this".
I concentrate hard, forcing all my effort into pulling the glass towards me. The cup shakes and trembles, settling back on the table with a dull thud. The healer sighs.
"Well, we can always try again later. I believe you have a visitor coming. Why don't we freshen you up?
I sit up, knowing better to comply rather than refuse. The healer takes my elbow, hauling her up on her feet.
I take in my reflection in the mirror while the healer untangles my hair. It has been days since I last took care of the dark matts. Deep, dark circles line my eyes.
I can't remember why I am here. Or what 'here' even is.
Day after day, healers poked and prodded at me. Studying my magic. The only interesting part about this place was the visitors. Men and women, I did not recognize would come to me, begging for me to tell them what happened to their children. Answers, they would demand but were few in coming. I take note of them and think them over while failing to sleep.
I will myself to remember, failing each time. A flicker of a memory is all I get. A shadow, then stark darkness.
"Come along, dear", the healer coaxes. I follow her down the long corridor to the reception room.
~~~~~~~~~~~
A ginger boy I do not recognize sits in a chair. He is the only person in the room. Face buried in his hands; he does not know we are here. The healer stands awkwardly for a member and clears her throat. The boy sits up immediately, his face turning the same shade as his hair.
"Here you are, dear". The healer pats my shoulder and goes to the nearby break room.
We stare at each other. I don't know what to say to him. Doesn't know his face or name. Hopefully he isn't mad at me.
I wish the healer would come back. I don't want to be left alone with this strange boy.
"My name is Margaret Beull", I reach my hand out to him. "Call me Meg if you like."
The boys' face falls for a second, but quickly recovers. "Hi, Meg. My name is George Weasley".
He takes my hand, holding on to it for a few seconds. It's warm and strangely comforting.
I pull my hand out of his grip. "Do I know you from somewhere? I'm sorry if I did. I've been having memory problems. Magic induced amnesia, supposedly".
"We went to Hogwarts together," George says, voice taut. "You're one of my best friends. You were in my year. Hufflepuff".
"Sorry, Huffle-what?"
"Hufflepuff. You're Hogwarts house. I was in Gryffindor."
"Oh. I'm sorry, but I don't remember that."
"It's alright. You will soon. I do have something with me that might help your memory".
George reaches into the satchel lying at his feet and pulls out a large leather book. He places it in my lap.
"A photo album. I made it myself. You can keep it."
"Oh, thank you! I really appreciate it. You did a really beautiful job."
"I spent a lot of time on it. It was going to be a graduation gift, but we never got around to giving it to you. I thought this would be the perfect time for it anyway."
I open the album carefully, taking in the smell of the binding. It is one of my favorite scents.
The first page is one giant photograph of a group of students huddled together. "Dumbledore's Army", the caption says. I am in the middle between George and another boy who look exactly alike.
"Who's that?" I point to the boy.
"Fred. My twin." George mumbles, voice sounding wobbly.
Clearly, it upsets him, so I move on. We spend the rest of the hour talking about Hogwarts and all of the people in the pictures. He gives me a quill, and we label all of the people in the pictures, so I won't forget them.
Time passes quickly, and soon my healer comes back in. She stands in the doorway, hands on her hips.
"Okay, Mr. Weasley. It's time for Ms. Buell to take a bath and rest. Thank you for coming to visit" she says crisply.
George looks disappointed but obeys her. "Goodbye, Meg". He places a kiss on my temple. "I'll see you soon".
Goodbye, George." I mumble softly and follow her back to my ward.
~~~~~~~~~~~
That night, I slept peacefully for the first time in weeks, dreaming of Dumbledore's Army and George.
