Chapter 21
If surprised that Sam was checking in the Minister of Magic the healers didn't show it. Fudge helpfully ranting and raving still about conspiracies. Sam helped take him up to the ward where she noticed Minerva was as well as others. She went over holding her hand just wishing she could help. When she remembered the healing device at the SGC maybe she could help.
She went back to the house grabbing the invisibility cloak. Then bewitching a can to transport her to the SGC she left. There she quickly apparated to her lab opening the safe just praying that nobody was watching the security camera too closely. She noticed as she completed her task her lab was untouched. It touched her deep inside and she knew she would have to come back as soon as she could.
Within minutes she was back at Mungo's with the healing device. She spoke to one of the healers who agreed to let her try on Minerva. Sam put the device on focusing on the energy her magic her power and what needed to be done. Taking a deep breath to calm down she felt it activate. She focused on healing finding it easier than with Chronus, maybe because she wanted Minerva to heal. Suddenly the device shut off. Sam sat down as the healer checked Minerva over.
"She is healing and should awaken soon, this is truly remarkable" The healer glanced down to the end of the ward. "Do you think it would work on others, even those driven to insanity?" she questioned. Sam followed her gaze seeing a woman eating sweets and a man signing autographs. She had to try.
"I can try" she walked over to the woman encouraging her to lie down on the bed. Then activating the device she focused on the brain and the damage that had been caused by the spell. Knowing any improvement would be significant she focused on repairing neural pathways carefully avoiding the ones her instinct told her had to be left broken. Knowing that they would have to wait until she woke Sam repeated it with 3 more patients before collapsing and falling asleep. The healer caught her replenishing the levels of nutrients in her blood before letting her sleep.
Minerva woke first feeling better. She last remembered being hit by stunners so to wake up in a hospital was quite a shock. The healer insisted she took it easy, explained what had happened as far as she knew which as the daily prophet hadn't been released yet wasn't much.
Next Alice Longbottom woke, confused, her memories muddled. She remembered Neville then fear, then random snatches of sweets and a young man she thought looked familiar. After questioning the healer she was saddened to hear several years had passed and demanded Neville be brought to her while she awaited by Franks bedside for him to wake up.
Sam awoke 3 hours later, with the healer occupied by the last person she had healed waking Sam finished healing 2 more people hoping that was everyone, she felt exhausted. The healer came over.
"Is that everyone who can't heal themselves?" Sam asked the healer nodded asking her questions as to how the device worked. Sam answered them before updating Minerva as to the demise of Voldemort. With Frank and Alice awake but confused they decided the best course of action was to floo to Hogwarts.
Arriving in her office Sam dispatched a house elf to find Neville, she wanted him to meet his parents for the first time. While they were waiting Sam filled then in on the little that she knew about Neville with Minerva helping. After only 5 minutes but what seemed to be a lifetime too the Longbottoms a knock sounded at the door.
"Professor Carter you wanted to see me?" A voice from the behind the door asked. Sam indicated for Alice and Frank to wait there while she went out.
"Hey Neville, I have a surprise for you. Now firstly I want you to know it's not a joke and I'm sorry I couldn't do this before. Come on in Neville" She stood behind him wanting him to push open the door. He did hesitantly,
"Mum? Dad?" he gasped
"Neville my baby" They ran to him hugging him tightly, Sam and Minerva shut the door giving the family some privacy. Sam not ready to let go yet turned to Minerva.
"We need to call the school to the great hall. We should make an announcement, gather the teachers in the staff room and I'll explain everything," Minerva nodded wanting the full story from Sam having woken up and just heard bits.
Sam went to the Gryffindor common room. Entering all the students looks at her a bit shocked as normally teachers didn't enter and she had been gone for some time.
"Attention there's a meeting in the great hall in 2 hours all students to be in attendance. Harry I need to talk to you now please" She told him. Harry exchanged worried glances with Ron and Hermonie but followed her out. They hadn't seen her since she'd gone to the department of mysteries only knowing she had been captured by Voldemort.
"Professor Carter?" Harry said as they exited the common room
"It's over Harry he is dead you might already know this, had another sharp pain in your forehead, or a sense but he is dead." Sam told him,
"How?" Harry asked
"That doesn't matter he is dead I saw it with my own eyes as did Sirius and Dumbledore. Siruis had been pardoned now. Big changes are happening Harry I need you to keep this quiet for just a bit longer everyone else will find out at the meeting." Harry nodded choosing not to go back into the common room not wanting to face everyone instead walking outside. Sam didn't have that luxury going to the teacher's lounge where she sat tiredly on the sofa there. The teachers sat and waited.
"I suppose you're wondering why I've called you here, where Professor Umbridge went, why Minerva is back and what is going on" She rubbed her eyes tiredly
"Professor Umbridge encountered some centaurs in the forest. She admitted to sending Dementors to harm Harry, I believed Severus rounded her up she is awaiting trial. Voldemort is dead." Everyone started talking firing questions. Sam held her hand up tiredly.
"Please one question at a time." She practically begged. The door opened behind them and Dumbledore entered.
"Voldemort is dead he was coming back quietly building his army."
"It is true, this is a joyous day we defeated an evil wizard, and captured several death eaters. All thanks to Samantha, we owe her our gratitude"
"No you owe me nothing." It was getting too much in there everyone confused looks some admiration. She was starting to crash loose the mental force field that was containing her memories. "Excuse me a moment" she exited the room, then with all the decorum she could left the castle as fast as she could. Knowing the Dumbledore could explain everything she began running, not knowing where she was going or what she was doing she just ran entering the forest. She knew she was punishing herself for killing the innocent for believing for a minute Voldemort was telling the truth. She heard the centaurs coming galloping behind her and jut ran faster pushing herself and her body. She was no match for them though and they caught up to her.
"Chosen one this way is dangerous" Bane called. Sam ignored him carrying on running. Having little choice one of the centaurs jumped grabbing her knocking her over. She landed heavily on the forest floor. Having no choice but to stop running she glared at them.
"It is dangerous, that way, please come share your troubles chosen one". Bane said, Sam shook her head fighting back the tears.
"I can't, I'm fine, I just need to get my head together." Sam protested. From deep within the forest they heard a large shout and heard a groan as several trees were uprooted.
"It's not safe here" Bane repeated, Sam climbed on his back as they rode into a safer part.
"What troubles you child?" he asked. Sam didnt want to tell him but found herself talking.
"Voldemort is dead, I killed him, the world is safe, I just have to work out how I live with it"
"You now have to live with the price" Bane told her. Sam nodded.
"I don't know how to, I killed an innocent person because he told me too and it sickens me" Sam confessed, "But he loved it, took pleasure in it. He raped me, my body, my mind I can't deal with that."
Bane said nothing continuing to trot through the forest. While Sam was deep in thought, she was dirty used, she'd deserved it. Bane came to a halt. Sam looks around the clearing to see a unicorn.
"I can't I'm no longer pure" Sam whispered. Bane shook his head
"It is not you who judges that" Bane told her. With growing nerves Sam climbed off walking towards the unicorn expecting it to bolt. It didn't instead as she neared it stilled then came towards her. Sam froze, confused, why was it still coming to her. It licked her hand.
"Your actions and the actions taking against you haven't changed your spirit." Bane told her. The unicorn bowed.
"Thank you" Sam said feeling a little better, she nodded her thanks to Bane before walking slowly out of the forest back to the castle.