Hey everyone,
This chapter is going to be completely on Jillian and there will be quite a few surprises for her in store. She will try to make another step towards her recovery, but the news that hit her and the others the other day will inspire those around her into making decisions that they hope will benefit her in the long run.
You ready,

Venquine1990

Chapter 17
Welcome Surprises

8th of November 1994
Hospital Wing, Hogwarts
Jillian's POV

I wake up and actually feel less pain than I did when waking up the other day. Especially the wounds that have made moving a lot harder the last few days are just stinging lightly, but not actually hurting and feel like something I can ignore if I try hard enough. This makes me lean back into my familiar pillows with a sigh of relief.
"You sound happy this morning, dear." Madam Pomfrey says as she comes in with her usual chart and wand in hand and I say: "I'm really starting to feel better. I think the treatment is really starting to settle in and that I might be able to go back – I mean, join the girls in my new dorm soon. Wow, never thought I'd say that in my Hogwarts career."
The woman snickers at this and says: "Well, before we start packing your bags, so to say, let's go over a few tests first. To see if you can start putting weight on your legs again." I nod at the woman, so ready to get back on my own two feet and gain my mobility back. The last week had been painfully brilliant, but I miss my independence.

The Matron puts her chart down and raises her wand as she says: "I'm going to gently lift your leg a little. When it is raised, I want you to stretch your muscles as much as you can. But remember your guardian's warning, Mss. Potter. No hiding when you are pushing yourself beyond your actual physical limitations."
I nod at the woman, having now realized that I really was just shooting myself in the foot with that need as it could have set my healing process back if Sirius hadn't noticed. I feel Madam Pomfrey's magic wash over my leg and feel it move up, a bit of strain here and there as there are still a few cuts and bruises, but nothing painful.
"Alright, any pain? No? Good, then stretch whenever you feel ready." Madam Pomfrey instructs me and while I find it a bit embarrassing, do I actually need to focus on the muscles in my leg quite intensely to make them do as told. And to my utter relief, do I only feel a strain that comes from underuse, not actual pain.
"Anything?" Madam Pomfrey asks after I have managed to keep my leg muscles strained for a few minutes and I shake my head as I say: "Just a bit of tightness from not having had much use this last week." The woman nods and we gain the same results from her raising my other leg and me repeating the exercise.

"Good, that all sounds quite well. I will monitor you when you do your walking exercise and you will need to keep making sure you take it slow as that strain might cause injuries on your muscles to resurface, but otherwise, I see you leaving my care sometime in the next day or two. The day after tomorrow at the latest, I would say."
At this I smile, but this is mostly to hide the sense of fear that hits me as I suddenly realize something. My last four years have revolved around Ronald and Granger more than anyone else – bar Voldemort – so the chance of me encountering them once I go back to Gryffindor is extremely strong and very likely to be there.

"However, while I am on the subject, there is something I want to discuss with you once Sirius is here. It has to do with your past and specifically the night of the attack. I didn't discuss it sooner, because I was concerned you would object or try to physically rebel against the idea and further injure yourself. I will tell you more later."
Madam Pomfrey tells me and this is exactly what I need to hear as the curiosity over what she could be on about takes away all the fear that was growing inside of me. The woman wants to leave after making a few notes on her chart, but then the curtains open and the girls step in. "Ah good morning, girls, first shift?"
Madam Pomfrey asks and Angelina says: "Yes ma'am, and we'd like to try something. Something we realized we need to help Jillian through before she can return back to Gryffindor, especially if she plans to return to the team and all." This intrigues the both of us and Alicia turns my intrigue into confusion as she says:
"We'd like to have her take a bath." Yet Madam Pomfrey seems to get this strange plan of the girls and she mutters: "Right. We've just been casting cleaning spells on her as she slept, but the sensation of certain new body parts touching something as fluid as water or soap could be an unusual and certainly new experience."
At this I can only look down at my own new body and think: "What about this, other than my new hot assets, could make taking a bath be any different an experience?" And I decide to just let the girls have their way as I doubt any of them would have come up with this if they didn't believe this to be something important or vital.

Then the curtains open again and Sirius steps through, but to my shock, the man's not alone. Old, wrinkled and looking more eccentric than Dumbledore, Mr. Ollivander walks in behind my godfather and new guardian and I instantly turn to the man, who smiles at me and says: "Considering you still need some exercise with walking."
And just by the tone of his voice, do I know that the man understands how part of me is getting impatient with getting my independence back. Yet it's the look in his eyes that says it all. There is mostly happy pride in his gaze, but I can tell he is scared of losing me if I don't get back a weapon to defend myself post haste.

