The Abuser

The Return of the Golden Trio

When the day has come, but I've lost my way around, and the seasons stop and hide beneath the ground. When the sky turns gray and everything is screaming, I will reach inside just to find my heart is beating. You tell me to hold on, oh you tell me to hold on. But innocence is gone and what was right is wrong.

- Bleeding Out by Imagine Dragons

.............

"And thank you for that report, River. I'm sure that we'll all make sure to double check for those under the Imperius Curse next time that we're at a social gathering." I click my fingernails restlessly against the wooden counter, shifting my headphones and moving a bit closer to the ancient recorder. "Make sure to tune in next time, whenever that might be, for another important broadcast. The next password will be 'Chosen One'. Ghost out." Seamus switches off the radio set and I pull of my gear with a sigh.

"Hey, great job." My Gryffindor friend pats me soothingly on the back as I push my chair away from my desk. "Have you been getting much sleep lately? You look a bit strung out."

I crack my neck, wincing as I yawn. "I'm great. Thanks for asking though, Seamus. Hey- can I go out on patrol tonight? I know that I'm not supposed to be leaving the compound, but I'm really sick of staring at these stupid wooden walls. I'll be fine as long as I cover my face!"

Finnegan sighs and runs his fingers through his brown hair. "Fine. I shouldn't be letting you do this; don't tell anyone. Go on ahead though, I can understand your longings for freedom. Just cover yourself up well!"

I nod in relief and hurry to the bathroom to get changed. For some reason, the Room of Requirement seems strangely empty; despite the dozens of students still living here, I can't help but miss my best friends. I pull the hood of my cloak over my eyes, and perform a quick Colovaria to change my hair from blue to white. Neville left on a pre-patrol about an hour ago, so he should be returning any moment. I take a deep breath and exit the girls' room, crossing over to the door of the Room. I lean casually against the wall, hoping that no one calls me out. I may be amongst friends, but that doesn't change the fact that they will stop me from leaving the Room. They've all been extremely protective of me- I figure that it's because they suspect the extent of my Death Eater activities last summer. Suddenly, the door bursts open, and four figures rush into the room. Neville, of course, and two more boys and a girl- all of whom I recognize immediately.

"Hermione! Ron! Harry!" I shriek instinctively, throwing off my hood and stumbling towards them. "How-"

The Golden Trio stares at me in disbelief, gaping as if they're seeing a ghost. "H- Hazel?" Harry chokes out after a moment. I nod eagerly, my choppy hair bouncing up and down as the three of them engulf me in a smothering hug.

"I thought that you were dead! When we got taken to Malfoy Manor during Easter, I overheard Draco and his auntie talking about it. My Lord, we all thought that you were dead." Hermione whispers in my ear as she squeezes me.

"It was all a scheme." I confess, backing away from them to speak. "Draco agreed to tell his family that he murdered me, and I left him to live with the D.A.s. I've been hiding here all year."

Ron ruffles my hair gleefully and Harry starts to speak, just a moment before they are overwhelmed with a sudden rush of cheering students. Harry Potter and his friends have returned to Hogwarts- we're all saved. The air of victory pounding through the Room of Requirement is purely exhilarating.

Streams of students cluster around to inform the Golden Trio of this past year's happenings, and I push my way through to the outer edge of the crowd, deciding to let everyone else have their chance.