HERE COMES NOVEMBER, THERE GOES NOVEMBER
Revised: July 9, 2013
Poppy Pomfrey was in her office in bed asleep when quite suddenly she heard the sound of the double doors to her wing burst open. She gasped and fumbled around for her cardigan and went out to see who on earth could possibly be entering at this time of night.
"Mr. Weasley? What- oh my goodness! What happened?" she asked, covering a hand over her mouth when she saw the tall red head walk in carrying Harry Potter who was clearly unconscious.
Ron carefully set Harry down on a nearby bed. He frowned when he saw a girl at the far end sit up in her bed to see what the commotion was about.
Poppy noticed this too and snapped, "Back to bed this instant Miss Fooley!"
Poppy drew curtains around them to give them privacy and whispered to Ron, "What happened this time? The poor boy has seen me too many times already and the year isn't even over!"
Ron hesitated for a second. "Well, you- you know about his detentions right?"
"From Professor Umbridge? Yes. What happened to him?" she trailed, looking upon Harry's pale complexion.
"He had to serve a detention with her tonight and it went on longer than planned. He was with her since after dinner and just was released not long ago. Around 11:30 or so."
"You mean- you mean he's been cutting into his own hand for that long?" she gasped.
Ron nodded.
"Oh the poor boy, he's lost so much blood I'm sure."
"That's why I brought him here. I found him in the bathroom bleeding and weak. We talked for a little bit in there but he lost consciousness."
The matron grimaced at the bloody mess that was now on Ron's robes and the blood that was dripping onto the stone floor.
"I was kind of hoping you would, you know, keep him in that one secret room behind your office? He thinks Umbridge will find out he might come here, she thinks something is up between you two."
"How do you know about that room?" Poppy whispered forcefully.
"My brother Charlie stayed there when he was twelve for dragon pox, remember?"
"Oh, of course. Yes, I do. I get mixed up sometimes with which one of you Weasleys I tended to. Yes, let's bring him there."
Ron lifted his small friend in his arms a second time and followed Poppy to her office. They made sure to do it as quietly as possible to not let the girl at the far end know what they were doing. Luckily for them, Madam Pomfrey's temper earlier made the young girl turn over so her back faced them so she could not see what was happening and who was brought here. Poppy opened a door at the end of her office and they stepped inside. She wasted no time lighting a few lamps and propping up enough pillows for Harry to be comfortable with on the large bed in the center of the room.
"Whoa, what is this place? It's much nicer than the regular ward," Ron noted after setting Harry down.
"Yes, I want to make sure whatever student that does not wish to be shown is as comfortable as possible," she said as she pointed her wand at the large fireplace at the far end of the right wall and having it burst in flames. She hurried over to Harry and began checking him over.
"How did you find him in the first place? It's almost midnight," she asked Ron as she took Harry's pulse.
"I was doing prefect duty. Another prefect was on the third floor- this one and saw Harry rush into the bathroom. He found him bleeding and went to find me on the seventh floor."
"This student didn't know why he was bleeding correct?"
"No. I just said I'd take care of it so he left," Ron's eyes were in deep worry as he looked upon Harry's white face.
Poppy nodded briefly and stood to full height. "I am going to gather a few things. Look after him won't you?" she told him. He nodded and she went back into her office.
Ron looked down upon Harry's face. It looked even paler than he noticed for he now could see him in full color due to the roar of the warm fire and the lit lamps. Harry's eyes twitched. Ron gave a tiny gasp and looked closely at him. Sure enough, he began to wake. Harry's great green eyes surveyed to room for a second then opened slightly wider and took in the form of Ron leaning over him.
"Ron? What are you-? What the…"
"Madam Pomfrey is going to get some things. Wow, I thought we almost lost you mate," he said grinning gratefully.
"What? Why? It's not like I was hit in the head by a troll. I just lost a bit of blood. Ohh, I feel so lightheaded…" he said in nothing higher than a whisper and rubbed his temples.
Poppy returned a couple minutes later with a pair of fresh pajamas and medical supplies on a cart that followed behind her.
"Oh! You're awake!" she said brightly walking towards Harry.
"Unfortunately. What is this place?"
"A secret room in which a student may stay in if he feels he does not want passerby walking into the hospital wing to see him for whatever reason."
"Sure is nice. Big bed, roaring fire. I think I'll stay in here all the time now," Harry said with a dopy grin. The loss of blood was really making him feel a bit loopy.
Poppy shook her head, trying to remain professional. "Thank-you for bringing him Mr. Weasley, I'll take it from here."
Ron nodded. "I'll see you tomorrow then Harry."
"Hermione-"
"I'll tell her, what makes you think I won't? Bye. Night Madam Pomfrey," he waved and walked out.
Poppy tut tutted and began to examine Harry's hand. "I cannot believe…the nerve of that woman," she muttered to herself as she waved her wand over his hand.
"You lost quite a bit of blood, over a liter to be exact."
"That's a lot?" Harry asked tiredly.
"Yes. You were in detention after dinner up until 11:30, is that correct?"
Harry sighed and nodded once for it hurt his head. "Yeah, four hours in that room."
"I cannot believe it. I'm going to give you something to clot your blood, return your heart rate to normal, and something for your head."
Harry gave the tiniest dip of a nod, his eyes closed with his left arm over them.
Poppy moved her cart closer as she took up a seat next to the teenager. "The first two will need to be injected."
"In- what?" Harry could barely focus on anything right now, he felt he could pass out again.
"Injected. To clot the blood it needs to reach the bloodstream in an instant. It takes much less time for this to happen than if you swallow it. The second is injected because many times a person is unable to swallow a liquid while they are in a delirious state of mind and they could choke. I'm going to give you the first potion dear."
Harry was too tired to argue. Instead he groaned and sat himself up before his light head made him cover his eyes with his arm again.
