AN: Chapter 11 already? And the longest one so far! :D Crikey! :D Also, i believe its been a month since i posted the first chapter, happy one month anniversary!
Also i'd like to thank xxSiriusxxForever for being the first to review this chapter and pointing out a comma slip up. I've gotten my friend ChaserMidnight to be help me pick up on mistakes now, so yeah, i'm tidying this chapter up. I dont usually make mistakes with commas and such, im going to blame last nights sleepiness, hopefully it won't happen again ;)
Light was pushing painfully into her closed eyelids.
She felt like there was someone pressing down hard on her face, her head throbbed and her whole torso felt constricted and it was making breathing a strenuous activity.
Mackenzie was in hell, that much she was sure of. What she didn't know, was how she got there.
She had been awake for the past ten minutes and still couldn't recall how she had landed herself in the Hospital Wing.
Mackenzie cracked open her eyes, hoping that this time it wouldn't result in a sharp stab of discomfort. It didn't, allowing her to blink the thoroughly uninteresting ceiling into focus.
Mac considered turning her head to have a look around; she then dismissed the idea, not wanting to risk causing herself more pain.
Footsteps echoed through the large room and drew nearer.
"Ah, Miss Millark, you're awake," Madam Pomfrey stated as she approached the narrow bed and looked down at Mackenzie's weakened form.
"How are you feeling, dear?" she inquired.
The matron's lined, concerned face moved into Mac's field of vision and, as it was what always happened when she was shown any sympathy, Mackenzie had the sudden urge to cry.
She forced the need away and cleared her throat before answering,
"I'm fine, just a bit sore, that's all."
Madam Pomfrey eyed her suspiciously for a moment, "No need to be stoic, Miss Millark, I know you must be in a great deal of pain."
Then why ask how I am? Mackenzie thought, considerably irritable now.
She then sighed inwardly; she's just being nice, I shouldn't be angry; it's not fair on her. Mac then resolved to try to not be annoyed, no matter her discomfort.
The older woman then leaned closer, examining Mackenzie's face carefully.
"Hmm," she said, "I'm glad to see that those spells have reversed nicely. Your face is nearly back to normal."
Alarm spread through Mackenzie. She thought now would be a good time to ask,
"What happened to me exactly?"
Madam Pomfrey's eyes widened slightly, and then she hummed to herself thoughtfully,
"Well, I suppose it shouldn't surprise me that you don't remember; after all, you did sustain a nasty head injury..." she pulled away, slipped a hand into one of the deep pockets of her apron and pulled out a vial filled with a luminous yellow liquid.
"You were found in a classroom on the first floor," she said as she uncorked the little bottle, "You were attacked, do you remember anything about it?"
As Madam Pomfrey helped her to sit up, Mackenzie struggled to grab hold of the memories swirling in the back of her mind. Mac's head thumped and she winced, she had to give up, at least for now.
"No," she breathed, "the last thing I remember was leaving Herbology with Isabel."
The matron then handed Mac the vial and told her to drink the contents. It tasted like very strong lemon juice; Mackenzie couldn't help but pull a face at the sourness.
"Drink this, dear," Madam Pomfrey ordered, handing Mac another vial, this time the liquid was a vivid green. "Now, I must go and inform Professor Longbottom that you're awake."
She moved swiftly towards the door and then stopped to look back at Mackenzie,
"Drink it up Miss Millark, that will help heal the bruising," she then continued her march out the doors.
Mackenzie eyed the vial for a moment before tipping it into her mouth.
"Urgh," she complained once she was finished gagging.
If Mackenzie had to compare the green substances' taste to something, it would be…no, she didn't want to think about it.
At least it made me feel a bit better though, she thought as she leaned back against her pillows.
There was an ache in her chest; one that she was sure wasn't from her attack…at least not physically.
Who would want to actually attack me? Was it an accident of some sort? How did I get here? Oh, I hate not remembering…
Her thoughts exhausted her and she fell into a light sleep. However, soon hurried footsteps and voices were carried on the air and jolted her awake again.
Mackenzie watched as her Head of House, Professor Longbottom strode closer to her bedside.
"Miss Millark," he greeted her with a small but friendly smile, "You're looking much better."
"Thanks?" she said uncertainly.
She figured that if she felt like crap, she probably looked like crap too and if the Professor thought she looked better, well, Mackenzie wondered how bad she had looked when she was found.
Professor Longbottom watched her, concern etched onto his face as he asked,
"Madam Pomfrey tells me that you can't remember anything about the attack, is that right?"
Mackenzie felt shame and annoyance creep up on her, she really wanted to be able to say something, to give some sort of valuable information, but no, she was stuck saying,
"Yes, that's right; I don't remember anything after leaving Herbology."
