Disclaimer: Sadly, still not claiming rights to Harry Potter… yet… -cackles- No no, really, it doesn't belong to me. I do however own the plotline of this particular fic and of Parenting Class (and any of my other fics) and I'd like to kindly ask people to stop copying it without permission xD
One Step at a Time
I Must Be Dreaming
xxx
xxx
We all live
We all die
That does not begin to justify you
It's not what it seems
Not what you think
No I must be dreaming
It's only in my mind
Not in real life
No I must be dreaming
Not what it seems
Not what you think
I must be dreaming
Just in my mind
Not in real life
I must be dreaming
-Evanescence; I Must Be Dreaming
xxx
xxx
"W-what's going on?" Ginny yawned, rubbing her eyes tiredly and descending the staircase to the Common Room below where Hermione was pacing at the foot of the stairs.
Hermione glanced up at her friend worriedly. "I don't know," she admitted, going back to pacing the lower level. "McGonagall woke me up and told me it was urgent."
"Same thing," Ginny said. "Where is she now?" she asked, looking around the Common Room for the Transfiguration teacher.
"I think getting Harry and Ron," Hermione answered, pulling her sash tighter on her light purple bathrobe. Her face suddenly paled and she whipped her head around to Ginny. "You don't think something happened to Draco, do you?"
Ginny's cinnamon eyes went wide. "Do you think any of the other Slytherins did something? Blaise told us they were having house troubles."
Before Hermione could reply McGonagall appeared from the sixth year boy's dorm with Ron behind her, his arms wrapped around a blanket wrapped bundle.
"Where's Harry?" Ginny asked, craning her neck. "What's going on, Professor?"
The woman looked like she'd aged several years since they'd last seen her. Deep creases were embedded in her forehead and her whole face sagged with anguish. Her hair, normally always up in a tight bun, fell loose about her shoulders, the gray streaks now even more pronounced.
"Come," she said softly, making her way towards the portrait hole. "It would be best if we hurried."
"Has something happened to Harry?" Hermione asked as soon as they were in the hallway, the Gryffindor Head of House striding quickly down the corridor. "Professor?"
"There was an accident," she said, voice sharp with worry but a deep sadness layered underneath.
"Did something happen when he was going to Dumbledore?" Ron asked, thinking of the last time he'd seen his best friend just hours before.
McGonagall came to a complete halt. "Going to Dumbledore?" she asked.
"Yeah, I woke up when he was leaving… he said he'd had a bad dream and was going to go see Dumbledore," Ron said, shifting awkwardly on his feet as McGonagall continued to stare at him.
Then quietly, almost too soft to hear, she whispered, "It's a wonder he didn't kill you."
"What?" Ginny cried. "What do you mean? Harry would never hurt Ron! Never!"
"I don't believe the person Ron saw was Harry," Minerva said. "But to put your fears at rest, Harry has not been physically hurt. But he could certainly use you three. I'll allow him to explain the situation to you first if he so chooses. If not, I will inform you later. I have only two warnings and should you fail to obey them it will result in your immediate expulsion from Hogwarts."
All three remained silent, staring up, or in Ron's case slightly down, at McGonagall's face. "First off," McGonagall said, "is whatever Harry or I tell you is not to spoken to anyone else. Anyone at all. Not Ms. Lovegood nor Mr. Longbottom."
"What about Draco?" Hermione questioned.
"He… already knows," the woman said softly. "He won't need any updates. The second order… in no case under any circumstance are you to remove Potter's bonds. Professor Dumbledore insists and so do I. For his change of clothes," she continued, nodding at the bundle Ron carried, "the bonds will allow clothing to pass through so he can get changed."
"Bonds?" Hermione asked, rage in her voice. "Like chains? To lock him up with?"
"Believe me, Ms. Granger, they are for his own safety as well as yours. And Professor Dumbledore has made certain that they aren't uncomfortable. Now, are we in agreement with the terms?"
Three voices all said 'Yes, Professor,' each with the same amount of disbelief of what was happening…and what had happened.
"Very well." McGonagall paused in front of a very dark paneled door, a small portrait of a monk hanging on it. "This is the safe room. It's quite comfortable and I'll have a house elf bring up some hot chocolate for you all in a little bit. As his friends I know you'll know what to do." That said, she turned to the monk and said, "Harry Potter."
