Colin awoke, still groggy from the many potions that had kept him sleeping as Madam Pomfrey and her assistants worked on his injuries. Everything still ached.
"I pretty sure he's not dead, anyway," said a voice. Aidan McMillan. One of his best friends. What a lovely sentiment to hear on awakening!
Colin moaned softly. "Brilliant Aidan. Just what I wanted to hear."
"Oi! Told you he wasn't dead!" said Aidan cheerfully.
"Actually, mate, you only said you were pretty sure. 'S not exactly the same thing is it?" said Jian Tang. "I mean, they're completely opposite."
"That's right," said Kirana; "stands to reason."
Colin opened his eyes to find a small crowd of onlookers around his bed. Aidan, Jian and Kirana were debating the finer points of the meaning of 'pretty sure' as a turn of phrase, while a couple Hufflepuffs looked uncomfortable to see him in such pain. "I don't know if you remember me," said one.
"Um. Myrddyn, right?"
"You remember! I thought for sure that fall would knock your brains right out! Um, yeah. I'm Myrddyn. I just wanted to say it was brilliant how you got that crazy broom to miss knocking my own head off! Um. Sorry you got hurt."
Colin smiled as the Hufflepuffs turned. The one Colin didn't know squeaked as he came face to face with Draco Malfoy. They skirted around him as if they feared he would curse their eye balls crossed. Madame Pomfrey shooed the lot of them out of the hospital for making too much noise. This left Draco alone standing at the foot of the bed. Colin turned his head and found that Liam was curled up asleep next to him.
"You have a way with people, Draco."
He inclined his head slightly. Colin thought he saw the very slightest smile play around his lips. "He hasn't left your side," Draco said nodding towards the sleeping lump buried in the extra blankets. "Potter was here earlier." Colin knew Draco and Potter were sworn enemies. "I withdrew. Didn't want to cause a stir. He left this." Draco nodded towards the table at the foot of the bed where friends had left notes and cards. Colin tried to sit up as Draco handed him Harry's note. He managed it at last and opened the envelope. His right arm and hand were very stiff and painful.
"Oh, a thank you note!" said Colin brightly. "Oh." He crinkled his nose. 'Dear Colleen' —"
Draco snorted. "Colleen? That's a girl's name!"
"I know it's a girl's name!" Colin frowned as he scanned the note. At least he'd taken the time to write.
"Sounds like a mistake Potter would make. I'm surprised Granger didn't correct his spelling."
Colin looked up from the note. He laid it down on the bed spread before he got to the PS. He flashed a grin at Draco. "I'm actually kind of surprised she didn't write it for him. I wasn't expecting this at all, really. I don't even know Potter!"
Draco examined Colin's face for a moment, as if trying to ascertain some hidden meaning in what he'd just said. A quiet footstep behind him made Draco pause before saying anything. He turned. Standing behind him was Indigo Carrow, one of Colin's best friends. Draco knew she despised him. Frankly, he also knew the feeling was mutual. She gave him her best soul searing glare, and he knew that his welcome was rapidly wearing thin. She creeped him out and he turned away from her trying to hide a slight shudder of ill ease.
"Look, Colin, I just wanted to thank you. I don't know what's wrong with that broom. I only know that Ministry wizards have been poring over it. I also know that you really suck at flying."
"Wow. Thanks, Draco." Colin knew it was true,of course, but he couldn't resist injecting the reply with extra snark.
"That's what's so strange. That broom. It felt dark. Like —" He darted a quick glance at Indigo. "Um. You should have fallen off of that broom. I couldn't have flown that broom. I doubt even Prince Potter could have flown it. But you managed to keep it from hurting anyone." He shrugged as Indigo's stare started to melt his brains. "I just wanted to say thanks. And — also for what you and Liam said before. About your mates. Um. See you around?"
Colin nodded as Draco stalked out. Indigo let out a quiet snarl at his retreating back.
After he was out of the place, Indigo settled at the foot of the bed, seemingly recovered from Draco Malfoy's intrusion into what she deemed a family affair. "I heard you really were brillian, Colin." She gave him a smile that turned his brains soft. She had a way of looking at people, Indigo, thought Colin. Some people she could freeze their hearts in despair; others she could the hardest heart. Colin — she could make his sing! Liam woke up just then, and sat up. When he realised that Colin was awake, he threw his arms around his brother's neck. He didn't say anything, but Colin knew the hot tears that dripped onto his neck spoke of a desperate fear that he would die from the injury. That he would leave Liam behind. He put his left arm around Liam's shoulder and returned his embrace, ruffling his brother's hair.
"So, Liam. Did I make the team?" asked Colin.
Liam sat up straight and stared at Colin openmouthed. "What? No! You didn't make the team! What kind of question is that Colin? You nearly killed everyone on the pitch! I think you'll be lucky if they don't put you on trial for flying a cursed broom!"
"You did manage to score a goal, Colin," said Indigo. She at least looked proud that he'd tried out for the team. Though Colin thought she looked rather more pleased that his quidditch career was over before it ever got off the ground.
"I did? I don't remember that!"
"Aye! It was when you almost knocked the Gryffindor girls off their brooms. You grabbed that kind of lumpy ball, then span the broom around and whizzed through the goal backwards!"
"I guess maybe it's best I don't fly for Ravenclaw after all. But say, Liam, what about you? Surely you made the team! You can actually fly a broom!" said Colin.
Liam grinned ear to ear. "Right! They made me a chaser, Colin! I'll have to practice a lot, and of course I'll actually have to learn how to play quidditch. But, I made the team! And Morag did too! They're going to make her a catcher!"
Colin caught Liam in a fierce embrace and he managed to bring his weakened right arm around to ruffle his brother's fair hair. They flopped back onto the bed laughing. He was sure he'd never felt prouder to be Liam's brother. He let Liam and Indigo's chatter wash over him as he wondered about the mystery of the cursed broom, and would they really put him on trial for almost killing a whole bunch of students? He wondered if the Ministry blokes would come looking for him to ask him a bunch of questions.
But mostly, Colin just wondered at the thought of standing with Indigo as they cheered Liam on during games! He was sure that he'd be so very happy to do that!