Author's note: Chapter 4 in the story. Please review. Thank you to all who have so far.
CHAPTER FOUR
The Strange Sickness
Vetil really liked to follow Harry, Hermione, and Ron around. They found that out when Vetil bugged them the whole second day, trying to tell them about of his great first day.
They were walking outside of the castle, and Vetil, tagging along, kept talking and talking.
"In Transfiguration, I was the only one in the class who could turn my match into a needle!"
"Good for you. That's great," Hermione said, less enthusiastically than the last five times she had congratulated him on the same task.
"And in Potions, I answered everything right, but..."
"Snape took off points from Gryffindor because you were too into the lesson," Harry finished dully.
"Professor Snape," Vetil said.
Ron rolled his eyes. Harry could see that he was getting frustrated with the annoying first year.
"Oh! Is anything interesting happening for the us this year?" Vetil asked, his eyes glittering with anticipation.
"Do you mean the first years or the whole school?" Ron asked bitterly.
"Both!" Vetil replied, absolutely buoyant.
He's really joyous. Almost hyper... Harry thought to himself.
"Oh! I just can't wait until Charms! I've heard that you get to make things fly around the room!" Vetil said excitedly.
Harry saw that this comment was just too much for Ron. His friend drew in a deep breath and absolutely bellowed, "You don't do that until 4th year!"
This rage didn't seem to affect Vetil's happiness. He just smiled in surprise.
"Really? I can already make something fly to me! Watch!"
He turned toward his left and pointed his wand at the ground.
"Accio rock!" Vetil shouted.
A crystal gently flew off the ground and into Vetil's waiting hands. He smiled proudly at Harry, Ron, and Hermione, holding the gem up to his face.
Ron and Hermione gaped at Vetil in shock.
"H-h-how'd y-you do t-that?" Hermione squeaked.
Vetil only smiled. He raised his hand to toss the rock away.
There was something particular about that rock. Harry saw the strangeness of it and narrowed his eyes, moving forward to see it better.
A beam of light from the sun caught on the rock's surface and it reflected into Harry's eyes.
Wait! Is that... he thought.
"Hold on!" Harry shouted, waving his hand at Vetil, but Vetil tossed the crystal into the bushes and looked in bewilderment at Harry.
"What's wrong, Harry?" he asked.
Harry hesitated, still looking at where Vetil had thrown the rock; then at where the rock had come from. Finally, his eyes rested on the small brown-haired boy standing in front of him.
"Is anything the matter?" Vetil questioned again.
"No. I just thought... forget it," Harry ended, feeling stupid.
They walked on, back toward the castle. But Harry could've sworn that the crystal that had coincidentally fallen into Vetil's hands was the same gem in his dreams. He kept glancing back at it, and out of the corner of his eyes, Harry noted that Ron also showed a lot of interest in it.
* * *
The small girl watched the four students outside of the castle, roaming around on the Hogwart's grounds. When Vetil called upon the rock, she saw that the Potter boy had recognition in it.
How is that possible? She thought.
She watched as they made their way back to the castle, and she smiled a bit. This was not a true smile, just a small note of hope.
Good. Stay out of harm's way. Evil might be in store for you...
The pale girl once again looked out over the land outside of the school's walls. Her eyes traveled around, then lay on the spot where the gem had fallen.
Something whispered to her.
Evil...
Yes... she thought quietly. I sense it...
The small girl wrapped herself more tightly in her Hogwart's robes. She felt a chill. She closed her eyes.
A voice she recognized as her own rang out into the silence.
"Nooo!"
The past...
Her eyes opened. She looked sadly at the school's floor.
There was a small breeze in the room. The girl's hair gently floated behind her.
Andeline...
One would've noticed that no window was open.
* * *
The following day had passed by quick enough. Harry saw that Ron was actually researching something. It seemed strange to him that Ron would actually be doing homework at a time like this. It was even more suspicious, because they hadn't gotten any homework yet.
"Ron! What are you doing?" Harry asked.
He sighed. "Well, Percy's gotten this crazy assignment, and it actually sounds kind of interesting, so I'm looking up on it."