"Stay down dear. There's no reason to get up." Poppy pushed back the sleeve of Harry's right arm and did a quick locater spell to point out a good vein then swabbed at it before fishing a syringe off the medical supply cart behind her and filling it with a red liquid.
Harry drew in a deep breath and allowed her to slowly push the rather long needle into his skin. Harry bit his lip; the medicine was not too pleasant in his veins. It felt a bit like the one he got for dragon pox, it burned a little.
"Ohh, oww," Harry couldn't help but hiss.
She took it out soon enough and Harry let out a breath of relief.
"This next one will return your heart rate to normal as well as your blood pressure."
Thankfully this one wasn't as bad- just a slight prick before she drew the needle out. Poppy finally gave him a headache reducer before she began to scrub up his hand. She frowned when she saw tiny droplets of blood forming at several cuts still.
"I think it is taking a little longer than I would like for the bleeding to stop. I will lay it out for a little while. It should slow enough to bandage it in five minutes."
Harry wasn't looking at anything in particular as his hand slowed to a stop with blood from the cuts. True to the nurse's word it had seized five minutes later. She scrubbed at it, cleaning off the fresh and dried blood and placing a thick green paste over the five words etched into his hand to make sure it did not bleed afresh for at least four hours in which his dressings would be changed again.
"You do know that your guardians will be notified," she said lightly as she began to wrap the hand in dressings.
"What? No! They can't know! Please, please don't tell them Madam Pomfrey, I'm begging you, don't tell them," Harry pleaded.
"Harry, I have to. It's something that I'm tied down to as part of the staff, I need to inform parents if something happens to their child."
"But you can't tell them. Umbridge will know that they know, she'll get Sirius fired and pass along some regulation stating that werewolves can't take care of kids and everything will become a snowball effect, one horrible thing after another. Please don't tell them, please," Harry said in above a whisper, tears welling up behind his eyes.
"But Harry"-
"Please Madam Pomfrey, please don't tell them. First they'll get in trouble then I'll get in trouble when they find out how long this has been going on."
"But I have to tell them Harry. This has been going on for too long. Do you really think they'll punish you when they find out?"
"Yes. I know Sirius, he'll get really upset then punish me and Remus will get into one of his famous lectures which will make me feel even worse. I'll make a trade. I'll give you something so you won't tell them. Do you want some money? I have loads," Harry panicked.
Poppy stood up and placed her arms around the child who was quickly becoming a nervous wreck. "Harry, I don't need your money and I don't need you trying to bribe me either. Shh, it's okay," she soothed. She had never done such a thing to any student- at least none she could remember but she sensed he needed someone to physically have him calm down.
"It's not okay," Harry said thickly, his face in her shoulder. "I can't risk everyone's lives if they knew. You and Ron and Hermione are enough. No one else needs to know. Sirius will make sure he gets his revenge on the ministry and everything will be a mess."
"I have to tell them dear, I have to."
"No you don't. Don't, for me?"
"I will for you. It is the wiser choice. This cannot continue any longer," Poppy looked serious.
Harry took his face off her and sniffed. He had no idea he felt so strongly about this but he knew the trouble and mess it would cause if everyone who was anyone found out.
"I'll make sure they know what they need to so they won't punish you for it. You couldn't do much in this situation. That woman who dares calls herself a professor gave you detentions for the most ridiculous of reasons. I'm sorry Harry but I have to tell them. You understand don't you?" she asked with caring eyes as she held onto Harry's good hand.
Harry drew in a rattled breath and nodded. "Yeah, I'm just so scared at the outcome when they find out. I don't want you to lose your job because of me…"
"I won't lose my job Harry. I promise you."
Harry sighed but nodded. "I know they have to know. I can't hide this any longer."
With this in mind Poppy handed him pajamas to change into. Harry took off his worn-out uniform and placed warm cotton pajamas in its place. Poppy came back a few minutes later to check over him one last time and nodded her approval.
"Will my hand ever heal?" he asked softly, taking off his glasses and setting it aside.
"It was never meant to heal," Poppy sighed.
"Right. Um, she- I think she knows you tried to heal me. She tried to get it out of me but I didn't tell her anything but she knows. Just to forewarn you," Harry said carefully.
Poppy looked a bit surprised but quickly recovered. "Well, not much I can do but wait for her arrival. I have seen this school at its best and worst times, I don't think I'm going to get fired from a ministry official such as Dolores Umbridge," she said stiffly.
"Let's hope not. I'm going to have full use of my right hand won't I?"
"You will but you will also have some stiffness in it for a while, even after it scars over. I'm afraid you may experience tightness or pain in it off and on as the years pass by. I'm sorry," she said, taking a hold of his right hand.
Harry could only nod, too tired now to think about future hand pain. He fell into an uneasy sleep. He was woken up the next morning by having Poppy change the dressings on his hand.
"I'll bring you your breakfast and your medication after I finish this off," she told the slightly bemused boy.
"Huh? Oh, okay."
"I spoke to your guardians earlier this morning. They're going to be coming by sometime soon," she went on.
"What? What- what did they say? What did you tell them?" Harry looked nervous.
"I didn't say anything except that you were injured last night and have to stay here a few days and that you will tell them what happened. Which you will want you?" she asked him giving him a significant look.
Harry bit his lip. "Yeah, I have to don't I? Oh god Sirius is going to kill me that I've kept this from him…"
Poppy finished up his new bandages and sat up. "Hopefully they'll understand your reasons for keeping it from them. I didn't tell them anything that will cause them to get upset at you." She returned with a bowl of corn flakes and a small pot of sugar with a small plate of eggs. "Eat up Harry."
Harry nodded but only ate his sugar coated cereal when she came back. She raised a brow.
"Wasn't really hungry," he told her.
"You can't neglect food Harry."
"I'm not, I'm just full. Are Ron and Hermione coming as well?"
"I told a house-elf to tell them. They will come when they can."
