bronzedragon5
Chapter 5

When Harry awoke, it took him a moment to realize where he was and how he got there. Feeling oddly refreshed, he swung his legs over the Infirmary bed and started to walk to the door.

"Oh no you don't, Mr. Potter," Madam Pomfrey's voice rang out. "You have been asleep for about twenty four hours, and your body is not ready for so much action after such a long sleep--"

"Twenty four hours?!" Harry gasped.

Madam Pomfrey walked over to him and managed a small smile. "Yes, twenty four hours. Now lay back in bed or I'll be forced to keep you in here longer." Harry reluctantly climbed back into his bed but refused to lay down. "Just sit tight," Madam Pomfrey told him firmly, and she walked away.

Harry gazed around the Wing for a moment and wondered how long he would have to stay here. Then he remembered that Snape had sent him here. Why Snape? Where did he find, in his dislike--no, make that hatred--of Harry, to send him to the Wing?

"Good afternoon, Harry." a voice from the shadows said, and Harry turned his head to see a smiling Dumbledore.

"Er--good afternoon," Harry replied, caught off guard. Dumbledore came and sat on the edge of his bed and Harry asked bluntly, "Was I really in here for a day?"

Dumbledore nodded. "Indeed you were." After a moment of silence, he added, "The Professors have informed me that you have been nodding off in class."

"It won't happen again," Harry said sheepishly. He knew that Dumbledore was trying to get him to open up and confess the guilt on his conciounce, but he didn't feel like doing it just now.

Dumbledore, of course, saw right through him, but he merely said, "Very well." He reached a hand into his robes and handed Harry a small brown pouch. Puzzled, Harry stared at it. "It's a Sleeping Draught. It is not as strong as a dreamless sleep potion, as you might be aware, but it does allow you to sleep peacefully." he explained.

Harry opened the strings to see a fine yellow powder. "Just add water to a small amount--and I stress the word small--in a goblet and drink directly. You will be able to sleep peacefully..." Dumbledore's voice trailed off, and his expression became serious. "If you ever need to tell me anything, Harry, I'm always here."

Harry opened his mouth to reply, but Dumbledore strode from the Wing and left, leaving him pondering over his last statement.

***

About two weeks before Halloween, Katie Bell came up to Harry during breakfast in the Great Hall. "McGonagall wants to see us all before classes today. We have to elect a new Captain for the Quidditch team and find a new Keeper," she said, grinning as she talked about her favorite sport. Harry, who was just as excited as she was, if not more, nodded eagerly and stood up.

"I'm going now. You?"

"Sure," Katie replied, and together the left breakfast and walked across the many halls and up a staircase to McGonagall's office. She knocked and without waiting for an answer, pushed the door open and entered. Harry saw the fellow members of the team: Angelina and Alicia (Chasers along with Katie) plus Fred and George (Beaters).

McGonagall was sitting behind her desk and she said briskly, "Good, you're all here. Now, Oliver Wood left and he was Captain and Keeper. We'll deal with the Keeper business later, but before any matches, you need a Captain. The Captain has to have leadership qualities, does not mind the responsibilty of managing practices, and is overall a good player. Any nominations?"

No one offered anyone for a moment. Angelina finally said, "How about Harry?"

Harry was stunned. "Me? No, I couldn't--"

"It makes sense, Harry. We all have N.E.W.T.S this year so we won't have a lot of time. You have the O.W.L.S, but they're not as excruciating as ours. We'll also be graduating this year. If you're Captain, you have all this year to train he new Keeper and next year to find a new team." Katie protested.

Harry thought about it and secretly agreed, but he said, "I don't think--I'm not as experienced as you all--I'm only a fifth year--"

"So? Wood was Captain when he was fifth year," George interupted. "Come on, Harry," he continued impatiently, "Just accept it. It's Quidditch Captain! It's a high honor!"

Yes, Harry thought, it's a high honor. That's why I don't want to take it...more fame...he could imagine Ron's fake cheerfulness and jealously...

"Your desicion, 'O honorable Seeker?" Fred said, mock-bowing.

Harry gave in and said, "Okay, okay! I'll be Captain."

McGonagall, who had been silent through the whole ordeal, gave her own thin-lipped smile. "I hope you will lead us to another victory for the Cup, Potter. Stay after a moment and see me; the rest of you are dismissed." Everyone filed out of the room, clapping their hands on his back and congradulating him while he sat, a big grin on his face. He ignored what would become of his desicion, right now he was just happy--after all, he was Quidditch Captain!

"Right then," McGonagall said, facing Harry once more. "Here is a list of reponsibilities that you must fufill. Tryouts for Keeper will commerce on the date you and the rest of the team decide. You will have to put the notice up in the Gryffindor common room..." She went on and on, explaining everything that he needed to know. Harry hardly listened, he was too busy imagining winning the Cup again at the end of the year--everyone would be proud of him for leading the team to victory--they would all praise him--and a certain face stood out in the crowd, shining with admiration. This figure had no face, it was too blurred with people jostling her, but she had fiery red hair...

