Chapter 9- Migraine's And Guilt Pains
Disclaimer- Harry Potter is not mine
Nora woke up with her head throbbing. She groaned slightly as she opened her eyes to see where she was. By the looks of things, she was lying in one of the beds in Hogwarts hospital wing, curtains drawn around her in an attempt to shield her from the world. She tried sitting up, but quickly lay back down when her head began to throb some more. She was about to call for the Madam Penny, the nurse who ran the hospital wing whom she had met on her tour of Hogwarts on her first day, so she could give her something for her head, when she heard voices filter over to her from nearby.
"Her father said he didn't care what we did with her." A voice Nora recognized as Professor Longbottom's said sadly.
"Really," Professor Gale said in astonishment. Professor Gale was a sweet short old man who was the head of Hufflepuff and Nora's transfiguration professor.
"Miss. Wilson did not grow up in the most ideal environment for a child," Professor Monroe said curtly. Nora frowned, she wasn't sure if she liked that teacher's were discussing the relationship she had with her father.
"Well if we can do whatever we want with her I suggest we throw her out. She's obviously a danger to this entire school," Professor Stone said coldly. Nora was about to make her conscious presence known and complain, when someone else did that for her.
"What! You're not actually going to expel her are you?" Nora knew that voice. It was Al. Merlin she loved him and his unstoppable great guy attitude.
"No Mr. Potter we are not planning on expelling Miss. Wilson," Professor McGonagall reassured him but her voice became stern when she began to talk to Stone. "Carson, you and I both know that we have no grounds to expel Miss. Wilson for anything. There is more evidence to expel Mr. Potter, since he did stun Miss. Wilson."Nora almost started to laugh when she heard Al begin to splutter in his defence. "Mr. Potter, do not worry, we are not expelling you either. However we must ask you what happened at the Three Broomsticks that lead you to stun Miss. Wilson." Nora's eyes widened in realization. What if they found out she could use telepathy long before the incident in the pub.
"Well," Al hesitated, "it all happened so fast, so I'll try to remember as much as possible." Huh, what was that supposed to mean?
"Just try and remember as much as possible Al," Longbottom said informally, revealing for once how much he cared about Al. Al had told her once that he was apparently his godfather.
"Okay," Al said in a very fake thinking voice. Nora couldn't believe it. Al would never lie for her. "Well I mentioned to her that Malfoy was looking miserable as usual-not that there is anything wrong with that," Al added quickly when Nora heard a growl that had obviously come from Stone. "I also mentioned that it might have had something to do with something Rose had just said about him, since we have this theory about something completely unimportant to this present issue."
"What theory?" Stone questioned, but a few people told him to be quiet and for Al to keep going.
"After I told Nora that she said something like she wished she could read minds because she would love to know what he was thinking because she agreed with me," Al said in the most convincing voice he could probably ever use. Nora could not believe it; Al was lying to make sure she wouldn't get into any trouble. There was no denying it; she loved this boy more than anyone else in the world. Al continued with his story. "The next thing I knew Nora was on the ground, practically screaming in pain, so I got her out of there as fast as I could. Once we were outside she started mumbling about the fact that she couldn't get the voices out of her head and I needed to knock her out before she hurt someone again. So after she screamed at me to knock her out, I stunned her." There was silence and Nora bit her lip in anticipation. Please, please, please let them believe him.
She heard what sounded like Monroe clear her throat. "I believe he's telling the truth," she said in a tired voice, "it sounds like the proper reaction for someone who has just developed their telepathic abilities." Nora almost fist pumped the air in triumph but she realized she was supposed to be asleep so she kept her happiness to herself.
"I agree Cassandra," Gale added, "but there are some things to consider. For instance, there has never been a witch or wizard in recorded history that could use telepathy. Witches and wizards can use legilimency and some can have accidental magical bonds, but these forms of mind reading only deal in seeing memories and experiencing the other persons emotions. No one has ever been able to hear exactly what a person is thinking at any given time." Nora glowered at the ceiling. If they wanted to put her in some sort of laboratory for testing, she was out of here for sure.
