Glass Houses

33🔴A simple favour

The hospital wing was cold and desolate, the only sound that could be heard was the rain pounding on the outside window. Marcellus Gaunt stood by his friend's bed ,silently promising to Blaise that he would keep his sister in line as best he could. It had been 2 days since he had been cursed and it had changed the dynamics of the serpent house

Once looking up to and fearing Draco Malfoy, they now looked upon him with disgust, he had done this to one of their own, Slytherin was already looked down upon by the other houses because they were perceived as 'evil' and this really didn't change that image.

Marcel heard footsteps and glanced round to see his sister striding in, he sighed, she had been excessively violent these last two days, throwing curses at anyone who dared mention Malfoy's name ,almost hexing teachers even. Even he had felt himself walking on eggshells around her.

Draco had avoided the pair like the plague and for good reason, once he had reached the hospital wing after the twins had their 'fun', Emerald, who had been there visiting Blaise had added a broken nose to his list of injuries ,and received a weeks detention for her actions.

"No change?" She muttered to her brother

He shook his head "no ,but that's a good thing it means his body is healing" he reassured her

Emerald sighed ,sitting at the end of the bed ,Marcel understood she needed time to be alone and left, promising he would see her later.

She reached for Blaise's hand and took a shaky breath "people are gonna think I'm crazy" she muttered to his sleeping figure, her eyes brimming with tears, she laughed humourlessly

"You're a right sod ,you know that" she muttered fondly, "haven't cried in years and here you are making me look like the bloody Niagra falls" she chuckled ,her face going serious again "I'm scared Blaise" she admitted

"I'm scared of what I might become without you" she sniffled, suddenly she heard a crack behind her and she whipped around ,facing the source of the noise

Neville Longbottom stood in the doorway, wide eyed, like a deer caught in the headlights. He coughed "sorry Em I didn't mean to interrupt" he said honestly, feeling a pang of sympathy for the girl, everyone saw her as cold and ruthless, these past few days only confirming that, but he saw her..

He saw that when it came to the people she loved, that her cold and ruthless exterior was just a mask and in truth it hurt her more than anything to see them in pain.

Emerald sighed, wiping her wet cheeks "it's okay Neville I won't bite" she smiled at him.

"Emerald I'm sorry this happened to you" he said sincerely "I can imagine what you're going through"

"You've had someone you care about crucio'd into unconsciousness?" Neville was surprised at her tone, he expected it to sound like a snarky remark, when all it did was make her sound worried about him.

Neville nodded "my parents" he said quietly "tortured with it, into what some might call insanity" Emerald felt her heart lurch for the boy. It was only now could she understand a fraction of what he was going through, it was horrible.

"I'm sorry Nev" she placed a hand on his arm "how old were you?" She hated seeing him so upset

"Only a baby" he muttered again, "they say it sticks you know, the magic I mean, makes me feel sick to think they still have her magic inside them after all these years, even after they've healed from it" he shuddered

"Her?" Emerald questioned

"Bellatrix Lestrange" he spat as hatefully as the gentle boy could and Emerald smiled sympathetically,