"Clearance granted," he wheezed, his voice rusty with disuse. "Proceed inside."
McGonagall gave the three a smile. "I'll be in the Headmaster's office if you need me."
Exchanging worried looks, the trio of Gryffindors entered the room slowly, the portrait thudding shut as soon as they had stepped fully into the room.
It was as McGonagall had said. The room was quite nice. A huge fire was crackling in the grate and a long couch sat in front of it with padded armchairs next to the couch. But any more of the decoration was lost on them as they spotted a tuft of black hair that peeked out above the back rest of the sofa.
"Harry!" Hermione cried, racing across the room towards her life long friend. "Are you… all….right?" The words slipped slowly from her mouth as she clapped a hand over it in horror.
Blood. It was all over Harry, some crimson and still wet and some a dull copper red that had already dried. "H-Harry?" she whispered, falling to her knees next to the couch. "What's going on?"
Ginny didn't say anything, just climbed up on the couch next to Harry and wrapped her arms around him not even minding the blood.
"Harry, mate, it's okay," Ron said, gently placing a hand on Harry's shoulder. "You sure you're not hurt?" he asked dubiously, eyeing the coating of blood and wondering how on earth Harry was alive after losing all that.
The boy nodded slightly, never removing his face from the crook of his arm where he'd hidden it.
"Harry, look at us… please," Hermione pleaded, reaching up and laying a gentle hand on the top of his head. "It's all right, everything's okay."
"It's not." The answer was clipped. Short. Cold. "And it won't ever be." Beneath the frigid exterior though each friend could sense tears about to overflow, a deep sadness that they didn't understand.
"Dumbledore can fix anything," Ginny said reassuringly.
"You know," Hermione said softly, running her fingers through Harry's spiky hair, "Draco said something very similar to me. But everything did turn out all right. We're your friends, Harry. You can tell us anything."
"Anything?" he asked, turning his head to look at her, green eyes heavy with regret. "Then…please leave." When no one moved his gaze turned into a glare. "I said GO!"
"Harry…" Ginny murmured, embracing him gently.
"What don't you understand! I said go! GET AWAY FROM ME!"
Still, no one stirred from their spots. They knew from past experience that Harry's anger wasn't directed at them but rather at himself. But they were there and Harry just wanted…needed… to lash out at someone.
"I don't want to hurt you too," he whispered, closing his eyes tightly. "I don't want to hurt anyone else…"
xxx
With a burst of smoke and ashes falling about them, Snape and Dumbledore hurried out of the fireplace, conveniently located in a private waiting room that no one had been occupying.
The Potions master followed Dumbledore, nearly tripping over his own feet in his haste, the headmaster seeming to know exactly where to go.
"When they ask say he got caught in gang crossfire," Dumbledore said urgently, sparing a quick glance over his shoulder at Draco, the boy lying completely limp in Snape's arms. "Understand?"
Snape gave a curt nod, not ever once removing his eyes from his godson's face, only just seeing Dumbledore in front of him. Pushing open another set of doors, the two entered the lobby to the emergency room where two nurses, who had been walking past with a sheaf of papers and cups of coffee on their break, took one look at the newcomers before one threw the papers on a nearby chair and the other ran off for assistance.
"What happened?" she asked, eyes sharp with worry.
"Gang fight," Dumbledore supplied immediately. "He was caught in the crossfire."
Already, a gurney was being wheeled underneath Draco and another nurse, this one male, gently took Draco from Snape's arms and laid him down.
"Do you know his name?" the woman asked, racing alongside the stretcher with the two wizards right behind.
"Draco Malfoy," Snape said quickly. "And he has A positive blood… no allergies to any medications that we're aware of."
The nurse, Melinda as her nametag said, nodded. "Thank you. If you'll both take a seat right here I'll see you in a few minutes," she said, gesturing at the room they'd entered that was full of plastic chairs.
"But-" Snape protested as Draco was wheeled away.
"Stay, Severus," Dumbledore said softly, guiding the younger man to one of the chairs. "It's out of our hands now."
"What happened?" Snape demanded, lifeless eyes turning full of anger. "Who did that to him?"
