Chapter Ten

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"Endaira, have you seen Darren?" Persephone asked that night as they left dinner. They climbed the stairs, heading back to the dormitory.

Endaira cringed, thinking about how she had snapped at him. "No. He wasn't in Care of Magical Creatures."

"I wonder where he is?" Persephone muttered.

As if in answer, the broom closet next to them groaned.

"What on earth?" Endy asked, opening the door.

Inside, propped up on a bucket, was a prone figure. It was too dark to see who it was, though.

"Lumos," Endaira muttered, holding up her hand. She gasped and dropped to her knees next to Darren.

"What is it? Oh, my," Persephone whispered.

Darren was unconscious. His face was bruised and swollen, one eye was turning black and blue, and he had cuts everywhere. And there was something that looked suspiciously like blood matting his hair.

"Help me," Endaira said, slipping an arm under Darren. Persephone took his other side, and together they lifted him up and started for the Hospital Wing. Darren groaned and rolled his head to the side.

They were halfway to the infirmary – they had to stop often to take breaks and adjust their hold on the unconscious boy – when a voice spoke behind them.

"What's going on here?"

Endaira glanced over her shoulder to see Fred and George Weasley.

"Here," Fred said, taking Persephone's place while Endy gratefully gave her place up to George.

"So, what happened to him? Get in another fight?"

"Most likely," Endy sighed.

They reached the Hospital Wing and Madame Pomfrey, who had just finished bandaging up a Hufflepuff's arm, fell upon Darren. She ushered the twins to place him in a bed and turned to Persephone and Endaira.

"What was it this time?" she asked, bustling around.

"We think he got in a fight," Persephone replied.

"Figures," the nurse muttered. She opened one of Darren eyelids and shined her wand light into his pupil. "He has a concussion."

"Is he going to be okay?" Endaira asked.

"Yes, he should be just fine. I'll keep him overnight. He should be up by tomorrow." The nurse left, muttering something about potions.

"Well, if everything is just dandy here, we'll be leaving," George said, as he and his twin started to leave the infirmary. They were throwing secretive glances at each other.

Once they had gone, Persephone turned to Endaira.

"Wonder if they're still trying to get their money back from Mr. Bagman?"

Endaira nodded. Just then, Madame Pomfrey returned and shooed them out, claiming her patients needed their rest.

"Well, I'm going to head back to the common room. I still have that Charms essay to finish," Persephone said.

"Okay. If it's alright with you, I'm going to go ride with Selena."

Persephone nodded and they headed off in two different directions.

When she reached the top of the Astronomy Tower, Endaira silently called for Selena and waited. Silently she watched the night sky as one by one stars appeared.

"Ennddaiirraaa."

Endy shivered and turned around to face the girl who was haunting her. Her form had clarified some, becoming more solid and less . . . wispy.

"I told you," she said, "I don't know who you want me to help. Why did you choose me to help him anyway? Why not someone else?"

"Because, you are the only one who can save my brother," the little girl told her calmly.

"Your brother?" Endaira repeated. Finally, she thought. Some headway.

Headway for what? Selena's voice cut into her thoughts as the great white dragon landed beside her. The ghost girl was gone in a flash. Endaira sighed and turned to Selena, who sensed that there was something wrong and inquired about it. Endy climbed onto her back first and as they flew, she told her everything that had happened concerning the ghost girl.

. . . and this ghost won't tell me who I need to help. Heck, maybe I should ask when or why her brother needs saving in the first place. Her brother! Why didn't she just say that in the first place?!

Maybe she can't remember, Selena suggested as they passed over the Forbidden Forest.

Well how can she not remember? If she'd contacting me about him, then she must know!

Not necessarily, Endaira. It could have started off as a feeling of endangerment that caused her to come looking for you.

But why me?

Perhaps she feels a certain connection between you and her brother.

Unfortunately, I don't even know who the guy is.

Selena landed on the Astronomy Tower and Endy slid off.

Don't worry, Endaira. I'm sure you'll learn the identity of this mystery person soon.

With these last parting words, the Opaleye took off.

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The next night found Endaira sitting beside Darren's bed, scratching furiously at her Ancient Runes homework. Contrary to what Madame Pomfrey had said, Darren had not woken up around noon. It was six o'clock and he was still unmoving.

Endaira sighed and crumpled up the ruined piece of parchment. Just as she started writing on another piece, she heard a groan and looked up.

Darren stirred and opened his eyes. He blinked up at the ceiling and the looked at Endaira.

"I told you that you would get hurt."

He groaned. "Please don't gloat about being right. I learned my lesson, okay?"

Endaira frowned. "I wasn't gloating, Darren. In fact, I was really worried about you. You've had a concussion, and Madame Pomfrey said you were supposed to wake up five hours ago."

Darren winced. "Sorry I made you worry."

"Oh, it's no big deal. To compensate, I brought you your homework."

"Aw, Endy," he whined. She looked him straight in the eye-

-and suddenly wished she hadn't.

Her heart began beating faster in her chest. Endaira felt her breath catch in her throat as she stared straight into Darren's clear blue eyes.

What she didn't notice was that Darren was feeling the same way.

Finally, Endaira managed to tear he eyes away form his captivating ones. "I – I have to go," she whispered, unable to think of an excuse. Quickly, she gathered up her homework and left.

Darren kept his eyes pealed to the spot Endaira had just vacated. His heart was beating so fast that it almost physically hurt. He couldn't get the beauty of her eyes out of his head. He had wanted to kiss her – to reach out and stroke her cheek, her hair . . .

"Ah, Mr. Cay, I see you're finally awake," Madame Pomfrey said as she came over. Darren felt her cold fingers press against his neck. He looked up at her as she frowned.

"Your pulse is rather quick." Darren's eyes widened, and he tried to clear his mind of all thoughts of Endaira. "I think I'll keep you one more night. Take this potion to help with the concussion."

Darren sat up, wining as pain flared through his bruised ribs, and downed the potion, grimacing at the awful aftertaste.

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Endaira opened the door to the dormitory and quickly shut it behind her. Her heart was still beating rapidly, but that might have been because she had run all the way from the Hospital Wing.

Persephone was sitting on her bed, writing a letter, which she quickly hid from sight.

"What's that?" Endy asked, walking over and sitting on the edge of her bed. Grabbing her bag, she began rummaging through it for her Ancient Runes textbook.

"Nothing, just a letter to my mom," Persephone replied, casually throwing the letter into her trunk and pulling out her own homework. "So, how's Darren?"

Endaira sighed. "He's awake."

"Oh, good, so he should be out by tomorrow?"

Endaira shrugged and began reading from the textbook. Persephone decided to head down to the common room, leaving Endy alone.

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Selena lifted her snout into the air. She stared at the darkening sky above the forest trees. There was a single bright star shining and a crescent moon hanging low in a dark blue sky.

The Opaleye watched as the sky turned from purple to blue at the horizon. Everything seemed clam and serene until something dark flew across the dragon's vision.

It was black as midnight. At first, Selena thought that it was a bat, but then she heard a hoot.

It was a black owl.