"Potter? Harry--you can leave now," McGonagall cut through his daydream. Harry shook himself, thanked her, and walked from the room. He looked at his watch (which he had fixed during his time at the Dursleys) and saw that he could go back to the Great Hall--breakfast still had about ten minutes before it was over.

So he walked back down the stairs and hallways to the giant doors of the Great Hall, which he opened and started walking to the Gryffindor table. Immediatley upon seeing him, the table broke into cheers. The team must have already told them all the great news. Everyone wanted to shake his hand and personally congradulate him. Harry couldn't help but be amazed--yesterday they all though he was unstable, now they were acting like he was their hero. The Creevey brothers swarmed around Harry like dogs and begged to know when the tryouts were, how it felt to be Captain, what he would do next.

"We'll win with Harry as Captain!" Colin shouted, and Dennis backed him up with a triumphant, "Yeah!"

With heat rising to his face, Harry spotted Ron and Hermione talking near the end of the table. He quickly walked over and took a seat by Ron. "Hi."

"Harry! Is it true? You're Quidditch Captain?" Hermione asked in excitment. Harry nodded. "Oh this is so much responsibilty! With our O.W.L.S this year plus Quidditch, you're going to have so much work! How will you ever get it all done?" she gushed. Seeing Harry's annoyed look, she added, "And way to go, it's quite a respectable position."

Harry diverted his attention over to Ron. He hadn't said anything yet, and Harry was starting to think that it was going to be another fight like last year. He tapped Ron on the shoulder to indicate his presense there and said (a little nervously), "Hey Ron."

Ron turned his head and to Harry's relief wore a grin. "You big git, you're Quiddicth Captain! This is great--Fred and George came bursting in here shouting something about you and Quidditch, then the girls came in and told us the whole story--how could you have even tried to refuse?" he went on.

To put it mildly, Gryffindor was happy that day.

***

Halloween started out like any other day. The house elves made a splendid breakfast, and classes were the same as always--the professors were getting them prepared for the O.W.L.S, so there was a lot of homework. Potions was, as usual, unbearable: Neville's Sickening Sweet Solution was a bright neon orange instead of the supposed to be purple, and Gryffindor lost fifteen points for it.

Professor Delacour's class, up until that point, had been reviewing the history of the Dark Arts, and to be honest it was almost worst than History of Magic. The boys couldn't stop drooling over her, Ron included. In fact, the only people who weren't charmed by her beauty were Harry (he couldn't block out the painful memories) and the girls. But on Halloween, there was a different lesson.

"I have brought anozzer Boggart for you all to face," she declared. "You vill go into the next room and face it alone. If you need help, call for azzitance."

Everyone went in one at a time and emerged triumphant. Neville's was particularly long, he took ten minutes to come back, but never the less he had conquered it. Harry sat in the lesson thinking what his would turn into--it certainly wouldn't be a Boggart anymore. As Ron's name was called, he realized the sickening truth--it would be Voldemort.

Image or no image, Harry wasn't in the mood to see him again...those red eyes gleaming, nostrils flaring...

"Harry Potter," Fluer called out, and he shakily got to his feet and entered the room. When he opened the door he braced himself for Voldemort...and when he saw what was standing there, the door suddenly closed behind him and he gasped. It wasn't Voldemort, like he thought.

He was facing his parents.

Harry saw his mother with her bright green eyes and flaming red hair. He saw his father with messy black hair and glasses. They were standing together, holding hands. They paid no notice of Harry, who was watching them in amazement. Leaning forward, they kissed.

He didn't know how long he stood there, silenting watching them. He didn't care. He just didn't want to leave. He wanted to stay there forever...

"Harry? Are you all right?" Fluer's voice sang into the room. It was flooded with light, and his parents suddenly dissappeared. Instead, Harry found himself facing Fluer. "Come on," Fluer said gently, and she led him out of the room. He took his seat between Ron and Hermione and tried to stop shaking.

"Harry? You don't look so good. You're all pale..." Hermione's voice trailed off as the professor started talking, assigning them their homework. She dismissed them, and before anyone could ask, Harry jumped out of his seat. Then they left, heading down for the Great Hall to have dinner. They didn't talk to each other...Ron and Hermione had the feeling that he didn't want to talk, and Harry was grateful for it.

There was a giant crowd in front of the doors, but no one was moving. No one was talking, either. Even the professors were silent. They were all staring up at the ceiling. The trio looked up at the enchanted ceiling, too, and saw a gaint message printed in red. It said:

Fifteen years ago I killed Lily and James Potter. Harry Potter is next.

Suddenly, two figures appeared in the center of the hall. Harry immediatley recognized the same kinds of "echoes" he saw when Voldemort's wand connected with his own. He also recognized who they were--he just saw them no less than five minutes ago. It was the echoes of Lily and James Potter once again.

They stood staring at the group in front of them, not making a sound. Without warning, they burst into flames and no one could see anything because of a thick smoke around them. When the smoke cleared, they were gone.