Four days after collapsing in his Charms lesson, Harry finally woke up with Draco being the first person he saw, with the Weasley twins being next. Seconds after Harry woke up (as if alerted) Madam Pomfrey appeared with two witches he had never seen and kicked Draco and the Weasley twins out. After that, the next few days were a hectic blur for Harry. The two witches that had been with Madam Pomfrey turned out to be magic specialists there to check him over. They made Harry do simple spells over and over again to make sure that not only did he still have his magic, but also had a grip on it. After the specialists declared him able to return to lessons, Harry noticed that every professor seemed to keep a very close eye on him, especially Professor Flitwick and Severus, who, Harry noticed, seemed to be favoring his right leg.
The day after Harry had been released from the Hospital Wing, Professor Flitwick pulled him aside and sat him down in his office. At first Harry had thought that Professor Flitwick wanted to question him as to what made him collapse and lose control of his magic, however that isn't want happened. Professor Flitwick only asked Harry how he was liking Hogwarts, if he was having any trouble in his lessons, how he was doing, and how his friends were doing. Never once did Professor Flitwick ask about the day he collapsed.
And maybe it was because Professor Flitwick never once mentioned him collapsing that Harry found himself opening his mouth and telling Professor Flitwick everything. He told the man about the three-headed dog, about constantly falling asleep in either his or Draco's dorm room only to wake up standing outside the door to the forbidden corridor. Harry told Professor Flitwick about the constant and painful pull towards whatever was beyond the trap door that was in the forbidden corridor. And he even told the man about his strange dream.
Once Harry had finished telling the professor everything, he expected the man to reprimand him, however all the professor did was smile sadly at him as he pat his knee. Professor Flitwick then expressed how happy he was that Harry felt that he could trust him enough to confide in him before asking if he could have permission to tell another professor about something Harry had told him. Harry gave Professor Flitwick permission.
The next time Harry was pulled aside by Professor Flitwick to talk, Severus was with him. Harry expected them to instantly talk about whatever Professor Flitwick had told Severus, but all they did was ask him what his favorite subject was (Potions). For a few minutes, Harry and Severus talked about what drew them to Potions with Flitwick chiming in with questions or his own thoughts. It wasn't until the end of the sit down when Severus finally mentioned why he was there. Severus was worried about the fact that Harry hadn't been able to sleep, which is why he collapsed and lost control of his magic. So, Severus offered to teach him how to make a dreamless sleep potion with the promise that should Harry need the potion he was to always make it under Severus's supervision while in school. Harry agreed to his terms.
As they entered November, the weather turned very cold, and the professors finally stopped constantly watching Harry because he had finally started looking better. Harry hadn't been allowed to take the dreamless sleep potion every night as he had first hoped, however, he was allowed to take it twice a week if needed. But Harry didn't need the potion as the dream had stopped. But now Harry knew that if the dream ever returned that he could at least get a couple night's sleep a week. Harry had also found that he had stopped waking up in front of the door to the forbidden corridor.
~Forget Me Not~
Harry watched from the library window as Hagrid defrosted broomsticks on the Quidditch field, bundled up in a long moleskin overcoat, rabbit fur cloves and enormous beaver-skin boots. Just watching Hagrid and seeing how bundled up the giant was caused Harry to shiver. He hated the cold.
Harry looked away from the window when Hermione walked over to him and asked him where a book she wanted was. He gave her a smile as he got up from his table and quickly showed her where the books she needed was, somehow knowing without her telling him that she was trying to help Haiden with his homework. Harry had this strange ability to know what book Hermione (or who ever asked) would help the most with whatever she was doing. It had taken a few weeks for Hermione (and everyone else) to accept that whatever book Harry gave her was the one that she actually needed.
