Harry Potter - Series Fan Fiction ❯ Harry Potter and the Dark Messanger ❯ The Halloween Scare ( Chapter 5 )

Chapter 5 The Halloween Scare

 

 

Harry was doing well with school, except Divination which he refused to do any work in. He had been getting top marks in everything, even surpassed Hermione twice in Charms. Snape was even more impressed with Harry and was giving him a hard time, worse then ever. “Well Potter if you're trying to make your Mother proud then you should expect more.” Even with the criticism Harry was getting E's and O's on every potion. When they walked into potions that day there were four cauldrons in the room each one with a different potion. Hermione, Monica, Devin, and Harry went to their usual table with a black cauldron bubbling with a gold colored potion that smelled like a laundry room too Harry. The other Gryffindors sat next to them with a blue cauldron with an orange colored potion that seemed as thick as pudding. The Slytherin went to the remaining tables in the back with a blue potion and a purple potion.

 

Professor Snape walked in glad to see where everyone was, he had put the potions in that order for a reason. “As you see each potion is different, who knows what the back one is?” Hermione raised her hand faster then anyone could blink. “Yes Potter?” Hermione lowered her hand as Harry answered.

 

“Draught of the Living Dead, a powerful sleeping potion used for those who can't sleep. Usually associated with Dark Wizards as anything more then a teaspoon will cause a person to go into a coma with a chance to wake up depending on how much they took. It may also make the person fall asleep the second they take it if made to strong even if they take less then the amount recommended.” Snape Sneered.

 

“Very good Potter, maybe your snogging sessions have sucked some of the brains out of Granger, 1 point for Gryffindor.” Harry seethed, an answer like that would have gotten Slytherin 10 points, and his snide comment on Hermione… “Now what is this one?” He pointed to the second Slytherin table. Harry raised his hand this time when he saw Hermione hadn't. “Ok Potter, trying to show off are you? Let's see if you know what you are doing.” Harry smiled, he knew this.

 

“That would be from the color and the sheen it gives off a Polirt Potion, used for liver conditions since wizards are not about to go to a muggle doctor for a transplant even if it meant a permanent cure.” Snape sneered; again, not that it ever left his face.

 

“Very good another point for Gryffindor. Since you didn't mention the side effects I'll assume you don't know that if made incorrectly it causes sudden vomiting and the person usually needs to go to a hospital for it. Now the third one I want to know Potter, is it something else you know?” Harry nodded.

 

“Yes Sir I do. It is used as a skin crème for those who burn easily, also used by Vampires to allow them to go outside in the day which is how it got the name Vampiros Cream, you can tell by how thick it is and the orange color believed to be best for reflecting sunlight. If made wrong it causes the person's skin to burn quite severely almost as though it was burnt with fire.” Snape stopped sneering; apparently he had not expected Harry to get it right.

 

“Alright Potter another point for Gryffindor. Now let's see if you haven't sucked all her brains out. Granger what is the potion at your table?” He started sneering again. Hermione looked up ready to yell some impolite things but caught herself.

 

“Sir I think it is a Dream Suppressor, used to help people sleep without dreams. It was discovered after the side effects of the first potion Harry identified were discovered. But if done wrong it increases the nightmares, in one case of Millen the Lesser went insane from his nightmares when he forgot to add the crushed dragon scales after and not before the Migrint Ivy.” He stopped sneering; the Gryffindor knew something he hadn't learned until after he graduated from Hogwarts, at least not correctly.

 

“Very good Granger 1 point for correctly identifying it and 1 point for its history and the Millen the Lesser story.” The Gryffindors were amazed, they had gotten 5 points in one potion class it was a record. “I am very disappointed that none of my students knew any of this, 5 points from Slytherin.” This caused a gasp from the Slytherin's, Snape taking points from them? Impossible… “Now for today's class you will be making each of these. If you get it wrong I have the antidote here. If you get it wrong and I feel it was on purpose since you know I have antidotes to them you will suffer the side effects. We will split you up into pairs, with Neville using a rat for his partner since we are short a Gryffindor.” Harry and Hermione flinched at the mention of Ron, or the lack of Ron. “Let's see, Crabbe and Goyle, Parkinson and Malfoy, Granger and Potter…” He continued until everyone was partnered up seemingly with the one person they would try more then anything to hurt. “Now you have until end of class or you will lose your House 50 points for each group not finished or doesn't pass. Begin!” Everyone rushed to start the potions they were assigned not wanting to lose points or hurt the person they were making them for. Snape hovered around Devin and Monica commenting on Devin like he always did. Why he hated Devin so much Harry wasn't sure.

 

Harry was making his, stirring in the ingredients. He was getting frustrated with himself, he wanted to defend Hermione but that wouldn't be like a man, would it? He couldn't lose his anger, but he had to defend Hermione. Getting mad he lost count of how many times he had stirred and nearly yelled at his cauldron when he threw his stirrer in the wrong direction. Amazingly the potion became more golden, more laundry room smell. He continued to stir it in the wrong direction according to the book but was amazed even more when in half the time it took Hermione he had made the potion. “Very impressive Potter, your Mother did the same thing when she…” Snape stopped talking his face in pain. “Never mind that Potter, but know that the instructions are there for a reason, something your Father found out.” Walking away Harry started to worry, what did Snape mean? If his Mother had done it then it must be good, even if the instructions said different. But if it was better then why were the instructions different? He was giving this to Hermione, remembering the side effects if done wrong were worse nightmares.

