In the hospital wing, I took notice that the petrified people weren't here, were they cured while I was in the chamber? I was set on a bed, Thank god for that, I'm sure I would've fallen down, taking Snape with me. I didn't know what was wrong, just that my back hurt and my legs, I leaned against the pillows, ignoring the burning pain once I was against the soft pillow. Then Snape went to get Madam Pomfrey.
Lockhart sat on a bed next to mine.
"Who was that guy?" He asked, curious. I rolled my eyes, not answering him, "Who am I? Who are you?" I was to exhausted, ready to pass out.
Madam Pomfrey then rushed in, Snape behind, running to my bed, "Tell me, what's wrong, love?" She asked, looking me over.
"I um" I shut my eyes thinking, "I was thrown across the chamber, I hit my back on something, and, and I can't feel my legs" I mumbled to her, covering my mouth as I yawned, "It really hurts, I... I want to sleep..."
"Alright, love I want you to remove your robes, show me where you were hit" She whispered, I sat up, easily taking of my cloak, Putting it on the night stand, where Capone was currently. However, my shirt, it was hard to get past where I was hit before, I let out a huff of distress. Feeling like a child, still needing her mothers help. Thankfully, Pomfrey seemed to understand and suggested something else, "It's alright, roll on to your stomach, alright?"
I did as I was told, laying on my stomach, it felt way nicer. I had my arms crossed on the pillow, my head resting on them. I usually never laid on my stomach, usually sleeping on my back, but the relief of just laying like this, it was an improvement.
"Alright, love I'm going to roll your shirt up, Snape, please deal with Lockhart, he doesn't need to see this" Pomfrey suggested, getting the two men out of the room, as she slowly lifted up the back of my shirt, causing me to wince slightly, as the fabric and her warm hands brushed across my lower back, I heard her slight gasp, "You've got some discoloration, bruising" She shared, seeming to leave something out, debating on telling me. Did I want to know? What could be so wrong that she'd withhold information. "alright, I'm going to go get you, something to help with the pain, I want you just to relax"
Relax? Seriously! After your gasp, looking at my back. She had left, I wish she didn't. It was just me and my thoughts now, I didn't want to think at the moment, my mind was still focused on Tom, dying in front of my, bursting into light. It was good that it happened, I'm glad he wouldn't be a problem for anyone. At the same time I couldn't shake the guilt, or sorrow of him being gone.
"Alright, love take this" Pomfrey says, handing me a jade potion that had ruby flakes, it smelled like walnuts. Without moving, I drank it, it tasted like ashes, making me thirsty, as i was left with the warm powdered feeling in my throat. A few moments later I felt warm and fuzzy. My lips were numb and I couldn't feel anything but the warmth. I wasn't aware of what was going on. Ginny, Harry, Ron and Lockhart, were here now, each in a bed, Dumbledore, was talking with them, while McGonagall was aiding Lockhart. Snape was talking with Pomfrey. I ignored the surroundings, feeling a slight high, from the pain killing potion, and listened to everyone, closing my eyes.
"The internal bleeding, has built up, it's resting the nerves against her spin, which is causing the lost in feeling in her legs. I'll be able to drain the blood, reveling some pressure, however, it will require luck for the nerves and feeling to comeback" Pomfrey shared, in a low tone, in a hushed whisper, obviously not wanting the others to hear, only Snape. Not wanting to alarm Harry and the others. I then felt a pinch on my back, where it used to hurt.
"Luck?" I hear Snape question.
"Yes, luck, pull the current, I don't want the kids to see this." Pomfrey ordered, "I've got to drain the blood, by the coloration of the bruise there'll be a lot. Keep her talking" I don't think they realized I was listening, "If she falls asleep, she'll be at risk of fainting and..."
I opened my eyes as Snape pulled a seat next to the bed, making me look at him, he was in the way of me seeing what Pomfry was doing.
"What's the worse case outcome?" I mumbled, drowsiness hitting me hard. I didn't get an answer, did they not hear me? Or were they refusing to speak? I rolled my eyes.
"You fought the basilisk?" Snape questioned.
I shook my head, "No, Harry did, I was flicked away by it's bloody tail, I was fighting.." I stopped, not wanting to say his name, "He's gone, so is the basilisk. Harry saved the day" I mumbled.
