Hey everyone,
So this is going to be another chapter that might be a bit of a harsh one as it will feature Jillian trying to fight through the pain she believes she is in so she can get used to walking once more and recover as fast as she did before the procedure. It might not be a Dumbledore comparing Hermione to Bellatrix, but it's not easy either.
Let's do this,

Venquine1990

Chapter 15
Pushing Through The Pain

6th of November 1994
Hospital Wing, Hogwarts
Jillian's POV

Waking up in pain is, by now, something I am more than used to and yet I can't help the wince and the moan of pain that, out of nothing more than instinct, leaves my lips upon my waking. And yet the response is one that shocks me as a slightly older voice with a sorrowful tone says: "I am so sorry for your pain, Jillian."
And I turn my head to see Bill looking at me with regret and sorrow in his eyes and I ask: "Wait, you failed?" But the man shakes his head as I ask: "Then what are you sorry for? You warned me of what would happen, didn't you?" And yet the man sighs and says: "You're in enough pain as it is. I hate I caused you more."
This makes me smile at the man in kind gratitude and then Madam Pomfrey comes in and says: "Oh hush, Mr. Weasley, you only caused her to mentally feel the pain. Her magic recognizes the pain you caused her, but it hasn't exactly worsened her health the way you feared it would. She's still healing just fine, thank you."

"Even though yesterday she looked worse than she did when she was about to die." Sirius then mutters, apparently having taken a seat near my bed and I look at this shocked, but then Madam Pomfrey hits him with a Stinging Hex as she says: "She healed of that just fine, so hush you." And this makes me smile at her.
She then sets a platter of food on the mobile platform and waves her wand over me as she says: "Well, I might have to put your lower arms in casts again, just to relieve some of the pain and you will definitely be resting a lot more than you did the last few days, but else you are still healing exactly the way I expected."
And I ask: "So I can, say, start practicing to get back on my own feet?" And the woman grimaces before she says: "Only for a few minutes at a time and only inside this cubicle." Making me smile at her gratefully before she puts her wand away, makes some notes on my chart and rolls the mobile platform over to me.

Yet while the woman slides the table up to my front and while Sirius and Bill help me sit up, do the girls enter my cubicle and Katie ask: "Hey girl, how's it going? We heard that Dumbledore and Lupin needed to help someone do something for you yesterday. What happened? Are you feeling okay? You look a little white, you know?"
At this I look at the men standing around me and Sirius says: "Bill found a curse inside Jillian that could potentially worsen her health, but needed help with the procedure to break it. It was just a bit of a health risk whether it was removed or not, nothing more." And while the girls look concerned, do they still nod.
"Sirius, may I talk with you?" An ancient voice then suddenly asks and I see Dumbledore standing in the opening of the curtains as he says: "Greetings girls, may I propose you help dress Mss. Potter in something that offers a comforting touch today? I believe it will benefit how she currently feels about her state of health."

However, while the man tries to sound like his usual jovial self, do I easily notice how hard he is trying – and thus failing – and this makes me share a worried look with Sirius before he asks: "What's wrong, Albus? And don't try to hide or deny it, we all noticed that you are trying a little too hard to be your usual self."
The man sighs at this and then turns behind him at which a horribly scarred looking man limps in and I feel startled as I completely forgot that the real Alastor Moody was brought in here after it was discovered that it was someone impersonating him who had put my name in the Goblet and who started all of this.
The man walks over to where Sirius has an extra seat and I think: "Of course, he's had that fake leg for years. There was no reason for him to be limping. I should have realized something was wrong." And then Dumbledore makes me feel even worse as he says: "This information will not leave this cubicle, but – Lord Voldemort is back."

And instantly I feel as if every injury ever caused by that monster and his actions have returned with a vengeance, making me wince in imaginary pain as I feel as if my scar and my arm are on fire, as if my body is failing on me due to the poison and as if my head is about to split open from the pain of touching the monster.
"As I'm sure some of you know, did Severus earn my trust many years back and did he risk his life by spying on Lord Voldemort in the final years. Sirius also agreed to keep Alastor's stuff where the Death Eater had it and we used the fact that his stuff had been fine tuned to contact Voldemort to trick him into trusting Severus once more.
Or so I thought as apparently a Spy is considered a potential enemy and Voldemort used this fact to take Severus' blood and used that to bring himself back to a body. How, I am not sure." Yet by how white Bill looks, do I know he does and the man mutters: "Bone of the father, flesh of the servant, blood of the enemy."
This makes Dumbledore turn to him and the man turns his head in pain as he says: "One of my more recent missions. We managed to stop a Necromancer of using the ritual to strengthen his control over Inferi, but it came at the cost of the enemy, which was an infant of a family that had been in feud with his own for generations."

