*Sofia's view

The silence of the darkness suddenly filled with voices. But no matter how hard I tried to make out what they were talking about, I couldn't concentrate because of the pain. Finally, with great effort, I managed to open my eyes. As I slowly regain consciousness, the world around me swims into focus. My head throbs with a dull ache, and as I reach up to touch it, my fingers brush against a bandage. Confusion clouds my thoughts momentarily until the events of the past occurrences. The dimly lit room, the faint smell of potions all indicate one thing: I'm in the infirmary. And judging by the lump on my head, I'm not getting out of here anytime soon.

As I lie staring at the ceiling of the hospital wing, I notice the shadows shifting on the wall as footsteps draw nearer. - Pansy – I uttered, my voice was barely a whisper due to my parched throat.

I turned around, and saw Professor Snape walks to my bed. My heart skips a beat, as meeting him was the last thing I expected for today. It's as if the dark clouds of the past few hours materialized with his arrival. His expression, as always, was cold and enigmatic, and as he looked at me, I felt the tension rising.

- Mrs. Miller – began Professor Snape, his voice as chilly as ever. – I heard that you and Miss Granger had an encounter outside, and it wasn't exactly a friendly conversation.

My tongue tripped over the words, and I tried to avert his gaze, hid my reddening face beneath the blanket. – Well – I started awkwardly, but I couldn't continue.

An unusually soft smile appeared on his face, which really surprised me. – You needn't be ashamed, Mrs. Miller – Snape says softly. – In fact, I'm here to congratulate you.

For a moment, I can't believe my ears, but as soon as I realised that the professor was speaking seriously, I started to feel uncomfortable. I was expecting him to get angry and lecture me about the dangers of fighting, and how I brought shame upon the Slytherin house. But instead? Definitely not this. – Congratulations? But…why?

Professor Snape's dark eyes meet mine, and an inscrutable expression flickers across them. – Because a good person will do anything for the one they love. You fought for she and it shows great courage.

- Wait, I don't understand this. How does the Professor know about my feelings?

- I know more things than you ever thought about - he winked at me, and I couldn't help but gasp in surprise.

As Professor Snape steps out of the infirmary door, only the faint sound of its closing remains. After his departure, my thoughts are still swirled. The events of the past few minutes spined in my head like post-explosion smoke. How can he know something I haven't even told anyone yet? The initial instinct is to spill everything, but fear took hold of me. What if her reaction changes everything? What if it alters the dynamic we've built so far? The quickly following retreat isn't unexpected. Now is not the time to risk everything we have. Maybe someday, but not now.

The tranquillity of contemplation is shattered by the resonating voice of Madam Pomfrey. As she saw me, she drops her basket full of herbs, and ran to my bed. – Professor Snape said that if you are awake he will send me an emergency owl. And what happened actually? You woke up and I didn't know about it. I always said that he is unreliable – she grumbled. – Sit up and drink this – she pressed the glass next to my bed into my hand. I grimaced at the sight of the green something, that was more like a paste than liquid. – I said drink it – due to her commanding voice, I finally made up my mind.

The medicine's taste was so disgusting that for a moment, I thought I would vomit, but I clenched my teeth and forced it down, knowing it was necessary for my recovery.

Pansy burst into the hospital wing with an exuberant smile on her face. – Sofia! Oh, I'm so glad you are awake! – she exclaimed, and rushed over to me to hug me. – I've been so worried about you. But I was a little relieved, when Snape told me that you are conscious.

Our joyous reunion was quickly tempered by Madam Pomfrey's stern reminder to refrain from excessive physical contact. Reluctantly, Pansy took a seat beside my bed, and begins to recount how I ended up in the infirmary, I listen attentively. As she narrates the events, she occasionally adds witty remarks to lighten the mood and make things easier. I simply can't help but laugh at her humour, even as we sit at the edge of my hospital bed. Pansy truly excels in humour, and her laughter fills the room like a breath of fresh air. Even tough my recovery is still far off, I know that Pansy's presence brings relief and joy to my life.

For our surprise, the door opened again. Firstly I thought that it was Madam Pomfrey, but it was worse. It was the mudblood with her little crew. The moment I spot them, I recognize a deeply rooted sense of hostility on their faces, and the mood of both Pansy and me immediately soured. This sudden turn of events triggers unease within me, and it felt as a though a dark cloud is descending upon us. In a moment I forgot all of Pansy's cheerful banters, and it seems like all hope of my recovery dissipates.

Then I notice the injury on Hermione's forehead. How come everyone seems to end up with a head injury in this school? There is something in the air, or is it just the sheer chaos that surround us?

- Where did you get that beautiful decoration on your head, Hermione? – I ask laughing, and from the corner of my eye, I saw Pansy struggling to suppress a laugh.

- Ask your best friend – she snarls with darkened eyes, her voice dripping with contempt as she glares at Pansy, ready to unleash her fury.

I looked at Pansy confused. – She said bad things about you – I smiled at her words.

- Really, this is your reaction? Are you seriously smiling at Pansy, despite knowing the pain she caused me yesterday? She is very aggressive and dangerous.

- She had her causes. And it's enough for me – I answered firmly.

- You deserve each other – Hermione said as I got up, but the world was spinning, and I stumbled backward. But I didn't landed on the ground. I felt Pansy wrap her arms around me, providing support and stability. The momentary confusion was replaced by a sense of relief that she was there beside me.

Pansy held me warmly and securely in her arms, whispering soothing words into my ear. – It's okay, everything will be fine, just relax. I will deal with this annoying nuisance – her words exuded calmness and happiness in me. I slowly attempted to gather myself once again, feeling a mixture of relief and gratitude washing over me, as Pansy gently guided me to the bed. She carefully covered me with a blanket, ensuring my comfort before turning her attention back to the mudblood.

As Pansy walked over to Hermione and strike her hand to hit her once again, a sudden interruption halted her action. McGonagall and Dumbledore appeared in the doorway, their stern expressions quelling the tension in the room. With bitterness, I watched as they intervened, putting an end to the brewing conflict.

- Did she really just get the news, that one of her students had been hit yesterday? – I asked as McGonagall approached Hermione, casting sharp glances at Pansy.