Cursed Love: Fred Weasley (English)

Chapter four

9th October, Hogwarts

Slowly, Valentina opened her eyes and looked around. She was in Hogwarts' hospital wing. She tried to sit up but laid back down immediately as she felt a searing pain in her abdomen. Her head throbbed unbearably, and the pains throughout her body made her feel like every single bone of her skeleton was broken and each breath was pure torture. What had happened to her? Her memory was blurry and she couldn't string two thoughts together. Valentina moaned in pain as she tried to swallow, which alerted the matron, Madam Pomfrey, who rushed to her bedside.

"Oh my dear, you are finally awake! Don't move, I'll bring you some pain-relief potions." 

The matron rummaged through her cupboards and returned a moment later, her hands full of flasks in various colours. 

"You've taken quite a blow," she began. "Far too severe for a few wand waves and a couple of potions to heal quickly. Here, open your mouth."

Valentina complied and opened her mouth with great difficulty. Madam Pomfrey unscrewed a green dropper bottle and let a few droplets fall into Valentina's mouth before doing the same with a purple bottle.

"Your right lung has been pierced by a broken rib, your pelvis is fractured and you have a great head injury on top of that. I swear, some Quidditch players don't even think about the consequences of their actions! You must have had quite a fall to end up in this state."

Suddenly, Valentina's memory came flooding back. She had been about to score another goal for her team when a Bludger sent by the opposite team knocked her out. Gradually, the pain started to subside and her thoughts became clearer. Madam Pomfrey's potions were starting to take effect.

"I'm going to change your head bandages, you have quite a gash on your temple. The potions should be working by now. Can you try sitting up a bit? I am going to add some more pillows... "

Valentina nodded and began to move.

"Here, let me help you, there you go, slowly."

With considerable effort, Valentina managed to sit up just long enough for Madam Pomfrey to prop up a few more cushions under her head. The matron changed her bandages and began to disinfect her wound. 

"Well, the boy who injured you is not entirely heartless, he's come by several times to check if you were awake. Your friends came to visit you too, they left you a few presents on the table. With the medications, you should be able to open them this evening."

"How long... have I been... unconscious?" Valentina asked with difficulty.

"Three days, dear."

Three days? Valentina couldn't help but think about all the lessons she'd have to catch up on. Especially Umbridge's, she knew that the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher would not do her any favours when she returned. Although Professor Umbridge's class wasn't very useful, she wasn't keen to end up alone with her because she was behind in class. A tête-à-tête with that toad-faced woman, not for her, thank you very much. 

"When... can I leave?" she asked, still struggling. 

"Oh, not until you're fully recovered dear. And given your condition, that should take at least two weeks."

Valentina sighed at the nurse's words. The two following weeks were going to be very long. Madam Pofrey finished changing her bandages and gave her more medicine. 

"When will I be able... to see my friends?"

"They can come to visit you tomorrow if you'd like. For now, you are too weak."

Afterwards, the matron brought Valentina her dinner. As the pain-relief potions took stronger effect, Valentina could sit up to eat and look at the presents her friends had left. Fenella had given her a few Cauldron Cakes, her favourite pastry, Eddie Nash had brought her a Sugar Quill and Angelina had left a box of Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans. There were also a few notes wishing her a prompt recovery from her other friends and the entire Quidditch team. She was even surprised to see that David Lloyd had left her one. Angelina's words brought a smile to her face.

My dear Val,

I'm sorry, we won the match, and on top of that, you ended up in the hospital wing because of one of us. Rest assured that I will make that idiot pay for what he did to you. By the way, he asked me to pass on a few words, which you'll find behind this one.

Rest well,

Angelina

Valentina turned the note from her friend to discover the one left by the person who had knocked her out.

I'm sorry I hurt you, it seems that I can't control my strength.

To make it up to you, I'll get you all the Skiving Snackboxes you want when they're ready.

F. Weasley