"If it's crazy, then explain to me how it might be interesting?"
Ron looked at Harry. "Well, it's about the giants. You know about the giants right?"
"No..."
"The ones that were in league with You-Know-Who?"
"Oh! Yeah," Harry said, nodding.
"I think that they actually sent some people to compromise with them, you know? Percy has to write a report for it. I just found that out from mum yesterday, and I decided to read about giants. They could be a good ally against the dark forces."
"Yeah," Harry said, eating his dinner. "So, is Pigwideon back?"
"Yup. Sent the letter, he did," Ron stated, picking at his food.
After they finished their dinner, Harry and Hermione went back to the Common Room. Ron had run off, saying that he needed to get some more books.
"Isn't Ron acting weird?" Hermione said.
Harry shrugged. "Possibly. I've never seen him so into a Ministry report. Especially one that Percy's writing up."
Hermione looked at him for a second, before sticking her nose back into the extremely thick book that she was reading. Harry turned and watched the portrait hole. Finally, a quarter after ten, Ron returned.
"Hello!" he said cheerfully.
Hermione put her book on her lap and looked up at him with an eyebrow raised.
"Anything the matter, Hermione?"
"Oh, nothing..." she said slowly, eyeing Ron with suspicion. "How'd you get so happy? Did you get Vetil fever or something?"
"Is it a crime to be happy?" Ron asked.
Hermione sighed and went back to reading her book, muttering, "No, it's not a crime."
Ron smiled. "So what have you been doing?" he asked happily.
"Waiting for you. Where'd you go?" Harry asked.
Ron spun around. He looked at Harry as if it was the first time he had ever seen him. Harry got a bit taken aback by that motion.
"I..." Ron suddenly sounded very serious. "I was at the library," he said in a voice that was a bit unlike his own.
Harry nodded, but stopped abruptly, looking at Ron again.
Their eyes met, and for a second, Harry caught a glimpse of an image.
What?
His sight suddenly lurched and Harry gagged.
"Harry?" Hermione asked, looking at him over her book. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah," Harry replied blinking.
Out of the corner of his eyes, he saw a small flash of red, and for a split moment, his head hurt. It came so fast and left so swiftly that Harry thought he had imagined it.
He must've looked bad because Ron asked, "You sure you're okay?"
"Y-yeah."
"Well," Ron said, looking at the two of his friends, "I am going to bed, alright?"
"Yeah," Hermione murmured while Harry nodded.
Ron sauntered up the stairs to the dormitories.
Harry sat back down on a chair. He looked at Hermione, who was totally absorbed into her book.
Let's see, he thought, Tomorrow I have Defense Against Dark Arts and Care of Magical Creatures...
He gagged again. Harry's vision swam a bit in front of him. He felt really dizzy.
"Harry?" Hermione furrowed her eyebrows. "Maybe you should go to bed," she said.
"Yeah. I think I will," Harry replied, stumbling a bit while he got up. Hermione didn't notice.
"See you tomorrow. Don't be late, alright?" she said, reading again.
"Yeah, I won't."
Something strange was definitely happening. As Harry walked up the stairs to the dormitories, his vision swam and he stumbled several times. He felt nauseous and had to sustain himself from gagging.
When he got to his bed, he sat down on it slowly. He was hot all over.
I'm sick...
His vision parted into two, and then back into one. He closed his eyes and put a hand to his forehead. There was a sharp pain and he saw an image again. It traveled too fast through his mind, so he didn't make out what it was. Harry opened his eyes again. Now his vision had parted into three.
Hospital Wing... he thought.
But before Harry could get up to walk the length to Madame Pomfrey's room, he swooned and passed out.
* * *
The next morning, Ron woke up late. He groaned to himself. Why hadn't Harry woken him up?
Ron quickly got out of bed. He scanned the room sullenly. No one was in it except... Harry.
"Harry!" Ron yelled, frustrated at his friend. "Come on! We're late!"
Harry didn't move. He didn't respond.
Ron muttered and started toward Harry's four-poster bed.
"We're always late," Ron hissed. "Hermione will have a fit!"
He got close to Harry who was turned away from him.
