I awoke in my bed in the same position that I fell asleep in. I felt exhausted as if I hadn't fallen asleep at all. For the first few seconds upon waking up, I forgot about Draco leaving me the way he did but once I remember the pain crashes over me like a wave. How could he leave me after what happened? When I needed him.
I turn to lie on my back and to my horror, a group of people is standing around my bed. I sit up fast and let out a small scream before realizing who they are. It's just Hermione, Ron, and Harry.
"Sorry, Y/N, we didn't mean to scare you," Ron says. Hermione looks at me with sad eyes and sits beside me in my bed.
"We didn't want to wake you. We thought you'd need all the sleep you could get after... what happened last night," she puts an arm around my shoulder comfortingly.
"How did you know what happened?" I asked, my heart still racing from the scare. The three exchange glances at each other.
"The Ministry detected magic use in this area and by the magnitude, we knew it must have been a fight. I recognized that the area was where you lived so we just connected the dots," Harry explains.
"What exactly happened last night, Y/N? Are you okay?" Hermione asks and I shake my head.
"I'm okay. They... used the cruciatus curse on me but I'm okay now-" I try to explain but Ron interrupts me.
"Who did? Do you think it's the same people after muggleborns?" he asks and I sigh.
"I would be dead right now if it was those people. No, these people were after... Draco. They're anti-pureblood," I answer.
"Anti-pureblood?" Hermione asks, dumbstruck. I can imagine it sounded ridiculous because it was unheard of but before I could answer, Harry interrupts.
"The cruciatus curse could have killed you, Y/N. That spell does terrible things to people, drives them insane. It's not something you should just brush aside," Harry says with a hint of anger in his voice. Hermione hugs me tighter when he mentions the curse. I know she's remembering what it was like for her when she was hit with the spell.
"But it didn't kill me. I was able to get back up but Draco... they tried to kill him," I say and they all exchange glances again.
"Where is Draco?" Hermione asks.
"I don't know. He left after he healed..." I trail off, "Do you think he's okay?"
"He's fine," Harry replies immediately. I look curiously at him but his face doesn't reveal any clue as to what he's thinking. I don't know what else to say so I get out of my bed and reach for my bedroom door.
"I wouldn't do that just yet-" Ron says but it's too late. Once I crack open the door I see my small apartment is filled with people. I instantly recognize George and Ginny but there are quite a few people from the Ministry as well. Unfortunately, Billingsgate is among them. I quickly shut the door again and stare at the three with wide eyes.
"What is everyone doing here?" I ask.
"Well, George and Ginny were really worried about you when they heard the news. But also Billingsgate is here and some of the Ministry because they think you need the protection," Harry explains.
"How did everyone find out what happened so fast?" I ask and Ron chuckles.
"What's funny?" I ask.
"Well, it's not really funny," Ron says after Hermione elbows him in the arm, "But everyone found out this morning."
"Isn't it still morning?"
"It's 5 p.m." Ron replies and I stare in horror. I almost slept through the whole day. Hermione catches my reaction and puts a comforting hand on my arm.
"Y/N, the curse has a lot of bad effects on the body and mind. It's not bad you slept as much as you could, it's a good thing to get rest," she explains kindly.
"Billingsgate wants to talk to you about details, too. He thinks you should take some time off," Harry adds.
"No!" I protest but the three already start filing out of the room.
"We'll give you a minute to get ready. But come out soon, George and Ginny really want to see you," Hermione says and closes the door quietly behind her. I let out a long sigh, preparing myself for the interactions I was about to have outside my room. I get myself ready, or at least presentable, and walk through the door and into my living room. All eyes turn to me and I start to feel claustrophobic. I look around the room, searching for a lifeline. I find comfort when I meet George's eyes and walk straight to him and Ginny, straight into their arms.
"We were really worried about you," Ginny says.
"Yeah, we came here as soon as we could. Are you okay?" George asks, inspecting me as if I had been physically injured.
"Thank you guys for coming, really. It's nice to see some familiar faces here," I start, glancing nervously at the strangers in my flat, "But really, I'm okay now."
"Harry and I have been talking and if you need, Y/N, you can come to stay with us. I know you probably won't want to be left here alone," Ginny suggests but I flinch at the word 'alone'. It painfully reminded me of being abandoned by Draco just last night.
"I don't think that'll be necessary but thank you so much, Ginny. If I ever feel like it's too much to handle I'll let you know," I smile at her but, desperate to change the subject to something normal, I turn to George, "How's the joke shop?" He chuckles.
"A bit slow since all the kids are at Hogwarts around this time. It wouldn't be a problem if you wanted me to come and check up on you from time to time," He replies shyly and I smile. They were all so worried about me but I didn't feel unsafe at all. I worried about Draco mostly. He was the one they wanted to kill, why wasn't anyone with him? Where is he?
"I appreciate that George, but I'll probably be at work most of the time anyway," I say but George and Ginny exchange knowing glances.
"What was that?" I ask.
"I think you should talk to Billingsgate," Ginny replies and I turn directly to Billingsgate.
"Hello, Y/N, I'm so glad you're okay," he tells me as I approach him.
"Thank you, sir. I'm sorry for missing work today-" I begin but he laughs.
"You don't have to worry about today. In fact, you don't have to worry about work for quite a while," he says.
"I can't miss any more work, Billingsgate. What about my plan? What will happen to it while I'm not at the Ministry?" I ask frantically.
"Y/N, you have just been through a traumatic experience! The curse you endured does terrible things to mind, you'll have to be evaluated before you even return! Don't worry about your plan-" he says but I grab his hand reflexively to interrupt him. I'm not sure why I do but I needed his full attention, I needed him to listen to my words carefully.
"You can't let my plan dissolve. Please, Billingsgate, try to keep it going," I beg. He smiles when he looks down at my hand and looks back into my eyes.
"I promise I will protect your plan. But enough about that. You are to take two weeks rest and you will be accompanied by two Aurors at all times," he says but I raise my eyebrow in confusion.
"I'm being guarded? Why-" I begin but he shakes his head.
"You are a target to two separate groups now, you need the protection. A hard-working Ministry woman as yourself should be protected so you can come back to us safe," he smiles. I politely smile back at him.
"Who will be the Aurors assigned to me?" I ask and he chuckles.
"I would assume Harry Potter and Ron Weasley would be more than happy to volunteer but there will be a cycle, nothing you have to concern yourself with," he says and I nod slowly in understanding. This all felt ridiculous.
"Well, I have matters to attend to back at the Committee. I'll see you in two weeks," he says and disapparates. The rest of the Ministry disapparate with him and I'm left with Harry, Ron, Hermione, George, and Ginny. I let out a relieved sigh and we all, oddly, laugh.
"Guess me and Harry take the first shift," Ron jokes, elbowing Harry playfully in the arm.
"It'd be nice if you all could stay. I could use the company," I say, hoping the rest would stay too.
"Of course we'll stay!" George says excitedly and I smile gratefully. Grateful for the company and also the distraction from thinking about the one person I hoped to see. The one person who never showed up. Draco.