Chapter Forty-Seven, The over-100ft Fall

They say that when a tragic moment occurs that there are two ways in which a person can react: one, they act instantly almost instinctively and without much thought, and the second, they freeze completely rendered to the sheer fear that griped them in its icy grip. And the latter is exactly what happened to Sirius who sat frozen in his seat as ice gripped his veins, and for Fred who had turned upon hearing Izzy's name screamed in fear and froze on his broom. Both of their minds were screaming at them to move, to react, to do something but they could not; they just sat frozen eyes wide in obvious signs of fear while barely daring to breathe. It was almost like they had been struck with the Body-Bind Curse as they watched Izzy fall rapidly through the air unconscious.

Amidst the screams echoing around the pitch and reverberating through the grounds, Minerva and Remus jumped to their feet, their wands pointing at Izzy.
"Arresto Momentum!" The pair shouted, pushing as much power into their spells as possible. Slowly Izzy started to slow down but she was still falling too fast for anyone's liking until Fillius Flitwick and Andromeda Tonks cast the spells as well aiding Minerva and Remus in slowing Izzy's descent but she still hit the ground with a thud; her right arm and left leg at odd angles while Ponoma and several of the other teachers cast the Patronus Charm to drive the Dementors off.

While Augusta was trying to calm Sirius down, the other heads of Houses were herding the students back up to the castle as the game was officially over. Cedric, who had recovered from the relative small lightning blast, had caught the Snitch just moments before Izzy fell from the clouds.
"No. No, I'm not going, Percy." Ron argued, shrugging his brother off. "I...I need...I need to know she's a-alive." Ron stuttered, tears in his eyes as he looked up at his older brother. Percy looked down at Izzy fearfully, his heart breaking at the sight of her prone body as Sirius and Fred sobbed beside her while George and Remus tried to pull them away so Madam Pomfrey and Melissa Zabini the Healing Professor could get her up to the castle.

"C-come," Percy croaked before clearing his throat, "come on then." He agreed, leading the way from the stands to the pitch in a run. He wanted to make sure she was okay too, but he was also scared. She was his little sister and seeing her fall from the clouds at a breakneck speed...his heart had just about stopped and he wasn't sure if it had restarted just yet.

Behind him he could hear Ron, Neville, Celeste and Izzy's other friends from other houses following behind them along with the thumping footsteps of Hagrid as he lumbered behind them; but Percy made them no mind nor the students who were being led away as he and the others pushed through the crowd ignoring the shouts following them. As they reached the middle of pitch the rest of the Gryffindor team had joined Sirius, Remus, Fred, Madam Pomfrey and Healer Zabini around Izzy's prone soaked form.

Percy cringed at the sight of her arm and leg at odd angles, covered in mud and soaked to the bone. But what stood out more to Percy was how pale she was, far more than what should be healthy.
"H-how is she?" Neville stuttered, leaning into his friends for support as tears fell down their cheeks.
"I need to get her to the Hospital Wing to access further," Madam Pomfrey started making everyone's hopes plummet, "but the quick thinking of the Headmistress, and Professors Lupin, Tonks and Flitwick saved her from serious injury."

"Why is she unconscious?" Sirius panicked, gently brushing her hair out of her face.
"I think it's just the effect of the Dementors, Siri." Remus assured him, resting a hand on his boyfriend's shoulder.
"She passed out on the train, but just to make sure," Melissa waved her wand over Izzy while Madam Pomfrey stabilised Izzy by resetting her joints and levitated her onto a floating stretcher, "it's just Dementor exposure. Severe exposure, for sure but exposure." Melissa assured them. "She will need a lot of support once she comes round as this will affect her mental health more than it did on the train."

"Right," Madam Pomfrey said firmly, "let's get her to the Hospital Wing and we can treat her properly. All of you can wait in the waiting room outside the hospital." She said firmly, as she turned on her heel towards the castle with Izzy floating beside her while her loved ones watched on with very obvious fear and worry.

