'Another two?'
'Yes. Two girls.'
Poppy Pomfrey indicates a bed close to the entrance.
'This one is from today. Second year, Hermione Granger...'
Mcgonagall's eyes widen in horror.
Poppy looks at her with compassion.
'I'm so sorry, Minerva, I know it's another one of your wards, after little Creevey. The other girl is a Ravenclaw. Fifth year, Penelope Clearwater.' the nurse turns her head towards a tall, dark-haired girl lying on a bed next to Hermione's.
'We have already four victims. This is indeed horrific, Poppy, but now, without Albus, I'm afraid that their number is going to skyrocket... ' Macgonagall whispers.
'Who exactly insisted on suspending Albus?' the mediwitch asks in a grave tone.
'The Board of Governors. Lucius Malfoy in particular.' Transfiguration Professor answers with disgust.
'Why would they do that?' Poppy asks.
'Oh, in their opinion, the assaults on students indicate, that Albus is unfit to lead the school.' Macgonagall sighs.
'They shall see. Without Dumbledore in charge, the aggressor is going to get a feeling of impunity and go berserker.' the nurse states.
'Poppy, you should get and go Filch to mend the drain under these sinks.' Macgonagall says suddenly.
'...excuse me?' Poppy asks in confusion.
'Look.' Macgonagall indicates large drainage grates under a set of sinks in the sanitary part of the Hospital Wing. 'These grates are shaking. I bet the sewage module is defective...'
Madam Pomfrey narrows her eyes; indeed- something feels off about the drainage grates.
She opens her mouth to agree with Macgonagall, but before she has a chance to speak, the drain explodes.
Water squirts from the open grate like from a fountain. Both women stand with their eyes widely open.
They let out a horrible scream and jump back, when, following the streams of water, a huge body shoots up from the grate.
Macgonagall tightens her fingers on her wand in blind horror, when an enormous monstrosity slides from the drain inside the Hospital Wing.
A giant serpent with shiny, vivid green scales and a massive, dragon-like head opens its terrifying jaws, exposing a set of sharp, pointed teeth.
The Hospital Wing is filled with rotten smell of its breath.
Macgonagall and Pomfrey keep stepping back, unable to utter a word or yell for help. Minerva, not keeping her eyes off the beast, doesn't notice Penelope Clearwater's bed right behind her, and falls back over it. She finds herself lying next to the unconscious Ravenclaw girl.
The monster lets out a horrible, high-pitched squeak.
'Shhhhh.' whispers a voice behind the giant snake's head, calming the beast down.
Macgonagall looks up in disbelief. There is a small, dinkey silhouette clinging to the monster's body.
A young girl, dressed in a black, leather full- body suit. She looks incredibly filthy; her face and her outfit are covered in a layer of... something that seems to be watery dirt mixed with blood and mucus. Her hair is waist-long, but its color cannot be recognized under all the filth.
Something about the girl seems familiar.
Bright, hazel eyes look at Macgonagall from high above.
The Transfiguration Professor recognizes these eyes; eyes of a first-year, timid girl who barely even spoke during classes. These eyes aren't shy anymore; now, they seem to be blazing with fire.
'Miss Weasley...?' Macgonagall asks through clenched throat.
The giant serpent screeches again; Minerva covers her aching ears.
The young girl starts speaking to the monster; she uses an incomprehensible, hissing language.
The beast goes silent.
'Is that true?' the girl asks in English. 'Is he finally gone?'
Yes, this is definitely Ginny Weasley's voice, although slightly hoarse.
Minerva gasps, an ice-cold cramp grabs her bowels.
She exchanges terrified looks with Poppy.
Ginny frowns, and touches gently the beast's forehead.
The giant serpent makes a sudden move, bringing its massive head close to Mcgonagall's face. A strong scent of blood and sewage hit Minerva's nostrils powerfully.
'Answer me.' demands Ginny.
'...Yes, Miss Weasley. He's gone.'