Ointment
Madam Pomfrey fixed you up quickly, casting a spell on your finger that made it suture itself shut. The pain subsided immediately, and you watched in amazement as the thin line became more and more faint, blurring into the skin around it. Madam Pomfrey circled around you, cleaning up all the blood that had dried down onto your clothes. You put your hands side-by-side, the vast difference in your left hand, which was scarred and textured from the accident, and your right hand, which, despite having been sliced open a few seconds ago, was smooth and untarnished. Madam Pomfrey saw you comparing your hands, and started to examine the scars herself.
“What caused these?” she asked, feeling the textured ridges that reached up your arm and under your clothes. “I might be able to help.”
You blanched, the color and warmth leaving your face as the memories of your accident rushed back to you. It had started as a routine outing with Newt, a simple trip to the mountains of Hungary for samples for his research. The air was crisp and clear, filled with the sounds of rustling leaves and distant bird calls. Newt had been in his element, explaining the different plants and creatures you encountered, his smile stretching from ear to ear.
You two had stumbled onto a large nest, nothing like you had ever seen before. You stared up at its size in amazement, but you had failed to see Newt’s eyes widen and the way he started to creep backwards slowly. He tried to get your attention quietly, whispering your name urgently. You turned to look at him, and he gave you the signal to retreat quietly. Your heart dropped. He had taught you the signal for the worst case scenario, but he hadn’t ever used it before. You bent your knees and started to creep towards him, mirroring his movements. Each step felt like an eternity, the forest growing eerily silent around you. Your eyes darted to Newt, seeking reassurance, but his face was contorted with worry. He kept glancing over your shoulder, and you slowly followed his gaze to see the massive, scaled form of a Hungarian Horntail emerging from the shadows behind the nest.
The dragon's eyes glowed with a predatory intensity, and its nostrils flared as it caught your scent. Panic surged through you, your heartbeat echoing in your ears. You moved as quietly as possible, trying not to provoke the creature, but its attention was already fixed on you. Before you could take another step, the dragon roared, the sound reverberating through the forest like a thunderclap. It lunged forward with terrifying speed, its claws outstretched. Newt shouted a spell, trying to divert the dragon's attention, but it was too late.
The dragon's claws slashed through the air, striking you with brutal force. Pain exploded across your body as the razor-sharp talons tore through your clothes and flesh. You screamed, collapsing to the ground, blood seeping into the dirt beneath you.
Newt's voice was frantic, casting spells in rapid succession to fend off the dragon. He managed to drive it back momentarily, enough to reach your side. His hands trembled as he rapidly cast healing spells, his voice full of fear and desperation.
"Hold on," he kept saying, his voice breaking. "You're going to be okay, just hold on."
The rest of the encounter was a blur of pain and fear. You remembered the feeling of being lifted, Newt's arms around you as he Apparated you to safety. The world spun, and you blacked out. You spent the next few days in St. Mungo's, Newt never leaving your side. The healers tried their best, and with the help of an entire team of healers, nurses, and doctors, they were able to contain the damage to the scarring. Because the damage had come from a Hungarian Hornback, a creature with magical claws, the scarring would be permanent.
You snapped back to reality, realizing Madam Pomfrey was still waiting for an answer. “…Dragon,” you mumbled weakly.
She seemed completely unfazed by this. “What kind? Ridgeback? Horntail?” You nodded when she mentioned the creature that attacked you. She sighed, thinking about her options. “I have a few experimental medicines I can give you to help with the scarring. It won’t make it disappear, but it might help it smooth over a bit.” She strode briskly into the back room, leaving you stunned where she left. You were still shaken up at the memory. You had tried to repress it, thinking only of the future, which left you unable to cope with it.
Madam Pomfrey re-entered the room, arms full of small, colorful vials. She set them down on a nearby table and started to ask you more questions about the accident. “How long ago did it happen?” she asked.