"Harry!" Ron was getting impatient. He shook his friend's shoulder attempting to awaken him.
Ron groaned again and rolled his eyes. When he looked back down at Harry, he noticed that he was still wearing his robes and the clothes he wore yesterday.
Why'd he forget to change? Ron thought to himself.
He bent over closer and hissed in Harry's ear.
"Wake up!"
Ron began to feel afraid. Why was Harry ignoring him?
"Harry... please..." Ron said tentatively.
Is he..?
Ron grabbed Harry's wrist and felt for a pulse.
"Come on... Come on!" he muttered.
At last, he found his friend's weak pulse. Ron drew in his breath quickly and ran out of the room. He hopped down the stairs and hurried to the Great Hall.
Hermione glared as Ron entered. "You're late!" she said angrily.
"Hermione..." Ron gasped.
"Where's Harry? Why didn't you wake him up?"
"Hemione," Ron raised his voice.
She ignored it. "He's going to be late! He's going to get in trouble..."
"HERMIONE!" Ron shouted.
She recoiled with wide eyes. The rest of the Gryffindors paused and turned to face Ron.
"Hermione... come on..." Ron whispered.
"Ron?" she asked.
"Hurry! The Gryffindor dormitories!"
Hermione stayed rooted to the spot. Ron lost his patience and grabbed her wrist, pulling her out of her chair.
"Ron! We're going to be late for class!" she shouted as he steered her hastily out of the Great Hall.
"What's going on? Is anything the matter?" Hermione questioned as they ran down a hall.
Ron managed to gasp, "Harry!"
Hermione looked startled but the news got her to speed up. She quickly followed Ron back to the portrait of the fat lady.
"Dipplewink..." Hermione panted.
"What on earth are you-" the fat lady started.
"DIPPLEWINK! Now open up!" Ron practically screamed.
The painting swung open, revealing the entrance to the common room. Ron and Hermione clambered in running straight up the stairs to the boys' dorms. From behind them, they heard Vetil's small voice.
"Wait! Ron!" he shouted.
They ignored his cries and ran to the dormitory entrance. Ron hurried in but Hermione hesitated.
"Ron... it's..." she started, but made up her mind and quickly followed her friend.
During the time that Ron had been gone, Harry had woken up to an empty room. He stood up on shaky legs right as Ron ran in.
"Huh? Ron?" he said stupidly.
Ron caught Harry right as he stumbled and fell.
"Wha..." Harry murmured.
"Come on, Harry! Hospital wing..." Ron groaned.
"I feel sick..." Harry muttered thickly.
"That's 'cause you are," Ron stated.
Vetil entered the dormitory right then. He stood by the door for a second; then he walked toward Ron with questioning eyes.
"Oh! What's wrong with-" he started.
"Move!" Ron growled.
Vetil scurried aside as Ron moved toward the exit pulling Harry along with him.
Hermione abruptly started to ask questions. "Did you eat something bad? Did someone hex you? Did you get cursed? How do you feel? Do you have side pains? Are you nauseous?"
"I..." Harry said.
Ron interrupted. "Hermione! Be quiet!" Ron said. He then added, "Can you help?"
Hermione blinked. "Oh, yeah! Sorry."
She ran to Harry's other side and supported hi there.
"Perhaps we should get a teacher..." Hermione suggested.
"Yeah? Go get one then!" Ron said loudly.
Hermione fell silent partly because of Ron's bad temper and because they were going up a flight of stairs and dragging Harry along was hard. Harry stumbled every step he took.
At the top of the stairs, Harry fainted again.
"Are we close?" Ron asked.
"Yeah. It's right over there..."
Suddenly, from behind them Vetil's voice rang out again.
"You don't have to carry him you know?" Vetil said, coming up from behind them.
"Oh yeah? You do something then!" Ron said through gritted teeth.
Vetil took out his wand and waved it, whispering some words.
Ron and Hermione abruptly felt Harry's weight disintegrate.
"What?" Ron started. He looked to his right and let go of Harry. But Harry didn't fall. He was floating about a foot above the ground.
"Y-y-you-" Ron stammered, turning toward Vetil.
