▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃

CHAPTER SIXTY FIVE - 🍂୧ finding . . .
out about them ও🦌

AS AUTUMN NAVIGATED HER ASSIGNMENT, she fought to push aside the distractions and focus on the task at hand. Yet, every now and then, the argument with James would resurface in her mind, causing a pang of guilt to flicker across her face. But she quickly pushed the thoughts away, determined to prove herself right.

She reminded herself that she had successfully completed all her assignments at the beginning of being part of the order, and her skills had always prevailed. She had faced far more challenging obstacles than a minor distraction.

However, beneath the surface of her determination, a nagging voice whispered that perhaps James had a valid point. Maybe her mind was more distracted than she wanted to admit. Perhaps her personal issues were clouding her judgment and slowing her down.

But she quelled those thoughts, refusing to give them any credence. She pushed onward, determined to complete her mission with her usual precision and efficiency.

As she reached the final destination of her assignment, a familiar surge of relief washed over her. The mission had been a success, and she had completed it flawlessly despite any internal distractions. She took a moment to catch her breath, a sense of pride swelling within her.

Yet the memory of James' words still lingered at the back of her mind, despite her determination to disregard them. A sense of discomfort settled over her as she grappled with the conflicting thoughts.

She silently reprimanded herself, irritated at her indecisiveness. She had always prided herself on her ability to make rational decisions under pressure, and now, her mind kept returning to James' advice and that nagging guilt that plagued her.

With a sigh, she resigned herself to acknowledge that perhaps there was some truth to his words. Maybe her mind had been distracted more than she had realized.

She took a moment to gather her thoughts, feeling a mix of disappointment in herself and irritation that he might have been right all along. Despite the successful completion of the mission, the feeling of uncertainty lingered.

And then doubt set in, adding to her turmoil. Should she have taken his warning seriously? Maybe she had been too dismissive, too assured of her abilities.

Autumn's surprise turned into shock as her eyes fixated on the two figures before her, Lily and Elliot. She remained frozen in place, her mind racing as she struggled to process the unusual sight.

What were they doing together? she wondered to herself. Lily and Elliot? and she hadn't expected them to have any contact.

She observed Lily's expression closely, taking in the subtle nuances of her face. There was a distinct look of concern etched across Lily's features, and it was evident that whatever they had been discussing was heavy and important.

Curiosity overcame her momentary surprise, and she found herself wanting to know what could possibly have caused such a dire expression on Lily's face. With a sense of intrigue and determination, she pushed aside her distractions and focused on the unfolding scene before her.

The pang of vulnerability she felt grew stronger as the conversation between Lily and Elliot took a different turn, transitioning into something more casual and light. The sight of Lily's smile only seemed to deepen Autumn's sense of unease, a stark contrast to the inner turmoil that continued to gnaw at her.

She couldn't help but feel a pang of envy at their effortless interaction. Her mind was a tangled mess of worries, doubts, and distractions, and there were two people seemingly unburdened by such complexities.

Autumn wrestled with conflicting thoughts as she observed Lily and Elliot. Her mind flitted from uncertainty to doubt, pondering if perhaps witnessing the two together was the root of her inner turmoil. But despite her attempts to convince herself of that possibility, the nagging doubt persisted.

The feeling that something else was amiss continued to torment her, refusing to be silenced by her attempts to find an explanation. Autumn felt a sense of frustration at her inability to pinpoint the source of her unease.

She tore her gaze away from Lily and Elliot, realizing that watching them together was only fueling her inner struggles. With a deep breath, she refocused her attention on the path ahead, trying to push the thoughts and doubts aside. But the persistent sense that something more significant was at play lingered, taunting her with its elusiveness.

As she walked, the weight of her thoughts and preoccupations hung heavily upon her. Despite her efforts to shake off the unease, she couldn't help but notice how different Lily and Elliot's interaction was compared to her thoughts. They conversed with ease and happiness, seemingly without a care in the world.

Autumn couldn't help but compare herself to them, feeling like she was drowning in her internal struggles while they appeared to float effortlessly in their own.

Autumn's steps slowed to a stop, her heart pounding in her chest. She brought a hand to her chest as she considered the possibility that her argument with James could be the source of her inner turmoil. Her mind briefly flickered with a thought: I knew this would happen.

