As we trudged up the grassy hill leading back to the castle I stole a quick glance up at Snape. He wore his characteristic glower and seemed as tense as I'd ever seen him, his shoulders hunched against the strong wind that showed no sign of letting up. The rain continued to pelt down as we slowly moved towards the castle, the wind pushing at us from the front and making it difficult to move forward.
He didn't speak or make any noise until I started to shiver, then he sighed in annoyance and a look of exasperation passed across his face. He grabbed my arm to try and pull me along, increasing his pace so that we might get inside more quickly. I soon couldn't keep up with his long strides though and clumsily slipped on the wet grass. I stumbled onto my hands and knees to catch myself but managed to twist my wrist in the process. Snape had tried to catch me before I could fall, reaching for my other arm to steady me but it was no use. I let out a hiss of pain as my wrist began to throb and he kneeled down on the grass beside me.
"Are you hurt?" He nearly had to scream over the storm to be heard.
"My wrist, but it's nothing" I replied, barely able to see him as my hair blew all over my face, getting caught in my eyelashes.
Snape seemed to purse his lips at that, eyes glinting in anger as he helped me to my feet, being careful not to touch my wrist. I shrugged out of the way when he tried to pull his cloak around me, telling him not to bother. He looked…surprised? Possibly offended, but I turned away from him before he could respond.
Once we'd made it inside I quickly cast a drying spell on myself using my uninjured hand and he did the same before turning to face me, his face darkening markedly now that we were safe inside.
"Of all the stubborn, pig-headed, idiotic things you could do! Must you endanger yourself so soon after escaping death at the hands of the Dark Lord?"
I almost wanted to tell him that my new life was beginning to seem like a form of death but held my tongue. I took more interest in the floor and the wet marks my shoes had made upon the stone, avoiding any eye contact with him.
"I can't hear you, Potter. Tell me why you decided to go out flying in this near hurricane? Surely you had the brain power to realize it was a stupid idea or do you lack any skills in self-preservation?"
I lifted my head then, glaring daggers at his condescending comment.
"Oh yes, I was able to escape Voldemort because I have no instinct for self-preservation!" I replied sarcastically, knowing this answer would antagonize him. I then rolled my eyes in annoyance and turned my back on him, intent on heading up to Griffyndor tower to see Ron and Hermione.
"You will immediately accompany me to the Hospital Wing, Miss Potter. And if you use that tone again you'll earn yourself detention"
Trying to ignore him as much as possible, I turned and nodded my head in assent before walking in the direction of the Hospital Wing, Snape trailing directly behind me.
It wasn't until we reached the entrance door that I asked: "Why do I have to come here anyway?"
"I was under the impression you had injured your wrist, Potter" He sarcastically answered. As he mentioned it, I was reminded of the sharp pain emanating from my injured wrist.
"Besides, the headmaster asked that I bring you back here. Doubtless, he'll have some words for you about your reckless little excursion" Acid dripped from every word and his lip pulled back from his teeth as he pushed me through the door.
As I came into, or rather as I was pulled by the arm into, the hospital wing I noticed Pomfrey and Dumbledore speaking with one another at her desk. At the sound of the door opening, they both looked up as if they had been waiting for us.
Pomfrey pointed to one of the beds and Snape steered me to it. I grudgingly dropped onto it, the springs squeaking loudly as I did so. It didn't take long for Madame Pomfrey to make her displeasure known, sighing as she asked why I couldn't follow instructions for just one day?
"I did!" I retorted, beginning to lose my temper. "You said not to strain myself and I didn't."
"Your current injuries say otherwise, Potter" Snape intervened, glaring at me over his folded arms.
"Yes, you were meant to relax and rest. I would not classify broom riding under that category" Pomfrey replied more kindly.
I sighed as she worked over me for what seemed like the umpteenth time, quickly mending my sprained wrist. Dumbledore stood at the foot of my bed, quietly but intently observing the situation as he usually did.
Pomfrey finished quickly and smoothed the sheets over me before she left my side, telling me to take better care of myself.
Dumbledore moved to my bedside then, patting my now-healed hand as he sat down.
"I have some good news for you Rose," he began, smiling down at me. "Sirius is recovering now. Madame Pomfrey will be staying at Grimmauld Place to oversee his recovery starting tomorrow."
An almost maniacal laugh escaped me as I realized I wouldn't need to worry about him anymore and he wouldn't leave me like Cedric had. I felt that burden lift from my chest and my eyes watered with happiness and relief as a wide smile broke across my face.
"When can I see him? Can I stay with him now?" I needed to know, wanted nothing more than to be with him and make sure he would be okay.
"Not yet, but soon. I promise."
I nodded my head, happy that I at least wouldn't have to wait too long to see him again.
"And as you know, the memorial for Cedric will be tomorrow evening."
I didn't reply, my throat becoming thick and my eyes starting to sting.
"I think, in light of what has happened, it would be a good idea for you to attend."
I nodded once again, but still refused to meet his eyes.
"And you will be heading back to your Aunt and Uncle the following day, so please look after yourself until then Rose."
His piercing blue eyes meet mine and I told him that I would, and I was about to ask him if I'd be able to visit the Weasleys during the summer before Snape interrupted me.
"Yes, we can't be there to look after childish students during the summer Potter so do try and look after yourself if you can."
"I never got the chance to be a child, Sir. So don't worry about that" I answered unwaveringly.
Snape rolled his eyes in disbelief and Dumbledore intervened then, saying "Let us not be at each other's throats when we have such happy news about Sirius, agreed?"
"Alright" I conceded, determined not to let Snape get under my skin.
The entrance door to the hospital creaked open then, and Professor McGonagall appeared, quickly making her way over to us.
Her green robes swishing around her feet, she stopped behind Dumbledore and began wringing her hands.
"I'm happy you're recovered, Rose."
I acknowledged her with a nod of my head before she continued.
"Mr. and Mrs. Diggory would like to speak with you if you're up to it, Rose. They're eager to see you."
I paused for a moment, realizing that I hadn't thought of them at all since that first night when Mr. Diggory had been screaming at Dumbledore for his son. I felt horrible at this, as I knew my own grief was nothing in comparison to what theirs must be. But I wasn't sure I could witness that kind of grief without breaking down completely once again, and I wasn't sure what they wanted from me. Were they angry? Disappointed I hadn't been able to save him? I wasn't sure how much Cedric had told them about our relationship, or how I was supposed to be able to comfort them. I was a coward. Not a Gryffindor lion, but a spineless coward who couldn't even face the parents of her dead boyfriend.
But I knew I had to see them, it wouldn't be right not to and it would be expected of me.
I took a deep breath and instead of replying began to stand. I moved past Snape to stand in front of Professor McGonagall, who inclined her head in approval of my decision. My terror must have been plain though because she wrapped her arm around my back before leading me away.