Minerva McGonnagal was dead.

Well, she wasn't actually. But it certainly felt like that was the case when she blinked her eyes open after what felt like a century of sleeping, her head throbbing painfully as a sharp ache resonated in her abdomen. She felt numb all over, like her body had taken a complete battering and she was completely surrounded by darkness, with the exception of a small lamp glowing beside her.

That was, of course, until a very pale but eager face popped directly into her line of sight, just as she was adjusting her eyes to the black that was engulfing her. Minnie would've recognised those brown eyes from anywhere and, though she never would've admitted it out loud, she was relieved to see Florean's face hovering above her, his teeth digging worriedly into his bottom lip.

"Are you awake?" he hissed, the low tone of his voice indicating, along with the darkness cloaking wherever they currently were, that it was very late at night. "No, Florean, I'm actually fast asleep and that's why I'm staring directly at you right now," Minerva deadpanned, her voice heavily sarcastic and she watched as Florean's previously hopeful expression fell into a scowl.

"I see the bang to your head didn't knock any politeness into you," Florean grumbled underneath his breath before he sighed heavily in relief, throwing himself on top of Minnie and wrapping his arms tightly around her, "But I'm so glad you're okay," he mumbled into her shoulder, his voice breaking slightly at the end. Minerva allowed the hug for a little while, embracing her friend back because she knew Florean would've been worried sick.

However, after a little while, the Hufflepuff's tight grip started to hurt and Minnie had to push him off gently, "Careful," she whispered and Florean pulled away quickly, breathing sharply and frantically scanning her body as if he was scared he'd injured her even further. "Sorry, sorry, sorry, I just-" his voice cracked, along with Minerva's heart when she saw how worried he looked.

"You gave us all a fright, Mins," the boy finally said, his brown eyes glistening with some sort of liquid and Minnie subconsciously felt her hand moving upwards to wipe any tears away, not wanting one of her best friends to cry. "I'm sorry I worried you," she said gently, feeling quite emotional even though she still didn't know the full extent of what had happened.

The last thing Minerva remembered was getting hit in the side by a Bludger, she didn't recall anything after that except for a sensation that she was falling which, judging by the amount of pain her body was currently in, she probably had done. "It's not your fault, it was those blasted Slytherins," Florean growled, sounding angry now that he'd gotten over his emotional episode.

"What do you mean?" Minnie asked carefully, feeling a sense of caution edging it's way into her, climbing into her chest and making it feel rather tight as a lump gathered at the back of her throat. "Eve Selwyn," Florean responded solemnly, sighing and pouring a glass of water for his friend, handing it to the girl who gulped it down gratefully as her mouth had been feeling drier than the Sahara desert.

It was only when Minerva finished off the water and placed the glass back down on the bedside table did she notice that she and Florean weren't alone in this part of the hospital wing. She had to twist her aching body around to the side to put the glass back so that meant that her gaze moved to the space on the right hand side of her bed where she hadn't looked previously because she had been so preoccupied with Florean on the other side.

Curled up in one of the chairs with a blanket tossed over her was Euphemia, tear tracks on her face glistening in the dim light as she hugged her knees to her body. Minnie felt a pang echo low in her stomach at the sight of her best friend evidently only just getting some sleep from the way Florean gestured for her not to wake the girl up.

In the other chair next to Mia was none other than her boyfriend, Charlus, who was leaning back in his own chair, legs sprawled open wide as his arm was resting around the back of Euphemia's chair like he had fallen asleep mid comforting his girlfriend. Minerva's heart burst at the sight of them, breathing deeply in slumber, and she almost felt touched that they'd stayed the night with Florean to keep an eye on her.

"You've been unconscious all day," Florean informed her in a hushed tone, drawing her attention back to the other side of the bed where he was seated again, dark circles under his eyes. "There was a whole panic after you fell and we all stayed here for a while but eventually Nurse Madden kicked some of us out because we were making too much noise. Mia refused to leave your side, though," he said.

