~Author's Note: The next couple of chapters are short 'cause
it was really broken up from this chapter. Um…whatever. I'm not doing a/n's
anymore until the very end. Happy reading.
~Chapter 5:
The Awakening Part 1
The sun
hasn't peeked over the horizon when Headmaster Dumbledore woke up. Drenched in
sweat, he wondered why he has woken up so early.
"The
Americans' are supposed to wake up today." He told himself as he got out of bed
and stroll off to find the bathroom.
************************************
At
precisely that same moment, Ron was being awaken by Hermione.
"What's is
it?" he mumbled grumpily and pulled his sheet over his head.
"We have to
see Harry today," she whispered in a rush as she continues to shake his
shoulder.
"Hermione,
you're not allowed to be here. It's too early." Ron whispered angrily back at
her.
"We might
even catch the Americans waking up. Their 30 hours is almost up!"
"I'm up.
I'm up." Ron replied and quickly got out off bed. Suddenly Neville stirred in
his bed in the corner. Ron swiftly pushed Hermione below his bed.
"Why are
you awake so early Ron?" Neville asked sleepily.
"I…I uh…I
have to go use the loo." Ron quickly replied. "Go back to bed Neville." Neville
reluctantly turned over and went back to bed as Ron hurried into his robes.
Hermione then crawled out underneath his bed.
"Ron!!" Ron
face flush to a brilliant red as Hermione quickly covered her eyes and
scrambled for the door. Silently Ron came down the circular staircase and
Hermione speedily apologized.
"It's...it's...nothing."
He responded glowing as red as his hair. Hermione couldn't look into his face
as she and Ron climbed out of the hole. Quietly they stride to the Hospital
Wing.
************************************
"Professor!"
Hermione called out as they walked down the same corridor coming from different
directions. She carried a small blue flame in a jar to light their way.
"Miss
Granger! Mister Weasley!" Professor Dumbledore exclaimed with sparkling eyes.
He was carrying a short, fat candle. "What are you two doing up so early?"
"We are
visiting Harry, sir." Ron answered smilingly. Both he and Hermione were worried
that they might run into Snape or Filch or Mrs. Norris. They were certainly
glad to run into Dumbledore instead.
"Early
birds aren't you?" He responded as he knocked lightly on the door. Hermione
nodded eagerly. Madam Pomfrey opened the door a crack glancing menacingly at
Ron and Hermione.
"Mister
Potter is not awake yet." She said rather acidly at Hermione and Ron.
"You told
us we are allowed to come in the morning before breakfast." Hermione retorted
as pleasantly as she can.
"But not
this early! You need your sleep. Did you know that not having enough sleep
would cause sore eyes, dark circles and stress? You do not want Mister Potter
stressed do you?" She asked pleadingly.
"We
promise, ma'am," Ron said with utmost politeness and a small smile. "We won't
wake up Harry."
"What's
going on here?" At the door was Snape looking half-asleep and hair sticking up
in odd places. He took one look at Hermione and Ron and glared warningly.
"Mister
Weasley and Miss Granger are visiting Mister Potter, Severus." Dumbledore said
from his seat on the same stool only now off to the side.
"At this
hour?" He asked unbelieving.
"We were
allowed to come at anytime before breakfast." Hermione replied timidly. "And it
is most definitely before breakfast."
"Yes, all
right." Snape said. Hermione and Ron stared at him disbelieving. No points
taken off? What could have changed his mind?
"Poppy,
would you please light a few candles? I hate to sit in the dark without feeling
like a spy." Dumbledore said heartily. Madam Pomfrey went off to fetch a few
candles muttering under her breath.
"What have
I missed?" Now standing at the door with her robes half on was Professor
McGonagall. Her hair was in an askew bun.
"All right
that's it!" Madam Pomfrey shouted in a whisper. "No one is allowed in anymore."
She closed the door and tapped it with her wand. "Everyone have a seat please."
All, but Dumbledore looked around for a place to sit. Ron and Hermione sat on
the edge of Harry's bed. Snape leaned back on a bed near the Dumbledore.