"Well Mss. Potter, this is most certainly an unusual surprise. I had some beliefs that I might see you again for a second wand like your mother, but a whole new one for a whole new persona and life is not something I could have predicted, even if I were a Seer." The man says, sounding as whimsical and mysterious as always.
"Ah Sirius, good morning, glad you could come so quickly. Mr. Ollivander, you can test my patient for a new wand all you want, she is not to try and do her walking exercises just yet and so is not to stand while you do so, understand? Sirius, I would like your opinion on something, could you follow me, please?"
Mr. Ollivander and my godfather both nod, a hint of intimidation actually showing with Ollivander who tries to hide it quickly behind his usual persona and I decide to give him a bit of a reprieve and refrain from giggling, knowing only too well how frightening and demanding Madam Pomfrey can be when she wants to.
Sirius and Madam Pomfrey then leave the cubicle and Angelina says: "We'll do our task once you have your wand. Mr. Ollivander, would you mind waiting outside for three minutes? Jillian needs to get changed." And only then do I realize that I am still in my nightgown and feel glad that it's a hospital garb as it is a very modest cut.

The man leaves the cubicle for a few minutes and my new close friends help me into a new gorgeous dress that has a black and white striped top and a black skirt with a band at the natural waist. Sirius and Mr. Ollivander then return and the man instantly startles me as he says: "Mss. Potter, I got your stats from Madam Pomfrey.
Because of this, I won't have to take new measurements and we can instantly get to what is most important, especially given – well." And while the man doesn't finish his sentence, looking at the girls in disconcertion, do I know what he means and that he is unsure whether or not my friends are already aware or not.
"We know, sir, thank you." Katie says and the man sighs relieved as he says: "I'm sorry, girls, but Albus asked me to be my usual self when it comes to this. He wants to leave it to a special group of his friends and your and other parents to decide whether or not to tell you this." The girls nod and then Mr. Ollivander worries me.

"Now Mss. Potter, because I already have your measurements, we can instantly go to wand-testing. Now I made sure to take as many of my stock with me as I possibly could. But considering how intriguing your last fit was, I would like to start with the holly wands and the ones that have a phoenix feather for a core."
I shake my head at this and say: "Mr. Ollivander, the holly and phoenix wand was Harry's and he is dead, end of story. Sirius now has that wand and I am fine with that. It means that, every time I reach for my own wand, I won't be reminded of the night it just couldn't help me defend myself. I need a different wand, a truly new wand."
The man looks at me and then rubs the back of his head as he says: "Mss. Potter, I owe you a world of apologies. I was so intrigued by the idea of resizing you for a new wand and the memory of how interesting your last visit to my store was, I let myself get carried away and didn't think how that would feel for you.
I apologize, though – perhaps –." And just like when he decided to head into the back and came back out with Harry's old wand, does the man turn quiet and thoughtful and does he pull a small pin out of his pocket that he taps with his own wand to change it into a single thin box and he turns from me to it and back a few times.

"What's in there?" Alicia asks after the man does this for the third time and the man says: "As you probably know, Mss. Spinnet, the wand choses the wizard. However, sometimes, when a witch or wizard go through their magical maturity, their magic or something else about them changes so drastically, the fit no longer works."
The man turns back to me and says: "This was the case, Mss. Potter, for your mother and is the reason why I remember her second wand so well. Because her choosing took almost as long as yours did and, when she got matched with her second wand, 14 inches, nice and strong and made of blackwood, she gave her first – to me."
This makes me glad I am lying on a bed as I probably would have even fallen out of my seat if I had been seated and the man looks back at the box, my eyes instantly fixing on it as well as I already know what's inside without him telling. "She would have wanted you to have it." The man mutters and I nod, tears in my eyes.

The man reverently walks over to my side and seems to only just catch himself from actually bowing down before me as he opens the box and shows a gorgeous willow-made wand that looks everything the man described it as when I first entered his store as an eleven year old boy, unaware of his past, present or future.
And while the past and future now both have their own demons for me to content with, do I feel that same warmth, that same kind of power coursing through me as when I cast the Patronus and yet this feels different. Where the power of the Patronus feels confident and determined, this has a sense of love and acceptance to it.
I wipe the tears from my eyes, being careful not to move my glasses due to the instructions of the one who made them and then gently, as if scared it will vanish if I don't give it the respect it deserves, reach out my arm. And the second my middle finger touches the willow, the feeling of being safe and loved and strengthened increases tenfold.
"Jilly, my precious little girl." I hear a voice that I know only too well, because of all the times I have heard it shout and beg for my life when I was still Harry, that sounds as if it both comes from the wand itself and from all around me and I instantly pull the wand from the cover it is in and put it up against my chest, crying tears of grief.

