Chapter 9: Dumbledore's Office

Chapter 9: Dumbledore's Office

"Did you know I had a crush on you since our first year?" Ron asked, smiling at Hermione, his arm around her shoulder.

"Really?"

"Well, not from the moment we met or anything. Just after the year was over, I saw you in a different light."

"But it took you until last year to figure out I was a girl?"

His face turned a little pink. "Well, I had never thought I'd have competition. Not that I didn't think boys would take a fancy to you," he added quickly, "I just thought there was no chance you would take a liking to anyone else, until Krum came along."

"It was just nice to have someone notice me for a change. You didn't really need to worry," she assured him, tapping his nose, "I've always had a thing for freckles, anyways."

They turned a corner, heading toward the lake.

"Hey, isn't that Cho?" Hermione asked, pointing toward the lake's edge.

"Yeah, I think it is. Is there someone beside her?"

"Yes, it looks like Harry."

Ron squinted, trying to see them better. His brow furrowed. There was something not quite right.

"What is she doing?" he asked quietly, removing his arm from Hermione's shoulder.

He started walking faster toward the lake and then broke into an all out run when he realized what was happening. Hermione raced right after him.

"Stop it, Cho!" he yelled, finally getting near her.

He grabbed the back of her robes, pulling her away from Harry. Ron blanched when he saw Harry's body slump further into the water. Swiftly, he pulled his friend out and turned him over. Harry's face was a deathly white and completely lifeless.

"Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, oh my gosh," Ron sputtered, kneeling next to Harry, "He's not breathing, Hermione!"

He shook the unmoving boy's shoulders, crying, "Wake up, Harry! Wake up! Oh crikey, don't do this! You can't die!"

"Ron, go find a teacher," Hermione ordered, kneeling down.

"What?"

"Do it now! I'll help Harry as best I can, but you need to get a teacher."

With one final look back, Ron raced toward the castle. Breathing hard, Hermione tipped Harry's head up, then listened for his breath. Finding none, she held his nose and blew two breaths into his mouth. Quickly, she checked for his pulse. Her heart gave a leap as she found one. It was weak, but there nonetheless.

"Still not breathing," she muttered to herself, "C'mon, Harry! You can make it!"

She breathed twice again, then looked desperately toward the castle. Would Ron come back in time? Before she could think anything more, she heard a cough. She spun back around and found Harry; his eyes open and water pouring from his mouth.

****

Harry woke to find Hermione kneeling over him. Before either could say a word, however, Cho pounced on him, sobbing.

"You're alive! You're alive! Oh my gosh, I thought I had drowned you! Harry, I'm so sorry!" she managed to wail.

"It's okay, but you're going to choke me to death if you don't let go," he managed to say weakly, smiling slightly.

Cho quickly let go, laughing through her tears. Then she turned and embraced Hermione.

"You saved him! I don't know what I would have done if he had died. If I had killed him!"

"It wasn't you fault," Hermione consoled, "We all know that. Somehow, we need to stop this person."

Ron and Professor McGonagall suddenly came running up. Forgetting to hide his feelings, Ron flung his arms around Harry, bawling. McGonagall just stood there, pale.

"Potter, are you okay?" she managed to whisper.

"Yes, I'm fine now," he said, though his voice was weak and Ron had to support him as he stood up, "I must see Professor Dumbledore."

When they reached the gargoyle, McGonagall simply said, "Peppermint humbug" and it moved out of the way. Harry finally pushed Ron off, wanting to walk in himself. He was the first up the steps and opened the door.

Inside stood Lord Voldemort.

~*~*~

A/N: A bit of a short chapter, eh? I could have written more, but decided to stop here. ^-^

Bad chapter title, but it's all I could think of. :P

Wow! Lots of reviews. Maybe I should have more cliffhangers… ^-^

Thanks to all of you! I'm happy to see most of you are thinking exactly

what I want you to…Mwa-ha-ha! ^-^

Person? Are you the Person? From the board? Wow.

Okay, a last thanks. Thank you all for reviewing!!! I think I'll update again soon.

-Ady