From friends to this -Year six (re-uploaded) Book 1/4

Chapter 44

Tara didn't sleep at all that night, instead she just stared at the fire until it magically went out as the sun rose.

The whole of last night felt like a nightmare; one long, detailed nightmare. The common room was completely full, all students huddled in corners, sound asleep; the remaining students that Tara had last seen awake were asleep when she returned.

The ticking of the clock on the mantel above the fire, was the only sound inside the room, other than James's light snores.

It was half nine in the morning, and the birds were singing outside, she didn't see how anything could be singing. She felt like everything should stop, freeze in its place, and feel the hole that Cedric had left behind.

She could feel the dried tears on her skin and the lack of colour in her face. Her eyes were dry and sore, strained from crying all night, she hated being that person, who just cried, but every time she stopped she started again.

She buried her head in her hands and groaned, she was exhausted but she couldn't close her eyes. Tara sighed, annoyed before deciding to pack in the idea of sleeping in and just leave, go outside, do anything.

She got up, still in yesterday's clothes. She frowned before going upstairs to change. The dorm was empty, obviously, and the bed sheets were neatly laid out on the beds, untouched. Everything looked too tidy, too nice.

She got changed and hastily brushed her hair before leaving. She walked through the common room, fast; determined to get out of there.

Tara rubbed her eyes as she walked out of the common room, the entrance opening as she approached.

When she opened her eyes again, Fred was sat on a bench a couple feet from the barrels. He stood up when he saw her, "Hey..,"he greeted, somewhat cautiously.

She half smiled, exhausted mentally and physically, "What're you doing here?"

"Waiting for you," Fred answered, taking slow steps toward her, "Are you ok? how're you doing?"

She went silent for a moment, thinking about an appropriate way to respond, before answering simply, "I'll be fine."

"No offence but you look like you've been through the wars," He joked, trying to cheer her up, but though he was joking he looked at her concerned.

Tara laughed hollowly, "I guess I must look tired." She nodded her head once before sighing, "I didn't sleep. The whole house slept in the common room."

Fred looked at her for a moment as she looked back at him, still trying to crack a smile. It was all fake.

There was a moment of silence between the two before he rushed forward and hugged her, wrapping his arms around her tightly, "It'll be ok," he muttered.

Tara stood there for a moment, not really sure of how to react, before hugging him back, burying her head in his shoulder. She didn't cry, she didn't even speak. His hand found a way to her head and he cradled it carefully, in a way that made Tara feel safe.

After a minute she pulled away, she could feel her eyes growing misty and tearing up, "Come on, let's go to breakfast," she patted his arm, like they were old school mates before turning to walk away.

"Tara-" Fred started, trying to comfort her again.

"Fred, I don't want to be mean, but I'm really not up to talking about it right now..."she trailed off, she hung her head, "I'm sorry that was horrible."

She put a hand to her forehead and repeated herself, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry." She took a breath before saying, "It's been a long few hours."

Fred shook his head, understanding, "It's ok. You can talk when you want to," he told her putting an arm around her shoulders, "Let's go eat something then?"