A/N: Thank you for the reviews, keep them coming.


Big Head Boys


Harry felt as if his lungs had collapsed. The thing he feared had happened. He couldn't let them die. After all, he had finally managed to mend the bonds with them. He pulled out his wand and dashed towards the door.

"Wait!" Remus called out "Your relatives are safe!"

Harry stopped at the door and said with disbelief "They are?"

"Yes" Remus assured him. "They had already left this evening with their belongings."

Harry turned around, relief flooding his face, and sagged against the open door. Must be Lance's doing, Harry thought. But how?

The party resumed with subdued excitement. Harry felt slightly bad about it after all the efforts which were put into it. After the cake no longer existed along with the tasty food, Harry asked innocently "So where are my gifts?"

"You will have to wait for them." Ginny teased.

"How cruel" Harry complained with mock dejection. Everyone broke into rounds of laughter, which morphed into silent snickering after a yell from upstairs.

***B***

Harry got up at six, tired of yesterday's late nighter. Ron was still asleep, as usual. To his pleasant surprise, he found a heap of gifts at his bedside. However, he curbed his anticipation and after a quick wash, made his way downstairs. Mrs Weasley was in the kitchen washing dishes with her wand. "Hello Mrs Weasley."

"Merlin! Harry you scared me." Mrs Weasley exclaimed. "Going for your morning run?" At Harry's nod, she went on. "Remus told me about your daily routine. Let me fix you up a breakfast."

"It's alright. I'll make it myself." Harry said. In spite of Mrs Weasley's insistence, Harry made a sandwich and ate it along with a glass of milk.

"We have a large field around the house. Try to stay within the boundaries." Mrs Weasley advised him.

Harry didn't want to lie so he didn't respond and only said that he would be back within an hour or so. After running for around ten minutes, he found a spot hidden from view and disapparated. He appeared directly in the hidden training room of the gym, as was the usual practice. Lance was sitting in a chair waiting for him. He seemed to be slightly under the weather. "It's just a cold." he said when Harry inquired about his health.

"So what did you do to convince the Dursleys?" Harry asked curiously.

Lance grinned "I just appealed to their needs. I anonymously sent them photos of the house and also included a list of neighbours that they were going to have. A few snaps of a nearby gym sealed the deal."

"You are the worst kind of manipulator." Harry chided good-naturedly while Lance bowed his head as if he was being praised. He thanked him sincerely but Lance just waved his arm. And with that, they were back to training.

***B***

Harry reappeared behind the shrubs, hidden from view. Pocketing his wand he ran towards The Burrow. As he neared the house, he found a duel in progress, while the other Weasleys played as spectators. Ron against the bully of an old man. Ron seemed to be holding his ground, but Harry had an impression that the old man was holding back. The old man was moving around with nimble grace, his posture and focus was of a fighter with years of experience. He was good; at least Harry could give him that. Ron's duelling on the other hand looked almost ordinary, his limited movement was predictable. However, the wand that he carried more than made up for his weaknesses. Even Harry could feel the power of the wand at such a distance. After another minute of exchanging spells, Harry noticed frustration creeping in to the old man's expression and he sent a flurry of spells at Ron who predictably brought up a shield.

All of them bar one were absorbed by the shield with ease. The last remaining spell, to everyone's surprise including Harry, curved below the shield and hit its mark. Ron toppled over, his wand forgotten, holding his neck and choking on his breath. The ruthless old man slowly made his way to Ron, as if he had all the time in the world, and lifted the curse leaving Ron gasping for breath.

He was about to berate Ron but stopped himself when he noticed Harry watching them. With a forced smile he praised Ron. "You did well. Although, you could have done better." Ron blinked at the manipulating old man, as if trying to check whether he was dreaming or not. He had never been praised. "You seem fine for another round." And without waiting for a response, the plotting old man turned to the Weasleys, and announced as if in an arena. "It seems we have Harry Potter amongst us." He spread his hands for effect. Harry found it funny though, so did the Weasleys. "How about a duel between the Boy-Who-Lived and the Chosen One?"

So he was going to fight himself, he mused, according to the crazy old man. In any case, he was not ready to carry out his biddings. "I am really tired at the moment, let's do this later."

"You seem to be full of excuses. Are you afraid that your image of bravery and courage would be washed away?" the old man mocked him.

"No. Like I said I am tired." Harry said nonchalantly.

"C'mon Harry, just this once." Ron requested with puppy eyes.

"Maybe later" Harry fought back.

