1.1 Chapter 11
The Power of Love
Unfortunately for Draco, Ron Weasley was the first person to spot him trying to carry Holly to the hospital wing.
'What the fuck did you do to her, Malfoy?' Ron walked up to Draco. 'Actually don't answer that question I'm not ready for the sick answer you'll probably give me.'
'I didn't do anything Weasley now let me through,' But Ron blocked the way until Harry and Hermione turned up.
'What the…' Hermione said. Harry stood staring at the unconscious form of Holly in Draco's arms.
'What happened Malfoy?' Harry asked.
'I don't know but all I know is that we have to get her to the hospital wing now,' Draco looked at Harry. 'Something tells me that this is serious Harry.' Harry was genuinely stunned. Draco had called him by his first name without trace of sarcasm or ill intent.
'I don't believe that you had nothing to do with this,' Ron Weasely was furious.
'Can't you use your single brain cell for once in your life Weasely? Would I hurt Holly intentionally given the fact that I love her hmm? Would I?' Ron reluctantly agreed that Draco had nothing to do with it directly.
'Would you help me carry her Harry? She's getting heavy.' If to prove his own point, Draco staggered backward under Holly's weight. Harry nodded.
'Hermione, go up ahead and inform Madam Pomfrey we're coming. Ron you go too.' After Hermione and Ron left, Harry turned to Draco.
'And Draco, we'll carry Holly.' And so an event happened. A once in a lifetime event it seemed at the time. Harry and Draco helped each other carry Holly to the hospital wing and were on first name terms.
Albus Dumbledore was waiting for them as they arrived. As Draco opened his mouth to explain, Albus held his hand up.
'You don't need to explain just yet. Get her into one of the beds.' And so Holly was placed in one of wing beds.
'So what the bloody hell happened Malfoy?' Ron was still seething. Draco was reluctant to reply. To explain what happened outside was to explain his life. His horrid experiences. The thing that played on his nightmares. He couldn't do it. And to say that Holly had kissed him for the second time that year was signing his death warrant. Because if Harry didn't kill him Ron would. Albus sensed Draco was uncomfortable.
'Maybe if you three wouldn't mind leaving us, Draco could explain it to me first to ease his nerves,' The three agreed and left the hospital wing.
'I know what happened outside I saw it. I also know what happened in the past.' Draco was shocked. How did Dumbledore know?
'I know your father killed Lee and Elizabeth Ryan because Charlie told me. I know about your relationship with Holly because of a little research,' Draco looked interested so Dumbledore carried on. 'I summoned a ghost. This ghost used to be Holly's sort of diary. Holly would tell it everything. And she did.'
'Then why did you say to explain it to you first Sir?' Draco was puzzled.
'Ah…That was another thing. I lied. I wanted to reassure you that Harry, Hermione and Ron, however little you think of them will understand if you tell them.' Draco nodded.
'I'm off to tell them.'
Holly opened her eyes slowly. She was in the hospital wing. The first person that came to her mind was Draco. She sat up.
'Ah you're awake now I see,' Madam Pomfrey came over. 'How you feeling love?'
'A little groggy but ok,' Holly rubbed her head, the bracelet scratching lightly against her forehead. She rubbed her neck, feeling the necklace chain beneath her fingers.
'What time is it?' Holly asked.
'It's eight o'clock in the evening love,'
'Can I see...' Holly stopped herself from saying Draco. 'Can I see Harry?'
'Can't see why not I'll send for him,' She clapped her hands and a school owl came fluttering through the window. She scribbled a note and tied it to the owl's leg. 'Now take this to Dumbledore, he'll send you to Harry,' she said to the owl and the owl flew back out the window. A few minutes later, Harry came through the door.
'I'm so glad you're awake,' Harry said rushing forward and hugging Holly. But before Holly could answer, Dumbledore came into the wing.
'Well, now you're awake I think its high time we make this clear. Holly, do you recall not exactly what happened, we got that from Draco, but why it happened?' Holly thought about it for a while.
'I had conflicting emotions Sir. It must have been the final dose before I overloaded' Holly answered.
'Yes, you had a small overload. Any bigger and you, in the worst case scenario, would have died.' Albus suddenly smiled, the affectionate twinkle returning in his eye. 'And that would have been a disaster for the house cheerleading team.'
'Am I allowed to leave now?' Holly asked. Albus looked toward Madam Pomfrey.
'If it's ok with Madam Pomfrey,' he replied.
'You seem fine enough love. If you want to you can leave.' Madam Pomfrey smiled.
Harry and Holly entered the common room. It was empty, as most of the Gryffindors had decided on an early night.
'That bracelet…Draco gave it to you didn't he?' Harry asked. Holly didn't reply.
'Why don't you take it off?' Harry asked.
'Because I don't want to,' Holly replied.
'Why? You don't love him.' Harry caught the look in Holly's eyes. 'You don't do you?'
'I love Michael.'
'Draco isn't Michael anymore!' Harry shouted.
