The next morning, Bastila was greeted by the sight of another girl's wand in her face upon waking up. When the girl saw Bastila's eyes open, she sighed in relief and put her wand in her pocket. Bastila sat up slowly, regarding the other girl coolly. "Why?" Said Bastila.
"You're going to be late for breakfast." The other girl said simply, rolling her eyes. "I wasn't going to attack you or anything. I was just going to hit you with a mild stinging hex if you didn't wake up soon."
Bastila smiled as she got out of bed. She looked around and saw no one else in the dormitory. Then she went about with getting changed out of her clothes from yesterday. "Thanks for the concern. I'm Bastila Phoenix."
"Daphne Greengrass. It's a pleasure to meet you." Said the girl, staring at Bastila.
Bastila smiled at Daphne as she changed clothes. "You too."
Silence.
"What's your favorite spell category?" Bastila asked, deciding to keep the conversation going. 'It would be nice if I could have another friend on my first real day. Then I'd have Draco and Daphne.' She thought to herself with a smile. 'Not bad for the new girl on the block.' Daphne smiled at her, still watching as Bastila changed.
"Oh. I'd say Transfiguration. Turning one thing into another." Daphne responded.
"That's the one I'm looking forward to the most, too. Next to potions, anyway." Bastila said with a laugh. She noticed Daphne's eyes on her. Bastila blushed and hastily threw on a shirt and pushed her long dark hair over her shoulders. A contrast to Daphne's pure white hair that was pulled into a ponytail. A few seconds of slipping her shoes on and Bastila was ready for the day. "Down to breakfast then?" Bastila asked. Just then she felt the light weight of Nyssa landing on her shoulder. Nyssa was invisible, following Severus's orders faithfully.
Daphne nodded, not noticing a thing. "Let's go."
The two teenagers made their way to the Great Hall from out of the cold dungeons. Both girls sat on either side of Draco, who seemed to be deep in thought as he stared at the Goblet of Fire. The girls' arrival snapped him out of it and he greeted them both kindly, though he gave Daphne a strange look that Bastila couldn't understand. "How's it going?" Bastila asked, smiling at Draco.
Draco smiled back, then handed Bastila a small potions vial. "This came for you in the mail." Draco suddenly went red as he added, "It's from St. Mungos. I read the note."
Bastila took the vial and thanked Draco. "It's alright. You're my friend." She shrugged and downed the potion in one go and set it back on the table. "I don't have anything to hide from you."
Draco's face flickered for a moment, then he grinned. "Yeah, I reckon we're friends." His eyes again slid over to Daphne, his eyes curious. "What's Greengrass doing with you?"
"She's my friend too. Second friend, anyway. She's the reason I'm not late for breakfast." Bastila smirked, already reaching for some eggs and bacon.
"She's your friend and you just met her a few minutes ago?" Draco asked, dumbfounded.
"You're my friend and I only met you last night." Bastila pointed out, rolling her eyes.
"True." Draco shrugged, helping himself to some toast.
"So what's our first class today?" Bastila asked her friends. "I can't wait to get started already!"
Daphne rolled her eyes muttering "Someones enthusiastic..." while Draco snickered and pulled out his schedule. "Defense against the Dark Arts with the Gryffindors." He said with obvious distaste.
"I thought you liked Defense against the Dark Arts?" Bastila said, feeling confused.
"It's not the class he's not fond of, Bastila. It's the Gryffindors!" Daphne laughed.
"House rivalries? What a waste of time." Bastila said, snatching Draco's schedule out of his hands and reading it before handing it back to him.
The Slytherin trio left for Defense Against the Dark Arts class after breakfast. They were surprised to find that they were some of the first to arrive when they entered the classroom. Bastila stopped in her tracks when she saw three Gryffindors sitting together, two oddly familiar boys and a girl.
