Author's note:
Yeah, I'm fresh out. So thanks once again to Strangeways for fixing my messes.
Also, thank you to all those who are reading and reviewing. I appreciate all of you.
Sorcerer's Muse
Harry Potter and the Heir of Morgaine Le Faye
Chapter 34: When it Rains . . .
"What's that?" Harry asked.
"This," Dr. Pell said, "is a self medicating machine." He pushed aside some of the assorted items on the bedside table and set it down. "I hook this up here," he explained as he did it. "Run these tubes into the IV already going in Ginny's arm and set this bag of morphine here."
"That's an awful lot," Harry said. He was use to seeing the tiny amounts in the syringes Dr. Pell had been using.
"Is it diluted?" Hermione asked.
"Yes, but we just give a bit more to get the same dosing. The important thing is, instead of waiting for me to draw up a syringe and inject it, it frees Ginny to give herself as much as she needs when she needs it."
"That sounds a bit dangerous," Hermione said.
Dr. Pell punched a few buttons on the box he'd set on the desk. "It would be if she had complete freedom, but she doesn't. I've determined how much she needs to be comfortable, and how long that's lasting her. I've been giving her ten milligrams every hour right now."
"Is that considered a lot?" Hermione asked.
Dr. Pell nodded. "It would be dangerous for someone who wasn't magical for me to keep her at that level for more than a few hours. But without going into how I know, I know the physiology of the magical population can handle more than a person without magic."
"Ok," Harry said. "I don't think I have any choice but to trust you anyway."
"You can trust me, Harry," Dr. Pell said. "But the point of this is, by the time the hour's up, she's really getting uncomfortable; nearing the verge of being desperate. The problem is I hit her hard, and then it slowly wears off. She goes from having more than she needs to not having enough before I can give her more. Now I gave her a five milligram dose about twenty minutes ago, and unless I miss my bet, she's going to start getting uncomfortable again in a few minutes. I'm going to set this so when she feels like she needs a bit more she can press this button. She'll get one milligram each time she presses it. But it will only dispense the medication once every eight minutes; no matter how many times she presses the button. It's a bit less than I've been giving her per hour now which is good and it will even things out for her. It should put an end to the rollercoaster she's on right now. That's also a good thing."
"That's pretty ingenious," Harry said.
"Even better," Dr. Pell answered, "is that even though it will only dispense the medication once every eight minutes, the machine will record every time she presses the button. If she's pressing it every two minutes then I know she's not getting enough and I can change the settings to give her a bit more with each dispensing, or shorten the time between each dose."
"Very ingenious," Hermione said.
Dr. Pell put his hand on Ginny's shoulder and gave her a gentle shake. "Ginny?" he asked. Her eyes slowly fluttered open. "That's my girl," he said, smiling. "How are you feeling?"
Ginny thought for a second. "Getting worse."
"Yes, I thought it might be. I have something for you." He placed the remote to the dispensing machine in her hand. "I can't keep giving you your medication like this. Don't worry," he soothed with the look of alarm on her face. "I just need to even your dosing out. I don't like having to wait a full hour before giving you more when you really start to need it after forty minutes. I'll bet you don't either?"
Ginny shook her head. "No," she agreed.
"So from now on, any time you feel like you need more medicine, you can press this button here." Ginny looked down at the remote in her hand and the button he'd placed her thumb on. "You can press it now if you want," he said.
He'd no more than finished the sentence than Ginny pressed the button. Within ten seconds she smiled. "Like that."
He patted her arm. "I thought you would. Now, that didn't give you very much medicine and it's going to wear off faster than when I use the syringe. But you can press that button any time you feel like you want more okay?"
Ginny nodded. "Can I press it now?"
"You can if you want, but I don't want you to press it unless you really feel like you need to. If you feel like you can wait just a few minutes, I want you to do that for me okay?"
Ginny nodded. "But not long, right?"
"I want you to decide, Ginny. This isn't a test of how much pain you can put up with. If it hurts, use it. If you don't really need the medicine, then don't."
"Okay," Ginny agreed.
"That's my girl," Dr. Pell said, smiling at her again. "You're doing great, and we're going to do everything we can to help you get better. But the most important thing is you. You need to keep fighting. The harder you fight, the faster you'll get better."
Ginny smiled. "I can fight really hard." she said.
"So I've heard," Dr. Pell said. "Hermione and your husband have told me all about how strong you are."
Ginny almost seemed to flush. "They're liars," she said.
"Oh, I don't think so," Hermione broke in. She could see what Dr. Pell was trying to do by engaging Ginny. He knew she wanted to press the button but was trying to wait. He was seeing if he might be able to distract her, and for how long, before it became too much and she pressed the button, dispensing more medication again. "Who else do you know that sets a compound fracture in their own leg?" she asked. "And to distract themselves from the pain of doing it, they bite down on their own arm hard enough to draw blood."
Dr. Pell arched a brow at Harry, who nodded yes, that Ginny had indeed done that.
"Not strong as you," Ginny said.
"Oh yes you are," Hermione said.
Ginny shook her head. "Die without Harry," she said, her voice strained. She screwed her eyes shut tightly and a moment later pressed the button on her remote. About ten seconds later she relaxed again. "Ron's gone and you still manage," she finished her argument. "Sleep again?"
"Certainly," Dr. Pell said. He patted her shoulder once more and backed away from the bed, nodding towards the door to Hermione. She followed him.
"Stay?" Ginny said, pulling on Harry's hand.
"Anything," Harry agreed. He sat down on the edge of the bed and began gently stroking her hair.
XX
"So we're doing fairly well," Dr. Pell said about four hours later. He, Harry, Hermione, Molly and Arthur and Quade were all seated in the kitchen again. Based on the number of times Ginny was hitting the button on the dispensing machine, I've changed the set up. She now has access to one milligram every six minutes; a total of ten an hour. And over the last two hours, that's worked really well. She's pressing the button with almost clockwork precision every seven-and-a-half minutes. So it's actually working out to eight milligrams an hour. If she weren't magical, we'd be in a lot of trouble at that level. But as I said earlier, your physiologies allow me to push the dose a bit higher."
"Just how dangerous is this medication?" Molly asked. After the dressing down she'd received from Harry a few days earlier, and a further (but much more softly delivered) dressing down from her husband, she'd finally been able to see she was simply against Dr. Pell because she didn't understand him. And because of that, she was actually hurting Ginny instead of helping her. It may have been fairly difficult to see the positive results of Dr. Pell's first IVs of fluids and nutrients to Ginny. But the results of the pain medication she was getting were simply impossible to ignore.
Dr. Pell sighed. "I'm afraid there are many dangers to this medication. Not the least of which is death. That's why its use is so highly regulated. But you don't need to worry about any of that because I'm monitoring her very carefully. To be honest, Ginny is getting a level of attention reserved for heads of state. Even our President shares his doctor if he makes a trip to the hospital."
"He's a fairly important person, correct?" Molly asked.
"He might be the most important person in the world, Mum," Hermione said. "Magic or non-magic."
"He's certainly the most powerful," Harry said.
"But he doesn't have magic, Harry," Molly protested. "He's not even as powerful as me, never mind you."
Harry smiled. With the pain Ginny was suffering from fading, and Molly's effort to actually try and understand just how her non-magic cousins might in some ways be better off than her, his patience had returned. "Can I see your wand, Arthur?" he asked. "Yours too Hermione." They both set their wands on the table for him. Harry pushed them to Molly. "Now we both know these are potentially dangerous weapons but can you tell which one is more powerful?"
"Well neither," she said. "One will work better for Arthur than it will for Hermione and vice versa, but neither is more powerful."
"Right," Harry said. "The power is tied to the person holding the weapon, not the weapon itself."
"Ok," Molly said. "But I don't see how this ties into that…?"
"President," Hermione supplied
"Yes, how does that tie into him being so powerful?"