“Three-ish weeks ago,” you answered, unsure of the exact date. Madam Pomfrey slid about half of the vials to the side.
"How deep were the wounds?" she inquired, examining the remaining vials.
"Very," you replied, your voice wavering slightly. "Through muscle and bone."
Madam Pomfrey nodded, her face serious. She pushed a few more vials aside, leaving a smaller selection. "Did the burns accompany the slashes, or were they separate injuries?"
"Same attack," you explained. "The dragon's fire caught me as I tried to shield myself."
She sighed, a look of empathy crossing her features. "A Hungarian Horntail’s fire is relentless. It’s a miracle you survived." She removed several more vials, and only a few remained. "Any magical intervention used immediately after the injury?"
"Yes, some healing spells," you said, recalling Newt’s frantic actions when he reached your side. "But they didn’t really do anything other than slow the bleeding and help with the pain."
Madam Pomfrey nodded again, considering your words. She removed all but three vials, inspecting each one closely. "Have you experienced any adverse reactions to potions before?"
You shook your head. "No, nothing serious. Just the usual side effects sometimes."
She picked up one vial, holding it up to the light. "This one should help with muscle and tissue regeneration. It’s an experimental potion designed specifically for severe magical creature injuries." She set it down gently and picked up the second vial. "This one is for the burns, to help reduce the scarring and soothe the damaged skin." Finally, she held up the last vial. "And this is a pain-relief potion, to help manage any lingering pain from the injuries."
You looked at the vials, conflicted on what to feel. You were weary of hope, but you wished beyond anything that they would assist your healing process. "Will they work?"
Madam Pomfrey gave you a reassuring smile. "They should. But remember, it will take time. Healing from such severe injuries is a gradual process. Be patient with yourself."
You nodded, trying to absorb her words. The memory of the dragon's attack still loomed large in your mind, but you caught a glimpse of the light at the end of the tunnel. Madam Pomfrey's expertise and the experimental potions she had chosen for you gave you a sense of comfort. You weren't alone in this; you had help, and you had Newt's support from afar.
Madam Pomfrey handed you the vials one by one, explaining the dosage and how often to take each potion. "These are only trial sizes. If you don’t have any bad reactions, come back when they run out and I’ll give you more," she instructed.
"Thank you," you said, feeling grateful for her help and understanding.
“Run along now, you’re late for your next class. I’ll owl him,” she said, giving you a gentle push towards the door.
You had forgotten that you still had classes to attend. You had spent the entirety of Potions class and lunch in the Hospital wing, and you were a few minutes late for Defense Against the Dark Arts. You thanked Madam Pomfrey again before heading towards Professor Lupin’s classroom.
~~~
You hurried through the long, winding corridors, not wanting to be any more late than you already were. Your heart rushed as you realized you were late for Defense Against the Dark Arts. Skidding to a stop in front of the classroom door, you took a deep breath and pushed it open quietly.
Professor Lupin was in the middle of explaining something to the class. He glanced up as you entered, his eyes softening. "Ah, Miss (y/l/n), please come in. Take a seat."
You nodded and slipped into an empty chair at the back of the room, trying to ignore the curious looks from your classmates. Lupin continued his lesson, unfazed by your late arrival.
"Today, we’ll be discussing various counter-curses," Lupin announced. "These are crucial for defending oneself against dark magic."
The lesson droned on, Lupin methodically detailing each counter-curse, their incantations, and the precise wand movements required. It was thorough but dull, and you found it hard to keep your mind from wandering. You doodled absentmindedly in the margins of your notebook, trying to focus but finding it increasingly difficult.
Lupin moved to the practical part of the lesson, where students paired up to practice simple counter-curses. You partnered with Maya, Jamie’s Ravenclaw friend, who kept casting curious glances at you but didn't press you with questions. The repetitive nature of the spells added to the tedium, and you went through the motions mechanically.
After what felt like an eternity, the class came to an end and students started to file out. You started to gather your things when Lupin called out to you. “Miss (y/l/n), could you stay for a moment?”
