Disclaimer: We know this! I own Simone and the newly deceased Arissa *sniffles*!
(A/N) The backlash begins! LOL
Maddy Nicola Snape: I'm sorry! I didn't want her to die either!
Riverchic1998: Everything will reveal itself in time. I promise!
Dragonsbane: As always, you almost killed me with your review. Thanks! I think my writer's block is gone for now (except for the interactive fic- I'm lost)!
Befuzzled: Thanks! I'm trying to finish this as soon as I can!
RoseFyre: I'm not sure about Lucius yet. But don't worry he'll get his in the end! Muahahaha!
HarryPotterFanFicGirl: LOL Your review was a scream to read!
I won't be home until Saturday, so I won't be able to read any cool stories or read any of your wonderful reviews!
Everything else from here on out will be solely narrated by Simone. *sniffles*
Chapter Twenty-Eight: Learning the Truth
Simone
"ALL HEADS OF HOUSES MUST GO TO THE STUDENTS DORMITORIES AT ONCE!" a magically altered voice yelled.
I shot out of bed, confused. This has never happened at Hogwarts so far. I glanced over at Arissa's bed, which was empty. My heart sank. I hoped it wasn't what I thought it was. The other girls woke up as well, and together ran down to the Common Room.
Professor McGonagall suddenly appeared through the portrait. "Miss Malfoy, I need you to follow me."
"What's happened?" I asked.
She shook her head sadly. "I can't tell you in here. Follow me please."
What else could I do? I silently followed Professor McGonagall into the hospital wing.
"I'm afraid there's been an accident," she said.
"What do you mean 'an accident'?" I asked apprehensively. "Where's Arissa?"
She led me to the bed where Madam Pomfrey always put Arissa. "I'm sorry, Simone," McGonagall said as she pulled back the curtain.
My sister was lying there, dead.
I choked back a sob. It couldn't be. It just couldn't be. I pinched myself, trying to convince myself that it was a nightmare. It hurt. No, this can't happen! Arissa is alive! She's playing a joke on me!
"Come on, Arissa. Wake up," I said, shaking her.
There was no response. Her gray eyes were shut forever, her hair all tangled, and her wrists marked with red marks.
"Wake up," I sobbed. "Wake up!"
"I'm so sorry, Simone," McGonagall said again. "She was tied to a tree in the woods."
"You mean she killed herself?" I managed to ask.
"No," she said, wiping a small tear from her eye. "She had Avada Kedavra placed on her."
"No, it can't be!" I whispered. "It just can't be!"
"Simone, she's gone," Madam Pomfrey said, coming up alongside Professor McGonagall.
"I have owled your parents," she said. "They should be here soon."
I nodded. What else could I do? My twin sister, my best friend was dead right before me.
"I'll go to the Headmaster's office," McGonagall told Madam Pomfrey. "The Malfoys should be here."
"Take Simone with you, Minerva," she replied. "She needs her family now more than ever."
"What about Gryffindor?" I asked Professor McGonagall. "Shouldn't you tell the others what happened?"
She shook her head. "Professor Lynch is taking care of that for me."
She led me again through the halls, stopping at the stone gargoyle. After she screamed the password ("Acid Pops"), the gargoyle moved to the side. McGonagall came up with me.
Dumbledore was already in his office with my parents. Mum, her stomach swollen, was crying. Dad was holding her, a blank look on his face.
"Ah, Simone, nice of you to join us," Professor Dumbledore said. The twinkle in his eyes was gone, though.
I cried for the second time that day. My sister was gone and I had to live without her. With tears running down my face, I managed to sit down next to Dad. Professor McGonagall sat next to Dumbledore.
"I never thought I would have to go through this again. Cedric Diggory's death was enough for me," said Dumbledore. He turned to me. "I'm guessing that Arissa's nightmares were real, Simone?"
I nodded. How I wish Arissa and Christina didn't have those dreams!
"I want Arissa back! I want my sister back!" I sobbed hysterically.
This started a chain reaction. Mum and McGonagall started crying again. Dad put his arms around me, but I couldn't take it. My sister was bloody gone and there was nothing I, or anyone else, could do about it!
"I know, young Simone, but there is no spell to raise the dead."
Silence reigned for a few minutes until Dad said, "We'll be taking Simone home with us for a few days."
Dumbledore nodded. "I didn't expect anything less. This way, Simone can grieve without her peers bombarding her with questions."
It was settled. I was going home until after the funeral. "Your schoolwork will be sent everyday by owl," McGonagall told me. "All your belongings, as well as Arissa's, have already been packed," she added in a choked voice.
We all started to get up to leave. Dumbledore said that we needed to get Arissa's body. It was a mind-numbing experience. Her lips that were once blood red were now blue. Her once silky shoulder length silver blonde hair was now falling limp around her face.
I couldn't say or do anything as Dad used a charm to carry Arissa's body out of the hospital wing. What would happen to Mercury and Midnight? Arissa treasured them more than anything.
We said good-bye to all the professors, who all stood at the main doorway.
It was then I made a vow. I would avenge my sister's death. Lucius is going to die for what he did.
(A/N) I had a hard time writing this chapter, but I hope you all enjoy it. Please don't forget to review!
