Shine As Bright

Chapter 5, Grief, Love and Everything In Between

Dominique's POV

The moon was full tonight, and I felt a small shiver slide up my spine as I stared into its pitted ivory depths. I recalled that werewolves came about at the full moon, and I felt afraid, but then berated myself, for Teddy's father had been a werewolf and, according to our Defence textbooks and our family, one of the bravest wizards who had ever lived.

I sighed. It was two weeks into the first term, and already our workload was sky high. I had begun to believe that teachers enjoyed seeing us fail our exams, and I frequently saw to giving them the evil eye upon entering and leaving class. Following Fred's lead, of course.

I sighed again. I had been seeing far less of Fred lately, as he was always with Nimueh, his girlfriend of eight months. I was alright with it, really; Nimueh and I had become quite close last year, and she was one of the few people I felt comfortable around nowadays. But without Fred, without my comfort blanket, I had taken to wandering the school alone, sitting by myself at meals and during classes, because Fred was taking some entirely different subjects to me. Of course, we both had Herbology, Defence, Transfiguration, Potions and Charms together, but I took Care of Magical Creatures while he had Ancient Runes, and he had Divination when I had Muggle Studies. And even in our core classes we shared, we seemed to work together less and less, especially if we had that class with the Slytherins, whereupon he gravitated straight towards Nimueh and I was left to my own devices.

I had come to dread the hours spent in the dank Potions dungeon, as I almost always found myself seated beside a snotty nosed fellow who had never even bothered to say hello. Fred and Nimueh would while away the time together, she helping him along, as she was really quite accomplished. Of course, she offered to guide me through some difficult recipes – Forgetfulness Potion, anyone? – but I declined. It just didn't seem right to steal her away from Fred.

I was also beginning to hate any classes we took with the Gryffindors. Fred was with me then, and I tried to act normal around him, but I couldn't stop my heart giving a small tap-a-tap every time Lysander brushed past me. It was hard to tell whether he was still furious or not; after almost nine months, I was sort of hoping he'd be fine, but all that had passed between us had been only politeness, extreme to the verge of stiff.

Fred, of course, being the nosy bugger that he is, noticed our discomfort together immediately, and accosted me straightaway. I tried to be evasive, but once you got Fred going on a matter, he never rested until it was solved. And so I told him; the truth, yes, but certainly not all of it. All I said was that Lysander and I had argued that December day, nothing more. I could tell Fred didn't quite buy this, but he was willing, for once, to let it go.

I don't know why I didn't share the actual manner of Lysander and my disagreement with Fred. Maybe it just felt too personal, the kiss, or maybe it just felt weird discussing the matter with a guy, even if he was my best friend. I suspected the latter, for only days after it had transpired, Nimueh had wheedled the situation out of me and helped me through it all, only after promising not to tell another soul, of course.

I wondered now, staring out the window into the darkened night sky, my forehead resting against the cool glass, if Lysander had ever really cared. He had seemed to, yes, but upon returning to school I had discovered that he had found himself a girlfriend. Of course, she only lasted about a month or so, but still, I felt betrayed. And maybe the blonde boy sensed it, for whenever we came near he would avert his beautiful gaze from mine and look studiously towards the floor.

After a while of this, I just stopped trying to make eye contact.

The loud hooting of an owl drew me out of my ruminations. I glanced towards the watch that rested on my bedside table; it was half-past two in the morning. I didn't have classes on today, as it was Saturday, but I supposed I had better try and get some sleep, if only to study upon waking.

I stood and stretched, climbing into my four-poster, extremely careful not to make the bedsprings creak. The deep breathing of my dorm mates was soothing, and I didn't want to disturb them. I lay down carefully, wriggling beneath the covers, and took a deep breath before closing my eyes.

Think sleepy thoughts…

I tossed and turned for a while, getting comfortable, but even then if was at least another half-hour before sleep claimed me. And with it came the dreams.

Darkness. Silvery fog up ahead, obstructing vision. A howl in the distance, shrieking like nails down a blackboard. The fog lifting, parting; a full moon revealed. A werewolf on the prowl.

The scene shifting, changing. A mass of bodies, a crowd of students in their black robes. All faces turned up toward the sky, humming a soft sort of melody. As one, they turn, and all are wearing the face of Lysander. Their mouths open, they scream, but the scream is a werewolf howl, and behind them, the stars go out.

Darkness again. A whisper, nameless faces, fingers of smoke prying open the black; a blaze of light behind. Sunshine on a meadow, where a boy is dancing. He turns, and it is Fred, his dark curls bouncing. Giving a wave, he spins again, and suddenly it is not he, but Nimueh, and blood is pouring from a gaping wound in her chest, and she shrieks, her hair lengthening, lightening, her features changing to Victoire's. She collapses to the ground, face down, shaking.

