Hermione woke me gently the next morning, softly rubbing my arm to rouse me. I inhaled deeply; slowly getting oxygen to my brain before my eyes opened.
"Rose, I'm heading down to breakfast. Would you like to join? It's a long journey back to London."
"Mmhmm—yeah, just let me get changed."
I groggily wiped at my eyes before pulling the covers back and quickly pulling on an old pair of jeans and a T-shirt.
I'd slept curled around Cedric's old green hoodie after downing one of the Dreamless Sleep potions that Dumbledore had given to me yesterday, the empty vial still sitting on my nightstand. I hadn't wanted to take the potion, hoping to save it so that the Dursleys wouldn't hear my nightmares when they came, as I knew they would. But after tossing and turning for what had seemed like hours I finally gave in.
"Ready?" Hermione asked smiling softly at me, the crease between her eyebrows making her worry apparent despite her smile.
I nodded, reaching back to quickly pull Cedric's hoodie over my head before walking downstairs to the common room. Ron and Ginny were waiting for us there, sitting in one of the plush red sofas that were dotted around the fireplace. Both of them were staring deeply into the roaring fire which one of the houseelves had no doubt started earlier that morning.
"Shall we?" I asked as Hermione and I approached where they were sitting.
Ron had deep circles around his eyes, and I could tell that Ginny had been crying recently.
"Yeah, let's go, I'm starving." Ron replied before the four of us headed to the Great Hall.
As we entered, passing one of the Hufflepuff benches before reaching our own, everyones head swiveled and followed us until we'd taken our seats. I pulled the sleeves of the hoodie low over my hands before crossing my arms protectively against my chest, resisting the urge to pull the hood over my head too. Ron sat next to me while Hermione and Ginny took the seats opposite, and Hermione quickly engaged Ginny in a low conversation about her summer plans as they dug in. Ron piled his plate high with fried eggs, sausage and toast, asking if I wanted him to make up a plate for me too.
"Nah, I think I'll just have some pumpkin juice."
He nodded, though I could tell by his tight expression and crinkled brow he was flabbergasted that I could refuse food. I usually gave him a run for his money when it came to calorie packing at meal times, which was saying something for the amount of food that he could put away. I poured myself a big goblet of pumpkin juice, sipping at it slowly. I glanced up at the staff table, finding it nearly empty apart from Dumbledore and McGonagall.
After shoveling almost half his plate into his mouth, Ron paused and put his fork down, wiping his mouth before swiveling slightly so that his body was angled towards mine.
"Promise you'll write this summer? I want to know how you're getting on…"
I met his gaze, my eyes flitting back and forth across his face to try and better read his expression. I could tell he was uncomfortable, his face starting to go red as he continued.
"You really scared me, Rosie. I couldn't see half of what was happening after you got out of the maze, I just heard people start screaming and crying that someone had been killed and I…well, I thought it was you. I mean with the luck you have, it wasn't a far off assumption."
He swallowed loudly before shakily continuing, "It wasn't until I saw Snape pulling you off of Cedric that I knew it wasn't, that you were alive. But in those moments, Rose, I've never been so scared for you in my life. Seeing you get chased around by a bloody dragon, fall from your broom after the dementors attacked on the pitch last year, even after you went into the chamber to save Ginny. All of those horrible things, but this was the worst! And after I spent the start of the year being so horrible to you, the thought of losing you was just—" he broke off in a sob.
"Ron stop, you're going to make me cry" I whimpered, tears already rolling down my cheeks. We usually avoided or put off any emotional conversations, but I could tell he needed to get this off his chest.
"Just, whatever you're feeling, and I know its horrible for you right now Rose, please take care of yourself this summer. Never scare me like that again, please…" his lip started to quiver.
I wrapped my arms around his shoulders, resting my head on his arm as he returned the hug. Hermione and Ginny had stopped talking by then, staring gloomily across the table at us. I wiped my tears before pulling back and quickly wiping Ron's eyes as well, which made him laugh and push me away. I smiled at him as he bent his head down to continue eating, a warm glow burgeoning in my chest that I hadn't felt in ages.
"Moving on that quickly, are we Potter? And what a downgrade, I must say. Don't you agree, Pansy?"
