Metathesiophobia | H. Potter [3]

8 | delayed return

"Abigail," Hermione tried again and the girl groaned, "Come on, we have to head back to Hogwarts."

The girl shook her head but cringed at the movement, "I don't think that's a good idea."

"Hermione!" Ginny shouted from the hall. "We're going to be late if you don't hurry up."

"It's not me, it's her," Hermione pointed out

"What's taking them so long?" Ron asked.

"Apparently Abigail is being difficult," Ginny explained.

"Can I?" Harry asked as he pointed at the door.

Ginny nodded, "Go for it."

He then entered the room and Hermione looked at him in relief, "If anyone can get her up, it's you." Hermione then left the room and Harry took her spot at the foot of the bed.

"Abigail..." Harry whispered and she turned slowly to look at him.

"Remember how you told me to tell you when it happened again?" Abigail inquired as she hid under the blankets. Harry nodded before she continued, "It's happening again."

Harry grabbed her hand and looked at the top of it. "You re-opened your scar," he observed in a hushed tone.

Abigail nodded, "It happened last night. I fell out of my bed."

"Do you remember your dream this time?" he asked and the girl shook her head. "Do you want me to get your dad?"

"No," she protested as she forced herself to sit up, "He won't let me go back to Hogwarts. And between O.W.Ls and the D.A..."

"I can handle the D.A.," he pointed out, "And until you're feeling better, you won't be of much use to me anyway."

"Rude."

"I wasn't the one who said unpredictable headaches and mood swings make for a bad teacher." She laughed at this but immediately regretted it as a wave of pain washed over her. He frowned at this and placed a quick kiss on her forehead but froze after he did so. He pulled away and smiled tightly, "I'll get your dad."

-

"Some call it being annoying, I call it wit," Abigail explained as she passed her clearly irritated father and walked alongside Tonks, "I suppose it just depends how you look at it."

"Someone's in a much better mood," Tonks smiled down at the girl.

"I am," she nodded before adding, "I'm a pleasure to be around when I'm not in pain."

"So I've noticed."

"Hey fa-" Abigail began but her dad's hand was covering her mouth before she could finish.

"I personally like her better when she's quiet," Lupin stated and Abigail was quick to nip at his finger. She quickly ran out of her dad's reach and caught up with Moody who was walking ahead of the group.

"You know," Abigail began as she kept in step with the hobbling man, "We really haven't spent much time together since our time in the box. Not that I was conscious during that encounter but nevertheless."

"Lupin!" Mad-Eye shouted, "Come get your daughter before I jinx her."

Abigail narrowed her eyes but fell back in step with her father and Tonks, "Why do I get the full entourage anyway?" Abigail asked, "I thought that was a strictly Harry Potter thing."

"Dumbledore wants to be safe just in case your secret gets out," Lupin explained, "Can't say I disagree with him. I didn't even want to send you back."