A/N: Thank you to my beta, Arpad, who actually did more than beta my story: he actually recommended it! I really appreciate :)
Hope you enjoy!
Chapter 3 – The Attacks
"Yes, Professor Shield, I agree," said Headmaster Flynn. "The attack on Miss Hudon was rather disturbing, and very uncalled for. But, if I'm not mistaken, something else is bothering you."
Headmaster Flynn had stopped by Professor Shield's office that morning. He had wanted to talk to the Professor the day before, right after the attack, but his presence had been urgently requested at the Ministry of Magic. When he had arrived there, he had found out that the request, which had come from an Assistant Deputy Minister, had not been urgent at all and a waste of his precious time when he had such a crisis to deal with. He wondered more than once if his call to the Ministry was a pure coincidence or something else, something more sinister.
"Well, yes, there is," answered the Professor. "Would you care to accompany me for a walk to the lake, Headmaster?"
The Headmaster looked at him with appraising eyes.
"I would love to, Professor," he answered, however.
Professor Shield's request made him uneasy. Never before had one of his teachers thought the walls of St. Leandre were not a safe place to talk. A few minutes later, they were outside on the school grounds making their way to the lake.
"Well, Professor Shield, will you keep me in suspense any longer?" asked Headmaster Flynn when they were halfway to their destination.
"Headmaster," said the Professor very gravely, stopping in his tracks. "The spell Mr Smith used is a very, very rare offensive spell. In fact, it is so rare that Mr Smith should not have known it to begin with."
"What was it?" asked the Headmaster intrigued.
"Sectumsempra," answered the Professor.
"Never heard of it," said the Headmaster.
"I would have been surprised if you had. I learned of it this past summer when I went to visit Madame Maxime at the Académie Beauxbâtons, and I don't even know how she came to know of it herself. It's a spell that was created by Severus Snape when he was a student at Hogwarts. From what I understood, only two people had ever used it: Snape and Harry Potter. And if I may add, this is not common knowledge.
"Headmaster, how did Steve Smith come across that spell?"
"How indeed, Professor," said the Headmaster thoughtfully. "This spell, could Snape have taught it to the Death Eaters?"
"It's possible," answered Professor Shield. "But Snape was a very private person. To the best of our knowledge, the existence of this spell is known to only a select group of people, none of them Death Eaters. And seeing what it did to Miss Hudon..."
"Professor, thank you for bringing this to my attention. I'll send an owl to Headmistress McGonagall at Hogwarts and discuss the matter with her.
"Now, let me ask you this: why couldn't you have told me this in your office?"
"Headmaster, something is not right here. First, there is this boy using a spell he shouldn't have known, then there is you being called away right on cue. But there is something more: I haven't received news from Professor Lormier in over two months. Since he retired, Professor Lormier always kept in touch and sent an owl every week or so. Now, nothing. And I know he would have told me if he was going away.
"I went to his place last week and it was empty as if he hadn't been there for a while.
"Headmaster, this is the third retired Professor who disappeared in the last few years. That cannot be a coincidence," said Professor Shield urgently. "And I'm afraid to trust anybody, including the paintings, with this type of information."
Headmaster Flynn had not yet been aware of Professor Lormier's disappearance but he was well aware of Professor McCormick's, which happened a little over six years ago, and Professor Tremblay's, which happened about three years ago. These two Professors were very close friends of the Headmaster and had been privy to very important and secret knowledge. Their disappearance had been greatly disturbing, to say the least, especially since they were the only Professors who had retired during the last six years.
"Professor, let me investigate this," said the Headmaster calmly, hiding his apprehension. "I have some contacts who may be able to shed some lights into these disappearance. In the meantime, let's remain on our guards for other curious happenings."
Professor Shield gave a grave nod and walked back to the school. Headmaster Flynn made his way to the lake and sat on one of the stone benches which had been installed for the students' convenience.
