The Girl Who Didn't Die

XVIII- ....With a Cherry on Top

Diana sat alone in her sadness, until nearly eight at night. By then, Pansy and and Draco knew it was time to talk to their friend. With Professor Dumbledore's permission, they left the castle and headed out into the woods, under the enormous assumption that Diana had stayed in the same place. She hadn't. She had relocated to a tree nearby, sitting against it without purpose, just staring. Amazingly enough, Professor Dumbledore had not ordered for Diana to be brought inside unwillingly. It was all her choice. Albus Dumbledore was kind that way. By the time Draco and Pansy had found Diana, in panic, she had already heard them. The look on her face was not defensive and indignant, but sad, and almost afraid.

  "So.... you've come to drag me by the ear I suppose?" Diana presumed quietly.

  "No," Pansy murmured. Her eyes began to water. "We want you back inside, where it's safe," she begged. "Please."
  "I can handle myself, obviously. I just about ended Lord Voldemort himself. And I'm still on Hogwarts grounds, aren't I?" Diana asked.

  "That's not the point," Draco dismissed.
  "Come on, Diana. We need you in there, your brother needs you."
  Diana scoffed, eyes turning a glowing gray.

Oh no, Draco realized. We've woken the Monster. His name for Diana's inner.... darkness? Was that what it was? The thing that came out when her eyes turned gray instead of blue, like her battle instincts did to her? Draco had contemplated this more and more.
  "Now you're playing the brother card, huh? Well tough luck. I'm not coming inside, until I feel like it," Diana responded stubbornly.

  Draco sighed. "Please. Please, we're only asking you to come in. Then you can be as angry as you want, at whoever you please."
  Diana's darker side grinned. "You drive a hard bargain. Challenge accepted."