A/N: A bit angsty - okay, a lot angsty, but I liked writing it. :) This is set in the seventh year. :)


"They made me watch." Hannah's voice sounded distant, and not quite there. It was as though she was far, far away instead of sitting right next to Susan on her bed as she stared out the window.

Susan slipped her hand in Hannah's warm one, and gave it a small squeeze. It was a gesture of comfort, and pity, but also understanding. "Which class?"

"M-muggle studies."

"Who did they . . .?"

Hannah took a deep breath, and closed her eyes. She tried to stop the tears - really, she did - but they somehow they managed to escape from underneath her lashes. "A first year," she whispered. "I don't know what his name was, but he was a Gryffindor."

"Which Slytherin did they chose this time?"

"Theodore," Hannah murmured. "It was Theodore, Susie. Only a couple of months ago, we were friends before Dumbledore died. And to see Theodore just... just torture some poor, innocent first year without a second thought is so scary. This little boy was screaming and crying and it was just . . . just . . ." Her voice cracked, "He could have done that to me. I know it sounds stupid, but he could have."

"It's not stupid," Susan told her gently. "You do know what's scary though, right?"

Hannah bit her lip. "What?"

Susan leaned close to Hannah so their foreheads were touching and said very seriously, "People who can turn into flowering shrubs."

Through her tears, Hannah found herself laughing at the childish reminder, and it didn't take Susan long to join in with her because even when you're in the midst of war, one of those most comforting things to have with you is a friend who can make you smile.