Harry spent the next few hours reading an old magazine; he was worried when his guardians would come and what they would say. He tried to not think about it but he knew they were arriving soon so it was hard to ignore. It seemed as if hardly any time had passed when Poppy walked in with a serious look.
"Your guardians are here Harry."
Harry sat up quickly looking startled. "Um, oh- okay."
Poppy nodded and went behind the door. Sirius and Remus walked in with grim expressions.
"Hello Harry, it seems you landed yourself in another situation here haven't you?" Sirius said softly.
Harry frowned. He didn't like the very soft tone that was in his voice; it sounded force.
"Ye- yes, I have," Harry answered.
"Sirius, remember what we talked about," Remus whispered tersely.
"Madam Pomfrey didn't tell you what happened did she? She told me she wouldn't!" Harry cried.
"She didn't but why are you so worked up about it? Is it that horrible?" questioned his godfather.
Harry bit his lip; he couldn't weasel his way out of this one now. He couldn't. They deserved to hear the truth.
"So, what happened cub? Poppy said it was serious and by the looks of your hand I might have to agree," he said with a hint of a smile, nodding to the boy's right hand.
Harry took his injured hand into his left one."Yeah it's pretty serious. Um, I don't really know how to explain it; where to begin."
"Well start from the very beginning kid, we have all day to listen to what happened," Sirius said easily, taking a chair sitting next to Harry's night stand and sitting in it backwards.
"Um, well, its- it's been going on for a while," Harry began.
Sirius made a move to interrupt but he was silenced by a look from Remus.
"What's been going on for a while Harry?" Remus asked kindly.
"Um, detentions with Umbridge. She's been getting a hold of me and making me go in detention a load of times and I promise you I haven't done anything to deserve them."
"So you've been having detention with her for how long? A month?" frowned Remus.
"Try since September," Harry gushed looking at his hands.
"Really? What does she make you do there?"
"Write- write lines," Harry said quietly.
"I don't understand how all this applies to how you got injured Harry. Did that toad make you do something to yourself that resulted in your injury? You went to see her last night correct?" Sirius asked a mild look of puzzlement on his face.
"Yes but she- she hurt me since, well, she's been doing it since September."
"I don't understand where you're getting at," Remus said.
Harry drew in a long breath; it was time to spill the beans.
"Umbridge, well, in detention she made me write lines. She made me write the words 'I must not tell lies' several times. The punishments were a bit long, usually around two hours. It resulted in my injury because, well, just look…" Harry said and slowly raised his right hand to Remus.
Remus looked confused. "You want me to unwrap your dressings? Harry, you just had them changed I thought."
"Just do it, please."
Remus looked iffy but slowly and carefully began to take them off. It didn't hurt like last night for the potions Harry took and the green paste that was over the wound. The dressings came down and Sirius scooted his seat a bit closer to take a look as well. Both men frowned down upon the swollen hand. Harry's hand was very red everywhere but his fingers. It was hard to make out what seemed to be words on the hand for the green paste made it look smeared but Remus was sure what the words said as he bent closer for inspection. He suddenly gasped.
"What is it?" panicked Sirius.
"Look Padfoot, look," his friend answered, pointing out the words.
Sirius looked closer and cursed. "It doesn't"-
"It reads I must not tell lies," Remus nodded.
"How- how?" Sirius said, mouth flapping like a fish.
"Well, when she took me into detention she used some sort of quill that"-
"She used a Blood Quill didn't she? Didn't she?" demanded Remus angrily.
Harry nodded fearfully.
"A Blood Quill? Surly not, Dumbledore wouldn't allow…but she's working under Fudge's nose so she could've... I cannot believe it! Oh when I tell Kinglsey"- Sirius shouted but Harry stopped him.
"Please, please don't tell anyone! That's why I didn't want you to know in the first place. I don't- I don't…" but suddenly a burning sensation occurred behind his eyes and Harry blinked. Tears welled up in his eyes and he looked down.
Sirius was still raging about the marks but Remus sensed Harry's discomfort and placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. Soon tears were falling silently down Harry's flushed cheeks. Remus wasted no time in hugging him.
"What's wrong cub?" he asked tenderly.
"I didn't- I didn't want to tell anyone because of their reaction. You two ob-obviously don't think too highly of it and I couldn't- I don't want to get anyone sacked," Harry sniveled.
Remus gave a little laugh. "What makes you think you'll get anyone sacked Harry?"
"Because soon Umbridge will find out about this and where I am and I told Madam Pomfrey that Umbridge already wants to speak to her and she'll sack her once she knows I told Madam Pomfrey then you'll get sacked Sirius when you tell some ministry official and they'll tell Fudge or something then they'll pass some regulation stating werewolves can't have children and you'll have to move Remus and"-
Remus embraced the boy again but this time not letting him go. "Harry, you're rambling. No one is going to get sacked. I'm sure of it."
"I'm not," Harry spoke miserably.
"What on earth makes you think all of that will happen?" Sirius asked looking a bit lost.
"Because I know how badly you want revenge that's why," Harry answered pointedly.
"Well, true but I think we can think of something that isn't too drastic. At least, anything that won't land me back in Azkaban," Sirius added on the side of his mouth.
"Something has to be done no doubt but we will do the logical, least traumatizing way of dealing with this. Understand?" Remus looked into Harry's bright eyes.
Harry had to believe them. Since he was here Harry asked his godfather how his day with Helena had gone.
"Oh, beautiful. The movie thing was strange but found it quite enjoyable. It was very loud though, I don't think it needs to be that loud. Surely the place wasn't filled with that many deaf people. I forgot what we saw but it was a funny picture. I messed up the lunch I wanted to make but she took over so that was good. Granted, she's no Molly Weasley or you Harry but she can scramble an egg so that was good enough. We had a very romantic dinner. I found this wine in the cellar at headquarters and it was perfect and complemented the lobster very nicely."
"Lobster? You had lobster?" Harry gagged.
"Yes, but ahh, you're allergic to that aren't you?"
