Chapter Nine

"There, there, little one. There is no need to cry," Pomona cooed at the white laughing lily in front of her. But by the end of her sentence, her voice had begun to waver, causing the lily's tears to begin anew. This started off the other two at opposite ends of the greenhouse as well.

Shaking her head, Pomona sat down on a wooden stool nearby and wiped her forehead, leaving a streak of dirt. Greenhouse three was humid...much more humid than the chilly February day outside. Her hands were coated with the comedic soil she had lined the new pots with before transferring each lily into a new home. Such a task did not always work, but sometimes it did...not this time.

The tin-like crying of the lilies seemed to fade into a distant droning as Pomona reflected on breakfast. Truthfully, had it been a normal day, all the chaos would not have bothered her. But she had to be honest with herself, she was not well.

After Filius had held the door for them, Rolanda had linked her arm with Pomona's and Minerva's and pulled them toward the head table.

"As I was saying before we ran into Pomona, Minerva, Caradoc..."

"That's Dearborn's first name?" Pomona asked, cutting Rolanda off.

"Yes," Minerva replied. "Like King Arthur's knight of the round table," she went on, looking slightly dreamy-eyed.

"Yes, well, the man does like a table, but I don't think it matters whether it is round or not," Rolanda chimed in in a hushed tone, wiggling her eyebrows at her friends.

Pomona colored slightly, and Minerva sat down, pulling the others with her. "Ro, not so loud! Need I remind you, there are students about?" Minerva chided, frowning.

"Yes, yes, Minerva. I believe we are far enough away at the moment," she said, studying the distance between the head table and the student tables sparsely filled with students at such an early hour. "Caradoc says he wants to initiate a teacher pick-up Quidditch game this weekend. And we were wondering if you would be interested?" Rolanda asked, looking from one to the other.

As she pondered the question, Pomona watched Filius say something to one of his students, then stride across the Great Hall to pull out his chair and sit in his usual place next to her. His nearness caused Pomona's stomach to quiver, and she forgot to answer Madam Hooch.

"I think that would be a fabulous idea!" She heard Minerva exclaim.

"What about you, Pomona? Weren't you a beater when you were a student?" Rolanda asked.

"Um... yes. Though I am sure I am very rusty. But I'm not sure I'll be able to play. It will depend on how my plants are doing by then." And how I am feeling, she wanted to add. Closing her eyes, Pomona felt the room spin again.

"Pomona?" Filius questioned, laying his hand on top of hers.

"Oh, here he comes!" Rolanda said, excited. "Minerva, would you scoot over a chair so he can sit here?" she asked, putting pressure on the Transfiguration mistress' arm.

"Do I really have a choice, Ro?" Minerva complained, but moved over anyway.

Opening her eyes after her dizziness had passed, Pomona leaned closer to Filius. "Yes, Filius?"

"Do you think we could me..."

"Ah, my dear Filius, it looks like you are the luckiest bloke in the school, sitting next to all these lovely witches. Do you mind if I cut in?" Professor Dearborn asked jovially.

Startled from his intent, Filius stammered, "N-no. I think there is a seat next to Madam Hooch for you."

Dearborn's brown eyes traveled the length of the table and spotted the chair Minerva had abandoned. "So I see. Rolanda, have you managed to put together a team yet?" he asked, looking at his watch.

"Well, almost. Besides, I still have until lunch."

"Until lunch for what?" Minerva asked, eyeing the flight instructor with a raised brow.

"To come up with a pick-up Quidditch team. Cary thinks there isn't enough interest on the staff to create one, and I think there is. It's Quidditch, after all!" Madam Hooch finished, her voice rising.

"Quidditch? I could say a thing or two about the use of Defense Against the Darks Arts spells during the last game. My infirmary was filled with Griffindors last Saturday. The poor dears...victims of a Shield charm. I'm sure of it!" Poppy exclaimed, walking the length of the table and taking her seat on the other side of Minerva.

Leaning over the table to look at the matron, Caradoc said, "How can you be so sure? Just because I taught that spell the week before doesn't mean they used it. We all know Quidditch players fall off their brooms all the time."

"Yes, but severe head injuries don't occur when the broom is only two feet off the ground. That only happens when force is used to repel, Professor Dearborn."