"I told you that you didn't have to carry him." Vetil smiled.
He walked forward, flicking his wand up. Harry floated forward also.
Ron and Hermione stared at each other, at Vetil, then back at each other; both with their eyes wide open.
"H-How'd you do that?" Hermione squeaked.
"Simple," Vetil said and walked toward the Hospital Wing.
* * *
Harry woke up feeling very dizzy. He blinked and the room came in focus. He realized that it was the Hospital Wing. Harry had been here many times, but why was he here now?
Madame Pomfrey entered. She looked at Harry and exclaimed, "Oh! You're awake!"
"Yeah... Er," Harry paused and looked around at himself. "Why am I here?"
Madame Pomfrey raised an eyebrow at him. "I was hoping that you could explain that to me..." she said. "Mr. Weasley and Ms. Granger brought you in this morning. You have been unconscious for about six hours."
Harry sat up quickly and yelled, "I've missed class!"
He tried to get out of the bed but Madame Pomfrey pushed him back.
"I have informed your teachers of your absence," she said.
"But..."
"You are in no condition to go to class."
"I feel fine!" Harry said.
"Really?" Madame Pomfrey asked, looking at him strangely.
Harry nodded his head quickly.
"You don't have a headache, a stomachache, dizziness... anything?" she questioned.
"No!" Harry said firmly. "I feel fine!"
The nurse sighed.
"Well... can I go now?" Harry asked, about to get up from the bed.
"No!" Madame Pomfrey stated. "I have to check that you are really fine! If you have a virus, you'll spread it around the school!"
* * *
At dinner, Ron and Hermione waited impatiently. They kept glancing around the Great Hall for any signs of their friend. Harry had not showed up for any classes and they hadn't seen him ever since Vetil levitated him to the Hospital Wing. Madame Pomfrey had ushered them out and told them to go to class.
Suddenly, Ron heard Hermione squeal, "Harry!"
Ron turned to his left and saw Harry, looking fine, making his way over to the Gryffindor table. He sat down beside Ron and smiled.
"Are you okay?" Ron asked.
"Yeah. I feel fine," Harry answered while reaching out his hand to get some food.
Ron and Hermione only stared at him.
"You didn't look fine this morning..." Hermione said.
"Well... I don't know what happened. When I woke up in the Hospital Wing, I didn't feel sick."
Ron shrugged. "I guess there's something bad going around..." he said tersely.
Harry looked at him. "By the way.... What did happen this morning?" he asked his two friends.
So, Hermione and Ron spent about five minutes telling Harry how sick he was.
"...And then Vetil did this spell and you floated all the way to the Hospital Wing," Ron ended.
"Oh," Harry said, looking down the table at where Vetil was sitting. The first year seemed interested in the ceiling because he just sat there gazing at it in awe.
Then, Harry noticed the small girl he saw when they first arrived at Hogwarts. She was seated next to Vetil, and she was looking right at him. Harry shivered involuntarily and turned back to his two friends.
"Vetil must be really smart," Hermione said. "He's only a first year and he can already levitate people and perform the summoning charm."
"Yeah. Remember that's how Sirius moved Snape when he had been knocked out by our disarming charm?" Harry added.
Ron nodded. "Speaking of Snape... you missed your first Defense Against the Dark Arts class today and you should be glad."
"Snape thought that you were skipping class again and took ten points off of Gryffindor even after we told him that you were at the Hospital Wing." Hermione said.
Ron rolled his eyes. "Snape said, 'he is in charge of coming to class, sick or not'."
Hermione sighed. "We learned about giants today. Here are some notes for you to copy." She handed him a parchment filled with writing.
Harry looked down at Hermione's small, neat handwriting and he groaned.
"Why are we learning about giants?" he asked.
"Well... maybe because some of them are on You-Know-Who's side now," Hermione answered.
"Oh, yeah. Isn't Percy doing a report on that?" Harry said.
"Yeah," Ron answered.
"Did you two hear about Azkaban?" Hermione asked.
The two boys shook their heads.
"Oh. Well... it was taken over by You-Know-Who two days ago."
Ron and Harry stared at Hermione.
