1A/N: Written for Hogwarts Assignment 12 - Quidditch Lessons: task 3 - Write about doing something incredibly dangerous/risky.
This story uses a plot point from Cursed Child, but it's not actually CC compliant.
Warning: talk of possible character death
Word count: 454
Bile stung at Daphne's throat. Her ears rang after Astoria had admitted her plans. Daphne couldn't see anything but her sister, sitting next to her on the sofa.
"Please," she begged, grabbing fistfuls of Astoria's robes. "You can't do this."
The look Astoria shot her was uncharacteristically cold. "What do you mean I can't do this?" she snapped. "Daphne, it's me who this curse will kill. This is my decision."
Daphne gaped at her. That may have been true, but the threat of the curse was far off. Astoria was still young. While the curse may have killed her earlier than most, she would likely have years left to live. They'd only learned that she'd been cursed five months ago.
Sensing her thoughts, Astoria continued, "This cure is the one chance I have at living a long life."
"But…" Daphne struggled for a moment before she got more out. "You heard the Healers. The potion kills the taker as often as it heals them."
Astoria tugged her robes out of Daphne's hands. Daphne collapsed against the back of her chair, still staring at her sister in horror.
"It's because I heard them that I have to do this," Astoria said, focusing her gaze on the fireplace across from where she sat. "The potion will give me a fifty per cent chance of living a long life. Without it, I have no chance. How can I not take it?"
Daphne stared at her. She'd only just begun to accept that, in twenty or so years, she may lose her sister. To know that the end might come that very day instead…
"Of course I want you to live," she said, her voice cracking. "But you have decades left. Who knows what the Healers will discover by then? There could be a much safer—"
"Daphne." Astoria's eyes were on her again, and the look there made a shiver travel down Daphne's spine. "I can't wait for what ifs that will probably never come. I'm doing this whether you approve of it or not."
Daphne swallowed down the sobs that threatened to break free and nodded. Truthfully, she'd known that Astoria was going to do it as soon as she'd mentioned the potion. At least she could say that she tried to stop her.
"I can't be there for it," Daphne whispered. "I can't watch you die."
Astoria nodded, one tear breaking free. "I understand." She stood and dusted off her robes as casually as if she were going back home. "Then I hope this isn't goodbye."
Daphne lowered her head, listening to the sound of Astoria's footsteps getting further away. She pressed her eyes deeply shut, hoping she wouldn't regret not hugging her one last time.