Half a Life Without You
Chapter 3: Aftermath
Everly's POV:
A cry pierces the still night air, abruptly invading my peaceful slumber. Disoriented, I scan the darkened room, my drowsy gaze finds nothing of out of the ordinary. I give a slight shrug thinking it must have just been a bad dream. Laying back against the pillow I snuggle into the blankets letting out a small sigh of contentment and close my heavy eyes.
Only a moment later my eyes widen with alarm, another terrifying scream of pain splits through the darkness. Throwing off my blanket I bolt up from the bed, my tiredness forgotten. Standing immobile against its side I listen and wait helplessly as the awful sounds of distress grow closer. Icy chills of dread race down my spine, the source of those cries having reached just outside the doors. My body stiffens in frightened anticipation not knowing what terrible thing I'm about to be confronted with.
Suddenly, the doors are thrown open banging hard enough to rattle the wall sconces on either side. A voice yells out from the darkened hallway "LUMINOS!", warm bright light fills the room as candles flare to life along the sides and across the heavy chandeliers hanging over head.
Soaring through the entrance are four horizontal robed figures, their floating forms being carried by unseen hands. I let out a startled gasp, and not just because they're hovering through the air, each of them appears to be covered in blood. Robes ripped open displaying several nasty gashes along their arms and legs, faces swollen and bruised.
The first to be carried through the door is a dark-haired boy bleeding profusely from a severe leg injury, I can clearly see where the bone cut through the skin bending it unnaturally, I shudder involuntarily only imagining how excruciatingly painful it must be for him.
Rushing footfalls follow closely behind the floating forms. A tall woman with black hair pulled tightly into a bun enters swiftly, her expression grim as she flicks her wand towards one of the beds lined along the wall, slowly placing the boy with the badly broken leg onto it. Despite her efforts to be gentle, he lets out another agonized scream when his leg touches the bed. Without warning, Madam Pomfrey is rushing past me, moving so quickly I feel a breeze push my hair forward as she passes. She immediately begins running her wand over the screaming boy, his body spasming with pain.
My eyes flicker back to the entry way, a slightly over-weight middle aged man with thinning brown hair enters next. He aims his wand and lowers three more boys with various degrees of injury, placing them in the beds directly across from where Madam Pomfrey is currently caring for the boy with the severely damaged leg.
Almost as soon as they're settled onto the beds, sounds of throwing up can be heard. The older gentleman gags turning away to face the corner, apparently a sympathetic vomiter he's of little help to the poor boy. The tall black-haired women dashes over, pushing him out of the way. If the situation wasn't so serious it would have been quite amusing, especially at the woman's scornful remarks, "For Merlin's sake Horace! Get ahold of yourself, we do NOT have time for your nonsense. Humph…Make yourself useful and go and check on Mr. Potter and Mr. Lupin, I'll manage Mr. Pettigrew myself."
Not wasting a moment to remove himself from the situation, I watch as he literally bounces past the woman and vomiting boy, carefully keeping his eyes averted the entire time. Now at a safer distance, he promptly dabs his head with a white handkerchief before beginning to run his wand over the boys' unconscious forms.
I remain frozen in place, the wild chaos around me dulled by blood roaring loudly in my ears. In my head I repeat the names I just overheard, Potter, Lupin, Pettigrew, Horace. Staggered I suddenly realize not only did I travel to an imaginary world, I travelled into the past. It was the only way to explain how young they all appeared, even Dumbledore's beard wasn't as gray as it ought to have been. Pain unexpectedly stabs through my hands, realizing they're clenched tightly by my side I shake them open and stare dazedly at the little half-moons bleeding across my palms. A small sigh of anxiety slips from my mouth.
I'm pulled from my inner turmoil when another levitating boy glides through the entrance. Dumbledore walks briskly beside him moving purposely past the others toward the back of the room, exactly to where I'm still standing like a ridiculous statue. The boy's long black hair hangs limply down his back, it's matted against his head with the same dried blood caked over most of his face.
Dumbledore drops the boy delicately on the bed directly next to mine. He then points his wand at the unconscious boy's bloody face, "Episkey". I hear a sickening crack as the boy's nose is snapped back into place. Looking on in silence I thank God he wasn't awake for that. Dumbledore continues running his wand over the boy whispering in low soothing tones what I can only guess are more healing spells.
"I need help over here!" Madam Pomfrey calls out, I look around and can see everyone is busy trying to help the other boys. No longer a frozen statue I find myself running in her direction shouting, "I can help, just tell me what you need me to do!"
She hesitates for only a moment before giving me directions, "Grab his arms and place your body over his chest, I need him held as steady as possible! His leg is badly broken, and all my focus and energy must be on the healing spell needed to repair the damage."
I hastily move to his side, taking hold of his arms I place my weight across his chest. I can feel his body trembling beneath mine, sweat trickles over his face mixing with blood from the multiple cuts spattered across his brow and cheeks. It also has not escaped my notice how much larger he is than me, and I'm filled with uncertainty at the task before me.
Madam Pomfrey takes position at the end of the bed, her gaze intense as she asks, "are you ready?" I want to scream no, but instead I bravely nod my head yes. I tighten my hold on him and lean over to whisper softly in his ear, "If you can hear me, please try not to move."
Madam Pomfrey catches my eye momentarily before lifting her wand to cast the healing spell over his leg. It snaps loudly back into place causing him to scream out the most unearthly sound of agony, tears of sympathy blur my vision. I reach up to lightly smooth his hair back from his sweaty brow, "Shhh…It's over now. You're going to be just fine." I tell him quietly, hoping I'm being of some comfort.
