"Oh, I wish I had time for them all," I moan as I pour over the list of new subjects to be chosen for third year.
"You could sign up for them all the way Hermione did," George chuckles as he watches me stress myself out.
"Yes, but how could she possibly have time for that?" I ask him, looking up at him pleadingly for advice.
"She'll figure it out, and you can, too," he shrugs, his calming air soothing me.
"You really think I should?" I ask, my tongue poking out of the corner of my mouth.
"Rey, you excel in all your classes, so, as long as you're sure it won't overwhelm you, I think it sounds like a good idea if it'll make you happy," he speaks smoothly, his words making sense.
"Thanks, George," I sigh, releasing the tension from my body, as I check the boxes next to all the classes. I'll have Hermione to help me through it, even if I do struggle, anyway.
"Not a problem, Sweetheart," he kisses the top of my head. "Come to bed soon, okay?"
I watch as he heads upstairs to his dorm and quickly get to work finishing an essay so I can join him.
On the day of Gryffindor's match against Hufflepuff, I wake up alone, but, upon seeing the sun streaming through the windows, I feel better. It's the perfect conditions for Quidditch.
All alone in the dormitory, I stand and dress. Yes, I've been keeping a spare outfit in here for days like this, when I'm too tired to go all the way to my own dorm.
I'm glad the day's finally here. For the last week, the twins have had almost constant Quidditch practice. I know it's a good thing, and I'm happy for them, but it's left me a bit lonely, and I'm excited to have my boys back.
I've been feeling a lot better since about the third month of school. Yes, the first two months or so were a bit shaky. My bruises had made for a reminder of the hurt every time I got dressed or showered or even just pressed up against something too hard.
However, as the bruises had faded so did the night terrors, though they still come every so often. As my comfort in George's bed grew so did my emotional health. I feel good or, at least, I feel better. I'm beginning to feel whole again.
After a big breakfast, I head out onto the Quidditch pitch to wait for the match to begin. It's not long before both scarlet and yellow-dressed players are walking onto the field.
I watch as my boys soar through the sky as the balls are released. I'm so distracted by them that I don't notice Professor McGonagall until I hear her call through a megaphone, "This match has been cancelled."
I see Wood on the field, attempting to argue, but McGonagall just keeps instructing the students to go to their common rooms. Then, she's beckoning Harry away with her.
I rush down the stands, finding the twins immediately. "What's happened?" I ask.
"I don't know," Fred shrugs. "We'd better head up to the Common Room."
"Yeah, we'd better. I'll wait here while you two go to the locker room and change quick." I instruct, a bit nervous about what could've possibly cancelled a match.
When Harry and Ron return, they're accompanied by McGonagall.
"All students will return to their House common rooms by six o'clock in the evening. No student is to leave the dor…," her instructions fade as I tune them out. Hermione… She's gone. I mean, it's not like we're as close as the twins and I, but I consider her to be one of my closest friends. I feel Fred rubbing circles on my back, but it's not soothing me the way it usually does.
"Hey, you're gonna be okay. The mandrakes are gonna be done soon, and then she'll be fully restored. I promise, Audrey," Fred murmurs in my ear.
"She's gone, and she could have been killed. Who knows what will come next?" I mutter to myself, stepping away from the twins as I try to sort through my thoughts.