Sunday night Ron was sitting on the couch, Ginny was sitting on the floor near the fireplace. Harry and Hermione were sitting in armchairs waiting for the common room to empty. Finally around eleven thirty only the four of them were in the common room. Hermione was hoping that Ron would go to bed soon. She knew he'd just start up his rant about Draco again.
At a quarter to twelve Hermione gave up on Ron going to bed.
"Looks like I better get going."
"Here's the cloak. Be careful Hermione."
"Always am."
"Where's she going?"
"I'm meeting Dr…you know. The paste is ready to be applied to fight off the infection and to make sure he has enough pain relieving potion."
"You're going alone?"
"Yes I am. What do you have a problem with that?"
"As a matter of fact I do. I should go with you or Harry should. Better yet, I should go instead. I guess Harry could go, but I really think it should be me."
"Ron you've lost it! You will never go alone." Said Harry cautiously
"Well, than Harry you and I will go."
"Only one person is going and it is not going to be you. You won't help, you'll only make it worse. Harry doesn't want to chance getting caught, even with the cloak. And he shouldn't."
"I'll go then." Said Ginny
"Absolutely not! I guess no one is going then."
"Piss off Ron. Look he's waiting and I'm going."
Hermione flung the cloak over her whole body and left the common room. Ron got up to follow her but Harry stopped him.
"Harry you're letting her go alone, unprotected."
"She'll be fine Ron. We get it you don't trust him. Can you trust us? Hermione can handle her own."
"I doubt it. What if he does something to her?"
"We'll deal with it Ron. But when Hermione comes back and nothing happened you're going to have to relax some when it comes to him."
"You're all being stupid. He's in Slytherin. He's a Malfoy…he's the enemy."
"Ron you're the one being stupid not us. It doesn't matter what house he's in or his geology. And he is not our enemy! He needs our help and he's getting it." Ginny said as she glared at Ron. Harry thought that if looks could kill, Ron would be dust.
Hermione reached the seventh floor without running into anyone else, or anyone out of bed until she spotted Draco. She watched Draco pace in the general area of the entrance to the room of requirement. After a about a minute Hermione pulled the cloak off and tucked into her school robes. She quickly walked up to Draco.
"Draco sorry it took me so long to get here. You haven't been waiting long have you?"
"No I haven't been waiting long. Maybe a few minutes at the most. No need to apologize Granger."
Once inside the room, Hermione went straight over to where she made the paste the night before. Draco followed her.
"I probably should cleanse the area first. Lift up your shirt so I can see how it looks."
Draco turned so that his left side was facing Hermione and lifted his shirt. Hermione quickly removed the bandaging.
"Hmm. I better cleanse the area first. We already know that it's going to sting but it's going to be a lot colder than last time."
"I don't care. I just want to have my strength back by the Christmas holiday. If I could stay here I would. I know my father won't allow it."
Hermione cleansed the area as quickly as she could. She gently blotted the area with a clan towel and begun to slather the paste on. As Hermione applied the paste she could see and feel Draco's body tense up and could hear him wincing softly.
"I'm sorry. I'm trying to be careful and quick."
"Your fine Granger."
Hermione finished applying the paste and re-bandaged the wound so the paste could soak in and not rub off.
"So how often does this need to be applied?'
"Once a day until the infection is gone."
"I'll be here same time tomorrow night."
"I'll probably see you tomorrow night then. Oh, forewarning, Ron's been a royal jackass. He flipped out when he found out that I was the one meeting you. I just thought you should know. One last thing, do you need anymore pain relieving potion?"
"I have enough. If I need more I'll send word."
"Okay. Well, good night Draco."
"You too Granger."
Wednesday at lunch everyone could tell that Draco was feeling better. His natural coloring was returning, he was more alert, he was moving around more and with ease.
After two weeks Draco was barely taking any pain relieving potion. Hermione re-tested the injury and the resulting color did not have a mention in the book. She looked back through the box, digging deeper and found a small box. When Hermione opened the box she saw several vials full of a dark purple liquid. As she looked a little closer she saw a note that read: 'for all other injuries'. Hermione looked through the book again and found the page that explained how to use the contents of the vials.
"Oh." Hermione gasped as her cheeks lightly flushed.
"What?"
"Well…its'…you…uh…you…" Hermione stumbled for words. She was very thankful that Ron was not around.
"What? How bad is it? Does it hurt worse than what I have already experienced?"
"Um…um…here. You read it and then tell me what we're going to do."
