Close on Omniscience*** Chapter 11
"Get into groups of two, please," Professor Sprout clapped her hands sharply. "Quickly." James nodded to Sirius. James moved toward Lily. Remus and Peter went together. Sirius walked over to a wandering Ravenclaw.
"Want to be my-" they said at the same time. Sara laughed.
"Sure," she said. They both stood side by side at a table with various species of herbs and leaves in small sugar bowl-sized dishes. The light streamed through the greenhouse roof, illuminating the many colors of the plants.
"Déjà vu, huh?" Sirius asked.
"You're telling me," Sara replied.
"Silence, please," Professor Sprout quipped. "Today we will be having a lesson in herbal medicine and emergency first aid. Now," she paused to hold up two dishes, one with reddish orange leaves, and the other with dark green leaves. "The leaves of the Trettling plant will induce a sort of diluted hysteria. Once ingested, they will simulate the effects of potentially poisonous plants, such as Vermong, Alihosty, and Welsh Whisker. Now, these simulated effects are harmless and will cause no lasting damage, but will put you out for a bit.
"However, the task of the partner is to revive you. You will have a variety of herbs to choose from. Have the ailed patient eat the leaves you provide. Now, there is only one plant that will cure your partner. Choose wisely and use your text book if you need help."
"Do you want to be the doctor or the patient?" Sara asked with a small smile that was constantly dancing on her face.
"Oh, the doctor, I suppose. Eat these." He gave her the dish with the Trettling leaves. She took them and ate them without any trouble.
"Oh, goodness," she murmured, lowering herself to the floor, and laying there. Sirius looked around. Other students were on the floor. He saw Lily hovering over James. So it was OK, presumably. He grabbed the herbs on the table. There were yellow ones, blue ones with yellow spots, yellow ones with green spots, and green ones with yellow stripes. How confusing.
"Well, here," he said noncommittally. He shoved the green-yellow stripes one in her mouth. She swallowed them, and moaned. The room was filled with other moans.
"Okay, let's try this one," he said, grabbed the blue-yellow spots leaves. Then she started coughing. Then he saw her wink, and he grinned back.
"Oh, that's not good," he said rather loudly. He dragged her on her feet, grasping her around the stomach. Several students looked their way with questioning looks.
"Mr. Black, what are you doing?" Professor Sprout came over, concerned. "I think she's choking, ma'am," Sirius said as solemnly as he could. "I have to perform the Heimlich maneuver." He began squeezing her around the stomach, and she began to make gagging sounds, and then went limp in his arms.
"Now, Mr. Black, really," Sprout coaxed, trying to get Sara out of his arms. But Sirius pulled her away, laying Sara on the ground again. She spread out her limbs in mock weakness and terror.
"Professor, she's going into shock. I have to give her CPR right away," Sirius said quickly. He knelt by Sara's head. He pushed gently three times somewhere near her shoulder. Then he bent over, lingering above her face, and gave her mouth-to-mouth, except it felt more like a kiss. He gave her heart three more pushes, then kissed her again. Many students were crowding around to watch the show. The other Marauders were laughing.
"Mr. Black, stop this madness!" Professor Sprout shrieked. Sirius quickly kissed Sara again before she could laugh. He got up and pulled her to her feet.
"Ma'am, she's had an awful reaction to the Trettling," Sirius pleaded. "I must induce vomiting." He shoved his hand into her mouth. She bit him gently. He extracted his hand, and she laughed, leaning on him for support. The Marauders hooted, and the class giggled, but they were more confused than anything. Professor Sprout was just confused.
"Detention, Mr. Black. That goes for you as well, Miss Cairns," she said, condescendingly. Then Sara began choking again, this time for real. Everyone was quiet. Then,
Bluhhhhh.
She threw up all over the Venomous Tentacula. The class joined up in an 'ewwwww!' Professor Sprout patted her on the back.
"Mr. Black, please escort Miss Cairns to the Hospital Wing," Sprout said reluctantly. "No detours, now."
*
Sara held her stomach as she ascended the stairs to the Hospital Wing. Sirius had his arm around her, supporting her.
"Are you all right, there?" He asked.
"Yes, I think so," she coughed.
