We finally get to hear from Elanora this chapter
Winky and Riley were in the middle of enjoying their meal when Riley spoke up.
"I need you to apparate me to the hospital wing, Winky."
Winky looked over at Riley, mouth in a tight line.
Riley sighed "They've asked you to keep me away haven't they?"
"Yes friend Riley, friend headmistress also said not to leave your side."
"I need to be there for her Winky, she-" Riley couldn't finish her sentence. Winky was her confidant, whenever she needed to vent or cry Winky was the only one who she could be open with.
Winky held out her hand, Riley stood and took it. Riley knew Winky couldn't resist helping an upset Riley. She would repay her for her deception another day, for now she had to see Elanora.
They twisted on the spot and with a light pop they were standing in the dimly lit hospital wing. Nora was 7 beds away sleeping what seemed like peacefully.
Riley approached her bedside and sat down admiring her sleeping beauty.
Winky was looking around, confused.
"Friend Riley.."
Before Winky could explain the faraway noise Madame Pomfrey stormed into the hospital wing, wand drawn.
"Who are you? Identify yourself now." Commanded Madame Pomfrey.
There was a sigh that came from behind Riley.
"It is alright Poppy, it's just Riley and Winky. I didn't think to tell them of the intruder alarm." Minerva said looking pointedly at Riley.
"I'm sorry, I had to see that she was okay." Riley defended
"Miss Killick is well taken care of, I suggest you go and take care of yourself. You will do her no good if you're falling asleep at her bedside when she wakes." Minerva said.
"Here." Madame Pomfrey handed Riley some sort of potion.
"It will help you get to sleep and keep the nightmares at bay." Madame Pomfrey gave a small smile before tending to Nora.
"Winky, if you could please take Miss Alton to her common room." McGonagall said nodding to the house elf.
"Yes friend headmistresses, right away."
"Surely I could just sleep here, Professor?" Riley butted in.
Madame Pomfrey looked over to Minerva.
"If she drinks the solution she'll be out in minutes Minerva, at least this way we can keep an eye on her." Madame Pomfrey gave Minerva a small smile.
"Very well, down the solution and hop into bed." Minerva ordered.
Riley downed the solution, looked over at Winky and gave her the most over the top wink you could imagine and fell into bed.
Riley felt someone prod her in the back, she was still partially asleep so she decided to ignore it.
"Trust me, she will be out for a couple more hours at least" the woman's voice sounded like she was laughing while she said this.
"You seem awfully chirper for someone that got hexed quite severely just last night." McGonagall stated.
"What happened after? I vaguely remember her screaming my name but after that there's nothing."
"Miss Killick, I think it more important right now to find out who attacked you."
Silence followed.
Nora. She was awake!
The reply came out slowly.
"No.. I need to know what happened after before I reveal what happened before." Elanora said quietly.
"She was screaming for help. We heard her in our heads." Teddy was here too. How long had she been asleep?
"She had run into the library looking for me, told me I needed to get professor Slughorn right away and to find you both, I ran into Teddy along the way. We heard her scream and knew exactly where to go, it was strange. When we got to you both.." Max faulted
"Max, it's okay I need to know." Elanora soothed.
"She couldn't remember anything, not talking to me, not about the boys and the threats. Not even what had happened when she went into the bathroom. She said she just sort of came too and you were lying on the ground." Max shuddered.
"That makes sense." Sighed Elanora.
It does? How? Riley was trying to rack her brains for something she might have missed for it to make sense. She came up empty.
"How so." Asked McGonagall.
"It wasn't Riley. I know that. But she won't." Elanora said defeated.