Rolling over, it is no longer Victoire, but Lysander again, and when he screams, no sound escapes. A loping figure appears in the distance, silhouetted by the sunshine. A wolf, walking on hind legs. Darkness descends again, and instead of a moon, all that appears is an electric blue eye, hovering in midair…

I awoke sweating, feeling ready to retch. Glancing over at the alarm clock, I saw that it was only six in the morning. I shivered, able to remember every part of my nightmare in miniscule detail. It frightened me, for usually I instantly forgot what I had dreamed. Why was this so different?

It was strange.

Shaking off the sick feeling in my mind, my stomach, my heart, I stood. Throwing on a shirt over my singlet, I padded to the bathroom and brushed my teeth. I rested in front of the mirror for a long time, examining the careful circles beneath my eyes, as if an artist had taken his paintbrush to me as I was sleeping. I shivered again. Today was not beginning too well.

oOoOoOoOo

The Great Hall was quiet at this time in the morning; sitting down at the Hufflepuff table, I could only see a couple of Gryffindors chatting quietly. Not even the teachers seemed to be about, but I supposed that six-thirty in the morning was just too early for their old bones to become active.

Absentmindedly spreading jam on a slice of toast, I looked up towards the enchanted ceiling. It was a daytime sky, clouds shifting pleasantly above. Damn; I had missed sunrise. I loved seeing it happen right before my eyes. I changed the direction of my gaze towards the open windows lining the Hall. I whistled twice and, a minute later, a small brown shape came swooping down.

The owl landed lightly, perfectly balancing on the fruit bowl. I untied the string around its leg, taking the newspaper from its binding, and slipped five Knuts into the little drawstring pouch on the owl's other talon. It was early for the owl post, but since I was always up at the crack of dawn, I had arranged the delivery owl to meet me earlier than usual. I preferred reading the paper in silence, without the clamour of voices surrounding me.

Unrolling the Prophet, I glanced at the heading and my mouth fell open, the piece of toast in my outstretched hand falling back onto the plate. I swallowed, hard, and instead of skimming the news like I usually did, I read the title article from start to finish.

WEREWOLF ATTACK SPARKS FEAR

A werewolf attack near the outskirts of Mould-on-the-Wold yesterday evening sparked terrifying reactions and rumours amongst its townsfolk. The attacked, an infant, died instantly, but cause of death was immediately known to Auror investigators. Harry Potter, Head of the department, spoke to our reporters hours after the incident occurred: 'This child's death was a tragedy, and I'm sure all of Mould-on-the-Wold will be affected by this for a long time to come. But let's not get it into our heads that werewolves are bad people; some are yes, but most are genuinely terrified of their condition. Of course my department will apprehend the culprit and see him behind bars, but we'd like all involved to remember that most lycanthropes need help and support, and if there are any out there, we'd like them to come forward, just so we can offer our assistance.'

Potter and a select team of Aurors are headed out into the field today to catch and arrest the offender. Check tomorrow's DailyProphet for any updates on the situation.

Report continued pages 2, 3, and 5.

The blood froze in my veins as I read that penultimate sentence. Headed out into the field… I remembered an incident in my first or second year, when Harry got badly injured during a raid on a necromancer's house. It was one of the most terrifying experiences of my life, seeing him lying there in St. Mungo's, bandaged and white as the sheets he was wrapped in. I was seized with an irrational fear, now, that this mission would turn out even worse than that one did.

Someone cleared their throat beside me, and I jumped. Turning, I met the jade green eyes of my cousin Albus. His resemblance to his father was so uncanny that in that moment, I felt like I was looking at an eleven-year-old Harry, poor and petrified, yet always ready to face Voldemort no matter what.

"Dominique?" Albus whispered, his eyes darting anywhere but my face as he spoke. "Do you think…is Dad going to be alright?"

I blinked. Obviously Albus had heard the news through the grapevine, though who would tell him this early, I had no idea. A letter from Ginny, probably.

I tried to convince myself that Harry would be coming home safe and well, yet a small nagging part of my brain refused to cooperate. I couldn't say that to Al, though, so I just plastered a smile onto my face and nodded. "Course he will, Albus. Your Dad's been through worse than this and come out fine, remember? He'll stay safe, don't you worry."

Albus nodded, but still looked so small, so frightened and unsure, that I leant forward and gave him a quick hug. He stiffened for a moment, and then melted into the gesture, leaning his dark head against my shoulder. I kissed the crown of his head lightly, and he drew back. Still smiling, though now I knew it looked forced and fake, I bade him to run along and have some fun.

And he did run off, but I highly doubted that his Saturday would ever constitute as enjoyable, not with so much weighing on his mind.

