Harry smiled serenely to himself as he continued to study his textbook, a feeling of satisfaction and a classic "I told you so," written on his face. Zora was finally awake, just as Harry had predicted she would be soon.
"Well...is she...all right?" Hermione persisted impatiently.
"She's tired believe it or not," Harry replied casually from over the rim of his Transfiguration book.
"Tired? She slept for three months!" Ron laughed.
"That's what she said," Harry smiled.
"Well...does she remember anything? Does she remember us helping her?" Hermione asked, ignoring Harry's efforts to hide behind his book.
"Well...she didn't say yes, but she didn't say no. She was more along the lines of yelling at Snape and Dumbledore most of the conversation."
"But why? I thought she and Snape were like...friends...if it were possible to be friends with him."
"They knew the attack was coming, they just didn't tell her," Harry replied as he lowered his book, realizing he was not going to get very much studying done.
"I'd be a bit peeved too if someone knew I was going to be kidnapped and didn't tell me," Ron replied.
"Is it true, Harry?" Ginny asked as she came close to Harry's side. Her red hair was tied away from her face, making her deep brown eyes even more noticeable without the frame of red surrounding her. Harry recalled what Draco had told him at Zora's bed: "Has she told you when the tiny Weasley's going to die?...Trust me...she knows all the answers."
"Is what true?" Harry asked absently as he silently realized that one day those big brown eyes would close and never open again. Zora knew when the day would come.
"Is Zora awake? Is she all right?" Ginny asked looking concerned, a hint of Mrs. Weasley peering from behind her eyes.
"Yeah," Harry replied as he regained himself and managed to smile. "She's up and telling everyone off as usual."
"I'm so glad to hear that," Ginny smiled with a sigh of relief. "I was starting to worry for her."
"You're not the only one," Harry smiled and nodded at Ginny.
"So, are you planning on visiting this summer?" Ginny asked after a pause, obviously realizing the hint of awkward silence stretching suddenly over them.
"Umm...I really didn't think much about it," Harry replied with a little thought.
Most of the past few months had been spent dwelling on haunting dreams or worrying about Zora, not to mention struggling to keep up with schoolwork. Harry really didn't have time for worrying about anything or anyone else. He felt sudden guilt at the neglect he had shown his friends the past few months.
"Oh," Ron intervened as he slapped his forehead, as if something important had just occurred to him. "Forgot to tell you! Mum wants you to come stay with us over the summer."
"Thanks for that, Ron," Harry laughed. "Better late than never. I guess I'll be over...need to clear it with Uncle Vernon, but I can't see why he'd want to keep me at all."
"Yeah, I can't guarantee it'll be much fun though," Ron went on. "Fred and George are finally graduating, Mum's thrilled there's no more 'family shame' and whatnot. Anyways they're staying in their own place above the new shop in Diagon Alley. Bill and Charlie are off doing their own thing, Percy's always at the Ministry. It'll be you, me, mum, dad, and Ginny."
"Sounds fine to me," Harry replied, giving a sideways glance to Ginny, who smiled brightly in his direction.
Zora nearly collapsed immediately as she placed her feet on the floor of the Infirmary. Even though she had only been awake a few hours, she was tired of lying in bed and was desperate for at least a tiny walk around the room. Of course, it was a tad more difficult to move than she originally thought it would be. It was as if she were trying to learn to walk again. She supported herself on the bed as she struggled to find her legs.
"Zora, what on earth are you doing?" Professor McGonagall shouted as she came into view. "You're not well enough to walk on your own!"
"I've been lying in a bed for three months, I need to walk," Zora explained as she tried to stand on her own.
"Don't be silly," McGonagall said as she came closer and caught Zora's arms before she fell to the floor. "You're not as strong as you were before...it will take a great deal of time for you to recover."
"I'm not like the others, you know that," Zora said as she held her grip on the professor's arms and took a step forward. Pain shot all through her legs and she gripped tightly on McGonagall's forearms to keep her up, but she was walking. "I'm stronger than others...even he said I was stronger than he thought I would be."
"Zora, I don't want to be the one to tell you," McGonagall began with a deep sigh. "You came very close to dieing...too close. It is possible that you will never be that strong again."
"What do you mean?" Zora asked as she took another painful step. McGonagall began to walk backwards, leading Zora every tiny step around the edges of her bed.
"I mean...when most go through what you went through, it takes a few months to recover fully. Someone of your strength should have taken you near two weeks...it took you three months, and you're still not near recovery."
