12:30pm

Nesta opened her eyes to a bright light. The first thing she noticed was that she was sitting in a hospital bed. Stretching out her arms, Nesta also took note of the 'Get well soon' cards on the nightstand. Nesta smiled and reached out to the cards, but paused when she smelled something sweet. Nesta beamed with joy when she saw all of her favorite sweets and treats.

"I see out young Slytherin is awake." Nesta made a tiny yelp sound at the sudden voice. Nesta looked up to see that it was Kallias.

He smiled at her with sympathy. "Afternoon, Miss Archeron. Did you sleep well?"

"Kinda." Nesta responded with a yawn.

Kallias eyed the sweets in front of Nesta's bed and chuckled. "Looks like one of the twins took the liberty of eating your rock candies." Nesta looked towards Kallias with interest. "Gwyn and Catrin were here?"

"Along with a few others." Kallias answered.

"Are they alright?" Nesta asked, her heart racing.

Kallias placed his hand on her shoulder. "It's okay. Everyone's fine. If it weren't for Catrin's Owl Message, we never would've found out." Kallias explained as Nesta began to breath normally. "So...about the stone-"

"It's been destroyed. Tarquin the Third and I had decided that it would be best if the stone no longer existed." Nesta nodded in understanding. "But, how did I get it?"

"That one was tricked even for me." Kallias admitted right off the bat. "You see Nesta, the only one who can get stone, is someone who would never want to use it." Nesta thought about something else. "With the stone gone Kallias, does that mean Armarantha can never come back?" Nesta didn't miss the way Kallias flinched at the name.

Clearing his throat, Kallias changed the subject. "Nesta, do you know why Professor Ianthe never wanted you to touch her?" Nesta shook her head. "It's because of your mother."

"My mother?" Nesta asked as Kallias continued. "She sacrificed herself for you. That kind of bravery leaves a mark."

"What kind of mark?"

"A mark that fills your heart." Kallias smiled when Nesta blushed. She placed her hand on her chest, just over her heart. "Love."

"That's right, Nesta. That mark, is love." Kallias rubbed her head and got up from her hospital bed. Kallias turned to walk away when he recognized a sweet. "Bertie Beans. One of my favorites." He started, taking one from the pack (not that Nesta minded). "In my youth, I was given a vomit flavor one."

"Maybe this time, you'll get a toffee."

"Perhaps?" Kallias shrugged, popping the bean in his mouth.

Kallias swallowed it and coughed. "Nope. Earwax."

Nesta giggled.
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Now fully clothed, Nesta walked out of the hospital. Her friends, Catrin, Gwyn, and Emerie were talking to one another. When they noticed their friend, they smiled and ran towards her. Gwyn was the first to hug her, then Catrin and then Emerie. "We were so worried about you." Emerie cried.

"Are you alright?" Gwyn asked.

"Did she hurt you?" Catrin asked. Nesta smiled and hugged them back. "It's okay guys. I'm alright."