Hazel MacMillan Yr.1: Chapter 12

Instructions

“Ahh!” I woke up, after a nightmare about Bellatrix Lestrange, and also Dad being dead. Of COURSE it was just a dream. I must be at home, snuggled underneath my blue and gold duvet. But…I was in the hospital wing. A swooping sensation hit my stomach as I realised Dad WAS dead, and that I DID duel Bellatrix Lestrange. Suddenly, Madam Pomfrey appeared out of no where. “Where’re my friends??” I asked frantically. She pointed to a few beds near me and a chair, in which Daliyla sat, looking pale and tired. “You’ve been out for three days, MacMillan,” Madam Pomfrey said. “Don’t worry, you’ll all be fine. Dumbledore wants to see you, and I said yes, but only if he comes and not you go. Oh, look, there’s Malfoy stirring.” I watched Elizabeth, Emily and Ruby sit up and rub their eyes. Then, I noticed a pile of Honeydukes’ sweets. “The other sent these to you,” Daliyla whispered, her voice hoarse and scratchy. “After they….were told what happened.” KNOCK! A sharp knock resonated in the ward, and Madam Pomfrey rushed to open the door. Standing serenely in the doorway, Albus Dumbledore was decked in midnight-blue robes with silver sparks. “Ah, Headmaster,” she said, jumping aside. “They’ve just awoken.” Dumbledore inclined his head before conjuring an armchair and settling into it. “So,” he began. “I believe that all of you have experienced a shocking, painful and altogether confusing night. And, Miss Lestrange, I must apologise for the rather… cruel welcome you received from your parents.” Daliyla nodded, her eyes welling up ever so slightly. “I would like you all to go back to your dorms, and you will attend the End of Term feast tomorrow, as no student should miss it.” the headmaster continued. “I will go now.” And he swept out, leaving us in a rather awkward silence. Elizabeth tore open a Chocolate Frog, just for something to do. Slowly, I turned around to face Daliyla. “What happened while we were out?” I asked tentatively. “Well….the Horntails lost to the Beauxbatons Butterflies,” Daliyla replied. “They’re useless without you and Em. Well, not useless, but not as good.” We grinned and laughed, for the first time in days. At the End of Term feast, Slytherin won by a slightest bit to Hufflepuff. We were furious, sure that Snape had been cunning and one-sided. Ah well. Maybe next year? * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * “Right,” Elizabeth arched an eyebrow. “So see you next term, then?” I nodded. Elizabeth, Daliyla and Emily sat with their trunks and owl cages on the train. “I’m so glad I don’t have to go back to Jasper and Camilla,” Ruby sighed. “They were horrendous foster parents.” “We’ll miss you,” said Emily, smiling. “You’ll be back before you know it!” I yelled, as the train began to move. “Ruby and I will write lots!” Slowly, the scarlet train disappeared and we turned from the platform. “Let’s go,” Aunt Pomona said. “I’ve got lots of activities planned.” And the three of us chased each other up to the castle. And that, my friends, concludes my first year of Hogwarts life.