A/N: Sorry for the slow updates everyone, but with my new job and other, uh, factors, I haven't been able to work on chapters as much as I want! I'm trying REALLY hard, so please just stick with me!
LET GO
CHAPTER 9:
THE INFERNO
Black. That's all she saw. She was engulfed by it. Drowning in it.
Red. Someone turned on a light. Her fingers twitched. She could hear voices.
".... not a memory... premonition..."
".... but the mark...."
".... not real.... manifestation...."
".... going to do..."
".... not much we can.... wait.... wakes up...."
The voices were fading away. *'Come back!'* Her mind screamed. *'Please don't leave me!'* Someone turned off the light. She was surrounded by black again.
~*~*~
Something wet was hopping across her forehead. She could feel something trickling down her face. She raised her hand and wiped it away, stopping when she felt another hand close to her head. *'That's not mine...'* She put a vice-grip on the forearm and the body attached to it jumped in surprise.
Her eyes shot open, the person's image blurry around the edges. It slowly swam into focus.
"Hey you." It said, setting the washcloth in a bowl beside her bed.
Sheila squinted. "Hi..." She croaked.
"Can I have my arm back now?" It asked.
Sheila furrowed her eyebrows and it motioned towards its arm. She blushed and reluctantly let its arm go.
"Sorry... I thought you were someone else..."
Hermione rubbed her arm. "It's okay. I'm just glad you're finally awake."
Sheila wiped the sleep from her eyes, yawning. "How long have I been here?"
"3-"
"Hours?"
"-days."
"WHAT?!" Sheila hastily threw the thin, blue hospital blankets off her still sleeping legs and stumbled out of the small bed. "I can't believe this! 3 days! What happened?!"
"You had a premonition in the library and fainted. Madam Pomfrey says you had a seizure."
Sheila didn't seem to hear her. "I have homework and lessons! And I'm hungry! I have to go to the bathroom! I need a shower! I smell like formaldehyde! Did I die?!"
"Just have a seat and breath. You don't want to pass out again, do you?"
At this point, Sheila was clawing at her hospital gown, shreds of it falling to the cold floor. "I need to change! Lessons, I have lessons! What about my homework?! I'm gonna fall behind! 3 days! Oh my Merlin! What'll I do?! I can't stand it! I just can't stand it!"
Sheila started hyperventilating.
"Sheila!" *SMACK!* "Calm down!"
Sheila reeled back, her legs tangling in the blanket, and fell backwards, her head hitting the floor. She was holding her stinging cheek, her other hand pulling at her messy hair, some of it coming out in clumps. She took a few deep breaths, but they didn't help because she started twitching.
"Oh Merlin, not again! Madam Pomfrey! Come! Hurry!"
Madam Pomfrey emerged from her little office and bustled over to Sheila's bed. She pulled out a small, purple vial from her apron and kneeled down to where Sheila was now writhing on the floor.
"Hold her arms down."
Hermione did as she was told and Madam Pomfrey took Sheila's head and placed it firmly between her knees.
"What's wrong with her?"
"Mild seizure."
Madam Pomfrey emptied the contents of the vial into Sheila's mouth and Sheila's body immediately relaxed, her breathing returning to normal. 5 minutes passed and, satisfied, Madam Pomfrey got up.
"Grab her legs and we'll put her on the bed."
Hermione quietly shifted the pillows and placed the blanket over Sheila's still form, biting her lip.
"Madam Pomfrey?" The nurse looked at her. "Why does she keep doing that?"
Madam Pomfrey shook her head. "I don't know..."
"Asthma.... I have asthma." Hermione and Madam Pomfrey looked at the calm girl on the bed. "I've had it ever since I was a baby."
"Asthma... of course..." Said Madam Pomfrey.
"What's asthma?"
"Asthma occurs when one's body experiences too much stress or exertion. The lung passage closes up and it becomes difficult to breathe.
"But why the seizures?"
"My guess is as good as yours, but I would probably say its due to the lack of oxygen the brain receives. As a result, the brain momentarily shuts down and the body reacts."
