Hogwart's Future - Book 2 ✔️

Chapter 56

Charlene's POV

" You OK? " Jasper asked me. We were sitting near the river again. I've grown to like this spot under the tree. It has so many happy memories attached to it.

" Yeah. " I sighed. I looked across the still surface of the water, occasionally rippling at something swam under it.

He started stroking my head, making me look his way. " You know, if you ever get uncomfortable around.. "

" Thanks for trying, but I'm not telling you why I don't like her. That seems to be the only thing you'll ever talk to me about. " I said. I grit my teeth. I looked back at the water. I wasn't going to let anything get under my skin today. Not today.

" I wasn't going to say that.. " He muttered. He entwined his fingers with mine. I could care less for the tactics he'd use to get it out of me. " You know, you're really special. " He whispered.

I noticed how close his face was to mine. I shuffled away from him, taking my hand with me. I held my knees close to my face.

" I'm going to check up on everyone. Just.. Be safe, my queen. " He sighed. He got up, patting my head as he left. I kept my eyes towards the river. I had never been more relieved that he'd left. He couldn't see the tears running down my face or hear my quiet sobbing.

The Ministry turned up a few hours later. Everyone else finished making the potion around an hour before they'd shown up. Seraphina and Jasper explained what they'd found out to them. They're in the Forbidden Forest now, trying to find those under the curse's influence. They don't know I'm here. I think my eyes are still red. They still sting. They haven't stung for this long for ages, but then again, I'm still crying.

I see them holding an unconscious body and carrying it to the cauldron. Jasper didn't even look in my direction.

Thinking of it, he'd never done anything like this. He had never made me feel so weird. He'd always been so lighthearted and funny. Why is he acting so strange all of a sudden?

They've carried three more people out. Mia's pouring the concoction down their throats. I still won't get up. I really should help, but then they'll see me like this. I can't let that happen.

There's around eleven people now. They said there would be a lot more. One of them looks like someone I know. I can't go check, though. My eyes still sting.

Twenty, twenty five, thirty. They just kept on coming. I still sat here, staring at the river. A small breeze had picked up and I could see larger ripples in the water, along with the other ones. I really want to go see them. Just a bit longer.

There were more people lying down than I could count. Some had even woken up and were holding their heads in confusion or pain. I couldn't tell. I'm still sitting down. They'd investigated the train. Everyone in there had left. Most had left through the doors, though some others had broken through windows. There was no trace of the wizard or witch anywhere, not a single hair or fingerprint. The breeze had gotten stronger and the wind was blowing at my hair. The sun had begun to set. Seraphina, Mia and Jasper had gone inside. One of the ministry workers had noticed me. They came up to me and asked if I was okay. I made up some excuse about being worried. They left. I started crying again. Why am I so weak?

They think they've nearly got everyone. It was pretty much dark by now and my back really aches. The wind had gotten so strong that I struggled to stay upright. It had also started to rain and I'm completely soaked. Even some of the ministry workers had gone inside. I lacked the will to even get up. Ebony and Derek would be inside by now. They're safe. They're probably talking to everyone. They're warm. I don't feel like any of those things. They've been through so much I haven't, yet I'm here and they're there. I hate myself so much.

The moon's out. It's really really windy and the rain feels like bullets going through my skin. I really should go inside, but then they'd know that I was out here. They'd think I was hiding from something. They'd get mad at me. Besides, the gates are closed. I can't get in anyway. I lay my head on the grass and tried to close my eyes. Try as hard as I might, I couldn't fall asleep. I started crying again. Why do I do this every time?