𝐅𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐄𝐍 𝐀𝐍𝐆𝐄𝐋 ʰᵖ ˣ ᵐᶜᵘ

𝖊𝖎𝖌𝖍𝖙𝖞 𝖙𝖍𝖗𝖊𝖊

CHAPTER EIGHTY THREE: 𝐀 𝐍𝐄𝐖 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑
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   I sat on the bed in the hospital wing, feeling like all of my energy has been drained. Tonks made sure to sit next to me, wrapping an arm around me while Madame Pomfrey cured the others.

  "How did he die?" Tonks whispered, the others were only silent in grief. "How did it happen?"

  Harry inhaled, before speaking.

  "Snape killed him," Harry replied. "I was there, I saw it. We arrived back on the Astronomy Tower because that's where the Mark was... Dumbledore was ill, he was weak, but I think he realized it was a trap when we heard footsteps running up the stairs. He immobilized me, I couldn't do anything, I was under the Invisibility Cloak.. and then Greengrass came through the door and disarmed him--"

  I could sense the others turning to me when Daphne was mentioned. I couldn't still believe that everything I saw earlier was real. I hope everything was just a dream. Tonks' hold on me tightened while I looked down at the ground.

  ".. more Death Eaters arrived-and then Snape.. and Snape did it. The Avada Kedavra." Harry couldn't go on.

  I could hear some burst into tears. I, myself didn't know what to feel at the moment. All I could think of was negative thoughts, that's for sure.

  "Shh, listen!" Ginny said and everyone fell silent.

  Heard all over Hogwarts, was a phoenix's cries. It sounded like cries at first, but it slowly began to turn into a song. A beautiful melody, Fawkes was grieving for Dumbledore.

  Guilt slowly made its way to me, like the song made a curse wear off me, I could now feel everything all at once. My heart felt dread and sorrow.. and guilt.

  I let Dumbledore die.

  I changed the story.. now Daphne and Theo are Death Eaters. But if I didn't.. Draco would be the one in their place.

  It's a lose-lose situation.

  I bit down my lip, trying to ignore the lump forming in my throat while I thought about what happened tonight.

  Whenever I tried to fix something.. I ended up breaking it even more.

First, Loki and Peter.

Then Tony.

  Now, it was Daphne and Theo.

  I truly didn't belong in this universe. I tried so hard to be one of them, but remembering what Dumbledore told me in third year, he knew that I didn't belong here.

  I silently laughed to myself, feeling pathetic all of a sudden.

  The moment I tried to smile, my tears began falling down one by one. My heart grew heavy, my eyes stung a lot.

  I couldn't help it.

  I know that I shouldn't be crying about something that was my fault in the first place, but something about it makes me feel down.

  I only looked down at the ground, not letting anyone see me like this.

  I recalled Harry's statement the other night, he said he was tired of everything.

  I began to feel what he feels, I just want to back out of this mission I have planned every since the beginning. Saving everyone from their deaths.

  But I think there's no backing out now.

  Now that I've made many changes in this story, and I already saved Sirius. Things can't go back to normal anymore.

  Because I changed it.

  I had been so confident in what I was doing, that I forgot about the consequences. I only looked at the bright side, ignoring the dark side that was clearly in front of me.

  And I hate myself for that.

  I let the tears fall down from my eyes, waiting for it to finally finish.. because I knew that if I expressed myself through crying, I don't deserve it. I don't deserve to cry because I was the sole reason that my best friend was now suffering.

  Tonks was the only one who noticed me, she sat in front of me this time, blocking everyone's view of me while she let me lean on her shoulder.

  This action alone made me cry even more, I bit my lip, suppressing my sobs while Tonks rubbed my back up and down in a comforting way.

  Professor McGonagall entered the hospital wing. Like all of us, she had marks from the battle that took place earlier. There were grazes on her face and her robes were ripped.

  "Molly and Arthur are on their way," McGonagall announced tiredly, it seemed like she hasn't got any sleep.

  I didn't notice it, but with Tonks comfortable hold on me, I slowly fell asleep on her shoulder.

  I do hope that when I wake up, I'll be back home and I'll find out that everything was just a dream.

  I woke up shortly when I heard the hospital doors swing open. I felt a warm hand on my cheek, caressing it carefully. By the familiar scent of cocoa, I could tell it was George.

  "Did she find out..?" I heard George question, worry on his tone.

  "She almost fought them.. but they didn't do anything to each other. She was still in shock." Harry replied.

