My Next Gen Dystopia story. Written for the HPFC Hogwarts Games (Again!). Let me know if you like it.

Dominique had known that Louis was dying for a long time. Ever since her fourth year, his third, when he had gotten sick. Dominique had been just 14 then. Everything had felt so different. Suddenly, they had to worry about getting sick. Dominique remembered having to wash her hands every time she came in the house. And she could never cough or sneeze around him. Dominique never payed the fact that Louis was growing sicker much attention. Because he could still go out and play Quidditch with her right?

Until he couldn't. That's when she knew.

It was only October, and summer had gone with a gust of air, but the chilly wind and the grey skies made it feel colder than usual. Louis couldn't go outside anymore.
Quidditch season was over, and winter was setting in. Dominique had nothing to do, and she noticed Louis. He was getting worse and worse. By December, he was moved to St. Mungos. Victoire was already out of Hogwarts, and she was spending more and more time with Louis. Dominique felt cut off, like the only one who wasn't there.

And then came January, and February, March, April. Then May. And Dominique stopped believing her parents when they said that Louis would get better.

Dominique hadn't told Lucy yet. She knew that was dumb, but she couldn't seem to get the right words out. Because how do you tell your cousin that her best friend was dying? Dominique didn't know either.

And then one day, one sunny spring day, after dinner, Professor McGonagall pulled her aside. And Dominique knew.