"Miss!"
Dibby rushed out of the Entrance Hall, still wearing an apron. The moment he saw Cordelia lying in Gavin's arms, tears filled his huge eyes.
"No, Miss—please—sob—you promised Dibby you'd hold on at least until Mr. Gu came back!"
Gavin looked up at him.
"What happened?"
Dibby covered his mouth. Tears streamed between his fingers, and he could not get a word out.
Alaric approached from behind, his cane striking the gravel in an uneven rhythm.
"Her health started failing after you were taken away."
His voice was hoarse.
"At first, she only tired easily. Then she began fainting and feeling cold, and the tonics lasted less and less time. Vittel came three times. He said..."
The rest caught in his throat.
Dumbledore finished for him.
"Cordelia was an Obscurial for five years. Though her Obscurus was cured, the years of life she lost were not restored."
Gavin frowned and pressed his fingers to the side of Cordelia's neck.
Her pulse was faint, but steady enough.
"The outburst by the Black Lake consumed much of the life force she had left." Dumbledore stepped closer, soft white light glowing at the tip of his Wand. "Vittel believes the tonics only kept her looking healthy. That outburst used up the last of it."
"The Healer said Miss doesn't have long."
Dibby finally broke into sobs.
"Miss wouldn't let Dibby tell Mr. Gu. She said if he knew, he'd break out of Azkaban. She didn't want him adding escape to his crimes because of her. She wanted him to come home without another charge against him."
Gavin gently brushed the stray hair from Cordelia's forehead and shook his head.
"You fool."
"Mr. Gu never noticed because Miss spent hours getting ready before every call." Dibby was still sniffling. "Dibby helped her with