Hi all! I'm back once more. Sorry I've not been able to update for some
time now. Unfortunately last week for the better part of it I was ill, so
needless to say it was not a joyful time. However I have decided, now that
I'm in some kind of health, to continue with the story and give you all the
next chapter. First off, to address the people who reviewed my story.
Ginnygal189: Hey thanks! That was really a great review! Thanks so very much! You say your point was something insignificant but it really meant a lot to me. It's something that I've really been trying to work on, and you're the only person that picked up on it. Thanks a lot! You make me smile! I'm glad you thought there was enough balance in the story.
End of innocence: Wow, what can I say, your review was fantastic! Man, I feel on top of the world! The reviews I'm getting from my regular readers for the last chapter were the best ever! I'm very pleased that you like the way I've portrayed Reace, again you've picked on a point no other reviewer did. Reace is a complicated guy, what can I say? Lol. Thanks very much for the recommendation, that also means a lot. You're overly kind in your review, but thanks anyway, it really means a lot!
Chips challenge: Once again I thank you for the review. You too picked up a point none of the other readers seemed to pick up. It's been some time since your reviews didn't raise more than one question. Thus I think that either that chapter didn't leave any place for question or it totally sucked. But judging from the smiley at the end of your review I'd say it's the first option. True there was a lot of action in the last chapter, but I think this one will be more enjoyable to you.
Lanne666: I must apologise for not updating sooner. Sorry, yeah, I'm a screw up in many ways, this just happens to be one of them. Thanks for your review, plus I'll give you another pickle along with a serviette to wipe your mouth, how's that? Lol :-P Hope you enjoy this chapter.
Right, that's all for addressing the people that reviewed the last chapter. I must say that I can't recall when last I had such wonderful and great reviews. You're all fantastic and really make me smile. You all made my week! Thanks! Now, on to the next chapter!
Disclaimer: Harry Potter and Co. are owned and trademarks of JK Rowling and Warner Bros. Inc.
Reace was still staring at the stars when he felt his wounds begin to throb with pain in a terrible way. He was nearly overcome with fatigue and the pain rendered him nearly immobile. Taking a few deep breaths he regained his composure as he sat still.
"Phew, well, that definitely signals the end of my spell." Reace breathed out aloud in obvious discomfort.
"I'm going to have to ask Cyonis one of these days to help me to better my magic. Or maybe not." Reace smirked to himself.
He imagined Cyonis laughing at Reace asking for help. That wasn't about to happen.
"I'll never live it down." Reace said and began to attend to his now very painful wounds, seeing as how the effects of his spell had completely worn off.
"H-Harry?" A voice echoed in Harry's head.
"Hey, I think he's coming to!" another voice echoed.
Fighting through the swirling darkness that seemed to be trying to engulf him, Harry opened his eyes and blinked a few times trying to clear his vision. He was busy entering his own time after having 'lived' in the past.
'You'd think that after doing this everyday for so long I'd be used to this by now.' Harry thought to himself as the shapes of people formed in his vision.
"Oh Harry! We were all so worried!" Came Hermione's voice, and one of the figures lurched forward and engulfed him in a hug.
"Easy Hermione, I'm afraid that I'm lost, what do you mean?" Harry answered patting her reassuringly on her back.
"She's right mate, you had us all in a right spin." Ron's voice came.
"That's all fine and dandy guys and I am sorry if I had you all worried, but I still have absolutely no idea what you're all on about!" Harry said as Hermione moved away moving to Ron's side.
"Well, we were kind of hoping you could tell us mate." Ron answered.
'My head hurts, I don't feel like this, not now.' Harry thought to himself and shook his head as he rubbed his now sore temple with his right hand.
"Is your head alright dear?" Madam Pomfrey's voice piped in.
"Eh? Oh, yes, it's perfectly fine, don't worry." Harry said not noticing her at first and making sure to quickly put his hand down being in fear she might try to give him some medicine.
