As always, I'm only playing with JK Rowling's toys.
All credit goes to JK Rowling, her publisher and all the other people involved in bringing her work to life.
#
Frank Bryce was drunk. His inebriation was causing him to stumble as he walked the short distance from the village pub back to his home. He was used to the suspicious looks and whispered rumours that came from people of his generation; the youngsters couldn't care less about what had happened or what he was accused of doing.
As the sky grew ever darker, he attempted to put his key into the lock on his door. It could have been a battle of wits of the ages; a man against a door, two worlds colliding; the immovable object meets the slightly squishy force with an overly full bladder. Something had to give and inevitably it was the bladder of the squishy force; down his left trouser leg.
The alcoholic fog that swirled around his elderly brain seemed to recognise that something was not as it should have been and raised the alarm. Frank looked up from his fight with the front door and blinked at the night sky. He glanced about and seemed to focus on something, blinking a few time to be sure that what he was seeing was there.
The old manor house had sat empty for so long that seeing the light on in one of the upper floor windows was enough to rouse the beast in Frank. 'Bloodjy kids, gbo no resetpche' slurred as she began to shuffle his way up to the house. His job was to take care of the property; even in his current state, he would do his job. Frank Bryce would not see the next morning.
##
Harry woke crying out in pain, sweat glistening on his face.
Everyone in the dorm woke with a start; several pairs of bleary eyes looked for the source of their disturbance. Neville was the first to react when he saw that it was Harry who was in some distress.
'Harry, are you alright mate?' Neville asked Harry responded by throwing up on the floor to the side of his bed.
'Seamus, go wake Towler and tell him to get McGonagall; Dean, can you get a glass of water for Harry?' Neville started to take command of the situation; he turned to ask Ron to do something when he heard the buzz saw-like snore escape from him 'How the hell could he sleep through this?' he asked as he shook his head.
Harry lay on his bed, trying to regulate his breathing, his eyes glazed over. Neville was worried about his friend.
'Mr Longbottom, I hope that there is a good-'Professor McGonagall stopped mid-rant as she saw Harry.
She took out her wand and cast a cleaning spell to remove the vomit on the floor; she sat on the bed next to Harry.
'Mr Potter, can you hear me?' she asked quietly.
Harry began to mumble 'Dore. Have to speak, dore...'
'Let's get you to the hospital wing first; the headmaster will meet us there. Mr Towler, can you take Harry to see Madam Pomfrey, the headmaster and I will follow directly' said the deputy head as she walked out of the dorm.
Neville followed her 'Professor, I think that Hermione should be with him when he gets to the infirmary; she is the only one that will be able to keep him calm.'
Minerva considered his suggestion 'I will wake her myself, ten points to Gryffindor for looking out for a friend Mr Longbottom.' She turned and ascended the stairs to the girl's dorm.
##
To suggest that Hermione was distraught upon hearing the news that her best friend in the hospital wing in the middle of the night; would be an understatement of grand proportions.
'HARRY!' she cried out as she ran to his bedside.
He was sitting up, looking pale and tired; Professor Dumbledore and Madam Pomfrey were in conference at the foot of his bed as the brown-haired Javelin missile found its target. Hermione enveloped him in her arms; whatever anguish or pain he was feeling had instantly left him.
'Mr Longbottom suggested that you would feel better in the company of Ms Granger, a very astute observation.' Professor McGonagall said while joining her colleagues at the foot of Harry's bed.
'Thank you for joining us, Professor' the headmaster began 'I was just about to ask Harry what had happened.'
'I had a very vivid dream, sir. It was so real, Pettigrew was there with some other man; they were both kneeling in front of my chair. I spoke to them and said "Nagini tells me that the old muggle caretaker is just outside the door, turn my chair so that I might greet our guest properly" Pettigrew turned my chair and I cast a green coloured spell at the old man. I woke up just at a huge snake started to eat him.' Harry couldn't look anyone in the eye; he felt dirty and ashamed.
'That was not a dream, Harry; I believe that you had a vision or to be more precise, you witnessed the event in question.' Explained the Headmaster.
'I'm not certain that I follow you, sir.' Replied Harry.
'Madam Pomfrey ran a series of diagnostic charms on you when you first arrived here this evening; other than being slightly underweight your are rather healthy; which means that we can rule out illness as the cause of your condition. As I understand it, you do not possess the inner eye that all great seers have; alas, few do. It leads me to a very specific conclusion, and your next two answers will go a long way to confirming this for me.'
'At any time during this vision, did you see the figure sitting in the chair?' Dumbledore asked
'No, sir.'
'During your first year, what happened to your scar whenever you looked at the back of Professor Quirrel's head?'
'My scar burned and made me feel ill, sir.' was Harry's response.
'You see, Harry, I believe that the person in that chair was Lord Voldemort albeit, not as we once knew him, and given your reaction tonight and on previous occasions; I am lead to the conclusion that you share a connection with Lord Voldemort through your scar. I would bet my considerable reputation on It.' stated the headmaster.
'Professor, over the summer, I was attempting to practise meditation to help me focus on things better. I found that I had information in my head that didn't belong there, I have been unable to sift through what was there, but I recognised something. The diary that I destroyed in the Second year was created using a ritual; I can't describe it, but it felt very dark.'
As Harry spoke, the grandfatherly mask that Dumbledore usually wore began to crumble, leaving behind an older man that looked gravely concerned.
