You Are My Star

Chapter 10

Chapter 10            *Hello, **children, ***mother, ****girl

            I woke as the sunlight streamed in from the window. In the Hospital Wing. I groaned, sitting up slowly and carefully in bed. Madame Pomfrey immediately immerged from her office.

            “Easy there girl,” She said, “Your stomach might be in some terrible pain.” As soon as she said it, I felt as though someone had jammed a knife in my stomach and was twisting it forcefully. I groaned and clutched my stomach.

            “Come on now, drink this and you’ll feel better in no time.” She said, gently pushing a cup up to my face. I drank. The moment it hit my stomach, I felt as though someone had taken a sponge and had begun to scrub at my insides. It was not a bad feeling, but soon I was beginning to feel a bit bloated. I rubbed my stomach to find the skin there lumpy. I looked down and gasped.

            It was as if a million little bubbles were popping and forming just under my skin. I felt like I was about to puke. Madam Pomfrey gently eased me back down onto my bed.

            “Don’t worry dear, the feeling will pass. You’ll be out and about in no time soon.” She said, patting my hand. “Oh look, you have visitors.” She said. She waved to someone I couldn’t see, and I heard footsteps coming my way. I looked up to see Harry, Ron, Draco, Hermione, Seamus and Dean all standing over me.

            “How are you feeling?” Dean asked tentatively. Seamus snorted.

            “I reckon she isn’t feeling all that great seeing as she’s just been poisoned.” Seamus said.

            “Poisoned?” I muttered, “Is that what happened to me? How’d I get…Oh.” I sighed. The food. It was in the food.

            “Hermione already figured it out.” Ron said, “She reckons it wasn’t exactly in your food.” I looked at her.

            “I think whoever it was that poisoned you,” She began, “Couldn’t have put it in your food, because only house-elves deal with the food. I think it’s more likely he put the poison on your plate and goblet.”

            “So when the food touched the poisoned plate, it became poisoned as well.” I finished, “Hermione, you truly are brilliant.” She beamed.

            “Do you know anyone who could have done this to you?” Harry asked. I couldn’t help but notice his eyes shoot towards Draco, who was being unusually silent.

            “Yes.” I said, “I think it was Quirell.” Everyone looked startled.

            “Professor Quriell? I don’t think someone like him could have done this.” Seamus said. I shook my head.

            “Yeah, and why would Quirell want you dead?” Ron asked, “He’s too…twitchy and nice.”

            “And that gives you every reason not to suspect him, right?” I insisted, “Because he acts so innocent. I mean, what do we really know about him?”

            “It just seems so…unlikely, Stella.” Draco said quietly. Everyone’s eyes turned towards him, though he was looking down at the floor. He looked up to notice everyone staring at him.

            “What?” He said, “Why are you staring at me? I know you all agree, I just don’t think someone like him could have done this to her.”

            “Yeah, so who do you think it is, Malfoy?” Ron said forcefully, “It obviously would have to be someone close to her.” Draco looked at him, confused.