ONE
NEW ARRIVAL
Disclaimer: I own nothing at all. Only the character of Regan is mine. Mine All Mine. Ah ha ha ha ha ha ha ha (Flash of lightening) ha ha ha ha ha.
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"When your lights have burnt out, hope will save us." - Unknown
Running was all she had now. She'd been running for so long. Away from the screams and the fear. Branches pulled at her hair,twigs scratched her face, and rocks cut her feet. And still she ran. She could only see her destination. So close now.
Stumbling she hit a tree, cursing she carried on. She could hear laughter now. Tightening the strap on her small bag she continued to run towards the noise.
The tree's thinned and her numbing spell began to wear off. The cold, now bone deep, shocked her body causing her legs to stiffen. The pain in her feet, cut and swollen from her running, doubled and her throat dry. Her headache returned full force, she nearly collapsed, reminded her of her need for rest.
She could see shapes moving ahead. Hagrid's unmistakable bulk and booming laugh moved there too. She nearly cried out in joy. Resting against a tree she gathered the energy to move out for safety.
She moved. Four familiar faces stood in front of her.
"Please," she croaked, "help me."
Hermione cry out and instantly wands were drawn. She fall to her knees, her feet no
longer able to hold her weight. Hagrid's face became pale as he recognized her. Thank the gods.
"Please, I need to see Dumbledore. I-" Cough's racked through her body. I need water and rest.
Some one was rubbing her back and a bottle of water was put in her hands.
"Here drink this."
She almost cried as the cool refreshing water glided down her throat. Looking up her eyes met emerald green caring eyes. She sighed. Here he was. Hagrid cleared his throat noisily.
"Well let's take her to him." He seemed doubtful of what to do next.
"Can you walk?"
"Of course she can't walk, look at her feet!" Hermione exclaimed.
"Sorry." Harry said meekly.
She felt strong arms around her and she was lifted of the ground.
"Thank you." Was all she could manage.
"Who are you?" Hermione asked mistrusting.
"That's not important." She answered.
"Dumbledore will answer your questions." Hagrid said his voice fearful.
She closed her eyes as she was marched in Harry's arms towards Hogwarts. She felt warmth of Hogwarts corridors embrace her. The charm so hastily performed had run it's course and the true pain of her injuries began to take hold. Her feet burned as did her hands, every scratch seemed to ache with renewed vengeance and her muscles and stiffed and promised to hurt greatly tomorrow. Her hand felt ready to split. Her ribs were bruised and battered form the falls in the forest. She screwed her face up trying to block the pain from her injuries out.
She began to cry and whimper.
"What's wrong?" Harry asked alarmed.
"My body is bruised and battered and I'm tried. I'll be fine." She answered honestly.
She remembered the pain worse than this. The feeling of hot daggers stabbing her, her skin trying to pull away from her nerves, red army ants biting her all over, her mind tearing in two. Her injuries felt small and didn't hurt as much any more.
"Harry?" Dumbledore.
"Professor she came out of the forbidden forest and asked for you."
"Take her to the to the Hospital now, I'll follow." A trace of surprise laced his voice.
She must have blacked out because the next thing she knew she was being laid down on a soft bed. An elderly witch poured something she knew she should taste or feel down her throat. The scratches on her face were healed with a simple healing spell. Her feet were soaked in warm water, cleaned and bandaged. Same with her hands.
"Hello Miss Potter."
"Hello Dumbledore." She replied weakly as darkness finally took her.