The Abuser

Hinkypunks and Grindylows

Stars are only visible in darkness. Fear is ever-changing and evolving. And I, I can poison the skies, and I, I feel so alive.

- Battle Cry by Imagine Dragons

...

"Hazel!" Harry runs into my arms, embracing me tightly.

I wheeze, clutching at my ribs. "Hey, I'm still a bit tender, you know." I laugh and push him gently away from me. "Where are Ron and Hermione?"

"Oh! I'm sorry! They're up in the stands already; the match starts in about 15 minutes. I'm so glad that you've been released from the hospital wing in time for my match." He ruffles his hair a bit and leans on his broomstick.

I practically sigh in relief. It's so wonderful to be out of the hospital wing! It's been three months since Draco pushed me down in the woods, but Madam Pomfrey has kept me locked up in the white-washed room. I'm not entirely sure why; she says that I've been in danger of trauma. Secretly, I think that the teachers have been trying to protect me.

I told them that I was jogging alone in the woods and I slipped over some slick leaves and fell onto a sharp rock. Draco came and found me later. His story backs mine up rather well, although he seems hesitant to release any specific details.

I would have been all ready to chew Malfoy out, but after hearing about how upset he was, I figure to give him some grace. He could likely be expelled for such actions... and I just don't want to ruin his life by being a snitch.

I haven't seen him; which I'm alright with of course. Everyone else says that he's back to the same old antics and Harry hates him with a burning passion. Apparently Malfoy's father is having Buckbeak, Hagrid's Hippogriff, executed.

I lean on my crutch and wave farewell to Harry, before slowly moving to the stands. I find Hermione and Ron quickly and sit down only to be engulfed in a suffocating Granger/Weasley sandwich! I laugh, escaping their arms and pulling out a pair of binoculars to get a better look at the players.

"Hey, check out the Ravenclaw seeker!" Ron whistles softly as we watch the teams line up to face each other. "Harry sure is." Then he blushes and looks apologetically at me.

I smile. "It's okay, really Ron. Harry and I weren't meant for each other in that way. I'm totally fine with him looking at other girls! In fact, I'll be happy if he finds himself another and better girlfriend. Plus, she is pretty."

We sit back as the team captains shake hands and the match begins. Lee Jordan provides his usual amusing commentary with Professor McGonagall continuously interrupting him.

"Maybe McGonagall should become the commentator. She seems to want the job!" I whisper to Hermione, who giggles and passes the message to Ron.

The match is going quite well in Gryffindor's favor, as Harry has a new broom. A Firebolt, no less. I cheer him on, screaming his name as loud as I can. Suddenly, just when things are really beginning to heat up and both seekers have found the snitch, Cho Chang from Ravenclaw skids to a stop on her broom.

"Oh!" She screams, pointing towards the ground.

I follow her finger and am petrified to see three tall black figures coming onto the Quiddich pitch. Dementors! Harry seems unfazed, however. He whips his wand from his robes and yells a spell that I have never heard before: "EXPECTO PATRONUM!" I gasp as a silvery light explodes from the tip of his wand and goes hurtling at the Dementors, who get knocked right off of their...feet?

Harry tumbles to the ground with the rest of the Quiddich team around him. He's caught the snitch! In the moment of confusion I get a good look at the "Dementors", who are now tumbling and writing on the grassy pitch.