But then she shook her head, dismissing the notion. The argument itself wasn't the issue; there was something else, something buried deep beneath the surface. She knew her unease ran deeper than a simple quarrel.

She took a moment to collect her thoughts, trying to identify what was truly bothering her. The argument with James provided a convenient scapegoat, a surface-level issue to blame for her inner turmoil. But as she delved deeper, she knew there was something else at play, something far more complex.

Autumn's mind felt like a tangled web of thoughts and emotions, each strand representing a different aspect of her internal struggle. The frustration of finding the root of her unease only added to her sense of helplessness.

A shiver of realization ran down Autumn's spine as her gaze fixated on the two figures in the distance. She immediately recognized them as James' parents, Fleamont and Euphemia. Suddenly, a sense of clarity washed over her, as if the answer to her inner turmoil had been revealed.

Unable to tear her gaze away, she found herself drawn to follow them, her legs moving inexplicably as she moved closer to the pair.

As she trailed behind the two figures of James' parents, Autumn's mind raced with a mixture of surprise and confusion. Why were they triggering her unease? What was it about their presence that made her feel so unsettled?

Her steps slowed as she tried to piece together the reasons behind her intense reaction. She felt drawn to them, like an invisible force compelling her to get closer.

She observed their every move, their every gesture. The way they spoke, the expressions on their faces, every detail seemed significant, yet she couldn't quite grasp the reason why.

Autumn found herself torn between the desire to continue watching them and the need to understand the enigma that they represented. The tension within her grew, her insides twisting with a mixture of curiosity and trepidation.

Autumn hung back, her gaze locked on the imposing structure of St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries. Her eyes followed Fleamont and Euphemia as they entered the hospital, her body reacting involuntarily with a shiver.

It was unusual for wizards and witches to visit this hospital for trivial matters. Springing to mind was the possibility that they were visiting family or friends, but there was something about the demeanour of the elderly couple that was strangely disquieting.

She stood frozen in place, her eyes fixated on the building, her thoughts racing. Why would James' parents be visiting a hospital of this calibre? Did someone they knew require immediate medical attention? The questions flooded her mind, each one more haunting than the last.

She felt an overwhelming sense of unease, a foreboding feeling that there was something much more sinister behind their visit. Something that triggered a deep-rooted fear within her soul.

Despite her reservations about intruding into their private matters, a nagging sense of curiosity drove Autumn to move toward the entrance of the hospital. She had spent so long standing outside, immersed in her own thoughts, that she had lost sight of James' parents.

As she stood there, her eyes darting around the area, she found herself chewing on her lip out of nervousness. Hospitals always stirred up uncomfortable memories of her grandparents being admitted when she was younger, and the association added an extra layer of unease to her already uneasy state.

She swallowed nervously, the memories of her grandparents' admission flooding her mind. She took a deep breath, mentally scolding herself for being so on edge. Fleamont and Euphemia were probably here to visit a friend or relative. It was quite normal, she reasoned with herself.

But despite her internal reasoning, she couldn't shake the feeling that there was something amiss. The image of James' parents entering the hospital continued to play in her mind, like a broken record of anxiety.

She took another deep breath, trying to steady herself. Perhaps it was just her being overly sensitive due to her recent argument with James. Maybe seeing his parents had triggered some lingering guilt from their argument.

But as much as she tried to dismiss the feeling, it persisted, a gnawing sense of uncertainty in the pit of her stomach. Autumn stood there, rooted in place, her gaze flicking around the hospital, searching for any sign of Fleamont and Euphemia.

A nurse who appeared to be only a few years older than her noticed Autumn. Upon seeing her, the nurse paused and inquired in a friendly manner, "Hello, do you need any assistance, Miss?"

Autumn was yanked from her thoughts by the sound of the nurse's voice. She turned her gaze towards the slightly older woman, a look of surprise on her face.

"Oh, hello," she replied, trying to sound nonchalant. "Uh, just... I was just..." 

She trailed off, realizing how odd she must appear loitering in the lobby of the hospital.

The nurse raised an eyebrow, studying Autumn's flustered look, and smiled kindly. "You seem a bit lost. Are you searching for someone specific?" she asked, noticing the subtle hint of anxiety in Autumn's expression.

Autumn's anxiety only heightened as she stumbled over her words, telling the nurse, "I came to check on my parents."

