Rose Between Two Thorns.

Chapter 19

Once the light fades, I find myself in an abandoned alleyway. The buildings surrounding me look shabby, and grimy and strange noises fill the air. Wrapping my cardigan tightly around my small shoulders, I make my way to the nearest end of the alley, where to my surprise; I end up in a nice looking neighbourhood. The street is dark, save for a few lamps glowing dimly.

"Meow" I hear. Looking down, I see a tabby cat winding itself around my legs, rubbing its head ever so often.

"Here kitty" I whisper leaning down to pet its head. I notice small markings around its eyes. It jerks back after a few minutes of me petting it, walking down the street. Looking back, it jerks its head as though I am meant to follow it. Curiosity fills me as I hurry after the cat, wondering what, if anything, this cat was doing.

The cat stops in front of a small house and bounds up the steps leading to the door. I follow it up the stairs, stopping as the gigantic door looms up in front of my small frame. Crouching in the corner of the porch, I bring my knees to my chest and wrap my arms around them, trying to stay warm. As it starts to rain, the cat comes toward me and curls up next to me purring contently, its warmth, slowly warming me up.

"I want to go home" I whisper, looking out into the downpour. The cat hums in reply. "But I don't know where home is"

The warm sheets rustle, waking me up. It's dark, that much I know, but I have no idea where I am. Slowly my eyes adjust to the dark, and I begin to see the outlines of other beds, and realize that I must be in the Hospital Wing. There is a faint light coming towards me and I recognise Madame Pomfrey hurrying towards me, a candle in one hand.

"Ah Miss Granger, good to see that your awake. Mr and Mr Weasley were very concerned about your wellbeing" she says as she sets the candle down on the table next to me.

"What happened?" I ask, my voice hoarse

"Well from what Mr Weasley was saying, you've been acting woozy all day, so when you fell unconscious, he and his twin brought you here" she tells me, handing me a cup of what looks like water. I sip it tentatively to find that it is indeed water.

"How long was I out?" I ask

"Near a day and a half"

"So its Sunday then?" I ask

"Yes. Or, Sunday morning if you will. Lots of people have been to visit you, while you slept" she says.

"Wow that's not super creepy at all" I say, attempting to sit up.

"Take it easy there Miss, you're not up to your full strength yet." Madame Pomfrey cries as she presses lightly on my shoulders.

"I have to speak to Professor Dumbledore" I say trying to sit up again.

"Granger it is three in the morning, the Headmaster can surely wait" Pomfrey says. I slump back down in defeat.

"Fine" I say. "I'll just sleep I guess"

"Good girl. Rest now" and with that, she was hustling back to her office.

Nestling back into the pillows, I go over the dream in my head. From what I could remember of it anyway, there are some blurry pieces. I remember that there was a cat, a tabby cat, and that I fell asleep on someone's porch, but that's all I really remember. Knowing that I would gain nothing tonight, I roll over and fall asleep, the blackness welcoming me.

***

Monday came fast, and I was back on my feet again. Even though I was in hospital all weekend, I still made time to finish last assignments and essays, with a little help. And although Fred and George were the ones to see me and take me to the Hospital, rumours spread around the schools like wildfire. People stared at me as I walked down the corridors and whispers sounded around.