Chapter 35

I woke up to another excruciating pain in my stomach. I decided to skip first period today and try to make it to my second class. Corie was being very understanding and even offered to save me something from breakfast. However, as the bells rang for lunch, I was still slumped in my bed, my stomach wrenching for my empty stomach to throw up.

"Eli?" I heard Corie come in the door.

"Yeah?" I groaned against my pillow.

"I really think we should go to the hospital wing," she said as she sat on my bed.

"Yeah… I think you're right," I said as I carefully sat up.

"I'll get you a robe," she said as she got up to retrieve my school robes from the hanger. She got me my comfy slippers and a long sleeve as well. I was just in my pajama bottoms and a very loose tank so I was grateful for her gestures. She helped me get dressed and escorted me out of the dorm room. To my surprise, Abraxas was already there waiting for me.

"So are we taking her to the hospital wing?" he asked with concern filling his eyes.

"Yes, wasn't much of a struggle to get to her to agree," Corie said. Then again, I felt myself being lift up from my feet.

"Abraxas! I can walk!" I protested.

"You can barely stand up, Eliana…" Abraxas said as he and Corie made their way to the hospital wing.

"You know we can just apparate there… So many students are looking…" I whispered.

"And have you get even more dizzy? No thank you. Just relax," Abraxas said firmly.

As we entered hospital wing, Corie went up to Madam Clearwater and Abraxas placed me on an available bed. The pain had subsided a little from this morning, which I was very greatful for. Tom relieved me of my robes and hung it up.

"So, Ms. Bulstrode mention nausea and severe pain, Ms Lestrange," Madam Clearwater asked as she walked towards me.

"Yes, ma'am," I said.

"Very well. Ms. Bulstrode, you may take Mr. Malfoy and leave the rest to me. Lunch will be over soon." Madam Clearwater wasn't the most compassionate woman at Hogwarts, which was peculiar given her position. She was more straightforward and a little scary. I guess this was effective in making sure only the seriously injured or sick would come in… The problem was even they would rather die than face Madam Clearwater.

Corie and Abraxas said their goodbyes and left me there. Just as Madam Clearwater was about to attend to me, another student came in. She had her Hufflepuff quidditch gear on and was being held up by two more Hufflepuff quidditch players. The color on her face was gone and her lip was cut with blood seeping out. He arm looked bent in all the wrong places. I had to turn away to prevent myself from heaving in disgust.

"Madam Clearwater!" The Hufflepuff's screamed.

"Oh dear! Take her to the emergency wards immediately! I'll be right back," she said before scurrying with the other students. I wasn't in as much pain as before so I didn't mind her attending to the student that obviously needed her help more than I did. I sat there staring up at the ceiling, trying to block out the pain. I pulled the bed sheet up to my chest to try and give me a little more comfort.

"Ms. Lestrange, I was wondering why you weren't in my class today," I looked over and saw Professor Dumbledore walking towards me.

"Professor!" I said surprised.

"May I take a seat?" he asked gesturing to the chair next to my bed. I nodded my head then he took a seat.

"Your summer must've been rather troublesome if you came back in this condition," he said.

"It was a bit… yes." I answered, still trying to make sure there was no other student in the vicinity.

"Don't worry, Ms. Lestrange. We are alone. Why don't I help you with your pain?" he said calmly, "This won't hurt a bit."

He pulled out his wand and placed it on top of my stomach. A bluish light grazed the blanket as he uttered a spell I was not familiar with. Suddenly, my nausea and pain went away. He finished his spell and placed his wand back.

"How is that?" he said with a warm smile.

"A lot better," I said sitting up, "Thank you, professor."

"Good. Now, Let's get to business, shall we? I didn't come here to steal Madam Clearwater's job though some students might prefer it," he chuckled at his own joke.

"Then, why are you here, professor?" I said with a vague idea of the answer.