"I hope I didn't give you too much of a beating," he said.
"Nah." They stayed silent for awhile as they walked through the great maze of hallways toward the infirmary.
"So, um, who's your team?" Sirius asked, trying to make conversation.
"Team for what?"
"Quidditch, of course!" exclaimed Sirius.
"I don't follow Quidditch."
"Ohhhh," Sirius said. He was quiet for a bit. In his opinion, there wasn't much to say after finding out Quidditch isn't a standard in both parties.
"What are you planning to do after Hogwarts?" Sara asked.
"I don't know. I suppose," he stopped to think. "I really don't know. What about you?"
"Be a professional psychic," Sara said without skipping a beat. "I could have my own hotline, you know, for both wizards and Muggles alike."
"Well, that would work for you, I guess," Sirius said. "Is that what you want to do?"
"Of course it is," Sara replied, but she thought about it. Did she really want to suck the Sickles out of people to read their fortunes? She was used to it. But she remembered the oath, the part about discontinuing her practice of being a hermit.
"Actually," she corrected herself, in a last ditch attempt to hold his interest. "I might write romance novels." Sirius laughed. He had a wonderful laugh, it sounded like a bark.
"Romance novels? You jest."
"Do you know how many romance novels there are in this school? There are three, and they're all terrible. I think the whole genre could use a huge push."
"I have a little sister, a first year. She's a romantic. She'd love that."
"Does she go to Hogwarts? I don't ever remember hearing of another Black."
"She studies under private tutors in Venice," Sirius explained. He realized from the puzzled expression that he'd have to go into full detail. "It's pretty complicated. I've only just understood it myself. My father is this photographer-"
"Ignatius Black," Sara chimed. "He took this cute picture of a Puffskein and a ball of yarn. It's hanging on my wall at home."
"Right," Sirius said slowly. Again, he was creeped out by the family history thing. "He divorced my mum, and recently eloped with this rich Italian sorceress. I got the letter last week. I think he'd been planning this for awhile, that's why Ella never enrolled at Hogwarts."
"I see," Sara said knowingly.
"What about you? I've heard you have an interesting family story."
"I guess. It's not as complicated though. Basically, I've got this ancient pureblood family on my dad's side and a Muggle family on my mum's. Never knew either of them. No sisters, no brothers. I have a grandmother, though."
"Here we are," Sirius said. He pushed open the door. "Helloooooo, nurse! A patient for you." He called to the nurse slicing herbs.
"As insolent as ever," the nurse muttered as she came over to help Sara onto a bed. "What's the matter with you?"
"I threw up. I ate a funny plant in Herbology as part of a project."
"I see. Black, make yourself useful. Clean her up a bit while I prepare a remedy. That Sprout woman, I swear, poisons her own students," Pomfrey muttered and walked off into her office. Sirius fetched a basin and a towel.
"It's all right, you don't have to clean me," Sara said, reaching for the towel. She had vomit crust on her lips and some spillage on her robes.
"No problem. My pleasure," Sirius said, putting the towel just out of her reach as he put water into the basin. He drenched it, and then wrung it out.
"I feel like a toddler," Sara confessed as Sirius wiped her mouth clean.
"Don't think on it." He set on getting the stain out of her robe. She sat in her vest and pants as he scrubbed it out. It went pretty quickly.
"I know what you could do," Sara said as she slipped back into the black robe.
"What?"
"For after Hogwarts."
"Oh. What could I do?"
"Professional launderer. Own your own laundromat."
"That would be cool."
"Here we are, dear," Madame Pomfrey bustled in with a tray. On the tray were one drop of green liquid and a chunk of chocolate. "Drink that bit there." She touched her tongue to the drop of liquid, and doing her best to swallow it, then pocketed the chocolate. "Now you must take a nap in order for the medicine to take effect. Pick a bed. I will notify your professors of your absence."
"Wait. Can Sirius stay too?" Sara stretched out her gray puppy eyes as big as she could. Madame Pomfrey pinched her face into a tight wad around her nose. "I would rest easier knowing he's here."
"Very well," she said primly. She retreated to her office. Sara wondered what she did all day when there were no patients to care for. Did she read? Study medicine? Cure rampant disease? Right now she seemed keen on washing old bed sheets.
