Hello! Chapter 2 is here. Enjoy!
Albus Dumbledore walked the halls of Hogwarts with Professor McGonagall and Severus Snape, taking note of which staff members had arrived early to prepare for the school year.
"Let us visit Madame Pomfrey…I believe I do owe her a few galleons to order supplies" said Albus as he directed his staff to turn the hallway and head into the hospital wing. The door of the hospital wing was open wide and the head nurse, Madame Pomfrey, could be seen carrying sheets to each bed.
The three of them stepped into the threshold. The hospital was light and airy - its large windows letting in the last days of summer sunshine. It was peaceful and quiet without the hustle and bustle of students in the halls; the silence appreciated by the Potions teachers.
"Ah, Madame Pomfrey, how are we today?" Albus called out the to the busy nurse.
The older nurse looked up from her sheet sorting and approached the three of them.
"Albus, Minerva, Severus – how good to see you well. I trust your summers were well?" she said in a cheery but rushed tone.
"Just fine" replied Minerva who then turned to look at Albus, who was taking a survey of the room.
"Madame Pomfrey…. I should like to know if the hospital needs any additional supplies, if I remember correctly…. you seemed to be out of a few potions and bandages" Albus said.
"Not to worry, Albus. She's fetched them for me…however, that silly girl is late today. Probably bringing her whole wardrobe" Madame Pomfrey replied, rolling her eyes and chuckling.
Severus Snape and McGonagall raised their eyebrows in confusion as to whom Madame Pomfrey was referring to.
"Your new nurse, Madame?" Albus asked.
Madame Pomfrey nodded and then something past him caught her eye.
"Ah! There she is…." she sighed in relief at the woman approaching them.
The group turned to look at Isabelle Gardinier, another nurse, walking into the hospital wing. Her green cloak trailed the floor and her long dark hair appeared disheveled from the trip to the school. Her riding hat sat lopsided - appearing as if she had been running. Isabelle approached carrying a few bags. She made her way to Madame Pomfrey and handed them to her.
"The supplies, Madame" she said quietly and out of breath.
Isabelle turned around and gave a little bow of her head to the others in the room.
"Headmaster. Professors…" she said in the same tone.
"Where were you, dear girl? What took so long?" Madame Pomfrey spoke up, much to the annoyance of Isabelle who could not wait to get to her chambers.
"I was trying Madame, I swear it. There was….a delay" Isabelle replied anxiously.
"What delay?" the older nurse asked curiously.
Suddenly, loud footsteps approached the group and the booming voice of Gilderoy Lockhart shot out. They all turned to look at the blonde haired man that stood before them.
"Ah! There you are Ms. Isabelle! Your certainly one for hiding games, aren't you?" he said cheerfully as he strolled up to the young lady.
Isabelle tuned to look at Madame Pomfrey with pleading eyes, obviously wishing for a distraction of some sort. The older nurse paid no attention however – her own eyes shining bright with admiration at the man. The only people who seemed to not want to be anywhere near him were Severus and Isabelle.
Isabelle saw the potion master's deep disgust with seeing Lockhart. She looked at him and he quickly glanced back in acknowledgment of her dissatisfaction of being followed by Lockhart into the hospital wing.
Before it was too late Lockhart swung his arm around her shoulders and pulled her into his side.
"You see, I had the pleasure of riding the train with Ms. Isabelle here. Isn't she delightful? She was so shy of being with me – no doubt after getting my autograph for the first time – that she decided to keep switching cars every time I caught up with her. Oh, you must love having such a young and vivacious lady at Hogwarts, headmaster" said Gilderoy Lockhart as Isabelle was unwillingly held by him, obviously uncomfortable.
The three of them looked on as Isabelle made a face that screamed "Get me out of here"
"On the contrary, Mr. Lockhart, I was trying to get away….." Isabelle started but not before being interrupted by the older nurse.
"Oh, Mr. Lockhart! Won't you please grace us nurses by visiting the hospital more often?" said Madame Pomfrey in an excited manner.
Gilderoy quickly let go of the young nurse and turned to talk to the older one. Isabelle quickly made her way to the other side of the headmaster, standing with the other two professors.
The headmaster turned to Isabelle while the new Defense of Dark Arts Professor was preoccupied.
"Ms. Gardinier, it seems like you are in for quiet a year at Hogwarts…." he told her in a light and joking manner. The headmaster was, however, surprised by the look on Isabelle Gardinier's face as she listened to him.
Isabelle's mouth was upturned into a sly smile but her eyes were dark with obvious anger at the new professors arrival. They almost matched the hatred behind his potion master's eyes as he continued to watch the dandy with disgust.
"Let us hope then, that this year goes by fast" she said in a sarcastic tone, which caught the attention of the two professors next to her.
The headmaster put his hand on the small of her back and led her away from the hospital.
"I know Professor Lockhart can be overwhelming to some, but we should all try to welcome him to Hogwarts" Albus said in a hushed and calm tone.
Isabelle Gardinier narrowed her eyes as she looked back at the man in disgust.
"That man…. is…insufferable. If he follows me like a lost puppy…. I swear…" she was at lost for words after he waved to her from the wing and through the glass door. Isabelle shot him a displeased look to no avail. He just kept smiling and waiving.
"Now now, my dear. It isn't his fault…. he's only doing what any man would naturally do when they see a young pretty lass as yourself" Albus tried to explain to his young nurse.
"Well I want nothing of it" she rapidly replied. Isabelle glanced at the headmaster's surprised reaction to her aggravation.
"Forgive me, headmaster. It's been a tiring journey. I will take my leave of you, with your permission" she said, waiting patiently.
"Very well, Ms. Gardinier. Very well..." Albus replied, giving her a smile.
Isabelle bowed and quickly left the hospital before Lockhart could catch up to her.
Severus and Minerva joined the headmaster in the hallway and observed the young nurse go down the hallway.
"Albus, what is it?" said Minerva as she noticed Albus Dumbledore's expression become deeply curious.
"Ms. Gardinier is a curious being…she has potential to do many great things. Nevertheless, great things are not always good things" the headmaster confided in his colleagues.
"What are you implying, headmaster?" Severus spoke up, curious as to what the man was going on about.
Albus swiftly rid the curiosity off his expression and turned to look at the professors.
"Nothing… I'm sure it's nothing"
Hope you enjoyed this chapter!