human again / hp.

Chapter 126

The wind tore through my coat as Daphne and I stepped onto the cobblestone path of Hogsmeade, our boots crunching through patches of leaves. The village had always held a strange kind of charm in autumn, with the smell of butterbeer in the air and shop windows glowing like hearths, but this time everything felt... wrong.

My hands trembled inside my gloves. I pretended it was the cold, pulling my scarf tighter even though I could feel a sheen of sweat between my shoulder blades. Daphne glanced over at me with a curious look.

"You're shaking," she said lightly. "Didn't bring enough layers?"

I nodded without a word, afraid my voice might betray more than just the cold. I couldn't tell her that it wasn't the October wind making my stomach twist. I couldn't say that I'd hardly slept in two nights because every time I closed my eyes I saw Dumbledore's face and heard Voldemort's voice, smooth and low, ordering Draco and me to kill him.

We passed Zonko's, the crowd of students outside laughing and pressing their noses to the glass. It was loud here, alive. A world I didn't feel part of anymore.

Daphne walked beside me, her coat buttoned to her throat, her blonde hair pulled neatly back. She always looked composed. Balanced. Not like me. My thoughts scattered like leaves, caught in every gust of wind. I watched as she looked longingly at Honeydukes.

"We can stop by there if you want," I offered quickly. Too quickly.

She raised a brow. "You hate Honeydukes."

Right. I swallowed. "Well... I don't mind today."

She didn't respond, just gave me another one of those looks, half amused, half concerned, and tucked her gloved hand into my arm.

"Let's go to the Three Broomsticks instead. You look like you need to sit down before you faint and blow away."

I gave her a weak smile.

Inside, the warmth of the pub hit like a wave, golden and heavy. The chatter was deafening compared to the cold silence outside. I clung to the sound, trying to make it drown out my thoughts, but the weight inside me stayed, unmoving.

We found a small table in the back corner. I shed my gloves slowly, careful not to show the way my fingers were shaking. Daphne was already waving down Madam Rosmerta for two butterbeers.

The moment I saw her I stiffened.

All I could think about was the necklace.
And Madam Rosmerta.

And the way her eyes had glazed over ever so slightly when I handed her the instructions.

The Imperius Curse had slid off my tongue like silk, soft and steady and sure. My wand had trembled, but my voice had not. I had told her to pass along the package, a simple order. Deliver death.

I had done it.

I had used an Unforgivable Curse.

I had given a kind, warm-hearted woman a task that might end another person's life.

I felt sick.

"Celeste," Daphne said suddenly, touching my arm. "You're shaking. Are you cold?"

"I'm fine," I mumbled, avoiding her gaze.

Something about the way her eyes flicked across the room made my stomach lurch. She looked perfectly normal. Kind, even.

I wanted to scream.

Instead, I sat silently, fingers clenched around the glass, and let the seconds bleed together.

"I still don't get why Pansy didn't come," Daphne was saying, draping her coat over the back of her chair. "She says she's too busy but you know she's probably writing Draco another love letter."