Lady Black (Sirius Black's Daughter)

What happens in St. Mungo's, stays in St. Mungo's

The night of Mr Weasley's attack, we waited at Grimmauld. Dumbledore had allowed the Weasleys, Harry and myself to leave Hogwarts so we could be closer to Mr Weasley. Dad had been delighted by the company even if it was caused by such a dreadfull event. He's been lonely lately.

Remus has been going out with Dora a lot more lately, though I don't believe they're a couple yet...

Anyway, Dad hasn't got anyone anymore now. All of his friends are either dead, insane, gone missing or just busy. My poor old man is left to tend for himself. if we're honest, he could just get himself a lover. He is not that old. He's only 36 for crying out loud. He's quite good looking as well, as far as I can tell he'd be quite a catch for any lady in her thirties or gentleman, let's not exclude any possiblity. 

I'm getting side-tracked. What I was trying to say is that Mr Weasley is in the hospital and is doing well now. He can't go home yet because his wounds don't seem to heal, but he's no longer in mortal danger. The snake's venom doesn't allow the wounds to close or to fix it up with stiches. In case you don't know stitches, I'll explain them.

Muggles use a kind of wire to sew the skin back together and let it heal. According to Hermione it usually works on muggle cuts but with Mr Weasley's gashes it didn't quite work that well ...

Let's just say that eventhough the phrase says 'it doesn't hurt to try', if you're married to Mrs Weasley, you might want to consider asking her before you try. Mrs Weasley had started yelling at Mr Weasley the moment she found out about the stitches. She thought him incredibly stupid to allow a healer to sew his skin back together. The twins, Ginny, Harry and I, all fled the room when she started shouting at him. The twins left rather quickly for the tearoom but Hermione held me back before I could follow them.

"D'you need something 'Mione?" I asked her as she seemed to want to ask something but just couldn't form the words.

"Well, I was just wondering about the wedding ... who is all invited to be there? The Weasleys probably because they're Charlie's family and your father, professor Lupin and Harry because they're your family but who else?"

She was fidgetting with the hem of her shirt when I finally knew what she was getting at.

"Hermione, please tell me you don't think you're not invited to the wedding. I must have forgotten to ask you but I wanted you to be a bridesmaid together with Ginny and Nymhadora. You're like a little sister to me 'Mione, of course you're in the wedding."

She beamed and hugged me. "Oh thank you, Jane! You've been like a big sister to me for the last few years but I didn't know whether you also thought that. " I gave er a smile in return and linked our arms.

We were almost past the fourth floor of St. Mungo's, SPELL DAMAGE, when a familiar face appeared.

"Please tell me that I'm not looking at the face of Gilderoy Lockhart." I mumbled. when no one corrected me, I let out a small groan. 

Lockhart started mumbling about giving us his autograph when his healer appeared. The witch was so pleased to see he had visitors that none of us dared to say otherwise and just trailed behind them.

Apparently Lockhart never gets any visitors. The healer seemed to think it was absolutely wonderfull we came, especially on Christmass day. I can imagine Neville didn't quite agree with that ...

I knew Alice and Frank Longbottom were rendered insane after dear aunt Bellatrix payed them a visit. She used the Crusiatus curse so much that day that they lost their minds. However I didn't know they were in this ward, if I had I wouldn't have let the others come in here. Its too late now though. Ron had already called out to Neville.

"It's us, Neville!" Ron continued to try and get poor Neville attention. "Have you seen -? Lockhart's here! Who've you been visiting?"

Neville cowered a little but his grandmother replied before anyone could say another word.

"Friends of yous, Neville, dear?" She looked down upon us and continued without waiting for her grandson's answer.

"Ah yes," she said letting her gaze fall upon Harry. "Yes, yes, I know who you are, of course. Neville speaks most highly of you." She extended her hand towards Harry who took it to shake while saying 'thank you".

"And you must be the famous Jane Black, or should I say Lady Black? Neville has told me you've been a great teacher and have helped him with his spells. Of course, I've also heard of your powers ... what a great witch you are." She didn't exactly smile at me, but her expression seemed more pleased than before. 

"Thank you, Mrs Longbottom. Your grandson is doing very well in my classes and I have high expectations of him for the future." I glaced at Neville as I spoke to make sure he knew I meant what I said. He's got talent, I'm sure of it! His low self esteem is just getting in its way.

Mrs Longbottom went on to acknowledge Ginny, Ron and Hermione before mentioning Frank, Neville's father. She motioned to the end of the ward as she did so which made Ron let out an amazed "What?" Both Harry and I shot him a look as he continued.

"Is that your Dad down the end, Neville?" Ron asked. Mrs Longbottom immediatly turned to Neville and launched into a rant about how he shouldn't be ashamed of his parents. She said he ought to be proud of them. Then she explained the reason behind their stay in St. Mungo's.

Ginny and Hermione both gasped and cupped their hands to their mouths while Ron looked mortified for he had been trying to catch a glimse of the Longbottoms not a second ago. Harry and I just stayed quiet.

When they were about to leave, Alice came by and gave Neville an empty Drooble's Best Blowing Gum wrapper. Neville pocketted it and they left.

"I think we should go now..." I said to the shell shocked teens. They nodded and we left, dismissing Lockharts attempt to give us another autograph.