April 1945

The last time Poppy had been in Professor Dumbledore's office they had all been laughing at their comical situation, a memorable day because of all the right reasons. There had been some seriousness in the fact that the Gryffindor dormitory was being destroyed by Fanged Puffskeins in that exact moment, but it was hard not to laugh when you and four of your best friends along with your favourite teacher were all wearing nightclothes and surrounded by living pom-poms.

This time however, there was no way to avoid the grim and grave circumstances. She and Minerva were at Professor Dumbledore's desk with Professor Dippet and Madame Quinine on the other side, slowly recounting the exact details of Ro's accident. They'd been ushered up there almost as soon as Madame Quinine had left with Ro on a stretcher, and the silent wait until Madame Quinine returned had been absolute anguish. Poppy was extremely grateful for Minerva's reassuring presence beside her, holding her hand under the table and taking over whenever her own voice failed.

"Are you sure she fell all the way from the height of Gryffindor Tower?" Madame Quinine asked without looking up from the clipboard on which she was writing madly. "That would be over 100 feet, the chance of her surviving that would be infinitesimal."

Poppy had to swallow hard to stop her throat from clenching up. "I used the Levitation Charm on her, but it didn't work for very long."

"Did you really?" Professor Dippet said in a tone close to wonderment. "In that case I think you may have saved her life, Miss Pomfrey. And the spells you performed on Miss Hooch once she was on the ground were very advanced for your age, might I ask how you came across them?"

Poppy shrugged, uncomfortable with the attention the Headmaster was paying her. "I read up about them, and I've seen some of them used before."

"Well you've definitely made a significant difference in Miss Hooch's prognosis." Madame Quinine said concludingly, taking a final look through her extensive notes before putting down her quill. "She's been received into the Eliethia Ibelin Ward for paediatric spell damage, and will be monitored intensively for the next 48 hours to get her through the worst stage." She then fixed both Poppy and Minerva with a soft yet solemn look before continuing "I hope you both know that she'll be there for a while. Single Stunners are easily recovered from, but when multiplied they can have unpredictable side effects."

Squeezing Poppy's hand as she winced, Minerva asked quietly "But she'll be ok?"

Madame Quinine nodded. "Yes, she's young and strong so should eventually make a full recovery. It's her mentality that I'm more concerned about; the shock of losing her mother combined with the trauma of this accident will be hard to move on from. It's likely she will remember falling, as despite being unconscious in theory, you still have a fair amount of awareness for about half a minute after you're hit by a Stunner."

"She's going to need all your care and support to get her through this." Professor Dippet finished for her.

Minerva nodded; Poppy was astounded at how controlled she was keeping herself. "Can we go please?"

Professor Dippet smiled sadly at them. "Yes, you may. You are both excused from lessons for the rest of the day, as are Miss Bagnold and the Misses Vector." He paused momentarily before adding "Young Mr Hooch and his friends have already been informed- Professor Dumbledore spoke to them as soon as Miss Hooch was transferred to St Mungos. His parents are coming shortly to take him home."

Poppy nodded vaguely in acknowledgement as she and Minerva hurriedly left Professor Dumbledore's office. They had barely closed the door before a weight barreled into Poppy's back; she shrieked in surprise before seeing auburn-brown hair in the corner of her vision and realising it was Septima clinging onto her.

"Professor Dumbledore's just told us everything." Millicent said, her eyes and nose red. Irma remained quiet as she always did in emotional times, the only sign of her sadness the way she squeezed her eyes shut momentarily as Minerva hugged her tightly.

"Did Madame Quinine say how she was?" Septima asked brokenly, resting her head on Poppy's shoulder without removing her crushing arms from around Poppy's middle.

"Broken arm, skull fracture, numerous shallow cuts and spell damage to her chest." Poppy murmured. "She's been taken to the childrens' spell damage ward at St Mungo's and won't be coming back for a while."

Millicent covered her face with her hands, her shoulders shaking as she burst into tears. Septima released Poppy with one hand to drag Millicent into their hug, and after a moment Irma and Minerva joined the circle on Poppy's other side. Minutes or hours could have passed as they stood there in the corridor, clinging onto each other as if their lives depended on it.

Everything seemed different without Ro around. There was no laughter in the mornings, no playful squabbles at the dinner table, no Exploding Snap in the Common Room before bedtimes. Professor Dippet and the Heads of House had given permission for Millicent, Septima and Irma to move into the Gryffindor dormitory for the duration of the upcoming holiday to try and distract from the gaping hole that Ro had left, though it didn't really make that much of a difference. Minerva seemed tense all the time to the point where Poppy had to remind her to relax herself every now and then, Millicent hardly smiled anymore, the warm light had left Septima' eyes and Irma scarcely spoke a word unless it was just the five of them alone together. What should have been the beginning of a joyful Easter break was fast turning into the worst few days of Poppy's life.

