Reborn - A Harry Potter Fanfiction

i.xxi chapter twenty-one

Summer, 1992; The End of the Year

Ember woke up with a pounding headache and an extremely bright light. Neither of which benefited the other. It seared through Ember's eyes as she struggled to gain focus to a previously blurry room. It appeared as though she was in the medical wing and she could make out the neatly made beds that lined the wall opposite. Ember groaned as she clutched her head, shifting in her own bed to make herself more comfortable. Everything ached.

"Oh, good to see you're awake" the kind voice of Madam Pomfrey hummed as the woman came into view, filling up the glass jug on her bedside table. Ember didn't say anything at first, she couldn't as she was still trying to get a grip on her surroundings. She was in the medical wing; in Hogwarts and there was an array of cards and gifts at the end of her bed. Ember's face lit up to which Madam Pomfrey chuckled.

"There's a face we like to see" the healer grinned, tucking Ember up under the covers.

"What happened?" Ember managed to croak out, whilst the woman handed her a full glass of water. She sipped is slowly, whilst holding back the urge to throw up.

"You gave us quite the fright, you've been in and out with an awful fever for the past week" Madame Pomfrey explained and adjusted Ember's pillows so she could sit up.

"A week?!"

"Mhm, but you seem to be all better now. How are you feeling? I'm sure your friends will want to come along soon." Madame Pomfrey asked as she examined her through critical eyes.

"Alright, I have a bit of a headache and just everywhere hurts, but could be worse" Ember huffed, not really focussing as she rubbed her face. Madame Pomfrey tutted and put her hands on her waist.

"Hmm, I'll get a cordial for that. Now, you stay here, I won't be long" Madame Pomfrey declared before swiftly turning away to find whatever magical potion she needed to cure her ailments. Ember took another big sip before she put the glass back down. Memories of that night flashed in her mind.

Voldemort...he'd almost got the stone. Harry was there, was he alright? Looking around she couldn't see him; Hermione and Ron as well, she hoped they got out okay. The memory that made her shudder the most was the...fire. The flames that had come out of her. What had happened down there?

The Phoenix had appeared again, it had known what was going to happen to her. Had this power always been there? Had they been there since she was a baby? Ember stopped herself from what she was about to think next.

Her thoughts however were turned to the creaking of the infirmary door opening, and Ember looked across the room to see none other than the miraculous old headmaster of this school, Dumbledore himself. The wizard was dressed in violet robes and his eyes glinted as he smiled calmly over at her. Ember had yet to properly speak to the man and had any occasionally seen him around the halls or during meal times.

"Headmaster -" Ember gasped and pushed herself further up the bed as he drew nearer.

"Now, now child. There's no need for that. Please, rest" he instructed when he saw her making a fuss. Dumbledore smiled as he now stood at the end of her bed and Ember could hardly make sense of the whole situation.

"I trust you're feeling better, I have no doubt your friends will be wanting to see you. It seems Mr Weasley was digging into your selection of goodies as well" he chuckled as the wizard browsed through a collection of sweets, chocolate and confectionary.

Ember hadn't properly looked at the large pile of gifts at the end of her bed, but it wasn't that which made her heart swell with joy. Ron was alive, which means Hermione must be safe too.