"But it would depend on the speed of the broom, not just the height, Madam Pomfrey."

"Do you have a way to prove this, Poppy?" Minerva asked.

Pursing her lips, Poppy replied, "Unfortunately, no. But I will be keeping my eye on the Slytherins. Don't you worry, Minerva." Poppy looked over at Professor Dearborn with a frown.

"I am sure the Slytherins did no such thing, Poppy. You have my word, I will look into it," Dearborn told her sincerely.

As Caradoc continued to comfort Poppy, Pomona leaned back in her chair. Rubbing her eyes, she felt Filius bump against her. She was still mourning the loss of his warm hand covering hers when Professor Dearborn had arrived. As she sat there, several voices rose, and the sound of wood sliding met her ears. Suddenly, she felt Filius stand, then heard metal clanging against the cobblestones. Opening her eyes, Pomona saw Filius had his wand in his hand, and about ten feet from her, lay various forks and knives on the flagstone floor. Her eyes widened as they traveled up and saw the Stebbins boy standing, his face flush with embarrassment.

Gasping, she said, "Thank you, Filius."

"No need to thank me, my dear. As long as you are safe," he said seriously, patting her arm. "Please excuse me."

"O-of course," Pomona replied softly, then watched him stride over to Stebbins and say a few words. Immediately, the boy looked down and nodded, then followed Filius out of the Great Hall.

"That was a little close for comfort, dear," Minerva said, leaning over Pomona. "It's not like you not to be on your guard around the students. Thank goodness Filius stopped those utensils. Are you feeling well, Pomona?" she asked, studying her.

"Y-yes, fine. I'm a little tired. I didn't sleep very well last night. But, it isn't anything to be worried about. I am just worried about my plants. Speaking of which, I need to get down to the greenhouses," Pomona rushed on, rising from her seat as Minerva watched her intently.

"Mona, what about Quidditch?" Rolanda asked hurriedly, leaning back to look at her.

Sighing, Pomona replied, "We will see. It all depends on the Laughing Lilies and if I can get them to cooperate, Ro."

"You know that isn't really an answer. Her answer still counts even if it is after noon," Rolanda told Caradoc.

"I suppose I could spot you one answer, given that Pomona might have been mortally wounded by Stebbins if not for Filius. That boy is a handful. Are you sure you're all right, Pomona?" Cary asked with concern.

"Yes. I-I just need to get to the greenhouses. If you all would excuse me, I'll see you at lunch," Pomona stammered, turning away from the table before anyone else could ask after her again.

Upon entering greenhouse three, she could hear the squeaky crying of the lilies. She sighed. They had not stopped. Glancing over at the clock above her desk, she noted she only had long enough to water them and see if that helped.

Filling a green watering can, Pomona funneled a generous amount of water to the roots of each plant. For a few moments, they all stopped, and Pomona breathed with relief. But the next moment, they all began again. Rolling her eyes, she strode out of the greenhouse and down to greenhouse two for her first class of the day. Ravenclaws made for a nice, quiet first class. Today was a light day for her anyway. The main part of her Thursdays was for tending the plants in greenhouse three, taking in supply shipments, and working on her lesson plans for the following week. Therefore, she only had one class in the morning, and one in the afternoon.

After all the Ravenclaws had left greenhouse two, Pomona had gone back to greenhouse three to find Ben had delivered her comedic soil. Moving with well practiced expertise, Pomona proceeded to transfer the lilies from their existing pots to new yellow pots and added the fresh soil. She had hoped the yellow would brighten their spirits as well as the new soil.

Their crying seemed contagious. She felt like crying herself. Her entire body ached, and her head was pounding once more. That is the last time I use expired Pepperup potion.

"There you are, cherry blossom!" Taurean said from the doorway.

Startled from her thoughts, Pomona grabbed the table in front of her before she fell off her stool. Looking up, her eyebrows rose. "Taurean! W-what are you doing here?" she asked breathlessly.

Smiling sheepishly, he spread his hands out in front of him. "I am sorry. I did not mean to startle you. Hagrid let me in and said you would probably be here. I know you said this week was bad for a tour, but I was hoping I might be able to help with the lilies. And I admit... I wanted to check on you. When you left with Filius last night, you did not look well."

