CHAPTER SEVEN

She was running. More than that, she was trying to escape.

The heat that surrounded her was impossible.

She took off her sweater and threw it against the floor. Bad move.

As her head turned, she caught a glimpse of the flames, roaring. With more determination now, she ran. One more flight down the stairs and she would be at the front door, but just when she was about to escape, the hallway enlarged, the door disappeared, and the velvet walls were filled with mirrors.

She turned around, looking for a way to escape, and caught her reflection. Her fiery red hair was dishevelled, her dress torn to rags. Her whole body was full of burns and scratches. Laughter rang through the hallway, and she recognized it. It came from someone close to her, a man.

How had she gotten into this mess? More of a question, how in her own house? Her home? The last memory that made sense was the dance she had shared with her husband in the ballroom upstairs. It was their anniversary.

The heat was rising by the second, now becoming unbearable. She pulled the main dress off her body, and was tempted to do so with the underdress, but didn't. She felt herself running to one of the hallways ends, where the door was supposed to be. Feeling all across the wall, she eventually came to a different structure. Wood. The door. The fire behind her grew, coming nearer. She was beginning to loose her senses already.

Then two things happened at once. First, she found the handle and, while trying to open it, she failed.

Two?

She was consumed by fire.


The morning light coming through the window woke Peter up. His first instinct was to turn his head and check on Nina, who was sleeping calmly with her back to him. After that, he stayed on the Hospital Wing bed, processing last night's events.

Needless to say, he hadn't gone to the feast. Albus was obliged to leave, for Madam Pomfrey didn't allow him to remain. The others had had no idea of the accident until Albus told them. According to the story, he had arrived at the table, his bare image stopping all festivity. The group finished their meal in silence and left for the common room.

Peter, on the other hand, had refused to leave the Hospital Wing, and discussed with Madam Pomfrey about it until Megan, Nina's mother, told her to let him stay. According to her, he would always be the first person Nina would want to see when she woke up.

Peter stood up to check on Nina properly, and realized she was sweating, even if the air was cold. He put his hand on her forehead, thinking it may be a fever, but her temperature was normal. The sheets were covering only up to her knees. It looked like she had moved around at night.

"Madam Pomfrey?" He called, not taking his eyes of his friend.

"Yes, dear?"

"It looks like she was hot during the night, but the air was always cool."

The nurse frowned, "I'll check her, you go to breakfast."

"But..."

"She won't wake up for now. Eat, shower, go to your classes, and come back later." She told him, eyeing the girl with concern.

Peter nodded, walking off to his room.

Half an hour later, he was running out of the Great Hall with a slice of bread in his mouth. Needless to say, he was late for his first lesson. Peter took his usual seat next to Hayden after sliding into History of Magic unnoticed.

"How is her?" She asked, while Albus turned around to listen in.

"She's still sleeping." He answered, checking to see if the professor had his back to them to take a bite of toast. "When I left, Madam Pomfrey was starting to check her again."

"Are you going back?"

"Yeah, during break and lunch and after class." Hayden didn't answer him, but a smile played around on her lips before she turned back and paid attention to class.

It was a Wednesday, which means that after History of Magic there is break, Double Herbology, and lunch, so as soon as Peter heard the bell ring, he used up his first couple of minutes from break to go look for Professor Longbottom.

"Peter!" The professor said after he absentmindedly collided with him in the hallway. "Be more careful."

"Sorry, professor. I was actually looking for you."

"You were? What for?"

"I was wondering if I could maybe skip the lesson today. I need to be in the Hospital Wing." He said rather uneasily.

Luckily for Peter, it was indeed Neville whom he was talking to. After a moment of surprise, he nodded and looked for a piece of parchment where he explained to Madam Pomfrey that Mr. Davies was to remain in the Hospital Wing until lunch. Peter thanked him, bid farewell, and left for the common room as fast as he could.

"Natalie!" He called, noticing that the girl was about to go into her room. "Would you do me a favour?"

"Yeah?"

"I was wondering if you could look into Nina's trunk and get me a teddy bear? Her parents always brought it to her when she went to St. Mungo's so I just thought it would be fitting."

"Sure. I'll be down in a minute."

"Thanks."

After getting the teddy, Peter left for the Hospital Wing again to find a very awake Nina looking around.

"Nin!" He gasped, running to hug her.

Nina laughed merrily at this, something that turned into a groan as she clutched her ribs.

Peter turned sombre. "I'm sorry Nin. How are you feeling?"

"Well, much better than when I thought I would die of course. Are my parents here?"

"Last I checked, they were. I haven't seen your mom since last night though. Did you just wake up?"

The girl nodded. "Right before you came inside. I was actually about to tell Madam Pomfrey to go get you."

Peter chuckled. "Yeah, your mom told her you would do that. She should check you though. Will you be okay while I go look for your parents?"

Nina nodded, so Peter called Madam Pomfrey and waiting until she came out before standing up again. He grabbed Nina's hand and kissed her forehead.

"I'll be back soon."

After he left, Madam Pomfrey looked at Nina with a smile.

"You've got a great friend in there." She said, "Didn't even leave the infirmary until I made him this morning."

Nina chuckled to herself. "Indeed I do."