"Did you forget your challenge?" Ron tried to entice him. "Please mate, let us duel. I am tired of fighting losing battles, at least with you I have a chance to win."

"You wish." Harry teased playfully. After being assaulted by Ron's pleading eyes and supportive cheers from the crowd, he grudgingly relented. "Alright"

He walked over to stand in front of Ron, looking warily at his wand. He could defeat him, but would that be advisable? He was feeling slightly nervous and felt a surge of adrenaline flow through him due to his anticipation of the upcoming duel. It had been a long time since he had duelled. The only problem was that he would have to hold back, in fear of disclosing his training. However, it had to be done in such a way that no doubts or suspicion could be raised over him. Quite a few watchful eyes were over him and he had to prevent giving them any reasons for it. That was difficult because dumbing down his skills was not his habit. Harry decided to play defense to assess Ron's skills and improvise accordingly.

They bowed to each other and raised their wands. "Stupefy!" Ron yelled, as if the louder he cursed, the stronger was the power behind the spell.

Harry brought up his shield. Wrong move. Harry felt the air crackle as the spell raced towards him and he felt a sense of foreboding when it hit his shield. The shield buckled and Harry stumbled back under the force nearly losing his balance. His wand arm was also shaking due to the strain. Ron had a smug smile and was quickly onto him, taking advantage of Harry's position.

He seemed to have underestimated Ron. His wand actually, he corrected himself. He sent his own stunner at Ron to throw him off his attack, which he sent wide to purposely miss its mark. Ron surprisingly, jumped in its way bringing up his shield. Harry's stunner seemed to disintegrate even before it could touch the shield.

"Your aim is a bit wayward." Ron teased.

"Show off." Harry muttered, causing Ron to chuckle. Ron resumed his assault while Harry decided he was better off dodging. He could feel the power behind curses which whizzed past him. He also returned fire at random points around Ron, who foolishly tried to play catch with them using his shield.

Ron's spell casting was fast and more or else accurate. His training did seem to be improving him. The only thing wrong was that he seemed to be taking this as a game. Harry was finding it very easy dodging the spells coming his way which were much slower compared to the tennis balls. However, he knew that his perfect dance would raise suspicions. He needed to do something.

At the right moment, he tripped and fell down, a few curses passing over him. There were a few 'ooohs' from the crowd. Harry also heard a humourless chuckle followed by "How graceful." Holding back his skills was really getting on his nerves and he had a good mind to finish this fight and get it over with it. The questions that would follow was the only reason stopping him.

He decided to lose. After exchanging some more curses and jumping around, Harry brought up a weak shield against Ron's stunner. The next moment he found himself looking up at Ron who seemed to have revived him. There was a dull ache at the back of his head. "I am sorry, you lost." Ron was anything but sorry. He was jubilant, pleased, ecstatic and all of that.

"Nice one. It's seems I underestimated you." Harry said trying to be as sincere as possible.

"You did indeed." It was the offensive old man. "Ron here has managed to unmask the self-proclaimed hero to reveal the weakling hiding behind your fake bravado."

"Come now uncle," Mr Weasley said from behind him, leading the Weasley band and Hermione behind him. "You are being unfair. Harry has been out of practice for around two months."

"No more excuses, no more lies. He," the old man pointed his shrivelling finger at Harry "is a just a fake." He left after that proclamation, to everyone's relief.

"Don't mind him." Mrs Weasley said, inspecting him closely for any damage. "Are you hurt?"

"I am fine." Harry assured, flinching slightly.

"That was a great fight; you lasted longer than most of us. It seems Ron is becoming stronger by the day." Ginny stated with pride, causing Ron to puff his chest.

"Watch out!" The twins warned with terror, their trembling fingers pointing at Ron's chest. Everyone burst out laughing.

After it died down, Bill recalled "Harry would have had lost earlier if not for the lucky fall."

There was another round of chuckling except one who said. "Yeah, lucky." Oh great. She was onto him already. Now she would dig deep and uncover the truth. Hermione had an uncanny knack for it. He would need to be wary of her and try to delay the inevitable as long as possible.

"Don't take this loss too hard on yourself." Charlie tried to pacify Harry, misunderstanding Harry's pensive look. "After all, only two people have been able to beat him consistently."

"Ron has duelled with everyone?" Harry asked with surprise.

"He has been a pain." One of the twins said.

"Pestering anyone who happened to be around him." the other one said.

"He must have got a go on each one of us for more than five times."

