Chapter 2
“Wha-what happened?” Cecile asked as she tried to take in her surroundings. “Where am I-” She interrupted herself with a jarring series of coughs and felt a glass of water pushed up to her lips. Cecile reached out to take the glass and soothe her burning throat.
“I’m Athalia, from earlier. You’re in the Room of Requirement, also known as the Come and Go Room. Do you know what that is?”
“Y-yes I’m familiar.”
“Cool. You’re hurt from last night. I was able to cushion your fall but you still are hurt. Healers are bound to privacy laws so Madam Pomfrey can help you out.”
“But she’ll ask questions and, and the privacy laws are different between me and my parent’s, especially if I'm in danger. Besides, why are you helping me anyways?”
“Everyone deserves help.”
Cecile scoffed. “Even if everyone believed that to be true, no one would go out of their way just to help a random student. Especially one from an opposing house”
“Well I would. And I know others that would too.”
“What do you want from me, Athalia?”
“I want to help you.”
“Why.”
“Because you deserve it, and so much more.”
“You don’t even know me!”
“Well that just means I can get to know you better, if you let me.”
“Why would you want to-” she was broken off once again by her coughs, and carefully accepted the cup of water Athalia pushed towards her. She supposed it was useless to check it for poisons or other spells as she had already consumed some. Besides, it’s not like she valued her life. And if it wasn’t a deadly poison then, well, she deserved the pain. For being such a useless waste of space. For being a good-for-nothing, disappointing Slytherin, who’s only effect on the world was the burden of her being and the cost of funding her life. Perhaps she shouldn’t even drink the water and instead suffer her punishment for having no skills through the pain of her dry cough and whatever the fuck was causing the burning sensation on her side. It kind of reminded her of the pain of the scars she gave herself though this time, she wasn’t in control. If she had any energy she could imagine herself giving the trademark crazed evil villain laugh right now. She was certainly the character everyone would prefer to be dead anyway-
“Hey,” Athalia’s soft voice cut through Cecile’s mental rampage. “I’m going to tip the cup so you can drink. Squeeze my hand if you would prefer I didn’t. Athalia grabbed her hand, sending a happy shiver through Cecile’s body. Oh- what a touch starved idiot she was. A simple touch from a cute stranger and she was basically putty in their hands. Was she good for anything?! Her string of self-hate paused as she felt the water drip into her mouth. Perhaps she could indulge in something for herself. Maybe Athalia was right, and she did deserve at least that. She wished Athalia was right.
“Okay” Cecile said after finishing the cup of water. “You can take me to the Hospital Wing but no saying what happened outside.” She checked her wrists, making sure her glamours were still in place before attempting to stand up.
“Thank you. And I promise, I will keep you safe.” Cecile was about to respond, reminding her new companion not to make promises she couldn’t keep but decided to keep quiet instead. Weirdly, she felt at peace with Athalia. Comforted. Warm. At home. And most importantly, she no longer felt as alone.