Immortal Magic (Book 1)

Chapter Thirty-Three

Allison's Point of View.

Everyone sat scattered around the tables outside, talking and laughing over dinner. Conversations overlapped across the garden, each group focused on their own discussion.

Percy sat beside Dad, rambling on about Ministry reports while Dad listened politely. Mum, meanwhile, was arguing with Bill about his newest earring and longer hair.

Charlie, Fred, and George were deep in conversation about the upcoming Quidditch World Cup, debating players and teams loudly enough for half the garden to hear.

Hermione and I mostly kept to ourselves, talking excitedly about our classes for the upcoming school year and what we hoped we would learn. Eventually, Mum glanced down at her watch before looking around at all of us.

"Merlin's beard, look at the time," she said. "All of you need to head to bed. We'll be up at the crack of dawn for the World Cup." Then her eyes landed on Harry.

"Harry dear, just leave your school list here. I'll get your supplies while you're at the Cup. I'm doing the same for everyone else, well, everyone except Allison and Hermione."

Harry nodded gratefully as everyone slowly began standing up from the tables. Together, Hermione, Ginny, and I said goodnight to everyone before heading upstairs.

"Night, you two," I whispered after climbing into bed and blowing out the light. "Night," Ginny and Hermione murmured sleepily.

I rolled onto my side and stared out the window. The stars glittered brightly against the clear night sky, and after a few quiet moments, sleep finally pulled me under.

Time Skip.

I woke with a quiet sigh and slowly pushed myself upright. The room was dark and silent around me.

Careful not to wake Ginny or Hermione, I grabbed the candle from beside my bed and lit it before walking over to the window.

I sat on the windowsill and looked up at the sky. Ever since I was little, I had always loved the night sky. Something was calming about it. After a few minutes, I glanced down at my watch and sighed.

Only four hours had passed since we'd gone to bed. I climbed down from the windowsill, picked up my candle, and quietly slipped out of the room.

The Burrow creaked softly around me as I made my way downstairs toward the kitchen.

After setting the candle on the counter, I grabbed a glass and filled it with water. I had just taken a sip when I heard footsteps behind me. "Couldn't sleep?"

I turned and saw Harry walking into the kitchen, his glasses slightly crooked and his hair sticking up in every direction.

I smiled softly. "Seems to be going around." I gestured for him to come stand beside me. "How long have you been awake?" he asked while leaning against the bench.

"Not long," I replied honestly. "I woke up thirsty." I looked over at him. "What about you?" Harry looked down at the counter, absentmindedly spinning one of the forks between his fingers.

"I couldn't sleep." I studied him carefully. That nervous habit alone told me there was more bothering him. I shook my head slightly.

"That's not all of it. Or at least,  there's more you're not telling me." I reached over and rested my hand gently against his arm. Harry looked up at me.

"You can tell me, Harry." He hesitated before finally sighing. "The night before I got your invitation, I had this dream." Harry slowly told me everything. The house beside the graveyard, Peter Pettigrew, Voldemort, and the old man.