"Ron, the fool he is, even had tried to include mum."

"She had to throw a knife at him to get rid of him."

"I did no such thing." Mrs Weasley exclaimed with her hands on her hips. "I just threatened him." Everyone laughed.

"So who has beaten him?" Harry asked curiously.

"Guess?" Bill said cryptically.

Harry looked at all their faces gauging their expression and then stated "Bill and... Hermione?"

"Thank you for the vote of confidence." Charlie said with mock dejection.

"So I guessed wrong?" Harry asked.

"Nah, you were right on the money." Ron assured. "We are just surprised how you got that right?"

"Your expressions gave some of you away and with the process of elimination and deduction, I came to my conclusion." Harry intoned, as if reading from a textbook. A small was playing on his face.

"Harry is turning into a Hermione!" Fred exclaimed, holding his head in mock horror.

"Actually, I chose Hermione since she knows how to handle Ron." Harry teased, causing everyone to snicker, while Ron and Hermione blushed deep red.

***B***

After Ron's childish insistence, Harry had opened his gifts. Mrs Weasley had given him the usual jumper, hand-woven with love and care. He got a book on The Magic Within from Hermione and a stash of chocolate frogs from Ron. He got a snitch from Ginny, much to his pleasant surprise. He carried it around wherever he went. He also received a suspicious package from the twins, which he had got the twins to open for him. It turned out to be a wand holster, a new design in their creation. Harry was told that the twins were trying to develop more stuff along those lines since they were being tagged as not-so-serious people. He learned that they were still not being allowed to join the Order. Bill and Charlie bought him a broom maintenance kit. Remus gave him an album which had pictures of his school days. Hedwig had brought him three gifts, two from the Dursleys and the other one from Lance. Aunt Petunia had sent him his mother's wedding album while the other one, which was a muggle quill, was from Dudley. Lance had sent him a book, surprising Harry. Not because it was a book, but due to its title – The Leader's Way. Leader? What was Lance on about?

Anyway, he had thanked everyone with all of his heart. He also felt slightly guilty for not remembering to gift his friends on their birthdays. He vowed to change that. Only if he knew what was waiting for him.

The same day, he also received a letter from Gringotts, declaring the financial status of his account. He was surprised to learn that he now had over sixty eight thousand galleons, the increase due to the addition of the money from Sirius's account. The letter told him that the increase was very less due to the constant drain in the Black family wealth over the last ten years. Harry was not worried about that, what he had was too much already. He also learned that he was made a partner in the twins company, who had been paying him one-tenth of their profits every month. He tried to talk them out of it but they refused to budge stating that he was the sole reason for their success.

***B***

As the days progressed, Ron started to irritate Harry. He regularly hinted about his victories and what the future held for him. It was not just Harry though.

"Ah… my head!" Hermione moaned after being badgered by Ron. "Why didn't you just defeat Ron?" she complained to Harry. "He was bearable before you lost to him. Now he is just a... "

"Pain in the neck?" Harry supplied and Hermione nodded. "I did try but his wand was too strong."

"Don't give me that. He is still Ron, clueless as ever." she quickly swivelled her head around to check for Ron before breathing a sigh of relief.

"Hermione, I haven't been duelling for more than two months." Harry said truthfully. "The change which you see is only physical; it's just that I have been working out."

"How do you explain the calmness and maturity you displayed? The Harry I knew wore his emotions on his sleeves."

"Are you accusing me of being an impostor?" Harry asked. Hermione quickly shook her head. "I have rolled up my sleeves. I have realized that my weakness have been my unstable emotions."

"Who made you realize that?" Hermione probed. He paused and looked at her intensely, causing her to fidget. He had a good mind to tell her to mind her own business. However, that would not help his cause.

He decided to tell her part of the truth. "The trainer of the gym I went to had parted some wise words to me." Hermione, luckily, seemed satisfied and somewhat relieved by this disclosure. Harry was pleased by his decision.

When Ron's harassment didn't stop and no one tried to do it themselves, Harry confronted him. They were playing a game of chess; Harry surprisingly had the upper hand. It was partly due to practice he received during training and also due to the fact that Ron was again boasting about his new found strength, his concentration no more in the game he loved.

"Ron" Harry stopped Ron's monologue. "Do you think I am jealous of your wand?"

"Why do you ask?" Ron asked, slightly miffed at being interrupted and confused by the sudden question.

"Just answer my question." Harry requested.

Ron looked at him with calculating eyes and then said. "No."

"Do you think your brothers are jealous of you?"

