Scratches (Fred Weasley)

(114) Unfortunate Events

Florence had awoken with the feeling that something was wrong. She shot up from her lying position so suddenly, that she had scared Nicolai, who, too, had just woken up, and was much too jumpy in her half asleep state.

"Merlin's beard." she had a hand on her chest, "You scared me, Flo. One minute you were sleeping like the dead...Are you alright?"

She shook her head, swinging her legs off of the bed, padding across the the room to plop down beside Nicolai on her bed, "Something's wrong."

"What is it?"

"I don't know. I-I'm not sure. But I can feel it."

"You've woken up because of paranoia? That's a new one." Nicolai snorted, rubbing the weariness from her eyes, "You're just stressed out...But don't worry, we're going home tomorrow. So you could rest up and come back refreshed and ready to kick our N.E.W.T.S in the ass."

"I don't think it's stress, Nic. I have a really bad feeling that some terrible happened."

"Okay. Maybe you're just hungry. You didn't eat that much last night. It's all that fatigue, getting to your head." Nicolai heaved herself off of the bed, "Come on, let's freshen up and head downstairs for breakfast."

And so they did. She had also told Xander about her feeling of uneasiness, and he agreed with Nicolai's hunger theory, claiming that food was a universal solution for any feeling.

As Florence watched her concerned friends pile food onto her plate for her, her eyes darted around the room, noticing that Hagrid was sitting at the Staff's table once more. Her gaze then trailed over towards the Gryffindor table, sweeping through the crowd in search of Fred and George.

However, they were nowhere to be found. Neither Ron, or Ginny was at the table as well. Harry was missing, too, as it seemed, seeing Hermione sit alone as she ate her breakfast.

This was what was wrong.

"Flo, where are you going?" Nicolai inquired as she watched her rise from her seat, barely touching the plate they had fixed for her. "I'll be right back." she replied curtly, before stalking over to the Gryffindor table, catching Hermione's attention.

"Oh hello, Florence. Good morning."

"Good morning to you too, Hermione. I, er, I was wondering if you know where the Weasleys and Harry went? I don't really see them anywhere..."

"Oh," something flashed in Hermione's eyes, "Don't worry... They're quite alright. But Arthur isn't. Harry had this...dream...that he was attacked by a snake in the ministry."

"A snake? And was he?"

Hermione nodded, making Florence's breath hitch, "Dumbledore called Harry, Ron, Ginny, Fred and George to his office and portkeyed them over to St. Mungo's as soon as the news was confirmed. They didn't even have the chance to tell anyone. I only heard from Professor McGonagall awhile ago."

"Oh my...that's dreadful..."

"It quite is..." agreed Hermione, "I'll give you updates if I hear anything else if you want?"

"That would be great. Thank you, Hermione...And, er, do you need some company? There's some room back in my house table if you're feeling lonely without Harry and Ron."

She chuckled, "No, I'm fine. Ever since I met them I've never had a moment of alone time during meals."

"Alright. Well, thanks again."

"No problem."

She returned to her house table, feeling worry gnaw at the pit of her stomach. Nicolai gave her a look, "What was that all about?"