The Wizard's Guide to Timelords and Other Demons Book 1: The Forgotten War

Man With a Mission

It had been nearly an hour since the Merpeople had rescued Professor McGonagall from the floor of the Black Lake and had sent word of her condition to Hogwarts. Madam Pomfrey and several nurses had reached the shore of the lake to find her unconscious, dutifully guarded by two large mermen, and transported her to the hospital wing. She had suffered several broken ribs and a concussion and was still unconscious when Professor Dumbledore, the Doctor and Captain Jack arrived at the hospital. The Doctor and Jack remained seated in the waiting area while Dumbledore stood at the side of Professor McGonagall's bed, conversing with Madam Pomfrey.

"It's a miracle she didn't drown," the healer explained, "I'd imagine the Merpeople had something to do with that though they weren't of a mind to discuss it with me at the time; not that I would have been able to understand much of it in any case."

"Did they say anything more concerning the whereabouts of Professor Snape?" the headmaster asked.

"Nothing more than what I already told you", she replied. "They claimed to have seen the whole thing. I know he's a bit odd, but I would never have believed that Professor Snape would be capable of such a thing."

"I suspect that other forces were at work at the time, Madam Pomfrey," Dumbledore said. "It is very likely that Professor Snape may not have been in control of his actions, I'm afraid."

She also informed him of the recent arrival of Professor Lupin who was now conscious and being treated for burns and other complications associated with his apparition mishap. She rehearsed to him what she had been told by Elise concerning the incident, which wasn't much as Elise was hoping to report the details of their mission directly to Dumbledore once Lupin was well enough to be part of the discussion. Madam Pomfrey then conducted Dumbledore to Lupin's bed, where they found the Professor in good spirits munching on a large bar of chocolate.

Elise had immediately returned to the hospital wing following her experience with the newly possessed centaurs. She had entered through the main door after inconspicuously materializing in the outside corridor to avoid creating a scene. She now sat patiently on a bench near the entrance, nervously awaiting permission to visit Professor Lupin, who was now conversing with Professor Dumbledore.

I am really in trouble now, she thought.

Elise's presence in the room had not gone unnoticed by Caption Jack, who was still sitting impatiently in the waiting area across the room next to the Doctor.

"Is that her?" Jack inquired quietly, discretely gesturing in Elise's direction with a tilt of his head."

"Is that who, Jack?" The Doctor asked.

"The young woman you told me about. Elise, was it?"

The Doctor turned his head and looked over at Elise, who noticed his gaze and gave him a charming little wave.

"Wow, she is gorgeous!" Jack declared.

"You should probably go over and introduce yourself," the Doctor said with pretended enthusiasm, "and show her the old Jack Harkness charm!".

Jack was shocked. Not only had the Time Lord failed to apply the customary scorning towards his attempts at flirting, but the Doctor was also actually encouraging it.

"I believe I will then," Jack said, then rose to his feet and sauntered across the room towards the bench where Elise was sitting.

At that moment, Elise arose from the bench, having just received a signal from Madam Pomfrey that she could now see Professor Lupin, and proceeded across the room in the direction of his bed. This, of course, did not deter Jack who skillfully maneuvered to intercept her along her path. He put on his best smolder and extended his hand.