Chapter 2
I had to hurry. They didn't know I had escaped. They underestimated my strength. Yes, I was injured, and exhausted, and they had taken my wand, but I had a mission.
The Death Eaters were planning to attack Hogwarts, at midnight.
My only goal was to make it to Dumbledore to warn him on time-even if it killed me to do it.
The main problem at the moment was that I had to run to the school, not easy on a sprained ankle and several fractured ribs. It wouldn't take them long to discover my escape, and then they would hunt me.
But even for the smartest witch alive, I can be pretty stupid sometimes. It wasn't until I could see the lights of Hogwarts through the forest I was running through did I even consider all the other things at my disposal. Like threstrals.
The damn things were attracted to blood and standing right in my path!
It was at this point that I thanked every deity that I could imagine.
By the time I had made it to the castle I was nearly passing out from the pain. Physical pain had never really been an issue before; I was usually able to block it out. Tonight however, I didn't have enough mental capabilities to remember my own birthday, let alone ignore extreme issues.
Even in my distressed state I was able to notice how enchanting the doors to Hogwarts looked. Gilded and massive, they were an intimidating barrier to most people. Oddly enough, all I had to do was knock and they opened on their own for me.
Resuming my running, I didn't notice all the shocked faces that turned to me as I charged through the doors to the Great Hall, or the fact that I had just interrupted the Headmaster's start of term speech. All I cared about was completing my-self assigned mission-protecting each and every student who currently stared at me. Dumbledore had moved out from behind the head table and met me on the dais.
"Miss Spell! What has happened?" he asked calmly, but those who knew him could detect the hint of worry in his voice.
"The Death Eaters! They're coming, tonight!" I panted as I hunched over in pain.
Nodding in comprehension, he then moved around me to address the students, "You all must forgive me, I am afraid I have to cut my speech short tonight. Prefects, I must ask you to please escort all students to your respective dormitories, and to pass on the fundamental rules of Hogwarts tonight." He then paused to let the noise die down, "if the head boy and girl would please come see me immediately".
And then Hogwarts erupted into chaos, first years were being guided by older students, who were trying to understand exactly what was going on, and James and Lily were struggling to move in the opposite direction towards us.
I had moved into a sitting position on the ground to keep consciousness. James kneeled down to me the second he got a chance, "Lo? Logan? What is going on?"
But before I could respond, Dumbledore intervened, "James, I understand your concern for Miss Spell right now, and I assure you, when I get a moment I will tend to her needs myself. What I need from you and Miss Evans is to make sure no students leave their dormitories until I contact you."
Looking defeated, yet understanding, James nodded, and turned to Lily to make strategic plans. Being the bossy and bitchy person I am sure she was, she kept glaring at me, trying to discover what was going on.
Dumbledore then sat next to me, in a very unclely/grandfatherly way and asked me to explain things better. "Sir, all I know is that there were plans made to attack Hogwarts at midnight. Now however, things may have changed, and they could be coming sooner or not at all. It all depends on how they took my escape. And I would love to help you fortify the castle, and stay alert tonight, but honestly, I'm having trouble staying conscious" and while this may have seemed clearly spoken to me, I'm sure what he heard was a mixture between a drunken Russian, and a sobbing child.
"I understand completely my dear, I am positive that the other professors and I can handle it. We are very skilled you know." Thank god the twinkle was back in his eye! "And despite my very clear instructions, Misters Lupin and Black have appeared to have stayed in the Great Hall; I will have them escort you to the hospital wing, or to a bed, which ever you prefer." And with that he stood and disappeared from my vision.
At the same time he disappeared, Sirius and Remus appeared. At this point I was losing serious coherency, all I could tell was that I was being picked up and carried. I am pretty sure it was Remus carrying me, he being so much stronger than Sirius. Realizing that I-and the whole population of Hogwarts were safe, I figured it was a good time to abandon the idea of staying awake.
When I awoke it was still dark outside. I could only assume that I was in the hospital wing, having never been here before I couldn't be positive. There were several beds, all with white sheets and painted metal bars. But my real hint was that there were three boys surrounding me, all slumped over in their chairs, asleep. Sirius's hand was lying on top of the one I hadn't moved yet, and his head rested on the bed next to me. I could see the worry on his face even in his sleep. I didn't want to disturb him, but I had to pee. Gently easing my hand out from under his, I attempted to sit up, feeling very dizzy, and a numb sort of masked pain, probably from the potions the Matron must have given me.