"Well," she continued, "He freed his supporters and now the dementors are on his side."
Harry shivered a little, remembering the dementors and their soul-sucking mouths. When they got close to someone, all the happiness around that person would disappear, leaving nothing but horrible thoughts and memories. Harry shook his head to make the thoughts disappear. He didn't want to think about what Voldemort could enable the dementors to do.
"Harry."
He turned to look at Ron.
"Yeah?" he asked.
"We can go back to the Gryffindor Common Room now.'
"Oh. Okay. Let's go," Harry said, getting up.
"And," Hermione added, "you have to finish copying my note."
"I will!" Harry told her. "Don't worry!"
* * *
Back in the Gryffindor Common Room, Ron and Harry played chess while Hermione continued to read her large book.
"Checkmate!" Ron yelled happily.
"Again, as usual," Harry laughed.
"Yeah. You've lost to me like...what? A million times?"
The two boys laughed again, but they were quickly silenced by Hermione's look that clearly stated, "Be quiet!"
Ron set the chessboard up again and said, "Play again?"
"Er," Harry started.
"Can I play?" a voice sounded from behind them. They spun around to see Vetil making his way toward the two of them.
Ron looked at him, then at Harry. Harry nodded and Ron hesitantly said, "Yes," still staring at harry.
Vetil grinned as he came closer to them. He sat down in Harry's spot after Harry got up from his seat. Immediately the pieces started shouting.
"Who's that?" they cried.
"Don't trust him!"
"Does he know how to play chess?"
Harry laughed at the astonished look on Vetil's face and said, "Ignore them. They all hate me because I'm bad at chess."
Vetil smiled and said, "Well, I was good at muggle chess but..."
"Oh! This is just like that," harry assured him.
Vetil's smile widened. "Alright then! I might be okay at it!"
Harry left Ron and Vetil to play their chess game and walked over to Hermione.
"What are you reading?" he asked her.
"Oh!" Hermione looked up. "The many phases of the moon and their meanings," she said.
"That's... interesting..." Harry commented.
Hermione smiled. "You and Ron should read more. It really is good for you."
"Yeah. Uh-huh."
"You might want to read this one. They have very interesting descriptions and stories on the moon and the sky," and with that, Hermione stuck her head back in the book.
"Hermione," Harry hesitated. Did he really want to? "I think that I am going to the library."
Hermione dropped her book. THUD. Ron and Vetil looked up as Hermione screeched, "Whaaat?"
"Er... I'm going to look up a book to read about-"
"Is it for school?" Hermione interrupted.
"No..."
"Are you suddenly interested in the world of literature?" Hermione seemed to be getting excited.
"No. I just need to," Harry paused. How should he say it? "I just need to look up something."
Hermione blinked. She said, "Fine. I'm going with you."
Ron stared at Harry with a baffled expression as Hermione and he left.
As they opened the portrait hole, Harry clearly heard Vetil say, "Checkmate."
Ron screamed, "What!"
The sound echoed in the hallway but was quickly cut off when Hermione closed the portrait hole.
They quickly made their way to the library and walked in.
"Harry? What's this about?" Hermione asked. She sounded like she really wanted to know.
"Well, I'm going to look up something about green gems."
Hermione raised her eyebrows in question. "What for?" she asked.
"Well, I've been having these strange dreams where there's this green gem shaped kind of like a skull..."
Hermione drew in her breath. "Harry. I read about green gems a bit. They usually posses dark powers, especially ones that are shaped as dark figures."
"Well, I think that it has something to do with Voldemort 'cause I saw him in one of my dreams. The stone changed into him..." Harry told her.
"Well," Hermione said, looking at the books in the shelves. "I suppose that we could check out these books, but I doubt they'll have anything useful. It's most likely going to be in the restricted section."
Harry shrugged. "Well... there's always my invisibility cloak..."
"Yes, but let's try these books first," Hermione said quickly.
"Okay."
After going through the books about gems and stones, crystals and rocks, they didn't find anything. The two friends made their way back up to Gryffindor Tower with their spirits low. Ron had gone to bed and when Harry said goodnight to Hermione, he made a decision to use his father's old invisibility cloak again.