The warm wood door slid open. I stood still with my heart beating heavy in my throat.

'Miss Black, come on in' Dumbledore softly said.

I took a deep breath in and shuffled my lead-like legs across the floorboards of his office. The time has come to confess.

'Take a seat' he motioned to the chair in front of his desk.

I obliged, sure I looked like a deer caught in the headlights. My palms were getting ridiculously sweaty, but I couldn't help but clench them together with nerves and not allow any air to dry them out.

'You'll be glad to know that Mr. Goyle has nicely recovered.' Dumbledore said, showing no signs of emotion. This made me feel nervous, almost as if he was going to start interrogating me...I did not do well under the pressure of interrogation, I panic.

'Am I going to be expelled, Professor?' I sweated.
'Why would you be expelled?'
'For...for speaking the curse, Professor.' I said boldly.

There was a pause.

'Well that is surely and interesting thing to say Miss. Black, as only a few hours ago Mr. Sonny Wildwood was adamant that he was in fact the one who spoke the curse. Would you care to elaborate why you believe it was you?' He said as he paced alongside his desk, not actually sitting down himself. Adding to my nerves.

'He is actively taking the blame and whatever consequences he has been given for my actions, Professor. I learnt the curse from a dark arts book from home. I acted out in response in a nasty way, Sonny doesn't deserve my punishments!' I spat out quickly, feeling as the words might get stuck in my throat if I said them at a usual pace. Thick and spiked with guilt.

There was a pause.

'Sonny Wildwood has not been punished, only warned.' He said matter of factly.

I was taken back and I knew the shock was apparent on my face. No words came to mind, only confused mumbles of many thoughts all at once. Not one making a coherent sentence that could be said out loud.

'The walls have eyes Miss. Black, I am aware that Mr. Wildwood was lying about his confession. As a headmaster I did not appreciate the lies he told...but as a simple wizard I can appreciate the place in which Mr. Wildwoods heart lies. He's a true friend.'

'-no he is not punished but I'm afraid you must be Miss.Black' he sighed, finally sitting down in his tall desk chair.

My heart felt like it had sunk to my feet. All blood drained from my body.

'I'm expelled?' I whispered. A tear spilled down my cheek. I knew it was coming, I thought I had prepared for this. I had only prepared for the situation and not how it would feel.

To say goodbye to hogwarts...the thought of it left my body trembling. To say goodbye to my friends, my classes. To no longer hear the giggling and small talk of the girls in the dorm at night. To no longer feel the playful nudge from the boys in the halls.

Realising my troubles here are minuscule. The frustration of homework, the stress of Sirius' mood swings, mean comments from the occasional student, avoiding my sisters in a huge castle...they're all so easy to deal with now that I can suddenly see that it's all going to be taken away from me.

They're going to be taken away from me.
Sonny...a true friend. Sirius, someone from my family who actually approaches me with warmth. Lily, a sisterly spirit. Marlene and Alice, friends who are actually interested by me. James, someone who's playful towards me. Peter, expects nothing but a hello to be friendly.

...Remus. His soft flecked eyes and tossled chestnut hair. His small chocolate tokens. His reassurance. His lop sided lazy smile. His small and gentle touches. His kindness. His subtle mischief...it's all going to be taken from me and it's all my fault.

'I love Hogwarts, Professor. Hogwarts is my home.' I sniffed. Trying not to burst out crying.

'Well it's a good think Mr. Goyle isn't demanding you leave then. Otherwise expulsion would have been the outcome to your actions.'

'Wait what?' I sobbed, finally letting all my devastation flood out of me. The thought of leaving everyone still heavy on my mind.

'Damien Goyle has been spoken to about his behaviour and his parents are not pressing for you to leave Hogwarts. This doesn't mean you get off free Artemis. A letter will be sent home to determine your parents opinions on the situation. For now, you have detention every Saturday for a month and are on a healing course in the hospital to understand your actions.'

'A...letter home to my parents?'

'Yes. Asking what action they believe we as a school should take.'

(I've been gone for so long, and I can't promise my uploads are gonna be regular. Life is hectic isn't it, but with COVID-19 and a lot of time on my hands again...I'll try and upload whenever I feel I'm able to for you guys!)