I managed to scoot to the end of the bed without waking the boys around me. I gently eased my feet on to the floor. No extra pain yet-a good sign.
But I spoke to soon.
The second I took my first step, I fell and cried out in pain as sharp, shooting pains rippled through my back and into my chest.
Naturally this woke my sleeping companions up.
"Logan! What the fuck do you think you're doing?" Sirius cried as he rushed to help me up and back into bed. "You have way too many injuries to be moving right now"
"Shut up Sirius, I just had to pee, how was I supposed to know I couldn't walk, I was doing fine running last night"
"That was from your adrenaline rush" Remus chimed in, "and don't pretend you don't know that. You've said before how you hardly notice you are hurt until you calm down."
"Seriously Remus, I am warning you, you are getting pretty high on my list of people to maim and disfigure" how could he still ruin my plans while I was hurt? Shouldn't he feel some sort of pity?
"Either way Lo, if you need anything, we'll get it or do it for you. The matron couldn't heal all your wounds before, because she couldn't identify them with you passed out." James so kindly offered.
"Well that's wonderful James, but you can't pee for me can you? So will one of you please escort me to the fucking bathroom?" my bladder was fit to burst.
"I'll take you" Remus said, standing up, but pausing before picking me up, "and I am only doing it because it is easier for me and I don't want one of them falling over with you in their arms"
"Damn werewolf strength…" I heard Sirius mutter. But I understood. I can only imagine how he feels, having his girlfriend carried to the bathroom by his best friend.
"Oh and Remus?" James called as we made it past several beds, "Make sure she looks in the mirror. She needs to know" what the hell was he talking about?
3rd Person Sirius POV
Several minutes later, Sirius heard a glass shattering scream. Rushing into the bathroom with James on his tail, they took in quite a sight. Logan was standing in front of the mirror in only her bra and knickers, looking at herself. Large chunks of hair were missing from her head, her face was still heavily bruised, even after the Matron's potions, but worst of all, there was a great burn running up her back in the shape of a scorpion. Looking at Logan's face, Sirius saw how horrified and pained she looked.
She then turned around to face Sirius, her voice shaking as she asked, "Sirius, where is my trunk? I need it"
"Sure" he replied patting his robes and looking through his pockets, he was still trying to wake up.
"We'll…just wait outside" Remus said as he pulled James from the lavatory
"I shrunk it and took it with me from the train. I figured it was the best option" he explained as he produced it from his robes and resized it.
He loved her trunk. It was a deep red brown color with gold embossed carvings. He had made it for her a few years back, practicing his magic craftsmanship on it. It was the only gift he had ever given her. He would give her other things but didn't know how to out-do himself.
"Thanks" Logan gently knelt down and with fumbling little fingers, opened her trunk. Inside there was a false top, where she kept her other wands. He had added that in when he noticed her penchant for misplacing her important items.
"Holy shit Lo, there must be a dozen wands there!" including one that he recognized as his brother's. She must have fought him in the time since he had joined the Death Eaters.
"Yeah. They mostly all belong to people I've defeated, I've got my parents' wands too." Surprisingly enough, mindless conversation seemed to be helping her calm down. That didn't usually work. Every other time he had seen her worked up; he just had to let her vent and rage until it was over. He wasn't quite sure what to do in this case.
"I don't have the energy to do this the usual way" she said as she stood and began growing her hair back and clearing her face with spells. No magic she performed helped the bruises or burn though. Sirius was trying very unsuccessfully to not look at it. And Logan noticed.
"It's okay Sirius, if it wouldn't cause me so much pain I would look at it too. But, it's really not important right now. What is-"
Sirius became enraged "how can you say it's not important? That isn't a normal burn; it could be fucking killing you for all you know!"
Sighing, she slowly and carefully walked across the cold tile floor of the bathroom. Reaching him, she wrapped her arms around him and held him close. As much as he wanted to, he was afraid to touch her. The last thing he wanted to do was hurt her more. So he left his arms at his side and made sure not to lean into her.
"Yes, there is a possibility that this could be killing me, that's true. But I am inclined to doubt it, because if the Death Eaters or Voldemort wanted me dead, they wouldn't have cursed me, they would have just killed me. And either way, there is little I can do about it at the moment so please relax a little. For me" she said as she placed his arms on her lower back, and stared into his eyes. "I love you. And I wish I could say that I would stop doing what I do, and that I would play it safe, but you know that isn't me."
