Hey guys. I am so sorry for the late chapter. I've just had bad writers block, and its taken me ages to write this. However, i do hope you enjoy this chapter. Review please.
Chapter 26
Dumbledore sat behind his desk, his fingers steepled and his eyes deeply troubled. He had never thought a member of staff would attack a student, let alone an innocent one. Now he had to cover it up - he was getting hundreds of letter redirected to his office from the boundary wards, not allowing any letters past. He didn't want concerned parents or overbearing journalists to find out about this - it could potentially ruin him, and that couldn't happen.
It was the morning after the attack itself, and the boy had yet to wake up, worrying not only Madam Pomfrey but also many other teachers, including, surprisingly enough, Severus Snape - he had no idea how that had happened, and it confused him greatly, which he didn't particularly like.
He sighed once again, shaking his head to get himself back on track. Lily and James Potter were demanding to see Jasper, and Madam Pomfrey couldn't let them in without permission from his guardian - one Leroy Jethro Gibbs, who, he could admit, he was not looking forward to meeting. The only people allowed in the private room given to the boy in the Hospital Wing was Madam Pomfrey herself, Professor Snape, who also a trained Mediwizard, needed for a Masters in Potions, and Jasper Gibbs' two friends, who were only allowed in under the supervision of one of the adults, and not for very long at a time. Even he wasn't allowed to see the boy, not under these circumstances.
He turned his head from where it was leant into his fingers towards the window, seeing the sun beginning to rise in the east. Mr Gibbs had been informed late last night - for them, at least, for Mr Gibbs it would have been quite a bit earlier. Dumbledore was dreading when the man finally turned up, the muggle man having taken the curious contraption called the Airplane, which Dumbledore was unused to, using international portkeys whenever he had the need to go abroad. He didn't know how long it would take the man to get here, and it was making him nervous.
Madam Pomfrey sighed as she checked once more on the young Ravenclaw, the young boy her only patient at the moment. She was waiting, rather impatiently, for Severus to arrive with the potions she had requested. She knew the man, and he would have them completed within the next hour, no matter how complicated some of them were.
The most complicated potion needed was a speciality concoction, to reduce swelling in the throat. At the moment, she was only using a spell to temporarily reduce the swelling and ease breathing, but it wouldn't last long, and the spell itself was draining.
She snapped her head towards the door as the sturdy wood was flung open, and one Potions Master stalked through them, slamming them closed the the wave of his hand, showing an impressive control over wandless magic. He was carrying a large brown box under his arm, and walked straight towards her, setting it down on the table and taking the lid off. He then turned to her expectantly, raising an eyebrow.
"Blood-replenishing potion first." She said, taking the bottle of liquid as it was handed to her. This one was special itself - designed specifically to replenish a certain amount of blood depending on the dose - only one dose was needed, as it restored the amount of blood over time, so that the body adjusted. She quickly poured it down the boys throat, not wanting to spell it into him directly, in case it upset his already no doubt sensitive stomach.
"Skelegrow." She said. This was a diluted version, not used to recreate bone, but heal them and stitch bone and muscle back together. He had broken his wrist, and a few ribs, and this would heal that, although the bones would be sore for awhile yet.
"Wound - " She didn't get to finish her sentence before the correct potion was handed over, and she poured that one down his throat too. This one was used to clean and close the wounds all over his body - specifically on his head - although she had tried with a spell, it wasn't as effective as the potion, which also worked faster.
"Swell-reducer." This was an important one - it would reduce not only swelling of the brain, from the concussion the boy had sustained, but the swelling of the throat as well. This would mean his breathing could even out, and he had less of a chance of slipping into a coma.
She next took a number of nutrient potions, all for specific vitamins, and then rubbed a special bruise paste over his bruises - although not yet reducing the appearance of the bruise, it would reduce pain.
She took a step back and looked over her work, nodding grimly when she saw that he looked slightly better than an hour before.
"You have contacted his father, haven't you?" She questioned.
"Yes. He is on his way." Severus said, sounding slightly amused. "He was rather enraged when I talked to him. I can't imagine how he will feel when he gets here."
She almost smirked herself.
Mad could not even begin to describe how he felt. As he stormed through the rather magnificent halls of Hogwarts, he was too enraged to admire the beautiful architecture of the ancient building.