Daphne and Draco took up seats in the back of the class, so as to be as far from the Gryffindors as possible. Bastila did the opposite. She walked right up behind the Gryffindor trio, confident and cool as ever. They turned to face her, and Bastila felt her heart skip a beat. They were the two boys from the train! Ron Weasley and Harry Potter, she remembered them saying..
"Bastila?"
Bastila's mind was running too fast for her now as she felt things rush back to her. Her first trip with Dumbledore. Discovering she was a Witch. Diagon Alley and Gringotts.
"I think she still has a knut loose from that coma." Ron whispered, waving a hand in front of Bastila's unblinking, stone still face.
From afar, Bastila saw and heard the girl elbow the Weasley boy. But Bastila was too wrapped up in her own head now. She was remembering too much, FEELING too much! Everything about her life rushed through her until all she could see and hear was her mother.
*Bastila?* Hissed a very alarmed and concerned Nyssa from Bastila's shoulder.
Her mother's love and affection, her hugs and kisses, her comfort. Her joy and support at finding out her daughter was a Witch.
*BASTILA?!* Nyssa screamed, hissing frantically now.
Bastila felt the room spin, but she was only aware of blackness and a single fact. Her mother had been dead for over two years. Bastila felt herself hit the floor and lay there on her back, thrashing and screaming animal noises as anguish and sorrow ripped through her so powerfully and overwhelmingly that it was causing her physical pain. Her body felt as if it was on fire. Her eyes were shut so tight that her face was white and pale, sweat rolling down it as she continued her thrashing. Bastila was dimly aware of Nyssa slithering under a desk, now visible. She heard commotion around her, and some part of her recognized what was happening even through her torturous pain. Then she began slipping away into her sea of thoughts...
"What the hell did you do to my Godsister, Potter?!" Draco roared, his face white as he looked from Bastila to Harry, Ron and Hermione who were now on their feet with wands drawn. Draco's wand was also out and aimed at the Gryffindors.
"Harry didn't do anything!" Hermione yelled back, looking frightened as she watched Bastila herself.
"Godsister?" Ron exclaimed. Though he too was looking at screaming, thrashing girl on the floor.
No one had noticed Nyssa.
Daphne was the only one who wasn't involving herself in the fighting. She was down on her knees beside Bastila, looking at her friend with worry. Bastila looked as if she were under the Cruciatus curse for heavens sake! "STOP IT! ALL OF YOU!" Daphne screamed at Draco and the boys, who were still squaring off and shouting at one another. "WE HAVE TO GET HER TO THE HOSPITAL WING! I DON'T CARE WHO DID OR DIDN'T CURSE HER BUT WE HAVE TO MOVE HER NOW! SOMEONE HELP ME!"
To her surprise, everyone stopped and put away their wands. Draco rushed over and stared down at Bastila, as did Hermione Granger. "Granger, don't you know any spells to help her?" Draco shouted at her frantically. "You're the best in our year!"
"I...Yes!" Hermione pointed her shaking wand at the still screaming Bastila and squeaked out, "I'm sorry Draco but I have to get her to stop this or she could hurt herself!" She pointed her wand at Bastila and said, "Petrificus Totalis!" Bastila immediately froze up, her arms and legs shooting out straight and her screaming coming to a halt as she became still.
"Okay..." Hermione said, trying to stop her hand from shaking as she readied her wand once again. "Locomotor Bastila!" Bastila rose up into the air and levitated, and Hermione started to walk out of the classroom. Bastila's hovering, innert form followed. So did Draco, Daphne, Harry and Ron.
No ever noticed the invisible snake flying along after them.
The walk through the castle was a long one, and nobody spoke a word to one another, except for Hermione's occasional voice of "Petrificus Totalis" to reaffirm that the spell wasn't wavering. Magic was always more difficult to do when under stress.
Finally they reached the Hospital wing, and Madam Pomfrey came bustling over to the small entourage. "What happened? Why is this girl...Miss Granger, explain yourself!"