 

“I'd rather lose 50 points then hurt her, but its color, the texture, the smell, its perfect!” He thought to himself deciding not too worry. Waiting for the rest too finish he went through his potions book reading it even though he already had over the summer when he was bored. He looked over at Hermione's cauldron, nearly done, looked almost the same as his, same with Monica's and Devin's. Hermione gave a few more stirs and stopped, her potion was just like his even if it took and extra twenty minutes of stirring.

 

Snape rang a bell signifying that time was up and everyone was too stop. He first went to Crabbe and Goyle who failed horribly. Leaving them there he went to Pansy and Draco, who also failed. “Well then, sleep tight while I finish this up. 50 points from Slytherin, each.” The rest of the class couldn't believe it; the Gryffindors nearly jumped up and applauded Snape. “Now for you four should I get buckets ready?” Thankfully all but one failed, causing another 50 points to be taken from Slytherin but the smell down. “Now we have Neville, my favorite student. Here is the rat, if it dies 100 points from Gryffindor.” The three remaining Slytherins not asleep or in Snape's office retching smiled at the supposed happy news. Neville daringly reached his hand into his cauldron and started to slather it on the rat. Hermione gasped when she thought the potion had gone wrong and it was burning Neville.

 

“Neville what were you thinking! We should get Madam Pomfrey down here fast.” Neville shook his hand which revealed a rat biting down onto his hand, not smoldering burning skin.

 

“Well then Neville you made it right and showed true courage reaching in yourself to see if it would be safe for the rat, 20 points for Gryffindor.” 25 points in one Potions class, while 250 had been taken from Slytherin, who killed Snape and wore his skin? The others not so brave used spoons and only one started to turn red but didn't burn. “While not perfect it didn't burn, you need to stir more next time, 10 points from Gryffindor.” Down to 15 was still better then anything they had done before.

 

Snape went to the last table, Harry, Monica, Devin, and Granger. “Now for this we won't know until you sleep so I will grade you tomorrow.” Devin took Monica's potion and Monica his. Harry shuddered at what would happen if Devin had a nightmare.

 

“Would his abilities still be active if he was sleeping?” He hoped not.

 

“Well it seems the American schools aren't as bad as everyone says. If you were in the third year I would almost be impressed.” Snape sneered at Devin trying to get to him. It was Harry's turn and swigged Hermione's potion down with no worry it was Hermione no way she got it wrong. Now it was Hermione's turn that also seemed to have no worries unlike Harry. “Alright then I hope you are truthful for tomorrow when you see me before breakfast. If you lie I will know by the lack of sleep you and your roommates get.” Well there's one thing going for Harry since him and Hermione had been sleeping on the couch so her nightmares wouldn't wake her roommates to begin with.

 

“Hermione I know I will sleep well tonight, so will you.” He was damn sure of it; his potion was perfect, even better then Snape's or Hermione's.

 

 

It was nearly eleven before everyone went to bed, at least the ones who slept in their dorm rooms. Harry and Hermione stayed on the couch like they had every night after the rest of Gryffindor, and the school, knew about them. “Harry thanks for making the potion for me.” She kissed Harry.

 

“But it was an assignment Honey, although I would have made it anyways if I had known about it. Maybe I could make another one tomorrow, and the next day.” She smiled and kissed him again.

 

“It's ok Harry if I just get one night alone from the nightmares I'm sure they will go away.” She looked sure of herself; she needed one night of restful sleep.

 

“Alright Honey.” He yawned hoping she was right. Laying next to her he slowly fell asleep when he heard “The hour of terror will come.” It was the voice from before, every time him and Hermione were almost caught, or Cho…

 

Nearing 3am Harry woke up to something that sounded unholy. Feeling for Hermione he realized she wasn't there. “Honey?” He looked around still waking up when he felt something hit him in the back hard knocking the breath from his lungs. “What the hell was that for?!” He coughed turning around to see Ginny with a large stick, almost like an American Bat. (Round not flat like in Cricket)

 

“What do you think that was for you son of a bitch, or should I say bitch shagger?” She swung and missed his head by mere inches as Harry rolled backwards.

 

“Where is she? Where's Hermione? What did you do to her?” He looked around in a panic.

 

“That piece of shag meat? I put a spell on her so she wouldn't wake up. You should have heard the screams coming from her, the nightmare was worse then anything I could have done. Well, unless I kill you, then I'll wake her up and show her your body before I kill her.” She swung again fire blazing in her eyes. Something broke with a crash as Ginny swung the bat like an axe.

 

“Where did you get that? How the hell did you get that in Hogwarts?” Harry dodged another swing wondering where his wand was.

 

“Monica of course, that American ditz said she use to play. Now how about you take what's coming and die!” She swung again hitting him in the arm shattering it. Normally an injury like this would hurt but Harry had felt pain before, this was nothing.

 

“Stop it Ginny before they expel you for attacking a Prefect.”