"I still don't see what you're saying," Zora said as she took another step. She was concentrating on trying not to wince from the pain of her muscles and was barely listening to McGonagall.
"You have Muggle strength...and you will never get your original endurance back," McGonagall said with a defeated sigh as she took a step around Zora's bed.
It was the first thing McGonagall said that sunk into Zora's head. She was Muggle...she was normal. It was what she had always wished for when she was little...why was her heartbreaking now that her wish had come true?
"And...and...my...and everything else?" Zora stammered out as she stepped again.
"You're far too weak to attempt anything...when you're strong enough to try out spells, we will see...but it is possible that has left you too."
"I'll be full Muggle then?" Zora asked absently as she stopped walking.
"Yes...Muggle," McGonagall replied as her eyes trailed to the floor.
Zora could see a pain in McGonagall's eyes at having to tell her this. There was a kindness in the professor she never showed in the classroom and rarely outside of it. She was always a "no nonsense" person not to be toyed with, but now that shell was gone and all that was left was a human being. "So, this is what a mother would be like," Zora thought mournfully to herself.
"I'm sorry, Zora," McGonagall said finally. "You should get back in bed."
"I don't want to go back to bed...I want to get out of here," Zora retorted.
"In time," Severus said from the Infirmary door. "I've been making arrangements with Dumbledore, trying to find out how we're going to handle your recovery."
"I don't need a recovery...I'm fine!" Zora said as she sat reluctantly on her bed. She was relieved to find that the pain had left her legs; although, she wouldn't admit it was there to begin with.
"No...you're not fine," Severus said quietly as he darted his eyes to his shoes.
"So it's true then? What am I? A squib?!" she replied angrily with tears in her eyes.
"We don't know anything other than physical...you're a bit weak, but once you're fully recovered we will test you're power and all will be as it should," he replied slowly.
"Optimism doesn't suit you, Severus, so drop it," Zora said as she tucked her legs under her blanket and wiped furiously at her cheeks.
"Fine...you want the truth?" he asked as he walked to the bed with anger in his step, although Zora could not be sure exactly what he was angry at. "It is more than likely that you've lost every ounce of strength and power you possessed before that night and even before you came to Hogwarts. Is that what you wanted to hear?"
"Yeah...that's exactly what I wanted to hear, Severus" Zora replied sarcastically, blinking tears away from her eyes.
She had never imagined that losing something she hated so much would hurt this badly. Would she never be able to perform a spell again? How could she live in the Wizarding World without that power? She'd have to go back to the Muggle World...back to the orphanage.
"In the mean time...it's not safe for you to stay here," Severus said, his voice trying to return to comfort as he stood at the foot of Zora's bed.
"Back to the orphanage?" Zora asked bravely as she feared his honest answer.
Zora felt McGonagall's presence at her side. She wondered if the whole school knew yet she had lost her touch. How all the Slytherin girls were laughing about her right now. She looked to McGonagall and tried to determine if the look on her face was pity...or disgust.
"Actually no," McGonagall replied with a light tone that Zora had never heard before.
"You need to go where someone can care for you...someone who knows how to care for you," Severus explained.
"I'm not going home with Madame Pomfrey, am I?" Zora asked, eyeing her professors worriedly as she imagined a house filled with the stench of Skeleo-Gro.
"No, not Madame Pomfrey. You're going to stay with the Weasleys," McGonagall replied with a smile in her voice.
"The Weasleys?" Zora asked perplexed.
"It's quite a shack of a house I warn you," Severus began, "there are nine people in the family...half are going to be away for most of the summer. It leaves plenty of room. Molly Weasley is a capable woman...those twin sons of hers, Fred and George, keep her busy with those jokes of theirs, plenty of injuries I assure you."
"But...she...she knows what she's doing?" Zora asked.
"It's not very difficult," Severus said as he scratched his chin. "A few potions at certain times of the day, plenty of rest, exercise-."
"Then why can't you do it?" Zora asked in the closest thing to a plee she had ever sounded in her life. "I don't...I know the twins and Ginny and Ron, they're very nice. But to be honest, they're strangers...they were scared of me for the longest time, and they probably still are!"
"No one who works in the school can take you," McGonagall replied. "It's not safe. You escaped, but You-Know-Who is still alive and well. You do get your persistence from him...he'll stop at nothing to get you."
