Long brown hair fell over his eyes, covering the grey, dead orbs. His sharp features, always standing proud making the male handsome had faded and the once slim idol had lost his touch. Bags under his eyes, the unrecognisable male looked up as a pale hand placed itself on his shoulder. He looked up at a woman, who was giving him a look of pity and regret. Her eyes were identical to the boy‘s, cold, emotionless. Worry lines across her forehead, her cheekbones hollow. Behind her, stood a tall slim woman, dressed in all black. A malicious smirk on her face, her black hair wild, unbrushed and untamed. She stayed there, waiting.
The male could feel his heart, beating faster in his chest, with every move he made. Slowly, he rised to his feet and began to shuffle from the room, following the females - the more worried one had not removed her grip since she had taken it. The dark haired female led them into a small room, dark, but one figure could be clearly seen. Pale white skin, a skeletally thin body, and dark scarlet eyes with cat-like slits for pupils, the proud Lord Voldemort stood before the three new arrivals. He had a chalk-white face that resembled a skull, snake-like slits for nostrils, and long, thin hands with unnaturally long fingers like spider's legs.
The boy knew what was going to happen. Oh how he’d wished to avoid it, but it was here, right in front of him. And he couldn’t stop it. This was his punishment. His punishment through his family, and all the pain that it would cause them.
Voldemort didn’t need to say anything. He simply held out his hand, his skeleton like fingers expanding. The male knew what to do next. Slowly and hesitantly, with some restraint held by the female, the child approached him, his arm held out. When the two were close enough, Voldemort snatched his arm which caused him to wince slightly in pain. Voldemort held a wand to the boys arm and began to mutter an incantation.
There was burning. He felt serious burning. And scratching. He watched as he saw a mark of a skull and a serpent being branded into his skin. It felt as though several hot needles were piercing through his arm and whimpered slightly in pain. Voldemort seemed quite pleased with his reaction, pushing the wand further into the child’s arm forcing him to yell out in extreme agony. From behind him, the worried woman watched in torture, not daring to move at risk of causing him any more harm.
Soon the pain was over, and Voldemort dropped his arm. The child collapsed on the floor, tears stinging his eyes and he looked at his arm in deep despair although he dropped it quickly in fear of being seen. He was now cursed, the Dark Mark torn into the skin of his left arm. The boy managed to get to his feet quickly, looking up at his ’Dark Lord’ who gave him a look of wickedness.
“Now Regulus,” Voldemort said, his voice hissing and rolling quite eerily off his tongue. “I have a very special task for you too do.”
I awoke with a start. I was sweating, boiling over. I was in pain, my muscles ached, my left arm was itching. The dream came back to me all so quickly and I realised I had felt the same pain that the boy had in my dream. I had felt imaginary pain. I didn’t think I was afraid of Voldemort, this dream proved otherwise. Creating an imaginary boy in my head and living out my fear. Who was Regulus? He was a figment of my imagination but his face seemed all but too familiar.
“Dorcas, are you okay?” Lily drew back the curtains on my four poster bed and looked at me in concern and worry. “You were screaming.”
“Oh.” I said shortly, rubbing my head from the sweat. The red head was still eyeing my in concern but said nothing else. Instead, she put her hand on the back of my neck but moved it away promptly.
“Merlin, Meadowes, you’re burning up.” She bit her lip. “I think we better take you too the hospital wing. What have you managed to do too yourself on the second day back?” She questioned, moving to my draws to search for, what I presumed were robes.
“I only got gunk on me in Herbology.” I replied swaying slightly. I had to admit, I was feeling incredibly nauseous and dizzy. My stomach was churning uncomfortably, my throat seizing up. Oh no. I knew it was coming. Lily started talking again but I wasn’t paying attention. It was making it’s way up my chest, into my throat and…
Ugh.
“Ew! Dory!”
***
“What plant did you say it was, Mr Potter?”
