After a while, it was twelve' o'clock, and some Gryfindor's were falling asleep, as nothing was happening. Ron, Hermione and Professor McGonagall stayed awake for as long as they could. They nearly lost hope, and left to there dorm's, but something held them back.
Hermione had a sort of upset stomach that was half fear, and half terrible sadness. Ron felt this way also, judging by the way his face had turned a putrid green colour. She was sure Harry would be hurt badly, or even be dead. He had faced many experiences like this one, but none of them made Harry return unhurt. Just thinking about this made Hermione's head spin, and eyes water.
Before her head could drift any further, there was a sudden loud banging at the door. Hermione froze, and the noise was getting louder with each heavy breath she drew. All of a sudden, there was a bright flash of orange light behind the door, and it flew across the room, releasing it from the hinges completely. It landed on the opposite wall with a sickening crunch, making the room explode with yet more dusty black smoke.
Frozen with fear, Hermione saw one man situated in the frame. To her immense relief, it was Dumbledore. He calmly walked inside, and scanned the room with a look of displeasure on his face. He beamed at them when he noticed them stuffed in the corner of the room in fright.
"Alright. Everyone one proceed to the Great hall," he announced, " You simply cannot sleep in a place like this."
At that, all the Gryfindor's shakily left one by one out the portrait, and to the hall. Dumbledore indicated Ron and Hermione to stay.
"Have you seen Harry?" Hermione asked at once, scrambling to her feet. Dumbledore merely looked up at the dormitory entrance, and to the remainings of the squashy armchairs.
"He certainly ruined a good thousand years of professional decorating, hasn't he?" he said, smiling carelessly. Professor McGonagall took this very harshly.
"Where's Potter, Albus? Did you find him?" she asked in a serious tone. He nodded, his eyes twinkling down on them all.
"I do believe your answer lies in the infirmary," he answered, as if it was an easy task. Ron and Hermione looked at each other in shock.
"And I do believe he was disgusted with the filth he had brought back with him," Dumbledore continued, "I believe Sirius will be fond of Harry for catching Peter Peddigrew for him."
Ron and Hermione looked at each other, amazed. Ron looked as though he was told to live in the forbidden forest.
"In the mean time, I do believe Harry has given his life to another" Dumbledore continued. Hermione gasped, and when he noticed the fear etched across her face, he chuckled merrily.
"No, no, Miss. Granger. I think you have the wrong idea," he said, "Harry is indeed alive… but barely."
Ron drew a shuddering gasp, and clutched his chest in horror.
"Well? What happened to you-know-who?" asked McGonagall impatiently.
"He must have disappeared. He has no remains on the grounds" Dumbledore answered, "I suppose Harry must have done something to make dispose of Voldemort, but Harry in unconscious, so we well have to wait."
Hermione felt slightly dizzy, like her head couldn't contain her thoughts.
"B-but what did you mean by Harry giving his life over?" asked Ron, desperately, "He's still alive"
"I mean that Harry has indeed given his life to another," Dumbledore said simply, "You do remember Cedric Diggory, do you not?"
Hermione starred in him in awe. Suddenly, the sound of footsteps came into the room. Everyone turned around. Hermione screamed, and fell back. A former student at Hogwarts had just set foot into their common room. He wasn't supposed to be there; he was murdered by Voldemort last year. But there he was, standing at the portrait of the fat lady. She was looking into the face of Cedric Diggory.
Ron let out a series of stutters, followed by the steady gasps of Professor McGonagall. Hermione watched in horror as the figure of Cedric looked around the remains of what was once the Gryfindor common room, and laid his eyes upon them. He frowned, and quickly made his way to them.
"Wha- aren't you supposed to be dead?" asked Ron, through his fingers that were firmly clapped over his gapping mouth. Cedric starred at him.
"Uh… yeah" he mumbled, shifting his weight uncomfortably on the ground, "I guess so"
"I don't get it," gasped McGonagall, who was starring at Cedric with a sort of mad fright.
"I do not know if I am the right one to tell Harry's friends," replied Dumbledore calmly, "All I can say is that earlier, Harry has made a very hurtful sacrifice for Mr. Diggory's former life he once had, and will have."
Now Hermione starred at him, bewildered with curiosity.
"Oh, and do not say a word to any students about Cedric. I imagine people would panic," Dumbledore finished.
With that, he turned on his heels, and strode out of the room with Professor McGonagall, leaving them with Cedric. Ron was still gapping at him with compete amazement.
"I suppose you're off to see Harry," Cedric mumbled, slowly making his way to the door, "Be easy on him, will you? You have no idea what he just did."
With that, he was gone.
"That was disturbing," gasped Ron, his knees buckling below him. Hermione stood, transfixed on the door.
"Remember, don't say anything about… Cedric," mumbled Hermione, before setting off to the door, "We have to find Harry. I'm so worried about him."
They left the empty common room, and set off down the charms corridor, meeting nothing but darkness as they quickly ran passed the empty classrooms. Then Hermione saw the infirmary door open a bit, and the bright light was shinning through.
"He's inside," said Ron nervously, as he wrenched open the door. Put Madam Pomfrey's furious face pooped out.
"You two!" she said madly, "This boy needs rest! There is no point in meeting someone who is not even conscious!"
Hermione could see the dozen hospital beds behind her, and only one was occupied. Harry's head was barely visible from the last bed in the corner of the room. She could see all the visible gashes and cuts all over his skin, and one of his arms and legs were completely covered in bloody bandages. Hermione felt her eyes cloud up with tears. His eyes were closed, and his chest was rising and falling rapidly. Hermione immediately thought he was having trouble breathing.
"I'm not taking any chances. This boy has been through enough! This is his worst yet!" Madam Pomfrey scolded, "Broken bones, fifty foot dives, Dementors, dragons… and now you-know-who! It's only a matter of time before he… jumps off a cliff, or something!"
"Harry saved our and everyone else's lives!" cried Hermione, "It's not like he wanted to end up dead!"
At that, she gave them a furious look, and shut the door in their faces.
"Come back tomorrow if he's awake!" she called through the door. Ron gave one last mad look at Hermione, and continued to walk down the deserted corridor.
"Better get to the hall," he muttered miserably, "Bet Percy's keeping everyone awake with his stupid pep talk."
They slowly made their way down the empty corridors, and Ron pushed open the door to reveal the Great Hall. It was packed crowded with restless Gryfindor's, obviously waiting to hear when they would come back. Dozens of purple sleeping bags littered the ground.
"Harry still unconscious," said Ron, looking around, "He looks like he's in really bad shape, though. Madam Pomfrey wouldn't even us see him!"
"That's what's wrong with the old git," grumbled Fred, who was climbing into his own sleeping bag.
"Doesn't know what lengths people will reach if they had a friend in there with her," George said, who was already in his bag, "We nearly blew up the door to get to Ginny. Caught her hair on fire a few years ago. Pomfrey was furious."
Hermione didn't hear much more of this. She sadly grabbed a purple sleeping bag, climbed into it, and closed her eyes, letting her tears flow silently down her cheek.
He most horrible thing in her life has come true. Harry being close to death, and there was nothing that anyone could do. What was Cedric doing… alive? Were she and Ron hallucinating? No, she couldn't have been. Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall could see him fine. Then why was he there? The most odd thing kept popping into Hermione's head. What did Dumbledore mean by Harry giving his life to another if he was alive? Something was up.
…~'*'~…
A/N: I almost gave up on this story, but I made a goal for myself to finish every story I posted on FF.net. Hope you're enjoying!