Zora closed her eyes tightly as she fought the urge to tell her professor something extremely rude as usual for acknowledging him as her "father". She felt the anger slip away and a calmness and understanding pass over her. McGonagall was right...she was stubborn and persistent...and she probably did get it from him. She felt her face soften.
"No remarks?" McGonagall asked, perplexed by Zora's calmness.
McGonagall raised her eyes to meet Severus'. He was peering thoughtfully at the unusually silent Zora. Concern written across his face as he realized she was not quite herself anymore, and he wasn't sure who she was exactly.
"I'll go," she said calmly. "I'll stay with the Weasleys. When do I leave?"
"Few weeks when you're well enough for the journey," Severus replied, still looking oddly at Zora. "You're not feeling well?"
"No...it just doesn't seem important enough to argue over," Zora replied, feeling defeated.
"Anyway, I've spoken with Fred Weasley and he's owling his mother about the arrangements. If she agrees, you will stay with her for the summer and if you...improve...we will take it from there," McGonagall said.
"What if I don't? What if...if it's gone? Do I have to go back to the US?"
"No," Severus replied immediately. "You will stay here."
"A joke for everyone to laugh at like Filch?" Zora asked as she cocked an eyebrow.
"Better than being dead. The Burrow, I believe they call it, and Hogwarts, while Dumbledore is present, are probably the safest places for you right now."
"I think you've had enough excitement for one day. You'd better rest," McGonagall interfered.
"Why is everyone obsessed with me resting? I've been asleep for three God-damned months!"
"Things have changed now," McGonagall said as she raised an eyebrow. "Sleep."
McGonagall walked from the side of Zora's bed and passed Severus at its foot.
"Did Draco visit?" Zora asked as if the question pained her. She felt more comfortable discussing personal matters without McGonagall in the near proximity.
"Of course...as did Potter."
"What about Fred Weasley?" Zora asked with a lighter voice than Severus was used to.
"No one else was allowed...just the two and the Heads could stop by," Severus replied.
"I'd forgotten about Draco...I'll need to talk with him before I leave," Zora said as she studied her folded hands.
"You don't have to if you don't want to. I can keep him away."
"I've gotta face it...things are so different now, I've got to explain it to him."
"It'll break his heart," Severus replied and Zora knew he was speaking the truth.
"Worst part is...that doesn't bother me anymore."
The Infirmary door burst open and a bright faced red haired young man walked through. Zora felt her stomach do a complete somersault at the sight of his familiar smile. She lowered her eyes to her hands, completely confused by her reaction. She wasn't supposed to respond this way to him, she never had before...not for him at least.
"Mum's just sent back a reply," Fred said to Severus. "She'll take Zora for the summer. She'll love it," he added to Zora who was still studying her hands.
"Well, she'll need a few weeks before she'll be up for the journey," Severus replied to Fred as he studied Zora's face. Was she blushing? She really wasn't like herself at all. She probably never would be again.
"How are you feeling?" Fred asked as he took a step towards Zora's bed.
"Tired," Zora replied honestly. "Weird isn't it? Sleep for three months and I'm still tired. Are you graduating finally?"
"Yeah, got the certification and all now...mum's real pleased. We got the shop in Diagon Alley...you know, I told you about it at dinner a few months ago."
"Yeah, I remember," Zora replied with a smile, "before...well...everything."
"Well, I think we need to leave you to rest then. Mr. Weasley...that means you too."
Fred gave an agitated nod at Severus before following him out of the Infirmary.
As soon as the door snapped shut Zora slammed her head against her pillows and threw her hands over her face.
"What the hell is happening to me?" she asked herself.
Harry easily piled everything he could fit into his trunk. Final exams had just ended and the next thing to do was head off to Number 4 Privet Drive, the last thing Harry was looking forward to doing. The only think keeping Harry packing was the thought of going to the Burrow for the summer. With any luck, Uncle Vernon would permit him at the platform, and then he could take off with Ron straight from the station. Harry closed the top of his trunk with a satisfying slam before heading down to the common room.
"I'm going to tell Zora bye, anyone want to come?" Harry said to Ron and Hermione who sat on the large red couch in the center of the common room.
"No thanks, mate," Ron said, "I still have to pack."
"Which I told you to do earlier," Hermione chimed in as she rolled her eyes. "You go on, Harry, I guess I need to help Ron pack."
"All right, see you later," Harry smiled as he made his way to the portrait hole.
