Chapter Ten

Chapter Ten

The room was quiet, too quiet. Over the past week, Filius had had time to reflect on everything that had transpired between he and Pomona...every look, every touch, every misconstrued message. Why did Pomona have to be here for him to suddenly realize what a fool he had been? That he had been too blinded by his own fear that she would never see him as more than a friend? Lowering his head, he brushed his hand over his face in frustration and grief.

The tears would no longer come. The pain and emptiness he felt inside consumed him, and he heaved a long sigh as he again reached for Pomona's limp hand. Raising pain-filled brown eyes to search her pale face, he brought her hand to his lips. "Please..." He closed his eyes again as he swallowed.

"Mona, please," he breathed her name softly against the back of her hand, willing her to heal.

A gentle hand warmed Filius' shoulder. "Filius?" Ascending from his despair, Filius looked up into the cool blue eyes of Poppy. "I'm sorry to barge in, but I need to run a diagnostic spell."

Nodding, Filius sat up straighter in his chair, giving Poppy room. As she cast her spell, images floated above Pomona. Filius watched as the patterns rose and fell until Poppy turned back to him and shook her head. "I'm afraid there is no change, Filius. Why don't you go get something to eat? I'll stay here a little while. Also, Albus and Minerva said they would be coming by after classes ended for the day."

Letting out a long sigh, Filius nodded. He had not realized he had been holding his breath while Poppy ran her test. Turning away from the matron, he headed for the door with his head down. Stepping into the hallway, he put his hands in his pockets and ambled toward St. Mungo's dining room.

"Filius?" His name was called from behind him. Pivoting around, he looked up to see Taurean at the other end of the hall. Filius waited while the younger wizard strode down the corridor to him. Extending his hand, Taurean asked, "Is she any better?"

Reaching out, Filius shook Taurean's hand, glad for the strength it seemed to give him. Shaking his head, he said, "No. Not yet. Poppy is with her. I was just getting some lunch."

"Do you mind if I join you?"

"No, not at all," Filius told him as they entered the dining hall. Stepping up to the queue, Filius took a tray, placing a thick sandwich on it with a cup of tea. "Do you want anything?" he asked, looking back at Taurean.

Grabbing a bottle of pumpkin juice, Taurean placed it on the tray as Filius gave the cashier several sickles. Choosing a table overlooking Diagon Alley, they sat down. Taurean grabbed his bottle, removed the cap and took a generous swallow. Placing the bottle on the table, he rolled it between his hands.

Looking over at Filius, he watched as the smaller wizard opened his sandwich, set it aside and took a sip of tea. Filius looked forlornly out the window after placing his teacup back on the table. "Filius, I'm sorry."

Frowning, Filius looked back at him. "Whatever for?"

"About Pomona..."

"How could you know? No one knew her tattoo was infected. There was little anyone could do," he informed, resting his chin on his hand. "Only patience and time will bring her back to us. Poppy said her body has to heal, and once it does, she can wake up."

"It pains me to see you like this. You need to eat. I am sure, if Pomona were able to tell you so, she would say the same thing."

"You were right, you know."

Raising his eyebrows, Taurean frowned. "About what?"

"About telling Pomona how I feel. Had I been forthright with her, she would not be here now..."

"You can't know that..."

"Still, I can't dismiss it either. Had she known how I felt, she would not have hidden her tattoo...she may not have gotten it to begin with, and then she wouldn't be here," Filius told him, guilt causing his voice to thicken.

"Stop this! Just stop. Blaming yourself won't help her. Just be there when she wakes up. From what I have learned of Pomona, she will more likely wake blaming herself for your pain." Taurean raised his bottle to take another long swallow.

Nodding, Filius closed his eyes for a moment, then picked up his sandwich and took a bite. Chewing twice, he swallowed, then washed it down with his tea. "I should get back," Filius said, rising from the table and waiting while Taurean got up.

Together, they walked to Pomona's room and went inside. Poppy sat in the chair Filius had vacated, and Taurean traveled to the bed to stroke Pomona's hand lightly. After a moment, he turned to Poppy.

"I tried to visit the establishment that gave Pomona the tattoo, but they are no longer there. Do you think they placed any enchantments over the tattoo that might cause her to stay like this?"

Shaking her head, Poppy replied, "No. I doubt they had any intention other than to make money without following the proper channels. All of the potions Pomona took following her... evening... masked the progression of her infection. I'm so very glad you were with her when she fainted. Had you not been there, we would have surely lost her." She reached out and took his hand, squeezing it.

Nodding, Taurean looked down. "How much longer does she need to be like this?"

"It's hard to tell. Her body has had the time to heal, but there is a hint of infection still lingering. We can't administer the Wiggenweld potion until it is completely gone. The Draught of Living Death I gave her could have slowed down the process. But without it, she would have died before we could have treated her properly."