'Ok so Michael's not there anymore I'm allowed to remember him aren't I?' Holly shouted back, tears rolling down her cheeks.
'I'm…I'm sorry Holly,' Harry said, taking Holly in his arms. The next thing they knew they were on the couch, kissing passionately. Robes were coming off. And just as it was getting heated, Hedwig flew through the window and dropped a letter by Harry.
'Ignore it,' Holly said, kissing Harry's neck. But Harry didn't and got up. He skim read the letter.
'It's from Ron. He wants me to meet him by the beech tree alone. It sounds important.' Harry got dressed again and walked towards the couch, where Holly was still lying. 'I'm sorry,' he said kissing her on the head.
'That's ok,' she smiled and kissed him properly. 'I'll go to bed.' She got up, got changed and went to the girls' dormitory, leaving Harry to make his way down to the beech tree.
When he got there, he couldn't see anyone. Then suddenly…
'You believed the letter I see,' Harry spun around. There he saw a tall hooded figure with glowing red eyes.
'Who… who are you?' Harry stammered.
'Don't you know my boy? Why Harry I am shamed to hear that you have already forgotten our last meeting when your friend so sadly died.' With that Harry already knew whom he was dealing with. Lord Voldemort.
'How…how…' Harry was scared. He backed up, planning to run.
'You're not going anywhere young Potter,' Harry felt as though his feet were rooted to the spot. 'I know what you mean. Imperius Curse my dear boy. Cast it on your redhead friend. Quite an easy target.' Harry watched Voldemort reach for his wand and bring it out from the folds of his cloak. How he wished he had his wand now. 'Now what shall I put on you as a starter? I know how about Crucio!' Harry felt the most searing jerking pain he had ever felt in his life. He was screaming wildly. He felt himself fall to the ground.
'Finite Incantem' The pain washed away and Harry lay on the ground twitching. 'Now finally my boy you will know what it feels like to die at the wand of Lord Voldemort!' As he raised his wand though…
'NO!' Both Harry and Voldemort turned to see Holly standing there.
'Ah I see I will hit two birds with one stone. Finish what Lucius couldn't complete.' But whatever Voldemort was imagining, it could never have been what happened next.
'You call yourself the greatest wizard on earth but I have four words that will destroy you beyond belief.' Holly shouted.
'And what are they Little Miss Telepathus hmm?'
'I love Harry Potter.' The shrill yell that rent the night sky caused Harry to clasp his hands to his ears.
'Is it hurting Voldemort? You deserve it all. I can show you how much I love Harry if you want,' Holly spotted a dagger in the folds of Voldemort's cloak. She pulled her wand from her cloak and concentrated on the dagger before pointing the wand toward it and saying 'Accio!' The dagger flew through the air and Holly caught it. 'Ready for this Voldemort? Are you ready to die slowly?' She shouted. Before an answer could be said, Holly slashed at her arms with the dagger, rich red blood pouring out of deep gashes. Harry felt faint. His vision was becoming blurred. All he heard was Holly's screams and shouts of 'I love Harry Potter' and the blood curdling howls of Lord Voldemort before he passed out completely.
'She's waking.' Holly heard Harry.
'No, she's not her eyes are closed,' Then Ron.
'Don't be thick I saw her twitch,' Hermione.
'Yep her eyes definitely twitched,' Draco.
'Keep out of this Malfoy,' Ron.
'I'm sorry Weasley but it has seemed to escape that goldfish memory of yours that I care about Holly too.' Draco again.
'Shut your gobs the both of ya,' Holly said finally giving up on dozing and opening her eyes.
'Oh Holly we were so worried about you,' Hermione said taking Holly's hand. 'All the gashes…the blood…we thought you weren't going to make it.'
'Well here I am you don't get rid of me that easily.' Holly risked a glance at her arms. Madam Pomfrey had used a charm to stitch them up but the gashes weren't totally invisible. Charlie suddenly ran in.
'God Holly I'm so glad you're alive!' Charlie flung herself at Holly and the sisters hugged each other.
'I'm ok Chazz don't worry,'
'Don't worry! That's rich! You slashed yourself up with a dagger!' Holly then caught Harry's eye.
'Thanks Holly, for saving me,' Harry said.
'Anything for you Harry,' Charlie stepped aside so Harry and Holly could kiss. Draco couldn't take it and walked outside.
'How did you know Harry was in trouble?' Hermione asked.
'I dunno. I was dozing in bed and I suddenly got this sorta sixth sense thing that told me to go to the beech tree and take a wand.' Holly replied.
'Damn it Harry I'm sorry I shoulda fought the Imperius Curse I almost got you killed!' Ron sat down and put his head in his hands, shielding his face from view.
'Don't worry Ron it wasn't your fault,' Harry sat next to him. Ron lifted his face up to reveal tears.