Harry's shoes slammed against the stone floor as he briskly walked. He noticed a few students glance his way and whisper, but it was nothing out of the ordinary these days. Harry smoothly entered the Infirmary door and walked in and straight to Zora's bed. She was lying on her back as usual and staring at the ceiling.
"Hey, Zora," Harry smiled as he sat on the bed next to her feet.
"Hey," she said without looking at him.
"What's wrong?" he asked curiously.
"I can't lift the book," she replied harshly.
"What?" Harry asked, confused.
"Watch," she said as she sat upright on the bed. She turned her torso towards the night table at the side of her bed and pointed her finger at the stack of school books set on top. She closed her eyes and set her face in concentration. Nothing happened.
"See?" she said after a minute. "I can't do it anymore."
"Well, maybe you need a wand now...that's all. Over the summer, you can get one," Harry said, trying to helpful.
"It's not the point," she said depressingly. "I wish he'd left me," she whispered so low Harry barely heard her.
"What did you say?"
Zora turned her eyes to Harry and replied. "Nothing, don't worry about it. I want to go for a walk, help me."
Harry stood from the bed and made room for Zora to stand. She swung her legs over the side and eased down until she was standing upright on her own.
"How's it feel?" Harry asked as he watched her closely.
"All right, I guess," she sighed as she let go of the bed and took a step. "Wow, I feel like I'm a toddler again...I can finally walk!" she said with a smile.
She took a few steps down the Infirmary and headed for the door.
"You know where my mother's portrait is?" she asked suddenly.
"I think so," Harry replied. He hadn't seen the portrait in a few days, but was sure of the area it was probably located in.
"Good...show me," she said as she began to stiffly walk down the hall.
"Zora, it's too far...I'll show you another time, I promise," Harry urged. "McGonagall's gonna flip if she sees you out of bed."
"You're right and I don't care," Zora said as she placed her hand on the door of the Infirmary.
Suddenly, a loud siren began to blare over their heads, filling the entire room with an echoing of loud noise. Madame Pomfrey immediately came out of her office and glared at Zora as she waved her wand in the air, the sirens turning off just as suddenly as they'd sounded.
"Ms Birk! What do you think you're doing?" she asked as she began to walk toward Zora.
"Trying to spring from the joint," Zora smiled as she turned around and began to stiffly walk back to her bed. "Shouldn't I get off for good behavior at least?"
"Your behavior needs to be good first for that," Madame Pomfrey said as Zora walked past her. "And you, Mr. Potter! Going to escort her were you?"
"He's just slow to stop me is all," Zora said as she climbed back into her bed.
"Ms. Birk, if you don't rest your powers will never return! No one wants to say it, but it's true! Maybe that will keep your bum in that bed," Madame Pomfrey commented just before slamming her office door shut.
Zora glared angrily at the door for a long while and stuck her tongue out at it.
"It's true though," she finally said. "That's why I'm going to the Weasleys' for the summer."
"So am I...well, hopefully."
"Well, if you get there and I'm tied to the bed, think nothing of it," Zora said with a smile.
"I'll only think something of it if Fred's there."
"You need to be quiet about that!" Zora burst out, her cheeks flushed and her eyes wide.
Harry could not think off hand a time when he saw Zora blush, and he eyed her closely as the scarlet receded. When she looked calm and as close to normal as Zora could be, he continued.
"I wanted to tell you something," Harry began seriously. "But I don't want to upset you. You remember that dream I had? The one with you and Ginny? I've had it every other night since...that night. Draco said something about you knowing more than you were saying-."
"Harry, listen to me. I know a lot of things I wish I didn't. And to be honest with Ginny, because I know that's what you're thinking of...it's complicated. In one scenario, she dies when she's 86 year old with three great grand children at her side. In another, she died her first year in the Chamber of Secrets. In another she died yesterday from falling off her broomstick."
"What about my dream?...Draco's in it now-."
"Draco?" Zora asked promptly.
"Yeah, he's there telling me 'it's only just beginning'. I know it means something...you know it too. I need you to tell me what it means," Harry said.
"I can't tell you," Zora replied honestly. "It's just like the Quidditch scores; it will mess it up and make it worse."
"This isn't Quidditch!" Harry replied impatiently.
"No, this is a dream. You have to treat it like that. It can change; it's not set in stone. If it happens, it happens...if it changes it changes. I'm sorry, Harry...it's my fault you're having these dreams. I should have been more careful with mixing blood."
"So, there's nothing I can do? To protect her or you?" Harry asked, hoping she would give him the answer he wanted to hear.