 

“Two Prefects, and I won't be expelled for attacking you since you will be dead,” She swung the bat again “And Monica will be the one in trouble, this isn't my bat after all.” Harry didn't know what to do as he kept dodging Ginny's wild swings. “The weakest point of all, hit it and she will fall.” Harry shook his head, what did the voice mean? “Because of you and the slut my family is broken! You deserve this Potter and you know it!” She swung again aiming for his head. He went behind a table and tossed it over to create a shield from Ginny. He started patting at his pockets wondering what he had done with his wand. “Oh I see why you won't fight back you don't have your wand. Well sorry to tell you Potter but last I saw it was in the fireplace.” She did another axe swing but was stopped by Harry's arm as the bone shattered. He wrapped his broken arms around the bat and yanked it out her hands throwing it away. “You think that will stop me?” She drew her wand. “Crucio!” Harry felt the pain unlike any other. The pains in his arms from the shattered bones were nothing to this. Harry started to scream but stopped when he realized that yes it hurt, no pain compared to this, but his mind was numb to it. His brain seemed to tingle, float away, all the pain he had felt in life was nothing compared to this Unforgivable Curse, but he barely felt it.

 

“Ginny, stop it now and I won't tell anyone you did that.” She was dumbfounded; he was supposed to be on the floor screaming in pain.

 

“HOW!? I guess you don't have enough human left in you to feel pain Potter.” She tossed her wand away walking towards him.

 

“Don't Ginny, I'm sorry, you don't want to do this. You'll go to Azkaban if you do this and your family will lose another member, please don't do this…” She stopped in mid pace seemingly having walked into a wall. She started walking then stopped another step and stopped. With a blood curling scream she collapsed as the portrait hole opened. No one came in, but no one left, or did they? He looked into the fire seeing his wand was in front of it, not in it, and collapsed.

 

He lay there arms hurting him not being able to move them. Ginny was on the ground passed out. He could hear screams coming from the outside. “Hermione! Wait Honey I'm coming, I swear I am.” He started to stand up trying not to use his arms and shambled over to the portrait hole still ajar. Getting out into the hallway he saw Hermione on the ground eyes open in sheer terror. “The hour of terror is coming. Is that what he meant?” He went over to Hermione unable to touch her. “Hermione I'm here I can't hold you because my arms, they are broken, I'm sorry I wasn't there, get up Hermione, we need help, all three of us.” He broke down next to her wishing his arms weren't broken… “What the?” He felt his arms moving strangely, popping and cracking noises coming from them. The pain went away, he could move his arms, and he knew he had done it. “Here Hermione I'll help you.” He picked her up and started walking towards Madam Pomfrey's office.

 

 

The news of another attack involving the same two spread through the school faster then the last one. Rumors even said it was a Weasly who did it. Harry was laying next to Cho while Hermione was in another part of the room. “Harry what happened?” Cho was trying to make small talk, being in the hospital since her fall very few people had visited her.

 

“Ginny attacked us with a bat. I don't think it was her though someone was controlling her.” Cho coughed still trying to get back to full health.

 

“Oh, sorry.” Harry was worried about what they were going to do too Ginny, it wasn't her fault he was sure of it. Someone had her under the Imperius Curse and broke it when they left the Gryffindor Tower.

 

“Don't be Cho, it wasn't your fault, or Ginny's, or Hermione's.” He stared at the ceiling.

 

“What about you? It isn't your fault Harry.” Harry wasn't sure of this since it was his fault what happened to Ron or so he thought.

 

“Maybe Cho, but they wouldn't have put Ginny under the curse if it wasn't for me.” It was also his fault that Hermione was in the other room according to him. “I don't get it, I did the potion perfectly, there was nothing wrong with it, the potion was perfect! Why did she have nightmares?” He shook his head trying not to blame himself even more. His arms had healed themselves and was only there because Madam Pomfrey told him to stay when Ginny told her she had broken Harry's arms. He was about to be released when Dumbledore and McGonagall came down to see him. Harry wanted to tell them that it wasn't Ginny but they beat him to the punch.

 

“Don't worry Harry we know she was under the Imperius Curse.” Harry sighed relief as did surprisingly Cho.

 

“I see you two have been talking.” They both nodded. “We have sent Ginny to St. Mungo's after removing the spell and Hermione is in a special room.” Harry looked at Dumbledore with a death stare.

 

“Special? What happened to her? Tell me!” He started to get up but stopped when Dumbledore stuck his hand out forcing Harry to fall back.

 

“She was hurt Harry when Ginny kept her asleep. Professor Snape tells me you were supposed to make a certain potion that would help her sleep without dreams and failed. He won't be taking 50 points off Gryffindor and gave her the antidote so the nightmares won't be as powerful as they were last night.” Harry pounded the bed with a fist.

 

“I don't care about points I care about her! Let me out of here so I can see her.” He thought about sitting up again and didn't when he saw Dumbledore raising his hand again just in case.

