Not Moving Anytime Soon

I wake up back in the infirmary the morning after and I am pretty much covered in bandages head to toe. I don't even try to move, just being still hurts a bit.

"Oh~ you finally woke up," Mrs. Nurse smiles, leaning over me. "You sure took a good beating. What happened?"

"The Crows attacked again," I mutter, it hurts to speak.

"Again? This kind of thing has happened before," a familiar voice asks, I turn my head to see Malfoy sitting on a chair next to my bed, I nod slowly.

"Yes, but there were far less of them that time," I explain softly. "I was 8 and still living in the orphanage. Some came in through an open window and attacked me. The orphanage ladies were able to bat them away with brooms."

"So this isn't the first time, huh," Mrs. Nurse mumbles thoughtfully. "Do you remember what happened before that?"

"Let me think...Well, I was at a desk, one of the older kids was helping me learn basic math," I reply, thinking back. "I kissed him on the cheek to show my gratitude when they flow in."

"Just like you kissing me on the forehead," Malfoy replies. "But what the connection?"

"Well, it is said that sometimes when powerful people kiss someone, a bit of their magic is let out," Mrs. Nurse suggests. "Its kind of like a beacon, showing where they are. Maybe the ravens were sent after your magical trace."

"Maybe, but what's so special about her," Malfoy questions, shaking his head. "What is it that she has that others don't?"

"I don't know," I reply, staring out into space. "By the way, how long was I out?"

"Almost two months, Mr. Malfoy took the privilege to bring all your homework here for you," Mrs. Nurse smiles. "Your other friends visit every once in a while. And until you fully recover, you will remain here."

"Which will probably take another few days," Malfoy agrees, standing up. "Well I better head out, class starts in a few minutes."

Mrs. Nurse and I wave as he leaves and once he's out of sight, Mrs. Nurse turns to me.

"You know, out of all the people who come to visit you, he came the most," she muses, then returns to work, leaving me in complete silence.

'Were all the rumors false,' I thought, closing my eyes. 'But still, why does he care so much about me?'

I decide to sleep on it and when I wake up, I ask a nurse to help me sit up.

I start doing my homework to catch up with the rest of the class. After awhile Mrs. Nurse brings me some lunch.

After finishing my food, I get back to work and at the end of the day, I finally finish almost all my homework. I eat dinner and go to sleep.

For the next few days, I stay bed-bound and start moving around little by little. The Potters and the Weasleys come to visit once in a while. Liam brings me my homework every evening after class. He would stays for a bit and we just chat.

Then on the day I was finally released, Liam is nowhere in sight. I take my things to my room and settle back in.

Thankfully it's still early, so I get ready for my first class. I French braid my hair and get into my uniform. I spot Yuki in her puppy form napping on my bed. I grab my messenger bag and throw it over my shoulder.

Then I pick Yuki up and lean her against my shoulder, still sleeping.

I head down to the great hall and sit with my friends. They all stay quiet at first but then Lily breaks the silence.

"How are you doing," she asks, as I dig into breakfast. "Haha, don't tell me they didn't feed you."

"They did, but it wasn't easy," I giggle, we chitchat for a while, an get our mail from our owls, before going our separate ways for class. Yuki finally wakes up and leads me to the school garden for Herbology class with Professor Sprout.

"Excuse me, Professor, can I trouble you with identifying this flower," I ask, walking over to her. "A girl told me they might be Calimas' but she wasn't sure."

I hand her one of the Calimas' and she examines it.

"Yes, it is indeed a calimas, my dear, but where on earth did you find so many," Pr. Sprout asks. "They're almost impossible to get."

"The sirens and the other sea monsters gave them to me as we sailed over the lake a few months ago," I explain as she's about to hand it back. "No, you can keep it, Professor Sprout. I have a lot as it is, the birds keep bringing me more flowers."

"Is that why you have such a variety of flowers in your bag," she gasps, I nod. "That's wonderful, all those flowers are very pretty."

We talk for a bit before she starts class. First, she has us transplant Mandrakes. As soon as you lift them out of the dirt they start screaming at the top of their lungs if they have any that is. Thankfully Pr. Sprout has us wear earmuffs.