April Fool's Day, four days after the accident, had always been one of Ro's favourite days. But this year it came with obituaries rather than pranks and jokes, and dozens of them at that. Minerva, Poppy and Irma pored over Minerva's copy of the Daily Prophet at the breakfast table while Millicent and Septima shared Millicent's paper, flicking through pages upon pages of memorial passages for those who had been killed in both the Ministry bombing and the most recent Grindlewald casualties. Professor Bishop had written a beautiful passage about her husband which had Poppy deeply moved despite never having known him. Aunt Felicity's was split into two parts, the first section written by Kurtis and the second by Aunt Felicity's squib sister Josephine who they had been introduced to briefly during the summer at Little Wakering. Reading it had brought tears to both Minerva and Poppy's eyes, remembering the women who they had known for such a short time but loved them both like her own daughters.

The following day had brought another unusual breakfast- all eyes were to the ceiling as the owl post arrived, watching two owls hooting angrily at each other while both trying to carry the same letter. Poppy felt her cheeks glow as she realized one of the culprits was her own owl Nightingale, though managed to laugh when they recognised the other as Fergus, Minerva's Tawny. They crashed abruptly down on the table right into the plate of fried eggs, scattering feathers and bits of toast everywhere as they continued to fight over the letter. Minerva managed to wrestle it out of their claws and rolled her eyes amusedly as they gave each other an affronted look before flying back out of the Great Hall.

"Who's it actually for after all that?" Millicent asked with a smirk on her face.

"Both of us." Minerva said, to Poppy's surprise. "Miss M A McGonagall and Miss P V Pomfrey, The Great Hall, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry."

Poppy frowned in confusion as she took the letter from Minerva, studying the handwriting which was both familiar but not recognisable. With a glance at Minerva she opened it carefully, pulling out a short letter written in the same slight scribble that she skimmed through to find the name of the sender. "It's from Erika!" she exclaimed, suddenly realising why the handwriting had been so familiar.

Minerva's eyebrows rose in surprise. "What's she said?" Poppy quickly drank what was left of her tea before reading it out.

"To Poppy and Minerva, I hope you don't mind me writing at this time. Kurtis asked me to write- he's back from Europe on leave since he's got to sort out all the paperwork from Mum's death. He's inherited the house at Little Wakering, so of course you'll both still be welcome back whenever you like."

"That's kind." Minerva mused quietly.

"Tavin and I visited Ro in St Mungos yesterday- she hasn't woken up yet and the nurses don't think she will for another couple of weeks. Apparently she's in something called a Magically Induced Coma- we're not sure what it means exactly but thought you might have a better idea Poppy. But she's stable and doing ok. I hope you both are too, I'm not too sure down this end. Love Erika"

"Is that the Erika who came to help you get rid of the Puffskein infestation?" Irma asked.

Minerva nodded. "Yes, Ro's older sister."

"I'm not surprised she's struggling, not only is it nearly a decade since her father's death but now her mother's died and her sister's in one of those coma things." Millicent remarked somberly. "Do you know what it means Poppy?"

"It's when someone's prevented from gaining consciousness due to the amount of magic they've been hit with." Poppy explained- she'd been researching the effect of multiple Stunners since Ro's accident due to the need to understand better what was wrong. "It can either be caused by spell damage like multiple Stunners, or there's a special healing spell that does something similar but much more safely for if a patient needs to remain asleep."

There was a tense silence for a moment, before Millicent suddenly said "Minerva Anne?"

"Eh?" Minerva asked with a bemused smile.

"Your middle name- it said M A McGonagall on the envelope. Is it Anne?"

Minerva laughed briefly. "Oh, I see. Very close, it's actually Annis. Minerva Annis McGonagall."

"And yours begins with a V." Millicent continued, looking to Poppy with a thoughtful expression. "Victoria? Valerie? Vanessa?"

Poppy shook her head. "Not quite, keep guessing!" She was enjoying the sudden lightening of the atmosphere, having not expected it in the aftermath of what had happened.

"Is it Venetia?" Septima guessed, frowning when Poppy shook her head again. "Or Valentine?"

"What about Vivienne?" Minerva suggested.

"Verona?" Irma put in.

Poppy laughed at all their failed attempts. "No, no and no! Anything else?" The table fell into quiet again as they considered, before she added "Think along the same lines as my first name."

"But what name beginning with V goes with Penelope?" Septima complained; Poppy merely smiled sweetly at her.

Millicent's fist banged on the table, making Poppy jump and spilling the remnants of her pumpkin juice that had remained after the owls had knocked her glass over. "I've got it. Poppy's the link, not Penelope, and they're both flower names. It's Violet!"

