Thick Of It

Jason lay on the hospital bed, still groggy and disoriented. As he glanced around the ward, his eyes fell on Ginny Weasley, lying on the bed beside him. Her face was pale, but she seemed to be breathing steadily.

Madam Pomfrey bustled over, her sharp eyes catching Jason's movement.

Madam Pomfrey: "Oh, you're awake, dear. Don't even think about getting up just yet."

Jason tried to prop himself up, but Pomfrey gently pushed him back.

Madam Pomfrey: "Stay put, young man. And when you look at your skin, do not panic."

Jason's brow furrowed as he lifted his arm. His heart skipped a beat when he saw the snake-like texture shimmering faintly on his forearm.

Jason: [dryly] "Well, that's… concerning. Madam, what's happened to me? Am I turning into some sort of... magical reptile?"

Madam Pomfrey: [sighing] "I'll fetch the Headmaster. He'll explain everything."

Pomfrey hurried out of the room, leaving Jason to inspect his new scaly addition.

Moments later, the door opened, and Dumbledore entered, his usual calm demeanor unshaken by Jason's predicament.

Dumbledore: "Ah, young Jason. It seems you've had quite the adventure. How are you feeling?"

Jason: "Like I've been hit by a rampaging Hippogriff, sir. What is this?" [gestures at his arm]

Dumbledore took a seat beside him, his gaze kind but probing.

Dumbledore: "First, I would like you to tell me everything you remember about what happened."

Jason recounted the events in detail .

Jason: "Alright, Professor. Here's what happened, as best as I can recall. I was heading back to the dormitory after spending some time in the library. You know, usual Ravenclaw business—books, notes, possibly overthinking the properties of Gillyweed."

Dumbledore nodded with a small smile, gesturing for him to continue.

Jason: "I passed by the girls' bathroom—you know, the haunted one—and I noticed the door was slightly ajar. I didn't think much of it until I saw Ginny. She was... well, she jumped into this massive hole in the floor. I know it sounds mental, but there it was—plain as day."

Dumbledore's eyes narrowed slightly, though his expression remained neutral.

Jason: "Curiosity got the better of me—stupid, I know—and I followed her. By the time I got to the edge of the hole, it was starting to close. I barely managed to jump in before it sealed behind me. "

Jason paused, running a hand through his hair.

Jason: "I found myself in some sort of underground cave. It was dark, damp, and entirely too snake-themed for my liking. I wanted to go back, but the hole wouldn't budge. No choice but to go forward."

Dumbledore leaned forward slightly, his hands resting on his knees, his gaze piercing yet patient.

Jason: "Eventually, I found Ginny standing under this enormous statue of a man i guess it was Salazar Slytherin. It was imposing, to say the least. I called out to her, asking what this place was and what she was doing there. That's when she attacked me."

Dumbledore's brow furrowed slightly, but he said nothing.

Jason: "At first, it was just spells—basic ones, nothing too complicated. But something about her was... off. Her movements, her voice—it was as if she wasn't fully in control. I managed to dodge most of her spells, and when I finally disarmed her, she looked at me—proper desperate—and asked for help."

Jason's voice softened, his expression growing troubled.

Jason: "That's when I realized she was possessed. It wasn't her; it was something—or someone—controlling her. I didn't know what to do, but I tried to talk to her, tried to snap her out of it. Then... then her demeanor changed completely. Her voice—it was like Harry's during the Dueling Club, when he spoke Parseltongue. She hissed something, and suddenly, this massive snake appeared."

Dumbledore's expression grew graver, though he still said nothing, allowing Jason to continue.

Jason: "It was a , big snake? It lunged at me, and I did my best to fight it off. I used every spell I could think of—everything I've learned and even some I hadn't quite mastered. I managed to hold my own for a bit, but then... well, something hit me. Hard. Next thing I know, I'm waking up here."

Jason sighed, leaning back against the pillows.

Jason: "And that's about it, sir. I don't know what happened after I blacked out ."

Dumbledore sat in contemplative silence for a moment before finally speaking.

Dumbledore: "Thank you for sharing this, Jason. It takes great courage to recount such a harrowing experience. You've done well, my boy. Very well indeed."

Dumbledore: [stroking his beard thoughtfully] "A fascinating account. You've shown remarkable courage, Jason, but tell me—did you look the snake in the eyes?"

Jason: [nodding hesitantly] "Yes, sir, I think I did."

Dumbledore's eyes narrowed slightly. His piercing gaze locked on Jason, and with a subtle flick of his mind, he attempted Legilimency. However, Jason's Occlumency training kicked in, his surface thoughts focused solely on his bewilderment over his scaly predicament.

Dumbledore: [with a raised eyebrow] "Curious indeed. Tell me, Jason who are your parents ?"

Jason : " they are dead sir , a house robbery gone wrong " .

Dumbeldore : " soory jason , then who raised you jason boy ? ."

Jason: "i was adopted by a witch , sir . She goes by Q."

Dumbledore: "A peculiar name. A remarkable woman, no doubt."