"I will be okay, won't I?" Sheila was massaging the impending bump on the back of her head.
"Yes, yes. I'll give you a potion that kind of works like an inhaler. When you feel an asthma attack coming on, just drink a few drops of it. Be careful, though... There's only so much potion available to supply so I suggest you don't do anything too stressful."
Sheila grinned. "Yes, ma'am." Then proceeded to pass out.
~*~*~
(A/N: Before you read this part, just remember that there is a special connection between these two people and that's why their able to have such fluffy moments together... So don't roll your eyes, okay? This story is, after all, half romance...)
There was that blackness again, the familiar sinking feeling gripping her stomach.
Ah, the relief of red, only this time there were no voices. She could feel a presence beside her, stroking her hair.
Eyes shooting open, Sheila sat up in bed, shutting her eyes quickly against the overwhelming dizziness that the sudden brightness caused.
It was then that she remembered the other presence in the little curtained off section of the hospital wing. She turned and, upon seeing who it was, smiled.
"Hello."
"Hello."
"How long have you been here?"
"Since you came in...."
"What about school?"
"Don't let anyone ever tell you that the Boy-Who-Lived doesn't have a few special privileges..."
Sheila smiled and took Harry's hand in hers. "Thank you."
"For what?"
"Being there..."
Harry shrugged. "What're friends for?"
She quirked an eyebrow, withdrawing her hand from his. "Friends?..."
"You know what I meant..." He said, rolling his eyes.
"No... no, I didn't... tell me..."
He sighed. "I'm not gonna bore you with all the details, so here goes. I like you... a lot... and you don't feel the same way... simple as that."
"Good. You better like me because-"
"A little conceited, aren't we?"
She playfully slapped his arm. "Shut up. You didn't let me finished. I meant you better like me because..." She smiled, meeting his gaze with her own. "Because I like you too..."
His jaw nearly hit the floor and, laughing, she gently pushed it closed with her hand. He leaned into her touch.
"Your hand is so small..."
She withdrew her hand. "It is not."
"Yeah, it is."
She huffed. "Let me see yours."
He held up his hand and she held hers against his, her fingers only reaching a centimeter below his fingertips. He extracted his hand.
"Told ya..."
Sheila was unperturbed. "Lemme see your hand again..."
Harry jumped up. "No." He put his arms in the air.
"Ugh, cheater!" Sheila got out of her bed and started hopping around in front of him, trying to capture at least one of his out-of-reach hands. "Lemme see your hand..."
"No." He grinned. "Besides, you look so cute jumping around like that.... Like a wittle bunny wabbit... " He teased.
"Just let me see!"
He shook his head and stood on the bed.
"Hey! No fair!" She climbed on the bed as well.
"Would you let it go? We already established that your hands were small..."
"No, YOU established that, not me. Now let me see your hand!" She lunged for his arm, clinging to the elbow and pulled... hard. They both lost their footing and tumbled out of the bed, Sheila's nightshirt catching a screw in the side, ripping it in half. They hit the floor with a dull *THUD*.
"Ow..." Harry sat up on one elbow, rubbing his head. He looked down at Sheila and saw that she was laughing. "What?"
"You... should've... seen... your... face..." She said between laughs.
Harry narrowed his eyes. "Think that's funny, huh?" Sheila nodded. "Well, this, this is funnier." He started tickling her and she shrieked with a new set of giggles.
"S-stop! Please! I can't breathe! STOP!!!" She clutched at her chest and began to claw at the collar of her shirt.
"Oh shit! What do I do?!"
She coughed and pointed to the metal tray sitting on her night table. "P-purple... vial..."
He quickly grabbed the potion and put a few drops in her mouth. The liquid instantly worked and he let out a sigh of relief.
"I'm so sorry."
Sheila grinned. "You should've seen your face..." His face softened. "Now... let me see your hand."
He looked down at his hand. "I don't know... You might snap it off or something..."
