Chapter Four

September 4th, 2021

The world was a wash of white and black. Groaning, Charlie tried to block out the view, but her eyes wouldn't shut. Her mouth was dry and tasted like vomit. "Hello?" She croaked out as her vision cleared. The room was chilly and a slight wind caressed her skin.

"Afternoon." A voice chirped from her left.

Slowly she turned over to face the speaker, joints aching. The first thing she noticed was back, and it was a rather nice back at that. Except for the large red welt that had formed on the skin, which was just nasty.

The second thing she noticed was the neon blue hair and she flushed, she'd been checking out her professor. Albeit without realising, but still… That didn't stop her traitorous eyes from dipping down and admiring his rather fit bum, which was all the more defined by the sheets that covered it. Bad Charlie! She thought. "What are you doing in here Teddy?"

"Hah!" Teddy shouted. "That's the first time you've said my name."

Charlie responded crankily, "Is it now? That's wonderful sir. So… what are you doing in here? I'm assuming it has something to do with the rather unseemly welt gracing your back currently."

She sensed Teddy's grin. "Showing some of that famed Ravenclaw intellect eh? Rowena would be proud. You aren't an afternoon person are you? Or is it a morning person you aren't? In theory you aren't one for conversations just after you've awoken from your extended slumber." His babble continued, "I suppose you did nearly die and all that. Has to be traumatic I suppose. Very traumatic since you nearly roasted me along with the Hospital Wing."

"What?" Charlie said, "I doubt I roasted anything. Do you always babble this much professor? I mean it's more than a little irritating. I suppose that's how you cope with pain. And since when did I nearly die?"

"You don't remember." Teddy began to move.

"Ted Lupin don't you move another inch!" Madam Abbott rained down on him with her matronly fury. "Stupid boy, do you want to tear that wound open?"

"It's been more than a day Madam!" Teddy whined, "Surely it wouldn't rip if I just moved a tiny bit."

Madam raised an eyebrow, "Do you want to risk it Mr Lupin." Teddy muttered a sulky no and Madam Abbott turned to face her. "How do you feel sweetheart?"

Charlie turned bemused eyes on the matron. "A little achy but overall I feel fine. Why am I in here?"

"She doesn't remember a thing." Teddy commented, "I can't imagine being able to forget."

"Is he always this annoying Madam?" Charlie glared at Teddy's back.

Madam Abbott smiled, "I'm afraid so Miss Nott, be glad you haven't had to put up with seven years of his constant accidents and babbling only to have him return a few years later."

"My deepest sympathies Madam."

"So what is the last thing you recall Charlotte?" The matron questioned.

Charlie thought back through her foggy mind. "Being pushed under the water." She gasped, "Did someone try to drown me? Is that what you meant professor?"

A voice rang out across the room, "I do not believe anyone tried to harm you on school grounds Miss Nott. Outside of Hogwarts… perhaps."

Charlotte couldn't believe her eyes, Harry Potter, saviour of the wizarding world, defeater of the Dark Lord, was standing not five metres from her. "Why would someone want to drown me... sir."

Harry frowned, "We believe it may involve your parents."

"Potter she's just woken up." Her uncle glared at him as he stepped out of Madam Abbot's office, accompanied by her aunt.

"Why is everyone here?" Charlie cried.

Her uncle looked Harry smugly, "See, she's in no condition to have any important conversations at the present time."

"Could someone at least explain to me what happened to him?" She pointed in Teddy's direction.

"Charlotte! He's your professor and you will treat him with respect." Astoria scolded her.

"He also saved your life." The headmaster added from the corner. Charlie was startled, she hadn't even realised he was there.

"You burnt me Charlotte." Teddy said cheerfully, "It wasn't too bad though and I'm healing up fine."

"When did I… oh." Charlie actually looked at the state of the room. The majority of the beds were burnt so badly that a simple Reparo wouldn't cut it. The roof was missing chunks and the breeze she'd felt earlier was coming from the windows, all of which were missing their glass panes. "I'm sorry!"

The headmaster smiled, "It wasn't your fault Miss Nott. I suggest you get some more rest, perhaps in your dorm." He gazed at the holey roof with ill-disguised mistrust. "You and Auror Potter can reschedule your conversation to another time."

