Summer Holiday

Chapter 11

Sophie
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Sophie's eyes felt heavy as she tried to force them open. Her eyelids fluttered as the bright light pierced her eyes. The surroundings looked familiar, too familiar.

She had to squint in order to keep her eyes open to properly observe her surroundings. The room had tall bright windows, the floor was tiled black and white, she was lying in a twin bed with white sheets, and her clothes had been changed to a gray t shirt and blue pajama bottoms. She brought her hand up to her head and felt stitches on her right side. She winced at the touch.

"You're awake! How do you feel deary?" A warm, soft voice asked. Sophie turned her head to see Madam Pomfrey approaching her with a small vile. "Drink this. It will help your eyes adjust." She handed Sophie the vile and placed a hand on Sophie's shoulder.

"Am I-" Sophie's voice was hoarse and cracking. She cleared her throat and swallowed. "Am I back at Hogwarts?" She croaked still squinting.

"Yes. Now drink that and I'll get you some water." Madam Pomfrey grabbed a cup and a pitcher of water from the bed side table and poured a large glass of water. She handed it to Sophie once she finished the potion.

"How did I get here?" Sophie asked clutching her head. Her head was pounding and her body ached. All she wanted was to fall back asleep.

"I'll go fetch Professor McGonagall. She will explain everything." Madam Pomfrey smiled gently and lightly touched Sophie's hand before swiftly exiting the hospital wing.

Birds were chirping outside the window and the sun was filling the room. The noises made her head pound and her teeth grind against each other. It must've been just after sunrise.

The double doors to the hospital wing opened and Professor McGonagall entered as her heels made an echoey clicking sound on the tile. She approached Sophie's bed and summoned a chair with her wand. She seated herself and crossed her legs.

"How do you feel?" She asked, her voice no more than a whisper.

Sophie licked her lips and took another drink of water to lubricate her voice. "Fuzzy. I feel......fuzzy."

"Mm. That's to be expected." McGonagall nodded and carefully watched Sophie.

"How did I end up here?" Sophie asked again.

"You flooed to the Three Broomsticks. Madam Rosmerta saw you appear and then collapse. You were knocked out once you hit the floor. She called me. Recognized you as a student. I brought you to Hogwarts to have Madam Pomfrey patch you up." She gave a quick nod.

"How long was I out?" Sophie asked afraid to know the answer.

"Three days." McGonagall replied.

Her eyes closed as she tried to remember everything that happened. She could remember her father hurting her, and climbing into the floo, but she couldn't remember the Three Broomsticks.

"Who did this to you?" McGonagall asked placing a hand on the side of Sophie's bed.

The tears began to sting the back of Sophie's eyes. "My........father."

The air grew thick and neither of them spoke for several minutes.

"I'm sorry you had to go through that." McGonagall finally spoke. "I want you to know you'll never have to go back. I've arranged for you to stay somewhere else for the remainder of holiday, and they've agreed to let you stay after your time at Hogwarts if necessary."

Sophie frowned slightly. "Someone wants to take me in?"

"Have you heard of The Order of the Phoenix Ms. Verilia?" McGonagall asked.