He sighed; his shoulder's drooping slightly from the weight of the situation.
"Well," he began, "If you do remember anything, I'd love to hear it. I just can't believe things like this still happen and on the second day back at school no less!" he sighed again before adding, "I suppose I should go and see if Mr Lupin's remembered anything."
What? The Professor turned away from Mackenzie and was about to leave but Mac stopped him.
"Professor?"
He glanced back at her, hope flickering in his eyes for a moment, "Yes?" he asked.
"Do you mean, Teddy Lupin? What does he have to do with it?" Mackenzie questioned, feeling something stir in the back of her mind.
Professor Longbottoms' eyebrows rose slightly before he answered her kindly,
"Teddy was the one that found you, Miss Millark."
When Mackenzie awoke the next day, it was to find Madam Pomfrey leaning over her. Naturally, Mackenzie let out a small yelp of surprise at the unexpected presence. A small smile tugged at the corners of the matrons' mouth.
"Sorry to startle you, dear, I was just about to check the swelling on the bump on your head."
"Oh, okay," Mackenzie mumbled, lifting her head as to allow Madam Pomfrey to inspect it.
The older woman made a humming noise, which Mac took to mean that everything was good, before getting Mackenzie to sit up.
"Did you have a good sleep, Miss Millark?"
Mackenzie frowned, "Yes, I did, mostly. Except, I did have a rather strange dream..."
Madam Pomfrey looked at her inquiringly, "And what was this strange dream about?"
Mac's frown deepened, "I was…being chased…by giant Teddy Bears. It was really odd, one of those dreams where you run, but never seem to get anywhere…"
She shook herself from thoughts of the dream and smiled up at the older woman, "I'm feeling much better though, will I get to leave today?"
The matron handed Mackenzie a small bottle of a bright blue potion and said, "Hmm, well I suppose so, all of the visible damage has been repaired, you're only problem is that you don't remember what happened, that's still the case is it not?"
Mackenzie cast about her mind, searching for the events that led to her attack.
"I still don't remember," she said, despair faintly laced through her words.
Madam Pomfrey was sympathetic as she responded,
"It will come back to you eventually, dear, for now though, you need to drink that potion."
Mackenzie had almost forgotten that she had a vial in her hand. She stared at it, suspicious that it was going to have some horribly foul taste.
Before she poured the liquid into her mouth, Mackenzie noted idly that the blue potions' colour was almost the same as Teddy's eyes, but, she decided, the potion was not nearly as beautiful.
Surprisingly, the vial's content was cold and tasted sweet, like bubble-gum ice-cream and blueberries. Mac felt a strange sense of calm spread over her, she grinned up at Madam Pomfrey who then said,
"You're free to go now, Miss Millark. Your uniform was cleaned overnight, it's over there", she indicated to the chair beside the bed and then walked off towards her office.
It was only then that Mackenzie realised that she was wearing one of the hospital gowns. Mac wondered why she hadn't noticed earlier, she then decided to use her injuries as an excuse.
She pulled back the thin blankets and, smiling at the lack of pain she was feeling today, she set about quickly dragging on her uniform and robes.
She was still a bit too early for breakfast in the Great Hall, a fact that her stomach was very disappointed about. Mackenzie decided to just meander slowly towards the Hall and just wait for the food.
However, as she walked down the fourth floor corridor, Mackenzie heard someone call out to her.
Mac watched as a short figure approached her at a quick walk. As the person got closer, she observed the details of their appearance in order to try and remember who they were.
The girl was a Hufflepuff student, of Mackenzie's own year group and had copper coloured hair falling straight as a ruler to her shoulders.
Layla Birch, Mackenzie recalled as the Hufflepuffs' bright green gaze locked onto hers. Layla was the quintessential Hufflepuff; kind, loyal, trustworthy and downright scary if you insulted her or anyone else.
"Hi, Layla," Mackenzie acknowledged as the other girl stopped by her.
"Hi, Mackenzie," she responded, grinning as always, "I was just coming to see you actually."
This was a surprise for Mackenzie, she and Layla were not close friends by any means. In fact, Mackenzie was sure that they had never said more than two words to each other.
This year, they would be sharing Charms and Defence Against the Dark Arts classes, as those were the lessons in which Gryffindor and Hufflepuff were paired.
"You were coming to see me?" Mackenzie wanted to be sure.
If it was at all possible, Layla's smile grew wider, "Yes, I wanted to see if you were alright."
Mackenzie couldn't help but laugh a little, "You're such a Hufflepuff, Layla."
The emerald eyed girl seem to stand taller as she announced with a grin, "A Hufflepuff and proud of it."
Mackenzie felt a bud of affection grow inside her for the girl; she decided that she would make an effort to talk to Layla Birch more often.
