a n c h o r

f o u r t e e n

Ron quickly rushed the two girls inside, begging Bill to help him as they both bled. Bill and Fleur both knelt beside a girl, carefully healing each of their wounds.

"You'll have a scar," Fleur said, referring to the healed gash across Alexandra's cheek.

"They're not so bad," Bill smiled, bringing over a glass. Alexandra quickly drank it's contents. "Harry's arrived. You three stay here."

As soon as Bill and Fleur left, Alexandra's head began aching.

"Ah!" She yelled, throwing her head in her hands as vivid images began playing in her head. Bellatrix, Narcissa, Lucius, Greyback and Draco all stood in a line, falling over in pain as Voldemort ruthlessly punished them. She looked at Draco, blood covering his face from the shattered glass, screaming in pain as he suffered for his decisions.

"Alex," Ron said quietly, afraid he would hurt her if he touched her. Her yelling turned into crying as she stared at the wall in front of her and attempted to catch her breath. "What's the matter?"

"He's angry," she cried.

"It'll be alright. They can't find us here. I'll send you to my aunt's-"

"No," Alexandra protested, grabbing onto his arm. "You can't leave me alone again. Please."

"It's too dangerous for you to come with us. You're in no shape-"

"Please," she cried, falling into his chest as he held her. His heart broke as she let out loud, gut-wrenching sobs as she begged him not to leave her alone. Hermione, having woken up only a moment ago, cried herself when she heard her friend fall apart.

"I'll talk to Harry," Ron assured once she had calmed down.

"Why don't we get you cleaned up?" Fleur asked, re-entering the cottage. She whispered something to Ron before helping Alexandra up and guiding her to the bathroom. Alexandra wasn't able to stand on her own, so she sat in the tub as the water from the shower washed over her. She watched as dirt and blood poured off of her body and down the drain for quite a while before the water finally became clear. When she was finished with her shower, Fleur handed her a towel before helping her up again and bringing her into the bedroom and helping her change into more comfortable clothes. She wrapped a blanket around the girl, and brought her back into the living room where Hermione had been patiently waiting. Her friend definitely looked cleaner and smelt better, but still didn't seem like herself.

"I'm so sorry, Alex," Hermione cried, now sitting up on the couch. Alexandra sat next to her, resting her head on Hermione's shoulder as they sat in silence. Neither of them knew what else to say. They just enjoyed each other's company for the first time in months.

"Where's Harry?" Alexandra finally asked.

"Dobby didn't make it," Hermione admitted sadly. "Ron and Dean are helping him dig a grave."

"Dean?" Alexandra asked. "Thomas?"

Hermione nodded. Alexandra decided not to ask how he ended up with them, and thought it was best just to be glad he was alright.

"Where's Luna?" Alexandra panicked, picking up her head.

"I'm right here," Luna smiled, entering from the kitchen and handing Alexandra a plate of food. "Dobby brought Mr. Ollivander and I to this cottage during the ruckus. I'm glad you're alright."

"I'm glad you're alright as well," Alexandra smiled.

"Is the potion treating you well?" Luna asked.

"Potion?"

Alexandra had drank the glass of what she assumed was water so quickly that she never noticed the strange taste of it.