A/n: oh my god, I am so sorry I haven't updated this story in ages… I just lost track of everything especially with all the stress I've been going through… but it seems I have more bad news for you pretties… in a few weeks time I am embarking on senior year of high school and shall need to review for the upcoming entrance exams to the best college here in the Philippines which I am to partake in. and since I'd probably be swamped with homework and huge workload I might not be updating in a while…but I promise to work on this story continually and update whenever possible.

Here ya go…

Chapter 5: murky waters..

-Sirius-

I hate waiting.

There's nothing worse than waiting for bad news. When you know that at the end there's only going to be more bad news.

We've been waiting here for two hours.

We haven't seen or heard from anyone regarding Hallie's present condition.

We must look a frightfully strange sight though. I mean, five teenagers comprised mainly of boys huddled together.

James has his arm around Lily, which is a surprise because usually she'd have shouted at him just for being ten feet closer to her than was normal. Which, when you think about it, is really weird since what is the acceptable nearness of a person?

Lily is sobbing uncontrollably; I think she's near hysteria. James keeps whispering stuff to her ear every once in a while.

Peter is munching nervously on a chocolate bar from the cafeteria. Even in a crisis you can trust Pete to think with his stomach. But it's just as good though; he took the liberty of buying enough food for all of us.

Remus has his face in his hands and…there's no other way to describe it… forlorn… he's not taking this well. Moony has never fallen apart like this. I wonder what's eating him? I mean aside from Hallie of course, there must be something bigger, the full moon isn't drawing near yet, is it?

I, on the other hand, am quite a sight to behold indeed. I'm still wearing the white shirt I left the Lupin's house in. although now it's more red than white. It's really lucky there aren't many people about today. Hallie's blood is not something I want to wear.

Brisk footsteps pattered from the far side of the hallway. All of us looked up to see a woman not unlike our own Professor Mcgonagall, her blonde hair tied back in a tight bun, glasses perched in an orderly fashion across her nose.

"Are you the ones who brought in Ms. Gallagher?" she asked in a surprisingly gentle voice. We all nodded. "And you're related to her in what way?"

"We're her friends from school Ma'am." Lily answered shakily, after wiping her tears.

"Oh, in that case do you know how we might contact her family?" the woman asked, turning her attention to Lily.

They spent a few minutes talking.

"H-How is she?" Remus asked, speaking for the first time since we got here.

"Well…" the woman began, looking uncomfortable. "She's fine."

We all let out a breath. "At least for the most part…"

"For the most part?" I repeat confused. "Just what do you mean?"

She let out a sigh. "We did our best to break whatever curse it was, that was placed on your friend that made her wounds refuse to stop bleeding. She'll be administered blood replenishing potions every few hours to help her recover what blood she lost." She eyed my shirt significantly.

"So what's the problem?" Peter asked.

"Well dear, you friend won't wake up." She said eyeing as all compassionately. "We think there's another curse behind it. But we can't for the life of us, figure out what it is, or how to break it."

"But—you will, won't you?" Lilly asked fearfully.

"Yes dear, of course. I'm heading the team myself. It's such a pity, you're friend's the prettiest young thing I've seen in a long while." She said, more to herself I think, than to us. "But in the meantime, she's not going anywhere. And perhaps, in the end it'll be her choice if she wants to wake up or not."

We stared at her, wondering what she meant, but not having enough gall to voice our thoughts.

"Well, come on you lot." She said turning around. "I'll take you to your friend's room." And with that, she walked on, leaving us to follow along in her wake.

-Lily-

Ugh, my head hurts. I haven't had any proper sleep since Hallie went to St. Mungo's.

Hang on, who is that?

I grab my bag and creep downstairs.

"Oh, sit down boys. Lily's still upstairs." Mum's voice.

"Thank you Mrs. Evans." Said a warm voice. "How is Lily?"

"Oh, the poor dear is worried sick." Came Mum's worried voice. "This whole affair has done her no good. Poor Lily. I suppose you're going to see Hallie now?"

There was an affirmative murmur.

"That's really nice of you boys. Hallie's like a daughter to us you know. Lily thinks very highly of her best friend, I don't mind telling you that. Had both me and her father in a right flap to find out what happened."

"Hey Mum," I greeted, stepping into the room. My curiosity got the better of me. "Oh, I didn't know you guys were here."

"We were going to head over to St. Mungo's and thought you might like to come." James said smiling pleasantly.

I nod. "Yeah, I'd like that."

"Be careful dears." Called mum as we went out the door.

"Young man," Dad said turning to James. "You mind my daughter."

"Dad," I whined blushing scarlet. "I can take care of myself."

"So can Hallie Lily but she's still in the hospital." Dad said frowning at me. "I may not know much about that world of yours but I know enough to worry."

I sigh and plant a kiss on his cheek. "I'll be fine Daddy. Don't worry."

We arrived at the hospital a half hour later and quickly went up to Hallie's room.

I knocked quietly on the door.

Matt, Hallie's older brother stood in the open doorway.

"Hey Lily." He greeted pulling me into a hug.

We step in, and take seats across the room. There were flowers on the bedside table and fruits in a basket on top another.

I sat down beside Matt and noticed that Hallie hadn't improved much since I'd last seen her. She still looked pale as death and her breathing, though much more normal now, was still a bit raspy. I turned to Matt and saw that he wasn't much better than his baby sister. He looked worn and haggard.

"You ok?" I asked nudging him gently.

"Yeah." he breathed, not taking his eyes off Hallie.

"Has she moved at all?" came Remus' voice from the seat by the door. "I mean, has there been any improvement?"

Matt sighed and shook his head. "No, nothing much has changed. She hasn't stirred at all since you guys first brought her here."

I heard the boys heave a collective sigh.

Come on Hals, you can get through this. You've got to.

A/n: there you go, sorry it was so short but I'm working on the next chapter as you read and I'll probably –probably- post it on or before the first week of june.