Sheila guffawed. "I will not!" She felt her lungs constrict and steadied her breath, placing a hand on his knee. "I won't hurt you... I promise..."
He smiled and reluctantly surrendered his hand to hers. She placed her palm against his.
"See, I told you. Your hands are too small..."
"No, watch." She turned her hand slightly to the right and interlaced her fingers with his. "Not too small to do that, now is it..."
He smirked. "No. I guess not..."
"They're also not too small to do this..." She started tickling him and he jumped back in surprise. She stopped after a few moments. "Revenge is so sweet..."
He grabbed her free hand and held it to his chest. "Cheater..."
She stuck out her tongue and crossed her eyes. He laughed, letting go off her hand, and brushed his across her exposed stomach. He chortled when he felt her shy away from his touch.
"I won't hurt you... I promise..." Keeping his eyes locked with hers, he ran his fingers across her stomach again, but this time she didn't move away. He rested his hand on her hip, his thumb circling around her bellybutton.
"Now what?" She asked.
"What do you mean?"
"Well, we both feel the same way about each other so going back to being friends would be pretty pointless..."
Harry nodded his agreement. "I see..." He looked into her eyes. "Now what?..." He was leaning closer and closer to her, until his forehead came to rest on hers.
"Hmm..." She furrowed her eyebrows, as if she were deep in thought, then a grin spread across her face. "I remember that we were in a similar position not too long ago..."
"Were we now?"
"Yup. And I also remember it went a little something like this..." She brushed her lips softly against his.
He scrunched up his nose. "Nah, I remember it went like this..." With that, he kissed her.
~*~*~
"Oi, Harry, Sheila! Hogsmeade weekend!"
Sheila and Harry entered the common room hand in hand. They were officially a "couple" since the kiss in the hospital wing 3 weeks ago.
"Great. Now I can buy my dress for the Christmas ball." Sheila said, taking a seat beside Ron and Hermione, Harry perched on the armrest.
"We can get ours together, Sheila. My parents sent me money last week, so now I'll be able to afford a gown from Jackie's store."
Sheila nodded. With the aid of the Marauder's Map and Invisibility Cloak, Sheila and Hermione were able to visit Jackie at least 6 times in the past 3 weeks. After all, Jackie did promise them tea... Just kidding. There was more to it then that. Jackie was like the 3rd Musketeer. A womanly figure they were both able to look up to and get advice from.
"She's such a sweetheart. Almost like a sister."
Hermione smiled. "She reminds me of my mum."
Ron rolled his eyes. "Don't start talking about her, please. Merlin knows, I love the girl, but hearing repeats of the dreaded girly talks is enough to make any wizard sick..."
Hermione sighed. "Fine, fine. We'll stop..."
"Good. 'Night everyone."
They all groaned and retreated to their bedrooms.
~*~*~
"Oh my Merlin! It's perfect!" Hermione stepped out of the dressing room and spun around, the rich bluish-green velvet gown swirling around her. "I could be a peacock for the ball."
Sheila set down the broach she was looking at and glanced at her friend. She smiled. "It is perfect... seeing as how your nose resembles a beak and all..."
"Ha ha..."
"Okay, okay. Enough messing around. Go. Change. Buy. Then we leave. We have to meet the boys."
"Sheila, you should talk in cave-man more often." Jackie emerged from the back of the shop, teacup in hand. "I think Hermione understands it better."
"What is it 'Pick on Hermione Day' or something?"
Jackie winked at Sheila. "Well, if you insist..."
Hermione came out of the dressing room glaring at Sheila. Sheila smiled sweetly at her.
"Don't give me that smile. I'll get you back..." She paid for her dress and they both gave Jackie a hug.
"You two are going to look smashing at the ball."
"Well it's all thanks to your superb styling and design."
Jackie smiled. "Come back and visit me again, okay?"
"We will!" Hermione and Sheila chorused together while exiting the shop.
Jackie watched them through the store's front window. She sighed, tears welling up in her eyes. She smiled as the two laughing girls sidestepped a cloaked man.
