Okay, so totally uncool of me to leave you guys without an update for this long. I suck! I've been trying to work on another story of mine that was neglected and in the process neglected this one. This story is almost over so I'm going to try and write up the last few chapters so I get it finished and stop leaving you guys in suspense. Hope this tides you over while I do! Thanks for the patience. ^^

~Fluffy

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CHAPTER 15-SOLITARY

Brooke woke up the following morning with the feeling she was supposed to be dreading something. As she became more and more alert what she had been dreading came back to her. Everyone in Gryffindor was meant to start ignoring her. Brooke rolled over in bed and knew she needed to get up; she slid out from under the covers and picked out a clean pair of clothes. She took her time getting ready and then grabbed her bag, after taking a deep breath she walked down the stairs. There were people scattered across the common room and not one head turned to acknowledge her presence. She walked out of the common room and started towards her first class.

As she walked down the hallways she began to notice that people would stop talking when she walked by but still wouldn't look at her. She pulled her arms around herself and continued walking, keeping her head down. When she arrived at the door to her first class she followed a few other students inside and took a seat at an empty table. As more and more people arrived, they made sure not to sit by her and she tried not to show that it bothered her. She sat with her arms crossed on the desk and looked at the board. As the day progressed things didn't get much easier for Brooke, even Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs were unfriendly towards her.

At lunch people shoved in around her at the table and pretended she didn't exist. Bumping into her rudely and reaching over her to grab at the food. Brooke left without finishing her lunch and randomly walked the halls to pass the time. She waved at the portrait that had delivered Fred's message and he waved back. At least portraits weren't petty.

Brooke didn't have much luck in the rest of her classes; it was odd how Angelina and Katie had gotten the other houses involved. Why would they really care about what Brooke had done? When classes were over for the day Brooke avoided the common room and headed out to the grounds. There were fewer people outside than inside. She walked over to the Black Lake and sat down on the grass, leaning forward and peering at her reflection in the water. She looked the same as she always did, same hair, same eyes, same face, but something was missing.

Frowning down at her reflection she realized why she felt something was off. She rarely saw herself looking down or depressed or without a smile; she felt hollow. Sighing Brooke rose to her knees and leaned over the lake, where she dipped her fingers into the water. Watching as it rippled out from her touch. Suddenly hands pushed at her back and she fell face forward into the water. She sucked in copious amounts of water as she fought her way to the surface.

When she broke the top of the water she spluttered and gasped for air. She felt water cough out of her lungs and finally managed to catch her breath. The water was freezing and she shivered, holding her arms tightly around herself. She looked up to find the culprit but they were gone, she held back tears as she swam to the side of the water and pulled herself out. She lay on her back catching her breath and taking deep breaths to try and calm her crying, which didn't really matter now considering she was soaking wet and no one would be able to tell. Her teeth were chattering and she could feel a shiver wrack her body and now and again.

Maybe she could just leave school and be home taught for the rest of the year or maybe she could switch schools. Anything sounded better than staying here and facing the aftermath of what she had done. She then heard footsteps and turned, seeing Bailey walking out towards her and Brooke held back a sob.

"Brooke," said Bailey, running the rest of the way to her. She got onto her knees and pulled the jacket off of her, wrapping it around Brooke. "What happened? You're pale and your lips are blue!"

"S..someone, p..pushed me ih..in," Brooke said, teeth chattering.

"Come on, get up, we need to get you to Madame Pomfrey."

Bailey helped Brooke to a sitting position and then helped her stand. Brooke put a lot of weight on Bailey but she held her up well as they walked into the castle together and to the hospital wing. Madame Pomfrey came out to greet them right away and forced Brooke into a bed where she used a spell to dry her clothes. Bailey stood off the side, watching and Brooke could tell she was concerned. Madame Pomfrey worked her magic on Brooke, warming her with a spell and tucking various blankets around her. It didn't take long for Brooke to warm up, slowly her teeth stopped chattering, she stopped shaking, and her body warmed.

"What happened?" Madame Pomfrey asked.

"I accidentally

fell into the lake," Brooke replied.

"Bollocks! Someone pushed her in," Bailey added, glaring at Brooke.

"Did you see who?" asked Madame Pomfrey.

"No, I didn't," Brooke answered.

"Do you know why someone would do this?"

"Currently my entire house has a vendetta against me, ma'am."

"Do I want to know?"

"No."

"Well, alright, I'd like to keep you overnight just in case, you'll probably miss your first few classes so the other Ms. Cole should try to get your homework for you."

"I'll get right on top of that," Bailey said.

"Let me know if you need anything, Ms. Cole," Madame Pomfrey said, and then she left, heading into her office. Brooke let out a groan and rammed her head back against the pillow, frustrated.

"You don't need a concussion too, Brooke," Bailey said.

"This is all so ridiculous, Bails, I understand anger but someone trying to hurt me? That's just completely nuts!" Brooke cried.

"Any thoughts on who?"

"I don't know, Ang has almost all the houses involved, except Slytherin, they could care less."

"I'm sorry, I don't know how to help you."

"I don't think you can, I need to fix this on my own."

"Yeah, cause that's going great so far."

"Just don't tell mom about this," said Brooke. "She'll go crazy."

"Fine," Bailey replied. "Watch out for those jealous girls though, don't stand near hazardous areas, no walking along balconies or near dragons or something."

"Believe me, I will be on my toes."

"I better go, I got a year's worth of homework to do and not long to do it."

"Okay, I'll probably see you tomorrow."

Bailey nodded and then walked out of the hospital wing; Brooke heaved a deep sigh and looked up at the ceiling. At least no one would bug her while she was in here, not with Madame Pomfrey being omniscient with all the people under her care. Brooke decided to take the chance of being left alone and sleep, she doubted she would get much once she returned to her dorm.