Next to you

Chapter 20

Oscar didn't understand what happened. One second he was cheering loudly for Patrick to grab the Golden Snitch and the second after he felt a sharp pain in his right arm. And now he was falling down. He closed his eyes ready for the impact on the ground. He was pretty high in the sky, so he didn't know how it would end up. And his arm... it hurt so much. He was pretty sure it was bleeding.

The impact didn't come. Probably someone has used a spell to prevent it. He just opened his eyes and saw that he was seated on the grass of the field. His teammates were running towards him, as well as the Professors and some schoolmates. But Oscar couldn't even think or breathe properly, because the pain from his arm was unbearable. The sleeve of his uniform was wet with all his blood.

"Oscar, are you okay?" Professor Zhennan said, kneeling in front of him with a worried expression.

"It hurts so bad." Oscar said with his broken voice.

"We need to bring him to the Hospital Wing." Someone said, probably Professor Nene.

Zhennan nodded. "Can you stand up?" The Professor asked Oscar, who in response shook his head. He was sure he was going to throw up or pass out. Or maybe both. "Alright, we'll lift you then. Zhou Keyu, help me." Zhennan said to Keyu who apparently was nearby.

The both of them helped him stand up, careful not to touch the injured arm. Even so the pain was so sharp that it made him dizzy. While he was walking, or rather dragged by the Professor and Keyu, he saw Yetao into the crowd of students who gathered around him. He looked so scared with his wide eyes and pale face. Oscar wanted to reassure him with a smile, but he came up with a grimace of pain instead.

Once they arrived in the Hospital Wing, Keyu helped him lie on the bed, while Professor Zhennan went to look for the Matron.

"It's okay, hang in there. You'll be fine in no time." Keyu said, but his face showed deep concern and fear.

The Matron and the Professor rushed into the room. "What happened?" She asked.

"He was hit by a spell during a Quidditch match. His right arm is bleeding." Zhennan replied.

"Let's see." She approached Oscar, looking carefully at his arm. "This is an effect of the Curse Sectumsempra." The Matron said.

"Sectumsempra?" Zhou Keyu asked.

"This Curse is very dangerous. He's lucky it hit just his arm. Anyway, we need to stop the bleeding." Then she took her wand and recited a healing spell.

Immediately Oscar felt the benefits of the spell and the pain slowly eased. He moaned with relief.

"Better?" The Matron asked Oscar, who answered with a short nod. Then she looked at Professor Zhennan. "He still needs treatment. He should stay here for now."

"Of course." The Professor answered. "I'm going back to the Quidditch field. We need to find out who was the one who made the spell."

"You mean it was someone among the audience?" Keyu asked.

"Who else? We need to check everyone's wands to find the culprit." Zhennan answered. Then he turned his head to Oscar. "Don't worry, we'll find out who it was who did this to you. Meanwhile you just focus on getting better."

Oscar nodded and Professor Zhennan left. The Matron continued to treat his arm, while Keyu stayed by his side encouraging him. The pain was bearable now, but his arm felt still numb from the blood loss. Now that he was thinking clearly again, he looked at his arm to examine the damages. The injuries were a few deep cuts on his skin. It seemed like he was slashed by a sword.

"Do you think these will leave scars?" He asked Keyu once the Matron left. She said she would be back later to check on him and continue the treatment.

"I don't know. What I really want to understand is who the hell did this to you." Keyu answered, his face an angry mask.

"I wish I knew." Oscar replied. He really was confused by all of this. Why him? Did he anger anyone so much to deserve an attack like that? Furthermore such a dangerous curse! He really wished to know who was the culprit. He hoped Professor Zhennan's research would be successful.

Oscar was so lost in his thoughts that he was startled when he saw Hu Yetao rushing into the Hospital Wing and running towards him.

He stopped in front of his bed, breathing heavily. "Oscar! Are you okay?" Yetao asked in concern.

This time Oscar managed to smile at him. "I'm fine. I just need some treatment." He pointed at his arm that was wrapped in bandages.

Yetao sighed in relief, then he hugged him. "Oh my God, I was so scared. When I saw you falling down, my heart stopped beating for a while, I swear. Thankfully I managed to save you in time." Yetao's voice was trembling so much that it seemed like he was about to cry.

"What? You were the one who prevented me from hitting the ground?" Oscar was really surprised to hear that. He thought it was a Professor's doing! And yet it was Yetao's. Oh this precious and wonderful boy.

Yetao nodded and then he separated from Oscar, sitting on his bed. "Professors are now checking everybody's wands to find out who is the culprit. I asked to be checked first so I could come here to you. Professor Zhennan said you were hit by the Curse Sectumsempra. Is your arm okay?" He asked.

"It's a bit numb. I think I lost too much blood, but I will be okay. I just need some treatment. The Matron said I was lucky." Oscar answered, but then he noticed Yetao frowning. "What?" He asked.

"I was thinking about the crystal ball. Do you think this is linked to my vision?"

Oscar had almost forgotten about it. He flicked Yetao's forehead with a smile. "Silly, I don't see chains around here."

"What if the chains were just a metaphor?"

"Well, if this is what your vision foresaw, then you can stop tormenting yourself over it. As you can see, I'm okay." Oscar said grinning. Even so Yetao seemed still unconvinced.

Keyu, who was still there watching their interaction, spoke. "I wonder if they have found out anything."

"There were thousands of students watching the game. It will not be easy." Yetao answered.

The research indeed lasted until night, but it didn't yield results. According to Professor Zhennan, who visited him again together with his group of friends, nobody was suspected. None of the audience have made the Curse with their wands. The next morning the Headmaster would investigate once again interrogating every student with a truth potion.

That night he was alone in the Hospital Wing, trying to fall asleep. Yetao wanted to stay with him, but Oscar told him to go to his dorm and sleep properly. He wished Yetao was there now though, because every time he closed his eyes, the feeling of falling from the sky tormented him. He wanted Yetao next to him.

He was about to close his eyes to give it another try when he heard someone entering the room. A confused expression appeared on his face when he saw AK standing next to his bed.

"How are you feeling?" AK asked with his trademark smile.

"I'm fine. I mean, I need more treatment, but I'll survive. But why are you here?" Actually AK was the last person he expected to visit him or be concerned about his well-being.

"I was having a late study session in the library and I decided to drop by." AK answered, then he turned his back to Oscar to pour him a glass of water. "Here." He handed it to Oscar.

"Thank you." Oscar took it and drank it.

"I hope the Professors will find the culprit." AK said.

"Yeah, me too." Oscar was starting to feel kind of dizzy.

"I bet it was a powerful wizard's doing. I mean, the Curse Sectumsempra is not an easy spell to make."

"What?" He was sure Professor Zhennan said he hadn't said publicly which was the spell that hit him. Why did AK know about it? But Oscar couldn't think straight anymore. His eyelids became heavier and his body relaxed against his will. Before closing his eyes, he saw AK watching him with delight.