Harry continued 'Sir, right now, except two people; you four are the only people in this school I trust. As I said to Hermione at the feast, somehow I'll end up as part of this damn tournament, with that in mind could you get Director Bones here tomorrow? My understanding is that she is honourable and trustworthy, if I have her on my side as well we might be able to prevent my name coming out of the goblet.'
Minerva, Poppy and Hermione stood silently watching the discussion between pupil and headmaster. The revelations shocked all three to varying degrees, Minerva and Poppy were reeling from the news that Harry could be sharing some form of connection with He-who-must-not-be-named; Hermione was stunned to know that Harry was candidly discussing things that not six months ago he would have bottled up completely. She knew something about him had changed over the summer, but she didn't expect this level of maturity.
'Of course Harry, I will arrange to have Madam Bones meet with you tomorrow. I trust that there won't be any more revelations tonight? I am an old man, and I am missing my bed, I would recommend that we should all get some rest.' Dumbledore said.
'I will escort you back to your dorm; Ms Granger' said, McGonagall
'Professor, would it be possible to stay here with Harry? I won't be able to get back to sleep for worrying about him being in here' Hermione pleaded.
Her head of house looked first towards Poppy, whose stony face gave nothing away before looking towards her boss, who appeared to be giggling like a loon.
'I see no real reason to deny the request Minerva, Both Mr Potter and Ms Granger as among the most respected and mature students in the school. Of course, I would not dream of over-riding the wishes of our resident medic.' Dumbledore expertly batted the request to Madam Pomfrey, who huffed and said 'this is highly irregular Ms Granger. I'll grant your request on one condition; you will be back in your dorm before everyone else is up. I'll not have the students spreading malicious ill-founded gossip about my infirmary.' With that, she bustled away.
'As you are now in capable hands Mr Potter I shall bid you goodnight or perhaps is it fitting to say good morning.' The headmaster smiled and headed out of the infirmary.
'Mr Potter, Ms Granger I cannot stress enough the trust that we are placing on you both, please do not abuse it. That said, please try and get some rest.' And with that, Minerva walked away.
The two friends sat in companionable silence for a time before Harry shuffled over to one side of the bed.
'Hermione?' he gently called her name; she turned to look towards him and saw him patting the bed beside him.
'You look dead on your... well I suppose seat would be the correct noun to use in this instance.' He said as he patted the bed next to him.
'What about what the professors said, Harry?' she replied while trying to stifle a yawn.
'to hell with what they say, my friend is tired and needs to sleep on something more appropriate than a chair. Please, Hermione, don't make me beg.' Harry pouted at her. In her current sleep-deprived state, she was unable to resist his attempt at being cute; she climbed on to the bed beside him after he turned down the covers for her.
He put his arm around her shoulders and pulled her over to him so that she might rest her head against his chest.
'Very smooth Potter, I bet this was one big ploy to get me into bed' she whispered in jest.
'You caught me, Mia. Guilty as charged!' his grin was infectious.
'This is nice Harry, being with you like this; it means a lot that you would trust me this much.'
'You're my best friend Mia, and just so we are clear, I trust you with my life. Now get some sleep, I'll make sure that you are up in plenty of time to get back to your dorm.' Harry pulled her in a little closer and kissed her on her forehead.
Within a few moments, she was sound asleep, 'Dobby?' he called out
'Yes, master Harry Potter, Sir?' asked the excitable elf.
'Dobby, can you make sure that I'm awake to get Hermione back to her dorm? I would rather that she wasn't seen heading back there.'
Dobby blinked at Harry a couple of times before saying 'Dobby can take Master Harry Potter sir's Grangy back to hers bed. Elfs can pop peoples anywhere, even in hoggywarts'
'That's brilliant Dobby!' exclaimed Harry 'That information may just come in handy.' Harry yawned. Dobby popped away while Harry settled down for the remainder of the night.
#
As the night had passed without incident and the sanctity of the infirmary confirmed, Madam Pomfrey permitted Harry to leave to attend breakfast. At some point during the night, Dobby had brought him a change of clothes; this meant that he could head straight down to the great hall for some badly needed food.
Hermione was sitting at the table, staring into the middle distance, slowly chewing on a slice of toast. Whatever it was that was occupying her thoughts prevented her from realising that Harry had sat down next to her.
'Ground Control to Major Mia, take your pepper-up potion and put your witches hat on' he softly sang to her.'
'Hmmm?' she said as she turned and realised Harry was looking at her.
'I said, well never mind what I said I meant "Penny for them?"'
Before Hermione got a chance to answer Professor McGonagall came over to them and said 'The Headmaster has requested that you both make your way to his office as soon as you have had breakfast. He likes "Wham Bars" 'and with the message relayed she left the hall.
They both ate a round of toast before heading up to the office.
'Wham Bars' Hermione gave the password to the gargoyle who promptly stepped aside to grant them access. Harry knocked on the door, and they heard Dumbledore call out 'ENTER.'
When they walked in both Dumbledore, and Madam Bones were standing looking over the collection of shiny things around the headmaster's office.
'Mr Potter' began Director Bones 'as I understand it, you called this meeting. I do hope this won't be a waste of my time.'
'Madam Bones, you might want to take a seat. You probably won't like what I have to tell you.' said Harry with a grim look on his face.
Director Bones promptly sat down.