* * *

It was only after Izzy had her bones reset and cast, taken the potion for Dementor Exposure and been changed into warm, dry pyjamas did Madam Poppy Pomfrey and Healer Melissa Zabini let five in at a time to sit around her bedside as they waited for her to awake.
"How is she?" Sirius asked, jumping to his feet the second he noticed the doors opening.
"Give them a moment to leave, Sirius." Remus chastised, but he too jumped to his feet, despite his body still recovering from the Full Moon that passed on Thursday night, and clasped Sirius's hand tightly. Poppy and Melissa looked around at those gathered with Sirius and Remus squished into the waiting room, and couldn't help but smile despite the situation at all of those who loved and cared for the sweet girl just beyond the doors behind them.

In the waiting room along with Sirius and Remus were Hagrid, all of the Weasleys, Neville Longbottom, Celeste Bryn, Luna Lovegood, Kellah Johnson, Oliver Wood, Lee Jordan, Alicia Spinnett, Katie Bell, Draco Malfoy, Blaise Zabini, Daphne Greengrass, Theo Nott, Seamus Finnigan, Dean Thomas, Gemma Farley, and Susan Bones. Poppy was thankful she had a strict rule on how many can wait in the waiting room otherwise she knew it would be packed more than it currently was as she knew Andromeda would want to come and check on her niece along with Minerva and Augusta who were like grandmothers to Izzy but had put the need to check on their other students and for Minerva to get in contact with Amelia Bones and Minister Cornelius Fudge regarding what had happened with the Dementors.

"She's still asleep which will be the best thing for her as she will be in a lot of pain from her arm and leg which had broken upon impact. Thankfully it was a clean break and we were able to reset it and put the shoulder joint back into place and place both her wrist and leg up to her knee in a cast as she cannot have Skelegro while she is taking the potion for Dementor Exposure. For falling over a hundred feet she was incredibly lucky." Melissa kindly explained to them.
"That said I want Miss Luna Lovegood, Mr Neville Longbottom, Miss Gemma Farley, Mr Theodore Nott and Mr Draco Malfoy to all take the mild Dementor Exposure potion and eat these chocolate frogs along with you Mr Fred Weasley as you're most likely feeling the effects through Izzy." Poppy added sternly, handing out the potion and chocolate frogs.

"You too Sirius." Melissa added, raising an eyebrow just daring the man to argue as she held out a chocolate frog and a strong Dementor Exposure potion.
"When can we see Izzy?" Hagrid asked anxiously, mopping his face to remove the rain water.
"And how's my sister?" Kellah asked nervously, wringing her hands in an obvious display of nerves and fear. Tutting Poppy rolled her eyes at them all and waved her wand causing hot air to blast them all, drying their clothes and hair instantly, with another wave the several puddles of water on the floor were vanished, and the soaked armchairs and sofas were dried.
"Only five at a time and only for five minutes each." Poppy remarked strictly, her hands on her hip as she dared them all to ignore her.

"Your sister is doing just fine Miss Johnson." Melissa assured the young girl who let out a sigh of relief, slumping against the chair she perched on. "She's been given a dose of Skelegro and her bones in her arm have mended perfectly, we're just monitoring her for the time being to make sure she doesn't have a concussion, but Angelina can be released before dinner. You can go sit with her if you like and once some have left you can sit with Izzy."
"Thank you." Kellah sighed in relief, rushing into the ward to see her big sister. She believed the words of Healer Zabini and Madam Pomfrey but she wouldn't truly believe them until she saw her sister and Izzy with her own eyes.

"And drink the Pepper-Ups, all of you. Why you played in a storm I never know." She grumbled as she returned to the ward to treat her remaining patients now that Izzy was stable. She had more than enough work to be getting on with Angelina Johnson and two Hufflepuff Chasers with broken bones from falling from their brooms, Cedric Diggory needed monitoring after he was struck by lightning despite being able to finish the game after regathering his wits, and one Hufflepuff Beater had spikes of an umbrella imbedded in his arm.
"Some of you lot go through," Remus nodded his head towards the double doors to the ward, "Sirius, Hagrid and I will go last with whoever is left but after that you need to go to your Common Rooms and get into something warm."

Not needing to be told twice Fred rushed through the double doors with the rest of the Weasleys following behind him.
"I want to see my daughter, Remus." Sirius whispered harshly so only the werewolf could hear as the other teens spoke amongst themselves and Hagrid slumped against the wall in relief.
"I know Sirius, I want to see her too. Moony is berating me something fierce...but these kids, their fear for their friend is almost palpable; especially Fred. We can wait a little longer." Remus placated, Sirius sighed and sat back down beside his boyfriend knowing he was right but still not liking having to wait to see his daughter.