Minnie didn't say anything, trying to shift into a more comfortable position but feeling a jolt of pain shoot through her body at the sudden movement which caused her to wince and Florean to bustle to her side once more, "Are you okay? What's hurting?" he worried, his mother hen persona definitely coming into play and Minerva would've laughed if she didn't think the sound would make her ribs burn.

"Everything," she gasped out, feeling the worst cramps she had ever had in her stomach as well and she knew it had to have been caused by the accident because she had just finished her period a few days prior. "I'm going to go and get Nurse Madden, she told me to wake her if there were any problems," Florean told her, giving her hand a quick squeeze before practically sprinting to the nurse's office at the bottom end of the wing.

Minnie clenched her teeth, trying to stop herself from crying out loud because the pain was just too much, she felt like she was being burnt alive because of the fire raging in her abdomen and her head was literally having it's own little firework display going on, frying her brain into little ashes. But Minerva McGonnagal was brave. She would not cry.

Florean was running back to her fairly quickly, followed by a bobbing lantern and another person that Minnie couldn't quite see in the darkness or through her blurry eyesight as she squeezed her eyes shut due to the feeling in her head that felt like someone was trying to drill a hole into her forehead. "Nurse Madden was asleep but Poppy's here," Florean gasped out, his breathing heavy as he halted to a stop at the end of her bed.

Poppy Pomfrey was the trainee nurse to Nurse Madden, who was surely near to retirement very shortly, and she had only graduated from Hogwarts a few years ago so Minerva and Florean did know her. "Where does it hurt, Minnie?" Poppy asked gently, placing her lantern down and scooting a worried Florean over to the side as she outstretched a palm to Minerva's forehead, feeling the younger girl's temperature with her blissfully cool hand.

"You are rather warm," Poppy murmured underneath her breath, grabbing the medicine kit that she had lugged with her from the office, "I'll pour you a potion that will calm your temperature down then I can give you one for the pain? That's all I can do for now, I'm afraid, as Nurse Madden will have to look at your injuries in the morning," the trainee nurse said calmly, talking to Minnie softly so that she would calm down.

The Gryffindor girl nodded her head, sending a blast of pain through it as she did so which Poppy picked up on when a grimace flashed across Minerva's face, "Try and keep your head still, you've probably got some concussion and we don't want your head injury getting worse, do we?" Poppy told her before pouring some ghastly looking liquid into a small glass and handing it to Minnie, "Drink all of it," she ordered.

"When do you think she'll be able to play Quidditch again?" Florean asked, voicing the question that he knew Minerva would want to know the answer to and his assumption was proven correct when the girl flashed him a weak but grateful smile.

Poppy frowned, waiting for Minnie to down the medicine (which she did with a disgusted facial expression) before answering, "I'm not sure. You'd have to ask Nurse Madden," she informed them quietly but both teenagers heard the caution lacing her tone, like she was withholding some information from them.

Before either Florean or Minerva could say anything, Poppy handed the latter another potion to drink that would supposedly reduce the pain a little so that she could get a few hours of rest without any problems. This one tasted even more foul but Minnie didn't complain, resolutely downing it and simply pulling a face after it which caused Florean to chuckle though he still looked concerned.

"Right, that's all I can do for now," Poppy stood up, brushing herself off and packing up all of her equipment, "Try and get some sleep, Minerva. Florean, you too," she turned to the Hufflepuff who opened his mouth in protest but didn't speak when the trainee nurse fixed him with a stern glare, "No excuses. Sleep," she demanded and Florean nodded meekly.

"I feel a bit better now, Flo," Minnie lied to her friend when he immediately rushed to her bedside again, grabbing her hand gently and tracing patterns across her knuckles with the pads of his thumb. "Has Brutus been to visit?" she asked, watching as Florean hesitated before speaking, "Yeah but he had some stuff to do so he didn't stay," he said quickly as if hoping Minerva wouldn't question more.

