Megan Potter - A saga of the Heart - Book 1 - A Witch's Heart

Chapter 17 - Friendship

She saw a note from Hagrid, and from Hermione, a drawing of her catching a snitch with the Gryffindor team's health wishes. Just then, she heard Madam Pomfrey's voice.

"Five minutes."

Looking up, she saw who had come in and beamed.

"Hermione! Harry, Ron!"

They hurried over and hugged her, Ron a little awkwardly.

"You are never to scare us like that again!" Hermione said, her eyes bright. "Three days you've been out of commission!"

"Three days...!"

"Yes! And, you might have heard, we lost to Ravenclaw last match."

"Yeah... sorry, guys..."

"Sorry?! You saved everyone's lives! No one could blame you for this! Without you, who knows if there would have even been a match!" Hermione said.

"I guess not..."

"Oh, you are coming to the end of year feast, tomorrow night, aren't you?" Ron asked. "Slytherin'll be getting the cup, but the food'll be good."

"Sure."

Though she was far from keen on watching Slytherin gloat at their victory, she was eager to return among the other Gryffindors, and... – She kept that to herself, – talk to Cedric.

"So what happened down there?" Harry asked.

Megan told them all she could remember.

"So... Flamel will die...?" Hermione said when she had moved to her conversation with Dumbledore.

"That's what I said, but Dumbledore said they were both fine with it. What about you? What happened to you?"

"Well, I got back all right, then I got Ron, and we were just heading to the owlery when we saw Dumbledore!"

"You did?"

"Yes, he was already there, and he knew everything! He said "she's gone after him, hasn't she," so we just nodded and off he was!"

"Lucky he came when he did," Harry said.

"You said it. D'you think he meant for you to do it? Get to the stone and everything?" Ron asked thoughtfully.

"... I think he tried to give us a chance, because he knew we would try anyway, so he gave us just enough to help. I doubt he let me find the mirror by accident."

She had finally confessed about the mirror. Hermione had been slightly disapproving, but not for long.

"I think he felt I had the right to face Voldemort if I could."

"But you're just a first year! You're no match for him!" Hermione said.

"There was hardly anything left of him. It was Quirell who did everything. And anyway, if I hadn't done anything, he could have returned and killed me then."

Madam Pomfrey then marched in and ushered them out.

Megan was released the following morning. The ward was bright with sunshine. As she gathered her things, Megan looked outside. The grounds were bright and covered in flowers and sunlight. It was a beautiful sight. Megan could hardly believe the year was over. She'd been so caught up in stopping Voldemort that she couldn't help but feeling that she had barely seen the year go by. She hoped maybe next year would be more peaceful. After all, it would probably take a while for Voldemort to get his strength back. And even before that, he'd have to find another way to get his body back, whoich would probably also take time. Megan ran a hand through her hair. She had taken a long shower and now felt much better. Her neck was still bruised from the multiple attempts at strangling her, her cheek had paper stitches and her hand was bandaged, but she had stopped Voldemort, so it was worth it. But she was impatient to see her friends.

"All set then?" Madam Pomfrey asked as she pulled on the clean jacket Hermione had brought her.

Megan had also asked Hermione for her scarf to hide her neck. No need to attract even more attention than she already did. Plus, they were not exactly attractive.

"Yes. Thank you for everything, Madam Pomfrey."

"Just doing my job," she said, but she smiled all the same.

Megan gathered her things and was just about to leave when she heard a voice.

"So, you made it."

She whipped round. And beamed.

"Hi, Cedric." she said.

He was leaning against the door frame, his arms folded, with a smile on his lips.

"Hi. So, what's the story?"

"You haven't heard it?"

"I want to hear it from you. I told you you'd have some explaining to do, didn't I?" he added, a glint of amusement in his bright eyes.

Megan smiled as she remembered the card.

"You did." She agreed. "Thanks for the card, by the way."

"You're welcome."

She pulled her bag from the bed and went towards him.

"C'mon, I'll tell you everything."

It was hot and everyone was playing around, relaxing after the exams. Cedric listened while Megan told him everything. He didn't interrupt her once. And it took so long to explain everything that it was nearly sunset by the time she had finished.

"You realise you were almost killed?" he said when she fell silent.

Megan leaned back on her hands looking at the lake.

"Yes, I do. But it didn't matter to me." She said. "All that mattered was protecting the stone, and my friends..."

She tried hard not to blush as she secretly added and you. But something came to her.

"You know, I should thank you." She added.

"Thank me?" Cedric repeated, surprised. "I didn't do anything, you never asked me for my help."

"No, but... when I thought I was going to lose, I... thought about you, and I somehow managed to fight back..."

She peered at him, wondering if he'd think she was crazy. He didn't seem to.

"I'm glad I helped, then," he said. "But why didn't you ever tell me about it? I have more experience."

"Believe me, I wanted to, I would have definitely felt more comfortable with yo-your knowledge, but I had already gotten so many people involved, I didn't want you to get into trouble or be in danger..."

Cedric shook his head and sighed.

"So you don't care if you're hurt, as long as others aren't? You do realise that we don't want you hurt either?" he said.

Megan hadn't really thought of it like that.

"I guess I was a little selfish."

"I see nothing selfish about it. You're just still a first year." he teased.

She nudged his arm and they laughed.

"Come on." he said. "I didn't help you save the world, so the least you can do is allow me to escort you to the Great Hall."

Megan laughed and took his arm.

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Megan's trouble seems behind her at last! Let's celebrate with a vote!

Would you have told all? Why / why not? Let us know!

Megan's first year is at an end. But I have a feeling Megan and company has more surprises coming her way! Let's find out which ones in the next chapter!