Chapter 818 - Empty Castle Ⅲ (2/2)
James opens his mouth to protest, but before he can, he hears Rowan say, ”Incarcerous!” The spell conjured thick cords from thin air that bond whatever or whoever the caster pointed their wand at. Before he can move, his wand is firmly removed from his pocket by Rowan. Before he can even speak, he finds himself being levitated as he meets Rowan's immovable gaze.
Rowan stares down James, who is the first to glance away, before leading him down to the infirmary. The two of them are quiet as he floats behind Rowan, before a low sheepish laugh emerges from his throat. ”I suppose, I should be grateful that the castle is mostly empty, and I am not subjected to the indignity of being tied up and fȯrċɨbŀƴ taken to the infirmary in front of the entire school.”
”It would serve you right,” Rowan huffed under her breath.
The two fell silent again until they reach the infirmary each lost in their own thoughts. There are various white curtains pulled around white linen beds for the privacy of those currently indisposed. The kind, but stern witch in her late thirties rushes about in a red dress, white apron, and a white matron cap that flutters around her. Madam Pomfrey, the matron did not initially see them as she was checking on several of her patients and filling out the sweet boxes in neat rows next to each bedside.
Madam Pomfrey finally notices them and frowns at seeing Prefect Prince pointing her wand at the presently bound, levitating form of James Potter. ”Perfect Prince, what is the meaning of this?” She said in disapproval as she approached them before her eyes widened in horror at seeing the current condition of James Potter.
”Mr. Potter have you not been taking your sleeping draughts as instructed?!” Madam Pomfrey said with great alarm.
”The sleeping draught's give me nightmares,” James drily replied causing Madam Pomfrey to let out a loud huff.
”Mr. Potter, the sleeping draught can be adjusted as needed,” Madam Pomfrey reprimanded the 5th year boy. ”You should have immediately come to me with your concerns! You've lost at least half a stone or more by the looks of it, no doubt a side effect from your look of sleep,” she added with a steely glare.
”Prefect Prince, if you would do me the kindness of releasing, Mr. Potter, I shall take it from here,” Madam Pomfrey sternly instructed.
”Yes, Madam Pomfrey,” Rowan said, before releasing James from his binds and setting him gently back down onto the floor.
”This way, Mr. Potter,” Madam Pomfrey said as James tiredly followed after the infirmary matron. James nods his head in passing to Rowan, before following after the matron and disappears behind a nearby bed curtain pulled up for privacy.
Rowan sighs and rubs her head before turning away. She wanted to ask more on the subject, but she was running behind as it was. She didn't dare leave the snakeling's alone for very long and she had already gone over the time limit she had set up. There was no telling where they could have got into or snuck off too!
Unfortunately, she couldn't afford to be a very good friend at this time. She was bȧrėly holding onto her sanity as it was. It was just one more task to check up on her very long list of things to do. Until then, she just would the best she could, because frankly that was all she could do. For a person once said, ”you can't save someone from drowning, if you are drowning as well.” A morbid image, but one that was true.