"Now before you start bombarding me with questions that make absolutely no sense to me at all, would you mind telling me exactly what happened here that had you in such a state?" Harry spoke slowly as if speaking to young school children who were learning to read.
"Well, I was busy er, reading, yeah, and then......." Ron started.
"Oh please, since when do you read for fun?" Came Ginny's voice from the background.
Many of the other students started laughing at this comment and then they noticed a red line across her neck.
"What happened to you Ginny?" Hermione asked motioning to Ginny's neck.
"Harry can explain." Ginny said falling silent and looked at Harry.
"Oh no, not me again, first Ron must finish his story!" Harry quickly stated and all gazes once more fell upon Ron.
"Like I was trying to say earlier I uh....." Ron stuttered as he saw just about everybody that was looking at him raise an eyebrow.
"Oh all right, I couldn't sleep. Happy? Right, now where was I? Oh yes, I was wondering what Harry was doing in the past and decided to take a look at him. Well, I looked at him everything appeared to be normal and fine. But then suddenly his eye went black and blood started dribbling from his mouth! It was the freakiest thing I'd seen in a long time." Ron said ending his tale of events and now all attention turned to Harry once more.
"Well, now that I have a better perspective on what you're all saying I can now tell you all what caused it. You see it all started with Reace, Ginny and I traveling to where he believed ingredients to the cure for my curse could be found........" Harry said.
He then went on to relate the entire battle scene, how his wounds were caused and how Ginny got the cut on her neck. He also told them about how ferocious Reace was in battle.
"......and then we went to sleep around the campfire. That's the whole story. And of course in the past where I am I still have most of my wounds, just that they've been tended to." Harry finished nearly out of breath.
"Man, that Reace sounds like he's not a man to be crossed!" Ron said after having nearly lived through Harry's vivid description of what had happened.
"Ron, the history books did say that he was a great warrior." Hermione said in a matter of fact tone.
"Yeah, it's just a pity that.......ugh!" Ron was stopped in mid sentence as Hermione jabbed her elbow in his ribs.
"What was that Ron?" Harry said looking at Ron and Hermione with suspicion in his eyes.
"Huh? Oh, nothing mate, nothing at all." Ron said softly nursing his now sore ribs.
"I've got nothing to say, c'mon Ron, we'd better get ready for class, I think you should to Harry." Hermione said avoiding Harry's gaze and bustling off with Ron.
"Very suspicious those two, any idea what that was about?" Harry asked Ginny, who now was the only other person standing there, he hadn't seen where Madam Pomfrey had disappeared off to.
"No idea. Listen Harry, I just wanted to say that I'm sorry." Ginny said in a meek voice not looking Harry in the eye.
"For what Ginny?" Harry asked getting out of bed and gently holding her chin in his hand lifting her gaze towards his.
'Those eyes! You could lose yourself in their beauty!' Harry thought to himself as he looked Ginny straight in the eye.
"For making you go against what you wanted to do." Ginny said looking at Harry with large eyes that now seemed to be glistening in the early morning sunlight.
"I don't understand Ginny." Harry plainly stated.
"You wanted to obey Reace's orders and I convinced you not to! I nearly got us both killed Harry!" Ginny blurted out, a single tear spilling out of her left eye.
"Now now Ginny, it's not your fault, I could've stayed at the campsite if I wanted to. I acted irresponsibly. I was the one who should've known better. After all, I've been in that time far longer than you. Come now, no need to cry." Harry said as her tear now reached and settled on his hand that was holding her soft chin.
"Oh Harry!" Ginny said and embraced him in a tight hug.
"Come now Ginny, it's all okay, Reace was there and got us out." Harry said gently to the girl that meant the entire world to him.
Slowly he pushed her a little away and once again looked each other in the eyes. Everything seemed to stand still for that moment. Time no longer existed as they looked at each other, neither blinking. Everything felt right, and then they embraced, kissing each other like neither had ever experienced before. The embrace broke and once again time started moving again.
"Uh, I've got to go get ready for class." Ginny said her cheeks burning brightly and started moving off.