"Voldemort," Albus said softly, watching as Severus' face tightened. "He's managed to take control of Harry and use him like a puppet. As soon as we get back, I need you to help him with his Occulumency… I can't guarantee the safety of anyone at Hogwarts any longer if Voldemort is able to appear when he pleases."
"Where's Potter now?"
"Locked in the Safe Room. And I had Minerva fetch his closest friends so that he might not feel so…so lonely."
"Is it safe for them to be in there?" Snape asked and Dumbledore, despite the situation, smiled as he realized the Slytherin was actually worried.
"I placed a binding on his hands which will restrict him from performing any magic. I'm sure they'll all be safe but I don't know for how long."
As soon as he was certain Harry was secure, Snape went right back to Draco. "Why was Draco involved? How did Potter even get a gun?"
"I'm not sure on either question," Dumbledore admitted. "I asked Harry about Draco and he mentioned Voldemort having said that Draco crossed a boundary. That's why we came here instead of to St. Mungo's. I don't know if Lucius is involved and if he is I don't want Draco anywhere within his grasp. In light of this, I'd like you to be Draco's temporary guardian. If, and I'm sure they will, the hospital asks inform them his real parents are dead and you're watching him. I'm a friend of the family and was with you two tonight when Draco accidentally got caught between gang fire."
Snape nodded, suddenly shivering and pulled the jacket he was wearing tighter around his frame. "It'll be all right," Dumbledore said reassuringly, placing a comforting hand on Severus' shoulder. "Ashford has one of the very best ER centers in London; Draco is in good hands."
The Potions master could only hope Albus was right.
xxx
"Anyone else?" Ginny whispered, glancing down at the blood soaked Harry.
"I don't believe you'd ever hurt anyone willingly Harry, am I right?" Hermione asked, studying Harry's face and watching as tears mingled with blood. He gave the slightest nod. "Then don't say you hurt anyone if you didn't," she said.
"But I did!" Harry cried, sitting up with a start and knocking Ginny to the floor. "I KILLED HIM!"
Stunned silence rang through the room, Ginny lying on the ground where she'd fallen and not even moving to get into a more comfortable position.
"Killed?" Ron said, voice wavering. "Someone's…dead…?"
Harry just started to cry, not even trying to hold back his tears any longer. Ginny reacted immediately and sat back on the couch and pulled Harry to her, her arms wrapping securely around him while Hermione did the same but leaned against Harry instead.
A soft pop echoed in the room and everyone glanced towards the corner where a house elf had appeared holding a tray of hot chocolate. A very familiar house elf. A house elf that made Harry cry harder.
"Is Harry Potter all right?" Dobby asked, setting the tray down on a small table and coming over.
"Harry's not feeling so good right now," Ginny said softly. "Thank you for the hot chocolate, Dobby. I'm sure it'll help."
The elf smiled ear to ear. "Dobby hopes Harry Potter feels better soon." And with another pop he was gone.
"Draco," Hermione whispered, the name catching in her throat. "It was Draco, wasn't it Harry?"
Tears were spilling in torrents down her own cheeks, blurring her vision and her own choked back sobs hurting her throat. When Harry didn't answer she knew. They all knew.
"R-ron?" she asked, voice finally breaking. The redhead turned to look at her, tears trickling silently down his face. "Here's…here's what we're going to…to do." She rose to her feet and took a calming breath to steady the flood rising inside. For Draco it was too late. For Harry it wasn't. And she wasn't just going to stand by and watch one of her best friends fall apart.
"See that door?" she asked, pointing towards the far right corner. "I'm assuming that's a bathroom. Could you get Harry washed up and make sure he gets dressed in the clothes you brought? Ginny and I… we'll clean up in here. We'll talk then, all right?"
Ron nodded and hoisted Harry up and half carried half dragged him off towards the bathroom, Harry taking no notice that he was moving at all. Once the bathroom door closed with a soft click Hermione turned to Ginny. "Right now," she said quietly, "we have to be strong for Harry. Draco… we can…we can…"
"I know," Ginny said, embracing Hermione tightly. "Everything will be all right… you said so. We just have to have hope that Draco…that he's still alive. We both know he doesn't go down easily."