I turned back to the paper before me and was just contemplating whether or not to continue consuming my now cold slice of toast when I felt yet another presence beside me. I held my tongue to stop any inflammatory comments pouring from it, and swivelled once more, ready to face Albus again, or even James. But no; it was definitely not a relation of mine I was staring at. No relation of mine had beautiful blue eyes, a freckled face and loose blonde curls of hair. And certainly no relation of mine would smile at me like that.

I coughed quietly, disguising my little gasp of surprise. "Lysander."

"Dominique." Godric-damn that stupid, stupid grin!

"May I help you?"

"Actually, yes. You know that Herbology assignment?"

"Ah…yeah…" I was starting to guess where he was going with this, and I didn't like it one bit.

"Well, if I don't ask someone for help, I know I'll bomb. And you're the best in our class," he said a little louder, overriding my protests. "So you could help me, right?"

"Well…yeah, I suppose."

"Great. By the lake then, at nine?"

"Yeah, sure." My heart was thumping wildly in my chest, and I could feel my cheeks flame red for some absurd reason. Lysander began to turn away, but some ridiculous part of me reached out to grab his hand and turn him back around. Under the scrutiny of those beautiful eyes, I felt my tongue turn to lead, but I managed to spit out a few choice words. "Lysander, are we- I mean- are we alright?"

He cocked his head quizzically at me.

"I mean- last year, when we- what I want to say is- I guess-" Curse, curse, curse my stupid mind! "I'm sorry, for that, I- I think…is it- is that okay?"

"You're sorry?" He grinned. "For what, kissing me?"

How he had the nerve to just throw that comment about! "If I rightly recall, Lysander," I said, my teeth gritted. "You kissed me. And no, I'm not sorry for that- I mean, yes, I am- wait, no, I'm…"

He continued to stand there, smiling insolently at me. I gave up. "Fine. Okay, then. I'll see you by the lake at nine." I stood and brushed past him, fully intending to make some sort of dramatic exit when his hand shot out and grasped my arm. I paused, thinking it rude to continue walking away when he clearly wanted to keep talking. "Yes?"

He didn't meet my eye, focusing instead on something just to the left of my head. I bit back a sharp comment on the fact; I didn't need to anger him again. "I just wanted to say it was really nice what you did there." I stared. "With Albus, your cousin, I mean."

"Oh."

"And…I misjudged you. You're not a bitch at all, Dom."

I swallowed, scrutinising his face for any signs of him lying to me. I found none. "Thank you, then, Lysander." I tried a smile, and this time his gaze met mine, no longer vulnerable but annoyingly confident. I sighed. Back to his old self, then.

"See you."

"Yeah, bye."

.

.

(an interlude)

The Owlery was cool at this time of the morning. I didn't mind the cold, not really. I liked the company up here, with the barn, snowy, sooty, elf and speckled owls either fluttering around high above me or slumbering, their heads beneath their wings.

Most people came up here to deliver their mail, but I liked the solitary quietness, a place where I could sift through my thoughts and dreams. And today was no exception, since my nightmare had left me plenty to contemplate.

Did it mean anything that I had dreamed of wolves, and then awoken to news of a werewolf attack? I had dreamed of them often enough beforehand, and nothing had ever come of it, but last night had been particularly bad…the blood, the howling, the moon a bright electric blue. What on earth did it all mean?

And why did I see the future?

(resume)

.

.

I didn't mean to fall into the lake. Really, I didn't. It just sort of…happened.

I had always been fascinated by the elements. When I was a kid, my grandfather Arthur had given me a Muggle story on them. It was only a fairytale, a fantasy, but the ideas stuck with me well after my childhood ended. Of course earth had always been my favourite, but water and air had also intrigued me. Fire was certainly off limits: I had always been scared of the roaring flames, and shrank away from anyone who lit a match.

Standing by the lake, then, at two minutes to nine o'clock, something in the rippling currents below me seemed to draw me in, closer and closer. I removed my shoes and socks, rolled up my leggings. It wasn't until Lysander's voice startled me that I realised I was waist-deep in the lake. As it was, the suddenness of his interruption was all my clumsy feet needed to spin me around, trip me up and land me headfirst into the water.

I surfaced spluttering, blinking the water from my eyes. Lysander stood on the bank of the lake, his hands on his hips. With the sun directly behind him, he looked like he was glowing. He looked like a golden angel.

Stop it! I chided myself. Haven't you been through all this before?

I hoisted myself up onto the grass and sat there for a moment or two, catching my breath back. I couldn't understand why Lysander was looking in the complete opposite direction; until I glanced down and realised the water had made my white shirt see-through. I flushed.

