Chapter Eighteen

Leave-taking

Madam Pomfrey awoke suddenly, her heart pounding and a shiver running down her skin. She blinked her eyes rapidly and then sighed in relief as she realized where she was. She got to her feet, frowning down at the clutter upon her desk and then looked at the clock.

It was very late or very early, depending upon who you asked. Madam Pomfrey snapped her fingers and the paper, files, and other things all flew back to their rightful places, then picking up a shawl draped across her chair she headed out of her office.

It was dark and cool outside. She had been trying to have Dumbledore do something about the draft in the hospital Wing, she had spent an entire day trying to determine where the cool air was coming from, but to no avail. Now she just piled blankets upon the occupants and when winter came there were spells that could keep the large space relatively warm.

She moved quietly upon the tiles, trying not to make any noise. She had dropped an armful of bedpans a few hours ago and it caused no response from Harry or Hermione, they continued sleeping with no notice of anything around them. That worried Pomfrey, but she didn't know what she could do. Dumbledore had pulled a lot of strings to get Madam Hightower to help Harry the firs time and Pomfrey didn't think he could get her back to see him again. It was up to Harry to get himself out of his state and that rankled Pomfrey. She was a healer and all she could to was just sit back and do nothing.

Hermione on the other hand was just injured. There was nothing wrong with her mind, just some small damage that whatever spell had been used upon her caused. She had been lucky to have been found quickly, if not Pomfrey would have had a far harder time clearing out the damage and patching up the poor girl. She shook her head, what kind of monsters were inhabiting their school? Why wasn't Dumbledore doing anything about it?

It was dark, the moon hidden behind clouds, no candles burning, and Pomfrey was busy thinking, so much that she didn't see the figure standing near a bed until she nearly collided into him.

"Headmaster?" Pomfrey stammered, her heart pounding.

"I did not mean to frighten you, Madam Pomfrey. I had thought you'd be asleep in your quarters." Dumbledore said. Pomfrey couldn't see any of his features. Only the light reflecting off his half moon glasses, for some reason it sent a chill up her spine.

"I fell asleep in my office." Pomfrey replied, clearing her throat. She tighten the shawl around her shoulders and tried to smile, it failed. "What are you doing here?"

Dumbledore was quiet for a moment, looking down at Harry. "I have to leave for a few days. Professor McGonagall will be in charge if anything comes up."

Pomfrey nodded, she knew not to ask where he was going. What was the point? He'd either not say anything or give some cryptic answer. She wasn't in the mood for cryptic responses.

"How is he?" Dumbledore suddenly asked. Again the only thing Pomfrey could see was his glasses, his features lost in the shadow of the night.

Pomfrey looked down at Harry, barely making out his unconscious figure. She would have to do something about the dark, maybe a few candles or a small torch. The almost void like dark of the Hospital Wing was unnerving her. "He's unchanged. His wounds are gone, nothing but a memory." Pomfrey snorted at the remark. "The botched Memory Charm though..." What could she say? It had been a terrible mess. Who knows what could have been damaged in there?

Dumbledore nodded. "Harry's a strong boy, he'll get through this." Pomfrey had sudden feeling that Dumbledore was trying to convince himself. "I've tried contacting Madam Hightower. She's a very busy woman, but I'll see if she can come back and do something for him."

Pomfrey closed her eyes. 'When will you be coming back?" She asked, changing the subject. There was only so much she could handle in talking about Harry's condition. It was not that she was irritated by the constant questions or updates on his condition; it was the fact that she could do nothing for him that irked her. She was a healer and she couldn't help him.

"I do not know. As soon as I'm done." Dumbledore responded cryptically.

"Be safe." Pomfrey said, struggling to not sigh in exasperation.

Dumbledore chuckled, almost no mirth in his voice. "Aren't I always?" With that he walked out of the Hospital Wing and Pomfrey shook her head.