Everyone else gazes upon me, not a single one of them unable to hold back tears of their own, but I don't care for this or for the fact that, somehow, the voice addressed me as Jillian not Harry. "Mothers know best, is what they always say. And Sirius was right, they are still with me. She's still with me, now more than ever before."
I look at Mr. Ollivander and give him a nod, one that both tells him that this is indeed my new wand and to thank him for giving this heirloom back to me. The man just gently smiles back and says: "My work here is done. I thank you, Mss. Potter. You were a delight as always. I can only imagine the great things that are upon your future."
These words sound as cryptic and ominous as the last ones he spoke about my connection to Voldemort, but I don't care for this as part of me wonders why it feels as if there is more to the man's words than just that memory, yet doesn't feel inclined to find out. Instead I just want to focus on my new wand when Sirius says:

"Mr. Ollivander, I'm afraid you're forgetting a little something." Which confuses me, but the elder man actually knocks himself on the head and says: "You're right, Lord Black. Forgive me, the emotions got the better of me." Yet no one really blames the man as he takes more pins out of his pockets, changing them into carrier bags.
"You know, Mss. Potter, this is not a common thing for me. Usually I only sell these to Hit-Wizards, Aurors and other wizards that easily get into dangerous situations due to their profession. But, seeing what has happened to you recently, everyone who I spoke with agreed that this was for the best, for their relief and your welfare."
This really intrigues me and the man pulls out various straps of leather and wood and this makes me tilt my head. "Wow, you're giving her a wand holster? That's going to be so useful." This instantly makes me feel very excited and Mr. Ollivander makes everything even better as he says: "Not just a wand holster, but a custom made one.

Let's do this, Mss. Potter." I nod at him and after half an hour of going through various materials and doing a bit of measuring here and there, am I now the proud owner of a gorgeous set of very unique wand holsters. A bracelet made of black-painted reed pipes that are made of bamboo and are hollow on the inside.
A single gorgeous gem on the center of each pipe that is enchanted to make sure that the bracelet can fit around either my wrists or my ankles, that the whole set can be matched together to make a belt and that the wood never shows wear or tear no matter how long I wear it or how often I take my wand out of one of the pipes.
"I must say, Mss. Potter, you have one unusual taste, but the new holster does suit your new wand quite nicely." Mr. Ollivander says and I smile as I say: "Like I said, unique can be fashionable and so can functionality." The man smiles, bids us all goodbye and then takes his leave, Madam Pomfrey coming in as he leaves.

"Very well, girls, prepare her bath. Mss. Potter is going to do a bit of practice to see how her long time lying down has affected her muscles and then she will probably need some hot water to get them relaxed again. And yes, Mss. Potter, I stay by the fact that this will probably be a whole new experience for you."
This just doesn't make any sense to me and Sirius says: "Leave it to me, Poppy. Jill, love, think about it this way. A certain weight that is now no longer between your legs, has been both moved to your chest and multiplied. Yet because of that, you will probably experience going into water in a completely new way."
And finally I get why the girls decided I should do this, as getting used to it now, before I go out for Quidditch practice or to living in my new dorm, it really would be best to get used to an experience like that. But I don't focus on this as getting out of bed and finally getting my independence back really takes priority right now.

I happily pull the blanket off of me and with a bit of grunting and groaning do I make my legs move over the side of the bed. And when Sirius and Madam Pomfrey want to help me, do I raise my arm at them and say: "No, I need to do this. I need to." The two obviously seem to disagree, but then Angelina speaks up:
"You can't keep helping her. She's healing and now it's time we give her the chance to be independent again. If you give her that chance, she'll rely on you as well, won't you girl?" And while I managed to get my legs over the side and am now sitting up with my knees bent, which hurts just the slightest, do I happily say:
"She's right. I need balance, Sirius, now more than ever. And now, time to see if I can find mine." And with that do I push myself off the bed. My leg muscles cramp up a little in shock when they suddenly get my whole weight put onto them and this does make me hiss, but to my utter relief, do I manage to just stay upright.