  "I can't believe it was real.." I heard Draco mutter. "When you told me about it the other day, I thought you were mistaken. Daphne and Theo would never do that."

  "It's true, Hobbs.. I saw them." I spoke up, my voice hoarse from crying.

  I opened my eyes and saw them watching me worryingly. I looked beside me and realized that George had replaced Tonks on holding me.

  "I'm sorry.." Draco held on my hand, with a guilty look on his face.

  "No, I'm sorry. If only I thought about it before I acted-"

  "None of this is your fault, love. We only fought, none of us knew that You-Know-Who would pick Daphne. Even if you could see what would happen, you can't be sure that things will turn out great all the time. Don't blame yourself." George cut me off, shaking his head as he tucked a stray hair behind my ear.

  "He's right, Jills. Don't blame yourself for something you didn't mean to do. This isn't the end." Draco agreed, squeezing my hand gently.

  "Hold her for a while, Draco."

  George stood up, Draco sat next to me and gave me a tight hug.

  "Jills, can you be honest with me?"

  I looked up at him with a small smile, nodding.

  "Tell me, was I supposed to be there? Instead of Daphne and Theo, it was truly me who's supposed to be in their place, right?"

  My smile faltered at his question. I couldn't help but look away, Draco was too smart.

  "So.. it's a yes then."

  "Hobbs, I'm sorry that I didn't-"

  "It's fine, Jills. I just wanted to know the truth, don't worry about it." Draco gave me a smile, but it didn't reach his eyes.

  George walked back to us, holding cotton balls and an antiseptic solution. Draco seemed to get the sign, he went to go check on Bill while George sat in front of me.

  "This will sting a bit, love." George said, pouring the solution on the cotton ball.

  "It's okay." I smiled softly at him.

  George pressed the cotton ball gently, I could feel the hot sting of the antiseptic solution having contact with the cut on my cheek. I winced at the pain, curling my hand into a fist.

  I couldn't help but gaze at him in awe, his brown eyes focused deeply on me while he concentrated with the wound. He wiped the blood of my nose this time, the light above us illuminating his face.

  "I know I'm handsome, love. Don't worry, I don't mind the staring." George commented, making me laugh.

  "You are too full of yourself, Mr. Weasley." I smiled teasingly.

  "I just know that I'm insanely attractive, Mrs. Weasley." George replied, smirking. I only scoffed jokingly at his comment, ignoring the heat on my cheeks.

  A comfortable silence covered us for a minute, before George pulled away.

  "There, it's done." George spoke, plastering a band-aid on my face. It was the box of band-aids he got on his pocket.

  "How do you never run out of band-aids?" I asked curiously.

  "I have a whole supply in our apartment, we're always ready." George patted the small band-aid on my cheek, making sure that it was stuck properly.

  "You would be a great Healer, you know?" I raised an eyebrow.

  "Oh, really? You're the first person I've healed other than myself." George looked amused at my comment, mirroring my expression.

  "Well, I'm honoured." I pretended to bow at him, making him chuckle.

  "C'mon, love. Let's go see Bill." George helped me stand up from the bed, placing an arm behind my back.

  "You didn't see your brother first?" I asked in surprise.

  "You before everything, love."

  I hid a smile at his comment, but I'm fully aware of the smirk that made its way to his lips.

  We were over Bill's bed when we noticed that everyone had gone silent, eyes locked on Fleur and Molly.

  This must be the heartwarming moment.

  "Our Great-Auntie Muriel.." Molly broke the silence with teary-eyes, "..has a very beautiful tiara, goblin-made, which I am sure I could persuade her to lend you for the wedding. She is very fond of Bill, you know, and it would look lovely with your hair."

  "Thank you," Fleur spoke warily. "I am sure zat will be lovely."

  The rest were shocked when the two women ended up in each other's arms, crying and whispering sweet nothings.

  "Finally." Draco nudged me, smiling at the two women in front of us.

  "Took them long enough, I'm kinda thankful you didn't lash out on Mum." George whispered in my ear, smirking.

  "I still have respect for the elders." I retorted, rolling my eyes before breaking out of his grip.

  Before I could move an inch away from him, George pulled me back, securing his arms around my waist.

  "You're not going anywhere, love." George grinned, I only mocked him in response.

  "You see!" Tonks huffed, glaring at Remus. "She still wants to marry him, even though he's been bitten! She doesn't care!"

