Cold Skin

Eighteen: Healing Magic

Gia had Potions early that morning. She sat there trying to stay focused on their N.E.W.T. overview of the potions that will be on the test. Fred threw papers at her to get her attention and kicked her foot but she was off in her own world. She approached Snape at the end of class.

    "Professor?" she asked politely as she approached him at his desk. He set his book down and looked at her intrigued.

    "Gianna Lupin-Black. I was expecting to see you at my office later in the day. Don't you have a class?" He got up from his chair and made his way around straightening the vials on a shelf.

    "No sir. I have charms in an hour and after lunch Defense Against the Dark Arts." She sat in the seat at his desk and crossed her legs politely. "I was wondering if you had a shadow student. Madame Pomfrey said I have to shadow you for Healer training."

    "I assume you have multiple holes in your class schedule?" he asked as he turned to face her again.

    "Yes sir. I did decide to drop Care of Magical Creatures." She looked down at her hands. The skin around her fingers were bleeding again, she felt nauseous.

    "I can fit you in on Tuesdays and Thursdays, if you can come 15 minutes before lunch is over and stay for the class hour after that would be fine. Pomfrey will expect you on morning shifts or after classes." He looked at her schedule she set on his desk.

"Thank you, sir."

"You start tomorrow. I will need you to go to Professor Dumbledore and give him your slip." He handed her the request form and she quickly filled it out and headed to his office.

***

"Professor Dumbledore?" She knocked quietly before he permitted her to enter.

"Gia, I expected to see you soon. Is that your research project form? Snape and Pomfrey?" He ushered her over to his desk and handed her a bowl of sweets.

"Yes sir." She politely took two sweets and set them in her pockets.

"I heard about your recent engagement. How is Mr Weasley? I am sure you are enjoying yourselves. Also James and Miss Olivander?"

"Fredrick is doing well, he and George are looking to open a store. Alice and James are quite wonderful. I expect you got your invitation?" Gia smoothed her skirt. She and Dumbledore were quite close as he was like an uncle to her when she was younger.

"I did. Christmas Eve. Those two never miss a beat." He chuckled and held out a sheet of paper with many names on it.

"They do not. What is this Professor?" She took the paper from him and read over it. All were Slytherin boys.

"Quidditch tryouts. I had Professor Snape bring the list by my office before the first class. I figured you wanted try-outs held tomorrow after classes."

"Yes sir. Thank you, sir. I would need to talk to Madame Pomfrey about when I will start..."

"Next week." He smiled at her, handing her a list of diagnostics spells and simple healing spells to learn. "Flitwick will be waiting in the library to help you with these tonight. Fred has also been told and he will be sleeping in his dorm tonight."

"Thank you, sir. It is very much appreciated." She stood up from his desk and made her way to the door.

"Gia dear, I would like to ask something of you." He paused waiting for her to take her seat. "When you graduate, it would be my pleasure to have you do your Healer training completely under Poppy. If you would like that? You could live in London, Hogsmead, or on the grounds. You would just need to be on call, even if you are not able to finish the year with us, you are welcome to figure it out."