Chapter 32: Nightmare
That evening, in Dumbledore's office
Harry took a deep breath, looking up at Dumbledore, 'Ron's dad- Mr. Weasley -has been attacked by a giant snake."
Everything had moved so quickly; from Harry's disturbed dream-almost-vision, to standing in the Headmasters office, to watching the past headmasters of Hogwarts rush around in their paintings to try and save a mans life. A man who was his best friend's dad.
"You are to give him the message that Arthur Weasley has been gravely injured and that his wife, children and Harry Potter will be arriving at his house shortly. Do you understand?" Dumbledore spoke to one of the paintings.
Soon enough, it wasn't just Harry and Ron, but Fred, George and Ginny too were ushered in by Professor McGonagall, still in their pyjamas and looking half-asleep.
"Harry?" Ginny asked, rubbing her eyes, "What's going on? Professor McGonagall says you saw Dad get hurt-"
"Your father has been injured in the course of his work for the Order of the Phoenix," Dumbledore interrupted, "He has been taken to St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries. I am sending you back to Sirius's house, which is much more convenient for the hospital than The Burrow. You will meet your mother there."
"For how long?" Fred asked, "Is dad okay?"
"We don't know the details yet," Dumbledore replied, "The Floo Network is being watched; it's not safe for you to travel that way. You'll use a port key."
A fiery flash appeared in the centre of the room for a moment, leaving behind a single phoenix feather. Dumbledore hummed, "That's Fawkes's warning. Professor Umbridge must know you're out of your beds… Minerva, go and head her off. Tell her any story."
Professor McGonagall was gone at once.
"Come here, then," Dumbledore said to Harry and the Weasleys, "And quickly, before anyone else joins us."
Madeline woke up with a yell.
Her necklace was burning through her skin. Her dreams had been filled with fangs and blood and snakes, of all things. She gasped, sweat dripping from her face as she sat up, panting and clutching her necklace. It was burning hot, but she didn't care if it scolded her skin. It made her feel grounded, feel like she was here.
"Bisset?" Daphne whispered in the dark, pushing aside Madeline's bed canopy and peering in, "Are you alright? I heard you yell."
Madeline swallowed, nodding frantically, "Yeah, fine. I just, uh- bad dream-"
"Then shut up and get to bed," Pansy called from across the dorm, "Seriously, I think we all know you need the beauty sleep."
"Ignore her," Daphne huffed, "You sure you're okay?"
"Yeah, I'm sure," Madeline nodded, "Thanks Daphne."
She waited until everyone was back asleep before she reached for her wand, casting a quiet Lumos with a small, dim light. She cast the wand over her hand, inspecting the burns from her necklace-
And watched them disappear almost immediately, fading back into her skin as if nothing happened.
There was no way she was getting back to sleep.
She quietly slipped out of her bed, hands shaking from the nightmare as she grappled for her silk green dressing gown and a pair of thick fluffy socks. She toed out of the dorm quietly, making her way down to the common room with the little light from the submerged windows. When she did make it to the common room, it was with shaky limbs. But of course, she wasn't alone.
"Rough night?" Madeline tried when she saw Draco, perched on a sofa with a book and the fireplace roaring. Although she'd meant for her voice to be strong, it came out shakily.
"No rougher than yours, clearly," Draco retorted, giving Madeline a once over with his eyes before sighing, moving his legs off the sofa, "Come on then. Sit."
Madeline took a seat next to Draco, tucking her legs under herself and wrapping herself around one of the many blankets Draco had nestled around him. She gazed into the fireplace, necklace heavy around her neck as she tried to think of anything but-
"Nightmare?"
"Something like that," Madeline mumbled, "What, couldn't wait till tomorrow to finish that book?"
"Something like that," Draco smirked, closing the book and placing it on the coffee table, "So, what was it? Fred breaking up with you?"
"Excuse me?"
"Or did you dream about finally figuring out why everyone with a red tie is avoiding you?" Draco pressed, "Walls have ears in Slytherin; you should know that."