My bag was by the great tree next to the lake, and I quickly squelched my way over and fetched my jacket from its depths. The feeling of pulling a dry garment over a wet one was unpleasant, but compared to the alternative, where everything, and I mean everything, could be seen…well, it was really no contest.

I cleared my throat once I was presentable. Lysander turned, and I'll admit I was shocked to see him blushing. Lysander Scamander certainly didn't blush…did he? He walked over and sat down by my bag, looking expectantly up at me until I joined him, grimacing uncomfortably at the damp sensations riddling my body. He saw my awkwardness and grinned. I flipped him the bird.

He raises his eyebrows. "Moved on from eye rolling, have we, Dom? I must say, I'm impressed."

I didn't deign to respond. Lysander stared at me for a long moment, then turned away, filching around in his own school bag for his Herbology assignment. I cleared my throat.

He found it, and pulled it out with great difficulty. The parchment was all bent and scrunched, and what I could see the handwriting was cramped and messy. I snatched the papers from him before he could say anything, and scanned them over. I sighed. "These are absolutely hopeless, Lysander. You've just written out exactly what it says in the textbook! Honestly…" I trailed off to find Lysander positively gawking at me. I shifted slightly in my position. "What?" I snapped defensively. "It's true!"

"Merlin, Dom, I know it's true! It's just…" He paused, and I could tell he was fishing for the right words. I steeled myself. "It's just I've never seen you looking so…fierce."

I stared.

He grinned.

"Right." I was at a loss. What could I say to that? And so I decided to do what I do best: I ignored it. "Right, then. So, if you're going to write a proper essay on this, you really need to understand the basics…" I looked up at him from beneath my eyelashes. "You do understand the basics?"

"Well…" He shifted uncomfortably.

"Huh. I do believe that's the first time you've ever been lost for words, Lysander." He just looked at me. "So, we'll go through this first," I said, pulling out a thick Herbology volume from my bag. "And then this, and these." I pulled out another book, and then various bits of parchment which I had written on over my various years at Hogwarts. Lysander just stared.

"You're joking," he finally said. "I can't look through all that! The assignment's due next week, Dom!"

I nodded. "I know. Which is why I'm helping you." He looked up at me, meeting my gaze with his fiery blue eyes. I was spellbound for a moment, then shook my head slightly to clear the sensation. "And I might let you have a look at mine," I stated grudgingly. "Only," I began, seeing delight written across his face, "Only if you agree to work your hardest beforehand, okay?" Lysander nodded. "Okay?"

"Yes, Dom." he said, his voice strong. "Okay."

"Well, then. Let's get to work."

It was certainly a challenge tutoring Lysander. He simply refused to believe that he was in the wrong until I was absolutely proven right. But I supposed that was the Gryffindor in him. A bunch of stubborn mules, they are. But it was strangely enjoyable, chatting to him, bossing him about almost as if we were friends. Were we?

But no matter how many times he made me laugh, I just couldn't ignore the gnawing sensation at the back of my mind regarding the events of the morning. A werewolf attack… There hadn't been one for years, but surely Harry would be able to handle it? Surely…surely he'd be okay?

But try as I might, I just couldn't convince myself as easily as I had convinced Albus, because I knew, deep down in my gut, that this time, this time, there was something terribly wrong. That this time, Harry wouldn't make it out unscathed.

I just hoped that all the blood, all the screams… I just hoped they'd only been a nightmare.

oOoOoOoOo

I fell asleep that night almost instantly, which was an abnormality in itself; usually it took forever for my brain to shut down. But not tonight.

Fog, lots of it. Far more than last time, so dense nothing else can be seen. Swirling, consuming. Stalking its prey.

A beam of moonlight piercing the heavy grey. One single glowing line making a path to follow onwards. A dangerous feeling; footsteps approaching.

A shadow, only decipherable as it is darker than the surrounding mist. A shuffling step forward, into the moonlight. A shock of ebony hair above a pale-as-milk face.

Harry.

Blood blossoms from a wound in his thigh; another awkward step forward, but any more is impossible. The pain is too great. Harry falling, falling to his knees.

An outstretched hand, pleading for help. Thudding to the ground, red liquid pooling beneath his body, spreading like the petals of a crimson flower.

And somewhere, a werewolf howls.

I jerked awake, my brow and cheeks wet with tears and sweat. The rest of the girls in my dorm slumbered on, oblivious, even though when I checked my watch, it was six thirty in the morning. I got up out of bed, threw on a dress. I couldn't just lie there, waiting for something to happen. I had to find out what was wrong. If there was something wrong… I had to find out if my dream had come true.

oOoOoOoOo

This time, there was no-one down in the Great Hall. It was eerie being alone in such a vast space, and a small shiver slid its way up my spine. Whistling twice, I waited for my owl to arrive.