At this Dumbledore looks grim and asks: "Mr. Weasley, can I ask you to –?" And the man nods as he says: "I'll go fetch my parents and see if I can get in contact with Charlie and Percy. The latter might be hard to convince, but –." The man shrugs, but then Dumbledore says: "Also inform your branch leader I wish a meeting, please."
And for some reason do I spot the man's eyes flicking my way, which results in Bill looking wide eyed and turn dangerously white before he says: "Right away, sir. I – I'll just send my family an owl. Jillian, can I please –." And just like always does Hedwig seem to know exactly when she's needed as she flies in right then and there.
Bill smiles at her as she lands on her shoulder and says: "Thanks, girl. Headmaster, I'll make sure my family contacts you at earliest convenience." And Dumbledore nods before he turns to Sirius and says: "Sirius, I have an important task for you. I need you to gather the old Crowd and let them know of this. Dedalus, Hestia, Arabella, the work."

But while Sirius nods, can I not help but worry and ask: "Sir, does this old crowd read the Daily Prophet?" And the man answers: "Not all of them, no." Which really scares me and the girls seem to get why as Angelina says: "Sir, if that's so, then Sirius shouldn't go. They might think he's still a traitor, a Death Eater.
They might even think he's behind the attack on the World Cup or Jillian ending up in the Tournament if not Jillian ending up in here due to the attack." And Dumbledore grimaces as he says: "You're right. I'll need to find someone else. Sirius, you stay here. I'm sorry I didn't think of that problem." And Sirius nods as he says:
"I'm better off staying here anyway. I'm of more use here for my little girl." Which makes both Dumbledore and me smile at the man. The elder man then turns around and the girls turn back to me as Angelina asks: "So, something offering comfort?" To which I answer: "It's because of the procedure of the other night."

The girls nod, but then the twins enter and one of them asks: "Hey, why did Dumbledore just leave looking like he's walking towards his grave and trying to enjoy it?" Yet we all grimace at each other and Moody says: "Sorry lads, but Albus told us not to tell until he does. Besides, your brother will probably tell you sooner or later."
Yet to this I think: "Not if Mrs. Weasley has anything to say about it. There is no way she will want her kids to know that that monster is back in the realm of the living. And what was that look that Dumbledore send my way when talking with Bill about anyway? Is there something about my illness they didn't tell me?"
Yet then Sirius lies a hand on my shoulder and says: "Jillian, don't worry about it. Just focus on your healing. If you don't get better, worrying about things like this will just make things worse." I sigh at this as I know he's right and the man smiles as he says: "Just look at the positive side. You can start trying to walk again today."
"You didn't tell us that!" The girls squeal excitedly and I say: "Madam Pomfrey gave me permission, but only for a few minutes a time and I need to stay inside this cubicle." At this the girls nod and then Alicia pulls my trunk out of her pocket and unshrinks it before opening it to look for the cloths I will be wearing today.

And a few minutes later I am wearing a pair of knee-length pants that are skin tight and of which the top is hidden under a slightly baggy brown woolen shirt with elbow-length sleeves and with the neckline wrapped around my upper arms, but then with light blue colored straps wrapped around my shoulders as well.
The whole outfit is completed with a pair of light blue strapped sandals with a golden clasp and with my hair brushed up to curl all over and look slightly messy with one thick bang on the left side of my face and one slightly thinner bang on the right. All in all, I look comfortable, yet feel beautiful all at the same time.

"Alright Mss. Potter, let's see if your legs are ready to carry your weight, shall we?" Madam Pomfrey then asks me after she gave me another check to see if I should have the casts put back on my arms, but while she gave the negative on this, can I also tell that she is not entirely positive about me doing this either.
"I have to do this. If Voldemort is back, I can't take the risk of not being able to escape him. I need to get better." I think, even if I don't say it as there are currently people in the cubicle that don't know of his return just yet. And so I just nod at her and try to slide over to the side of the bed, Sirius helping me move my legs off.
And while it stings when they bend over the side of the back, do I manage to keep this from showing on my face. I then slowly push myself further and further off the bed, yet I fail at hiding a wince of pain when my feet hit the ground in such a way a bit of my own weight gets pushed on them for the first time in a week.
"Sweetie, are you alright?" Sirius instantly asks in worry and I nod as I say: "My legs just aren't used to having any weight to carry. Guess I've been lying down a little too long." And while I have no doubt that Madam Pomfrey disagrees with this, does she not vocally object to my words and I focus on the next step.