"You're right," Hermione said, rubbing her hand across her eyes. "We have to believe." Straightening up, she pulled her wand from her robe pocket. "I'll clean this up," she said, gesturing to the couch where blood stains had covered it. "Could you place a warming charm on the hot chocolate? And go ask McGonagall for a Calming Potion. I think we're going to need it."
"On it," Ginny said, a small smile forcing its way upon her face. A minute later she was gone and Hermione was alone in the room.
The Gryffindor cautiously made her way over to the couch and cast a cleaning charm, watching as all of the blood vanished and what remained was a deep, forest green couch with little streaks of braided gold running through it.
Hermione collapsed on it and buried her face in one of the pillows. "Don't go," she whispered, hands clasped tightly next to her head. "Don't leave me. Don't leave me alone…I need you."
She lay there for several more minutes, listening to the fire and watching the bathroom door. Instead, the main door opened sooner and Ginny appeared, a large smile on her face. Clutched in her hand was a small vial of deep purple liquid that she added to everyone's hot chocolate with a little extra for Harry.
"Good news," she said, eyes dancing in beat with the embers. "Draco isn't dead…at least, when McGonagall last saw him he wasn't."
Hermione squealed and jumped off the couch. "Really, Ginny? He's all right?"
"I didn't say all right," she admonished. "He was alive though. McGonagall said that she'd still wait for Harry to tell us but she let me know that Dumbledore and Snape took Draco to a hospital."
"A hospital?" Hermione asked, wondering over the odd word choice. "You mean St. Mungo's?"
Ginny shook her head. "That's what's confusing me. They took him to Ashford…McGonagall said it was located in muggle London."
"Muggles? But…they don't know how to treat magic! What is Dumbledore thinking?"
"Maybe," Ginny said slowly, "it's because the injury isn't magical."
Hermione's eyes widened in horror as well as realization. "You must be right, Gin," she said. "But… even St. Mungo's can cure anything muggle made… they might not be as well briefed but they do know how to treat it. So does that mean his injuries were so bad they had to bring him elsewhere?"
"I think it's because of Lucius."
Both girls whirled around to see Harry walking next to Ron towards the couch, his hair damp and dripping onto the shirt Ron had brought. Now that his arms weren't covered the blue bands of light circling his wrists seemed even more pronounced.
"Are you all right?" Ginny asked, nearly flying over to his side as he sat down on the couch. Before Harry could even open his mouth she continued on. "You didn't kill him, Harry! McGonagall told me that Dumbledore took him to a hospital! He'll be all right!"
"Harry, what's happening?" Hermione asked, picking up the tray of hot chocolate and handing a cup to everyone, though Ginny held Harry's for him because of the binding.
"Whatever happened you have to know that we know you didn't do it," Ron said, settling down in one of the easy chairs. "Voldemort was behind it, right?"
"Yeah," Harry said softly, staring down at his hands.
"Then point proven," he said. "You can't be at fault for something Voldemort did since you never wanted said thing to happen. So don't go blaming yourself. Just blame Voldemort."
"If you want," Hermione offered gently, "you don't have to tell us anything or talk right now. You look like you could use some sleep though."
"No," Harry said softly yet firmly. "You all have the right to know. And," he admitted, "I think I'll feel better.
"I don't remember much," he continued, staring at the fire. "I actually don't remember anything until I heard Draco yelling. When I woke up, I guess you could call it that, I was in a cage… in my head. And Voldemort was there. He told me that there was 'no getting out of this one' and he let me see out of my real eyes. I…" his voice wavered and Ginny and Hermione tightened their hugs.
"I was holding a gun," he whispered. "And I'd shot him. Voldemort said that he was doing this because Draco crossed a boundary. He could either kill me and live or I would kill him. Draco didn't…he didn't want to hurt me. He tried to cast the Cructacius so he could stupefy me but Voldemort pushed right through it.
"I…I started yelling at Voldemort when he put the gun to Draco's head. I'm not really sure what happened after that but I think it was my tears… one of them hit Voldemort and he started screaming. And then the next thing I knew I was outside my body and the gun had just gone off.
"I managed to turn the gun so it didn't…it didn't go into his head. It kind of went over his face instead. Then, Hagrid found us and Dumbledore broke down the barrier I'm guessing Voldemort set up. And here I am."
"Oh, Harry," Ginny murmured, pressing her face against him. Hermione pressed one hand to her mouth as tears started to fall down again.
