A/N: Thanks for your patience on this story! This is a shorter chapter as it felt too long to try and squeeze everything in one, so I will plan to do one shorter chapter after this to wrap it all up :) Hope you like this little chapter as much as I liked writing it.
They say she had slept for 16 hours. The horrible crook in Arah's neck was evidence of that- if she had to spend one more night in that stuffy hospital room, she'd surely go mad. But if what Madam Strout said was true, she may not have to. After Arah had stumbled into St. Mungo's and told them what she had discovered, Jacob's condition had slowly improved since then.
"Protego Diabolica?" Madam Strout had shook her head in disbelief, "You're absolutely certain of this?"
"Yes, you have to trust me on this." Arah said with conviction.
Madam Sprout chewed at her fingers, her mind processing this new and very crucial bit of information. As if waking from a dream, she immediately perked up and began to bark orders to every surrounding Mediwizard. Before long, half a dozen MediWizard ducked in and out of Jacob's room, bringing new potions and ointments, writing fervently on clipboards, and casting spells over him.
Madam Sprout took a breath, turning to her. "Miss Annon, I don't know how you found this information, but it may very well have saved your brother's life. It is a miracle the poor lamb even survived such a curse. But if you are correct, I believe he will be okay."
He will be okay.
The words made her knees wobble as a flood of relief crashed over her. Arah crumpled onto the hospital sofa, a mixture of a laugh and a sob escaped her lips as she covered her mouth in disbelief.
"He is incredibly lucky. If all goes well, we should see improvements very soon."
Arah waited and in her waiting, she finally allowed herself to feel the weight of her exhaustion from the last few days and gave in to the sleep she so desperately needed.
It wasn't long after Arah awoke, Chiara had come to convince her to get away from the hospital for a bit. "It will be good for you." she had said. Arah had glanced at her brother, his chest rising and falling with ease. To Chiara's surprise, Arah had agreed.
"Butterbeer with friends is a cure-all, you know," she said lightly, handing her a warm mug of the comforting drink. And she was right. Arah felt lighter than she had in days as she looked around The Three Broomsticks, surrounded by her closest friends. Everyone had come to support her after hearing the news of her brother. It was an honor to have such companions drop everything just to be there for her. Arah swallowed the lump beginning to form in her throat- taking a sip to hide the emotions that threaten to spill.
Charlie and Andre's voices boomed over the rest as they were in the midst of a heated debate over Quidditch (as usual). Arah smiled to herself, grateful for the sense of normalcy that seemed to settle amongst the group.
"Oh shut it, Charlie." Andre sneered. "Arah, help us settle this like adults. Tell Weasley here, the only team taking home the cup this season is Pride of Portree." Andre flung an arm around her.
Arah shrugged, "I hate to say it Charlie, but I think hell would freeze over before the Chudley Cannons ever won a season."
Charlie clung his heart in shock at such hurtful words. "Arah, how could you? I thought we were mates."
Andre barked out a booming laugh. "I knew I could count on you, Curse-breaker." he winked at her, and she was surprised to find herself laughing with them.
The sounds of her friends' chatter hummed throughout the room as Arah scanned each of their faces, Barnaby seemed to be missing from the bunch- she quieted her disappointment at his absence. But to her dismay, Merula had shown, though she seemed to be brooding alone in a desolate corner. But she came nonetheless, and that had to mean something... right? Arah excused herself from the table and approached the sulking witch.
"Care if I sit?"
Merula glared in response as Arah challenged her with a lifted brow. With a dramatic eye roll and a sigh, she caved, kicking a stool out from under the table. "Fine."
At first, they sat awkwardly in silence, the ever-present tension continuing to keep them at a standstill. Arah cleared her throat, speaking low so that their friends wouldn't hear them. "Look...I just wanted to say thank you. My brother wouldn't be alive without you."
"...don't mention it." Merula avoided eye contact. "Really. Don't."
Arah ignored her, "Well, I appreciate it. I wouldn't have figured out Dai Ryusaki's curse on my own- not without your help anyways."
"Dai Ryusaki? Who's that? I have no idea what you're talking about," she snarked, sipping her drink with an air of arrogance. "Perhaps you should drink some more Butterbeer and get yourself sorted." Arah couldn't stop the grin that spread- it was so... Merula. As strange as it was to admit, it was nice having this pain-in-the-ass pretentious version of the witch back.