~

"She looks far too peaky." Ron fretted anxiously, pulling the covers up higher around her with one hand while the other held her shattered broom, reminiscing his siblings strongly of their mother. On her left side Fred was holding her good hand as if it was a lifeline.
"Peaky? Peaky?" Fred asked incredulously. "She fell over a hundred feet!"
"Yeah, come on Ron," George cajoled. "Let's walk you off the Astronomy Tower -"
"- and see what you look like." Fred finished.
"Fred, George.." Percy started to reprimand them but it was thin as his voice was still rather shaky only to be interrupted by the very girl they were all extremely worried about.
"Probably a right side better than he normally does." Izzy teased weakly, only for all of the Weasleys to dive upon the bed to try and hug at least some part of her.

"OW!" Izzy complained laughing weakly as Ginny and Ron had landed on her injured arm and leg.
"Izzy? Are you alright? Please. Please be alright." Fred begged, pressing his lips to the knuckles of the hand he held.
"You gave us a right good scare there, Izzy." George told her, his voice still somewhat shaky.
"I'm okay?" Izzy said it more like a question as she was rather confused over why she was in the Hospital Wing until it all came back to her. The storm. The Snitch. The Dementors and... her mother begging and screaming not for her life but for Izzy's, her daughter. Almost at once the light drained from her eyes leaving a haunted look in them. "I dunno." She whispered.

"Physically? I ache everywhere but my arm and leg are throbbing. Mentally? I...I dunno. It was worse this time." Everyone froze as they remembered what Izzy had told them at the start of term, what she heard from the Dementors. If they were in Izzy's shoes they weren't sure how they would cope if they heard that. But they swore to themselves and to Izzy that if they needed her then they would be there no matter what and no matter the time to listen or even to just sit in silence and offer comfort, or anything else she needed.

"I'm sorry I scared you, Freddie. All of you." Izzy apologised, looking down at the blanket.
"Hey! None of that Izzy." Percy replied his tone firm and unrelenting but his arms were soft as he brought her into a hug, his heart breaking as Izzy sobbed into his arms. Offering the comfort only a big brother or older sibling could offer.
"We're all just glad you're going to be okay, Izzy." Fred reassured her, kissing her knuckles once more before rubbing his thumb over them tenderly.

"Is that... is that my broom?" Izzy asked almost fearfully as she spotted the bundle in Ron's arms.
"It is." George confirmed sorrowfully, squeezing her knee gently in comfort and support. "The storm blew it into the Whomping Willow after you fell. I'm sorry Izzy we were all worried about you that we didn't notice at first."
"It's okay Georgie. It's not yours, or anyone's fault." Izzy asserted, giving him a tight smile.
"Sirius will probably tell you when he and Professor Lupin come in, they're waiting in the waiting room with Hagrid, the rest of the team and your other friends," Ginny explained excitedly. "But he said he's going to get you the best broom to replace it."

"And before you ask, Hufflepuff won." Ron added. "No one really cares of course, besides certain people, we were all preoccupied with making sure you were okay to notice that the Hufflepuff Seeker had recovered and had caught the Snitch."
"We're still way ahead of the other teams on points anyway but all that matters to us, your friends from Gryffindor and the rest of the team is that you're okay." George insisted, kissing her forehead in a brotherly fashion.
"McGonagall was furious." Ginny informed her, jumping up onto the bed beside her feet. "I've never seen her so mad. The Dementors aren't supposed to come inside the grounds. I heard she's having a meeting with Fudge and Neville's Gran right now. Hopefully they'll be gone soon."

"Come on you lot," Percy called as he spotted Madam Pomfrey heading their way a handful of minutes later, "our time's up and there's loads who want to see Izzy. We'll come back and see you later, okay?" Percy asked Izzy, kissing her forehead.
"Okay." Izzy whispered quietly.
"You're stronger than you know you are Izzy." George told her, hugging her tightly followed by Ginny, Fred then Ron who shoved Fred out of the way to hug Izzy making her giggle. "Come on Ron."
"Fine. Fine." Ron sighed, rolling his eyes at his siblings which only made Izzy laugh more, a sound that brightened the spirits of those still waiting to see her.