'It feels like it was,'
'Voldemort…Sorry You-Know-Who…is a very powerful wizard. I only get out by the skin of my teeth. So don't feel bad.' Ron smiled. Harry had made him feel a lot better. Harry got up.
'I think we'd better go now,' he said, not particularly because he wanted to but he knew Draco wanted to see Holly as well.
'But..' Hermione was silenced as she saw Harry nod towards the door, where Draco was standing outside.
'Could you send Draco in Harry?' Holly asked. And as the four Gryffindors filed out, Harry sent the Slytherin in. Draco sat by Holly's bed. He debated on whether to take her hand but Holly took his hand.
'I know what you're thinking Draco. And yes I would do anything for you too. Just because I'm not in love with you doesn't mean I don't love you.' Holly said. Draco smiled.
'You nearly made me break my promise you know,' he said.
'What the one where you said you'd never cry?'
' That one too. No, the one where I said I'd never lose you,' Draco said, pushing back a loose strand of hair from Holly's face behind her ear.
'You will never lose me Draco,' Holly said.
'Never?'
'Never.'
2 Early hours of the morning
Holly was aware that someone was standing over her. She flicked her eyes open. She went to scream but nothing came out.
'No point in trying Holly, the charm won't let you make a single noise,' Voldemort said. 'You know why I am here my dear. If I kill you, I can kill Harry.' Voldemort spotted Holly's stitches.
'Ah your symbols of love, oh my poor dear did you know that love can hurt?' And it seemed without a wand, Voldemort opened the gashes. Suffering pain in silence Holly found was the worst possible torture. At least if you could scream, half the pain would disappear in the scream and someone may come to take the pain away.
But she wasn't suffering in complete silence. Two boys heard her silent screams and awoke from their slumbers.
'And did you know Holly that even if your wonderful Potter turns up, a few slashes to his arm will not save you this time. My body is now immune to it.' Voldemort seemed to be enjoying Holly's torture.
'Your body and mind will never be immune to the power of love, the strongest counter curse,' Holly found she could still communicate telepathically.
'Ah I see my charm did not put a gag on your mind chatter,' Voldemort said. But before Holly could send a message to anyone, Harry came bounding through the door.
'Ah here comes the wonderful Harry Potter,' Voldemort turned towards Harry. 'As I have already told Holly here, a few slashes to an arm will not save her or you.' Harry looked at Holly. He had to do something. Suddenly the sound of phoenix song filled the room. Fawkes, Albus Dumbledore's phoenix, dropped the Sorting Hat at Harry's feet. Harry knew what he had to do. So when he pulled out the Great Godric Gryffindor sword he wasn't surprised.
'Hah, what is that? That won't help,' But before Voldemort could do anything Harry raised the sword.
'If a few slashes won't help will this?' He simply said before chopping his hand off. This seemed to be the catalyst that broke the spell on Holly. She screamed and cried. Voldemort suddenly disappeared. Albus Dumbledore and Madam Pomfrey came in and switched the light on.
'My God! What happened?' Madam Pomfrey ran to the aid of Harry who wasn't screaming just sitting on the floor in silent shock watching the blood dripping from his stump at the end of his arm.
'Harry! Oh my God Harry!' Holly shouted and sobbed, the pain of the bleeding gashes forgotten. 'Harry! Your hand…it's…Oh my God! Harry!' And however much Dumbledore tried to comfort her it wasn't working. And after Madam Pomfrey had administered a sleeping potion and a re-growth potion on Harry, she came over to deal with Holly's gashes. And although she did that very well, she had no more luck than Dumbledore in calming Holly down.
'Harry! Oh my God!' Holly was still shouting.
'Shh Holly, it's ok love,' Madam Pomfrey tried to comfort her. But Holly wouldn't let her touch her.
'It seems she is devastated by this,' Albus sat down stroking his beard as he thought.
'What to do?' Madam Pomfrey asked.
'Let me try,' the two adults turned their heads to see Draco Malfoy.
'If you think you can Draco,' Albus said and stood aside. Draco sat on the bed.
'Harry! Oh my God!' Holly was still shouting and sobbing.
'Shh don't worry Mike's here,' And with those words Holly let herself be taken into Draco's arms even though she was still sobbing and shouting.
'Harry! His hand! It's…'
'Shhh,' Draco said, rocking Holly slowly, cradling her like a little baby. 'Mike won't let anyone hurt you.'
'Is he gone?' Holly said.
'Yes he has,' Draco replied, still cradling her.
'Is Harry…'
'Harry's gonna be ok,'
'I'm scared Mike,'
'Don't be, I'm here and I won't let anything hurt you,' Holly looked up. Only a tear now and then would course down her face. She smiled and snuggled her head back into Draco. Draco sat stroking her hair. After a while he looked at Dumbledore.
'She's asleep Sir,' Draco said. Madam Pomfrey and Albus Dumbledore looked at Draco in amazement. This young boy had taken a devastated screaming girl who had just witnessed her boyfriend cut off his hand and helped her sleep like a baby.
