On The Mend
So, there was a massive change of plans after what happened to dad. Instead of going home for the Christmas holidays, I spent it with my family, Harry and Hermione, here at Grimmauld Place. Dad came back a bit after Christmas and is now recovering (thank goodness).
The day after the accident happened, I visited him in St. Mungo's. It's the first time I had been there in ages. It was quite interesting to see all the catastrophes which had happened to wizards and witches, you know. The permanent damage magic can do. It's actually quite sad in some cases.
I know Harry found it really interesting. He had never been to a wizard's hospital before. Only those Muggle ones which, I'm not even sure how they manage to cure people, but somehow they do. It's not as effective as magic, though.
Do you remember that idiot of a professor we had in the second year? Gilderoy Lockhart? And remember how he kind of lost it in the Chamber of Secrets, because a spell backfired? Well it turns out his memory still hasn't returned. Mum kicked us out of dad's room to talk secretly to him, so we all went wandering and we found ourselves in the 'permanent residents' section.
That was where we came across Lockhart. Believe it or not, despite having absolutely no memory of who he actually is, he still thinks he is this famous person and was offering us all autographs. I wouldn't want one even if he paid me. I don't mean to sound mean or anything, but it was kind of amusing seeing him there and seeing that he was no better. Serves him right in a way. If it hadn't been for my dodgy wand, it would have been me and Harry there instead.
So basically, my Christmas day was spent at St. Mungo's with my loony ex professor. We tried to escape, but one of the Healer witches thought we had actually come to see him and we (or should I say Hermione) felt bad. If I find out that she still has a thing for him after everything he did, I will personally erase her memory.
Lockhart wasn't the only one in the ward, either. There were quite a few and most of them were actually worse than Lockhart. Some had really lost it and just lied in their bed and stared at the ceiling. It made me feel really uncomfortable, actually.
And really sorry for them. Especially when I discovered Neville's parents were there. Neville never told us. I never actually ever heard him talk about his parents and I guess now I can understand why.
They were tortured by a Death Eater around the same time Harry's parents were killed by You Know Who, actually. They refused to give out information so they were tortured. And now they are there.
Neville looked really embarrassed when he saw us. I really felt for him.
Harry knew, by the way. Apparently he knew for a while, but Dumbledore made him promise not to mention it to anyone. And I get that. Normally (because Harry is my best friend) we tell each other everything, but this wasn't Harry's secret to tell. I know if Dumbledore had made me swear not to say anything, I wouldn't. Not even my best friend.
And it's hard to believe that once upon a time ago, Frank and Alice Longbottom were actually two of the very best members of the Order of the Phoenix. Not after seeing them like they were at St. Mungo's.
But at least only Harry seemed to know. I wasn't completely left out. Hermione and Ginny were both just as shocked as I was.
Oh, I really think Dumbledore has lost it. Maybe Umbridge is right. Do you know what he did? He has asked Snape to give Harry private lessons. Snape! What on earth was he thinking? Everyone knows Snape hates Harry. He'd be better off getting McGonagall or Flitwick or someone who actually likes him, you know.
He wants Harry to learn how to block You Know Who out of his mind and apparently Snape is the best person to do that. I don't even understand, why, though. If it wasn't for Harry being able to see into You Know Who's head, dad would probably be dead. Besides, it would give us a good insight into where he is and what he is doing (although, that means he would probably know what we were doing too, I guess).
But I just don't understand how Dumbledore can't seem to see that Snape is no good, especially for Harry. For all we know, he might be trying to get Harry to open up his mind to You Know Who. He was a Death Eater once before. What's to say he still is and is acting as a spy? I wouldn't put it past him, really.
Thank you for the lovely reviews. Much appreciated :)