The nurse nodded sympathetically and guided Autumn towards the front desk. She stood behind the nurse, waiting anxiously as the nurse gained the receptionist's attention.

Suddenly, a voice she recognized called out her name. Autumn turned to see Fleamont and Euphemia standing there.

"Is that you, Autumn dear?" the voice asked.

The nurse whispered discreetly, "Looks like you found them," before walking away.

Autumn's heart skipped a beat as she turned to find Fleamont and Euphemia standing before her. For a moment, she couldn't find her voice, her mind racing with conflicting emotions.

"Y-yes, it's me," she finally managed to stammer, her voice betraying her nervousness. "I...I was just."

Her words trailed off, unfinished, as she mentally scolded herself. She must appear like a complete fool.

She nervously fidgeted with her hands, her eyes darting from Fleamont to Euphemia and then back again. She felt a pang of embarrassment, realizing that she probably looked like an intruder lurking around the hospital.

"I, uh..." she started, trying to come up with a believable excuse. "Needed to..." 

Again, her words trailed off, leaving an awkward silence hanging in the air.

She swallowed hard, her mind frantically searching for something, anything, to salvage the situation. She cursed herself for being so socially inept. She was supposed to be a member of the Order, a capable witch, and yet here she was, unable to form coherent sentences in front of two elderly couple, both of whom were the parents of the man she loved.

"Sorry," she finally blurted out. "I should probably go. I...uh...sorry." 

Her cheeks burned with embarrassment, and she began walking away, hoping to make a hasty exit.

Before Autumn could exit, the urgent sound of a nurse dashing towards them caught their attention. Joining the medical staff were several doctors, including the nurse who had helped her earlier.

The nurse addressed the Potter couple and Autumn, "Mr and Mrs Potter, we need you three to come with us quickly."

Autumn's eyes widened in surprise as she was swiftly led away by the medical team, accompanied by the confused couple.

Lily and Elliot's voices echoed with concern as they urgently called out, "Autumn!" however, they were obstructed by the hospital staff.

Autumn glanced over her shoulder as she was ushered into a different room.

Her eyes met Lily's for a brief moment, and she managed to quietly mouth a message: "Get James." Lily's solemn nod showed that she understood the urgency.

The room she was ushered into was small and sterile, the walls painted white and adorned with various medical equipment.

Autumn shifted uncomfortably on her feet, her mind racing. Why had the hospital staff taken them here so urgently? What was going on?

She glanced at Fleamont and Euphemia, who both looked just as baffled as she felt.

Autumn observed the nurses and doctors surrounding them as they used their wands to cleanse themselves.

Feeling the anxiety building within her, Autumn bit her lip as Euphemia reached out to take her hand, offering a comforting gesture.

The doctor cast a protective barrier, stepping closer to them and inquired, "I need to know about any individuals you've come into contact with in the few weeks."

The couple's eyes widened at the doctor's words, and Euphemia released Autumn's hand quickly, taking a step back. She urgently asked, "How much contact is necessary?"

The doctor took note of Euphemia's quick step back from Autumn, and responded, "Living in the same space or being around others for some time would qualify."

Fleamont closed his eyes and cursed softly, his voice filled with a mix of dread and realization. "Is it... Dragon Pox?"

The doctor nodded solemnly, confirming the diagnosis.

Autumn's breath caught in her throat as the doctor revealed the diagnosis. Dragon Pox. The room seemed to close in on her, the white walls becoming more stifling with each passing moment.

The word echoed in her head, the gravity of the situation settling in.

Her gaze flickered from Fleamont to Euphemia, seeing the dread and realization etched on their faces. She tried to steady her own racing heart.

The doctor's nod confirmed what they all feared. Autumn couldn't help but shiver at the diagnosis. Dragon Pox. It was more than just a mere illness. It was a life-threatening disease.

Euphemia's question about the extent of contact was met with a chilling response: living in the same space or being around others for a certain amount of time.

Autumn's mind jumped to recent interactions, her face paling in realization.

Her mind raced with the implications, the realization dawning on her like a cold wave. It had been a month since their last visit to James' parents. A month ago.

She quickly grasped the timeline of events. The announcement of their impending wedding. James not returning home. Their relentless commitment to the Order. All of it added up.

