HP-Hogwarts Story So Far

Transcript Seven

After the Rescue

 

Although Nimue was happy that Kat was found, as they moved quickly back to the Castle, she felt miserable as could be. Not only had she been utterly useless in the search and rescue of Kat, but also she could tell by the look in his eyes that by her disregard for his instructions to not put herself in danger she had deeply disappointed Professor Dumbledore. That Professors Snape and McGonagall also knew how useless a magician she had proved to be only furthered her depression.

Dumbledore's mention of contacting the Ministry meant it very likely her father would hear of her escapade and she'd have to suffer his disappointment also. His anger she could deal with. Her only bright spark was that maybe this humiliation would be enough for the Wards to cut off all relations with the Hawkwoods and free Marvo from being associated with a total 'squib' as her.

As they arrived back and Kat was led away to the Hospital Wing, Nimue made her way quietly back to the Third Year Common Room, which still seemed warm and cosy.

She was dirty, aching, tired and miserable and she knew she should head for bed but she didn't want to sleep. She feared her dreams.

She pulled a chair close to the dying fire and stared deeply into it, hoping in those embers to see something. What a horrible, horrible day it had been and if Morticia's vision was right tomorrow might well prove even worse.

Well, she wasn't part of Morticia's vision and if she were lucky maybe she'd disappear too.

Nimue felt a hand on her shoulder and turned and was surprised to see it is Professor Dumbledore.

'My dear, I can't help but notice you seem somewhat less jubilant than would be expect considering.' He smiled.

'I think you may not be aware of the role you played tonight. Not only were you the one to help Professor McGonagall communicate with Kat, but you also were of invaluable help during our venture into the forest.'

He smiled again as he saw Nimue's confusion at this. She had felt she had done nothing.

'Ah. I see you didn't notice. Well, that's quite understandable at your age. Often these powers seem so second nature you don't even realise your using them. You see, I of course knew you were following us, and could 'feel' your influence on the forest around us. Did you not think it odd that only two of the myriad spiders attacked us? And don't you think it odd that the cat, Scully is it, was able to make her way all the way to where Kat was without incident? I should have invited you to join the search party from the beginning, my error. I'm sure if I did, we would not have had the trouble we did'

He looked into Nimue's eyes and patted her shoulder.

'Now my dear. I think you too should be in the hospital wing too. Not just because I'm sure Mr Ward and Miss Black would be please for you to be there, but also I believe a large slab of chocolate will help lift your sprits. You did come rather close to a Dementor didn't you.'

With this he took Nimue's hand and led her to the Infirmary.

Professor Dumbledore's words and actions lifted Nimue's spirits. Whether or not she had any 'influence' as such on the forest didn't seem to matter that much. The things he must know about the magical arts! It made all their book learning and efforts seem like child's play. Still, they were still very young and in time who knew what they might become.

She allowed herself to be escorted by the Headmaster to the Hospital Wing, where Madame Pomfrey dressed the few cuts and scrapes she had gotten from the flight from the forest and fussed just enough over her so that she could begin to settle down for the night.

Nibbling her generous slab of chocolate washed down by cocoa, Nimue did wonder whether anyone would tell Achel what had happened and how Morticia fared. Had what happened to Kat and the others in the forest been the fulfilment of the dream? She struggled to remember the details and wondered whether Egreen or anyone had spoken with the Headmaster about it. Tiredness fogged her brain, time enough to sort things through in the morning.

***************

Kat had arrived at the infirmary to find Marvo still unconscious. She was supposed to be resting, but she was worried.

Nimue had disappeared before she had a chance to say thank you or sorry and now she was on her own again. She sat on a chair next to Marvo's bed and leant on the edge of the bed.

"Oh, Marvo, please wake up. It's all my fault you are like this. I am so stupid sometimes. I am so sorry this happened. I should never have assumed that you wanted that stupid betrothal. And as for that curse, I hope you know how to shake it of. I know Madame Pomfrey is doing her best for you, but..." Her voice trailed off. This was silly. He was unconscious and surely couldn't hear her.

Once the nurse had settled Nimue down, she wondered where Kat was. There was an empty bed made up across from hers - maybe she was talking to the Professors about her experience.