Dumbledore was hurrying in front of him, leading him to the Hospital Wing, where his son was currently residing, trying to hurry without looking like it, and also trying to make it so that he didn't over take the old headmaster. Abby was storming along beside him, a sight to see in her billowing black coat and clunky platforms, creating a loud, echoed stomping noise as she walked down the hallway. Although he couldn't see him, Gibbs also knew that Tony was behind them, walking more leisurely then himself and Abby, and although he was as enraged as the two of them, he also had more reason to be confident in the magical communities healing abilities.
They reached the Medical Wing sooner than Dumbledore thought they would, but not as fast as the three federal workers had wanted. Gibbs didn't wait for Dumbledore this time, instead pushing past him and throwing the large double doors open, storming past them, Abby and Tony following, Dumbledore simpering after them so as to gain an idea of control.
Gibbs stormed up to the only occupied bed, barely glancing at the two adult standing beside it. His son was lying there, skin pale, and a bandage wrapped around his head. There were bruises under his eyes, and the only thing not covered by the large, blue blanket was his arms, one of which had a bandage wrapped around the wrist, and both covered in bruises.
"Who did this?" He fought to keep his voice under control, not wanting to disturb the boy, but putting enough power behind it so that everyone knew who he was talking to - and that he was expecting answers.
"Ah, I'm afraid that it was our caretaker who caused this unfortunate accident. I can assure you that we are taking care of it." Dumbledore said, straightening up and making himself sound as important as he could in the face of this angry, dangerous man. Neither man really paid attention to the low snort emitted from the tall, dark man by the second-years bed.
"I'm afraid that I don't believe you. After all, calling this an unfortunate accident hardly tells us that you are taking this matter seriously." Tony interjected. Gibbs let him take over - he knew what he was doing, and could get over all the legal stuff before Gibbs had his turn.
Whilst Tony argued with the old man, he went over to the woman who stood beside the bed wearing what looked like a Nurse's uniform, Abby following, although her eyes fixedly glaring at the Headmaster.
"May I ask who you are, young man?" Dumbledore asked.
"I'm Jasper's older brother." Tony smirked. "I am a concerned family member wondering how this happened in a school well-known for the protection of its students - you claim this place to be one of the safest locations in Britain. Can you still claim it to be safe after one of your students has been attacked by a member of staff, whilst surrounded by teachers and students. What are parents going to think once this hits the news. Its a wonder it hasn't already/" Tony said, his smirk narrowing and becoming almost cruel. "Oh wait, you haven't told the newspaper, have you? And you've forbidden owls from leaving the wards? I also seem to note a lack of law enforcement - I take you haven't called them in either?" Tony seemed to be enjoying himself as the man shrank back into himself, and Gibbs was suddenly very glad he brought Tony with him.
"Well, we will be remedying that soon." Tony stated. He turned towards the two teachers. "If one of you has a floo I could borrow?"
Both blinked one, seeming surprised by the man's knowledge of the wizarding world. Tony just let his smirk grow wider.
As Tony was led into a back office, Gibbs turned towards Albus Dumbledore slowly, reaching for his gun. Although not necessarily going to be put to use, it would always be a good threat.
Dumbledore gulped.
"You know Dumbledore, I entrusted my son here because he wanted to, you know. It gave him the chance to meet his biological family, learn of the country he left behind. Gave him a chance to gain new friends. I must say that i am disappointed. This was not what it though would happen. I thought he'd be safe here - I mean, Albus Dumbledore, one of the most powerful wizards to ever exist, he must be able to keep a school of around 400 students safe, especially with his powerful staff. But I am mistaken, and i am sure that other parents will be too."
Gibbs circled around him, pointing his gun at the man's head.
"This is the school' last chance. My son stays here for now, because he wants to. He likes the teachers, his class mates, the lessons. But if one more thing happens to him, i will take him from here, and make sure that everyone knows that this school is actually the most unsafe school in Britain, compared to its former reputation."
Gibbs ended up in front of him once more, smirking.
"That is, if you are still Headmaster after this hits the masses."
Hope you enjoyed it. Confrontation with the Potters next chapter, and more from Tony and Sirius.