RP: Alex and Caractacus Who: Alex Weasley, Poppy Pomfrey, Caractacus Burke Where: St. Mungo's, Ravenclaw Tower and beyond When: 31 October, 2025 Summary: Alex starts finding his way around
It felt odd, getting ready to go back to school from here, not home, but there wasn't a home anymore, was there? This was the way he'd prepare for his last year, leaving the hospital and returning to the dorm he considered home. He felt softness pressed into his hands and took the folded clothing, pushing it into his bag as neatly as he could.
"Here are the things from the bathroom." A small bag. He tucked it in as well.
"My dressing gown is on the bathroom door..." It appeared in his hands as well. He could hear the sound of drawers opening as she checked for stray items. A comb. A pad of paper and the Quill Jamie had sent. Alex tucked them into the side pocket. He'd definitely need those.
The door opened. "Here are the records you needed, Madam Pomfrey. Alex's last notes are in there as well, and here are two weeks worth of his potions." Footsteps brought the Healer closer, and a hand touched his shoulder. "Good luck, love," she said, and Alex smiled, thanking her. "You'll be well looked after, and if you need us, we're always here. Let us know how you're doing, won't you?"
"Sure," he replied with a smile, reaching toward her and finding himself enveloped in a hug. "Thanks. For everything." A cool hand patted his cheek, then squeaky shoes left the room.
Alex zipped his bag and stood, shouldering it.
"Are you ready?" Madam Pomfrey stepped in front of him, and Alex extended a hand. She grasped it and guided it to her elbow, leading the way without steering him like a bicycle. "We'll just step through to the staff point, and Apparate to the gate."
~~~
Chilly damp air assaulted his senses as they landed gate-side, and Alex paused, breathing deeply. He smiled. "It smells like home," he said, then gave the Mediwitch's arm a squeeze.
"It is," she replied, patting his hand, then led the way toward the castle.
~~~
They'd moved seventh-year dorms to the lowest level of the tower, just off the common room, for him, he was sure. Alex found the first bed by the door to contain a pile of his things, and his trunk lay at the foot of it. House elves had unpacked everything there was, and he felt his way through the things, through the dresser, moving things to suit himself so he'd be able to find clothing later. The clothes he'd brought didn't take long to add to the others, and shoes and boots stood neatly under the edge of the bed. Dressing gown across the foot of the bed. Bathroom things in the bedside table.
He'd thanked Madam Pomfrey for her Apparition and her help, but insisted that he could find his way alone since there were no other students to block his way or bump him. Once he was oriented, he'd be able to move about even among other people, he was sure.
And a time-charm let him know the hour. He'd memorised his schedule with the help of the young orderly that brought the meals, and Alex headed out to find the Great Hall. It wasn't quite lunchtime, but it would be where he'd start every morning, so it was the logical first place to go.
He left the tower and headed right for the stairs, counting paces and doorways in his head and creating his own mental image on top of his memories, marked and ready for navigating without sight. He could do this.