The Primrose Tree: A Harry Potter Story {COMPLETE}

Chapter 9: Memories and Mind Games

CASSIDY'S P.O.V.

"So, that is what occurred?" said Dumbledore.

"Yes," I replied. "Sirius Black is innocent. The real culprit is Peter Pettigrew and Lord Voldemort himself."

I was sitting next to the fire in a small chair in Dumbledore's office. A warm blanket was draped across my shoulders and a steaming hot mug of hot chocolate was clenched in my numb hands. Harry was lying across the couch, wrapped in at least three blankets. His lips were turquoise and his teeth were chattering. Dumbledore was scooping small spoonfuls of hot chocolate into Harry's mouth, hoping to wake him up.

Dumbledore sighed when the last of the chocolate slipped down Harry's throat.

"Excuse me for a moment," he said apologetically.

"No worries, Professor," I said. "Take all the time you need." He smiled and walked back to his office to prepare more chocolate.

I sat my cup down on the table and sat down on the couch next to Harry, wrapping the blanket tighter around my body. He wasn't chattering as much as before, and his lips were slowly turning back to their natural pink. I smiled, thinking I would help out a little bit. I bent down low towards his face and softly kissed him.

I couldn't tell you how cold his lips were! It was like mixing a small fire with a gigantic chunk of ice. And the chunk of ice was winning big time! I almost flinched back in shock because he was so cold.

I pulled back after a while and waited. Harry groaned softly and tried to open his eyes.

"Harry?" I whispered. "Can you hear me? Harry, I'm here."

"Mm," he groaned. "Hmm...ugh." He opened his eyes. "Hey."

I smiled as I pushed a strand of hair out of his face. "Evening, Sleeping Beauty."

"How long have I been out?" he asked.

"Not long," I said. "Just a couple of hours."

"Are you okay?" he asked. "You look like you've been crying."

"I'm fine," I said with a shake of my head. "I was just so worried about you." His eyes were fixated on the cut along my neck. I covered it with my blanket.

"Don't try to hide it," he said firmly. I sighed.

"This is my fault," I said grimly. "Everything is my fault. If I hadn't been so selfish, so arrogant, so narrow-minded, this wouldn't be happening. I really am a walking target for evil."

"You can't put all this blame on yourself, Cassidy," said Harry comfortingly. "If I had been more cautious and less oblivious, you wouldn't be hurt right now."

I looked at him and tried to smile. "You know, if you hadn't told me about the vision you saw in the hospital, this could've ended a whole lot worse."

He wrapped his arms around me and pulled me closer towards him. "I don't even want to think about what could've happened to you."

"Am I interrupting?" asked Dumbledore from behind. We quickly pulled away. He chuckled softly. "Forgive me. I was mainly being curious."

"No need to apologize, sir," said Harry quickly. "We were just talking." I snickered. Harry scowled playfully at me. Dumbledore smiled.

"Ms. McGrew," he said, "would you be so kind as to hand over your wand for a moment, please?" I got up from the couch and handed him my wand.

"Are we going to view the memory, sir?" I asked. Dumbledore nodded. And then, from out of nowhere, appeared a large floating silver bowl.