Chapter eleven:
Christmas Melodrama
The month of November went on with a haze of uneventful days. Having finished off all of her detentions, Bunny found that she had more then needed time in the evenings.
Harry, Fred and George were now busy with Quidditch practices, having barely any spare time to say hi. And then Hermione and Ron locked themselves up in the library, looking for something important, but for some reason they couldn't tell her what 'it' was.
Sighing, Bunny stopped in the corridor to look out the window. Christmas was drawing near, just a few days away.
She was on her way to Potions, and was in really no hurry to get there.
It was beautiful outside, the sky clear blue, the clouds fluffy white. Littering the ground with the pearly whiteness, the snow glistened from the sun above.
Snow had fallen just last week, and Bunny had found herself trapped within the walls of the school. Sighing, she trudged on down the hallway. Taking the marble staircase down the entrance hall, she eyed the dungeon stairs.
She didn't dare try and skip, not after what had happened last time. But Bunny wasn't looking forward to another class with the potion master, not after what happened last time.
As she started down to her class, she thought about the incident she had inflicted. Having another klutz attack, she had knocked over her cauldron. The potion she had been making, had tipped, and fell into another cauldron. The next thing she knew the domino theory had conspired.
Reaching the door, she slipped inside, and eyed the classroom. Spotting Ami, she hurried over to one of her friends, and sat down in the empty seat.
"Afternoon Bunny." Ami smiled warmly at her, after lifting her eyes from the book she had been reading. Bunny smiled, half waving, as she pulled out her potion book from her bag. "Hey Ami." She glanced around the room, "Snape not here yet?"
She looked over to the desk, only to find it empty. A frown formed on her face. "Do you think something might."
At that second, the door to the room swung open. All voices dropped, and silence filled the room. Turning all the way around in her seat, Bunny spied Professor Snape stalking into the room. His face set into a scowl, and his eyes narrowed, the teacher moved to the front of the class, without so much as a word.
Bunny eased back in her seat, as Snape turned on them, his eyes nearly glowing with malice. Faintly, she wondered what could have put him in such a horrid mood.
Crossing his arms over his chest, Snape finally started class, "We will be continuing our potion from last lesson. Everything will be as you have left them." He lifted his wand, and waved it towards the board behind him, "the instructions are on the board."
With that said, he turned his back to them, and stalked to his desk.
Bunny sighed, as everyone in the class went to work on brewing their potions. Standing, she moved to talk to Professor Snape at his desk. The greasy haired teacher was sitting at his desk, but instead of working, he was staring at his desk with a blank expression.
"Professor?"
His head snapped to attention, his eyes slightly narrowed. "Yes Moon?" Swallowing, she rocked back and forth on her heels. "I.err well, what should I do?" She dropped her eyes to the stone floor. "I sort of ruined my potion before I could get a sample." Heat rose to her cheeks, burning with embarrassment.
Snape sighed, the scorn on his face fading. "Do not bother me Moon, I do not have time for trivial things." Stepping back, the blonde eyed the professor wearily.
"Are you feeling okay Professor Snape? Is it your leg?" Her hand flew up to her mouth; she had never considered the thought that the bite might still be bothering him.
He shook his head, the resented look appearing again, "Go take your seat Moon."
Bunny shook her head, but turned from him nonetheless. She sat down in her seat, and made a point to stare at the potion master throughout the whole class.
?????
Taking a seat at the empty Hufflepuff table, Bunny sighed irritably. She was one of the few Hufflepuffs to stay during the winter vacation. All of the first years had left with everyone else, except for a few exceptions, on the Hogwarts express yesterday.
Propping her head up with her hands; she reveled in another lonely Christmas Eve. Out of all of the holidays, out of all the days of the year, Christmas was always the worst. Birthdays could be lonely, and slightly jaded, but they were nowhere near as lonely as Christmas.
Tears pricked at the corner of her eyes, but she didn't let them fall. Sure having to celebrate her mother's death the day after her birthday was always wearisome. But at Christmas, she would sit in front of a little fake tree, decorated with bulbs, and say the same words every year after her mother's death.
"Merry Christmas Bunny."
Sighing, she pushed the plate aside; her appetite ruined, but not for the first time that month. She hated this time of year, seeing everyone's cheery moods. It reminded her of everything she didn't have. A broken home, a broken family, a broken heart.
Frustrated with herself, she swiped at the tears, angrily. "Stupid.I'm so stupid." It happened every year, for the last three, she should be over the pain by now.
Maybe she should have gone home on the train. At least then she would be able to be alone to dwell in her loneliness.
"Stupid eh? Never would've thunk."
Bunny whirled around, alarmed to find someone had been able to sneak up on her. "Ron?" She had believed he had taken the train, considering, it had been all he had talked about the week's prier. "I thought."
He grinned, his face warm, "Err. Well me mum and dad went to Romania to visit Charlie." She nodded, still not completely over the shock of finding him behind her.
He sat down in the bench seat of the Gryffindor table that was behind her. "Are you okay?"
Bunny blinked, clearing her mind, "I.yea of course." She turned her back to him, and dried her eyes of the unwanted tears. "Of course I'm okay, its almost Christmas."
She turned back around in her seat, so she could face him. "How are you?" The red haired boy tilted his head side to side, "All right I guess. And you?"
Bunny shrugged, forcing a smile, "Good I think. Shouldn't you be in the library with Harry?" She looked over the boy's shoulder, but the dark haired kid was nowhere to be seen.
Ron sighed, shifting uncomfortably in his seat, "Err, well Harry and I are done looking in the library." He rubbed the back of his neck nervously.
Nodding, the blonde dropped her head slightly, "Why aren't you with him now?" She bit her lip; alarmed by the words she had practically bit out at him.
What was wrong with her? She sounded almost jealous. But what could she have been jealous of? She looked up at the boy sitting in front of her. She blinked back the prickling tears, forming in the corner of her eyes. "Sorry, I didn't.I'm not feeling well, I think I'm going to go lie down." Bunny made a move to stand, but Ron stood with her. "Its okay, I probably deserve it. I mean, I haven't been the bestest of friends." He unconsciously rubbed his nose, at some imaginary dirt.
"Do you want to go outside? I've wanted to go check out the snow, but I've been-" He was cut off, when Bunny smashed into his chest, her arm wrapping around his waist. "Really Ron? Just you and me?" Ron's face burned, and it only worsened when she looked up into his face.
"I.err, y-yea."
Bunny squealed, pulling back from him. "Oh thank you Ron!" She grabbed his hand, and began to pull him along to the doors. "Uh."
With her pulling him, they made it outside in no time. "Oh Ron isn't it beautiful!" She let his hand go, and dropped to her knees. The white snow soaked into her robes, but she hardly noticed.
Scooping the snow up into her hands, she tossed it up into the air, and let rain down around her. "Ron." She turned to look up at him, a bright smile on her face. He was smiling nervously, shuffling from one foot to the other.
"Snowball FIGHT!!!!!
A ball of white snow was thrown through the air. Before anyone could move, it slammed into Ron's head, knocking the red haired boy off his feet. "Ron!!"
She rushed to his side, her hand touching his cold cheek. "Are you all right?"
The boy blinked, "Yes, I think so." He sat up, and shook his head, spraying snow everywhere. "What hit me?"
Bunny climbed to her feet, and helped him to his. "A snowball." She turned to eye the white grounds. Her eyes fell onto the familiar pair of red haired boys. They were bent over laughing, most likely about hitting Ron.
Dropping down, she scooped up a hand full of snow, and patted it into a ball of ice. "Eh? Bunny what are you doing?" He looked out across the field, to see his older brothers. "Oh."
"OY Fred!" She wound up for the pitch, and as the two boys looked up, she chucked the ball at them. "Eat snow!" The snowball flew towards them, with incredible speed, before hitting the boy on the left, and knocking him to the ground. The second boy shook his head, "You need to practice your aim Bunny. I'm Fred!"
The blonde rolled her eyes, and watched with a satisfied smirk, that George needed help getting to his feet. "Blimey Buns, what was that for?" He shook his head, blinking. "Is that the bell?"
Fred shook his head; "She must have gotten you hard. You're hearing things." George grinned, "She's not a chaser for nothing. We should have practiced beaters with her. Bet she would have been grand."
Fred nodded, before he pulled out his wand. He pointed at the snow, and flicked his wrist. Snow lifted into the air, forming into balls. He waved his wand, and the balls flew at the couple.
Bunny screamed, dropping down to the ground. Ron followed her, covering his head with his hands. "We need to get out of here!" She nodded, and when the balls flew over their head she leaped to her feet. Jerking Ron up with her, she took off running. The red haired boy matched her pace, and they sprinted, kicking up snow around them.
Pulling out her wand, Bunny aimed at the ground, and flicked her wrist. Snow lifted, and she pointed her wand at Fred and George. A few seconds passed, to where she replaced her wand in the pocket of her robes. There was a resounding smack that seemed to echo around them. Sliding to a stop, Bunny turned around. Fred had been pelted in the face with several snowballs.
