Callidora ☆ Fred Weasley

[chapter 166]

Madam Pomfrey had been considerably less sympathetic than Calli had hoped.

"You students seem to think bones are replaceable!"

"They weren't broken." Calli pointed out from the edge of the bed.

"That is hardly the point!"

Calli wisely stopped talking.

Montague's punch had left two badly bruised ribs and a small crack in another, which Madam Pomfrey repaired with several sharp flicks of her wand while continuing to berate Calli for getting into a fistfight.

By the time she was allowed to leave, the sharp pain had faded to a lingering ache.

Fred had remained beside her throughout the entire ordeal.

And apparently intended to remain there.

"No."

Calli stopped outside the Hospital Wing.

Fred stopped with her.

"No what?"

"You're not coming."

"I am."

"Fred."

"Calli."

She gave him a look.

He gave her the exact same one back.

"I need to see Snape and get this over with."

"I'll wait outside."

"No, you won't."

"Why?"

"Because you're still furious."

"I'm perfectly calm."

"You threatened to turn Montague's kneecaps backwards fifteen minutes ago."

Fred's jaw tightened.

"Still might."

"Exactly."

She took his hands.

"Don't let Snape see you. He'll take his anger out on you too."

"I don't care."

"I do."

That silenced him.

Calli squeezed his fingers.

"Go be with your team. Check on George. Check on Ron."

At the mention of his younger brother, some of the fight finally left Fred's expression.

Calli softened.

"Please."

Fred sighed heavily.

"I hate when you do that."

"Do what?"

"Make sense."

She smiled.

"I'll find you afterwards."

"You'd better."

"I will."

He leaned down and kissed her forehead before reluctantly releasing her.

"If Snape gives you trouble-"

"He's my Head of House. He's supposed to give me trouble."

"Right. Well. If he gives you excessive trouble."

"I'll survive."

Fred walked backwards several steps.

Calli pointed towards the staircase.