Chapter 17: Mental Intimidation

She encountered the Gryffindor quartet and Snape in the corridor. They were in the midst of a heated argument when Sirius Black spotted her, suddenly recalling how the "rat-skin" had mocked him and his friends for being dim-witted after that Transfiguration class.

His wand pointed at Lys, who was trying to slip away quietly along the edge of the corridor. He fired an unknown spell. Snape, who initially hadn't planned to act to avoid losing house points, saw Black's movement and assumed the other side had finally lost patience and attacked. He also cast a spell. Instead of canceling each other out, the spells merged and ricocheted, striking Lys.

Lying on the hospital bed, Lys was laughing hysterically and struggling, drenched in sweat, repeating phrases like, "Mandrake root can make a potent restorative potion, it's effective. It doesn't hurt anymore, Lys, don't leave me, darling. Fluxweed, be careful of the full moon. Not hungry, Lys. Don't add sugar to the potion."

These delirious utterances, interspersed with advanced potion-making knowledge, greatly irritated Madam Pomfrey, as she couldn't find a gap to administer the medicine. The poor child had nearly coughed up her lungs earlier.

Now, this child was under the influence of at least two overlapping spells.

Pomfrey couldn't cast any more spells on her, as one wrong move could trigger new magical injuries.

Meanwhile, the quartet and Snape were standing in the staff room, listening to their punishments.

Detention, labor service, and self-reflection, plus 30 points deducted from each for causing significant magical harm to a fellow student.

"What spells did you use? The child's condition is not good. You'd better answer truthfully."

"Rictusempra," "Mental Intimidation."

Professor McGonagall, sitting before them, shuddered. When did a child from her house learn such dark magic as Mental Intimidation? Looking at the name tag on his uniform - Black family, one of the highest noble houses in the wizarding world, traditionally Slytherin. She wondered how this child ended up in Gryffindor.

Raising an eyebrow, she stared sternly at Sirius Black. "Your detention time is doubled."

Ignoring Black's shout of "Unfair, Snivellus used it too!" "For your loud outburst, I'm afraid I must deduct another 10 points from my own house for your rudeness. Now, leave my office quietly!"

In the hospital wing: "So you're saying this child might be reliving past fears while unable to control her body?" "Oh, this child must have suffered great trauma. Listen, she keeps telling herself it doesn't hurt anymore, Lys. Oh, poor child."

Madam Pomfrey was on the verge of tears. She picked up a towel to wipe off the potion splatter on Lys from her coughing fits. Holding the thin wrist, she conversed with McGonagall.

"What can we do now? Can we only rely on Dreamless Sleep Potion and time?" "Let's ask Dumbledore to take a look. Perhaps he'll have a solution."

Even after being given a vial of Dreamless Sleep Potion and calming down, Lys couldn't fully escape her fears. Her body, just straightened by Madam Pomfrey, quickly curled up into a fetal position on the hospital bed.

She was in so much pain, so scared. Dad injured, herself injured, home - gone that night, blurry yet crystal clear.

Madam Pomfrey tried to change her clothes, but was repeatedly interrupted by violent struggles, eventually giving up.

"Oh, Poppy, energetic children always have various little conflicts they need to resolve themselves, don't they? Perhaps this child just needs to sleep in the hospital wing for a few days to recover."

Dumbledore, arriving the next day in azure robes, peered over his half-moon spectacles at Lys before speaking.

Pomfrey was dissatisfied with this assessment. Spell damage was often the most mysterious and persistent injury. Dumbledore hadn't even used a single detection spell, and even if he was the greatest white wizard, he shouldn't make such a casual judgment.

But seeing the fatigue under the old man's eyes, she ultimately couldn't voice any effective protest. The man outside was at the height of his power now, and his beliefs might lead to a second wizarding war. This old man had to shoulder the majority of the resistance effort.

Lys hazily heard their conversation and Madam Pomfrey's objections, but she was too exhausted. The uncontrollable laughter earlier had left her body feeling torn and fatigued.

During her recovery in the hospital wing, El Elbow came to visit her, leaving a pile of snacks like Chocolate Frogs and Drooble's Best Blowing Gum.

He initially wanted Lys to try some Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans, but Lys's first pick was an extra spicy flavor that made her cough endlessly. He had thought it would be tomato flavored. El was then chased out by Madam Pomfrey. "She needs rest. You can't stimulate her anymore."

Two days later, an unexpected visitor came - Severus Snape.

Seeing Lys awake, he was visibly surprised. He had intended to leave his apology gift on the bedside table and leave, but with the victim awake, he felt compelled to say something.

"I regret your injury, but if your brain after this injury... I mean, if you're smart, you'll know to avoid conflicts, won't you?" Seeing Snape choke on his words, Lys thought he might have realized his own role in her current pitiful state, slightly tempering his typically acerbic tongue.

"Yes, after my injury, I think I'll become a bit smarter. Is that book in your hand for me?" Lys asked proactively, seeing Snape's awkward yet somewhat admonishing demeanor.

"Yes, 'Modern Potion Ingredient Handling Techniques.' It's a book my mother gave me. I've seen you handle potion ingredients, you're quite deft and smooth. Lily said you'd like it." Flipping through the book, which was as large as a pillow and contained more illustrations than text, Lys was quite pleased. She would have been even happier without the mention of Lily saying she'd like it.

"Thank you, I love it. Next time, I'll definitely walk around them."

Snape nodded slightly, then turned and left without saying goodbye.

"Thank you for the gift, I really like it. Goodbye, Snape!"

Feeling Snape's head twitch extremely quickly, Lys interpreted this as "I understand, goodbye," although the gloomy boy hadn't actually made any sound.