Disclaimer: The only things I own are any characters that aren't recognizable from the Harry Potter franchise. All else belongs to JK Rowling.
Dark Magic
Nicole's POV
When I woke, the first thing I was aware of was the severe ache in my muscles. I suppressed a groan as I relaxed on the soft surface, eyes closed. There were voices around me, whispering softly, and so I did my best to pretend as if I was sleeping until I could figure out where I was. I carefully thought back, trying to remember what happened. Dinner. I was at dinner with the professors. Then Quirrell. We shook hands. I fell and was in pain. I winced at this, unable to suppress the shudder at the memory of the pain that had ripped through my system.
"She's awake!" I heard an excited whisper interrupt a conversation. The voice was female, and I found myself curious as to who was currently around me. Slowly, I opened my eyes, blinking through the bright light, trying to make out the figures before me. Three blurry figures hung directly in front of me in my field of vision, on either side of the bed I was lying in. A fourth stood back a ways, silently watching.
"Nicole," one figure said, jerking my attention back to the figure in question. I blinked, focusing in on the figure to realize it was Severus standing above me, with Dumbledore stood next to him. To my left was a woman that I had seen at dinner, the matron. Her name was… Madame Pomphrey, if I remembered correct, and she was in charge of the Hospital Wing. "How are you?" Severus asked, bringing my attention back to him. He looked mildly worried and angered, and he wasn't trying to hide it.
"I'm alright," I told him, trying to sit up. It was more effort than I thought, considering my abdominal muscles were shot. Severus stepped forward after watching me struggle and put a hand on my back, guiding me into a seated position. "Thanks," I muttered. "I'm a little sore and my muscles ache, but am otherwise alright. We're in the Hospital Wing," I stated, more than questioned at the end, looking to Severus for confirmation. He simply nodded.
"Just an ache, you say?" Madame Pomphrey piped up from my other side, drawing my attention to the older woman in her forties or fifties. "I find that hard to believe. You tore and pulled quite a few muscles while thrashing," she explained, narrowing her eyes at me. I gave her a small smile, realizing that her narrowed eyes weren't out of anger, but in a stern yet caring manner. It was, what I imagined, a motherly gesture would be, her way of warning me to fess up.
"Truthfully, it is just an ache," I told her, stretching my arms. "I have a high pain tolerance," I told her, causing Severus' eyes to narrow.
"Nicole, we were wondering if you could shed anymore light on the situation," Dumbledore explained. "What do you remember?"
"Not much," I told him, frowning as I glanced away, considering it. My eyes fell on the fourth figure that I hadn't bothered to take note of. Quirrell stood at the end of my bed, quite a few feet away. I felt my eyes narrowed and my lips curl into a snarl. "What is he doing here?" I hissed, curling my hands into fists. Dumbledore remained calm while Severus put a hand on my shoulder, keeping me in place.
"Nicole, calm yourself. Tell us what happened," he told me in a somewhat reassuring tone. Eyes still narrowed distrustfully at Quirrell, I relaxed and rested my back against the headboard of the bed.
"I remember him tapping me on the shoulder. We exchanged greetings and then shook hands. While doing so, I began to slowly start feeling an enormous amount of pain. I fell to the floor, convulsing, and then I blacked out," I told them, watching as Quirrell frowned.
"Yes- I was afraid you'd say that," Dumbledore commented with a sigh. "Sadly, we know no more than you do. We've questioned Professor Quirrell-"
"-thoroughly," Severus interrupted, narrowing his eyes at Quirrell. They made eye contact briefly only for Quirrell to look away in fear.
"Yes. He had nothing to do with the occurrence. We're not certain what sort of hex was placed upon you, though we think it may have been a hex with a delayed reaction. Perhaps placed on you while you were at Diagon Alley." I frowned at this, taking in what Dumbledore was saying.
"Why would anyone want to hex me? Is there anyway to track it?" I asked, glancing around at the three adults while purposely ignoring Quirrell.
"I'm afraid not. Whatever hex was used seemed to be fast burning. The residual magical signature was gone by the time we brought you here to check up on you," Severus replied, causing me to frown. So not only did someone want to attack me, but they managed to do so and get away with it! It angered me, and I knew I wouldn't rest until I figured out exactly who wanted to hurt me.
"But why would anyone want to hex me? I've no enemies as far as I'm aware of. I'm new to this world," I told them before pausing. "Unless my parents had enemies. In that case, this hardly is a one time thing, is it?" I asked, suddenly becoming slightly worried. I was only eleven, in a new world full of magic, all the while not being trained in my own. How could I hope to defend myself if there was potentially someone out there with a grudge against me?
"We can't think of any such person," Dumbledore broached, glancing at Severus. I frowned at that, realizing that they both knew something. "But you are correct in that this could happen again. As such, you'll be safe at Hogwarts, though I ask that you remain in the company of a professor or tell a professor where you're going at all times." I nodded in response, understanding the reasoning. A cough interrupted the silence then, causing us to look up at Quirrell.