"Ha!" She pumped her arms in the air, overly excited. "Eh, Bunny?" Pausing, the blonde turned to look at Ron, who was standing several feet away from her. "Ron what's wrong?" His face had paled, and he was pointed at her feet.
Looking down, Bunny stared at the snow-covered ground. But it was then she heard it. It was like hearing glass cracking, breaking in a million places. "Ron!" She could feel her heart thumping in her ears, the color in her face draining, as she felt the ground she stood on give way.
Drawing in a sharp breath, the floor beneath her vanished, she was sucked down in the familiar depths of the black water. "RON!!"
Her eyes open wide, she watched as the sunlight vanished, and she was pulled deep into the inky colored water. She kicked and fought, struggling to break free from the binds of her robes.
Her arms and legs flailed about, as she tried to swim. Above her, the ice seemed to close over the hole she had made. Her grave that was where she was.
Bunny stopped moving, letting her body sink deep into the lake. Her arm stretched out to the surface, but she knew nothing was going to come. Her chest heaved, and she wanted desperately to cry. Her lungs began to burn, and the blood seemed to roar through her veins. She could hear anything, couldn't see anything in the darkness.
Something slimy touched her shoulder. Opening her eyes, even though they burned from the water, she turned to look. Her robes had blown up about her, making her look much bigger than she was. She felt something brush against her stomach. She shivered, the feeling affecting her in the weirdest way. Her toes and fingers seemed to go numb.
Her winter robes rose up over her head, and something pulled it off. The cloth was pulled away, leaving her in the school uniform, the gray skirt, and white dress shirt. She had neglected to get fully dressed, forgetting her sweater and tie. Lifting her eyes, she nearly screamed, but she covered a hand over her mouth to cut it off.
She had seen these people in a book somewhere, but she couldn't think of it. Her mind was foggy, clouded by the lack of air. Her lungs burned, begging for oxygen. Eyes swimming, Bunny could swear she saw two of the merpeople, but there was only one.
The slimy thing she felt touch her skin earlier touched the hand over her mouth. It tugged, leaving her mouth vulnerable to open, and gasp in water. Something touched her lips, and she nearly pulled back in disgust. It was cold, and slimy. Her eyes widened, to find the person, who had stripped her of her robes, much closer than she would have preferred.
Before she knew it, she drew in a ragged breath, startled to find the merperson's mouth clamped over hers. She blinking, and drew in another breath.
She was actually breathing!
Eyes burning from tears, Bunny stared at the person with great relief. He had saved her, was giving her the oxygen she needed. Without thinking, Bunny wrapped her arms around him, and hugged the merman tightly.
Something broke into the surface of the water above. Closing her eyes briefly, she tried to find a way to thank the creature that had saved her.
Thank you so much.
She couldn't say it, couldn't tell him what she wanted to so badly.
She loosed her arms around the merman, sucking in all the air she could, before pulling away completely. Just as she let go, something grabbed her, and began to drag her up to the surface of the water.
The merman followed, bringing her robes with him. He shoved the cloth into her arms, leaned forward, and breath into her mouth one final time.
You're welcome.
Bunny's head broke the surface, and never before had she felt more not out of breath. Shaking from the cold, she let the hands held out to her, pull her up out of the water. "Yeh, all right Bunny?"
She was place firmly onto the ground next to Hagrid, and Harry. She looked down to the water, finding Ron still wadding on the surface. "Ron?"
He smiled sheepishly, and let Hagrid pull him out as well. "Are you all right?" He turned to her, looking her over.
Bunny nodded, her eyes flickering to the black water. Was it for real? Had she really met a merman? Her cheeks flushed, she noticed the robes stuffed into her tight embrace. "Y-yes I'm fine."
Harry looked her over, "Are you sure? You were down there for nearly three minutes." Bunny blinked, only for that long? It had felt like almost an hour, hugging the man who had saved her.
Cheeks burning, she touched her lips, to find them numb. Whenever he touched her, it made her body tingle. Her toes were still prickly, along with her fingers.
Hagrid shook his big head, "better get you two to a fire." Ron nodded, and the group started for Hagrid's cabin.
Bunny followed, but further behind the group. She wasn't sure why, but she didn't feel like she belonged in their group. Drawing in a shuddering breath, she raised a hand to her heart. Her lungs were burning, so bad that it brought tears to her eyes. Stopping, she tried to gain her breath, why was she having such a hard time?
"Bunny?"
She looked up, her mouth open, as she tried to draw in air. It was becoming harder and harder by the second.
"Bunny!"
She dropped to her knees in the snow, her robes landing with a plop at her side. She gasped, only to gag, on the little air she brought in. It was like she was drowning. As if she was still in the water, unable to breath.
"Hagrid hurry, something's wrong with Bunny!" She barely felt the hand on her shoulder, and Harry's voice, which was right next to her left ear. "Bunny, Bunny!"
Spots appeared before her eyes, and everything was growing dark. She couldn't breathe, couldn't think, and she couldn't hear. Why couldn't she bring in air? There was plenty of it around!
Her vision blurred, till darkness swept over her. The last thing she remember before passing out, were two arms picking her up from the cold, cold snow.
?????
"She should be okay now." Madam Pomfrey set the glass of water on the table next to the bed. She turned to face the other person in the room. "But I would like to keep her in here for at least three days to make sure."
Professor Dumbledore nodded, as he moved towards the bed. "Do you know what happened?"
The tiny woman, dressed as a nurse sighed, glancing at the girl lying on the bed. "I can only guess. I've never seen anything like it. Mr. Weasley informed me, she fell through the ice over the lake." She sighed again moving from the bed. "He went to find help, and met up with Harry and Hagrid."
Dumbledore stared at the child through the half moon spectacles he wore. "How long was she down in the lake?"
Madam Pomfrey made a noise that faintly sounded like a whimper, as she replaced her medical supplies. "Three minutes. Which leads me to what I think happened." She shook her head, "The poor girl, must have been terrified."
Dumbledore shook his head, "Oh I don't believe she was terrified Poppy. She has seen far worst of things, then the creatures of the lake."
The nurse frowned, "What do you mean Albus?"
The aging man shook his head, "It is not my place to say Poppy. But please continue." The younger woman, with blonde hair, slightly gray at the temples sighed with frustration. "She was down there for three whole minutes. She should have died, but she was alive and breathing just fine, as Mr. Potter informed me." She nodded her head indulgently.
She hesitated slightly to continue, but after a few passing seconds of silence, she added faintly, "I think she met one of those creatures. The ones living in the lake, merpeople."
Dumbledore nodded, "You are correct in your assumption Poppy. Miss Moon did meet one of the merpeople, but not just any merman. She met the eldest son of Merchiefteness Murcus Senior, their leader."
The nurse blinked in surprise, "B-but, how do you know?"
Dumbledore smiled ruefully, "Because Merchiefteness told me, before I came down here. He informed me, that a witch had fallen into the lake, and his eldest son saved her, much to his displeasure." He clasped his hands in front of him, and his tired eyes stared at the sleeping blonde.
"Merchiefteness Junior, must have helped her by giving her the air she needed, by the only means he knew possible." He turned from the bed to give Madam Pomfrey a quizzical look. "Which was from his own lungs. But by doing so, he nearly made her into a mer.err well a mergirl."
Frowning, the woman asked, her hands on her hips, "Why didn't he just take her to the surface?" Sighing, Albus Dumbledore shook his head, "That I am not sure of. I will have to ask him, I assume." He moved back from the bed, his eyes never leaving the prone body lying peacefully on the bed.
She was dressed in a medical gown, after she was brought in that morning. She now lay on the hospital bed, the blankets tucked in at her chest. A bottle hooked to the wall, rested next to her, a tube running from it, only stopping just above her mouth. Every minute, a drop would fall into her parted lips. She would then breath in deeply.
"If we know what's wrong, shouldn't there be a way to cure her of this.this defect?" Madam Pomfrey waved a hand to the dripping tube.
Dumbledore moved towards the door, his intent to leave, and let the girl rest. "I.well there isn't a full cure. She will never be the same again Poppy. From now on, she will have to carry around water wherever she goes."
"You're not serious!" Pomfrey had drawn a hand to her mouth, to hide the horror in her face.
Albus dropped his eyes to the floor, "I'm afraid so. She will need a bottle of water with her, for everywhere she goes. It will be a precaution for when she needs the water to breath." He looked up at the door, his face grim. "If she would have stayed with Merchiefteness any longer, she wouldn't be able to use oxygen at all means to breath. She would be one of them. But because she had only used his air for such a small amount of time, she will only need it when it because too difficult to breath." He pushed the door open, but the nurse's voice made him pause.
"What do I tell her when she wakes?"
Albus answered, just before he left the hospital wing, "The truth." The door shut softly behind his retreating form.
?????
"Now you take it easy young lady. You had a rough couple of days." Opening her eyes to the bright morning light, Bunny faintly wondered how she ended up in a bed, with white linen sheets tucked in up to her chin.
Water dripped from above her, landing in her mouth. Drinking it, she felt the tingling sensation seize, and the numbness throughout her body vanished.
A minute seemed to pass, before another drop of water fell from the ceiling, only to land on her tongue. Was there a leak in the roof?