The cold grip of fear clenched her insides. She and James had effectively lived together since then.

A chill ran down Autumn's spine as Fleamont and Euphemia backed away, their voices filled with tension. They shared that they had used the Floo Network to travel to their family-owned house nearby, where the only contact was with each other.

Euphemia's trembling voice echoed throughout the room, her concern palpable. "What about dear Autumn?" she inquired. "Is this exposure she had enough for her to contract the illness?"

The doctor considered the situation carefully before replying, "Based on the limited exposure, she should be alright. But we will have to admit you for further observation."

Autumn couldn't help but shiver, her mind going over the implications of the words exchanged in the room.

Limited exposure. Admitting her for observation. All because she had been in close contact with Fleamont and Euphemia.

She stole a glance at the elderly couple, their concerned expressions mirrored her feelings. Fleamont in particular looked particularly tense, his face pale and drawn.

The atmosphere in the room was tense, the silence broken only by the sound of the doctor scribbling notes on a piece of parchment.

Autumn glanced over at Fleamont and Euphemia again, their concern evident. Euphemia's trembling hands fidgeted nervously, while Fleamont stood rigid, his usually calm demeanor shaken.

She could sense the weight of their worry, their fear for her well-being. It made her anxiety spike even higher.

The silence in the room was deafening, each passing second feeling like an eternity. The doctor continued to scribe notes on a piece of parchment, the scratching sound echoing loudly in the small room.

Their worry was palpable, and it only heightened her own anxiety. The thought of them feeling responsible for her potential illness weighed heavily on her mind.

Fleamont turned to Autumn, his voice soft and filled with guilt. "I'm so sorry, my dear," he repeated.

Autumn looked at him, seeing the remorse etched on his face.

"I shouldn't have put you through this," he continued, his voice shaking slightly. "If I'd known..."

She tried to assuage his guilt, "You both are my family. Don't ever think it's your fault. I love you both dearly."

Fleamont's shoulders sagged slightly as he heard her words, the guilt still evident in his eyes.

"I just..." he stammered, struggling with emotions. "We never wanted to put you in danger."

Autumn felt a pang of sadness at his distress. She hated seeing him like this, torn by blame that didn't belong to him.

Fleamont stared at her, his eyes still watery with emotions.

He opened his mouth to protest, but she didn't let him speak. Her voice was steady and firm as she spoke, "Fle...Dad, this isn't on you. You didn't deliberately expose me. This was an accident."

Fleamont looked at her, his face etched with guilt and sorrow. "But I still caused you harm," he muttered, his voice trembling.

Autumn cut him off once more, her voice more assertive this time. "No, Dad, listen to me. You are not responsible for this."

He looked as if he still wanted to argue, but Autumn's firm and steady tone held back any protests.

After a moment, Fleamont nodded slowly, his eyes downcast. "You're right," he sighed.

Autumn wanted to place a reassuring hand on his arm, but couldn't risk the proximity. Instead, she repeated her words, "This is not on you. Don't blame yourself. None of us could have predicted this."

She then turned to Euphemia, her tone softening, "Mum, the same goes for you."

Euphemia looked at her, her eyes mirroring the same worry as Fleamont.

"Are you sure you'll be alright?" she asked softly, her voice quivering slightly.

Autumn smiled gently, trying to ease their worries. "I'll be fine," she affirmed firmly. "The doctor said I'll be under observation. They're just being cautious."

"But what if you..." Euphemia couldn't bring herself to say the words, her voice trailing off as tears welled in her eyes.

Autumn's heart ached at the sight. She wanted to rush over and embrace them both, but the risk was too great.

"Don't think about the 'what ifs,' Mum," Autumn assured her, her tone gentle but resolute. "Focus on the facts. I've only had limited exposure, and the doctors are taking precautions. I'll be fine."

Euphemia nodded slowly, though her tears continued to fall. She reached for a handkerchief, dabbing at her eyes.

Fleamont, meanwhile, had composed himself a bit better. He cleared his throat and spoke up, "We should inform James about this."

Autumn begang to explain, "Our friend is already on their way to fetch James, I hope that's alright. I just couldn't bear the thought of him being kept in the dark about this. It was the first thing that came to my mind."

Fleamont nodded, his face still etched with concern, "It's fine. I would have done the same."

Euphemia interjected, "But he'll be worried sick about her."