"Well, I'm s-s-sorry that our first m-m-meeting turned sour, Miss R-Riddle. I hope y-you're alright," he told me, his stutter once again in full effect. I gave him a nod in return, acknowledging his words. He smiled at me, though it seemed… off. "I'll t-take my l-l-leave now," he told us, bowing his head to Professor Dumbledore before exiting the Hospital Wing. As soon as he was gone, Severus walked to the door, looking out into the hallway. He quickly closed the doors before flicking his wand.
"I thought he'd never leave," Severus commented as he turned around, walking the short distance back to my bed.
"Indeed. I don't think he'll suspect us," Dumbledore replied, turning back to me. I blinked, confusion starting to settle in as I listened to the conversation.
"I'm sorry- what? Obviously I'm missing something." Dumbledore smiled in response, shaking his head slightly and glancing to Severus.
"After you… fainted, Severus took it upon himself to bring you up here, with myself, Professor Quirrell, and Madame Pomphrey following. Severus then confronted Professor Quirrell himself using Legilimency, only to discover that Professor Quirrell had nothing to do with your predicament. I myself tried and found nothing," Dumbledore explained, causing me to frown. Wasn't that pretty much what they just said? "However, Professor Quirrell has been acting quite different since his trip to Albania, and his return to Hogwarts. We recently decided to give him the Defense Against the Dark Arts job, though we are suspicious of his behavior. I have no doubt that he is somehow involved in the attack on you."
"Which is why you were pretending he was completely in the clear. You have no proof and nothing to hold him with," I finished, nodding my head. "But is this a one time thing? Do you think I'll be in danger?"
"No," Severus quickly replied, shaking his head. "He'd be a fool to do something again. He knows Professor Dumbledore suspects him, and he knows not to risk angering me any further by pulling a similar stunt." I smiled slightly at that, wishing I had been awake to see what Severus had done to Quirrell. After all, he had beaten the piss out of my father, so I could assume his anger was manifested in a similar manner with Quirrell.
"Wish I had've seen that. You don't think it'll be a problem, though?"
"No. If it is indeed him, or if he is involved, he's risked quite a lot by pulling that stunt once. He won't do it again," Dumbledore confirmed, setting me at ease. "I do advise that you steer clear of him. Any questions about defense can and should be put to Severus, rather than Quirrell. And that includes during the school year."
"Of course," I told them, giving a small chuckle. "I don't have a death wish, or anything."
"I think a more important question," spoke Madame Pomphrey, startling me. I had forgotten she was even here, "is what was used on her? That wasn't a curse or hex I was familiar with."
"No, it wasn't," Dumbledore commented, looking down and thinking deeply. I sat back, watching them think, unable to help considering how my knowledge of magic was zilch at the moment.
"It was very similar to the cruciatus curse, though I didn't see any wand movement or incantation," Severus commented.
"No. Perhaps it is delayed. He could have done it earlier," I suggested, causing them to look at me. "He was down the table from me, at the end. He could've done it without anyone realizing. Anyway, what was that curse you mentioned?"
"It's a possibility," Dumbledore mumbled before looking grave. "The Cruciatus Curse was the one Severus mentioned. It's a horrible curse, one of the three first class illegal curses. It causes the victim to suffer unbearable pain for the duration of the curse." I felt my eyes widen as I listened, realizing that it did indeed sound a lot like what was used on me.
"It's called an Unforgivable. For, using an unforgivable, truly is such," Severus added.
"So, you're telling me, that he probably used a modified Cruciatus Curse?" I asked, watching as they gave me grave looks. "Seriously?"
"We are very serious," Dumbledore replied, bowing his head. "For now, let us put it from our minds. We shall remain careful and vigilant of Professor Quirrell's doings until we have found proof of wrongdoing. Nicole, Severus, I shall retire to my quarters now. Good evening to you both, and you as well Madame Pomphrey." With that, Dumbledore left the three of us alone.
"How is her condition? Will she need to stay overnight?" Severus asked Madame Pomphrey after Dumbledore left, glancing at me with concern every so often.
"She will be fine, Severus, as I've told you already," Madame Pomphrey quipped back as she moved to a cabinet, removing a few potions. "She will not need to stay overnight, though I do have a few potions for her to take."
"Don't worry about the potions, Poppy. Just tell me what she needs. I have plenty of potions in my stores that I can provide her with," Severus replied, interrupting her. Poppy nodded and turned around, appraising me.
"Well, first thing I'd do is apply healing paste for her bruises. Then I would give her some Nerve-Repair every six hours to mend the damage done to her nerves and muscles. Have a few calming draughts on hand in case she experiences any residual effects of the curse. Considering it's similar to the Cruciatus, it's possible," she added the last part in with a mutter. "Finally, right before bed, give her both dreamless sleep and muscle relaxant. That should keep her from potentially moving the wrong way in her sleep. Muscle Relaxant also might be another potion to have on hand should she experience any residual."
"Excellent. All of those are in my stores," Severus cut in smoothly. "If I may take her now, it's been a stressful day, and I'm sure Nicole wishes to rest."