Harry sat dumbstruck, this was a totally new experience for him.
"Oh and Harry." Came Ginny's voice.
"Yes?" Harry replied.
"Thanks." Ginny said and ran away with a little giggle, her cheeks burning as brightly as ever.
Harry stared at the spot where Ginny had been just a few moments earlier with a stupid looking grin on his face. He blinked and brought himself back to reality.
'Wow! What a kiss! I never knew that something so strange could be so nice!' Harry thought to himself as he felt as if he were floating on cloud nine.
"Better get going, I've got potions up for today, can't take any risks in missing that class. Snape'll have my head." Harry muttered to himself and got his things ready for class before heading off to go and clean himself up for the day.
Reace was busy warming his hands from the heat of the fire. A shiver ran down his spine as an icy wind blew over the camp. But there was more than just a chill on the wind. An uneasy feeling sank down into the pit of his stomach. He cast a gaze over to the sleeping forms of Harry and Ginny. Both seemed so at easy and peaceful.
'Will I ever know peace like that?' Reace wondered to himself staring at them resting for a moment.
Ginny started shivering as the wind blew over the camp once more and Reace's stern gaze softened.
"This is no place for a lady." Reace muttered and got up grimacing as he did so.
He limped over to where Harry and Ginny were and knelt down beside them. Then, as gently as he could, he pushed both a little closer to the fire and watched the illumination of the flames and shadows dance across their faces. With a stifled groan he went back to his spot and sat down with a weary sigh. He found himself wondering just what it was his young squire was doing in his own time.
His mind traveled further to the first day he laid eyes on Harry. The lad had been asleep, just as he was now. From the moment he had seen Harry he knew that there was something special about him. A strong feeling of power emanated from Harry, True it wasn't a physical power, but it was an inner power, of a more magical source. Harry would one day be a powerful wizard, of that Reace had no doubt. But in his life time he had fought against and killed many powerful wizards.
All of them had been fearsome opponents, yet they all had fallen. All had been magically powerful, but physically they were weak. Their total devotion to their beloved arts had taken its toll on their bodies. It was Reace's philosophy that no one style of fighting or training was good enough. To have a little of each world, magical power as well as physical power would be a great thing, it would something that would ensure one's survival.
"Harry my lad, I only hope that I've trained you well enough in the limited time we've had together. There's still so much I wanted to teach you, to show you. But it'll never happen, the people in your time need you." Reace said solemnly and tossed a small branch on the fire.
The flames danced in the reflection of Reace's eyes and momentarily the hard outer shell always shown to all fell and revealed eyes filled with sadness. Quickly the shell rose once more as a cracking sound sounded behind Reace in the forest. Within a second he had rolled to one side, picked up his bow and had two arrows cocked on his bowstring ready to be fired.
His breathing was deep and even, yet nothing else stirred. A moment later an owl flew out from the trees chasing a screeching rat. Reace let out a deep sigh allowing the bow to fall to his side. He sat on his rump as the strain of the maneuver screamed in his wounds and sore muscles.
'Guess I'm getting paranoid. But these two are totally helpless until they return to this time.' Reace thought as he got up and returned to his night's vigil.
Harry sat in Snape's classroom bored out of his mind. Since waking up he had found it nearly impossible to concentrate on anything without his train of thought somehow either ending up on the battle or the kiss he had with Ginny. That and the fact that Snape's dungeon didn't make it any easier to concentrate. All was dark barring the light provided by various candles scattered around the classroom. The air was warm and oxygen deprived, no fresh air was in the room. Suddenly a loud bang resounded in the room causing nearly all of the students to just about fall off of their seats.
"What on earth is going on in here?!" Snape roared as a cauldron in the Slytherin group of students started spewing out purple and green smoke.
Nobody answered as the smoke kept on spewing forth. A shriek followed soon and none other than Draco Malfoy staggered forward. He had the nose of a dog, teeth of a hamster and ears of a bat.