Stuff to do? 'Stuff' more important than staying with his injured girlfriend in the hospital wing? Minnie thought to herself, feeling her stomach sink slightly. Her and Brutus had been drifting apart lately and she couldn't help but feel like it was her fault because of her buried feelings for another guy back home and this was the cherry on top of the cupcake.

"Mins?" Florean clicked his fingers in front of her face to regain her attention again and Minerva blinked sharply, bringing herself harshly out of her thoughts about Brutus and glancing at Florean who was looking at her expectantly as if awaiting an answer to something she hadn't even heard due to the current fuzzy state of her mind.

Florean smiled sympathetically, as if he knew what she had been thinking, "You zoned out a little bit there," he said gently before adding, "I asked you whether the medicine worked." Minnie's mouth made a little 'o' of understanding and she gave him a small nod, trying not to move her head much like Poppy had advised.

"I think so. I definitely feel quite sleepy and my body doesn't hurt as much anymore," Minerva told him, fibbing a little at the end because, even though the medicine had taken the edge off the pain, it had only dulled the butter knife edge of what felt like a whole dagger stabbing into her abdomen. She didn't want to worry Florean though, who already had dark shadows under his eyes and probably hadn't gotten any sleep. He'd been the same frantic mess when Euphemia had been in St Mungos for temporary amnesia that time - the boy panicked too easily about his friends.

"That's good!" Florean said enthusiastically before plumping up her pillows behind her with a great air of tenderness about him that made Minnie's heart melt, "Now get some sleep please, the more you rest the quicker you'll get better and the sooner you'll be back out on that Quidditch field thrashing teams!"

Florean's statement was said with much encouragement that Minerva could tell was quite false because they had both heard the quiver in Poppy's voice when she'd said she wasn't sure when Minnie would be back playing Quidditch, the way she had swiftly moved on from that conversation.

They both knew everything wasn't as it seemed but they didn't want to worry because that would only be a waste of time, it wasn't like worrying could change anything - it just messes with one's head and steals their happiness. And so, Minerva flashed a smile at Florean and snuggled down under the covers, trying to ignore the dull pain that was still surging through her body and trying to repel the negative thoughts ricocheting around her brain like bullets from a Muggle machine gun.

Stop worrying, Minnie. Everything's going to be fine she told herself but, deep down, she knew that wasn't the case. Deep down, Minerva McGonnagal knew - she wasn't that stupid, after all - that the next day would probably bring news that could possibly change her life forever.

