Chapter Seven

Once the weekend came to an end, it was back to a busy week of classes. Saturday, Charlie convinced me and Idella to take a small break from our N.E.W.T. studying and go on a walk with him. We talked all about the party. Charlie told us everything we missed. He didn't necessarily remember most of it, but he told us what he heard from others. Apparently people didn't return to their dorms till three or four in the morning. Idella got back when I was already asleep. At least she had Colin to watch over her. We asked Charlie about that girl he disappeared with, but he brushed it off and said he barely remembered her. After our walk I only left the common room for meals. Our teachers were really packing on the homework this year, far more than others. Odila sat on my lap the entire time I studied to keep me company. It was as if the teachers were trying to keep us constantly distracted from what was really going on.

At breakfast the next morning before class the owls came into the room to deliver any mail. I wasn't surprised to see my fathers dark brown barn owl fly in through the window, he told me he would be writing soon. It flew by and dropped the letter on my bagel and in return I tossed him a piece of toast. I felt bad Charlie never got any mail, but his muggle parents couldn't figure out the owl delivery system. He told me an embarrassing story once that his father was seen by a large crowd trying to chase down an owl with a handful of letters.

Idella rarely got any mail either since her parents weren't really into writing. Their family owl stopped over at Emmie though and dropped a neatly wrapped package in front of her. "I forgot it was her birthday today..." Idella said in realization with a shrug. I laughed, typical. We would have to walk over and say happy birthday to her when we finished eating.

I picked up the letter and tore it open. It was shorter than I would have expected, but I assume my father is rather busy these days at the Ministry. It was obvious the newspaper's were trying to avoid publishing too much about the war.

Hello Bradley,

Hope your first week of classes went well. I know you're taking on a busier schedule this year, but I'm more than positive you will do fine. Sorry I am not writing as much as I used to. I've been working almost twice as usual. I know I can't say much over mail, but things do not seem to be getting any better. In no way do I wish to worry you, but I can only imagine your curiosity. Please remember to be safe at all times. Have a great day of classes.

Love, Dad

It was most definitely short but I was glad he told me that things weren't getting better. Not that I was glad things weren't getting better, I have been curious to what was really happening. The teachers aren't speaking of it much and at feast Headmaster Elwood rarely brings it up. Considering he's one of Albus Dumbledore's friends, I would assume Headmaster Elwood knew plenty. Yet like my father I'm sure he doesn't want to worry us. As I held the letter in my hands...the feeling came back. Quicker this time, the burning sensation appeared not only in my hands but up to my elbows as well. Idella wasn't paying attention as she was looking down at her cereal.I hadn't asked my Medical Approaches professor about it and I didn't want to worry Idella. "I left something in the dorm so I will be right back," I said to her quickly, getting out of my seat without looking back.

I rushed out of the dining hall and into the quiet hallway, shoving the letter in my bag, and leaning up against the wall. What was wrong with me? It had gone away for a few days but the feeling was back and this time it intensified. It lasted close to ten minutes. It wasn't necessarily harmful so there was really no point in me telling any teacher. Once the feeling went away I decided to walk the hall considering I had a bit of time before I would even be considered early for class. I stopped when I heard footsteps and then Cole appeared out of an empty classroom followed by the familiar blonde. How predictable. He muttered something to her before taking off in the other direction without even seeing me. Selina turned around with a proud smile until she saw me. Her face fell. "I know what you're going to say," she said walking towards me. "We can just jump to when I say 'I don't care.'"

"It's clear you're into the rebellious type and all," I began saying, "But you don't even know what you're getting yourself into."

"Well it's nothing serious," she snapped with a laugh. Selina has never once had a serious relationship. I've seen her start them several different times but none of her relationships ever became official. She was afraid of commitment. Well in that case, I suppose Cole was perfect for her because there was never going to be any commitment there. Did I tell her about the Icorany? She probably wouldn't even believe me.

"Selina I saw him with Icorany at the party," I whispered in a low tone in case any professor were near. I knew she wasn't going to trust my word but I figured it was worth a shot. We weren't friends by any mean but we were related. I didn't get the reaction I was expecting, she didn't roll her eyes or look shocked. Instead she stood there with a bored face.

"I know I saw him too," she replied with a shrug as if it wasn't a big deal. I shook my head, it's not even worth arguing with her over. If she already knew he used Icorany, one of the most addictive substances around, then clearly she wasn't going to listen to anything I said. "Now if you're done lecturing me I'll be off to class." She gave me a quick smirk before taking off past me.

Our schedule had rotated, so potions was my last class of the day. I managed to survive a busy day of note-taking and quizzes. In charms we practiced turning vinegar into wine. Only a few students managed, Idella and Selina. Yet I had a feeling Selina has practiced that one before. Kent and I struggled in Muggle Approaches as we were learning about muggle equipment used in the hospital. It was all so confusing and we had a quiz on Friday. When Defense Against the Dark Arts came around we were beginning to work on non-verbal spells. It was extremely challenging, no one managed to succeed but it was only the first day. Professor Halliwell didn't seem too impressed with us.

