Artemis Hexley and the Circle of Khanna

Chapter 9: What Comes Next

The Hospital Wing had become light, despite the curtains that were still closed around Artemis' bed. It was morning, again.

Artemis blinked and stared at the ceiling, watching the shadows of owls flying outside the window on their way to the Great Hall for the morning post. She had woken some time ago from a dreamless sleep that was the result of a potion rather than a clear conscience.

"Artemis," a soft, lilting voice drew her unfocused attention to the curtains, which brushed the floor as they parted to reveal Chiara Lobosca, carrying a tray of tea and toast and smiling gently. "Madam Pomfrey asked me to bring you your breakfast."

Artemis nodded, and Chiara walked over to her. She set the tray on the table next to Artemis, and poured her some tea. Artemis took the cup, but did not drink, as Chiara tilted her forward to rearrange the pillows behind her.

"There's a Calming Draught there if you need it," Chiara told her, perching on the bed next to her. Artemis did not reply. She had been in the Hospital Wing for over a week now. She knew exactly what Chiara was bringing her, and exactly what she was going to ask next. "Would you like me to stay with you while you have your breakfast?"

"No, thank you."

By now, Chiara must have known that Artemis would have said no, the same way she had each morning so far since she had been in the Hospital Wing, ever since that night in the forest. But still, Chiara didn't move until Artemis had declined the offer.

"I'll leave you to it, then. I'll go and find your clean clothes and a towel for you so you can get yourself cleaned."

"Thanks."

"You're welcome, Artemis," Chiara smiled, and slipped back out through the curtains.

Alone once more, Artemis drank half of the cup of tea and managed two mouthfuls of toast, before pushing the tray across the table so that it was further away from her. She knew that Chiara would want her to eat more, but she wouldn't say anything. Madam Pomfrey, on the other hand...

"You can do better than that, girl," said the Matron, looking reproachfully at Artemis' barely touched toast. "I know you don't want it, but it won't do you any good wasting away."

Artemis did not even bother sighing. Why Madam Pomfrey had come in to take away her tray instead of Chiara, she didn't know. But though the Healer huffed, she did not force Artemis to finish her toast, and instead vanished the tray.

"Now, Miss Lobosca has made sure your clothes are ready, so I suggest that you get yourself washed and dressed," Madam Pomfrey said, her tone of voice making it clear that this was not merely a suggestion. "You have visitors this morning."

"I don't want visitors."

"Well, you can tell the Headmaster and Professor Sprout that yourself when they arrive, can't you?"

Madam Pomfrey continued to nag Artemis as she steered her towards the small hospital bathroom, past the three beds filled with statues of students, and the two that had until the previous few days housed Ben and Merula. In the bathroom, Artemis scrubbed her skin until it was pink, and redressed herself in the jumper and leggings that Chiara had laid out for her.

Shortly after returning to her bed, she was joined by not only Professors Dumbledore and Sprout, but also a wizard whose face she did not recognise, but would not soon forget. It was a mass of scars, and he had a chunk missing from his nose. One of his eyes was black and beady, but the other was large and electric blue in colour, and moved independently of the first.

"Artemis, this is Alastor Moody," Professor Sprout informed her, after giving her a warm hug that she did not return. "He works in the Auror office."

The name was familiar to Artemis. She swallowed as she remembered whose voice had recited Moody's name when reading a Daily Prophet article out loud. Finally, she understood why they called him 'Mad-Eye'.