"Mss. Potter, what do you think you're doing?" Madam Pomfrey asks and I answer: "Proving I haven't lost my Lion Will in the attack." And the woman grimaces at me, recognizing what I'm not saying and she mutters: "I really need to talk with you both sooner rather than later." Which I decide to ignore for the moment.
Instead I try to bend through my legs and move back up, stretching the muscles and giving them a chance to move again more than just turning from side to side. I put a hand on the bed again and take a deep breath as I turn to Angelina again. The girl nods and she and the other girls leave the cubicle for the wing's bathroom.

And as they leave, do I realize that there is one other thing I need to work on. This makes me turn to Madam Pomfrey and ask: "How is it I haven't had to go in over a week? I have been eating and drinking a lot, after all." And the woman answers: "I gave you a potion after your transformation to help with that.
It makes your bladder not respond to how much it gets filled until you are asleep. At that point I levitate you to the lavatory." Yet at this I can't help but look at her as if she's mad and ask: "I appreciate the gesture, Madam Pomfrey, but – you do realize there's a difference between how the genders go respectively, right?"
The woman nods and says: "I planned to give you the antidote once I was sure you were able to handle walking to the lavatory yourself again. Speaking of which, let's see how far you can go." And while I really hope that my week and a day staying in bed hasn't made my legs unable to walk too far, do I put my hand back on the bed.

I use this as an added bit of support and lift my left leg while trying to turn both my whole body and my right. I feel some muscles tensing up at this, but it doesn't hurt and I sigh in relief as I take my first step to the side. "Nice work, Mss. Potter. Just keep going and we'll keep a wheelchair ready for when you tire yourself out."
I nod at her, but feel determined not to let that happen too soon. And my body answers this determination as I actually manage to walk out of the cubicle, making those that are still there working on potions for me look shocked. I can feel my legs tremble, but I know this is because I have been in bed for so long.
I release a deep breath and mutter: "Well, my legs have definitely not been used in a while and they are having a bit of trouble getting used standing up and carrying my weight, but – I think I can get to the bathroom." At which Sirius puts a caring, yet light hand on my shoulder and says: "Just try to cross the room for now."
I nod at him, knowing he is trying to both be protective and give me the space I suddenly realize I am longing for more and more as the cubicle is starting to feel like the cupboard did all those years ago, small and cramped. I shake my head at this, remembering that I will never go back there and focus on the cubicles opposite of me.

And as I bring out my inner Lion, do I let go of the metal braces that are holding the curtains of the cubicle together and take a few steps. Yet here my left leg suddenly cramps up and I hiss, yet also almost yelp as this happens just when I want to raise my leg, making me lose my balance so suddenly, I feel ready to fall.
But Sirius is right behind me and keeps me on my feet as he asks: "Are you okay? What happened?" And I mutter: "I – ah – I think I tried to keep walking a little too quickly. I'll try to take smaller steps now." The man frowns, but blissfully doesn't object to this and I make sure to lift my legs less and decrease the space between steps.
Still, one doesn't stay in bed for eight days in a row and doesn't lose most of their physical strength from this. And so, as I reach the other side, do I feel ready to pant and mutter: "Okay, walking is fine and I only feel small cramps and aches, typical from not moving much, but I definitely need to get my physical strength back."

Madam Pomfrey and Sirius have come to stand beside me and they share a grimace as I say: "This is no one's fault. The Skele-grow in my kneecaps kept me from being able to do more than I have done this last week. There was no way this could have been prevented. I just need to make sure I take regular exercises from now on."
The two nod and Madam Pomfrey mutters: "I'll also make sure to have your potions filled with a few of the ingredients that usually go in Pepper-up Potions. To get your stamina up a bit faster." I smile at her gratefully and Sirius rolls the wheelchair over as he says: "Alright, you had your exercise and now, you need a bath."
I nod at him and blissfully let myself fall back into the comforts of the wheelchair, yet refuse to let Sirius help me put my feet on the feet stand as I make sure to do this myself. The man sends me a small guilty smirk and then takes control of the wheelchair and rides it to the other side of the room, to the girls bathroom.

Hey everyone,
So this chapter actually went on longer than I expected. I wanted to do Ollivander and Jillian with the bath thing, but the whole Ollivander and Jillian walking thing took up more pages than I expected. Plus, I plan to make Jillian taking her first bath a real physical experience that will come with a shocking discovery.
That will be next chapter and it will feature the following characters: Jillian, Sirius, the Chasers, McGonagall – and RON? Don't worry, there will NOT be a confrontation between Jillian and Ron. The two won't even share a room in next chapter, I don't plan to do that until Jillian is declared 100% healthy again.
Rest assured,

Venquine1990
PS. Also, the healing might take another two or three chapters max. After that, I will focus on Jillian learning what it's like to be a girl student at Hogwarts.