"My little girl's all grown up..."
She was brought out of her reverie when the small bell on her shop door sounded and a cloaked man entered, wand raised.
~*~*~
"Sorry we're late. Shopping took longer than we thought."
The two teenage girls plunked themselves in the booth seats next to their respective boyfriends.
"Sure, sure. Gossiping is more like it..."
"Ron, don't attack us." Hermione tossed her long curly hair over her shoulder. "Besides, you guys always talk about Quidditch..."
"But that's different. It's a- a guy thing..."
Hermione rolled her eyes. "You don't sound too convincing, Ronald."
Sheila leaned towards Harry. "Uh-oh... I smell a fight coming on..."
Harry grinned. "In three..."
"Two..."
"One..."
*BOOM!*
Everyone grew quiet. Sheila gazed around the restaurant and saw some people getting up and walking to the doors.
"What was that?" She asked.
Sheila and the Trio looked at each other before getting up and heading for the Three Broomsticks main doors. They could hear people screaming and, as they walked out onto the street, were bombarded by a crowd of people running by.
"Excuse me! What's going on?" Harry tried, but failed, to get the attention of a nearby person. Shaking his head, he reached for Sheila's hand, but found that she wasn't there. He looked down and saw her on her knees, her eyes fixed on something down the street. He turned his head in the direction of her gaze and gasped.
"Oh God..."
Ron and Hermione turned in that direction also and Hermione cried out.
"JACKIE!"
Sheila sat silently on the ground, shaking, the flames that swallowed Jackie's dress shop glimmering on the steady stream on her face in a kind of reflective taunt dancing around in her tears.
A/N: There! Another chapter done! So sorry it took so long! Work, you know how that goes... Well, I'll admit, I had no idea where this chapter was going, where it ended up or what's going to continue from here... The title to this chapter is also double-sided. You know the obvious fire (duh) and the "fire" that burns inside Sheila and Harry as they get closer... but, hey, stick with it, okay? REVIEW PLEASE!
P.S. Tomorrow's my day off, so I'm pretty sure I'll post more chapters since I have no plans!
LET GO
CHAPTER 9:
THE INFERNO
Black. That's all she saw. She was engulfed by it. Drowning in it.
Red. Someone turned on a light. Her fingers twitched. She could hear voices.
".... not a memory... premonition..."
".... but the mark...."
".... not real.... manifestation...."
".... going to do..."
".... not much we can.... wait.... wakes up...."
The voices were fading away. *'Come back!'* Her mind screamed. *'Please don't leave me!'* Someone turned off the light. She was surrounded by black again.
~*~*~
Something wet was hopping across her forehead. She could feel something trickling down her face. She raised her hand and wiped it away, stopping when she felt another hand close to her head. *'That's not mine...'* She put a vice-grip on the forearm and the body attached to it jumped in surprise.
Her eyes shot open, the person's image blurry around the edges. It slowly swam into focus.
"Hey you." It said, setting the washcloth in a bowl beside her bed.
Sheila squinted. "Hi..." She croaked.
"Can I have my arm back now?" It asked.
Sheila furrowed her eyebrows and it motioned towards its arm. She blushed and reluctantly let its arm go.
"Sorry... I thought you were someone else..."
Hermione rubbed her arm. "It's okay. I'm just glad you're finally awake."
Sheila wiped the sleep from her eyes, yawning. "How long have I been here?"
"3-"
"Hours?"
"-days."
"WHAT?!" Sheila hastily threw the thin, blue hospital blankets off her still sleeping legs and stumbled out of the small bed. "I can't believe this! 3 days! What happened?!"
"You had a premonition in the library and fainted. Madam Pomfrey says you had a seizure."
Sheila didn't seem to hear her. "I have homework and lessons! And I'm hungry! I have to go to the bathroom! I need a shower! I smell like formaldehyde! Did I die?!"
"Just have a seat and breath. You don't want to pass out again, do you?"
