Matilda Hastings had only been a Healer at Hogwarts for a year. She had, until this point, only been handling a few broken bones from awry spells and Quidditch matches, and perhaps a cut or two. Nothing however, had prepared her for this.
Students and staff alike were crowded in The Great Hall, and most were bleeding, bruised, and battered. A great number had already been killed by Voldemort and his Death-Eaters. By great fortune, however, the battle was over, but there was still many people to heal and many to bury.
As Matilda finished mending the broken arm of a student, she heard the doors crash open. When she turned, she saw the Headmaster, Severus Snape, being carried by two older students.
"We found him. He's lost alot of blood." One of the students said as Madame Pomfrey and Matilda rushed forward to help Snape.
As the students laid Snape down on the floor; Madame Pomfrey gave him a quick look-over and instantly saw where the blood was coming from. There was a large, gaping wound on Snape's neck.
"You dears rest yourself." Madame Pomfrey pointed towards a nearby bench, and the two students sat on it. "Matilda, this will take the both of us."
"Madame, we're not even sure if it's a spell or not. It might have been done without magic." Matilda said, quickly kneeling by Madame Pomfrey.
"I know, Matilda, but there is only one spell in my knowledge that can mend a wound like this."
Matilda nodded, and she and Madame Pomfrey pointed their wands at Snape's wound. In unison, they said:
"Vulnera Sanentur"
As beams of light emerged from their wands, Matilda could not help but notice Snape's blood creating a pool underneath his neck.
"Madame, the wound is too large." Matilda was about to lower her arm in defeat, but Madame Pomfrey raised it back up.
"Don't quit, dear. He's the Headmaster." The solemn tone of Madame Pomfrey's voice, surprised Matilda.
Matilda continued to help Madame Pomfrey cast Vulnera Sanentur and, after a few moments, the bleeding stopped; Snape, however, seemed to be losing conscious.
"Speak to him, dear. He mustn't faint, or else he may never wake up."
Matilda inched herself closer to Snape, and tapped her fingers gently against his cheek. "Headmaster, you must stay awake."
Snape fluttered his eyes opened, and gave a faint smile. "Lily?"
"My name's not Lily, sir. It's Matilda Hastings." Matilda turned to Madame Pomfrey. "He's hallucinating."
Madame Pomfrey was too occupied with sealing the wound. Matilda turned her attention back to keeping Snape alert.
"You'll be all right. I promise that you'll be all right." Matilda made sure to keep her voice soft, despite her rising fear that she would see yet another death.
Madame Pomfrey stopped for a moment and sat back. "I can't seal it. He must be seen by the healers at Saint Mungo."
"You aren't thinking of appararating, are you? He's too weak, and what if he splinches?" Matilda argued.
"It's his only hope, Matilda. Now, I want you to remain calm and help everyone else here."
Matilda nodded and stood to her feet. She stepped back to give Madame Pomfrey enough room, and soon both she and Snape had disapparated.
Knowing that Snape was in good hands now; Matilda returned to healing the others. In the back of her mind, however, she wondered if she had made a promise that she couldn't keep.