 

“Not yet Harry. Her mind was hurt by the dreams, they were stronger then normal ones from what she told me. She is normal at some times and at others is literally out of her mind. She will heal when the antidote takes affect and Professor Snape gives her a proper Dream Suppresser we hope. Just so you know Harry your potion was perfect but you let it sit to long. Your mother did the same thing when she was here except James wasn't put under a spell to make it impossible to wake up. If it sits for more then ten minutes it becomes the exact opposite which is why you are supposed to follow the instructions in class for they are made for the class time.” Harry looked down in his lap hating himself and his impatience, he didn't want to hurt Hermione, it was the last thing he wanted to do, but he had hurt her horribly so. “Don't blame yourself Harry James Potter that is an order from your Headmaster!” Harry flinched “And know that not only was it not your fault you saved Ginny years in Azkaban. She said she wasn't able to throw the Imperius Curse off until you hit her with her weak spot, family.” Harry couldn't believe it, that's what the voice meant when it said “The weakest point of all, hit it and she will fall.”

 

“She performed an Unforgivable Curse on me when she was under another; please tell me she won't be punished for it.” Dumbledore looked up.

 

“No Harry she won't be punished for something she had no control over. McGonagall has a question for you though Harry.” McGonagall walked to the bed with a stern look on her face.

 

“Miss Weasly tells me she attacked you before, with a large kitchen knife, and yet you did not report this.” Harry nodded.

 

“She didn't hurt me, she was mad about what I did to Ron. I got her to Madam Pomfrey I just didn't tell anyone who attacked her.” McGonagall crossed her arms.

 

“You didn't attack her Mr. Potter, you defended yourself and if you had reported this we would have known about the Imperius Curse before last night.” Harry slumped down, something else that was his fault.

 

“How many detentions do I serve Professor McGonagall, I'll do twice as many as you give me, three times as many, I'll spend the rest of my time in detention, I deserve it. Everything I touch turns to shit, everyone I care about get stuck in hell.” McGonagall surprised Cho when she went over and hugged Harry.

 

“No it isn't Harry; this is all Voldemort's fault. You gave this world fourteen years of peace from him Harry; you have no idea how great those years were for the wizarding world.” She held him like a mother would, like his Mother would have if she could as he cried. “Dumbledore we should check on Miss Granger soon, do you have them?” Dumbledore nodded his head and took out the necklace and bracelet.

 

“Harry, she told us to give these to you for safe keeping. I am interested though where you got the pendant but that can wait for another time.” Dumbledore set them on the table between Harry and Cho. Cho looked at them in amazement; she had never seen things so beautiful.

 

“Wow Harry, those are beautiful, Hermione is lucky to have you.” She felt jealous of what Hermione had; a handsome boyfriend who was willing to do anything to make her better. A boyfriend who had bought her such beautiful jewelry, something Cedric had done after their first time. She rubbed the ring on her finger; the small gold band was something Cedric had given her the night before the last task after they had made love for the first time, the only time.

 

“I don't care Cho, they are nothing compared to her. I would melt them down and give them to Draco Malfoy if it meant Hermione never had to hurt again.” Harry was trying not to cry, trying to focus his rage, his fury, his hurt on the objects.

 

“Don't say that Harry, Dumbledore ordered you not to blame yourself. You blame yourself for everything when it's Voldemort's fault! If he didn't exist you could live a normal life, a happy life, with those you loved. I don't want to hear you blame yourself Harry for it isn't your fault!” She nearly jumped out of the bed to smack some sense into him. “Those are beautiful things for a beautiful woman given to her by a beautiful soul. Do you really think she blames you or those objects? She blames the person who hurt her and you and all her friends, Voldemort.” Harry shook his head.

 

“No, she blames Ron, that bastard tried to rape her, she wouldn't tell me everything that happened when I was knocked out but I saw how she was when I woke up, he was going to rape her.” Cho lost her breath, no one really knew what had happened exactly and she was the first student to find out.

 

“That's horrible, that can't be true, she was his friend, why would he do something like that!?” Cho was panicked, she had thought of asking Ron out on a date when he got back thinking he had just been injured severely.

 

“Hermione won't tell me but it has to be, her shirt was torn, her bra was gone, he had his belt off, using it to choke her. When he saw I was awake he said I could watch, he thought I would want to see him do that. He was my best friend and I had to use magic to stop him from raping Hermione.” The images returned to his head, the blood, the screaming, Ron on top of her ripping her shirt and trying to get her clothes off so he could hurt her more. His rage building an invisible wind came into the room, Cho's hair charged with power coming from Harry, things started to shake, fell off shelves.

 

“Harry don't do that!” This time Cho did get out of bed only this time she wanted to calm him. She hugged him, something she had wanted to do all summer, ever since she saw Cedric dead and the brave man who brought him back so his parents could bury him. “It's ok Harry it is not your fault.” She cooed to him trying to calm him and it worked. “It's going to be ok Harry, she loves you and you love her, in the words of John Lennon `All you need is love'.” Harry looked up at her.

 

“How the hell do you know about the Beatles?” Both laughed and she explained to him that Cedric had loved old muggle music. Harry winced every time she said Cedric remembering how he had killed him, which showed on his face.

 

“Harry don't you dare blame yourself for his death when you saw with your own eyes Voldemort did it. You told Dumbledore that so it must be true, you would never lie to him, no one could.” She patted his back both crying over Cedric, over losses never known to the other, over emotions needing to be released.