At this point, Sheila was clawing at her hospital gown, shreds of it falling to the cold floor. "I need to change! Lessons, I have lessons! What about my homework?! I'm gonna fall behind! 3 days! Oh my Merlin! What'll I do?! I can't stand it! I just can't stand it!"
Sheila started hyperventilating.
"Sheila!" *SMACK!* "Calm down!"
Sheila reeled back, her legs tangling in the blanket, and fell backwards, her head hitting the floor. She was holding her stinging cheek, her other hand pulling at her messy hair, some of it coming out in clumps. She took a few deep breaths, but they didn't help because she started twitching.
"Oh Merlin, not again! Madam Pomfrey! Come! Hurry!"
Madam Pomfrey emerged from her little office and bustled over to Sheila's bed. She pulled out a small, purple vial from her apron and kneeled down to where Sheila was now writhing on the floor.
"Hold her arms down."
Hermione did as she was told and Madam Pomfrey took Sheila's head and placed it firmly between her knees.
"What's wrong with her?"
"Mild seizure."
Madam Pomfrey emptied the contents of the vial into Sheila's mouth and Sheila's body immediately relaxed, her breathing returning to normal. 5 minutes passed and, satisfied, Madam Pomfrey got up.
"Grab her legs and we'll put her on the bed."
Hermione quietly shifted the pillows and placed the blanket over Sheila's still form, biting her lip.
"Madam Pomfrey?" The nurse looked at her. "Why does she keep doing that?"
Madam Pomfrey shook her head. "I don't know..."
"Asthma.... I have asthma." Hermione and Madam Pomfrey looked at the calm girl on the bed. "I've had it ever since I was a baby."
"Asthma... of course..." Said Madam Pomfrey.
"What's asthma?"
"Asthma occurs when one's body experiences too much stress or exertion. The lung passage closes up and it becomes difficult to breathe.
"But why the seizures?"
"My guess is as good as yours, but I would probably say its due to the lack of oxygen the brain receives. As a result, the brain momentarily shuts down and the body reacts."
"I will be okay, won't I?" Sheila was massaging the impending bump on the back of her head.
"Yes, yes. I'll give you a potion that kind of works like an inhaler. When you feel an asthma attack coming on, just drink a few drops of it. Be careful, though... There's only so much potion available to supply so I suggest you don't do anything too stressful."
Sheila grinned. "Yes, ma'am." Then proceeded to pass out.
~*~*~
(A/N: Before you read this part, just remember that there is a special connection between these two people and that's why their able to have such fluffy moments together... So don't roll your eyes, okay? This story is, after all, half romance...)
There was that blackness again, the familiar sinking feeling gripping her stomach.
Ah, the relief of red, only this time there were no voices. She could feel a presence beside her, stroking her hair.
Eyes shooting open, Sheila sat up in bed, shutting her eyes quickly against the overwhelming dizziness that the sudden brightness caused.
It was then that she remembered the other presence in the little curtained off section of the hospital wing. She turned and, upon seeing who it was, smiled.
"Hello."
"Hello."
"How long have you been here?"
"Since you came in...."
"What about school?"
"Don't let anyone ever tell you that the Boy-Who-Lived doesn't have a few special privileges..."
Sheila smiled and took Harry's hand in hers. "Thank you."
"For what?"
"Being there..."
Harry shrugged. "What're friends for?"
She quirked an eyebrow, withdrawing her hand from his. "Friends?..."
"You know what I meant..." He said, rolling his eyes.
"No... no, I didn't... tell me..."
He sighed. "I'm not gonna bore you with all the details, so here goes. I like you... a lot... and you don't feel the same way... simple as that."
"Good. You better like me because-"
"A little conceited, aren't we?"
She playfully slapped his arm. "Shut up. You didn't let me finished. I meant you better like me because..." She smiled, meeting his gaze with her own. "Because I like you too..."
His jaw nearly hit the floor and, laughing, she gently pushed it closed with her hand. He leaned into her touch.
"Your hand is so small..."
She withdrew her hand. "It is not."
"Yeah, it is."