Looking back at his face I notice his eyes previously squeezed shut with pain are now open, steal gray eyes peer up at me curiously. Realizing I'm still laying over his chest I flush and start to pull away, but before I can shift completely away from his side, he grabs my hand and weakly says "stay with me."
Before I can reply, Madam Pomfrey is thrusting potion bottles into my hands, "give these potions to him, it's of the up most importance he drinks every drop. I really must go and check on the others." Turning on her heel she briskly walks away.
I glance back down into his ashen face, "I'll stay, but you must promise to drink every drop…it is of the upmost importance after all." I say with a small teasing smile. I'm pleased when his lips turn up slightly in humor. I bring the potion up to his cracked lips and gently place my hand on the back of his head helping him to sit up slightly. He drinks down both potions never removing his inquisitive grey eyes from mine. Flustered by his constant staring I fumble a little putting the empty bottles on the small bedside table and attempt to shift away from his side.
He tightens his grip on my hand, "You said you would stay with me." He softly accuses. I place my hand over his and squeeze gently, "I'll stay." I say reassuringly. "By the way…thank you for…um…holding still", I add awkwardly with a small smile.
He smiles tiredly up at me, "What's your name, love?" he asks drowsily.
I pause and then murmur "Everly."
"Sirius", he says tapping his chest. I can see him fighting to keep his eyes open and focused on me, but the sleep tonic and the events of the night have left him exhausted. Losing his battle against sleep his eyes close for a final time. His hand loosens against mine and drops lifelessly to the bed. I stand up and pull the blankets securely around him. "Rest well…Sirius" I whisper softly.
A painful gasp from across the room takes my notice and I make my way over to where the three boys are being treated. Madam Pomfrey offers a tired smile as I approach, "the potions will do most of the work now, but we could use some help with cleaning and bandaging if you're up to it?" she questions.
"Just tell me where to begin," I reply. With a look of approval, she ushers me forward.
Noisy disorder eventually gave way to utter stillness, an eerie tranquility spread over the wounded boys as they enter a deep healing sleep.
Stretching, I place the unused bandages neatly back on the shelf. I look over the sleeping boys and can't help thinking this has been one helluva a weird night. Despite their initial appearance most of their wounds were not too severe, I overheard Madam Pomfrey speaking with the others earlier about their prognosis, "James, Peter, and Remis will be fine, the healing tonic will work over-night and they'll be good as new in the morning. Sirius will require at least two to three days' rest in the Infirmary, but I expect a full recovery as well. Severus had some internal bruising along his arm and ribs not to mention the swelling around his eyes from the broken nose, he will need at least two days of rest as well. Now will one of you tell me what happened!?" she asked in a demanding tone. Unfortunately, Dumbledore remembered my presence and suggested the conversation continue in Madam Pomfrey's office. Whatever keep your secrets, I think meanly, watching them exit the Infirmary.
With them gone, I find myself standing over Severus' sleeping form, my stomach full of butterflies and my head buzzing with exhilaration. From the moment Madam Pomfrey said his name I couldn't stop thinking about him, what would I'd say to him, what would he say to me, how should I act... I've been hoping and fearing this moment since my arrival.
Staring intently down at him I notice he still has some dried blood covering his face. I quickly retrieve a small bowel of warm water and wash cloth. Sitting by his side I begin to gently wipe his face clean, slowly revealing a striking if not overly handsome face.
I'm suddenly startled by an unexpected voice growling roughly at me, "who are you?". A hand quickly snatches hold of my wrists holding them with an iron grasp. Onyx eyes drill into mine, my brain refuses to respond as I desperately try to find my voice, but I'm lost in bottomless pools of darkness. Staring becomes our only form of communication, our eyes locked. His face is rigid with tension as he demands again, "who are you?"
I shakily stammer out my name, "Everly. I'm Everly"
"This hardly tells me who you are" he sneers releasing his hold on my hands. He turns toward the sleeping boys at the other end of the room. He looks back at me with narrowed eyes, "will they recover?"
"Yes, Madam Pomfrey thinks most of them will be better by morning," I reply.
"Pity" he sighs with disappointment.
"You would wish them dead or dying then?" I snap at him accusingly.
"You do not get to judge me; you have no idea what they've put me through." He hisses at me angrily.
I stare into his endless black eyes, sorrow and pain swimming within their depths. Compassion for him fills me completely, I grasp his hand lightly and whisper. "I'm sorry. Your right I have no place to judge."
He looks back at me with an expression of stunned surprise. His gaze softens as he continues to gaze at me not breaking eye contact. I lean closer and gently continue wiping his face, he silently watches me with confusion. "Who are you?" he asks in wonderment. We both stare at each other transfixed, I can practically feel the air crackling between us.
The creaking of floorboards breaks our spell. I pull my eyes from his and scramble to stand when I see an exhausted Madam Pomfrey making her way toward us.
She hands me a small bottle, "Drink up. Time to get your rest too". Her kind yet demanding tone told me there would be no protesting. Lifting the bottle to my lips I drain its contents before giving it back. Maneuvering herself between Severus and I she is now blocking him from my view. "Alright then off to bed with you, I'll take care of young Severus." she says sternly directing me to my bed. "Thank you, Everly… for your help tonight", she adds softly handing me a clean night shirt and pants. The privacy screen is suddenly pushed between the beds before I can say anything in response.
I sigh sadly at losing my time with Severus so abruptly. Resigned I change into the fresh pajamas and climb into bed. Fatigued by the nights events I feel myself quickly falling asleep, my last thoughts are of tomorrow and beautiful midnight eyes.