The Beast Within

Remember To Turn On The Light

I awoke in the hospital wing once again. It took a while for me to register the recent events. It hit me like a bludger at full speed. Aurelia. I began to hyperventilate, breathing in and out like had I had just run a marathon. I sat bolt upright. A sigh sounded from beside me.
"Hi, Phoenix." Ava sniffed. Her face was red and blotchy. I leaned over to her and drew her into a tight embrace.
"Hey, Ava." I wept, burying my face into her shoulder.
"I tried to save her. She jumped... There was nothing I could do!" I cried.
"It was my fault..." She muttered.
"How could it poss-"
"I told her. I told her you were the werewolf. She must have followed you down."
"She wouldn't want you to blame yourself. Anyway it was that werewolf, that bastard!" I snapped "She told me, before... you know... She told me to tell you that she loved you. Specifically as a friend." I said. Ava chuckled.
"Yeah, that's Aurelia alright." She mumbled.

The doors swung open. It was Remus. I climbed out of the bed and ran over to him, flinging myself at him and wrapping my arms around him. He stumbled backwards. I planted a kiss on his cheek. I began to cry again. He hugged me, stroking my hair. Brendon trudged into the room. I immediately leapt away from Remus but he didn't care. The atmosphere had completely changed. Brendon didn't even know Aurelia and even he was affected. I walked over to him and hugged him as well. He didn't even try to wriggle free like he usually did. Aurelia's death had affected us all. Eventually, after we spoke about what had happened, they left and soon the headmaster and a few very formally dressed people walked in. They began to question me about the incident. I told them everything I knew and once they were satisfied they left, leaving me alone once again.

That night we were called to the great hall for an assembly. The banners around the room were black and everyone sat in silence. Nobody made a sound until eventually Professor Holmes stood up.
"You have probably all heard about the tragedy that occurred here on Hogwarts grounds. The death of Aurelia Malfoy affected us all here, whether we knew her or not. For someone so young to die so early is devastating. The Ministry of Magic believes we should not tell you how or why she died. I believe that is wrong. You have the right to know what happened to one of your fellow students, a very clever girl and a brave soul. Aurelia sacrificed herself. She sacrificed herself for one of her friends. There was a werewolf on the school grounds, she decided to investigate as I'm sure a lot of people would do. That, however, was a mistake and she was attacked. One of her friends saw the wolf attacking her and fought back. She managed to stun it but before she could cast another spell, it pounced. Aurelia jumped in front of the wolf. She payed the ultimate price to save one of her closest friends, one of the greatest yet most devastating form of bravery there is. When the staff arrived it was too late. Her death was a great loss and hit hard on those close to her. In times like this, all I can say is to follow one of the greatest pieces of advice I have heard. In the words of Albus Dumbledore 'Happiness can be found even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light.'" He said before sitting down. "Now prefects may now take their houses back to their dormitories, you will be getting the train back first thing tomorrow."

We were led back to our dorms and the next day, we left Hogwarts. When we got back, Lorcan was standing with the Lupins.
"Hello Mr and Mrs Lupin." I said, smiling. It felt wrong to smile but I knew if I didn't try to be happy and get over Aurelia's death, I never would.
"I have been talking to Ted and Victoire and we have decided that you and Brendon will be spending the christmas holidays there. I heard what happened yesterday and we thought it would be best for you to stay together for a while. I believe Ava was already going so they decided to invite you two over as well if that's okay." Lorcan explained. I nodded and hugged him.
"I'll write and tell you how I'm doing. Might even send a present if you're lucky!" I grinned.
"Okay, well I'll see you in the summer then kiddo!"
"What did I say about calling me kiddo?" I laughed.
"Okay then, bro!" He exclaimed. I shook my head and I could see Brendon facepalm.
"Bye, grandad!" I said, giving him an innocent smile.
"I'm nowhere near old enough to be your grandfather!" He retorted.
"Okay, sure. Bye." We said waving. He waved back as we left. On the way back Mr Lupin told us that the triplets and another Hufflepuff boy lived nearby and were going to sleep over one night. The Lupins didn't seem to care how many children there were. I knew that if Lorcan had that many children over, he would probably spontaneously combust. Eventually, we reached their house. It wasn't the grandest of homes but it was the most cosy house I'd been in. Ava and I unpacked our stuff in our room, making sure we left space for Sophie and Ellen. Brendon was staying in Remus' room along with the other boy. I had never been round someone elses house before. It was weird to be sleeping somewhere other than Hogwarts or my home but I soon got used to it.