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-Some Time Later-
After Madam Pomfrey examined us thoroughly — and I must say, in a rather sadistic way — she finally decided to let us go, allowing us to escape that torture.
But of course, before doing so, she didn't forget to warn us to come to her if we felt any strange symptom or pain… something she seemed frighteningly eager about.
After hastily fleeing from that cruel witch, we went straight to our families, who had been patiently waiting for us all this time.
When we looked around, we noticed that our friends — who also wanted to stay with us — were no longer inside the medical tent.
According to what our families told us, they couldn't wait any longer because Madam Pomfrey and Professor McGonagall — who had shown up at some point during the exams — had ordered everyone to return to the castle.
According to the Deputy Headmistress, it was already quite late, and therefore everyone should go back to their common rooms.
She gave that order both for their safety, still worried about tonight's events, and also to make sure no one would bother or stress Harry and me any further.
The only exceptions were Ron, Hermione, Fleur and her family, and, curiously, Luna.
I could understand Ron and Hermione staying — the first being Harry's best friend and the second his girlfriend — as well as the Delacours, who were deeply involved in this mess, even if by accident.
However, I had no idea why Luna had been allowed to stay while my other friends hadn't.
If I had to guess, I'd say Professor McGonagall probably put Luna in the same category as Hermione, as a "champion's girlfriend."
She probably assumed that because of the Yule Ball, when Luna and I went together as a couple.
But well… I'm not going to complain about that. Having at least one friend around — especially someone as calm and understanding as Luna — was definitely something I wouldn't refuse.
Now, back to the point... after our group reunited, we all left the medical tent.
As soon as we stepped onto the field, we noticed that the place was practically empty.
Most of the guests had already left, having abandoned the Quidditch Pitch and the Hogwarts grounds sometime between our discussion with Fudge and Madam Pomfrey's check-ups.
The only ones who remained were Ministry officials, still investigating our kidnapping or… dealing with the remains.
Aside from them, there were a few stubborn reporters trying to squeeze out one last piece of information, but they were being driven away by professors and a few Aurors, to their frustration and disappointment.
But since none of that concerned us, we simply ignored the chaos around us.
Together, we all headed toward the castle, with a single, simple goal in mind: to rest and spend some time together before our families had to leave.
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-At the Castle-
As we walked through the corridors of Hogwarts, I stared straight ahead with a scowl — one that had been plastered on my face since the moment I left the medical tent.
"Tsk… I knew Poppy was an evil woman pretending to be nice," I grumbled, clicking my tongue. "I told her I was fine, but nooo… she decided to force me into an examination anyway!"
My irritation didn't really come from the endless tests and procedures I had to go through — which were admittedly boring and often uncomfortable.
What truly bothered and unsettled me were the dozens of spells and potions she had used on me.
Because of my close connection with magic, I had a very high sensitivity to it — and because of that, I could still feel the lingering effects and sensations of those spells and potions… and I definitely wasn't enjoying it.
"I don't know why you're complaining. I'm the one she did most of the tests on," Harry grumbled, rubbing his bandaged arm.
It was the same arm Pettigrew had cut to steal his blood for the ritual.
After Madam Pomfrey inspected it and found no trace of infection or dark magic, she used a healing ointment that closed the wound completely, leaving only a faint reddish mark.
Now Harry could say that thanks to Voldemort, he had two scars caused by dark magic.
At this rate, if he kept collecting scars like that, in less than five years he'd have as many as Professor Kettleburn… and maybe in ten, he'd even catch up to Moody!
"You know, if anyone saw you two complaining like that, they'd probably think you'd been tortured," Ted joked.
In response, he received two very unfriendly looks — one green and one amber.
To Ted's credit, even after being glared at by both the Defeater of the Dark Lord and the Most Volatile Champion, he didn't even blink.
The Tonks family man had already gotten used to deadly stares like that… from his own wife.
"Ahem," Nick cleared his throat, calling our attention.
"Setting aside the terrible, cruel ordeal you suffered in the infirmary…" he began, not even trying to hide his slight amusement, "I think it's time for you to tell us what really happened in that graveyard," he said, looking at me.
"Hey, I thought we agreed to leave that topic for later," Sirius said, frowning at the French alchemist.
Hearing that, Nick turned to him and raised an eyebrow. "Well, it's later now."
"Sigh… Look, the boys have already been through enough today. Ethan himself said he was exhausted, so maybe we should let them rest before diving into that conversation," Sirius said, placing a hand on his godson's shoulder.
He then looked around, expecting to see others agreeing with him — but instead found himself facing blank or puzzled stares.
"Oh, come on, Sirius," Nick rolled his eyes. "I thought you were a bit smarter than that."
"Uh, I… I'm not sure I follow…" the Animagus wizard made a confused face, feeling like he was missing something.
"What Nick means," my dad began, "is that Ethan saying he was exhausted was just an excuse to get rid of Fudge and the others."
"Huh? Seriously?" Sirius blinked, turning toward me.
Feeling his gaze, I just shrugged — looking not even remotely tired.
"Wait, so… all of you noticed that?" he asked, looking around.
Everyone in the group nodded — even Harry and the Delacours.
"I thought it was kind of obvious," Dora said, amused. "No one who's truly exhausted finds the energy to argue with and threaten the Minister of Magic in front of a crowd."
"Indeed," Andromeda agreed. "And since we returned from the graveyard, Ethan's been trying to lead us somewhere more private… obviously to talk."
"Oh…" was all Sirius managed to say.
He then began to recall what had happened after Harry and I returned from the graveyard, realizing that I really had been trying to get everyone away from the others — as if I wanted our group to be alone.
Seeing realization dawn on the canine Animagus, Nick gave a short huff before turning his gaze back to me.
"So then, Ethan… I think we're ready to hear what you have to say."
"I agree," I nodded. "But not here, in the middle of the corridor," I said, glancing around at the portraits on the walls.
"All right, then where should we talk?" Lupin asked. "Because I doubt we'll have much privacy in the Gryffindor or Ravenclaw common rooms."
"Uh… we could use an empty classroom," Hermione suggested, a little hesitantly.
For the studious girl, being so close to the Flamels — two legendary figures in the wizarding world — still made her feel a lot of pressure.
And after seeing the way my mom and Andromeda handled Fudge, they were now also on her list of people to admire and respect.
So right now, the girl who usually never missed a chance to share her knowledge or opinion couldn't help but feel nervous.
"Hmm, an empty classroom is a good idea," Andromeda nodded, to Hermione's relief and delight.
"So… are we just going to wander around checking rooms until we find one available for us?" my mom asked, arching a brow.
Just as Penny was about to say that searching for a room wouldn't be necessary — planning to offer her and Nick's office or quarters for our discussion — I stepped forward.
"Actually, we won't need to do that," I said, smiling faintly. "Because luckily, I know exactly which room we can use."
End.
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