"I hate to ask," Ron butted in softly, "but what's a gun?"
"It's muggle made," Harry said. "It's a weapon of theirs. You pull a trigger on it and it shoots these things called bullets. They're… I'm pretty sure they're metal and they can go through almost anything. Except bulletproof glass and vests."
"Oh," Ron said softly. "Are they deadly though? Like the Killing Curse?"
"Not that bad," Hermione said. "Actually though, I guess it depends on your opinion. A gun can sometimes not kill if it doesn't hit a vital spot; like the heart or the head. But unlike the Killing Curse gunshots are painful. Very painful."
Ron paled again as he was staring at Harry, McGonagall's words echoing in his head. 'It's a wonder he didn't kill you.'
"I met Voldemort," he said, shaking his head in disbelief. "I woke up earlier tonight and you were leaving the room. I asked you where you were going and you told me you'd had a dream and were going to see Dumbledore…and I went back to bed!" Furiously, Ron gripped handfuls of his hair. "I should have done something! None of this would have happened if-"
"If you'd tried to do something Voldemort probably would have killed you," Harry said softly. "Besides, if I can't even tell there's someone in my head you shouldn't have to worry about if that's really me or not."
"So," Hermione said, glancing at the clock hanging on the wall. "It's nearly two in the morning. Anything in particular you'd like to do?"
"Go back to bed," Ginny yawned, not even bothering to cover her mouth. "Everything always looks better in the morning." Ron wholeheartedly agreed.
"Where do we sleep though?" Ginny wondered, looking around the room. "I don't see a bed anywhere."
"The couch probably pulls out," Hermione suggested. "But I don't think all four of us will fit on it."
"You don't have to stay here," Harry said quietly. "I don't mind."
"We're staying right here with you, Harry Potter and don't even try to get me to leave," Ginny huffed, arms crossed over her chest in a very good imitation of her mother.
Harry gave a nervous smile, the first one they'd all seen that night, and held his clasped hands in front of his face to ward her off.
After getting everyone off of the couch Hermione and Ron pulled it free and watched happily as it expanded (and with a little help from Hermione's wand grew wide enough so they'd all fit).
"I get Harry!" Ginny called, throwing her arms around his neck and knocking him backwards onto the bed.
"Ginny! Not in front of me!" Ron cried, covering his eyes as Ginny remained in her straddled position and nuzzled her head against him.
A few minutes later order had been restored and Harry ended up between Hermione and Ginny with Ron on Ginny's other side. The fire had been dimmed and only a faint light came from it now as all four lay together, each praying silently for Draco before silently slipping off to sleep.
"Harry?" Hermione whispered as soon as she heard Ron's soft snores and Ginny's deep breathing.
"Yeah?" He rolled over to look at her, green eyes shining like emeralds in the darkness.
"I know I said I'd stay but-"
"Then go," Harry smiled sadly. "Draco needs you."
"Thank you." Placing a chaste kiss on his forehead Hermione slithered out of the bed and raced from the room, slippered feet padding down the hall.
She could only hope she wasn't too late.
xxx
"Is anyone here for Draco Malfoy?" a young nurse asked, a clipboard tucked under one arm.
Snape jumped to his feet, nearly spilling the coffee he'd bought moments before. "Here!" he called out, voice shaking slightly as Dumbledore rose beside him.
The woman gave him a slightly disapproving glare as she glanced down at the file in her hand. Snape looked to Dumbledore who shrugged slightly.
"If you would please come with me," she said, holding open a door that led into a stark white hallway. Snape and Dumbledore gladly did so. "In here," she said, opening another door and gesturing the men inside a small but comfy looking room.
"My name is Beth and I'll be discussing Draco's case with you. May I please have your names?"
"Albus Dumbledore."
"Severus Snape."
Beth started at Severus' last name. "Your last name isn't Malfoy?"
"No, I'm Draco's guardian. His parents passed away several years ago."
"How many years?" she asked, glancing down again at the folder.
"Three," he snapped, patience waning. "Please, tell us, is Draco all right?"
The nurse had visibly relaxed after Snape's short answer and gave him a smile. "Draco had five bullet wounds; two of which weren't that serious, two that were and one critical. The wound to his left shoulder very narrowly missed his heart and is the most critcal one at the moment. It took several minutes to staunch the bleeding and he's currently at risk for a sucking chest wound. We've bandaged and wrapped it and he's currently hooked up to a chest tube so the effects will hopefully be lessened.
