MATILDA - fred weasley

Chapter 5

When Matilda awoke the next morning it was to see that Sammy had left her side, likely having been told to leave by Madam Pomfrey after she'd fallen asleep. She looked out the windows and saw that the sun had just risen above the horizon, indicating it was around seven.

Matilda pushed herself up and twisted so that her feet were dangling over the edge of the bed. On the nightstand were a potion, a jar, and a small note. She recognised the jar to be full of Murtlap Essence but did not know what was inside the potion.

She picked up the note and scanned it quickly.

Apply Murtlap Essence to wounds twice daily. I have made enough to last you a week, which should be enough time for them to close over completely.

Drink this potion when you finish reading this note. It is a concoction I have created that I believe will help with the after-effects of the moon – especially the pain from your injuries.

I expect to see you in class today.

Snape.

Matilda reluctantly drank the potion, a little bit unsure how to feel about being a guinea pig for one of Snape's potions. While the chances of it being a poison were low, it would never be zero when it came to Snape.

She wiped the remnants from her mouth and scrunched up her face in dislike. It tasted like a mixture of peppermint, ginger, aconite, and many other things Matilda didn't wish to think about. She placed the empty cup on the table and slid off the bed. She was still wearing her school uniform from two days prior and the stench was rather foul...

Matilda placed the jar of Murtlap Essence in her pocket and stood up, hesitant about placing too much pressure on her leg. To her surprise, only a dull pain emanated from the wound. Snape's potion must have worked.

Matilda walked over to the desk outside Pomfrey's office and wrote a note explaining she would be going to classes that day and thanked her for her care.

She left the Hospital Wing and walked as fast as she could to the Gryffindor Tower. Many portraits looked at her with curiosity, murmuring about the ratty-looking girl rushing through the corridors. By the time Matilda made it to the Fat Lady, she was out of breath and panting. She leaned forward and placed her hands on her knees.

"Merlin's beard..."

"Are you alright, dear?" asked the Fat Lady, peering down at her.

Matilda lifted her hand and gave the lady a thumbs up, "Just...having an asthma attack...is all...no big deal..."

After regaining her breath, Matilda gave the Fat Lady the password and climbed through the portrait hole.

"What happened to you?"

Matilda froze.

She looked over to the couch where one of the Weasley twins was leaning over the coffee table, copying notes from one parchment to another. She saw his brows come together with brief confusion before reverting back to a look of mild interest.

He was already dressed in his school uniform, though he wore it in a way which Matilda knew would make Professor McGonagall have a fit. His tie was hanging loose around his neck, the top button of his shirt was undone and untucked from his pants, and she noticed he was wearing black converse instead of his school shoes.

This was Fred.

"You gonna answer or just stare at me? I know I'm good-looking, but–"

"You know, Weasley, I think you may just be the most conceited person I've ever met."