"Oh yes, Diggory was much more handsome."
Draco, Pansy and the small gaggle of Slytherins around them proceeded to chortle like idiots, obviously having witnessed Ron and I hugging.
I felt a dark rage pass over me as I turned around to face them, Ron quickly doing the same.
"Shove it Malfoy, you have no idea what the hell you're talking about."
Malfoy ignored Ron, "And Potter, I would've thought your loyalty to your dead boyfriend would run deeper, being a Gryffindor and all. Show's how much of a slut you are…"
There was an audible gasp from those in the Great Hall who could overhear us, everyone quieting down to see what would happen next.
"Loyalty?" I whispered dangerously, feeling my magic radiating powerfully around me as I fought to control my rage.
"Your father's clearly quite loyal, Draco. As are your fathers, Crabbe and Goyle. Yes, all very loyal to a certain Dark Lord. I expect they'll be thrown into Azkaban soon like the worthless carcases they are, once I give testimony to the Department of Magical Law Enforcement that is. Who will you whine too then, Draco? You should've seen your fathers cowering in fear before Him, I believe Lucious even wet himself…"
I'd made that part up, obviously, but I knew the quickest way to get to them would be to question their family's reputation in front of their peers, proud of their pure-blood status as they were.
Malfoy's face twisted in rage, his arm drawing back for what I'm sure would've been a slap in the face. I tucked my face down to hide from his reach, but when it didn't come I looked up to see Snape's fingers wrapped tightly around Malfoy's forearm, dangerous sparks flying in his dark eyes. He'd stopped Malfoy's blow mid-strike from the looks of it, probably entering the Great Hall from behind us and witnessing the fight as he made his way to the staff table.
Ron and many of the other Gryffindors, and even some Hufflepuffs, were on their feet as I glanced around, many of them looking ready for a fight. I could still feel rage pouring off me, struggling to get a grip before I lost control. Watching Malfoy be dragged out of the Great Hall by Snape, who had a death grip on the scruff of his shirt collar, helped to calm me. I would've gladly fought Malfoy, slightly disappointed that I wouldn't get the chance.
The group of Slytherins had quickly dispersed as Malfoy was pulled out of the Hall, struggling against Snape's grip. I laughed at the sight and pulled Ron back down to sit beside me, waving at Hermione and Ginny to do the same.
"That little prick!" Ron said between clenched teeth. "If Snape hadn't come I would've pounded him, forget wands. I want to feel his nose crunch against my fist!"
"I think Hermione beat you to that method last year Ron." I joked, smiling across the table at her.
"What're you talking about?" Ginny questioned, sliding her wand back into her robes and reaching for her spoon to continue eating.
Ron and Hermione regaled her with the story, Ron doing so loudly so those sitting near us could hear too. Hermione shushed him when it came to her brilliant punch, her cheeks going red as she swatted at him across the table, making me giggle as I egged Ron on.
We were in high spirits for the rest of the morning, heading to the platform after seeing off the Durmstrang and Beauxbatons students. Fleur had found me to say goodbye, everyone dispersing as she approached.
"I hope you have a good summer, Rose" she said in her strong accent before pulling me in for an unexpected hug. "Just tell moi if you should have need of anything. Such a loss, I am sorry ma cherie." She kissed me on both cheeks before gliding off elegantly to where her sister was waiting with a stack of pale blue luggage.
And then we were off, finding an empty compartment on the Hogwarts Express that would fit us all. Neville and Hermione were sat next to me, while all of the Weasley siblings sat across from us, Fred and George entertaining Ginny by changing Ron's hair color without his notice. We heard exclamations of "Look!" coming from nearby as we got settled down and I glanced out the window to see Snape pushing Draco towards the train, and we all chortled as he stumbled up the stairs to get on before he was left at the platform. Everyone laughed as Malfoy walked by the glass compartment doors, his head ducked in embarrassment. Snape must've given him a last minute detention after his behavior in the Great Hall, clearly timing Malfoy's arrival so everyone could see him struggling to get onto the train.
Snape stood on the platform as the train began to pull away, hands held stiffly behind his back. He caught my eye and gave one curt nod, and I thought I saw a hint of a smile on his face too before the train sped away to London.