It then occurred to Mac that she had been teasing Layla, a person she hardly knew, and that was something that Mackenzie never did.
She almost worried that it might have something to do with that blue potion she drank, but as soon as the worry was there, it was gone.
"Good for you, Layla," Mackenzie smiled, "As you can see, I'm all better now, I was just heading to the Great Hall to wait for breakfast, care to join me?"
Mackenzie didn't have time to try and think more about where her sudden friendliness had come from, because Layla had already exclaimed about how hungry she was and grabbed Mac's arm, pulling her along the corridor.
The Hufflepuff slowed down after Mackenzie complained about being 'attacked by a hunger crazed badger'.
"Oh, hey," Layla cried suddenly as they were about to turn a corner in the third floor corridor, "I didn't ask you who you were attacked by."
"I'd like to know that too," came a voice from around the corner.
"Izzy?" Mackenzie questioned, she was then swallowed by a hug as Isabel flung herself at her best friend. Layla watched, amused, as Isabel started rambling at full speed,
"Oh Mac! I was so worried about you! You took ages to get your book and then I didn't know where you were and then I saw Teddy running around and then…and then…" Izzy pulled Mackenzie in for another rib-cracking embrace.
"I was coming to see you, are you alright?" she asked, holding Mac at arm's length and studying her intently.
Mackenzie grinned at her best friend and her brand new friend, "Yes, I'm fine, I'm just having a little trouble remembering what happened." she then laughed, "It's good to see I'm so popular though, everyone's coming to visit me."
Both girls watched her, worry in their eyes, but Mac took no notice and instead linked her arms with theirs and started off down the corridor again.
For some reason inexplicable to Isabel, Mackenzie was in a really good mood, but Izzy decided to not worry about her friends' behaviour, for the moment it was just nice to see Mac opening up.
Breakfast, finally! Mackenzie was sitting between Isabel and Layla, whom they had convinced to sit with them at the Gryffindor table.
Mac was glad that she and Isabel had a free period next; it meant she could enjoy her delicious breakfast properly and didn't have to rush.
Mac so intent on creating the best ever bacon sandwich, that she failed to notice the looks of annoyance she was getting from Sarah Montague and her two sidekicks.
"Oh," Izzy said dejectedly, "Our first class of the day is Ancient Runes, remind me again why we take that class?"
Mackenzie looked over at her best friend, so she missed the way Teddy Lupin seemed to perk up.
"Honestly, I have no idea why we take that class, Iz, but at least I have you to copy from…uh I mean, I have you to help me."
Mackenzie gave a sheepish smile, Ancient Runes was a bit harder for her to grasp than History of Magic, Charms or Potions, and she needed Isabel to help her understand some of the more complex principles.
Layla giggled, "I never would have thought that Mackenzie Millark needed 'help' from anyone. But Isabel, if you're so good at the class, why are complaining about it?"
Izzy gave a dramatic sigh, "I am brilliant at Ancient Runes, that doesn't mean that I enjoy it though."
"Wow," Mackenzie laughed, "Someone's feeling modest today."
Mac then remembered the sandwich in front of her and took a bite out of it. Izzy addressed Layla,
"Hey, are you sure that your Hufflepuff friends don't mind that you're sitting with us?"
Layla chuckled, "I'm not actually that close with my housemates."
Mackenzie and Isabel raised their eyebrows.
"You see," Layla began, "I try to make friends with people in the other houses. I mean, of course I am friends with the people in my house, I mean come on, it's Hufflepuff, but it's sometimes hard to be friends with people when they are just so nice all the time. Sometimes it takes like ten minutes to get through the door, it's all like 'no, you go first, no, you go first'. So yeah, I don't think they will mind all that much, they know me."
Mackenzie and Isabel couldn't help the laughter that bubbled up and Mac was, for once, not worried about the fact that people were looking at her.
Mackenzie and Isabel headed to Gryffindor Tower after breakfast, Layla returned to her own common room after promising that she sit with them again at lunch.
The duo ambled up and into their dormitory; Mackenzie needed to pack her bag for the days' classes. Isabel silently promised to protect Mackenzie, Izzy wasn't going to let her best friend get hurt again.
They were spending the rest of their free period in the common room, Mackenzie's good mood made her want to talk to people, much to Isabel's surprise.
Mac gave a friendly greeting to David Warrickson, Darren Thewlis and Chris Branagh as she sat down at one of the tables in the corner of the cosy room.
There was a group of first years sitting at a nearby table, they were arguing about the pronunciation of the Levitating Charm, Wingardium Leviosa, so Mackenzie cheerfully helped them out. She noticed that the two arguing were familiar to her.