"Molly," Harry said. "Our non-magic cousins have developed all kinds of weapons to fight their various wars. The power of those weapons is not dependant on the person who's holding it. Each weapon is its own source of power and the President has access to the most powerful weapons ever made."
"But they can't be more powerful than you, can they?"
"They have more destructive power than me, Ginny and all the rest of the Weasleys combined."
Molly eyed him dubiously but thought better of expressing her doubts till she understood a bit more. Besides, she really wanted to get back to the subject at hand; Ginny. She turned her attention back to Dr. Pell. "Is there anything else we might be able to do to help her?"
"I'm afraid not," he answered. "Without getting myself in trouble, my government has had no luck developing any form of antidote or reversing process for a vampire bite. And Quade's story of Morgaine aside, Ginny is the only patient in any recorded medical records of any institution I've been able to dig up. We are simply in unchartered waters. My best recommendation is, as long as we can make her comfortable, to let her body's systems fight the poison. That doesn't mean I'm not working on some other possibilities. But unless my research team can develop something that shows true potential of helping her, I'm not about to put anything else in her system." An annoying beeping suddenly filled the room. Dr. Pell shut the alarm on his watch off and stood. "I need to go check on our patient," he said and left without another word.
"Any thoughts at all, Quade?" Hermione asked.
Quade considered. "I am unsure."
"Elaborate," Harry said.
"My, L—" Quade stopped herself. "I'm don't know, Harry. I believe I smell something different in her blood. But as I said, I am unsure."
"Have you told that to Dr. Pell?" Hermione asked.
"No."
"Quade," Hermione said. She reached across the table and placed her hand on Quade's. "Your powers of observation are astounding. You sense even the slightest changes. Things even Dr. Pell's machines don't catch. It is vitally important for you to tell us anything at all that you notice."
"I did not wish to say something unless I was certain."
"I understand that, but it could be that waiting like that might be too late. Please make sure you tell Dr. Pell or myself if you notice anything in the future; no matter how small it might be."
"It will be as you say, Hermione," Quade assured her.
Harry looked at his watch and frowned. "Ok, I'm just going to see if she's awake before I head to the stadium. Is anyone coming today?"
"I think we all prefer to stay here, Harry," Arthur said.
"You do understand?" Molly asked.
Harry stood up, leaned over and kissed Molly's cheek. "Trust me, Mum. I'm only going because Ginny wants me to." He pulled back and headed for the door.
"Good luck today, Harry," Hermione called. Molly and Arthur echoed her.
"Thanks," he said.
"Krum," Harry growled. He clasped his hand on Victor's forearm while thumping him on the back in a crushing embrace.
"Potter," Krum said, returning the gesture. "Here ve are again."
Still gripping each others forearm tightly, the two seekers pulled apart but kept their other hand clasped firmly on the other's shoulder. "Except it's my pitch this time," Harry growled.
"Little good it did you against Nora two days ago," Victor taunted.
Harry scowled. The match two days ago against the Magpies had not gone well for the Hippogriffs. Harry and Nora had flown to a total of three catches; her two against his one. It was by far the lowest tally for either of them the whole season. They had both been so intent on preventing the other from catching the Snitch, that they had each blown numerous chances to snag it themselves. Topping off his individual defeat by Nora, the Hippogriffs had been thoroughly embarrassed by a brilliant Keeper on a hot streak; final score, Magpies 175, the Hippogriffs, a dismal 80. Even if Harry had managed to match Nora's two catches, they would only have totaled 95. Not even Luke could take solace in what was a decent performance on his part. The 150 points the Magpies Chasers did score were their second lowest total of the year.
There was only one Seeker alive who could claim a winning record against Harry in matches won or Snitches caught; Nora had them both. She had seven Snitch captures against his six to go with her two match wins over his one. Only the continued failure of Ginny's condition to improve was keeping the image of Nora celebrating the win on his turf exactly as he had on hers out of Harry's mind.
"Didn't seem to help you much either," Harry retorted. "What was the final score when you played them last week?"
"Luck," Victor countered.
"She had four catches against your two, didn't she?" Harry continued to taunt as they assumed their positions for the start of the match.
"I vos hurt," Victor said. "But I am vell enough to remind you of vot happened the last time ve met."
"I won," Harry said, "at the orphanage." He shot into the air with Victor glued to him."
XX
"And with that catch, Potter's evened the tally between himself and the Horntail's Victor Krum," Melvin's voice boomed over the stadium and the fans celebrating raucously in the stands.
"More importantly, it's pushed the Hippogriffs' lead to seventy five points," Dimitri offered. "With just under fifteen minutes left to play today, it almost assures the Hippogriffs the win even if Krum makes another catch of the Snitch."
"It's been a tough slog for the Hippogriffs today," Melvin picked up. "The team seemed to still be reeling from the mauling they received at the hands of the Magpies three days ago, falling behind early today. But they've clawed their way back into the match, and slowly built a nearly insurmountable lead on goals now that Potter has evened things up between himself and Victor Krum."
XX
Harry breathed a sigh of relief as he let the Snitch he'd just caught go. Hard slog indeed: he had fallen behind four catches to zero within the first ninety minutes of the match. Combined with the fifty point lead the Horntails had built on goals, the Hippogriffs had found themselves down by one-hundred and twenty-five points with less than half the match left to play. A second, humiliating loss at home going into the league playoffs had looked to be imminent. But then Harry had made his first catch of the match and the team had found their rhythm. They'd slowly reversed the deficit on goals as Harry had drawn even with Victor's four catches. If they could just keep that lead in goals for another twelve minutes, losing would be impossible.
Victor had no intention of letting Harry rest. Furious with himself for surrendering the lead he'd built over Harry, he pressed forward relentlessly looking for that last catch of the Snitch. If he could just catch the damn thing and his team could score one goal without giving one up, they might be able to salvage a win out of this. He had no desire to end his regular season losing two out of three any more than Harry wanted to lose two in a row. He had no idea where in the stadium the referees had placed the nine different Snitches for the match for later release but he was determined Harry wouldn't beat him to this one. Get the Snitch or die trying wasn't a mantra only Harry lived by. He caught sight of the Snitch moments after it flashed out of its hiding spot and barreled after it.
XX
"And there go the Seekers again," Melvin announced.
"Potter's got the early advantage and a ton of momentum on his side with four snags in a row, but Krum quickly draws even," Dimitri added.
"And Toms has picked the pocket of the Horntails chaser again. He tosses to Carnes, and she's off on a run with Mitts. Toms races to catch up."
"Carnes' pass to Mitts is over her head, and the Horntails, Bulger snags the long throw on the fly. Toms slams on the brakes and races back to help defend as Carnes and Mitts try to recover."
"Bludgers from both Rains and Mercer crush Bulger just as he tosses the Quaffle straight up! I don't think he'll be back from that one folks."
"Toms blasts forward after the quaffle. NO! The Horntails, Dorn, on a flat speed run snags it off of Tom's fingertips and he's alone with only St. James to beat!"
"And it's through!" Melvin shouted. "St. James didn't stand a chance on that one with the shot perfectly placed into the bottom corner of his left hoop."
"The Horntails are within sixty five now and another catch by Krum will seal the win for them if the Hippogriffs can't respond."
"And Krum and Potter are still at it. The two of them have been flat out for all but about five minutes of this match."
"Krum leads Potter into a steep dive as they both struggle to keep up with their target only to find Potter overtaking him."
"And Mitts has put the Hippogriffs up by seventy-five again!" Melvin said. "I haven't seen a Chaser run end-to-end at this level in fifteen years of announcing, but she somehow managed it."
"There's little doubt she's the best Chaser on the field," Dimitri said. "She might even be the best player, Potter and Krum included. The match against the Magpies aside, she's been putting on goal scoring clinics since her first foray as a Seeker. She's made the switch to a Seeker broom permanently since; and somehow her reflexes as a Chaser have managed to keep up with the added maneuverability and acceleration of the new broom."