"Very impressive!" Poppy grinned, clapping as Millicent dipped her head forward in a comical bow. "Now you have to tell me yours."

"Me? I haven't got one, but my proper first name is Millicent-Mae." Millicent said, "My little sister used to call me Mil-Mae before she was old enough to pronounce Millicent properly."

"Well I had to endure nearly 8 years of being called Minnie by Malcolm and then Robert." Minerva smirked, before asking Septima and Irma "What about you two?"

"Mine's Bridget, because of Bridget Wenlock who was a famous Arithmancer a few hundred years ago." Septima explained, then laughed shortly. "You can tell how enthusiastic father is about numbers- my first name literally means the number seven!"

"And I'm Irma Elladora." Irma continued quickly, clearly reluctant to begin discussing their father. "After Great-Great-Aunt Elladora who died about a week before we were born. Mother told me she chose that name because Elladora was a 'true Black' and it was a desparate attempt to regain favour with her family."

"What do you have to do to be called a 'true Black'?" Poppy asked, though she wasn't sure she really wanted to know.

Before Irma could answer, Septima piped in with an exaggerated smile. "She started the tradition of beheading House Elves when they weren't capable of doing her bidding anymore."

"Ah." Minerva said, pulling a repulsed expression. "Well, it's a nice name anyway!"

The cheerful conversation seemed to signal the start of their own recovery, though things were still unmistakeably different. Smiles became brighter and more common, and Poppy's nights became less restless as she was disturbed far less frequently by her own bad dreams or someone else's panicked awakening. The rest of the Easter holiday was spend in relative peace and quiet- she was aware of Minerva and the Quidditch Team's struggle to find a replacement for Ro for the final match but her limited Quidditch knowledge meant she was of little help in the matter.

Lessons resumed near the end of April, but the more uplifted atmosphere in the castle took a massive blow when the fall of the German Ministry of Magic to Grindlewald's forces was reported both over the Wizarding Wireless and in the Daily Prophet. Countless employees had been imprisoned in the fortress of Nurmengard, and those lucky enough to escape had been rescued by the British Hit Wizard forces and sent into hiding in Britain to keep them safe. Despite the extra degree of worry this caused, all downhearted thoughts were dismissed when the 8th of May came around.

Poppy and the other third-years first caught wind of the fact that something was up when a silvery-blue bird appeared from thin air in the middle of their afternoon Charms lesson. It spoke in Professor Dumbledore's voice "Please can all students and staff come down to the Great Hall as a matter of urgency", before disintergrating into thin air.

Professor Aurelius stared at the space where it had been, before clapping her hands to get the class' attention. "You all heard him- everybody down to the Great Hall, and leave your belongings here!"

The Great Hall was in chaos when they arrived down from the Charms classroom. Poppy, Minerva and Irma found Millicent and Septima sat in their usual spot on the Gryffindor Table; there was very little order in where the students were sitting. Professor Dippet was fumbling with a Wireless sat on a podium where the owl lectern was usually placed, the rest of the staff looking just as confused as Poppy felt herself. Almost as soon as everyone had filed in, Professor Dippet lifted his wand to his throat before starting to speak. "I'm sure you're all wondering why you've been called down here at this irregular hour. There is something on the Wizarding Wireless that we know you will all be eager to here." Without further ado he pressed a button on the Wireless, which crackled for a moment before the voices became audible.

"This is a special announcement that addresses every witch or wizard in Great Britain, young or old. I am your Minister for Magic, Leonard Spencer-Moon, and I am delighted to welcome a long-time friend of mine onto the Wizarding Wireless Network. Mr Winston Churchill is the Muggle Minister, and he has an important announcement for you all."

There was a moment's pause before a new voice sounded from the Wireless, one Poppy recognised from her pre-Hogwarts days as no more than a 9 year old Londoner. "I must thank Mr Spencer-Moon for allowing me to present our news directly to the magical community. In the early hours of yesterday morning, the German leader signed a document guaranteeing the unconditional surrender of all German forces. This means that our own war in Europe is over. While there is still fighting in other parts of the world, and I have been assured that your own battle still continues, this is a cause for celebration throughout Great Britain. Long live the cause of freedom."

No sooner had the Wireless crackled into silence, the Great Hall burst into cheers and shouts of celebration. Professor Dippet was barely audible as he stood with a glass in his hand, and called out "A toast, to all those who lost their lives to the Muggle War."

Minerva took Poppy's hand as she'd done in Professor Dumbledore's office the day of Ro's accident, and in unison they said "To Aunt Felicity" with glasses raised. Similar toasts were being made all around the Hall, names being called out as everybody joined as one to celebrate. The newly returned Professors Beery and Bishop, both who were widely know to be Muggleborns who had lost family, were embracing up at the Staff Table and the other teachers were all wearing looks of absolute relief as they watched the joyful students. Poppy closed her eyes for a moment, sending thanks to whoever might be listening that one threat at least had come to an end.

