He Couldn't Be That Bad? // Sebastian Sallow and You (spicy)

14. A Soak In The Tub (real spicy)

I'm in the Hospital Wing for three days. There are flowers and sweets and cards gathered all around me. It's nice, and although my body still aches, by morning four I'm practically climbing up the walls to get out of there.

Even if it's on crutches.

Professor Weasley is standing above me, arms folded tightly across her chest and her lips are pursed into a hard thin line. She's been by my bed at least once a day asking me if I remember anything, but today she hasn't said a word.

The nurse is palpating my shoulder with a frown. "You'll need a sling for another day or so. But you're free to return to classes if you feel up to it." She pulls out a vial of pearlescent liquid and sets it on the bed. "A teaspoon before bed till it's gone. And this is enchanted ice from Greenland. It won't melt for a week so just keep it on where it hurts." She holds out a white cheese cloth wrapped around a collection of ice cubes, then a tiny jar with more of the wound salve. "Apply both when you like. Any other questions?"

"When can I shower again?" I lift up my bandaged forearm. Since being stuck in here, I hadn't had the chance to wash and I was getting antsy about sitting in my same clothes and sheets for so many days.

Nurse Blainey began rolling the sheets off my bed, tucking them under her arms as she pondered. "Leave the salve on and don't itch it, you should be tip-top to remove your bandages. If the wounds open again, see me straight away." She then lowers her chin looking at me in a way that makes me feel like I'm six years old. "No excitement, take it easy, perhaps a long relaxing bath is exactly what you need."

"I do smell, don't I?" Heaving my legs over the side, my knee protests with a dull throb as I bend it.

"Just a tad." Professor Weasley finally speaks, but her face is still lined with worry. "May we have a moment?" She asks the nurse.

With a curt nod, Nurse Blainey makes herself busy back in her office.

"Any memories yet?" Professor Weasley is watching every bit of me with scrutiny. She knows I lied to her in the past, and she's carefully examining me now.

I keep my voice calm and even. "Sorry, Professor. No."

"And Mr. Sallow is the one that brought you here. Are you sure there's no chance that he?..."

"No." I cut her off. "I know he is not the one who-" Stopping myself from saying more I simply add. "Accidents happen."

Not loving that I'm a practiced liar, but I don't think I can tell her the truth. Right now I wield all the power. Leander is going to be on his best behavior as long as he thinks I won't turn him in, so as long as I don't retaliate, this ridiculous feud stops right here and now.

But Weasley looks down her nose at me with narrow eyes. "So you didn't fall from that height, on purpose?"

I actually gaped at her. "I didn't throw myself off the tower if that's what you're thinking!"

She pushes her glasses up her nose, but still seems dissatisfied. "I don't mean to offend, I'm just trying to understand."

"It's not like this school has an excess of handrails. It's like a maniac built this castle." Gesturing out the window to the grounds. "I'm surprised you don't have a student taking a tumble once a week."

This made her take pause. "The castle always adjusts so students don't fall off the stairs, but it's a fair point that we don't take the same precautions in other areas of the grounds."

"Well there you go." I grunt, pushing up to my feet. I could probably go without the crutch but it won't be pleasant.

"I'm calling a Prefect meeting today at tea time." Weasley looks at the grandfather clock against the wall. "It's in fifteen minutes, to discuss the disastrous dinner when the professors were not present. Are you up for attendance?"