"Damn! Everybody out! Before anybody else is foolish enough to breath in the odors of that ill prepared potion. And I swear, when I find out whose potion it is, they and their house will pay dearly!" Snape roared as the students bustled out of the classroom.
Harry was sure that Snape hadn't realized that it was probably one of his own precious Slytherin students that had caused that potion dilemma. Not that he was complaining, he sure wasn't in the mood to fight with his mind to stay on full attention to Snape's lecture.
"To the hospital wing with you boy! I've not got time to deal with you now!" Snape snapped (no pun intended () at Draco who was sniveling like a little baby.
"Well Harry, that certainly was a most unusual turn of events." Hermione said as she fell into step next to him.
"I'm not complaining, I was just about to fall asleep in there!" Harry said grinning and taking a deep breath of air that wasn't stale like in the dungeon.
"I shudder to think what Snape would've done to you had that happened. So, what are you doing to do with your free time now?" Hermione asked.
"I think I'm going to fly around outside. It was so stuffy in their I need the fresh air. Plus our first match against Slytherin for quiddtich is coming up soon. I've not had much time to practice." Harry replied with a smile.
"You know Harry, you really should use this time to study, seeing as this is only our sixth year!" Hermione said as if admonishing a child.
"Precisely Hermione, which means that this is my second last year for which I can fly for Gryffindor in quidditch." Harry replied with a wry grin on his face.
"I give up." Hermione said.
"You should've done that a long time ago." Harry said chuckling to himself.
"Harry! I can't believe you said that!" Hermione said.
"What? I'm just stating a fact. You'd have saved yourself a lot of aggravation then." Harry chuckled.
"Oh honestly, you're impossible." Hermione said smiling a little.
The two made their way off to the Gryffindor common room. Once giving the correct password Hermione then went to the girls dorms and Harry to his own where he got his broom.
"Bye Hermione, I'm off, see you later." Harry said smiling.
Hermione merely nodded at him as she was now fully immersed in a book she was reading.
The day passed by without event and seeing as how his only other class other than potions was Care for Magical Creatures things went off smoothly. Especially seeing as how Draco Malfoy hadn't yet fully recovered from inhaling that smoke from the incorrectly mixed potion. It was now late in the evening and Harry could feel fatigue settling in on him. At the present time he sat next to Ginny in front of the Gryffindor fire. Hermione and Ron had gone off to take care of some prefect duties (much to Ron's dismay) and so they were alone.
"Ginny?" Harry said.
"Yes Harry?" Ginny answered.
"There's something that's been bothering me for some time." Harry said.
"Well, what is it Harry?" Ginny asked waking up more fully now and looking at Harry who was busy staring deeply into the crackling fire.
"Well, I, no, never mind."
"Harry! Come on! That's not fair! Tell me!" Ginny asked her curiosity ever increasing.
"Don't worry about it Ginny, I'll tell you, I promise, just not now. I need more time to think about this. I'm sorry Ginny." Harry said in a soft voice.
"Ok, Harry. Just don't think too much ok? It might make your head hurt." Ginny said grinning a little.
Harry didn't react to her comment.
"Harry?" Ginny ventured.
"Hmm?"
"Are you okay?" Ginny asked concern replacing her curiosity.
"Sure, I'm sorry Ginny, I've just got a lot to think about." Harry said.
"Don't think too much Harry, if a person thinks too much they tend to become depressed. It's a fact of life." Ginny said rubbing his shoulder.
"Don't worry about me Ginny, I'm fine." Harry replied forcing a smile.
'Now I am worried. When you say I mustn't worry is the time when I worry the most about you Harry. What's wrong? What's troubling you? Why won't you open up?' Ginny thought to herself looking at the troubled young man next to her.
'I'll have to ask Reace his advice on this situation, I'm sure he's dealt with this sort of thing before.' Harry thought to himself.
A/N Well, that's all people, sorry about this chapter, it really sucks I know. I'd planned it out and no matter how I wrote or re-wrote it, it just didn't come out well. Sorry about it. I'll try harder next time. It was a chapter that I wanted to try and get back more to Harry's original life. I don't know if I was entirely successful. But I promise that I will try harder next time. Sorry once more.