The enemy was definitely on the move again and the Headmaster wondered what they were after. St. Leandre harboured a lot of secrets, including a rebellious group who actually knew of the dark forces influencing the Quebec wizarding society. The group also knew of two prophecies concerning this dark force, and had quite a few relations with the British Ministry and the Order of the Phoenix. It was obvious to the Headmaster that the enemy was after information concerning one of those.
"Headmaster?"
Startled, Headmaster Flynn looked up and saw Marcus standing next to him.
"May I have a word?"
"Of course, Marcus!" answered the Headmaster. "What can I help you with?"
Marcus had been happily surprised to find the Headmaster out of his office and on the grounds at this early hour. He had desperately wanted to talk to him but hadn't wanted to disturb him.
Marcus sat on the bench next to the Headmaster and looked over the water. Some large fish were jumping in and out of the water, as if hunting for flies.
"Headmaster, what did he use against Genna?" he finally asked. "I – I never heard of that spell before."
"Nor should you have, Mr Tyler. This is not a very well known spell."
Marcus found the Headmaster response a little unsatisfying but after a few moments of silence, he knew the Headmaster wouldn't say more on the subject.
"What – what will happen to Steve?" he asked. "I mean, why did he even attack Genna like this? It doesn't make sense to me. I think I just cannot put my head around an action like this."
"That, Mr Tyler, is because you have a good heart in the right place. Mr Smith is suspended from school for an entire week. He will be in the morning train to Montreal right after breakfast. As for why he did it, no one really knows but I imagine he has a lot of hatred in his heart. I doubt he sees it himself. And I have to admit, I have been asking myself the same question: why?"
"You know, I've known him for most of my life... I mean we grew up on the same street and our fathers work together at the Ministry. I don't understand why and when he went so wrong."
"And that, Mr Tyler, we may never know."
ghghghghghghghgh
Genna was bored, and awfully itchy. It would be lunch soon and Nurse Feelgood had just told her she would have to spend the rest of the day and night in the infirmary.
Genna hated being sick. She hated to feel like an invalid, which was funny since technically she was one. But she had never let that stop her.
She was still fuming when she heard the door opened. She looked up and saw Marcus shyly walking to her.
"Hello," he said in his accented French.
"Hi," she said with a smile.
"How are you? I mean... well... is it healing okay?"
"Yes, it is," she answered. "I heard you saved my life."
"Well, I tried," he answered modestly.
"It seemed to have worked," she added with a chuckle.
"Yeah," he answered with a grin. "I'm sorry about what Steve did to you. He got suspended, did you know?"
"No," answered Genna. "I don't get a lot of social interactions in here!"
"Stop complaining, Miss Hudon," said Nurse Feelgood from her office. "You are lucky to be alive!"
Marcus chuckled at what sounded like an ongoing exchange between the two women.
"And you do have social interactions," added the Nurse, walking out of her office with bandages and potions in her hands. "It seems like half your House has been in here this morning already."
The nurse was right. Every break time since the morning, she had been visited by her Quidditch team – well, what was left of it since she was yet to hold the tryouts – and from most of the students in her year.
As she was thinking that, the door opened and Audrey walked in.
"See what I mean!" said Nurse Feelgood, looking at Audrey with a disapproving frown. "I'm being invaded!"
She put the bandages and potions on the night table next to Genna's bed.
"Now, time to change those bandages," she said, her hands on her hips.
"Oh!" said Marcus, getting to his feet. "I think I'll go. It was nice to see you're okay, Genna."
"Thanks," she answered with a smile.
He walked to the door and exited without looking back.
ghghghghghghghgh
Over two weeks later, Genna held the Quidditch tryouts. She had been very satisfied with the outcome and her new players. With their skills, she had no doubt this would be quite a successful year. She was definitely looking forward to the first game of the year, at the beginning of November, against Water.
