𝔞 𝔴𝔞𝔫𝔡 𝔞𝔫𝔡 𝔞 𝔴𝔦𝔱𝔠𝔥; 𝔥𝔞𝔯𝔯𝔶 𝔭𝔬𝔱𝔱𝔢𝔯

xv. live like flowers.

By the time they had reached the Gryffindor tower, morning had already arrived. A small thing that gave them some peace was that no one was up and about in the common room; everyone was likely sleeping in after the exhaustion of the exams.

Hermione, Emmalina and Ron shared a look.

"We should get some sleep," Ron murmured, rubbing his eyes.

"I want to, but I won't be able to. Not until we know Harry's alright," Emmalina said, a voice barely above a whisper. The anxiety and fear had crawled back into her making her nervously fidget.

"I don't think I will be able to sleep either," Hermione added, "I wasn't even this nervous for the exams."

"Let's just sit here and wait," Emmalina suggested, plopping down onto a sofa. Hermione took a seat besides her while Ron chose to get in an armchair across from them.

"What do you think Harry faced after you were gone?" Hermione questioned turning to face Emmalina.

"I. . .I have no idea. But probably Snape and maybe even . .. maybe You-Know-Who."

Fear crawled into her stomach.

"But surely . . ." Ron began to stammer.

"We know the consequences. If Harry didn't manage to stop Snape, and Snape got the stone to You-Know-Who then. . ."

"You-Know-Who will be back," Hermione completed.

"You-Know-Who can't be back, I mean the world will turn mental. I've heard Mum and Dad talk about the days when he was there and they still shudder talking about them." 

"How exactly were the days?" 

Ron flickered his red-rimmed eyes to Emmalina, his face solemn. "Well, it was dark times, absolutely bonkers! Muggle families were being killed left and right. The Death Eaters used to call it Muggle Hunting as if it were a sport! Muggle-borns were being tracked down and their entire families were killed. People didn't walk the streets because of fear."

Hermione and Emmalina shared a look. If You-Know-Who was back, they would have been the main targets. Or more accurately the witches and wizards who were born to muggle families. Just that thought managed to ignite a sense of fear.

"Don't worry, if the He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named is back, I'll... I'll protect you."

Emmalina let out a small smile at the sentiment.

"That's sweet Ron but I highly doubt you will be able to defend us against the followers of You-Know-Who," Hermione said throwing Ron a soft smile.

"Then again, he was vanquished by a baby. How hard can it be?" Ron opened his mouth but Emmalina cut him off. "I'm kidding, Ron."

Hermione leaned her head against Emmalina's shoulder, eyes slowly beginning to droop. Emmalina wrapped an arm around Hermione's shoulder, leaning her own head against hers.

"When do you think we can visit Harry? The quickest?"

"Probably, in the evening, depends on when Dumbledore brings him back." Emmalina began, finding her eyes slowly shut on instinct. A deep drowsiness overcame her suddenly making her almost snuggle into Hermione.

"What do you think. . ."

Ron's words fell on deaf ears, as sleep overcame her.