Chapter 14: Lending a Helping Hand

            'He has destroyed just about everything. We have heard no sign of anything alive, therefore it is our duty to tell you your parents are dead. We are terribly sorry. It is suggested you arrange to come home to attend a funeral and to check in. We will find a temporary home for you to live in when you come home from Hogwarts for the summer holidays. We're terribly sorry. Have your headmaster send an owl back to us as soon as possible.

                                   

                                                                        Sincerely,

                                                                        Ministry of Magic'

            Hailey was almost in tears herself; she would absolutely hate to get a letter like that. She turned to her best friend.

            "Pansy, I'm sorry! You can come to live with me! I'm sure Dan wouldn't mind!" Hailey said, putting it down. Pansy just shook her head, but gave Hailey a big hug. Hailey hated seeing Pansy so upset like this, especially when she had just been helping her out a few days ago. Hailey hugged Pansy tightly back, hesitating to let go. It seemed like an hour before Pansy calmed down enough to speak.

            "It was just last month, or what seemed like it…that I was right there, telling my parents I loved them. Why?" she sobbed. Hailey still held her in a tight hug, rubbing her back.

            "It's not your fault, remember that. It's He-who-must-not-be-named. Pansy, no matter what happens, I'll be here. Just like you told me…you're my best friend." Hailey said.

            "This has to be a dream, it just has to be. I did not just get that letter!" she exclaimed.

            "I wish it was too. Are you going to talk to Dumbledore about going home?" Hailey asked. Pansy let go of her, and just sighed.

            "I might as well. D'you want to come?" she said in a voice barely understandable.

            "Of course, I wouldn't let you go alone." Hailey gave her best friend a smile.

            "What will I say to him?" she whimpered.

            "I have a feeling he already knows. Come on, we should do this now." Hailey gave Pansy a small nudged and helped her off the bed. Pansy did the best she could to dry her tears. Hailey got a loose grip on her hand and brought her through the dormitory, and down the steps. Draco awaited them, a worried look on his face.

            "I'll explain everything when we get back, we have to go somewhere." Said Hailey. Draco looked from Hailey to Pansy's red face.

            "Er, okay." He said, and let them go. Together they sped down the hall to meet the gargoyle in front of Dumbledore's office.

            "Do you know the password?" Pansy asked her, curiously.

            "Yes! I remember it from when I had that little confrontation with Snape. I had to come up here with Dumbledore and Snape. Don't you remember?" she said. Pansy shrugged.

            "I guess not. Well, what are you waiting for?" she gestured towards the stoned gargoyle. Hailey was a tad nervous about speaking face to face with the headmaster, as always, but she stepped forward.

            "B-Bertie Botts Every F-Flavor Bean." She managed to say. The gargoyle hopped aside, and Hailey pulled Pansy forward. They began the journey up the staircase to the great door that lead to his office. Pansy gave it a light knock, and opened it.

            "P-Professor?" she asked, softly. They came across Fawkes the Phoenix, who was grateful to see them. Hailey thought he was a beautiful creature, and when she tried to stroke his feathers he did not pull away.

            "Miss Cousland? Miss Parkinson? Is that you?" came a light and raspy voice from above. They looked up to see Professor Dumbledore coming down the stairs to greet them. Hailey was almost too frightened, and she expected him to face her and tell her some bad news of any sort. But, he barely glanced at her. He gave his full attention to Pansy, who was on the edge of tears once again.

            "Miss Parkinson, I believe I know why you and Hailey are here this afternoon." He said, his gaze fixed on hers.

            "Y-yes, Professor. I was just c-coming to talk about m-my letter with you." She choked. He put an arm on her shoulder.

            "Ah, your letter, of course. I'm terribly sorry about your parents." He said.

            "M-me too." She said.

            "I assume your letter is asking you to come home, am I right? To…investigate." He said. Pansy just nodded.

            "Would you like to go? It's up to you." He said, his arm still on her shoulder. Hailey was amazed Pansy hadn't broken into tears by now. Hailey held Pansy close, lightly rubbing her arm around her back.

            "I-If you think I should…should I? Am I going alone?" Pansy squeaked. Dumbledore briefly looked down at his feet and then back up at Pansy.

            "I suggest you do go, Miss Parkinson. I believe there will be a funeral, and wouldn't you want to be with your parents to say your last goodbyes?" Pansy nodded, tears filling her eyes again. Hailey squeezed her hand in comfort.

