Trying | Hogwarts OC student

chapter 15

Awakening in the Infirmary

Alistair stirred, his eyelids heavy as he slowly became aware of his surroundings. The soft morning light filtered through the windows of the hospital wing, casting a gentle glow over the beds lined up against the walls. He blinked, trying to recall the events of the previous night—the forbidden swim in the lake, the cold grasp that had pulled him down, and the rush of relief when he saw Professor Snape emerge from the darkness.

His body felt heavy, every muscle aching with exhaustion. He glanced down at his arms and legs, where the scratches from his frantic struggle in the water were still visible. Alistair sighed, the weight of his actions settling heavily upon him.

Just as he began to contemplate the consequences of his reckless decision, the door to the hospital wing swung open, and Professor Snape entered with his usual air of stern authority. Alistair tensed, unsure of what to expect from the Potions Master.

Snape approached Alistair's bed with measured steps, his expression unreadable. He stopped beside Alistair and folded his arms across his chest, his gaze piercing.

"You've caused quite a disturbance, Mr. Montrose," Snape said evenly, his voice carrying a hint of disapproval.

Alistair swallowed nervously, meeting Snape's intense gaze with a mixture of guilt and apprehension. "I... I'm sorry, Professor," he stammered, unable to find words adequate to convey his remorse.

Snape's eyes narrowed slightly, but instead of launching into a lecture, he surprised Alistair by reaching into his robes and producing a small vial of healing potion. Without a word, Snape uncorked the vial and held it out to Alistair.

"Drink this," Snape instructed curtly, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Alistair hesitated for a moment, unsure of Snape's intentions, but the Potions Master's gaze remained steady. With a resigned sigh, Alistair took the vial and drank the potion in one gulp, feeling its soothing effects immediately begin to work on his tired muscles and scratches.

Silence hung heavy between them for a moment before Snape spoke again, his voice softer than before. "You were fortunate," he remarked, his tone still tinged with a hint of reproach. "I trust this incident has taught you a valuable lesson."

Alistair nodded solemnly, a lump forming in his throat as he struggled to contain his emotions. "Yes, Professor," he managed to reply, his voice barely above a whisper. "I understand."

Snape regarded him for a moment longer before inclining his head slightly. "Good," he said simply, his expression inscrutable. With that, he turned on his heel and strode purposefully towards the exit, leaving Alistair to contemplate the gravity of his actions and the unexpected mercy shown by Professor Snape.

As the door closed behind Snape, Alistair let out a shaky breath, his mind swirling with a tumult of thoughts and emotions. He felt a strange mix of gratitude and shame—gratitude for Snape's timely intervention and shame for the trouble he had caused.

Hours passed, and when Alistair woke again, it was to the gentle touch of Madam Pomfrey checking on him. "Feeling better?" she asked kindly, adjusting the blanket around him.

"A bit," Alistair admitted, feeling a sense of relief that the initial shock of the incident had begun to subside.

"You gave us quite a scare," Madam Pomfrey said with a small smile, though her eyes held a hint of seriousness. "You must promise me, no more midnight swims, Mr. Montrose."

Alistair nodded earnestly. "I promise, Madam Pomfrey. I won't do something so reckless again."

"Good," she replied, her tone softening. "Rest now, and let your body heal."

As she moved away to tend to another student, Alistair closed his eyes and let the steady rhythm of the hospital wing soothe him. Despite the turmoil of the night, he felt a strange sense of clarity settling over him. The incident had been a harsh wake-up call, but it had also taught him valuable lessons about responsibility and the consequences of his actions.

Later that evening, as dusk began to settle over Hogwarts and the hospital wing grew quiet, Alistair found himself visited once more—this time by the Weasley twins, who had returned with mischievous glints in their eyes.

"Hey," came Fred's familiar voice from the doorway. Alistair looked up to see both twins standing there, their usual playful demeanor subdued by the seriousness of the situation.

"Hey," Alistair replied weakly, managing a small smile despite his lingering unease.

Fred and George approached the bed, pulling up chairs and sitting down beside him. "You had us all worried, mate," George said seriously, his eyes reflecting genuine concern.

"Yeah," Fred added, his expression mirroring his twin's concern. "You should've seen Snape—"

"We thought he was going to hex us into next week," George interrupted with a nervous laugh.

Alistair managed a chuckle, appreciating the twins' attempt to lighten the mood. "I'm sorry," he said sincerely, feeling a lump form in his throat as he recalled the fear and uncertainty of the night.

George shook his head. "Don't apologize, mate. Just promise us no more late-night swims, okay?"

Alistair nodded earnestly. "I promise," he said firmly. "I've learned my lesson."

Fred grinned mischievously. "Good to hear. Though we wouldn't mind another thrilling adventure, just not one that involves nearly drowning."

Alistair chuckled weakly, feeling a sense of warmth spread through him despite the seriousness of the conversation. The twins' presence was a comfort, reminding him that even in his darkest moments, he had friends who cared about him.

As Madam Pomfrey returned to check on Alistair once more, Fred and George stayed a while longer, regaling him with tales of their latest pranks and offering words of encouragement. Despite the near-tragedy he had faced, Alistair felt a glimmer of hope and determination. He knew he had made mistakes, but he was also grateful for the chance to learn and grow from them.

As night fell over Hogwarts and the hospital wing grew quiet, Alistair found himself feeling oddly grateful despite the ordeal he had endured. The incident had been a stark reminder of his own vulnerability, but it had also strengthened his bonds with those who cared about him. And as he drifted off to sleep once more, Alistair knew that while the scars of the night would fade, the lessons learned would stay with him for a lifetime.