While I can feel that my arms are barely strong enough to really carry my weight, do I try to push myself up. Unfortunately does it seem that Sirius notices how my arms are shaking in the effort and he quickly comes over, his arms wrapped around me in such way they provide support and he slowly helps me stand up.
And while I try to hide another wince as my legs hurt now that almost my whole weight is resting on them, do I feel glad for Sirius as he is obviously holding onto me in such a way he carries some of my weight. This makes me smile at him gratefully and Madam Pomfrey says: "Alright, Mss. Potter, let's start with taking a few steps."
I nod at her, but manage to hide a bad wince as I feel a horrible pain shoot through my right knee as I bend it. However, Sirius still seems to pick up on how I am now hissing between my teeth and not even three seconds later am I back to lying in bed, Sirius glaring at me as he is tucking me in and the man says:
"Hiding how much pain you're in is not going to help you heal, young lady. What went wrong?" And I wince at how disappointed he sounds as I say: "I felt some kind of pain flare up in my knee when trying to bend it." The man nods and Madam Pomfrey quickly starts running diagnostics. The Matron grimaces and says:
"I'm sorry, Mss. Potter, but you won't be doing any exercises yet. Your kneecap was dislodged in the attack and the Skele-Grow I gave you is still working to set it straight. And for the record, it's a salve form, so it takes longer. However, it was either that or pulling a Lockhart and I had no interest in repeating that man's actions."

This makes me grimace as I had no idea that Madam Pomfrey had still been doing this to heal me and I ask: "So, when can I start doing my exercises? Not to be rude, Madam Pomfrey, Sirius, but I'd like some of my independence back." At this the two nod and Madam Pomfrey says: "No worries, I think you can start tomorrow."
This makes me sigh relieved and Angelina asks: "So this process wasn't worsened or anything by what had to happen yesterday?" And while this worries me, does the Matron shake her head and say: "Regrowing kneecaps and other small bones such as the shoulder blade or the collar bone always takes this long, Mss. Johnson."
My fellow player nods and I sigh relieved, but then Katie asks: "Why are you this determined anyway? Aren't you enjoying the chance to relax like this?" And I send her a pointed look before looking at the opening of the curtains and then the twins, the girl's eyes widening before she nods and says: "Never mind."

Then Sirius sighs and asks: "Girls, would you mind leaving me and my little one alone for a little while? I need some privacy for what I want to discuss with her." And the girls nod, their faces showing that they understand, but that they worry as well and Sirius says: "It's personal, nothing more. No worries."
The girls nod, yet when they leave and when Sirius has made sure that the curtains are well and closed, does he still sigh and this causes me to worry nonetheless. "Ron isn't fully healed." He then says and instantly I whiten, having never expected news like this and I ask: "Are – are you – are you sure? Why? What happened?"
Yet the man sighs and says: "We don't know. We do know that Ron has healed enough it can be discerned when he is being affected and he has accepted that those around him will knock him out if they notice his – as they call it – guilty side coming out, but – how he could still be affected by the illness boggles the mind."

And while I am slightly relieved that Ron is at least healed enough to be back to his old self from time to time and that his other side will be neutralized when possible, do I then get a horrible thought and I ask: "He – he won't – he won't be brought – here, if that happens, will he?" And instantly Sirius smiles at me and says:
"No sweetie. In fact, Albus and Poppy are going to interview a whole set of Healers, so they can have a second Matron work at a classroom that will be changed into a Hospital Wing on the other side of the castle. And that wing will be especially for all those who are either of the Hyena House or have the potential to be of that House."
And this makes me lie back down in relief before I ask: "So, what's wrong? This doesn't sound like something the girls don't deserve to know as well." And the man sighs as he says: "This isn't the reason I did that. What it inspired me to do is why I asked them to leave us." And I look at the man, feeling greatly confused.