And not in a good way.

~~~

"How is she?" Pomona asked the next morning, sitting down in the chair at Minnie's bedside that Florean had previously been residing in. When the rest of the gang had dropped in, Alastor had dragged Florean out to go and get something to eat because the boy had been there ever since Minerva had been taken into the hospital wing. So currently, the whole group was gathered around with the exception of Alastor, Florean and David (who had decided to accompany his boyfriend to breakfast).

Charlus yawned widely, ruffling a hand through his sleep-swept hair as he turned away from where he had been quietly conversing with a tired looking Mia to address the small blonde girl looking at him inquisitively. "Flo said she woke up in the middle of the night in a lot of pain and that the trainee nurse gave her some medicine but that's it," he informed her.

"Oh Merlin," Pomona frowned, reaching out to hold Minnie's hand where she was still passed out in a slumber that had been brought on by the medicine Poppy had given her. "I'm going to kill whoever did this to her," Brutus muttered from where he was sat, his eyes roving over his girlfriend in worry.

"Have you not heard?" Eugenia piped up, gaining everyone's attention with her incredulous tone, curious glances being thrown in her direction where she was seated cross legged on one of the spare beds next to Minerva's, Lyall slumped next to her looking fed up with everything.

"Heard what?" Filius asked, voicing the question that they all had been thinking and Eugenia sat up a little further, secretly enjoying the powerful position that she was placed in now because she knew something that none of her friends did. Euphemia chuckled a little, knowing that they could always rely on Eugenia for the accurate news, she was one of the world's biggest gossips ever.

Eugenia leaned forward a little eagerly and conspiratorially, causing everyone else around Minnie's bedside to also lean in curiously to hear what the blonde girl had to say. "Well, I heard from Augusta Sanderson who heard from Daphne Meadowes who was told by Frek Tyr that his cousin, Garm Tyr, overheard in the Slytherin common room that Barry Morrison and that Slytherin Beater, Jack Yaxley, were paid by Eve Selwyn to sabotage Minnie because she was jealous of her and Brutus," Eugenia rattled off in one breath.

Silence.

"I'm sorry, can you repeat that? I got a little lost with all the names," Mia said teasingly, trying to lighten the tension that had filled the room upon Eugenia's revelation, the revelation that told them Minerva's "accident" wasn't just an accident at all but in fact a planned foul play. Eugenia took a gasp of air, preparing to say it all again but Charlus cut her off, waving his hand to signal for her to be quiet.

"So basically what you're saying is that Eve Selwyn was jealous of these two..." he gestured towards Brutus and the sleeping Minnie, "...and so she tried to kill Mins?" Charlus asked incredulously, looking completely baffled amd gobsmacked, to say the very least. Everyone else's expressions mirrored his, with the exception of Brutus who was scowling.

"I don't think Eve meant to kill, just maim or seriously injure," Lyall interjected which caused Filius to laugh sardonically, "Yes because that's so much better," the little guy said sarcastically, causing Pomona to let out a shocked giggle because Filius was usually so sweet and never normally spoke to anyone like that.

"Still, it's dramatic......all this over bloody Brutus! Talk about being extreme," Charlus exclaimed, making a playful dig at the end of his sentence towards his friend as he gestured at Brutus, who glared at him in response. "Says the boy who crashed his ex-girlfriend's wedding and duelled with all of her crazy psychopathic family just so he could have her for himself?" Brutus retorted and there was a communal 'ooooh' throughout the group at the low blow.

"I-" Charlus opened his mouth to protest but soon found that he didn't have the words to defend himself, turning to Euphemia for support only to find that his own girlfriend was openly laughing at him, shrugging helplessly when he sent her an offended look, "He's got a point, Flea," she giggled which sent the rest of the group into further hysterics.

"What the devil is going on here?" a groggy voice suddenly called out, breaking the laughter immediately as everyone's attention turned to Minerva, who was slowly stirring in her bed, wincing as she turned her head to look at them all surrounding her. "Minnie! You're awake!" Pomona cried out in delight and the same relief seemed to settle over the group.

Even though Florean had informed them all that Minerva had awoken in the night, the rest of them had still yet to see with their very own eyes so it was extremely comforting to see their friend finally opening her eyes after a whole day of being knocked out unconscious, pale and unmoving. "I'm awake," Minnie confirmed quietly, her voice sounding hoarse and Brutus instantly grabbed her a glass of water, helping her drink it as everyone watched quietly.