On Saturday, Harry bundled up as warm as he could and trekked with the other students across the school grounds to the Quidditch field. Once there, he quickly found himself snuggled up to Draco, sharing each other's warmth on the Slytherin side of the field. Today was the first match of the Quidditch season: Gryffindor versus Slytherin. Harry found himself cheering and clapping with everyone else when the teams made their way on to the field. At Madam Hooch's whistle, fifteen brooms rose up high, high into the air, and they were off.
"And the Quaffle is taken immediately by Angelina Johnson of Gryffindor – what an excellent Chaser that girl is, and rather attractive –"
"JORDAN!" Professor McGonagall yelled causing everyone to laugh.
"Sorry, Professor." The Weasley twins' new friend, Lee Jordan, was doing the commentary for the match, closely watched by Professor McGonagall.
"And she's really belting along up there, a neat pass to Alicia Spinnet, good find of Oliver Wood's, last year only a reserve – back to Johnson and – no, the Slytherins have taken the Quaffle," Harry cheered alongside Draco at that, "Slytherin Captain Marcus Flint gains the Quaffle and off he goes – Flint is flying like an eagle up there – he's going to sco – no, he's stopped by an excellent move by Gryffindor Keeper Wood and Gryffindor takes the Quaffle –" Harry bit back a laugh at the devastated look on Draco's face, "that's Chaser Katie Bell of Gryffindor there, nice dive around Flint, off up the field and – OUCH – that must have hurt , hit in the back of the head by a Bludger –" Harry winced, "Quaffle taken by the Slytherins – that's Adrian Pucey speeding off towards the goal post, but he's blocked by a second Bludger – sent his way by Fred or George Weasley, can't tell which – nice play by the Gryffindor Beater, anyway, Johnson is back in possession of the Quaffle, a clear field ahead and off she goes – she's really flying – dodges a speeding Bludger – the goal posts are ahead – come on, now, Angelina – Keeper Bletchley dives – misses – GRYFFINDOR SCORES!"
Gryffindor cheers filled the cold air alongside the howls and moans from the Slytherins. Harry laughed and patted Draco's back when the other boy turned and pouted at him. "Your Weasley Twins are good." Draco muttered as he crossed his arms.
"They are, but so are the Slytherin beaters. One of them was able to hit Katie in the back of the head." Harry pointed out.
"Truthfully, I don't think that was all their doing." Draco admitted grumpily causing Harry to laugh.
"Slytherin is in possession of the Quaffle," Lee Jordan announced bringing the two boys back to the game, "Chaser Pucey ducks two Bludgers, two Weasleys, and Chaser Bell, and speeds towards the – wait a moment – was that the Snitch?" A murmur ran through the crowd as Adrian dropped the Quaffle, too busy looking over his shoulder at the flash of gold that had passed his left ear. Harry's eyes locked onto the Snitch, following it wherever it went, the rest of the game fading away.
The Snitch was shiny and moving, and he wanted it for no other reason than it was shiny and moving. When the Snitch flew close to the Slytherin side and closer to Harry, his hand itched to reach out and swat the Snitch out of the air. However, Harry's attention was quickly returned to the game when he caught sight of Marcus Flint slamming into his brother on purpose, sending Haiden's broom spinning off course and leaving Haiden holding on for dear life.
"FOUL!" All of Gryffindor shouted as one. Madam Hooch spoke angrily to Flint, and then ordered a free shot at the goal post for Gryffindor. However, in all the confusion, the Golden Snitch had disappeared from sight again.
" So – after that obvious and disgusting bit of cheating –" It was obvious that Lee Jordan was finding it difficult not to take sides.
"Jordan!" Professor McGonagall growled.
"I mean, after that open and revolting foul –"
"Jordan. I'm warning you –"
"All right, all right. Flint nearly kills the Gryffindor Seeker, which could happen to anyone, I'm sure so a penalty to Gryffindor take by Spinner, who puts it away, no trouble, and we continue play, Gryffindor still in possession." It was then, as Haiden was dodging another Bludger, that it happened. Harry (who had been watching his brother closely after Flint had nearly sent Haiden to his death) watched as his brother's broom gave a sudden and frightening lurch. For a split second, Harry thought that Haiden was going to fall. Harry gripped Draco's hand, pulling Draco's attention from the game to Harry.