"Do you remember what Omar said? About your looks and all that?" The man asks and I nod as he says: "Remember what my first response to him was when he came to deliver your sunglasses?" And instantly I get why the man demanded on this bit of privacy between us, my eyes widening as he pulls out a scroll.
He opens it and holds it up in front of me. Yet while I can clearly read the title, see that he actually already signed it and that it was set up by a Gringotts Goblin, do I feel confused as I notice that there are a lot of spots where there is either room for entire sentences or where certain lines have open endings or don't end at all.
"Like I said back then, I planned to write up a blank one. The results of that boy's illness and his attempt at curing himself just made me do that a lot faster than I expected or planned to.""But, what's with all the blank spaces?" I ask and the man smiles: "Those are enchanted – so only you can fill them up. And I mean, only you."
This makes me look at him and he says: "Usually blank contracts allow for anyone who can have it cover them write rules, guidelines and the works. But, if a Lord of a Line writes one for the Heir or Heiress of a Line he is responsible for – the way I am responsible for you – he can have such specified spells be put on the contract.

This contract will make sure Ronald cannot try anything as it will bind you to whoever you chose, but it will also allow you to fill it up with whatever you want, rights, privileges, rules, escape clauses –." Yet this last one shocks me and I ask: "Wait, what clauses?" And the man smiles, obviously relieved as he says:
"Escape clauses. Clauses that can make sure that the contract can be voided, without it having consequences for either line that falls under the contract. I don't want you writing down a name of anyone yet, sweetie, but I do want you to, at the least, think up clauses, rules and guidelines to put in here. Can you do that?"
Yet at this I grimace and say: "I can think of them – but I can't write them. My hands hurt too much if I try." The man nods and asks: "Do you want me to let one of the girls know?" And instantly I say: "Angelina. She's the oldest and has been like a mother to the team since last year." The man nods and leaves the cubicle.

And a few minutes later has the girl returned and are her eyes wide as she hears why Sirius asked her and the girls to leave us to our privacy. Yet then the girl grimaces and says: "I – I can think of only one way Jillian can pick someone to write the name down on the contract and – it's not going to be pleasant, not for her."
This worries me as Angelina usually keeps it to herself when she knows of a solution she knows can have negative consequences and yet Sirius asks: "I don't plan to have a name on that contract anytime soon, but – what's your plan?" And the girl sighs before sending me a look that proves how horrible she feels as she says:
"An Announcement Party. Have Jillian in a raised bed somewhere in the castle, the twins, Neville and the rest of us around her as a sign that she is present, but protected and have those that are approved by all of us and thus invited, come to greet her and offer whatever they are willing in return for becoming part of the contract.
Let the world, let the school know, what Jillian looks like, give her a chance to feel safe even when in public – and take Weasley, Granger and that blasted girl any potential chance of getting their hands on what isn't theirs once and for all. It's the whole reason they are still doing this anyway, if I have to go by the Hogwarts' grapevine."

This makes both Sirius and me grimace and he growls: "I don't like it." And I say: "I don't either. We're not doing that. Not until I can walk again." And the man nods before he says: "I have a class I need to teach. Angelina, just focus on writing down whatever Jillian comes up with. Help her set up a safe and proper contract."
And my fellow player nods before Sirius makes sure to keep my injuries into account as he hugs me and whispers: "I'll be back soon. Take care of yourself and please, know your limits." And I know he means the way I was hiding my pain earlier, making me send him one last guilty look before the man leaves through the curtain.
"You feeling alright? You okay with this?" The girl asks as she comes to sit at my side, a smaller mobile platform over her own lap and the contract on top of the platform and I nod before I say: "Rule #1, what I wear and how I dress myself is my choice and only my choice. My spouse can advise me, but nothing more."
And the girl sends me a proud smile, obviously over how I instantly take everything I have learned these last few days into account, before she starts to write this onto the contract. And while the thought of me now being in danger from an outside and an inside threat scares me, do I focus on this one way to ensure my safety a little more.

Good for you, Jillian,
I won't lie to you all, this chapter was pretty hard. I was kind of at a loss at what I could put Jillian through and while part of me REALLY wanted to have her practice with walking, did I, for some reason, feel like giving Jillian just a few more hardships to overcome, as well as give her at least one solution to her problems.
And no, I am not really a fan of wedding/engagement contracts, it's a bit of a cliché topic among HP stories. Still, I actually came up with a bit of a storyline that, while it will offer Jillian a few more problems, will also cause her to go through something a lot of people deal with. What helped me come up with it?
Escape clauses,

Venquine1990