Run Away ✧ Hogwarts Legacy

chapter twenty-two

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It was mid-afternoon the next day when they all met in the Undercroft. Once Ominis had told Antheia about all of the wards that he placed in the room at the beginning of the year, she realized it might be the only safe place in the castle to keep away from that demon. Sebastian had been warded out and as a result, so had the demon.

Anne Sallow fixed her wrist the best she could, which had been very little. There was no bone to fix. 

Antheia would have to see Nurse Blainey for sure, but she wasn't ready to leave the safety of the room after such a miserable night. A letter would be sent home to her parents for this kind of injury and she needed to think of a lie first. 

"Are you sure it doesn't hurt?" Anne asked as she attempted to keep pin it straight. 

Antheia shook her head. The only thing that had been hurting was her ego. 

"We'll take you to the Hospital Wing after," Garreth added, "We can tell the nurse that the two of us were dueling together and my spell backfired." 

"I doubt they will believe that."

"It's better than nothing," Anne mumbled. 

There was truly nothing more that could be done for her missing wrist at that point, but she stayed sitting by her side anyway. She felt better staying close to her.

At least Anne had been able to take care of her other injuries before going to get any more help. Although Antheia still suspected that she would enter the Hospital Wing looking like a mess. Her clothes were stained with drying blood, even Desmond's sweater had taken a beating, the sleeve torn at the end. 

She was too afraid to look in a mirror to see how bad she truly looked, but her friend had taken care of the worst of it. 

When the iron gate entrance cracked open, Antheia felt more nervous than she should have. Her heart soared straight into her throat and made a home there.

It had taken Ominis Gaunt some time to track everyone down to discuss what had happened in the middle of the night. Anne had been the first one to come to the Undercroft and attempt to heal what she could. It had been embarrassing to ask Ominis for any more help than he already had provided, but she had requested that he find Desmond last to give herself time to prepare.

Ominis seemed surprised when she had asked, but he agreed. Antheia wasn't ready to discuss what had happened prior to being attacked. Especially not with anyone in that room. 

Antheia wasn't sure what to expect when Desmond Esper entered last, to say that they left off on the wrong foot would be an understatement. 

But as soon as his blue eyes locked with her, he was at her side in a moment and hugging her tightly without another thought.

"Merlin, Thea! Ominis told me everything. Please tell me that you are alright?" Desmond asked.

"I'm fine," She answered back. "Well, mostly fine."

When he noticed the awkward shape of her wrist he almost smiled, relieved that the missing bone was truly the worst of the night. 

"That looks... interesting." He said with a pale face, studying over the injury.

"It's gross," Anne interpreted, "And don't touch it! I just got it set and pinned to not move around anymore!"

"Well, I'm glad you're alright." He dismissed in a dry tone. 

Desmond took his hand off from examining the injury at Anne's warning. Then he made his way over to the other side of the room, near Ominis, and began pacing anxiously. His eyes looked anywhere except for her.