Draco took the book and read the application instructions. He was bug-eyed and pale. He had to reread the instructions to be sure that he had read it correctly. He tried to come up with an alternative; he did not want his clothes stained but he also did not want to strip off his clothes.
"What if you were blindfolded?"
"That won't work. I have to be able to see what I was doing and besides if I were to be blind folded my face would …never mind. There has to be another way! I could go get Harry…"
"No! As if I'd want a bloke…"
"How about a house elf?" Hermione suggested quickly.
"I can live with that."
"I can only think of three. Dobby your old house elf, or your new house elf if you have anew one or Kreacher. Kreacher takes care of the House of Black."
"I don't know Kreacher. We do have new house elf, her name is Rosie but I'm not calling her. She might have to tell my father about this."
"Dobby!"
"Miss. Granger what can Dobby do for you?"
Hermione explained to Dobby what was needed of him.
"Yes, Dobby can do that. You want to leave first?'
"Yes. I'm going now." Hermione bolted out of the room and ran all the way to Gryffindor Tower.
Ginny saw Hermione run through the portrait hole and looking a little flushed.
"Hermione! Over here!" Ginny called.
Hermione looked over and saw that Ginny was alone. She decided to walk over and take a seat.
"What happened? Did he…"
"No!"
"So why are you so…flushed?" Harry asked from behind Hermione.
Hermione and Ginny both jumped out of their seats.
"You prat! You need to put bells on your shoes." Said Hermione.
"Why do I need to put bells on my shoes?'
"So you can't sneak up on anyone!"
"For the record I wasn't sneaking up on you. Though I can think of the benefits of being able to sneak up on someone. Any way, what happened?"
"I cleaned up the wound, the infection is gone. I re-tested and still nothing in the book, so I decided to check the box. I dug a little deeper and found a small purple box. This box contained several vials full of a deep purple liquid. There was a note that said it was for all other injuries. I attempted to see if there was a reference in the book…"
"Was there?" Harry asked a little impatiently
"Yes there was Harry. When applying this potion on the person who would have a need for it…well…the book says that the one that has need of the potion should…uh…well be naked. The book said that the potion stains the clothes. He can't go around school with his clothes stained…"
Ginny was snickering as she was rubbing Hermione's back while saying, "Oh, Hermione it's okay. You poor thing you saw his bits."
"WHAT! You saw…he…you…he…I'll kill him!"
"Ron, I didn't see anything." Hermione yelled after him.
Harry ran after Ron, knowing that Ron did not hear Hermione. Harry had to stop for a moment, he had to catch his breath and he knew he wouldn't be able to stop Ron.
"Ron wait. There's more…I mean Hermione has more to say. She didn't see anything…" Harry called after Ron.
When Ron didn't respond or stop Harry reached into his robes, pulled out his wand and pointed it in Ron's direction and yelled, "LEVICORPUS!"
In mid run, Ron was suddenly hanging upside down in mid air. Harry picked up Ron's wand that had fallen out of Ron's hand.
"Put. Me. Down. Must find…going to kill…"
"No, I won't let up down. Not unless you promise not to kill anyone and truly mean it. And if I let you down, will you go back to the common room on your own?"
"Put me down so I can kill him."
"Sorry mate, you leave me no choice. LANG LOCK!"
Ron was bug-eyed and flailing around in mid air. His face was red, slowly turning purple.
"Ron, I'm going to let you down, against my better judgment. But be warned if you don't go back to the common room I'll have to do something else. Possibly use the leg-locker curse."
Harry conjured a huge but soft cushion right underneath Ron before saying 'Liberacorpus' and undoing the curse he had put on Ron. Ron dropped down on the cushion and started attempted to get off the cushion frantically. Once he was on the ground, he looked back at Harry and looked in front of himself down the hall. Ron thought about it and took a few steps in the direction he had been going in.
Harry ran up to Ron and tackled him to the ground.
"Why are you stopping me? Why aren't you wanting to defend on of your friend?"
"Because Ron, Hermione is not done explaining what happened, or in this case what didn't happen."
"You heard her. He took off his clothes."
"She did not say that he did. The application instructions for the healing potion recommended that the person to be naked so that his or her clothes didn't get stained. It wouldn't look good if he went around with his clothes stained. You know, Hermione yelled after you that she didn't see anything."
"She's probably blaming herself and ashamed of what happened. I knew she shouldn't have gone by herself."
"I'm not apologizing this time. LANG LOCK."
Harry got up, pulled Ron up on his feet and attempted to drag Ron but ended up wrestling with Ron as he tried to get Ron to the Gryffindor Tower.