Hermione, remaining remarkably calm, quickly told Madam Pomfrey everything that had happened in the classroom. "Then Draco asked me if I knew any spells that could help her so I...Put her under Petrificus Totalis so she wouldn't hurt herself and then we brought her here."
"That was very quick thinking Miss Granger. Set her down here please." Pomfrey ordered, motioning to an empty bed closest to the entrance of the Hospital wing. Hermione did so. The students all waited and watched as Pomfrey went about doing diagnostic spells on the petrified girl. After a few long minutes Pomfrey turned to the group of waiting students. "I don't have any idea what's wrong with her, children. I'm sorry. But whatever is happening to her...It's causing her brain to overload, and her...Her soul is in an extreme level of pain. Pain I've never seen one undergo before."
"Her soul?" Draco asked, now looking very sick.
"Yes, Mister Malfoy." Pomfrey shook her head slightly. "Whatever is happening to her doesn't seem to be from anything external, however. It seems to be coming from Bastila herself."
"So she's...What, torturing herself?" Ron said tactlessly.
Pomfrey nodded, looking shaken herself. "In all my years of treating students...I've never seen anything like this. Weasley and Potter, go and bring the Headmaster here."
"Right." Ron said, nodding to Harry. Both of them left the Hospital wing, and Pomfrey went about giving a potion or two to Bastila's still frozen form.
Madam Pomfrey sighed after casting a few more spells on the girl and turned to Daphne, Hermione and Draco. "She isn't critical anymore, but she's deep within herself. Her mind has retreated in an attempt to protect itself from further self harm."
"Will her mind come back out again?" Hermione asked, her eyes tearful.
"In time, yes." Pomfrey said quietly. "Once her consciousness sorts itself out and realizes the danger is past. Finite." She added, pointing her wand at Bastila. The girl's body relaxed, and her eyes closed shut in sleep.
The three students faces shone with relief. Pomfrey retreated to her office, telling them that they could stay with Bastila until the Headmaster arrived.
After a moments silence, Draco reached out a hand and started to stroke Bastila's hair, not caring about the presence of Hermione or Daphne. "Thanks, Granger." He whispered.
"What?" Hermione said, thinking she'd heard wrong.
"I said thanks." Draco said softly, withdrawing his hand from Bastila's sleeping form. "Who knows what could've happened to her if you didn't step up and help."
"Oh...It was nothing, Draco." Hermione said slowly, still confused at the fact that she was having an actual kind conversation with the boy.
"And I..." Draco trailed off, glancing at Daphne for a moment before continuing. "I know blood status isn't everything. Purebloods, half bloods, Voldemorts ideals..My father's ideals. I know it's all wrong. You're a muggle-born and you saved my friend, my Godsister, when I couldn't."
"If you really mean that, it means more to me than you could ever know." Hermione said finally.
Just then, the Headmaster walked in with Harry at his side. Ron was missing. "Harry here has explained everything to me." Dumbledore said, his eyes on Bastila as he approached the little group around her bed. "I understand this is very upsetting for all of you, but I'm afraid you will need to return to your classes. Except for you, Mr. Malfoy." Dumbledore added.
Draco startled and nodded silently and resumed stroking Bastila's hair.
Daphne and Hermione left, leaving Dumbledore, Harry and Draco with Bastila. Then they were joined by Madam Pomfrey.
"Headmaster-"
"I am aware of the situation, Poppy." Dumbledore said sternly, cutting the woman off. "Now, I need you to kindly go to St. Mungos and inform them of what has happened. Ask them their opinion on Miss Phoenix, since they cared for her for so long."
Pomfrey nodded before hurrying off. "Of course." When she reached the doors however, they were blasted open as if struck by a cannon.
A furious Severus Snape entered the Hospital Wing, stalking over to Bastila's bed. "POTTER!" He bellowed, his eyes full of rage. Snape had Harry shoved up against the wall with his wand drawn faster than anyone could react.
