Innocence

Chapter 98

CAMILLA'S POV

When I opened my eyes, I was in the hospital wing. There was white gauze wrapped tightly around my head and Harry was asleep next to me. I sat up and touched the side and winced. "You have a concussion but Madame Pomfrey took care of the blood loss." Harry said. I looked over at him as he sat up and stretched. "Why did you leave?" he asked. "I'm sorry, Harry." I said as my eyes became glassy. "You scared me. What if I didn't find you in time?" he asked. "I don't know what's wrong with me. I don't remember anything about Draco but I still care about him. I know I do." I said. He looked down. "Do you love him?" he asked hesitantly. "Not in the way I love you." I replied. He took my hand and I touched his ring. "That's how you found me, isn't it? My necklace?" I asked. He nodded. "Hermione taught me how to charm them," he said. I smiled. "Cedric did that too." I said. "I know. He is a brilliant wizard." he said. "He was." I said softly.

Then Madame Pomfrey came over. "Camilla dear, how are you feeling?" she asked. "Fine. Thank you." I said. "Good. There isn't much else I can do for you so if you would like to return to your dorms, you can." she said. I smiled and nodded. "Thank you." I said. She nodded. Harry and I got up and headed back for Gryffindor. When we got there, I showered and changed and Harry waited for me. Then we headed to the Great Hall for lunch. I was glad to see my friends.

"So Cam, I know you are probably going to say no, but we want you to come to the Burrow for Christmas." Ginny said. I looked around at my friends with excited looks on their faces. "I want to, really. But it's not even up to me." I said. "Come on, mum wants to meet you so badly." Ginny groaned. "She's right, Snape's her guardian. It's up to him." Harry said. I nodded. "Fine. Will you at least ask him?" Ginny said. I sighed. "Yes. But don't get your hopes up." I said. She smiled and nodded. We all continued talking and I was secretly really hoping I could go with them.

Lunch ended and Harry and I were walking down the halls and I held his hand. I don't know why but it made me feel safe. "It's Saturday, what do you want to do?" he asked. "I don't know," I said. He looked at me and laughed. "You want to go talk to Snape, don't you?" I asked. I chuckled and nodded. "Let's go." he said. We walked down to the potions room and knocked on the door. Snape opened the door and sighed. "Why am I not surprised?" he said. "Hello Sir," I said as we walked inside. "Hello Camilla, Mr. Potter." he replied. Harry nodded at him. "What can I help you two with?" he asked. "I was wondering, well, if I could go with Harry and the Weasleys to their house for Christmas break?" I asked. He paused as if he was thinking very hard about it.

"I suppose that is one of the safest places for you to be if not at Hogwarts," he said. "So I can go?" I said excitedly. "There will be conditions. You stay with someone we trust at all times, the Weasleys must put protective wards around the house and do not, under any circumstances, tell Nathan where you are going." he said. "I promise. Thank you, Sir!" I exclaimed. I hugged him and he patted my shoulder. "You're welcome," he said. I smiled. "Off you go. I'll inform Dumbledore." he said. I took Harry's hand and we walked out. "Everyone is going to be so excited!" he said. "I can't wait!" I said. He smiled. "I'll make this the best Christmas you've ever had," he said. When we got back to our friends and told them, I've never seen them so excited. I could help but smile. I've truly found my family.

The next day, I dedicated to taking care of unfinished business. First, I needed to talk to Dumbledore. I need to know what he knows about my mother. I got to his office and knocked on the door. When I went in, he was sitting at his desk. "Hello Camilla, how can I help you?" he asked. "I was hoping you could tell me about my mother." I said. "Your mother died during childbirth." he said calmly. "You see, that is the story my father told me. But it's not true." I said. "What makes you think that?" he asked. "Professor Slughorn. He knew both my mother and my father. He told me to ask you for the truth about my mother." I said. Dumbledore was quiet for a moment. "Professor Slughorn must have been mistaken. I was told your mother died during childbirth, just as you were." he said. "Oh. Forgive me for taking up your time, Sir." I said. He nodded. "It's no trouble. I'm sorry I couldn't help you." he said. I nodded and left.

I know Dumbledore is on our side but something doesn't seem right. It always seems as if Dumbledore knows our secrets before we do. Like he's playing a game and we haven't been told all the rules. Maybe this is just a doubt my father created in my head when he messed up my mind. There is no way Albus Dumbledore is the bad guy. No, my father is, not him.