Lucille Rose Potter

Chapter 20

Nearly half a week passed with not a single advance in the search for Sawyer Thorton.

Lucy had returned to Hogwarts and had yet to mutter a single word since the day her best friend disappeared without a trace.

"Lucy, you have to eat," Ginny urged, shoving a forkful of potatoes towards her friend.

Lucy didn't say anything, she remained zoned out, staring into space.

"This isn't healthy!" Ginny let the fork clatter onto her plate, "Lucille Evans! You cannot starve yourself."

"She's still not eating?" Fred and George slid into the bench across their little sister.

"No," Ginny groaned in frustration, "I don't know what to do! Should I take her to the Hospital Wing?"

"She's not talking yet either?" Fred's eyebrows furrowed.

"No, not since they didn't find anything searching the castle," Ginny shook her head.

"I'd give it a day or two more and then take her," George said.

Ginny nodded, "I'm just worried."

"How's she doing?" Harry stopped behind them.

"Same as yesterday," Ginny sighed, "I hope they find him soon."

"Still no word?" Harry asked.

Ginny shook her head, "nothing."

"Do you think it had something to with..." Harry eyed Lucy hesitantly.

"I don't know," Ginny shrugged, "what does he want with a random student?"

Lucy abruptly stood from the table and left the hall.

"What happened?" George asked.

"I don't know," Ginny looked stressed, "I'm going to go after her."

"Don't," Harry put a hand on her shoulder, "I think she needs to be alone right now."

>•<

Lucy found herself at the Quidditch field with her broomstick in her hand.

It had been awhile since she'd flown but it always helped her clear her head.

Once she was in the air, she immediately felt better. She laid flat and hovered in the air, staring at the sunset above.

"Enjoying the view?"

Startled, Lucy rolled off the side of her broom, only to be caught by a sturdy pair of arms.

"Looks like you fell for me," a boys voice rung out as he heaved Lucy up onto his broom, "you can open your eyes, you're not going to die."

Lucy hesitantly opened her eyes and came face to face with a boy about her age.

"You made me fall," she accused.

"But I caught you," he smirked, grey eyes shining.

"I wouldn't of fell if you didn't scare me," Lucy huffed, grabbing her broom as he rose to it's height. She swung her leg over her Moontrimmer and climbed from the boy's broom onto her own.

"You're the new girl," the boy stated, "the one that transferred from Beauxbatons."

"No, really?" Lucy rolled her eyes sarcastically.

"What's your name?"

"Lucille," she said shortly, hoping the boy would leave her in peace.

"I'm Draco Malfoy," he jabbed his hand out.

"Pleasure," Lucy said half-heartedly, delicately shaking his hand.

"What're you doing out here by yourself? We're not supposed to do that," Draco said.

"I needed air," Lucy snapped, "I don't care if I'm kidnapped."

"I don't know how that Hufflepuff managed to disappear," Draco snorted, "you can't even apparate on Hogwarts grounds. Like how idiotic can you be. I'm really not surprised though, he was a Hufflepuff."

"His name is Sawyer," Lucy said through gritted teeth.

"Pardon?"

"His name is Sawyer Thorton!" Lucy raged, "don't you dare speak ill of him."

Draco's jaw fell open, "are you the girl they're all talking about? The one that's been a mess since he vanished?"

Lucy's face hardened, "don't be an arse"

Without a second glance at Draco Malfoy or the darkening sky, Lucy lowered to the ground and started back to the school, reverting back to her trance-like state. 

>•<

"Ms. Evans? Can I speak to you in my office for a minute?"

Lucy turned her head slightly and saw McGonagall gesturing her towards her office.

Ginny pushed her slightly towards the older woman.

McGonagall closed the door behind her and observed the girl with sad eyes, "have a seat, Ms. Evans."

Lucy reluctantly sank into a chair across from the Transfiguration Professor.

The room was silent until McGonagall slid a plate of biscuits in Lucy's direction, "how're you feeling, Lucy?"

Tears welled up in her emerald eyes and her lip trembled, "it hurts," she croaked.

McGonagall looked at her sympathetically and handed her a handkerchief, "we are doing all in our power to search for him."

Lucy took a deep, recomposing breath, quickly wiping her eyes on her sleeve, "what if you don't find him?"

McGonagall let out a heavy sigh, "you have friends, a support system here, Lucille, you will get through this."

"Thank you, Professor," Lucy nodded.

"You're going to be excused from your classes until you're completely ready to come back," McGonagall said, "I've noticed you haven't been yourself in class and I don't think sitting through lessons will help you heal. I want you to take this time to visit your uncle, spend time with your friends, and sleep. Sleep, Ms. Evans, you look absolutely dreadful."

Lucy tried to laugh, but it just came out as a hiccup.

"What about my other classes? I can't fall behind, Professor."

"I've spoken to all of your teachers," McGonagall said softly, "they are all prepared to work with you to catch up when you are ready to return."

Lucy looked up at the light, trying to prevent the tears in her eyes to fall. She was not going to cry.

McGonagall was quick to slide a cup of tea into the girl's hands.

"White tea?" Lucy said between shaky breaths, "my favorite, how'd you know?"

"I had a hunch," McGonagall responded with a sad gleam in her eye.

Lucy left the Transfiguration Professor's office feeling slightly better than she did entering.

The absence of Sawyer hung in the eerie silence around her. She felt so alone that she couldn't breathe, missing Sawyer to this extent was worse than death.

Her whole world was crumbling around her and she couldn't handle the changes coming with it. It was too much to handle.

Lucy knew one thing for sure, she couldn't do this for much longer. If Sawyer was not found, she would be lost as well.