I awoke the next morning from the same nightmare I had had Christmas eve. A boy dragging me, limp in his arms. He was crying, wailing, tears streaming down his noseless face. Then, in an instant, he was a boy again, young and handsome, falling to his knees. He cried out in anguish, and I opened my eyes. I was looking up into his face.

"Beth," he said, stroking my head. Then, he was a man again, "Don't leave me."

I felt my eyes begin to close again, my heart begin to slow. Rain began to fall, droplets splintering against my cheeks. I could barely feel them now, I was just so cold. I took a deep breath, and then let it all go. I heard a last howl of pain, and then I awoke, cold sweat against my neck, chilling me.

I found tears under my eyes, and Stella was immediately at the foot of my bed.

"Are you alright, Angie? You were yelling quite loudly," she looked concerned. I took her hand, trying to steady my breath.

"I'm fine, thanks. Sorry if I woke you." She looked at me skeptically. "Really, Stell, I'm fine. It was just a bad dream,"

"Ok," she said uncertainly. Then, she checked her watch. "Well, it's six fifteen now anyways, there doesn't seem any point in sleeping now. Hows about we go wander about the castle a bit? I want to check on Peck."

Peck was Stella's owl she had received for her birthday. He had been caught delivering letters without going through Umbridge's screening first and had damaged a wing. Stella had been worried sick about him.

So, we got dressed and mounted the many stairs to the Owlery, where Peck was waiting. Beside the Tawny owl sat a very handsome white one. I knew her as Hedwig, Harry's owl. She was sitting proudly on her perch when she saw me and flew over, a letter clutched in her talons. I prised it out. It was an emergency letter from St Mungo's. They were allowed to bypass Umbridge's investigations. I had heard that Ron's father was being treated there, Hedwig must have been going back and forth a lot.

However, this letter was not addressed to Ron Weasely. It bore my name. I tore it open quickly.

Dear Angeline,

I fear to inform you that your Grandmother, Beth Madralda Bellast, was taken seriously ill last night. We have already informed your mother, but she had expressed no wish to see her. It seems she has already made her peace with it. However, after meeting you months ago, I thought you might want to say your goodbyes. Please hurry, Pauline.

It hit me like a ton weight. Not my Grandmother, not Betty, not when I had just gotten her back. I had to go see her. I didn't care about the consequences of leaving by broom and not the Hogwarts Express that ran on the weekends.

I looked up at Stella, my eyes watering.

"Stell, I've got to go," I told her. She looked over, seeing the St Mungo's seal on the envelope and nodding. Then, I ran. I streaked all the way to the grand floor, but when I reached the Great Hall, I stopped.

Love is something well worth finding. Nothing lasts, but you must treasure it for the time that it lives, and never resent it when it perishes.

I ran downstairs and into the boys dorm, shaking Draco awake.

"Wha-"

"You've got to come with me, Draco. Please, I need you." He heard the plea in my voice and was immediately up, dressing. From the other side of the room, I heard a groan. Blaise sat up in his bed, blinking awake.

"What are you doing at this ungodly hour?" he asked, annoyed. "Get out of here!"

"Shut up Blaise, I'm here for Draco."

"Fine by me," he said, turning over and pulling his duvet over his head. I gave an exasperated sigh.

"Ok, ready." He said.

"Great, we have to go. Now."

We ran to the broom cupboard, hastily pulling out our Nimbus Two-Thousand-and-Ones. I clambered on mine quickly.

"Anti-Muggle charms!" I shouted behind me as I began to lift up, and bolted towards St Mungo's in London

We touched down in London at nine in the morning, and I ran in quickly, intuitively finding my way to the Spell Damage ward. When finally I reached the room my Grandmother was in, I halted.

"I-I can't" I said, somewhat surprised.

"You can't what? Angie, what's going on?"

"My Grandmother's in there, she's... I can't just watch her..."

Draco clasped my shoulders and spun me to face him. i couldn't meet his eyes, so I started at the floor, eyeing my worn boots.

"Angie, Angie look at me," I forced myself to look up, "Angie, your Grandmother is not going to last forever, heck, nobody does. That's why you can, Ok? You can, because otherwise, you'll regret it. I nodded, and then, mustering up all my strength, I opened the door, clutching Draco's hand.

"My Angeline! Is that you?" rasped a voice coming from the bed. The frame of Betty sat up, skin barely finding anywhere to hang on limp bones. The hollows under her eyes had become more prominent, and her hand trembled as she reached out to me. I took it, immediately rushing to her side, pressing her cold hand to the warmth of my cheek.

"My dear child, what are you doing here? I thought I was never to see you again. Maybe it would have been better that way. One less to mourn for."

I shook my head in her cheek, unable to form words. Tears streamed noiselessly down my face as I looked upon the woman I had been deprived of. Betty's eyes still glowed as she regarded me. I reached my hand behind me, beckoning Draco. He approached the bed. I took his arm and pulled him forward.

"This is him," I choked. I had never seen such a smile break my Grandmother's face before, but it warmed my heart and made me cry even harder, knowing it would be the first and last time. As the sobs began to rip themselves from my body, shaking me each time they escaped, Draco excused himself. Betty placed her other hand on mine, taking hers from my cheek, stilling the bawls.

"Love is something well worth finding. Nothing lasts, but you must treasure it for the time that it lives, and never resent it when it perishes. Angie, you must remember that, please. This boy, I know him. I knew him long ago in another form. He loves you, but I dread that your fate may mirror mine. Don't forever lead with your heart, it's the easiest way to have it break."

I smiled a weak smile as if in consent. Later I would learn the value of her words.

Then, I hugged her with all the remaining strength I had, and whispered a remorseful 'goodbye'. She fell asleep before I left. When I did, I needed Draco to support me to my broom. I cried all the way home. The next day I received a letter. Betty had died.