My Life At Hogwarts

My Saving Grace

Penelope's POV

I woke up and winced. My hand was a little sore. I slowly sat up. A damp cloth fell from my forehead and plopped into my lap. I picked it up off the blanket and placed it on a bowl next to me. I looked to my left and saw McGonagall sitting in a chair, her eyes closed.

"How are you feeling?"

I looked up and saw Madam Pomfrey standing at the foot of my bed. I checked myself over and then looked down at my hand. The skin looked pink and brand new. The burn from my wand and the burn caused by the firework was gone. There wasn't even a scar. She had really outdone herself.

"I feel okay. Is she okay?" I asked, pointing to McGonagall.

"She was just worried about you. I have something to tell you before you go down to dinner. Your siblings are here. They're downstairs now with Severus but they're extremely malnourished. Just prepare yourself before you see them. I want you to be careful over the next few days, it took a while for your hand to heal." She told me.

I nodded, not really paying attention. I was just nervous and excited to see the children. I pulled off the blanket and stood up. I stumbled a little. But that was to be expected, I had been laying in the bed for most of the day. I tapped McGonagall lightly on the shoulder and she woke instantly.

"Oh thank goodness you're okay." She told me, hugging me.

"Madam Pomfrey told me the children are here. Can we go down to dinner?" I asked.

She nodded and stood up. I held onto her as we left, trying to get some feeling back into my legs. We walked down the corridor and to the great hall. We could hear chattering coming from inside. I stopped in front of the door and hesitated.

"What if they don't want to see me? What if they resent me for leaving them with Amelia? Or what if they liked being with her?" I asked, looking up at McGonagall with tears in my eyes.

"I'll be with you every step of the way. I promise." She told me.

I nodded and let go of her, pushing open the door. I walked slowly to the Gryffindor table and looked at the table for the children. They were sat at the end, furthest away from the others. My heart fell as I watched Lucy look around before stuffing her face with food. She looked feral. Like I used to be. I tried so hard so she wouldn't end up like me.

I placed a smile on my face and walked slowly over to them. I sat down and looked at the children. They took a few moments to realise I was there. Lucy dropped the food she had in her hands and stared at me. She got up and ran to me, climbing into my lap.

"I missed you." She cried, burying herself into me.

I stroked her hair gently, it was all matted and knotted. It looked like Amelia didn't look after them that well. Hope looked at me warily and went back to her food. Ben and Jamie waved their pudgy hands at me and I smiled, happy to see them. Liam looked up from his food and gasped.

I looked at him and noticed his hearing aids weren't in. That would explain why he didn't see me straight away. He got up from the table and ran to me, slipping on the floor. I instantly stood and helped him up, making sure Lucy was secure on my hip.

He opened and closed his hands in front of me, wanting to be picked up. I crouched down and picked him up, settling him on my other hip. I held him close and he played with my hair. Ben and Jamie stood up, not wanting to be left out. I walked over to them and picked them up.

I settled Ben in between Lucy and Liam and put Jamie on my shoulders. Jamie pulled my hair and Ben smiled a toothy grin at me. I smiled back at Ben and sighed when Hope didn't come to me. I thought back to Christmas when she hardly spoke to me. It seemed like she was the closest one to Amelia.