After the War.

Coming Back.

I tapped my nails on the bed. Patience wasn't my best trait and especially when it came to the wing that I sat on. All because Filch made me jump and I have a poor reaction to surprises. This must have been written all over my face. "No Miss Flint you cannot leave." I sighed and let the pillow behind my body be used to rest on my lap as I thought up a way to leave whilst her back was turned to me.

"It's just a dream. I can go back to sleep afterwards and no one will ever know. It isn't anything about you but I enjoy walks, I suppose that is how I got here but I like the library and practicing on my broom. I am sure you have better plans than looking after a whiny second year." Madam Pomfrey didn't even turn around as she worked acting like I didn't say anything to her. "Surely, I am physically better and that is why you are here. Right? You job is done and I am going absolutely crazy in here. There is nothing to do and white has scientifically been proven to drive people mad." My words had little to no effect on her for a moment as quill met parchment. The scratching grating on my nerves.

"You may leave..." She didn't get to finish as I began to speak quickly.

"Yes! Thank you." Her wand flew out and I found the pillow being stuck in place but I worked my way to the edge, quickly, and then I was practically skipping out. Not what she had intended and we both knew that but she couldn't say anything else as I had just caught her by surprise. Something in her eyes told me I wasn't going to get away for long but I needed to be free.

My eyes caught sight of all the walls and soon I was lost in thought. My clothes were covering and Daisy had picked them up but that meant the colours often clashed. She was trying though and that was more than I was able to do. If I was seen wandering the infirmity room I was berated and told to lay down again. But I couldn't comprehend why she was acting like I may break and fall apart at any second.

I managed to get into my room and change before I headed out to walk around the grounds. My muggle jeans and tight back long sleeved top was pulled tightly and my muggle trainers kept my feet warm. This time though I was only going to walk inside as the outside wasn't much of an interest for a while. Until I could be brave enough for the lake I would stay under the roof of the castle until my mind could handle it. My dream wasn't helping me either.

"Miss Flint." I hadn't even made it to the library and she had found me. Frustration full in her voice as a faint tapping sound could be heard. I couldn't do much and so I turned slowly. Hoping she wouldn't be too upset with me. As I did so though Madam Pomfrey wasn't alone. Instead Professor Bell was at her side and they were clearly talking beforehand.

"Hello Madam Pomfrey. It is nice to see you. It has been a while. No?" I was really trying and her face was stiff and determined. Clearly I was wrong for my actions but I was trying to get out of it.

"You seem set on leaving. If, or rather when your head begins to hurt again come back to the infirmary and I will give you a potion. You will have to stay as the potion will make you tired and then the dream will come back. I will be able to care for you then." I nodded at her but didn't think the headache would come back. It had been gone for so long but she also spoke with so much experience behind her and certainty. "Don't put it off because your head will only hurt more." I didn't mutter another word before we both realised that the conversation was over.

"Goodbye Madam Pomfrey, Professor Bell. I hope you both have a nice day." I commented and finished the walk to the library.

The usual woman didn't sit at her desk and so I just silently took a book and read it at a desk. Nothing else being said. A book about transfiguration, a new favourite subject of mine. Learning all about what could happen and the endless possibilities for the final product. Learning was something I had always enjoyed.

Just as my eyes were growing to be heavy I tucked the book away. Realising that it was time for all of my friends to be returning. They would have opened all of their presents and I could talk to them about it all. I had already received a letter from Hermione as she thanked me for the books about house elves and their rights. It was tough to find but I managed it and in a muggle shop as well.

The hall was reached and so I entered slowly to try and enter with no notice. Just sit there and do all that I could to stay away from people until later when we could talk of the holidays better.

"Iona." I had lost my quiet entrance as a voice spoke to me. The hall had quiet chatter but after that a few other voices grew louder. Other seemed to be making a point of talking louder but they didn't quiet down either. Sitting as the Hufflepuff table instead and sitting with Geoff.

"My man Geoff. How was your holiday?" He smirked and dug a fork into his potato. Pretending not to have heard me so I picked up a fork and took one of his potatoes. Both of us knew I wasn't going to eat it so he sharpened his eyes onto me.

"Fine, I did it and now mum and dad talk to me like a normal person." I smiled so wide and put the food into his mouth. My arms wrapping around him and I squeezed him so close we both became a little lost for breath. I had helped him just as he helped me in most of my lessons.

Just as I went to talk some more the clinking of one of the professors caught my ear. It was Professor Flitwick so the headmistress was about to make some announcement and welcome us all properly. My head was starting to hum uncomfortably and a hand moved to support it on the table as I faced the large table of staff.

"Welcome back to Hogwarts. We all hope that you had a nice holiday and are ready for the rest of the year of learning. It shall pass in a moment. Now, I wish to remind you all that the Forbidden Forest is just that. Forbidden to all of you unless a member of staff is with you. As well as this the lake is the same. You may walk near it but I suggest that you stay well away and do not go for a swim this term. Very well, you may eat some more." As soon as the lake was mentioned I looked at the food before me and wasn't about to look up at the woman speaking. Clearly she had made a mention because of what I had done.

"What was that about? We all know that you would have to be stupid to go into the water." I nodded and gave it five minutes before walking back to my room for the night. My mind humming still and a sting was felt running from my forehead to the back of my head. I ignored it because I felt like the hospital wing would give me more of a headache with the 'told you so' comments and so I slipped into pyjamas as I got ready to sleep. My view becoming impaired as I couldn't keep my eyes open for longer than a second, my other senses having to guide me through my room. Even after I had blown my candles out. The toothbrush caused a pattern that ran right through me and my head was basically screaming by this point as I hoped to let sleep take the pain away.