The Shadow of Slytherin

Shadows in the night

"Ominis, I've got Salem" Alec yells out, the water rushing down his body as he climbs through the gap in the stone, Salem's still motionless body in his arms as he shakes his head, the wet strands blocking his view. One arm extended, he grabs Ominis by the shoulder and apparates the three of them to the gates of Hogwarts grounds, then uses the floo powder to get them to the hospital wing. It agitates him that apparition is prohibited at Hogwarts, causing much more stress as he tries to save Salem.

"Madam Blainey" Ominis yells out, unaware of her whereabouts. "We need help"

The woman stumbles out of her office puzzled, only to find the three wet students, two of them covered in blood, and one half dead.

"Quick, Salem's been cursed" Alec yells out, placing Salem on one of the empty beds.

At once Madam Blainey orders one of the other nurses to call for Professor Sharp and a second to assist her. Together they clean the blood off Salem's face and body, inspect for wounds and give them healing potions, use spells and try to figure out what to do with the student.

"What is this?" Professor Sharp enters the Hospital wing, his eyes on Ominis, who is drenched, not only with water, but Salem's blood, and Alec, who stands beside the bed, his hand on Salem's as the nurses do all they can to help.

His eyes fixated on the angry Professor, Alec releases Salem's hand from his grip and steps forward. "The-, the blood drowning curse, Sir. I reversed it, but Sa-" His voice cracks, the smell of metal lingering in his nose as he wipes his cheek, watching the red streaks on his hands wash away with the water that drips from his head, "Salem was close to death when-"

"The blood drowning curse?" Professor Sharp rushes to the bed, eyeing the blood that vanishes as the nurses move their wands over the body, "and how did one of our students get cursed, may I ask?"

"Poachers" Ominis states, he takes a deep breath and tells Professor Sharp all he knows before leaning closer to Salem, his hand on the cold one that rests on the bed. "You promised" he whispers, his head dropped onto his arm.

Salem's POV:

Awoken by a nerve wrenching snore to your left, your eyes wander to the tall Slytherin in bed with you, the blanket all the way to his nose. A smile hushes to your lips as you watch Ominis sleep, the eyes closed, the mouth ajar. Like in trance, you snuggle closer in the tiny hospital bed, your hand against his chest as he continues sleeping.

As you place your head before his chest, he pulls you closer to him, the head resting on yours as he continues sleeping.

"Hasn't left your side in days, Dragonfighter" a tired voice mumbles from behind you. "Glad you're alive" Alec places his hand on your arm, sighing as he leans onto his knees, the arms shaking as his glance lowers. "I thought I lost you"

The fingers caressing his face, you turn your body, the muscles contracting as you move, feeling frozen and burnt all the same, but you force through the pain, looking at Alec the soft green eyes raised to meet yours. "Thank you, Alec. I owe you my life, and Ominis's as well" Leant onto your arm, you grunt, coughing as Alec's hand reaches underneath your torso to help you sit up. The back against the head pillow, you smile at the sight of his hair tied back, letting you see the entire face, exhausted and pale. The moustache grown thicker and darker, the fuss around his chin turned into a proper beard, although trimmed short, it frames his face in such a nice way.

Dressed in casual clothes, the robe over his back to keep him warm, you notice some marks on his arms from where he has rested on the chair. "Have you been here all night?" you ask, moving closer to him.

"The night, the day before that, and the other days too" A sleepy voice states from behind your back, a warm hand gripping yours, pressing it again, and another time, and you return the favour, a tear rolling down your cheek, leaving a dark spot on the blue bedsheets. "You promised"