She huffed. "Let me see yours."
He held up his hand and she held hers against his, her fingers only reaching a centimeter below his fingertips. He extracted his hand.
"Told ya..."
Sheila was unperturbed. "Lemme see your hand again..."
Harry jumped up. "No." He put his arms in the air.
"Ugh, cheater!" Sheila got out of her bed and started hopping around in front of him, trying to capture at least one of his out-of-reach hands. "Lemme see your hand..."
"No." He grinned. "Besides, you look so cute jumping around like that.... Like a wittle bunny wabbit... " He teased.
"Just let me see!"
He shook his head and stood on the bed.
"Hey! No fair!" She climbed on the bed as well.
"Would you let it go? We already established that your hands were small..."
"No, YOU established that, not me. Now let me see your hand!" She lunged for his arm, clinging to the elbow and pulled... hard. They both lost their footing and tumbled out of the bed, Sheila's nightshirt catching a screw in the side, ripping it in half. They hit the floor with a dull *THUD*.
"Ow..." Harry sat up on one elbow, rubbing his head. He looked down at Sheila and saw that she was laughing. "What?"
"You... should've... seen... your... face..." She said between laughs.
Harry narrowed his eyes. "Think that's funny, huh?" Sheila nodded. "Well, this, this is funnier." He started tickling her and she shrieked with a new set of giggles.
"S-stop! Please! I can't breathe! STOP!!!" She clutched at her chest and began to claw at the collar of her shirt.
"Oh shit! What do I do?!"
She coughed and pointed to the metal tray sitting on her night table. "P-purple... vial..."
He quickly grabbed the potion and put a few drops in her mouth. The liquid instantly worked and he let out a sigh of relief.
"I'm so sorry."
Sheila grinned. "You should've seen your face..." His face softened. "Now... let me see your hand."
He looked down at his hand. "I don't know... You might snap it off or something..."
Sheila guffawed. "I will not!" She felt her lungs constrict and steadied her breath, placing a hand on his knee. "I won't hurt you... I promise..."
He smiled and reluctantly surrendered his hand to hers. She placed her palm against his.
"See, I told you. Your hands are too small..."
"No, watch." She turned her hand slightly to the right and interlaced her fingers with his. "Not too small to do that, now is it..."
He smirked. "No. I guess not..."
"They're also not too small to do this..." She started tickling him and he jumped back in surprise. She stopped after a few moments. "Revenge is so sweet..."
He grabbed her free hand and held it to his chest. "Cheater..."
She stuck out her tongue and crossed her eyes. He laughed, letting go off her hand, and brushed his across her exposed stomach. He chortled when he felt her shy away from his touch.
"I won't hurt you... I promise..." Keeping his eyes locked with hers, he ran his fingers across her stomach again, but this time she didn't move away. He rested his hand on her hip, his thumb circling around her bellybutton.
"Now what?" She asked.
"What do you mean?"
"Well, we both feel the same way about each other so going back to being friends would be pretty pointless..."
Harry nodded his agreement. "I see..." He looked into her eyes. "Now what?..." He was leaning closer and closer to her, until his forehead came to rest on hers.
"Hmm..." She furrowed her eyebrows, as if she were deep in thought, then a grin spread across her face. "I remember that we were in a similar position not too long ago..."
"Were we now?"
"Yup. And I also remember it went a little something like this..." She brushed her lips softly against his.
He scrunched up his nose. "Nah, I remember it went like this..." With that, he kissed her.
~*~*~
"Oi, Harry, Sheila! Hogsmeade weekend!"
Sheila and Harry entered the common room hand in hand. They were officially a "couple" since the kiss in the hospital wing 3 weeks ago.
"Great. Now I can buy my dress for the Christmas ball." Sheila said, taking a seat beside Ron and Hermione, Harry perched on the armrest.
"We can get ours together, Sheila. My parents sent me money last week, so now I'll be able to afford a gown from Jackie's store."
