Anything that's not blatant is a riddle
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Author's penname: Elixa Amethyst
Voices of the Past Part II
Written March 2002 onwards, pre Order of the Phoenix.
All characters and things you recognise, are © JKRowling, no infringement intended.

All references to "mediwizard" mean healer.
Read Part I at ?storyid1672635

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Chapter Seventeen

The Pipe Dweller

"Albus, the injuries aren't responding to treatment like standard cuts. I've applied poultice to the hands, but the healing could take days that way." Poppy called to us. Severus was looking unhappy at his two heavily bandaged hands. "Is there any other way?" She asked.

"Yes." I replied, and turned back to Dumbledore. He handed me the necklace. It felt cold in my hand, not how I remembered it. Severus waited patiently as I arranged my hands best over the cut on his face. I concentrated and took my hands away to see the cut scab and then disappear. I'd not seen the process before. The poultices disappeared from the hands and I continued to heal them. Dumbledore left to call a meeting in two waves so staff could keep a look out at all times. Madame Pomfrey readied herself for any casualties in the hospital wing. I stayed with Severus in his office a while longer, trying to heal any further injuries. A piece of parchment materialised before Severus from Dumbledore.

"Common room. Now." He told me.

The Slytherins were already assembled in the common room. I came in with Severus and headed across the room.

"Right- all your attention this way." Snape snapped. He cast his eye down the parchment.

"You're all in here because there's a problem with an escaped specimen. The Ministry has made a slight mistake and sent something back to us that shouldn't have. Subsequently to make sure there's no accidents involving it and students, members of staff will escort you to your lessons until we've recaptured the creature. It is commonly know as a pipe dweller, and looks like a cross between a Muggle balloon animal, whatever that looks like and a pool of Muggle oil. If you see it, make sure you don't provoke it and inform a member of staff immediately. We don't want to have to pick up severed limbs from students in any house." There was a murmuring along the Slytherins.

"I thought pipe dwellers were harmless and used for maintenance?" A voice asked.

"This isn't a standard specimen, which is why we need to recapture it." Snape answered, checking the parchment once again.

"Did it escape from your office Professor?" Another voice asked. Severus didn't answer. He swept a black eye around the faces of his students.

"I should think the disruption will be small to you. You will remain in this room until the member of staff teaching you next arrives." I remembered I'd left my essays in the library. No doubt Madame Pince knew and had picked them up. Suddenly Quirrell appeared through the wall into the common room. It was something not any of the Slytherins were aware he could do.

"Severus, Miss Amethyst is required in the hospital wing, urgently…" His voice dropped as I came forwards. "You better hurry, there's no time to waste, it's very bad." I scrambled after Quirrell, my heart in my mouth. Why did they want me- couldn't Madame Pomfrey use the necklace instead? Quirrell had problems stopping himself from going through walls and leaving me alone. We finally reached the hospital wing, and I ran in out of breath. Madame Pomfrey was by the bedside of someone, they were groaning and it sounded like they were trying not to cry. I came over to her and saw she was holding the necklace in one hand while trying to do the same healing I'd done.

"It must only work for you, here!" She threw the necklace at me and hurried back to the fire.

"If this isn't useful experience at being a mediwizard…" Quirrell said, and then promptly left. The figure on the bed was Annabelle, and she was in quite a lot of pain. I swallowed and she saw who was standing over her and cried out.

"What help are you going to be? I'm in agony!"

"Trust me… I'm… well… just trust me okay?" I spoke cautiously, clearing my head and catching my breath. "Where does it hurt worst?" Annabelle managed to point out that it was her side and I saw Madame Pomfrey had bound it as best she could. What on earth was this thing up to? I thought as I healed the cut.

Each time the lessons changed, there were more casualties. Madame Pomfrey and I were dealing with more injuries than had been seen in years at Hogwarts. A couple of the worst injuries had required regular revisits by me to heal them completely. I noticed no staff had been injured apart from Severus, which was in a way comforting, but I didn't like the fact that so many people had been injured. I paused to look down the hospital wing, and saw that there were very few beds left. If they didn't catch it soon we could have the whole school in here. A cry to my left brought me back to the task in hand. Early evening came and all the students were returned to their dormitories, and what was to be the last casualty appeared with Professor Sinistra. It was Draco. I walked slowly over to him, rubbing my face in an effort to keep myself alert, the healing was exhausting and I hadn't had a break since we started, and Madame Pomfrey hadn't either. I sat down beside Draco and saw him regard me with amazement.

"You look terrible!" He exclaimed softly, clutching his shoulder.

"Thanks, you look the same." I replied, trying to keep my mind concentrated. I healed Draco, and then fell forwards onto his bed, exhausted. There was little that could stop me. Draco gave a kind smile and gently stroked my head with his hand; I was out for the count.

I realised what had happened when a roar erupted from several floors below, signifying the capture of the pipe dweller at last. I woke up and realised I'd fallen asleep.

"Oh Merlin, who was next?" I muttered. Casting my gaze over the beds I saw that most of the people in them looked fine and Madame Pomfrey was only administering aconite tonic now for the shock. I stood up and walked a couple of paces. The door came open and Hagrid came in, bending to get through the door.

"We caught 'im Poppy!" He exclaimed. "Anything I can use for my hand? The devil got me just before we sorted him."

"Here Hagrid." I said, and waited for the half giant to come to me. I placed my hand on his and concentrated, blinking away the sleepiness. I pulled my hand away and saw nothing had happened. I tried again and still nothing happened. A voice spoke from beside me.

"Poppy, one of your poultices I think." Severus had been watching. I stepped away and he put his arm around my shoulders.

"You're exhausted Elixa, you've done enough." He walked me forwards to an empty bed, and sat me down before administering an arnica infusion.

"You caught it then?" I asked, looking up sleepily. Severus nodded, and I handed back the cup. Seconds later I was inside the bed and a sense of restfulness had overcome me.

"Rest now, you've done well." Severus bent and kissed my forehead gently as I fell back into sleep.