Genna was now flying alongside Audrey from the Quidditch pitch up to the school. Audrey, of course, was not on the team. She hated flying and would not get on a broom if she could help it. That was why she was currently walking, bringing Genna's crutches over her shoulder while Genna was hovering alongside her on her broom. Despite her hatred of flying, Audrey supported the team in her own way by attending most of the practices and reporting the flaws she would detect while suggesting some strategies for improvements.
"So, will you finally tell me about Marcus?" asked Audrey.
"What about him?" asked Genna.
"Well, you like him, don't you?"
It had been two weeks since he had saved her life and Genna had to admit to herself, she had been thinking about him quite a few times since then.
"You've been asking me that since he saved me," she responded with a sigh. "Nothing has changed."
"You've been telling me that crap for two weeks now," said Audrey. "We both know you like the guy!"
"Do not!"
"Do!"
"Do not!"
"Do!"
"Okay," finally conceded Genna. "Maybe a little."
Audrey squeaked in delight.
"But it's not going to happen," added Genna firmly.
"And why not? Pray tell!" asked Audrey as if she was offended by her friend's statement. "He is drop dead gorgeous, talented, nice, caring..."
"But also an Englo and from a completely different world than me. And when was the last time a French dated an Englo? Never!"
"So! That hasn't stopped you before!" pointed out Audrey.
And Genna had to admit, Audrey had a point. She had never based her decisions or actions on social norms. Being a witch and handicapped surely took care of that.
ghghghghghghghgh
It was the first time Marcus was paired to duel against Genna and he was nervous, very nervous in fact. He had seen her fight numerous times and he knew he had no chance against her if he used the same tactics he always used. She was just too good for him to begin with an offensive attack, which was what he normally did. No, the only way for him to remain standing at least two minutes was to start on the defensive; his blocks and defensive spells were not bad after all.
They were in the first round of duelling for the night and Marcus really thought this would go quickly. He was thankful that all the other students were busy duelling one another as he wouldn't have to face the humiliation of knowing people had witnessed his quick defeat. At his end of the duelling platform, he bowed to Genna and awaited her first spell.
But nothing came.
They had been looking at each other for a full minute when Genna frowned. It was, after all, her practice to begin duels on the defensive.
After a few more seconds, she finally performed a spell, which Marcus blocked easily. And it was followed by another, and another, and another. The more she threw spells at him, the stronger they got, but Marcus' shields were also strong and Marcus knew he could block them. The only way to win this was to let her get tired.
They had faced one another for more than an hour and were both panting hard when Professor Shield saw them and finally stopped them. Marcus was soaking wet and he knew Genna was not faring any better. He was also incredibly surprised to find out his shields and defensive spells were strong enough to withstand her attacks, which were, as the word went around the school, the strongest ones the school had seen in generations.
Panting hard, bent with his hands on his knees, Marcus raised his head to look at Genna. He frowned when he saw how pale she was.
"Genna," he whispered and tried to take a step towards her.
But the room spun and on his way to the floor, he saw Genna fall. His last thoughts were of her as darkness claimed him.
ghghghghghghghgh
"And what, pray tell, were you thinking, Professor Shield?"
Nurse Feelgood's shrieks woke Marcus. He wondered where he was for a moment until he felt the soft mattress under him. The infirmary.
"How long were they at it?" she asked, lowering her voice but still sounding as angry.
"I do not know, Madam Feelgood," answered Professor Shield nervoulsy. "I do have over sixty students in this club, all of them of age. They should know their own limits by now."
"Well, you shouldn't assume, Professor!" she said severely, effectively dismissing him. "Oh! Mr Tyler, you're awake," she said, noticing him. "Good! How do you feel?"
"Like I haven't slept in two weeks," he answered. "Wh... what happened?"
"You drained yourself, Mr Tyler," answered the nurse.
"I what?" said Marcus not sure he understood.
He had never heard of students draining themselves before.
"You drained yourself," answered the Nurse. "You are not yet trained to use such an amount of intensive magic for that long."
