Sunflowers

Nightmares and New Friends

"I don't know what you're talking about!"  A woman screamed, tied to a metal pole. There were deep gashes across her face. Tears mixed with blood as she watched the man in front of her.

"Liar! Where is it? I know you have it."  The man was coldly handsome and twirled a wand in his hand as he paced the narrow room. Anger danced in his ebony eyes and seemed to sharpen his face, turning him into something inhuman.

"Please, please just let us go! We don't know what you're talking about! Just let us go home!" Another man begged, straining against the ropes that held him in place. His eyes fell on the corner, where a child was curled in a bloody pile. He could barely see the rise and fall of her chest.

"Well, if you won't tell me, then I suppose I'll have no use for you," he said, pointing a wand towards the wife first. The child looked up in time to be blinded by a flash of green. Screams filled her ears, and the woman's body slumped to the floor.

~

"MAMA!" Thia sat up with a scream, tears coursing down her face. Sobs racked her small body as phantom pains stabbed her where her arm and leg had been. The image repeated behind her closed eyelids, but she couldn't bring herself to open them. Her breaths came in short gasps, spotted with shuddering inhales and tears leaking from tired eyes.

"Thia? Thia, honey, breathe," Poppy kneeled beside her, stroking her face with a cold hand, "I need you to open your eyes, love, can you do that? Can you open your eyes for me?"

Thia shook her head, curling tighter into herself. Poppy continued her pleading, and slowly, the girl's breathing calmed, and her eyes flickered open. They were red and bloodshot, still watery from tears, and they searched her godmother's face for answers. Her eyes were haunted, and begged for something to take away the memories that troubled her sleep. 

Poppy just pulled her goddaughter close, holding her until she fell asleep again. But Thia did not sleep again that night, just faked it until Poppy fell asleep beside her. Then she slipped from the bed, grabbing her crutch and leaving the small suite of rooms. Quietly, she left the Hospital Wing and made her way through the empty halls.

It was well past curfew, nearing midnight, and no one came upon the child. Thia wasn't sure where she was headed, she just knew that she couldn't stay still. Because, if she stayed still, then she'd fall asleep. If she fell asleep, she'd dream again. And if she dreamt again, she'd relive that horribly vivid memory.

"Here, now. What are you doing out of bed?" The voice seemed to boom in the silence of the night. Thia jumped, pressing herself against the wall. A shadow approached her, and, seeming to recognize her stopped.

"Helianthia, what are you doing out here? Your godmother must be worried sick," Professor Gaysa bent down in front of her. He saw her red eyes and heard her sniffling.

"I had a nightmare." Her voice was so quiet that he had to lean closer. He smiled sympathetically, pulling out his wand. He cast a spell, and his patronus sprouted from the tip. But although it had worked the first time, this time did not hold the same results. Antoni frowned, standing up and resting a hand on her back.

"Come on, sweetie, let's get you back to Poppy. Running around in the dark isn't going to help you get away from the nightmare." As they began walking back toward the Hospital Wing, he noticed the girl was having trouble staying in a straight line. Antoni paused, looking down at her.

"Helianthia, is it alright if I pick you up?" She nodded tiredly, letting him balance her on his hip before she rested her head against his shoulder. In his other hand was her crutch, which he tucked under his arm so he could hold her better.

By the time they reached the Hospital Wing, she was out like a light. As he entered the office, he was met by a frantic Poppy.

"Oh, thank Merlin, you've found her!" She cried quietly, wiping tears from her face, "One minute I'm holding her asleep in my arms, next I wake up and she's gone!" 

Poppy led Antoni into Thia's room. He set her down on the bed, letting her godmother tuck her in. Then, Poppy took him by the arm and guided him into a small sitting room.

"Thank you so much, Antoni. I was going mental when I realised she wasn't next to me anymore." Antoni patted her hand, offering her a small smile, "I just don't know what possessed her to wander off in the middle of the night."

"I think she was trying to keep herself awake. She told me she had a nightmare, so she probably didn't want to sleep again, in case she had another."

Poppy nodded, "I suppose you're right. I'll have to talk to her about that though. She can't be doing that, especially with students here. Like that Potter and Black duo. They're going to destroy the school one of these days with those pranks of theirs, mark my words."

Antoni laughed, "They are very ambitious, that's for sure, although I don't know if it's just them. I do believe Remus Lupin and Peter Pettigrew help from time to time."

Poppy frowned, "Well, as long as Remus doesn't drag Thia into it. I'm not sure I'd be able to bring myself to discipline her, if I'm being honest. It's so hard to raise a child as it is, but one with so much pain..." She rubbed a hand over her face.

"Hey, everything will turn out all right," Antoni said, rubbing her shoulder, "I haven't known you long, but I'm sure you will do a great job raising her. If anyone can, it's you."

"Thank you, Antoni." Poppy smiled at him.

They chatted for a while longer, until shortly after one a.m., Antoni excused himself, seeing how tired the matron was. Poppy showed him out, and with a small smile, went off to bed.