I must have fallen asleep somewhere for when I heard a commotion of voices, my eyes were shut and my bed felt different. A lot more uncomfortable. It was colder than the Gryffindor dormitory and I felt myself wanting to grab the covers and pull them over me too look around my scene, but I felt too weak to move. I still felt like the room was spinning and my body still burnt all over.
“When Sirius came back to the Common Room, he said a vanity plant had exploded on them. I told him not too take Herbology. Stupid Sod never listens to me.” The amused voice of James Potter replied. “How long are they going to be out for?”
They? Was Sirius here too?
“Soon I should imagine, but you must go to class, Mr Potter.”
“Right you are, Polly. Say hi to Padfoot for me when he wakes up will you?”
“Yes.” the woman replied shortly. There was a commotion, a closing of doors and then silence. I risked opening one of my eyes, and scanned the room. I was in the hospital wing and it was empty. All but the bed next too me which was occupied with Sirius Black, who looked just as dreadful as I was feeling. I stared at him for a few seconds, he looked so peaceful and content. And then he smirked.
“Don’t stare, darling.”
His eyes fluttered open and he looked at me. I rolled my eyes at him, turning onto my side to face him, which only caused a rush of dizziness to my head. I raised my hand to it in discomfort.
“Yeah, I wouldn’t recommend moving for a while.”
I groaned, moving back onto my back. “Thanks so much for the heads up!”
He laughed. “You’re welcome, Dory.”
We laid in silence for a few minutes before he broke the silence with a coughing fit and a violent body shake. I looked at him in fear, but when he stopped, he gave me a reassuring smile.
“I don’t have that symptom, yet.” I said worriedly, biting my lip nervously.
“It effects people differently. I haven’t thrown up. You did. All over Lily’s new slippers, congratulations!” Sirius loud out a loud laugh which only caused more coughing. “No one else would have the guts to do that.”
“I didn’t mean too.” I sighed. “She just heard me screaming in my sleep and came to check up on me.”
“Why were you screaming?” Sirius sat up a little in his bed and regarded me closely.
“Nightmare, I suppose.”
“Elaborate?”
“I don’t really want to talk about it.” I said honestly, leaning my head back and closing my eyes. “Did you have any nightmares.”
“No, I wasn’t sleeping when it started.” Sirius said shortly. I didn’t know what he was doing, whether he was looking at me, or if he had gone back to his original position on his bed. But whatever he was doing, he was causing a lot of commotion. I was too tired too move.
That was until there was a loud bang on the door and it opened. I opened my eyes and looked at the door. Gilderoy was standing there, his arms folded across his chest and he stormed towards me.
“Hey Gilderoy.” I smiled happily, but he didn’t seem in the least bit happy.
“Who am I going to go to Hogsmeade with now if you’ve locked yourself in a bloody hospital wing?!” He snapped at me. I raised my eyebrows.
“I ur-”
“God, Dorcas, why are you such an idiot? Can’t you just do something right? I’m going to look like a right loser going there on my own. God, this is more embarrassing than when Merlin’s books were found out to be wrong.”
“I don’t know if you’ve noticed, Lockhart, but she’s in the Hospital Wing. You should show some care and sympathy.” Sirius spat angrily, sitting fully upright in his bed. I know that couldn’t have been good for him. Sirius firing up didn’t help that matter, for Gilderoy just turned on him.
“I suspect this was your plan, Sirius. To keep her away from me.”
“Your ego’s worse than James Potter’s, Lockhart. Get out and let us sleep.” Sirius said tiredly.
Gilderoy looked at me sternly. “I expect you to be better and up by 5 so we can go to Honeydukes.” He said darkly before walking out again.
What the hell just happened?
I turned to Sirius too clarify if that was real. He was still staring where Gilderoy had just left.
“Was he angry at me?” I asked, confused. Sirius turned too look at me and nodded.
“Don’t know what you see in him. He’s so uncaring.”
I said nothing. Just nodded. I wonder what made him freak out so much about that. Usually he wouldn’t care. At least, I don’t think he would? I’ve never been in the hospital wing before. Only too see Marlene when she’d been knocked off her broom. Which reminded me…
“Qudditch Season starts soon?”
