Nothing belongs to me.
XCV: Working Together
Poppy Pomfrey thought she had seen everything, but even after all these years, the students at Hogwarts still managed to surprise her.
Like they would again today.
"What in Merlin's name is going on in here?" she demanded, staring around at the crowd that had gathered in the hospital wing. Crowds were never a good sign.
"Madame Pomfrey!" Mr. Potter pushed to the front, out of breath. "There was a due – accident, an accident."
He needn't say anymore.
"Where is he?" Poppy inquired, taking note of Potter's unaltered appearance.
"They…" he corrected, nervously pointing to the curtain drawn around one of the beds.
"Oh dear…"
It seemed that Mr. Malfoy and Miss Weasley were joined together – joined, as in the back of her skirt was attached to the front of his trousers.
At first, Poppy had thought the worst. She was relieved to find that their clothes were still on. She supposed their condition was cause either by a permanent sticking charm or the effect of a combination of spells. For either, there was a simple solution, and Poppy was about to try one when there was a shout behind her.
"Poppy, no!"
She had never seen Minerva look so angry.
"Off to class, everyone, NOW! Everyone, except you three –"
Poppy had a pretty good idea of which three.
"But Professor!"
"Alright Mr. Thomas, you too."
Minerva ripped open the curtains, nostrils flaring, eyes narrowing upon seeing the results of the duel/accident. "Don't Poppy!" she said sharply.
"Don't what?"
"Don't fix them."
"What?" screamed everyone who wasn't Minerva McGonagall.
"This, this thing was the result of your duel." At this, Minerva threw Misters Potter, Weasley, and Malfoy the same dirty look before continuing. "As punishment these two will spend the next working together to cope with this, ah, condition. I'll be placing extra enchantments to ensure you don't get out."
"But can't you just give us detentions?" asked Mr. Potter desperately.
"You all have to remember not to be so quick to use your wands within the walls of this castle."
"But –"
"I'm sure this will remind you of this fact – more effectively than any detention."
Minerva gave them all a stern look before finally turning back to Poppy, who stood motionless.
"I know how much you want to Poppy, but I beg of you. Don't.
"This madness has gone on far too long. Six years! Six years!"