"And she's stolen the Quaffle again!" Melvin interrupted. "Dishes it off to Toms and just like that the Hippogriffs lead is eighty-five!"
"Amazing," Dimitri said. "That's all I can say. The girl is simply amazing. Whether she makes the final cut on this year's World Cup squad or not, it's a sure bet that in two years time, as long as her improvement continues and Potter can maintain his level of play, the Hippogriffs starting seven will include two of the five best players in the world."
"Let's not forget about Mercer, Dimitri," Melvin said. "He's well on his way to climbing into the ranks of the world's top Beaters."
"Right you are, Melvin," Dimitri said. "Mercer would be the best player on a number of other teams if he wasn't suiting up for the Hippogriffs."
"Potter looks to have redoubled his efforts in the chase for the Snitch," Melvin said. "With the match currently out of the Horntails' reach, he's pulled out to a short lead over Krum, and the Horntails Seeker is having trouble matching him as he drives that broom to its limits and beyond."
The crowd roared their approval as Harry closed in on the Snitch. He was just reaching out to grab it when his broom skewed sideways. The roar turned to a groan as the Snitch raced away and the whistle blew.
"And there's a blatant foul by Krum," Melvin said. "Surely preventing Potter from ending the match. The referee is chewing Krum out now but he's being completely ignored by the unrepentant Seeker. Surely this will result in a penalty shot for the Hippogriffs and a chance to extend their lead to ninety-five as time winds down here. And there it is, Mitts' is lining up at midfield for the shot now."
"Krum really had no choice but to foul Potter. Slim as it is, the Horntails' only chance of winning is to stop this penalty, score twice in the five minutes left and for him to make his fifth catch of the match."
"A long shot indeed," Melvin said. "But even if it doesn't result in a win for the Horntails, I don't think their coaches are going to be complaining about their Seeker's tactics."
"No they won't," Dimitri said. "And should they pull this out, they'll probably give him a bonus."
"Mitts is lined up for the Quaffle throw from the referee now. She accelerates as the whistle blows and he sends the Quaffle skyward. She grabs the Quaffle at full speed and bears down on the Horntails Keeper. He doesn't bite on her first feint, holding his ground as she loops around and shoots. He's blocked it!"
"I'm afraid Mitts faked herself out with that one," Dimitri said. "And we're back to full action with less than five minutes left. The Horntails have the Quaffle after the blocked penalty and they're moving up field with renewed hope."
"There go Potter and Krum again. The action is moving at a furious pace here. And there's another goal for the Horntails! Krum's deliberate foul of Potter has worked out perfectly so far as the Horntails draw within seventy-five once more!"
"And things go from bad to worse as Carnes loses the Quaffle to the Horntails' Bulger. He slots it past St. James before he's even had a chance to react to the turnover by his Chasers. I'm not sure how Bulger managed to get back in the air after taking a couple of Bludgers just minutes ago, and that unexpected contribution caught the Hippogriffs off guard."
Melvin picked up the action. "A win's no longer out of the question now for the Horntails as they trail by sixty-five with about ninety seconds left to play. Another catch by Krum and it'll be all over for the Hippogriffs."
"The effort of that steal and goal by Bulger has really bothered him," Dimitri said. "But he's sucking up for the last moments of the match with determination. The Hippogriff Chasers are taking their time coming out from behind their hoops. It appears they may have something specific in mind for this last rush and they're just getting it set up."
"And here they come," Melvin said. "Carnes screams out from behind the hoops streaking towards the midfield. Going in opposite directions Mitts and Toms race out from behind their hoops and circle back again as they build a head of steam. They cross behind the hoops and St. James drops the quaffle into Mitts' hands. The Horntails' Chasers move to intercept, as Mitts blasts out the from behind the left hoop with Toms doing the same on the right. They've set up for a weave as they drive to the zone line."
"The first cross is managed well as Mitts drops to Toms," Dimitri continued. "He immediately drops to Carnes, and dodges the two bludgers sent his way as he circles back around. Carnes has fallen out of the sky like she's flying a ward anchor stone; performing an admirable rendition of the Wronski Feint. Now she angles skyward with the quaffle in hand while the Horntails' Chaser following her ploughs a furrow in the pitch with his face. The Horntails' remaining Chasers converge, blocking her way forward. She back tosses to Mitts and pulls straight up to avoid running into the Horntail roadblock. Mitts tips a one touch pass to Toms and pulls around hard to her left. Driving hard from left to right across the pitch, he snags the Quaffle and angles towards the Horntails' zone line before pulling skyward into a giant looping arc that takes him back towards his own hoops with Bulger giving chase."
"He's arching over now," Melvin said, "and he's dropped the Quaffle! This could be a costly error for the Hippogriffs."
"I don't think so," Dimitri cut in again. "Mitts is streaking in from the right and has a clear run on the Horntails' left hoop if she can just make the snag. I'm fairly certain that drop was planed. The timing necessary for this is unbelievable. You work the entire season to run a play like this once.
"The Horntails' Keeper has to move to cover her as she flashes towards the plunging Quaffle," Melvin announced. She reaches out with her right hand as she screams forward… And in one motion she's sent her broom into a skid, snagged the Quaffle and whipped it hard around her body towards the far right hoop! She's caught Carnes in full flight without another player or Bludger within seventy feet of her. She calmly slots the Quaffle into the unguarded hoop and the Hippogriffs are up seventy-five on the Horntails!"
"She's completed the Ringly Relay!" Dimitri shouted.
"And there's the horn!" Melvin said. "The Hippogriffs are winners here today against the Berlin Horntails."
"I wouldn't be so quick with that, Melvin," Dimitri said.
"Excuse me?" Melvin said.
"Well according to my watch, the horn is about twenty seconds early."
"Well then one of our Seekers must have managed his fifth catch of the match."
"Yeah," Dimitri said dryly. "Krum. We're tied."
For a second, Melvin was stunned into the same silence as the fans in the stadium stands. "Five catches of the Snitch ends the game even if it means a tie?" he eventually asked.
"I'm not sure the IAQ considered a scenario like this," Dimitri said. "One might simply assume a Seeker making five catches was going to be on the winning side, but obviously that's not the case. It'll be interesting to see what the referee does here. He's essentially making policy with this decision. But I have to believe we won't end in a tie. The IAQ likes a winner and a loser. That much was clear when they set up rules for overtime in the first place. It appears he's called the captains and head coaches to the center circle for a bit of a conference."
XX
Harry, Coach Thorpe, the referee, Victor and Coach McBride of the Horntails convened in a loose circle at the center of the pitch. Harry glowered at Victor.
"Vot?" he demanded. "It is not my fault she missed the penalty."
"It was dirty," Harry retorted.
"Bah," Victor dismissed him. "You vould have done the same."
"Asshole," Harry muttered. Victor laughed.
Harry turned his anger on the referee. "You should have tossed him from the game for that."
"Easy, Potter," Coach Thorpe said. "I don't think we're done here yet and I don't need you getting tossed now."
Harry subsided to a low boil. "I'm going to knock every one of his teeth out when get back in the air," he muttered under his breath.
"I haff been meaning to haff my teeth adjusted," Victor taunted him.
"That's enough, Krum," Coach McBride said.
"Thank you," the referee said. He glowered at both Seekers. "I'm watching you two. The fans paid to see a great match with two great Seekers. I don't want to throw either one of you out but I'll do it if I feel the infraction warrants it."
"Committing a foul to stop an inevitable catch doesn't?" Harry demanded. "I thought that was supposed to be automatic."
"I said enough, Potter," Coach Thorpe growled. Harry fell silent again.
