Charlotte Weasley

Chapter 22 - Lacey's Accident

The next day dawned bright and sunny. The birds were chirping through the open window in the first year girl's dormitory. I couldn't sleep, the excitement from yesterday was still coursing through me. 

The entire house (besides a few) had stayed up through the night, celebrating the win. Rob and Rufus had snuck out to the kitchens and had hauled up mountains of pastries and delicasies. Jacob and Peter had bewitched the fat lady so that her portrait now showed her to be dressed in all-out Gryffindor gear, including a banner on the wall behind her. Some older students who had been here much longer pulled out some old games and toys from the Weasley Wizard Wheezes hayday and we had spent hours with a variety of trick items. 

Now it was Sunday, atleast there would be no classes. I yawned, stretched, and slipped out of bed. I pulled on a navy blue sweater - it was getting cold outside - and some jeans along with my lace-up brown boots and skipped out of the dormitory to get an early breakfast. 

The great hall was nearly empty when I got down there and the few people that were there were groggy and yawning. I scanned the tables seeing no familier faces. 

I grabbed a piece of toast and went outside to walk around the lake while people started getting up. 

The air was cool and crisp as an apple. I prefer it this way, colder rather than warmer. Despite this, I hugged my arms a little as I walked out into the grounds. 

The lake was as black as ever and the surface reflected the trees around it. It was so large that I could scarcely see the other side. 

A scaly tenticle winded it's way out from the watery depths and plopped it back in. I had heard about the giant squid from a few older students. I shuddered and walked on, staring up at the slightly cloudy sky. 

A few owls flew past, none the familier white Ophelia. 

After a few minute's progress, I saw someone in the distance, near the Forbidden Forest, coming towards me. They appeared to be running swiftly, as though away from something. 

I squinted and saw what looked like Lacey sprinting directly to me. 

When she came into view, it was her. Her blonde hair was tangled and tears streamed from her blue eyes. 

She saw me and dove into my arms, crying her eyes out. 

"Lacey! Are you alright!" I exclaimed, astonished. I had thought she had still been in our dormitories. "What is it?" 

Lacey shook her head and tried to wipe her eyes. That was when I saw it; a long red gash stretching from her elbow to her wrist. 

I grabbed her wrist swiftly and gazed at it criticly, "What happened, Lacey? You must tell me if you want help!" Once again, she just shook her head. I gave up and led her to the hospital wing. 

When we arrived, the same nurse that had helped me after my fall was there, tending to a pale-faced second year.

When she saw us, she hurried over and whisked Lacey away to a curtained bed. She asked no questions but just went straight to work. 

Lacey had passed out and the nurse had to stitch up her arm. 

"It will undoubtedly leave a scar but it's the best I can do," the nurse said when she had finished. I was sitting in a chair next to Lacey's bed, "She'll have to stay here in the meantime, she must've had a nasty shock. Did you see what happened?" I knew she would ask this at somepoint. 

"Well I was walking around the la--" I was interrupted by the sound of footsteps in the hallway and anxious whisperings. 

The hospital doors swung open and Professor McGonnagal was standing there surrounded by Britt, Valerie, and a few teachers. 

'What had happened?" Professor McGonnagall said sharply, walking over to the bed swiftly. 

"Well.. I don't know exactly. Miss Weasley was beggining to explain but then you came in.." the nurse explained. 

"I should have known it involved you. You aunt and uncles were the same when they were here. Whenever something peculier happenned, Harry, Ron, and Hermione were always there someway or another. I guess it runs in the family!" Professor McGonnagal replied, noticing me sitting there for the first time. "So what happened? What did you see?"

I began again, "Like I said, I was walking around the lake when I saw someone coming towards me from the forbidden forest. As she got closer, I realized it was Lacey. She was crying hysterically and then I noticed her arm. She didn't explain what happened so I just brought her here."

Valerie gasped and knelt down next to Lacey. Britt put her hand to her mouth, "The forbidden forest?" She gulped. 

"Well, when Miss Fogg wakes up, can you either tell me or send her to my study, Cho? It would be much appreciated," Professor McGonnagal told the nurse, "And meanwhile, Miss Weasley, could you clean up a bit and then come to my study? I have a few questions for you."

I nodded and got up. On my way to Professor McGonnagal's study I took a detour to the girl's bathroom to freshen up. 

I glanced into the mirror. I had dark shadows under my eyes and my dark hair was scruffy and unkempt. I screwed up my eyes and opened them. I now had the same dark hair but it was longer, wavier and silky. The circles dissappeared and bright blue eyes looked back. I looked alert. Atleast on the outside, I was a little shaken to see Lacey like that. 

I walked to her study where a tall gold eagle stood. As soon as I walked up to it, it turned slowly and twisted around to show a staircase winding it's way up. I climbed the steps to a broad door with a plaque on it that said, "Headmistress' Study" .

I was about to knock, my fist was hovering in mid-air above the smooth surface of the door but I heard voices. 

"Albus! Listen! I think I know what happened! Or atleast what she saw.."

"Oh, Minerva, "A voice replied, a soft chuckle in it, "Have you even considered how he would have done it?"

The other voice responded, "Of course! He did it once before, why not again? I mean he was powerful, you cannot deny that. And there are ways, there always are."

The voice snorted, "Alright, it sounds like I can't sway you, fine!" 

The door swung open to reveal Professor McGonnagal sitting behind her desk, no one else was there. 

The room had a variety of magical objects and the walls were covered with portraits of past head masters. 

The newest, one of a young man with dark greasy hair hung next to one of an eccentric old wizard with a long white beard and half-moon spectacles perched on the bridge of his nose. 

Proffessor McGonnagal looked up and gestured to a chair in front of the desk. 

"So, I want to ask you again, What happened?" 

"I already told you, that is all I saw!"

"You know this is a very serious matter and should not be taken lightly. A student was accosted on Hogwarts grounds."

I nodded, "I know it is and I would not lie." I stressed each syllable carefully to stress to her my sincerity. 

Proffessor McGonnagal inclined her head curtly, "Okay that is all I need.. But if you hear anything. Tell me." 

I smiled to show I agreed and left. 

"Oh and Charlotte," I turned, "Be careful. You can't trust everyone."