The hospital wing was currently seeing the busiest week of its life- reporters, parents, students, nurses, and teachers all tried to cram into the now-cozy wing together. The patients were constantly being cared for, given cards, congratulations, or questions from newspapers about the epic battle that destroyed the largest threat to the wizard society. The biggest star of all was the famous Harry Potter, victorious hero of the age, who often would visit the members of the DA in the wing. He was overjoyed to hear none of the DA members had been killed- though some so badly wounded they were sent to St. Mungo's.
"Hermione!" Harry pushed past the routine cluster of jabbering reporters to get to his best friend. "How are they doing?" Hermione smiled.
"Better, that is, for most of them. Ernie Macmillan might be sent to St. Mungo's, though, if Madam Pomfrey can't find any powdered salem root soon." Hermione reported. Harry looked around him- each day another bed was emptied, thanks to the fast healing of Madam Pomfrey. Many of the DA were now returning to classes as heroes, recounting their tales in hallways and common rooms. Neville was strutting proudly about the castle now, followed constantly by a gaggle of giggling second-years.
"And- what about Ashley? Has she woken up yet?" Harry asked, remembering the disturbing discovery involving her and Malfoy- though Hermione had tried to explain it to him, the whole curse idea was utterly bizarre.
"Almost." Hermione led him to a bed at the end of the row, aloof from the crowd. "She might wake up any time now." Harry nodded and looked at Ashley's face- it had grown paler as the days went by, and she seemed to be having dreams, or rather nightmares, more often. Her outcome had not been looking its best, worrying some of the DA- Ashley had been one of their strongest supporters in their fifth year, and kept them together in the years after.
Suddenly Ashley muttered an unintelligible phrase and shifted position. With a yawn, her eyes cracked open, squinting in the bright hospital lights.
"Where in the-?" Ashley noticed Harry and Hermione at the end of her bed, and tilted her head.
"Oh. Hi." She let her head drop again and rubbed her forehead, suppressing another yawn.
"How are you feeling?" Hermione inquired anxiously. Ashley pushed herself upright and gazed around blankly.
"Fine enough, I guess. How's everyone else doing?" She strained to see the occupants of the other beds.
"Almost all of them are out. Ernie may be sent to St. Mungo's, but the rest are fine." Hermione answered.
"Good. Madam Pomfrey probably got them all back on their feet within fifteen minutes. How long have I been out?" Ashley rubbed her eyes.
"Three days." Harry spoke up. Ashley gaped.
"That long? Well, then. No use missing any more of the action." Ashley started to swing her legs to the floor, then stopped.
"Malfoy. Is he..?" Ashley looked expectantly at Hermione, who gazed sadly at Harry. Harry shook his head.
"To tell the truth, Ashley, we don't know. When he was here, he was on the verge of not making it. Madam Pomfrey decided to send him to St. Mungos' two days ago. She hasn't received news of him since, good or bad." He confessed. Ashley bit her lip and looked down at the floor.
"Ok. Um, great." Ashley murmured and began gathering the clothes laid out for her.
"Er, in case you were wondering- none of the professors assigned homework- they knew some people would be in the hospital wing. Nothing to worry about there." Hermione informed her, trying to sound upbeat.
"Oh. Wonderful." Ashley answered half-heartedly. Hermione sighed.
"Well…see you around, then." Ashley gave a small wave and Hermione quickly left, dragging Harry along with her.