Bestowing a tired smile, Pomona told him, "I am fine. I'm sorry I worried you so much you felt you needed to come up to the castle."

"You sound as if it is a bother to me. I wouldn't be able to consider myself a friend if I did anything less."

"Thank you for your concern, Taurean. But I really am swamped for the next few days," she explained, trying not to sound irritated.

His face fell slightly as he strode down the aisle between beds of Venomous Tentacula, Wolfsbane, and Snargaluff trees. "Like I said, I was really hoping to help you with your lily problem."

"Do you have much experience with magical plants?" she asked, remaining on the stool as the room spun once more. She had not eaten much breakfast, but what was there was suddenly churning in her stomach. "Please be careful walking down that aisle," she voiced, concerned.

Stopping halfway down, Taurean looked around him. When he stopped, one of the Venomous Tentacula slithered toward his leg. Just as it was about to curl about his ankle, Pomona pulled out her wand. Waving it in a low arc, a white shaft of light appeared, hitting the plant and causing it to retreat back to the garden bed.

Taurean's eyebrows shot up, and he gave a low whistle. Slowly backing toward Pomona, he said over his shoulder, "It's that obvious, is it?"

"Yes," Pomona replied, smiling a little.

Upon reaching Pomona, Taurean turned and grinned at her. "I mean well. And I really do want to help you. It would be very helpful for my field. I have a very vast knowledge of Muggle plants, but it is the magical ones I need on my resume'," he told her with a hint of pleading.

Shaking her head, she acquiesced. "You are a charmer, there is no doubt," she told him, her mouth pulling up on one side. "As it happens, I could use your help." His smile would have warmed her heart if it didn't already belong to Filius. "I have tried a couple of remedies on the lilies all ready, but as you can see, they are still crying. There is one more thing to try. I hope it works, because otherwise I will have to prune them, and I would hate to do that. They really are lovely."

"What is that?"

"Over on my desk there is a book." She pointed to the other side of the greenhouse.

Striding over to the far wall, Taurean found a very large tree trunk that had a smooth top and drawers carved into it. On top lay a book. Leaning forward, he picked it up and scanned it. "A joke book?" he asked incredulously, eyebrows raised.

Nodding, Pomona said, "Yes. Sometimes plants require the same thing a human might in these instances, especially when they have several human traits."

Shaking his head, Taurean walked back to Pomona as he thumbed through the book. "I suppose that makes sense," he said, distracted. "Ah, here is a good one. Why is the mushroom always invited to parties?" he asked the lily in front of him.

Looking over at him in puzzlement as the lily stopped crying and looked at him, Pomona held her breath. "Because he's a fungi," Taurean finished, and after a moment of hesitation, the lily burst into laughter.

Smiling brightly, Taurean looked over at Pomona to share his accomplishment, and she gave him a small smile in return. "Now, you need to tell him another to keep him laughing and reinforce the treatment."

"Ah," he responded, thumbing through the book again. "You know, Pomona, I had also hoped to discuss the wizard who holds your affections today. I think I may know who he is. I hope you won't think I am prying, but I observed a rather bittersweet meeting yesterday..."

Taurean's voice sounded like a muffled murmuring as Pomona held the table in front of her tightly when her headache suddenly increased. The room traveled in a mad carousel, and she closed her eyes in an effort to still the motion. But when she did, a steady buzzing began in her ears, getting louder and louder.

"Pomona?" Taurean questioned, moving toward her.

Trying to stand, Pomona gripped the table, willing the droning in her head to stop. When she stood, her breath was stolen as intense pain shot through her shoulder and up to her head. In the distance, she could hear Taurean calling her name, but darkness took over, a sweet oblivion that took her pain with it.

"Pomona!" Taurean called, trying to retrieve his wand and cast a Levitation charm to cushion Pomona's fall. He just managed to stop her momentum before she hit the cobbled floor. She then floated gently down the last few inches.

Striding over and crouching down, he checked her pulse. It was fast, too fast. Looking around frantically, he searched for someone walking by the window to help him.

"Pomona?" Filius called from the doorway, hesitantly.

"Filius!" Taurean shouted from the floor, his head popping up over the table.

"Taurean?" Filius frowned. "What on earth are you doing here?"