"Severus!" Dumbledore shouted at the potions master, drawing his own wand. "Release Mr. Potter at once!" His voice was harsh and firm, a tone no one had heard him use before.
Snape stood there for a long moment before lowering his wand and stepping away. But he was far from soothed. "This BOY is a menace, just as his father was! Look what he's done to my daughter!" Harry grew angry at that, but Snape payed him no attention. "I do not even need to preform more than a rudimentary pass at her mind to experience the horror she felt and the torture she was in! I have felt the strongest of Crucios from the Dark Lord himself and even that does not compare to the amount of pain my daughter went through!"
Dumbledore's face was ashen and sad, and his voice was gentle when he spoke. "Severus my boy, I understand your concern, but Harry did not cause your daughter's suffering."
"Didn't he?" Severus spat. "Think about it Headmaster! The only two times my daughter has come into proximity with Potter, she has suffered. The first time three years ago on the train, she fell into a damned Coma after experiencing an overload of emotions. Now today it has happened again, and this time I daresay the effects were far worse considering the torture she was put through!"
"Severus-" Albus began, only to be cut off.
"No! Albus!" Severus shouted. "You protected your Gryffindors when I was almost murdered by James and his little gang, and now you dare try to protect THIS Potter after he tortures my daughter? I will NOT stand for this!"
Dumbledore was silent now, suddenly looking very tired. "I agree that Bastila's proximity to Potter is causing her ill effects, but I do not believe Potter would, or is, causing them on purpose. How do you feel Harry?" Dumbledore asked, turning away from Severus.
"My scar feels like it's been covered in acid, and my head feels like it was stabbed." Harry said. "This happened on the train too, before first year. Sir, do you think maybe Bastila is...Like Quirrell was? The same thing happened around Quirrell, in first year."
"You're kidding, Potter." Draco spoke up before Snape could. "You think my Godsister has Voldemort on the back of her head? Feel free to check."
"Both of you make sound points. It is a intriguing coincidence, but I do not believe Miss Phoenix to be possessed." Dumbledore said firmly.
"Potter WILL be punished. Dumbledore." Snape growled. "Conscious or not, Potter has tortured a fellow student, and my daughter no less. There must be consequences."
Severus and Albus stared at one another for an eternity before Albus gave a great sigh. "Would having Mr. Potter serve detention every night with Professor McGonagall for the next four days satisfy you, Severus?"
"A weeks worth of detention with Minverva? Don't make me laugh, Albus. Make it two weeks and put him with Filch." Severus replied vehemently.
Albus sighed once more. "Very well, Severus. If that will ease your worry..."
Harry looked at Dumbledore as if he'd been betrayed, but said nothing.
"Thank you, Headmaster." Severus said, his voice now soft as he moved to Bastila's bedside. He conjured a chair with a flick of his wand and sat down.
"She will recover, my boy." Albus told Severus gently. He turned to Draco and Harry, "Come along now you two. We must give Severus his privacy." Dumbledore led the two children out of the Hospital wing, leaving Severus alone with Bastila at last.
Severus sat there alone, stroking Bastila's hair and holding her hand, things he'd never have had the courage to do if she were awake. He'd never been able to show affection to Lily either. It had always been her who'd initiated their hugs. Severus found this to be fruitless after a short time, however. What good was he sitting here feeling helpless? He couldn't do a thing for her! And it wasn't like she was aware that he was showing her affection!
Severus was torn from his thoughts as he heard a distinct and familiar hissing. Nyssa turned visible again, and she was coiled up on the window-sill above Bastila's bed. "I trust you were not harmed by the events in the classroom." Severus spoke softly to the serpent, knowing she could understand English even if he couldn't understand Parseltongue.
Nyssa nodded her long head up and down in a completely un-snakelike way. Severus smirked at her, amused that he was still managing to communicate with her despite not speaking her language. "Good. Watch over Bastila. If she awakens I want you to stay with her as you have been."
