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Chapter 25

When I regained consciousness, I layed for a few moments with my eyes closed, waiting for my mind to adjust.

I heard muffled voices, sounding as if they were coming from miles away.

I felt a hand gently stroking mine.

"That's not what I'm saying, of course I'm concerned about her, I was just pondering what would happen to the quidditch team if she sustains these injuries."

"You and your stupid quidditch! your friend is here dying and all you can think of is your quidditch! You stupid boy."

"Well. At least I'm not a snobby, uptight prefect!"

"Excuse me-"

"Shh!" Another voice demanded. "She's waking up!"

I groaned as my eyes fluttered fully open. I tried to sit up, and felt a wave of wooziness hit me.

"Easy there" Rodger's gentle voice chided. He let go of my hand which he was holding, to help me sit up against the headboard.

Lily was immediately cooing, "Bella! Thank merlin you're awake! How are you feeling?"

"Alright I guess." I said, trying to keep my eyes open. "Well, I'm not dying at least."

Lily blushed, "I only said that to prove a point to this fat-headed oaf!" She pointed an accusatory finger at James, who opened his mouth to retort.

"You two, don't start this now," Remus interjected "I'm going to get Madame Pomfrey." He rose and disappeared into the elderly matron's office.

I looked around, Rodger, James, Mary, Marlene, Lily, Sirius and Peter were all sitting around the bed.

My eyes lingered on Sirius, who gave me a soft smile.

"We were so worried Bella" Mary said in a voice that sounded like she was trying to hold back tears. "You've been unconscious for about three hours now, but Pomrfey said that you should be fine by tomorrow!"

"What was that thing Bells? That attacked you." Marlene inquired curiously. Everyone turned to me with interest.

"I..I..." I struggled to find words. I gulped, suddenly remembering the vicious glint in the creature's yellow eyes.

"Enough of that! She doesn't need to go back through all those events just yet. Move aside" she pushed past Rodger to give me a potion.

"It will help with the dizzyness" she informed.

I brought it to my mouth. The pungent smell alone of lemongrass, pine and something musky was enough to knock half the disorientation out of me.

I drank it down and instantly felt much better.

I wriggled to find a more comfortable position and was panicked to find that I couldn't feel or move my leg.

Madame Pomfrey noticed my discomfort and glanced at me while she was preparing another potion, "not to worry dear, it's only a numbing ointment, you'd be in excruciating pain otherwise. You'll need to sleep here tonight, and you will be discharged in the morning, your leg will be as good as new!"

She handed me the other potion. "Now that your mind is clear, you'll be needing this sleeping draught to get some good rest. Now off with the rest of you!" She barked at the others.

Once I had drank the potion, I felt a sense of calm weariness wash over me. The matron gingerly helped me to lie down again, and gave me a look of such fervent gentleness and care that I hadn't seen grace her face before. She quickly straightened and made to head back into her office.

The others began to move out, saying their goodbyes. Rodger gave me a gentle kiss on the forehead but I didn't even notice. My eyes were unwaveringly glued to Sirius.

He languidly rose from his stool, his actions slow as if he was reluctant to leave.

My eyelids grew heavy and in a moment of tired desperation, I reached out a hand to Sirius'.

He turned back around in surprise.

"Will you stay?" I whispered.

He looked to Madame Pomfrey, who gave one quick, solemn nod before shutting the door of her office.

The others exited the ward, and Sirius drew closer and sat right next to my head, not letting go of my hand.

He didn't say a word, and nor did I as I drifted off into a peaceful, unperturbed sleep.

"Are you sure you're fine to go to class?" Remus asked me as we walked out of the Great Hall after breakfast the next morning.

"Yes I'm good as new just like Pomfrey said! And besides, I don't want to miss a lesson of Potions" I said enthusiastically.

"As eager to study as always" He smiled.

"Like you can talk"

"Good point."

We laughed as we headed down to the dungeons.

It turned out we were only learning theory in potions for the rest of the week, about the properties of a bezoar, which I had already thoroughly researched. So as I spent the whole lesson having a staring match with Sirius, and laughing at all the faces he pulled behind Slughorn's back.

A note fluttered onto my desk, I opened it with a smile, thinking it was from Sirius.

Hey Bells, what was with you and Sirius yesterday? - J

I looked up and say James shooting me a questioning look with a raised brow.

I looked back in confusion.

What do you mean? - B. I wrote back

You grabbed his hand and asked him to stay...in front of Rodger. He looked pretty upset. - J

I froze with the note in my hand.

"Miss Harper, do you wish to share with the class what's written in that suspicious looking note in your hands?" Slughorn called from the front of the classroom.

"No sir, sorry I'll put it away"

He gave me a look, and continued on with his lesson.

After the lesson was finished, I headed straight for James' table.

"Did he say something?" I asked him

"No, he just looked pretty jealous. Just a heads up" he said, as he left the classroom.

I followed, with a sinking feeling in my stomach.

"Hey Bella" a soft voice called.

I turned to see Rodger standing by the window in the corridor wearing a pained expression on his face.

"Hi Rodg...what's up?" I asked tentatively.

"How are you feeling?"

"I'm better now." I began to panic at his tone.

"Can we talk?"

I just nodded.

He began to lead me down the stairs and I somehow knew he was headed for the lake.

The unsettled feeling in my stomach rose and amplified into a thick cloud of worry. I knew exactly what was going to happen and this time, there was nothing I could do.

What mess have I gotten myself into.

"Bella" he said, finally turning around and letting go of my hands. He was standing at a stubborn distance away from me. I began to panic more. I looked down at our feet.

"I think this has been in the air for a while." I couldn't meet his eyes.

"Bella." He closed the distance between us and lifted my chin so I would meet his gaze. "Look at me. I think we should break up."

There was silence across the grounds except for a whistling breeze, and a group of second years who were running up to the castle, probably exchanging some comical commentary on our situation and sharing laughter amongst themselves.

I felt my chest tighten and a tear threatened to drip past my lower eye lid. I didn't dare blink.

"When you were hurt, it wasn't me you needed. I can tell you care for me Bella, but it's just not the same. I think this is the best for the both of us."

He let go of my chin and the tear that was bubbled in my eye, fell heavily, shooting straight down my face and onto the ground with speed and force.

We stood like that for a few moments.

I couldn't even part my lips, my throat was dry.

Say something!

Rodger gave me an sorrowful look, one that spoke volumes to me. He wasn't angry, he was hurt. I had been selfish all along.

I felt the breeze as he walked past me, he didn't even brush against my shoulder. I felt the emptiness like a tangible cold wind, felt the weight of the reality that this was over.

"I'm sorry" I whispered as I sank to my knees. I covered my mouth as more silent tears cascaded down my face.

I don't know if he heard me, I don't know if he turned around to see me on the ground. But he didn't make his way back towards me, pick me up and tell me it as going to be alright with a comforting embrace.

Rodger Lee was a kind, caring, sweet and loving person, and he had had enough of me.

Please review people, how was it?

stay sweet,

- Sugar~