The Passing of the Torch

Characters: Poppy Pomfrey, Hannah Longbottom, & a original female character (Freesia Parkinson)

While Poppy knew this minor flu outbreak was a perfect learning opportunity for Hannah, it was terribly hard to stand by. It was in Poppy's nature to help, not to turn her back on those who needed it. As she carefully rearranged bottles of Fever Reducer, Sleeping Draught, and Pepper Up, Poppy tensed. The argument between Hannah and Miss Freesia Parkinson was picking up in volume.

"Get that out of my face, I don't want it!"

"You'll be stuck here all week if you don't drink this!"

"That's fine by me!"

A few beds down, one of their younger patients tossed in his bed. 'That's it,' Poppy thought. She could not bear to listen to the two argue any longer. Leaving the tray half-arranged, Poppy turned heel and approached the still squabbling duo. She took the Fever Reducer she'd told Hannah to give Miss Parkinson out of her hand. Then, Poppy said, "You should never deign to row with students, Missis Longbottom."

The younger woman dropped her gaze. Internally, Poppy sighed. She hadn't meant to be so sharp with her. Overall, Hannah had been doing well. Better than Poppy remember doing when she was training to become the matron of Hogwarts, even. If only Poppy weren't so worried about needlessly waking the sleeping students…

'Oh well, I've put my nose in now, I might as well finish the job,' Poppy told herself.

Turning a mean eye on the girl glowering in the bed, Poppy ordered, "Drink this now, Miss Parkinson."

For a long moment, Miss Parkinson glared back. Then, she opened her mouth. "N–"

"Twenty points from Slytherin for backtalk!" Poppy snapped.

The girl's eyes went large. "You can't do that!" she cried.

Poppy snorted. "Oh? I'm sorry to say, but I can."

Snarling at her, Miss Parkinson snatched the potion from Poppy's hand and downed it. When finished, she smacked her lips and grumbled, "I hope you're happy."

Very much pleased as she took the empty bottle, Poppy nodded. "Fifteen points to Slytherin for following directions."

Miss Parkinson blinked.

Smiling, Poppy took Hannah by the elbow and led her away from the bed. As she handed her another potion to administer to a different student, she remarked, "It's a nifty trick, that one. You usually only have to use it once on a student."

Hannah nodded. "I'm sorry that I was bungling it up with Miss Parkinson," she said. "I've dealt with my fair share of teenagers as the landlady of the Leaky Cauldron, but…"

Poppy gave the younger woman's arm a pat. "Don't worry, dear, it takes time to acclimate to this job." With a little smile, Poppy winked. "That's why I'm here to show you the ropes."

Hannah smiled back, sheepish, but relieved. "Thank you."

"You're welcome," Poppy replied. Then giving Hannah a nudge toward her next patient, Poppy said, "Now, go show me what you learned with that one. He's new to our halls, but I remember his brother and he was a pain to treat."

"Okay," the younger woman agreed, a look of determination overtaking her face.

Watching on as Hannah approached and spoke with the boy, Poppy gave a little laugh. The boy's annoyed expression had turn into one of surprise. When the boy then proceeded to down the potion Hannah held out to him in a single gulp, Poppy grinned with pride. Looking around her hall at large then, Poppy thought, 'Don't worry, Hogwarts. You'll be in capable hands when I retire.'

The End!

How'd you like it? Did you enjoy the light note it ended on? To you regular readers, did you like the little cameo of Freesia Parkinson from For a Pound of Flesh?

Seeing as this is the end and I don't know if and when I'll be writing another piece that features Poppy, I'm going to point you guys toward the last one I wrote: One Afternoon. The summary is: "One summer day, Poppy gets an unexpected visit from an old friend's daughter and her young son."

Thank you guys all so very much for reading, favoriting, following, and reviewing :)