"Oh," said Marcus. "Genna?" he asked, suddenly remembering the last thing he saw before collapsing.
Nurse Feelgood pointed to the bed across the alley with her chin. Genna was lying on it, as white as the sheets, still unconscious.
"Genna," he called again, trying to get up.
"Not to worry, Mr Tyler," said the nurse, pushing him back to his pillows. "Miss Hudon will be just fine. She will wake up shortly. Now, you stay put. I'll be keeping you for the night. And no magic for you until Saturday," she added, pointing her finger at him.
"But..." began to protest Marcus.
"No 'buts' Mr Tyler! You will do what you are told!" said Nurse Feelgood firmly.
Nurse Feelgood returned to her office and once Marcus was sure she wasn't coming back, he got out of his bed and walked to Genna's. She was so pale, it broke Marcus's heart. Gently, he brought his hand to her forehead and pushed her hair away from her gorgeous face. At his touch, her eyes fluttered and they opened slowly.
"Hi," she whispered with a small smile. "You look like you've spent the night on a hanger."
"Hi," he said, smiling also. "How do you feel?"
"I've been better," she answered, closing her eyes. "What happened?" she asked, opening her eyes again.
"We... we drained ourselves," he answered. "Nurse Feelgood said we were not yet trained to use magic that long and that intensively."
"Did you know? I mean, what do people do when they fight? They pass out?"
Marcus chuckled.
"I don't think they fight as long and as intensively as we did."
"I guess we're going to have to be careful next time," she said, closing her eyes again.
Suddenly dizzy, Marcus closed his eyes. He opened them again once the spell had passed.
"I think I'll go back to bed before I collapse again," he said.
"Okay," said Genna with a sigh.
Marcus took one last look at her before making his way to his bed.
ghghghghghghghgh
Genna was happy. It was a sunny and abnormally warm day for this late in October. To top it off, it was a Leandry Saturday. Walking alongside a chatting Audrey, Genna made her way to the village, enjoying every moments in the sun. During the last Charm class, Marcus had sat at the desk next to hers and she had enjoyed looking at him for most of the period. He was so handsome, and he was so talented at healing.
"You are not listening to me!" exclaimed Audrey next to her. "I just told you that I just saw a pig fly and it was green with pink polka dots."
"You did?" asked Genna, wincing.
"Yes. So out with it! What were you thinking about?"
"Marcus."
"And why, pray tell, did I ask?" said Audrey, shaking her head. "It is not like I didn't know the answer, really," she added, sarcastically.
Genna just grinned. Again, the previous night, they had talked about Marcus and Genna had to admit, he was more and more often on her mind.
"Speak of the devil," said Audrey as they walked by one of the small restaurants.
Genna looked through the window and saw him, sitting by himself. He was looking towards the door, as if he was expecting someone. A few moments later, he stood up, took a girl in his arms and kissed her on the head. Genna recognised the girl as one from the Air House. She wondered why she had never really seen her with Marcus before.
"He doesn't like her," quickly said Audrey.
But Genna saw him kiss the girl's head again and had to face it, he was holding her for a lot longer than if they were just casual friends. Genna, losing her smile, felt like her heart had been thrown to the ground and broken in quite a few pieces.
"I hate her!" said Audrey, as she pulled on Genna's arm to walk away.
Genna, however, no longer felt like staying in town.
"Audrey, if you don't mind, I'd like to go back to school," she told her best friend.
She was making every efforts not to break down and cry.
"Of course you would," said Audrey with a sigh. "Come on. Let's go talk about our sorrows."
Grateful, Genna followed her friend back to school.
ghghghghghghghgh
The corridor was deserted. Genna was slowly climbing the stairs to the Library to do some homework during her free period. Doing homework had become increasingly hard lately. On top of having Quidditch practices almost every night in preparation of the first game against Water, she was continuously distracted by her growing feelings towards Marcus. They had paired up in Charms a few times and Genna suspected Audrey and Mathiew had teamed together on purpose to push the two of them together. She smiled when she thought of her friends' antics and how much she had enjoyed the morning Charm class with Marcus.