            "If it pleases you, I can ask a teacher to accompany you. My sincere apologies that I cannot join you, there is something that must be done." He added. Pansy opened her mouth to speak, but nothing came out.

            "Oh I know how overwhelming this is, Pansy. Everything will turn out to be fine, I promise. But would you like somebody to go with you? I'm afraid it cannot be a student." Dumbledore said softly, crouching down to Pansy's level. She wasn't a lot taller than Hailey.

            "I-I'll go alone." She said firmly. Hailey felt like her heart had stopped, how could Pansy go alone? It wasn't safe! However, she kept her mouth shut.

            "Very well. I assume you would like to be on your way as soon as possible…I can arrange a ride home for you with the Ministry of Magic, would you like that?" he said, walking around to his desk. Pansy nodded.

            "Thank you, sir." She said, weakly. Dumbledore could only smile at the girl, he felt so horrible. Hailey had a feeling nothing would ever be the same again. She turned around and led Pansy out of the giant room. Walking down the steps, Hailey didn't take her eyes off of Pansy. For the first time, she really didn't know what to say. Hailey thought if she said one wrong thing, Pansy would take it the wrong way. Suddenly, a light bulb lit up in her head. She turned to her quiet best friend.

            "Pansy! Do you trust me?" she exclaimed.

            "Er, yeah. Why?" Pansy asked, looking at her strangely.

            "I have an idea. You have to promise not to get mad at me though. You may not be too crazy about it, but I swear it's for the better." She said.

            "O-kay. What do you have up your sleeve now, Hailey?" a smile crept across Pansy's face.

            "We're taking a trip to the library." Hailey grabbed the sleeve of Pansy's robes and dragged her in the opposite direction, towards the library. There, they greeted Hermione. The sight of the two girls startled her.

            "Goodness, Hailey! You're going to give me a heart attack!" she cried, setting her book down.

            "Sorry about that…listen you're good at counseling. I want you to help my friend." Hailey stepped to the side to reveal a rather anxious Pansy. Hermione gave a small smile, obviously showing that she was a bit frightened.

            "Sure, I guess. Would you like that?" she asked, looking at Pansy. Pansy wasn't entirely happy with Hailey's idea, but figured it might do her good. What did she have to lose, she was leaving the school the next day. Pansy nodded. Hailey grinned and clasped her hands together.

            "Excellent! I'll leave you to it then. Pansy, meet you back in the common room!" Hailey skipped outside of the library, happy with her brilliant idea. She was barely looking where she was going, and bumped into someone. Books spilled all over the floor, and Hailey looked up to see a slightly aggravated Ron.

            "Merlin woman, do you have EYES?!" he said, bending over to pick his stuff up. Hailey gave a little chuckle, and helped him pick up the remaining pieces of parchment.

            "Where are you in such a hurry to go to anyway?" Ron asked, when they had both stood up.

            "No where, just heading back to the common room! Wait…" she eyed him curiously.

            "What?"

            "Why are you going to the LIBRARY? You'd never be caught dead doing that." She said. Ron shrugged.

            "I, er, am meeting someone." He hesitated. Hailey put her hands on her hips.

            "Right. You don't have to tell me if you don't want to, but I thought we were friends." She said, putting her fake sad face on. Ron chuckled.

            "All right, all right. Don't tell anyone, I don't even think Harry knows." He said softly. Hailey nodded.

            "Daniel and I used to keep secrets for each other all the time. I remember when we both found out we had special powers…" she trailed off. Ron gave her a warm smile.

            "You two sounded like you were very close." She nodded.

            "We were. I wish we were now. To tell you the truth, as much as I love Draco, there are some times that I wonder what my life would've been like as a Gryffindor." She returned Ron's smile.

            "It would've been very different, but I must say you have done well as a Slytherin. You're the first loyal Slytherin I've ever met." Hailey felt her cheeks burn.

            "I wouldn't be anywhere if it weren't for you three, you know." She whispered. This time it was Ron's turn to blush. They stood there for a minute or so before Ron embraced her in a friendly hug. When they pulled away, Hailey gave him an odd smile.

            "What was that for?" she said, hoping it wasn't to tell her he loved her. She loved Ron as a friend, but she didn't think she could ever love somebody more than Draco.

            "Just a friendly hug. It's a thank you for being such a good friend. I can relate to you more than I can relate to Hermione sometimes!" They both laughed a little.

            "What were you going to tell me before?" she asked, looking at him again.

