Sorry for the late post (I know this is becoming somewhat of a habit :/)! I'm juggling three jobs and moving city so everything is a bit busy on my end. I will try my best to keep things consistent - or to at least update once a week!
Thanks so much for the lovely reviews! :)
April 2 1997
Poppy sighed and closed the door to her office. She walked to her desk and sat down - Minerva and Severus following suit.
"Minerva, you know as well as I do that superficial cuts are simple to heal," she said. "Unfortunately, the injuries sustained by Mr Malfoy are not superficial cuts. They are also magical wounds meaning that no matter what I try, they will only fully heal in their own time."
Minerva pursed her lips and she glanced from Poppy to the small curtained area outside in the Hospital Wing behind which lay Draco Malfoy, and then to Severus. "Will they fully heal?" she asked.
"There is no reason why they should not," Poppy replied measuredly. "Severus acted quickly and I have plenty of tools at hand that I can use to prevent scarring. What I do need is for one of you to read my incident report, and sign it. Seeing as you were there, Severus, it might be best if you do it?"
Severus, who so far had been oddly silent, reached out to take the parchment Poppy was offering him and began to read. Poppy waited.
"Take your time," she added. "I will need you to add a few details about the actual incident. I can only fill out the medical side of things."
Severus nodded. "I will return the document to you this evening, Madame Pomfrey," he promised, getting up and preparing to leave.
Poppy nodded and she and Minerva watched as Severus left the small office in the Hospital Wing. There was a short and heavy silence. Then, Minerva heard rather than saw Poppy take a deep breath.
"You know what the spell was?" she said, looking significantly at Minerva. "The one Potter used."
"I do," Minerva said quietly. She pursed her lips.
"It was—"
"I know what it was, Poppy," Minerva interrupted gently. She was aware that Poppy was only worried, and rightly so. However, Minerva did not wish to discuss the topic any more than she needed to.
The mere fact that Potter had cast such a spell already made her slightly sick to her stomach. This was particularly considering the history behind the spell. Indeed, Minerva was not surprised that Severus had come to her ashen face and somewhat stiff and awkward as he relayed to her the news of Potter and Malfoy's actions.
In the past, during his days as a Death Eater, Severus was known for casting Sectumsempra. Many had been injured by it, including those whom Minerva knew well — Alastor Moody being one of them. Consequently, Minerva was surprised and suitably concerned to see it being used once again in 1997; it brought back memories that she would rather have remained forgotten.
"Sorry, dear," Poppy apologised, noticing Minerva's expression. "The boy will be fine. Severus has already done much, and I can do a little more with regard to scaring and the like." She paused. "I expect you will be speaking with the Headmaster, then?"
Minerva sighed. "Indeed," she said, though in reality she had already spoken to Albus earlier on and was actually on her way to speak with Potter now. Minerva just did not have the heart to launch into recounting her conversation with Albus at this moment in time. She was too tired, and too cross with Potter to put off reprimanding him any longer.
Minerva got up, and Poppy went to open her office door. "I thought I would also let you know, Minerva, that the case of Black Cat Flu actually happens to be a case of two. I have a few pamphlets to distribute, but if the Headmaster could address the importance of checking for symptoms of this flu and the importance of hand-washing, I would appreciate it."
"Consider it done, Poppy," Minerva replied, stepping out of the office.
Poppy smiled appreciatively, though her smile was somewhat strained and tired. "Thank you," she said.
Minerva nodded and then left. As she rounded the last corner and arrived in the final corridor leading to the Gryffindor Common Room, Minerva rubbed her temples apprehensively. She was exceedingly cross with Potter. But, she reminded herself, it was likely that he had not known what the spell would do.
Minerva pursed her lips at that last thought - if anything the fact that Potter had wildly hollered a random spell he knew nothing about made the incident even worse.
She stopped outside the portrait of the Fat Lady. "Quid Agis," she said.
The portrait swung open and Minerva entered.
"Potter," she barked. The boy was sitting motionless on the red sofa, staring into the fire as though frozen there. "Potter!" she repeated.
He jumped and turned to look at her. His shocked face morphed into apprehension and worry. So he should be, Minerva thought harshly.
"Follow me," she said sharply.
