Part 6
"Albus, that Hufflepuff was looking at you again," Paulettina whispered.
"What are you talking about, Paulettina?" He sighed.
"She was!"
"Paulettina, I'm in no mood for that right now, and you know that. Now please, leave me be."
"I don't know how you simply can not see her," Paulettina sniffed, "Honestly, she is very handsome, and you just completely ignore her."
"Because she spreads lies to help her own reputation and ruin mine. Why would I want to spend any more time with her than I already have?"
"Have you spent time with her?" Paulettina looked amazed, "And you think that she has been spreading the rumors? I thought she was too kind for that, she always looked it. And when did you spend time with her?"
"Saturday last, remember? I told you all of this, Paulettina."
"Oh, Albus, you would not be so droll as to think-!" Paulettina began, but they walked into their classroom and she did not get to finish her sentence.
They sat down at their usual desks and began taking notes on a series of curses that were often used in duels. Albus had never done much dueling, however, he felt that he should look into that, as young men of the time got into them quite often over defending honor and pride and such. They were partnered up to try them on each other. Nicholas was paired with Geoffrey, and Albus was paired with a Slytherin named Jackson. Jackson was a blundering fool who meant well, but, well, was a blundering fool. Albus had a very bad feeling about being paired with him, but decided
to make the best of it.
It was not long before disaster struck.
"Pantalion!" Jackson cried, pointing his wand at Albus.
Albus' reflexes were fast enough for him to block the curse (which was one that would shatter one's bones to dust, not one that they were studying), but it still hit him very hard. He flew backwards about twelve feet and landed very hard on the ground.
"Mister Dumbledore!" Professor James cried, "Mister Dumbledore!"
Albus stood up slowly, staggering a little. He put his hand to his head and felt a very large welt, accompanied by a burn, above his right eye.
"Oh dear!" Professor James exclaimed shrilly, "You must go to the infirmary immediately
and receive medical attention! Do you require an escort?"
"No, I am quite fine, thank you," Albus said, "If Mister Flamel would be so kind as to gather my things for me and return them to the common room - or better yet, simply take them to our next lesson, I will join you all shortly."
He bowed, and left.
As soon as he was out of the door he began swearing mightily, for the pain above his eye was intense, and he couldn't correctly see because of it. He swore at Jackson for being an idiot, and at himself for not blocking the curse, and at the wound for hurting so much. When he reached the infirmary, he was slightly out of breath and sweating a little.
"Mister Dumbledore!" The nurse, Madame Corlow, cried, "Come in! What has happened? Oh dear...Is Professor James teaching you the dueling curses?"
"Yes," Albus said, wincing as Madame Corlow pulled his hand away and observed the wound, "And I was unfortunately partnered with - ow - Jackson Dalaf."
"Very unfortunate," Madame Corlow clucked, "Well, I have another patient, a very bad case indeed, that I must deal with. However, I shall have my assistant attend to you."
"Thank you," Albus said.
Madame Corlow bustled off to a moaning mass of bandages in the corner of the room. Albus heard her say something to someone else, but did not hear their reply. The wound was throbbing with his heartbeat, so their reply was not the first thing on his mind.
"Oh, my," A female voice said, "Let me see. A paste of snail, rosewood, and wilted spinach in butter should do the trick for this one. I will be back in a moment, for now, drink this."
Albus felt the rim of a bottle put to his lips, and he gulped. The pain subsided slightly, but he still couldn't see very well, not that he had his eyes open, for when he did, everything spun horribly.
"I must tell you, this will sting a bit, but do not flinch or I might hurt you more."
He felt a gentle pressure applied to his shoulders, and he sat slowly down on something hard. The paste did not sting at all, only felt very refreshing, for whoever it was was very gentle and she applied the paste to the wound. It was cold and felt very nice.
"Now you must lay down for a quarter of an hour, and then you shall be fit to leave," She said, "Here, let me escort you."
"I can do fine on my own, thank you," Albus replied, but not unkindly.
He stood, and immediately ran into something. He felt her hands very gently on his elbow and back, and they directed him towards a bed, and he lay down.
After a few minutes, he felt the wound shrinking, and the pain disappeared completely. Albus opened both eyes and looked around. Madame Corlow was attending the patient at the other end of the row of beds, and her assistant was nowhere to be seen. Albus was just about to leave when the door to Madame Corlow's office opened, and a girl came out.
"You can not leave yet!" She cried, "It has not completely healed. Just a few more minutes and then you can go back to your lessons."