Cheers Lost in A World of Pain
Ginnygal189: Hey thanks! That was really a great review! Thanks so very much! You say your point was something insignificant but it really meant a lot to me. It's something that I've really been trying to work on, and you're the only person that picked up on it. Thanks a lot! You make me smile! I'm glad you thought there was enough balance in the story.
End of innocence: Wow, what can I say, your review was fantastic! Man, I feel on top of the world! The reviews I'm getting from my regular readers for the last chapter were the best ever! I'm very pleased that you like the way I've portrayed Reace, again you've picked on a point no other reviewer did. Reace is a complicated guy, what can I say? Lol. Thanks very much for the recommendation, that also means a lot. You're overly kind in your review, but thanks anyway, it really means a lot!
Chips challenge: Once again I thank you for the review. You too picked up a point none of the other readers seemed to pick up. It's been some time since your reviews didn't raise more than one question. Thus I think that either that chapter didn't leave any place for question or it totally sucked. But judging from the smiley at the end of your review I'd say it's the first option. True there was a lot of action in the last chapter, but I think this one will be more enjoyable to you.
Lanne666: I must apologise for not updating sooner. Sorry, yeah, I'm a screw up in many ways, this just happens to be one of them. Thanks for your review, plus I'll give you another pickle along with a serviette to wipe your mouth, how's that? Lol :-P Hope you enjoy this chapter.
Right, that's all for addressing the people that reviewed the last chapter. I must say that I can't recall when last I had such wonderful and great reviews. You're all fantastic and really make me smile. You all made my week! Thanks! Now, on to the next chapter!
Disclaimer: Harry Potter and Co. are owned and trademarks of JK Rowling and Warner Bros. Inc.
Reace was still staring at the stars when he felt his wounds begin to throb with pain in a terrible way. He was nearly overcome with fatigue and the pain rendered him nearly immobile. Taking a few deep breaths he regained his composure as he sat still.
"Phew, well, that definitely signals the end of my spell." Reace breathed out aloud in obvious discomfort.
"I'm going to have to ask Cyonis one of these days to help me to better my magic. Or maybe not." Reace smirked to himself.
He imagined Cyonis laughing at Reace asking for help. That wasn't about to happen.
"I'll never live it down." Reace said and began to attend to his now very painful wounds, seeing as how the effects of his spell had completely worn off.
"H-Harry?" A voice echoed in Harry's head.
"Hey, I think he's coming to!" another voice echoed.
Fighting through the swirling darkness that seemed to be trying to engulf him, Harry opened his eyes and blinked a few times trying to clear his vision. He was busy entering his own time after having 'lived' in the past.
'You'd think that after doing this everyday for so long I'd be used to this by now.' Harry thought to himself as the shapes of people formed in his vision.
"Oh Harry! We were all so worried!" Came Hermione's voice, and one of the figures lurched forward and engulfed him in a hug.
"Easy Hermione, I'm afraid that I'm lost, what do you mean?" Harry answered patting her reassuringly on her back.
"She's right mate, you had us all in a right spin." Ron's voice came.
"That's all fine and dandy guys and I am sorry if I had you all worried, but I still have absolutely no idea what you're all on about!" Harry said as Hermione moved away moving to Ron's side.
"Well, we were kind of hoping you could tell us mate." Ron answered.
'My head hurts, I don't feel like this, not now.' Harry thought to himself and shook his head as he rubbed his now sore temple with his right hand.
"Is your head alright dear?" Madam Pomfrey's voice piped in.
"Eh? Oh, yes, it's perfectly fine, don't worry." Harry said not noticing her at first and making sure to quickly put his hand down being in fear she might try to give him some medicine.
"Now before you start bombarding me with questions that make absolutely no sense to me at all, would you mind telling me exactly what happened here that had you in such a state?" Harry spoke slowly as if speaking to young school children who were learning to read.