 

 

Getting out of the hospital Harry had no idea why the Great Hall was covered in black, everyone was dressed in black, and everything was black. Sitting down at the table that was now missing Ron, Ginny, and Hermione Harry asked Devin what was going on. “Harry; Hogsmeade was attacked by Death Eaters and Trolls and reports say even a Manticore. They say it lasted an hour exactly.” Oh god, the attack on him and Hermione wasn't the “Hour of Terror” but an attack on Hogsmeade. “How many died?” Devin shook his head.

 

“We don't know, some of the trolls and Manticore were eating their victims. The lowest estimate is a few dozen but that is just the ones they know that died without any of the ones who burnt to death or were eaten.” Harry couldn't believe he had been warned that this would happen and he did nothing!

 

“My fault, it's my fault again, everything is my fault.” Harry didn't eat, he didn't drink, barely breathed trying not to cry over his failures, his faults, his disease that spread to everyone and everything he loved.

 

 

Going back to class with his best friends gone, his girlfriend gone, all being his fault was horrible. Harry failed to transfigure his bean bag into a cushion, Harry failed to charm a pencil to turn different colors, Harry failed to eat at breakfast and lunch, Harry just failed. Getting into Care of Magical Creatures he hoped it was something that could kill him. “Ello class gather round please.” Hagrid had a small cage filled with what looked like fairy people with bat wings. “These are called Dark Angels because of the wings and their nocturnal nature. Does anyone know what they feed on?” Harry waited for Hermione to raise her hand then saw she wasn't there.

 

“Uh, insects?”

 

“Very good `Arry, these types do feed on insects while others feed on small rodents, fish, and some reptiles. Now those type are larger and more dangerous so I wasn't allowed ter show you.” Hagrid went on about different ways to catch them, where they lived, Harry heard none of it. Going to dinner again he didn't eat and went to his dorm before anyone was done. He hadn't slept there for awhile and fell asleep quickly in the bed as the nightmares crept in.

 

“Mister Harry Potter Sir, wake up!” Harry felt someone on top of him, someone very small.

 

“Dobby? What the bloody hell are you doing?” Harry pushed Dobby who bounced off of Harry's chest and onto the floor.

 

“Mister Harry Potter Sir I have letters for you, your owl came in but couldn't get to you so it went to Professor Dumbledore and He told me to give these to you.” Dobby stuck a hand out with four letters.

 

“Thanks Dobby sorry about yelling at you.” Harry sat up trying to figure out who would write him.

 

“It's ok Mister Harry Potter Sir, you would never mean me harm.” Crack Dobby disappeared.

 

“Wait Hermione said you can't Apparate inside of Hogwarts.” Hermione… “This is her hand writing! She must be ok!” He tore the envelope open and started to read the letter.

 

 

Dear Harry

 

I miss you so much Harry! I wanted to leave today but they said not yet, they want to make sure I won't act different. Maybe tomorrow I'll be able to see you, hold you, I miss you so much.

 

I can't believe someone did that to Ginny, how? Who in our school would know how to do a powerful spell like that without getting caught? I mean sure I probably could, or you, but we are different. Professor McGonagall says she is going to talk to you tomorrow, maybe she will bring me with her.

 

I love you Harry and I know you are blaming yourself for what happened, DON'T! If I get back and you don't kiss me I will hex you into next week! Sorry, I just know you are hurting because you thought this was your fault. They told me you have my things, I miss them too, the weight on my neck and wrist, the warmth I get from knowing you gave them to me. I love you Harry don't forget that.

 

Love With all My Heart;

Hermione

 

Tearing open the next letter he saw it was Ginny's hand writing. He didn't want to read it, he thought of what had happened and didn't need to know how horrible he was, how much it was his fault. Throwing the letter away he went to the next one and didn't recognize the hand writing so he read it.

 

Too Harry

 

Harry thank you for saving my baby. She was under the Imperius Curse and you freed her…

 

It was from Molly Weasly! She was thanking him for saving Ginny. “What? It was my fault it happened, if I had told Professor Flitwick after the first attack she would have been ok.” He continued reading.

 

…from it. She said she was mad at herself for not fighting it, she says she didn't want to fight it. She blames you for what happened for Ron but I don't, neither does Arthur or anyone else here. We are just happy he is getting help, that Ginny is safe. We owed you her life when you saved her from the Basilisk, we owe you Ron's from the Dementors, and now you have saved them again. If there is anything you need or want please ask us Harry, you are one of the family and more.

 

Love From All Of Us;

The Weasly's

 

He opened the next one seeing it was McGonagall's and was the shortest and even without McGonagall there he could feel the authority.

 

Too Harry James Potter

 

You are expected to meet me in front of the Headmaster's office after Lunch. You are excused from History of Magic.

 

Professor McGonagall

 

Harry set it down on the two he hadn't thrown away. “I am in trouble, it's all my fault, maybe now they will expel me knowing I am a disease.” He thought of #4 Privet Drive and being forced to live there until he turned 17, never seeing Hogwarts again, never seeing Hagrid, Hermione, Ron, or anyone else. “Good, I won't be able to hurt anyone else.” He started to cry glad no one else was in the dorm room since they were at the Great Hall for breakfast.

