Leah Riddle: Riddle me This (Book 2)

Chapter 24

 I woke up to a splitting headache and pain all over; worse than a hangover.

 "Pansy," I groaned, and a few seconds later, she was at my side.

 "How are you feeling?" she asked worriedly.

 "Not well, I need another potion before I can get ready for lessons," I said, and she handed me a glass of water. I chugged it and then she went over to the door and called for Alex.

 "You need the potion?" he asked as he walked in.

 "Yes, go," she said, pointing to me. Alex walked over and handed me a vial which was filled with the rancid stuff. I opened it and grimaced before chugging it.

 "Ugh, oh God," I said distastefully. I felt much better though, which was a plus. I stood up and Alex caught my arm when I stumbled, but then I was fine.

 "Thanks," I nodded and he nodded back. I walked into the bathroom and got my hairbrush, raking it through my hair. Thankfully some of the shine returned to it and I was less pale. I threw down my hairbrush and grabbed cover up, putting it over the cuts and bruises. I then applied black eyeliner and walked back out.

 "Alex, you need to leave," I said, rummaging through my trunk.

 He sighed heavily and abandoned the room as I got changed.

 "Okay, let's go eat," I said, and Pansy stood up, straightening her skirt.

 "Don't forget you have a prefect meeting tonight," she said and I sighed.

 "Alright, I'll be there," I nodded and we walked into the common room. I looked around and saw Crabbe and Goyle leaving, Alex sitting down with the Daily Prophet, and Draco waiting with Blaise. Nott was sitting down writing a letter, and then there was Leon, watching me with a smirk.

 "Leah, are you okay?" Draco asked, kissing my forehead.

 "I'm fine, but I'm hungry," I said firmly and he chuckled as we walked out of the common room.

 "Well she's walking on her own," Blaise said, as if I wasn't there.

 "Yes I am," I said, glancing back at him. We reached the doors to the Great Hall and Draco pushed them open. I heard whispers start up instantly, and look who I just happened to literally run into.

 "Ariana," I said sweetly and she sneered at me, but I saw fear in her eyes. Before anyone realized what I was going to do, I drew back and punched her in the jaw. She yelled out in pain and then pushed me back. I grabbed her hair and pulled her backwards, slamming her head into the door. She retaliated by backhanding me, and I threw her to the ground; unfortunately she brought me down with her. We ended up rolling around, clawing at each other and pulling hair.

 Eventually I kneed her in the stomach, and then two professors pulled us apart.  Severus had my arm in a tight grip and McGonagall had Ariana.

 "What is going on here?" McGonagall asked sharply and Ariana glared at me, spitting blood. I was perfectly fine except for a slight stinging in my cheek.

 "She attacked me!" Ariana spat.

 "Oh please, you almost got me killed!" I snapped.

 "Do not blame Ms. Moon," McGonagall said with a glare. 

 "She told my father a lie so he would beat me," I narrowed my eyes.

 "What Ms. Riddle is telling you, is the truth," Dumbledore said, walking in, and I gave McGonagall a smug smirk.

 "I shall give Ms. Moon very serious consequences," he said sternly.

 "However, I will not permit my Slytherin prefect to fight. Fifty points from Slytherin," he said and Severus released me. I glared at all of them and then sat down with Draco. I took a sip of pumpkin juice, and then suddenly my headache was back and the pain coursed through my body again. I cried out and Draco grabbed my arm, looking worried as hell.

 "Draco it hurts," I cried, and the Great Hall fell silent when I screamed.

 "I'm good at potions too, Riddle," Ariana whispered in my ear as she passed, and shoved my shoulder, making me scream again.

 "Professor," Draco yelled, looking at Severus. He held me as I cried into him, the pain not going away. Dumbledore and Severus hovered over me, doing spells to determine what the problem was. 

"Young Draco, I hate to say this, but you need to go to her father and get the healing curse. It's the only way this can stop. He placed a curse on her that would cause immense pain and Miss Moon seems to have given Miss Riddle a potion to reverse all healing and pain relieving potions she has been given," Dumbledore said, Severus gently taking me from Draco.

 "Professor I can't go back there," Draco said shakily.

 "Leah will die if she isn't permanently healed," Severus said quietly, though the whole hall heard it. I had tears running down my cheeks, and I knew it was too soon for Draco to go back.

 "Draco, don't go," I said and he shook his head.

 "You risked your life for mine...it's my turn," he said, kissing me quickly and then leaving the Great Hall. 

 "Professor, he cannot go," I told Dumbledore.

 "He has to," Dumbledore said grimly, and Severus didn't release his hold on me.

 "You are going to be put under constant supervision so you don't run off to your father. If you aren't healed in an hour, you'll die, and if Draco can't get a healing spell out of your father, neither can you," Severus said grimly. 

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-Shay