"But let's consider the fact that we already know that Miss. Wilson can use telekinesis to her advantage. Why should we rule out her ever developing the ability to use telepathy," Longbottom said wisely.
"I agree with you Neville on that point," McGonagall said, "we all know how special Miss. Wilson truly is. However, are you sure Mr. Potter that the incident at the pub is the only time Miss. Wilson displayed telepathic abilities?" Oh no, that didn't sound good.
"From what I can remember over the past 2 months, yes," Al answered smoothly and Nora smiled.
"He's lying," Stone snapped, "I've been watching him scurrying about with Wilson and believe me they looked like they were up to no good."
"Oh for Merlin's sake Carson, you think everyone is up to no good," Longbottom said in exasperation.
"Well if the boy is telling the truth he should have no problem with Cassandra using legilimency on him," Stone spat angrily."
"Stone are you thinking clearly," Monroe said angrily, "I cannot just go up to any student and force myself into their head. I need permission from a superior, their parents and especially from them. Do you have any clue how much trouble I would get into if just took a look into Harry Potter's sons head without going through the proper channels?" Nora felt a ball of guilt settle into the pit of her stomach. She definitely had not asked for Malfoy's permission when she had gone ploughing into his mind.
"I don't mind," Al said quietly that Nora almost didn't hear him. What! Yes you do mind Al! You really really mind if she uses legilimency on you!
"See the boy doesn't mind," Stone barked.
"I still need parental consent and the all clear from a superior," Monroe hissed icily.
"Well if we are going to put all doubt to rest I give my consent to look through Mr. Potter's thoughts," McGonagall said wearily, "and I already have sufficient consent from his father from when I talked to him earlier." No, no, no! This could not be happening!
"There you go Cassandra, go ahead and looked through the boys memories," Stone said gruffly. Nora sat up slightly. Not if she could help it she wouldn't. Nora ignored the pain that lanced through her head as soon as she began to focus on Al's familiar mind. She was going to use what little she knew about actual legilimency to her advantage. The pain was still there but it was definitely a lot less bad than in the pub, so she gritted her teeth as she pushed into Al's mind. She felt the familiar pop and then all the sounds around her became muffled. She was in his head. 'Oh shit, she's actually going to go through my memories. What the hell am I going to do?'
That thought penetrated Nora's head like a nail being fired from a nail gun and she winced at the pain. Just focus Nora, just focus. Nora quickly began to sift through Al's memories. She found memories of their practise sessions, their discussions about her telepathy and when she told him she could use telepathy and she did the first thing that popped in her head. She blocked them from anyone's view.
"Now Al you may feel some pressure when I enter your mind," Monroe said in a muffled voice, which Nora heard. Shit! Nora sifted through Al's memories as fast as she could, very much aware that she was exhausted, and found the memory from the Three Broomsticks and she began to alter it. Instead of Al telling her to read Malfoy's mind the first time, she erased it to look like she just went to the bathroom. The second time he asked her to read his mind, she changed it to make it to resemble the story Al had just told the professor's. The pain in Nora's head was getting worse but she pushed any worry about that aside. She had a mission to do. She felt Monroe's presence enter Al's head and Nora quickly let go of the memory of the pub and hid in the back corners of his mind, hoping to Merlin that Monroe wouldn't notice her presence.
Nora watched as Monroe's subconscious, which looked like a white tiger, sifted through Al's thoughts. That was interesting; apparently different people's subconscious's actually looked like something. Nora could have jumped up and down in joy when Monroe's subconscious completely overlooked the memories that Nora had blocked from anyone's view and nervously watched her subconscious pick Al's memory from the pub to view.
Nora watched as Monroe's subconscious watched the newly altered memory and Nora hoped she had caught everything that could have given away that Al had known about her telepathic tendencies before she had, had her mental breakdown. Once the memory reached her meltdown, Monroe let go of it and left Al's mind. Nora thankful for finally being able to leave quickly vacated Al's mind.