 

 

Harry went to Dumbledore's office when he was suppose to, not that he went to lunch after classes just went straight there. He was sitting on the floor feeling worse then before, his stomach hurt from lack of eating anything which he felt he deserved. He was sitting there when McGonagall and Dumbledore showed up from lunch. “There you are Potter. I was worried when I didn't see you at lunch, I guess I forgot I said before lunch.” Harry shook his head standing up

 

“No it said after but I wasn't hungry.” His stomach growled showing that he lied.

 

“Well I have some toffee and delicious pie from my brother we can share.” Dumbledore shook Harry's hand leading him in. Harry sat down waiting for the news. He had sat here several times scared that he was going to be expelled and now he wanted those words to leave Dumbledore's mouth. “Harry we have things to discuss that may take awhile are you sure you don't want to eat?” Harry put his hand up showing Dumbledore he wasn't interested in the blueberry pie. “I thought you would like to know your friend will return sometime in the winter term. His problems were severe and we have had problems healing him since it was his mind that needed it, not his body. When he does return he will first be kept in the Teachers Quarters until we believe he is ready to sleep in his old dorm room. The reason McGonagall is here is that Hermione had something she wanted to show you. I would have been glad to have helped but she said she wanted a woman to do it. Professor McGonagall?” Dumbledore motioned to McGonagall. She pulled a large box out opening it, it held a Pensieve!

 

“She wanted to show you what happened when you were unconscious, and when she comes back Ginny. I am sure you don't want to know and probably already guessed what Ron was attempting to do. But Hermione said you have too, and while I don't agree after watching it I am too keep my word.” Harry's skin went white and clammy, he knew what Ron was going to do, he didn't want to see what happened, he was going to refuse, he had too, but Hermione wanted him to see.

 

“Alright, if Hermione wants me to. Did she say why though?” McGonagall shook her head.

 

“No, she just told me you would know why.” Harry leaned over the Pensieve and went into that night, Hermione's birthday, telling Ron about them, how it all went wrong.

 

“Hands off Harry you mud blooded traitor!” Harry saw Ron get between him and Hermione. It was strange watching it when he knew what was going to happen. “What was that Ron? Little Kiddy Ron who's about to lose his only friends if he doesn't shut up and listen.”

 

“No Hermione, don't make him mad.” Harry nearly yelled it knowing it wouldn't help. He saw Ron try to protect him calling Hermione a Death Eater before Hermione had pushed him into Harry. Watching Ron beg for his life was appalling to Harry; Ron actually thought they would hurt him. Ron sat down back against the wall while Pensieve Harry and Hermione tried to explain to him what was going on. “Here it comes…”

 

“I'm Hermione's boyfriend you Immature Brainless Git!” Ron's laughter surprised him again, this time not because he was laughing but that it didn't sound like Ron. Harry didn't want to watch even with Hermione telling him too, he knew what happened even if Ron had knocked him out for most of it, and there it was. Ron lunging at Hermione knocking Harry down and out.

 

“This is the part I didn't see…”

 

“There you dirty blood bitch, what are you going to do now that Harry broke your curse? We are going to punish you for this; even if you were our friend you aren't getting away clean Death Eater.” Harry saw Ron on top of Hermione, spitting in her face. Harry wanted to do something but he couldn't and it was driving the rage in him wild. “Ron stop, you don't know what you're doing!” Hermione was begging Ron to stop, Harry wanted to help her but he saw his body still laid out on the ground with some blood coming from his head.

 

“I don't want to watch anymore, please stop this.” Begging some more nothing happened. Harry collapsed on the ground not wanting to watch but couldn't tear his eyes away.

 

“Yeah bitch, I'll show you what it's like being with `Little Kiddy Ron' and after I get done with you Harry can have a go at what's left. I know I shouldn't have told Harry I knew you were a Death Eater, he trusted you to much. It's my fault he had to follow you like a puppy down here but now we get our revenge!” Ron had stopped punching her letting Harry sigh relief but what he did next was worse. Harry saw Ron groping Hermione, hurting her, laughing at her.

 

“I don't want to see this! Why am I watching this?!” His eyes were hurting from not blinking. He looked at Hermione's eyes seeing fear, terror, death starting to creep over them after Ron had punched her more causing her to bleed horribly.

 

“Let's see if you were a good girl or not bitch.” Harry didn't want to look where Ron's hand went and looked at Ron's eyes.

 

“No they aren't Ron's eyes, that isn't his laugh, something's wrong with him. It isn't Ron.” That's it! “Please let me out, I saw what she wanted me to see, let me out!” Harry begged to the air watching Ron hurt Hermione even more. He didn't want to watch Ron stomp on Hermione, choking her with the belt, it was to much for him. He started to vomit but with no food it was stomach acids burning his throat. He stopped before he felt a pulling feeling, collapsing in a chair.

 

“I'm sorry Harry, I'm so sorry.” McGonagall held Harry rocking him back and forth, just like he had with Hermione on the couch. Dumbledore let this go on for what seemed to Harry an eternity.

 

“Harry, what was it she wanted you to see?” Dumbledore asked coldly trying not to cry himself after watching from outside the Pensieve.

 

“His eyes, it wasn't Ron, something was wrong with him. His eyes weren't his.” Harry sunk down into the chair when McGonagall let go. His throat and mouth still burned.

 

“He wasn't under the Imperius Curse Harry, it was him.” Harry shook his head.

