Penny looked down at the sleeping boy, he looked so peaceful now, so different that he had looked for the past couple hours. Penny's face struggled as she looked at him, his tale echoing in her head. She tightened her hold on him slightly thinking of how close he had come to death. Death at the hands of her father. Looking away from him she suddenly became painfully aware how everyone was staring at the two of them.
"What?" She whispered sharply, trying not to wake the sleeping boy even as her pale cheeks turned pink. Mrs Weasley approached cautiously.
"You should take his glasses off." She said gently, leaning across and so delicately removing them herself. Placing them on the side she continued to look at the pair of them as Penny pouted moodily. "He really loves you." Mrs Weasley commented with a note of disapproval as Penny pulled a face.
"I know." She muttered, one of her hands unconsciously stroking his chaotic hair.
"You clearly care for him too." Mrs Weasley said watching her. Penny remained silent, feeling immensely uncomfortable as if she were on trial. "I mean he is such a sweet boy..." She went on before Bill cut her off.
"Mum, leave her be." He said firmly, earning a grateful look from Penny. His mother paused briefly, bristling slightly as her lips thinned.
"You young things and your messy love lives. I swear it was much simpler in my day." She went on before eyeing the sleeping boy once more. "All I will say is don't go pulling him back in, if all you are going to do is hurt him again." Mrs Weasley finished huffily before taking her seat next to Ron, whose face matched her disapproval.
For the next half an hour or so they didn't speak much, keeping their voices down as not to disturb Harry's sleep. Madam Pomfrey had looked disapprovingly at Penny's occupation of the bed but didn't insist she move. Instead she brought round hot chocolate, which Hermione helped Penny drink carefully, as Harry remained dead to the world. Penny soon began to regret allowing him to fall asleep on her, as her arm was aching like crazy as it went dead.
Raised voices made all the occupants look towards the door, heavy footsteps echoing down the corridor. Penny felt Harry stirring as the voices got closer, nuzzling into her warmth, unnoticed by the others who were berating the arguing voices. A couple seconds later he opened his eyes blearily, blinking a few times as he became aware of his surroundings. Harry touched his face in groggy search of his glasses, which Penny handed to him just as the Hospital Wing doors burst open.
Fudge, McGonagall and Snape came into the ward, shortly joined by Dumbledore. He berated McGonagall for leaving her guard post as Snape stood at the foot of Harry's bed, his eyes briefly darting to Penny his eyebrow giving the smallest quirk of amusement.
"There is no need to stand guard over him anymore, Dumbledore!" McGonagall shrieked, her entire body trembling with fury. Penny stared with strange affection at the sight of McGonagall like this. She was the one who lost control of her emotions regularly, and to see the Professor who was normally the vision of calm and collected in such a state both warmed and terrified her. As she revealed what the Dementor had done to Barty Crouch Jr Penny felt a sick chill run through her. Even after all he had done, she felt the smallest stab of pity at what he would have become.
Dumbledore and Fudge had argued about Lord Voldemort's return and Penny felt Fudge's eyes move sceptically over Harry and herself.
"You are – er – prepared to take Harry's word on this, are you Dumbledore?" Fudge asked with a curious smile. There was a moment of silence before Sirius growled angrily, joined by Juno letting out a low hiss. Fudge glanced at the snake with a look of distain before his smile returned. "Merlin knows what nonsense Black has been putting in his head, I mean clearly she is still having an influence on him!" He said with a slight sneer as he eyed them. An angry flush ran up Penny's neck as she abruptly removed herself from Harry's embrace, standing alongside his bed with her arms crossed. "Both Parselmouths huh? A curious fact you have been keeping quiet!" He said looking accusingly at Dumbledore. "Don't get me started on the fits and funny turns the two of them seem to be having all over the place!"
"I assume you mean the pains Harry has in his scar, and Persephone's hypersensitive Legilimency?" Dumbledore answered him in a calm voice even as his eyes blazed. The air around him seemed to pulse with energy as Penny watched him. "Persephone has been having extra lessons to control the involuntary side of her gift, and I believe Harry's scar hurts him when Lord Voldemort is close by, or feeling particularly murderous."
"I've never heard of a curse scar acting as an alarm bell before!" Fudge objected.
"Know many survivors of the Killing Curse do you Minister?" Penny interjected in a snarky tone, glaring at the portly man who virtually pouted. Harry had begun shouting, Mrs Weasley holding him down to stop him leaping from the bed angrily, telling Fudge what he had seen.
"I can give you their names! Lucius Malfoy -" Harry started, Penny saw Snape twitch, their eyes meeting momentarily before his dark orbs went back to Fudge.
"Malfoy was cleared! A very old family – donations to excellent causes –" Fudge protested angrily. Penny let out an ironic cackle.
"Who knew the Minister for Magic could be bought like a common whore!" She spat, sneering as Fudge went purple in anger. "Uncle Lucy will be thrilled to know his bitch is in line" She went further as the others let out disapproving hisses.
"How dare you!" Fudge shouted, shaking furiously now. "Honestly Dumbledore, you have heard all the tall tales Potter has told over the years, and you still insist on swallowing his nonsense. And worse you allow this – this –" He spluttered gesturing Penny where she narrowed her eyes.
"This what?" Penny snapped, her eyes flashing dangerously, a crackle of electricity running through her locks. A look of fear appeared on the short man's face as she took a step forward her hand reaching into her pocket, gripping the handle of her wand tightly, itching to draw it. A hand quickly appeared on her shoulder, holding her back. Looking up her blazing eyes met Snape's cold ones. A heart beat past as his head gave the smallest shake, before Penny looked away scowling, her hand withdrawing from her pocket.
