Madam Pomfrey was quick to administer the potion to my arms and hands and a salve to my cheek that burned almost half as bad as the flame that did it, but she promised no scars. Soon after wrapping my arms she sent us off to our next class, all the while I pretended I was a mummy for my wrapped arms and fingers. An en lesson was spent with me in the infirmary, and when I finally made it to my class it was time for the third period and we were off to Herbology with the Gryffindors.
By then the story had spread, and I was getting patted on the back by passers by of whom I did not know and then bolting from around a corner was Fred and George.
"El, is it true! Did you fight Pansy?" George was panting.
I nodded and held out my hands to show them, "Got me with a boils curse," I looked to Fred who decidedly looked angry.
"She'll get hers, that little bully."
"Oh it's okay..."
"No El, it's not," he moved to inspect the bandages, "all over?"
He was so intensely looking at my arms and fingers, gingerly turning them over in his hands. His face was calm and gentle, his eyes trained on me as if letting go would turn me to dust. His hand found my cheek, stinging to the touch, but the salve completely absorbed. He looked saddened and gently rubbed a finger under my eye. I blushed for the scrutiny and some part of me wanted to pull away but another part felt quite at home in his hands.
Ivy coughed, shaking us both from our trances and he dropped my hand after leading it to my side.
"Best be getting to class," I said shakily.
"Yep, well, take care of those wounds." He coughed as he headed back towards his class, and Ivy pulled my arm as we made our way to the green houses.
Once there, Professor Sprout pulled me aside to speak to me privately, exonerating me from detention before handing back the feather.
My mouth fell open, "I'm sorry Your Grace, there is no saving it."
It was crumpled and singed, likely dropped in the battle and cast into one of the fires we set. I nodded, feeling like my chest was caving in. I took it from her, and set it in my satchel as softly as I could.
"Thank you professor,"
"I would still advise you not to start duels when things aren't going your way. There are other ways to resolve issues," she seemed disappointed with me, not meeting my eyes.
"I will endeavour to do as you say, Professor," I used the script I typically saved for the First Minister.
"Although I can't say I blame you. If I would have stood up to my bullies, I may have had a different school experience." I looked up to her now, her face not disappointed but somehow supportive and perhaps sad.
"Thank you Professor."
And we walked into a class over joyed with my predicament, that took Professor Sprout several minutes to calm.
I put up a hand to silence them all, promising I'd tell them all about it later, but for now I was just very tired. It was all true. Magical healing was fast, but expended a great deal of a patient's energy to do so. Your cells or bones or skin regrowing in a matter of hours meant the pain and healing one would experience in weeks or months was to be crammed into as little time as possible. So I was tired, and I let the world pass me much the same as it has the first few months of the school year: blurred and lost to time. Lunch came and went, History of Magic was less exciting than usual and I believe I actually fell asleep until Ivy woke me up. Slytherins grinned from the other side of the class, until they found out I had been excused from service unlike Pansy who had to polish the trophies after Peeves smeared god knows what on them. I left without so much as looking at her. Arthmancy and Transfiguration completed it was finally the end of term. Everyone would have another day out at Hogsmede and then it was home for the holidays.
I knew my holidays would not be light. Two weeks crammed full of defensive training, dance lessons, updates to the Parliament of Magic, a Christmas alone, perhaps some spiritual training or psychiatrist appointments, and then it would be back to school. I would be so busy that I would not have time to plan nary a thing for gifts if I did not decide on them before leaving Hogwarts. I went to bed early, sleeping more soundly than I had in months, and a dreamless night, a respite from the nightmares.
The next morning everyone went off in their casual clothes, donning thick scarves and hats to combat the Scottish winter. I was permitted to wear what I chose, pantyhose, a knee length skirt and a turtle neck with a loose cardigan would settle me into the common room quite cozily. I promised both Jacy and Mato not to leave so they might go off together, or at very least with their friends.
I wasn't as tired but I certainly wasn't full of energy. Hot cocoas were floating around the room enticing me to a chair deep enough to pull my knees to my chest. I rested a book upon the contemplative silence. Gift giving was not difficult for me, but rather writing out the letters to match. I quickly made a list of the people I wanted to give gifts to most, and then reluctantly added the Malfoy family, the First Minister still pushing to make friends with them.
To Neville I would give a rare cutting of a particular plant species known by its common name as "Protector Vines" they grew easily along houses and manors as a sort of security system. Weaving a delicate maze of spell work preventing simple charms from harming the home itself. To Hermione a set of books on Arthmancy and the beginnings of Alchemy. The one subject we both wished to take but had no opportunity. To Sue, a simple Chain of Memory, helping one remember even the slightest of details of anything told or read; so long as it is worn. To Fred I wanted to give him something useful, and so I found a broom care kit, finest there was. To George I thought a brilliant bit of herbs and a list of their uses and flammability. I wanted something for my housemates, and thought of tea blends, for each, and then lockets for Hannah and Susan, for the boys the latest Quidditch books with all the latest teams. And finally, for Ivy a mirror so we make talk more often then letters allow. And for the Malfoys, a generous box of chocolates.
Having completed my list, I thought to send it ahead, so as the First Minister could begin acquiring them. I left the common room, went up to the tower and found the Amur Falcon we had for delivering our letters. I sent it on its way and thought it may be a good use of my time to wander the castle a bit before returning to my room.
I wandered with little purpose thinking of what I fondly would be glad to see upon returning to Canada. I often found myself wanting to play music while at school and having no means to. I couldn't wait to see the untouched white expanse behind the manor house. I was ready for my bed, as comfortable as the ones at Hogwarts were, it was not my bed.
So while wandering and pondering it was quite surprising that I came upon a room I did not recognize. It was on the fifth floor and quite tucked away. I had made many turns to find it. I tried to calm my growing nerves that quickly tried to assume what was lurking behind a heavy wooden door. I spun to pass it, and with my right hand pushed it slightly open, until all fear melted away.
A set of music stands and chairs, a drum set and a piano sat silently, the carpet a fuzzy faded red, and the walls of the same standard grey castle blocks. A few windows covered most of the room in the hazy afternoon light. For a moment I thought the room could be The Room of Requirement, but in that case I would have no need for the other musical tools; it would just be the piano.
A composition was upon the music desk, I sat before it. The piano was well cared for, the fallboard dustless and resting perfectly upon the base of the keyboard. The black of it shined in the light, glistening like the wet back of a whale. I remembered that Amka took me to see the orcas as they traversed her home. Then the black shifted in my mind to mimic the shade of the creature and I put my hands to my eyes and pushed the heels of my palms into my sockets, blocking it out. I breathed deeply and counted what I could hear, which was nothing. I lifted the fallboard. With my eyes closed I found the centre keys and pressed down. A cacophony of sound filled the room which I opened to look about. It was not a magic piano. Simply a piano. I looked again to the score, and began to play.
I don't know how long I played but I know that the lanterns lit in the room before I stopped. Somehow playing had left me feeling lighter, less afraid than I had been. I closed the fallboard, and the lid before turning to shut the door behind me. Every step I made felt as if I could fly, and I smiled, fully for the first time in a long time, and headed to our final feast for the term.