"Whatever you say, Snyde." She stood to leave.
"Wait." Arah paused, staring at Merula's demeanor change. "The Circle of Khanna is meant to be there for one another in times of need. Remember that."
Arah paused, surprised at her words. Memories of their trials flitted through her mind; the Buried Vault, the Crutiatus Curse, Rowan. Merula had been there for it all. She thought back to their conversation the other night. Maybe Merula was right- there was another side of the story that she wasn't seeing... and Arah was determined to uncover it. "I will."
Arah returned back to her seat, lost in thought until a chilly gust of wind blew through the pub's open door, revealing a panting Barnaby Lee, cheeks flushed from the cold.
"What I miss?" He huffed, taking the empty seat next to Liz as she handed him a hot cup of Butterbeer. "Thanks, mate." He clapped her on the back- causing her glasses to go crooked. She straightened them mechanically as if this happened so often between the two of them.
"Where were you anyways?" Tulip chided between mouth fulls of cauldron cakes.
"Detention." Barnaby shrugged, casting a swift glance at Arah giving her a smile that she coyly returned before he turn back to Tulip. "Filch made me polish trophies for hours. I honestly think my fingers are turning silver." He survey his fingers closely, eyebrows furrowed with concern.
"That's impossible" Tulip laughed haughtily before pausing briefly, "I think... let me see." She inspected his fingers closely - causing Arah to giggle. She would have to thank him later for his noble sacrifice that night.
The group conversed with one another over rounds of butterbeer until Penny stood, clinging a fork against her glass to gather everyone's attention. "I have something I need to say," Penny cleared her throat as the room slowly fell into silence - unsettled by her serious demeanor.
"Chiara told us Jacob was injured chasing after an artifact 'R' wanted..." Arah could feel everyone's eyes shift to her as Penny continued, "I had thought we were done with that Dark wizard Cabal, but I was wrong. So wrong." Penny said solemnly- her blue eyes pleading for forgiveness. "Arah, I'm sorry we - I'm sorry I made you feel like you couldn't be truthful with us. I want you to know I'll always be there for you. I promise."
Arah opened her mouth, unsure of what to say before she was cut off. "Me too," Barnaby spoke, his green eyes meeting hers as he lifted his glass- a stoic look reflected on his face.
"Ay." Jae chimed in, lifting his drink as well.
"You're not alone, Arah." Badea rose her cup.
"We can take on whatever 'R' throws at us." Ben said confidently, raising his mug.
Murmurs of agreement echoed throughout the room as everyone joined in unison, lifting their glasses toward Arah. Even Merula had joined in- quietly nodding an unspoken agreement.
Sitting there in The Three Broomsticks, surrounded by her friends, the fireplace burning behind them and the last beams of the sunset spilling through the window, tears surfaced without warning- tears of gratitude. Arah's lip trembled, shaking her head before she was able to finally speak. "Thank you-" her voice wavered - "All of you. It's nice to know I've got the best mates on my side."
A few hands clapped her back as she gave a waterly laugh, poorly attempting to pull herself together.
"To the Circle of Khanna!" Charlie bellowed, and they all clinked their cups and polished off their drinks. And in that moment, Arah could have sworn she saw a familiar brown-haired girl with the ugliest knit scarf in the corner of her eye. Of course, she knew it was only the shadows of the fireplace dancing on the walls, but sometimes... she felt her. As if her best friend, Rowan, was watching over them all. It brought a smile to her face.
"ARAH!" Chiara practically screamed, bouncing on her heels, waving a letter in the air. "It's for you, from St. Mungo's!"
Arah stood abruptly- stomach filling with nerves. "What is it?!"
"It's your brother. He's awake!" She beamed, cheeks flushed with excitement.
Arah clung her hand over her chest, mouth agape - processing the news. Her brother was awake?
"Well, what are you waiting for? Go see him!" Tonks cheered, as Arah beamed. Rosmerta was quick to lead Arah to the flu, happy to lend her enough flu powder to make the trip to St. Mungo's. Before she knew it, Arah was running through the stark halls of the hospital- retracing her steps back to her brother's room, unable to hold back the wild smile on her face.
A/N: Ahhh, writing the group of friends together always makes me smile. I just love bringing to life each of their personalities. One last chapter coming SOON (I promise). Leave a review and let me know what you think of this story that ended up being WAY longer than I ever thought it would be. Thanks all!