"Yeah but that's not why I gagged. Isn't lobster expensive?"
"It is but you have to remember how much gold is in my vault still, gold that has nothing to do with being a runner," Sirius gave a cheeky smile.
Harry smiled. "Right. So, how was the sex?" he asked bluntly.
"The- the sex?" Sirius echoed back.
"Surely you did it? I don't need the details but c'mon, it's been how long for you? She's not pregnant is she?" Harry was still grinning.
"No she isn't. We used protection since you are so curious," Sirius crossed his arms.
"Good choice."
Just then Poppy hurried in with a scowl on her face. "What are you two still doing here? Harry needs his rest! Do you know how much blood he lost? 1.4 liters!" she said before they could answer back.
She then noticed the wrappings around Harry's hand on the ground. "What on earth-? Why are your dressings off Mr. Potter?" she said sternly.
Harry's eyes shifted to his guardians who were trying to not look amused. "I was showing them my hand," he answered.
"Oh!" her face softened then she went to work rewrapping him again. "Well then, I want you to leave soon. He has to rest and his friends are coming by after lunch so he needs as little quiet as possible. Understood Mr. Black? Mr. Lupin?" she asked them, hands on her hips.
"Yes Poppy," said Remus with a smile.
"Good!" and she left.
Harry turned to Sirius and Remus with a guilty expression. "So you aren't angry with me?"
Remus crossed his arms and looked at Sirius as if they were about to decide on a punishment to a naughty toddler.
"Well, we are cub."
"You are?"
"Yes. You did not tell us about your detentions that have been going on since September."
"But you know"-
"No Harry, there is no excuse. No matter what your fears were you still should've told us. We're your guardians, we want to be informed of anything going on. Especially if it is causing you pain or discomfort or confusion," Remus said in a fatherly way. "Because you didn't inform us we are going to have to 'ground you' I'm afraid," he said sighing and standing up.
"Ground me? I'm already in another set of tortures from other teachers!"
"You have broken school rules which naturally, your Head of House dealt with. You have also broken home rules so we will give you a set of punishments that you will follow when you get back home."
Harry stared blankly back at his godfather. "But, the holidays are coming up…"
Sirius hesitated. "Fine, we'll let you off during Christmas and Christmas Eve. And when Helena examines you."
"When she examines me?" Harry repeated looking confused. "Why does she need to do that?"
"She needs to make sure you're up-to-date with your health and see if your diet and medicines need to be alternated. Poppy hasn't found anything wrong in your blood samples yet so that's a very good sign and you are gaining weight although you may not reach the target number originally planned," Sirius passed off candidly.
"Is an actual appointment set up yet?" Harry inquired.
"She is trying to set one up sometime soon. She knows how busy it's going to be in the hospital in December, so many people will be catching colds and other illnesses. She's thinking the day or so when you come home from Hogwarts so that'd be December 23rd."
Harry nodded. "Okay, I don't mind when I have to go. We don't have a whole lot planned do we?"
"Nope, other than the Christmas dinner with everyone. Oh, by the way Harry, you do know you have a dental appointment when you come home for the holidays right?" Sirius asked lightly, rubbing his chin.
Harry sighed and leaned into his pillows. "Yeah. Another root canal huh?"
"I'm afraid so. Emma is really hoping to get you in after Christmas. It would be a real bummer to have to see her before Christmas."
Harry rolled his eyes. "Can't wait."
Just then the door banged open and in stepped a very harassed nurse. "Your time is up you three! Harry needs rest NOW!"
"Okay, okay, keep your hair on. Sorry kiddo, the mean old lady is making us leave. See you soon then?" smiled Sirius.
"Of course," Harry smiled back as the hugged before leaving the room.
Once they were gone Poppy went to dress Harry's hand again and left to tend to those who stepped into the regular ward.
"I just had a crazy thought," Harry said to himself. "It's only November 5th, way too early to be writing up a Christmas list but I kind of want to…" harry found a quill, ink, and parchment in his bedside table. Excited, he put quill to parchment, thinking. Sure it was very early but he had never written up a wish list before and it would be a fun thing to do to pass the time. When the first thing entered his mind, he began writing away.
Hermione and Ron stopped by after lunch.
"Do not stay long you two, Harry hasn't had his lunch yet," scolded Poppy as they whisked past her in her office.
They nodded and ran into Harry's private room.
"Hey," Harry greeted as Hermione locked lips with his.
"I was so worried! When Ron told me what happened… that evil horrible woman! I cannot believe she did that! The nerve of her!" Hermione began.
"I know, I know. But I'm doing better now."
"Thankfully Ernie didn't say anything today so no one has any idea what happened," Ron said plopping on the chair Sirius was sitting in shortly before.
"Well you have Umbridge next. She is defiantly going to question you, you know that."
Ron shrugged. "So, did Sirius and Remus come by yet?"
"Oh, yes, they did," Harry said slowly.
"And? What did they say? You did tell them right?" Hermione asked glaring a bit.
"I did, I did," Harry relieved her.
"Good. What did they say? Are they upset?"
"Yes. At both the fact of what Umbridge did to me and for me not telling them sooner."
"Did they yell at you? Punish you?" Ron frowned.
"No but they said I can expect to be grounded over the holidays," Harry said gloomily.
"No, they wouldn't do that. It's the holidays! They're going to ground you on Christmas? What are they thinking?" Ron goggled.
"Not on Christmas. I'm grounded on days in which I'm not scheduled to do anything. They didn't tell me what yet but I know it's not going to be very exciting. Then Remus made me feel all guilty after lecturing me about how I should tell him when something is wrong no matter what it is. I hate how he talks to me at times; he always makes me bubble with guilt."
The door flew open and Poppy stepped out giving off her usual glare at the three of them. "Right, time to go," she ordered.
"Aw, but we just got here!" complained Ron.
