Chapter 10
I placed my hand on the door to the Slytherin common room. I took a breath. I was too clingy, I couldn't live without them for even a month. I sighed and took a step back, and turned towards Toby. "Let's find McGonagal," I said, and made strong strides towards the Great Hall.
A kid was up after hours. I stared down at him as he watched me cross the corridors like I had nothing to lose. Which was true. I was outside Hogwarts laws, I wouldn't get punished cuz I no longer attended the school. I was here for one reason. "You shouldn't be outta bed," Toby said to him, kindly. I shivered. A breeze was coming through an open window, obviously opened by Peeves. After Toby conversed with the kid, who was a 2nd year, we went on our way, towards the Headmistress's office.
It wasn't long before we got there and it wasn't long before I remembered I didn't know the password. But she whipped open the door as we were about to knock, and her elderly face contorted into an angry expression. Then she noticed who it was, and said crisply,
"Abernathy and Caim, eh? Come in."
We did.
"What are you doing here?" she said, and Toby nudged me.
"I'm here to see Tom and Lucas," I said.
"You're not the first person. Granger came recently. But why, you're done with your schooling, right?" she stared hard at us, and I stole a glance at Toby, who smiled and said hastily,
"I finished in India."
"You two are no longer under the Trace," said McGonagal. "Go hide, while you can, wait out the threat of Handison."
"No," I said coldly, but corrected myself to sound warmer, my scar throbbing. "No, Ms. McGonagal. I'm sick and tired or hiding. He's kidnapped me and tried to kill me, and he's sent my friends through extreme grief, and I'm done."
She pursed her lips. "Asia, you can stay here at Hogwarts while Tom and Lucas finish up their studies. Help them, if you want, but you can't go back out. You're here and now I need to keep you safe until the other 2/3 of your army is ready!"
"We're not an army-"
"Yet, Handison calls you three The Silent Trio. A way to refer to you, as a whole. You must be dangerous as a whole, he's always tried to break you up. Why? He takes one and leaves the other two. Together, you may be strong enough. You have to read between the lines, Asia. And they call you the smartest witch ever to attend this school?" she scoffed, and I gritted my teeth against her sour words and my scar.
"Fine. I'll take your advice then." I sighed. "Where should I stay?"
"You can stay in your old dorm," she said. She stood up. "As for you, Caim, you escaped Azkaban, but it doesn't mean you're off the hook cuz Asia survived. Come," she said, and Caim stood up and followed her. "Asia, good luck. Let's let you and your friends be the next Harry Potter!"
The next day, I stayed holed up in my dorm, determined not to let Tom and Lucas know where I was until the weekend. We could catch up and I wouldn't distract them from their studies, and I could see Lucas again.
Abby and Lizzy wanted to hear all my stories, but I refrained from telling them. I didn't want to talk about torture, and Wren dying. I wanted to say away from it, like keeping It secret would make it less painful. But they found my scar while I was taking a shower and asked them for a towel, and I had to tell them a little bit, and they were awed.
"You're truly awesome." said Lizzy. Her blond hair bounced.
I smiled weakly.
Two more days passed and then it was Saturday, and I went out to the tree where we always used to gather after Saturday breakfast. I waited for them, and before long they came out, and saw me, and rubbed their eyes. I got up.
"You're always had to come for me, this time I came for you." I said strongly. "I'm tired of being a hindrance and I'm going to stay with you guys from now on."
"What about the cu-" Tom started, but Lucas had already passed him and had unexpectedly hugged me. When he did that, tons of thoughts ran through my head, mostly about how I had missed him. I squeezed him back and buried my face in his chest, and he stroked my hair, rather clumsily.
"When you two are done," said Tom bitterly, "I-" I nudged him rather roughly, but he didn't seem to mind. "Why not finish it up with a kiss or something while you're at it?" he said, jokingly and I stared at him, annoyed.
"I'm not exactly for that if you're gonna be here taunting us," I said. Tom laughed, and Lucas smiled for what seemed the first time in forever.
SO SUGARY SWEET AND SAPPY I GIVE MYSELF CATIVIES, SOMEONE PLEASE HELP ME AD TAKE AWAY ALL THE HAPPINESS I FEEL FOR THESE TWO XD *Ahem* Hey! Hope you enjoyed Chap. 10 and I'm terrible at writing love scenes and didn't want to write them kissing cuz IDK. WELP. Asia tis back and for a while they should be at Hogwarts formulating a plan XD