Blowing out a frustrated breath, Taurean said, "We need to get Pomona to the hospital wing! She's fainted. She's here, on the floor."

Filius' eyebrows rose. "What?" he exclaimed, his voice an octave higher. Running toward Taurean, Filius stopped short at the end of the aisle as his eyes fell on Pomona's inert body. "Pomona?" he said shakily, leaning down to caress her face.

Suddenly, all the plants in the greenhouse began to move. The lilies began to cry again, and the dangerous plants started wavering menacingly, sensing something was wrong with their mistress.

"We have to get her out of here! Can you help me?" Taurean shouted, looking at the malaise surrounding them.

Shaking himself back to reality, Filius looked at Taurean and nodded. Quickly, he cast a Locomotor charm on Pomona, and with Taurean's help, they gently guided her toward the door before the Venomous Tentacula could reach them.

"Quick, shut the door," Filius told Taurean once they were outside. "We have to get her to Poppy," he continued when Taurean turned back around.

"Lead the way," Taurean said, stepping next to Pomona.

Nodding gravely, Filius turned and hurried to the main hall, Taurean pushing Pomona behind him. Once inside, they ran down the corridor, Filius physically moving students out of the way with his magic until he skidded to a halt in front of the infirmary.

Bursting through the door, Filius ran into the hospital wing, leaving Taurean and Pomona in the hall. "Poppy? Poppy!" he called frantically.

"Yes, yes, what is it?" she asked, emerging from her office, scanning Filius, then looking beyond him when he turned toward Taurean now pushing Pomona's inert body through the door.

"It's P-Pomona," he gasped, trying to reclaim his breath.

"Bring her into the examining room. Quickly!" Moving across the infirmary in two strides, she pushed a hanging curtain aside to reveal a large white bed.

Taurean followed Poppy, pausing when she turned to him. "Help me lift her onto the bed," she said, raising her wand.

Nodding, Taurean followed her example.

"On my count, Filius?" Filius also raised his wand and nodded.

"Three, two, one..." Together, they raised Pomona and lowered her to the bed. Poppy instantly ran her wand over Pomona and diagnostic images appeared above her. After a moment, Poppy sucked in her breath.

"What? What is it?" Filius asked.

"This doesn't make sense." She cast another spell and more images appeared.

"Poppy, please..."

"She has blood poisoning. But that makes no sense. She would have been too sick to even think of walking around the last two days. Do you know if she has a cut or open sore anywhere? I can't find one."

"She has only been complaining of headaches the last couple of days. No cuts or anything. Can you heal her?" Filius asked.

"Not without knowing where the poisoning is coming from, no," Poppy replied, concerned.

"What about a tattoo?"

They both looked at Taurean who had remained silent until now.

"Come again?" Poppy questioned.

"Would a tattoo cause blood poisoning?" He looked over at the matron.

"It would if it was infected," she said, nodding. "Pomona has a tattoo?"

Nodding, Taurean said, "She got it the other night. It's on her right shoulder."

Stepping up to Pomona's shoulder, Poppy made a slashing motion with her wand, cutting the fabric of Pomona's robes away to reveal the tattoo beneath. The skin surrounding it was red and swollen, and darker lines traveled toward Pomona's neck.

"Oh, dear," Poppy breathed.

Turning toward her office, Poppy pointed her wand at the cabinet, and the doors flew open. A flick of her wrist sent a bottle of clear potion sailing toward her outstretched hand. Plucking it from the air and uncorking it, Poppy gently lifted Pomona's head and poured a single drop into her mouth.

"Poppy, that's not..."

"Draught of Living Death? Yes, Filius, I'm afraid it is. It is Pomona's only chance. We need the time the potion will give us to get her to St. Mungo's," Poppy told him grimly.

Tears rose in his eyes. Blinking, he tried to stem them as he wrung his hands around each other, then moved toward Pomona. A warm hand on his shoulder reminded him Taurean was there. He nodded at the younger wizard.

Inching closer, Filius looked at the tattoo on Pomona's shoulder. "Love is the music of our hearts," he said softly, reading the banner that waved at him.

He had to close his eyes tightly. He felt as if someone had just hit him in the solar plexus. Hard. It was at this moment of all moments he realized...Pomona loved him.