Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters, except the one I created myself. All others belong to J. K. Rowling and Warner Brothers. I have only borrowed them for my amusement and hopefully yours as well.

Chapter 24

The following Wednesday afternoon, Jo found herself on the way to the Quidditch pitch yet again. This time Harry, Ron and Draco would be playing. She had decided that the three would be on the same team. This would require a little strategy on her part, since both Harry and Draco were Seekers. She would flip a Knut to see who would get to be Seeker, all the while insisting she would be Seeker for the other team. She would say that she was tired of playing the other positions. Who ever lost the toss would be Chaser, for this time only. Yes, it was a good plan. She hoped that the camaraderie of team play would rub off on Draco. Perhaps he could even be accepted into the triad of friendship that existed between Harry, Ron, and Hermione.

"That would be wonderful for Draco," thought Jo. She had her doubts about it happening any time soon, but she was cautiously optimistic.

Just outside the door, she spied Snape coming up the path.

"Hello, Severus. How are you today?" she smiled broadly at him. "What's that you've got there?"

"Good afternoon, Jolicia. I am well, thank you. This is some Red Devil's Root that I acquired from Professor Sprout. I need it for a potion I am currently brewing. Off to a game, I see?" he asked.

"Yes, and it is going to be a good one, too. All of the best players will be there, including your godson. Severus, please say you'll come this time? I know you'll enjoy it. Please?"

He looked at her and the corner of his mouth turned up, just a little. She was persistent, if nothing else.

"Perhaps, I might be persuaded to come and watch, just this once. I can't come right away, however. I have to add this to my potion in exactly twelve minutes. If everything goes well, I'll come along then. Is that acceptable?"

"It is more than acceptable, Severus. I've got to go. I'll look for you in the stands," she said running away. She yelled 'bye' and then she was gone.

Severus quickly made his way to his lab and began dicing the Red Devil's Root. He happened to catch a glimpse of himself in the mirror – he was smiling! He promptly returned his usual scowl to his face and continued chopping. At precisely the right moment, he stirred the root into the cauldron. The potion turned bright orange, and gave off little wisps of vapor, just as it was supposed to. Satisfied that everything was under control, he left the potion to brew while he went off to see the Quidditch game.

"Merlin, you'd think this was a regulation match from the amount of people here," he thought. He found himself a seat and began to watch.

Harry had lost the toss and agreed to be Chaser. He had never played that position before but he knew what to do. He thought he might even enjoy it.

He was surprised when Draco flew over to him and said, "We can switch positions later on Harry, if you like."

Now he knew how Ron had felt the other day. It was the first time Malfoy had called him by his first name.

"Thanks, Draco. Let's see how it goes, all right?" said Harry.

Jo had overheard the exchange and was quite pleased. The game was a fast one. It turned out that Harry was a pretty good Chaser. He had managed to get the Quaffle in three times already. The crowd was eating it up. Jolicia and Draco had raced to catch the Snitch four times with no result. It was especially elusive today, or so it felt. Jo scanned the crowd and spotted Severus. During the next time out, she flew over to where he was seated.

"Potion under control?" she inquired.

"Obviously, or else I wouldn't be here, would I?" he replied silkily. "You were right, this is a good game. Why are you Seeker instead of Harry? I thought this was for the students to get practice, not you." Just then the whistle blew for the match to resume.

As she flew off, Jo called back, "I'll explain later. Gotta go."

The fast pace continued. Ron made a great save that almost caused him to fall off his broom, but he didn't and managed to hold on to the Quaffle.

"Nice save, mate!" called Harry.

"I'll second that," added Draco. Ron broke into a wide grin and tossed the Quaffle to Harry who sped off down the field.

"Where is that bloody Snitch?" Jo wondered.

She hadn't seen it for quite awhile. Thinking perhaps it was lower than higher, Jolicia dropped her altitude just a little. She was so intent on finding the Snitch, that she didn't notice the Bludger coming her way. The hard ball caught her squarely on the back of her head, the impact knocking her off her broom. The crowd gasped as Jolicia plummeted to the ground. Severus had not seen the impact but had turned to see what was going on, just in time to see her hit the ground with a loud thud. He was on his feet immediately and was running towards her.

