Much to my surprise, dinner at Netherfield was a delicious journey of tastes ranging from India to the Americas! Apparently, Mr. Potter and Lady Delacour have quite adventurous palates. This was likely the sad reason my dear cousin went from the happiest of women to the most frightfully sick!
During dessert a newly formed rash on Luna quickly expanded from her neck to her arms. Mr. Potter called his chef to our table. I watched as she wrung a towel between her nervous hands. The woman shook her head in dismay.
"It must have been the Yucca."
"Excuse me," I replied, having never heard of such an inane vegetable.
"It must have been the Yucca, Mr. Potter," she repeated.
"Yes, alright." He looked from his distraught chef to Lady Delacour. "Fleur, could we use a bezoar stone?"
I watched Luna's hives grow fiercer. "I beg your pardon, Mr. Potter, but that is for poison. My cousin is having a severe allergic reaction."
"But does not an allergen act like a poison would?" Lady Delacour replied.
I acquiesced. "Let us hope so."
Lady Delacour and I took Luna to the closest adjoining room with a bed while Mr. Potter summoned the stone. Watching him administer the bezoar, I not so silently cursed my insular, unhelpful obsession with Runes. I might have felt a hand on my shoulder, but in my upset state, I could barely register other presences. The fear of losing of my cousin created an unimaginable and inconsolable pain within.
"It's working, Ms. Granger. Worry not," Mr. Potter exclaimed as we watched the bright red of Luna's rash fade to an angry pink.
At that moment, a pop occurred. To my relief, the sight of our very own Hogsmead healer Madame Pomfrey followed. She performed her exam and efficiently administered Luna's medicine.
"Ms. Lovegood will be fine, but she needs her rest. I gave her a sleeping drought," Madame Pomfrey said before explaining the various potions to be administered over the next 3 days.
Mr. Potter looked to my cousin with a relieved smile.
"She can stay as long as she needs, Madame Pomfrey."
"Is travel ill-advised?" I asked.
"It never adds to healing. I recommend not," she advised.
I said my goodbye to the healer and I returned to my sleeping cousin's side.
"I must stay with her," I declared, taking hold of Luna's hand. Then attempting poise, I continued more softly. "I will administer her medicine."
"Of course."
It was a cool voice. I had forgotten she was in the room. I raised my eyes to Lady Delacour's and finally recollected her touch as we stood together earlier. An unmistakable blush crept up my cheeks as we looked on each other.
"I will see to your accommodations myself, Ms. Granger."
I, having no reasonable reply, stared at Lady Delacour and she stared back. Thank Merlin Mr. Potter stepped in.
"Wonderful, Fleur, and I will send an owl to the Weasley's."
"Thank you both," I said most sincerely when I finally found words. "She is the most important person to me in all the world. I am in your debt."
"It is I who is in your debt," Mr. Potter replied. "Please forgive me for causing your cousin pain."
"You are forgiven."
And so began my unceremonious stay at Netherfield estate.