Standing, Poppy looked over at Pomona's pale face, then back at Taurean and Filius and sighed. "I'm afraid we just have to wait a little longer." Turning, Poppy walked toward the door, but turned back. "Filius, let me know if there is any change. I need to get back to the school."

Filius nodded, sitting back in the chair at Pomona's side.

"Do you mind if I accompany you out, Poppy?" Taurean asked, stepping next to the matron. She shook her head.

"I will be back later in the evening, Filius," Poppy told him.

"You know where to reach me, my friend. If there is any change or you need anything, please let me know?" Taurean asked.

Picking up Pomona's hand once more, Filius looked over at Taurean and nodded. Then, looking at Poppy, he said, "I will see you then."

Poppy and Taurean stood there a moment observing Filius sadly, then Taurean pulled open the door to usher Poppy out.

Leaning forward, Filius brought Pomona's hand to his lips and kissed it, then gasped when he felt her hand twitch.

"Poppy! Her hand! It twitched!" he exclaimed, jumping up from the chair.

Poppy and Taurean turned back around at Filius' shout. And as they looked at Pomona, her entire body shook slightly, and the color of her skin changed. Her face took on its usual sun-kissed glow as Filius raised his eyebrows and looked at Poppy in question.

Sucking in her breath, Poppy strode across the room looking hopeful. "That is a good sign," she breathed, moving quickly to Pomona's side and taking out her wand.

Running her wand over Pomona's sleeping form, Poppy cast another diagnostic spell. Filius and Taurean waited patiently while the images rose and fell. When they stopped, Poppy let out a loud breath and turned back to Filius.

"Well?" he questioned, wringing his hands and shifting from one foot to the other.

With a small smile, Poppy said, "The infection is gone. All that is left is to administer the Wiggenweld potion to counter the effects of the Draught of Living Death."

"When will you do that?" Filius queried with Taurean standing next to him, looking hopeful.

"I'm not going to."

Filius' face fell. "But how..." he began, frowning.

"Because you are," she told him, taking his hand and placing a small vial of bright green potion into it.

Startled, Filius looked up at Poppy. "But I'm not a physician. I don't know the first thing about administering an antidote."

"The dose and instructions are on the bottle. I trust you, Filius. I really need to get back to the school. I have several students to discharge due to Hagrid's Herbology classes." Poppy spun on her heel, heading back to the door.

Looking down at the vial, Filius read the instructions. Quickly, his head snapped up. "Poppy?"

Stopping at the door, she faced him. "Yes, Filius?"

"The potion dosage is a kiss?"

"Yes. Which is why I am leaving Pomona in your capable hands. I will be back in the morning to check on her. Just administer the potion and tell her not to do too much moving about," she informed. "Taurean, are you coming?"

"What? Oh. Yes." Taurean nodded at Filius and strode over to Poppy. "After you." He held the door open for her.

As the door shut behind them, Filius stood there staring at the potion bottle.

Walking beside Poppy, Taurean asked, "A Kiss? Is that the only way to administer the Wiggenweld potion?"

Looking over at Taurean, a knowing smile crept over Poppy's face. "No."

