A/N: Only one more after this, which I shall hold back until tomorrow,
because I'm evil. Pray for the health of the laptop. The virus check
testing thingy said there was nothing wrong with it, but pray for it
anyway.
Rising Shadows Chapter Fifteen - Recovery
The next morning James, Peter, and Frank visited the Hospital Wing, as Dumbledore had asked them to the previous night. Classes were canceled as the teachers tried to repair damage done to the school and calm down the frightened students.
Few people had been injured, but the newly restored Hospital Wing was full with those who had been. Madam Pomfrey led the healthy Gryffindor boys toward four beds near the end of the wing. Remus, Daniel Lupin, Sirius, and Rigel Black lay in the beds.
Neither Sirius nor Mr. Lupin seemed to be in terrible shape. Each had their share of scratches, but Sirius smiled at them as they neared him, and jumped out of his bed.
"Hey!"
"How are you feeling?"
"Alright, there's nothing really wrong with me, but. Stop that!" He shouted at the nurse who was trying to force him back into the bed.
"You need your rest! Lay back down now, Mr. Black!"
Sirius fought with her until a moan from Remus's bed convinced him to quiet down. The three boys knelt down next to Remus's bed, where the boy was beginning to open his eyes.
Remus was in terrible shape. His right arm was broken and wrapped in thick layers of white bandages stained red with blood. His other arm was covered in gashes and blue-black bruises covered his wrists where he had been bound. Madam Pomfrey moved toward him and began to change his bandages and cleaned the smaller injuries for healing.
James felt sick as livid cuts and bruises were exposed from under the bandages. Though they were healed when Madam Pomfrey tapped them with her wand, James couldn't help to imagine the agony his friend experienced when they were inflicted.
Remus was silent while the nurse worked. He avoided the gaze of everyone else and stared down at the scar on his lower right shoulder. James had never seen this scar before now. It was rounded and jagged. James looked away.
The nurse moved over to Remus's father, having finished healing the younger Lupin. James, Peter, Frank, and Sirius (having snuck out of bed again), gathered around him. His eyes were drooped and shadowed. Peter and Frank helped him lay down again. The only mark remaining on Remus was the read mark that had been left by Rigel's knife on Remus's neck. The nurse had been unsuccessful in healing it. Remus lifted his hand to scratch at it. Though his injuries were healed, Remus was shaking, and there was a tick below his right eye. Peter and Frank sat next to his feet, and James and Sirius drew chairs close to the head of his bed.
"Remus?" said Sirius, a slight tremor noticeable in his voice. He leaned close to Remus, but all he could say was "I'm sorry." He turned away to hide the tears he could feel growing in his eyes.
Sirius felt responsible for what had happened to Remus. Rigel had hurt him only as a way to get to Sirius. It had worked well.
Sirius glanced behind him at Rigel. His father was unconscious - his throat was torn open, and there was a nasty cut on his cheek. His shoulder was wrapped in blood-red bandages. Even his fingers were covered in blood.
The boys talked for an hour: Remus and Sirius both explained the Death Eater's camp and how they had been attacked. Neither remembered being rescued. James, Frank, and Peter explained what had happened at the school - How they had been discovered missing, How the dark wizards had attacked before they could search the forest, how James and Peter had met Mr. Lupin.
None of the boys could figure out how the aurors had known to come, but as they were discussing theories, Mr. Lupin stood up from his bed, and sat down at the head of his son's bed.
Daniel scanned Remus's arms and legs. He lifted Remus's head and ran a finger along the mark from Rigel's knife. He gazed into his son's tired eyes, both looking somber. Then Daniel ruffled Remus's hair with a smile, and Remus laughed. It was a strange sound in the peaceful hospital wing.
The Gryffindor boys turned away to give them privacy as Daniel whispered words in his son's ear. Sirius walked toward Rigel. James, Frank, and Peter watched him.
Sirius sat down in a chair next to his bed. His father was still unconscious. Sirius stared at his blood-covered hands. Looking around, he noticed the bin holding warm, self-cleaning, soapy water the nurse had used to clean Remus's wounds. He took a rag from the bin and pulled his father's hand toward him. With the care Sirius reserved for Roxy, he washed away the bloodstains from Rigel's hand, digging under the nails where a large amount of torn skin and blood was caught. Whatever had happened to him, Sirius's father had clawed at something.
Sirius cleaned his hands as best as he could, then moved up to clean his father's neck. Sirius was so concentrated on the job that he didn't notice when Rigel opened his eyes. It was only when a hand gripped his wrist that Sirius realized his father had awoken.
Sirius jumped and stared into his father's eyes. They were blood- shot and unfocused. Sirius tried to continue cleaning the wound, but Rigel began pushing him away. Sirius pulled his father's hand off his wrist and continued, when Rigel started to speak.
"I.I'd.rather die." he trailed off and closed his eyes again.
Sirius dropped the rag, backing away. That single comment had hit him harder and deeper than any blow his father had ever dealt him. Could his father really hate him so much that he would rather die than be cared for by his only son?
"Sirius." Remus started. Everyone at that end of the Hospital Wing was staring at him with pained and sympathetic looks, but none more than Remus.
