Hayley returned to the Hospital wing. Miss Pomfrey wasn't very happy with her secret escape, and decided to keep an eye on her.
"Miss
Pomfrey?"
"What?"
"I was just wondering,
professor Snape said there would be a surprise. What is it?"
"Ah
yes, the Christmas presents. I'll go get them, and don't you dare to
get out of that bed!"
"No ma'm."
Miss Pomfrey left the Hospital wing. Hayley looked out of the window. Everything was white. She sighed. Suddenly, three people came running in.
"Make
sure he won't vomit on the floor!"
"Don't worry, miss
Pomfrey."
Miss Pomfrey ran towards Hayley's bed, threw 2 presents on it, and quickly ran back to the two other people. One of them was professor McGonagall. The other one was a boy with orange hair and brown eyes. He was wearing Quidditch equipment.
"This
will have serious consequences young man!"
"But
professor, I was only training for the Quidditch
auditions!!"
"Practicing? You're bleeding all over!!"
Hayley got a better look. The boy's nose was bleeding, he was holding his stomach, and he was all covered in snow. Now she recognized him. It was Joshua. But everybody called him Josh. He was in Gryffindor, 5th year. McGonagall left, and miss Pomfrey started to heal his nose. His face didn't look very healthy, so Hayley thought it might distract her if she opened her presents.
"A
moment miss Faraday! The request was that you opened them during
visitor's hour."
"Why?"
"I don't know, but
I suggest you wait, or else I'll take the presents back."
"Okay..."
One more hour till visitor's hour. The 2 presents were practically begging to be opened. Miss Pomfrey left the Hospital wing to inform professor Dumbledore about Joshua's 'crime.'
"Hey there Hayley!"
Joshua's nose didn't bleed anymore, but there was still some blood on his face.
"Hey
Josh, how's it going?"
"Could've been better.."
"Why
were you practicing? And in this weather!"
"I just
really wanna make the team, you know. So I thought some practice
would help me."
"Just be happy you're still alive, it
could've ended worse."
"Yes mom."
"Not
funny!!"
Joshua had to laugh.
"Don't
worry about it Hayley. Why are you here, anyway?"
"I was
attacked in the Muggle world."
"Who would attack
YOU?"
"I have no idea, it just happened to be that a
criminal was in my house."
"So who helped you?"
"James,
from the Ministry, professor McGonagall and professor Snape."
"SNAPE?
Why would he help you? He hates you ever since you blew up that
potion during our first year!"
"I don't know. He was
there too."
Joshua sat straight and got of his bed. He walked towards Hayley and sat down on the bed next to her.
"So,
what did you get for Christmas?"
"A '59 Les Paul, if you
know what that is."
"A '59 LES
PAUL? THAT'S UNREAL!!"
"You know
what a guitar is?"
"Yeah, ofcourse! My mom is a witch,
but dad is a Muggle. I play guitar too! And I usually do the
vocals."
"Really? Awesome!"
"You're in a
band?"
"No, not at the moment."
"Great, our
band needs another guitar player!"
"Am I the only girl
then?"
"Yeah, you would be the only girl. Is that a
problem?"
"Not at all! Boys rock."
"Back to
the presents, what are the things on your bed?"
"I'm not
allowed to open them until visitor's hour."
"Why?"
"I
have an idea, but I don't think I should tell you."
"That's
okay, let me feel."
Joshua
grabbed a present, and started shaking it up and down, and was trying
to feel what was inside.
"It isn't fragile, and it doesn't
make any noise. This feels like...pages. I think it's a book."
"Why
would I need a book? I never read."
"I don't know, maybe
somebody wants you to read."
Hayley knew Joshua for 5 years now, and she had always liked him. But only as a friend. Sometimes they worked together during Potions, and sometimes they hang out together. He patted her on the back. Suddenly, Hayley looked at the entrance of the Hospital wing. And there he was. Black hair, eyes that were full of hatred and ready to give detention.
"Josh.."
"What
is it?"
"Turn around..."
Joshua turned around, and only a few inches away from him, was Snape, and he looked pretty angry.
"Ferrell."
"P...professor
Snape! I'm sorry, I didn't see you, and..."
"I think a
month of detention would be fitting. Professor Dumbledore wants to
see you in his office."
Joshua got of the bed, and left the Hospital wing.
"Professor,
he did nothing wrong!"
'That is my decision, Faraday."
"Why
are you here?"
His
cold stare told Hayley to shut up. Visitor's hour had started. She
opened the present that was a book, according to Joshua. There was a
little note attached to it.
To: Hayley
Faraday
Hayley
opened it. Joshua was right. It was a book.
Potions
for dummies
"Professor, is this from you?"
Snape smirked.
"Alright, this is yours. Thank you, I suppose."
Hayley
opened the second present.
To: Hayley
Faraday
From:
Josh Ferrell
Merry
Christmas Hayley!
"Is
there something you're not telling me, Faraday?"
"It's
nothing, professor."
It was a CD.
The CD was called Karmacode.
"Lacuna Coil! I've got to thank
him later! Thanks Josh!!"
"What is this, 'Lacuna
Coil'?"
"It's a Muggle band, professor."
"What
kind of band?"
"Rock, sir. And they have a female
singer."
Snape acted like he didn't care.
"Thank
you for the book, professor."
"I almost forgot, here's
another present."
He gave her a box. Hayley opened it. Her face got all red. Headphones. Silver and blue headphones.
"I hope
I chose the right color."
"The right color? This is
perfect!!"
Would she...no, he would probably kill her. Never mind. She flew up and hugged Snape. It was a really awkward moment. He didn't hug back. Hayley quickly let go.
"I'm so sorry professor, I didn't know what I was doing..."
Snape got up, and left. Hayley didn't want to cry. She sighed. She wanted to listen to her iPod, but it was probably still at home. Unless all her stuff had already arrived at Hogwarts. She closed her eyes, and decided to get some sleep.
Hayley woke up. She heard someone entering the Hospital wing. The door was closed, and someone locked it. She searched for her wand, while pretending to be asleep.
"That traitor won't be in my way for long. He'll be devastated."
It was a frightening voice.
"Are you
sure, my lord?"
"You dare to doubt me?"
"No,
my lord, I..."
"Shut up and do what you're told."
"Yes,
master."
Hayley didn't recognize the two voices. But she knew about the Troll that was released during Halloween. This had to be the culprit. Someone was walking towards her bed. A wand was placed against her neck. And she couldn't find her own man whispered.
"Avada
Kedavr..."
"EXPELLIARMUS!!"
The man was blown away and was smashed into the wall. Hayley got out of bed, and grabbed her wand, after she finally found it. A cloaked person tried to make his escape. Hayley raised her wand.
"PETRIFICUS TOTALUS!!"
The spell missed, and the culprit was gone. Suddenly, Snape was standing next too her, his wand lit.
"Professor, what is..."
Snape didn't answer. He looked frightened, he looked like he had just seen the most
disgusting thing in the world.
"Professor?"
"Hmm?"
"Thanks
for saving me, once again."
Snape ignored her.
"Go to
sleep, Faraday."
"Goodnight professor."
Then he left.