Sirius nodded and gave a sigh. “James isn’t happy. I’m the only good beater you see, Kingsley’s pretty pants. And our chasers aren’t great either at the moment. Arthur Weasley’s been out of shape since he got back. We think he got laid over the summer.” Sirius laughed. “We need a better team if we want any hope of winning the cup this year.”
I laughed. “Quidditch isn’t even that hard.” I noted, turning my attention to the window and staring out at the horrible weather. Was probably better for Sirius that he didn’t have to play in this weather.
“How would you know? You don’t play.” Sirius sniggered.
“I’m a fair flyer.” I gave him a smile.
“Oh?” Sirius tossed his legs out of the bed and walked over to mine, sitting at my feet. I slowly used my elbows to prop myself up before moving backwards and attempting too sit up properly. Sirius laughed at my feeble attempt and hoisted me by the arms too put me in a seating position. I smiled thankfully. “You look cute in your pyjamas, Dory. Are those ducks?”
“Shut up.” I moaned, suddenly becoming self conscious of how I looked. I must have had absolutely no make up on, my hair unbrushed and messy, obviously I looked ill, and I probably had vomit breathe. How attractive I must have looked. I turned my attention to Sirius’ outfit. He was wearing a plain white top which showed off his muscles and a pair of grey jogging bottoms. He looked dashing, even in his sleeping gear. For that, I was jealous.
“So, you can fly? How well? Seriously, James is desperate for some new talent.” Sirius asked, smiling.
“I’ve been practicing since I was 5. I played with my dad before he got caught up in work. Then I just played with neighbours until-” I paused. I don’t know what happened to my neighbours exactly. Only that a Dark Mark was above their house, and my parents locked me in the house for a month. “But anyway, my dad thought I was good.”
“Why haven’t you ever gone for try-outs?”
I shrugged. “Nervous I suppose.”
“What position do you prefer?”
“Beater, always.” I laughed. “The thought of knocking the bludger right into one of those Slytherin faces would be ever so satisfying!”
“It is.” Sirius smiled. “Why don’t you try-out for Beater? Kingsley’s been begging too do Keeper for ages, but James is keeping him on Beater until he finds someone better.”
“I don’t know.” I whined. “I mean, having to be with you all the time for practices!” I teased. Sirius nudged me gently in the arm. “I heard he makes you guys practice a lot.”
“Oh yeah, a lot of hard work. But it’ll be good for you too have a bit of fun once in a while!” Sirius exclaimed, moving his hand over my head and messing up my hair.
“I don’t know!” I repeated in my highest, babyish voice. “What if I’m awful when it comes to try-outs.”
“Where’s your Gryffindor Pride girl?!”
“I threw it up.” I said miserably, grabbing my head.
“Go back to bed, Dory.” Sirius chuckled, jumping off the feet of my bed. He walked over to the side of me, lifted my back and legs up and slowly lowered me down so I was flat against the bed again. He promptly fluffed up my pillows below my head and pulled the covers up too my shoulders. “You look adorable.”
“Oh yeah, vomit girl looks adorable.” I rolled my eyes. He just laughed, leaning over and kissing me on the forehead and walking over to his own bed. I could of sworn he muttered something, but I couldn’t hear him properly, for I’d already dropped off into a heavy sleep.
***
I stared down blankly at my piece of parchment which was supposed to be my Ancient Runes essay. The words written down just didn’t make any sense to me. Why was I so utterly useless? Everyone around me had al the luck! And what did I have? An average face, a boring personality, a stressy boyfriend and not an incredibly high I.Q.
And that’s when I looked up and across the common room, my eyes falling on two familiar faces. James Potter and Sirius Black. An example of good luck - insanely good-looking, wanted by the majority of the female population, smart, relatively friendly, and idols when it came too Quidditch. Of course, Lily Evans disagreed, hating all of the Marauders except for Remus. She only disliked them because of their intense bullying on Snape. James was madly in love with Lily, I don’t know why he thought torturing her best friend would make her feelings mutual.