"Potter what are you doing to Weasley?" Snape asked doing his best not laugh.
"Ron has assumed an outcome of an explanation that hasn't been completely explained."
"What exactly are you taking about Potter?"
"It has to with why leach juice and other ingredients that were needed."
"I see. Are you sure you can handle Weasley enough to get him back to Gryffindor Tower?"
"I'm sure I'll manage."
"Very well."
Harry watched Snape walk off. He was in shock that he and Ron didn't get points taken away or detention. Harry struggled with Ron along the hallway. He sighed with relief when he spotted Fred and George.
"Fred, George please help me with your brother."
"What's going on?" Asked the twins.
"I promise I will explain at some point. Just please help me keep your brother from doing something stupid."
Fred and George helped Harry get Ron back to Gryffindor Tower. Once inside the common room they set Ron down in a chair and the twins swished their wands. Ropes erupted from the wands and wrapped around Ron tying him to the chair.
"Hermione, please finish explaining."
"As I was saying before I yelled after Ron, I didn't see anything. After the reading the directions we saw the serious problem. We tried to come up with an alternative solution. At first all that came to mind were not plausible solutions. Finally I called on Dobby. I left and came straight here. I assume Dobby is applying the healing potion. Now will you stop being so…bent on not giving him a chance?"
"Look at his face, he doesn't believe you." Ginny said
"DOBBY!" Yelled Hermione.
"Miss. Granger calls Dobby again. I did what you told me to do with the potion."
"Thank you Dobby for your help."
"Any time. Let Dobby know when the potion needs to be reapplied to him."
"I will. Thanks again Dobby."
"There you go Ron. Dobby said enough to back up Hermione." Ginny said firmly to Ron.
With a flick of Harry's wand Ron was able to talk again.
"Ron for your information if I had applied the healing potion myself and he tried anything or tried to take advantage of the situation all I would have had to do was bite until I drew blood!"
Ginny gasped, Ron paled and winced, the twins and Harry moved a little further away. Before anyone could move, do or say anything McGonagall walked into the common room.
"What is going on here? Why is Mr. Weasley tied to a chair?" Asked McGonagall.
"Not to worry Professor. We're just trying to keep Ron from doing something really stupid and not worth it."
"What…never mind I don't want to know. The reason I am here is because Professor Snape gave this to me. He said to give it to you Mr. Potter and that it will help with Mr. Weasley."
"Thank you Professor." Harry said as he took the small package from McGonagall.
"I suggest that all of you get to bed. It is after midnight." McGonagall said as she left.
Harry walked towards Ron with the package. Ron was fighting against the ropes with all his strength.
"Ron calm down. We don't even know what it is." Said Ginny irritated.
"It's from Snape."
"So. We already believe Harry that Snape is…not quite so bad." Hermione reminded Ron.
Harry quickly opened the package; a small vial and a dropper were enclosed with a note and fell out onto the floor. Harry picked everything up and placed them, except for the note, on the table. He stood there reading the note.
"Hermione the next time we see Snape, remind me to thank him." Harry set the note down on the table and picked up the vial and dropper.
Harry opened the vial, put the dropper inside of it and filled it about a quarter of the way before pulling out the dropper and putting a stopper on the vial. After putting the vial in a pocket he took the step or two needed to be in the right position next to Ron. Ron clamped his jaw shut in protest of what ever it was in the vial from Snape. Harry shrugged his shoulders, slipped the dropper between Ron's lips and emptied the dropper. Ron's attempts to refuse the potion were feeble, the potion had absorbed into his system instantly. With in seconds Ron's body relaxed, if not for the frown on his face it would have been completely.
Fred and George helped Harry get Ron to the dormitory. They deposited Ron on his bed leaving him fully dressed. Fred and George left to their dormitory. Harry went back down to the common room.
He gathered up his stuff with Hermione and Ginny. They said their good nights and went into their dormitories for the night.
The following morning Ron ignored everyone. He was relieved that he had not killed anyone but he was not happy about what had happened.
"Ron look I'm sorry for last night. I just didn't want my best friend to commit murder. You didn't have the whole story."
"I'll give you that one. I still don't trust him."
"We know that you don't Ron. Can you please try to give him a chance to prove himself? I know he won't be able to do much for reasons that have already been explained to you more than once. So far, he hasn't done anything harmful okay. Just take it one day at a time, weather you believe it or not I kind of know what you are thinking and how you are feeling. Oh, stop acting like Hermione can't handle her own, because she can. Trust me she can."
Ron only grunted in response.