"Get over yourself, Potter," the referee retorted. "If I tossed everyone for every foul that warranted it, the only players left out her today would be the Keepers. Sounds like a damn boring match to me." Victor smirked. "And wipe that smile of your face Krum," the referee snapped.
"Da," Victor acknowledged him.
"You're on thin ice, Krum," he added. Victor decided the best course of action was to simply nod and keep his mouth shut.
"Now that everyone's got their ego and temper in check," the referee continued, "the matter at hand. Obviously the IAQ didn't anticipate this situation. There is," he checked his watch, "twenty two seconds left of regulation time. However, we had a fifth catch of the Snitch by one team, and as the rules are written, that ends the game, win, lose, or draw. The spells and timing mechanisms are all entwined and I could have stopped that horn going off as easily as I can stop my wife from buying a new pair of shoes."
"An impossibility," Coach McBride said. Coach Thorpe chuckled. Harry and Victor continued to glower at one another.
"Now," the referee continued, "having been stuck in this situation, the ideal thing would have been for the match to continue those twenty two seconds to see if we could get a winner; first team to score wins. And starting next week, I think that's what the IAQ is going to do to fix this. The IAQ does not like ties. I don't like ties, and I don't believe any of you like ties."
"No," four voices answered.
"So then there won't be any argument if I say we're continuing the match with sudden death overtime using the same rules already set in place in the event of a tied match at the end of regulation."
"None at all," Harry and Victor growled.
"No arguments from me," Coach Thorpe said.
"Me either," Coach McBride said.
The referee set his watch. "Five minutes, gentlemen." He blew his whistle, dismissing them to make their strategies. Harry and Coach Thorpe turned for their bench while Victor and Coach McBride paused to speak with the referee a moment.
"We'll be substituting Bulger out," Coach McBride said.
"That's within the rules as they exist so you're free to do so if you want."
"We do," Coach McBride said. He tugged on Victor's arm.
"I'm watching you, Krum," the referee gave him one last warning. "Pull another stunt like that and I will toss you."
Victor nodded once. "Understood."
Coach McBride pulled him along. When they were about ten yards away, he said under his breath, "He really should have tossed you."
"Potter had the Snitch. It vos the only option," Victor said. "It was a slim chance. She should haff scored. I should haff been tossed. But she did not, I vos not, and now ve are tied. It vorked."
"Just like you planned when you did it."
"Da," Victor agreed.
He clapped his hand on Victor's shoulder. "Well done, Krum."
XX
"Tell me you've been sick today," Harry asked under his breath as he and Victor lined up next to each other in the starting circle.
"Da," Victor said.
"At least it isn't just me," Harry said.
"Agreed," Victor said.
"You do realize the chances of one of us ending this thing are slim to none right now?"
"Ve could simply let them finish it vile ve float around a bit," he grinned at Harry. Harry grinned back.
"Not on your life," they both said and flashed into the air. True to his word, Harry took advantage of their start position behind the referee's back to drive an elbow into Victor's mouth.
Victor growled, spit out a mouthful of blood and a tooth but kept his position next to Harry. "Von, Potter," he taunted.
"We're not done yet," Harry retorted. He lifted his shoulder to block an elbow from Victor.
XX
"Well you were right, Dimitri," Melvin said. "We're in overtime here in New York today, and it looks like previous events may have led to the development of some bad blood between Potter and Krum. Things appear fairly violent between the two of them as they jostle for position in their search for the Snitch."
"The kiddie gloves are off," Dimitri agreed. "No doubt about it. And there they go again. The Snitch is in full flight once more as these two fabulous Seekers try to once again settle the question of who's better. Potter still holds a two matches to one, win-loss record against the Bulgarian, but Krum has evened the catches lifetime between the two of them today. And a win for the Horntails will draw him all level with Potter. As badly as he wants it, you can bet Potter wants his edge back."
"I've got to say," Melvin said. "As much of a Potter and Hippogriffs' fan as I am, as much fun as an undefeated season is, there's something about having a bit of suspense left when you show up at the stadium for a match. I can't say I've been happy when the Hippogriffs have lost this year, but it has made the big wins all the more thrilling to watch."
"Great teams and players get even better when they're pushed," Dimitri said. "There's been no going through the motions today or this year for the Hippogriffs. And watching Potter and Krum force each other into elevating their already breathtaking level of play is an absolute privilege to see."
"And they've broken apart as they circle back around to close on the Snitch," Melvin said.
"Meanwhile, the Chasers have exchanged shots on goal twice each with both Keepers making routine saves," Dimitri added. "Space is at a premium right now as the Chasers crowd one another and the Beaters focus in on them. It seems both coaches have decided to let the Seekers fly free; hoping the brilliance of their Seeker can see them to the win if they can just keep the other team's Chasers from getting a goal. Whether that's the right strategy or not, remains to be seen."
"Potter and Krum are on a dead collision course as the Snitch sits placidly between them while they streak towards it. This has the makings of a bad situation," Melvin said.
"Mitts makes a play to intercept a pass between the Horntails Chasers," Dimitri shouted. "And it glances off her fingertips as she's crushed in the ribs by a Bludger. She appeared to have a clear line on the interception and a free run on the hoops till the Bludger caught her. As it is, she's lucky to stay on her broom. The crack of ribs breaking was clear all the way across the pitch into the booth. She's struggling to get back now but it's given a bit of space to the Horntails' chasers.
"Potter and Krum are closing fast!" Melvin announced.
"There's a shot," Dimitri added
"POTTER AND KRUM HAVE COLLIDED!" Melvin bellowed.
"GOAL!" Dimitri shouted at the same time. "WHAT?" he asked over the sound of the stadium horn.
"Potter and Krum have collided head on after flat-out runs to get to the Snitch first," Melvin continued. Their brooms have literally exploded into pieces and they're both sprawled on the ground after violent, tumbling landings. I don't think either one of them was conscious for more than an instant after they collided.
"Trainers are rushing to the two Seekers now," Dimitri picked up. "This looks like it could be another bad one folks. Both Seekers have been Portkeyed to the hospital almost immediately."
XX
Hermione stood up, grabbed the wireless off the kitchen table and threw it against the wall. "I FUCKING HATE QUIDDITCH!" she screamed. Everyone else in the kitchen could only stare at her in shock. Her temper had gotten the better of her more often than usual over the last few months. But an outburst like this was simply unheard of. And she'd done it in front of Percy, Andrew, Charlie and Philippe. Not even Ron had managed to do something to provoke her that badly. She stormed about the kitchen, pacing back and forth like a caged minotaur.
"Grammy," Percy asked, 'what's fucking?"
"ARRRGGHH!" Hermione bellowed. She turned suddenly and put her fist through the wall. She stood facing it for a few moments, her breath coming in great gulps before she turned on the wide eyes watching her. "I'm going to the hospital," she said, her voice tightly controlled. "Which one of you is coming with me?"
""We'll go," Bill said. He stood up, pulling Fleur along with him. Without so much as a goodbye, Hermione stepped into the fireplace and was gone.
"We'll be back," Fleur said just before she and Bill disappeared in a whirling of green flames.
"That boy better hope he dies," George said.
"Which one," Fred asked. "She's not exactly unfriendly with Krum."
"Both of them," George agreed.
Andrew tugged on Fred's arm. "Mummy broke the wall," he giggled.
"Unca Harry's not gonna like that," Charlie said. He rubbed his bottom with the memory of the spanking he'd received for using unca Harry's hammer to pound holes in the wall.
Fred and George collapsed in a fit of laughter. Stacie bit back a smile while Arthur chuckled and Molly did her best to keep her dignity. How on earth was she going to deal with the children on this one?
"I can just see," George cackled.
"Hermione bent over Harry's knee," Fred gasped.
"Getting her bottom paddled," George crowed. A tiny giggle escaped from Molly before she could stop it.
