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─── Y/N POV ───
The following days passed slowly. My mind was fully awake, yet my body was locked in an unmoving state. I could hear the faint conversations of students and the soft bubbling of potions, but the sounds felt like they were coming from a distant world I could no longer reach. There was no escape, no way to scream or cry or even blink.
Would I ever move again?
One week later, I didn't expect anything different. The same day, over and over again. Until Madam Pomfret's voice sounded from above me.
"Here, drink this," she said, her tone tinged with excitement.
I couldn't respond, couldn't even flinch, but something shifted the moment the medicine touched my lips. A spark ignited within me, a sensation I hadn't felt in what seemed like forever.
Suddenly, I blinked.
For a moment, I thought it was a dream. But then it happened again — my eyelids fluttered, and my vision cleared. My nose wrinkled as I became aware of the faint smell of the infirmary, no longer dulled by my petrified state. A tingling spread through my body like tiny shocks of electricity reawakening my senses.
Maybe if I kept trying, I could wake up.
With all the strength I could muster, I pushed. My leg flinched, then moved a little more. Encouraged by this, I kept at it. I could feel my toes wiggle, a wonderful sensation after what felt like an eternity of stillness. Soon enough, I was able to move my hands, then my arms, and finally the rest of my body. I sat up slowly, my head spinning a little.
"Y/n! You're awake!" Madam Pomfrey exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with joy.
"What's happening?" My voice was hoarse, like it hadn't been used in ages.
"You woke up! Oh, this is amazing!" She clapped her hands together, beaming at me.
"H-how did I wake up?" I stammered, still trying to process it all.
"Mandrake juice!" she declared proudly.
"The screaming plants?"
"Yes! And they've worked wonderfully!"
"Thank you," I replied, rubbing my head while feeling the lingering drowsiness. "Where's Hermione?"
Before I could respond, a low, groggy moan sound reached my ears. My heart leapt.
"Hermione!" I spun around and saw her stirring on a nearby bed.
"Miss Granger!" Madam Pomfrey was at her side in an instant.