"I would first like to apologize, Ms. Lestrange. You see, I did have my suspicion about Tom but I was hoping they were all just smoke in the air." At the mention of Tom's name, my assumptions about why he had come to visit me were confirmed.

"He has the ministry on his side," I sputtered, "He has followers and they're growing. He's killed people…"

I couldn't contain myself. I didn't even stop to question if Dumbledore was actually on my side. I just wanted to be heard, to be believed. My hands clapped on to my mouth as soon as I realized what escaped my mouth.

"I see… Do not fret, Ms. Lestrange. I'm here to help. Though, I did not know it was this bad."

"Which side are you here to help, professor?" I asked skeptically.

"The side of good, of course. I have already had a taste of the dark side. It left a bitter taste…"

"I know how you feel, professor… Wait… Professor, how did you know I am against Tom?" I asked curiously. I was always by Tom's side. In everyone's eyes I was the perfect girlfriend who always supported Tom. How could he have possibly found out my true intentions?

"Well… you do have a rather chatty friend if I do say so myself."

"Corie!?"

"Oh no, Ms. Lestrange. It wasn't Ms. Bulstrode."

"Then who?" I doubted Abraxas had said anything since he was more concerned with my safety and warning Dumbledore wouldn't exactly secure my well-being.

"House elves are very curious beings. Jester, I believe his name was, found me during the summer… Couldn't even remember my name, "he chuckled slightly," He called me Dumbly dore or was it Dumb door?"

I tried to process what he was saying. Jester? Of course… He was a brave one… He must've started searching for the professor after our talk during the summer. I felt touched that he had gone through all this trouble trying to help me… but I was also terribly worried about his recklessness…

"He means well…" I said quietly.

"I'm sure he does, Ms. Lestrange," Professor Dumbledore said calmly. There was a short pause before I spoke again.

"It wasn't Hagrid. He didn't open the chamber." I said thinking about the people Tom had ruined.

"Oh yes, I am well aware of that. I had my suspicion about the accusation and found no concrete evidence to convict Hagrid. I am in the process of getting him out of Azkaban and having him work here. Of course, it would be helpful with the headmaster's support but we are managing," I felt sad hearing of Hagrid's faith… and the headmaster's allegiance.

"Professor… He has the headmaster, some ministry members, probably at least 30 followers and it's growing. Is it even possible at this point to stop him?" I asked.

"That is also my fault I'm afraid. I feel responsible for not seeing this sooner and stopping him while I had the chance… Right now, it does seem difficult with the amount of people on his side and the amount of people who will join his cause… but Ms. Lestrange, you are not alone… we have allies as well."

"Then why aren't we doing anything yet? He's killed people! He was the one who broke into Borgins and Burkes! I know it was him!" I said a little louder than I intended.

"Unfortunately, our allies don't have as high positions as Tom's allies… But patience… We were late to act so this will take time."

"Yes… it might be too late…" I said solemnly. I looked up to see Professor smilling down at me.

"Ms. Lestrange… it is not wise to dwell on what could have been. We can only move forwards from here," he said soothingly, "To lose hope is to admit defeat."

"But Professor-"

"Professor Dumbledore!" Madam Clearwater gasped.

"Ah… Madam Clearwater, I just came to see you about a cure for my hiccups but they seemed to have left me along with Ms. Lestrange's stomach pains," he said as he slowly stood from his chair. He was right though. My stomach had calmed and I was feeling better…

"I see… How convenient…" she said skeptically, "Well Ms. Lestrange, since you are all better, I think you should head to class."

"I think she might be right," Dumbledore agreed, "We shall continue our chat later then. And don't worry, friends always come to those in need."

I nodded my head, got up and put on my robes.

"Thank you professor," I said as I left the hospital wing, Madam Clearwater eyeing me as I left. I started to feel what felt like a warm glowing light filled me. The professor was right about not giving up. I knew there was still something we could do. It wasn't over yet…