"Of course. Feel better, Nicole. It was wonderful seeing you again, though I hope the next time I see you is under better circumstances," she told me, smiling warmly. I found that I would really come to like most, if not all, of these wonderful staff members.
"Thanks, Madame Pomphrey," I told her as I shakily got to my feet. I wobbled a bit, finding it hard to stand, and Severus immediately appeared at my side.
"Perhaps we could use your floo, Poppy?" Severus suggested as he helped support my weight. She nodded and took us over to the fireplace.
"So I guess I'll get to try out the Floo Network, then?"
"Yes, but we'll do it together this time, seeing as you're injured," he told me, before reaching into a bag and pulling out a dark power substance. With that we stepped into the fireplace. "Severus Snape's Private Quarters, Hogwarts," he called out as he dropped the powder into the fireplace. I shut my eyes as bright green flames shot up, licking at our skin and clothes. They didn't burn, and soon I found us spinning wildly, causing me to squeeze my eyes shut. When the motion stopped, I pitched forwards, Severus barely able to stop my motion in time.
"Well, that was fun," I commented bitterly, slightly put out at nearly falling flat on my face.
"It's easier when you're uninjured. Come, let me get you into bed and then I'll return with the potions," he told me, guiding me over towards my room. He threw the door open and stopped short, staring out the glass wall directly across from us. I grinned in triumph, watching as the fish swam by, even a giant squid at one point. "I see you've utilised your space quite well. It's an admirable view and a pleasant design," he told me as he led me over to the bed, having recovered quickly enough.
"Wait- wardrobe first," I told him, and so he helped me maneuver over to the wardrobe. I quickly removed a tank top and pajama pants before walking with him to the bathroom. "I'll be fine to change." With that he left the room, closing the door behind him, and I sat on the toilet. I yanked off the loose tie before quickly shedding my clothing and pulling the pajamas on, though my progress was hindered by the fact I had to use the toilet to support most of my weight. I waited for another minute before a knock came at the door.
"Are you done?"
"Yeah," I called back out to Severus and watched as he opened the door. He quickly helped me up and brought me over to the bed, having me sit down. He then placed a bunch of vials and containers on the bedside before picking one and turning back to me.
"This is the bruise paste. It'll heal your bruises. I'll help you with the bruises on your back and arms, and you can apply paste anywhere else that's bruised," he told me, moving to stand behind me. I didn't hesitate to lift my tank top, waiting for him to apply it. He began to do so quickly and efficiently, though the paste was cool to the touch. It soon began to heat up to the point that it was uncomfortable before the paste disappeared altogether.
"Why's it do that? Heat up and then disappear?" I asked him as he continued applying it to different locations.
"The paste starts out cool and rapidly heats due to the reaction between the damaged skin and the paste. The heat is expelled from the reaction, which the paste then absorbs, heating it drastically. Essentially, the reaction and healing process is burning off the paste, which is why it heats to the point that it disappears," he explained as he began working on my arms. I nodded, smiling as I absorbed the information. I loved learning all these new amazing things, and I couldn't wait to learn more from my books. "There. Done. Now this is the nerve repair. Take it now," he told me, handing me a vial of an orange substance. I quickly ingested it before sitting back, starting to feel tired.
"I'm exhausted," I told him, trying to blink the sleep away.
"That would be the Nerve-Repair. You'll be exhausted as long as the potion is in effect, speeding up the healing process of your body. You should go to sleep. You can apply the rest of the bruise paste when you wake up," he told me, carefully putting the bruise paste on the night table, exaggerating the movement so that I could see where he put it. "However, I need you to take these last two potions for me," he told me, showing me two vials- one green and one purple. "This one is Dreamless Sleep, which you will take last," he told me, indicating the purple. "This is Muscle Relaxant," he added, handing me the green potion. I quickly uncorked it and downed the potion, making sure to ingest every last drop. I then handed the vial back to him as he handed me the, now, uncorked vial of Dreamless Sleep. I quickly took that one as well, handing the vial back as a pleasant warm feeling overcame me.
"Mmmm… that's nice," I mumbled as I laid back in bed. Severus pulled the covers up over me as I yawned, blinking slowly.
"Sleep, Nicole. I'll see you in the morning," he told me before turning off the lights and leaving the room. I smiled, looking out the glass wall in front of me at the fish, feeling at peace.
"Mmmm… sleep," I muttered before rolling over and closing my eyes, drifting away into the sea of my subconscious.
A/N: Hello all! I know I haven't updated in forever and I've been on an extended hiatus, but this is a new chapter. I've updated the prior chapters for a few spelling and/or grammatical changes, but the content hasn't changed. In other words, if you've already read the prior chapters, you don't need to worry about going back and rereading. Unless, of course, it's been so long that you're wondering what the hell this story was even about. Then feel free to go reread.
Anyway, enjoy. I hope this chapter wasn't too terrible. I'm... satisfied with it. Hopefully another chapter by the end of next week.
~Nicole813711