"Yes. A little bit." Ron agreed, trying to comprehend where Harry was leading to.

"Do you think that we all are proud of you?"

"Of course"

"Now tell me, do you know that I'm rich?" Harry put forth.

"Yes. But what does that have to do with anything?" Ron asked with exasperation.

"Please humour me." Ron nodded unconvincingly. "Alright, last time I checked, I had around sixty eight thousand galleons, not counting the estate and properties I own. I also own a tenth of the venture the twins have established. With so much money I could buy hundreds of Firebolts-"

"What's all this nonsense, please get to the point." Ron yelled with irritation.

"I am sorry; I am getting there, please bear with me." Harry assured. "So as I was saying the money could buy me a hundreds of Firebolts. And if I wanted I could buy myself into the Auror academy as well. My money can give me power to-"

"Enough!" Ron interrupted with a yell. "I don't care how wealthy you are. Are you trying to belittle me? Are you trying to make me feel poor? I am happy with what I have. My family is more than enough for me. You cannot buy a family with your money, can you?" Harry heard a series of gasps released from the onlookers that comprised of the younger Weasleys and Hermione. "I thought you were a better person. I guess I was wrong. Uncle William was right about you."

Harry was hurt by the words uttered by his best friend. It really hurt, but he had to go through with this. "You were hurt my words, weren't you. I didn't even boast about it, just stated them in a matter of fact manner. And it was only once. What have you been doing? Everyone was happy about your new wand. But your relentless harassment and boasting was diminishing their happiness. You kept pushing the wand in their faces without realizing that you were not only irritating them, but also making them feel inferior. Everyone tried to mask their discontentment but there is a limit to everything. A limit which you have crossed a while back."

"So... so what you told me earlier was... you didn't mean it?" Ron stuttered, his eyes wide with confusion.

"You think I am so heartless? Have I ever mentioned my wealth to you before? I care about how someone would feel, but that someone seems to care less about people around him. How thick can you be?" Harry berated him with a sharp voice.

Ron had an ashamed look unable to meet Harry's eyes. He turned to his family and apologized. "I... I am so sorry. I didn't realize... Please forgive me."

"There is someone else who you have hurt more than us." Hermione said. "If he forgives you, so will we."

Ron looked confused "Who-" It hit him and his face whitened with horror. He turned to Harry who was looking at him with hardened eyes. "I didn't mean... I-"

"You seem to say a lot of things that you don't mean. You don't think before you speak. What had you told me earlier? That I can't I buy a family? That the old man was right about me? Your words pierced my heart. If it was anyone else, I wouldn't have cared. However, it was my best friend who had said those hurtful words. I will never forget them."

Ron eyes filled with tears of grief. He fell down on his knees and pleaded. "I didn't mean it. You are right. I don't think before I say anything. I will do my best to not repeat my mistakes. Please forgive me."

Harry's gaze softened and held Ron's shoulders and lifted him up. "I am glad you have realized it. However, you will be forgiven only one condition."

"Anything" Ron whispered.

"From now on, you will not mention anything about your wand to anyone of us."

"I will not. I promise." Ron promised sincerely. Everyone cheered; Harry received lots of pat on his back.

"Wow Harry, we didn't know you were so rich." Fred said.

"Sixty eight thousand galleons! Phew!" George exclaimed with wistful eyes.

"That's not all." Harry began with a teasing tone. "Sixty eight thousand galleons and the properties-"

"Yes! Yes! We heard." The twins exclaimed covering their ears. Everyone laughed.

***B***

The days passed without any further incidents. The house was peaceful; Ron had stuck to his word while Harry did his best to stay out of the old man's way. One morning, after Harry had returned from his run, he found a stack of letters waiting to be opened, discretely hidden on the table. They were from Hogwarts but no one had noticed them yet, everyone one was at the table having breakfast. Mrs Weasley looked at him with eyes that told him not to mention the letters now. The ruckus would have interrupted their meal and she didn't want that.

The girls had been waiting for the letters with trepidation, Ginny worried about her OWL results while Hermione was worked up unnecessarily in others eyes but Harry had an inkling to what it was. Harry joined them at the table but didn't eat anything.

The table's conversation was coincidentally, revolving around Hogwarts. "It's official. Hogwarts is going to remain open." Hermione said brightly, pointing at the article in the Daily Prophet.

Ron groaned loudly, causing snickers to break around the table. Another person groaned. "Waiting for OWL results is a nightmare; worse than actually giving the exams."