Harry nodded, "Whenever you're feeling more up to a chat just ask the headmaster to get in contact with me." He then headed for the fireplace in Madam Abbott's office.

"Doesn't even bother to say goodbye to me. I practically died." Teddy mumbled.

Madam Abbott wacked him about the head. "Honestly Teddy you aren't five! As you said the burn wasn't too bad."

"Well I lied." Teddy said petulantly, causing Charlie to feel guiltier by the second, "I couldn't feel anything but as you pointed out the worst burns are when the wound is numb!"

Charlie's uncle rolled his eyes at the antics of the immature man and then he and her aunt bid her farewell. "We would stay but I have an important work commitment." He leaned down and kissed her forehead, "I can't reschedule it I'm afraid. You better owl me soon Charlotte Nott… or else!"

She giggled, "Love you too uncle."

Her aunt leaned down, smelling like home and Chanel No.5, Astoria's favourite muggle perfume. "Get better soon, honey." Then she was gone.

"Do you want to try standing on your own?" Madam Abbott said, applying some strange green goo to Teddy's welt. Charlie nodded. "Headmaster, please stand within catching distance in case Miss Nott's legs fail her."

Pulling the cover's off, Charlie moved to a sitting position. The paper gown she was wearing made a crinkling noise. She realised then that Teddy probably wasn't wearing a hospital gown at all and had to fight back a blush.

"Are you all right dear, you've gone a little red."

"Fine." She said breathlessly, swinging her legs over the side of the bed, ignoring the momentary pain that accompanied the action.

Slowly she placed weight on her right leg, followed by the left. Pushing herself up and off the bed, black spots filled Charlie's vision. She began to fall forward but was caught by the headmaster. "I'm okay." She said, righting herself.

Madam Abbott gave her a concerned look, but gave her a clean uniform to wear.

…

Charlie returned to the room and the lovely sight of Teddy's perfectly muscled torso. Upon seeing her he smiled, "Apparently I'm good to go." He tugged a t-shirt on, covering his well sculpted chest, much to Charlie's disappointment. "Nothing like a healthy dose of green gloop to fix up a burn eh?" Once again shame filled her. Just because she couldn't remember burning him didn't mean she shouldn't feel guilty.

"Teddy could you please accompany Miss Nott to her dormitory, I wouldn't want her to fall down a flight of stairs on the way there." Madam Abbott smiled, "It's been lovely having you as usual Charlotte. Hopefully the next time you're in here you're merely visiting the accident-prone Potter boy."

She grinned, "Which one Madam?"

Madam Abbott made a shooing motion with her hands, "Out with you two, and don't come back for a few months!"

"No promises Hannah." Teddy grinned.

They headed off, slowly making their way up the copious staircases that led to Ravenclaw Tower.

Charlie was short of breath when they finally reached the spiral stair case that led up to the Ravenclaw Common room. There were no students about, probably due to classes. "You alright Charlotte?"

She sucked in air. "All good sir."

Teddy sighed, "Let's go back to Teddy please."

Charlie raised an eyebrow, "But you're my professor."

He moaned, "You all go around calling me professor and I feel like I'm fifty!" Teddy shook his head. "Doesn't matter I guess, call me whatever you want." He growled, "Goddamn my back hurts."

He turned to go and Charlie gasped. The back of his shirt was soaked in blood, "You're bleeding you idiot!"

Teddy whipped around, "I am not a bleeding idiot!"

Charlie pointed at him, "No you are bleeding you moron, that's why you're hurting."

"Oh… well that makes sense." He grinned, "I think I prefer idiot and moron to professor in any case."

Charlie rubbed her temples and sighed. "Teddy Lupin go and get that healed!"

Teddy laughed, "Yes ma'am!"

"And…" Charlie gave him a guilty look, "I'm sorry."

Teddy placed his hands on her shoulders and looked her in the eye. "It isn't your fault Charlotte. You've been through a lot these past few days... go get some rest."

With that he left.

Charlie leaned against the wall and smiled, her cheeks stained a deep red. For once she fully understood what the Emilie Simmons of the world saw in boys or, in this case, men. Sometimes they were really something.

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