Hide & Seek

Chapter 11 - Spiteful

Chapter 11
SPITEFUL

spiteful
(adj.) full of spite or malice

"IS she dead?"

The sound of paper hitting flesh reverberated off the stone walls of the hospital wing.

"No, you bloody moron! Does she look like she's dead?"

"I don't know, I've never seen a dead body before."

Gemma's forehead crinkled in pain as she winced at the loud voices above her. They sounded distant, as if bouncing back and forth against the walls of cave.

She tried to move, attempting to lift an arm. Nothing. Perhaps she should start smaller. She willed her finger to wiggle, but to no avail. The limb wouldn't budge.

Thinking she should maybe start of easier, she braced herself and with immense amount of effort was able to barely crack open an eyelid. Harsh sunlight had her shutting them again almost immediately, a broken groan leaving her dryed lips.

She could taste the tang of old blood on her tongue as she wet them. With all the strength she could muster, she opened her eyes again, blinking through the pounding in her head.

A mirage of faces blended into one another as they all peered over her previously sleeping figure. Gemma concentrated, trying to get the muddled features to focus to identifiable people.

All four Weasley's were staring down at her, bright red hair glinting identically in the sunlight filtering through the expansive windows.

Ginny had what looked like a copy of the Daily Prophet clutched in her hands, it poised threateningly as George rubbed his arm avoiding her glare.

"Try not to kill each other, this bed's already taken," Gemma's voice sounded ragged to her own ears as it crawled its way weakly up her throat.

"She lives!" exclaimed Fred, shaking Ron by the shoulders as he hopped up and down.

Ginny immediately planted herself in the seat near Gemma's head, blocking her view of the rowdy boys who'd begun to do some sort of celebratory jig.

"How're you feeling?" Ginny asked, worry creasing her brows as she watched Gemma try to sit up, "Don't move, you'll only make it worse."

Gemma sighed, pausing her movements and laying back down defeated.

"Like hell," she answered Ginny, "It feels like someone took a mallet to my temple."

"Looks like it too," offered Ron, grimacing as he eyed the scar running from the corner of Gemma's right eyebrow and into her hairline.

This time, Ron was the one to receive the blow from Ginny's paper, letting out a cry in response.

"Where's Harry and Hermione?" Gemma asked, squinting quizzically as she eyed the vacant wing. Only one other bed was taken, although she couldn't make out by who.

"Angelina's gone to fetch them. We weren't allowed to see you for awhile, Madam Pomfrey only just gave the ok for visitors," said Ginny.

"What happened? How long was I out for?" Gemma's head throbbed, and she shut her eyes against the pain, "All I remember is reaching for the snitch and then, nothing."

The Weasley's all exchanged weary glances, Ginny attempting a smile that came out more grimace-like.

"You got hit in the head, with a bludger," she said, patting Gemma's arm that still lay limp at her side.