"How are you feeling?" she asked as we continued our journey down the stone corridor.
"Not too bad, thank you?" I answered, holding onto her for support. Honestly, I was a little worried I'd fall on her considering how tiny she was next to me.
"Well, take it slow. You were out for five days." She instructed.
"Alright."
"Just a little further." She encouraged me as we continued our stroll through the corridor.
The walk wasn't long. After about ten minutes, she brought me to a large courtyard where several students were walking and conversing.
A pair of young girls passed us by, the black haired girl whispered something in the blondes ear, eliciting a giggle. If I had to say they were about 14-15. The kids seemed to be very in ages, all tweens and young adults. I glanced down at Elizabeth, wondering how old she was.
"I'll take you to the fountain, have a seat." She guided me to a marble bench, sitting down with me. I looked around, noticing the clock tower looming above us. It was about half passed 10.
"Lovely pendant." She complimented the accessory out of the blue.
"Oh, thanks," I said, having forgotten I was wearing it even though I never took it off. "Family air loom."
We sat there and rested for a moment before my stomach suddenly began to rumble, my face turned red, and Elizabeth giggled. "Looks like we forgot to feed you."
"Yeah." I replied with an embarrassed chuckle.
"Well then, we should make our way to the kitchen." She stood up, extending a hand out to me.
I took it and let her pull me up. "Are you sure I'll be allowed there?"
"Of course, the house elves can provide for you."
'House elves?' I thought. Guess I shouldn't have been surprised that there were elves here at this point.
"Follow me." She instructed, leading me down stone hallways and corridors
The kitchen was large and bustling, and several small people wearing ragged clothes were busy preparing food and washing dishes.
"I'll have something for our guest here, please." She said to one of the elves. They were short, floppy eared creatures. Not at all what I expected.
"Of course, Master." He replied before scurrying away.
"You come here often?" I asked.
"Not often. I've been visiting the infirmary a lot these past few weeks, but I did come down here with my sister and some friends a few times." She replied
"You have a sister?"
"Yes. Her name is Emma, and she's in her third year."
"Ah, she go here too?"
"Mhm. We've always gone to hogwarts." She answered with a smile. "And what about you, don't you have a family?"
"Yeah, my mother, father and two sisters, and a brother."
"I see. I'm the eldest."
"So am I."
"Hmm." She smiled.
The house elf came back with a tray of food and drink, a cup of tea and some sandwiches. "Enjoy, Mr White." He said, bowing his head and walking off.
I sat at the table and ate as Elizabeth watched. Boy, was I hungry as I wolfed it down. "This is good." I said with my mouth full.
"I can tell you were curtainly famished." She said, smiling.
"Yeah." I replied, taking a sip of the tea before setting it back down. "So what about your folks?" I asked.
"They're both alive and well. They live in Hogsmeade. They actually met here at Hogwarts."
"Any siblings other than Emma?"
"Yes, I have an older brother. His name is Richard, but we call him Rick."
"What's he like?"
"He's a bit of a dork and a bit of an ass and likes to play pranks. He's also actually a prefect here."
"Prefect? What's that?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.
"It's a sort of leadership role. The prefects are entrusted with certain tasks such as taking students to classes and supervising detention." She explained.
"Ah, a hall monitor." I said, nodding my head.
"Hall monitor?" She questioned.
"Never mind." I said, taking another bite.
"I'm sure you'll see him around."
"How so?"
"You'll be here for a week, won't you?"
"Oh, I guess there's a good chance I would then." I said as I took my final bites.
"Ready to go?" She asked.
"Yep." I said, standing up. "I'll just wash my own dish."
"That's fine. That's what the house elves are for." She said, standing up. "Now let's go, I've been instructed to take you to headmaster Dumbledore after you've woken up."
"Alright, lead the way."
She brought me to a set of stairs, and up we went. She led me to a tall door, giving it a knock.
"Come in." A voice came from the other side.
Elizabeth opened the door, leading me inside.
"Hello, sir." She greeted with a smile.
"Elizabeth. And you must be Mr White." The man stood from his desk and approached us. He was old, with a long white beard, and wore purple robs with a star pattern. "Professor Albus Dumbledore. Headmaster of Hogwarts."
"Nice to meet you, sir." I said, shaking his hand.
"My pleasure. How are you feeling?"
"A little sore, but well. I got a great nurse."
"I'm glad to hear. Miss Watkins was insistent that she take care of you herself." He chuckled.
"Yes, she was." I smiled, looking down at the little lady.
"Now, if you don't mind, I'd like to ask you a few questions."
"Sure, what about?"
"Miss Watkins tells me that she witnessed you use magic to defend yourself against a corrupted beast."
"Yeah, we talked about that, and I don't remember anything like that. As a matter of fact, I thought she might have done something."
"And did you miss Watkins?" He asked, shifting his gaze to her.
"No, I only say saw a flash of light as I was rounding the corner. Though, I suppose it's could have been mistaken." She answered, looking a little embarrassed.
"I see. Do you have any magical lineage, Mr White?"
"Not that I know of."
"You have no relatives that have ever shown any signs of magic?"
"I didn't believe in magic until this morning, sir."
"That is curious. But not unheard of. Magic has always existed, though some have believed otherwise. Muggles are not incapable of using magic. They have simply never been taught. In truth, you've had the capability since birth."
"Huh?"
"You were able to use magic because you are a wizard. As such, your power was triggered by a life-threatening situation."
"That doesn't explain why I've never used magic before. It's not like that was the first time I was afraid for my life."
"No, but perhaps the conditions were different."
"What do you mean?"
"To answer that it may take some time. In the meantime, you should rest, and if you remember anything, please tell Miss Watkins." She placed a gentle hand on my shoulder.
"Will do." I nodded
"You're free to go." He said, smiling and gesturing to the door.
"Thank you, sir." I bowed slightly and left the room, Elizabeth close behind.
"Are you alright, Sammy?" She asked me as we walked back to the hospital wing.
"Yeah, I'm okay." I answered
"I should bring you back to your bed." She said, leading me back the way we came.
She helped me to the bed. "I'm afraid I've got some work to do. But don't worry, I'll be seeing you again soon, " She said, snatching up the book she was reading earlier. "If you get bored, the nurse on duty can bring you a newspaper." She added.
"Alright, thank you, Liz."
"Liz, huh?" She mused with a smile.
"I heard you call me Sammy earlier." I said with a grin.
"Did I?" She asked, her cheeks turning a bright pink.
"Yeah."
"Then you can call me Liz." She giggled.
"Don't stay away too long." I said, waving goodbye.
"I won't, Sammy." She said with a wink as she spun around on her heels and walked out.