'Ok thank you Draco,' Dumbledore said.
'Will Harry be ok?' Draco asked.
'He'll be fine. Luckily he hasn't lost a lot of blood and the re-growth potion will make sure his hand grows right back to the way it was. The sleeping potion will make sure he won't feel any pain.' Madam Pomfrey replied. As Draco got up to leave though…
'Where you going?' Holly woke up and all three of them could see that she was scared.
'Nowhere,' Draco said sitting on the armchair next to the bed. Albus and Madam Pomfrey looked at each other. Madam Pomfrey nodded and brought a pillow and a duvet for Draco. After Holly was sure that Draco wasn't going anywhere, she fell back to sleep again. Madam Pomfrey went to her room next to the hospital wing. Dumbledore looked back just before he left.
'Sleep well Draco and look after Holly,' he said.
'I will Sir,' Draco got up but only to kiss Holly on the forehead. 'I will,'
6am
Draco woke up. He looked at his watch. 06:00 read the red digits. He got up to leave. Maybe Holly wouldn't notice. But he was wrong…
'You're trying to leave I know it,' Holly said and opened her eyes.
'Guilty as charged,' Draco replied.
'Thought you were protecting me hmm?'
'I am!'
'Don't worry Draco I know. You're wondering what will happen when the Slytherins wake up and see you're gone.'
'You trying to give me a life sentence woman?' Holly laughed. She turned her head toward Draco.
'Do you remember that chocolate cake you used to make?' Holly asked him.
'What Mikey's Chocotastic Cake? You bet I do. You used to love it. What about that game we used to play in the woods?'
'What Goblins and Gremlins? Yea that was fun,' and this conversation carried on until Holly dropped off to sleep. Draco smiled.
'I love you Holly,' he said before going to sleep himself.
8am
Harry woke up. The surprising thing was he could still feel his hand. He glanced down at his hand. It was there! He shot up. Was it all a dream? It couldn't have been, he was in the hospital wing. Madam Pomfrey came in.
'Ah, the re-growth potion worked I see,' She came up to him.
'Holly? Is she ok?' Harry asked.
Yes she's over there.' Harry followed Madam Pomfrey's pointing finger and saw Holly lying asleep on a bed with Draco Malfoy sleeping on the armchair beside her.
'What's Draco doing here Madam Pomfrey?' Harry asked.
'He came along shortly after you cut your hand off. He worked miracles with Holly. She was in a right state and Professor Dumbledore and I couldn't calm her down. Then he turns up and calms her down immediately.' Before Harry could answer any more questions, Ron, Hermione and Charlie came running in demanding the story from the horse's mouth so to speak.
3 Breakfast
Holly and Harry were told that they were free to leave the hospital wing so after they had changed they went down to breakfast. Holly was bored. Harry was too busy answering questions about the night before, Charlie was canoodling with Ollie, and Ron and Hermione seemed to be playing footsie under the table. She sighed. Then suddenly the mail started arriving. A school owl dropped a box in front of her. She opened it to find a letter and a piece of chocolate cake. She read the letter:
Holly,
Things have changed over the past four years but I'm sure you haven't lost your love for chocolate! So I made you Mikey's Chocotastic Cake as an ode to all the good times. I sent you one piece as a trial. Just owl me back when you want the rest! I hope just because we're in Slytherin and Gryffindor that it doesn't ruin our friendship. And as a token of peace I would like to send you another piece to give to Ron. I suppose Harry and Hermione want a piece too. Oh well hope you will talk to me soon.
Love
Mikey the Dragon.
Holly smiled and folded the letter and put it in her pocket. She pulled out her quill and parchment and scribbled a note back:
Mikey the Dragon,
I am sure the cake is up to my standards! I'll eat it later because as you know I never eat chocolate for breakfast. If you owl the rest of the cake later during break I'll be in the Gryffindor common room where I'll be able to give out your peace tokens. I think I'll tell Ron who it's from after he begins to eat it so he doesn't think it's poison or something. I'll talk to you soon I promise.
Love
Lele.
She tied the note onto the school owl's leg and sent it. Then she watched Draco as he read it, watched him smile as he read who it was from and watched him fold it up and put it in his pocket.
'It's not nice to watch someone read their mail,' Holly heard Draco's voice in her head and knew it was time to have one of the famed Holly-Mikey conversations that involved not looking at each other while talking.
'Oh and I guess you weren't watching when I opened my cake hmm' She replied.
3.1.1 'Ok ok I was,'
'Exactly'
'You used your old nickname'
'I know and you added a bit to yours,'
'Well I suppose now you know who I am I thought I'd add a bit of my real self on.'
'You're still Michael but damn it you've changed,'
'I know and that's thanks to my father,'
'What's the point hating Muggle borns and Muggle lovers hmm? Because you might as well hate me because I like Muggles.'
'But you're different,'
'No I'm not' Holly got no reply to this which meant Draco had cut the conversation.
