-1Chapter 21:
The Doctor couldn't stop thinking about Rose. He felt terrible for forcing loneliness upon her like that, but he still felt it was the only way to keep her truly safe. But she'd left her family for him, her Mum and her Dad, when she knew there was a possibility she was walking into a death trap. And now he'd isolated her from everything. Left all alone. Should he let her out? He wondered about it, thinking he should, but he couldn't. He was so worried about her and letting her out would mean there was a chance Voldemort could get to her even if they were in Hogwarts. He understood how she felt, and he wanted to sort it out for her but he couldn't until it was safe. No it wouldn't be safe when they were leaving, but it would be safe for them to leave. Time would get back on the right track at the end of the tournament and they'd leave and let the rest play itself out. But for now they had to stay like they were. The only thing he could do was visit her as often as possible, and stay as long as possible. Including right now.
'DOCTOR!' Rose practically screamed when she saw him. 'oh my word. You're all right'
'Of course I'm all right' He replied confused. 'Why wouldn't I be?'
'I…I…I dreamed you…Voldemort found you' struggled Rose close to tears.
'Oh Rose' replied the Doctor. 'I'm so…'
'You were out there with him and there was no way you could get away. I woke up as he grabbed hold of you.' whispered Rose. 'There was no one around to help you, and there was nothing anyone could've done even if there was. He didn't care that I wasn't around or that he couldn't kill you with his wand, because there…there's other ways h-he can hu-hurt you.'
'It's only a dream, Rose, remember that' The Doctor replied. 'Even if he was here, which he isn't and won't be, he wouldn't recognise me at the moment, so he wouldn't be able to hurt me'
'But what if he did. What if he was here and he did fine it. It wasn't just a dream last time I dreamed about him. It was real then, it could be real now'
'But at that time you were dreaming about it as it was happening' The Doctor replied. 'Nothing's happened, so I'm sure it's just a dream. You're probably just so worried that your subconscious gave you a nightmare. Try not to worry about it'
'It's all I can think about' admitted Rose. 'Since I woke up from it I haven't been able to get the image out of my head. How scared you looked. There was nothing that could be done for you. Who knows what he was going to do next. I was worried about you as it was. Worried he might return, worried that something would happen and no one would be able to help. But now, Doctor, it's worse than worry. I'm terrified. I woke up screaming, and there was no one there. You weren't there and I thought you'd be captured by him. I thought it was real, just like it was before. And there was nothing I could do but sit and wait, for hours. Just waiting. If you had been captured would anyone have told me? What if they didn't know where you were? Would I be told but forced to stay in here, like you're forcing me to. Or would I not be told and just be left here wondering why you weren't coming to see me? You say you're trying to protect me and I get that. I'm grateful for that, but with me in here there's no one to look after you, to protect you'
'I can…' The Doctor tried to start.
'Don't give me you can look after yourself, because I know it's mostly truly, but you slip up. You make mistakes and you put yourself in danger' Rose interrupted. 'And you think you deserve to be punished because you haven't forgiven yourself for that time so would you even put up a fight if Voldemort did find you? -'
'Of course I would, Rose' The Doctor insisted. 'I'd try and keep myself safe….'
'How do I know you wouldn't only half fight. Let him get you, and hurt you to make up for all the people you hurt…'
'Because I wouldn't. I'd do everything in my power to keep myself safe for you Rose. You keep me going, and wouldn't give in and let him hurt me. Did I in your dream?'
'No, you ran. You ran from him, but he appeared in front of you and grabbed you'
'Exactly, Rose, I ran in the dream. If it happened in real life - which it wont - but if it did I'd run, and if that didn't work I'd put up a fight' The Doctor replied. 'Rose I promise you that. But you have to believe me it's just a dream it's not going to happen. Please believe me'
'Ok' Rose replied shakily, and whispered to herself 'it was just a dream. So how's the preparation for the second task going?'
'That hardly seems important right now' said the Doctor.
'I'm still interested' Rose said, trying to change the subject, to take her mind off the dream.
'Well to be honest I don't know about Harry, but I don't think he's figured it out yet. Cedric's figured it out and I'm hoping he's going to return Harry's favour and give him a clue as to what he has to do' The Doctor replied.
'What do they have to do?' asked Rose and the Doctor explained. And he stayed there with her for ages afterwards, talking about the competition, and anything else they could think of to talk about.
'I'll be back soon, I promise' He told her before going out.
'You better be' Rose said, shakily as a joke, but at the same time serious.