"I don't care, Harry has to rest and get his dressings changed and take potions and cannot have the distraction of his friends. You'll see him during dinner I'm certain. Now scat!" she shooed.
Ron rolled his eyes and stood up. "See ya mate."
"Bye."
Hermione bent down and kissed him. "We'll see you again tonight okay?"
After the students left Poppy turned her back on Harry. "Take these potions now!" she ordered, pointing out three goblets. Harry recognized them as the same ones he took last night. He downed them with a grimace and allowed her to redo his bandaging. She cleaned it fiercely causing Harry to cry out then she applied the same green paste to stop the wounds from reopening then wrapped him in clean gauze again. Harry couldn't help but notice how distracted she appeared to be.
"Um, Madam Pomfrey is something wrong?" he finally asked.
"What? What makes you say that?"
"You just seem a bit irritated is all."
She sighed and pulled a strand of hair behind her ear. "Umbridge wants a word with me later on."
"She- she does? Why? What did she say?" Harry's eyes went wide.
"She wants to talk to me about my job," she said trying to sound calm.
"Did she mention me?"
"No but I think she was trying to hint that that's what we are going to be discussing."
"You can't let her know. She has no proof of anything. You never did anything to be on probation or worse- sacked! Just say the truth."
"And what if she asks me about your hand? You said she thinks I have something to do with trying to glamour it," Poppy said raising a brow to the boy.
"You don't have to tell her you did it. Like I said, she has no proof."
"Thanks dear. So you know, when I'm out I'm going to have a friend of mine from St. Mungo's, Attie Dorly take over my tasks until I return. It shouldn't be long but there still needs to be someone in here, anything can happen in this castle."
Harry was looking guilty again.
"Harry, you won't get me in trouble, I'm certain of it."
"You don't know that though! She's evil; she's going to pull it out of you."
"There's nothing we can do about that then dear. Try not to worry. Now, why don't you rest for a bit. There's a good boy," she smiled tiredly when Harry sunk back in his pillows.
"Don't you worry about a thing, nothing is going to happen."
Harry wished that was true as he watched her exit the room. He wouldn't quite forgive himself if she was indeed sacked or at least on probation. Hours passed and the door opened again and in walked a woman Harry had never seen before. She was at least in her late fifties and dressed in green robes.
"Hello Mr. Potter, I'm Attie Dorly, I'm sure Poppy has told you I was stopping by for a little while?" she greeted with a semi-soft voice.
"Hello," Harry said shaking her hand.
"Poppy has told me you injured your hand but she already tended to it not long ago correct?"
"Yes. You- she didn't say what happened to it did she?" Harry asked trying to not sound panicky.
"You sustained a nasty burn is what I heard."
"Oh, yes, yeah, that's what happened," Harry said gratefully. "My friend was practicing water charms and mixed up the cold water charm with the hot water charm and the water spilled onto my hand," he lied.
"Oh yes, it is easy to mix the two up. Well I'll be in the main wing if you need me all right?"
Harry nodded and watched her leave. It seemed to take forever for Poppy to return it seemed. Harry had no idea what time it was but as he looked out the large window to his left he saw the sky turn from a pretty blue to gold streaked with pink and assumed it was at least 4 PM. He wished he had a book to read. He was defiantly going to write books on his Christmas list, that was a cert. he knew he had homework from Monday that needed to be finished by next week but he really wasn't in the mood to look up information on Charms, Potions, or Transfiguration. He dug into his bag to see if he had anything in there worth entertaining himself with. He found some blank parchment and decided to draw for a bit. He normally never drew for fun and it was soon apparent how awful his work was when he saw the picture of Hermione and himself look more like something a third grader would draw but not someone of fifteen years of age.
The old heavy wood door to the private room suddenly and in walked Poppy looked a little frazzled. Harry got to his feet, ignoring the cold floor as soon as it touched his skin and rushed to her.
"Well? What did she do? What did she say? Are you fired?"
"Harry Potter please calm down and sit. You shouldn't be up and about after losing blood," she pointed to his bed.
He rolled his eyes but sat crossed-legged on it. "What happened?" he asked again.
The matron sighed heavily and tried not to look too upset. "I'm on probation," she said simply.
"What?" cried Harry.
"Harry, please…"
"Sorry, go on," he said quickly.
"She interrogated me, asking me all about you and what I am doing and what we both are doing every morning you come here."
"What did you tell her?"
"That you simply take medication every morning and eat breakfast."
"She didn't buy it did she?" Harry asked gloomily.
She shook her head. "She didn't. She kept asking a lot of pointless questions, things about my past and present medical background and job and how I got the job. A lot of the same things she asked when she was interrogating all the staff the first time."
"So what does it mean that you're on probation? Will you be getting sacked?"
"It means she's going to be keeping a close eye on everything I do from now on. If I can prove I can do my job without any sort of clues that I'm meeting you in secret then I'll be off probation. There's… there's something else that is going to happen too," she went on, looking more and more upset as she spoke.
"What is it?" Harry asked looking fearful.
"You cannot come into the wing anymore."
"What? That's stupid! What if I break a leg or something? How am I supposed to have it fixed if I can't come here? You can't ban someone from the infirmary! It's a place everyone needs access to!" Harry shouted.
"If you are injured or ill you may come but that is it. She has told me that you are to take your medication everyday in bed and eat breakfast with the other students."
"But, how will I take them without knowing the measurements?"
"I'm going to give you the tools you'll need when I discharge you."
"I need to eat after I take my calcium supplement otherwise it's not as effective," Harry told the woman.
"I'm sorry but you will have to take it down in the Great Hall," she said sadly.
"I don't want people to stare at me. And even when I take the rest of my medication in bed, all my friends will ask questions. Only Ron and Hermione know that I have to take things before breakfast each day…" Harry trailed looking truly upset now.
"I'm sorry dear but I can't do anything about this. I wish it didn't come to this but she has more power of me at this point."
