The Buddy System. *Updating In Process*

25. Avoidance, Austen, and a Very Determined Malfoy

I shot him a look. "Do you want to walk alone?"

"Not a chance," he repeated cheerfully, falling into step beside me. "This is the most fun I've had all year."

"You're awful."

"I know."

We rounded the last staircase just as the early-rising portraits began greeting us, their voices echoing off the stone.

The castle was mostly empty at this hour—students still waking, the Great Hall barely stirring. The few stragglers we passed blinked at us with sleepy confusion as I charged past like a woman on a mission.

Which, technically... I was.

Theo grinned at me every few steps, openly enjoying my dramatics.

"You know," he said lightly, "if Draco does see you, he'll definitely sprint."

"Well then," I replied, lifting my chin, "he'd better stretch first."

Theo barked out a laugh.

"Honestly, Rae, I'm proud of you."

"For what?"

"For not making this easy for him," he said. "For not letting him pull you around like a toy Snitch. For choosing—you."

I slowed a little at that.

Just a little.

Theo nudged my arm. "Come on. Let's go make Pomfrey scold us at an unreasonable hour."

I rolled my eyes and kept walking—but I couldn't stop the small smile tugging at my lips.

It had been a long night.
An emotional night.
But for the first time in a long time...

I felt steady on my feet.

And I wasn't done fighting for myself yet.

The Hospital Wing was quiet at this hour—eerily so. No students whimpering over Quidditch injuries, no coughing, no snoring, no Madam Pomfrey scolding someone for sneaking in chocolate frogs.

Just silence.

And the click-click-click of her shoes as she swept out of her office.

"Miss Diggory? Mr Nott?" Her eyebrows nearly shot into her hairline. "Merlin's beard, you're both awake early. What brings you here at such an ungodly hour?"

Theo leaned casually against a bedpost, smirking. "Insomnia."

I elbowed him.

He didn't flinch. "And she's avoiding—"

I elbowed him harder.

Madam Pomfrey blinked. "Avoiding what, dear?"

"—dairy," Theo finished flatly. "Very serious issue. She thinks it's cursed."

I groaned and slapped a hand over my face. "Pomfrey, ignore him. Please. We're here because... the draught you gave us didn't keep us asleep for long."

Her face softened with instant concern. "Oh, my dears. How long did it last?"

Theo held up his empty vial like it was courtroom evidence. "About two hours. Then poof. Wide awake. Brains on fire. Hearts racing. Felt like I'd swallowed a Snitch."

"Speak for yourself," I muttered, "I felt like I'd swallowed three."

Madam Pomfrey sighed and ushered us both to sit on adjacent beds. "All right, let me look you over."

Theo hopped onto the mattress like a cheerful Kneazle. I climbed onto mine like someone preparing for execution.

"Now," she said, pulling out her wand and her diagnostic parchment charm, "tell me everything."