The door to the kitchen opened and Dr. Pell rushed in. "Where is Hermione?" he demanded.
Arthur jumped to his feet immediately. "What's wrong?" he asked.
"Ginny just bolted up screaming for Harry hysterically for Harry a few seconds ago. I flooded her with morphine to knock her out but she's going to wake up again soon and it's not going to be pretty. I can't keep her under like this. Sorceress' physiology or not, it's dangerous."
"We'll go," Fred said.
"See ya," George called from within the swirling green flames.
"Dobby, Trilly, Blinken," Arthur called.
"Yes," the three elves asked as they popped into the kitchen. "Watch the children please," he said.
"I'll help them," Stacie said.
"Bless you dear," Molly said.
Stacie picked Philippe up and carried him out the door with the other children and the three elves trailing behind. "Let's go play in your room," she said.
"Did something happen to Harry?" Dr. Pell asked.
"I'm afraid so," Arthur answered.
"This is not good," Dr. Pell said. He turned to head back upstairs. "Not good at all." Molly and Arthur hurried after him.
XX
Heather collapsed on her back on the ground, struggling to breathe. The trainers had all rushed to help Harry and Victor after their spectacular crash, leaving her forgotten for the moment. Black spots floated in and out of her vision and she began to panic as she was left unattended.
"Easy girl," Jamie said. "I've got you." She cast a stabilizing spell over Heather. "TRAINER!" she bellowed before running her wand over Heather for a diagnostic spell.
Dave's head snapped up. He'd no more than sent Potter and one of his staff to the hospital when Jamie's shout rolled across the pitch. Even before he turned, he knew. "Mitts!" he exclaimed bolting across the pitch.
"She's out," Jamie said as Dave rushed up.
"What's wrong with her?" he demanded. Who the hell this woman was could wait.
"Busted up ribs," Jamie said. "Maybe more. I don't fix injuries, I cause them."
"Ok, hospital for her too. Move aside."
"I'm going with," Jamie said.
"No you're not."
Jamie caught his wrist before he could activate the portkey and twisted. "I am," she said, her voice brooking no argument. "Get used to it."
"Oh fine," Dave muttered. "Why should I be surprised? She's attached herself to Potter after all."
"She is going where Harry is?" Quade asked.
"Yes," both Jamie and Dave said.
"Let's go then, sorcerer," she said touching her finger to the Portkey.
"Wonderful," Dave muttered before activating the Portkey.
XX
The orderly was herding Quade and Jamie down the hall to the waiting area when Hermione blew past him going the other way. "Hey!" he shouted you can't go in there. He shoved Jamie and Quade hard towards the doors. "Keep going," he ordered and turned to go after Hermione. He caught her just before she could go through the doors into the emergency arrivals treatment room and stood in front of the door barring her way in. She whipped out a sheet of paper and held it in his face. "Get that out of my face," he demanded, knocking her arm aside.
"Read it," Hermione ordered.
"You're not getting in that room," he said stubbornly.
"Read it," Hermione snarled.
He snatched the paper from her hand. "Whatever, if it'll make you happy," he muttered.
"It's going to make me extremely happy," Hermione retorted. A few moments later he looked up to find Hermione with her arms crossed, glaring at him and tapping her foot impatiently. He swallowed, handed the letter back and stepped to the side. "Thank you," Hermione said. She snatched the letter back and pushed past the doors.
"Yes, ma'ma," he said before following her.
"Who the hell are you?" a voice demanded as soon as she entered.
"I'm Mr. Potter's personal Healer," Hermione answered. "I've also treated both Mr. Krum and Ms. Mitts in the past.
The man glowered at her. "Are you taking over?"
"No."
"Then stay the hell out of the way," he snapped and went back to work.
XX
"You got here quick," Jamie said when she walked into the waiting room and found Bill and Fleur there already.
"We were listening," Bill said.
"Hermione was rather upset," Fleur added. "Hello, Quade," she said.
"Hello," Quade answered. She settled against the wall, slipping into the background as if she didn't exist at all, never mind that she was a vampire and could turn every human within fifty feet of her to mindless, lust-filled husks in the blink of an eye.
"Do you know anything?" Bill asked.
Jamie shook her head. "Not a clue about Harry and Krum; but the crash was as bad as it sounded. Heather's ribs are busted up bad, and she might have a collapsed lung." She shrugged. "I'm not in the business of fixing injuries."
"All right," Bill sighed. "Looks like Hermione isn't coming back so we may as well settle in."
"We do zis much too often," Fleur muttered as they sat down.
Just then the twins hurried up. "What's up, Jams?" George asked.
"How's it hangin'?" Fred added.
"I don't have anything that hangs," Jamie retorted.
"Hasn't even got anything that sags," George chortled.
"Much like her sister," Fred agreed.
"Are you sleeping with my sister?" Jamie growled.
Fred backed away, holding his hands up. "Merely an observation from afar."
"You better hope so," Jamie muttered.
"One might enquire as to George's knowledge of your lack of sagging," Fred said.
"Wouldn't you like to know."
Fred leered at her. "Actually yes, but I much prefer to make my own examinations versus listening to reports."
"In your dreams."
"That'll work too," Fred said.
"All right," Bill interrupted. He didn't lift his head from where he'd tipped it back against the wall, nor did he open his eyes. "Why are you two here?"
Fred and George turned serious. "Ginny knows something happened," Fred said.
"Dr. Pell said she went mental," George said.
"Mind you, there isn't far to go with that girl," Fred said.
"But he had to knock her out with a bunch of the medicine he's giving her."
"He's pretty worried about when she wakes up," Fred continued.
"Says he can't keep her knocked out with that stuff cause it's too dangerous."
"'Ow does she know?" Fleur asked. "She was not listening to eet, was she?"
"No, she wanted to wait and have Harry tell her about it," George said.
"I don't know how she knew," Fred said.
"But you know those two," George continued.
"They're weird," Fred said.
Bill leaned forward, resting his head in his hands. "Bloody wonderful," he muttered. Fleur gently ran her hand along his back. "This could break her," he whispered.
Fred sat down and smacked him in the shoulder. "Naw, not our ickle Gin-Gin. She just wants to know what he did so she can decide how much trouble he's in."
"Too right," George agreed. He took the seat next to Fred. "Oh, look at that," he said winking at Jamie. "Only one seat left."
"Here," she retorted and crossed the room to sit on the other wall.
Fred sniffed. "Is that the scent of my brother flaming out?" he asked.
"You two are insufferable," Quade muttered. She turned to face the other way.
George pulled a toffee from his pocket and popped it in his mouth. Fred held his hand out. "Nope," George said.
"Oh cough up already."
George patted his pocket. "Out."
Jamie huffed and crossed her arms; doing her best to not look at them and failing miserably. George caught her and pointed to his mouth questioningly. She rolled her eyes. He shrugged unbothered. "Oh fine," Jamie sighed. She held her hand up and George tossed her a toffee. "Thanks,"
"No problem."
"Suppose you're out again," Fred said.
"Probably," George agreed.
"It truly is the most strange of mating rituals," Fleur said.
"We. Are not. Mating," Jamie said.
"Yet," Fleur answered. Jamie glowered at her before turning her attention to the floor. "I cannot understand why," Fleur continued, "but eet is amazingly effective."
"Oh shut up, bird-girl," Jamie muttered low enough that no one could hear. Or so she thought before Quade snorted.
"What?" Fleur asked.
"Nothing," Quade said.
XX
"How long," Hermione asked when the healers attending Harry withdrew and allowed the orderlies to take him to a room. "You aren't going to put him and Victor together are you?"
The lead healer growled, "Out." The room quickly emptied of everyone but himself and Hermione. "Why not?" he asked. He approached Hermione and held his hand out. "May I see your credentials?" Hermione handed them over.
"Because if I know the two of them, they're likely to resume trying to kill one another when they wake up."