And she had even more reasons to enjoy his presence now.
A few days after the disastrous Leandry Saturday, Audrey had come to her with quite the news. The girl, in Leandry, was Lea Standford, a fifth year Air student who had grown up with Marcus. The good news was that she was not dating Marcus; she was dating a seventh year from Water and, when Genna had seen them in Leandry, Marcus was only comforting her because she had just had a fight with her boyfriend.
Just thinking about how happy she had been at the news, Genna smiled again. Things were looking rather promising from where she stood.
"Well, well, well! What do we have here?" snared a man's voice Genna recognised only too well.
Genna, who was a few stairs away from the top, looked up and saw Steve. He was standing on the landing, effectively blocking her way. Genna cursed herself; she had been so lost in her thoughts that she hadn't heard him.
"What do you want?" she asked coldly.
"I just want... this!" he said, suddenly pushing her with all his strength, full on the chest.
Genna, who was holding both her crutches, had not time to grab the railing or her wand. She fell backwards, down the lengthy stairs, lending with a loud crack on the bottom floor. She heard Steve run away and other steps coming towards her moments before pain shot through her right arm and leg, and her jaw. She tried to scream for help but couldn't, as her jaw wouldn't open the right way. The pain brought tears to her eyes.
"Genna!" yelled another voice she also recognized.
Marcus appeared in her field of vision and she looked at him gratefully.
"Honey, don't move," he said urgently.
He fished in his pocket and retrieved a very large diamond which she recognised as a focus stone. He held it to Genna's chest while reaching for his wand.
"Genna, I will not try to fix your bones right now," he explained softly. "I'll try to cast the pain away until the nurse gets here."
He began casting his spell before she responded. Through the diamond resting on her chest, Genna felt a comfortable warmth suffuse through her body, a warmth that was pushing the pain away. A few moments later, her vision clouded and oblivion claimed her.
ghghghghghghghgh
'Oh! Oh!' thought Marcus. 'This is not good!'
As he thought that, he noticed blood starting to pool underneath Genna's head. Fighting his urge to panic as hard as he could, he looked up at the paintings who were observing his actions.
"You!" he ordered, pointing to one character. "Go get Nurse Feelgood. And you, go get the Headmaster! Quickly!"
He turned back to Genna and began a diagnostic spell. Quickly, he identified a concussion and a cracked skull, in addition to quite a few broken bones. A few moments later, which felt like an eternity to Marcus, Nurse Feelgood came running. Marcus was telling her what he had diagnosed when the Headmaster arrived.
"We need to transfer her to St. Francis, Headmaster, now!" said the Nurse urgently.
The Headmaster took his wand, closed his eyes and concentrated, murmuring words under his breath. He suddenly opened his eyes.
"Maria, the wards are lifted. You can Apparate now."
"Mr Tyler, you may let go now," she said gently.
Marcus removed his diamond and took a step back. The Nurse, taking one of Genna's hands in hers, made a twisting motion and Disapparated. Marcus looked at Genna's blood on the floor then at the Headmaster.
"Who?" he simply asked in anguish. "Why?"
The Headmaster looked at the paintings on the wall.
"Speak!" he commanded severely.
"It was the English kid from Water," said one character.
"Steve, his name is, I think," said another one.
"He saw she was coming and lay in wait on the landing," said a third.
"She asked him what he wanted..." began the first one.
"And he just pushed her!" wailed a fourth one, a plump woman.
"With no provocations," said the second one, shaking his head in disapproval.
In the silence that followed, only the wailing of the plump woman could be heard.
"Martin The Fisherman!" roared the Headmaster, calling the Water House ghost.
A few seconds later, the ghost came sliding through the wall.
"Yes, Headmaster," he said snobbishly. "You called?"
"Find me Steve Smith, now!" he ordered.
