Chapter 447 - Infirmary Leave (1/2)
Tragically, Rowan missed the Tournament Champion Ceremony as she wouldn't be released from the infirmary until the following morning. At least she had Aunt Georgine and her grandfather, who kept her company during the event. In fact, Georgine even went as far as to raid the Hogwarts kitchens and turn up with a mini feast of their own.
Madam Pomfrey attempted to protest, but Georgine being the clever Slytherin that she was had brought along extra trays of food for the other patients in the infirmary, and a platter filled with Madam Pomfrey's favorite tidbits. Even a Hufflepuff like Madam Pomfrey found it a tad difficult to resist such mouth-watering morsels. Eventually the infirmary matron gave in to the bribe, but not before saying, ”Everyone only eat as much as you can. I don't want anyone getting sick from overeating.”
The time quickly passed by until Rowan fell fast asleep. A loud cough pierced through the cloud of sleep causing her to blink her eyes and blurrily glance around, before rubbing the sleep out of her eyes. Each sitting down in a chair next to Rowan's beside despite the early hour is the figures of Aunt Georgine and her grandfather, who looked as though they had been up for hours.
This made Rowan narrow her eyes as she yawned loudly and wondered, if the two of them had even left the infirmary last night to sleep back at the Slytherin guest quarters or if they had truly stayed in the infirmary the entire night watching over her. A part of her highly doubted that would be the case with Madam Pomfrey's tendencies, then again, this was Georgine Prince, who regularly talked down to tougher healers, and Madam Pomfrey would be a piece of cake when in comparison to persuade to her cause. And if that was true, how embarrassing!
The tip of Rowan's ears turns pink at the mere thought that her aunt and grandfather could have possibly seen her snort and drool during the night. Normally, this wouldn't be embarrassing at all with her friends, but this was her grandfather and aunt. They always were so composed and dignified, and for them to see her in such an undignified manner made her feel wholly mortified.
Trying to cover up her embarrassment, Rowan murmurs, ”Good Morning.”
”Good morning to you too, child,” Georgine muttered with a smirk as she glanced up from the latest edition of Witch Weekly which featured a rather strapping Quidditch player on the cover of the news rag, and a title that read, ”Anton Rouge, Most Charming Smile Award.” And in smaller letters to the side it adds, ”Turn to page three for more information on the latest Most Charming Smile Awardee.”
Trying not to roll her eyes, Rowan snorts at being reminded of Gilderoy Lockhart, who had won that award five times from the magazine. Before she can continue her thoughts on the subject, Reginald asks, ”And how are you feeling this morning, Rowan?”
”Much better grandfather,” Rowan truthfully replied as she moved her body side to side rather lightly to wince at feeling her left shoulder move. ”I feel a lot better really and I don't feel tired anymore. But my left shoulder is still rather sore.”
”That is good to hear,” Reginald muttered looking much more appeased as he leaned back into his seat. Glancing to the side, he listens for the sound of approaching footsteps and says, ”It would seem that the matron is on her way.”
Not a minute after the bed curtains are pulled to the side with a soft screech to reveal the bustling figure of Madam Pomfrey. ”Good morning, Miss Prince,” Madam Pomfrey cheerfully said in a brisk tone of voice. ”Now just be still there for a moment, Miss Prince, I must run a few tests and if all goes well, you'll be able to join your friends and your brother in the Great Hall this morning for brunch.”
”Oh good,” Rowan grumbled in relief. She'd been growing rather bored of being suck in an infirmary all the time with nothing to do. If she had at least a book to read, it wouldn't have been so bad.
With a wave of her wand, Madam Pomfrey mutters the incantation, before a light pulsing dark glow can be seen still on Rowan's left shoulder. Putting her wand away, Madam Pomfrey says, ”The good news is that you can leave the infirmary this morning, Miss Prince. The wound has closed and won't easily reopen. However, that being said the wound is still in the process of healing as the cutting hex not only slashed deeply through flesh and muscle, but right down to the very bone. You will still feel a bit sore for a week or two until the wound fully heals. And will need to not overly exert yourself during this time period.”