 

“No it wasn't. He wasn't under the curse but he wasn't himself. It was like in the first year when Quirrel was possessed by Voldemort, he was Quirrel but not.” Harry became more worried for Ron then before wondering what would happen to Ron. “You said he might be coming back for the Winter Term?” Dumbledore nodded. “Alright, can I write him? I want to know how he is doing.” At this Dumbledore told him no.

 

“Another thing Potter,” McGonagall was speaking again “Ginny told us her first attack on you was of her own doing. She said she attacked you with a kitchen knife and you stopped her, passing her off to Professor Flitwick. I asked him and he said you didn't know who had stunned her. Is this true?” Harry nodded his head feeling some of the weight come off hearing that Ginny wasn't under the curse for weeks. “Harry that was very dangerous! What if she had gone into your dorm when you were asleep with a knife? Or the night she attacked you with a bat, even if she was under the curse it worked so well because she wanted you dead.” Giving him one of her patented looks Dumbledore interrupted. “Harry you need to get back down to your tower until dinner. Eat Harry, I know you haven't, just like young Cho wasn't.”

 

“But why am I not being expelled? Everything bad that's happened this year is my fault! I am a plague, everything I touch dies one way or another, I don't deserve to stay.” McGonagall simply said.

 

“Harry if you blame yourself for these things you will be the one that dies inside. But you aren't Harry so stop blaming yourself, its You-Know-Who's fault, now get out of here like Professor Dumbledore told you.” Harry nodded and left quickly his stomach hurting more then before thinking about food and what he did before Dumbledore pulled him out.

 

The next day Harry waited and waited hoping Hermione had returned, reading her letter before he went to bed, when he woke up, when he got back from taking a shower in the Prefects bathroom, and now sitting at the Gryffindor table. He looked for her disappointed she still wasn't back. “Maybe tomorrow.” He told himself that yesterday after reading the letter for the billionth time. Devin was there eating and reading a book Harry didn't recognize. “Devin what are you reading? Which class was it for?” Harry was going through his pack looking for the book not finding it.

 

“It's not for class Harry, it's for myself. I love to read since it allows me to leave this world and go into one of fantasy, one where I won't kill someone because they insult my sister or spill juice on me when I'm not awake enough to restrain myself.” With this he went back to the book. Harry looked at Monica who seemed depressed not knowing why though Harry went back to breakfast. After a strip of bacon and two pieces of toast he didn't feel like eating. He was starving for over three days but he couldn't eat, not without Hermione being there making sure he had done his work, holding his hand, going on about “masses” around students.

 

 

Harry had gone through the rest of the week with the same thought in his head, “Maybe tomorrow.” Friday was going to be a break since the staff was going to have a meeting with other schools, what about Dumbledore wouldn't say. Harry was reading the letter from Hermione walking into the Great Hall never seen her.

 

“Harry!” He was tackled to the ground feeling soft lips on his.

 

“Hermione.” He wrapped his arms around her giving her more of a kiss then he normally would have with all of Hogwarts watching. Getting up he brushed himself off grabbing her hand as they walked over to the Gryffindor table.

 

“Well as you just saw one of our students has come back and got quite a warm welcome I am sure none of you are going to forget.” Dumbledore chuckled as the Great Hall filled with applause, except from Slytherin. The applause was going strong when things started to fly around the room, chairs broke for no reason, people started to scream jumping up and down in excitement. The Great Hall was soon near a riot of excited students and some teachers.

 

“Devin!” Professor Krats pointed her wand at Devin “Protego Psychi!” The same shield Dumbledore used when Devin was sad and had affected Harry popped up around Devin causing the other students to calm down and go to their seats, the ones that were left after several had gone off somewhere or simply broken.

 

Devin was embarrassed at first soon turning into anger at himself for letting his emotions out. Other students stared at him wondering why they had felt so happy and then went back to normal. Gossip started even before the Great Hall had emptied with Devin still under the shield to keep his anger from affecting the students. When the last student left the shield was lowered with the immediate response of more things breaking and this time chairs and other flammable objects bursting into flame. Harry not caring about anything or anyone but Hermione walked to his first class with Hermione hand in hand feeling euphoric that his honey was back. “I love you Hermione.” He whispered into her ear with the response giving him a smile no one could have hidden, not that he wanted to.

 

 

The days following Hermione's return allowed Harry to focus on school again. All the Professors were impressed with his improvement and knew why. Going from A's and one T in Charms he was back at E's and O's. In Transfiguration Harry had fun with the new section they were learning about to make changes in yourself. He impressed everyone with his hair tricks making it long, short, part on either side, and once made it sink all the way in making him bald. Everyone laughed with the exception of Devin who seemed to struggle against himself so Harry put his hair back how Hermione liked it. Eating again he was feeling normal and picked up his running in the morning with longer runs and faster runs having Hermione by his side at all times. Monica still seemed depressed about something which Hermione noticed the day after she returned. Harry shrugged his shoulders when she asked him why Monica was depressed so Hermione went over to talk to her.

 

Sitting next to her in the Common Room Hermione tried to get Monica to talk with little effect. “Come on Monica, what ever the problem is you can tell me, aren't we friends?”

 

“No.” Taken aback by the answer Hermione grabbed Monica's shoulders.