"Wow, thanks," Sirius said. He sat down on the bed and tucked her in. "Can I sing you a lullaby?"
"Sing away," she smiled, looking up at him.
"Well, er, any requests?" She looked thoughtful for a second.
"How about Braham's lullaby?"
"But that doesn't have any words."
"It's prettiest hummed." She sang in a low voice for him.
"Mmmmhmm, hmm, mmm," he hummed it, and then switched to whistling. He lost the tune and faded into 'All the Pretty Little Horses', then 'London's Burning'. She was already fast asleep. To amuse himself, he practiced turning into a dog and back. He passed the hour lying on the bed snuggled up with her until Madame Pomfrey barged in.
"Shoo! Shoo!" she cried, waking Sara. "I will not tolerate animals in my infirmary! Where is Sirius Black?" Sara woke, blurrily glimpsing a big black dog running out of the hospital wing, and then Sirius strolling in.
"Was that your dog that just ran by? I can go catch him if you like," he said with an innocent face, but the cocky grin gave him away.
"No, it certainly was not!" Madame Pomfrey snapped. "This place is most literally going to the dogs!" Sara rubbed her eyes and sat up.
"Hey, you're awake," he said, rubbing her back gently. "Feeling better?"
"Much. Thank you," she said. "Did you abandon me there?"
"Nah. Just had to pee." She smiled at his crudeness.
"I think I am better."
"Now, now," Madame Pomfrey twitched, flying to her side. "Would you like the day off or return to classes?"
"I think I will go back to class," she said carefully, hopping off the bed. The nurse nodded, returning to her office.
"You would rather go to class than have the whole day to do anything you want?" Sirius said incredulously.
"Well, do whatever I wanted in my dormitory. If I were to have the day off, I would be in bed with no one to talk to. All I could do was sleep, which would keep me up half the night. It's easier just to go to business as usual."
"Okay," Sirius said uncertainly. "I'll see you later, then."
"Yeah, take care," she called back, not really knowing what else to say.
******
Oh, the end. Thanks again to my reviewers, you're all angels, really.
"Get into groups of two, please," Professor Sprout clapped her hands sharply. "Quickly." James nodded to Sirius. James moved toward Lily. Remus and Peter went together. Sirius walked over to a wandering Ravenclaw.
"Want to be my-" they said at the same time. Sara laughed.
"Sure," she said. They both stood side by side at a table with various species of herbs and leaves in small sugar bowl-sized dishes. The light streamed through the greenhouse roof, illuminating the many colors of the plants.
"Déjà vu, huh?" Sirius asked.
"You're telling me," Sara replied.
"Silence, please," Professor Sprout quipped. "Today we will be having a lesson in herbal medicine and emergency first aid. Now," she paused to hold up two dishes, one with reddish orange leaves, and the other with dark green leaves. "The leaves of the Trettling plant will induce a sort of diluted hysteria. Once ingested, they will simulate the effects of potentially poisonous plants, such as Vermong, Alihosty, and Welsh Whisker. Now, these simulated effects are harmless and will cause no lasting damage, but will put you out for a bit.
"However, the task of the partner is to revive you. You will have a variety of herbs to choose from. Have the ailed patient eat the leaves you provide. Now, there is only one plant that will cure your partner. Choose wisely and use your text book if you need help."
"Do you want to be the doctor or the patient?" Sara asked with a small smile that was constantly dancing on her face.
"Oh, the doctor, I suppose. Eat these." He gave her the dish with the Trettling leaves. She took them and ate them without any trouble.
"Oh, goodness," she murmured, lowering herself to the floor, and laying there. Sirius looked around. Other students were on the floor. He saw Lily hovering over James. So it was OK, presumably. He grabbed the herbs on the table. There were yellow ones, blue ones with yellow spots, yellow ones with green spots, and green ones with yellow stripes. How confusing.
"Well, here," he said noncommittally. He shoved the green-yellow stripes one in her mouth. She swallowed them, and moaned. The room was filled with other moans.
"Okay, let's try this one," he said, grabbed the blue-yellow spots leaves. Then she started coughing. Then he saw her wink, and he grinned back.
