Mundane - Book Two

Chapter Thirteen

The next day, after being told that Black had escaped again, Dahlia and Stheno walked silently to all their classes. Everywhere around they noticed new forms of security being installed.

"Do you think it'll be enough?" Stheno whispered.

"I don't know..." Dahlia sniffed.

Things were growing tense as Hermione was being outcasted by the boys. She tended to hang around with Dahlia and Stheno a lot more. She offered to help them with their homework and often would ramble about some class she was taking.

"How on earth do you take so many classes, Hermione?" Stheno asked one evening as they sat by the fire.

"I'd like to take every class next year," Dahlia said dreamily.

"Really?" Hermione set her book down. "I'll mention that to Professor McGonagall. She's who helped me out with all of this. Are you a good student?"

Stheno groaned. "Are you kidding me? She's the top of all our classes! And somehow managed to be the teacher's pet in Potions class. She's the only Gryffindor he likes."

"That is interesting!"

"She's being dramatic," Dahlia said, though she could feel a slight blush. "I've just been studying. I find school fascinating."

After that, Hermione and Dahlia seemed to be a bit closer. Hermione would always study with Stheno and Dahlia every night. Stheno was appreciative because Hermione helped her with her homework, but this gave them very little time to discuss Dahlia's dreams.

Finally, when Hermione was on the next visit to Hogsmeade, Dahlia and Stheno had time to discuss new theories.

"I don't think Sirius Black is a bad guy," Dahlia admitted. She was lying on Stheno's bed with her arm across her face. Her head was killing her. "I just can't imagine why I would have dreams of him carrying a baby and seeming sad-"

"Maybe he was going to kill the baby," Stheno offered. "OR maybe he was planning to raise the baby as a crazed murderer like him!"

"I'm serious, Stheno." Dahlia sat up. "I know this is bad... but I want to find him. It's driving me crazy! I need to know the truth."

"Okay, sure go find him. When he murders you, you'll know the truth." Stheno had been pacing around the room and now came to sit next to Dahlia.

"He didn't murder Ron." Dahlia rubbed her head.

"He probably would've if Ron hadn't woken up. I can't believe I'm being the common sense one around here, Dahl. You can't go looking for a crazed serial killer who's trying to break into our school and murder our classmate!"

Dahlia sighed and fell back into the bed. "I... I think I'm going to see Madam Pomfrey. My head hurts so much..." She left without waiting for Stheno.

As she walked through the halls taking as long as she could to reach the Hospital Wing, for in truth she just wanted to clear her head, she ran straight into Draco Malfoy. He was covered in mud.

"Watch it, Weasley," one of Malfoy's goons sneered, but Malfoy put a hand up to stop him.

"Crabbe, Goyle, go tell Professor Snape I need to see him. I'm going to have a word with Weasley." Malfoy smirked and the goons nodded, walking swiftly down the stairs.

"Please, Draco, I already have a headache-"

"Relax, Dahlia. I'm not going to harass you." Draco rolled his eyes.

Dahlia tilted her head curiously. "Why?"

"Actually..." Draco sighed. "Let me get cleaned up before we talk. Meet me in the library in an hour."

Dahlia nodded. She was shocked. Draco had stayed out of Dahlia's life for the most part. She couldn't imagine what he'd want to talk to her about. She had decided not to see Madam Pomfrey.

When she got back to the common room, she immediately noticed Hermione hugging Stheno by the fire.

"What's wrong?" Dahlia asked.

Hermione looked up at her, tears in her eyes. "Hagrid's just sent me awful news," she said. Stheno looked incredibly guilty behind her.

"What is it?" Dahlia asked gently. She sat down next to her.

"Buckbeak, the hippogriff that Draco Malfoy provoked, has been sentenced to death." Hermione covered her eyes.

"I'm so sorry, Hermione-" Stheno's lip quivered.

"It isn't your fault, Stheno. I don't blame you one bit." Hermione smiled sadly at her.

"Isn't there something we can do?" Dahlia asked.

"No, I'm afraid not. I... I need to show the boys this."

Dahlia scoffed. "Good luck."

Hermione stood up to wait for Harry and Ron and Dahlia scooted closer to Stheno. She considered telling Stheno about Draco wanting to meet her. She felt suddenly angry at Draco. It was his fault Buckbeak would be killed.

"Is your head feeling better?" Stheno asked.

"Hm? Oh, actually no. Silly me, I ran into someone and forgot all about my headache. I'll go see Madam Pomfrey now." She stood and left the common room, heading towards the library.

Dahlia pulled a book about potions off one of the shelves and sat down at a table pretending to study as she waited for Draco.

It didn't take long. He had apparently also decided to come early. He sat down next to her and glanced at what she was reading.

"From what I've heard, you're a natural at potions," he said quietly, trying not to draw the librarian's attention.

"What do you want, Draco?" Dahlia asked. She didn't really mean to sound so irritated.

"I need to tell you something, Dahlia. I know you and Stheno have been talking about Sirius Black."

"How did you-"

"Shh!" the librarian hissed at them.

"Dahlia, this is serious business," Draco whispered. "Brace yourself. The truth is going to turn your whole life upside down. Are you ready for that?"

"I just want the truth," she whispered back. All anger had subsided. She wasn't sure how Draco knew any of this, but she trusted him. "I can handle it."

"It will come soon enough."

"You aren't going to tell me?"

"It's not my place. Just... brace yourself. It's bound to hurt."

Before she could say anything else, he was gone. Dahlia stared blankly down at the book in front of her. What could this news possibly be? How could it turn her whole life upside down?