"See Dumbledore! The girl is dangerous!" Fudge shouted. "What will it take for you to see it?" He demanded. "For all you know this whole crackpot story about You Know Who is just her way to distract you from the real threat!" He flustered, his wide eyes betraying his fear, darting to Penny's wand pocket as he spoke. "Why do you keep protecting her?" He demanded "Anyone would think you were in league with her!" The powerful energy radiated off Dumbledore as he took a step towards Fudge, who cowered slightly, though his face remained stubborn.
"I will not condone the persecution of a child!" Dumbledore said, his voice rising in anger. Penny watched in silent fascination, her lips parting in mild surprise at his defence of her. "I will not condone punishing a daughter for the crimes of her parents! I will not condone her mistreatment by those who fear that which is beyond their control." He went on, staring at Fudge over his half moon glasses. "Lord Voldemort has returned Cornelius. The sooner you accept that and stop perceiving enemies in all the wrong places the better. If you take the necessary measures straight away, we still may be able to save the situation." Dumbledore went on, outlining the steps Cornelius must take. Ever step was met with greater and greater outrage.
"End of my career!" Fudge eventually gasped, affronted.
"You are blinded by the love of the office you hold, Cornelius! You place too much importance, and you always have done, on the so-called purity of blood! You fail to recognise that it matters not what someone is born, but what they grow to be!" Dumbledore said angrily. Penny looked back and forth between the Headmaster and the Minister as they argued, her opinion of Fudge dropping by the second, and despite her misgivings, a glimmer of respect for Dumbledore. She kept silent for the remainder of their conversation, though when Snape revealed his Dark Mark she peered across the bed in interest at the tattoo, listening to his explanation on its use. A few minutes later Fudge left, having unceremoniously tossed the bag of Galleons at Harry. The moment the door closed, Dumbledore turned to the rest of the occupants, handing out instructions quickly. Bill, he asked to visit his father and get him to persuade members of the Ministry of Magic of Voldemort's return.
"Tell him to contact Tonks." Penny said suddenly, as Dumbledore and Bill looked at her in surprise. "She is an Auror, and good one at that. She's in a good position to spread the word." Penny said with a shrug. Both of them nodded before Bill left. McGonagall went to speak to Hagrid and Madame Maxine, and Madam Pomfrey went to attend Winky. As she left Dumbledore instructed Sirius to resume human form. Penny suppressed a snort of amusement at the pure loathing between Snape and Sirius. She was starkly reminded of Weasel and herself, even as the two wizards shook hands with the greatest of reluctance.
Sirius he instructed to round up 'the old crew', a phrase Penny pondered on briefly as Sirius said his goodbyes to Harry and herself. Then Dumbledore turned to Snape, with more apprehension than Penny had ever seen on the old man's face.
"If you are prepared…" Dumbledore spoke softly.
"I am." Snape replied just as softly, even as his face paled slightly. Penny stared at her Professor, his anxiety scaring her more than anything else that had happened this evening.
"Then good luck." Dumbledore said as Snape nodded.
"Professor" Penny said as the Potions Master reached the door. He turned to look at her, his dark eyes glittering strangely. Approaching him Penny continued to look at him carefully. "You are going to him aren't you? My father?" She asked in a very low tone, so the others couldn't hear her, though she suspected Dumbledore knew what she had asked. Snape didn't reply, though his eyes flickered slightly. Penny hesitated before continuing. "Stay safe Professor." She said quietly, a small amused smile curling on the Professor's lips.
"How very touching is your concern" He said with a slight sneer that didn't hold its usual distain. "Good day Miss Black." He said before sweeping out the room. Dumbledore had turned to the rest of the group.
"I must go and speak with the Diggorys." Professor Dumbledore said heavily. "Drink your potion Harry, I will speak to you later. Persephone" Dumbledore called as Penny tried to avoid his gaze circling round the Hospital Wing. Reluctantly she looked at him, aware of the others gazes that followed her. "I must speak with you but tonight I have others people I must to attend to first. I shall speak to you first thing tomorrow. In the meantime, you should be safe but try and stay close to the castle, and do not wonder off alone." He said meaningfully peering over his half moon glasses. He was, it would seem, referring to her frequent visits to the Forbidden Forest.
"Yes sir." Penny said a little stiffly. After giving her a searching look Dumbledore nodded and left the room. Penny felt Harry's eyes on her as she occupied herself cleaning and tidying unnecessarily, blocking out his overwhelming emotions with difficulty. She could not bear to comfort the boy anymore tonight.
"You need to drink the rest of your potion." Mrs Weasley said in a shaky voice before embracing an emotional Harry, who howled into her shoulder. Penny looked away uncomfortably before there was a loud snap. Looking round Penny could see Hermione holding a struggling shape in her hand. Harry drank the rest of his potion before falling asleep once more. Penny gazed at him for a short while before hissing at Juno.
"Stay with him." She instructed the snake, who slithered backwards so her body coiled over his belly and down over his legs protectively. Mrs Weasley eyed the snake nervously, glancing at Penny uncomfortably. Satisfied Penny made her excuses and left the room. Casting a Disillusionment charm on herself she made her way to her dormitory almost unnoticed, though many stared at the peculiar human shaped chameleon. Draco seemed to be the only one who realised who the shape must be, but didn't cross the Common Room quickly enough to accost her. Later that night she felt Juno climb onto the bed with her, as she stared sleeplessly at the roof of her bed. "I told you to stay with Harry." Penny said in a disapproving tone.
"I did but Madam Pomfrey wouldn't stop harassing me. She threatened to turn me into a mouse. A mouse of all things!" Juno whined outraged, making Penny snort slightly. Juno's heavy weight nuzzling into her brought her comfort, and she soon fell asleep, the snake beside her snoring too.