"Now hold on, I said take it easy." She realized suddenly, that she was trying to sit up. Her vision cleared, and she could see Madam Pomfrey fussing over her, like a mother hen with her chicks. "Wha."
The nurse threw up her arms in frustration, "I told you to relax, now I want you lying down." Bunny felt two hands pushing her back down on the bed. What was going on? How did she get here?
"I see she has finally awaken." Looking over, Bunny noticed Professor McGonagall standing in the doorway, her face creased with a frown.
"P-Professor?" She inhaled sharply, as another drop of water fell into her mouth. Unlike she expected, she didn't choke, when the water entered her lungs, but in fact, she felt her lungs expand more than anytime she inhaled since she had woken up.
What was going on?
Professor McGonagall stepped into the room, and glanced over at the nurse. "It's all right Poppy. Albus has asked me to tell her the news."
"News?" Even at the nurse's protests, Bunny pushed herself up in the bed, so that she was sitting up. A drop of water hit her on her head. Frowning, she looked up, to see a tube right above her. "Eh?"
Professor McGonagall, pulled up a chair next to the bed, and took a seat. "You may leave Poppy. I believe Miss Moon will want privacy." The nurse frowned, but left nonetheless.
Reaching up, Bunny moved the tube, so that it dripped onto the floor. "Professor," she paused, her eyes watching the water drip, it was fascinating. She fought the urge to lick her lips greedily. "How did I get here? I don't remember why." she trailed off, her eyes following the drop of water.
She sighed, it almost coming out as a whimper, as the water hit the floor. What a waste.
Frowning, Bunny reached up, rubbing her neck, and shook her head. What was she thinking?
"Miss Moon."
"Bunny."
"Err.yes well, there is something I must tell you." She leaned forward, adjusting her bifocals nervously. "Do you remember what happened the day after yesterday? On Christmas Eve?"
Bunny tilted her head slightly, forcing herself to drag her eyes away from the tube. "I." she frowned trying to think, Christmas Eve. Ron?
"I remember Ron and I throwing snowballs at." her eyebrows drew together, who was it that she had hit a snowball with. Red hair. Ron? She shook her head, another Weasley.
"Oy Fred and George. I hit them with a snowball."
McGonagall's mouth twitched forming a half smile. "Yes." She cleared her throat, time slightly pressing on her. "Do you remember the ice? The lake?"
Bunny blinked, coldness seemed to wash over her. The water rising up over her head, the ice wall closing in above her, and locking her within the darkness. She swallowed, her body shuddering repulsively. Nodding, she replied, "Yes."
McGonagall nodded, "I see. Then do you remember what happened when you fell through the ice?" Bunny lifted her gaze from the plain white sheets; she was it gripping tightly with both hands. She stared at something over the Professor's shoulder. McGonagall followed her gaze, to the black robes hanging up near the fireplace, now dry.
"Something pulled my robes off me." She blinked rapidly, her memory coming back in folds. "I saw a merman!" Her eyes widened, nearly taking on the size of saucers, "and he kissed me!!!"
Her jaw slightly dropped, and her hands flew up to cover her mouth in shock. "B-but, I read in the books. Merpeople don't like witches and wizards!" She stared at the Professor accusingly, as if the woman had lied to her.
"He saved my life."
McGonagall took in the site of the girl's pale face. "Here, have some water." She reached over to the glass filled with water on the small table next to the bed. Bunny faintly nodded, taking the glass offered to her. She tipped it to her lips, and greedily drank the water. It felt great, but before she knew it, she had drank half over half the glass, but that wasn't what frightened her. She realized she wasn't swallowing the water.
Dropping the glass she watched it fall into her lap, spilling its sweet liquid. "I.what's wrong with me!"
McGonagall reached out collecting the glass, "Miss Moon, if you relax, I will explain everything." Looking at the old witch, Bunny asked gravely, "Explain what, to me?"
?????
"Oy Bunny, you're looking better!" Fred walked into the room, and suddenly the infirmary filled with warmth. "Hey Fred" She sat up in the bed, setting down the water bottle on the table next to her bed. "I feel much better." There was a knock on the door, before it opened. "Oy Buns you're finally awake. Hey Fred." George stepped into the room, and shut the door behind him. "I'm not interrupting anything am I? Good!"
Fred rolled his eyes, as he pulled up a chair next to the bed, the blonde was lying in. George didn't bother with a chair, but made himself right at home. He plopped down on the edge of the bed, bouncing on the mattress slightly, as he shifted to get comfortable.
Fred chuckled, a mischievous grin playing on his face. "Getting out soon?"
Bunny looked away from George, to Fred, "Yes. This afternoon actually. I'll be in my own bed again." A half smile formed on her face.
George shifted on the bed, "I can see why you miss your bed. Not the most comfortable bed eh?" Bunny shook her head, her smile growing. "How are you two doing anyway?"
George is on the bed, while Fred is on the chair. She repeated it over and over in her mind.
Fred shrugged, while George answered, "Not much. Enjoy the rest of our break, before classes begin again. Blimey I bet you haven't opened your presents yet."
"Presents?" Her eyebrows drew together, her lips forming a line. She had presents? Fred nodded, as if hearing her question, "Yea. Be right back with them. George watch her, make sure she doesn't make a run for it." He pushed himself up off the chair, and hurried from the room.
Bunny watched him, "Who gave me presents?" Her heart swelled, and she could feel tears pricking her eyes. For three years, she went without anything, unless you count the occasional pair of underwear from Vicky.
George leaned across the bed, and asked, "Madam Pomfrey hasn't been letting anyone see you, sure you're okay?" The blonde looked at him, her eyes drying. "Yes, why wouldn't I be?"
The door opened, and Fred appeared again, his arms filled with present. "Ah here we go." He moved to her bed, and dropped the boxes on the mattress. "Those are all for me?"
Fred nodded, "One from us," he pointed to the box wrapped in green paper. He then pointed to another wrapped in blue, "Blimey even got one from mum. Ron must have told her about you."
George held up one wrapped in strange black paper, "no name on this one." He shrugged.
Bunny picked up the green one, and delicately pulled the paper away. Both George and Fred watched with a bit of impatient. "Bloody hell Buns, you're going to be here all day."
Flushed, the blonde pulled out the box. "I never get presents, I'm just savoring each second."
Fred and George shared a look, but it was Fred who spoke up, "Why not?"
She sighed, carefully opening the box. Her eyes widened, to find it stuffed to the rim with candies off all kinds. Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans, chocolate frogs, Drooble's Best Blowing Gum, Licorice Wands, and others she had never seen before. She looked up, at the twins, tears filling her eyes.
George shifted on the bed, "Bought them last weekend at Hogsmeade." Setting the box aside, she threw herself at the red haired boy, and hugged him. "Thank you!" Her hands fisted around the cloth of his sweater, and tears slipped passed her lids.
"Hey, what about me? It was my idea to get the Pumpkin pasties." Pulling from George, she held her arms open for the Fred. He grinned, and moved towards her. "Thank you guys so much!" She hugged him tightly, but not nearly as long as she had hugged George. Pulling away, she turned to look at the blue present.
She tore into the present, unable to hold back her excitement. Tossing the paper to the floor, she opened the box. She pulled out a pink sweater from within. On the front was a big letter B.
She stared at it, the smile on her face fading.
Fred groaned, "Oy she gave Harry a sweater too. We really need to talk to that woman eh George?" The other boy nodded, "she's got to understand, we are too old for getting one every year now." George turned back to the blonde on the bed, "If you don't want it, give it to us. We'll give it to Ginny, she likes them."
He went to take it from her, but Bunny clutched the sweater to her chest. "No." She buried her face into the soft wool. "Its beautiful." She choked on a sob, her body trembling. "I'll write your mum a thank you as soon as I get my parchment and quill." She carefully folded the sweater, and set it onto the box of her sweets.
She wiped at the shedding tears, and sniffled. Bunny turned her eyes to the third present. Who could it have been from?
"All right that's it, you two need to go. You can visit her later when she is released." Madam Pomfrey waved her hand to the door. "Miss Moon needs to get some rest."
Bunny looked up, as George and Fred shuffled out of the room. "Bye Buns.
"See yea at dinner Bunny."
Bunny waved, a smile forming on her face. The door shut behind them. Madam Pomfrey shook her head, "Well its time for you to get some sleep. You've had a rough day."
Bunny looked at the present, "Can I open my last present first?" The nurse nodded, "All right." She dimmed the lights, a few of the candles going out. "But then its straight to bed."
She then parted from the room, leaving Bunny alone with the black box. Pulling the box into her lap, she ripped the paper off, leaving bare the small package. She didn't wait any longer to open it.
She pulled out an old looking camera. She turned it around in her hands, before setting it down gently in her lap. Next she took out an envelope. Tossing the box aside, and stared at the letter.
Bunny Moon Hufflepuff Dormitory Hogwarts
She frowned slightly there was no return address. Turning the letter over, she pulled at the seal, before she took out the letter within. Something fell out, landing on her lap.
Momentarily forgetting the letter, she picked up the pictures. She stared for a long time at the first one, slightly shaken at what she saw.
