Unwhispered Words

I awoke later to a terrible pain in my shoulder that made my entire body shudder. I lurched up, surveying my surroundings. Why was I in the Hospital Wing?

That's when I remembered the argument, and the spells..

I winced as another pain rocked my body. Why did it hurt so badly?

Turning, I saw a bottle of Skele-Gro sitting on the bedside table. No wonder I was in so much pain.

"Oh, thank goodness, you're awake!"

Looking to my right, I saw Madam Pomfrey rushing toward me in her night gown.

"I was wondering how long you'd be out, dear!"

I attempted a weak smile. How long had I been out anyways?

"First day of school, not even, and already we have a student in the Hospital Wing. I can already see how this year is going to be!" she chuckled.

I winced as I tried to turn toward her.

"Oh no, don't move dear. That will only make the mending process longer. Here, drink this."

She poured some Skele-Gro into a small goblet, then handed it to me.

"It's a bit unpleasant," she warned, as I put the goblet to my lips. My face contorted as it trailed down my throat, burning my insides. I've never tasted something so disgusting before.

"At this point in time, as I'm sure you've figured out, you have no bones in your right shoulder."

I hadn't noticed that. I pressed my finger to my shoulder, watching it sink it. My eyes widened at her.

"Okay, or maybe you haven't.. Anyways, your scapula and clavicle were far too injured, shattered in fact, to be mended. You took quite a fall. Therefore, all particles of bone have been removed and are in the process of being regrown."

I nodded, hiding the want to poke my shoulder again.

"How long will I be in here healing?"

She tutted her tongue, thinking to herself.

"In my professional opinion, I'd like to keep you in here until Wednesday.."

I cut her off. "But Madam Pomfrey, that means I'd miss my first day of classes! I can't!"

She continued as if I had never spoken a word.

"However, everybody heals differently, so we'll check on your progress tomorrow and go from there. Okay?"

I sighed, defeated. There was no point in arguing.

"Okay, yes ma'am."

She poured more Skele-Gro into my goblet, emptying the bottle entirely.

"Finish that off and go straight to bed. You need to rest. Goodnight, dear."

"Goodnight."

She hurried off. Taking a deep breath, I chugged the entired goblet which brought tears to my eyes. So nasty!

Wrapping myself up in the blankets, I tried my best to get comfortable, failing miserably. Exhausted, I closed my eyes, falling into a deep sleep.

***

The sun was shining brighter than usual through the Hospital Wing windows, forming a nice golden tint around the room, a pleasant sight to wake up to in the morning. I opened my eyes, stretching the best I could without moving my right arm.

Looking at the clock on the wall across the room, I saw that it was about the time I would be heading down to the Great Hall for some breakfast. The thought of food itself made my stomach go into a frenzy, considering I hadn't eaten at all yesterday. I wonder where Madam Pomfrey is..

As if she had heard my thoughts, or maybe just my growling stomach, she came walking through the doors carrying a tray of food.

"Here you go, dear."

I smiled at her, beyond grateful. "Thank you!"

I've never eaten so quickly in my life. Taking a sip of my pumpkin juice, I savored it. Oh how it tasted so much better than Skele-Gro..

When I was finished, Madam Pomfrey returned, waving her hand and causing the tray to disappear. She then began examining my shoulder. I held my breath, praying I would be alright enough to make it to my 1st day of classes.

Finally, she sighed. "You're a very quick healer Ms. Peverell. You may go." She smiled.

I beamed back at her, throwing the covers off of me. "Thank you so much Madam Pomfrey!"

After she wrapped my arm in a sling, I left.

***

I dashed through the dungeon corridors as best I could, carrying my books in a large bag I'd conjured on my left arm. I burst into Professor Snape's classroom, which was luckily still empty.

"Professor Snape?" I mumbled, approaching his desk.

"I wondered if I would be seeing you today, Ms. Peverell."

He snatched a sheet of parchment off his desk, forcing it into my hand.

"I suspect you'll be needing this."

"Thank you, sir."

I began walking away from him.

"Ms. Peverell, I should remind you that your injury will not give you any excuse to not be prepared for my new class."

I nodded. "Yes, of course, sir. I'll be here in time and ready to work."

He raised his eyebrow curiously at me, smirking as if he knew something I didn't.

"We'll see, Ms. Pevereil. You may go." He turned away.

Once out of the dungeons, I hurried to the Great Hall. Sitting down, I pulled out all my materials from my bag, hoping to get it as best organized it could be before class.

I began studying my schedule.

Monday
9:00-10:00: Advanced Transfiguration
10:10-12:10: Double Potions
12:20-12:50: Lunch
1:00-2:00: Advanced Care For Magical Creatures
2:10-3:10: Advanced Charms
3:20-4:20- Advanced Defense Against The Dark Arts

Tuesday
9:00-10:00: Arithmacy
10:10-11:10: Divination
11:20-12:20: Muggle Studies
12:30-1:00: Lunch
1:10-2:10: Advanced Herbology
2:20-3:20: Astronomy
3:30-4:30: Ancient Runes

Wednesday
9:00-10:00: Advanced Transfiguration
10:10-12:10: Double Potions
12:20-12:50: Lunch
1:00-2:00: Advanced Care For Magical Creatures
2:10-3:10: Advanced Charms
3:20-4:20- Advanced Defense Against The Dark Arts

Thursday
9:00-10:00: Arithmacy
10:10-11:10: Divination
11:20-12:20: Muggle Studies
12:30-1:00: Lunch
1:10-2:10: Advanced Herbology
2:20-3:20: Astronomy
3:30-4:30: Ancient Runes

Friday
9:00-10:00: Advanced Transfiguration
10:10-12:10: Double Potions
12:20-12:50: Lunch
1:00-2:00: Advanced Care For Magical Creatures
2:10-3:10: Advanced Charms
3:20-4:20- Advanced Defense Against The Dark Arts

I stopped. For one, why did it label Snape at the Defense Against The Dark Arts teacher? And why is it that my schedule is so packed? I got Outstanding's on all of my O.W.L.S. I shouldn't have this many classes. I looked around the Great Hall, spotting Professor McGonagall. I chased after her.

"Professor, could you help me for a moment?"

"Of course, Ms. Peverell. How may I be of assistance?"

I led her back to where I had been sitting, my books still scattered across the table. I handed her my schedule.

"I was only wondering why it is that I have so many classes this year, Professor."

"Well, as I know, you recieved 'Outstanding's' on all your O.W.L.S. Therefore, I assumed you would want to continue with all your previous courses, seeing as you haven't specified an intended career yet. However, this schedule can be edited, if you wish."

I looked over it again. It was true. I still have no idea what it is I want to do with my life.

"I'll keep it as is, Professor. I was only wondering, but you've explained perfectly. Thank you."

She nodded. "Now, don't be late to class."

I looked at the time. 10 minutes until class began! I arranged my books as quickly as possible before hurrying towards the Transfiguration, praying I'd beat McGonagall there.

It was going to be a long day.

***

I trudged toward the Slytherin common room, my bag easily 5 pounds heavier than it had been at the beginning of the day, filled with homework.

Throwing my bag on my bed, I collapsed beside it. I've never had so much homework in my life. Sighing, I got up and pulled open my trunk, getting out a change of clothes.

I left the common room, once again, heading to the Owlery. I had just seen Shiloh yesterday, but I already missed her. Scaling the steps, I enjoyed the crisp mountain air.

That's when I heard the sound.

It was quiet, barely audible, but there. Someone was in the Owlery, and they were crying.