"Welcome to my world," Zora said with a weak smile.
"Well...is she...all right?" Hermione persisted impatiently.
"She's tired believe it or not," Harry replied casually from over the rim of his Transfiguration book.
"Tired? She slept for three months!" Ron laughed.
"That's what she said," Harry smiled.
"Well...does she remember anything? Does she remember us helping her?" Hermione asked, ignoring Harry's efforts to hide behind his book.
"Well...she didn't say yes, but she didn't say no. She was more along the lines of yelling at Snape and Dumbledore most of the conversation."
"But why? I thought she and Snape were like...friends...if it were possible to be friends with him."
"They knew the attack was coming, they just didn't tell her," Harry replied as he lowered his book, realizing he was not going to get very much studying done.
"I'd be a bit peeved too if someone knew I was going to be kidnapped and didn't tell me," Ron replied.
"Is it true, Harry?" Ginny asked as she came close to Harry's side. Her red hair was tied away from her face, making her deep brown eyes even more noticeable without the frame of red surrounding her. Harry recalled what Draco had told him at Zora's bed: "Has she told you when the tiny Weasley's going to die?...Trust me...she knows all the answers."
"Is what true?" Harry asked absently as he silently realized that one day those big brown eyes would close and never open again. Zora knew when the day would come.
"Is Zora awake? Is she all right?" Ginny asked looking concerned, a hint of Mrs. Weasley peering from behind her eyes.
"Yeah," Harry replied as he regained himself and managed to smile. "She's up and telling everyone off as usual."
"I'm so glad to hear that," Ginny smiled with a sigh of relief. "I was starting to worry for her."
"You're not the only one," Harry smiled and nodded at Ginny.
"So, are you planning on visiting this summer?" Ginny asked after a pause, obviously realizing the hint of awkward silence stretching suddenly over them.
"Umm...I really didn't think much about it," Harry replied with a little thought.
Most of the past few months had been spent dwelling on haunting dreams or worrying about Zora, not to mention struggling to keep up with schoolwork. Harry really didn't have time for worrying about anything or anyone else. He felt sudden guilt at the neglect he had shown his friends the past few months.
"Oh," Ron intervened as he slapped his forehead, as if something important had just occurred to him. "Forgot to tell you! Mum wants you to come stay with us over the summer."
"Thanks for that, Ron," Harry laughed. "Better late than never. I guess I'll be over...need to clear it with Uncle Vernon, but I can't see why he'd want to keep me at all."
"Yeah, I can't guarantee it'll be much fun though," Ron went on. "Fred and George are finally graduating, Mum's thrilled there's no more 'family shame' and whatnot. Anyways they're staying in their own place above the new shop in Diagon Alley. Bill and Charlie are off doing their own thing, Percy's always at the Ministry. It'll be you, me, mum, dad, and Ginny."
"Sounds fine to me," Harry replied, giving a sideways glance to Ginny, who smiled brightly in his direction.
Zora nearly collapsed immediately as she placed her feet on the floor of the Infirmary. Even though she had only been awake a few hours, she was tired of lying in bed and was desperate for at least a tiny walk around the room. Of course, it was a tad more difficult to move than she originally thought it would be. It was as if she were trying to learn to walk again. She supported herself on the bed as she struggled to find her legs.
"Zora, what on earth are you doing?" Professor McGonagall shouted as she came into view. "You're not well enough to walk on your own!"
"I've been lying in a bed for three months, I need to walk," Zora explained as she tried to stand on her own.
"Don't be silly," McGonagall said as she came closer and caught Zora's arms before she fell to the floor. "You're not as strong as you were before...it will take a great deal of time for you to recover."
"I'm not like the others, you know that," Zora said as she held her grip on the professor's arms and took a step forward. Pain shot all through her legs and she gripped tightly on McGonagall's forearms to keep her up, but she was walking. "I'm stronger than others...even he said I was stronger than he thought I would be."
"Zora, I don't want to be the one to tell you," McGonagall began with a deep sigh. "You came very close to dieing...too close. It is possible that you will never be that strong again."
"What do you mean?" Zora asked as she took another painful step. McGonagall began to walk backwards, leading Zora every tiny step around the edges of her bed.
"I mean...when most go through what you went through, it takes a few months to recover fully. Someone of your strength should have taken you near two weeks...it took you three months, and you're still not near recovery."
