The Birds and the Bears - Harry Potter Fanfic.

Chapter Six. Spell Damage.

Chapter 6. Spell Damage.

Teddy's P.O.V.

It is like a bad dream. I watch as Vic falls, an expression of surprise on her beautiful face. There is so much blood it seems impossible that one person could contain it. I run to her paying no heed to the floor melting off the soles of my trainers. Pointing my wand at the wounds on her chest I shout every healing spell I can think of. There is no affect, and in desperation I rip of my jumper and press it too her wounds, trying to staunch the seemingly endless flow.

Suddenly there are teachers beside me. I am being hauled bodily away from Vic and I don't care that it is professors that hold me. I lash out and my qudditch player's strength makes the two aging Astronomy scholars no match for me. I kneel at Vic's side again and grip her limp hand. The floor is burning the skin of my legs and I barely feel it. The school Matron, Madame Aeolus, pours an emergency blood replenishing draft into Vic's sagging mouth and shouts "Somebody floo St. Mungos. We need an emergency healer. What happens next is lost to me, because one of the professors stuns me and I am far to distracted to protect myself.

When I come to I am lying on a bed in the Hogwarts hospital wing. There is no one else on the ward except a miniature first year sipping a pepper up potion. I leap to my feet, only to find that they are wrapped in clean white bandage and are exceedingly tender. I ignore the pain and stride up the isle between the beds, heading for the Matron's office. "Mr. Lupin!" Madame Aeolus says reprovingly, "Sit down this instant. Your feet have just been healed." I ignore that to, until she puts two beefy hands on my shoulders and shoves me into a chair. "Where's Vic?" I demand. "Mr. Lupin," Madame Aeolus's tone is slightly softer, "Victoire Weasley is in St. Mungos Hospital for Magical Maladies. She has suffered serious spell damage, and it is beyond my modest capabilities to heal her. I have not seen violence like that here since I was a student during the Second Wizarding War." My heart drops into my knees and my voice comes out hoarse as I ask "Is she going to be ok?" The matron's expression is grim as she says "She has a chance of surviving, but that was dark magic. I don't know if she will ever be able to heal right without the counter curse." My voice is slightly stronger with my next question, "The Healers will find the counter curse right?" Madame Aeolus says nothing, and that is all the answer I need. My heart is heavy with guilt and grief as I lie back down on the crisp cot. Vic, I love you and I am so sorry that I never told you so.

Victiore's P.O.V.

Pain. Searing hot. Someone is screaming, I think it is me. Someone is weeping nearby, it isn't me. It feels like there are three daggers that have recently been foraged are being pressed into my chest. It hurts so bad. When the darkness fogs over my brain again I welcome it. Anything but the agony.

Later My eyes flicker open for the first time and are greeted by an unfamiliar scene. The ceiling of the room I am in has large round mage lights floating there. They lend a soft glow to the room, illuminating several pristine white hospital beds a sterile looking sink and a window with the blinds shut tight. By my bedside sits my father, his face in his hands, and as I try to turn and speak to him a searing pain shoots up my chest. I gasp and pass out. So much for conversation.

Teddy's P.O.V.

It has been a long, agonizing six days since Vic was injured. It seems like so much longer. She has not woken for more than a second or two, and has not spoken at all except to scream. When I got discharged from the hospital wing I went straight to the Owlery and sent a letter to Vic's parents begging for news. They responded with the false confidence that adults use on small children that they don't want to upset. I am desperate. This whole week I have been buried in the library at every spare moment. I can't remember the last time I slept for more that an hour or two. I have been searching desperately for a counter curse, and thus far have been fruitless. I can't find the 'Sectumsempra' curse anywhere.

The news hasn't all been bad however. Jessica Patil got expelled, and has a hearing at the Misuse of Magic Office pending for next month. It is a bit ironic that after all that awful harpy did to get Vic expelled it was her that had to face the music.

This morning I went to the Headmistress's office to beg to be let off school grounds, so I could go visit Vic. I am of age, so I am legally responsible for my own well being. I argued this to McGonagal, but she still refused. Tonight I am going on my own. In my first year my godfather Harry gave me the Marauders map. Tonight will be the first time I really use it for something important.

When the clock strikes eleven, I sneak out of Griffindor tower. The corridors are cold and drafty, ice crystals adorn the windows and the February wind howls around the castle. Looking down at the map I avoid meeting Mrs. Norris on the fifth floor and Peeves on the third. When I finally reach the statue of the One Eyed Witch, I am nervous and slightly out of breath. "Desendium" I whisper, then climb into the small opening behind the statue. It is a tight fit. My shoulders are squashed uncomfortably up against the sides of the tunnel, and it takes some doing to reach the passageway. When I finally get to the Honeydukes's basement I disparate.

The map is now useless, as I am standing in front of St. Mungos. The sky is dark and fluttering flakes of white appear in sharp clarity under the glow of a street lamp. I nod to the ugly mannequin behind the glass, then step through the window into the warm. The waiting room inside is packed with witches and wizards. Several haggard looking Healers are running around with clip boards and wands, trying to sort out the melee. I slip past a man who's face is bright orange, and a witch who is spouting sonnets about how awful the hospital is. Under cover of the chaos in the room I use my metamorphagus skills to change my appearance. Once I look about thirty years old and have transfigured my clothes to appear like a Healer uniform, I march off to search for Vic.

Following helpful directions that were posted in the atrium, I head to the fourth floor. Above a broad white door a large sign reads 'Spell Damage' in bold black font. I feel slightly nauseous, thinking of beautiful Vic in this sterile impersonal place. It is less crowded here and as I navigate the halls I see only a few tired looking Healers. Conscientiously I mimic their hangdog expressions until I find a ward titled 'Unknown Curses'.

The door is locked until I whisper "Alohamora" and enter. There are fourteen beds arranged in neat rows of seven. Eight are occupied by sleeping patients, and I am careful not to disturb anyone as I stride to the end of the room. I don't need a sign to point me to Vic. Something in me is drawn to her, if we are in a room together I just instinctively know where she is.

When I come up to her bedside and look down at her my face changes back to itself in shock. I expected her to look bad, but this is so much worse. That indefinable glow that Vic always has is gone. Her beautiful hair, which usually shines like liquid mercury, is lank and dull. Her arms lie neatly by her sides as if someone placed them there and she hadn't moved since. On her bedside are a bunch of 'Get Well' cards and a bouquet of flowers. I collapse into a seat and reach out to grip her cold hand. She dose not stir. I watch small the bubbles that travel down a tube into her mouth. I guessed that it is blood replenishing draft, because of its deep rich red shade. Vic probably needs it constantly because she is bleeding so much still. Underneath the crisp white hospital blanket I can see the outline of thick bandages around Vic's chest. The night was nerve racking, I am very tired and I lay my head down on the hard mattress beside Vic's hand. My heart beats a little easier now that I have seen her. I know that Vic might be dying, but at least I got to see her one last time.

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