18

Chapter 18: Infirmary

"Is he... is he alright?" A girl whispered in horror.

The Ravenclaws who witnessed the scene were suddenly filled with dread about flying lessons, especially Michael, who had been chattering non-stop earlier.

He stared at the figure lying on the grass, his face drained of color, and his voice trembling. "Is... is it my fault?"

Wade placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "It shouldn't be too serious—luckily, he didn't hit his head when he fell."

Michael swallowed hard, speechless.

Thankfully, Madam Hooch rushed over immediately, checked on Neville, and helped him up from the grass. Fortunately, he only had a sprained wrist and looked a bit dazed. Madam Hooch escorted him to the infirmary, instructing the other students not to move.

"Wade, Wade..." Michael implored, "Let's go check on Neville."

Wade glanced at the stupefied students still standing on the grass, nodded, and the two hurried through the corridors to the infirmary.

"—Flying lessons, right?" They overheard Madam Pomfrey, the school nurse, exclaim as they approached the infirmary door. "Every year at this time, there are always a few mishaps with the first-year students. Can't recall which year was peaceful—"

Wade gently pushed open the door, with Michael squeezing in first.

Inside, Neville sat on a bed in tears. Madam Pomfrey gently examined his arm, her wand emitting a soft, feather-like glow.

"This student will stay with you," Madam Hooch said hastily. "There are still over twenty students with unattended brooms on the lawn! Oh, if only Filch could watch them properly if time allowed!"

"Alright, I'll—" began Madam Pomfrey.

But Madam Hooch, clearly impatient, cut her off with a quick "Alright" and hurried out. The door swung open abruptly, causing Michael to stumble inside.

Madam Hooch's eagle-like gaze sharpened as if to reprimand them, but softened upon noticing their blue and bronze ties.

Not students sneaking out of her class, she dismissed them with a swift step away.

"—Take good care of this one," Madam Pomfrey muttered to herself, turning her attention back to Neville. She comforted him gently through his tears. "Don't worry, it's a minor injury. Let's see... it'll be healed in no time. You won't miss dinner tonight, I promise."

Madam Pomfrey summoned a potion from the shelf, which Neville drank, then pointed her wand at his arm, murmuring a spell.

In an instant, the boy's fractured wrist mended. Judging by his expression, Neville felt minimal discomfort.

Wade watched in astonishment.

"And how about you two?" Madam Pomfrey turned to the pair by the door. "Any injuries? Illness? Hunger?"

Michael pursed his lips in silence.

Wade spoke up reluctantly. "Madam Pomfrey, we came to check on Neville."

"Oh, visiting a friend!" Madam Pomfrey brightened a bit. "Mr. Longbottom just needs rest until his bones fully mend. Then he can return with you."

"Thank you, ma'am," Wade said, and Neville echoed his thanks.

After Madam Pomfrey departed, Wade asked, "How are you feeling, Neville? Does your wrist still hurt?"

"Not much," Neville shook his head, pulling up his robe to reveal his healing leg wound. "Look, it's almost healed here. Madam Pomfrey's healing skills are incredible. They're almost like St. Mungo's."

"St. Mungo's?"

"The biggest magical hospital in Britain. The best healers are there," Neville explained.

Michael approached slowly and whispered, "Neville..."

The boy looked up at him.

Michael hung his head in shame. "I'm sorry, I lied. I've never actually ridden a broomstick before. I heard that trick on the radio. I don't have any experience..."

Neville blinked.

"I knew," he said.

"Huh?" Michael's eyes widened.

Neville clarified, "Hermione said, if you'd really flown a broomstick, you wouldn't have been so excited about flying lessons."

Michael blushed deeply—had everyone heard his exaggerations?

"But," Neville continued, "what you said was right—it's in the books too. But flying isn't just a skill you can master from theory alone, right?"

Michael felt tears welling up unexpectedly.

Wade watched, smiling.

Initially, he'd felt like he had to "look after the kids" among his classmates. But now, he wondered if they could truly become good friends.

...

Though Madam Pomfrey swiftly healed Neville's wrist, they waited until he felt better before heading to dinner together. The staircase inexplicably changed directions again, making their journey twice as long before they returned to the Great Hall.

By the time they got back, the last of the desserts on the long table had disappeared.

"Oh, bummer," Michael sighed, looking crestfallen. "I should've kept some candy in my dorm—"

"Hey, Michael, Neville, Wade!" Theo and Ryan approached. Childhood friends, the pair were practically inseparable since school began.

"We heard about Neville's accident in flying class," Theo said, concern evident. "Are you okay?"

"Sprained wrist," Neville lifted his arm to show them. "But Madam Pomfrey fixed it in no time."

"Awesome." Theo examined his arm, relieved.

"Have you guys eaten?" Ryan asked. "Didn't see you just now."

"Nope!" Michael looked pleadingly at them. "Did you save us a crust of bread or something?"

"Nope—but something even better!" Theo grabbed Michael and pulled him out of the hall. "Come on!"

"Where are we going?" Neville asked, bewildered.

"You'll see! It's a secret only Hufflepuffs know about. A senior student clued us in the other day," Theo said excitedly.

"I bet nothing gets past the Weasley twins," Michael whispered to Wade, who nodded in agreement.

They passed through a door and descended a stone staircase into a broad stone corridor. Torches lined the walls, illuminating numerous decorative paintings—unlike others in the castle, these depicted various delectable foods, yet few figures moved within them.

Theo halted before a massive fruit painting, reaching out to gently stroke a pear within.

---