She did, in a flurry of wings. I thanked and paid her, and removed the paper from her outstretched leg. Ripping it open, I stuck my head into its depths and did not look up once until I had scoured every inch of the news.

Nothing.

Not even a single mention of the mission. It was as if yesterday had never happened… This should have calmed my nerves, for surely a story that was on the front page the day before wouldn't completely disappear unless absolutely nothing had happened… But the butterflies in my stomach kept on dancing.

I stared at the array of food before me. I had no appetite; the sight of a steaming slice of toast made me queasy. I stood up quickly from the table, and it was only then I saw the other presence in the room.

Professor Longbottom.

I paused, confused. He saw me staring and began to approach. He looked grave, and my palms began to sweat. He stopped right in front of me, hesitating slightly. I stared up at him, a good head and a half shorter. He swallowed. I did the same.

"Dominique," he began. He was the only teacher in the whole school who called us students by our first names. "I'm afraid…you'll have to come with me, please." He turned to leave.

"Why?"

He stopped and faced me again. He was clearly uncomfortable. "Dominique, I don't think it's my place to say…"

"Please." The look on his face was slowly making my insides go numb. "What's happened? Is it Harry?"

"Harry?" For a moment, Neville looked perfectly confused. "No, no, Dom…no, it's not Harry."

I smiled, but something in his face, his stance, cautioned me. "Then who…?"

"It's Teddy, Dominique. Teddy Lupin." My heart stopped beating. "He's in St Mungo's now…they need you all to be there."

I nodded dumbly. Neville seemed to want to say something more, but something in my face must've convinced him otherwise, for he turned abruptly and strode off, gesturing for me to follow him. I did, still unable to process the information he had given me. Teddy Lupin…St Mungo's…need you all to be there… To what? To ease his passing?

And inexplicably, into my mind sprang two very different images: Victoire and Teddy laughing together, holding hands, seeing nothing around them but each other; and the ashen face of Harry, slumbering fitfully in his St Mungo's bed. They were memories, one warm and welcoming, the other far from it. The latter image was one I hated to recall, one where I had felt the world as I knew it collapse around me. Harry and another of his Aurors had been gravely injured on a mission…the night it happened was the longest night of my life, siting in the waiting room of St Mungo's, waiting for the Healers to tell us everything would be all right… And they did tell us that, eventually, only after the most terrible time of tears and grief. The relief in Ginny's face at the good news had been something almost tangible, something we could all cling on to…

Neville's voice drew me out of my reverie. I startled and tripped over my own feet. Luckily I didn't fall completely over; I only stumbled and then righted myself, blushing. Neville cleared his throat.

"I need you to go and wake Fred, Dominique, and bring him to the Headmaster's office." I nodded. "I'll handle everyone else up in Gryffindor, all right?"

I finally found my voice. "But what about Lucy and Louis in Ravenclaw tower? And Al in Slytherin?" Neville hesitated. "I'll get them too. You just…" I paused; suddenly realising I was giving my Herbology Professor orders. "Just please wake Victoire up as soon as possible. She- she should've been the first to know." Neville nodded decisively and took off. I stared after him for a long moment before taking off in the opposite direction, headed for my common room.

When I entered the kitchen corridor, I breathed in the intoxicating scent wafting from the house-elves' ovens, for though I was still queasy, they could never cease to make my stomach rumble. I hurried on, however, for today there was no cause for enjoyment. My heart clenched at the thought of Teddy.

Inside the common room, I pushed open the fifth round door set into the left side of the room. I was immediately accosted by snores and drones and other such noises, but I ignored them, making my way over to the bed farthest form the entrance. Fred's sleeping form was in it, his sheets all tangled by his feet. I approached and shook his shoulders none too gently. He grunted and opened an eyelid. Seeing me, he sat up quickly.

"Merlin, Dom! What the hell?" I stayed silent, and he obviously sensed my agitation for he got up out of his bed without another word, pulling on a t-shirt over is bare chest. "Lead the way," he said, and followed me out the door.

I got my tongue working again, and told him everything- well, almost everything. My dreams seemed too personal to share with Fred. When I finished, he was pale beneath his burnished tan. "Alright," he manages to say. "I'll go get Albus, and you can grab Lou and Lucy." I nodded, knowing that he was well-versed in the Slytherin common room, due to him and Nimueh's relationship. And I knew where Ravenclaw tower was, because in my brother's first year I'd often had to wander around with him to stop him from getting lost. "See you," Fred said, and set off towards the dungeons. I wheeled the other way, beginning to run. We couldn't waste any time.

It was easy to get confused going up towards Ravenclaw tower, but luckily Louis hadn't been the confident teenager he was now back in his first year, and had often begged me to accompany him back to his common room. After what seemed like an age, I finally found myself climbing the dizzying spiral staircase that led up to the common room. Merlin, I hated this thing.