Nyssa nodded again and vanished, turning invisible once more.
Snape sighed, deciding that he'd have more luck being productive. He gave Bastila a last squeeze of the hand before heading down to the dungeons to prepare for his next potions class. It took him only five minutes to arrange everything. Then he sat there at his desk trying to work on all the papers and essays from previous classes. When he'd finished with this too in an annoyingly short amount of time, he started to read one of the Muggle books from his childhood that he still kept. But try as he might, he couldn't keep his mind from straying back to Bastila.
As it turned out, Severus wasn't the only one worrying about Bastila Phoenix. In Transfigurations class, Daphne Greengrass was staring idly into space, ignoring the cup she was supposed to be trying to turn into a rat. It was only when McGonagall swept up in front of her desk that Daphne snapped out of her inattentiveness. "Yes Professor?"
"Miss Greengrass, I expect you to pay attention in my classroom and to do the tasks assigned." Huffed McGonagall. "This is not the time to daydream."
"Sorry Professor. I'm just really worried about a friend of mine." Daphne said apologetically.
McGonagall's face softened imperceptibly. "I understand that the incident with Miss Phoenix has upset you, but you must still attempt your classwork, Miss Greengrass."
"I'll try." Daphne promised, bringing her wand up again and pointing it at the shoe. She uttered the spell and focused her intentions, picturing the animal in her mind. She was rewarded with a rat that humorously had shoelaces for whiskers.
"An excellent attempt. Five points to Slytherin." Minerva praised before continuing around the classroom.
Daphne was profusely relieved when the class ended, and somehow managed to endure Herbology and Divinations in the afternoon. (After a quick lunch break of course). Full of food and renewed energy, Daphne hurried off down to the dungeons for potions, the final class of the day. Professor Snape was more sullen than anyone had ever seen him, and he didn't even take points from disruptive students. Daphne and the rest of the class were well in the middle of brewing a Girding Potion (A potion that increases ones endurance for several weeks) when the classroom door opened. In walked Bastila Phoenix, her steps brisk and her head held high. Her eyes were as dark as ever. They showed no weakness and no betrayal of her ordeal earlier in the day. She marched straight up to Professor Snape's desk and said without preamble, "I'm sorry for being late, Professor. I would have been here well over ten minutes ago if Madam Pomfrey hadn't kept me for examination."
Severus smiled at his daughter's no-nonsense attitude. She truly was back to her usual self. "No matter. I trust you have not suffered extensive damage, as your presence in this class indicates?" Bastila nodded. "Good. The assignment today is to brew a Girding Potion, a potion that enhances ones endurance. I want you to do your best with it in the time remaining, and I will see you after class to discuss a few...Private matters."
"Yes sir." Bastila said, spinning on her heel gracefully and stalking over to Daphne, taking up a seat next to her friend and beginning to work on her potion.
Severus watched the girl closely for the last ten minutes of class, marveling as he saw her glance between her textbook and her cauldron, adding ingredients and working at a fast but not sloppy pace. When the time was up Severus stood and called for all brewing to be halted. Severus went from student to student, inspecting their potions, finding mediocre and horrid brews. There were a few he could see that were at least acceptable, but he chose not to comment on them. He expected the best his Slytherins could muster, and if this was the best they could do, he was disappointed once again.
When Severus reached Daphne and Bastila's cauldrons, however, he was taken aback by their potions. Daphne's was a faded green, and it was far above anything the others had made. Just a few adjustments and it would be perfectly made, Severus thought, pleased with Greengrass. "Well done, Greengrass. With a few small changes your potion would have been brewed to perfection. Twenty points to Slytherin." Daphne glowed at the praise as Snape turned to his daughter's potion. Bastila's was a bright green, transparent, and the surface was as smooth as a calm lake.
"Miss Phoenix..." Severus said slowly.