She was panting like she had run a race and the pain was excruciating. Nora covered her mouth with her arm to muffle the sound of her laboured breathing. Then Nora heard Monroe clear her throat. "He was telling the truth," she said softly and Nora began to smile like an idiot. She had done it; she had used legilimency for the first time and used it well. Most people would find that impossible, in fact it probably was, but she could care less. She had avoided expulsion and life was great.
"Good," Longbottom said with a sigh of relief.
"Yes, this is excellent," McGonagall said in relief as well, "but I would like you Cassandra to teach Miss. Wilson how to control her telepathy."
"I am not telepathic though Minerva," Monroe said in confusion. Nora couldn't help but notice that her voice seemed slightly far away. Had she noticed her presence inside Al's head?
"I know that but you can teach her control, respect and how to control her temper; something this girl desperately needs at times." Nora huffed at the insult but she knew it was true.
"Alright Minerva, I shall help her," Monroe said accepting the offer to train her. Well those lessons should be interesting.
"Splendid, now that this has been taken care of, would anyone like to join me for some tea. I have become horribly parched from our conversation."
Each of the professors agreed to accompany McGonagall on a tea run and seemed to be walking away when Al began to speak again. "Professor," he said loudly.
"Yes Mr. Potter,"
"Would you mind if I stayed with Nora a bit more?" he asked. Nora found herself smiling like an idiot for some reason.
"You may Mr. Potter; just don't tell Madam Penny I let you. I would hate to get on that woman's bad side."
"Sure professor," Al said with a chuckle. Nora watched as Al's silhouette waved the professor's goodbye and as soon as she heard the door click shut, he dashed over to her bed. Nora watched as the curtains flew open around her bed to reveal a very haggard looking young man. Nora looked at him in bewilderment. Al didn't seem fazed at all from seeing her awake, as he turned his back to her and closed the curtain surrounding the bed sharply. "I knew you were awake," he whispered hoarsely.
"How?" she questioned, still a bit taken aback by his worn appearance.
"The fact that one moment my memory of your breakdown in the pub was nothing like what I told the professors and then all of a sudden it was. You have no idea how confused I looked when that happened. I had to pretend I was just uncomfortable with someone like Monroe poking around in my head," he said wearily. "I thought you couldn't use legilimency."
"I'm gifted Al, I can do any spell I want."
Al looked at her with a frown, the dark circles under his eyes becoming more noticeable. "You do realize very few wizards can use legilimency, much less can alter memories the way you did. Was that your first try?"
Nora pondered his question and bit her lip as she stared at his tired expression. "Yes."
"Merlin Nora, that's not normal," Al said in astonishment as he buried his head in his hands.
Nora did not like that comment. She didn't like it at all. "I'm aware I'm different Al, I've read the history books. Something like me has never existed." Nora felt a stab of pain rip through her head and she groaned in response.
"Are you okay," Al said with worry, as he grabbed a seat next to her and sat down.
"I'm fine," she grumbled, "just a bad headache." Comfortable silence passed between them as Nora listened to Al's slow deep breaths. It was oddly soothing and she felt some of the pain in her head subside. Nora looked over at Al who was staring at her intensely as if he was seeing her differently for the first time. "What time is it," she asked bringing him out of his trance.
"It's about midnight," he said tiredly as he leaned back in his chair.
"Really," she exclaimed and winced at a new sting of pain that passed through her head.
"Ya," Al said and then paused before speaking again, "how much does it hurt?"
"I told you, it's just a headache," she said stubbornly.
"Nora," he said in a tone she had never heard anyone use on her. It was a weary but strong voice that you knew that you had to obey or you would get in shit. It was the kind of tone her mom has used on her when she was being stubborn, the kind of tone her dad used to use on her before he stopped being her father. Before he blamed her for what happened to her mom.
"It hurts a lot," she answered back in a toneless voice as she turned her head away from him, trying to hide the tears threatening to come out of her eyes.
"Bollocks," Al muttered, "I'm such an idiot." His comment helped snap Nora out of her reverie and she looked back at him in shock.
"How are you the idiot?"
"Because I pushed you to it! I always have to know what's going on with other people, it's my weakness," he said bitterly.