"Jocelyn, have you heard the announcement on the Wireless?"

"Yes, Matron Artemisia turned it on in the staff room while I was on my break. Isn't it marvellous?"

'What's marvellous?' she thought vaguely. The voices seemed to be drifting from across the room, though she had no idea who they belonged to.

"What's this I hear about the end of the Muggle War? Is it true that the Muggle Minister was on the Wizarding Wireless Network?"

"Yes Oberon, it was broadcasted just under an hour ago!"

She opened her eyes and attempted to raise her head, though was greatly alarmed when her entire chest felt tight and heavier than lead. She must have cried out without realising it, as within seconds there was a pair of hands on her shoulders gently easing her back down into her pillow.

"Careful now Miss Rolanda, you've been asleep for over four weeks now, so you'll need to take things a little more slowly at first." The nurse's words surprised her, and she looked with confusion at the dark-skinned woman who was now pottering around with a few bottles on a table at the end of her bed. The nurse must have noticed, for she abandoned her task to sit down on the bed where Ro could see her clearly. "My name is Nurse Jocelyn, and I've been in charge of looking after you since you arrived here at St Mungo's at the end of March. Do you remember?"

Ro shook her head ever so slightly. It was only then that she realised that the room around her wasn't the Gryffindor dormitory- the space around her bed was surrounded by a set of white curtains rather than the crimson hangings she was used to. There was a board hanging from the curtain rail, which read 'Rolanda Xiomara Hooch:- multiple Stunning spells and head injury. Nurse in charge:- Jocelyn Evermonde."

Without warning, memories came flooding back to her like pictures from a photo album. Professor Dumbledore taking her to his office, the Ministry Bombing, breaking her photo frame and the dormitory window, flying out around the Tower despite Minerva and Poppy begging her not to. Then a numbness spreading across her chest, an explosion beneath her, and falling down, down, down... a wave of nausea passed over her and she screwed her eyes shut.

"It's alright dear, you're recovering very well. I just need you to take these potions for me." Ro gave a tiny nod, opening her mouth as Jocelyn fed her a spoon of what she vaguely recognised as an Anti-Sickness Draught from the bland taste. Three more unknown potions followed, before Jocelyn asked "Would you like me to get you something to eat. They make the most wonderful chicken soup here, just what you need to make you feel better."

Chicken soup... her mum had always brought a steaming bowl of it up to her attic whenever she hadn't been feeling well. Her stomach constricted suddenly- her mum was gone. She was remembering it now, her mum was gone. Ro shook her head, and with a sigh Jocelyn left and pulled the curtains shut behind her. As her mind kept replaying the discovery in Dumbledore's office and the sickening fall that had followed, she closed her eyes and wished she could remember nothing again.

Author's Note:
Despite the grimness of it all, I did actually enjoy this chapter. There are some nice family moments between the remaining five of our main six, and following their slow recovery was a good insight into their individual characters. Poppy is incredibly emotional when not filled with adrenaline such as when she was treating Ro, Minerva just won't relax unless she knows everyone's alright, Septima and Millicent both lose their signature joyfullness and Irma just buttons up completely (which I think comes from how she was treated as a child). And we have the end of the Muggle war- I thought it would be fitting if Churchill himself came to do it since the Magical and Muggle Ministers did co-operate over matters that concerned them both. For this story I decided that they knew each other long before they each achieved their positions and Churchill found out about magic- Winston Spencer-Moon is named after him.

The last section is sad, but at least you know she's ok. Kind of.

Eliethia is adapted from the very long name of a goddess of healing, I forget which goddess. I thought the name fitted for the paediatric spell damage ward, and Ibelin is just a surname plucked from my college history course.

I never intended for their middle names to be revealed in this chapter, but the oppertunity arose so I just rolled with it. There was a lot of thought that went into all of them, so I'm really pleased with how they sound. Annis is a Scottish name which I just really love and I think it goes well with Minerva's first name. Poppy almost ended up with Olivia as a middle name, but at the last minute I came up with Violet and thought it suited her a lot better. Bridget Wenlock is a canonical character, mentioned on Pottermore, and as well as sounding nice with Septima I thought the numerical theme worked well. Irma Elladora first came about when I thought about just how pretty it sounded, then I found out on the wiki that Elladora Black died in 1931 so I came up with that bit of backstory. Millicent-Mae just sounded very pretty (I am a big alliteration fan!), and I couldn't think of a proper middle name that I liked better. Ro's middle name is kind of canonical- there are some canon sources that state her first name is Xiomara rather than Rolanda- and I liked it enough to stick with it.

Updates should get a little more regular in the next couple of weeks, as I'm now on Easter Break. Thanks for all your patience :)