Different

breakups

Claire was awake but she could barely move. She was wrapped in a warm embrace that she didn't want to leave. She could faintly smell her dad's aftershave and she knew that she was with him. So at least she was safe.

But the panicked and angry voices around her didn't make her feel safe.

Her head was pounding so hard that the world felt like it was spinning. She could breathe better, but each breath felt like it took twice the energy it normally would. An overwhelming sense of dread made it feel like an elephant was sitting on her chest.

The slamming of doors made her flinch enough that her dad shushed those around him.

"You're okay now Claire," Remus whispered.

"We're here," Sirius said softly from her other side. Claire hesitantly opened her eyes. She was glad to see that the lights had been dimmed in the Hospital Wing. Her dad was sitting next to her and she was leaning on his chest, which she was glad because she didn't have the energy to sit up herself. Sirius was next to them, somehow in his human form. Harry was laying in a bed next to her with Hermione and Ron around him. Molly Weasley was there too along with Dumbledore, Professor McGonagall, and Snape. Leo was sitting opposite from Sirius, looking absolutely exhausted and worried.

"Don't try to talk," Remus told her, his voice as soft as he could go. Claire let her head fall back onto his chest because it took too much energy to keep it up. Remus was shaking as he held her as tight as he could without hurting her.

"We have a great problem on our hands," Dumbledore started. His voice carried enough power that everyone listened, even if he wasn't speaking loudly. "We need to work together from now on. Severus, you know what you need to do."

Professor Snape didn't look happy or excited about what was happening, but he nodded. He hesitated when he passed Claire, sharing a look with Remus that only the two of them could understand.

"We must all remain strong in the face of adversity. What Harry and Claire went through tonight needs not to be repeated to others," Dumbledore warned. "We will fight for them. For Cedric Diggory."

All was silent as the three professors left the Hospital Wing. Madam Pomfrey started going around and passing out more potions to those who needed them.

"Are you alright, dear?" Madam Pomfrey questioned softly.

"Hurts," Claire croaked. She winced at the pain it caused her throat just to say one word.

"Here you go," Madam Pomfrey said. The healer started mixing up a concoction of potions that made Claire wince at the smell. But her whole body was hurting so she didn't complain at the bitter taste.

"I tried," Claire whispered, looking between Remus and Sirius.

"We know, sweetie," Sirius assured her. Claire sniffled and curled up tighter till she was more comfortable.

"We're so proud of you," Remus told her, his voice cracking.

"There was nothing anyone could do," Harry spoke up. He sounded so sad, as if every last bit of joy had left him. "Voldemort is back. His plan worked."

"Don't worry about that tonight, dear," Mrs. Weasley said, forcing a smile on her face even though tears were in her eyes. "I think we all just need to sleep. Nothing is so important that it can't wait until morning."

"I agree," Remus spoke up. He was gently running his hand through Claire's hair because he remembered that it used to work when she was little. It was definitely working now because she was asleep in no time at all.

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When Claire woke again, she was all alone. The Hospital Wing was cold, but she was shaking from her dreams. She had seen the whole night play out again, so she wasn't too surprised when she saw the real Mad-Eye Moody laying in the bed in the corner of the room.