Somewhere Only We Know - Part 2 - Sirius Black x OC

Chapter 14: Antidote

Gemma focused on Professor Flitwick and ignored Sirius. She knew he was staring at her; she knew he was thinking about touching her again; and dammit – she knew he knew she wanted him to.

Charms dragged on and Gemma had concentrated just enough to learn something. She shook herself; she needed to focus. Seventh year was not the time to get distracted.

As soon as class ended, Gemma walked to Transfiguration with Alice and Lily, and took a seat near the front. They were learning to transform toads into toadstools – a deceptively difficult task - and Gemma knew she needed to concentrate.

After ten minutes of McGonagall talking through the basics, they were all instructed to collect their toads from the back of the room. As Gemma joined the line to pick one, the door opened and Madam Pomfrey stepped inside. Gemma held her breath as she watched Pomfrey move to the front of the classroom and whisper in McGonagall's ear. Just as quickly as she had arrived, Pomfrey turned and left.

Was there news on Mary?

"Class." McGonagall captured their attention. "Please return your toads and return to your seats. I need to step out for a few moments, therefore please open your books to Chapter Eleven and read through the history of this transformation. Practical application will need to wait."

A few grumbles at the change of plan sounded around the room, but Gemma didn't care. She looked over at Alice and Lily as they moved back through the room; if McGonagall was stepping out, that must mean something had changed with Mary.

"Potter." McGonagall beckoned James forward. "As Head Boy, you are momentarily in charge."

James grinned and bounced on his toes. "Awesome."

"Potter." McGonagall's expression was stern. "Don't disappoint me."

James sobered immediately. "I won't, Professor."

She nodded quickly, then turned towards the class. "Evans, Fortescue, Arwin; please come with me."

Gemma's heart pounded as she stood and joined her friends in following McGonagall out of the classroom.

"Is it Mary?" Alice asked the moment they had stepped through the door.

"Miss MacDonald is awake, yes." McGonagall didn't turn towards them, and kept her strides long and determined as she navigated them through the corridors towards the hospital wing. None of them said anything further, but they did reach out for each other's hands. Mary was awake.

When they arrived at the hospital wing, McGonagall asked them to wait outside for a few moments so she could speak to Mary. They anxiously did as they were told, until they were finally able to head in.

Lily pushed through the doors first and ran straight to Mary's side. "Mary! Oh Merlin, I'm so happy you're awake. How are you feeling?"

Mary slowly lifted herself to sitting as she smiled weakly at her friends. "Tired."

"You need to continue to rest, Miss MacDonald." McGonagall turned to Gemma, Lily and Alice. "Ladies, you are excused from the rest of my class today. Take the time you need with your friend. I'll be sure to pass your homework assignments on to your study partners."

Their Professor swiftly turned and headed out the doors, just as Professor Sprout stepped through with two third year students. They rushed straight to the side of the young girl lying opposite Mary; one of the students who had also been poisoned.

"Slughorn worked his magic." Mary said softly, looking over at the other two students who had been poisoned and were now awake. "He left a moment ago, but he didn't tell me much."