Learning From The Ashes: Book 1, Year 3

Chapter 4

I woke up feeling extremely comfortable and well rested for the first time in six years, laying on the lumpy mattress in my room at the Hogs Head Inn. I glanced over at my Beauty and the Beast watch I picked up and could see it was 9:30 am. A thought suddenly struck me.

They knew I was gone. Severus would have went down to my cellar to find me gone, my father would have been lost in a blind rage. I really hope he didn't hurt Severus. I would never be able to live with myself knowing a good person got hurt because of me. I couldn't care less if he let a couple hexes go in Malfoy or Bellatrix's face.

I got out my bed and my bones didn't crack, my muscles didn't protest, I glanced in the mirror to see my bruises fading. I felt more alive than I ever have. I felt free. Exhilarated. My only hope is that my Father still believed I knew nothing about magic, so I wouldn't be in Diagon Alley. He can't find me now. Not when I was this close to Hogwarts. This close to Dumbledore. This close to safety.

Packing all of my things into the extendable bag I bought yesterday, I shoved my wand in my pocket and left the room, thanking the inn keeper and heading on my way.

The morning was going well, I had breakfast at the Three Broomsticks and spent a couple hours in the book store picking up some that sounded interesting, but as I was leaving Fluorish and Blott's I felt a strange sensation run up my spine, hearing in the back of my head, my mothers voice. "Run"

I turned slowly to see Lucius Malfoy and his eyes widened upon seeing my face. He immediately started pushing through the crowd to get to me, just as I turned and ran.

I bobbed through the hundreds of people swarming the alley, ducking low in hopes Lucius wouldn't see me. All was going well until I made it to an abandoned alley, when a hex hit the back of my legs causing me to fall forward. I groaned, quickly shoving my wand in my bag and charming it so if Lucius took it to open it, all he would see in the 'small' bag would be a couple galleons. I rolled over to face the man stalking towards me.

"Lucy! What a pleasant surprise. Did you miss me?" I said brightly, making sure to mask my anger, my fear and of course, my hope that I could find a way out of this.

"You sneaky little witch." He growled. "How did you manage to escape?" He laid a swift kick to my ribs as I gasped.

"I have no idea." I said weakly. "I fell asleep, woke up and I was somewhere in London, close to this place. It was luck I stumbled across it."

"Do you have any idea how angry the Dark Lord was when he saw you were gone?" He kicked again, this time he hooked my face, I instantly felt my lip split and nose bleed.

"Oh, Lucy you've been practising." I coughed. "You still hit like a girl, but hey, I guess it's only fitting when your hair is longer than mine."

Feeling a few more kicks to my battered body, he pulled his wand out "Cruci-"

"Hey what are you doing down there?" I heard the voice of a clueless wizard yell from the entrance of the alley, causing Lucius to turn to him quickly. Remind me to find out who he is and send him a fruit basket.

I took this chance to close my eyes and pictured a heavily wooded area in the outskirts of London. I felt the soft, mossy earth beneath my body as I pictured Lucius' face when he turned back to see me gone again.

Glancing at my watch I saw that it was already 12:30. I need to get to Hogwarts. I tried to stand but I knew I was far too weak to even take a step as my body collapsed to the ground again. I slowly pulled my wand out and put protective enchantments around me that I learned from my mother to keep people or animals from stumbling across me as I lay in the woods. He found me. It wouldn't take long for him to report to my father and them figure out where I am heading. They would know I knew about magic as I had just apparated away from Lucius.

I tried to nap to build up my strength but I knew there was no use. My mind was running over and over the expression on my father's face when Lucius tells him what happened. I need Dumbledore's protection now more than ever. So, using every ounce of strength I had left, I pictured the beautiful castle my mother had told me so much about. She even took me to the outskirts a couple times to guarantee that I would find my way when the time came. Of course, I can't apparate right to the castle because it is protected.

Closing my eyes I was standing beside the shrieking shack, noticing the sun was slowly beginning to set. Seeing the castle in the distance I knew I had to get walking. It was easier said than done. My body was sore from the blows Lucius landed me, I knew I had dried and fresh blood still coating my face, hair and clothes. The bruises fresh and bright purple and blue.

By the time I made it to the front doors of the castle it was already dark, it had started raining slightly, mingling with the sweat pouring from my brow with the pure exhaustion of dragging my half-dead body across the hills and cliffs surrounding Hogwarts. I admired the beauty of the castle through half lidded eyes as I knocked on the huge front doors.

Not having an answer I grasped a handle and yanked the door open. "Maybe Dumbledore should lock his doors, you never know who could wander in." I thought, smiling slightly. Hearing the sounds of thousands of students talking, as well as smelling wonderful food I made my way to two large double doors, everything getting steadily more blurry.

Pushing the door open, I heard all the chatter stop immediately, followed by many gasps, as all of the teachers stood up and eyed me carefully, all except Severus, who looked shocked beyond belief. Dumbledore stood up abruptly, looking almost as if he expected this.

"Dumbledore." I gasped through my exhaustion and pain. "The front door was open." That was all I managed to get out before my body succumbed to the weakness and I fell to the floor as everything went black.