A week before the Christmas holiday Harry was trying to figure out how to spend the holiday. He wanted to spend it with Sirius, but he also wanted to spend it with his Aunt and Dudley. What would make it perfect for Harry is if he could spend the holiday with all of them in the same house. He wasn't going to hold his breath on it though. Harry was lost in his thoughts and hadn't eaten a thing at breakfast nor had he noticed the owl standing in front of him with a letter.
"Harry, hello. You have mail. If you don't take the letter I think that the owl just might peck your fingers off."
"What? Oh." Harry took the letter and the owl flew off hooting angrily.
"Whose the letter from?" Asked Ginny
"Sirius."
Harry started to read the letter but when he came across his Aunt and Dudley's names he decided to wait until later to read it fully. He didn't want anyone to find out that he and Dudley are related, at least not just yet. Harry wasn't so sure that it was a good idea that Draco knew that they are cousins, but what could really be done about that. Draco did need help, Harry had not yet forgiven Draco but he wanted to do the right thing and help. Draco did seem really frightened to Harry. Once in a while he would wonder if Ron was right but it just didn't seem to fit.
After dinner Harry found a vacant corner in the common room. He took the seat directly in the corner so he could read the letter without unwanted eyes reading over his shoulder. The Weasley's (minus Percy) and Hermione joined Harry at the table.
"So what does Sirius have to say?"
"When I am finished you all can read it. I'm not reading it out loud, he mentions my Aunt and Cousin by name."
Harry handed the letter to Ginny. As each read the letter he or she handed it to the person next to him or her until it was returned to Harry.
Dear Harry,
I have been busy trying to clean this hovel of a house while you've been at school. I heard about your Aunt Petunia and your cousin Dudley. That must have been a shock for you. I hope you are over the shock because I have spoken with Petunia and at length. You will be coming to Grimmuald Place for the Christmas holiday. Petunia and Dudley will join us a few days before Christmas.
Any way, while I was cleaning I made some discoveries with the help of Kreacher. I came across some documents pertaining to the Black family and I remembered that your mum and dad had some family documents and I don't know what all else in boxes hidden in their basement in Godric's Hollow. I went to Godric's Hollow, don't worry I was careful. No injuries, I promise. Well, when I found the basement all that was there was a note from your parents to me. Let me just say that there is a lot to tell you and discuss with you when I see you. I have a feeling that your life will be changing once again.
Oh, the Weasley's will be joining us after Christmas, as there are few things I need to discuss with them. I also invited Hermione and her parents over after Christmas. The have given Hermione permission to come over, her parents would themselves but they have a prior engagement to attend to.
See you soon, Sirius
"What could Sirius have found that could change your life more than it already has?" Asked Ginny
"I am wondering the same thing. I'll find out when I get to Grimmuald Place."
"Probably more gold or a grand house with a bunch of house elves." Grumbled Ron.
"I wonder what Sirius would have to discuss with mum and dad."
"I'd like to know as well Fred." Said George.
Over the next several days Harry followed through on his promise to the twins.
"I can understand how Ron feels towards the git."
"So do I Fred. But I think it's right to give the git a chance."
"I agree George but we should still be careful though. Harry you haven't told him that you've…you know…gone back in…"
"No I haven't. I am not sure if I ever will. I'd like to think that I am a good judge of character, but I do understand that we still use caution with as you two so eloquently put it the git. When he told us what happened, you should have seen his face. Hell you should have seen the gash he had. It was really bad."
Just before most of the students went home for the holiday Hermione met with Draco.
"It looks good. Though it was obvious without having to look at it. You've been more like you used to be before this happened. I didn't mean…I meant…"
"I know what you mean Granger. Thanks for everything you've done. You can pass that on to the others. I don't know if I'll get the chance to see them and thank them myself. Okay that sort of came out wrong. I meant to ask you to pass the thanks along to the others."
"Well you fixed it. I will pass your thanks on to the others. Take care of yourself Draco."
"I'll try."
"I'm sure it's frustrating but try not to…"
"I won't make any promises."
"Be careful okay. Don't read anything into this. Yes I am giving you a chance but…regardless I don't want to see anyone with an injury like this, including the how it happened and who did it."
"So after the holiday will I see any of you again? I want to do what I can to prove that I am not trying to trick any of you. I am wiling to take veritaserum and have you or anyone else ask me questions."
"I will pass that information along as well as your thanks. After the holiday if you want to get away from the baby-sitters or want to relax let us know. I know I'll show up, Ginny might, Harry might. Ron might as well, but only so that he doesn't go and say something stupid. It's no secret he doesn't trust you and thinks you are tricking us. He assumed something and was going to hunt you down to kill you but Harry stopped him."