Harry gasped in fright when Haiden's broom gave another terrifying lurch. It looked as though Haiden's broom was trying to buck him off. Harry tightened his grip on Draco's hand as he watched Haiden zigzag through the air, and every now and then make violent swishing movements that almost unseated him. No one else had noticed what was happening as Lee Jordan was still commentating.
"Kitten, what's wrong?" Draco asked trying to spot what Harry had seen that was worrying him.
"Something's wrong with Haiden's broom." Harry informed him, and it was as if everyone had heard him, because suddenly everyone had noticed that something was wrong with Haiden's broom. They began pointing up at Haiden from all over the stands. By this point, Haiden's broom had started to roll over and over, with him only just managing to hold on. Harry tightened his hand (almost painfully) around Draco's as everyone else gasped along with him when Haiden's broom gave him a wild jerk, swinging him off it. Haiden was now dangling from the broom, holding on with only one hand.
Everyone stood on their feet, terrified, as the Weasley twins flew up to try and pull Haiden to safety onto one of their brooms. But it was no good – every time they got near him; Haiden's broom would jump higher still. They dropped lower and circled beneath him, obviously hoping to catch him if he fell.
Then, as quickly as it had started, it stopped, allowing Haiden to climb back onto his broom. And as soon as Haiden got his grip, he was speeding off towards the ground, clamped his hand over his mouth as though he was about to be sick. He hit the field on all fours – coughed – and something gold fell onto his hand.
"I've got the Snitch!" Haiden shouted, waving it above his head, and the game had ended in complete confusion. Harry bolted out of his seat, and (using his small body as an advantage) slipped through the crowd (with Draco trying his best to follow him) to get to his brother.
"Kitten!" Harry heard Draco call after him, but he didn't slow down (couldn't slow down). "Kitten! Wait!" Harry was forced to stop when Draco grabbed his arm. "Where are you going?"
"To check on my brother." Harry told him.
"Why, it's not like he cared to check on you when you were in the Hospital Wing." Draco growled out and Harry sighed. It hurt that his brother hadn't visited him once while he had been in the Hospital Wing, and yes part of him wanted to do the same. However, Harry knew that he would never hear the end of it from Haiden if he did.
"I know that you and Haiden don't see eye to eye, but he's my older twin brother. I need to go make sure he's all right." Harry said and saw that Draco was opening his mouth to argue. Not wanting to fight with Draco over this, Harry did the first thing that popped into his mind. He quickly pulled Draco into a hug before kissing him on the cheek, Harry then turned and took off leaving a stunned Draco behind.
Harry didn't know why (or how) he knew to search for Haiden at Hagrid's hut, but that was the first place he looked and that was also where he found Haiden, along with Hermione and Ron. They were drinking tea and were shocked when Harry barged into the hut and flung himself at Haiden, only to be pushed away. Harry sat across from Haiden and accepted his own cup of tea as the group continued their conversation as to what they believed happened to Haiden's broom and who was responsible.
"It was Snape." Ron said, causing Harry to nearly choke on the mouthful of tea he had just swallowed, causing him to cough. Hermione reached over and gently rubbed his back. It was who now? Why did they think it was Severus that had jinxed Haiden's broom? "Hermione and I saw him. He was cursing your broomstick, muttering, he wouldn't take his eyes off you."
"Rubbish." Hagrid said as Harry's coughing fit finally stopped. "Why would Snape do something like that?" Harry watched as Haiden and his friends shared a look before looking back at Hagrid.
"I found out something about him. He tried to get past that three-headed dog on Halloween. He used the chaos of Harry losing control of his magic and the troll in the castle. But the dog bit him. We think he was trying to steal whatever it's guarding." Everyone jumped in shock when Hagrid dropped his teapot with a loud 'clang'.