It was a picture of her mother, when she was younger, and in school. She was wearing her school uniform decorated with a silver and green striped tie. She was grinning, her face glowing with happiness, even though the two boys she had her arms wrapped around were glowering at one another. Bunny eyed one boy, with sandy blonde hair, and familiar pair of blue eyes. The other one was frighteningly familiar all together. The same greasy black hair, and black orbs.
Bunny forced herself to turn to the next picture. This one was just as bad to look at as the first. It was of her mother, standing with none other than a younger looking Professor Dumbledore.
Sighing shakily, she turned to the last picture, and an inaudible sound escaped passed her lips.
The picture was of that of a group of people. Most of who were dead now, and some alive. She first recognized the Potters, Lily and James standing to one side, waving at her. Then her mother, standing with Professor Snape. They were talking to one another, Snape's face creased with worry, while Bunny's mother was waving at the camera, a half smile on her lovely face. She also recognized Dumbledore and McGonagall. But she didn't recognize the last two people in the picture, who were standing with the Potters. The tallest, had a handsome young face, with dark hair, and warm eyes, as he laughed out loud at something. She had seen his picture from somewhere, maybe an older version. The second was a young man with a light shade of brown hair, and raggedy clothes. His face seemed pale, but he was smiling towards the camera.
She held up the letter, she had neglected to look at first; she opened it, and read what it contained.
Bunny,
Remember me as I was, not as I am now. Use the camera to add more memories to our book.
She searched the paper for something more. Her hands were shaking, and tears spilled from her eyes. "Mum?" She didn't need to see a signature to know whom it was from.
"Miss Moon, I told you to get some rest. Now put those things away, and get some sleep." Madam Pomfrey shook her head with a frown, before bustling from the room once more.
She drew in a shaky breath, and placed the photos with the rest of her presents. Lying the camera down on the table, she laid down on the bed. "I miss you so much mum."
She closed her eyes, and waited for sleep to take her.
?????
"Bunny, Bunny wake up." She groaned, cracking an eye open. "Eh?" She blinked, staring blurrily around the room. Shaking her head, she stuffed her face into the pillow.
"Bunny wake up."
"What!"
Her head snapped up, and she glared around the room. She had been having a wonderful dream about swimming in the lake. Groggily, she pushed herself up so that she was seated on her bed. "Whose there?" She looked around the Hufflepuff common room with a frown. Someone had called her name right?
"Bunny shhh it's me."
"Harry?" She looked around the room looking for him. How could he have gotten in?
Suddenly she heard the sound of rustling of cloth. Following the direction she heard it from, she watched as Harry seemingly appeared in the room. Her jaw gapped open, "How'd you do that?"
Harry pressed a finger to his lips. "Its an invincibility cloak. My father left it for me. Come on I want to show you something."
Heart racing, she could barely contain herself. An adventure! She scrambled out of her bed, but paused at the pitcher of water. Lifting the already filled bottle, she took a long swallow. The water was refreshing, and it brought the dream freshly to her mind. Sighing, she carefully set the glass down.
"Where are we going?" Harry pulled the cloak over them both. "I found this mirror, and it shows me my parents. I showed Ron, and he saw himself with the Quidditch cup."
Bunny frowned, as she let Harry lead her from the dormitory. "The Quidditch cup? But he's not a Quidditch player." Harry shook his head, "No, but that's the thing, the mirror doesn't show us our future." His lips formed a straight line. "It'll be better if I showed you."
She nodded, "All right." He led her up the stairs to the entrance hall, and then up the marble staircase. She yawned tiredly, as they made there way up several flights of stairs, and down many corridors. "Where is-" she was cut off, by Harry pressing his hand over her mouth.
They paused, their backs pressed against the wall, as Filch appeared in the corridor they were in. His eyes slid over the hall, before he continued on. It wasn't until they heard a door slam, before they felt like they could breath.
"That was close."
Bunny nodded, her eyes scanning the area they were in. She didn't recognize it. "Harry where are we?"
They approached a suit of armor, which she remembered from the night she had followed Snape. She suddenly knew exactly where they were. "Harry are you sure?" He pushed the door open, and they slipped inside, the door shutting close behind them.
Instantly, he jerked the cloak off of them, and sprinted across the room. Bunny shivered, her body trembling from the cold. Her eyes roamed over the room wearily, before they settled on Harry, who was standing in front of an old mirror. "Harry?" She never thought she would see the day, Famous Harry Potter infatuated with his appearance.
Moving up behind him, she looked at their reflection through the mirror. "Harry, I'm cold, can we go back please."
The boy turned, "Have a look Bunny." He moved to the side, almost reluctant to pull away. She looked at him sadly, "Harry, this isn't right, we should be sleeping." She frowned, noticing his pale face. "Harry have you been getting any sleep at all?"
His green eyes slightly narrowed in annoyance, "Look at the mirror Bunny. What do you see?"
The blonde sighed heavily, before she turned to look at her reflection. "I see myself Harry. Can we go now?" He shook his head, "Wait a second, you'll see."
Bunny pursed her lips together, and stared at her reflection longer. She watched, as her image faded, only to be replaced by something else. But it wasn't just anything, but something hideous.
"You see something right?"
Bunny stepped back, her hand flying to her mouth, to fight off the scream rising in her throat. "Oh god." She shook her head in denial, stepping away. She had to get out of here, had to get away from the mirror.
"Bunny what's wrong, you look sick."
Bunny stared at image with horror, but a small part of her praised at the sight, drinking in the image greedily.
"So, back again Harry?"
She could hear Harry talking with someone behind her, but it sounded so faint. All she could see was the image in the mirror, as it seemed to come to life in her mind. A sob ripped from her throat, cutting everything off, by the sound of it.
Her body shook, as coldness swept over her form. She tore her eyes from the mirror, and threw herself into closest thing to her. Albus Dumbledore sighed heavily, his gaze softening on the blonde girl. Her face was buried into his robes, her fingers clutching the cloth as if for dear life.
"It's going to be okay Bunny." He patted her head affectionately, but the girl only sobbed harder, her body trembling with each cry.
He lifted his eyes to the boy still standing near the mirror, "Harry, the happiest man alive could use this mirror as a regular mirror, and see himself exactly as he is. Do you see what this mirror shows us?"
Harry looked anxiously at the mirror, then back to Bunny. "What did she see?" He gazed at the mirror, "It showed her what she wanted, so then why."
Dumbledore shook his head gently, "It shows us nothing more or less than the deepest, most desperate desire of our hearts." His eyes dropped to the girl holding onto him. "You who have not known your family, see them standing next to you. Ronald Weasley who has lived in the shadows of his elder brothers sees himself standing alone, and out doing them all."
Harry looked at the mirror, "Then why is Bunny upset?" He couldn't understand, he saw something he wanted, Ron saw something he wanted. Then why was she crying? He lifted his green eyes from the mirror, to the two standing several feet from him.
Dumbledore gazed at the mirror, "Bunny, Professor Snape is right outside, have him take you back to the Hufflepuff common room." He pulled her away, and gently nudged her in the direction of the door. She walked away from them, her face buried in her hands. She didn't dare look back at the mirror.
When the door closed behind her, Dumbledore looked over at Harry. He was staring at the door Bunny had disappeared through. "Harry, what would you believe when a person would look into that mirror, that shows us our greatest desire, when that said person has seen the death of their parent?" Harry frowned, "What do you mean Professor?"
Albus sighed, "It is not my place to say Harry, but what Bunny saw through that mirror, was the only darkest thought within that girl's mind.
"The mirror will be moved to a new place tomorrow, Harry, and I would prefer you didn't go looking for it. Now, why don't you put that admirable cloak back on, and get off to bed?"
Harry nodded numbly, and reluctantly moved across the room. He picked gathered his father's old cloak, he had dropped earlier in his haste to see his parents. Stopping at the door, he took one last look at the mirror, his heart aching. Forcing himself to turn, Harry left the room, leaving Dumbledore alone.
Albus Dumbledore stared at the mirror, his eyes creased with worry. "The worst has yet to come." He shook his head with a heavy sigh, and also left the room that held the Mirror of Erised.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hey peeps! How are ya? Are all of you enjoying the story so far?? Just gotta say this chapter took me forever to come up with, so I hope you guys enjoyed it. I liked it, probably could have added more, but I had to stop there, if I wanted the next chapter to be long at all. Hehe. One question, before I state the polls. Any Wood/Bunny lovers???? Eh? Well if any of you are out there, then you'll want to read the next series, when it comes out. I promise romance!!!! But only flings. Nothing serious to jeopardize the major couple.
Um.oh yes, srry Snape/Bunny fans. This story will not have that couple. Because I have a special ploy set out for that potion master! I'm sure you guys will like it nonetheless.
Polls!
Harry/Bunny: 42
Ron/Bunny: 27
Ron/Ami: 4
Ron/Hermione: 2
Draco/Bunny: 26
Draco/Lita: 6
Twins/Bunny: 1
Twins/Mina: 1 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Chaser: 8
Keeper: 2
Beater: 2
Well enjoy! Tata for now LP signing out
The month of November went on with a haze of uneventful days. Having finished off all of her detentions, Bunny found that she had more then needed time in the evenings.
