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𝟏𝟗𝟗𝟑
𝐇𝐎𝐆𝐖𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐒
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━ THE COOL, AUTUMN BREEZE COULD BE FELT AS ATHENA SAT UNDER A TREE, staring at the Black Lake in front of her. Harry and Ron were currently playing a game of Exploding Snaps just across from her, to which she was playing earlier but had lost so Ron had filled in for her. Hermione was next to her, explaining something.
"-And if you add-" Hermione stopped, noticing Athena wasn't paying attention. "Athena are you even listening to me?"
"Yeah, of course I was," Athena answered, her eyes not leaving the lake.
Hermione raised a brow, "Oh really? Then what'd I just say?"
"I said I was listening, not paying attention." The Black explained, to which she earned a hit from the book Hermione was holding, tearing her attention from the lake. "Ouch! That hurt, you violent woman!"
"Well it wouldn't hurt if you were paying attention!" Hermione scoffed, pulling herself together.
"Why're you even looking at the lake? Do you want to go for a swim?" Harry looked at the girl, looking away from the game he was playing with Ron.
"No- well kinda, but I was thinking..."
"What were you thinking of this time?" Ron asked, curiousity peering within him and the other two.
"Has your rat appeared yet Ron?" Athena asked.
"No..."
Harry looked at her, a befuddled look on his face. "Why, what's wrong?"
"Well, dad owled me yesterday, asking how I was and all that. Then he asked if I've read the latest Prophet news. Apparently Peter Pettigrew was sighted, in an alleyway."
"What? But isn't he dead?" Hermione questioned as she shut her book, placing it on her lap.
"Well that's what the Ministry said." Harry explained. "Said all they found of him was a finger 'cause he blew himself up."
"How'd he even manage to blow himself up?" Ron looked at the girl.
"Well, Dad said that he was running after the traitor," Athena explained further, "then halfway through he left him because he thought about me. Then he apparated back to the Potter's house."
"My dad thinks he thought Sirius was still running after him, and tried to frame him for murder. But Sirius was already gone and Pettigrew caused an explosion and killed 12 muggles." Harry added.
"Thank Merlin he came back though," Athena sighed. "I don't know what I would've done if he didn't and was in Azkaban instead."
"Wait what's this got to do with my rat?" Ron asked, confused.
Harry and Athena glanced at each other, then to Ron. "Our dads believe that your rat is Peter Pettigrew."
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"I swear, Wood's trying to kill us with these practices." Harry dropped himself on the couch in their common room. They had just finished the last Quidditch practice before the first game of the season, and everyone was currently in the Great Hall having dinner. Athena, Harry and the twins decided to go back to the common room as they were too tired.
"I know right. I swear, by the time we have our match with Slytherin, we're going to be dead." Fred groaned.
"And we still have that Charms essay we need to finish!" Harry exclaimed.
"Speak for yourself." Athena mumbled, her face flat on the carpeted floor. "I finished that the same day it was given."
"Yeah whatever, you nerd." The bespectacled boy yawned.
"Just because I finish my work early doesn't mean I'm a nerd, Harold." Athena looked up. "That just means I'm a good student!"
Harry scoffed, resting his head comfily on the couch. "Yeah right, you, a good student. Talk about imagination." Athena rolled her eyes at him, throwing a pillow. The boy easily caught it, hugging it as he closed his eyes. "Anyways, I'm too tired. I'm going to sleep. Goodnight."
"I'm taking Harry's advice and going to sleep. Good night!" Fred stated, occupying the two seater couch with his whole body as he falls asleep.
"Well those two are off to dream land," George stated, Athena lightly laughing from his statement. "What about you Nana? You off to dreamland?"
Athena smile faltered. She didn't know whether another nightmare would occur. For the past few nights, she hadn't been getting much dreams, only nightmares. And those nightmares being ones of the attack.
"I'll try." Athena looked at George, who was sitting on the red armchair.
"Alrighty, night Nana."
"Night Georgie."
As George watched the girl close her eyes, he couldn't help but notice the grey bags under her eyes. He glanced at the peaceful girl asleep, thinking. Athena had been looking tired every morning, but somehow manages to be as energetic as a hyper child later in the day. Then as the night approaches, she seemed hesitant. As if she didn't want to sleep. He didn't know why, but he knew that he would ask her tomorrow.
The Weasley's gaze was broken when the common room portrait opened, and people started pouring in. George shot his head, putting his finger to his lips. "Shhh! They're all asleep!"
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Athena shot up, panting. Another one. Only this time, it was different. There were six different glowing stones. It was in some sort gold glove, and the same purple, large man was wearing it. Then he snapped his fingers.
Visions of the people she cared for started disappearing. She didn't know how they disappeared or where they disappeared to, but from what she saw before she woke up, she was alone.
As she sat up, she groaned, feeling the uncomfortable carpet underneath her. She noticed Harry on the couch, and the two Weasley twins sound asleep on the other seats. Knowing that she wouldn't be able to go back to sleep, she fixed herself and she was now lying on her back, facing the ceiling, trying to calm herself.
"Athena?" A voice whispered. Athena looked to voice on her right, his tired eyes open and looking at her. His eyebrows then furrowed, noticing the tears on her eyes. "Why're you crying? Did you have another one?"
The dark-haired girl didn't even know she was crying until Harry pointed it out. The girl sighed and nodded, wiping her eyes. "Yeah..."
"You have to go to Pomfrey." Harry sat up, his eyes on his sister. "You've been having too much nightmares Fi. You look tired everyday."
"It's fine Har, I'm fine." Athena sat up, moving to the spot next to Harry.
"No you're not! These nightmares are ruining your sleep." The Potter yelled at her hushedly.
"But I'm fine though Harry-"
"Athena don't even lie to me. I've known you since we were children and I know when you're not okay." Harry told her. He then patted the spot beside her, in which Athena had stood up and sat there.
"Yeah I know that..." Athena sighed, leaning her head on Harry's shoulder. Harry put his arm around Athena's shoulder and leaned his head on hers.
"I told you we would always look out for each other, and that's what I'm doing right now, looking out for you." Harry stated, concern laced in his tone. "Please Athena..."
"Fine," The Black sighed defeatedly, "I'll go tomorrow."
"Good... And I'm going with you."
"Alright..." Athena closed her eyes, thankful for the boy next to her that she could call her brother. Then, a loud stomach grumble was heard.
Athena then moved her head and looked at Harry. "Someone's hungry."
"Well, how can I not? We skipped dinner."
"Oh right, we did." Athena then stood up, holding her hand out for Harry. "Now let's go to the kitchens. I'm starving too."
Athena pulled the boy up, as they began to walk towards the portrait. They then stopped, turning around to look at the Weasley twins, who were snoring. "Should we wake them up?"
"Probably."
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━edited -siriuslycv 2022©
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