Coiled (Book 1 of 2)

... Oh

"Will you quit fussing already? I told you for the hundredth time, I'm fine!"

Struggling to sit up in her bed, Mary smiles at me weakly.

But I - I'm a total and complete wreck. Pacing back and forth in the hospital wing, I've long since given up trying to wipe the seemingly endless cascade of tears streaming down my face.

"Shh, shh ..."

From her place at Mary's side, Dorcas shakes her head and gently guides Mary back downwards, "Madam Pomfrey said absolutely no getting up. And given how strict she is, I'm fairly certain that means for you to lie in bed. You heard her yourself: no physical exertion of any kind for at least the next 12 - 16 hours."

Mary, though relenting under Dorcas's gentle hand, scowls at the notion, "Don't be ridiculous! What if I have to go to the bathroom? What then?"

Dorcas laughs softly at this, "Obviously that's allowed. But not on your own. Madam Pomfrey said you're to ring for her and she'll help you down the hall. Or, if we're here, we can escort you. But under no circumstances are you to strain yourself unduly. Not after -"

"Don't say it, Meadowes. Don't you dare. You'll get this one -"

Pausing, she waves one hand in my direction, "- all worked up into a tizzy again."

Coming to an abrupt stop, I fold my arms in front of me, my voice wavering dangerously, "I'm - not - worked - up!"

I barely get the words out before I begin to sob uncontrollably again.

It's a combination of terrible worry, exhaustion and guilt.

Worry that my friend could have been gravely injured;

Exhaustion because I've not slept a wink;

Guilt over the fact I'd been so carefree in cavorting around the castle with Regulus and then Evan, all the while oblivious to my friend's predicament.

Sighing and giving me an understanding smile, Dorcas rises up from the bed and glides over, arms widening as she beckons me towards her, "Come. Come here."

My vision blurry with tears, I let out a positively guttural gasp and fall into her, taking comfort in the warmth of her body as her arms wrap around me protectively.

"Oh, enough of that already! Can't you see I'm fine?"

Wiping my cheeks with the back of my palm, I glance past Dorcas and back towards Mary, "You fell down an entire flight of stairs! Backwards! Head first! And that's after - after -"

My eyes begin to well up dangerously again. In response, Mary holds up her hand. She attempts a shrug but winces noticeably.

"See! Right there! Don't deny you're in pain!"

"I mean sure, it smarts a bit. But just a trifle -"

Our conversation is interrupted by the sound of the doors to the room swinging open as Madam Pomfrey and Professor McGonagall stride side by side into the hospital wing.

"Alright," Madam Pomfrey clips authoritatively, "I've been unusually indulgent, allowing the two of you continued access to her in such early hours of the morning. Completely unprecedented, in fact. But now it's time for me to put my foot down. You need to leave. She needs her rest."

Mary scowls at this, struggling once more to raise herself up off the pillow, "I do not need -"

"Ms. Macdonald," Professor Mcgonagall interrupts, hands held up in the air, "There will be absolutely no debating the matter. Now, you are to take the next dose of the healing potion Madam Pomfrey's prescribed for you, and then you shall rest."