"Well, I was busy er, reading, yeah, and then......." Ron started.
"Oh please, since when do you read for fun?" Came Ginny's voice from the background.
Many of the other students started laughing at this comment and then they noticed a red line across her neck.
"What happened to you Ginny?" Hermione asked motioning to Ginny's neck.
"Harry can explain." Ginny said falling silent and looked at Harry.
"Oh no, not me again, first Ron must finish his story!" Harry quickly stated and all gazes once more fell upon Ron.
"Like I was trying to say earlier I uh....." Ron stuttered as he saw just about everybody that was looking at him raise an eyebrow.
"Oh all right, I couldn't sleep. Happy? Right, now where was I? Oh yes, I was wondering what Harry was doing in the past and decided to take a look at him. Well, I looked at him everything appeared to be normal and fine. But then suddenly his eye went black and blood started dribbling from his mouth! It was the freakiest thing I'd seen in a long time." Ron said ending his tale of events and now all attention turned to Harry once more.
"Well, now that I have a better perspective on what you're all saying I can now tell you all what caused it. You see it all started with Reace, Ginny and I traveling to where he believed ingredients to the cure for my curse could be found........" Harry said.
He then went on to relate the entire battle scene, how his wounds were caused and how Ginny got the cut on her neck. He also told them about how ferocious Reace was in battle.
"......and then we went to sleep around the campfire. That's the whole story. And of course in the past where I am I still have most of my wounds, just that they've been tended to." Harry finished nearly out of breath.
"Man, that Reace sounds like he's not a man to be crossed!" Ron said after having nearly lived through Harry's vivid description of what had happened.
"Ron, the history books did say that he was a great warrior." Hermione said in a matter of fact tone.
"Yeah, it's just a pity that.......ugh!" Ron was stopped in mid sentence as Hermione jabbed her elbow in his ribs.
"What was that Ron?" Harry said looking at Ron and Hermione with suspicion in his eyes.
"Huh? Oh, nothing mate, nothing at all." Ron said softly nursing his now sore ribs.
"I've got nothing to say, c'mon Ron, we'd better get ready for class, I think you should to Harry." Hermione said avoiding Harry's gaze and bustling off with Ron.
"Very suspicious those two, any idea what that was about?" Harry asked Ginny, who now was the only other person standing there, he hadn't seen where Madam Pomfrey had disappeared off to.
"No idea. Listen Harry, I just wanted to say that I'm sorry." Ginny said in a meek voice not looking Harry in the eye.
"For what Ginny?" Harry asked getting out of bed and gently holding her chin in his hand lifting her gaze towards his.
'Those eyes! You could lose yourself in their beauty!' Harry thought to himself as he looked Ginny straight in the eye.
"For making you go against what you wanted to do." Ginny said looking at Harry with large eyes that now seemed to be glistening in the early morning sunlight.
"I don't understand Ginny." Harry plainly stated.
"You wanted to obey Reace's orders and I convinced you not to! I nearly got us both killed Harry!" Ginny blurted out, a single tear spilling out of her left eye.
"Now now Ginny, it's not your fault, I could've stayed at the campsite if I wanted to. I acted irresponsibly. I was the one who should've known better. After all, I've been in that time far longer than you. Come now, no need to cry." Harry said as her tear now reached and settled on his hand that was holding her soft chin.
"Oh Harry!" Ginny said and embraced him in a tight hug.
"Come now Ginny, it's all okay, Reace was there and got us out." Harry said gently to the girl that meant the entire world to him.
Slowly he pushed her a little away and once again looked each other in the eyes. Everything seemed to stand still for that moment. Time no longer existed as they looked at each other, neither blinking. Everything felt right, and then they embraced, kissing each other like neither had ever experienced before. The embrace broke and once again time started moving again.
"Uh, I've got to go get ready for class." Ginny said her cheeks burning brightly and started moving off.
Harry sat dumbstruck, this was a totally new experience for him.
"Oh and Harry." Came Ginny's voice.
"Yes?" Harry replied.