"Well she shouldn't. She's just working underneath the damn ministry's nose and trying to make life miserable for everyone! Dumbledore! Tell Dumbledore!" he said suddenly.
"I don't want to drag the headmaster into this Harry. He has enough to do as it is."
"He should know that his own staff is at risk of losing their jobs!"
"Harry, please don't get worked up. I'll get through this. As long as we prove nothing strange is going on or that I'm telling you anything to undermine the ministry, things should go back to normal once more."
Harry couldn't do anything but nod. Poppy sighed and squeezed his shoulder.
"Nothing is your fault Harry."
"Yes it is. I should've just held my tongue all those times she talked to me."
"She was going to find out everything sooner or later Harry. This was a very big thing to keep from someone. It was simply time for the truth to come out," Poppy said lightly.
Harry shrugged as she let go. "Guess I'll have to harass my girlfriend to help me in my studies until you can help me again," he said with a slight grin.
"Hopefully Miss Granger will understand," Poppy Pomfrey tried to smile.
Two days had passed and Harry was sitting up in bed, dressed in a pair of jeans and a sweatshirt and was having his hand examined by Poppy one last time before he went off with Ron who was waiting to get ready for the first Quidditch match of the season. His hand looked worse than ever before, even after the three days of healing it went through. It was as white as it ever was and the scars ran red and deep. It looked like someone took a knife to his hand and began to carve into it, splitting the skin open like the skin of a cooked turkey. He had to keep it in a bandage still as to not get it infected and along with his daily potions he had to apply the green paste to his skin every six hours. In his bag were his potions and the paste and instructions so he knew just how much of everything he needed to take each day.
Harry hurried out and into the changing rooms to dress into his Quidditch robes. He carefully put his glove over his bandaged hand and raced down with Ron. Thankfully he had grabbed his Firebolt since he knew he was coming down right after he was released from the infirmary.
"Thanks," Harry said as he took hold of his broom.
"I hope we do well today," Ron said in a slightly worried voice, apparently not hearing his friend.
"Course we will."
"You don't know that, you're injured and haven't had many practices. You know me, I can't do too well if hundreds of people are going to be watching me," Ron went on his brow frowning a bit more.
"I don't need to practice and your nerve problem is only temporarily. The more games you play the more used to it you'll be."
"Easy for you to say. Come on, you know Wood was better than me," Ron said gruffly.
"Don't start that again Ron, you're really good too, that's why Angelina picked you," Harry frowned. It was hard to not feel a little annoyed that his friend couldn't seem to know his talent as a keeper on the field.
"I'm rubbish, I shouldn't have ever tried out," Ron moaned.
"Don't start that again," George's voice was heard behind them. "We've got this. You've got this. Don't pay mind to anyone else."
"Everyone is going to be watching," Ron said with a dreaded look.
"Well of course they are," Fred was speaking now as he laced up his arm guards.
It did no good to talk Ron out of his misgivings. A couple minutes later the team mounted their brooms and flew into the air to the roaring crowd. Harry sped around the field a couple times before resting to a stop to take in the many, many people. He smiled when he spotted Hermione waving up at him, standing next to Dean and Ginny. However he gasped when he saw Luna Lovegood with a rather peculiar hat on her head. It was a giant lion's head that was moving animatedly and roaring along with the crowd. The sound of Lee Jordan's voice broke his thoughts as the balls were released and the commentary and game began.
It was a fast paced game and Harry wished it could end sooner than it did. He saw Ron miss several goals and heard the taunts of the Slytherins as he did this. He caught the snitch as it zoomed right at replacement seeker Angus Quarkly's, nose and saved the game, 200 to 130. The Gryffindors were now heading up to the common room for a good party and Harry was shoved by everyone to get up and celebrate with them but Harry caught Ron on the corner of his eye walking gloomily back to the grounds.
"I'll see you later," Harry muttered quickly to a cheering Fred and ran off to catch up with Ron.
When he walked out on the grounds he was nowhere in sight. Brows furrowed, Harry hurried off to try and find him. He saw him on a large rock that was on the edge of the Black Lake. Harry cautiously approached him.
"Hey," Harry said softly standing a few feet behind him to give him some room if need be.
Ron sighed and turned around. "I completely screwed up everything."
"No you didn't. We won didn't we?" Harry said with a small smile.
"Yeah but I still let in all those goals."
Harry ran his hand in his now lengthy hair. "You just need more practice. It was your first game. Like I said, you'll get the hang of it soon."
"I still screwed up! You didn't on your first game back in first year did you?"
Harry grinned. "Ah, but you're wrong. I did screw up my first game."
"No you didn't, we won didn't we?"
"But I still screwed up. I almost chocked on the snitch remember?"
Ron couldn't help but grin a bit. "Yeah, you did screw up didn't you?"
"I did. You'll get better as time goes on, you just have to try and not pay any attention to what the people in the stands, mainly the Slytherins, say."
"I can't help it, I've always been out shadowed at home and at school I still am. People still gaze at what Fred and George do, not only on the field but with those Skiving Snackboxes of theirs now too. I'm nothing amazing," Ron looked back at the lake's edge.
Harry sighed. "You seem to be forgetting I didn't grow up the ideal life. I was overlooked by Dudley at everything. Even if I did a better job at something than he did it never mattered, Vernon and Petunia never gave a damn about what I did. Only when I turned eleven did I see what I could do. What I was. I'm so used to being poked fun of as the skinny kid in glasses that I'm not one to accept praise much." He rubbed his neck. "You're better than you think you are Ron. The ones who say otherwise don't matter."
Ron was a little surprised at what Harry had just revealed. He swallowed. "Yeah, I get it I guess. Thanks mate."
"No problem. Now I believe we have a party in our honor in the common room…"
The boys went up and into the noisy common room to celebrate another Gryffindor victory.
Three weeks passed by and Harry was in the Room of Requirement again teaching the DA about a brand-new spell, reducto. He was very eager to be back in the room. It had been weeks since he had gotten with his fellow 'students' and he forgot the thrill of teaching everyone again.
