Pain flared through her body as she lay in amongst the rubble of the hallway. Erica's vision was clouded by dust and she couldn't bring herself to fight back anymore. She caught sight of her wand on the ground beside her but no matter how much she wanted to, her arm just wouldn't move.

The torture curse was casted too many times, Parker had waited for the killing curse... The words... But nothing came. They were there in the corridor, silence between them as the battle raged on around them.

Parker panted as she lowered her wand... What was she doing? This was- This was her best friend! She had to help her. She quickly turned and ran to where she found a small group of other redheads.

"Parker, there you are! Everyone's been looking for you." Ron let out a sigh of relief.

"Your sister- Ron. It's Erica." Parker covered her mouth as she tried to stop her tears.

"Erica!? What happened?" Ron grabbed Parker's shoulders

"... I-" Parker was going to admit it all, she couldn't... She was too ashamed,"I found her, she's weak, alive though." Parker nodded.

"Charlie, we've got a situation." Ron turned to him.

"What is it?" Charlie ran over.

"It's Erica, we need to go help her." Ron tugged on his brothers wrist.

"Lead us to her." Charlie nodded to Parker who nodded and lead them in the direction where Erica was.

She was still lying where Parker left her, her eyes slowly blinking.

"You guys- You guys help her. I'm gonna go see if there's anything I can do." Parker shook her head.

Charlie immediately ran over and gently picked her up, Erica burying her face in his shoulder.

"Oh Merlin." Charlie shook his head,"We need to get her to safety."

"This way." Ron beckoned him, trying not to look at the state his sister was in.

Charlie followed him, covering Erica's head with his hand. They arrived at the Great hall, where they had set up a mini hospital to treat the injured.

"Mum!" Charlie shouted.

"Charlie?" She turned and saw the situation, "Oh god, what's happened!"

"Parker found Erica like this, I don't know." Charlie laid her down.

Molly covered her mouth as she looked at her daughter, a shell of her former self.

"She'll be alright, mum. Calm down." Charlie tried to calm his mother.

"We'll make sure of it." Ron agreed, crouching beside Erica.

"Go find dad." Charlie squeezed Molly's hand.

Molly couldn't muster up any words but hurried away to find Arthur.

"Who would do this?" Charlie muttered.

"Someone sick, that's what." Ron shook his head.

"Hopefully Parker can find them."

"Should... Should we get everyone else?" Ron looked up at him.

Charlie nodded, "I'll stay with her."

"Look after her." Ron bit his lip, looking at Erica before dashing off.

"Oh Er." Charlie sighed and put a part of her hair behind her ear.

"Char... Lie." She looked up at him.

"Hey Er." Charlie smiled, "It's okay, breathe."

Erica didn't break eye contact with Charlie, slowly reaching for his hand.

Charlie took his sister's hand and squeezed it,"Who did this?

Erica seemed to try and say something but nothing came out, no matter how hard she tried to force it.

"It's okay. Save your strength." Charlie nodded.

That's when the others began to rush over.

"Do you have everyone?" Charlie asked.

"I think so." Ron nodded shakily.

Charlie nodded and let Molly take Erica's hand.

**********************************

Erica was staring out her window at nothing in particular. She just wanted to be out there, in the sun.

"Erica?" Ron walked into his sisters room.

"Mm?" She hummed

"I brought some food." Ron slowly put the bowl down.

"Thanks.." She adjusted herself to look at him

"How you feeling?" Ron rubbed her arm.

"Sore." Erica sighed, she'd managed to regain her voice but it still hurt whenever she moved, like the curse was still being used.

"I know, but mum made some nice soup. I'll help you." Ron sat in front of her.

"Thanks, Ron." Erica smiled at him.

"Right. The doctor said he's coming out to see you over in a few days." Ron nodded as he helped her with the soup.

"No.." She sighed.

"He only wants to check up on you."

"I want to see my boyfriend." Erica crossed her arms.

"So you finally admit to you and Neville?" Ron laughed.

Erica scoffed,"Oh hush, how long did it take for you to admit to liking 'Mione?"

"Ay." Ron pointed.

"Not as funny when it's turned on you." Erica winked.

"That's different."

"How so?"

"Just- Hush. Eat soup."

"When's Neville getting here?" Erica ignored him.

"Eat." Ron held the spoon to her mouth.