One was James Potter and the other was that golden-haired girl who had delivered that glittery rose to her.
From listening to the groups' conversation, Mackenzie learned that the girl was named Carmen and, while she learnt that, Isabel was trying to keep the amusement out of her expression, it seemed that everyone was wondering where this Mackenzie had come from.
Mackenzie and Isabel strolled along the sixth floor corridor and towards their Study of Ancient Runes class. They were a few minutes early and so settled down at a pair of desks and pulled out their equipment for the lesson.
"Mackenzie!" a voice greeted enthusiastically. Mac twisted in her seat and saw Tony Hilliard approaching; he plonked himself onto the seat on her left.
"Hey, Tony," she answered
"Hi, Tony," Isabel said pointedly, causing the Ravenclaw to turn faintly pink.
"Right," he cleared his throat, "Hi, Isabel, sorry, I didn't see you there."
"Obviously," she muttered, not bothering to make sure he didn't hear her.
"So," he began, turning his attention to Mackenzie once more and lowering his voice, "Did you think about…us?"
Isabel scoffed, clearly still able to hear his whisper, "And when would she have time to do that, Tony? She practically only just got out of the Hospital Wing."
Tony full on blushed at that point, "Oh, Merlin! I'm sorry, Mackenzie! Just forget that I asked!"
Mackenzie grinned cheekily, "Am I supposed to forget that you asked me out? Or that you asked me if I've thought about us?"
Why am I acting like this? This is weird…
"Oh, uh I…uh…w-whichever one you want," he stuttered.
Mackenzie didn't want to hurt Tony; he's a good guy, so she responded,
"Tony, I'd like it if we could be friends, at least for now. Later, if we feel like trying a relationship then…that's what we'll do, is that alright?"
Relief shone in his hazel eyes, "That sounds great, Mackenzie."
She felt lighter, as if a weight had been literally lifted from her. The Professor then entered the classroom, the lesson officially began and they were given several problems to complete.
Mackenzie hummed a random tune to herself and worked on the Runes (with help from Isabel of course).
The lesson ended, the students packed away their things and pushed their way through the exit.
It was time for lunch, so the pack of people meandered down the corridor, thinking of the mouth-watering food that waited for them in the Great Hall.
Mackenzie, Isabel and Tony were in the middle of the group, the others were further ahead and there were only two people behind them.
She turned to see who they were (Mackenzie didn't like having people behind her), and to her surprise, it was Teddy Lupin and Toby Isaacs following.
Abruptly, Mac realised that she should thank Teddy, he was the one that found her after all.
With that in mind, she told Izzy and Tony to go on without her. Isabel protested, remembering the last time Mackenzie said that to her.
Mac just laughed and said that she needed to talk to Teddy. Isabel gave Mackenzie a strange look but stopped her objections and dragged Tony along.
Mackenzie halted in the corridor and turned to face the two incoming people. To her disbelief, Toby continued onwards, completely ignoring her.
Rude, she thought, though it's not like I wanted to talk to you anyway…
She wondered what the reason behind the boy's odd facial expression was. It almost looked like he was in pain…
Mackenzie was then drawn out of her thoughts. Teddy was staring at her. Mackenzie felt butterflies take flight in her stomach. He looked as gorgeous as ever, although, Mac could see the dark circles under his azure eyes.
He must not have slept well.
"Hey, Teddy, are you alright?" she found herself asking.
He seemed surprised, actually, he seemed nervous as well, he was fidgeting and shifting from foot to foot.
"I'm fine, really, don't worry about it." he said. Mac had forgotten how nice his voice sounded; it reminded her of chocolate…Right, stop getting distracted, Mackenzie.
"So," she cleared her throat, "I heard that you were the one that found me."
Teddy grew even more uncomfortable and appeared to withdraw into himself; it was strange, that was something that Mackenzie would do when she didn't want any attention. It was like Teddy was a whole different person.
"Uh, yeah, I did find you. How're you feeling?" he asked politely.
Mackenzie took a step closer to his tall form; he took a slightly stumbling step back.
"I'm much better; actually, I wanted to thank you…for finding me that is. I heard Madam Pomfrey say that things could have been… a lot worse for me if I had been found even an hour after I was. So…" Mackenzie trailed off.
A thought swirled to the forefront of her mind and she acted upon it. She quickly stepped forward and wrapped her arms around Teddy's muscular torso, pulling him in close for a strong embrace.
AN: Haha you guys might have thought she was going to kiss him, eh? Sorry about that ;) So anyway, i introduced a new character in this chapter, Layla Birch, what are your thoughts? What did you think of that last part? Favourite scene so far? (in any chapter). Please, my lovely peoples, i really want to hear what you think, so please review (even if its to be mean, i dont mind) ;)