“What are you working on?”
My eyes were torn away from the two boys and for a moment, I thought Sirius was staring back, but I probably imagined it. I turned to look at the voice and found myself staring into the green orbs of Remus Lupin. And he was smiling pleasantly down at me, before turning his gaze on my work.
I felt my cheeks turn red. Remus was one of the smartest students in Hogwarts and he was examining my incorrect and awful work! I watched his eyes narrow in confusion before the corner of his lips turned upwards into an amused smile.
“Do you need some help?”
“It’d be much appreciated.” I replied, almost a plea in my voice. This caused him to laugh and he pulled up the chair next to me. He proceeded to take my quill and parchment, crossing words out and writing things down of his own.
“So,” He started, not taking his eyes off his new task, “Heard you were in the Hospital Wing as well as Sirius?”
“Yeah, wasn’t pleasant.” I smiled slightly, remembering my constant vomiting in the bed next to Sirius and how he had come to my aid by holding my hair back. He must have been repulsed. Luckily everything cleared up and I was healthy again. As was Sirius.
Annoyingly, I wasn’t better or 5 like my boyfriend demanded, and this had made him very displeased with me. Although it was two days ago, the silent treatment had not ended. I didn’t mind too much. It gave me a chance to catch up with my studies. It was annoying to listen to Sirius moan about why I should dump him. My boyfriend was just over-emotional, that’s all. I know he loved me… right?
“I imagine not, I hate it in there,” Remus remarked after a while.
“You go there often?” I questioned, leaning over him with curious eyes. I’d never known Remus too go there, or at least, I’d never noticed him go there.
However, I noticed him stiffen beside me, “I go there as often as I have too, dear.”
I raised my eyebrows suspiciously but said nothing as before I got the chance, he had pushed my work back towards me and dropped the quill beside my hand. “That looks better, would at least be worth an E.”
I looked down at it - he was right, it definitely looked better than before. I looked up again to thank him but he already had his hand up.
“No need to thank me, Dorcas.” He grinned, “Why are you so distracted from your work anyway?”
“Oh,” The question came as such a shock to me. I was distracted, after all, I was awfully bad at classes this term. Truth was, I didn’t really know. “Guess I’m bored.”
“Oh really?” Remus tilted his head, “It’s okay to be worried, you know.”
“Worried?”
“About well… You Know Who..”
I stiffened. Lord Voldemort. The man which terrified my family, threatened out lives. The man I had a nightmare about two nights ago. I never believed myself to be scared, but there were signs.
“It might be subconscious, that’s usually the case. James is the same.” Remus continued, giving me a reassuring pat on the shoulder.
“James is worried?”
Remus shrugged, “He says he’s not, but you can tell by the way he protects Muggleborns and how wary he is of all Slytherins.” Remus explained calmly. I had to agree - James was very protective, especially over Lily.
“Mind if I cut in?” It was Sirius who had just stood up from his seat next to James and Peter and approached out table. I presumed he wanted to steal Remus to plan the newest Marauder prank.
“No problem, have fun you two.” I replied, smiling and looking back at my new and improved essay.
“Erm, I actually wanted to talk to you, Dory.” Sirius’ quiet voice came. I looked up at him in confusion and watched as Remus nodded to his friend, stood up and approached the other two Marauders. Sirius took Remus’ place, looking very nervous.
“Are you okay?”
“I might have, sort of, told James, that you could, quite possibly, play Quidditch.” He raced. My beating heart calmed down. How stupid was he?
“I thought you were dying or something.”
“I thought you were gonna kill me or something!” Sirius laughed before biting his lip, “You’re not mad?”
“Not really.”
“Will you at least try-out? Please?” Sirius pleaded, putting on his best puppy dog face. “This Sunday!”
I laughed. “Fine, I’ll try out, just for you.” I paused, “And the satisfaction off knocking my boyfriend off of his broom!”
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