Halfway through Potions we began learning about Amortentia, a dangerous potion that creates infatuation. I was really interested in the subject, but as I was taking notes the burning feeling was back. This time it felt like a flaming knife was stabbed into my hand. My quill fell out of my hand and onto the paper. Then I saw a spark. Gasping I pushed back in my seat, causing most of the class to turn around. Professor Cadwallader stopped and looked at me. "I don't feel so well, can I be excused?" I said quickly and he nodded. Without looking at Charlie or Idella I quickly grabbed my bag and notes while leaving the room.

I saw a spark. I know what I saw. This definitely wasn't normal and wasn't caused by nerves. What was happening to me? A part of me wanted to rush to the nurse or headmaster and tell them what I saw, but another part of me didn't want to tell anyone. The Wizarding World was clearly far from normal to the muggles, but even the Wizarding World had its own level of normality. And this wasn't normal. Heading straight to the library, I was going to read all though I could on the subject of heat and flames. I could figure this out on my own.

Reading straight through dinner, I found nothing related to what I was experiencing. There were several different books on creating flames with non verbal spells, but that wasn't what I was doing. It happened without me having to even think of it. "There you are," came the voice of Charlie from behind me. Idella was following behind him. "We have been looking for you since class...should have looked here first."

"After class we went to the nurse and to the common room considering you felt sick," Idella said. "Where did you go?"

"I went back to the common room and took a nap," I lied. "Then I felt a bit better so I came here to study for my N.E.W.T.'s." They believed me and nodded.

"What was wrong?" Charlie asked leaning up against the wooden chairs.

"I had a horrible headache," I lied once more, feeling guilty about it too. Charlie nodded but Idella didn't seem too convinced considering she knew about my burning hands sensation a few weeks ago. "I'll walk back with you guys though." I shut the book on Amortentia. Thankfully I had given up a few minutes ago on reading about fire so I switched to reading a book on Amortentia to hopefully make up for what I missed in class.

 When we got back to the common room it was already late and many people were either in bed or laying around downstairs. Mondays were always rough. Idella and I decided to go up to bed, leaving Charlie down in the common room with his friends Andrew and Roddy. After cleaning up and getting dressed for bed, it was easy for me to fall asleep.

As I opened my eyes...I was no longer in my bed but standing in an open field. The sky was black except for the bright full moon shining above me. How did I get out here? I wondered to myself while turning in place. The castle wasn't in sight. In fact...nothing was in sight except the tall grassy field. Taking a step I began to panic. I didn't know which direction to travel in, if I made the wrong choice I could be stuck walking for miles. Suddenly a new smell entered the air...the smell of smoke.

Something was burning. Turning slowly over my right shoulder a fire had began only a few feet behind me. Fire. Grassy field. My heart dropped and I began running. My wand was no where to be found. I was completely defenseless. All I could do was run. There was a reason I didn't play Quidditch, I was in no means athletic. I was ninety nine percent sure I wouldn't be able to outrun this fire. As I ran I watched the flames spread rapidly throughout the dry grassy field. Each time getting closer and closer. I felt the heat of the flames intensify, burning my entire body. I kept running, sweat pouring down my face as I ran for my life. The flames began to spread around me...until the only clear path was completely engulfed in the flames. I was caved in. There was no way out. The heat grew stronger and by now I was screaming, there was nothing I could do. I closed my eyes and prepared myself for what was about to happen.

As I reopened my eyes. I was covered in flames...but I was no longer in the field. I was in my bed. I released a blood curdling scream as I jumped up for my bed, attempting to brush them off. Quickly the flames faded as I moved from my bed. Suddenly every girl in the room shot up from their bed. Idella leapt up first wide-eyed. "Lumos," I heard her say filling the room with light. Eliza, Agrona, and Ariella all sat up looking horrified. Ariella even let out a scream of her own.

"Bradley what the hell?" Idella snapped. "What happened? Are you okay?"

"I-" I didn't know what to stay. They all stared at me as if I was crazy. Was I going crazy? The flames quickly went away as they all woke up. Would they even believe me if I told them? Idella possibly would...but the others would surely think I have gone mad.

"I thought there was someone in the room," Agrona interrupted breathing heaving while placing a hand on her heart.

"I'm so sorry..." I apologized to everyone sitting back down in my bed. "Just a bad dream." Ariella, Agrona, and Eliza all nodded understandingly. They knew of my past, with the car accident and all. They probably assumed it was something to do with that. Idella stared at me though, deep in thought. "Just a dream," I said more to her, even though she looked unconvinced.

"Nox," she muttered and the lights went out. It was likely I wouldn't be falling back asleep tonight.