  "It's different," Remus shook his head with a sad sigh. "Bill will not be a full werewolf. The cases are completely-"

  "But I don't care either, I don't care!" Tonks grumbled, holding on to Remus' clothes frustratingly. "I've told you a million times..."

  "And I've told you a million times," Remus groaned, darting his eyes on the floor. "that I am too old for you, too poor... too dangerous..."

  "We definitely need popcorn for this," Fred walked over to us, whispering.

  I only nudged Draco and George who laughed at Fred's comment.

  "I've said all along you're taking a ridiculous line on this, Remus," Molly sighed exasperatedly.

  "I am not being ridiculous," Remus said sternly. "Tonks deserves somebody young and whole."

  "But she wants you," Arthur spoke up with a smile on his face. "And after all, Remus, young and whole men do not necessarily remain so."

  "I still couldn't believe that my cousin and ex-professor are together.." Draco spoke up with a bewildered look on his face.

  "Me too, Draco. Me too." Sirius turned to his nephew with a nod.

  "This is... not the moment to discuss it," Remus shook his head again, sighing. "Dumbledore is dead. ..."

  "Dumbledore would have been happier than anybody to think that there was a little more love in the world," McGonagall spoke, a sad smile on her face.

  "Well, in that case.." Fred cleared his throat, walking forward before grabbing Hermione's wrist. The brunette seemed to be confused at his action.

  "We're together!" Fred announced, raising his and Hermione's hands together.

  There were shocked gasps all over the hospital wing, even McGonagall is surprised.

  What the hell?

  I shared a shocked look with George who were also surprised by this. Ron, who didn't seem to take this information, collapsed on the floor.

  Harry and Ginny immediately assisted Ron to lay on the hospital bed. Ron was now pale and unresponsive.

   Fred grimaced at the sight of this.

  "Just trying to lighten up the mood, people!" Fred tutted, sitting back next to us.

  "Frederick Gideon Weasley!" Molly screeched, her face turning red.

  "I'm just joking, Mum!" Fred whined, hiding behind George.

  "He's dead, very much dead." Draco commented, an amused grin on his face.

  "So dead." I grinned next to him.

  "There are no any other girls in the room! Fleur's almost married with Bill, Coley over here is basically with George, Harry's with Ginny who's obviously my sister! I have no other choice!" Fred sighed.

  George and I stopped breathing the moment Fred spoke, we turned to each other with wide eyes, jaws dropped.

  "WHAT?!" Molly, Arthur and Fleur exclaimed together.

  "We're not dating!" George and I said at the same time in defense of ourselves.

  "We.. uh.." Ginny cleared her throat, looking pale as Harry was being held by Ron, he was now the one on the hospital bed.

  "This is much more amusing than any other entertainment in the world." Draco smirked, I glared at him, making him shut up.

  The thin tension in the room thickened once again when Hagrid bursted through the hospital wing. His eyes were full of tears while he wiped it with a handkerchief.

  "I've... I've done it, Professor," Hagrid choked a sob. "M-moved him. Professor Sprout's got the kids back in bed. Professor Flitwick's lyin down, but he says he'll be all righ' in a jiffy, an' Professor Slughorn says the Ministry's bin informed."

  I couldn't help but feel sad seeing this, Dumbledore basically treated Hagrid like a friend and Hagrid has been so loyal to him.

  "Thank you, Hagrid," McGonagall said, she stood up, flattening her clothes before turning to us. "I shall have to see the Ministry when they get here. Hagrid, please tell the Heads of Houses--Slughorn can represent Slytherin-- that I want to see them in my office forthwith. I would like you to join us too."

  "Slughorn's the new Head of Slytherin? I knew he was amazing!" Draco raised an eyebrow, nudging me.

  "Told you he's brilliant." I smirked.

  "Before I meet them I would like a quick word with you, Harry. If you'll come with me." McGonagall turned to Harry who immediately followed after the Gryffindor head.

  Silence filled the atmosphere for a moment, then Remus spoke up.

  "We could assume that they'll be closing off the school for the next school year.." Remus spoke soft-spokenly.

  "As they should, I don't know- oh, I don't know if I'll let my children go back if the school year recommences.." Molly said worryingly, looking at her five children present in the room but mainly at Ron and Ginny who has still not graduated.

  "I have a feeling they won't.. I am sure they'll make the decision based on Dumbledore's preferences.. and we all know that Dumbledore have always prioritized this school." Sirius commented.