Mrs Weasley shot Harry a warning look who only smiled back to assure her.

"I feel for you." Hermione said, placing her arm on Ginny's hand.

"I wonder who would teach us Defense Against the Dark Arts and Transfiguration, provided professor McGonagall would quit teaching it?" Harry thought out aloud.

"She has" Mr Weasley confirmed. "It was not possible being a Headmistress and then to teach as well."

"Hope we get some good professors." Ron said with a slight dread.

"That is just wishful thinking." Harry warned. "If the history of our professors is anything to go by, we can expect nothing less than an interesting year." Everyone went back to their plates to finish up their breakfast, thinking about what the future held.

"Ahhh! I can't take it anymore!" Ginny groaned. "I think I am going to die waiting!"

Harry looked at Mrs Weasley who nodded with a smile on her face. "I will save you Ginny! I will be your knight in shining armour." Harry exclaimed, standing up. Everyone looked at him as if he had grown a head, while Ginny had a look in her eyes he couldn't understand. He went to the table and picked up the letters and lifted them up for everyone to see.

The girls squealed in excitement and trepidation and raced to him.

"I am so handsome." Harry said out aloud, giving a pose. However, the girls literally knocked him over, snatching the letters.

Ron lifted him Harry up. "I don't think it was your handsomeness." Ron whispered loudly. Harry held an expression of mock disappointment, while the others laughed. The girls didn't even notice; they were busy going through their letters.

"So how did you do Ginny?" Mrs Weasley asked concern in her eyes. The person in question lifted her face with an incomprehensible expression.

Ginny's face broke into a wide smile. "Eight OWLs. And the best of all, I have been made a perfect." The twins groaned in disappointment, Mrs Weasley had a smile plastered on her face, her face glowing with pride. "Now I can play pranks and cause trouble without getting caught."

The twins' groans changed into cheers. "Our devious little sister." One of them intoned with a lovey-dovey voice.

"We had started to have doubts whether you had been left had at our door."

"But you proved us wrong." They came to her smooching, as if to kiss her but stopped and looked warily at the wand pointed at them. Everyone chuckled at their antics.

Ginny had a smug look while Mrs Weasley was trying to look at her disapprovingly but failed miserably.

"How did you become a prefect now?" Ron asked with pride and confusion.

"I don't know." Ginny admitted. "Hope nothing happened to the prefects of our year." She ended solemnly, all her happiness disappearing into worry. Harry deduced that mood swings were common during a war. Safety is never guaranteed and people live dreading what will happen tomorrow, who will get injured, or worse, die. They are happy to live another day, but it turns into sadness when people die around them. Alright, I'm getting too philosophical, Harry thought. Lance is to blame for this.

Harry looked at Hermione who still hadn't said anything. She was clutching the letter in one hand while the other was curled up in a fist, holding something.

"What's wrong?" Harry enquired.

She looked up at Harry with utter disappointment. "I am still a prefect." She said in a strange detached voice. Harry's heart went out to her. He knew how she coveted that position. She was in fact the perfect choice for a head girl. Harry would have hugged her if not for the fact that he disliked physically affection himself.

He just resorted to placing his hand on her shoulder. "It's alright. They must have had their reasons."

"What happened?" Ron asked with a worried frown after taking in the distraught look on Hermione.

"She has not been made the Head Girl." Harry informed.

Ron's face contorted in rage. "Have they gone barking mad? They might have made a mistake, you know. They must have mixed up the letters and sent you the wrong one." Hermione just shook her head.

"Ron, do you know what this means, right?" Ginny pointed out.

Ron looked confused. "What?"

"A head boy and head girl cannot be from the same house after the rule was changed around fifteen years ago." Ginny informed. "Now there is a one third chance that you could be one of them." She ended with mock distaste.

Realization hit home and Ron screamed in horror. "No! I will be ruined! All my free time! It better not be me..."

Harry was slightly amazed at the stark difference in how his two friends were behaving. One saddened at being not made the Head Girl while the other was terrorized by even the thought of becoming a Head Boy.

"Yeah, it better not be." The twins began. "We will not think twice of disowning you." "Oh the humiliation we would have to endure." "We won't be able to show our face to our fellow pranksters." The twins held their held head in embarrassment.

Ron picked up his letter and opened it up, as if it was a bomb. A badge fell out in his outstretched hand. A prefect badge. There was a huge sigh of relief followed by chuckles.