"I see." He handed Hermione's papers back. "Well then Healer Weasley, we shall endeavor to see that a wall is kept between them."
"I'm afraid I don't know your name?" Hermione asked. She held her hand out.
He eyed her for a moment. "I don't particularly enjoy having my procedure room invaded without extending an invitation."
"Nor would I," Hermione answered. "And normally I would not have, but I've a bit of a difficult circumstance that made it necessary. Again I didn't get your name," she persisted.
"Healer Kincade," he said finally shaking Hermione's hand. "And what might your difficult circumstance be?"
"Do you read the papers?" Hermione asked.
"The reputable ones."
"Then you are at least aware of some of what's going on in Harry's life right now."
"I find most of it rather difficult to believe."
"Well this much is true. His wife was bitten by a vampire."
"A tragedy to be sure," he said, his hard demeanor dropping away. "I'm truly sorry to hear so."
"Thank you," Hermione said. "But as yet, it is not a tragedy."
"I'm sorry? I'm afraid I must not have heard you correctly. You said Mrs. Potter had been bitten by a.. vampire?" he asked.
Hermione nodded. "Yes."
"And it is not, as yet, a tragedy?"
"She's fighting it," Hermione answered and waited for his reaction. "Ginny Potter is an immensely powerful sorceress," she added.
"You don't know how she's fighting it, do you?" he asked.
"If I did," Hermione said, "we might be able to help her. As it is we couldn't do anything with magic. Her body rejected anything we tried to put in her stomach, no matter how we went about it. Food, water, painkillers, anti-venoms of a dozen different sorts. We did her more harm than good. We thought we might lose her but then decided to let a non-magic doctor try to treat her. We didn't really have anything to lose at that point. She was fading fast."
"And our cousin's methods have helped?"
"Yes, their means of injecting fluids directly into the patient's blood has allowed us to keep her hydrated, nourished, and give her pain medications."
"Intriguing," he said. "So you are able to sustain her and relieve her pain. Anything else?"
"No."
"Still no thought of how she has not succumbed to the poison yet?"
"No."
"A guess."
Hermione shrugged. "As I said, she's immensely powerful: above an eight on the ROM scale. If I had to hazard a guess it would be that, and her force of will."
"I might like to see her, if that were possible."
"I can arrange that," Hermione said. "Provided news of Harry's accident doesn't kill her first."
"And that's your reason for invading my treatment room?"
"Healer Kincade," Hermione said. "I don't expect you to understand or believe everything I tell you about Harry and Ginny. I've lived alongside the two of them since I was eleven and even I don't believe half of what I witness. It is simply too impossible to believe. But it is also true so I have no choice. After a certain time you simply accept that the impossible, for them, is not. Ginny is going to be in hysterics when she wakes up if Harry isn't there. I can't even begin to describe the suffering and trauma she's endured in the last eleven days. This could easily kill her. I need to know everything that's wrong with Harry. And quite honestly, I need to get him out of here where she can see and feel him."
"Healer Weasley," he answered slowly. "You're Mr. Potter's personal physician. In theory I can't stop you from taking him home right now. Not without a court injunction. But it would be most unwise to move him for at least twenty four hours. And if you try, I will do everything in my power to stall you long enough to get that court injunction. Might I suggest you sedate his wife until such time as it is safe for him to move."
"I don't know if that's going to be possible. The doctor attending her says were walking a dangerous line with her already."
"Again, I cannot let you move him with less than twenty-four hours of healing."
"So tell me everything that's wrong with him."
XX
Hermione slowed as she approached the waiting room. Everyone but Molly, the kids and Stacey was waiting for her. Arthur paced back and forth nervously and hurried her direction the moment he saw her approaching. The others held back to let them talk. "She knows, doesn't she?" she asked.
"Yes," Arthur said. "Dr. Pell is sedating her. But she's fighting through it."
"Damn it," Hermione sighed. "Ok, I'm going home."
He caught her arm. "How is Harry?"
"As he always is," Hermione answered. "Fine as soon as he's had enough time to heal."
"And Victor and Heather?"
"The same."
"Well thank Merlin for that," Arthur said. "I'll stay here long enough to get things organized with Bill."
"Thank you, Arthur," Hermione said and resumed her trek to the floo connections. "They're all going to be fine," she said as she breezed past the waiting room.
XX
Dr. Pell glanced at his watch. "Thank God," he said when he looked back up and Hermione stepped into the hallway.
"How is she?" Hermione asked.
"Not well," he said. "I gave her an obscene dose of morphine to calm her down. But I can't do it again. I shouldn't have done it in the first place, but it's the only drug we've determined is safe to give her. And she's fighting through it. I don't know how, but she is."
"And Molly is in with her now?"
"Yes, I wanted to catch you so we could talk outside of her hearing. Molly told me Harry had been hurt. Is he all right?"
"Aside from four broken ribs, a cracked sternum, a broken collar bone, a cracked vertebra, a punctured lung, a broken leg, a concussion, a ruptured appendix, and looking like nothing but one giant bruise, yes. Yes he's fine."
"My word," Dr. Pell said.
"It's not as bad as it sounds," Hermione said.
"Not as bad as it sounds," Dr. Pell said. "That's a two week hospital stay in our world."
"Well, we've seen how your medicine is superior to ours over the last ten days," Hermione said. "Now you get to witness ours. Barring a complication, he'll be home in twenty four hours."
"Amazing," Dr. Pell said. "The things we could accomplish working together."
"Let's hope so," Hermione said. "Now I just need to convince Ginny he's fine, when she already knows he's not. She might even know better than I how he's doing."
"How did she know he'd been hurt?"
Hermione shrugged. "All I can say is they're unique. Even in our world they're an anomaly. I'm not trying to keep anything from you," she assured him. "I just don't know."
"All right, then," he said. "Shall we?" He pushed the door open, holding it as she ducked under his arm and followed her through.
Molly looked up worriedly as Hermione sat down. "He's fine," she mouthed and turned her attention to Ginny. Her face twitched, and her eyes moved rapidly behind closed lids. She stilled for a second, as even sedated, she became aware of the new presences in the room. Her nostrils flared as she inhaled deeply.
"Ginny," Hermione said firmly. She took her hand and paused. She looked up at Dr. Pell. "Her skin is cooler," she mouthed. He nodded his understanding. Hermione turned back to Ginny. "Ginevra," she demanded. "I know you can hear me. So I'm just going to say this. Harry is going to be fine. He and Victor crashed. And they're both in hospital, but they're both going to be fine. Harry will be able to come home in twenty four hours." She stopped and watched as Ginny fought her way past the morphine saturating her system. When Ginny's eyes opened, it was the eyes of the Animal that focused on her.
"She should not be awake," Dr. Pell said.
"Feel him," the Animal pleaded.
"You can feel him?" Hermione asked.
The Animal shook her head. "Can't."
"He's sedated Ginny," Hermione said. "And full of painkillers. He can't even feel himself.
"Need feel." the Animal persisted.
"You know I can't do anything to help that, Ginny," Hermione said. "You just have to trust me that he's ok."
The Animal tried to push herself up. "See," she gasped. She fell back on the bed and turned to Hermione. "Help please."
"I can't, Ginny. You're too sick for me to bring you to him. And he's too sick to bring here."
"Better," the Animal said. "Pain gone, just weak. Help," she pleaded.
"Ginny the pain isn't gone," Dr. Pell said. "You just have a ton of medication in you. I gave it to you so you'd calm down. You were hurting yourself."
The Animal shook her head. "No. Gone. Harry."
"Ginevra," Hermione said. "Look at me." She waited for Ginny to comply. "Do you trust me?"
The Animal nodded. "Help me."
"No. I won't help you hurt yourself and then have to tell Harry it's my fault."
"Need."