'God I hoped I've talked it into him,' she said to herself
The Power of Love
Unfortunately for Draco, Ron Weasley was the first person to spot him trying to carry Holly to the hospital wing.
'What the fuck did you do to her, Malfoy?' Ron walked up to Draco. 'Actually don't answer that question I'm not ready for the sick answer you'll probably give me.'
'I didn't do anything Weasley now let me through,' But Ron blocked the way until Harry and Hermione turned up.
'What the…' Hermione said. Harry stood staring at the unconscious form of Holly in Draco's arms.
'What happened Malfoy?' Harry asked.
'I don't know but all I know is that we have to get her to the hospital wing now,' Draco looked at Harry. 'Something tells me that this is serious Harry.' Harry was genuinely stunned. Draco had called him by his first name without trace of sarcasm or ill intent.
'I don't believe that you had nothing to do with this,' Ron Weasely was furious.
'Can't you use your single brain cell for once in your life Weasely? Would I hurt Holly intentionally given the fact that I love her hmm? Would I?' Ron reluctantly agreed that Draco had nothing to do with it directly.
'Would you help me carry her Harry? She's getting heavy.' If to prove his own point, Draco staggered backward under Holly's weight. Harry nodded.
'Hermione, go up ahead and inform Madam Pomfrey we're coming. Ron you go too.' After Hermione and Ron left, Harry turned to Draco.
'And Draco, we'll carry Holly.' And so an event happened. A once in a lifetime event it seemed at the time. Harry and Draco helped each other carry Holly to the hospital wing and were on first name terms.
Albus Dumbledore was waiting for them as they arrived. As Draco opened his mouth to explain, Albus held his hand up.
'You don't need to explain just yet. Get her into one of the beds.' And so Holly was placed in one of wing beds.
'So what the bloody hell happened Malfoy?' Ron was still seething. Draco was reluctant to reply. To explain what happened outside was to explain his life. His horrid experiences. The thing that played on his nightmares. He couldn't do it. And to say that Holly had kissed him for the second time that year was signing his death warrant. Because if Harry didn't kill him Ron would. Albus sensed Draco was uncomfortable.
'Maybe if you three wouldn't mind leaving us, Draco could explain it to me first to ease his nerves,' The three agreed and left the hospital wing.
'I know what happened outside I saw it. I also know what happened in the past.' Draco was shocked. How did Dumbledore know?
'I know your father killed Lee and Elizabeth Ryan because Charlie told me. I know about your relationship with Holly because of a little research,' Draco looked interested so Dumbledore carried on. 'I summoned a ghost. This ghost used to be Holly's sort of diary. Holly would tell it everything. And she did.'
'Then why did you say to explain it to you first Sir?' Draco was puzzled.
'Ah…That was another thing. I lied. I wanted to reassure you that Harry, Hermione and Ron, however little you think of them will understand if you tell them.' Draco nodded.
'I'm off to tell them.'
Holly opened her eyes slowly. She was in the hospital wing. The first person that came to her mind was Draco. She sat up.
'Ah you're awake now I see,' Madam Pomfrey came over. 'How you feeling love?'
'A little groggy but ok,' Holly rubbed her head, the bracelet scratching lightly against her forehead. She rubbed her neck, feeling the necklace chain beneath her fingers.
'What time is it?' Holly asked.
'It's eight o'clock in the evening love,'
'Can I see...' Holly stopped herself from saying Draco. 'Can I see Harry?'
'Can't see why not I'll send for him,' She clapped her hands and a school owl came fluttering through the window. She scribbled a note and tied it to the owl's leg. 'Now take this to Dumbledore, he'll send you to Harry,' she said to the owl and the owl flew back out the window. A few minutes later, Harry came through the door.
'I'm so glad you're awake,' Harry said rushing forward and hugging Holly. But before Holly could answer, Dumbledore came into the wing.
'Well, now you're awake I think its high time we make this clear. Holly, do you recall not exactly what happened, we got that from Draco, but why it happened?' Holly thought about it for a while.
'I had conflicting emotions Sir. It must have been the final dose before I overloaded' Holly answered.
'Yes, you had a small overload. Any bigger and you, in the worst case scenario, would have died.' Albus suddenly smiled, the affectionate twinkle returning in his eye. 'And that would have been a disaster for the house cheerleading team.'
'Am I allowed to leave now?' Holly asked. Albus looked toward Madam Pomfrey.
'If it's ok with Madam Pomfrey,' he replied.
'You seem fine enough love. If you want to you can leave.' Madam Pomfrey smiled.
Harry and Holly entered the common room. It was empty, as most of the Gryffindors had decided on an early night.
'That bracelet…Draco gave it to you didn't he?' Harry asked. Holly didn't reply.
'Why don't you take it off?' Harry asked.
'Because I don't want to,' Holly replied.
'Why? You don't love him.' Harry caught the look in Holly's eyes. 'You don't do you?'
'I love Michael.'
'Draco isn't Michael anymore!' Harry shouted.