Harry, Fred and George were now busy with Quidditch practices, having barely any spare time to say hi. And then Hermione and Ron locked themselves up in the library, looking for something important, but for some reason they couldn't tell her what 'it' was.
Sighing, Bunny stopped in the corridor to look out the window. Christmas was drawing near, just a few days away.
She was on her way to Potions, and was in really no hurry to get there.
It was beautiful outside, the sky clear blue, the clouds fluffy white. Littering the ground with the pearly whiteness, the snow glistened from the sun above.
Snow had fallen just last week, and Bunny had found herself trapped within the walls of the school. Sighing, she trudged on down the hallway. Taking the marble staircase down the entrance hall, she eyed the dungeon stairs.
She didn't dare try and skip, not after what had happened last time. But Bunny wasn't looking forward to another class with the potion master, not after what happened last time.
As she started down to her class, she thought about the incident she had inflicted. Having another klutz attack, she had knocked over her cauldron. The potion she had been making, had tipped, and fell into another cauldron. The next thing she knew the domino theory had conspired.
Reaching the door, she slipped inside, and eyed the classroom. Spotting Ami, she hurried over to one of her friends, and sat down in the empty seat.
"Afternoon Bunny." Ami smiled warmly at her, after lifting her eyes from the book she had been reading. Bunny smiled, half waving, as she pulled out her potion book from her bag. "Hey Ami." She glanced around the room, "Snape not here yet?"
She looked over to the desk, only to find it empty. A frown formed on her face. "Do you think something might."
At that second, the door to the room swung open. All voices dropped, and silence filled the room. Turning all the way around in her seat, Bunny spied Professor Snape stalking into the room. His face set into a scowl, and his eyes narrowed, the teacher moved to the front of the class, without so much as a word.
Bunny eased back in her seat, as Snape turned on them, his eyes nearly glowing with malice. Faintly, she wondered what could have put him in such a horrid mood.
Crossing his arms over his chest, Snape finally started class, "We will be continuing our potion from last lesson. Everything will be as you have left them." He lifted his wand, and waved it towards the board behind him, "the instructions are on the board."
With that said, he turned his back to them, and stalked to his desk.
Bunny sighed, as everyone in the class went to work on brewing their potions. Standing, she moved to talk to Professor Snape at his desk. The greasy haired teacher was sitting at his desk, but instead of working, he was staring at his desk with a blank expression.
"Professor?"
His head snapped to attention, his eyes slightly narrowed. "Yes Moon?" Swallowing, she rocked back and forth on her heels. "I.err well, what should I do?" She dropped her eyes to the stone floor. "I sort of ruined my potion before I could get a sample." Heat rose to her cheeks, burning with embarrassment.
Snape sighed, the scorn on his face fading. "Do not bother me Moon, I do not have time for trivial things." Stepping back, the blonde eyed the professor wearily.
"Are you feeling okay Professor Snape? Is it your leg?" Her hand flew up to her mouth; she had never considered the thought that the bite might still be bothering him.
He shook his head, the resented look appearing again, "Go take your seat Moon."
Bunny shook her head, but turned from him nonetheless. She sat down in her seat, and made a point to stare at the potion master throughout the whole class.
?????
Taking a seat at the empty Hufflepuff table, Bunny sighed irritably. She was one of the few Hufflepuffs to stay during the winter vacation. All of the first years had left with everyone else, except for a few exceptions, on the Hogwarts express yesterday.
Propping her head up with her hands; she reveled in another lonely Christmas Eve. Out of all of the holidays, out of all the days of the year, Christmas was always the worst. Birthdays could be lonely, and slightly jaded, but they were nowhere near as lonely as Christmas.
Tears pricked at the corner of her eyes, but she didn't let them fall. Sure having to celebrate her mother's death the day after her birthday was always wearisome. But at Christmas, she would sit in front of a little fake tree, decorated with bulbs, and say the same words every year after her mother's death.
"Merry Christmas Bunny."
Sighing, she pushed the plate aside; her appetite ruined, but not for the first time that month. She hated this time of year, seeing everyone's cheery moods. It reminded her of everything she didn't have. A broken home, a broken family, a broken heart.
Frustrated with herself, she swiped at the tears, angrily. "Stupid.I'm so stupid." It happened every year, for the last three, she should be over the pain by now.
Maybe she should have gone home on the train. At least then she would be able to be alone to dwell in her loneliness.
"Stupid eh? Never would've thunk."
Bunny whirled around, alarmed to find someone had been able to sneak up on her. "Ron?" She had believed he had taken the train, considering, it had been all he had talked about the week's prier. "I thought."
He grinned, his face warm, "Err. Well me mum and dad went to Romania to visit Charlie." She nodded, still not completely over the shock of finding him behind her.
He sat down in the bench seat of the Gryffindor table that was behind her. "Are you okay?"
Bunny blinked, clearing her mind, "I.yea of course." She turned her back to him, and dried her eyes of the unwanted tears. "Of course I'm okay, its almost Christmas."
She turned back around in her seat, so she could face him. "How are you?" The red haired boy tilted his head side to side, "All right I guess. And you?"
Bunny shrugged, forcing a smile, "Good I think. Shouldn't you be in the library with Harry?" She looked over the boy's shoulder, but the dark haired kid was nowhere to be seen.
Ron sighed, shifting uncomfortably in his seat, "Err, well Harry and I are done looking in the library." He rubbed the back of his neck nervously.
Nodding, the blonde dropped her head slightly, "Why aren't you with him now?" She bit her lip; alarmed by the words she had practically bit out at him.
What was wrong with her? She sounded almost jealous. But what could she have been jealous of? She looked up at the boy sitting in front of her. She blinked back the prickling tears, forming in the corner of her eyes. "Sorry, I didn't.I'm not feeling well, I think I'm going to go lie down." Bunny made a move to stand, but Ron stood with her. "Its okay, I probably deserve it. I mean, I haven't been the bestest of friends." He unconsciously rubbed his nose, at some imaginary dirt.
"Do you want to go outside? I've wanted to go check out the snow, but I've been-" He was cut off, when Bunny smashed into his chest, her arm wrapping around his waist. "Really Ron? Just you and me?" Ron's face burned, and it only worsened when she looked up into his face.
"I.err, y-yea."
Bunny squealed, pulling back from him. "Oh thank you Ron!" She grabbed his hand, and began to pull him along to the doors. "Uh."
With her pulling him, they made it outside in no time. "Oh Ron isn't it beautiful!" She let his hand go, and dropped to her knees. The white snow soaked into her robes, but she hardly noticed.
Scooping the snow up into her hands, she tossed it up into the air, and let rain down around her. "Ron." She turned to look up at him, a bright smile on her face. He was smiling nervously, shuffling from one foot to the other.
"Snowball FIGHT!!!!!
A ball of white snow was thrown through the air. Before anyone could move, it slammed into Ron's head, knocking the red haired boy off his feet. "Ron!!"
She rushed to his side, her hand touching his cold cheek. "Are you all right?"
The boy blinked, "Yes, I think so." He sat up, and shook his head, spraying snow everywhere. "What hit me?"
Bunny climbed to her feet, and helped him to his. "A snowball." She turned to eye the white grounds. Her eyes fell onto the familiar pair of red haired boys. They were bent over laughing, most likely about hitting Ron.
Dropping down, she scooped up a hand full of snow, and patted it into a ball of ice. "Eh? Bunny what are you doing?" He looked out across the field, to see his older brothers. "Oh."
"OY Fred!" She wound up for the pitch, and as the two boys looked up, she chucked the ball at them. "Eat snow!" The snowball flew towards them, with incredible speed, before hitting the boy on the left, and knocking him to the ground. The second boy shook his head, "You need to practice your aim Bunny. I'm Fred!"
The blonde rolled her eyes, and watched with a satisfied smirk, that George needed help getting to his feet. "Blimey Buns, what was that for?" He shook his head, blinking. "Is that the bell?"
Fred shook his head; "She must have gotten you hard. You're hearing things." George grinned, "She's not a chaser for nothing. We should have practiced beaters with her. Bet she would have been grand."
Fred nodded, before he pulled out his wand. He pointed at the snow, and flicked his wrist. Snow lifted into the air, forming into balls. He waved his wand, and the balls flew at the couple.
Bunny screamed, dropping down to the ground. Ron followed her, covering his head with his hands. "We need to get out of here!" She nodded, and when the balls flew over their head she leaped to her feet. Jerking Ron up with her, she took off running. The red haired boy matched her pace, and they sprinted, kicking up snow around them.
Pulling out her wand, Bunny aimed at the ground, and flicked her wrist. Snow lifted, and she pointed her wand at Fred and George. A few seconds passed, to where she replaced her wand in the pocket of her robes. There was a resounding smack that seemed to echo around them. Sliding to a stop, Bunny turned around. Fred had been pelted in the face with several snowballs.