"No," Hermione cut her off. "Harry is going to be fine. He'll be able to see you tomorrow. You are going to have to wait. Now stop behaving like a child and concentrate on yourself."
"Please."
"You are being extremely selfish," Hermione answered. "What happens if I help you and it ends up being the last time you see Harry because you were too sick. What happens if it kills you? Is that what you want to do; leave Harry alone without you?"
The Animal shook her head fervently. "Never want to leave him," she cried.
"Then lie down and quit trying to," Hermione said.
The Animal turned away from her, a tear slipping down her cheek. "Hate you," she whispered.
Hermione swallowed, blinking back tears of her own. "If that's the price for keeping you alive, then fine." She stood up and left the room.
Molly stood up and brushed the hair back from Ginny's face. "Ginevra Potter, you will always be my daughter and I will always love you. But right now, I'm embarrassed to call myself your mother."
Ginny rolled the other way. "Get out," she said petulantly.
"Gladly," Molly retorted and left in search of Hermione. She didn't have to go far. Hermione was in the hallway on her knees sobbing. "Oh, my poor dear," Mrs. Weasley said gently and knelt down to pull Hermione into her embrace. "There now, she didn't mean it."
"I know," Hermione sniffled. "I just can't take anymore. Every time I turn around someone I love is fighting for their life or dying. I can't take it anymore and I hate being alone. I'm so angry at him for leaving me. He wasn't supposed to leave," she cried angrily. She hit Molly's shoulder. "He wasn't supposed to leave me," she broke down again
"Oh dear," Molly soothed. "Shush child. I know you're in pain, but it gets better. Time will help you."
"Time," Hermione said venomously. "I hate time." She sat up so she could properly deliver her triad. "Do you know what time is?" she demanded.
Molly bit down on her lips. It was so sad; this angry woman in front of her whose fire and spirit had hopelessly captured her youngest son, she couldn't help but want to laugh. "No dear, but I have a feeling you're about to tell me."
"Time is another of Fate's cruel tricks," Hermione said. "Time allows you to function again; allows you to think you can somehow pick up the pieces of your shattered dreams and reform them. Time lets a memory fade, dulls a wound, allows it to scab over and you bury it in the deepest pit of your soul with all the realities of life you can't bear to accept but can't deny are the truth either. You breathe again. You see, smell, touch and taste again. The grey is gone.
"But then, then you feel again. Things it is too soon to feel to be anything but a betrayal and the wound is ripped open, gaping and raw it laughs as it torments you. Because it knows you can't escape. Its hold on you is as given as the need to breathe or you will surely die. Time is a torture that does nothing but remind you, you are alone. Tic. Alone. Toc. Mine. Tick. Never. Tock. Escape. Tic. Alone.
"Do you know how sick I am?" she demanded. She didn't wait for Molly to answer before she continued. "I'm jealous of Ginny. And why? Because she's got the excuse I want. She could give in and let the poison take her. And don't fool yourself. She may be your daughter, but I know her. I know the darkest parts of her. I've faced them down. She'll listen to Quade. If the poison takes her she won't rise again as a vampire; she'll die. And she won't have to feel ever again. And I want that. God do I want it. I fight myself as part of me cries out to beg Quade for the release she can grant. A scratch, the barest break of my skin from her teeth and the numbness will last forever. And in the numbness, peace. Blissful peace." Hermione collapsed against the wall. Too spent to sob, her tears simply ran down her face and dripped to the floor.
After a few moments, Molly gently lifted her chin. "Who are you feeling things for that you shouldn't?" she asked softly.
"I'm not," Hermione answered trying to turn away
"Oh, child," Molly said pulling her back. "Beautiful girl. Joyous daughter. Do you honestly think you can lie to me? Hermione stared back, blinking in wonder. She had revealed far more than she'd intended and the thought that the mother of her deceased husband wasn't angry with her captivated her in a way she never could have imagined. "As much as it hurts to admit, Ron is gone. He's not coming back to us. And to retreat into a life of unfeeling fog is the greatest betrayal of everything he held dear I can imagine. Now what you're feeling for this person may grow and blossom or it may not. But the times another comes along who can touch your soul the way my son did are precious. And for you to recognize that potential in someone, no matter how long or short a time has passed, well I say it's a gift that Time has granted you. It's Fate's mercy shining down. Life is for the living, my precious daughter. If you do anything within yours to honor my son then you will live it."
Hermione sniffed miserably. "How?"
Molly brushed Hermione's hair back. "You'll find your way, Hermione. I have faith in you."
"I don't."
"You will."
"When?" she pleaded.
"When you allow yourself to let go, Hermione… I don't even have to tell you it's what Ron would have wanted. He told you himself. It's ok to let go Hermione. Hold on to the love you shared, but allow its hold on you to go."
Hermione laid down on the floor, half in Molly's lap with her arms wrapped tightly around her waist. "I didn't know it was possible to hurt this much."
Molly laid her head down on Hermione's shoulder, wrapping her arms around the girl, she would always be a girl in her mind, protectively. "I won't argue," she said. "Sometimes we pay a terrible price when we love someone."
Hermione slipped into the room. Ginny didn't stir as she opened the different sealed sterile packages Dr. Pell had laid out for her. Moving deliberately, she found a new vein in Ginny's arm and cleaned the site. She prepped the area with iodine, made sure she had everything set out just as she'd been shown and picked up the new IV needle. She carefully positioned the needle against Ginny's arm, held her breath and pushed. A rush of satisfaction filled her as the long tube spilling out the end of the needle ran red with blood. She carefully pushed the flexible plastic sheathing covering the needle in, held her finger tightly over the vein, extracted the needle and tossed it in the bin. She then quickly worked to tape the new IV in place, detached the old one from the tubes leading to the saline and Mountain Dew bags hanging from the ceiling, reattached the tubes to the new IV, flushed it as she'd been shown with a syringe and restarted the IV drip. She hooked a new bag of morphine into the new IV, wrote the date next to the IV insertion point on Ginny's arm with a sharpie marker and sat back to admire her work. Her first IV without supervision.
"Now to get rid of the old one," she said quietly. Again she set out her supplies, significantly fewer this time around, as all she needed was some gauze and medical tape to hold a bandage in place after she'd removed the old IV from Ginny's arm. She carefully began to work the tape holding the IV in place free.
"Just pull it," Ginny said. Hermione ripped, removing all the tape in three quick pulls; eliciting not so much as a flinch from Ginny. Again she pressed her finger on the vein, pulled the old IV out and placed the gauze over the small puncture wound. Two strips of tape later she took her finger off the vein. She stood without a word, gathered all the leftover rubbish from the IV change and placed it in the bin. She then checked the various monitors Dr. Pell was using to monitor Ginny, made a notation in the notebook on the table and turned to leave.
"Hermione," Ginny called.
Hermione stopped but didn't turn around. "Is there something you need?"
"To apologize."
"I'm waiting."
"You won't even turn around?"
At that point, Hermione did, but she didn't let Ginny go first. "You hurt me, Ginevra. I know you're sorry. I know you didn't mean what you said. But you did mean to hurt me. And that you could deliberately do that to me hurts. It hurts nearly as much as Ron being dead."
"You're right, and I'm sorry," Ginny said meekly. "I'd take it back if I could, but I can't so all I have to offer is that I'm sorry."
"Thank you." Hermione said.
Ginny held her hand out. "Stay with me. Please?"
Hermione closed her eyes and took a deep breath exhaling slowly before she walked back over and sat down in the chair next to the bed. "I'm too tired to stay angry with you," she said picking her hand up.
A tear slid down Ginny's cheek. "I'm sorry," she said again.
Hermione squeezed her hand. "How are you feeling?"
Ginny considered. "I'm more alert."
"That's because you're only hitting your button about every twenty minutes. You have a lot less morphine in your system."
"That's good, right?"
"You would be the best judge of that, but yes. I think it's a good sign that you're needing less pain medication."
