The Unknown

Chapter 35: Mind or Body?

The next morning, Dahlia woke up and felt feeble and dizzy, even more than the day before. She could only just sit up before her body gave away, her head banging against the headboard which only gave her a headache and made the dizziness more apparent. Mrs Weasley tried numerous times to get Dahlia to eat and drink but Dahlia refused. She tried to get her to have a strengthening solution too but even after Dahlia tried to explain that it could kill her by being mixed with the poison because of her biology, no one seemed to take her seriously and thought she was senile due to her injuries, which is why Dahlia was certain they would drug her food and drink, just like Dumbledore did.

As time passed by that day, Dahlia began to hear people arrive. She knew by the way the sun shone through the windows and the number of times Mrs Weasley came into the room with food that it was now the afternoon. She didn't know the exact time, but she heard Kingsley, so she knew it was after he finished work at the Ministry. She didn't have much time to listen as the bedroom door opened and Tonks walked in carrying a plastic bag you would get in a Muggle supermarket and two plastic smoothie cups with the Daily Prophet being carried under her arm.

Tonks walked around the bed and then sat down, facing Dahlia with the paper placed to her side, as was the bag. The Metamorphmagus looked shocked at Dahlia's appearance; she looked deathly pale with dark circles around her eyes, limp in form as if Tonks knew she wouldn't be able to move, even if she wanted to. She was shocked at seeing the young girl she knew as being strong look so weak. She held out a smoothie and said, "Molly said you weren't eating. Said you thought they were poisoning you so I got something from outside the house. Strawberry berry smoothie for you and apple mango for me...'Lia, I promise you I wouldn't put anything in your drink".

Dahlia was hesitant but eventually took the smoothie and as it shook in her hand, she had to balance it on her chest so that she could reach the straw with her mouth. She took a small sip and she silently admitted to herself that it did make her feel a little better. She took a few more sips before asking, "why are you being nice to me?"

Tonks brows narrowed, not understanding why she wouldn't be nice to her, after all she believed they were friends. "Why wouldn't I be?"

"Sirius is your cousin, I used my magic on him, attacked him".

Tonks then laughed and said, "Sirius needs a good reminding every now and again that he needs to keep his opinions to himself, even those that are not true. Don't worry, he got a good telling off from everyone in the Order after what he said about your mother. Remus especially," Tonks said affectionately.

Dahlia smiled as best she could and said, "Professor Lupin huh?" She took a sip of her drink and said, "well he was friends with my mum...what did you think of him standing up to Sirius?"

Tonks shrugged and looked away for a moment before she answered, "Sirius deserved it, I think it worked more than anyone though considering Remus is one of his closest friends, a part of the Marauders," she rolled her eyes and laughed.

Dahlia wanted to laugh but couldn't, so it simply came out in muffled sounds that stopped after a few moments. She took a drink to clear her throat before she tried to smile as she asked, "so you and Professor Lupin?"

Tonks looked confused as she asked, "what about him and me?"

"Love," Dahlia said simply, not wanting to beat around the bush as she didn't have the strength to talk for long.

Tonks immediately looked away from the half-Midgardian and looked down to her hands. The pink-haired woman mumbled to herself for a moment before biting her lip and then she looked back to Dahlia. Shifting in her position, she said, "love, what love? I don't love him," she blushed, the tips of her pink hair turned red, "he doesn't love me, we're friends, just friends. Anyway, I brought you some things," Tonks said trying to divert the conversation as she picked up the plastic bag. "All good foods for recovery, apparently. Nuts, grapes, blueberries and some more fruit. Supposed to help with vitamins and all that-"