Chapter 6 - Hospital
An odd assortment of voices brought him back to consciousness.
"How did this happen Lupin?!" said an older woman's voice.
"I would like to know the exact same thing, Minerva," said Lupin.
"What was that thing?" asked Ron.
"Nevermind that! Is he alright?" asked Ms. Granger.
"Yes …" Loki managed to say. First day on the job, and everything was already a disaster. Loki opened his eyes.
"Professor, are you alright?" said bolt boy. Loki looked around the room filled with multiple white beds. He was surrounded by his savors along with a much older woman. She had long robes and a very eloquent witch's hat. Loki slowly pushed himself up.
"I'm not a professor," he said with a grunt.
"Oh no, you can take your time!" she said to him.
"I'm fine," he said coming to an upright position.
"Fine?! Fine?! You got bloody smashed into the ground by … some … kind of … big green monster. He literally destroyed the classroom with you! How are you not dead?!" said Ron.
"Ronald?!" said Ms. Granger. Loki could not help but be slightly pleased with himself at that remark, a small victory given the circumstances.
"Are you smiling?" asked Ron gobsmacked.
"Alright! That's enough! Go back to your dormitories! All of you, and we will sort this out," ordered Lupin. The three students left promptly, but he could hear Ron say 'he's mental he is' as they left. Lupin sat next to him on the bed.
"What was that thing?" asked Lupin staring directly into his eyes.
"I thought … it was a boggart." said Loki sarcastically.
"Don't be smart with me. That was nothing like we have ever seen," Lupin demanded.
"What? The school of witchcraft and wizardry is unfamiliar with a hulk?" said Loki. Lupin leaned in closer to him. The Trickster could see more clearly the scars on his serious face. They almost looked like claw marks.
"Is this a game to you?!" shouted Lupin.
"Professor!" yelled a familiar voice. Dumbledore approached them.
"Headmaster," said Minerva with utmost respect. Loki eyed him suspiciously.
"Professor -" began Lupin getting up from the bed, but he silenced him with a simple hand wave.
"It's alright, you are not at fault here Remus, I can take it from here," said Dumbledore.
"As you wish headmaster," said Remus. Minerva and him left, but Remus did not leave without one last glare at Loki. Now, it was just him and the headmaster. Although his eyes showed humility, they burned into him.
"I heard you made quite the impression on your first day," remarked Dumbledore. Loki rolled his eyes, preparing to say some quip before Dumbledore took Remus' spot on the bed. "And not just on the classroom," continued Dumbledore. Loki stopped himself from speaking for once.
"Mr. Laufeyson, our own personal fears are not a sin, but I would exercise caution when it comes to the safety of the students, you recall the conditions you are under while at Hogwarts, yes?" Dumbledore said,
"Now, while I know the incident regarding the destruction of this school was not entirely your fault, you are here as a guest, on behalf of the TVA to find your variant … do not put my students at risk. Should this happen again, then we will no longer require your services. Understand?" Dumbledore finished sternly. Send him back to the TVA? Or worse, get pruned. He would rather stay at this school. Loki simply nodded. Dumbledore smiled. "Good, now, If you are not feeling up to it, we have a room waiting for you upstairs," he said getting up from the bed.
"Are you not concerned … that I may still be injured," remarked Loki. Dumbledore turned back around.
"Oh I think our school took more of a beating than you did."