"I see,"" he said, a smile curving his lips too as they continued down the hall.

~~~~~~~~~

Filius read the instructions once more: Place one drop upon administer's lips. Kiss patient. Wait one moment. **If first kiss does not work, repeat.**

Filius frowned, then looked up to ask Poppy another question only to find that she and Taurean had already left the room. Sighing, he sat back down a moment. If Pomona was ever going to wake, this was his only choice. And he did want her back. He had missed her terribly. Other thoughts and doubts tried to invade, but he shoved them aside. All that mattered was this moment and that Pomona was well.

Uncorking the potion, Filius placed one single drop on his finger, then smeared it over his lips. Replacing the cork, he stood and placed the bottle in his pocket, then took a small step up to the bed. Climbing up next to Pomona, he studied her serene face for a moment. She looked like bliss, her sun-kissed skin gleaming, and her chestnut curls cascading over the pillow. His mind instantly thought of sleeping beauty as he leaned over to gather her in his arms.

Taking a steadying breath, Filius pulled Pomona closer and lowered his mouth to hers. Closing his eyes, he covered her lips with his and kissed her, lingering for a moment. Then, pulling back to look at her, he held his breath.

Pomona took in a deep breath as she lay in his arms, then her eyes fluttered open. Filius smiled, and Pomona smiled back. "Thank Merlin, Mona!" he told her, pulling her to him, and hugging her tightly.

"Filius? Is everything okay?"

"It will be... now."

"I don't understand. Where am I?" Pomona frowned, her arms coming up around Filius to hug him back, enjoying his warmth.

Squeezing her tight once more, he released her reluctantly to sit back. "Mona, you are at St. Mungo's..."

"St. Mungo's? How on earth did I get here?"

"Poppy, Taurean, and I brought you." Pain entered his eyes as he remembered that day. It was hard to believe it had only been a week. It felt like a lifetime ago.

"Taurean?" Pomona's eyes widened, and she put a hand to her head. "We were in Greenhouse three, and he was telling the lilies jokes... I felt horrible. The last thing I remember was a loud buzzing sound." She looked back at him.

"You fainted, Mona. Your tattoo was infected."

"My...you know about..." she trailed off.

"Yes, I know about your tattoo," he told her, and she looked away instantly, color rising in her cheeks. With a finger under her chin, he pulled her back around to face him. "Mona, protecting your secret wasn't worth your life. We nearly lost you," he told her, his voice becoming rough as he looked at her.

"Oh, Filius, I'm so sorry. The last thing I would want is to cause you pain. Honestly, I didn't realize I was so ill," she said, taking his hand and squeezing it.

Sighing, he closed his eyes for a moment. Opening them, he said, "For a week now, I wasn't sure I was going to see you again."

"A week? I've been here for a week?" Pomona asked, her eyes widening. Filius nodded. Beginning to rise, Pomona pushed up out of Filius' arms, but he held her back.

"Mona, where are you going?"

"My lilies..."

"Are fine. Taurean spoke with Hugh and treated them. They are all back to normal, though I wish I could say the same for your classes."

"What? Why?"

"Albus has Hagrid giving Herbology lessons until you return."

Pomona's eyebrows rose. "What?"

"Please, sit back, Mona. Poppy said you still need rest to recover completely," he informed, and Pomona settled.

Looking over at him, she covered her mouth with her hand to stifle a yawn. "I suppose I am a bit tired. Before I woke, I was having the strangest dream."

"You were?"

"Mm-hm. I dreamt that you kissed me," she said. "But that is silly, isn't it?" she rushed on.

"But, Mona, I did kiss you," he told her softly, looking at her.

"Oh." She sat looking ahead for a moment, stunned. "But, why..."

"Mona, I need to ask you something."

She gazed at him. "Yes?"

"D-do you love me?"

Looking away for a moment, then glancing back at him, Pomona nodded. Opening her mouth to speak, she paused when he spoke first.

"I mean as more than a friend." He picked up her hand, studying it instead of looking into her eyes, afraid of what he might see. She loved him, didn't she? Even though she had commissioned her tattoo in an inebriated state, the fact that she would remember the last sentence of his recent presentation enough to preserve it indefinitely on her flesh had to say something. Didn't it? Scrutinizing the facts, he looked at her and caught her staring at him with her wide brown eyes.

Swallowing, Pomona nodded. Nervously, she pulled her lip between her teeth.

Closing his eyes, Filius let out a breath. "I have been such a fool, Mona. You were trying to ask me out on Valentine's Day, weren't you?"

She was silent.

Opening his eyes once more, he noticed she still held that supple lip of hers between her teeth.

"It's all right, Fil. I hope we can still be friends. I... I didn't want to tell you because I was afraid I would lose your friendship."

His eyebrows rose. "Are you telling me you love me but don't want to be more than friends?"

She frowned. "I thought that is what you want. I...I knew it might make you uncomfortable if you knew I love you that way. But I can..."

"Shh, Mona, you have it all wrong." He sighed, placing a finger in front of her lips. "You misunderstand; we seem to be plagued with misunderstandings." He slid down on the bed to lie next to her, his face level with hers. Looking into her lovely brown eyes, he said seriously, "Mona, I love you. I have loved you from almost the moment you returned to Hogwarts."

"You have?" she asked, sucking in a breath and holding it.

"Are you holding your breath?" She nodded. He frowned. "Why?" Reaching up he brushed away a stray wisp of hair from her forehead, then took her hand in his, and played with her fingers.

"Because I'm afraid this might be a dream," she told him, her voice trembling.

"Like when I kissed you before?" She nodded again. "Then, if you don't mind, how about we try it again now that you are awake?"

Pomona's lips parted, and she moved her head up and down. Slowly, Filius moved forward, sliding his hand up around Pomona's neck and gently pulling her to him. His head tilted up as his lips covered hers in a kiss that began feather light, then grew with intensity.

Pomona closed her eyes as his mouth claimed hers, tenderly nudging her lips at first, then seeking every contour of their depths when she opened to him. Her hands roved the muscles that played over his back when she embraced him, attempting to pull him even closer. Their fervor had them gasping when they pulled back, ending the kiss.

Looking at Pomona, Filius noted the way her pupils were dilated with desire...desire for him. And he knew he would never doubt how she loved him again. Touching her face, he smiled at her, and she smiled back. In this moment, he realized that today was the beginning of a very beautiful love story: theirs.

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A/N: Thank you for joining us on our couple's journey to find love. The epilogue is soon to follow. =o)