'Ok so Michael's not there anymore I'm allowed to remember him aren't I?' Holly shouted back, tears rolling down her cheeks.
'I'm…I'm sorry Holly,' Harry said, taking Holly in his arms. The next thing they knew they were on the couch, kissing passionately. Robes were coming off. And just as it was getting heated, Hedwig flew through the window and dropped a letter by Harry.
'Ignore it,' Holly said, kissing Harry's neck. But Harry didn't and got up. He skim read the letter.
'It's from Ron. He wants me to meet him by the beech tree alone. It sounds important.' Harry got dressed again and walked towards the couch, where Holly was still lying. 'I'm sorry,' he said kissing her on the head.
'That's ok,' she smiled and kissed him properly. 'I'll go to bed.' She got up, got changed and went to the girls' dormitory, leaving Harry to make his way down to the beech tree.
When he got there, he couldn't see anyone. Then suddenly…
'You believed the letter I see,' Harry spun around. There he saw a tall hooded figure with glowing red eyes.
'Who… who are you?' Harry stammered.
'Don't you know my boy? Why Harry I am shamed to hear that you have already forgotten our last meeting when your friend so sadly died.' With that Harry already knew whom he was dealing with. Lord Voldemort.
'How…how…' Harry was scared. He backed up, planning to run.
'You're not going anywhere young Potter,' Harry felt as though his feet were rooted to the spot. 'I know what you mean. Imperius Curse my dear boy. Cast it on your redhead friend. Quite an easy target.' Harry watched Voldemort reach for his wand and bring it out from the folds of his cloak. How he wished he had his wand now. 'Now what shall I put on you as a starter? I know how about Crucio!' Harry felt the most searing jerking pain he had ever felt in his life. He was screaming wildly. He felt himself fall to the ground.
'Finite Incantem' The pain washed away and Harry lay on the ground twitching. 'Now finally my boy you will know what it feels like to die at the wand of Lord Voldemort!' As he raised his wand though…
'NO!' Both Harry and Voldemort turned to see Holly standing there.
'Ah I see I will hit two birds with one stone. Finish what Lucius couldn't complete.' But whatever Voldemort was imagining, it could never have been what happened next.
'You call yourself the greatest wizard on earth but I have four words that will destroy you beyond belief.' Holly shouted.
'And what are they Little Miss Telepathus hmm?'
'I love Harry Potter.' The shrill yell that rent the night sky caused Harry to clasp his hands to his ears.
'Is it hurting Voldemort? You deserve it all. I can show you how much I love Harry if you want,' Holly spotted a dagger in the folds of Voldemort's cloak. She pulled her wand from her cloak and concentrated on the dagger before pointing the wand toward it and saying 'Accio!' The dagger flew through the air and Holly caught it. 'Ready for this Voldemort? Are you ready to die slowly?' She shouted. Before an answer could be said, Holly slashed at her arms with the dagger, rich red blood pouring out of deep gashes. Harry felt faint. His vision was becoming blurred. All he heard was Holly's screams and shouts of 'I love Harry Potter' and the blood curdling howls of Lord Voldemort before he passed out completely.
'She's waking.' Holly heard Harry.
'No, she's not her eyes are closed,' Then Ron.
'Don't be thick I saw her twitch,' Hermione.
'Yep her eyes definitely twitched,' Draco.
'Keep out of this Malfoy,' Ron.
'I'm sorry Weasley but it has seemed to escape that goldfish memory of yours that I care about Holly too.' Draco again.
'Shut your gobs the both of ya,' Holly said finally giving up on dozing and opening her eyes.
'Oh Holly we were so worried about you,' Hermione said taking Holly's hand. 'All the gashes…the blood…we thought you weren't going to make it.'
'Well here I am you don't get rid of me that easily.' Holly risked a glance at her arms. Madam Pomfrey had used a charm to stitch them up but the gashes weren't totally invisible. Charlie suddenly ran in.
'God Holly I'm so glad you're alive!' Charlie flung herself at Holly and the sisters hugged each other.
'I'm ok Chazz don't worry,'
'Don't worry! That's rich! You slashed yourself up with a dagger!' Holly then caught Harry's eye.
'Thanks Holly, for saving me,' Harry said.
'Anything for you Harry,' Charlie stepped aside so Harry and Holly could kiss. Draco couldn't take it and walked outside.
'How did you know Harry was in trouble?' Hermione asked.
'I dunno. I was dozing in bed and I suddenly got this sorta sixth sense thing that told me to go to the beech tree and take a wand.' Holly replied.
'Damn it Harry I'm sorry I shoulda fought the Imperius Curse I almost got you killed!' Ron sat down and put his head in his hands, shielding his face from view.
'Don't worry Ron it wasn't your fault,' Harry sat next to him. Ron lifted his face up to reveal tears.
'It feels like it was,'
'Voldemort…Sorry You-Know-Who…is a very powerful wizard. I only get out by the skin of my teeth. So don't feel bad.' Ron smiled. Harry had made him feel a lot better. Harry got up.