McGonagall took a seat on the edge of the bed of the same bed Snape was lying
on. Madam Pomfrey found another stool and placed it opposite the Americans' bed
a few feet away. Everyone sat in silence, waiting patiently for something to
happen.
Professor
McGonagall, who just noticed Ron and Hermione in the opposite corner, whispered
something to Dumbledore. Dumbledore nodded in acknowledgement and turned to Ron
and Hermione.
"Do you two
promise not to speak a word of what may happen in this room to anyone except
among yourselves and perhaps Mister Potter?" Dumbledore asked Ron and Hermione.
"Yes, sir."
They answered in unison.
"I hope Mister
Potter would feel much better, don't you?" Dumbledore said as he turned back to
hold a whispered conversation with McGonagall and Snape. Madam Pomfrey was
looking annoyed at them all as she rocked in her seat. Ron, who wasn't used to
sitting so still, kept fidgeting and changing positions in his seating.
"Stop it
Ron." Hermione whispered agitatedly. "You're going to wake Harry."
"Sorry, but
I can't help it." He decided to stand instead. "I can never sit still when
things like this is going to happen."
"Hmm?" A
tired voice came from behind them. They turned to see Harry reaching for his
glasses.
"Harry, are
you okay?" Hermione was quickly at his side looking at him worriedly.
"I'm fine
Herm." He answered as he sat up in his bed. Madam Pomfrey detected Harry being
awaked hurried to check his forehead. Hermione had to quickly take a step back
and almost sat on Draco who was snoring quietly in the next bed.
"You are
good to go, but I wish you would completely rest." Madam Pomfrey said
anxiously.
"Then I
will," Harry replied with a small smile. "I'll stay here until I feel fully
rested." Madam Pomfrey, who just realize she was tricked into allowing Harry to
stay here to watch the Americans' awakening, sighed and left shaking her head.
"How come
you two are here?" Harry asked. To be honest, he was fully awake and wanted to
climb out of bed whereas Ron and Hermione looked as if they were going to kneel
over and fall asleep any moment.
"We were
going to visit you last night," Hermione started.
"But when we
got here, they were here," glancing at Snape and McGonagall, "and had
some sort of discussion about the Americans."
"What about
them?"
"Something
about ultra something reception?" Ron replied uncertainly.
"Ultra
clairvoyant reception," Hermione corrected him as always and went on
explaining. "It means that you can sense something coming near you or going to
happen. Madam Pomfrey said that one of them wakes up whenever he hears
something loud-"
"The
red-haired boy," Harry cut in. "Sorry." He said when he saw Hermione's annoyed
face.
"Yes, and
another wakes up whenever magic happens." She ended.
"And what
about the third one?" Harry asked when he realizes that that was the end of
what Hermione had to say.
"They don't
know yet." Ron replied. Together, the three stared at the unmoving beds of
soon-to-be schoolmates.
"What time
is it?" Harry asked when he noticed the sky was a pinkish blue.
"About
5:45." Ron answered as he glanced at his watch. They sat and waited. Inside the
Hospital Wing, there was an eerie silence. The discussion with Dumbledore,
McGonagall and Snape ended as the clock ticked near 6. Sunbeams slowly crept
through the windows and fell on each of the three Americans' faces. The blond
haired boy had a golden tan face. The girl had a soft golden glow shining off
her face. The red haired boy had a pale face with lots of freckles almost like
Ron. A clock somewhere in the castle chimed 6-o-clock.
Everyone
sat on the edge of his or her seats. Snape swung his legs over the bed and
leaned forward. Harry, Ron, and Hermione, quietly crept over Harry's bed, sat
and leaned forward on the edge of the bed. The silence was almost unbearable.
They all sat unblinkingly and stared for any signs of movement. Dumbledore
carefully stood up from his stool when all a sudden the eyes of the girl
flickered under her eyelids.
She opened
her eyes in alarm. Quickly she sat straight up in her bed.