Erica sighed and put the spoon in her mouth.

"Neville may or may not be visiting later." He shrugged.

"He better be." Erica pointed.

"You'll just need to find out. And you won't if you don't finish the soup. Ron held the spoon yo her mouth.

"I can eat myself." Erica sighed.

"You're shaky." He pointed out.

"No." Erica pouted.

"Try hold the spoon then."

"I will."

Erica picked up the spoon and to no surprise, her hand was incredibly shaky.

Ron quickly took the spoon from her,"Mhm, yeah."

"This is stupid." Erica rolled her eyes.

"Finish this soup and I'll see if your boyfriend can hurry up."

"I'm finishing it." Erica waved him away.

"You'll spill it." Ron sighed.

"I won't." Erica assured him,"I have a secret weapon."

"And that weapon is?"

Erica pulled out a metal straw.

"A straw- You're joking me." Ron cursed.

"Trust me, it'll work."

"If you say so." Ron shook his head and put the bowl down.

"Come get me when Nev's here, okay?"

"Yeah, yeah." Ron waved his hands and walked out.

Erica sighed and got to work with her straw and soup. After about ten minutes... She heard a voice speak.

"Oh my god." The boy laughed.

Erica perked up instantly,"Nev?"

"Why are you eating soup with a straw?" Neville smiled.

"Ron said my hands were too shaky to use a spoon myself and I didn't want him to be feeding me." Erica shrugged

"So... You're eating it with a straw?" He sat down beside her.

"Yes." She nodded, shakily placing it on the bedside table.

"You are so weird." Neville smiled.

"Shut up and hug me." Erica made an attempt at grabby hands.

Neville laughed and hugged her.

"I missed you." She sighed.

"I missed you too, I was worried." He kissed her cheek.

"Aw, you worried about me?"

"Shut up." Neville hummed.

"Well, I'm fine now. It doesn't even hurt anymore." Erica shook her head.

"I don't believe that." Neville rubbed her arm.

"Well why not?" She questioned.

"Because know when you're in pain, love."

Erica sighed,"Okay... Maybe it hurts a little."

"A little?" Neville pushed.

"A lot..." Erica mumbled.

"There we go." Neville nodded.

"Nev.." Erica held his hand and squeezed it," I... Don't want that to happen again.."

"It won't. Whoever dis this to you is most likely dead or in Azkaban." He assured her.

"They're not, Nev." Erica shook her head.

"They're not?"

"They're not."

"Who... Who did it?"

"You won't believe me.." Erica sighed.

"Try me."

Erica bit her lip, Parker..."

"Parker? Your best friend? The... Girl who told your brothers about you?" Neville asked.

Erica rubbed her eyes,"She cornered me and- And-"

"Hey, hey. Calm down, it's okay." Neville assured her.

Erica rested her head on his shoulder.

"If you want, I can talk to her about it?" Neville suggested.

"No, I just want her to stay away from me.." She sighed.

"Has she been here at all?"

"Unless she's been while I was unconscious." Erica shook her head.

Neville hummed and kissed her head,"Why don't we watch some TV?"

"What do you want to watch?" She asked.

"What do you want to watch?" He tilted his head.

"I'm not bothered." Erica shrugged.

"Hm... Star Wars."

"Go on." Erica nodded,"Percy told me off last time I tried to get up."

Neville then got up and put the dvd in the player, sitting back down and put his arm around Erica.

Erica leaned against him and closed her eyes as the film began.

"I love this part." Neville whispered a little while into the film.

"Mhm." Erica nodded sleepily, she hadn't been watching for a while.

Neville looked down at Erica. She was practically asleep in his arms. Neville smiled at Erica, moving so she would be more comfortable before he turned back to the TV. Erica still held onto him though, his jumper was held tightly in her hands.

"I'm here." Neville whispered and stroked her hair gently.

Her shoulders relaxed at the sound of his voice. Neville gave a small hum as he turned off the TV and lay back with her, closing his eyes. Erica smiled, her head resting on his shoulder.

Meanwhile downstairs, the Weasleys heard a knock at the door.

"Who could that be?" Arthur turned to Molly.

"I never expected anyone else." Molly shrugged.

"Me either." Arthur shook his head as he got up and answered the door.

It was Parker.

"Oh, Parker, what a surprise." Arthur was taken aback.