"Yes, Professor?" Bastila cringed inside, wondering if she'd completely messed up somehow. The last thing she wanted was for her father to think she was a failure in his own class!
"This potion is brewed beyond academic perfection. It is Ministry level quality." Severus stated, feeling immensely proud and shocked. He allowed his face to twist into a pleasant expression, complete with a smile. "You brewed this within one third the amount of time it took the rest of the class."
"Oh...Thank you Professor." Bastila replied, accepting the compliment.
"Fifty points to Slytherin." Severus announced a little louder than necessary for the benefit of the other students. "Class is dismissed." He said, sitting back down at his desk.
Bastila made her way to the Severus's desk while the other Slytherins filed out of the classroom after having put away the ingredients and cauldrons, minus Daphne, who stood waiting at the door.
"I thought I said I didn't want you playing favorites with me." Bastila began, blushing ever so faintly.
Her blushing only seemed to amuse Severus, however, who smiled and replied warmly, "I assure you that if any other student were to produce a potion on par with those produced by Ministry workers, on the fly I might add, I would award them fifty points as well."
"I-"
"You are too humble." Severus cut her off gently. "Take pride in your ability and do not feel you should need to hide it for fear of making others look inept."
"I guess they do that well enough on their own." Bastila laughed.
Severus let out a small chuckle. "Indeed."
"I talked to Headmaster Dumbledore earlier." Bastila said after a moments silence. "He's going to arrange my schedule so that I'm not in any classes with Harry."
"That is good news." Severus said lightly. His gaze shifted past Bastila to land on Daphne. "Miss Greengrass, what are you still doing here?" He said harshly. "Your skills at eavesdropping leave much to be desired, and you are missing dinner as it is."
"She's alright daddy!" Bastila said quickly, throwing a glance over her shoulder. "I met her this morning and we sort of became friends. Like your Godson, Draco Malfoy. We're all friends."
"I see." Snape said after a long silence.
"She was in the DADA class when I...You know. She was the one who got everyone to stop arguing and help me." Bastila persisted.
"Then she is to be commended." Severus replied, his pleasant expression returned as he looked at Daphne. "Thank you for helping my daughter."
"It's what any friend would do." Daphne said.
"Not any." Said Severus, remembering his own childhood. "I am...Pleased that my daughter already has such exceptional friends in you and Mr. Malfoy. Now run along to dinner, Miss Greengrass. I must have a quick word alone with Bastila."
With a quick nod from Bastila, Daphne was gone from the room.
"I want you to listen to me very carefully Bastila." Snape began softly. "There is a way to protect your mind against these...Repressions that come from being in Potters presence. However, it is a form of magic that most adults cannot even master."
"I'd still like to try." Bastila answered. "What is this magic called?"
"Occlumency. The magical defense of the mind against external penetration. An obscure branch of magic, but a highly useful one. Occlumency is used most often to magically close one's mind against Legilimency. It can prevent a Legilimens from accessing one's thoughts and feelings, or influencing them. A person who practices this art is known as an Occlumens."
"Legilimency is the opposite of Occlumency then." Bastila mused. "Legilimens break into your mind, while Occlumens keep people out."
"That is the basic idea, yes." Severus replied. "I am a master of Occlumency and Legilimency. It is plainly in your best interest for me to teach you how to be a successful Occlumens."
Bastila smiled. "When do we start?"
"Tomorrow night, my office at seven o'clock...If that is acceptable to you." Severus added hesitantly.
"It's perfect. Thank you for everything daddy. I...I'd be lost without you. I really would be."
Severus stared at her for the longest time yet, then got up from his desk and startled Bastila by taking her into an embrace. "I will never allow you to be lost. You're my daughter." Then he pulled away and stared into her eyes. "Now, let us go enjoy dinner."
"That took a while." Daphne commented as Bastila sat down next to her at the Slytherin House table.