"What does that mean?"
"I'm afraid I don't know."
"I'm not... not a vampire am I?"
"Do you have an overwhelming desire to drink my blood?"
"NO!"
Hermione laughed. "Then I don't think you're a vampire."
Ginny relaxed back onto the bed. "There's something different though," she said.
"Oh?"
Ginny suddenly hissed, tensing painfully. She grasped for her remote frantically and pressed the button. A few seconds later she settled back on the bed, breathing heavily.
"Ginny?" Hermione asked.
"I'm ok," she said tightly.
"You don't look ok."
"I guess the poison isn't done yet," Ginny said ruefully.
"Is that all?"
Ginny nodded. "It's faded out to almost nothing again now."
"If you're sure."
"I am."
"Do you think you can finish telling me what's different?"
"Well," Ginny said. "I can hear your heart beating." She paused and concentrated. Her eyes widened. "I can hear your blood swishing in your veins."
Hermione arched an eye. "Anything else?" she asked. Ginny inhaled deeply and gagged. "What's wrong?" Hermione asked lurching forward.
Ginny covered her mouth and tried to push her away. "Get back!" she choked. "Please!" she pleaded when Hermione wouldn't back away.
"Ok," Hermione said. "Ok, I'm back. I'm back."
Ginny pinched her nose shut. "Oh Merlin that's horrendous."
"What's horrendous?" Hermione demanded, leaning forward again.
Ginny blanched. "Please back up." Hermione hesitated. Her instinct to help told her to go to Ginny; not to back away. "Please," Ginny gasped.
"Ok," Hermione said. "Backing away, see?" She backed all the way to the wall.
Ginny nodded and proceeded to take short tiny breaths trying not to inhale deeply at all. "God, I can taste it."
"Taste what?"
"Your scent," Ginny held a pillow over her face, peeking over the top of it at Hermione.
Hermione planted her fists on her hips. "Are you telling me I stink?" she demanded.
Ginny nodded, dropped the pillow from covering her face long enough to say, "Your blood." before pressing her face into it again.
"My blood!"
Ginny nodded fervently and dropped the pillow again. "It's putrid," she said and pressed her face into the pillow again.
Hermione opened her mouth. "I," she stopped. "Well," she tried to start again. "You're telling me you can separate the scent of my blood, from me?" Ginny nodded but didn't drop the pillow from her face again. "And it smells putrid?" again Ginny nodded. "I suppose I should be offended," Hermione said. "But then we know you won't be suffering from the desire to drink it so that's a good thing, yes?" Ginny shrugged. "May I sit down again?" Hermione took a step forward.
Ginny nodded, and squished the pillow tighter to her face. "Sorry," her muffled voice filtered through it. Just as Hermione reached the chair the door to the bedroom opened.
"I heard someone wanted to see me."
"HARRY!" Hermione shouted. She darted around the bed intent on crushing him in her arms.
"Easy, Mione," he said backing away.
Hermione stopped dead. She looked at her watch and then turned dangerous eyes on him. "What are you doing out of hospital?"
"I swore on Fred's life that I'd go straight home, lay down in bed and not get up again for twenty four hours unless I had to use the loo if they'd let me out."
"And Healer Kincade agreed?" she demanded.
Harry grinned. "My charming personality won him over," he said.
"He is lying," Quade growled slipping in the door.
"Shit," Harry said.
"Those two imbeciles," Quade kept going, "who call themselves brothers of my Queen... what phrase did they use?" she paused. While Quade was talking, Hermione turned and advanced on Harry.
"Now you wouldn't hurt an injured man, would you, Mione?"
"Busted him out, were their words," Quade finished.
"If you hurt me it'll be that much longer before I'm better," Harry pleaded. He slipped behind a chair, placing it between himself and Hermione.
Hermione stopped and a malicious smile climbed on her face. "Yes, that will do nicely."
"What'll do nicely?" Harry asked warily.
"You and I," she answered. "After you've healed. In the live-fireroom. I have some new spells I'd like to try out."
"New spells?" Harry croaked.
"Yes," Hermione said. She spun on her heal. "Come along Quade," she said. "Revenge is a dish best served cold. You and I can work out a proper punishment for our wayward King while he completes his recovery."
Quade shot Harry a look. "I warned you, you would regret this."
"You're just mad cause the twins locked you in a closet with a randy teenage orderly."
"We'll deal with them too," Hermione said. She held the door open and waited for Quade to exit. "Be afraid, Harry," she said before she stepped out. "Be very afraid."
The door closed and Harry turned to Ginny. "That went rather well, don't you think?" he asked with a smirk.
"You came," Ginny whispered. From the first sound of his voice as he entered the room to the moment Hermione had closed the door on her way out, Ginny hadn't moved her eyes from Harry. It was as if her own angel had entered and if she so much as blinked he'd disappear like a phantom apparition blown away on the wind.
Harry stepped to the bed and knelt down on the floor. He took her hand and kissed it lovingly. "Dragons, healers, vampires, not even Hermione could have kept me away."
Ginny pulled on his hand. "Lay down with me," she said.
Harry allowed her to pull him up on the bed. He gingerly leaned back, his recently knitted bones protesting the movement. "Easy," he hissed as she rolled into him and placed her head on his chest.
"Sorry," she said.
"S'okay, just need you to shift down a bit."
"Better?" she asked.
Harry sighed blissfully. "I haven't been this comfortable since the last time we got to sleep in the same bed."
Ginny slipped her hand into his, entwining their fingers. "I've missed you."
"You're feeling better," Harry said, the revelation hitting him. His hand slipped across the bare skin of her arm. "And you're skin isn't on fire anymore."
"I'm a bit better," Ginny said.
As best he could, Harry pulled her tighter. "I never doubted you'd win."
"I did," Ginny whispered. Her body suddenly tensed and she hissed painfully.
"What?" Harry asked, alarmed.
"Button," Ginny gasped. "Can't reach," she said groping for it.
Harry found the remote and pressed the button for her. "Better?" he asked as she slowly relaxed.
She nodded against his chest. "I've still got a ways to go it seems," she panted. "But it is getting better.
"You better take this," Harry said. He pressed the remote into her hand. "I'm going to fall asleep and I won't be able to press it for you if you need it again."
"Sleep," Ginny murmured, the second kick of the morphine hitting her. She was gone to the world even as her hand closed on the remote. Harry followed her into the abyss moments after.
XX
Hermione poked her head in about five minutes later and softly closed the door again. "I guess his blood isn't putrid," she muttered.
"Putrid?" Quade asked.
"Ginny says my blood smells putrid." She suddenly turned on Quade and demanded, "Does my blood smell putrid to you?"
"Do not ask me that."
"Why not?" Hermione pressed. Quade glared at her. "Oh, right. Sorry."
"Is it terribly difficult to fight?"
"I have learned to concentrate on other things."
"Would you mind terribly if I wanted to ask you what it's like?"
"I will try to remember it is your nature to seek understanding of what you do not know."
"Just tell me if I push to far."
"You need not fear that. I will stop you if need be. Perhaps it will do me some good to answer your questions." She considered Hermione for a moment. "If you must know, the scent of your blood is exquisite." Hermione opened her mouth but Quade stopped her. "Go slow. That is enough for today."
"Okay," Hermione agreed. "Come on. I should report in with Dr. Pell. I think Ginny might have turned the corner."
"Her blood is changing," Quade said.
"Changing?"
"It is becoming similar to that of the vampire."
"But she said my blood smelled putrid," Hermione said.
"I said it was similar. I did not say it was becoming the blood of the vampire."
"What does that mean?" Hermione asked.
"I do not know," Quade said. "Shall we?"
"Oh, right," Hermione said. She hurried down the hall and the stairs. "You'll find I get distracted easily when I'm trying to work out a problem."
"I have noticed," Quade said.