"Ha!" She pumped her arms in the air, overly excited. "Eh, Bunny?" Pausing, the blonde turned to look at Ron, who was standing several feet away from her. "Ron what's wrong?" His face had paled, and he was pointed at her feet.
Looking down, Bunny stared at the snow-covered ground. But it was then she heard it. It was like hearing glass cracking, breaking in a million places. "Ron!" She could feel her heart thumping in her ears, the color in her face draining, as she felt the ground she stood on give way.
Drawing in a sharp breath, the floor beneath her vanished, she was sucked down in the familiar depths of the black water. "RON!!"
Her eyes open wide, she watched as the sunlight vanished, and she was pulled deep into the inky colored water. She kicked and fought, struggling to break free from the binds of her robes.
Her arms and legs flailed about, as she tried to swim. Above her, the ice seemed to close over the hole she had made. Her grave that was where she was.
Bunny stopped moving, letting her body sink deep into the lake. Her arm stretched out to the surface, but she knew nothing was going to come. Her chest heaved, and she wanted desperately to cry. Her lungs began to burn, and the blood seemed to roar through her veins. She could hear anything, couldn't see anything in the darkness.
Something slimy touched her shoulder. Opening her eyes, even though they burned from the water, she turned to look. Her robes had blown up about her, making her look much bigger than she was. She felt something brush against her stomach. She shivered, the feeling affecting her in the weirdest way. Her toes and fingers seemed to go numb.
Her winter robes rose up over her head, and something pulled it off. The cloth was pulled away, leaving her in the school uniform, the gray skirt, and white dress shirt. She had neglected to get fully dressed, forgetting her sweater and tie. Lifting her eyes, she nearly screamed, but she covered a hand over her mouth to cut it off.
She had seen these people in a book somewhere, but she couldn't think of it. Her mind was foggy, clouded by the lack of air. Her lungs burned, begging for oxygen. Eyes swimming, Bunny could swear she saw two of the merpeople, but there was only one.
The slimy thing she felt touch her skin earlier touched the hand over her mouth. It tugged, leaving her mouth vulnerable to open, and gasp in water. Something touched her lips, and she nearly pulled back in disgust. It was cold, and slimy. Her eyes widened, to find the person, who had stripped her of her robes, much closer than she would have preferred.
Before she knew it, she drew in a ragged breath, startled to find the merperson's mouth clamped over hers. She blinking, and drew in another breath.
She was actually breathing!
Eyes burning from tears, Bunny stared at the person with great relief. He had saved her, was giving her the oxygen she needed. Without thinking, Bunny wrapped her arms around him, and hugged the merman tightly.
Something broke into the surface of the water above. Closing her eyes briefly, she tried to find a way to thank the creature that had saved her.
Thank you so much.
She couldn't say it, couldn't tell him what she wanted to so badly.
She loosed her arms around the merman, sucking in all the air she could, before pulling away completely. Just as she let go, something grabbed her, and began to drag her up to the surface of the water.
The merman followed, bringing her robes with him. He shoved the cloth into her arms, leaned forward, and breath into her mouth one final time.
You're welcome.
Bunny's head broke the surface, and never before had she felt more not out of breath. Shaking from the cold, she let the hands held out to her, pull her up out of the water. "Yeh, all right Bunny?"
She was place firmly onto the ground next to Hagrid, and Harry. She looked down to the water, finding Ron still wadding on the surface. "Ron?"
He smiled sheepishly, and let Hagrid pull him out as well. "Are you all right?" He turned to her, looking her over.
Bunny nodded, her eyes flickering to the black water. Was it for real? Had she really met a merman? Her cheeks flushed, she noticed the robes stuffed into her tight embrace. "Y-yes I'm fine."
Harry looked her over, "Are you sure? You were down there for nearly three minutes." Bunny blinked, only for that long? It had felt like almost an hour, hugging the man who had saved her.
Cheeks burning, she touched her lips, to find them numb. Whenever he touched her, it made her body tingle. Her toes were still prickly, along with her fingers.
Hagrid shook his big head, "better get you two to a fire." Ron nodded, and the group started for Hagrid's cabin.
Bunny followed, but further behind the group. She wasn't sure why, but she didn't feel like she belonged in their group. Drawing in a shuddering breath, she raised a hand to her heart. Her lungs were burning, so bad that it brought tears to her eyes. Stopping, she tried to gain her breath, why was she having such a hard time?
"Bunny?"
She looked up, her mouth open, as she tried to draw in air. It was becoming harder and harder by the second.
"Bunny!"
She dropped to her knees in the snow, her robes landing with a plop at her side. She gasped, only to gag, on the little air she brought in. It was like she was drowning. As if she was still in the water, unable to breath.
"Hagrid hurry, something's wrong with Bunny!" She barely felt the hand on her shoulder, and Harry's voice, which was right next to her left ear. "Bunny, Bunny!"
Spots appeared before her eyes, and everything was growing dark. She couldn't breathe, couldn't think, and she couldn't hear. Why couldn't she bring in air? There was plenty of it around!
Her vision blurred, till darkness swept over her. The last thing she remember before passing out, were two arms picking her up from the cold, cold snow.
?????
"She should be okay now." Madam Pomfrey set the glass of water on the table next to the bed. She turned to face the other person in the room. "But I would like to keep her in here for at least three days to make sure."
Professor Dumbledore nodded, as he moved towards the bed. "Do you know what happened?"
The tiny woman, dressed as a nurse sighed, glancing at the girl lying on the bed. "I can only guess. I've never seen anything like it. Mr. Weasley informed me, she fell through the ice over the lake." She sighed again moving from the bed. "He went to find help, and met up with Harry and Hagrid."
Dumbledore stared at the child through the half moon spectacles he wore. "How long was she down in the lake?"
Madam Pomfrey made a noise that faintly sounded like a whimper, as she replaced her medical supplies. "Three minutes. Which leads me to what I think happened." She shook her head, "The poor girl, must have been terrified."
Dumbledore shook his head, "Oh I don't believe she was terrified Poppy. She has seen far worst of things, then the creatures of the lake."
The nurse frowned, "What do you mean Albus?"
The aging man shook his head, "It is not my place to say Poppy. But please continue." The younger woman, with blonde hair, slightly gray at the temples sighed with frustration. "She was down there for three whole minutes. She should have died, but she was alive and breathing just fine, as Mr. Potter informed me." She nodded her head indulgently.
She hesitated slightly to continue, but after a few passing seconds of silence, she added faintly, "I think she met one of those creatures. The ones living in the lake, merpeople."
Dumbledore nodded, "You are correct in your assumption Poppy. Miss Moon did meet one of the merpeople, but not just any merman. She met the eldest son of Merchiefteness Murcus Senior, their leader."
The nurse blinked in surprise, "B-but, how do you know?"
Dumbledore smiled ruefully, "Because Merchiefteness told me, before I came down here. He informed me, that a witch had fallen into the lake, and his eldest son saved her, much to his displeasure." He clasped his hands in front of him, and his tired eyes stared at the sleeping blonde.
"Merchiefteness Junior, must have helped her by giving her the air she needed, by the only means he knew possible." He turned from the bed to give Madam Pomfrey a quizzical look. "Which was from his own lungs. But by doing so, he nearly made her into a mer.err well a mergirl."
Frowning, the woman asked, her hands on her hips, "Why didn't he just take her to the surface?" Sighing, Albus Dumbledore shook his head, "That I am not sure of. I will have to ask him, I assume." He moved back from the bed, his eyes never leaving the prone body lying peacefully on the bed.
She was dressed in a medical gown, after she was brought in that morning. She now lay on the hospital bed, the blankets tucked in at her chest. A bottle hooked to the wall, rested next to her, a tube running from it, only stopping just above her mouth. Every minute, a drop would fall into her parted lips. She would then breath in deeply.
"If we know what's wrong, shouldn't there be a way to cure her of this.this defect?" Madam Pomfrey waved a hand to the dripping tube.
Dumbledore moved towards the door, his intent to leave, and let the girl rest. "I.well there isn't a full cure. She will never be the same again Poppy. From now on, she will have to carry around water wherever she goes."
"You're not serious!" Pomfrey had drawn a hand to her mouth, to hide the horror in her face.
Albus dropped his eyes to the floor, "I'm afraid so. She will need a bottle of water with her, for everywhere she goes. It will be a precaution for when she needs the water to breath." He looked up at the door, his face grim. "If she would have stayed with Merchiefteness any longer, she wouldn't be able to use oxygen at all means to breath. She would be one of them. But because she had only used his air for such a small amount of time, she will only need it when it because too difficult to breath." He pushed the door open, but the nurse's voice made him pause.
"What do I tell her when she wakes?"
Albus answered, just before he left the hospital wing, "The truth." The door shut softly behind his retreating form.
?????
"Now you take it easy young lady. You had a rough couple of days." Opening her eyes to the bright morning light, Bunny faintly wondered how she ended up in a bed, with white linen sheets tucked in up to her chin.
Water dripped from above her, landing in her mouth. Drinking it, she felt the tingling sensation seize, and the numbness throughout her body vanished.
A minute seemed to pass, before another drop of water fell from the ceiling, only to land on her tongue. Was there a leak in the roof?