"From what I've overheard, you helped save it as well, I highly doubt, Potter would've been able to do much, with out you there" Snape drawled, rolling his eyes.
Then the curtain behind him pulled back, Dumbledore was there, he and Snape then exchanged a glance, Snape leaving, while Dumbledore took his seat, "I had Tom in my hands" I whispered, seeing Dumbledore sparked me, made my guilt flutter, "I had his diary last year, when I stole it from the library. I didn't know, when I found out, I didn't" I wanted to cry, would he expel me for not telling him? "If I had returned it, or told you, about it, no one would've gotten hurt."
He raised a hand, "It's alright, you got him now. Harry told me everything, as did Ginny, how she stole the book from your belongings. You ended up getting him." He assured me.
I shook my head, "Harry got him, I did nearly nothing, Harry brought the basilisk down, with Fawkes and he destroyed the diary, and Tom.."
He smiled softly, "I believe you've done more then you think. I've been told you dueled Tom, as well as distracted the basilisk, before it killed Harry, by the serpent or by falling" He paused, looking at my back, where Pomfrey has been working.
"He's not a pure-blood" I mumbled, the old man looked back at my face.
"Alright, roll over love, you're done, you can sleep now, come morning we'll see the progress, alright?" Madam Pomfrey spoke, "Headmaster, it's best she got some rest" she advised. I didn't roll over, I was to physically exhausted to do it.
He nodded, and left. Soon after I went into a deep, drug induced slumber.
I had spent the next two week in the infirmary, basically, relearning how to walk. Waiting for medicine to brew, that would help my legs. My legs were all stiff, they would have a warm, almost burning sensation, under the skin. The sensation only burned whenever I stood up, getting worse whenever I walked for a long period.
Madam Pomfrey has basically chased everyone away from the doors, leaving me stuck here, to she her mug. I was getting restless. In a few more weeks it'll be summer, I've missed two weeks worth of classes, which didn't bother me, as much as it would have if I weren't in such terrible shape. I needed help walking to the bathroom, even then, it was more leaning on Pomfrey. I would hate to see how I would be in a normal day to day scheduled, being useless, relying on others for basic help.
Sitting up on my bed, I looked up to see Pomfrey walked into the room, with the potions master behind her, he was carrying a small bottle of Snape following behind, wit a cauldron that seemed to be boiling, still. I was hopeful seeing it, hopeful that this potion would fix everything that was currently plaguing me.
The small black cauldron was set down on the night stand, showing me the half way full student sized pot, with a chunky, white tonic. I could smell the annoyingly sweet smell, it smelled of sweet notes, vanilla, cherry and pear. Just irritable, but I would have to deal with it, or be stuck with my current situation.
Madam Pomfrey proceeded to pour some of the medicine, into a cup, that boiled, handing it over, "Alright, drink up while it's warm, once you've drunk the cauldron, afterwards, we shall test your nerves" She informed me, once I took the drink.
The smell was sending a ringing sensation up my nose. Plugging my nose, I chugged the warm liquid, the taste matched the smell, tasting like, sugar floss, just a pure sugar taste. Gulping it down, I did my best not to make some face of disgust. Failing at it.
"Ms. Ravenclaw, not a fan of the sweets are we?" Snape questioned, noticing my face.
I shook my head, then drank more, till the cauldron was empty, then I was laid back, told to look up at the ceiling so that Pomfrey could 'test' my legs.
"Alright, love, let me know when you feel something" She instructed, I felt her brush something soft against the curve of my right foot.
I wiggled my toes, "I feel that" I informed her.
"Good, now the next one" She stated.
I waited. Was she doing anything? Or was something wrong? I then felt it, the same soft thing, brushing my lower thigh, a few inches away from my knee cap, "I feel it" I said, quietly. Afraid of what it meant.
"Alright" She started in a low voice, "Don't worry, it might just still be recovering, you'll need to take it easy, luckily, you'll have nine weeks of rest coming up soon"
Sitting up, I swung my legs over the edge of the bed, I had to move my left leg myself. I then looked at her face, "What happens if it doesn't heal?" I whispered.