"Draco took a shot directly in his stomach but the bullet exited out the other side so there's no worry of damaging any internal organs had the bullet remained. Both his arm and leg have been treated with no lasting injury to either save he might have a slight limp in his left leg when this is all over and done.
"The bullet to his head was deeper than we originally thought and it cut almost through to his skull. Fortunately, it didn't penetrate and it missed both of his eyes and he should be fine except for some scarring.
"He lost a lot of blood and is currently being stabilized through a transfusion as well as an IV. His heart rate is very low at about forty-five bmp and we're hoping that it will pick up. He's on a breathing apparatus as his chest wound involved a cracked rib and it nearly pierced the lung which is blocking the pathway slightly for his own breathing structure."
As Beth paused to take a breath, Snape interrupted. "So he's alive? He's all right?"
"I wouldn't say all right but he is alive," she said, a slow grin appearing on her face. "But," she said, the smile fading, "he really is in a very precarious state. If he manages to make it through the rest of tonight and the morning with his heart rate stabling then he'll be fine. But he really did lose a lot of blood and I'm not entirely positive the transfusion will work in time. I'm not here to be the bearer of bad news but it's best to be ready for both possibilities."
"Thank you very much, Beth," Dumbledore said kindly. "We do prefer the truth."
"Then there's one more thing," she said. "We found burn marks all over his body which clearly isn't from gunfire. Would either of you know what that might be from?"
Snape and Dumbledore exchanged looks. "No, I'm afraid we don't," Albus said.
"Not even you?" she asked, quirking an eyebrow at Snape.
He glared. "No."
She nodded. "I have several more questions but would you like to see him before that? I don't want to hold you up…some friendly support has never been wasted."
"We would like to see him, yes," Snape said, already rising from his chair.
"Very well," she nodded. "I will have to ask you though to please stay out of the doctor's way and please leave the room if emergency help is needed. Also, be prepared that he's going to look very different than how you normally see him but don't act frightened, he's still the same Draco, right?"
Snape nodded just as Beth's pager went off with a loud, distressing beep. She glanced down at it, eyes widening in horror at the message on the screen.
Code blue! Code blue! Room 116! Room 116! All immediate staff on hand report immediately.
She then glanced up at the room she had been just about to enter, the brass nameplate glaring mockingly down at the small group.
Room 116.
Author's Notes:
1- In Reference to 'Code Blue'- Codes actually don't have a particular meaning as each hospital/clinic designs its own definitions for each but 'Blue' is most often used with heart related problems.
Hehe, I love cliffies, don't you?
Okay, I'm going to try to make the AN a little shorter for you all this time so you can spend it writing a nice long, review. p
First off. I've been noticing a lot of plagiarizing of my fan fictions, namely Parenting Class. I'm flattered that so many of you like it that much to steal it but I'm honestly quite tired of finding my idea all over the place. If you would like to use it I have no problem but please contact me and let me know and also give credit in the disclaimer that the original idea belonged to IcyPanther. Thank you
Second, thanks very much to all of you sending me stories! I haven't quite gotten around to reading them all yet (even though there weren't that man -hint, hint-) best rest assured that I do plan on reading all of them.
Third, is anyone interested in joining Gaia Online? It's where I'm most commonly found now and it's actually quite a lot of fun! Also, considering how some of you must know how bad I am at responding to e-mails or pms on I always respond on Gaia because the site bugs me until I do p. If you're interested in joining please do visit my profile where I have a link to join as well as a link to two auctions I'm in that both end tomorrow and would greatly love and appreciate a bid! My username there is IcyPanther (isn't it original!) if you'd like to 'friend' me :D
Fourth, but this really should be first, a huge, huge, huge thank you to the ever faithful and wonderful reviewers:glomps everyone: I honestly don't know what I'd do without you all!
Fifth, let's see if you read the AN's…just a test to see what percent actually does. Type 'Elephants Pwn' somewhere in your review! 3
Sixth, if you'd like do go put on 'I must be dreaming' by Evanescence for this chapter; I listened to it nearly the entire time I was typing it.