Draco had witnessed the whole thing. He didn't have time to warn her, it all happened so fast. When she started to fall, he screamed and flew to her to try to break her fall. He wasn't fast enough. He reached her a fraction of a second after she hit. He stood there in horror, not knowing what to do.

He called, "Professor Medwin, Professor Medwin, can you hear me?"  There was no response. Draco knew he shouldn't touch her. Blood had started to ooze from one of her ears. Soon, all of the other players had crowded around, all equally as shocked as Draco.

Severus arrived and pushed his way through the crowd. He yelled at them to move back. 

"Draco, go fetch Madam Pomfrey. NOW, MOVE BOY," shouted Snape. Draco hopped on his broom and sped off.

Severus dropped to his knees and gently put his fingers on her neck, checking for a pulse. Thank Merlin, she was alive! He pulled off his robes and covered her over with them. Where in damnation was Poppy? No one in the crowd was speaking – they couldn't, they were all too scared.

Just then Draco returned with Poppy hanging on behind him on his broom.

"Oh, my goodness, poor child! Stand back and let me examine her," cried Poppy. After a thorough check, Poppy gave her diagnoses.

"Jolicia has a severe concussion. Also, since she landed on the right side of her body, there are many fractures – her shoulder, three ribs, and her hip. I must get her back to the infirmary so I can stabilize her. Severus, please help me," commanded Poppy.

He withdrew his wand and cast two spells over Jo. First, he called out 'Petrificus Totalus' so that she would become immobile; if she was petrified, none of her broken bones would be further displaced. Next, Severus said 'Mobilcorpus' and Jo's body slowly rose and hovered a feet off the ground. In this way he was able to guide her along safely. He and Poppy made their way slowly. They were followed by a completely silent army of students.

Upon reaching the doors to the infirmary, Severus turned to the students and said, "I'm sure Professor Medwin would be touched by your presence here, but however, there is nothing any of you can do. Please return to your dormitories at once. When there is any news of the good professor's condition, I will inform you."  He disappeared and closed the door tightly behind him.

Many of the students did as they were instructed. Still others chose to ignore the order they had been given and waited in the hallway. Among them were Harry, Hermione, Ron, and Draco.

Severus made his way to Jolicia's bed. She had been lowered on to it but still remained petrified. He said 'Finite Incantatum' and her features once again became supple. Poppy got right to work and started to set all of Jo's broken bones. Severus stood to one side and watched silently. One by one, his fellow teachers joined the vigil until all were assembled in the infirmary.

Several hours passed before Poppy finally said," That's all I can do for now, Albus. All of her bones are mended, but she is still unconscious. There is no way I can tell how long she will remain like that – it could be hours, days, or Merlin forbid, longer. I suggest all you return to your quarters. I promise to keep you all updated."

Many of the teachers nodded and shuffled out of the room. Minerva and Professor Sprout held on to one another for support and left dabbing their eyes.

"Are you coming, my boy?" queried Albus. "It is getting late, you must be tired."

"No, Headmaster. I will wait here a little while longer, if Poppy doesn't mind, of course," said Severus. She shook her head in approval.

"Don't worry, Severus. She'll be all right, you'll see," offered Albus. He gave Severus' arm a little squeeze of reassurance and left.

The Headmaster insisted that all of the waiting students turn in for the evening, which they did under protest. He gave them the same reassurance he had given their Potions Master – their beloved Professor Medwin would come out of this unscathed.

"She has to," Albus said to himself. "Please Merlin, she just has to." He wearily made his way to his chambers.

Once his colleagues had gone, Severus pulled up a chair beside Jo's bed and silently kept her company.

"Don't stay too long, okay?" called Poppy.

"I won't. Good night and thanks," replied Severus. Once Poppy left the room, he took up Jo's still hand and held it tightly. He held it all night long and into the next morning.