After an unknown period of time, Vid's heart suddenly twitched, and he awoke with a start. The surroundings were pitch black, with only faint light filtering through the curtain cracks.
He felt as if his whole body had been stomped by an elephant; there wasn't a single spot that didn't hurt.
Vid checked the time, just as the sun was setting. He recited the Animagus spell as usual, and his voice seemed to startle the person next to him, followed by someone saying:
"Lumos."
Soft white light filled the corner of the ward, and Vid saw two familiar figures sitting by his bedside.
"Theo, Leian?"
Vid, supporting himself on the bed, sat up and asked, "Why are you here?"
"We heard you were injured and unconscious. We're here at night to keep watch so Slytherin folks don't take the chance to do you harm."
Leian gestured with his chin towards the side, saying, "The ones lying over there are all Slytherins."
Vid looked over, seeing a thick curtain blocking his view.
Theo stifled a laugh and said softly, "And at least half of them were sent here by you."
"So revenge on their part is to be expected, isn't it?"
Leian spoke while lighting a candle nearby.
"Michael and the others also wanted to stay overnight, but they're injured too, and there's not enough space, so we persuaded them to go back and rest."
Vid sighed helplessly, "If they can't even withstand a rebound spell, how can this be blamed on me?"
"You can't use our standards to judge others!" Theo said, "I heard those fifth-year students haven't learned the Iron Armor Spell yet!"
"Do you want something to eat?" Leian asked, "We saved dinner for you, there's roast meat, sausages, sandwiches, mashed potatoes, carrots, and hot chocolate."
Vid shook his head, he felt nauseated just thinking about food, clutching his stomach uncomfortably he said, "I just want some water right now."
Theo immediately got up and poured a glass of clear water. Vid accepted it, noticing it was the temperature he was most accustomed to, slightly warm.
He slowly drank a few sips, finally feeling better.
Hot water to Vid was akin to chocolate for Harry, having a miraculous effect of curing all woes.
Soon Vid realized his two friends were quietly watching him.
After he put down the glass, Leian said, "Vid, how did you come to fight with the professor to the point of falling unconscious?"
"Yeah, weigh the pros and cons, act accordingly, you often tell us this. Why didn't you leave with Michael and the others during the day?" Theo also asked.
"Hmm..." Vid tilted his head in thought and said, "Got a bit carried away?"
"Oh... I see..."
Theo and Leian both slightly curled their lips, drooped their eyelids, silently conveying—'the explanation is poor, though I'll pretend I believe it.'
Vid couldn't help but laugh a little, then became slightly serious: "Actually, it's because... I feel Professor Abigail isn't like a traditional wizard; she seems trained in a professional, militarized manner."
Theo comprehended, "You mean, she might be another country's... um... Auror?"
Vid shook his head.
"No, what I meant by training is Muggle kind—unrelated to magic, instead physical fitness, combat, reconnaissance, various weaponry... and shooting training."
Leian understood, "You're saying she might have served in a Muggle army? Now I understand why she conducts class like that—she treats students as her soldiers?"
"Is that the style of Muggle armies? Sounds rather brutal." Theo asked curiously.
Leian recalled scenes incidentally seen on television, confirmed and nodded, "Yes, exactly like that."
"Professor Abigail's hobbies sure are unique," Theo said incredulously, "a wizard enduring the hardships of a Muggle army."
Leian turned to Vid, "Is this what you were trying to confirm, so you took this beating?"
Vid remained silent for a moment, said, "She apparently carries a gun... I'm not entirely sure, and couldn't find a chance to approach."
He used all the Plant Magic taught by Professor Sprout but didn't manage to knock the suspected handgun off Professor Abigail.
Theo paused, with a hint of bewilderment on his face, asked, "Gun... what is it?"
Vid was momentarily speechless.
Leian was the first to explain.
"A type of metal magic wand," he said confidently, "a weapon used by Muggles for mutual slaughter."
"... Very dangerous?" Theo continued to ask.
"... If it hits a vital area, it results in death."
Leian tried recalling things his Muggle relatives told him, "But if it hits hands or feet or stomach, it should be akin to creating a hole in the body?"
"Doesn't sound more serious than Harry breaking his arm last time." Theo concluded.
"Very dangerous." Vid said seriously, "Guns are dangerous and very fast, once fired, there's virtually no chance to dodge."
The two Hufflepuffs' expressions turned serious.
"Can the Iron Armor Spell block it?" Theo asked.
"I don't know." Vid said, "And guns differ in type, their power varies greatly."
Leian took a deep breath, "Could she be... like Quirrell, sent by the Mysterious Man or some other power to create trouble at the school..."
"But Hogwarts doesn't have the Philosopher's Stone anymore!" Theo said.
"Hogwarts has things worth coveting, and it's not just the Philosopher's Stone." Vid said, "But Dumbledore employed her, he must be aware of things. Perhaps I could find time to talk to him..."
Just not sure if the Headmaster would still be at the school when morning came.
Abigail was a character never mentioned in the original storyline, Vid knew nothing about her and couldn't feel at ease.
Perhaps Dumbledore knew her background, though in the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom, Vid could never trust this Headmaster's judgment.
—Dumbledore seemed always able to pick out the most problematic one from the crowd.
Even with Remus Lupin, despite Vid trusting and liking this older friend, he believed werewolves were akin to a ticking bomb for the average young wizard.
What's Abigail's background? What's her purpose at Hogwarts? Vid cared about this greatly.
Of course, her "Combat Mage" demeanor and blunt "violent aesthetics" were equally captivating to Vid.
Skill and power were inscribed on that body etched in the firm muscles, like an elegant cheetah displaying its strength.
Vid pinched the muscles on his arm and sighed softly.