As she came closer, Albus recognized her as Gabriella Patil's friend. The dark-haired one he always saw with her. As he lay back again, he looked at her more closely. She was very handsome, though not as pretty and delicate as Paulettina, and Albus did not hesitate in smiling, as he always did when he thought a girl was good-looking. This girl was tall, her body nicely curved, her skin pale, and her face had very pretty features. Her mouth was rather wide, but her eyes were a very dark gray and Albus liked that. Her very curly black hair was pulled back, though a few sections had fallen loose. She looked sensible, clever, honest, and modest, and Albus liked her very much already for that.
"You must forgive me," He said, "But I am quite a fool and have forgotten your name, though I am sure I have made your acquaintance before."
"Yes, you have, and I fear you will not want anything to do with me for it," She looked down, giving her the benefit of showing off her thick, long lashes, though she did not know it, "My dearest friend is Gabriella Patil."
"Yes," Albus replied, "But I can not judge you by the company you keep. Your name, I pray?"
"Poppy Pomfrey," She said, her eyes still focused on the ground.
"Yes, of course!" Albus cried, making Poppy jump slightly, "Miss Pomfrey! Your name came up in a conversation once, and I, being rather dumb, could not remember it. But now, that is all settled, for I am more than delighted to make your acquaintance again!"
Poppy smiled slightly, though her cheeks became rather pink.
"I am afraid I do not have a lasting impression upon many people. I am too quiet for
anyone to notice me, and Gabriella can keep the attention of a room for hours."
"I have been subject to her, ahem, charms, and I find her insufferable," Albus said bluntly, "Please excuse me for being so forward, but I do not hold Miss Patil in the highest regard."
"Oh, do not think badly of her!" Poppy exclaimed, her eyes wide, "She did not spread those lies, I can assure you of that, for I would know better than anyone else in the school! Gabriella - I mean, Miss Patil, had become increasingly fond of you over the summer, and she was mistaken in thinking you held her in the same regard. Obviously, that was a great error in her judgment, but the rumors were spread by the girls in our dormitory, who are quite prone to that sort of talk."
"Then she as good as spread the rumors," Albus crossed his arms over his chest, "You have been living with those girls for the past six years, if she wished to keep her affections private, she should have been more discreet with her actions."
Poppy did not reply to this, only looked at her hands, which were folded in front of her. Albus immediately felt very sorry for what he had just said.
"I am sorry," He said, "I often speak out when I should hold my tongue."
"It is quite all right," She returned softly, "I do not mind."
"It is odd," Albus continued, "That you should be so modest and your friends so effected."
Poppy was deeply humiliated. There was no one around to hear, and that a young man she hardly knew was speaking to her in such a way about her dearest friends was unacceptable.
"I think your wound is healed," Poppy strode forward. She leaned his head back, and observed his forehead under the light, and was pleased to see that, indeed, the wound was gone.
"If it bothers you at all," She said, letting go of him, "Then come back down here, and I will give you a potion to subdue the pain. Now, if you will excuse me, Mister Dumbledore, I must go, for I have to attend to some business."
"I am afraid I have found your disfavor!" Albus said, sitting up, "You dislike me now for speaking out so harshly against your friends."
"I think nothing of the sort," Poppy replied shortly.
"I can not deny my own true opinions."
"That is unfortunate, for it is our own true opinions that cause mayhem in society."
"You hold me in contempt," Albus stood, "But you will not own it."
Poppy turned and looked at him, her eyes sparkling a little, "Yes I will. I find no joy in a young man who insults those I hold closest to my heart. It would be as if I insulted Mister Flamel and Miss Farrows to your face. Now if you will excuse me, Mister Dumbledore, I have business."
"You will not rid of me that easily, Miss Pomfrey," Albus grinned widely.
"Good day, Mister Dumbledore!"
She bowed and left.
"What took you so long?" Nicholas asked as Albus took his seat next to him.
"It took awhile for the wound to heal," Albus replied, "But it is quite all right now."
"And you were not flirting at all with Madame Corlow's pretty assistant, of course," Nicholas smirked.
"You are correct, sir," Albus said humbly, "For she holds me in the highest contempt and lowest regard, for I spoke out harshly against her friends."
Nicholas shook his head, "You must learn to hold your tongue, Albus, or it will get you
into trouble."
"Misters Flamel and Dumbledore!" Professor Green barked, "Do you have something you wish to share with all of us?"
They shook their heads.
"Then keep quiet!"
"Yes, sir," They mumbled, picking up their quills.
"You look bothered," Gabriella said.
"I am," Poppy replied hotly.
"What happened? It is not like you to be so emotional, dearest."
"You were right about Albus Dumbledore!" Poppy said, "That boy is rude, immodest, and selfish!"
"Pray tell, what did he do?"
"He insulted all of my dearest friends, as well as my judgment. He is brash and...Ohhhh...He just infuriates me!"
Gabriella soothed Poppy, and when she was calm, put her to bed. Then, Gabriella laid down on her own bed, smiling with satisfaction.