Once all of her friends, including Hagrid who sobbed when he saw her much like he did every time she was in this hospital bed, finally got to see her Dad and Papa.
"Oh my pup!" Sirius cried, running towards the bed, perching on the edge of the bed and pulled her into his arms. The pair held onto each other so tightly that the feeling of love, safety and security made Izzy sob once more.
"Oh cub. Everything's going to be okay." Remus reassured her, carefully wrapping her in his arms on the opposite side of Sirius. "I'm sorry about your broomstick." He knew she would also be upset about that as she was a Quidditch fanatic like Sirius is and like James was.

"Don't worry sweetheart I'll get you the best broom I could possibly get. You leave it to me." Sirius reassured her, gently carding his fingers through her hair.
"Papa, why do the Dementors affect me so? More than anyone else?" Izzy asked tearfully, sniffling occasionally.
"Listen. The Dementors are the foulest creatures to walk this earth," Remus conveyed, rubbing Izzy's back gently, aiding Sirius in calming her down. "They feed on every good feeling, every happy memory... until a person is left with absolutely nothing but his or her worst experiences. You are NOT weak, Izzy." He insisted on the last part firmly, enunciating the 'not'.

"The Dementors affect you most of all because there are true horrors in your past. Horrors your classmates can scarcely imagine. You have nothing to be ashamed of." Sirius insisted, kissing her forehead.
"I'm scared Daddy, Papa." Izzy admitted, playing with her Heiress rings.
"That is nothing to he ashamed of either." Remus said resolutely. "And, to be honest, I'd consider you a fool if you weren't." Remus jokes, lightening the mood a little.
"I need to know how to fight them. Protect myself. Can you teach me?" She asked hopefully, looking from Remus to Sirius. "I can't keep hearing it. And you made the Dementor on the train go away, Papa."

"I know, cub," Remus sighed feeling nothing but horror that his daughter remembered that night and that was the only memory she had of her parents. It pained him and Sirius beyond belief. "But there was only one that night." He argued.
"But you made it go away." Izzy muttered sadly.
"I don't pretend to be an expert in Defence, Izzy." Remus tried to explain while mulling it over in his mind. Silently conversing with Sirius over Izzy's head. "But," he added when he saw the disheartened look on her face, a look he never wanted to see again, he hurried to continue. "As the Dementors seem to have developed a particular interest in my cub, perhaps I should teach you. But after the Yule holidays. I need to rest and regain my strength."
"Thank you Papa." Izzy cried happily, throwing her arms around his neck.

* * *

"I hear you've had a recent set back, Izzy." Healer Fawley commented kindly. Like always the pair of them were sitting in the back of the Hospital Wing. This time, however, they were in Madam Pomfrey's office as the private ward they usually used was being occupied at the moment as the hospital was rather full from yesterday's fiasco at the match. Not including the other minor-major injuries the other students were being treated for.
"Yes." Izzy whispered, staring at her fingers. "Ten Dementors attacked me yesterday during the Quidditch match. I heard more of that night. Of my Mum begging for my life to be spared, not her own."

"They loved you, Izzy. If what I've heard from Sirius and Remus is even only half as true then I have no doubt that you meant the world to James and Lily. Much like you do to Sirius and Remus. To your friends, and to Fred. You mean the world to so many people that it's only natural that they would try their utmost to protect you, much like you would for them." Healer Fawley explained gently. "Perhaps, maybe bring these topics up with all of your parents and your grandparents over Yule." She suggested before handing Izzy a green leather bound journal.

"For the next few weeks I want you to write down every fear, every doubt and every worry. But I also want you to write down every good thing that happens too, and we'll discuss it after Yule."
"Okay." Izzy agreed, nodding her head and accepting the journal. After giving their wishes for a happy Yule, Izzy was making her way up to Gryffindor Tower when she suddenly changed her mind turning in a different direction for a stroll around the lake to clear her head as she mentally worked out how many Yule gifts she had left to get at the last Hogsmeade trip in a few weeks.

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Author's note: DO NOT ask me to update in any way shape or form. There are other ways of telling me what you thought of this. Anyone who does will get one warning before they are blocked.