My little episode was not a one-time thing.
It happened again a few days after the incident in the courtyard, during a Herbology lesson which resulted in several cracked pots.
And then a couple of days after that, it happened while I was getting ready for bed.
And then the day after that, it happened during breakfast.
They became more and more frequent, and more and more overwhelming until one day, during our flight lesson, I collapsed.
I don't remember what happened after I hit the ground, but I do remember waking up in the hospital wing with a pounding headache. I could faintly hear two men arguing somewhere in the room. One I quickly identified as my father, which made my stomach churn, and the other I later identified as Professor Dumbledore.
My eyes were already shut, but I squeezed them tighter, praying that this was all just a terrible dream.
Thankfully, the voices died out not long after, and I risked opening my eyes.
A bright light was shining on the ceiling directly above my head, forcing me to blink my eyes rapidly in an attempt to get them to adjust faster.
Once they had, and the world had returned to its normal colour, I sat up, glancing around the room. The first thing I noticed was Professor Dumbledore sitting idly in the seat beside my bed, reading a magazine.
At that moment, I wanted nothing more than for the ground to open up and swallow me. But, alas, I wasn't that lucky.
"It's good to see you awake, Freya." He said conversationally, still gazing down at the magazine.
"Professor," I mumbled in greeting.
"No need for such formalities," He said dismissively, finally putting the magazine aside, "I have known you since you were a child, haven't I?"
I nodded mutely.
"What time is it?" I asked quietly a few moments later.
"Around 2 in the afternoon."
"I - I have classes to get to." I said, starting to pull my blankets off.
"You'll be staying here overnight." Dumbledore said, stopping me in my tracks, "Your teachers have been informed."
"What? But-"
"It's already been decided."
"No, I'm fine. It was just... the heat." I insisted, before internally cursing myself.
It was autumn.
"No, it wasn't. Your friends have informed me of previous incidents."
Even if I knew they had done it for my own good, I couldn't help but feel a little betrayed.
"Can I see them?" I asked hopefully.
"No."
"Why not?" I frowned.
He didn't answer. Instead, he stood, smiling at me.
"I shall see you tomorrow, Freya. In the meantime, get some rest."
I felt my anxiety build as I watched him leave. Because, as much as I had tried to avoid looking directly at him, I couldn't help but notice that the twinkle in his eye was gone.
- X -
Night came quickly.
I tried to sleep, I really did, but I couldn't.
YOU ARE READING
Broken Feathers || Marauders Era
FanfictionFor Freya Sallow, it seemed like she had the worst luck in the world. She was born into a high achieving pureblood family, with sky-high expectations of her from the moment she opened her eyes. Her mother died when she was young, leaving her to be r...
