My One and Only

Chapter 24 - Year 3

BY THE TIME HAGRID AND MAIA REACHED THE HOSPITAL WING, she was sure she'd lost nearly half of her blood. It just kept pouring out, no matter how much pressure she put on the wounds. Her vision was starting to blur, though she wasn't sure if that was from blood loss or pain.

Madam Pomfrey wasted no time, shoving Hagrid and Harry away and pulling a curtain around her and her patient. She spoke softly to Maia, though the dark-haired girl barely heard a word she said. Her vision completely faded away and when she came to, she no longer felt any pain. The curtain was gone, allowing Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Hagrid to sit around her, faces pale and creased with worry.

"Did I fall asleep? How embarrassing." She joked, her voice hoarse, and immediately her entourage jumped into action.

"Are you okay? Do you need anything?"

"Oh, Maia, I was so worried!

"Bloody hell, I've never seen such blood."

"I'm so sorry, Maia. I shoulda been payin' more attention!"

"One at a time!" she exclaimed, coughing slightly as her throat burned. Hermione handed her a glass of water and they watched silently as she gulped it down and wiped her mouth with the back of her hand.

She turned to them again and Hagrid spoke. "I'm so sorry, Maia."

Maia shook her head, shooting him a stern look. "Do not apologize for this. This was not your fault. I knew the risk when I jumped in front of Malfoy. This is no one's fault but this."

Harry's face twisted up angrily and he bunched his robes up in his fists. "I'm going to kill him for this."

"Harry." Maia sighed, placing a shaky hand over his. "It's not worth it."

"You could've died!" he exclaimed, his eyes wide. "And all because Malfoy couldn't follow simple directions!"

"But I didn't die." She said, her tone gentle, but her face firm. "Besides, getting angry won't change what happened." She pressed a hand to the bandages that were wrapped around her torso, her eyes flickering to Hermione. "How bad is it?"

Hermione shifted uncomfortably, looking close to tears. "Madam Pomfrey was able to seal your wounds, but because they were so deep, she said you'll most likely have the scars forever."

Maia smiled weakly and leaned back against her pillows. "That's okay. They'll be a story to tell my grandkids."

The doors opened and Dumbledore strolled in, wearing his usual soft smile, though his eyes were grim.

"Miss Potter, you gave us quite a fright." He said, coming to a stop at the foot of her bed.

"Oh you know how us Potters are." She joked. "Always have to be the center of attention."

Dumbledore chuckled. "Well, in the future might I suggest something a bit less life threatening for when you're feeling starved of attention?"

Maia laughed and nodded, her eyes drooping slightly as the events of the day suddenly caught up to her. Dumbledore smiled softly.

"I think we better leave Miss Potter to rest." He said, looking to the Gryffindors and Hagrid. They all reluctantly stood up. "Hagrid, there are some men who'd like to speak with you in my office." Dumbledore said, his eyes dark, and Hagrid flinched.

"Alrigh'."

The quartet watched the two men leave, their chests heavy with worry.

"You don't think they'll fire Hagrid, do you?" Hermione asked, once the doors had shut firmly behind them, and Ron shook his head quickly.