"Now hold on, I said take it easy." She realized suddenly, that she was trying to sit up. Her vision cleared, and she could see Madam Pomfrey fussing over her, like a mother hen with her chicks. "Wha."
The nurse threw up her arms in frustration, "I told you to relax, now I want you lying down." Bunny felt two hands pushing her back down on the bed. What was going on? How did she get here?
"I see she has finally awaken." Looking over, Bunny noticed Professor McGonagall standing in the doorway, her face creased with a frown.
"P-Professor?" She inhaled sharply, as another drop of water fell into her mouth. Unlike she expected, she didn't choke, when the water entered her lungs, but in fact, she felt her lungs expand more than anytime she inhaled since she had woken up.
What was going on?
Professor McGonagall stepped into the room, and glanced over at the nurse. "It's all right Poppy. Albus has asked me to tell her the news."
"News?" Even at the nurse's protests, Bunny pushed herself up in the bed, so that she was sitting up. A drop of water hit her on her head. Frowning, she looked up, to see a tube right above her. "Eh?"
Professor McGonagall, pulled up a chair next to the bed, and took a seat. "You may leave Poppy. I believe Miss Moon will want privacy." The nurse frowned, but left nonetheless.
Reaching up, Bunny moved the tube, so that it dripped onto the floor. "Professor," she paused, her eyes watching the water drip, it was fascinating. She fought the urge to lick her lips greedily. "How did I get here? I don't remember why." she trailed off, her eyes following the drop of water.
She sighed, it almost coming out as a whimper, as the water hit the floor. What a waste.
Frowning, Bunny reached up, rubbing her neck, and shook her head. What was she thinking?
"Miss Moon."
"Bunny."
"Err.yes well, there is something I must tell you." She leaned forward, adjusting her bifocals nervously. "Do you remember what happened the day after yesterday? On Christmas Eve?"
Bunny tilted her head slightly, forcing herself to drag her eyes away from the tube. "I." she frowned trying to think, Christmas Eve. Ron?
"I remember Ron and I throwing snowballs at." her eyebrows drew together, who was it that she had hit a snowball with. Red hair. Ron? She shook her head, another Weasley.
"Oy Fred and George. I hit them with a snowball."
McGonagall's mouth twitched forming a half smile. "Yes." She cleared her throat, time slightly pressing on her. "Do you remember the ice? The lake?"
Bunny blinked, coldness seemed to wash over her. The water rising up over her head, the ice wall closing in above her, and locking her within the darkness. She swallowed, her body shuddering repulsively. Nodding, she replied, "Yes."
McGonagall nodded, "I see. Then do you remember what happened when you fell through the ice?" Bunny lifted her gaze from the plain white sheets; she was it gripping tightly with both hands. She stared at something over the Professor's shoulder. McGonagall followed her gaze, to the black robes hanging up near the fireplace, now dry.
"Something pulled my robes off me." She blinked rapidly, her memory coming back in folds. "I saw a merman!" Her eyes widened, nearly taking on the size of saucers, "and he kissed me!!!"
Her jaw slightly dropped, and her hands flew up to cover her mouth in shock. "B-but, I read in the books. Merpeople don't like witches and wizards!" She stared at the Professor accusingly, as if the woman had lied to her.
"He saved my life."
McGonagall took in the site of the girl's pale face. "Here, have some water." She reached over to the glass filled with water on the small table next to the bed. Bunny faintly nodded, taking the glass offered to her. She tipped it to her lips, and greedily drank the water. It felt great, but before she knew it, she had drank half over half the glass, but that wasn't what frightened her. She realized she wasn't swallowing the water.
Dropping the glass she watched it fall into her lap, spilling its sweet liquid. "I.what's wrong with me!"
McGonagall reached out collecting the glass, "Miss Moon, if you relax, I will explain everything." Looking at the old witch, Bunny asked gravely, "Explain what, to me?"
?????
"Oy Bunny, you're looking better!" Fred walked into the room, and suddenly the infirmary filled with warmth. "Hey Fred" She sat up in the bed, setting down the water bottle on the table next to her bed. "I feel much better." There was a knock on the door, before it opened. "Oy Buns you're finally awake. Hey Fred." George stepped into the room, and shut the door behind him. "I'm not interrupting anything am I? Good!"
Fred rolled his eyes, as he pulled up a chair next to the bed, the blonde was lying in. George didn't bother with a chair, but made himself right at home. He plopped down on the edge of the bed, bouncing on the mattress slightly, as he shifted to get comfortable.
Fred chuckled, a mischievous grin playing on his face. "Getting out soon?"
Bunny looked away from George, to Fred, "Yes. This afternoon actually. I'll be in my own bed again." A half smile formed on her face.
George shifted on the bed, "I can see why you miss your bed. Not the most comfortable bed eh?" Bunny shook her head, her smile growing. "How are you two doing anyway?"
George is on the bed, while Fred is on the chair. She repeated it over and over in her mind.
Fred shrugged, while George answered, "Not much. Enjoy the rest of our break, before classes begin again. Blimey I bet you haven't opened your presents yet."
"Presents?" Her eyebrows drew together, her lips forming a line. She had presents? Fred nodded, as if hearing her question, "Yea. Be right back with them. George watch her, make sure she doesn't make a run for it." He pushed himself up off the chair, and hurried from the room.
Bunny watched him, "Who gave me presents?" Her heart swelled, and she could feel tears pricking her eyes. For three years, she went without anything, unless you count the occasional pair of underwear from Vicky.
George leaned across the bed, and asked, "Madam Pomfrey hasn't been letting anyone see you, sure you're okay?" The blonde looked at him, her eyes drying. "Yes, why wouldn't I be?"
The door opened, and Fred appeared again, his arms filled with present. "Ah here we go." He moved to her bed, and dropped the boxes on the mattress. "Those are all for me?"
Fred nodded, "One from us," he pointed to the box wrapped in green paper. He then pointed to another wrapped in blue, "Blimey even got one from mum. Ron must have told her about you."
George held up one wrapped in strange black paper, "no name on this one." He shrugged.
Bunny picked up the green one, and delicately pulled the paper away. Both George and Fred watched with a bit of impatient. "Bloody hell Buns, you're going to be here all day."
Flushed, the blonde pulled out the box. "I never get presents, I'm just savoring each second."
Fred and George shared a look, but it was Fred who spoke up, "Why not?"
She sighed, carefully opening the box. Her eyes widened, to find it stuffed to the rim with candies off all kinds. Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans, chocolate frogs, Drooble's Best Blowing Gum, Licorice Wands, and others she had never seen before. She looked up, at the twins, tears filling her eyes.
George shifted on the bed, "Bought them last weekend at Hogsmeade." Setting the box aside, she threw herself at the red haired boy, and hugged him. "Thank you!" Her hands fisted around the cloth of his sweater, and tears slipped passed her lids.
"Hey, what about me? It was my idea to get the Pumpkin pasties." Pulling from George, she held her arms open for the Fred. He grinned, and moved towards her. "Thank you guys so much!" She hugged him tightly, but not nearly as long as she had hugged George. Pulling away, she turned to look at the blue present.
She tore into the present, unable to hold back her excitement. Tossing the paper to the floor, she opened the box. She pulled out a pink sweater from within. On the front was a big letter B.
She stared at it, the smile on her face fading.
Fred groaned, "Oy she gave Harry a sweater too. We really need to talk to that woman eh George?" The other boy nodded, "she's got to understand, we are too old for getting one every year now." George turned back to the blonde on the bed, "If you don't want it, give it to us. We'll give it to Ginny, she likes them."
He went to take it from her, but Bunny clutched the sweater to her chest. "No." She buried her face into the soft wool. "Its beautiful." She choked on a sob, her body trembling. "I'll write your mum a thank you as soon as I get my parchment and quill." She carefully folded the sweater, and set it onto the box of her sweets.
She wiped at the shedding tears, and sniffled. Bunny turned her eyes to the third present. Who could it have been from?
"All right that's it, you two need to go. You can visit her later when she is released." Madam Pomfrey waved her hand to the door. "Miss Moon needs to get some rest."
Bunny looked up, as George and Fred shuffled out of the room. "Bye Buns.
"See yea at dinner Bunny."
Bunny waved, a smile forming on her face. The door shut behind them. Madam Pomfrey shook her head, "Well its time for you to get some sleep. You've had a rough day."
Bunny looked at the present, "Can I open my last present first?" The nurse nodded, "All right." She dimmed the lights, a few of the candles going out. "But then its straight to bed."
She then parted from the room, leaving Bunny alone with the black box. Pulling the box into her lap, she ripped the paper off, leaving bare the small package. She didn't wait any longer to open it.
She pulled out an old looking camera. She turned it around in her hands, before setting it down gently in her lap. Next she took out an envelope. Tossing the box aside, and stared at the letter.
Bunny Moon Hufflepuff Dormitory Hogwarts
She frowned slightly there was no return address. Turning the letter over, she pulled at the seal, before she took out the letter within. Something fell out, landing on her lap.
Momentarily forgetting the letter, she picked up the pictures. She stared for a long time at the first one, slightly shaken at what she saw.
