She was a misfit, he was a git.
Matilda Diggory enters her fifth year of school, ready to remain as under the radar as possible, only there's a catch. She's somehow managed to catch the eye of a particularly annoying redhead, who seems hell-bent on...
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Matilda was in the worst pain she'd ever been in.
The scratches covering her body made it impossible for her to be comfortable, for every time she moved she broke open the scabs, bleeding once more. There were two large half-moon marks on her leg, big and red, and she rejected every bit of medicine that was applied. She had a horribly scratchy throat, and her body couldn't seem to regulate her temperature, instead either being freezing cold or boiling hot. She still hadn't stopped shaking.
It was all too much pain for her body to withstand while awake, so Matilda spent the majority of the next forty-eight hours fading in and out of consciousness.
In those short moments when Matilda would flutter her eyes open, there was a figure beside her bed every time. She was never awake long enough to focus and discover who they were, but something about their presence made her feel protected, as though no one could harm her as long as they were by her side.
On the early hours of the third day of January, an old man walked up to the gates of Hogwarts, carrying just a worn suitcase by his side. He had a head full of white curls, and a face that may once have been considered charming but was now marked by age.
Hagrid, the school gatekeeper, rattled his keys in the lock as he saw the man, "Mr Scamander! What a pleasure seein' yer!"
Newt Scamander nodded his head awkwardly, "Y-yes, pleasure to s-see you too, Hagrid."
"I won' hold yer up," Hagrid said, opening the gate and letting Newt walk through. "I hear she's not doin' too well..."
"Th-thank you, Hagrid. Have a g-good day."
With that, Newt Scamander made his way to the walls of his old school, far less agile than the last time he'd done so. When he arrived at the Entrance Hall, Dumbledore was standing there, waiting for him.
"Dumbledore, I came as soon as I h-heard," Newt said, shaking Dumbledore's hand but keeping his eye on the suitcase in his hand. "I've got everything with me."
"Brilliant, Newt, I'm sure she'll appreciate it," said Dumbledore, taking off toward the Hospital Wing. Newt followed one step behind, looking over his shoulder at the castle he once lived in. It was surprisingly quiet, even if it was early in the morning. Dumbledore noticed what Newt was looking for, "The students will be arriving later tonight. We only had a handful stay over break this term."
Newt nodded, "I see."
When they entered the Hospital Wing, Newt sighted someone he had not seen in decades.
"Mr Scamander!"
Remus Lupin stood from his chair, rushing over to the old man and wrapping him in a hug. Newt timidly returned the hug, never quite used to them.
"I didn't know you were coming!" Remus said, a bright grin on his face as he looked at Newt. "How's Tina?!"