Jason: [shrugging] "She's… unique. Sir, am I in trouble for what happened?"

Dumbledore: [smiling gently] "Not at all. You acted with bravery in trying to help Miss Weasley. As for your skin..." [he gestures] "...that appears to be a consequence of the ritual harry interrupted. A failure on its part, thankfully, but not without side effects."

Jason : " harry was there sir is he okay ? "

Dumbeldore : " he is okay " .

Jason looked at his arm again, unease etched on his face.

Jason: "People are going to notice this, sir. They're going to talk."

Dumbledore: "Worry not, Jason. We have means to address this."

Dumbledore retrieved a small vial of potion and his wand.

Dumbledore: "This is an advanced spell and potion combination we use for such occurrences. It won't cure the issue entirely, but it will render the effects invisible for the time being."

He demonstrated the charm and explained its components:

Dumbledore: "The spell, 'Illusio Pelles,' creates an illusion over your skin. Paired with the potion, 'Illusory Incarnation,' it ensures a convincing disguise."

Jason watched in awe as his snake-like texture faded, replaced by his normal skin.

Jason: [grinning] "That's… incredible."

Dumbledore chuckled softly.

Dumbledore: "You're free to obtain the potion from Professor Snape and request the spell from Professor Flitwick when needed. I do hope, however, the magical energy from the ritual dissipates over time. Should the effects persist, we will consult St. Mungo's."

Jason relaxed slightly, nodding his understanding.

Jason: "Thank you, sir. For everything."

Dumbledore: "You've shown great resilience, Jason. Remember, Hogwarts is a home to all who seek it. Now, rest. I believe your friends will be visiting shortly."

====

Jason lay back on his hospital bed, staring at the ceiling as the faint smell of potions and antiseptics wafted through the hospital wing. The feeling of his newly transformed skin weighed on him heavily, despite the charm and potion masking its appearance. His mind buzzed with everything Dumbledore had said .

As he pondered, a faint clamor of footsteps echoed outside. The door creaked open, and a group of familiar faces entered: Harry, Ron, Hermione, and his close friends—Simon, Vik, Tobi, and Freya.

Ron: [grinning as he walked in] "Blimey, Jason! We thought you'd gone full snake on us. You alright, mate?"

Jason: [sitting up slightly] "Well, I've definitely had better days. If I hiss at you, feel free to whack me."

Harry: [approaching quietly] "Jason, I… I didn't know you were caught up in all this. I should've realized something was wrong when I saw Ginny acting strange."

Jason: [shaking his head] "No, Harry. This wasn't your fault. I followed her into that chamber because I was curious, and, well, you know how that ended. Besides, you were the one who saved her. I just played the part of the decoy."

Hermione: [raising an eyebrow] "Decoy? Jason, Madam Pomfrey told us about the basilisk. You fought it! Honestly, what were you thinking?"

Jason: [grinning cheekily] "That I didn't want to be snake food, mostly."

Simon: [gaping] "Wait, wait, wait. You fought the basilisk? As in, the giant death-snake? Mate, I can't even chase off garden snakes without screaming like a first-year."

Jason: [mockingly thoughtful] "It was more of a strategic retreat... followed by some, uh, 'improvised choreography.'"

Vik: "And now you've got snake skin? You really like to commit to a theme, don't you?"

Jason: "It's a look, isn't it? I might start a trend—scaly ."

Freya: [playfully smacking Vik's arm] "Stop teasing him. Jason, you were incredibly brave. And, honestly, a bit daft."

Tobi: [nodding] "Seconded. Brave, but definitely daft. What happens now? Are you going to keep the snake scales? Could be useful if someone throws rocks at you."

Jason: [snorting] "I'll pass. Dumbledore gave me this potion and a spell to hide it. Apparently, it'll fade over time. If it doesn't, well, I'll just have to start a fashion revolution."

Hermione: [thoughtfully] "Jason, rituals are highly advanced magic. You're lucky to have survived. Whatever that spirit was attempting, it's a miracle it didn't have worse effects."

Harry: [quietly] "It was Voldemort. Or a memory of him, anyway. He was the one behind it all, through the diary."

The group fell silent for a moment, the weight of Harry's words settling over them.

Ron: [breaking the tension] "Well, at least we've all survived to tell the tale. Though, Jason, next time you see a giant snake, maybe try running the other way?"

Jason: [grinning] "Oh, believe me, that was the original plan. The snake just had other ideas."

Hermione: "You should rest, Jason. Madam Pomfrey will have our heads if we keep you up too long."

Jason: [leaning back with a dramatic sigh] "Fine, fine. But if I hear anyone calling me 'Serpent Boy,' you'll be the first to hear about it."

As the group began to leave, Ron lingered by Jason's bedside.

Ron: "Jason, thanks for what you did down there. You didn't have to follow Ginny, but you did. That means a lot."

Jason: [smiling] "Just returning the favor, mate. Now, go on—get some rest yourself. You look like you've been through the wringer."