It was a picture of her mother, when she was younger, and in school. She was wearing her school uniform decorated with a silver and green striped tie. She was grinning, her face glowing with happiness, even though the two boys she had her arms wrapped around were glowering at one another. Bunny eyed one boy, with sandy blonde hair, and familiar pair of blue eyes. The other one was frighteningly familiar all together. The same greasy black hair, and black orbs.
Bunny forced herself to turn to the next picture. This one was just as bad to look at as the first. It was of her mother, standing with none other than a younger looking Professor Dumbledore.
Sighing shakily, she turned to the last picture, and an inaudible sound escaped passed her lips.
The picture was of that of a group of people. Most of who were dead now, and some alive. She first recognized the Potters, Lily and James standing to one side, waving at her. Then her mother, standing with Professor Snape. They were talking to one another, Snape's face creased with worry, while Bunny's mother was waving at the camera, a half smile on her lovely face. She also recognized Dumbledore and McGonagall. But she didn't recognize the last two people in the picture, who were standing with the Potters. The tallest, had a handsome young face, with dark hair, and warm eyes, as he laughed out loud at something. She had seen his picture from somewhere, maybe an older version. The second was a young man with a light shade of brown hair, and raggedy clothes. His face seemed pale, but he was smiling towards the camera.
She held up the letter, she had neglected to look at first; she opened it, and read what it contained.
Bunny,
Remember me as I was, not as I am now. Use the camera to add more memories to our book.
She searched the paper for something more. Her hands were shaking, and tears spilled from her eyes. "Mum?" She didn't need to see a signature to know whom it was from.
"Miss Moon, I told you to get some rest. Now put those things away, and get some sleep." Madam Pomfrey shook her head with a frown, before bustling from the room once more.
She drew in a shaky breath, and placed the photos with the rest of her presents. Lying the camera down on the table, she laid down on the bed. "I miss you so much mum."
She closed her eyes, and waited for sleep to take her.
?????
"Bunny, Bunny wake up." She groaned, cracking an eye open. "Eh?" She blinked, staring blurrily around the room. Shaking her head, she stuffed her face into the pillow.
"Bunny wake up."
"What!"
Her head snapped up, and she glared around the room. She had been having a wonderful dream about swimming in the lake. Groggily, she pushed herself up so that she was seated on her bed. "Whose there?" She looked around the Hufflepuff common room with a frown. Someone had called her name right?
"Bunny shhh it's me."
"Harry?" She looked around the room looking for him. How could he have gotten in?
Suddenly she heard the sound of rustling of cloth. Following the direction she heard it from, she watched as Harry seemingly appeared in the room. Her jaw gapped open, "How'd you do that?"
Harry pressed a finger to his lips. "Its an invincibility cloak. My father left it for me. Come on I want to show you something."
Heart racing, she could barely contain herself. An adventure! She scrambled out of her bed, but paused at the pitcher of water. Lifting the already filled bottle, she took a long swallow. The water was refreshing, and it brought the dream freshly to her mind. Sighing, she carefully set the glass down.
"Where are we going?" Harry pulled the cloak over them both. "I found this mirror, and it shows me my parents. I showed Ron, and he saw himself with the Quidditch cup."
Bunny frowned, as she let Harry lead her from the dormitory. "The Quidditch cup? But he's not a Quidditch player." Harry shook his head, "No, but that's the thing, the mirror doesn't show us our future." His lips formed a straight line. "It'll be better if I showed you."
She nodded, "All right." He led her up the stairs to the entrance hall, and then up the marble staircase. She yawned tiredly, as they made there way up several flights of stairs, and down many corridors. "Where is-" she was cut off, by Harry pressing his hand over her mouth.
They paused, their backs pressed against the wall, as Filch appeared in the corridor they were in. His eyes slid over the hall, before he continued on. It wasn't until they heard a door slam, before they felt like they could breath.
"That was close."
Bunny nodded, her eyes scanning the area they were in. She didn't recognize it. "Harry where are we?"
They approached a suit of armor, which she remembered from the night she had followed Snape. She suddenly knew exactly where they were. "Harry are you sure?" He pushed the door open, and they slipped inside, the door shutting close behind them.
Instantly, he jerked the cloak off of them, and sprinted across the room. Bunny shivered, her body trembling from the cold. Her eyes roamed over the room wearily, before they settled on Harry, who was standing in front of an old mirror. "Harry?" She never thought she would see the day, Famous Harry Potter infatuated with his appearance.
Moving up behind him, she looked at their reflection through the mirror. "Harry, I'm cold, can we go back please."
The boy turned, "Have a look Bunny." He moved to the side, almost reluctant to pull away. She looked at him sadly, "Harry, this isn't right, we should be sleeping." She frowned, noticing his pale face. "Harry have you been getting any sleep at all?"
His green eyes slightly narrowed in annoyance, "Look at the mirror Bunny. What do you see?"
The blonde sighed heavily, before she turned to look at her reflection. "I see myself Harry. Can we go now?" He shook his head, "Wait a second, you'll see."
Bunny pursed her lips together, and stared at her reflection longer. She watched, as her image faded, only to be replaced by something else. But it wasn't just anything, but something hideous.
"You see something right?"
Bunny stepped back, her hand flying to her mouth, to fight off the scream rising in her throat. "Oh god." She shook her head in denial, stepping away. She had to get out of here, had to get away from the mirror.
"Bunny what's wrong, you look sick."
Bunny stared at image with horror, but a small part of her praised at the sight, drinking in the image greedily.
"So, back again Harry?"
She could hear Harry talking with someone behind her, but it sounded so faint. All she could see was the image in the mirror, as it seemed to come to life in her mind. A sob ripped from her throat, cutting everything off, by the sound of it.
Her body shook, as coldness swept over her form. She tore her eyes from the mirror, and threw herself into closest thing to her. Albus Dumbledore sighed heavily, his gaze softening on the blonde girl. Her face was buried into his robes, her fingers clutching the cloth as if for dear life.
"It's going to be okay Bunny." He patted her head affectionately, but the girl only sobbed harder, her body trembling with each cry.
He lifted his eyes to the boy still standing near the mirror, "Harry, the happiest man alive could use this mirror as a regular mirror, and see himself exactly as he is. Do you see what this mirror shows us?"
Harry looked anxiously at the mirror, then back to Bunny. "What did she see?" He gazed at the mirror, "It showed her what she wanted, so then why."
Dumbledore shook his head gently, "It shows us nothing more or less than the deepest, most desperate desire of our hearts." His eyes dropped to the girl holding onto him. "You who have not known your family, see them standing next to you. Ronald Weasley who has lived in the shadows of his elder brothers sees himself standing alone, and out doing them all."
Harry looked at the mirror, "Then why is Bunny upset?" He couldn't understand, he saw something he wanted, Ron saw something he wanted. Then why was she crying? He lifted his green eyes from the mirror, to the two standing several feet from him.
Dumbledore gazed at the mirror, "Bunny, Professor Snape is right outside, have him take you back to the Hufflepuff common room." He pulled her away, and gently nudged her in the direction of the door. She walked away from them, her face buried in her hands. She didn't dare look back at the mirror.
When the door closed behind her, Dumbledore looked over at Harry. He was staring at the door Bunny had disappeared through. "Harry, what would you believe when a person would look into that mirror, that shows us our greatest desire, when that said person has seen the death of their parent?" Harry frowned, "What do you mean Professor?"
Albus sighed, "It is not my place to say Harry, but what Bunny saw through that mirror, was the only darkest thought within that girl's mind.
"The mirror will be moved to a new place tomorrow, Harry, and I would prefer you didn't go looking for it. Now, why don't you put that admirable cloak back on, and get off to bed?"
Harry nodded numbly, and reluctantly moved across the room. He picked gathered his father's old cloak, he had dropped earlier in his haste to see his parents. Stopping at the door, he took one last look at the mirror, his heart aching. Forcing himself to turn, Harry left the room, leaving Dumbledore alone.
Albus Dumbledore stared at the mirror, his eyes creased with worry. "The worst has yet to come." He shook his head with a heavy sigh, and also left the room that held the Mirror of Erised.
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Hey peeps! How are ya? Are all of you enjoying the story so far?? Just gotta say this chapter took me forever to come up with, so I hope you guys enjoyed it. I liked it, probably could have added more, but I had to stop there, if I wanted the next chapter to be long at all. Hehe. One question, before I state the polls. Any Wood/Bunny lovers???? Eh? Well if any of you are out there, then you'll want to read the next series, when it comes out. I promise romance!!!! But only flings. Nothing serious to jeopardize the major couple.
Um.oh yes, srry Snape/Bunny fans. This story will not have that couple. Because I have a special ploy set out for that potion master! I'm sure you guys will like it nonetheless.
Polls!
Harry/Bunny: 42
Ron/Bunny: 27
Ron/Ami: 4
Ron/Hermione: 2
Draco/Bunny: 26
Draco/Lita: 6
Twins/Bunny: 1
Twins/Mina: 1 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Chaser: 8
Keeper: 2
Beater: 2
Well enjoy! Tata for now LP signing out