I finally reached the top and, without stopping to admire the heart-stopping drop below me, reached out and banged twice on the bronze eagle door knocker. Its beak opened, and it spoke.

"Only one colour, but not one size,

Stuck at the bottom, yet easily flies,

Present in sun, but not in rain,

Doing no harm, feeling no pain.

What am I?"

I paused. This riddle was new, one I had never heard before. Damn it! I chewed my lip, thinking about the words for a long moment, when suddenly it hit me. "A shadow!" I yelled at the knocker. "A shadow!"

"Correct," the eagle said, and the door swung open.

I had never actually stepped inside the Ravenclaw tower, always feeling rather lost and awkward amongst all their bright sparks. It was airy and bright, with a strange majestic quality. But I wasn't here to admire it.

I faced two spiral staircases, one on the left, one on the right. I hurried up the closer of the two and peeked in through the open door. Yes! They were sleeping first year boys. I climbed higher, opening a couple more doors until I finally spotted my brother's tell-tale blonde Veela hair shining in the sunlight. I walked over and shook him awake. His reaction was almost the exact same as Fred's, but I quickly spat out the story to him. He looked horrified and jumped out of bed immediately. I looked away as he got dressed, and then it was me who followed him out of the dorm. We collected Lucy on the way, and I explained things to her in a loud whisper. Louis was a half head taller than us both, and perhaps it was that that made me and Lucy let him lead the way. As soon as we were off that dreadful staircase, we started sprinting. I had no idea where the Headmaster's office was, but Louis seemed to know. That fact made me suspicious, but I brushed the thought away. No distractions!

We stopped outside an extraordinarily ugly stone gargoyle, one I had passed on numerous occasions. "Pepper Imps," Louis said. Lucy and I exchanged glances, but before I could speak, the statue sprung aside and the wall behind it was splitting in half, opening to reveal a revolving spiral staircase. We hopped on and were deposited at a great oak door with a knocker in the shape of a griffon. Louis pushed open the door and we stepped inside, where everyone else was waiting.

"Finally!" Victoire snapped at us. She was crying. "Took your bloody time." I glowered at her, but Neville intervened.

"That's enough. You've to go to St Mungo's now, all," he did a quick head count, "All ten of you. The Headmaster has connected our Floo network to theirs for today only. So here you are," he said, handing us each some Floo powder. He finished with Rose, who was actually shaking where she stood. "Go on, then!"

Victoire stepped forward first, and disappeared in a roar of green flames. Everyone else quickly followed, me at the rear, and my last sight before being engulfed by the fire was of Neville staring sadly at the sleeping portrait of Hogwarts' old headmaster, Albus Dumbledore.

oOoOoOoOo

The clock on the whitewashed wall ticked noon. We were all sitting in the cramped waiting room, the majority of us on the floor. I looked around at the scene in a curiously detached way.

There was Harry across from me, holding Ginny tight in his arms as she sobbed into his shoulder. Victoire was sitting as still as a stone on the seat beside them, her beautiful face wet and blotchy from tears. Louis, James and Albus sat together rather awkwardly, bunched up in a corner. My brother was whispering hurriedly to the little eleven-year-old, and he looked agitated. He caught my eye and grimaced.

On the other side of the room, Rose, Hugo, Lily, Ron and Hermione were sitting in a rough circle together, and my parents hovered above them, my dad stroking my mother's hair back from her brow. I looked away. Lucy and Molly were with their parents, Fred and Roxanne with their dad as Angelina was away with her family. Grandma Molly and Grandfather Arthur were there, talking quietly to Charlie. The last people in the room were Teddy's best friend Nellie, her tattoos, piercings and red leather jacket looking very much out of place in such a sterile environment, and Andromeda, looking as tired and careworn as I had ever seen her. Nellie was sitting right next to me, and caught my eye. She winked, and smiled weakly. I smiled back, knowing how hard it must be for her and Andromeda, of all people.

Finally, finally, at two minutes past twelve, the senior Healer opened the door we had all been staring at for the past four or five hours. Everyone's heads snapped to attention. The Healer shifted slightly, and then- he smiled. Smiled.

"He can have a few visitors now," he said. "But not," he added hurriedly, "Not all of you. Four will be the most at a time, I'm afraid." I slumped back down into my seat. I was definitely not going to be amongst those first four.

Victoire stood immediately and stepped forward without any hesitation whatsoever. Harry and Andromeda got up too, the former gently depositing his wife down on the chair, but when the two women walked inside, Harry paused. "Nellie," he said softly. "He'll want to see you too." She startled, then stood quickly, banging her head on the wall. She swore and rubbed at it, following Harry inside. They shut the door.

