The Hogwarts Descendant

Chapter 42

Dahlia regained consciousness a few minutes later. Sunlight streaming through tree branches accosted her eyes, the jostling of someone carrying her waking her up. A sharp pain in her head was the first thing she felt as she came to. She glanced around, eyes fluttering open weakly. She was being carried by someone - they were speaking, but she couldn't make out what they were saying. She squinted, focusing on the face of the person who held her. Slowly his face came into view but it was his voice she recognized first.

"It's going to be okay - you're going to be okay," Theodore Nott was nervously rambling, gripping her tightly to his chest as he jogged up the pathway to the castle. He was panicked, anxiously reassuring her as he struggled up the path. He lost his footing nearly twice, sliding on the muddy path.

"Shut your trap and keep up, will ye'?" Hagrid's voice boomed out nearby, causing Dahlia to wince. Her movement took Theo by surprise, his eyes jerking down, filling with relief when he saw she was awake.

"Dahlia - thank Merlin," Theo looked up at Hagrid, calling out excitedly, "She's awake!"

"Dahlia!" Hagrid slowed down, his face suddenly towering above her in her eye line. She squinted up at him, his face blurry but recognizable. The giant wore a grim, worried look on his face as he peered down at her. "Can ya tell me what happened?"

"Dark magic," Dahlia moaned after a moment, lifting a hand up to her head. She winced, eyes fluttering closed against the sunlight, groaning. "Head hurts."

"Dark mag..." Hagrid trailed off into silence, a grim look settling over his face. He turned to Nott, voice low and serious. "Take care not to touch that necklace with yer bare skin."

Theo nodded solemnly, swallowing as he felt the weight of the necklace in his cloak pocket. It was still bundled in Dahlia's cloak, but it made him squirm nonetheless. He proceeded to trot after Hagrid, remaining silent as they entered the large doors of the castle. He didn't stop talking to her, trying to keep her conscious. Despite his efforts, Dahlia lost consciousness again after a few moments, head dropping back limply against Nott's arm.

"She's out again," Theo called out to Hagrid, panic raising his voice. Hagrid glanced behind him to share the worried look, the limp body of Katie Bell in his arms. Hagrid's face was solemn, his eyes wide, almost fearful.

"We're almost there - hang on, Dahlia," the giant spoke sternly to Dahlia's still form, picking up his speed. Theo was forced to jog to match the gamekeepers pace, not stopping until they reached the hospital wing.

Hagrid barged through the doors first, yelling panickedly, "Madam Pomfrey!"

The grey witch scurried from around the corner, eyes widening when she saw the two unconscious girls in their arms. "Lay them on a bed!" The witch cried, rushing forward. Hagrid set Katie Bell down in a bed to their right, Theo depositing Dahlia carefully onto the bed beside her. Madam Pomphrey shooed them away a moment later, quickly examining Katie. 

Theo only went as far as the foot of Dahlia's bed, hands gripping the rails as Madam Pomfrey  performed some sort of spell that pulled up a diagnostic chart. Her eyes moved back and forth, reading the scan. Worry lines formed on the witch's brow, dismissing the scan from view. 

The eldery witch quickly spun from Katie's bed to Dahlia's, inspecting her the same way, muttering under her breath. After casting the diagnostic spell, the medi witch's face visibly paled, swallowing nervously. Madam Pomphrey dismissed the diagnostic, turning around to face Theo, meeting the Slytherin's eyes with a fierce, almost frantic look.

"Go find Minerva McGonagall, inform her that two of her students have been attacked by dark magic, and for her to summon Albus Dumbledore immediately." Her eyes flickered over to Dahlia form, voice tight as she added, "Inform her that it is his ward."