Chapter 21 – February and Adoption

The month was easy going. It was the beginning of February and Connie had just gotten sick. I felt sorry for her and on the Hogsmeade weekend, stayed back with her in the Hospital Wing. She hadn't been feeling well for a while now. She was really sleepy and couldn't keep any food down. Madam Pompfry said she only had the stomach flu and she would be better in a couple days. Right now, Connie was sleeping and I sat doing my homework. I had given Hermione some money to get me sweets and a couple pranks for my supply. Fred and George had taken over Zonko's and though the name was the same, the joke shop now carried a lot of their merchandise.

"Harry, what are you still doing here?" I looked up to see McGonagall coming into the ward. She was looking at me sternly and I tried to think of what I did to get into trouble now.

"Connie only fell asleep a couple minutes ago. I'm just working on some of my homework. Why Professor?"

"I've been looking for you for an hour now. Dumbledore wanted me to inform you the cup is gone. I don't know what it means but he said you would understand. Now, how's Miss Soleil doing?" She looked at Connie sympathetically.

"She's doing better. She can now eat soup and not throw it back up. I also had Remus send me some 7-up for her and she's been holding that in well. Tomorrow we are easing her onto some toast."

"None of the potions work?"

"It's the flu, not a cold or bug. All potions need to be drank and so she can't take any yet. Once she can hold down solid foods she can take the potion and be back on her feet." Madam Pompfry walked in, carrying a new glass of soda. She had been reluctant to let Connie drink it but when she heard it settled your stomach, she agreed to it.

"Well, I have tests to correct. I'll see you later Potter. Poppy, Severus asked if you needed any potions because he's making some today."

"Tell him some Pepper-up and Skele-grow would be appreciated."

"Sure. Goodbye." McGonagall left and Madam Pompfry disappeared into her office. I sat back and finished my Potions essay. I had only had Defense left. Professor Watkins was an odd fellow but taught well. I pulled out the book on Dementors and looked through it. We had to do a paper on why the Patronus, made of the feelings that Dementors feed off of, repels them instead of making them stronger. I started writing and when I finished, I looked to see it was dark out. I sighed and put all my supplies away. As I stood and stretched, Hermione and Neville walked in. I smiled at them and they waved.

"Hey guys, where are the others?"

"They are at dinner. We ate in Hogsmeade and didn't feel too hungry. We thought to bring you up your items instead." Neville handed me a Zonko's bag and then a brown paper bag. I opened it up and smiled. There was a box of Honeyduke's chocolates in it and so were some cream puffs.

"Thanks you two. I'm starving myself but I don't want to leave her alone for long. Malfoy has a habit of showing up as I'm leaving and I don't like it."

"Oh, we'll stay with her as you go and eat. That and you can drop off your bag in the dorm beforehand."

"Thanks Hermione. I'll see you two in a few then." I got up and left, going to get some food for me and Connie and then dropping off my bag in the dorm.

CPOV

I woke up to hear a soft murmur in my ears. I opened my eyes groggily and saw Neville and Hermione talking. I sat up slightly, feeling my body protest.

"Oh, Connie, you're up. Harry will be back in a few minutes. He went to grab some dinner and drop his bag off. We got you a little something in Honeyduke's." Hermione pulled out a large chocolate bar and I smiled. I hadn't had chocolate in forever since I had gotten sick.

"Thank you Hermione." She nodded and then picked up a cup next to her. It was my soda. She handed it to me and I took it, sipping the fuzzy beverage. The syrup in it soothed my stomach as it hit the raging acid.

"So, what did you end up buying?'

"Just a few things, I got some new books and Neville bought a couple herbs. I saw Sirius there on guard duty and he says to get better soon. He's sending you a gift later."

"He doesn't have to do that."

"He thinks of you like his daughter, he'll do as he pleases. He and Remus are thinking of adopting a child. She's only three and was bitten by Fenrir. Her parents abandoned her at the Ministry. Sirius saw her and took her home. She's quite the little cutie." I felt for the little girl. Being different wasn't easy but both Harry and I could brew the Wolfsbane Potion flawlessly.

"Yeah, I was going to tell Harry too! I knew that I was forgetting something." Hermione hit her head and I laughed. The door opened and Harry came in carrying a plate of toast and a bowl of soap. I sniffed and felt like panting. He had brought me French onion soup and it smelled wonderful. He set the food down by me and I eagerly started into it. I sipped it carefully and felt my stomach rejoice in having food in it.

"I see you feel better. How's your head?" He put his hand on my forehead. He took his hand away and smiled.

"No fever right now. I think if you can hold this in, then you can take that potion and you'll be dandy." I smiled at that. I hated being sick. It was taking all my control not to use my powers accidently. I thought too soon though because I sneezed and I felt a blast of cold.

"Damn, you definitely weren't kidding when you said your powers go crazy when you are sick." I saw that everyone was wet. I blushed horribly, embarrassed beyond belief that I had done that to my friends.

"We're fine Connie. I was actually expecting it." Harry withdrew his wand and dried them all off. I sighed and went back to eating. Before long, Hermione and Neville went to leave but then I touched Hermione.

"Why don't you tell Harry about Sirius?"

"Oh, I nearly forgot again! Thanks Connie."

It's nothing bad right?

Would she forget if it was his well-being? Harry shook his head.

"What do you need to tell me Hermione?"

"Well, I ran into Sirius today. He started telling me about going to the Ministry when he passed the Creatures Department. He saw this little girl, about three years old, who was abandoned because Fenrir bit her. He brought her home after filing the paper work to adopt her. In about a week's time, they have a hearing to confirm the adoption." Harry's mouth dropped open. In an odd way, he was getting a sister/cousin. Hermione waved bye and then left. Harry turned to me and looked at me accusingly. I was confused as to why.

"Connie, did you know about this?"

"Yes, about an hour longer than you. She told me right before you brought me dinner. She was going to tell you when she came in but it had left her mind." Harry looked away and out into the darkened sky outside the window. His eyes were far away, looking at nothing in front of them.

"Harry, your guardians want children of their own. When they adopt her, she'll take the Blood-ties Potion and be theirs completely. Call Sirius tonight and talk to him love." Harry nodded and then moved my empty dishes away. He laid down next to me on top of the sheets and I snuggled into him. His breathing was even and he started humming a random tune that sounded oddly like Kiss the Rain. I fell asleep all too quickly.

AN: See? I told you Connie would come back. It's a tad bit of a scare, I almost thought of making Connie pregnant but it didn't feel right. Well, on to Chapter 22!