"Come on Jasper, you can do it," Harry was encouraging the only Slytherin in the group. "I just saw you blast away the fake wall Hermione put up on the corner of my eye."
"I know but I wasn't paying attention. I think you are talking about Fred, I didn't do it, he did," the black-haired boy tried to argue.
"No mate, it was all you," Fred spoke up coming to the two short boys.
"See Jasper? You just have to have a bit of confidence is all…" Harry tried encouragingly.
"It's kind of hard when everyone keeps looking at you because you're a Slytherin," he said frowning.
"Hey, don't pay any attention to everyone else. You aren't like other Slytherins, I can tell. You are the only one who had guts to be in this club from your House and that says a lot."
Jasper rolled his eyes. Harry sighed.
"Listen Jasper; just try to blast away the wall again okay? I know you can do it. It's Reducto, not too difficult to say is it? You have to concentrate hard though, make sure you let the wall know you're going to blast it," Harry said a hand on the younger boy's shoulder.
Jasper took in a deep breath and nodded. Harry and Fred backed away to allow the boy some room. Jasper raised his wand, pointed it to a short six foot wall and said confidently, "Reducto!" the wall blasted out of his way.
"Good job man!" spoke Fred grinning broadly.
"I- I did it," Jasper said shocked.
"Okay, I'm going to leave you for a bit all right? Looks like Caroline is having troubles too…"
Harry walked over to the first group of students and saw first year Caroline waving around her wand confusedly. He did not miss the irritated looks her fellow group members were giving her.
"Hello Caroline. What's the problem?" Harry asked with a kind smile.
"I can't do the spell and they aren't helping," she said pointing to Eliza Everlook, Justin Finch-Fletchy, Padma Patil and Alicia Spinnet.
"Why aren't you guys helping? That's the point of the groups…"
"She's taking forever doing the spell! We all have done it a good few times now and she hasn't done it once!" said Justin rolling his eyes.
"So I'm a little slow you shouldn't hold that against me!"
"Hey, hey, no fights. We established that at the end of the last meeting. C'mon, you can do it. It's easy to say, Reducto. I just helped out Jasper over there and he could do it. Try Caroline, come on," Harry encouraged.
Caroline raised her wand at the wall in front of her and said, "Reducto!" the wall blasted apart.
"See? Good job!" praised Harry.
"Finally. Harry, are we going to be learning any other spells tonight?" Alicia asked.
"Why do you say that?"
"Well, look at everyone, it seems like most people have got the hang of it," she pointed out. Harry looked and saw everyone blasting away the fake walls Hermione conjured at the beginning of the lesson.
"Well, we might. I have a better idea actually. Hey, everyone! Everyone!" Harry shouted. No one was listening. He then spotted the whistle on the book shelf, seized it and blew hard. Wands dropped and voices stopped.
"Thank-you. Okay, I'm looking around at you all and I'm seeing you are all getting the concept of the Reducto curse very well. I'm now going to have each and every one of you perform the curse in front of me as well as Expelliarmus because we finally were able to use that spell effectively last meeting. Now all of you form a line, no pushing! I'm going to put up a wall, well, Hermione will actually as I don't know how to do that, and you will have to blast it for me all right? Then you will perform Expelliarmus on me. You each get three chances to disarm me. I know we only have around twenty-five minutes left before curfew so I won't be able to get through everyone. I'll probably be able to schedule another meeting right before the holidays so then I'll get through the rest of you and then start you on a new spell. Is that okay with everybody?" he asked the room at large.
Thirty-eight heads nodded and Harry smiled. "Good. Now everyone line up, no specific order. Hey, I said no pushing!" he cried as he saw the younger students crowding around each other.
The first student was Michael Corner. He performed the Reducto curse easily and disarmed Harry on the second try. Next was Luna who did even better and disarmed Harry the first time. The line began to get shorter when Harry took a glance at Hermione's watch and gasped.
"Okay, we need to stop now," he called to the students. Groans came from the eighteen people still in line. "I'm sorry but we need to get back in our common rooms before Umbridge catches us. You all will be notified when the next meeting is via those excellent coins Hermione made us. Thanks again," he said giving her a kiss.
"Eww," blanched the first years.
Harry and Hermione laughed. "Okay everyone, all of you walk out a few at a time like always, good…" Harry observed. The room soon emitted out and the trio were last to leave as always. The trio were the last to leave and their conversation quickly turned to the upcoming trip to Hogsmeade that was in two weeks.
"So how are we going to do our Christmas shopping Hogsmeade weekend?" Hermione piped up.
"What do you mean?" Harry frowned.
"I think it's a good idea to think of how we're going to do things so when the twentieth of December comes along we won't run into each other in shops," Hermione offered.
"Okay but I still think it's too early."
"So we could all go at the same time obviously but we'll make sure we don't run into each other in shops for each other. Once we do all our shopping for one another than we can shop for our parents after," Hermione went on.
"You know me, it won't take long," Ron rubbed his arm.
"I could give"- Harry began but was cut off.
"You don't need to give me any money. I don't need it."
"If you wanted to buy more gifts this year, why not?"
"Because I don't want to. I'm not a charity case," Ron glared.
"C'mon, I told you already Sirius and Remus are going to pay for everything I need from now on. I don't know what else to do with the gold my parents left me then," Harry offered.
"Don't Harry. I'm warning you…"
Harry stayed silent, hoping he'd find a way to indeed slip a few extra coins into the redhead's money bag before Hogsmeade weekend.
The next day they had Defense Against the Dart Arts first period. Everyone clamored into the seats with no enthusiasm.
"Good news children," Umbridge spoke up after the bell rang and the students settled down. "I was going to keep this from you until it happened but we are going to be starting a new fun idea for next term!" she cried happily.
The students stole odd glances but allowed her to talk on. "As of January the tenth you will be assigned partners and will be going over material that I go over first from our wonderful text book!"