"I still don't see what you're saying," Zora said as she took another step. She was concentrating on trying not to wince from the pain of her muscles and was barely listening to McGonagall.
"You have Muggle strength...and you will never get your original endurance back," McGonagall said with a defeated sigh as she took a step around Zora's bed.
It was the first thing McGonagall said that sunk into Zora's head. She was Muggle...she was normal. It was what she had always wished for when she was little...why was her heartbreaking now that her wish had come true?
"And...and...my...and everything else?" Zora stammered out as she stepped again.
"You're far too weak to attempt anything...when you're strong enough to try out spells, we will see...but it is possible that has left you too."
"I'll be full Muggle then?" Zora asked absently as she stopped walking.
"Yes...Muggle," McGonagall replied as her eyes trailed to the floor.
Zora could see a pain in McGonagall's eyes at having to tell her this. There was a kindness in the professor she never showed in the classroom and rarely outside of it. She was always a "no nonsense" person not to be toyed with, but now that shell was gone and all that was left was a human being. "So, this is what a mother would be like," Zora thought mournfully to herself.
"I'm sorry, Zora," McGonagall said finally. "You should get back in bed."
"I don't want to go back to bed...I want to get out of here," Zora retorted.
"In time," Severus said from the Infirmary door. "I've been making arrangements with Dumbledore, trying to find out how we're going to handle your recovery."
"I don't need a recovery...I'm fine!" Zora said as she sat reluctantly on her bed. She was relieved to find that the pain had left her legs; although, she wouldn't admit it was there to begin with.
"No...you're not fine," Severus said quietly as he darted his eyes to his shoes.
"So it's true then? What am I? A squib?!" she replied angrily with tears in her eyes.
"We don't know anything other than physical...you're a bit weak, but once you're fully recovered we will test you're power and all will be as it should," he replied slowly.
"Optimism doesn't suit you, Severus, so drop it," Zora said as she tucked her legs under her blanket and wiped furiously at her cheeks.
"Fine...you want the truth?" he asked as he walked to the bed with anger in his step, although Zora could not be sure exactly what he was angry at. "It is more than likely that you've lost every ounce of strength and power you possessed before that night and even before you came to Hogwarts. Is that what you wanted to hear?"
"Yeah...that's exactly what I wanted to hear, Severus" Zora replied sarcastically, blinking tears away from her eyes.
She had never imagined that losing something she hated so much would hurt this badly. Would she never be able to perform a spell again? How could she live in the Wizarding World without that power? She'd have to go back to the Muggle World...back to the orphanage.
"In the mean time...it's not safe for you to stay here," Severus said, his voice trying to return to comfort as he stood at the foot of Zora's bed.
"Back to the orphanage?" Zora asked bravely as she feared his honest answer.
Zora felt McGonagall's presence at her side. She wondered if the whole school knew yet she had lost her touch. How all the Slytherin girls were laughing about her right now. She looked to McGonagall and tried to determine if the look on her face was pity...or disgust.
"Actually no," McGonagall replied with a light tone that Zora had never heard before.
"You need to go where someone can care for you...someone who knows how to care for you," Severus explained.
"I'm not going home with Madame Pomfrey, am I?" Zora asked, eyeing her professors worriedly as she imagined a house filled with the stench of Skeleo-Gro.
"No, not Madame Pomfrey. You're going to stay with the Weasleys," McGonagall replied with a smile in her voice.
"The Weasleys?" Zora asked perplexed.
"It's quite a shack of a house I warn you," Severus began, "there are nine people in the family...half are going to be away for most of the summer. It leaves plenty of room. Molly Weasley is a capable woman...those twin sons of hers, Fred and George, keep her busy with those jokes of theirs, plenty of injuries I assure you."
"But...she...she knows what she's doing?" Zora asked.
"It's not very difficult," Severus said as he scratched his chin. "A few potions at certain times of the day, plenty of rest, exercise-."
"Then why can't you do it?" Zora asked in the closest thing to a plee she had ever sounded in her life. "I don't...I know the twins and Ginny and Ron, they're very nice. But to be honest, they're strangers...they were scared of me for the longest time, and they probably still are!"
"No one who works in the school can take you," McGonagall replied. "It's not safe. You escaped, but You-Know-Who is still alive and well. You do get your persistence from him...he'll stop at nothing to get you."
Zora closed her eyes tightly as she fought the urge to tell her professor something extremely rude as usual for acknowledging him as her "father". She felt the anger slip away and a calmness and understanding pass over her. McGonagall was right...she was stubborn and persistent...and she probably did get it from him. She felt her face soften.