"Once again Malfoy; my life is none of your business."
"It is when it's entertaining," Draco shrugged, turning away from Madeline, "Besides, you're not the only one who figured out somethings wrong."
"Care to explain, or are you just going to keep being pompously mysterious all night?"
"Umbridge knows something is happening," Draco replied simply, "I wouldn't trust my secrets with anyone around here these days."
"Right," Madeline rolled her eyes, "Great. You're a whole lot of help, aren't you?"
"Are you spending Christmas with him?" Draco asked, "Just curious, as a friend."
"We're not friends, Draco."
"We're acquaintances."
"And not that it's any of your business, but yes, I am," Madeline answered, "Are you staying with Pansy?"
Draco scoffed, shaking his head, "Absolutely not."
The two fell into a comfortable silence, both watching the flames in the fireplace lick at the charred bricks. It didn't feel odd, surprisingly, to be like this with Draco. Despite all his flaws (which were many), in another lifetime, Madeline probably would've been his friend. Hell, if they were in France she definitely would've been his friend. And her mother would've been delighted, too.
She let her eyes close, letting the heat of the fire wash over her. Like this, she felt safe. It felt like home; a place she'd found in Hogwarts only the year before. Her mind wandered to Cedric, just for a moment, remembering the few memories they had in the Hogwarts kitchens together. She hadn't been back there since his death. Didn't see the need to, really. Why would you revisit the places that bring you pain?
On evenings like this, when the world was silent, she could almost forget what Dumbledore had told her at the end of the year. How, someday soon, He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named would come looking for her. She had to play her cards right; she had to be smart.
She promised herself in that moment, with the memory of her nightmare and of Cedric's death still fresh, that she'd never be scared of the Dark Lord.
She'd say his name if she wanted to.
That evening, in number twelve, Grimmauld Place
They had arrived in the gloomy basement kitchen of number twelve, Grimmauld Place. The only sources of light were the fire and one guttering candle, which flickered with every step Fred took, pacing the floor. Everyone else was sat in one of the uncomfortable wooden chairs of the basement, nursing Butterbeers none of them really wanted to drink.
They'd received a message from his mother minutes before, explaining that his father was fine. Alive, she'd said. But the tension was still high in the room; no one wanted to sleep. No one would be able to sleep for a while, he thought.
"We should sent Hermione a letter," Ron eventually spoke, "She'll want to know what's happening, right?"
"Good idea, Ron," Sirius nodded, beginning to rifle through drawers for parchments and quills, "Dumbledore will make sure it's delivered."
"Hey," George nudged Fred, "Maybe you should write to Maddie; tell her not to come for Christmas."
"Maddie?" Sirius asked curiously, turning to Fred, "Are you still dating the Bisset girl?"
"She's not like her family," Fred defended immediately.
"Fred," Sirius interrupted, "I'm the last to be defining people by their family… But I think it might be best if you keep your distance, even for a while."
"Why?" Fred pressed, "What's so awful about her family?!"
"Fred-"
"No, George," Fred continued, "I don't care if you think we're not old enough to hear the truth. I want to know what you know, Sirius. I want to know it now."
Sirius sighed, seating himself back down and sliding the parchment and quill to Ron, "Alright. Very well then."
Madeline fell asleep on the Slytherin sofas' once more, but it was a dreamless sleep. When she woke, it was as if the night had sucked all the energy out of her. She groggily and reluctantly got dressed for her second-to-last day of term, the prospect of the Burrow drawing nearer and nearer.
The Owl came after her second cup of coffee.
Maddie,
Something's happened with dad. We've all had to leave Hogwarts early for Christmas, and I don't think it would be a good idea for you to come to the Burrow.
If anything changes, I'll let you know.
Yours,
Freddie.
"Uninvited?!" Daphne asked in shock, re-reading over Madeline's letter, "He uninvited you?"
"He has a reason," Madeline weakly protested, although a chill had already set in her heart, "Something with his dad."