"Thanks." Ginny said and ran away with a little giggle, her cheeks burning as brightly as ever.
Harry stared at the spot where Ginny had been just a few moments earlier with a stupid looking grin on his face. He blinked and brought himself back to reality.
'Wow! What a kiss! I never knew that something so strange could be so nice!' Harry thought to himself as he felt as if he were floating on cloud nine.
"Better get going, I've got potions up for today, can't take any risks in missing that class. Snape'll have my head." Harry muttered to himself and got his things ready for class before heading off to go and clean himself up for the day.
Reace was busy warming his hands from the heat of the fire. A shiver ran down his spine as an icy wind blew over the camp. But there was more than just a chill on the wind. An uneasy feeling sank down into the pit of his stomach. He cast a gaze over to the sleeping forms of Harry and Ginny. Both seemed so at easy and peaceful.
'Will I ever know peace like that?' Reace wondered to himself staring at them resting for a moment.
Ginny started shivering as the wind blew over the camp once more and Reace's stern gaze softened.
"This is no place for a lady." Reace muttered and got up grimacing as he did so.
He limped over to where Harry and Ginny were and knelt down beside them. Then, as gently as he could, he pushed both a little closer to the fire and watched the illumination of the flames and shadows dance across their faces. With a stifled groan he went back to his spot and sat down with a weary sigh. He found himself wondering just what it was his young squire was doing in his own time.
His mind traveled further to the first day he laid eyes on Harry. The lad had been asleep, just as he was now. From the moment he had seen Harry he knew that there was something special about him. A strong feeling of power emanated from Harry, True it wasn't a physical power, but it was an inner power, of a more magical source. Harry would one day be a powerful wizard, of that Reace had no doubt. But in his life time he had fought against and killed many powerful wizards.
All of them had been fearsome opponents, yet they all had fallen. All had been magically powerful, but physically they were weak. Their total devotion to their beloved arts had taken its toll on their bodies. It was Reace's philosophy that no one style of fighting or training was good enough. To have a little of each world, magical power as well as physical power would be a great thing, it would something that would ensure one's survival.
"Harry my lad, I only hope that I've trained you well enough in the limited time we've had together. There's still so much I wanted to teach you, to show you. But it'll never happen, the people in your time need you." Reace said solemnly and tossed a small branch on the fire.
The flames danced in the reflection of Reace's eyes and momentarily the hard outer shell always shown to all fell and revealed eyes filled with sadness. Quickly the shell rose once more as a cracking sound sounded behind Reace in the forest. Within a second he had rolled to one side, picked up his bow and had two arrows cocked on his bowstring ready to be fired.
His breathing was deep and even, yet nothing else stirred. A moment later an owl flew out from the trees chasing a screeching rat. Reace let out a deep sigh allowing the bow to fall to his side. He sat on his rump as the strain of the maneuver screamed in his wounds and sore muscles.
'Guess I'm getting paranoid. But these two are totally helpless until they return to this time.' Reace thought as he got up and returned to his night's vigil.
Harry sat in Snape's classroom bored out of his mind. Since waking up he had found it nearly impossible to concentrate on anything without his train of thought somehow either ending up on the battle or the kiss he had with Ginny. That and the fact that Snape's dungeon didn't make it any easier to concentrate. All was dark barring the light provided by various candles scattered around the classroom. The air was warm and oxygen deprived, no fresh air was in the room. Suddenly a loud bang resounded in the room causing nearly all of the students to just about fall off of their seats.
"What on earth is going on in here?!" Snape roared as a cauldron in the Slytherin group of students started spewing out purple and green smoke.
Nobody answered as the smoke kept on spewing forth. A shriek followed soon and none other than Draco Malfoy staggered forward. He had the nose of a dog, teeth of a hamster and ears of a bat.
"Damn! Everybody out! Before anybody else is foolish enough to breath in the odors of that ill prepared potion. And I swear, when I find out whose potion it is, they and their house will pay dearly!" Snape roared as the students bustled out of the classroom.