"What's his problem now? Why did he want to kill me? I haven't done anything…"
"Well, he thought…he thinks…he doesn't believe me that Dobby applied the healing potion on your wound…I know it has been a while since than…he doesn't even know that I'm here now…alone with you…I just don't want to deal with his shit right now. He seems to think that just because I'm a girl I can't take care of myself or protect myself…"
"Granger, please calm down and relax. I see that it pisses you off but…"
"I know. I just…"
"I get it Granger. Have a good holiday."
"You two. After the break I'll check by here to see if you need anything."
"I'll keep that in mind."
"Though I am not quite sure…I just…I'll want to know how you are. I am worried about you going home for the holiday…I hope it goes good."
Draco could only smile at Hermione. He really couldn't think of anything to say to her. Draco turned and left the room.
Hermione waited a few minutes before leaving, she did not want anyone to know that she had been alone with Draco, or suspected that she had been. She especially did not want Ron to find out, it would just be something else for Ron to have a fit about.
"Hermione what are you still doing here? If you don't get a move on it you'll miss the carriages."
"Look whose talking. You seem to be running behind yourself Harry."
"Just had to be sure that I got everything. So what's wrong?"
"Nothing. I'm just worried about him going home. What if his dad…"
"Don't think about that. He'll be okay. If not we will know about it and see if there is anything we can do to help. Can I make a suggestion?"
"Go on."
"Try to get into the holiday spirit. If you can't do that, then work on not letting it show that your thoughts are else where."
"Thanks Harry. We should get going."
Harry and Hermione rushed out of the castle and just barely managed to catch a carriage leaving the grounds.
The trip from Hogwarts to Kings Cross was fairly quiet. Most of the students were chattering and excited about going home. Ron was a bundle of gloom, the twins were trying to figure out what Sirius could possibly have to discuss with their parents, Ginny was looking forward to seeing her parents, Hermione was working on but failing miserably to conceal that her thoughts were not on the up coming holiday, Harry really wanted to know what Sirius had found that could change his life more than it already had been changed, Draco was doing his best not to think about what his father might do when he got home, Draco was also anxious to get home to see how his mother was doing.
To a small handful, it was a surprise when the Hogwarts Express came to a stop at Kings Cross Station. Harry knew that he would see everyone soon, except Draco, so when Harry spotted Sirius he walked straight to him.
"Harry are you okay? Is something wrong?"
"I'm fine Sirius. Really I am I just have a lot on my mind. Let's get going. I really want to know about your discoveries."
"Okay, but once we get to the house, you have to compliment Kreacher. He has gone overboard for your return for the holiday. He has really taken a liking to you. He's been in the kitchen all day. You'd think it was actually Christmas or you birthday."
"In your letter you said that Kreacher helped you? Have the two of you been getting along?"
"I took your advice about being nice to him. I admit that it makes a huge difference. I realize that in my youth the way Kreacher treated me was my own fault."
Harry waved to the Granger's and the Weasley's as he and Sirius left for Grimmuald Place.
Harry walked inside, stopped dead and looked back at Sirius wondering if they had actually went to the right house. Sirius nodded while smiling.
As Harry walked further into the house all he could see were Christmas lights, it looked to Harry like a Christmas light plant exploded in the house. He agreed with Sirius about Kreacher going overboard. Harry could hear Kreacher humming cheerfully in the kitchen.
Kreacher thought he had heard the door close, so he left to the kitchen to investigate and found Harry and Sirius.
"Master Harry, welcome."
"Thank you Kreacher. The house looks amazing." Harry did his best to sound complimentary and pleased.
"Well Harry, before we get into what I've discovered, how has school been?"
"Really crazy. Nothing like before."
"What do you mean?"
"First of all, dementors were placed around Hogwarts for the purpose of guarding it and keeping an eye out for Wormtail. During a Quidditch match the dementors came on grounds and went after a student. The dementors went as far as to perform its kiss on the student. I was able to save him from that. He went home for a week and when he came back he was in worse shape than when he left. As it turns out his father beat him pretty bad magically and physically. Hermione, Ginny Weasley, Dudley and myself helped him out. It was really bad."
"Who are you talking about exactly?"
"Draco Malfoy."
"You're telling me that Lucius Malfoy severely beat his son."
"Yes. Lucius also went after Narcissa in the same manner. All because they were thankful for what I did."
"The same as…"
"As in your cousin Narcissa Black who married Lucius Malfoy."