The infirmary was very quiet now and she could hear a low voice coming from behind the curtain which was drawn partly around Marvo's bed. It was Kat's voice. She didn't want to interfere but sooner or later she had to face Kat. She moved closer and gave a little cough so that Kat knew someone was close and said:

"Kat, its' me Nimue are you there?"

"Oh, Nimue." Kat jumped up when she appeared. "I am so glad to see you. I'm so sorry for what happened. I got it wrong didn't I? I mean you really don't want it do you? And well, you really think Marvo and I are good together don't you? And I was so stupid and over-reacted again. And now Marvo is here and it's all my fault!"

She sank back into the chair with tears in her eyes.

Nimue was somewhat taken aback by this torrent of words, she didn't know quite where to begin.

"Kat, please don't blame yourself. It was a completely understandable reaction even if you did get it so wrong. How you of all people could have imagined that I would want...that either of us would have wanted things this way. We weren't given a choice and any feelings you have for Marvo or he for you or any feelings I have about you two don't make the slightest difference to our families and their plans."

She knew these words probably weren't ones Kat wanted to hear. She continued:

"Marvo and I resolved tonight to find a way out of this by working together. Whatever reason or means we find to dissolve the betrothal it cannot be because either of us have feelings about someone else. I'm sorry. Maybe in four years time that might count with them but right now such friendships are considered 'irrelevant' or as 'crushes' that will come and go and be forgotten as we grow up."

Kat might well pick up from the tone in which Nimue spoke this last sentence that such words had indeed been used to dismiss their protests against the union.

"Thank you!" Kat said. "I know it's not your fault. I... I have a confession to make. You see when you were talking to Scully... well, I borrowed Scully to go and get help. I couldn't break that spell on my own even though I managed to find a hole in it, so I borrowed Scully and came to find help. Only I had to see Marvo first because I was so concerned after I saw the stranger that kidnapped me do the 'Cruciatus' curse on that red globe. I, well, and then you found an excuse to go to the infirmary and I had to follow, and, well, I heard everything you said. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to spy on you. But it did help. I mean I found out that you really do mean that you couldn't do anything about it."

Kat looked embarrassed. But she had to tell before she was found out.

"Wow! You obviously are getting the hang of it," Nimue replied. "No cravings for milk or mice then?" she referred to the side effects experienced by both Joss and Kat when they had previously 'borrowed' Scully for a trip to the Forbidden Forest.

"No I hadn't guessed as I always knew Scully was a clever pet and was so frantic worrying about you I didn't think. Explains a lot though"

She paused going back in her mind over what had taken place between she and Scully/Kat: "There was one point though - do you remember when Scully led me to Bedivere? Well most cats, even the magical ones, are nervous around hawks and yet Scully just sat there by his perch. It had seemed a little odd."

She took her friend's hand: "Does this mean we can all be friends again despite this ridiculous betrothal?"

"Yes, I am just getting the hang of it. I still crave mice, and still want to purr. The worst bit was trying not to run for my life on four legs instead of 2!" Kat laughed.

"And yes, we can still be friends. I am very fond of both of you and as you say it's a long way off, and there is plenty of time."

"I just hope Marvo wakes up. I'm worried about him," she added.

Nimue smiled so relieved that they could be friends again.

"That's really funny. I'll make sure the house elves bring you some on toast in the morning. Yummy. Though you did pretty good in the woods. I never knew you could run so fast!"

She saw her friend's concern over the sleeping Marvo.

"Well, I did ask Madame Pomfrey's assistant earlier and she said they had given him a powerful potion to help him recover and that nothing was going to wake him but that he was sleeping - no longer unconscious you know from the pain of the curse."

Nimue inwardly winced at the thought of what it must have felt like.

"That's a relief. But will he wake up though? Does she say he'd be ok? I think I still want to sit here for a while though. He will probably be so worried when he wakes up. Oh I wish I hadn't been so stupid!" said Kat.

"The impression I got from her was that he would be OK. If he wasn't I am sure Professor Dumbledore and the others would still be here. They have had experience with these sort of curses, so I think we can trust that they can sort it out."

Nimue smiled a cheeky smile: "He'll probably freak out if he wakes up and sees us looming over him like this."

She turned her thoughts to other matters: "I do wish I knew what had happened with Achel, Egreen and Morticia. They weren't in the common room when I returned from the woods. I'm sure they have heard we are OK by now and where we are."