Never Is Our Always

Count. The. Seconds. 5

(Minnie pov) (ten days later)

I pulled my sleeve up and glanced at the countdown happening, "I have ten hours to go," I whispered, then grinned.

"Minnie?" I turned my head, smiling at whoever said my name, but they didn't smile back. "Honey, are you okay?"

"Oh, I'm delightful," I reply, going back to my watch. "Nine hours to go."

"Till what?" Alicia asked. "You look sick, Minnie, come eat with me."

"Okay," she took my hand and led me into the Great Hall. "Look... look," I whispered, giggling as I tapped my watch.

"There's nothing there, Minnie," Alicia told me, I furrow my eyebrows for a moment before tapping my watch.

"Nine hours, Alicia, nine hours," I let out a shuddering gasp of glee.

"Nine hours until what?" I just put my fingers to my lips and softly shush her.

"Hehe, I can't wait until you see what I have planned," I told her, "magic is wonderful."

"Have you slept in the past week... like at all?" I just giggle in reply.

"I'm going to miss you," I told her, tightly embracing her side.

"Where are you going?" Alicia questions.

"I'm going home," I say quietly, letting her go as my head remained on Alicia's shoulder.

I slowly shut my eyes as she watches me in concern. "Where's home, Minnie?"

"Where the heart is," I reply.

"Where's your home?"

"With Fred," I told her quietly.

"I see..." Alicia said before gasping slightly, "happy birthday Minnie!" I jolt myself awake and look at Alicia.

"How did you know it was my birthday?" I ask her in confusion.

"First of June! You and the twins are on the first of the month!" I nod my head slowly, "so, happy eighteenth birthday, Minnie!" I smile as she grins.

"Happy birthday, Minnie!" Angelina and Katie chorus and my eyes widened.

"Thanks guys!" I chirp before furrowing my eyebrows.

"What's wrong?" Katie asked.

"I have detention on my own eighteenth," I say to them, "great."

"It's your last one," Katie told me, grabbing my left hand, "you got this." I nod my head before seeing Luna Lovegood walking past us.

"Hey, Luna!" I wave and she stopped and turned to me, I smile and she looked horrified.

"You look dreadful, Minnie," I deadpan as she tilts her head, her eyes were distant as usual.

"Thanks." I gave her a feeble smile before turning my head away from her.

"You haven't slept or eaten, have you?" Luna walked around the table and then sat beside me.

"Erm..." Alicia shoved a piece of toast into my mouth and I take it softly by the corner as I ate it.

"You look sick," Angelina told me, "you need to sleep."

"I can't," I grumbled, "when my detention finishes, the day begins by the time I fall asleep."

"It's earlier today, right?" I nod my head.

I saw Lee jog into the hall and he slid on to the seat beside Angelina, "last day, nine hours," he tapped his watch. "Are you sure you want to do this?"