It wasn't as hard as I thought it'd be. When everything's finished, she says the homework will be studying Mandrakes and we have to tell her 3 facts about them. I write that down, then head to my next class, Divination.

I say hi to the teacher, Professor McWeasal. He explains that premonitions and prophecies can be interpreted differently and aren't always right.

Then he starts talking about the oldest prophecy that still hasn't been fulfilled.

"The Nature Witch shall rise again to defeat the evil lurking in the forests," he states. "It is said that the Nature Witch will attend this very school and be of the Gryffindor house. It also said that she will meet a Slytherin and become friends. And together they will protect the world from darkness."

"What evil is it talking about," someone asks.

"They are called the Shadow Beasts, they corrupt other animals, they spread darkness everywhere they go," he explains. "They usually appear as ravens. And whenever they get the chance they'll attack the Nature Witch. But because she is well hidden, it's hard for them to find her exact location. So they wait for her to make a mistake and create a magical signature that leads them right to her."

"What kind of mistakes," I ask, raising my hand.

"Well if she ever kisses someone, wherever it is, it leaves a magical mark, and the Shadow Beasts then now who to attack," he continues. "But if she escapes they lose her trace and have to wait until she does it again."

We continue to discuss the Prophesy until the end of class.

Then we are given our homework, anything we can find on the Prophecy. Yuki leads me back to the Charms classroom.

I say hello to Professor Flitwick and he seems very happy that I made a full recovery.

This time he teaches us how to perform the Excelling Charm. It advances the growth of plants and other things. Professor Flitwick has us use it on flower seeds.

When I try and I think I overdid it a bit, the one seed grow into a big bush of flowers.

"Was that supposed to happen," I ask, Pr. Flitwick nods. "Okay, that's good."

Once we are dismissed, I go up to Professor Flitwick and give him my homework that I did while bed-bound. He accepts and I head to the Grand Hall for lunch.

I sit down at the Gryffindor table with my friends.

"Hey, there seems to be a rumor spreading that you might be the Nature Witch, Mahō," Wolly whispers. "And it may be true."

"Why do you say that," I ask, fighting Yuki for my sandwich.

"Well first off, the animals and creatures seem to love and obey you," Kelly explains, taking a sip of water. "Second, you're friends with a Slytherin, and third, you're attacked by pitch-black ravens, the Shadow Beasts."

"That makes sense, but what am I going to do about it," I reply, cutting my sandwich in half and sharing it with Yuki.

"Who knows," James shrugs, eating his apple.

"Miss Kage," a woman's voice states from behind me, I turn to see Professor McGonagall. "Can you please come with me."

"Uh, sure," I agree, standing up and she leads me to the director's office. We go in and I sit in the chair infront of his desk, Yuki lays down next to me.

"Good evening Miss Kage," Professor McPixy greets. "Do you know why you're here?"

"Kind of, it's because of the possibility of me being the Nature Witch, right," I guess, nervously, he nods. "What about it?"

"Well we've decided to move you up a year to be with the 2nd years," Pr. McPixy explains, leaning forward in his chair. "It will be a little advanced but you should be okay. We need you ready before the Shadow Beasts attack again. Now there's no telling when they'll attack again so we need you ready."

"Okay," I agree, nodding my head. "When will I start taking them, the 2nd-year classes?"

"The day after tomorrow," Pr. McGonagall replies, standing next to the director's desk. "Tomorrow you'll take the day to just catch up with the rest of the 2nd years."

"Alright," I respond, we discussed it a bit and they give me all the tests and quizzes due before I leave. Following Yuki to my next class, Transfiguration with Professor McGonagall.

I go take a seat, and Yuki transforms into her huge adult form and sits next to me.

"You've been rather quiet today Yuki, what's wrong," I ask, petting her head.

"You're not freaked out that I'm not actually a puppy," she asks me confused.

"What puppy can speak complete sentences," I giggle. "Besides, you're cute either way."

That's when Pr. McGonagall starts class.

First, she shows us how to transform our familiars into goblets. Yuki turns into her puppy form and I turn her into a nice golden one.