 

“What do you mean no? We run every morning, we talk all the time, if we aren't friends then what are we?” Monica knocked Hermione's arms away.

 

“Listen Hermione a friend remembers another friend's birthday.” Hermione grabbed Monica's shoulder again to get Monica to look her in the eye.

 

“I didn't know! Why didn't you tell me it was your birthday? No one else knew since you didn't tell anyone.” Monica looked at her as though a light had gone on in her head.

 

“Oh yeah, this isn't home, you people didn't know.” Hermione took Monica's hand and took her away to give her a present since she wasn't able to buy one. Harry saw them leave wondering what had happened. He walked over to Devin who was again reading a book he didn't recognize.

 

“What you got there?” He saw the cover and title never hearing of the book but the author sounded familiar.

 

“A book on black holes and quantum physics, Mr. Hawking makes everything easy to understand, I have his whole series if you want to read one.” Devin went back to the book enthralled by whatever it was. Harry was getting bored now and decided to get a book from the library to read.

 

“Harry you keep this up people will accuse you of making your hair brown.” Thinking of Hermione made him wonder where she was and what was wrong with Monica. Monica had given him a book to read, forget the library, the one he had in his room should be more then enough. He went up to his room to get the bag Monica was told to give him getting the Necronomicon out. Reading it on his bed he felt a chill when he first opened it. Hermione was right it was already translated from some weird pictures he assumed was Egyptian. “The Wizard who accomplishes any part of the Necronomicon will be more powerful then ever as the knowledge of the Ancients fulfills them.” He read the first few pages and was soon getting bored with it as all it mentioned was Necromancers and Dark Messengers, history of the Baal Horde who originally found the Power of the Dead. “This is almost as boring as History of Magic. I need something better; maybe the library will have something on Quidditch I haven't read yet.” Putting the Necronomicon back in the bag he went off to the library.

 

He was in the library when he heard the strangest noise. He went towards the back of the library where it was coming from and saw… Malfoy! But he wasn't with Parkinson but a 4th year girl whose name he couldn't remember. They seemed to be very busy in something Harry didn't want to see, at least not see Malfoy do even if the girl was rather cute. He was walking away when he heard a moan. “Mariah…” Harry tried to think but couldn't remember a Mariah.

 

“Must be a Slytherin, wonder when Malfoy and Parkinson broke up.” He grabbed a couple books of the shelf at random wanting to leave Malfoy and the Mariah girl alone. He went back to the Common Room where Hermione was waiting talking with Monica excitedly.

 

Sneaking up slowly behind Hermione Harry crept closer and closer… “BOO!” Hermione jumped slamming her shoulder under his jaw knocking him down.

 

“I'm sorry Harry!” Hermione helped him up as Harry rubbed his jaw with his hand.

 

“It's ok Hermione I deserved it.” He chuckled as Hermione grabbed his hand and kissed his jaw.

 

“There, I kissed it so it should feel all better.” Monica laughed a little at the joke and excused herself to her dorm.

 

“So, where did you two go? Why was she depressed? What happened?” Harry asked when they sat down on a chair her on his lap.

 

“Well she had her birthday and no one celebrated it. She forgot that no one knew it was her birthday since this isn't her home. So I gave her a special treat that only a Prefect could give.” He raised an eyebrow not knowing what she was talking about.

 

“What? Took her to a Prefect meeting? Let her deduct points?” Hermione kissed him on the cheek thinking he was kidding.

 

“She had fun in the baths and gawked at how nice the Prefect bathroom is compared to the usual ones in the dorms.” Harry now figured out where they had went.

 

“So you two went there alone, got in the tub, all soaped up.” He poked her in the side with a finger laughing as she smacked him on top of his head playfully.

 

“Get that image out of your head right now mister as it's never going to happen. Besides we weren't alone the whole time someone came in.” Harry asked who. “At first I didn't know, Monica was talking to the air like in Hogsmeade then Pansy Parkinson came in. She was going to get a Professor since Monica was there but I told her there are no rules against a Prefect bringing in a friend to the Prefect bathroom. Yes it says don't give the password out but nothing about bringing friends.” She smiled and whispered in his ear about a special surprise she had waiting for him the next time they were alone. “You'll love it Harry.” Harry bothered her wanting to know what the surprise was. “I'm not telling you Harry until we are alone and that's that.” Almost giving up he tried another approach.

 

“So what should I get her? I don't know what she'd like and since she isn't my girlfriend I can't give her something I have for you.” Hermione pushed him playfully laughing.

 

“If you keep getting me things I won't have any birthdays left for you to celebrate. With Monica I don't think she wants anything, like a present, just someone to say Happy Birthday since no one else did. I tried to cheer her up in the Prefects bath letting her talk. Although I thought something was wrong with her when she first got in but that's not something I want to talk about.” Harry was back to figuring out his surprise.

 

“Come on, what is it? I want to know.” She shook her head.

 

“I won't tell you until we are alone so drop it. I will give you a hint though, it seems American women like to do this all the time. I will try to find a way to make it permanent when we learn more in Transfiguration.” Harry looked at her chest. “Not those you perv!” Laughing hard she got off of Harry's lap so she wouldn't hurt him from laughing so hard. “Just wait till we are alone.”