𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐐𝐔𝐄𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐃𝐀𝐑𝐊𝐍𝐄𝐒𝐒

Chapter 14

Chapter 14: The Potion

Dumbledore had not slept that night, yet. He had been working away before he had called one of his trusted colleagues to visit him. It was about a quarter to three in the morning when he sensed the woman at his door.

"By all means, come in Poppy!" he called warmly, magicing a chair.

The ward of the Hospital Wing bustled in her usual flurry of white and grey.

"Hello, Albus!" she greeted cheerfully despite the time, falling into a chair with a tired and rather exasperated look on her face. "My, how I hate the holiday season! More and more injuries for some reason."

"Do not underestimate the strength of family ties." Dumbledore remarked, rather dryly, as he magiced some pomegranate tea for the two of them, as well as some raspberry muffins.

"Please," he motioned to the tray of arranged refreshments, "After all, I hear that one of your patients is giving you quite the difficult time."

"Whoever do you mean, Albus?"

"Why, young Mr. Malfoy, of course."

"Draco? Oh, no-he began angry enough, but now...," she paused, as though wondering if she should reveal the information, "Now I think he has quite calmed down."

"Indeed?" Albus questioned innocently, brushing crumbs off his beard, "Do explain."

"Well-," Poppy began, as though she had a particularly delicious bit of gossip to share, "The truth of the matter is that young Mr. Potter has been coming to visit him for some four weeks now!"

Albus feigned astonishment, "Mr. Potter? Surely not! It is commonly known that they loathe the sight of each other."

Poppy nodded in agreement, taking a large sip of the tea, "Indeed, I thought so at first. But, wouldn't you know it one night Potter comes in with this air of guilt about him and tried to talk to him."

"And what did Mr. Malfoy do?"

"Oh, he was bitter to be sure...but eventually he came around." She drained the cup, looking quite pleased, like a mother hen. "Though, I'm not sure if he realizes it is Potter, now that I think about it. If he did, I'm sure he wouldn't allow him to come visit him every night. In fact, he's there now! I go and check up on them promptly at three every morning, just in case a fight breaks out." She paused, as though thinking this over in her head. At last, she settled with, "I still can't believe it, but...!"

"Yes, most interesting to say the least. Another cup of tea, Poppy?"

"Well, if you don't mind-it's quite cold tonight."

Dumbledore was busy contemplating the tea. Poppy, who was reaching out for another raspberry muffin didn't notice the flash of a small bottle, and the crystal clear contents being poured within.

"Here you are..."

"Thank you, Albus." She took the tea and allowed it to warm her hands. "Well, come tomorrow with Mr. Malfoy's eyesight being restored and I daresay that it will be a most interesting day. Although, I will not deny I had my suspicions about the situation from the beginning."

"Hmmm," Albus replied noncommittally.

"Oh you know everything that goes on in this school, Albus." She continued merrily, taking a large gulp of her tea.

For a minute her eyes faded, yet they returned back to their usual sparkling self a second later.

"Now, what were we talking about?" Albus prompted breezily.

"Hm? What?"

"I believe it was your patients in the ward."

"Oh, yes. Mr. Malfoy has been there some four weeks now. He seems to be getting most impatient."