Chapter 33 (Ava)

The doors to the library opened as a first year girl left, and I stepped through. Madam Pomfrey had discharged me half an hour before, and I had decided to spend my time in the library, catching up on the lessons that I had missed over the past couple of days. Plus, I had a feeling that a certain someone would be in there.

As if on cue, Neville appeared from behind a bookshelf. He glanced up and, when he saw me, his eyes lit up.

I ran up to him and wrapped my arms around him as he slammed into me, hugging me in return.

“Ava!” He gasped, “I was so worried about you!”

I smiled into his shoulder,

“No need to be. I was absolutely fine, Neville. Thank you so much for taking me to Madam Pomfrey.”

“Why were you asleep for so long? It’s not common for that to happen…”

“I-” I faltered, and Neville pulled away, instantly knowing something was wrong.

He eyed me cautiously,

“Ava…”

I sighed, taking hold of his hand and pulling him further behind the bookshelf. I leant towards him and whispered,

“You have to promise that you can’t tell anyone.”

Neville shook his head, his brown eyes widening,

“I promise, Ava.”

I kept my voice low and inclined my head towards his,

“I saw Sirius.”

“What?” Neville’s voice was loud, causing me to slap his arm.

“Keep it down!”

He sighed,

“Okay, okay- carry on.”

“The Draught of Living Death put me in a death-like sleep. I wasn’t dead, and neither was Sirius alive. We were meeting in the middle. I hadn’t seen him in so long, it was strange. He hadn’t changed a bit, but of course he wouldn’t have changed.”

I turned to look at the bookshelf instead of Neville, giving me a chance to blink away the tears that had formed in my eyes.

“He was what was keeping me from staying awake. It felt like I wasn’t with him for very long, but the times must be different from that world and this one.” I whispered.

Neville smiled,

“Was it a relief to see him?”

I nodded, closing my eyes,

“He watches over Harry and me, you know. My parents and Sirius. I just wish they could do more than watch.”

I didn’t mention the few times that my mother had contacted me- they were a secret I kept to myself.

I gulped, my eyes suddenly flying open,

“Neville, you can’t tell Harry. I feel guilty for having seen Sirius when Harry could not- especially considering that he’s known Sirius for longer than I have, since he came back from Azkaban, I mean. I might tell him one day, but not now- it’s too soon.”

Neville reached out and squeezed my hand,

“You can trust me, Ava. You know that, right?”

“Of course.” I spoke softly as I reached up and hugged him again. Over his shoulder I noticed a shock of light blonde hair as its owner darted towards the doors of the library.

*                    *                    *

I closed the library book I had been reading and rubbed my eyes tiredly. The librarian had given me special permission to stay in the library much later than everybody else as to catch up with my lessons.

Neville had asked to stay too, to keep me company and study himself, but the librarian had declined.

“Please, miss,” he had protested, “What if she collapses again?”

“If Miss. Potter collapses, I will see her as she will be sitting at one of the tables next to my desk. You have no need to worry, Mr. Longbottom. You may leave.” The librarian had answered coldly.

Now, I placed my book back on the shelf and thanked the librarian as I left the library, clutching my note from her that would prevent me getting told off my prefects.

Walking through the dark corridors, four prefects stopped me with threats of taking away house points. I simply showed them the note and they sent me away, mildly suspicion on their faces.

When I walked into the common room, someone was sitting by the fire which cast long shadows on their pale face.

“Draco,” I gulped, “Why are you still awake? It’s late.”

“I could ask you the same question.” He muttered, not bothering to look up, “Where have you been?”

I waved the piece of paper in my hand at him,

“The library- I was catching up with studying.”

“Who were you in the library with?” Draco’s voice was bitter.

I stepped towards him,

“What? No one.”

“Not Longbottom then?”

I shook my head,

“No! He had to leave when everyone else left.”

“Do you think people didn’t see you in the library earlier with Neville?” Draco spat, finally looking up at me.”

I frowned,

“What are you talking about?”

“Oh don’t pretend you don’t know, Ava. I saw you holding hands with him and pulling him behind the bookshelf. How obvious is that?”

“Oh my god!” I spluttered, “Do you really think that I was kissing Neville behind the bookshelf? He’s my friend!”

“What were you doing then?” Draco stood up, his fists clenched angrily. I had no idea why he was getting so angry, and where he had got these ideas from in the first place.

I sighed,

“I was talking to him. I was in the Hospital Wing for two days, you know. We had a bit to catch up on.”

Draco raised his voice,

“You think I didn’t notice that you were gone? You think I didn’t miss your petty wining?”

I faltered, shocked by his words,

“Y-you missed me? Why on earth would you miss me?”

“God, Potter-” He started.

“Don’t,” I cut him off, “Don’t call me Potter.”

He carried on, oblivious to my words,

“Are you sure you’re the one that doesn’t need glasses, not Harry?” Draco’s voice was getting louder, and I cringed, hoping that he wouldn’t wake anyone in the dormitories up.

“What are you talking about? I don’t understand-” I raised my hands in frustration, but Draco caught at my wrists.

“Because you’re so blind! Blind to what is right before your eyes!”

I stared at him, my voice shaking,

“And what would that be? What is it that’s right before my eyes that I’m not noticing?”

Draco looked at me, his eyes wide. He looked like he was waiting for me to say something, to come up with the right answer.

When I didn’t he shoved my wrists away,

“Forget it.”

“Wait!” I called out as Draco stormed towards the exit of the common room.

“Draco!”

Either he did not hear my cries or chose to ignore them- and I had a feeling that it was the latter.