"Good Miss Kage, 5 house points for Gryffindor," Pr. McGonagall smiles. After a bit, we get our homework and are dismissed. I head to my final class Divination.

Pr. McWeasal comes right up to me and takes my hands into his.

"Y-yes," I stutter.

"It's incredible that I had the prophesied Nature Witch in my class all this time without even knowing," he beams. "It is a real honor to finally meet you!"

"Uh, well it's still unknown if I am actual Nature Witch," I reply as he let's go of my hands. "Can you tell me more about the Prophesy."

"Of course, Merlin himself prophesied it, and warned that one of the greatest evils know in the world will attack and only the Nature Witch and her friend the Slytherin can defeat them," he explains, walking over to his desk. "I have a book on it if you'd like to barrow it."

"Yes, I'd really appreciate it," I smile as he hands me the book and I put it in my messenger bag.

Pr. McWeasal starts class. We learn about Merlin the Greatest Wizard. He was a Slytherin here at Hogwarts.

Then he gives us homework of researching Merlin more, and we are dismissed.

I head to the Grand Hall for dinner and sit next to Rose.

"So, what did Pr. McPixy want with you," she asks, worriedly. "I hope you're not in any trouble."

"No, he just wanted to inform me that I'd be moving up a year," I smile, I look down at my plate and just get a glimpse of Yuki stealing a chicken leg off it. "Yuki! That was my chicken leg!"

"Sorry, I am really hungry," she apologizes, with the leg still in her mouth, transforming into her adult form. "Can I still have it please."

"Okay, just don't swallow it whole," I smile, eating my chicken breast. "Anyway, I'll be going to class with some of you guys starting the day after tomorrow."

"Really," Lily beams from the Ravenclaw table, listening in, she was practically glowing. "That's great! But why not tomorrow?"

"They want to give me some time to catch up," I explain, drinking a glass of juice. "If you guys could help me out, I'd really appreciate it!"

"Of course, but don't ask James or the Twins, they don't get good grades," Rose explains in a whisper. "But I know who's really good at it."

"Who?," I ask, tilting my head.

"Liam Malfoy, he gets the best grades out of all the different years," Lily explains, having caught on to what Rose was implying. "If you ask him, he might just help you. Usually, he'd only help his fellow housemates, but for you, he might just make an exception."

"Why do you think that," I ask, mid-bite. "Don't you think he'll reject me as well."

"No, he's your Slytherin friend," James replies, grinning. "It's easy to tell with how much he cares for you."

"Hm~ I guess that makes sense," I agree, nodding. "I'll ask him after dinner."

A little while later, I pull him aside and into a side corridor.

"What is it," he asks, crossing his arms. "Get this over with."

"Okay, well," I mumble, nervously. "I was wondering if you could help me catch up with the 2nd years."

"Wait you advanced a year, when did that happen," he questions. "Now you're two years under me?"

(AN: He's a 4th year like Rose, Remus, and James.)

"Yup, well I will be in two days, tomorrow I'm going to be catching up with the rest of them," I smile. "And I was wondering if you'd be able to help me."

"Help you, in what way," he asks, moving closer to me.

"Well, I don't want to be behind in class, an I heard that you are good at this stuff, so I was wondering if you could tutor me," I answer, looking away, blushing slightly.

"Okay, I'll help you," he agrees, I look up at him and he nods. "When do you want to start?"

"Whenever you're ready," I beam, taking his hands in mine. "Thank you so much, I'll try my best not to make you regret it."

"Good, then let's go to the library now," Malfoy replies, I nod and he leads us there.

It is a huge old fashioned library filled with old books. We set up at a table and he brings me a small stack of books.

"Start reading these and if there is anything you don't understand just ask," he explains, I nod and begin.

I work and read until closing time and part ways with Malfoy. I walk to my room with Yuki asleep in my arms, she's pretty heavy in her adult form.

I head inside, place Yuki on my bed, gather my things for a shower. I head to the bathroom and I take a shower. I dry off and get dressed in my pajamas, then I head back to my room.

I put away my things and crawl into bed, falling fast asleep.