Chapter Nine
3rd Year, Hospital Wing
Albus's POV
A few minutes passed, and then the door swung open, crashing into the wall next to it. Naomi and Annabel rushed into the hospital wing, their faces creased with worry. Naomi's neatly straight hair was completely messed up, and her previously perfectly polished black patent shoes were scuffed from running. Annabel was a complete mess. Her short hair was all in her face, and there was a rip in her jeans. Her face was bright scarlet, and she was struggling to breathe. I hurriedly stood up and Naomi guided her over to the chair.
"I am not a marathon runner," she growled. "Especially not at a sprint! Twice!"
Naomi giggled weakly, and I managed a smile.
Madam Pomfrey returned from where she was rummaging in a cupboard, and smiled at us, our tears dried on our faces. "Now now, I'm sure your friend will be fine," she said kindly.
She shooed us out of the way, and we watched anxiously as she carefully examined Scorpius's body. She stood back and sighed.
"Diagnosilliarmus," she proclaimed, waving her wand with a flourish. An area of air started to shimmer and then moved over Scorpius. As it passed over his body, it showed the inside, like an x-ray. I leaned closer. As it reached his chest, it slowed down slightly. Madam Pomfrey sucked in her breath and narrowed her eyes. I panicked.
"What? What is it? Is he okay?" I started to cry again, and Naomi put her arm around me comfortingly. Her own eyes were filled with tears, and Annabel had her head in her hands, determined not to let anyone see her cry. We all waited nervously for Madam Pomfrey's conclusion.
"I'm afraid it's bad," she said gently. "I can fix it, though."
"What's wrong with him?" Annabel lifted her head from her hands, her eyes red.
"He has three broken ribs, and a badly sprained ankle," Madam Pomfrey replied.
My heart sank. I knew that broken bones would have to be fixed using Skelegro. It was a dreadful-tasting potion that healed broken or vanished bones. My father had needed to take some to grow back the bones in his arm which had been vanished by Gilderoy Lockhart, an ex-professor at Hogwarts. Scorpius was in for a rough night.
3rd Year, Hospital Wing
Naomi's POV
I blinked furiously, trying not to let myself cry. Albus was past that point. There were tears pouring down his cheeks, and he was hiccuping despairingly. I rubbed his back, trying to help him. I noticed he was standing awkwardly, with his entire weight on one leg.
"Let me see," I whispered to him as Madam Pomfrey bustled around collecting potions from various cupboards. He sighed but rolled up his trouser leg. I gasped. His ankle had swollen painfully and was a cherry red colour.
"Why didn't you say anything?" I whispered furiously. Annabel noticed that something was going on and came closer.
"What's going on?" I glanced at Albus, then her.
"Albus's ankle is really badly hurt," I told her. Her forehead creased in worry.
"It's not that bad," he huffed, "I just twisted my ankle a bit, that's all."
Madam Pomfrey hurried over, holding several glass bottles in her arms. She frowned at us.
"Are you okay, Albus?" He nodded sheepishly. I scowled at him.
"No, he's not," I replied angrily. "He's hurt his ankle."
"Let me see, dear," she coaxed.
He reluctantly pulled up his trouser leg again.
"That looks nasty, but it shouldn't be too hard to fix," she murmured. She waved her wand in a circle around his ankle, and there was a sharp crack. Albus winced, but it didn't look like it was that painful. The redness slowly lightened to its natural colour, and the swelling went down. I smiled at him.
"See, that wasn't too bad!"
He growled at me, but he was smiling slightly.
"So what's happening with Scorp?" he asked Madam Pomfrey anxiously. He was starting to blush again. I clasped his hand encouragingly. He sniffed sadly and smiled at me.
"Well, he'll obviously need some Skelegro for his ribs. His ankle can be fixed with a simple twenty four hour charm. He'll just need to keep it still. I'm a little worried that he hasn't woken up yet, though," she replied.
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