"'Ow do you know about Fluffy?" He asked in shock.
"Fluffy?" Harry asked, that thing had a name?
"Yeah – 'e's mine – bought 'im off a Greek chappie I met in the pub last year – I lent 'im to Dumbledore to guard the –" Hagrid caught himself before he could let slip what the beast was guarding.
"The what?" Haiden asked hoping to encourage Hagrid in continuing.
"Now, don't ask meh anymore about it." Hagrid said gruffly. "That's top secret, that is."
"But Snape's trying to steal it." The three Gryffindors yelled, and Harry was beginning to become annoyed at their accusations against Severus who wasn't there to defend himself.
"Rubbish." Hagrid said again. "Snape's a 'Ogwarts teacher, 'e'd do nothin' of the sort."
"Then why did he just try to kill Haiden?" Hermione asked.
"You don't know that Severus was trying to kill Haiden." Harry found himself saying, earning a glare from the young witch.
"I know a jinx when I see one, Harry, I've read all about them! You've got to keep eye contact, and Snape wasn't blinking at all, I saw him!" Hermione snapped and anger flooded Harry. What ever happened to innocent until proven guilty? Where was her undeniable proof that Severus was casting a jinx on Haiden's broom. Harry glared at Hermione, shocking her, obviously not expecting the quiet and shy boy to do such a thing.
"I, too, have read all about jinxes, I've even recommended you most (if not all) of the books on jinxes that you've read. I've also read about curses and counter-curses. Are you positive that he was jinxing Haiden's broom? Do you have proof that cannot be disputed? Did you hear what Severus was muttering? Are you absolutely positive that Severus was the only one staring at Haiden without blinking? Because I know that after Flint had nearly knocked Haiden off his broom that I didn't take my eyes off of him, and I'm positive that I was muttering and not blinking. Are you sure that I wasn't the one who was jinxing Haiden's broom?" Harry asked.
"You're his brother, you would never –" Hermione started.
"Are you absolutely sure about that?" Harry interrupted her. "I could have been getting back at Haiden for never once visiting me when I was in the Hospital Wing. Or maybe this could have been my way of getting back at him for wishing that I had died alongside our parents."
"Haiden would never –" Hermione once again started.
"How sure of that are you?" Harry asked her. "Because I'm positive that me and every Muggle in Kings Cross heard him yell, in the middle of the busy station, that he no longer wanted to be my older brother and that he wished that I had died the night our parents did." The silence that followed that sentence was heavy and thick. Harry watched as Hermione slowly looked from Harry to Haiden in shock. "So, before you go accusing someone of something, make sure you get absolute proof."
"What about the bite on Snape's leg?" Haiden asked.
"Doesn't mean he was trying to get passed Fluffy to steal whatever he is guarding. It just proves that he was in the corridor and got bit. True, we don't know what he was doing or why he was there in the first place. And we won't unless one of us was there that night." Harry told Haiden and received and annoyed huff.
"'Arry's right." Hagrid piped up awkwardly. "I don't know why yur broom acted like it did, 'Aiden, but Snape wouldn't try an' kill a student! Now, listen to meh, all three of yeh –" he looked directly at the three Gryffindors, "yer meddling in things that don't concern yeh. It's dangerous. Yeh forget about that dog, and yeh forget about what its guarding, that's between Professor Dumbledore and Nicolas Flamel –"
"Aha!" Haiden cried in victory. "So, there's someone called Nicolas Flamel involved, is there?" Harry sat there in shock. Nicolas Flamel, the creator of the Sorcerer's Stone, was involved? Could the Sorcerer's Stone be what Fluffy was guarding (and calling to him)? If that beast was guarding the Sorcerer's Stone, then why would Dumbledore hide such a dangerous object in a castle that was full of young students? If someone really wanted that stone, no three-headed beast of a dog was going to stop them. . . Unless Fluffy wasn't the only thing protecting the stone.