"Sounds like an excuse if you ask me."
"Daphne!"
"I'm serious, Madeline," Daphne pressed, "I don't know about this one. Something is off… Also, have you noticed how not only the Weasley's are missing?"
Madeline peered over to the Gryffindor table, realising that Daphne was right; Harry was missing, too. Hermione had her own letter in her hands, re-reading it over and over again frantically, as if she was looking for a clue. Madeline frowned; the parchment was the same as her letter from Fred, and it seemed to be significantly longer. She shook her head.
"It's fine," Madeline concluded, "I'll just go home for Christmas."
"We could have you over?" Daphne offered, "My parents wouldn't mind."
"Nor mine," Theo followed, "Although our Christmas isn't all that exciting."
Madeline shook her head, "No, it's fine. I haven't really written home much this term, so a visit is probably due."
She turned to the second letter she'd received that morning, the golden ink at the front already telling her exactly who it was from.
Dear Madeline,
It's been quite some time since we last wrote to each other! It's odd, isn't it? Last year I was in Hogwarts with you, and this year we're separated once more.
How's Fred? Daphne? Theo? I want to hear all about your new year at Hogwarts! It's a wonderful place, I do miss it dearly.
I've decided to take on a part-time role at Gringotts to help with my English. I bumped into Bill Weasley (remember him?), and let me tell you… He is rather charming, much as I'm sure your Fred is as well! (I am definitely going to marry him).
Please do write back when you get a chance!
Your friend,
Fleur.
She'd visit Fleur during her time home, she decided. That is, if she wasn't working in Gringotts over the Christmas period. After carefully folding both letters and sliding them into her pocket, Madeline spied another glance over to the Gryffindor table.
Hermione was stuffing a piece of toast in her mouth hastily as she gathered all her things, including the letter she'd received. She didn't know if it was instinct, or plain curiousity, but Madeline found herself gathering her own things too, bidding her friends a quick goodbye before taking off after Hermione.
She followed the Gryffindor girl out of the Great Hall, but she was too fast. By the time she'd stepped out of the doors, Hermione had all but jogged out into the Hogwarts grounds and began making her way to Hagrid's hut.
However, in the few seconds Madeline saw her, she watched as a small gold coin fell out of Hermione's pocket in her haste to stuff the letter inside. She waited a moment before following her, reaching down to pick up the coin.
It was a galleon, anyone would be able to see that. But, something was off. The numbers on the side of the coin didn't match any she'd seen before, and Hermione didn't strike her as someone who went to the bank often, so it couldn't have been new.
As more students began to leave the Great Hall, she hastily pocketed the coin. Something told her to hang on to it, as if it was yet another piece in the puzzle she'd been tasked to solve. With a new-found determination, she walked back to meet her friends.
She'd think about what it all meant later.
Later, in number twelve, Grimmauld Place
Everyone was sat in the Grimmauld Place kitchens, discussing what the safest thing to do could be. Everyone but Fred and George, who sat in their assigned bedroom in silence, staring anywhere but at each other.
Fred was trying to not think about the letter he'd sent; trying not to think about the ticking time bomb the world had placed on his relationship. The word 'love' kept appearing in his mind, but he didn't know what it meant. He was still unsure about most of his life, for Merlin's sake! But when he looked at Madeline… Everything made sense, even for a moment.
But he couldn't look at her right now. Hell, he didn't know how he could ever look at her again. Sirius had told him everything he knew, and even then he felt even more in the dark than he had before.
"Do you reckon she knows?" George eventually asked him, something Fred had been wondering as well.
"If she does, then she'd a damn good actor."
George sighed, rubbing his face, "Christ, Freddie. I don't know what to say."
Fred shook his head, "It's like Harry, isn't it? Everyone thought he'd gone mad-"
"And the way she screamed during the Third Task, like she'd seen it all-"
"Like Harry saw dad get attacked," Fred finished, closing his eyes and taking a deep breath, "When did it all get complicated?"
"I'll let you know when I figure it out myself."