Fleamont smiled weakly, "Yes, he'll be out of his mind."

Autumn sighed and observed the doctor cast a protective spell, followed by the nurses entering the room, all shielded by the safety barrier. She spoke to the elderly couple, "Mum, Dad, it's not just me. It's both of you as well. You're his parents."

Fleamont and Euphemia looked at each other, silently communicating their shared concern. They knew the truth behind Autumn's words. James would be completely frantic with worry not just for her, but also for them.

Euphemia nodded, her voice soft, "He's always been such a sensitive boy. Especially when it comes to family. He'll go berserk."

Fleamont ran a hand through his hair, his shoulders slumping slightly. "He's going to lose his mind."

Euphemia let out a shaky breath, her hands clutched tightly together. "He'll be frantic," she whispered, her voice strained.

Autumn watched as the reality sank in for the couple. She knew they were right. James would be devastated, especially since his parents were the ones affected.

A pang of guilt hit her for not considering the full impact her news would have on James.

Her mind raced, wondering how she could have been so careless. She knew how much James adored his parents, and how protective he was of them. This revelation would hit him hard. And she hadn't even spared a thought about how to break it to him.

The doctor guided Autumn gently to a separate room for examination, while Fleamont and Euphemia were led to their designated room for treatment.

Autumn's mind was a whirl of emotions. She was worried about her condition, but her primary concern was for James, and how he would react to the news.

As she sat alone in the small, sterile-white room, her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of footsteps approaching. A nurse entered her wand in hand. She had an air of professionalism, but her eyes held a hint of concern.

"Hello, dear," the nurse greeted warmly. "We'll just check you for any symptoms first before proceeding with further tests. Is that alright with you?"

Autumn nodded, "Yeah, that's fine." Her heart beat faster as the nurse approached, her wand casting spells to check for symptoms.

"Have you noticed any fatigue or general ill feeling lately?" the nurse inquired.

Autumn thought back to the last few days. She had felt slightly under the weather, a low-grade headache and mild body aches.

"I've felt a bit tired and a sore body," she admitted. "But I've been pushing myself a lot lately, so I figured it was normal stress."

The nurse nodded, not looking particularly concerned. "Those symptoms can often be attributed to stress and fatigue," she noted. "But let's do a few more checks just to be sure."

She continued to cast spells, her wand tracing a series of complex patterns in the air.

As the nurse's spells continued, Autumn couldn't help but feel a wave of anxiety wash over her. She hated feeling powerless, being examined like this.

"What happens if I do have it?" she asked finally, her voice barely above a whisper.

The nurse paused for a moment, her expression softening. She could sense Autumn's worry.

"If you do have Dragon Pox," she explained gently, "we'll start treatment right away. The earlier we start, the better your outcome will be."

Autumn nodded, her mind racing with questions. She knew the seriousness of the illness and the impact it would have if she did indeed have it.

"How long will the treatment take?" she asked, her voice tinged with a hint of dread.

"The treatment for Dragon Pox can vary," the nurse replied. "It depends on the severity of the contraction. It can range from a few days to a couple of weeks."

Autumn's heart sank at the news. A few days to a couple of weeks? That meant time away from everyone, away from the Order, at a time when they were needed the most.

As if sensing her turmoil, the nurse placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "But don't worry," she assured, "We have excellent care here, and you'll be well looked after."

Autumn nodded again, trying to hold back the tears that threatened to spill. She appreciated the kind words, but they couldn't ease the weight of uncertainty that settled on her chest.

The nurse finished her final checks and stepped back, her eyes lingering on Autumn for a moment.

"The doctor will be here shortly to discuss the results," she informed. "But in the meantime, try to relax."

With that, the nurse exited the room, leaving Autumn alone with her anxious thoughts.

The room seemed even smaller now, the walls closing in on her. The minutes ticked by slowly as she waited for the doctor to arrive. Her mind was filled with worst-case scenarios, each one more terrifying than the last.

Every creak of the floorboards outside made her jump. Every whisper from the corridor set her heart racing. Time seemed to slow to a crawl, each second stretching into an eternity as she waited for the doctor, and his verdict.

Finally, the door opened, and the doctor walked in, his face schooled into a neutral expression. Autumn's heart pounded in her chest, her hands gripping the edge of the bed.