The tension inside the small room dissipated at once. Fred had obviously cracked a joke, and those standing near him – his parents, Roxie, Hugo and Lily – began to laugh. Soon Lucy and Molly were giggling too, and even Ginny cracked a smile. It was all right. It's going to be all right, I thought.

I grinned, the laughter infectious. Everything was going to be alright…

.

.

(an interlude)

We whooshed out of the fireplace in the Headmaster's office at five thirteen that afternoon. The Headmaster himself was sitting idly at his desk, tapping his quill on the bridge of his nose. He glanced up when we entered and smiled, not saying a word. Everybody trouped past him and out the door. I lingered last, trying to catch a glimpse of the occupant in the largest portrait that was situated right behind the Headmaster's chair, but it was empty, showing nothing but an old chintz armchair.

(resume)

.

.

The next day was a Monday, and my first class was Care of Magical Creatures, without Fred. I bid him goodbye at breakfast and hurried down to the paddocks that ringed Hagrid's hut. Our teacher, Hagrid himself, was nowhere to be seen, but the rest of the students were already milling about. I sat down on a low stone wall by myself, turning to fish around in my schoolbag for my books, but a hand on my arm stopped me. I sighed; I knew this had been coming.

I lifted my gaze to meet Lysander's, smiling. He smiled back, sitting down beside me.

"So," he began. "I missed you yesterday." I gave him a look, and he blushed. What? "No, not like that," he amended hurriedly. "I mean- I just mean you weren't there." I nodded slowly. "James told me what happened," he said. "And I guess I just wanted to say…I'm sorry…?"

I cleared my throat. "Thanks."

The silence descended into awkwardness, which I was absolutely amazed by. Lysander Scamander was never without something to say! What on earth was wrong with the world?

Lysander shifted beside me. "Look, Dom…that Herbology assignment's due tomorrow, so could you help me this afternoon with it? Like, a lot?" I rolled my eyes at him. "I did do some yesterday…but it was so hard, Dom!" He looked at me pleadingly, and suddenly I was struck with a memory of the same pleading look on Harry's face in my dream two nights ago, as he fell to the ground, lifeless as a limpet. I swallowed. "Dom?" Lysander sounded uncertain. "Are you alright?"

I nodded, coughing to clear my congested throat. "Fine, yeah," I croaked out. "And sure, I'll help you this afternoon. I have Potions last, you?"

"Transfiguration."

"Okay, cool. I can meet you down by the Entrance Hall."

"Alright, thanks."

"Don't mention it."

Hagrid walked over then, and our conversation fell flat. But, somehow, the silence wasn't so uncomfortable anymore. It felt normal, felt like being with a friend. And he is my friend, I thought suddenly, surprised. We're friends…aren't we?

After Care of Magical Creatures, Lysander and I had Charms together. We walked up towards the castle in silence, me looking down at my feet, making sure I didn't trip over. I didn't know what to feel at that moment, for yes, I was happy I was with Lysander, but then I was confused, for he seemed to like me, and surely that wasn't possible? I was also worried about Teddy, even though the both the Healers and Nellie (who was training to be one) said he was fine, and I was freaked out by my dreams, which had come scarily true. Thank Merlin I hadn't had another last night.

Lysander seemed to sense the distress going on inside of me, for he said to me in a whisper, "Look, Dom, are you sure you're okay? You just look a little green."

I managed to nod. Get a grip on yourself, Dominique Apolline! I chided myself. There's nothing whatsoever for you to worry about! "Yeah, I'm fine, thanks. Just a little tired." When I spoke, I was glad to hear that my voice sounded confident. Lysander cast me a disbelieving sidelong glance, but didn't say anything more. We continued on together until we got to the Charms classroom, where I sat up the front with Fred and he sat at the back. He paused, looking at me for a long moment before clearing his throat.

"Right, then. See you later, Dom," he said, and walked over to his friends. I cast him a quick look over my shoulder, but then saw Fred waiting for me and hurried forward to slip into the seat beside him. He stared at me.

"New boyfriend, Dom?" he smiled teasingly, and to my horror I blushed.

"No, shut up!" I hissed, but any more conversation was cut off by the entrance of Professor Flitwick. It was a theory lesson today, and with a resigned sigh I heaved out my Charms textbook from my bag. I was hopeless at this subject, but even as I was preparing myself for a horrific double lesson of not understanding anything, a small ember of happiness glowed inside of me. Lysander liked me…he liked me! He had practically said so himself!

I smiled and opened my book.

oOoOoOoOo

The clanging bell rang loudly in the dungeon, and echoed terribly in my eardrums. Everybody else had already packed up, and were now racing towards the exit door as if their lives depended on it. I saw Fred and Nimueh leave, holding hands, and smiled to myself. I was taking my time, as I always did, for me going too fast at something would be like setting a hurricane loose in Diagon Alley; not such a good idea.