The ghost disappeared through the wall and reappeared a very short time later.
"He's in the Library, Headmaster," said the ghost.
"Go fetch Professor Carlisle and bring her to my office," the Headmaster ordered the ghost. "And you, Mr Tyler, may return to your studies."
"But..."
"I will make sure you are updated on any news we receive concerning Miss Hudon's condition."
Without waiting for an answer, and barely controlling his rage, the Headmaster, who had not yet reset the wards, Apparated into the Library. The pop made every student look up and more than a few backed away when they saw the expression on his face. The Headmaster located Steve at the back of the Library, chatting and laughing with his friends.
"Mr Smith," he said coldly. "In my office. Now!"
A smirking Steve looked up at the Headmaster. While seeing the Headmaster's expression made him visibly paled, he did not lose his smirk.
'The nerve!' thought the Headmaster.
Steve took his books, slowly put them in his bag, and preceded the Headmaster out of the library with a nonchalant spring to his steps. A few minutes later, they arrived at the Headmaster's office where Professor Carlisle was waiting for them. She frowned when she saw Steve.
"Headmaster?" she simply asked.
"Professor Carlisle, thank you for joining us," said the Headmaster cordially. "Would you be so kind as to send an owl to Mr Smith's parents informing them Mr Smith has been expelled from school and should be expected by the train this evening?"
Professor Carlisle gave a firm nod and exited the office.
"Expelled?!" exclaimed Steve, losing his smirk.
"Yes, Mr Smith, expelled," answered the Headmaster, taking a seat behind his desk.
The Headmaster did not conjure a seat for Steve. Steve was no longer welcomed at St. Leandre therefore did not deserve to sit in his presence.
"You can't expel me!" protested Steve.
"Mr Smith, in my entire very long career as Headmaster of this school, no children has ever ended up at St. Francis as a result of gratuitous violence," he said coldly. "And I have expelled students for far less than what you did today."
"I didn't do anything," protested Steve.
"Not only are you a bully, Mr Smith, you are also a liar," said the Headmaster lightly. "The paintings all pointed to you, Mr Smith."
"They just don't like me," he said. "They're the ones lying."
His words were met with a chorus of protests from the paintings on the Headmaster's walls.
"Well, Mr Smith, are you willing to tell me what happened under Veritaserum?" asked the Headmaster.
Steve looked at the Headmaster with horror on his face.
"I didn't think so," added the Headmaster after a few moments of silence.
"You cannot expel me! My parents will kill me!"
"You should have thought about that before you pushed Miss Hudon down the stairs," replied the Headmaster with no sympathy.
"They'll fight you!"
"They can try," said the Headmaster with a chuckled. "But when the School Governing Board hears the accomplishments of your bullying career, I doubt they will rule in your favour."
"I..."
"Mr Smith," interrupted the Headmaster with a raised hand. "I'm tired of hearing you speak so would you please be quiet?"
A few minutes later, Professor Carlisle reappeared and the Headmaster sent Steve packing under her supervision.
"And Mr Smith, be aware I just put a temporary bind on your magic," informed the Headmaster with a wave of his wand. "You won't be able to perform magic until you arrive home tonight. That way, we eliminate the temptation you may have in performing some more mischief before you leave."
Once the door closed behind Professor Carlisle and Steve, the Headmaster rubbed his forehead with his hands, as if to get rid of a nasty headache. With a sigh, he stood up and walked out of his office to go and look for Professor Shield, Genna's Head of House. He hated to interrupt his teachers during their classes but today, things could not be helped; somebody had to be sent to Mr Hudon to inform him of his daughter's condition.
He walked into the classroom without waiting for an answer to his knock.
"Good afternoon, class," he said with a warm smile at the fourth-years in front of him. "Would you please pack your bags and enjoy the sun for the rest of the period? Professor Shield is needed on an urgent business."
The students, happy to be dismissed so early, did as they were told while Professor Shield looked at the Headmaster with a frown.