The students did their best to not look too upset over this but it did not work.
"What the hell was she thinking, saying we have to be in groups next year?" Ron shouted when they returned to Gryffindor tower that night after dinner.
"She did tell us when the school year started, mind you," Hermione said, opening her Potions book to begin her essay of the twenty-five uses of sleeze grass.
"I know she did but I still don't know why we have to do it. It's pointless isn't it?"
"Like we're really going to be discussing that useless book anyway. I was thinking we should take the time to talk about the DA. You know, it's Defense Against the Dark Arts so she won't know that we aren't talking about that damn book," Harry said shrugging as he heaved a purring Crookshanks into his lap.
"That could work," agreed Hermione staring into her book.
"You know that's not due until the last day before the holidays begin right?" Harry reminded her.
"I know that but I figured I should finish it now so I could spend the rest of the week forcing you two to do it," she said rather rudely.
"Touché," smiled Harry.
Hermione raised a brow. "Touché, I think not Potter."
"Don't start sur-naming me again!"
"Don't start acting like a cheeky little boy then!"
Harry glared and stroked his girlfriend's huge fluffy cat that was begging for attention.
Meanwhile, back at Number thirty-one, Owl Post Lane a werewolf, a black-haired man and his Healer girlfriend were looking down upon their charge's Christmas list that had come through via Hedwig earlier that morning. He felt it should be sent before December since the holidays were also chaotic. Sirius was laughing at the moment.
"For the last time, what is so funny?" demanded Helena. (Sirius had invited her over for dinner once more).
"Harry. Aw, he's so cute. He's written codes next to every item on his list that isn't CDs. And look at all the CDs he wants. How did he hear of all these bands? And he never listens to music, how can he? He has no wireless," frowned Sirius.
"I think that's why he's written a CD player on the list Padfoot," said Helena pointing it out rolling her eyes.
"Oh. I still don't know how he's heard of all these bands though. He only wrote down music from a few wizard bands but the majority are Muggle ones."
"Let me take a better look at it Padfoot," frowned Remus and ripped the parchment out of his friend's hands and held it to the light where the whole list shined in the candle's flame.
CHRISTMAS LIST FOR HARRY JAMES P.L.B. (when will I ever use my full name guys?)
FROM QUALITY QUIDDITCH SUPPLIES:
A new bottle of Fleetwood's broom handle polish
A broom case/stand
New arm guards
Kenmare Kestrels hat (green with the shamrock on it)
Kenmare Kestrels posters
Kenmare Kestrels books
Kenmare Kestrels robes (from last season, ha)
Kenmare Kestrels Quidditch boots (size 7.5 or 8)
Kenmare Kestrels jacket (green, leather, double K in gold on upper pocket, double K in gold in back)
A gift card for any amount
FROM FLOURISH AND BLOTTS:
The six books, including the new seventh from Warren E. Kelli on the fiction Quidditch novels which includes the following:
Harping Hippogriffs, Flying the Stars, Pitch Snitch, Bludgers and the Flight of the Quaffle, Flip's Snitch of Australia, Skeleton Sword and the new book, Black is the Soul of a Reilly Knight
Karen's Heart by Georgia Leford
Jack to me by James Jefferseen
The Life of Dornian Hesford by Helen Hesford
The Beginner's Guide to Being an Auror by Ron Blackness
Auror 101 by J.P. Ziggersin
Defensive Magic- how it Applies to Life Today by the Bessiee brothers
I've got a Wand, now What do I do With it? By Brandon Baynes
The Heart's Desire series, preferably books 1-5 and number 8
A Werewolf in a Muggle Town by Garth Urblamen
How I Traveled the World in a Heartbeat! By Fredric Herro
Cookbooks of any kind
Gift card for any amount
MUSIC:
CD player for starts
(Muggle bands are as follows)
Any Red Hot Chili Peppers CD
Green Day CDs (NOT Kerplunk, I already have it)
Nirvana CDs
Metallica CDs
Gun's and Roses CDs (NOT Use Your Illusion One, I already have it)
(Wizard rock is the fallowing)
Cloak and Daggers: So I Tickled a Dragon, Where is From Here? And a Cauldron of Poison
Fireside: Here There Be a Monster
Troy Heferdon: This Little Muggle Town
MISCELLANEOUS:
Socks
Pajamas
Candy
VCR player (ask Daniel, Emma, or Helena what it is)
Comedy or drama films that sound interesting
Kenmare Kestrels calendar
New parchment book
A really nice quill
Color-change ink
Really cool-looking bed sheets/blankets/pillows
Vintage Quidditch items or any items you know I'd want at the discount junk shop in Diagon Alley
That is it. Thank-you so much in advance!
Remus was rubbing his chin. "Very detailed…"
"It's good to know that Harry knows exactly what he wants hm?" Sirius said candidly but clearly a bit bothered.
"Give the kid a break, this is going to be his first Christmas at home with those he calls family. Besides, he deserves to be able to write out a wish list. This at least shows that he's okay with us buying him things, at least for the holidays," smiled Remus handing back the list to Sirius.
"Yeah, I felt the same way when I spent the holidays with the Potters after I ran away from home. Harry deserves the best possible Christmas we can give him. Something truly special," Sirius beamed.
"I agree. Granted, I've only known him for a short time. But how can you not want to spoil the boy? He is going to have a very good holiday when he gets back," Helena smiled as she had a hand around Sirius' shoulders.
"Holiday? What with a major dental appointment and a Healer one? Christmas will be wonderful, the holidays overall is not going to be very enjoyable on his part," frowned Sirius.
"I don't know about you but I think it's wise to begin shopping and planning as soon as any of us can. Before that holiday rush arrives," Helena got to her feet.
Sirius was feeling the same joys as he did at the end of July. He was going to do all in his power to give his godson a truly magnificent Christmas.
Thank-you for reading.
Magical love: Rose