Silver Lining

Chapter 19

Have you ever woken up from a dream and not realised you've woken up? That feeling when the world you are suddenly plunged into feels so unbelievably similar to the alternate one you were just in that it's hard to distinguish between dreams and reality. Sometimes you wake up with a feeling of immense happiness because your own mind fulfilled your deepest desires, or even worse, you convince yourself that the hell you just experienced is real life.

That was what I felt like when I opened my eyes and all I saw was fear in James' eyes and Remus covered in blood. I screamed, my throat dry and aching, my voice cutting through the silence of the deserted Common Room. James reached towards me, and I recoiled, shrinking into myself and away from his hands. He held them up in front of me, showing me he had nothing that could hurt me.

"Violet, calm down. It's just me, James. Remember me? We're friends."

My breathing began to slow as my eyes adjusted to the darkness and the surroundings became familiar. I buried my face in my hands, and they came away wet. I felt a sob rise in my throat and pulled my legs into my chest. I sensed James crouch to my level, his fingers gently pulling my hands away from my face.

"Okay?"

I shook my head. He sat down on the couch next to me and wrap his arms around me. I buried my face in his shirt and let the tears stream down my cheeks. I could hear the boys muttering to each other around me, and it was only when James began to gently rub my shoulder that I pulled away. 

"I'm okay," I nodded hurriedly, wiping my eyes. "Just had a nightmare. Don't worry." I coughed a little, my throat unbearably dry. Sirius seemed to sense this, as he hurried off with the explanation of getting some water. James rubbed my back again, concern still lingering on his face though I had tried to reassure him. Silence hovered over all of us, with the occasional sniffle from me, until Sirius returned and handed me a full glass of water. I downed it quickly, and the chill was enough to refresh me at least a little. "Alright," I sighed, wiping my face with my hands again, "shall we get started?"

February had made its appearance at Hogwarts, and it was time for the full moon yet again. I didn't mean to fall asleep while waiting for the boys to return to the castle, but the toasty room must have sent me off to sleep. Then the nightmares came... I shook my head hurriedly to dismiss the images that still lingered behind my eyes. I shifted on the couch so Remus could fit. Now that I looked at him properly, the blood wasn't nearly as bad as it had seemed at first glance.

"Absolutely not," Sirius cut in. "Not in the state you're in." I opened my mouth to protest, to tell him I was fine, but he gave me a look that told me he wasn't going to change his mind, and I knew that four against one wasn't particularly good odds.

"At least let me–" I got up slowly and shuffled over to Remus, raising my wand slightly as I examined the cuts on his face and neck, but he stepped away from my reach, shaking his head.

"I'm with Sirius, Vi. Not tonight. You need to rest." I looked over at Peter and James, who both shrugged in agreement.

"Come on, I'll walk you up." Sirius held out his hand, which I took begrudgingly. I gave a small wave of farewell, resisting the temptation to call out to the other boys and make sure they knew what they were doing, and let him lead me up the stairs. We reached the bottom of the stairs to the girls' dorms, and he turned to face me. "What happened back there?" he whispered. "Are you alright, really?"

"I told you, it was just a nightmare. I'm fine." I pulled my hand away from his, but not before he kissed it gently. It'd been a little over a week since we'd confessed our feelings for each other, and while Sirius was growing increasingly affectionate, I was trying to keep our... whatever we had on the low-down. I didn't want it getting out to the whole school before I even knew what was going on.