12 October 1995, Hogwarts

Two days later, Valentina's injuries were far less painful. She still couldn't move without painkillers, but Madam Pomfrey had thought it appropriate to slightly reduce the dosage. Fenella and Eddie often visited her whenever they could, sometimes accompanied—much to Valentina's delight—by Lloyd. The entire Quidditch team had also stopped by, and Valentina had tasked Zacharias Smith, who played as Chaser, with the temporary lead of the team while she was recovering. She didn't like him very much, as he could be quite arrogant and selfish every so often, however, she acknowledged his skills in Quidditch and trusted that he would do his best to manage the team. The day before, Fred had attempted to visit her, but Madam Pomfrey had categorically refused to let him in, dreading he might make Valentina try one of the twins' inventions.

It was around four in the afternoon, and Valentina was eagerly awaiting Fenella's visit. She had asked her to bring a book titled Myths and Muggle Legends Explained by Quentin Nitus. Fenella soon arrived, accompanied by Angelina, which slightly surprised Valentina. She greeted her friends with a smile, sitting up in her bed.

"Hello, Val!" Fenella chirped as she arrived.

"Hi! It's rather unusual to see the two of you together," Valentina remarked.

"I was on my way to visit you before Quidditch practice when I ran into Dawson heading to the hospital wing, so here we are," Angelina explained. "How are you feeling since last time?"

"Better, according to Madam Pomfrey, several of my ribs have healed, and my pelvis is starting to mend, as for my lungs and my head, they are still not quite there yet, but it's moving in the right direction," Valentina replied.

"Shall I put your book here? Is that alright?"

Fenella placed the book Valentina asked for on the bedside table and sat on the left side of the bed.

"Yes, perfect, thanks!" Valentina smiled.

"By the way," Angelina began. "Fred asked me to find out if you'd given any thought to their proposal. He tried to come and see you in the Hospital Wing but—verysurprisingly—Madam Pomfrey turned him down. Anyway, I guess I already know what your answer is, right?"

"Er, yeah, I'm not exactly keen on extending my stay in this place," Valentina said, grimacing.

"Well, I thought so. But be careful, I know him—he's very stubborn. He'll probably give it another chance, even if it means breaking half a dozen of Umbridge's rules."

Valentina let out a slight laugh.

"Got it, I'll be careful!"

"With him, you must—I can tell you that," Angelina chuckled. "Right, I'll leave you two, I have a Quidditch match to win against Slytherin in a month!"

And with that, Angelina left. Fenella, who hadn't understood any part of the conversation, turned to Valentina with a puzzled look.

"What's going on with the Weasley twins?"

"Well, you know how I told you that it was Fred who knocked me out with that Bludger?" Valentina said. "He came to visit me two days ago with Angie and his twin, and er... George suggested that I serve as a guinea pig for their weird inventions since I'm stuck in bed all day... and Fred thought it a brilliant idea. Before they left, he told me that he'd stop by later, to give me some time to think about their proposal... "

"And you're gonna turn them down, I hope?"

"Obviously, I care too much about my life for that."

Fenella sighed.

"I told you, those Gryffindors—always making sure people notice them... But after all, this Fred seems rather interested in you, doesn't he? And he's rather cute..." She said with a playful smile on her lips.

Valentina snorted with laughter. Her friend was truly incorrigible.

"I've only spoken to him once in my life, you really need to stop trying to set me up with just anyone, you old matchmaker," Valentina joked.

"Hey! I'm not just anyone!"

Startled, Valentina and Fenella jumped, and looked around for the owner of the disembodied voice that had just spoken. Valentina's gaze landed to the left of her bed, where Fred Weasley was crouching down, flashing them a broad smile.

"W-what's he doing here?!" Fenella exclaimed.

"Shush! Pomfrey mustn't see me," he said, leaning carefully to the aisle to keep an eye out for the Matron.

"Weasley? But, how did you even get in here?" Valentina asked, surprised.

"Hogwarts' secret passages hold no secrets from me, dear lady," he said, winking at her. "So, O'Shea, have you given any thought to our offer?"

Valentina sighed.

"Yes, and the answer is no. There is no way I am letting you and your brother use me as a guinea pig. I do not want to prolong my stay in this hospital wing, thanks."

"But it's almost completely safe! Besides, we have the antidotes for every product we test," he said, proudly.

"'Almost', is exactly what worries me. And seriously Weasley, you can't expect me to believe that antidotes for products that are not up to par yet are effective. Furthermore, I am not entrusting someone I barely know with my physical well-being.

"Huh, Hufflepuffs are not as gullible as I thought. That's a shame," he said with a mischievous grin.

But the young Gryffindor immediately regretted his words when he saw Fenella clench her fists, fuming with rage as she stood up and stepped towards him.

"Care to repeat that?!" she growled.

"Shush! Pomfrey will hear you!"

"As if I care! I swear, you Gryffindors have a thing to infuriate me, you've no idea how much!"

Insulting Hufflepuff in front of Fenella was the worst idea anyone who valued their life could ever have—especially a Gryffindor. She was fiercely loyal to her house and couldn't stand people mocking it. Sensing the situation might get out of hand at any moment, Valentina remembered what Angelina had said a few minutes earlier.

"Er, by the way, Weasley, aren't you supposed to have Quidditch practice right now?"

Fred's face crumpled.

"Bugger, Angie's gonna kill me... Thanks O'Shea—I've got to run, see you later!"

"You're not getting away that easily!" Fenella cried out.

And with that, Fred disappeared under a neighbouring bed. Fenella sighed loudly and sat down heavily on Valentina's bed.

"Those Gryffindor, honestly!" she spat.

"You've got to admit that they are tenacious and quick-witted."

"Yeah, forget what I said earlier, that Fred of yours is not cute at all—he's infuriating!"

Valentina burst out laughing. Her best friend certainly didn't hold the Gryffindors in high regard...