"What's wrong with our family?" Harry heard Mrs Weasley mutter to herself. "They are happy for not having a Head Boy in the family." Mr Weasley, who was standing next to her, whispered something in her ear, causing her to redden.

Harry quickly averted his eyes to avoid staring. He felt content, bliss. Being part of such a loving family was a privilege. Not counting the old man, of course.

"Umm... Harry, did you check your letter?" Ginny asked.

"What for?" Harry enquired curiously.

"For the badge?" Ginny said.

"Nah, I couldn't have been made a Head Boy without being a Prefect." Harry informed confidently, which wavered when Mr Weasley informed him. "That does happen sometimes. Your dad is a prime example."

Everyone one looked at Harry as he picked up the letter, its weight quashing his doubts. He first pulled out the usual letter and placed it down after a quick scan. There was another letter, informing him about his Quidditch captaincy and his other duties - The duties of a Head Boy. The truth came out, literally, when Harry pulled out his badge. All the Weasleys were congratulating him and patting his back but Harry had his eyes on his distraught friend.

She was eyeing the badge with longing. He walked over to her and said. "I will write to the headmistress to rethink her selection."

Hermione shook her head and said. "It's alright. I am happy for you."

"You don't look it." Harry pointed out. "As far as my selection goes, I am not the right choice. I am not the material suitable for such a position. I care less for rules; I don't even know half of them."

"I disagree. You are actually the perfect choice. You have a way to make people listen to you. To make them follow you. I, on the other hand, am just a book worm, only excelling in studies." Hermione said, drowning in self-pity.

"That's not true." Ron argued.

"Hermione... "Harry began but was cut off by Hermione.

"I am fine, slightly disappointed but that's understandable." She went on with a forced smile. "I am proud of you. Really, I am. Just don't misuse your power."

"How can I, with you standing over me breathing down my neck and keeping me in line?" Harry teased, bringing a genuine smile on her face. "I don't know much about my responsibilities. You could help me with that." She nodded with excitement but Harry still could discern a hint of wistfulness and jealousy.

Why was he chosen? It seemed that he was chosen over Hermione if what Ginny said was true. Was it Dumbledore's doing? It had to be. He would need all the power and authority if he was to accomplish what was required of him.

He left her to her thoughts and turned to the twins. "What? Not going to disown me?"

Their response filled the air with amusement and laughter. "Nah, who would want to disown a particularly rich brother?"

***B***

All was fine at the Weasleys; even the old man was bearable. However, his training sessions were worrying. Not that he was not improving, he was doing fine. Unlike his trainer.

In the beginning he just complained of cold or fever, but his health gradually deteriorated. One day, Harry found Lance waiting for him, a walking stick supporting him. When enquired, he said he was feeling weak and had finally been to the doctors. The next day he had told him that the tests indicated he had a disease and it would take a few months to cure. He was under medication. However, his treatment seemed to take no effect on him and Lance had to permanently use a walking stick. Harry knew he was hiding something. During one of his training sessions he confronted him.

"Today, we will play chess in a different way." Lance said, sitting in a chair opposite Harry, his stick standing next to him. "Assume that we are duelling. Every move you make is like a spell you cast. Your pieces indicate your magical reserve. You need to learn to optimize your strategy. Let's play."

Midway through the game, Lance's legs started to tremble. "Are you alright?" Harry asked, concern lacing his voice.

"Yeah, I'm fine." Lance said through gritted teeth.

"No you are not." Harry shot back. "Have you taken your medicines?"

"Yes" Even the effort to speak was taking a roll on him.

"Then why hasn't there been any effect on you? What are you hiding?" Harry grilled Lance who just responded with a weak "Nothing"

"Come on Lance, give me some credit. I can make out that you are hiding something. I won't rest till I find it out so you better tell me and get it over with." Harry said stubbornly.

Lance looked up at Harry, with a blank face but tormented eyes, as if trying to find any weakness in Harry's resolve. There were none. Lance sighed and looked away. He was silent for a while, so was Harry. "I have a disease," He began abruptly. "…which affects the nervous system. It starts from the arms and legs and eats its way through till it reaches the body, weakening whatever it inflicts. There... there is no cure."

Harry gasped realizing what this meant. "Have you been to St Mungo's?"

"I have been everywhere, tried everything leaving no stones unturned. Even the Muggles don't have a solution."

After this terrible truth sank in, Harry asked the question he didn't want to ask but had to. "How long?"

Lance turned to look at Harry with an intense gaze, filled with emotions he didn't voice. "Five to six months at best."