The next thing Freddie knew she was waking up and she didn't know where she was. She heard voices, whispering, and she opened her eyes. A ceiling she didn't recognize. She turned her head and saw Snape, Dumbledore, and Madam Pomfrey with their backs to her, whispering. She was in the Hospital Wing.
Her brain felt clouded and confused. How did I get here?
Then it hit her. The heavy, sickly scent of blood. Human blood. She looked down to see she was covered in blood. Her robes were soaked, her arms and legs coated. She began to scream, unable to stop herself.
The adults all rushed over to her.
"Where – how did I get here? What happened? Where – where's Daniel?" she asked, looking around the Hospital Wing. She didn't see him. She looked at the adults, who all looked at one another.
"Where's Daniel?!" she demanded.
"We were hoping you could tell us," Dumbledore said quietly.
Freddie's heart was pounding in her chest. All she could smell was blood and it was making her sick.
"You were found in the snow at the edge of the forest, unconscious and covered in blood," Dumbledore said.
"Human blood," Snape said softly. "From an adolescent male wizard."
"What?" Freddie whispered, feeling her blood run cold.
"According to Professor Kettleburn the two of you were together this afternoon," Dumbledore said.
"We were. We were flying. Was there an accident? No...no, we went for a walk, we were walking and talking about...I don't remember."
"You don't remember what you were talking about?" Dumbledore asked.
"No, I do, but...We were walking...and then I was here," she said, wracking her brain but it was a blank. "Where is he? Where's Daniel? We need to go find him."
She tried to get up but Madam Pomfrey pushed her back in the bed.
"Let me go!" she shouted, and her magic shocked Madam Pomfrey who let out a yelp and drew back.
"Winifred," Snape said loudly. "They are looking for him. People from the Ministry, dozens of people, are out looking for him."
"That's not good enough!" she flared and the force of her magical energy scattered the empty beds and shattered vials around the room.
"Get her a Calming Draught," Snape said and Madam Pomfrey nodded and hurried off.
"I'm not taking any damn potion! Not while my best friend is missing, it's – it's dark out, it's getting colder..." she looked anxiously at the window.
"Miss Gray are you sure you don't remember anything?" Dumbledore asked. "Was there anyone else with you?"
"No, I don't think so."
"A creature, maybe? Did you go into the forest?"
"No, we – I don't – I don't think we did."
"Were you angry with him? Did the two of you argue?"
"No!" she exclaimed and the sheets flew off of all the beds.
"Severus," Dumbledore said, looking to Snape. "We have to be sure."
"Albus...she's a student," he said quietly, a tone in his voice Freddie had never heard and couldn't identify. She didn't know what they were talking about and she didn't care. She didn't understand why they weren't looking for Daniel. She was confused and growing angrier by the second.
"We have to be sure," Dumbledore repeated.
"Here we are, dearie," Madam Pomfrey said, coming back with a goblet. "This will make you feel better."
"I'm not taking any damn potion!" Freddie snarled, lunging at the nurse, intent on knocking the goblet from her hands. But suddenly she found herself immobilized. Dumbledore had his wand out and was pointing it at her. She tried to scream at him, but she couldn't scream, she couldn't talk, she couldn't move a muscle.
"I'm sorry, Miss Gray, but I cannot have you attacking my staff," Dumbledore said calmly. With a flick of his wand he forced her back into a reclining position on the bed. "Severus?"
"This will help," Snape said, taking the goblet from Madam Pomfrey. "Gray, you need to drink this."
Freddie still couldn't move so she glared daggers at him. Snape exhaled sharply and seemed to steel himself. Suddenly he grabbed her head, grabbing a fistful of her hair painfully as he forced her head back and her mouth open. He poured the potion into her mouth and Freddie started to choke. He tossed the goblet aside and held her mouth closed with his free hand.
"Swallow," he commanded. "...Don't you dare spit on me, Gray."
She swallowed, hating him. All of them. But almost immediately she felt the potion start to work. Her heart rate slowed and her limbs felt heavy. Her mind felt foggy and her body relaxed.
"Severus," Dumbledore said. "We may not have much time..."
Snape pulled out his wand and grimaced just for a second as he turned back to Freddie.
"It will hurt less if you do not resist," he said quietly. "Legilimens."
She felt a sharp pain in her head, felt something strange and unfamiliar. Memories were drawn up as pictures in her mind.
Sitting on Snape's desk earlier this afternoon...writing her letter in the Common Room...watching the owl fly away...flying with Daniel...walking with Daniel. Here the visions slowed and she recalled every detail of her conversation with Daniel as they walked and drank Firewhiskey. She didn't try to fight it, she wanted to know what happened next. The conversation, the song, the chorus of Witchy Woman...then nothing. The next memory was waking up just a few moments ago. 'I'm sorry'. Was that Snape's voice?
"There's nothing," Snape said aloud and Freddie opened her eyes. "She has no memory of what happened."
A shadow passed over Dumbledore's face. He looked deeply troubled.
"I am going to join the search party," Dumbledore said, heading for the door. He glanced back at Snape, but he didn't move from Freddie's bedside. Dumbledore nodded slightly and left.
Freddie felt fuzzy, her limbs felt heavy. She tried to focus but it was difficult.
Daniel...need to find him...need to move...I should get up...
"You should sleep, Miss Gray," Snape said quietly as Madam Pomfrey went into her office.
"Daniel..." she said, her voice thick.
"They will find him."
"Find him," she repeated. "Professor...find him. Please."
She felt her eyes closing in spite of her effort. She prayed Snape understood her.
"I will go join the search party," he said, straightening up.
Thank you...