"Oh, that's not good," he said rather loudly. He dragged her on her feet, grasping her around the stomach. Several students looked their way with questioning looks.
"Mr. Black, what are you doing?" Professor Sprout came over, concerned. "I think she's choking, ma'am," Sirius said as solemnly as he could. "I have to perform the Heimlich maneuver." He began squeezing her around the stomach, and she began to make gagging sounds, and then went limp in his arms.
"Now, Mr. Black, really," Sprout coaxed, trying to get Sara out of his arms. But Sirius pulled her away, laying Sara on the ground again. She spread out her limbs in mock weakness and terror.
"Professor, she's going into shock. I have to give her CPR right away," Sirius said quickly. He knelt by Sara's head. He pushed gently three times somewhere near her shoulder. Then he bent over, lingering above her face, and gave her mouth-to-mouth, except it felt more like a kiss. He gave her heart three more pushes, then kissed her again. Many students were crowding around to watch the show. The other Marauders were laughing.
"Mr. Black, stop this madness!" Professor Sprout shrieked. Sirius quickly kissed Sara again before she could laugh. He got up and pulled her to her feet.
"Ma'am, she's had an awful reaction to the Trettling," Sirius pleaded. "I must induce vomiting." He shoved his hand into her mouth. She bit him gently. He extracted his hand, and she laughed, leaning on him for support. The Marauders hooted, and the class giggled, but they were more confused than anything. Professor Sprout was just confused.
"Detention, Mr. Black. That goes for you as well, Miss Cairns," she said, condescendingly. Then Sara began choking again, this time for real. Everyone was quiet. Then,
Bluhhhhh.
She threw up all over the Venomous Tentacula. The class joined up in an 'ewwwww!' Professor Sprout patted her on the back.
"Mr. Black, please escort Miss Cairns to the Hospital Wing," Sprout said reluctantly. "No detours, now."
*
Sara held her stomach as she ascended the stairs to the Hospital Wing. Sirius had his arm around her, supporting her.
"Are you all right, there?" He asked.
"Yes, I think so," she coughed.
"I hope I didn't give you too much of a beating," he said.
"Nah." They stayed silent for awhile as they walked through the great maze of hallways toward the infirmary.
"So, um, who's your team?" Sirius asked, trying to make conversation.
"Team for what?"
"Quidditch, of course!" exclaimed Sirius.
"I don't follow Quidditch."
"Ohhhh," Sirius said. He was quiet for a bit. In his opinion, there wasn't much to say after finding out Quidditch isn't a standard in both parties.
"What are you planning to do after Hogwarts?" Sara asked.
"I don't know. I suppose," he stopped to think. "I really don't know. What about you?"
"Be a professional psychic," Sara said without skipping a beat. "I could have my own hotline, you know, for both wizards and Muggles alike."
"Well, that would work for you, I guess," Sirius said. "Is that what you want to do?"
"Of course it is," Sara replied, but she thought about it. Did she really want to suck the Sickles out of people to read their fortunes? She was used to it. But she remembered the oath, the part about discontinuing her practice of being a hermit.
"Actually," she corrected herself, in a last ditch attempt to hold his interest. "I might write romance novels." Sirius laughed. He had a wonderful laugh, it sounded like a bark.
"Romance novels? You jest."
"Do you know how many romance novels there are in this school? There are three, and they're all terrible. I think the whole genre could use a huge push."
"I have a little sister, a first year. She's a romantic. She'd love that."
"Does she go to Hogwarts? I don't ever remember hearing of another Black."
"She studies under private tutors in Venice," Sirius explained. He realized from the puzzled expression that he'd have to go into full detail. "It's pretty complicated. I've only just understood it myself. My father is this photographer-"
"Ignatius Black," Sara chimed. "He took this cute picture of a Puffskein and a ball of yarn. It's hanging on my wall at home."
"Right," Sirius said slowly. Again, he was creeped out by the family history thing. "He divorced my mum, and recently eloped with this rich Italian sorceress. I got the letter last week. I think he'd been planning this for awhile, that's why Ella never enrolled at Hogwarts."
"I see," Sara said knowingly.
"What about you? I've heard you have an interesting family story."