You approached his desk, feeling a bit nervous. "Yes, Professor?" You fiddled with the vials that Madam Pomfrey had given to you.
He chuckled a bit. “Relax, Miss (y/l/n). You aren’t in trouble. Madam Pomfrey let me know you were going to be late because you were with her,” he said, a glimmer in his eyes.
You tensed, not sure how much information she had divulged. When you didn’t answer, Lupin continued, softer. “I know what it's like to be attacked by a creature. I also know what it’s like to have lifelong effects from it.”
You blinked, surprised. He saw your expression and laughed almost inaudibly. “Most don’t know. I try to keep it secret,” he winked, and you inferred that he wasn’t going to elaborate. “I just wanted to say, if you ever wanted to talk to someone who has some experience in what you’re going through, my door is always open to you.”
You relaxed, and a relieved smile broke out on your features. “Thanks, professor. I really appreciate that,” you said.
As you turned to leave, Lupin added “Give Newt my love the next time you write to him. I haven’t heard from him since he left Hogwarts.”
You turned around, surprised again. “You know Newt?” you asked, curious how they were connected.
He chuckled again, saying “Oh, yes. We went to school together, and we got along very well. How is he?”
“He’s doing well,” you answered, still surprised he knew Newt. “Keeping busy with the animals.”
“Sounds like him. I’m glad you found each other, and I’m glad you’re here. Even if under difficult circumstances,” he said, his hand gently squeezing your shoulder as he smiled warmly at you.
“Me too, professor,” you said, feeling much lighter.
~~~
Herbology had been canceled due to a snowstorm, so you had the rest of the day to yourself. You had a little bit of homework from Charms and Defense Against the Dark Arts, but you knocked it out in a few minutes. After that, you retreated to your dorm room with a few sheets of paper to write Newt a letter.
‘Newt,
I just finished my first day of classes, and I have so much to tell you. I had Care of Magical Creatures first, and we studied Nifflers. All of them reminded me of the ones we have at home, and it made me miss you and the animals. Then, I had Charms, which was boring. Potions was eventful’
You hesitated, pen leaving the paper. What were you going to tell him about potions? Should you tell him about Snape making you think…impure thoughts? You knew Newt would freak out if you did, and you really didn’t want to be the cause of any stress or worry.
‘Potions was eventful. I was cutting a Mandrake root when my hand slipped and I accidentally cut my finger. Don’t freak out, I went to the hospital wing and Madam Pomfrey fixed me up quickly. She also gave me some extra medicine to try and help me heal faster and smooth the scarring.
Snape left me alone mostly today. He tried a little bit of Legilimency at the beginning of class, but stopped when class started.’
A lie. You didn’t want to lie to Newt, but you also didn’t want to worry him. You fiddled with you pen, flipping it back and forth as you thought. You were also heavily embarrassed that you had let someone else see the memories you and Newt made together, wanting to keep them secret. You decided that you would keep the letter how it was.
‘Lupin asked me to send you his love. He asked how you were doing, and I told him you were well and working with the animals. He told me that his door was always open to me because he was also attacked by an animal and knows how it feels. He doesn’t look scarred, though. Do you know what happened to him?
Could you please send me more ointment? I am almost done with my bottle. How are the animals? How are you? I hope you are well. I miss you.
I am being as brave as I can, but I can’t wait to see you again.
I love you,
(y/n)’
You were satisfied with the letter. You didn’t want to think about it too much, because you knew you would start to feel bad about not telling Newt the full truth about Potions class. Before you could, you sealed it up in an envelope and put it on your desk. You weren’t going to make it up to the Owlery tonight, the storm was blowing too intensely.
Not wanting to go to bed yet, you snuggled up in one of Newt’s sweaters and a plush blanket in an overstuffed armchair in front of the roaring fire in the common room. You brought a book to read, but found yourself in merry conversation with your housemates, laughing with your fellow students into the night.