A few moments later she answered, "It'll mean there is nerve damage, to your spinal cord, the nerves that run down your leg..." She stated, I felt the hairs on the back of my neck prickle, at the thought. "But as you weren't punctured when you hit your back, and you're young I'm more than sure, that with more rest you'll, be fine, if not fully healed, you'll just need to take it easy for awhile." She informed me, giving a soft smile, noticing my uneasiness, "Get up, walk to the door, the potion should've helped with any pain, as it rejuvenated your legs, somewhat. But, before you leave you must see professor Snape for another half size of potion. It'll be doing all the work while you rest" She advised.
I nodded, l leaning forward I got off the bed. I felt slight tingling, no burning sensation as before. Holding my arm out Capone jumped and climbed up to my shoulder. Eventually, I made it to the door, twirling around, I looked to Pomfrey, "May I leave then?" Giving me a simple nod, I then left, not waiting to hear anything more. Walking, or well limping down the hall. Favoring my right leg.
Snape was then walking next to me, "Dumbledore wishes to see you" He informed me, "I presume about summer" I simply nodded. Walking towards the headmasters office, while Snape left, I presume to go teach a class.
In Dumbledores office, I sat across from the white beard wizard. He was just sitting their staring at me. Was he analyzing me? Was he using legilimency, and I wasn't getting the feeling of it? Should I start the conversation? I already figured I'd be sent home, to my family.
"How are you feeling?" He questioned, his tone not giving anything away.
I raised an eyebrow, "Depends, why am I here?"
"I'm sure you know full well, why you're here." He replied, simply.
"I'm going home, and likely sneak out to return here." I mumbled, leaning back in the seat, crossing my arms.
He then smiled lightly, "Actually, you won't be sneaking out to return." Want to bet? "As you'll only be there for only a few weeks. Then you're father will be bringing you to meet with me, about next years events, then you'll be staying with the Weasleys for your last week" He shared casually, leaving out any details about the events. What events?
"Events?" I asked, curiously, tilting my head.
He simply tapped his nose, hinting that it was a secret, "You'll find out, with the rest of your peers, when things have been planned" He replied.
Raising an eyebrow, and ask another question, "If I'm going to find out anyways why not tell me now? I'll end up finding out one way or another. Most likely without your approval."
He then gave me a cold stare, "I would suggest, if you find out on your own, that you not tell others, as it's the arrangements that were made"
"I will on one condition." I replied quickly, wanting to make an adjustment, he raised an eyebrow, "I wish to stay with the Malfoys rather than the Weasleys, I don't fit in the burrow"
"Oh? And why do you think that?"
I rolled my eyes, "isn't it obvious, I hate to say it's about social class, but that's exactly what it is. Mr and , aren't my biggest fans, as my mother trying to take their home, and I don't fit in, just going out to get books was rather odd, Ginny and them getting second hand supplies, while I was able to get my own things at retail price." I sighed, "While my parents are who they are, I will never be able to escape their reputation they've built around the name. Where as with the Malfoys..." I trailed off hoping he understood where I was coming from.
"You're right, but perhaps, you can build your own reputation, dependent of your parents" He replied.
"But sir-" I tried to argue, but he put his hand up, stopping me.
"You have already created a reputation of your own, being a Ravenclaw in another house, battling a troll, made it through the tests to get to the philosopher's stone, battled both Quirrell and Voldemort, learned legilimency, mostly on your own. Just in your first year of being here" He stated, going on, "Not only that, but you've made friends with at least two muggle born wizards, including Hermione Granger, would your parents give her a chance?" I shook my head, taking in what he's told me, "This year you've mastered occlumency, learned how to speak Parselmouth managed to keep one step ahead of your peers, professors and I about information of the Chamber of Secrets, basically battled Lord Voldemort once again, and took a hit from a basilisk, to save not only Harry Potter, but the rest of your peers. I don't recall your parents, doing such things, do you? " his eyes sparkled. I shook my head, I felt tears at my eyes, I didn't know why, I wasn't sad, were they tears of joy? Pride? He went on, "I think it's safe to say, you've already created your own reputation, surely it's impressive as it is."
"Th-Thank you sir" I stuttered, trying to keep my emotions in check.
Dumbledores eyes then sparkled, as he smiled, lightly, "Also, you saved Ginny Weasley, I'm sure mister and misses Weasley, will have different thoughts on you." he gave me a wink and dismissed me.