"No remarks?" McGonagall asked, perplexed by Zora's calmness.
McGonagall raised her eyes to meet Severus'. He was peering thoughtfully at the unusually silent Zora. Concern written across his face as he realized she was not quite herself anymore, and he wasn't sure who she was exactly.
"I'll go," she said calmly. "I'll stay with the Weasleys. When do I leave?"
"Few weeks when you're well enough for the journey," Severus replied, still looking oddly at Zora. "You're not feeling well?"
"No...it just doesn't seem important enough to argue over," Zora replied, feeling defeated.
"Anyway, I've spoken with Fred Weasley and he's owling his mother about the arrangements. If she agrees, you will stay with her for the summer and if you...improve...we will take it from there," McGonagall said.
"What if I don't? What if...if it's gone? Do I have to go back to the US?"
"No," Severus replied immediately. "You will stay here."
"A joke for everyone to laugh at like Filch?" Zora asked as she cocked an eyebrow.
"Better than being dead. The Burrow, I believe they call it, and Hogwarts, while Dumbledore is present, are probably the safest places for you right now."
"I think you've had enough excitement for one day. You'd better rest," McGonagall interfered.
"Why is everyone obsessed with me resting? I've been asleep for three God-damned months!"
"Things have changed now," McGonagall said as she raised an eyebrow. "Sleep."
McGonagall walked from the side of Zora's bed and passed Severus at its foot.
"Did Draco visit?" Zora asked as if the question pained her. She felt more comfortable discussing personal matters without McGonagall in the near proximity.
"Of course...as did Potter."
"What about Fred Weasley?" Zora asked with a lighter voice than Severus was used to.
"No one else was allowed...just the two and the Heads could stop by," Severus replied.
"I'd forgotten about Draco...I'll need to talk with him before I leave," Zora said as she studied her folded hands.
"You don't have to if you don't want to. I can keep him away."
"I've gotta face it...things are so different now, I've got to explain it to him."
"It'll break his heart," Severus replied and Zora knew he was speaking the truth.
"Worst part is...that doesn't bother me anymore."
The Infirmary door burst open and a bright faced red haired young man walked through. Zora felt her stomach do a complete somersault at the sight of his familiar smile. She lowered her eyes to her hands, completely confused by her reaction. She wasn't supposed to respond this way to him, she never had before...not for him at least.
"Mum's just sent back a reply," Fred said to Severus. "She'll take Zora for the summer. She'll love it," he added to Zora who was still studying her hands.
"Well, she'll need a few weeks before she'll be up for the journey," Severus replied to Fred as he studied Zora's face. Was she blushing? She really wasn't like herself at all. She probably never would be again.
"How are you feeling?" Fred asked as he took a step towards Zora's bed.
"Tired," Zora replied honestly. "Weird isn't it? Sleep for three months and I'm still tired. Are you graduating finally?"
"Yeah, got the certification and all now...mum's real pleased. We got the shop in Diagon Alley...you know, I told you about it at dinner a few months ago."
"Yeah, I remember," Zora replied with a smile, "before...well...everything."
"Well, I think we need to leave you to rest then. Mr. Weasley...that means you too."
Fred gave an agitated nod at Severus before following him out of the Infirmary.
As soon as the door snapped shut Zora slammed her head against her pillows and threw her hands over her face.
"What the hell is happening to me?" she asked herself.
Harry easily piled everything he could fit into his trunk. Final exams had just ended and the next thing to do was head off to Number 4 Privet Drive, the last thing Harry was looking forward to doing. The only think keeping Harry packing was the thought of going to the Burrow for the summer. With any luck, Uncle Vernon would permit him at the platform, and then he could take off with Ron straight from the station. Harry closed the top of his trunk with a satisfying slam before heading down to the common room.
"I'm going to tell Zora bye, anyone want to come?" Harry said to Ron and Hermione who sat on the large red couch in the center of the common room.
"No thanks, mate," Ron said, "I still have to pack."
"Which I told you to do earlier," Hermione chimed in as she rolled her eyes. "You go on, Harry, I guess I need to help Ron pack."
"All right, see you later," Harry smiled as he made his way to the portrait hole.
Harry's shoes slammed against the stone floor as he briskly walked. He noticed a few students glance his way and whisper, but it was nothing out of the ordinary these days. Harry smoothly entered the Infirmary door and walked in and straight to Zora's bed. She was lying on her back as usual and staring at the ceiling.