"I guess. It's not as complicated though. Basically, I've got this ancient pureblood family on my dad's side and a Muggle family on my mum's. Never knew either of them. No sisters, no brothers. I have a grandmother, though."
"Here we are," Sirius said. He pushed open the door. "Helloooooo, nurse! A patient for you." He called to the nurse slicing herbs.
"As insolent as ever," the nurse muttered as she came over to help Sara onto a bed. "What's the matter with you?"
"I threw up. I ate a funny plant in Herbology as part of a project."
"I see. Black, make yourself useful. Clean her up a bit while I prepare a remedy. That Sprout woman, I swear, poisons her own students," Pomfrey muttered and walked off into her office. Sirius fetched a basin and a towel.
"It's all right, you don't have to clean me," Sara said, reaching for the towel. She had vomit crust on her lips and some spillage on her robes.
"No problem. My pleasure," Sirius said, putting the towel just out of her reach as he put water into the basin. He drenched it, and then wrung it out.
"I feel like a toddler," Sara confessed as Sirius wiped her mouth clean.
"Don't think on it." He set on getting the stain out of her robe. She sat in her vest and pants as he scrubbed it out. It went pretty quickly.
"I know what you could do," Sara said as she slipped back into the black robe.
"What?"
"For after Hogwarts."
"Oh. What could I do?"
"Professional launderer. Own your own laundromat."
"That would be cool."
"Here we are, dear," Madame Pomfrey bustled in with a tray. On the tray were one drop of green liquid and a chunk of chocolate. "Drink that bit there." She touched her tongue to the drop of liquid, and doing her best to swallow it, then pocketed the chocolate. "Now you must take a nap in order for the medicine to take effect. Pick a bed. I will notify your professors of your absence."
"Wait. Can Sirius stay too?" Sara stretched out her gray puppy eyes as big as she could. Madame Pomfrey pinched her face into a tight wad around her nose. "I would rest easier knowing he's here."
"Very well," she said primly. She retreated to her office. Sara wondered what she did all day when there were no patients to care for. Did she read? Study medicine? Cure rampant disease? Right now she seemed keen on washing old bed sheets.
"Wow, thanks," Sirius said. He sat down on the bed and tucked her in. "Can I sing you a lullaby?"
"Sing away," she smiled, looking up at him.
"Well, er, any requests?" She looked thoughtful for a second.
"How about Braham's lullaby?"
"But that doesn't have any words."
"It's prettiest hummed." She sang in a low voice for him.
"Mmmmhmm, hmm, mmm," he hummed it, and then switched to whistling. He lost the tune and faded into 'All the Pretty Little Horses', then 'London's Burning'. She was already fast asleep. To amuse himself, he practiced turning into a dog and back. He passed the hour lying on the bed snuggled up with her until Madame Pomfrey barged in.
"Shoo! Shoo!" she cried, waking Sara. "I will not tolerate animals in my infirmary! Where is Sirius Black?" Sara woke, blurrily glimpsing a big black dog running out of the hospital wing, and then Sirius strolling in.
"Was that your dog that just ran by? I can go catch him if you like," he said with an innocent face, but the cocky grin gave him away.
"No, it certainly was not!" Madame Pomfrey snapped. "This place is most literally going to the dogs!" Sara rubbed her eyes and sat up.
"Hey, you're awake," he said, rubbing her back gently. "Feeling better?"
"Much. Thank you," she said. "Did you abandon me there?"
"Nah. Just had to pee." She smiled at his crudeness.
"I think I am better."
"Now, now," Madame Pomfrey twitched, flying to her side. "Would you like the day off or return to classes?"
"I think I will go back to class," she said carefully, hopping off the bed. The nurse nodded, returning to her office.
"You would rather go to class than have the whole day to do anything you want?" Sirius said incredulously.
"Well, do whatever I wanted in my dormitory. If I were to have the day off, I would be in bed with no one to talk to. All I could do was sleep, which would keep me up half the night. It's easier just to go to business as usual."
"Okay," Sirius said uncertainly. "I'll see you later, then."
"Yeah, take care," she called back, not really knowing what else to say.
******
Oh, the end. Thanks again to my reviewers, you're all angels, really.