Harry was sure that Snape hadn't realized that it was probably one of his own precious Slytherin students that had caused that potion dilemma. Not that he was complaining, he sure wasn't in the mood to fight with his mind to stay on full attention to Snape's lecture.
"To the hospital wing with you boy! I've not got time to deal with you now!" Snape snapped (no pun intended () at Draco who was sniveling like a little baby.
"Well Harry, that certainly was a most unusual turn of events." Hermione said as she fell into step next to him.
"I'm not complaining, I was just about to fall asleep in there!" Harry said grinning and taking a deep breath of air that wasn't stale like in the dungeon.
"I shudder to think what Snape would've done to you had that happened. So, what are you doing to do with your free time now?" Hermione asked.
"I think I'm going to fly around outside. It was so stuffy in their I need the fresh air. Plus our first match against Slytherin for quiddtich is coming up soon. I've not had much time to practice." Harry replied with a smile.
"You know Harry, you really should use this time to study, seeing as this is only our sixth year!" Hermione said as if admonishing a child.
"Precisely Hermione, which means that this is my second last year for which I can fly for Gryffindor in quidditch." Harry replied with a wry grin on his face.
"I give up." Hermione said.
"You should've done that a long time ago." Harry said chuckling to himself.
"Harry! I can't believe you said that!" Hermione said.
"What? I'm just stating a fact. You'd have saved yourself a lot of aggravation then." Harry chuckled.
"Oh honestly, you're impossible." Hermione said smiling a little.
The two made their way off to the Gryffindor common room. Once giving the correct password Hermione then went to the girls dorms and Harry to his own where he got his broom.
"Bye Hermione, I'm off, see you later." Harry said smiling.
Hermione merely nodded at him as she was now fully immersed in a book she was reading.
The day passed by without event and seeing as how his only other class other than potions was Care for Magical Creatures things went off smoothly. Especially seeing as how Draco Malfoy hadn't yet fully recovered from inhaling that smoke from the incorrectly mixed potion. It was now late in the evening and Harry could feel fatigue settling in on him. At the present time he sat next to Ginny in front of the Gryffindor fire. Hermione and Ron had gone off to take care of some prefect duties (much to Ron's dismay) and so they were alone.
"Ginny?" Harry said.
"Yes Harry?" Ginny answered.
"There's something that's been bothering me for some time." Harry said.
"Well, what is it Harry?" Ginny asked waking up more fully now and looking at Harry who was busy staring deeply into the crackling fire.
"Well, I, no, never mind."
"Harry! Come on! That's not fair! Tell me!" Ginny asked her curiosity ever increasing.
"Don't worry about it Ginny, I'll tell you, I promise, just not now. I need more time to think about this. I'm sorry Ginny." Harry said in a soft voice.
"Ok, Harry. Just don't think too much ok? It might make your head hurt." Ginny said grinning a little.
Harry didn't react to her comment.
"Harry?" Ginny ventured.
"Hmm?"
"Are you okay?" Ginny asked concern replacing her curiosity.
"Sure, I'm sorry Ginny, I've just got a lot to think about." Harry said.
"Don't think too much Harry, if a person thinks too much they tend to become depressed. It's a fact of life." Ginny said rubbing his shoulder.
"Don't worry about me Ginny, I'm fine." Harry replied forcing a smile.
'Now I am worried. When you say I mustn't worry is the time when I worry the most about you Harry. What's wrong? What's troubling you? Why won't you open up?' Ginny thought to herself looking at the troubled young man next to her.
'I'll have to ask Reace his advice on this situation, I'm sure he's dealt with this sort of thing before.' Harry thought to himself.
A/N Well, that's all people, sorry about this chapter, it really sucks I know. I'd planned it out and no matter how I wrote or re-wrote it, it just didn't come out well. Sorry about it. I'll try harder next time. It was a chapter that I wanted to try and get back more to Harry's original life. I don't know if I was entirely successful. But I promise that I will try harder next time. Sorry once more.
Cheers Lost in A World of Pain