"Umm," I try to gather my words. "Sometimes, I have this thing happen to my body where," I pause and gather my words. "I start not to be able to see, my body starts to have awful pain, and," I cut my words off. "It is so awful," I whisper.

My eyes start to well with tears, this is the first time I have ever spoken of this out loud. For some reason, I always thought that if I never said it out loud, it would go away.

Madam Pomprey moves and sits at the end of the bed, "How long has this been going on for you, dear?" she questions.

My lip quivers, "A long time."

"Could you explain it a bit more for me? How often does this happen?"

"It changes. It can happen multiple times a week and not happen for a month. It is pretty random. There are other symptoms, but the excruciating pain that radiates through my body is the worst part. I think that is what causes everything else," I explain.

"Ok, Miss Nior, next time that it happens or you think that it might happen, come to me or have somebody get me. I wish there was more that I could do to help you right now so that it doesn't happen again, but unfortunately, there isn't. I can run some tests and try to answer and maybe even solve your questions next time. I'm so sorry you have felt this pain for so long. I'm thankful that you told me." She pauses, "It is hard to say what may be wrong, not knowing your family history. There isn't a lot that I or the healers at Saint Mungoes can't fix, dear. So please don't worry," she finishes with a soft smile, but I can see the worry in her eyes and pinched eyebrows that she doesn't want me to see.

She leaves and I change into the clothes she left me.

+++

Walking down the hall towards breakfast, I feel everyone's eyes on me. This is the first day I'm going to class since the troll. People turn and whisper to each other as I pass. I take a seat at the table and pull one of the muffins off the tray. Meal times tend to be awkward as I have no friends in my house, and even worse now that I haven't eaten with Ron, Harry, and Hermione in a few weeks. No matter how often I have tried to start a conversation with someone in my house, all they do is glare at me and scoot away like I carry a disease. It is even worse today.

I eat part of my muffin when I catch the three leave breakfast. I get up too and follow them, hoping that we can set things straight this morning.

"Hey!" I call out.

They turn around and look at me, and their shoulders and faces visibly fall when they see me. Their faces cause me to pause walking towards them and really look at their expression. Ron faces looks guilty as though he knows he is doing something wrong. Unlike Ron, Harry doesn't look remorseful, only annoyed. When I look to Hermione, all I see is pure anger.

"Where are you going? I was hoping I could tag along!" my voice holds no note that I took in their expression.

"Well, we were going to," Ron starts but immediately stops when Hermione jabs her elbow into his side.

"It doesn't concern you," Hermione buts in.

I slowly nod while turning away.

+++

I'm watching the clock; Herbology is about to end. My body has slowly tensed throughout the day, meaning an episode is coming soon. I'm planning to go to the infirmary right when my classes end. Professor Sprout has been going on and on about the importance of gloves because of Neviele not using them, which has given me the opportunity to completely zone out

I look up towards the desks at the front of the class where Ron, Harry, and Hermione are sitting. I have been thinking of our interaction earlier all day.

The bell rings, and I hurriedly go up to Hermione at the front of the class.

"Hermione?" I ask timidly.

She whips her head toward my direction with a scowl, "What?"

"Did I do something to upset you? If I did, I'm truly sorry. Would you please mind telling me? Whatever it is, I'm sure I can make it right," I ramble.

"Of course you did something wrong. We all know you cheated and didn't really get into the third-year's potions class. Harry was almost killed by the troll, and you just sat there! It is obvious we don't want you around, so how about you try to learn some social cues and make friends in your own house? Oh, that's right, you can't," she finishes, then walks out of the classroom.

I wait for tears to well in my eyes, but they don't. I slowly shake my head and then walk out.

+++

I'm sitting in Defense Against the Dark Arts when I feel my muscles start to tense. I glance up at the clock. Five minutes left of class. I start picking up my things while Professor Qural goes on and on about his mother's recipes, so I'm not scared I might miss something.

The bell rings, and I hurry across the school to the infirmary, hoping to get there quickly before it gets worse. By the time I push through the large doors, I'm gasping for air.

"Madam Pomprey?" I ask through jagged breaths.

She pops her head out from behind a fabric screen, "Oh dear."

She hurriedly walks over to me and guides me to a bed, and I quickly lie down. My vision starts to fade in and out. I feel sweat start to form on my forehead. Madam Pomprey speaks, but I can't make out her words over the ringing in my ears. My body heats, and a stabbing sensation starts traveling up my legs and up to my arms. I try to take slow, deep breaths, but it isn't helping.

+++

I open my eyes, and there is no longer a ray of sun shining through the window, but the only thing lighting up the room is a few warm-toned lamps. I look to my right, and there is a large pole with a bag of liquid in it and a cord leading down to my arm. I slowly use my arm without the IV to help push myself up into a sitting position.

I don't notice that there is another person in the bed across from me until they speak, "Hey, Syria," I internally groan as I recognize the voice. Of all people it had to be him.

"Hello Fredrick," I respond in a cold tone.

"Quidditch accident, how about you?"

I scowl at him, though I'm sure he can't see it through the room because of the dark. "I don't remember asking, and it is done of your business," I reply while lying back down.

"Oh, well, I hope Madam Pomphrey is able to help with whatever it is. Oh, do you need her? I can go get her for you," he rushes out.

"No, it's fine," I reply softly, and his words make me feel bad for snapping at him again. "Everything is fine," I whisper, but more to myself this time.

Hello loves! I hope you enjoyed the chapter! I hope you all are surviving the finals/holiday season. I know the holidays are supposed to be magical and the best time of the year, but sometimes they are just the opposite. It is ok to not be feeling it!