"Evening, Mr Weasley." Parker hummed.

"Good evening, what brings your here?" Arthur raised a brow.

"I wanted to visit Erica. I brought cookies, they're homemade." Parker smiled.

"Oh, of course. She's just upstairs." Arthur held the door open.

Parker gave a smile as she walked in and up the stairs. She needed to apologize, she had too much guilt. Erica and Neville were still laid peacefully, unaware of what was going to happen.

"Erica?" Parker knocked on the door and opened it.

"Hm?" Erica rubbed her eyes and froze.

"Oh- Hello Neville." Parker stopped.

"Parker." Neville slowly got up.

Erica gripped his wrist tightly.

"I just- Wanted to drop these cookies off. They're homemade." Parker nodded slightly and put them down,"I'll come another day since you have visitors."

That's when Parker turned and closed the door, running downstairs practically.

"Parker? What's the matter?" Molly asked,"You've only just got here."

"Oh I know, Mrs Weasley. I just... Didn't want to disturb Erica and Neville.

"I'm sure they don't mind. Besides, you're best friends." Molly assured her

"Yeah but they're together... It would kinda be like a third wheel." Parker made an excuse.

"You can't run away from your problems, Parker."

Parker looked up at the stairs. Erica was gripping tightly onto the banister.

"Erica, go back to bed. Arthur quickly spoke.

"No, dad. I'm not going anywhere until she leaves." She slowly began to descend.

"I'm going, don't worry." Parker shook her head.

"Why does she need to leave?" Molly asked.

"Mrs Weasley, it's alright. If Erica wants me to leave I will." Parker nodded.

"There must be some mistake here, you're best friends. Why are you so upset-"

"A best friend wouldn't do this to me. Erica glared at Parker.

"I'm sorry, I must go." Parker took a deep breath.

Erica didn't removed her eyes from Parker, she didn't feel safe around her

"Mr and Mrs Weasley... The person who did this to Erica was Parker." Neville held Erica's waist.

"Parker... Is this true?" Arthur turned to her.

Parker looked at Arthur and turned to leave,"... As I said, I must be going."

"Answer me." Arthur's tone became serious.

It took Parker a second before she spoke, whispering,"Yes... Yes its true."

Molly gasped and Arthur stood stunned, he couldn't seem to believe it.

"I didn't want to do it, Erica is my best friend." Parker pointed.

"It doesn't change the fact that you decided to torture me." Erica spoke, holding back tears.

"You know it's not like that, Er-" Parker went to go to the stairs.

"No! Parker, I begged you to fucking stop and you kept go ing! You had every opportunity to not obey his orders and you left me immobile, inches from death!" Erica snapped at her.

Parker let Erica snap, she had to hear what she had did to her best friend. She was never going to get her back.

"Parker... In that moment... I just wanted you to kill me. I felt like... That would be better for me." Erica's tears started to fall.

Parker let out a small sigh,"I was so wrong for what did. I'm so sorry, Erica."

Erica was silent for a few moments,"I can't do this, Parker. I can't accept your apology."

"Well, at least you know did apologise. And I'm sorry Weasleys." Parker bowed her head before she quickly left.

Erica sighed before resting against Neville.

"It's over." Neville nodded.

Erica just began to sob into his shoulder. She hated Parker. Why did this hurt so badly?

"Come on, pumpkin." Neville helped her through to her room.

Erica rubbed her eyes as she held Neville's hand.

Neville lay her down on her bed, careful not to hurt her.

Erica sighed and brushed her hand against his face,"I love you."

"I love you too." Neville smiled and gently held her wrist.

Erica kissed his cheek and rested her head against his shoulder.

"Try and get a nap, how about that? I'll stay for however long you want, my gran won't mind." He assured her.

"Just... Just don't leave me, okay?" Erica looked up at him.

"I would never leave you." Neville gave her a reassuring smile.

Erica smiled at him as she laid back.

"I'll sit right here, yeah?" Neville sat on the bed beside her.

"If you wouldn't mind." Erica nodded.

"I won't leave." He nodded.

"Promise?"

"Pinky." He held up his pinky.

Erica smiled and locked their pinkies. Neville chuckled and kissed her hand as he sat back. Erica leaned against him and closed her eyes.

"Night Pumpkin." He whispered.

"Night, Nev." Erica smiled.