OH BABY {James Potter}

FORGIVENESS

           CHAPTER NINETEEN: FORGIVENESS

                              December 1977

A week had passed since the ill-fated date in Hogsmeade. The echoes of that day  lingered, casting shadows over the Hogwarts halls.

James Potter had found himself caught in a whirlwind of emotions, anger and confusion.

He had tried his best to avoid Florence unless necessary throughout the week.

Florence stared at the Gryffindor table. It was odd none of her new friends were there.

As she thought of James, Florence couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness. His avoidance, though subtle, was a silent testament to the rift that had formed between them in the wake of the chaos at Hogsmeade.

Turning to Henry, Florence confided in him,  "It's like he's trying to disappear," she murmured.
Henry furrowed his brows at her statement.

"It's like I'm a ghost to him" she uttered her eyes
searched the hall trying to find the father to her baby.

"Don't even start with that Flo" Henry rumbled. "He probably just needs some space to think about what happened. You almost could've been killed",

Florence had broke down to Henry and Amara shortly after they had arrived back at Hogwarts. She had explained everything to them. Even Regulus cryptic warning and the whispers that lead her to the alley.

Florence rolled her eyes about to tell Henry he didn't get it before she was interrupted by a comotion entering the hall. She started up to find Amara running towards the pair.

Amara rushed to the Slytherin table, her expression struck with urgency. "All the boys are in the hospital wing," she blurted out.

Florence's heart sank as she processed what Amara had just blurted.

Little did the trio know what the events of the previous night entailed for the four Gryffindors and one Slytherin. Sirius Black's ill-conceived prank involving Remus Lupin's werewolf form had gone very wrong. It had left all the boys injured and confined to the infirmary wing.

Florence stood she felt her stomach twist into knots as she rushed to the hospital wing. She could hear both Amara and Henry chasing after her.

She pushed the two wooden doors to the infirmary open. Her eyes rapidly searching the room trying to find James. Her eyes widened taking in the picture in front of her. The four Gryffindor boys who were missing from the Great Hall were astrewn through out the infirminary.

A mixture of groans and moans echoed around the walls. She wasnt sure which boy was making which noise. Amara and Henry had caught up to the girl.
"Well what are you three doing just standing there" Madame Pomfrey exclaimed after noticing the three students standing at the door. "Get to work" she finished as she was knelt at Peters bedside repairing a bone in his hand.

Florence hurried over to where James lay on one of the infirmary beds. His face scrunched up in pain as he held onto his side. Rocking side to side.

"Hey there, James," Florence said softly, her voice soothing. "I'm here to help".

James managed a weak smile in response, grateful for Florence's comforting presence. He slightly grimaced remembering how he had ignored the girl all week. As she began to carefully inspect his injuries, he winced slightly, but Florence's gentle touch and reassuring words helped ease his discomfort.

Florence then carefully examined the wound on James's side, her brow furrowed in concentration as she assessed the injury. "James, how did you get this wound?" Florence almost asked.

For the first time Florence asked herself what actually had happened to the boys. She turned to look around the room. The other three boys looked broken and beaten up just the same as James.
'James who did this?" she asked. "Oh Merlin, please don't tell me it was those god awful Slytherin boys".
James shook his head. Unable to talk to the girl yet.

"Tell me James" she uttered as she grabbed ahold of his hand and gave it a squeeze.

The air crackled with tension as she stood by his bedside, the weight of unspoken words hanging between.

Awkward silence stretched between them until Florence  gathered the courage to speak. "I'm sorry, James, if this is about Hogsmeade, you were right" she murmured. "I was reckless, and I should have never walked out into the streets like that".

James's finally made eye contact with Florence, his gaze softened but was quickly taken over by pain, "It's not entirely your fault, Florence," he replied almost groaning, the pain from his wound becoming unbearable.

"Why do you say that" Florence questioned. She watched James eyes flicker from Amara to Siruis back to Florence.

Florence eyes flicker in understanding.

"She told you?" she asked.

Betrayal struck Florence across the cheek. Why would Amara tell James about the voices. She didn't want to worry him. Hell she didn't want him to think she was crazy.

"No no, she told Siruis who told me" James replied before groaning.

"We will re-address this later, James. We have got to get this wound healed".

A few hours and multiple episkeys later all of James wounds were healed thanks to Florence.

She sat at the boys bedside clinging onto his hand whilst he slept. She peered around the room. Peter and Siruis had been given the all the clear to return to their dormitories by Madame Pomfrey. Only James and Remus had to spend the night in the infirmary.

Florence was the only visitor left in the ward. Amara and Henry had left earlier before curfew.

Florence couldn't bring herself to leave James' side yet.

Florence knew James had woken up when he squeezed her hand. "Go to bed Flo, you guys need the rest" he groggily said, sleep still evident in his voice.

Florence shook her head. Damn the pregnancy hormones. She didn't want to leave the boy again. Worried he would get hurt. She didn't even know what had happened yet.

"James, please tell me what happened last night"

James shook his head. His curls aloof. "Florence I would if I could but it's not my secret to tell".

Florence sighed. "Who's is it then".

James looked across the ward to his best mate with the bandages dressed across most his skin then back to Florence.

Florence nodded her head in understanding.

"Come here" James pulled the girl's hand indicating her to hop into bed with him.

Florence tucked herself into the covers of James bed. Careful not to knock any of his wounds. He stretched his arm out and let the girl cuddle into him.

"Go to sleep" James kissed the top of her forehead.

Florence swiftly drifted off into a dreamless sleep safely nestled into James arm