"Albus, that Hufflepuff was looking at you again," Paulettina whispered.
"What are you talking about, Paulettina?" He sighed.
"She was!"
"Paulettina, I'm in no mood for that right now, and you know that. Now please, leave me be."
"I don't know how you simply can not see her," Paulettina sniffed, "Honestly, she is very handsome, and you just completely ignore her."
"Because she spreads lies to help her own reputation and ruin mine. Why would I want to spend any more time with her than I already have?"
"Have you spent time with her?" Paulettina looked amazed, "And you think that she has been spreading the rumors? I thought she was too kind for that, she always looked it. And when did you spend time with her?"
"Saturday last, remember? I told you all of this, Paulettina."
"Oh, Albus, you would not be so droll as to think-!" Paulettina began, but they walked into their classroom and she did not get to finish her sentence.
They sat down at their usual desks and began taking notes on a series of curses that were often used in duels. Albus had never done much dueling, however, he felt that he should look into that, as young men of the time got into them quite often over defending honor and pride and such. They were partnered up to try them on each other. Nicholas was paired with Geoffrey, and Albus was paired with a Slytherin named Jackson. Jackson was a blundering fool who meant well, but, well, was a blundering fool. Albus had a very bad feeling about being paired with him, but decided
to make the best of it.
It was not long before disaster struck.
"Pantalion!" Jackson cried, pointing his wand at Albus.
Albus' reflexes were fast enough for him to block the curse (which was one that would shatter one's bones to dust, not one that they were studying), but it still hit him very hard. He flew backwards about twelve feet and landed very hard on the ground.
"Mister Dumbledore!" Professor James cried, "Mister Dumbledore!"
Albus stood up slowly, staggering a little. He put his hand to his head and felt a very large welt, accompanied by a burn, above his right eye.
"Oh dear!" Professor James exclaimed shrilly, "You must go to the infirmary immediately
and receive medical attention! Do you require an escort?"
"No, I am quite fine, thank you," Albus said, "If Mister Flamel would be so kind as to gather my things for me and return them to the common room - or better yet, simply take them to our next lesson, I will join you all shortly."
He bowed, and left.
As soon as he was out of the door he began swearing mightily, for the pain above his eye was intense, and he couldn't correctly see because of it. He swore at Jackson for being an idiot, and at himself for not blocking the curse, and at the wound for hurting so much. When he reached the infirmary, he was slightly out of breath and sweating a little.
"Mister Dumbledore!" The nurse, Madame Corlow, cried, "Come in! What has happened? Oh dear...Is Professor James teaching you the dueling curses?"
"Yes," Albus said, wincing as Madame Corlow pulled his hand away and observed the wound, "And I was unfortunately partnered with - ow - Jackson Dalaf."
"Very unfortunate," Madame Corlow clucked, "Well, I have another patient, a very bad case indeed, that I must deal with. However, I shall have my assistant attend to you."
"Thank you," Albus said.
Madame Corlow bustled off to a moaning mass of bandages in the corner of the room. Albus heard her say something to someone else, but did not hear their reply. The wound was throbbing with his heartbeat, so their reply was not the first thing on his mind.
"Oh, my," A female voice said, "Let me see. A paste of snail, rosewood, and wilted spinach in butter should do the trick for this one. I will be back in a moment, for now, drink this."
Albus felt the rim of a bottle put to his lips, and he gulped. The pain subsided slightly, but he still couldn't see very well, not that he had his eyes open, for when he did, everything spun horribly.
"I must tell you, this will sting a bit, but do not flinch or I might hurt you more."
He felt a gentle pressure applied to his shoulders, and he sat slowly down on something hard. The paste did not sting at all, only felt very refreshing, for whoever it was was very gentle and she applied the paste to the wound. It was cold and felt very nice.
"Now you must lay down for a quarter of an hour, and then you shall be fit to leave," She said, "Here, let me escort you."
"I can do fine on my own, thank you," Albus replied, but not unkindly.
He stood, and immediately ran into something. He felt her hands very gently on his elbow and back, and they directed him towards a bed, and he lay down.
After a few minutes, he felt the wound shrinking, and the pain disappeared completely. Albus opened both eyes and looked around. Madame Corlow was attending the patient at the other end of the row of beds, and her assistant was nowhere to be seen. Albus was just about to leave when the door to Madame Corlow's office opened, and a girl came out.
"You can not leave yet!" She cried, "It has not completely healed. Just a few more minutes and then you can go back to your lessons."