"It was worth missing a few minutes of food." Bastila replied, rolling her eyes. "Daddy is going to teach me Occlumency, a magic that lets me shield my mind from outside influence and stops people from looking at my thoughts and memories." She explained to her friend as she bit into a chicken leg. "Once I have the shields up and mastered it should stop me from...Well, you know, overloading around Harry Potter."
"That's really great Bas!" Daphne leaned over and hugged Bastila before she could react, then followed it up with a quick peck on the cheek.
Bastila felt herself blushing and hastily snatched up a cup of juice. She guzzled it down, avoiding Daphne's eyes. For some reason, Daphne made her feel...Very strange. "Thanks." She told Daphne when she was back to normal, the use of a nickname completely lost on both of them.
"Will it be easy to learn?" Daphne asked, seeming interested.
Bastila shook her head. "No. Daddy says it's a very rare bit of magic and that most adults can't even master it. But I have to try."
"Hey!" Daphne said suddenly in a hushed tone. "Everyone's staring at you."
Bastila looked up and down the Slytherin table and sure enough, she was being watched. But the looks weren't rude. Far from it. Most of them seemed awed or cheerful. "Why are you all staring at me?" Bastila asked loudly.
"Are you kidding?" Said an older boy Bastila didn't know. "You gained Slytherin 50 points in one class! That's legendary!"
"Yeah, keep it up!" Shouted a third year girl down on Bastila's left.
Daphne rolled her eyes at them. "We're all very impressed and overjoyed and all that, now stop staring at her or I'll have to shoot some stinging hexes."
"What are you, her bodyguard?" The third year girl shot back.
"No, I'm her girl- best friend." Daphne replied. She was horrified with herself for what she'd nearly said. 'That sort of thing HAS to stay in your head! How can you even think that anyway Daphne? You've only known the girl for a day!' Daphne thought, furious at herself. 'Some crush or attraction doesn't mean you should go thinking like this!'
"If you're done eating, I think we should get back to the Slytherin dorms." Bastila whispered to Daphne. "I don't like being gawked at, even if it is for a good reason."
"Right." Daphne whispered back.
The two girls got up from the table and left the Great Hall. They were both in the girls dormitory long before desert was even served. Which meant they were alone together. The only two girls in the entire Slytherin dungeon, and they would be so for a long time, with all the others at dinner.
"I'm glad to be away from all that." Bastila sighed, letting herself fall mercifully onto her bed in the pale blue darkness lit by moonlight from the windows.
"Yeah. It was pretty rude of them." Daphne said quietly. "Bunch of idiots if you ask me."
"You can lay with me if you want to." Bastila said, her voice soft as she scooted over and patted the bed space beside herself. After a moments hesitation, Daphne joined her on the bed.
They lay there together, side by side for a while in the silence. But silence never lasts.
"The Magical world is better than I ever imagined." Bastila whispered. She turned her head on the pillow and found herself nose to nose with Daphne.
"I've lived in it my whole life, so I'm used to it." Daphne offered in response, her voice as quiet as Bastila's. "What's your favorite thing about it?"
Bastila didn't even need to think about it. "Everything. But mostly the people. In the Muggle world I never had friends. I was the most talented girl in school. But everyone hated me for it. The only ones I ever loved and liked were my teachers and my mother." Bastila instantly fell silent, her heart suddenly aching as she thought about what she hadn't for a whole day. Her mother was still dead. She was gone forever. Bastila felt the sadness and heartache welling up inside, threatening to spill over. And spill over it did, in the form of flowing tears.
"I'm so sorry Bas." Daphne said, turning on her side and scooting closer. She snaked her arm around Bastila's waist, pulling herself closer while she raised her other arm and caressed Bastila's hair. Bastila wordlessly turned and pressed herself up against her friend, burying her head in Daphne's shoulder. They stayed like that for a long time, with Bastila weeping and Daphne whispering words of comfort, until they fell asleep in each others arms...