"I love you too" he sighed, "and I would never want you any other way than who you are right now. Purple and blue face included." Punctuating his statement with a kiss. "Now come on. Let's find you something comfortable to wear in your trunk and get you back in bed. You have a serious story to tell. No pun intended"
Logan POV
After Sirius helped me back to my bed, they felt it was time to press me for answers to their questions.
"Okay, I'll tell you guys what happened, but first, what time is it?" I inquired.
"It's about 2:30" James replied, looking at his watch.
"Did anything happen while I was asleep? Anything that would cause concern?"
"Not really, all the students were told to stay in their dorms until further notice…" Sirius shrugged.
"Well that and all the teachers were running all over the school for a good few hours. We were watching them all on the map" Remus added.
"Nothing else?"
"No Miss Spell, nothing occurred while you were indisposed" Dumbledore answered, seeming to come from nowhere, and making the boys jump. "I do believe I expressly requested all students stay in their houses until otherwise notified…" he commented as he peered at James and Remus. They were both meant to uphold the rules, being head boy and prefect…Fortunately, he didn't look angry, and more understanding than anything.
"Sir, I apologize for raising the alarm without too much thought. If it caused you and the other professors any trouble-"I tried to say, but he would hear none of it.
"Miss Spell, if there is even the slightest chance that any of my students could be in danger that is no small matter. Without your consideration and worry, who knows what might have happened tonight."
At this point the boys were simply dying to know what was going on, and were looking between Dumbledore and me with intense interest.
"Sir, I know it may not be any of our business, but what was supposed to happen tonight?" James asked, as politely as he could.
"I actually came here to discover the whole issue myself Mr. Potter. Miss Spell only had to tell me the essentials- that Death Eaters were planning to attack Hogwarts-before I had to deal with the crisis." Addressing me, he asked, "So my dear, would you please detail to me what happened yesterday and what you learned from your adventure?"
Feeling slightly uncomfortable with the horrified looks James and Sirius were giving me (Remus was just looking out the window at the moon) I struggled to find the right words, "Sir, there is not much more I can give you about the supposed attack-well not supposed, they WERE going to attack, but didn't. They didn't say why, at least not that I heard, but this information was heard through several thick walls, so it was rather muffled. I just focused on what I-"stopping myself from babbling too much, I took a deep breath and stared at the high ceiling for a moment, trying to remember exactly what happened.
"The Death Eaters stopped the train because they were looking for me, and instead of endangering the other students by fighting them there, I apparated with them. I don't know where they took me. But once there, they took my wand- I expected that, and I expected to deal with several types of torture and 'questioning'. Which I also received. I can't say exactly what they did, not only because I don't want to, but because my memory is still slightly fuzzy of the events. I do know that after they broke through my personal shield, they used a few unforgivables. After they were finished with that, they dragged me to a dungeon chamber where I heard their plans. And as soon as I could, I escaped and came here as quickly as possible." Now all four faces were looking at me with sympathy and emotion. I hated it. Pity was useless to me.
"Thank you. You did a great thing tonight. I would recommend that when you three decide to go up to Gryffindor tower, that you avoid all teachers, they will only make things harder for you. And Miss Spell, I hope you understand that if you leave the hospital wing with these gentlemen tonight, as I am sure you will, that I expect to see you in class and present at all meal times tomorrow. Goodnight" and with that, he quit the wing, walking with a grace that only a wise man had.
"Cool. So who is helping me up to Ravenclaw tower?" I asked, looking around for a non-shocked face.
"Why would you go to Ravenclaw?" Sirius asked me, confusion obvious on his face. Now that I think about it, it's his most frequently used expression.
"Maybe because seven years ago I was sorted into Ravenclaw?" was I speaking to children?
"Eh who gives a fuck, you're coming with us to Gryffindor! Even Dumbledore assumed that was where you were going!" James said while balancing on two chair legs.
"Okay…" agreeing was probably my only option. If I was going to get out of the hospital wing, I would need their guidance. I didn't know my way around the castle.
Slowly stepping down off the bed again, this time in my green and purple flannel pants and tank top, I was as gentle as could be when I took my first few steps.
"No offence but I really don't want your help" I said firmly as all three of my companions moved to assist me, "I need to do this myself. It's the only way I can get well enough to function normally tomorrow. I need to adapt and overcome." Only Remus caught the reference I was making, Sirius and James just looked offended that I wouldn't let them help. "Now let's go! I want to get back to sleep!"