In an Instant // ᵈʳᵃᶜᵒ ᵐᵃˡᶠᵒʸ

so bloody forgetful

"What's the matter with you?"

I groaned in response, not looking up from my spot slumped over the table with my head in my arms, food forgotten, as Chris Fontenot plopped onto the bench across from me at the Slytherin table.

Why, oh why couldn't my family wake up earlier?

"Jeez, Potter. You didn't used to be so moody last year."

"That's because last year," I grumbled, "I got sleep."

"Lover's quarrel?"

I finally looked up, barely opening my eyes, my hair messily draping over my face.

"Shut up, Fontenot. I hate the bloke, so lay off, will you?"

He shrugged nonchalantly, taking a bite out of a croissant.

"Whatever. That's what they all say. You know-"

I stood abruptly, heaving a sigh of relief that Ron, Hermione, and Harry had finally made an appearance in the Great Hall.

"Goodbye. Hope to see you as late as humanly possible."

I trudged to sit with my family, not entirely aware where I was going, tripping over the side of the table in a haze.

"Sorry," I muttered to it, as if it were a person. I chuckled silently to myself before yawning.

'I really am going crazy,' I thought, sitting myself down next to Harry.

"What's up with the bloody nightmares? I haven't got a full night's sleep for a whole week." I felt Harry shrug against the side of my head that was resting on his shoulder.

"I haven't the foggiest. Maybe it's just because we're stressed about the tournament?"

"Why would we be stressed, Harry? It's not like we're competing in it anyways."

"You look awful, Bells." Ron said around of mouthful of food.

"Thanks Ron. I wasn't aware in the slightest."

Hermione leaned forward in her seat, whispering,

"Is it the one with You Know Who? The one where he kills the muggle with Wormtail and the other man?"

I nodded stiffly.

"That and..."

"The Incident." Ron finished for Harry.

"Over and over again." I whispered.

"You've got to eat something, Bells." Hermione said, piling a plate up with food.

"I'm not hungry. And besides, what's the point if I can't keep it down? I'll just starve, thanks."

"Fine. I'll tell mum not to send you those scones, then." Ron said.

"Oi! Those scones are life and death!"

"Then eat!" Hermione pushed the plate in front of me. I sent glares in their direction before taking a bite of a piece of buttered toast and chewing aggressively.

"You know what I- you need?" Ron began, a tilted grin on his face.

"A good night's sleep?"

"No kidding," Harry snorted.

"Well, partly. But you also need your piano. When was the last time you practiced your songs? Far too long, in my opinion. I haven't heard your voice in months!"

"Ronald, you haven't heard her voice in months because every time she sings you fall asleep."

"Shut up, Hermione. It's not my fault her voice is so... so silky!"