Rose:
I had forgotten how hectic my life could get. Things had always been busy, for as long as I could remember. After all, I came from a big family. Someone had always lost something, there was always some drama that needed to be fixed and people to be calmed. The Weasley clan was not quiet. I didn't mind it. Honestly. I found it strangely reassuring to hear all the noise that went on and I had got used to multi-tasking. It was necessary.
For some reason I felt differently when I got out the hospital wing. Suddenly, everyone spoke too loud and I struggled to be patient as I listened to Lily's latest drama. The week I spent in there had completely drained me of any enthusiasm. Of course, I didn't tell anybody. I just got on with it even if it was that little bit harder to drag myself from my bed on a morning. It might have something to do with the fact that I wasn't actually meant to be back in classes yet. Madam Collins was reluctant to let me leave her care. It was only after a lot of persuasion and a few altered test results that she let me return to my dormitory on the promise that I would have lots of bed rest and not do anything too strenuous. She should have known that would never happen. Within five minutes of entering the Gryffindor common room, my cousins had descended, wanting to know all the gossip.
Luckily, James managed to rein them in pretty quickly and I made my escape while he told them some tall tale, shooting him a grateful smile as I did. It was with weary legs that I had climbed the steps to my room and I couldn't help but feel annoyed that the short trip had left me short of breath. It seemed the 'incident', as I had named it, had had a more lasting effect than I wanted to admit. I was grateful to learn that the dorm was empty for once and that no one was there to see my pitiful health. Slowly, with each movement hurting my neglected muscles, I changed into my pyjamas. It took me longer than I had hoped but eventually I could crawl into my bed and sleep, which was all I wanted to do. As I put wand on the nightstand, I saw it. There, next to my clock, was a single flower, identical to the countless others I had received.
I hadn't spoken to Aiden since he visited me and I was glad. He had begun to send small gifts daily, all with an unsigned note attached. I had tried returning them. I had asked Madam Collins to keep him out but still they appeared. Whenever I woke up, another one was at my side. I couldn't understand how one inconsequential flower could cause my stomach to knot in fear but it did. I automatically scanned the room, looking for him, even though I knew I wouldn't. He kept to the shadows, out of sight. At first, I had found it endearing the way he would suddenly appear at my side and wrap his arms around me. Now, knowing he was watching me made me want to run and hide. But where? Somehow, he could even get to me here, where I was meant to be protected by spells and magic. Everyone knew boys could not get into our dormitories but he clearly had.
Knowing exactly what it would say, I unrolled the parchment he had left. It was the same as the countless others he had left. Four words. Four innocent little words that caused panic to sear through my chest.
Come back to me.
I hastily shoved it into the drawer with all the others and turned my back on the flower. With a concentrated effort I closed my eyes, waiting for sleep.
When it came, it offered no comfort. I was trapped in the library, the flames licking at my skin, ripping into it. Screaming at myself to stop, I turned slowly to face the wall. There it was the words seared into the wall. My screams were no longer in my head but there, tangible, snatched from my chest. I read those words again and again as they raced through my mind. They still glowed on the wall, obviously new. Come back to me. Come back to me. Come back to me.