Small Talk

In the Hospital Wing, Dumbledore had left as well. Before departing, he took Old Barty Crouch with him, while Sparkle remained unconscious. The Stunning Spell Barty Crouch Jr. had cast in his rage had been too powerful, and Sparkle had yet to break free of it. Dumbledore had not awakened her either. Perhaps he understood how cruel the current situation was for Sparkle.

Madame Maxime soon emerged from the small ward with Fleur and Gabrielle.

"Thank you so much!"

As Fleur came out, she strode toward them. Her beautiful blue eyes were still damp; she had clearly been terrified. Before Harry could react, she threw her arms around him, hugged him, and planted a fervent kiss on his cheek. Then she did the same to Ron and Hermione.

"Even though that tracksuit saved Gabrielle, you helped too, didn't you?"

Fleur said gratefully.

Harry stammered, unable to say a word. He could not even figure out when the real Gabrielle had been switched with Professor Breen, but he had no intention of telling Fleur that Gabrielle had never been in any danger.

Madam Pomfrey did not give them much time to talk. She forced the three of them to drink a potion, then drew the curtains around each bed and applied Sopophorous Bean to their wounds.

The potion worked immediately. Before Madam Pomfrey had even finished treating Hermione's wounds, Harry, who had drunk his potion first, was swallowed by a deep, irresistible, dreamless sleep.

The next two days were probably the dullest they had ever spent at Hogwarts.

To ensure they got proper rest, Madam Pomfrey moved their beds into a small ward and barred every student who came to visit. The three of them repeatedly heard Ron's brothers and sisters arguing furiously outside. Neville came once with several others, and