"I'm just gonna go get some breakfast." said Sirius and he walked out of the wing. Madam Pomfrey looked ready to stop him, but she didn't move.
Sirius sat alone at the Gryffindor table. The other Gryffindors kept sneaking glances at him, but were careful to avoid his eyes. It was distracting being stared at all the time. Sirius averted his eyes down at his food as the owls flew into the Hall to deliver the morning's mail.
A rather large object crashed into his pumpkin juice. Sirius's head snapped up in surprise. Ebony, his mother's owl, was standing in front of him, a bright purple letter tied to her leg. She nipped at his cereal as Sirius untied the letter.
"Sirius?" Peter sat down beside him, but Sirius didn't move. He was staring at the letter, happier than he had ever been since his mother had died.
Peter glanced at the smile on Sirius's face then down at the letter he was holding. Tears were starting to form in Sirius's eyes. Peter smiled and walked back toward the Hospital Wing, knowing Sirius would find them and explain the details of his new home when he was ready.
The next day, Sirius knocked on the door to the hospital wing. Madam Pomfrey answered and led him inside. His father's bed was empty.
"Where is he?" asked Sirius, alarmed.
"I'm sorry, Sirius." Said Madam Pomfrey. "He disappeared last night."
Sirius stared at her for a moment and then nodded. He turned around to go back to the Common Room, but was stopped at the door by Headmaster Dumbledore.
"S-Sir?" said Sirius.
"Hello Sirius." Dumbledore smiled down at him. "Would you please follow me."
Sirius followed his headmaster through the Hogwarts corridors.
"Sirius, do you know what happened to your father? Did Mr. Lupin tell you?" asked Dumbledore.
"Err - no, I don't know." Replied Sirius, confused.
The headmaster stopped walking. They had come to a statue of a gargoyle. Dumbledore whispered something to it, and it sprang aside, revealing a spiraling staircase that moved upward on its own. Dumbledore signaled for Sirius to step onto the staircase, and followed after him. When they reached the great door standing at the top of the staircase, Dumbledore unlocked it and invited Sirius inside.
Sirius stared around at all the silver trinkets and pictures of old headmasters and headmistresses sleeping. Dumbledore sat himself down behind his desk.
"Please sit down Mr. Black."
Sirius did as he was told and looked up at the Headmaster.
"So what happened to my father, sir?" He asked.
Dumbledore took a deep breath and gazed sympathetically at Sirius. Sirius was getting sick of that look.
"Your father was bitten by a werewolf in the forest."
"Oh." was all Sirius could say.
A/N: Oh, is that all? I'll see you tomorrow then, and don't forget to leave a review! I really do enjoy those.
Rising Shadows Chapter Fifteen - Recovery
The next morning James, Peter, and Frank visited the Hospital Wing, as Dumbledore had asked them to the previous night. Classes were canceled as the teachers tried to repair damage done to the school and calm down the frightened students.
Few people had been injured, but the newly restored Hospital Wing was full with those who had been. Madam Pomfrey led the healthy Gryffindor boys toward four beds near the end of the wing. Remus, Daniel Lupin, Sirius, and Rigel Black lay in the beds.
Neither Sirius nor Mr. Lupin seemed to be in terrible shape. Each had their share of scratches, but Sirius smiled at them as they neared him, and jumped out of his bed.
"Hey!"
"How are you feeling?"
"Alright, there's nothing really wrong with me, but. Stop that!" He shouted at the nurse who was trying to force him back into the bed.
"You need your rest! Lay back down now, Mr. Black!"
Sirius fought with her until a moan from Remus's bed convinced him to quiet down. The three boys knelt down next to Remus's bed, where the boy was beginning to open his eyes.
Remus was in terrible shape. His right arm was broken and wrapped in thick layers of white bandages stained red with blood. His other arm was covered in gashes and blue-black bruises covered his wrists where he had been bound. Madam Pomfrey moved toward him and began to change his bandages and cleaned the smaller injuries for healing.
James felt sick as livid cuts and bruises were exposed from under the bandages. Though they were healed when Madam Pomfrey tapped them with her wand, James couldn't help to imagine the agony his friend experienced when they were inflicted.
Remus was silent while the nurse worked. He avoided the gaze of everyone else and stared down at the scar on his lower right shoulder. James had never seen this scar before now. It was rounded and jagged. James looked away.
The nurse moved over to Remus's father, having finished healing the younger Lupin. James, Peter, Frank, and Sirius (having snuck out of bed again), gathered around him. His eyes were drooped and shadowed. Peter and Frank helped him lay down again. The only mark remaining on Remus was the read mark that had been left by Rigel's knife on Remus's neck. The nurse had been unsuccessful in healing it. Remus lifted his hand to scratch at it. Though his injuries were healed, Remus was shaking, and there was a tick below his right eye. Peter and Frank sat next to his feet, and James and Sirius drew chairs close to the head of his bed.
"Remus?" said Sirius, a slight tremor noticeable in his voice. He leaned close to Remus, but all he could say was "I'm sorry." He turned away to hide the tears he could feel growing in his eyes.
