Team: Kenmare Kestrels
Position: Beater 1
Prompt: The Bloody Baron
Optional Prompts:
9(quote) "Proud people breed sad sorrows for themselves." -Emily Bronte
11 (dialogue) "I'm still here."
Chapter 2
Professor Slughorn ran a careful diagnostic spell over the sleeping girl and shook his head at Thomas in amazement. "It's a wonder she's even alive. Her injuries are quite extensive. I can spell a few potions directly into her system, but it'll be a waiting game afterward. Are you prepared to help her, Thomas?" Professor Slughorn asked as he went about gathering the mentioned potions and preparing himself for the transfer. "You should take her up to the Hospital Wing and let Madame Roselyn look after her once I've done this."
Thomas frowned and laid her out on the couch to allow the Professor to do his work. "Do you think it would be wise, considering Professor Dumbledore's obvious dislike for me? I don't want him to hur- Nevermind."
Professor Slughorn turned to his favorite student with a befuddled expression. "Are you afraid Albus will hurt the poor girl further? Where did you find her?" He started to spell the potions into her stomach.
Thomas sighed and ran a hand through his dark hair. "I found her in one of the caves. I was looking for the lost hippogriff foal. I heard a loud noise, almost like the crack of Apparition. When I got there, I found her." Thomas cast a concerned eye over her, "She was unconscious. I tried to make her comfortable, but when she awoke...she was terrified, Professor. I think she was afraid of me, in particular. Like she thought I had hurt her." He wrapped his arms around his torso, "I don't like to hurt people. I don't like seeing others hurt. After all that I went through at the hands of others, I just want to be safe...to be happy. I don't understand why he's so against letting me have that. I'm not a bad person. At least, I don't think I am," Thomas trailed off and looked back at his Professor. "I'll take her up now."
Professor Slughorn frowned, but nodded, "Go ahead. Let me know if Madame Roselyn needs anything in particular from my potions stores."
Thomas laid the still sleeping girl on the last bed in the Infirmary, right next to the Matron's office. "Madame Roselyn, I have a patient for you. Professor Slughorn has already started the healing process for her, but we'd like to keep her here under observation to make sure she gets fully healed," he said as the mediwitch came out of her office.
"What happened to her?" Madame Roselyn stopped in her tracks. "She's not one of ours?"
Thomas shook his head. "I found her while looking for the lost hippogriff foal. She was terrified and injured. I brought her here. She's a magical. She's got her wand."
Madame Roselyn nodded, "I'll look after her, Mr. Riddle. Go ahead and go to the Great Hall for lunch. No one will mess with her under my watch-"
Thomas finally left the Hospital Wing at the Matron's promise. He didn't stray far, however. He stayed in an alcove and watched the students and professors come and go as the day passed. He had sat down about an hour after he had started his watch and was currently eating an apple and revising an essay for Charms. He looked up sharply when the door opened but no one came through.
He frowned and cast Hominum Revelio. When he saw that the girl he'd rescued was trying to get away from the Infirmary, he stood. "Miss, it really isn't wise to run around the school without know-" He cut off when he felt the tip of a wand press under his ear.
"How did you know?" The demand was punctuated by the wand digging a bit deeper into his flesh.
"H-Hominum Revelio. It really isn't a good idea to run around without a guide. The Castle is sentient and She'll not be happy with an intruder in her halls," Thomas insisted, though he made no move to dislodge the wand or disarm the girl.
"You asked my name before. I won't give it. Not my real name at least."
Thomas swallowed thickly and grimaced. "I won't ask you anymore. What do you want to be called?"
She shimmered into existence and her eyes flashed, "Griselda Ophelia."
Luna had awoken during the trek from the Professor's rooms to the Infirmary but maintained her silence. She used her battle-honed senses to see if she was in any imminent danger. She didn't detect any subterfuge in Thomas's motives to get her help, so she maintained her facade of being unconscious.
Several hours after Thomas left her, she slowly eased her way up to sitting and took stock of her injuries.
She startled when she saw a ghost hovering in front of her.
"You're not from this time," the ghost said, casting a look at the Matron's office.
"How do you know?" Luna responded.
The Bloody Baron snorted and shook his head, rattling his chains, "The ghosts always know, girl."
"What should I do then? I didn't mean to come here. I meant to try to go back only a week and a half. I wanted to save my friends."
"Proud people breed sorrows for themselves," the Slytherin ghost muttered, turning slightly. He started mumbling under his breath and tapping the fingers of one hand in the palm of his other.
"I'm still here," Luna snapped.
The ghost turned back, "I can see that. You should use this to your advantage, little Eagle."
"Little Eagle?"
"You're obviously a Ravenclaw...though I'm not sure you'd still be one if you were to resort."
Luna swallowed and twisted her hands in her sheets. "I think I can use this, but will this result in a split timeline?"
The ghost shrugged. "I don't know. I studied potions, not Arithmancy. You would have better luck with Helena for that."
Luna looked up. "I'll keep that in mind. For now, though…" She shifted around and stood shakily. She walked around the bed and cast the disillusionment charm on herself. "I'm leaving."
The ghost shrugged and floated through the floor.
Luna slowly eased her way across the Infirmary and opened the door. She made her way into the hall, only to stop in rage when she heard, "Miss, it really isn't wise to run around the school without know-"
She cut him off by pressing the tip of her wand under his ear.
"How did you know?" Her demand was sharp and she dug her wand a bit deeper into his flesh.
"H-Hominum Revelio. It really isn't a good idea to run around without a guide. The Castle is sentient and She'll not be happy with an intruder in her halls," Thomas insisted, though he made no move to dislodge the wand or disarm the girl.
"You asked my name before. I won't give it. Not my real name at least."
Thomas swallowed thickly and grimaced. "I won't ask you anymore. What do you want to be called?"
Luna shimmered into existence and her eyes flashed, "Griselda Ophelia."
A/N So, last week I got a bit of horrible news. My uncle passed away due to a combined stroke and heart attack. I am stuck on the US East Coast and missed the wake. He's being cremated, so I won't even have a grave to visit to pay my last respects. This is just a heads-up for my loyal readers that my next few stories/updates will most likely be dark and depressing. Once I can come to terms with this loss, my writing should return to my norm. Thank you for reading.