As she came closer, Albus recognized her as Gabriella Patil's friend. The dark-haired one he always saw with her. As he lay back again, he looked at her more closely. She was very handsome, though not as pretty and delicate as Paulettina, and Albus did not hesitate in smiling, as he always did when he thought a girl was good-looking. This girl was tall, her body nicely curved, her skin pale, and her face had very pretty features. Her mouth was rather wide, but her eyes were a very dark gray and Albus liked that. Her very curly black hair was pulled back, though a few sections had fallen loose. She looked sensible, clever, honest, and modest, and Albus liked her very much already for that.
"You must forgive me," He said, "But I am quite a fool and have forgotten your name, though I am sure I have made your acquaintance before."
"Yes, you have, and I fear you will not want anything to do with me for it," She looked down, giving her the benefit of showing off her thick, long lashes, though she did not know it, "My dearest friend is Gabriella Patil."
"Yes," Albus replied, "But I can not judge you by the company you keep. Your name, I pray?"
"Poppy Pomfrey," She said, her eyes still focused on the ground.
"Yes, of course!" Albus cried, making Poppy jump slightly, "Miss Pomfrey! Your name came up in a conversation once, and I, being rather dumb, could not remember it. But now, that is all settled, for I am more than delighted to make your acquaintance again!"
Poppy smiled slightly, though her cheeks became rather pink.
"I am afraid I do not have a lasting impression upon many people. I am too quiet for
anyone to notice me, and Gabriella can keep the attention of a room for hours."
"I have been subject to her, ahem, charms, and I find her insufferable," Albus said bluntly, "Please excuse me for being so forward, but I do not hold Miss Patil in the highest regard."
"Oh, do not think badly of her!" Poppy exclaimed, her eyes wide, "She did not spread those lies, I can assure you of that, for I would know better than anyone else in the school! Gabriella - I mean, Miss Patil, had become increasingly fond of you over the summer, and she was mistaken in thinking you held her in the same regard. Obviously, that was a great error in her judgment, but the rumors were spread by the girls in our dormitory, who are quite prone to that sort of talk."
"Then she as good as spread the rumors," Albus crossed his arms over his chest, "You have been living with those girls for the past six years, if she wished to keep her affections private, she should have been more discreet with her actions."
Poppy did not reply to this, only looked at her hands, which were folded in front of her. Albus immediately felt very sorry for what he had just said.
"I am sorry," He said, "I often speak out when I should hold my tongue."
"It is quite all right," She returned softly, "I do not mind."
"It is odd," Albus continued, "That you should be so modest and your friends so effected."
Poppy was deeply humiliated. There was no one around to hear, and that a young man she hardly knew was speaking to her in such a way about her dearest friends was unacceptable.
"I think your wound is healed," Poppy strode forward. She leaned his head back, and observed his forehead under the light, and was pleased to see that, indeed, the wound was gone.
"If it bothers you at all," She said, letting go of him, "Then come back down here, and I will give you a potion to subdue the pain. Now, if you will excuse me, Mister Dumbledore, I must go, for I have to attend to some business."
"I am afraid I have found your disfavor!" Albus said, sitting up, "You dislike me now for speaking out so harshly against your friends."
"I think nothing of the sort," Poppy replied shortly.
"I can not deny my own true opinions."
"That is unfortunate, for it is our own true opinions that cause mayhem in society."
"You hold me in contempt," Albus stood, "But you will not own it."
Poppy turned and looked at him, her eyes sparkling a little, "Yes I will. I find no joy in a young man who insults those I hold closest to my heart. It would be as if I insulted Mister Flamel and Miss Farrows to your face. Now if you will excuse me, Mister Dumbledore, I have business."
"You will not rid of me that easily, Miss Pomfrey," Albus grinned widely.
"Good day, Mister Dumbledore!"
She bowed and left.
"What took you so long?" Nicholas asked as Albus took his seat next to him.
"It took awhile for the wound to heal," Albus replied, "But it is quite all right now."
"And you were not flirting at all with Madame Corlow's pretty assistant, of course," Nicholas smirked.
"You are correct, sir," Albus said humbly, "For she holds me in the highest contempt and lowest regard, for I spoke out harshly against her friends."
Nicholas shook his head, "You must learn to hold your tongue, Albus, or it will get you
into trouble."
"Misters Flamel and Dumbledore!" Professor Green barked, "Do you have something you wish to share with all of us?"
They shook their heads.
"Then keep quiet!"
"Yes, sir," They mumbled, picking up their quills.
"You look bothered," Gabriella said.
"I am," Poppy replied hotly.
"What happened? It is not like you to be so emotional, dearest."
"You were right about Albus Dumbledore!" Poppy said, "That boy is rude, immodest, and selfish!"
"Pray tell, what did he do?"
"He insulted all of my dearest friends, as well as my judgment. He is brash and...Ohhhh...He just infuriates me!"
Gabriella soothed Poppy, and when she was calm, put her to bed. Then, Gabriella laid down on her own bed, smiling with satisfaction.