            "Oh, er, I have something to tell you." He said, quieter. As odd as it sounded, Hailey paid no attention to the humor as her heart leapt up into her throat. What if he was about to confess his feelings for her? She bit her lip. Ron shuffled his feet a little before looking Hailey in the eye.

            "Remember that Secret Admirer I was telling you about? Or that Harry was telling you about? The one from Ravenclaw?" Hailey nodded slightly, she remembered vaguely.

            "Well I, er, met her in person the other day…" he began. Hailey grinned.

            "Tell me about her!" she whispered loudly.

            "Er, her name is Kari and she's my, er, girlfriend." He said, looking back down at the floor. Hailey squealed in delight.

            "Oh Ron, that's wonderful news!" she marveled. He grinned at her.

            "SHE'S wonderful! She asked me to meet her here tonight, we're going to study for a Transfiguration exam together." He explained. Hailey couldn't believe her ears. Ron, study?!

            "That sounds great! Well maybe I should leave you to it then…I best be off anyhow." Hailey said. Ron nodded.

            "And Hailey, remember what I said. Tell nobody. You are the only one who knows." He pleaded.

            "You don't have to worry, Ron. Your secret is safe with me." Ron looked like he could've kissed her.

            "Well, bye Hailey." He said. Hailey gave a quick way and they parted ways. Hailey made her way back down to the Slytherin common room. She went inside to see Draco having an intense conversation with Crabbe and Goyle. He got a glimpse of her stepping through and left them immediately.

            "Hailey! Where have you been, I've been so worried! Where's Pansy? Is she okay?" he asked her, his eyes full of fear. Hailey took a deep breath and sat him on the couch. She explained everything that had happened except her run-in with Ron.

            "Oh boy." Hailey left her boyfriend practically breathless, and staring down towards the seat of the couch.

            "I know." She looked directly at him. This was one of the first times they weren't sitting alone, snuggling and sharing a friendly conversation.

            "That's horrible. Pansy's parents were…were…oh no." he choked.

            "What?" A look came onto Draco's face. A look she had never seen before, and it was frightening. It was a look of despair and horror.

            "Draco, what is it?" Hailey asked, her voice quivering. He closed his eyes and let out a sigh, as if telling Hailey he was a failure.

            "Draco?" she said, nervously.

            "I hate my father." He whispered.

            "Why?"

            "Everything. It's too hard to explain, Hailey. I'm sorry." He got up and started to pace across the room again.

            "I'll leave you alone, you obviously need to be." She said, and went up the stairs to her dormitory. She slammed the door behind her. Kelsey and Audrey looked at her.

            "What's up?" said Kelsey, putting her book down.

            "I have WAY too many things to worry about lately. What the hell is wrong with me?" she breathed.

            "I'll tell you what's wrong with you, Hailey Cousland. You're a good person, that's what's wrong with you." Audrey said. Hailey lifted an eyebrow in her direction.

            "Well I'm only speaking the truth, Hailey. I see how much pain you're going in. But I see you being mature about it! If it was my brother lying there half-dead in the hospital wing do you think I'd be as strong as you? If my boyfriend was having family problems at home and he was having constant mood swings, do you think I'd be as loving as you? And if my best friend's parents died! Do you think I'd be as caring as you?! And why do you think I'm still your friend after you stole my guy? Because you've been so kind to me! Face it Hailey, you're a good person. Sometimes I wonder why you were put in Slytherin. But there are times I wonder why we were all put in Slytherin…what is it anyway?" Audrey said. Hailey always thought of Audrey as intimidating, but she had always loved her as a friend. She was just smart, and maybe she didn't belong in Slytherin. Why DID Slytherin exist if nobody was bad? Why in the world was Hailey Cousland sorted as a Slytherin?

            "And why are you guys my friends? Because I love you!" Hailey exclaimed, and took both Kelsey and Audrey into one giant embrace.

            "We love you too, Hailey…I just wish we could find a way to cheer Pansy up." Said Audrey. Hailey's face fell like a brick, she had totally forgot about her best friend's departure the next day. She tried to keep up her cheerfulness.

            "We should have a party…a nice going away party. Ladies, I think Dumbledore needs a visit."

            "She's leaving? Tomorrow?"

            "Well, yeah. The letter suggested her to come home." Hailey explained. Audrey nodded.

            "Okay…" she looked like she was pondering the idea of a party. Kelsey shoved her.

            "I want a party! Let's go!" she pulled Hailey's hand and flew down the stairs. Audrey snorted and followed her friends, having nothing else to do. They ran down the silent corridors, waking every spirit that could possibly be asleep.