Sheila nodded. With the aid of the Marauder's Map and Invisibility Cloak, Sheila and Hermione were able to visit Jackie at least 6 times in the past 3 weeks. After all, Jackie did promise them tea... Just kidding. There was more to it then that. Jackie was like the 3rd Musketeer. A womanly figure they were both able to look up to and get advice from.
"She's such a sweetheart. Almost like a sister."
Hermione smiled. "She reminds me of my mum."
Ron rolled his eyes. "Don't start talking about her, please. Merlin knows, I love the girl, but hearing repeats of the dreaded girly talks is enough to make any wizard sick..."
Hermione sighed. "Fine, fine. We'll stop..."
"Good. 'Night everyone."
They all groaned and retreated to their bedrooms.
~*~*~
"Oh my Merlin! It's perfect!" Hermione stepped out of the dressing room and spun around, the rich bluish-green velvet gown swirling around her. "I could be a peacock for the ball."
Sheila set down the broach she was looking at and glanced at her friend. She smiled. "It is perfect... seeing as how your nose resembles a beak and all..."
"Ha ha..."
"Okay, okay. Enough messing around. Go. Change. Buy. Then we leave. We have to meet the boys."
"Sheila, you should talk in cave-man more often." Jackie emerged from the back of the shop, teacup in hand. "I think Hermione understands it better."
"What is it 'Pick on Hermione Day' or something?"
Jackie winked at Sheila. "Well, if you insist..."
Hermione came out of the dressing room glaring at Sheila. Sheila smiled sweetly at her.
"Don't give me that smile. I'll get you back..." She paid for her dress and they both gave Jackie a hug.
"You two are going to look smashing at the ball."
"Well it's all thanks to your superb styling and design."
Jackie smiled. "Come back and visit me again, okay?"
"We will!" Hermione and Sheila chorused together while exiting the shop.
Jackie watched them through the store's front window. She sighed, tears welling up in her eyes. She smiled as the two laughing girls sidestepped a cloaked man.
"My little girl's all grown up..."
She was brought out of her reverie when the small bell on her shop door sounded and a cloaked man entered, wand raised.
~*~*~
"Sorry we're late. Shopping took longer than we thought."
The two teenage girls plunked themselves in the booth seats next to their respective boyfriends.
"Sure, sure. Gossiping is more like it..."
"Ron, don't attack us." Hermione tossed her long curly hair over her shoulder. "Besides, you guys always talk about Quidditch..."
"But that's different. It's a- a guy thing..."
Hermione rolled her eyes. "You don't sound too convincing, Ronald."
Sheila leaned towards Harry. "Uh-oh... I smell a fight coming on..."
Harry grinned. "In three..."
"Two..."
"One..."
*BOOM!*
Everyone grew quiet. Sheila gazed around the restaurant and saw some people getting up and walking to the doors.
"What was that?" She asked.
Sheila and the Trio looked at each other before getting up and heading for the Three Broomsticks main doors. They could hear people screaming and, as they walked out onto the street, were bombarded by a crowd of people running by.
"Excuse me! What's going on?" Harry tried, but failed, to get the attention of a nearby person. Shaking his head, he reached for Sheila's hand, but found that she wasn't there. He looked down and saw her on her knees, her eyes fixed on something down the street. He turned his head in the direction of her gaze and gasped.
"Oh God..."
Ron and Hermione turned in that direction also and Hermione cried out.
"JACKIE!"
Sheila sat silently on the ground, shaking, the flames that swallowed Jackie's dress shop glimmering on the steady stream on her face in a kind of reflective taunt dancing around in her tears.
A/N: There! Another chapter done! So sorry it took so long! Work, you know how that goes... Well, I'll admit, I had no idea where this chapter was going, where it ended up or what's going to continue from here... The title to this chapter is also double-sided. You know the obvious fire (duh) and the "fire" that burns inside Sheila and Harry as they get closer... but, hey, stick with it, okay? REVIEW PLEASE!
P.S. Tomorrow's my day off, so I'm pretty sure I'll post more chapters since I have no plans!