CHAPTER IV

NEEDING A FRIEND

It has been three days since Dawn suddenly left the classroom and she was still gone. Bill was getting more and more worried. What could have happened to make her leave school at such short notice? The took a glimpse of the Slytherin table and no sign of her. Was this what professor Snape meant that he would do to keep them apart? No, it couldn't be, it would be too drastic, wouldn't it? He couldn't help but to look again at the table full of slytherins. The truth is that he would never forgive himself if she was to leave Hogwarts on his account. He was about to search at the table after Dawn again, but as he turned he found a girl standing behind him.

"I saw you looking for me, Bill".

"I wasn't looking for you, Sophie".

"You weren't, right?", she said with a small smile and then bend over to whisper in his ear, "So what were you searching for at our table?"

"I wasn't looking for anything, and, even if I was, it would be none of your business".

"All right, baby. You don't have to tell me. Do you know I'm going to Hogsmead alone today?"

"Well, take care not to get lost then. I'm going then, I'm done eating".

"You want to keep me company? I mean, since I'm going alone and you too, then..."

"I'm not going alone. Now, if you excuse me...", he stood up and walked toward Anne who was sitting at the end of the table with her friends and then whispered to her, "Could you go with me to Hogsmead? It's a matter of life or death", he laughed, "I'll explain on the way".

She laughed and stood up saying, "I'll sacrifice myself, but you will have to get me a hot chocolate".

"It will be my pleasure!", he said and then bowed to the other girls that stayed at the table laughing, "I expect to meet you latter, ladies". Then both of them left being followed by Sophie's eyes.

After they had already walked for a few moments on the path to the town, Anne asked, "And to what do I own the sudden invitation?"

"Sophie wanted me to go with her".

"Oh, I get it".

"I hope you don't get mad, but you were the first person that crossed my mind..."

"No problem", she said smiling at him. The truth in that smile took all his doubts away. "I had nothing planned for today. And I'm even going to get a hot chocolate now", she laughed.

"Knight to F4".

"Bishop to F4. Xeque mate", said Bill. He and his brother were bent over a chess board for over a hour. Bill had already won twice.

"Great...", said Charlie.

"Another match?"

"Of course not! Are you mad?", Charlie stood up and started putting the pieces away, "It's no fun to loose, you know?"

"Then win next time".

"Very funny... Besides, don't you have any essay to make? I have a giant one for Care of Magical Creatures".

"I have one too. We better work on them..."

"What's wrong, brother?"

"Nothing, Charlie", smiled Bill standing up to get his bag, "I'm just a little worried".

"And may I know why?", said him seriously, but then he smiled broadly and said, "Or should I ask with who?"

"You are not worth a knut", laughed Bill, "But I'm worried with a friend..."

"Oh, yes... A friend...", Charlie got his face closer to his brother and whispered, "You know, I think Anne is into you".

"Don't be silly, Charlie...", he said pushing his brother back to the sofa.

"You know I'm usually right about this sort of thing..."

With this remark, both boys started to make their essays, but Bill couldn't focus. If he told this to Charlie he would say that it was because he would be thinking about Anne, that he would be worried to know if she really liked him or not. Charlie didn't understand what was going on in Bill's head. His thoughts were all around Dawn and the fact that she was gone for a week already. He missed her. He feared she would never come back. He had to find out something about that or he would get crazy. But not now... If she doesn't show up at History of Magic tomorrow he would go after any information. Even if for that he would have to go talk to the Potions Master in person...

No sign. His last hope was that she would turn up to Professor Binns' class, but she never showed up. He was walking down the corridor but, instead of going to the Great Hall to have lunch like everybody else, he was going to the dungeons, he was going to talk to Professor Snape now. But, as he entered a corridor he saw her. He barely recognized her: her hair was loose and were covering her face in a way that he was unable to see it, but he was sure it was her. He fastened his walk. When he called for her, Madam Pomfrey stood in front of him.

"No yelling, Weasley. What do you want?"

"I'm sorry, Madam Pomfrey", that was when he noticed that he was in the Hospital wing, "I just want to talk to Dawn".

"Oh yes. But you will have to wait a little, I'll attend her first", then she went inside and closed the door, leaving him outside. What could have happened? He waited for about half an hour until she returned.

"Okay. Now you may come in", she smiled as she opened the door, "But I'll be right here in my office with my eyes and ears very alert".

He slowly went to her bed. As soon as she saw him, Dawn lowered her face and her hair covered her face once more.

"I didn't expect you to see that I arrived..."

"I was coming this way when I saw you at the corridor", he smiled sitting in a chair by her bed, "I decided to return you book and thank you", he said as he reached her a book and a small package. As she reached for it, he noticed that her arm was hurt, but he didn't say anything.

"What's this?", she said as she got the package.

"A little present to thank you and to give you a welcome back", he said without helping to get a little flushed, "I hope you like it...". As she opened the package, she saw a small wood circle with a net inside and decorated with feathers and stones. Before she could ask anything, Bill said, "It's a dream catcher. They say it is able to filter the dreams, letting only the good ones go through... Maybe you'll be able to have a better night sleep", she didn't say anything, looking at the present, "Sorry, it's a silly gift".

"It's beautiful. Thank you", she said smiling and looking at him for the first time that day. Her face was hurt like her arm.

"You are all hurt. What happened? I thought you were having family issues".

"And I was. But it's all under control now. This scratches will soon go away..."

"But who did it?"

"There is no need to worry, ok? Soon it will all be over...", he tried to say something, but she didn't let him, "I don't wanna talk about it, ok?"

"Okay. I think I'll be going then", he stood up to walk away but she reached his arm, "Do you want me to stay a bit more?", she simply nodded and he sited back down.

N/A: I hope you all enjoyed! But even if you didn't I would much apreciate a review!