Chapter 9- Hospital Wing
Hermione quickly cleared up Harry's spilt ink, and gave him a meaningful look. Harry turned to see Ron with his hands over his mouth in shock, and Harry gave him a nudge.
'Good afternoon, class.' Riddle smiled.
'Good afternoon.' They repeated back, like they were in primary school.
Harry watched Tom rise from his chair, and walk around his table, to the front of the class.
'For today's lesson, we are going to continue our discussion on witch hunting.' Riddle announced. 'What happened, what the witches did, and most importantly, why?'
Riddle left an effective pause, and smiled to his intrigued class. Harry would have thought Riddle was a good teacher, but all he could think was that the man before him was a murderer.
'Now which famous witch let herself get burnt 47 times, Miss Granger?' Riddle quizzed.
'Wendelin the Weird.' Hermione stated, without her usual confidence.
'Right, that's 10 points to Gryffindor... Neville.' Riddle grinned. 'What is the charm used to stop you from getting burnt?'
'The flame-freezing charm?' Neville guessed.
'Correct!' Riddle announced. '10 points to Hufflepuff. Now get into groups, and continue your discussions. Make them good too, as your homework is to write up what you've discussed.'
Harry watched Riddle's smile, as he swept back behind his table. It wasn't a menacing smirk, or an evil grin. It was a happy, carefree smile. He looked as if he was about to open his mouth and laugh.
Riddle met Harry's eyes.
'Are you ok, Mr Potter?' Riddle asked, looking concerned.
'Yes, I-I'm just feeling a little bit sick.' Harry lied, looking at his feet.
'Would you like some chocolate?' Riddle asked, with a small smile. 'It always helps.'
'No.' Harry said quickly. 'No. I'd rather get some fresh air. That's what I need.'
'Very well.' Riddle said. 'If you're sure. Go get some fresh air, and if you still feel sick, then go to the hospital wing.'
'Thank you.' Harry mumbled as he stuffed his book back in his bag, then left the room.
He ran as fast as he could to the Entrance Hall, then ran outside. He lent over, holding his stomach, and breathing fast.
He couldn't take it in. How could someone like that be a murderer in one world, and a teacher in another. I wish Voldemort never went bad. The words hung in Harry's mind.
Harry rushed inside, worried by his own thoughts. He made his way slowly to the Hospital Wing, and pushed the door open.
Inside, Harry could see Madame Pomfrey was tending to someone, who was hidden from his view by the bed curtain.
Harry walked inside, and found that the hidden person was Ginny.
'Hi.' Harry jumped, in surprise.
'Hi.' Ginny replied coolly, with a smile.
'I think that's ok, Miss Weasley.' Madame Pomfrey told Ginny, in a motherly manor. 'Just rest it for a minute, then you may return to your lesson. And next time, do be more careful, won't you?'
'I will.' Ginny smiled honestly.
'Good.' Madame Pomfrey smiled, fondly. 'Now what can I do for you, Mr Potter?'
'I feel sick.' Harry muttered lamely, his hand scratching behind his head. Ginny giggled.
'Sick?' Madame Pomfrey questioned. 'Well you look quite fine to me.'
'But I'm not.' Harry moaned dramatically, playing up to Ginny. 'My stomach hurts. Maybe it was something I ate at lunch.'
'What did you eat at lunch?' Madame Pomfrey asked, with a raised eyebrow.
'I had three cheese sandwiches, two ham sandwiches, 6 plates of chips, 4 cream cakes, 2 glasses of pumpkin juice, and a current bun.' Harry said, conversationally.
'Don't you think that's a lot?' Madame Pomfrey asked, sternly.
'I'm a growing boy!' Harry exclaimed, and Ginny fell into fits of giggles.
'Well if you're not careful,' Madame Pomfrey warned. 'You'll start growing outwards, instead of upwards.'
'I know.' Harry said, rubbing his tummy affectionately. 'I'll be more careful of what I eat next time.'
'Very well.' Madame Pomfrey sighed, as she marched off. 'Take a seat.'
Harry jumped sideways onto the bed next to Ginny's, landing on his side resting his head on his left hand.
'Hey.' Harry charmed. He felt incredibly confident with Ginny. She wasn't like other girls in the new world. She was genuine. Harry wasn't sure how he could tell, but he knew she was.
'Hey.' She grinned in reply.
'What're you here for?' Harry asked, whilst poking the bed sheets.
'Oh, I was in Care of magical creatures.' Ginny explained. 'And we're revising nifflers. Well this one niffler thought it would be funny to steal my watch. I chased it everywhere, then tripped up a rock, and messed up me knee.'
Harry took a look at her bandaged knee, but soon regretted it. He couldn't help but look from her knee, to her legs. He had never noticed in the other world how long they were.
'Yea, nasty.' Harry muttered, clearing his throat. Harry wasn't sure if she had noticed him looking at her legs, because she went red in the face, yet didn't move. Harry was sure Ginny's skirt in this world was twice as short as in the old world. Infact, Harry decided it looked more like a belt.
'So why are you here?' Ginny asked, forcing Harry to meet her large amber eyes.
'Just couldn't be bothered to do work really.' Harry lied, shrugging his shoulders. 'I'm just not in the mood. I blame Trelawney. I had Divination last lesson, and the room is so hot, it makes me drowsy.'
'Fair enough.' Ginny said, satisfied with her answer. 'Did you see anything today in Divination? Have a premonition?'
'No.' Harry said sharply. 'It's a load of rubbish.'
'You know it isn't.' Ginny said sweetly, wrapping a lock of hair around her finger. 'Your sister predicts stuff all the time, and it comes true. Trelawney thinks she might be a seer.'
'Maybe.' Harry smiled, picturing Erin with a crystal ball.
There was an awkward silence, and Ginny rose from her bed.
'Well I'd better head back.' She said plainly. 'I need to find that niffler and get my watch back.'
Harry laughed.
'Would you like me to walk you back?' He asked, hopefully.
'No thank you.' Ginny replied, cheerfully. 'I'm ok. I'll see you around.'
And with that, she was gone.
Harry fell back onto his bed, buried his face, and fell into a dreamless sleep.