"How are you feeling?" Filius asked gently, looking concerned for the brown haired girl's well-being as he could clearly see that she was in an awful lot of pain even if she hadn't vocalised that fact yet. "Everything hurts, to be honest," Minerva said truthfully, not seeing the point in lying about her condition because she knew that her friends (especially Mia, who knew her so well) would see right through whatever act she tried to put on.

"What exactly is hurting the most?" Brutus asked his girlfriend, eyes gleaming with concern as he tried to assist her in sitting up, fluffing up her pillows behind her. Minnie waved off his help, insisting she could do it herself and tried to prop herself up but only managed in flopping back down weakly, looking like all of her strength had left her body.

All of her friends tactfully pretended not to notice her struggle because they knew that would only humiliate her further.

"Would you like me to fetch Nurse Madden?" Euphemia asked sympathetically, reaching for her best friend's hand and squeezing it gently, feeling her heart crack a little when Minnie gripped onto her hand so tightly like she didn't want her to let go. Without Minerva even saying anything, Mia knew she must feel weak and vulnerable, something that the Scottish girl hated because she loved her independence.

"No need, she's already here," a voice came from behind Pomona, alerting everyone of the middle aged witch's presence as the plump woman bustled into sight with a whole trolley of medicinal equipment and, bizarrely, Professor Dumbledore in tow who gave them all a little bow of welcome, smiling a little at their puzzled looks.

Why was Dumbledore here?

Nurse Madden moved Brutus away from Minerva impatiently, gesturing for him to get out of the way which he did with a slight frown but a polite inclination of his head. "Now, tell me what's hurting the most," the matron said softly to Minnie, brushing her hair back off her forehead gently to check the girl's temperature which was looking much better this morning.

"I-" Minerva hesitated, aware of all of her friends around her and feeling quite exposed even though she was cocooned in the hospital wing duvet, every inch of her bruised and battered body hidden by the white sheets. She gulped, her insecure gaze meeting Euphemia's worried one - she knew that her best friend would understand exactly what she meant.

"How about we all leave Minnie for a bit? We could do with some recuperation ourselves," Mia suggested brightly to the group, the tone of voice that she used insinuating to everyone that it wasn't a question at all but in fact a command. The friendship group all nodded, understanding that Minerva probably wanted her privacy and there was quite a few scraping of chairs and rushed goodbyes as everyone upped and left.

"Can you stay?" Minnie burst out, grabbing onto Euphemia's hand again as her best friend went to leave, following after Charlus who was lingering next to Dumbledore as he waited for his girlfriend to catch him up. Mia's eyes dilated in sympathy as she exchanged a look with both Charlus and Dumbledore, the latter nodding his head.

"I'm sure Ms McGonnagal would appreciate some moral support," the Deputy Headmaster spoke and so Euphemia nodded warmly, pecking Charlus on the cheek and patting his chest to sign for him to leave. "Hope you feel better soon, Mins," Charlus told the girl in the bed before leaving his girlfriend alone by Minerva's bedside with only Professor Dumbledore and Nurse Madden for company.

"Better?" Nurse Madden smiled knowingly at Minnie, who looked much more relaxed and less stressed now that all of her friends didn't have to hear about all of her ailments. "Yeah," she affirmed, still holding onto Mia's hand who had seated herself back down next to Minerva as Dumbledore also took a seat, observing the scene with a sad smile.

"You're probably wondering why I'm here," Dumbledore said with a slight tilt of his head and both of the girls nodded as Nurse Madden bustled about fussing with some more potions to help relieve the agony that Minnie was currently in once more now that the previous medicine from the night before had worn off considerably.

"Well...." Nurse Madden started before trailing off hesitantly as she looked at the Transfiguration teacher for confirmation, "I'm afraid that we've got some bad news for you, Minerva. It's probably a good job that Ms Black has stayed because you're probably going to need a hug after this," the nurse told the Gryffindor girl weightily, looking deeply regretful that she had to be the one to relay this news.

Minnie gulped, exchanging a scared look with Euphemia who was biting her lip worryingly, wondering what the news could be and feeling glad that she would be here to console her best friend after whatever was going to be told to them. And that, judging by the expressions on Nurse Madden and Professor Dumbledore's faces, wasn't just something as simple as a small Quidditch injury.

It was something way more.

Oh no.....what do you think the news could be? Will Minnie be okay? Why is Dumbledore here?

Well, that's for me to know and you to find out :) Heheheheh

P.S: This is the one hundredth part of this book which is just CRAZY omg wow, thank you for all of your support so far <3 We've still got quite a bit more of the journey left yet!

Stay safe, wear a mask & take care of yourselves! Love you all endlessly <3