I bid farewell to our Professor and made my slow way along towards the Entrance Hall. I wished I could go faster, but there was a crush of students about me that made it almost impossible to even breathe, let alone run. But, finally, I spotted the white marble staircase in the distance and sighed in relief. Lysander was standing right beside it, leaning against the railing, and his sharp blue eyes captured mine easily. No doubt it was child's play to spot my red hair, even short as it was, amongst the throng of blonde, brown and black. He grinned.

I walked up next to him. "Shall we?" he said, gesturing towards the door. I nodded and gladly stepped outside into the fresh air. I breathed in the crisp scent of autumn, feeling reenergised after the agony of Potions class. We walked together, talking about our last lesson casually. I was glad I no longer blushed when Lysander looked directly at me, but still I cursed my wildly thrumming heart, for surely he could hear it from this close a distance.

We stopped by the lake and sat down. I felt a strange sense of déjà vu, clearly remembering the study session we spent in this exact spot on Saturday. We both got out our books and assignments, mine on a five foot long roll of parchment, Lysander's unfinished work barely ten inches. I suppressed a smile.

"Alright, so we should start," I began, but Lysander interrupted me.

"No, Dominique. Not until you tell me what's up." I looked at him in shock. "Don't think you can lie to me. I know something's wrong, and it's not just Teddy, is it?"

I shook my head automatically before releasing what I had done. "What? No, everything's fine, totally fine, Lysander!"

This time it was him who rolled his eyes at me. "Oh, come on, Dom. You couldn't lie to save your life. What's up?"

"The sky," I joked feebly, but sighed when he just scrutinised me all the harder. I felt an overwhelming desire to confess, to just tell someone about my dreams. I opened my mouth, then closed it again. Open, close. Open close.

I startled at a light touch on my palm, and glanced down to see Lysander's hand holding mine. I looked up at him, and he squeezed my fingers gently. The pressure was enough to shock me into speaking, and I told him. I told him everything. Once I started, it was impossible to stop the endless spill of information and events from my mouth, and once it was all out there, every last bit, I felt as if a great weight had been lifted off my shoulders.

Lysander was silent a long time. He stared off into the distance, thinking. Just thinking. I swallowed.

"Dom," he finally said. "You want to know what I think?" I nodded vehemently. "I think it's all one big coincidence." I stared. "You said you dreamed about a werewolf attack, but you also said you've dreamed about them loads of times before, right?" At my nod, he continued. "And your second dream; it was Teddy who was hurt, not Harry, like you thought. That second dream was probably brought on by what you read about that werewolf attack, and Harry going out on that mission, right?" I nodded slowly. "So it's all one big coincidence, that's what I think. Dom?"

I was processing this information. Of course, it all made sense…the terror in my mind had twisted and warped my thoughts, fitting things together that didn't fit in reality. I cleared my throat. "Huh, wow, Lysander. You…you're right. Totally right." I looked up at him, horrified at the tears I felt pricking my eyes. I blinked them away. "Oh, Merlin, I feel so stupid!"

I turned away from him then, ashamed at my panicked reaction to what were only a couple of silly nightmares. I felt a hand on my arm then, and Lysander spun me back around. His face was only inches from mine, and I could feel a flush building up within me, rising like a tide over my face. He ignored it, instead just lifting his other arm and cupping my cheek in his strong, warm hand.

"Dominique," he whispered. "Don't you say that. Don't you ever say that. You're not stupid, Dom. Not in a million years." He leaned closer. "You're beautiful," he murmured, and closed his mouth on mine.

His kiss felt like sunshine on my lips. His arms circled my waist and pulled me closer, until I was sitting in his lap. His fingers left feather-light touches on my skin that burned and sparked like a spell. I was trapped by him, enraptured in his stunning scent of lavender and honey and chocolate, and I had never felt so good, so safe, in my entire life.

His lips parted from mine and he looked at me through barely open eyes, the blue only visible through snakelike slits. "Merlin, Dom," he whispered, but before he could say anything more, I leaned in and kissed him again. His arms tightened around me, then, and his lips crushed against mine, all fierceness and fire. I melted into his embrace and smiled against the kiss, feeling like a baby phoenix reborn from its ashes; feeling alive, feeling happy, feeling perfect.

Being in love.

Author's Note: Phew. It's finally up! Thank you to everyone who has reviewed, and I'm so sorry for the wait. Hopefully it's worth it! Also, one thing: do you guys like longer chapters like this one, or are they too hard to get into? Please tell me, I'd appreciate it. Plus any other critiques/comments you have, click on that little button below! (: Thanks.