"Hey, Zora," Harry smiled as he sat on the bed next to her feet.
"Hey," she said without looking at him.
"What's wrong?" he asked curiously.
"I can't lift the book," she replied harshly.
"What?" Harry asked, confused.
"Watch," she said as she sat upright on the bed. She turned her torso towards the night table at the side of her bed and pointed her finger at the stack of school books set on top. She closed her eyes and set her face in concentration. Nothing happened.
"See?" she said after a minute. "I can't do it anymore."
"Well, maybe you need a wand now...that's all. Over the summer, you can get one," Harry said, trying to helpful.
"It's not the point," she said depressingly. "I wish he'd left me," she whispered so low Harry barely heard her.
"What did you say?"
Zora turned her eyes to Harry and replied. "Nothing, don't worry about it. I want to go for a walk, help me."
Harry stood from the bed and made room for Zora to stand. She swung her legs over the side and eased down until she was standing upright on her own.
"How's it feel?" Harry asked as he watched her closely.
"All right, I guess," she sighed as she let go of the bed and took a step. "Wow, I feel like I'm a toddler again...I can finally walk!" she said with a smile.
She took a few steps down the Infirmary and headed for the door.
"You know where my mother's portrait is?" she asked suddenly.
"I think so," Harry replied. He hadn't seen the portrait in a few days, but was sure of the area it was probably located in.
"Good...show me," she said as she began to stiffly walk down the hall.
"Zora, it's too far...I'll show you another time, I promise," Harry urged. "McGonagall's gonna flip if she sees you out of bed."
"You're right and I don't care," Zora said as she placed her hand on the door of the Infirmary.
Suddenly, a loud siren began to blare over their heads, filling the entire room with an echoing of loud noise. Madame Pomfrey immediately came out of her office and glared at Zora as she waved her wand in the air, the sirens turning off just as suddenly as they'd sounded.
"Ms Birk! What do you think you're doing?" she asked as she began to walk toward Zora.
"Trying to spring from the joint," Zora smiled as she turned around and began to stiffly walk back to her bed. "Shouldn't I get off for good behavior at least?"
"Your behavior needs to be good first for that," Madame Pomfrey said as Zora walked past her. "And you, Mr. Potter! Going to escort her were you?"
"He's just slow to stop me is all," Zora said as she climbed back into her bed.
"Ms. Birk, if you don't rest your powers will never return! No one wants to say it, but it's true! Maybe that will keep your bum in that bed," Madame Pomfrey commented just before slamming her office door shut.
Zora glared angrily at the door for a long while and stuck her tongue out at it.
"It's true though," she finally said. "That's why I'm going to the Weasleys' for the summer."
"So am I...well, hopefully."
"Well, if you get there and I'm tied to the bed, think nothing of it," Zora said with a smile.
"I'll only think something of it if Fred's there."
"You need to be quiet about that!" Zora burst out, her cheeks flushed and her eyes wide.
Harry could not think off hand a time when he saw Zora blush, and he eyed her closely as the scarlet receded. When she looked calm and as close to normal as Zora could be, he continued.
"I wanted to tell you something," Harry began seriously. "But I don't want to upset you. You remember that dream I had? The one with you and Ginny? I've had it every other night since...that night. Draco said something about you knowing more than you were saying-."
"Harry, listen to me. I know a lot of things I wish I didn't. And to be honest with Ginny, because I know that's what you're thinking of...it's complicated. In one scenario, she dies when she's 86 year old with three great grand children at her side. In another, she died her first year in the Chamber of Secrets. In another she died yesterday from falling off her broomstick."
"What about my dream?...Draco's in it now-."
"Draco?" Zora asked promptly.
"Yeah, he's there telling me 'it's only just beginning'. I know it means something...you know it too. I need you to tell me what it means," Harry said.
"I can't tell you," Zora replied honestly. "It's just like the Quidditch scores; it will mess it up and make it worse."
"This isn't Quidditch!" Harry replied impatiently.
"No, this is a dream. You have to treat it like that. It can change; it's not set in stone. If it happens, it happens...if it changes it changes. I'm sorry, Harry...it's my fault you're having these dreams. I should have been more careful with mixing blood."
"So, there's nothing I can do? To protect her or you?" Harry asked, hoping she would give him the answer he wanted to hear.
"Welcome to my world," Zora said with a weak smile.