"What happened?" he asked as soon as the door closed behind the last student and the Headmaster cast a silencing charm on it.
"Genna Hudon has been attacked and is at St. Francis right now," answered the Headmaster with a tired sigh. "I need you to go to Hidden Alley, inform Mr Hudon and go to the hospital with him. I'll join you there as soon as I can."
"How did it happen? What do I tell him?"
"I know you want to know, Daniel, but I cannot tell you right now," he answered, putting his hand on the younger teacher's shoulder. "I have some more investigating to do before I can explain."
Professor Shield nodded and made to leave the room.
"Daniel, you can Apparate," said the Headmaster. "I've lowered the wards. As soon as you're gone, I'll put them back on."
Professor Shield turned on the spot and Disapparated. Headmaster Flynn sighed and walked out of the classroom, waving his wand to reset the wards.
ghghghghghghghgh
When Genna woke up, she was in so much pain she thought she would vomit. Slowly, she opened her eyes, fighting the nausea.
"Dad?" she asked, surprised to see her father sitting on a chair next to her bed. "Where am I?"
"St. Francis, my love. Do you remember what happened?"
Memories flooded Genna's mind. She did remember.
"Where is Marcus?" she asked.
"He's at school, Miss Hudon," answered Professor Shield.
She looked at her father, begging him with her eyes to see Marcus. And luckily for her, her father, who was aware of the growing fondness of her daughter for the youth by her numerous letters, turned to Professor Shield.
"I think it would be wise to ask him to come by," he said.
"I'll see what I can do," said Professor Shield, leaving the room.
Grateful, Genna looked at her father in relief.
"Dad, did they tell you what happened?"
"Yes," he answered with a reassuring smile. "The Headmaster came and told us," he added, caressing her forehead.
"How long have I been unconscious?"
"A little over a day," answered her father. "You hit your head pretty hard. They told me Mr Tyler came to your rescue, again."
"I don't know, Dad," she said. "But he's the last person I saw before I passed out. Dad, what happened to Steve Smith? Did they tell you?"
Genna had not been afraid of the bully before but now, she was. It was the first time she knew someone really wanted to hurt her, if not kill her, and it frightened her. She felt so helpless, so defenceless.
"Hey, my love, don't cry," said her father.
Genna hadn't even realised tears were running from her eyes.
"He was expelled, my love. He's no longer at school."
"Why did he do this to me? I never did anything to him."
"I know you didn't," said her father soothingly. "But some people do not need a reason to hate or hurt others. From what I understand, this is what happened here. He just hated who you are and was offended by your differences. But Genna, remember: for one person who wants to hurt you, hundreds of others want to help and love you."
"I know, Dad. Mum used to say that."
"Yes, she did, and she knew what she was taking about. Being a Squib, she was different too, you know, and some people wanted to hurt her too. They considered her a disgrace to the wizarding community. But I just wanted to love her and protect her, so did your uncles and aunts, as a matter of fact."
"I miss her, Dad."
"I miss her too," he said with a sad smile. "But we're strong because she survives in our heart. And I think..."
The door suddenly opened and Marcus walked in.
"Genna," he whispered and walked to her bed. "I was so scared. Are you okay?"
Genna saw her father discreetly leave the room.
"Marcus," she said. "I think I'm better but something is wrong with my head. It doesn't feel right. I feel like a pressure that gives me a headache."
Marcus took his wand out and began a diagnostic on Genna. Something was effectively wrong. He could perceive some type of bone fragment in her head.
"I'll be right back," he said and walked out of the room.
A few moments later, he was back with a Healer, Genna's father, and Professor Shield. The Healer examined her head and nodded to Marcus.
"Genna, I'll make you sleep again, okay?" he said with a reassuring smile. "All should be fine when you wake up."
"Will you be here?" she asked.
"Yes, I will be," he answered, taking out his wand and casting a spell.
That was the last thing she heard before she felt asleep.