  "I agree with you too, Sirius. I think they'll keep the school open even if only few students would sign for the next school year." I said, earning a smile from Sirius.

  "If Dumbledore's gone.. who's leading the Order?" Ron asked curiously.

  "Definitely Moody, he seems the one to fit with the title at the moment." Ginny replied, the rest of us agreeing with her statement.

  "Maybe I could.. maybe I'd be good at that." Sirius added, grinning.

  "We never even chose you as our leader, Padfoot." Remus said, a small teasing smile on his face.

  "Thanks a lot, Moony." Sirius sarcastically said.

  "The Ministry's on his way.." Arthur announced. "If anyone of you wishes not to be interrogated, you may go home now."

  All of us began to move from our seats, each we apparating out of Hogwarts one by one.

  Before we left, I grabbed Ron and Hermione. The two were confused with my action.

  "If Harry tells you something about a locket, tell me immediately, alright?" I asked them. "Oh, and I'm still on the team, right?"

  "We'll tell you.." Hermione nodded before smiling. "You'll always be part of the team, Nicolette. Don't hesitate to tell us anything."

  I waved at the two while they proceeded to go back to their common room.

  I hugged George and Fred goodbye, they went back to their apartment in the shop. While Sirius, Draco, Remus, Tonks, and I apparated back into Grimmauld Place.

  "Home sweet home." Sirius sighed, removing his coat.

  "I assume none of us would be sleeping right now, right?" Remus asked us and we only nodded.

  "I'll go make the coffee." Tonks stood up, raising a finger before walking to the kitchen, Remus and Sirius following behind.

  Draco and I went back into our own rooms to change our clothing. I immediately discarded my bloody and dirty clothes from earlier, replacing it with clean and comfortable pajamas.

  I heard loud sounds on the room next to me. As soon as I got dressed, I knocked on Draco's door, before opening it.

  "Hobbs.. what are you doing?" I stood there, alarmed as I saw my best friend packing his clothes, wearing his suit this time.

  Draco froze on his movements, before turning to me with wide eyes.

  "I- I should leave." Draco shook his head, before continuing to pack his clothes, this time quickly.

  "And where are you going?" I walked closer to him with a frown.

"I'm going back home.. this isn't right." Draco muttered under his breath as he clipped his suit close.

  "Hobbs- No! You are not going back there!" I shut the door close with my hands and taking a hold of his shoulders.

  "I need to!" Draco tried to escape my grasp but I held unto him and let him sit on the bed.

  "You can't, do you have a death wish?!" I huffed as I wrapped my arms around him to refrain him from going.

  "Can't you see, Jills?!" Draco scoffed, messing his hair frustratingly. "This- I was supposed to be there! Instead of Daphne.. and Theo, I was supposed to be in their place!" Draco's eyes teared up, which I haven't seen for a while. "But now.. I'm here.. and now you're bothered so much by it.. maybe if I went there, I can replace them an-"

  I tried not to cry, before hugging him tightly.

  "No, Hobbs. You will never be a bother to me, or to everyone else around here.. I am taking the blame for this.. and you won't be going back there and endanger yourself.." I pulled away and looked at him right in the eyes.

  Draco didn't say anything as he only nodded, dropping his suitcase on the floor and leaned into my arms. We let the silence cover us, our breaths the only thing we could hear at the moment.

  "You are not going back there, please promise me." I looked into his eyes pleadingly after we pulled away.

  Draco looked into my eyes for a second before sighing.

  "I promise."

  Draco changed his clothes back, while I waited for him outside his door. I held on to his hand, afraid that I'd lose him too.

  After a few minutes, we went back down to the dining room, joining the three for coffee.

  "I still couldn't believe it." Sirius said, taking a sip from his cup while we stared into nothingness.

  "Dumbledore's funeral will be held at the school.." I announced, the four with me seemed to be used with my peculiar knowledge about the future already.

  "This feels like a dream." Tonks sighed before she turned to me with a small frown. "I'm sorry, Nicolette.. about your friends."

  I only gave Tonks a small smile, then I stared back into my cup of coffee.

  While we continued drinking with small conversations, my mind trailed off to Daphne. We spent a few hours there, just talking about our lives.

   Before I went to sleep, I made sure to conjure a figure of a dove, before letting it fly away.. just to pay my respects for Dumbledore.

  Thank you for what you did and for being my guardian.

  My heart went heavy once again, and I think it's not gonna be light any time soon.