Chapter 55

When Lys finally woke up, it was hunger that roused her - she had only eaten one breakfast and two pieces of chocolate in the past two days.

Even the green leaves on her meal tray looked appetizing. She even tried to pick out the small pieces of meat to feed Gaben, but the snake showed no interest.

Lys scraped her plate clean and eagerly requested seconds.

Once Gaben had settled back into its customary snake lethargy, Madam Pomfrey finally had the opportunity to properly examine Lys.

The nosebleeds, she explained, were due to severe physical strain caused by dramatic magical fluctuations over the past three months. If the Magic Replenishing Potion hadn't been administered in time, Lys might have suffered life force drainage due to insufficient magic - an extremely dangerous condition.

"How is Madam Pince?" Lys asked anxiously, speaking around a mouthful of bread.

"That book was terrifying. I've never seen anything like it. I think I knocked some pages loose - will that be a problem?"

Madam Pomfrey assured her everything was fine. Madam Pince would likely resume her duties by late January. As for the book, there was no cause for concern.

"Might I have another portion, Madam?"

Professor Flitwick, visiting Madam Pince, couldn't help but marvel at the child's swift recovery. Just hours before, she had been too frightened to release her grip on him, and now here she was, requesting a third helping.

Lys found herself hospitalized again, but before her stay, she had explained to the professors everything that had transpired in the library and her actions.

She included how she had stunned Madam Pince after reviving her, uncertain whether the spell might interfere with subsequent treatment.

The professors weren't sure whether to consider her actions panicked or decisive.

Regarding the voices calling her name, Madam Pomfrey explained that some books containing dark magic carried strange enchantments that could cause hallucinations when approached.

Lys didn't mention that she hadn't been particularly close to the books - her mind was too focused on securing another serving of food.

During her stay, Madam Pomfrey never mentioned the rule about pets being prohibited in the hospital wing. Instead, she thoughtfully provided beef bits for Lys to feed Gaben.

Lys kept herself occupied during these days. Though Madam Pomfrey had forbidden magic use and confiscated her notes and wand, she spent her time questioning the matron about various healing spells, detection magic principles, and their ultimate effects.

When her magic felt restless, she could only pace around at night for relief. She had examined every pillar and window in the place, fervently hoping she wouldn't need another hospital stay.

"Never again, Madam. This has been absolutely dreadful," Lys said, wearing her school-compensated robes and scarf, lifting the large cloth bag containing her personal items that Madam Pomfrey had organized. She put on her retrieved thermal vest, which felt somewhat snug now.

"I hope so too, child. Mind you keep that promise - no more hospital stays," Madam Pomfrey said with a knowing wink.

After bidding farewell to the matron, Lys decided to spend her last day of holiday baking cookies for Hagrid, having missed their previous appointments.

Hagrid's welcome was notably warmer than before. "Oh, I heard what happened, Lys. Terrible to think what might've become of poor Madam Pince without you!"

Settled on Hagrid's enormous sofa, Lys extracted Gaben from her robes and placed him on the same multicolored fur as before, drawing it closer to the fireplace.

"It's been so bitter cold lately that Gaben barely moves, though he was quite the layabout before too," Lys said casually, arranging Gaben's position as if in her own dormitory.

Hagrid didn't mind; he was always rather easy-going about such things.

He mumbled "Just a moment" and left Lys with a bucket-sized cup of tea before stepping outside.

Soon he returned carrying a cage, asking Lys if its contents might serve as suitable fare for Gaben.

Lys was delighted to discover several magical creatures inside. She had felt terribly guilty about feeding Gaben only beef bits these past days.

Since Madam Pomfrey had instructed her to avoid magic and hadn't returned her wand, plus she needed nightly check-ups at the hospital wing until further notice, Lys simply took the cage with her, promising Hagrid she'd return it on her next visit.

Before leaving, Lys attempted to finish the generous serving of tea, but finding it impossible, she had to admit defeat and bid Hagrid farewell before returning to her dormitory to read.

She wasn't ready to revisit the library yet - too unnerving.

Absorbed in her reading, Lys only noticed her hunger when she checked her pocket watch and saw it was lunchtime. Entering the Great Hall, she found the only available space was in the middle section, forcing her to sit there.

She noticed the Gryffindor senior students from the card-trading day on the hillside sitting diagonally across from her, whispering among themselves.

That Weasley kept shooting her suspicious glances, so Lys quickly devoured three chicken legs, a plate of salad, and a glass of milk before making a hasty retreat.

Their looks were decidedly unsettling.