Sirius felt responsible for what had happened to Remus. Rigel had hurt him only as a way to get to Sirius. It had worked well.
Sirius glanced behind him at Rigel. His father was unconscious - his throat was torn open, and there was a nasty cut on his cheek. His shoulder was wrapped in blood-red bandages. Even his fingers were covered in blood.
The boys talked for an hour: Remus and Sirius both explained the Death Eater's camp and how they had been attacked. Neither remembered being rescued. James, Frank, and Peter explained what had happened at the school - How they had been discovered missing, How the dark wizards had attacked before they could search the forest, how James and Peter had met Mr. Lupin.
None of the boys could figure out how the aurors had known to come, but as they were discussing theories, Mr. Lupin stood up from his bed, and sat down at the head of his son's bed.
Daniel scanned Remus's arms and legs. He lifted Remus's head and ran a finger along the mark from Rigel's knife. He gazed into his son's tired eyes, both looking somber. Then Daniel ruffled Remus's hair with a smile, and Remus laughed. It was a strange sound in the peaceful hospital wing.
The Gryffindor boys turned away to give them privacy as Daniel whispered words in his son's ear. Sirius walked toward Rigel. James, Frank, and Peter watched him.
Sirius sat down in a chair next to his bed. His father was still unconscious. Sirius stared at his blood-covered hands. Looking around, he noticed the bin holding warm, self-cleaning, soapy water the nurse had used to clean Remus's wounds. He took a rag from the bin and pulled his father's hand toward him. With the care Sirius reserved for Roxy, he washed away the bloodstains from Rigel's hand, digging under the nails where a large amount of torn skin and blood was caught. Whatever had happened to him, Sirius's father had clawed at something.
Sirius cleaned his hands as best as he could, then moved up to clean his father's neck. Sirius was so concentrated on the job that he didn't notice when Rigel opened his eyes. It was only when a hand gripped his wrist that Sirius realized his father had awoken.
Sirius jumped and stared into his father's eyes. They were blood- shot and unfocused. Sirius tried to continue cleaning the wound, but Rigel began pushing him away. Sirius pulled his father's hand off his wrist and continued, when Rigel started to speak.
"I.I'd.rather die." he trailed off and closed his eyes again.
Sirius dropped the rag, backing away. That single comment had hit him harder and deeper than any blow his father had ever dealt him. Could his father really hate him so much that he would rather die than be cared for by his only son?
"Sirius." Remus started. Everyone at that end of the Hospital Wing was staring at him with pained and sympathetic looks, but none more than Remus.
"I'm just gonna go get some breakfast." said Sirius and he walked out of the wing. Madam Pomfrey looked ready to stop him, but she didn't move.
Sirius sat alone at the Gryffindor table. The other Gryffindors kept sneaking glances at him, but were careful to avoid his eyes. It was distracting being stared at all the time. Sirius averted his eyes down at his food as the owls flew into the Hall to deliver the morning's mail.
A rather large object crashed into his pumpkin juice. Sirius's head snapped up in surprise. Ebony, his mother's owl, was standing in front of him, a bright purple letter tied to her leg. She nipped at his cereal as Sirius untied the letter.
"Sirius?" Peter sat down beside him, but Sirius didn't move. He was staring at the letter, happier than he had ever been since his mother had died.
Peter glanced at the smile on Sirius's face then down at the letter he was holding. Tears were starting to form in Sirius's eyes. Peter smiled and walked back toward the Hospital Wing, knowing Sirius would find them and explain the details of his new home when he was ready.
The next day, Sirius knocked on the door to the hospital wing. Madam Pomfrey answered and led him inside. His father's bed was empty.
"Where is he?" asked Sirius, alarmed.
"I'm sorry, Sirius." Said Madam Pomfrey. "He disappeared last night."
Sirius stared at her for a moment and then nodded. He turned around to go back to the Common Room, but was stopped at the door by Headmaster Dumbledore.
"S-Sir?" said Sirius.
"Hello Sirius." Dumbledore smiled down at him. "Would you please follow me."
Sirius followed his headmaster through the Hogwarts corridors.
"Sirius, do you know what happened to your father? Did Mr. Lupin tell you?" asked Dumbledore.
"Err - no, I don't know." Replied Sirius, confused.
The headmaster stopped walking. They had come to a statue of a gargoyle. Dumbledore whispered something to it, and it sprang aside, revealing a spiraling staircase that moved upward on its own. Dumbledore signaled for Sirius to step onto the staircase, and followed after him. When they reached the great door standing at the top of the staircase, Dumbledore unlocked it and invited Sirius inside.
Sirius stared around at all the silver trinkets and pictures of old headmasters and headmistresses sleeping. Dumbledore sat himself down behind his desk.
"Please sit down Mr. Black."
Sirius did as he was told and looked up at the Headmaster.
"So what happened to my father, sir?" He asked.
Dumbledore took a deep breath and gazed sympathetically at Sirius. Sirius was getting sick of that look.
"Your father was bitten by a werewolf in the forest."
"Oh." was all Sirius could say.
A/N: Oh, is that all? I'll see you tomorrow then, and don't forget to leave a review! I really do enjoy those.