Chapter One
My Only Friend
He liked the days when he didn't have to sneak across the grounds and avoid all eyes. These days brought drowsiness into the school, the monotonous rain constantly rapping the windows, and the low buzz in the halls revealed an overall boring day. He was sitting in his favorite hiding spot, an old tree with winding branches and dense foliage, near the outer wall of the Hogwarts grounds. He was sitting on a strong branch watching the rain pelt the Black Lake. He sat still, his profile profound and his eyes slightly covered by shaggy black hair. He had no friends, no one cared about him and he cared about anyone, he was a recluse, the odd on out. In fact, since there were so many in his year, he ended up getting his own room in the dungeons. He was a Slytherin, only because the Sorting Hat could not find any qualities in him except for his dislike for other people. Some people hated him, others had sympathy for him, but none of them ever spent any time with him.
Rustling on the ground startled him and caught his curiosity. whatever the creature was it was dragging itself across the ground. He bent forward about to jump then stopped himself, taking caution of the creatures of the Forbidden Forest. Whatever it is it must be hurt, he though. He leapt from the tree and landed with a splat in the mud. He moved cautiously closer, surprise jolted through his body, what he thought was a creature was actually a girl. Her eyes were wide with fright and there were dark circles under them. Bruises and scrapes covered her arms and face, and her clothes and hair were caked with mud. She wore a pair of thin pajamas that were badly torn. He unfroze himself and walked to her, crouching when he was next to her. She tried to back away but her hands only slipped in the mud. After several seconds of staring, he reached forward with both hands and lifted her slowly to her feet. He slowly let go but as soon as his hands left her she collapsed. He jumped forward to catch her, falling to the ground with her.
He landed on the ground with her head and shoulders in his arms. Frustration went through him as he saw that he was covered in mud. Why should I even help her, she's going to die anyway. He looked at her, she was at least his age or younger. She was hot and feverish; he looked down her and saw that her feet were bare. No, I can't leave her here. He scooted himself from underneath her then slipped his arms under her form; and with a huff he lifted her, and, as best as he could in disguise, took her the castle. After a long walk he finally arrived at his room. From the outside the window was only inches from the ground, but in his room he could comfortably stare out it flat footed. He laid the girl gently on the ground, and then magicked the window open. He went in first then pulled the girl in behind him.
He shut the window and went into the bathroom to change. He then took the girl into the bathroom and set her on the floor. He ran some bath water then he removed her clothes leaving her underwear. He prayed that she would wait to wake until after he had cleaned her up to save himself some embarrassment. He washed the caked mud and blood from her skin, and pulled it from her hair. When she was finally clean he slipped her into one of his muggle shirts and put her onto his bed. He then retrieved an extra pillow and blanket from his wardrobe and plopped on the sofa in front of the fire; exhausted from the day's adventure. He woke slowly, he was warm and drowsy from the fire, he rose from the sofa and looked towards the bed.
The girl was peacefully sleeping he walked over to her and starred at her thoughtfully. Her hair was brown and went at least to the middle of her back. He nervously reached out and felt her cheek and forehead. She was still feverish. He went into the bathroom and filled a bowl with cold water. He wetted at washcloth and pressed it to the girl's forehead then wiped her face down. Just like his mother had once done. He did not know what had possessed him to help her. Why didn't he just take her to Dumbledore? She stirred slightly, his stomach churned with excitement and nervousness. She stirred again; her eyes fluttered open, she groggily blinked them then turned to face him.
"Are you alright?" he said feeling stupid. She stared at him for a few seconds.
"I've been better." She said with slowed words. "Who are you?"
" My name is Garreth." He replied. "What's your name?" He asked with curiosity.
"Charlemaine," She answered, " That's my name, but I am nobody."
That last statement startled him and made him feel sorry for her. Her voice was soft and timid which made it seem all the more pathetic.
" If you are hungry I can go to the kitchen and get you some food." Said Garreth.
" Are you a friend?" she said with worry.
"Yes, you're my only friend." He tried to say as reassuringly as he possibly could, clearly not knowing what else to do.