'I think we'd better go now,' he said, not particularly because he wanted to but he knew Draco wanted to see Holly as well.
'But..' Hermione was silenced as she saw Harry nod towards the door, where Draco was standing outside.
'Could you send Draco in Harry?' Holly asked. And as the four Gryffindors filed out, Harry sent the Slytherin in. Draco sat by Holly's bed. He debated on whether to take her hand but Holly took his hand.
'I know what you're thinking Draco. And yes I would do anything for you too. Just because I'm not in love with you doesn't mean I don't love you.' Holly said. Draco smiled.
'You nearly made me break my promise you know,' he said.
'What the one where you said you'd never cry?'
' That one too. No, the one where I said I'd never lose you,' Draco said, pushing back a loose strand of hair from Holly's face behind her ear.
'You will never lose me Draco,' Holly said.
'Never?'
'Never.'
2 Early hours of the morning
Holly was aware that someone was standing over her. She flicked her eyes open. She went to scream but nothing came out.
'No point in trying Holly, the charm won't let you make a single noise,' Voldemort said. 'You know why I am here my dear. If I kill you, I can kill Harry.' Voldemort spotted Holly's stitches.
'Ah your symbols of love, oh my poor dear did you know that love can hurt?' And it seemed without a wand, Voldemort opened the gashes. Suffering pain in silence Holly found was the worst possible torture. At least if you could scream, half the pain would disappear in the scream and someone may come to take the pain away.
But she wasn't suffering in complete silence. Two boys heard her silent screams and awoke from their slumbers.
'And did you know Holly that even if your wonderful Potter turns up, a few slashes to his arm will not save you this time. My body is now immune to it.' Voldemort seemed to be enjoying Holly's torture.
'Your body and mind will never be immune to the power of love, the strongest counter curse,' Holly found she could still communicate telepathically.
'Ah I see my charm did not put a gag on your mind chatter,' Voldemort said. But before Holly could send a message to anyone, Harry came bounding through the door.
'Ah here comes the wonderful Harry Potter,' Voldemort turned towards Harry. 'As I have already told Holly here, a few slashes to an arm will not save her or you.' Harry looked at Holly. He had to do something. Suddenly the sound of phoenix song filled the room. Fawkes, Albus Dumbledore's phoenix, dropped the Sorting Hat at Harry's feet. Harry knew what he had to do. So when he pulled out the Great Godric Gryffindor sword he wasn't surprised.
'Hah, what is that? That won't help,' But before Voldemort could do anything Harry raised the sword.
'If a few slashes won't help will this?' He simply said before chopping his hand off. This seemed to be the catalyst that broke the spell on Holly. She screamed and cried. Voldemort suddenly disappeared. Albus Dumbledore and Madam Pomfrey came in and switched the light on.
'My God! What happened?' Madam Pomfrey ran to the aid of Harry who wasn't screaming just sitting on the floor in silent shock watching the blood dripping from his stump at the end of his arm.
'Harry! Oh my God Harry!' Holly shouted and sobbed, the pain of the bleeding gashes forgotten. 'Harry! Your hand…it's…Oh my God! Harry!' And however much Dumbledore tried to comfort her it wasn't working. And after Madam Pomfrey had administered a sleeping potion and a re-growth potion on Harry, she came over to deal with Holly's gashes. And although she did that very well, she had no more luck than Dumbledore in calming Holly down.
'Harry! Oh my God!' Holly was still shouting.
'Shh Holly, it's ok love,' Madam Pomfrey tried to comfort her. But Holly wouldn't let her touch her.
'It seems she is devastated by this,' Albus sat down stroking his beard as he thought.
'What to do?' Madam Pomfrey asked.
'Let me try,' the two adults turned their heads to see Draco Malfoy.
'If you think you can Draco,' Albus said and stood aside. Draco sat on the bed.
'Harry! Oh my God!' Holly was still shouting and sobbing.
'Shh don't worry Mike's here,' And with those words Holly let herself be taken into Draco's arms even though she was still sobbing and shouting.
'Harry! His hand! It's…'
'Shhh,' Draco said, rocking Holly slowly, cradling her like a little baby. 'Mike won't let anyone hurt you.'
'Is he gone?' Holly said.
'Yes he has,' Draco replied, still cradling her.
'Is Harry…'
'Harry's gonna be ok,'
'I'm scared Mike,'
'Don't be, I'm here and I won't let anything hurt you,' Holly looked up. Only a tear now and then would course down her face. She smiled and snuggled her head back into Draco. Draco sat stroking her hair. After a while he looked at Dumbledore.
'She's asleep Sir,' Draco said. Madam Pomfrey and Albus Dumbledore looked at Draco in amazement. This young boy had taken a devastated screaming girl who had just witnessed her boyfriend cut off his hand and helped her sleep like a baby.
'Ok thank you Draco,' Dumbledore said.