Potter silently obeyed. They walked the remainder of the way to the Transfigurations corridor without speaking. They reached her office a few minutes later, and Minerva went to stand behind her desk, her fingertips pressed on the tabletop.
"Moving past the fact that you were duelling with another student, Potter," she began, a point that she was later going to come back to, "what on earth possessed you to use such a dangerous spell on a fellow student?"
"I didn't know that's what it did," Potter said quietly.
"So you thought it appropriate to use a spell you did not understand, on another person?" Minerva said. "As a sixth year, Mr Potter, you should be more responsible and more intelligent than that. If Professor Snape had not—"
"I know," Potter said, still looking at his feet.
Minerva pursed her lips. "I have never been more disappointed in the behaviour of one of my students," she said, and at this point in time, she meant it. "Where did you come across this spell?"
"I—I don't know. I read it."
"Where?" Minerva asked automatically. "A textbook? A library book? A book you found outside of school?"
"I don't know—maybe school," Potter said, shrugging, looking helpless.
Minerva's eyes narrowed at these words. It had always been suspected that Severus had made up Sectumsempra - Minerva had not come across it before the 80s and neither had Albus, which they had both found unusual at the time.
"Had somebody written it down? In a margin, perhaps?"
The boy looked up and his eyes widened. Minerva pursed her lips even more tightly.
"I'm sorry, Professor. I really didn't mean it."
"That is quite by the by now, Potter," Minerva said coldly. "You are lucky you haven't been expelled as it is. All such incidents are meant to be reported to the Ministry," she told him. "Professor Dumbledore has managed to deal with the minister, which is the sole reason why you are still here and not back with your aunt and uncle."
Harry looked aghast.
"I expect you to compose a formal written apology to Malfoy—"
"—But he attacked me—"
"And yet he is the one in the Hospital Wing, Potter," Minerva interrupted, speaking over him loudly. "Suffering from serious damage as a result of the curse you used."
She gave him a hard stare over her rectangular spectacles. Potter did not argue again.
"As I said," she continued. "I would like you to apologise to Malfoy. I am also deducting 60 points from Gryffindor, and you will be spending the rest of this term in detention."
"Professor Snape has already given me detentions on Saturdays," Potter mumbled. "I won't be able to attend the last match of term," he added, then looking up, 'Couldn't—"
"I could not," Minerva said firmly. "Given the gravity of what has just transpired, I agree wholeheartedly with Professor Snape's decision. You acted foolishly and recklessly, Potter. And, your actions culminated in one of your fellow classmates being grievously injured. It is fortunate that none of those injuries are permanent."
Potter looked down at his feet again just as there was a knock at her door.
Minerva cleared her throat. "I would like you to return to your dormitory, and think about tonight's events."
Potter nodded and left. Minerva followed him and opened the door to find Albus on the other side. They watched Potter run down the corridor towards the Gryffindor common room. Minerva pursed her lips and closed the door to her office.
"The Minister?" she asked.
"Will not expel him."
Minerva nodded, feeling relieved. "We just need to deal with Narcissa, now," she said.
"Severus has spoken with her," Albus said. "She will not be pressing any charges."
Minerva let out a breath she had not known she had been holding. "That is a relief," she said. "I honestly thought she would given the—but anyway," she said, changing course and shaking her head. "I am glad. Even though Potter's actions were inexcusable," she added.
Albus nodded, and Minerva suddenly sighed loudly and rubbed her eyes.
"What a day," she said tiredly.
"Indeed. I heard a student transfigured a table into a boar this morning?"
"It was his chair, actually," Minerva corrected him, remembering the incident. "Impressive for a third year but still a trying incident. The silly thing broke my bookshelf and trampled at least half a dozen books before I managed to transfigure it back into a chair."
Albus had the decency not to chuckle. Instead, he patted her arm sympathetically. "Would you like some tea, my dear? If you do not mind me saying, but you look exceedingly worn out, Minerva."
"I would not mind some tea," Minerva admitted. "But I have some marking to do, and I must write to the Dursleys as well."
"To frighten them? I rather believe you might be doing Harry a favour."
"You might be right in that regard," Minerva wearily agreed. She straightened suddenly and walked into her office again. Albus followed and lightly closed the door behind him, which Minerva appreciated. She was grateful that he knew her well enough by now to understand when she wanted to be left alone and when she wanted, or needed, some company.