"I could have easily not done it. Believe me Al; you didn't make me do anything. I'm stubborn; I wanted to prove to you that I was strong enough to do it. I wanted to prove it to myself," she said passionately.
Al looked up at her and sighed. "I still shouldn't have been so eager."
"Sure, I agree with you there but you didn't make me do anything," Nora said reassuringly, "I'm a big girl Al, I can think for myself."
Al nodded to show that he accepted her answer. "I know this is kind of stupid to ask, but did you even get in Malfoy's head before you went down?" Nora was confused for a second before she realized that Al had not noticed her hurt Malfoy. He had no idea whether or not she had actually got into his head. Nora thought about what Monroe had said before about getting permission before entering another person's mind and she felt the ball of guilt in her stomach turn over uncomfortably. "No, no I didn't," she lied, not looking in Al's direction.
"Wonderful," Al said cynically, "you landed yourself in the hospital wing for nothing."
"But I still know what he said from the first time I read his mind," she said, trying to cheer him up. She hated seeing him beat himself up like this. He had become her best friend here at Hogwarts, she didn't want to be the reason he was so upset. "And believe me he is the most miserable son of a bitch in the world. Also, he thinks Zabini's a pain in the ass."
Al snorted and gave her a weary smile. Nora smiled back; there was the Al she loved. "He really thought that?"
Nora lifted a hand and made a cross over her heart. "Cross my heart."
"Wow he's got it bad huh," Al said with a smile.
"Yup."
"By the way," Al said, "you owe me."
Nora looked at him in surprise. "For what?"
"Well one, I saved you from flipping out in the middle of the Three Broomsticks. Two, I dragged your unconscious ass back up to the castle and three, you puked on my shoes. So over all, you owe me big time," he said with a grin.
Nora's mouth was hanging open in astonishment at his comment. That bastard! Nora quickly grabbed her pillow and threw it at Al as hard as she could in her present situation. Although the pillow did not hit Al, he did topple over in his chair when he managed to duck away from the soft projectile and was now splayed across the floor, with Nora laughing rather loudly, hurting her head again.
"Who's in here?" a woman's voice said, echoing off the walls of the hospital wing.
"Bloody hell," Al muttered as he scrambled to his feet. Nora was smothering her laughter into her newly retrieved pillow. Nora heard the quick footsteps of the woman coming towards her bed and Al looked frantically at her hoping she would have a hiding place available for him to hide in. Unfortunately it was too late. Nora, still laughing, watched as the curtains around her bed were pulled open to reveal a chubby, short, rosy-cheeked older woman with grey hair pulled into a messy bun staring daggers at Al who looked like a deer caught in headlights. Hello Madam Penny.
"What exactly are you doing here?" she screeched. "Miss. Wilson needs her rest, not some silly boy coming in here and bothering her!"
"But I-," Al spluttered.
"No buts! Get out immediately!" Nora was practically falling over from laughing so hard and the fact that her head seemed to be on fire from the pain. Al gave her a glare.
"Remember you owe me," he said quickly before quickly dashing past Penny who tried to swat at him on his way past her. Nora couldn't help but smile as she heard the door shut loudly, signalling his exit.
"Boys these days," Penny muttered angrily as she walked over to the side of Nora's bed. "Does your head hurt dear?"
"A bit," she said with a smile.
Penny pulled out a vial of some sort of potion from her smock and a cup. "This will put you straight to sleep," she said softly as she poured the dark blue liquid into the cup. She handed it to Nora, who quickly downed it. Penny took the glass from her and wished her goodnight before hurrying off. Nora settled into her bed as she felt the sleeping draught begin to take effect. Nora smiled sleepily. Al had to be the only guy to ever treat her like she was a regular girl. He didn't slobber all over her or was terrified of her like most guys. He just treated her like any other teenage girl. She yawned and closed her eyes, as sleep began to claim her.
He treated her like she was normal... and she liked it.
A/N- All together now. AWWEEEE. Decided to end chapter 9 on a much lighter note with a bunch of Al/Nora fluffiness. Anyway I wil continue to update quickly and please read and review since I love to read what you the readers have to say. Peace.