'Will Harry be ok?' Draco asked.
'He'll be fine. Luckily he hasn't lost a lot of blood and the re-growth potion will make sure his hand grows right back to the way it was. The sleeping potion will make sure he won't feel any pain.' Madam Pomfrey replied. As Draco got up to leave though…
'Where you going?' Holly woke up and all three of them could see that she was scared.
'Nowhere,' Draco said sitting on the armchair next to the bed. Albus and Madam Pomfrey looked at each other. Madam Pomfrey nodded and brought a pillow and a duvet for Draco. After Holly was sure that Draco wasn't going anywhere, she fell back to sleep again. Madam Pomfrey went to her room next to the hospital wing. Dumbledore looked back just before he left.
'Sleep well Draco and look after Holly,' he said.
'I will Sir,' Draco got up but only to kiss Holly on the forehead. 'I will,'
6am
Draco woke up. He looked at his watch. 06:00 read the red digits. He got up to leave. Maybe Holly wouldn't notice. But he was wrong…
'You're trying to leave I know it,' Holly said and opened her eyes.
'Guilty as charged,' Draco replied.
'Thought you were protecting me hmm?'
'I am!'
'Don't worry Draco I know. You're wondering what will happen when the Slytherins wake up and see you're gone.'
'You trying to give me a life sentence woman?' Holly laughed. She turned her head toward Draco.
'Do you remember that chocolate cake you used to make?' Holly asked him.
'What Mikey's Chocotastic Cake? You bet I do. You used to love it. What about that game we used to play in the woods?'
'What Goblins and Gremlins? Yea that was fun,' and this conversation carried on until Holly dropped off to sleep. Draco smiled.
'I love you Holly,' he said before going to sleep himself.
8am
Harry woke up. The surprising thing was he could still feel his hand. He glanced down at his hand. It was there! He shot up. Was it all a dream? It couldn't have been, he was in the hospital wing. Madam Pomfrey came in.
'Ah, the re-growth potion worked I see,' She came up to him.
'Holly? Is she ok?' Harry asked.
Yes she's over there.' Harry followed Madam Pomfrey's pointing finger and saw Holly lying asleep on a bed with Draco Malfoy sleeping on the armchair beside her.
'What's Draco doing here Madam Pomfrey?' Harry asked.
'He came along shortly after you cut your hand off. He worked miracles with Holly. She was in a right state and Professor Dumbledore and I couldn't calm her down. Then he turns up and calms her down immediately.' Before Harry could answer any more questions, Ron, Hermione and Charlie came running in demanding the story from the horse's mouth so to speak.
3 Breakfast
Holly and Harry were told that they were free to leave the hospital wing so after they had changed they went down to breakfast. Holly was bored. Harry was too busy answering questions about the night before, Charlie was canoodling with Ollie, and Ron and Hermione seemed to be playing footsie under the table. She sighed. Then suddenly the mail started arriving. A school owl dropped a box in front of her. She opened it to find a letter and a piece of chocolate cake. She read the letter:
Holly,
Things have changed over the past four years but I'm sure you haven't lost your love for chocolate! So I made you Mikey's Chocotastic Cake as an ode to all the good times. I sent you one piece as a trial. Just owl me back when you want the rest! I hope just because we're in Slytherin and Gryffindor that it doesn't ruin our friendship. And as a token of peace I would like to send you another piece to give to Ron. I suppose Harry and Hermione want a piece too. Oh well hope you will talk to me soon.
Love
Mikey the Dragon.
Holly smiled and folded the letter and put it in her pocket. She pulled out her quill and parchment and scribbled a note back:
Mikey the Dragon,
I am sure the cake is up to my standards! I'll eat it later because as you know I never eat chocolate for breakfast. If you owl the rest of the cake later during break I'll be in the Gryffindor common room where I'll be able to give out your peace tokens. I think I'll tell Ron who it's from after he begins to eat it so he doesn't think it's poison or something. I'll talk to you soon I promise.
Love
Lele.
She tied the note onto the school owl's leg and sent it. Then she watched Draco as he read it, watched him smile as he read who it was from and watched him fold it up and put it in his pocket.
'It's not nice to watch someone read their mail,' Holly heard Draco's voice in her head and knew it was time to have one of the famed Holly-Mikey conversations that involved not looking at each other while talking.
'Oh and I guess you weren't watching when I opened my cake hmm' She replied.
3.1.1 'Ok ok I was,'
'Exactly'
'You used your old nickname'
'I know and you added a bit to yours,'
'Well I suppose now you know who I am I thought I'd add a bit of my real self on.'
'You're still Michael but damn it you've changed,'
'I know and that's thanks to my father,'
'What's the point hating Muggle borns and Muggle lovers hmm? Because you might as well hate me because I like Muggles.'
'But you're different,'
'No I'm not' Holly got no reply to this which meant Draco had cut the conversation.
'God I hoped I've talked it into him,' she said to herself