Chapter 3 "On the ground"
How could I be dying
I turned twenty five days ago
Well we're all on the ground
Just crying out
Won't somebody save me please
Before everyone knew it two whole weeks had slowly made their way by. Things seemed to be working in a prefect cycle for the four people. Hermione and Draco went off to work in the morning, while Ron and Harry went around spying from afar on the dark wizards that were around town. They all returned for dinner which, was always humorous, but thankfully the three boys seemed to become used to each other and the insults were toning down.
"Weasley, I was just thinking…" Draco started, him and Ron were sitting at the table with Hermione and Harry were off somewhere else.
"There is a first time for everything." Ron said with a grin, but Draco continued ignoring his comment.
"Why are you still living at my house?"
"Well since I started to help Harry I haven't been at work, and well I got fired."
"You worked?" Draco sounded astonished, this time Ron contained ignoring him.
"And I didn't pay my rent and when I went back to the house last week to get some stuff there was an eviction notice so I figure I'll just stay here."
"So if you leave and I put an eviction notice on the door you'll leave then?" Draco said hopefully. Ron rolled his eyes at him.
"Don't think it'll work, your wife doesn't seem to mind having us around," Ron smiled. Draco stood up from the table, "Hey Malfoy wait a second."
"Yeah Weasley?" he asked sitting back down.
"I was wondering if you noticed anything... wrong with Harry?"
"Besides the obvious?"
"You know what I mean, hasn't he been acting a little strange lately? I mean when we go out he always makes me do anything magical, and he's been acting really tired lately," Ron said worriedly. Draco took a second to look at Ron then he sighed.
"Sounds like Potter's on the rag to me. Why don't you go buy him some midol? No I'm serious... go." Draco sighed when Ron gave him a less then amused look, "Look, I don't know Weasely. He's your best friend, you'd notice something before I would. So uh, why don't you ask Hermione?" Draco offered.
"Thanks anyways Malfoy," Ron finally said, Draco stood back up and pushed in his chair.
"I'll tell Mione you need to speak with her." he said before leaving the room, Ron nodded.
A minute later Hermione walked in her arms full of extra work she'd brought home with her from the office.
"Hey Ron, Draco said you wanted me?" she asked sitting down on the chair Draco had left from.
"Yeah, listen Hermione, do you notice anything a bit off about Harry?" he said looking at her quizzically.
"Actually I have, I was wondering if you've seen it too. He's been so tired lately. I heard from the aurors at work he was in a nasty battle with those wizards. I think they've done something to him, something he isn't telling us," Hermione admitted.
"He used to tell us everything," Ron said softly, gazing up at Hermione.
"I know Ron, I remember too. That was before all this happened though, now I guess we've got to get it out of him," she said drumming her fingers on the table, "He'd tell us though, if he was really in trouble, wouldn't he Ron?" Hermione asked looking concerned. Ron sighed and shrugged.
"Back then he would, but like you said, it's now and we don't know this Harry like we knew the other one."
-
"Hermione?"
Hermione looked up from her desk to see her sectary, Leigh, standing at her door.
"Yes?"
"There a Miss Virgina Weasley is here to see you," Leigh said, "Should I send her in? I told her you were busy but she insisted."
"Yeah," Hermione shoveled the papers over the side of her desk, "Send her in."
Leigh left the office and soon a tall girl with bright red hair down to her back, walked in. Hermione stood up and walked over to her. She'd kept in contact with Ginny off and on over the years, but there weren't the closest of friends. Hermione lost touch with many of her friend's after marrying Draco.. It wasn't a decision many people supported.
A sudden visit from Ginny made Hermione suspicious, she wanted to trust her old friend but in position she was in talking to a journalist could jeopardize a lot.
"Hermione, how are you?" Ginny asked reaching over and giving her a hug.
"It's great to see you Ginny. I'm good, how are you?" she asked her as they walked over to Hermione's desk. She took the seat behind it and Ginny sat in the chair across from her.
"I'm doing great. Haven't heard from you in awhile." she said smiling, bringing a piece of hair behind her ears.
"Yeah, I guess we've both been busy..." Hermione nodded slowly.
"I hate to come bug you when you're busy but I've heard some rumors and I was wondering if you can clear them up."
"Oh, well I can't promise you anything, this is my job Gin."
"Well, it's really not about your job Herms... it's about Harry." Ginny was smiling as she replied but something about it just wasn't right. It was something about the way Ginny said his name that Hermione worried.
"What about Harry?" Hermione said quickly.
"From what I've heard he's at your house."
"How'd you come about that information?"
"Ron, he called Mum and well you guess the rest."
"Well then why did you need to ask me?"
"Mum never said why, and that's what I'd like to know. No one's interviewed Harry in years-"
"I know," Hermione cut her off, "That's what he wants,"
"Why have you asked him about it lately?" Ginny said simply shrugging, she wasn't the star reporter for nothing.
"No, but he's Harry you know him Ginny. You know he doesn't like the limelight stuff," Hermione said looking at her childhood friend. The only thing familiar about Ginny was her appearance, but that over time was slowly slipping away. The Ginny she knew from Hogwarts wouldn't be to busy with becoming the star reporter then her friends.
"Oh how could I have forgotten that?" she sarcastically said, "But really Hermione, can't you just tell me if he's still doing illegal auror work then?" she asked.
"No actually, I can't. I'm not at liberty to discuss anything about Harry. Now if you excuse me I've got a lot of work to do," Hermione said simply smiling. She hated treating Ginny this way, but if she was going to play this game, Hermione wasn't going to be taken.
"Okay can't you at least tell me if he's okay? I'm asking that from a friend's status, not a reporter's." she replied giving Hermione a fake smile.
"Since when have you been his friend Ginny? I don't remember seeing any bit of that in the article you wrote on him a few years back. What did you call him now? A 'teen wizard idol gone loose cannon'?"
"Oh you know how things go Hermione, you've had your run in with Rita Skeeter, they are just words, and words sell," Ginny replied not losing a bit of her cool, "And do you see a quill in my hand?"
Hermione looked quizzical at her, "I'm not going to tell you anything Ginny, and you know what? That's sad because you once were Harry's friend and now you are just some Rita Skeeter wanna-be."
And with that Ginny promptly got up and left the office.
-
When Hermione walked into her house, it was quite a relief to see Ron, Draco and Harry sitting at the dinner table with food already served. She put her bags and robe away, gave her husband a kiss on the cheek and sat down to enjoy the meal.
"How was your day?" Draco asked smiling lovingly at Hermione.
"It was long, and I got a surprise visitor this afternoon," she said, pushing around a bit of mash potatoes around her plat.
"Who is it now?" Draco said slightly annoyed, "And no, they can't stay here." he added.
Hermione ignored the last comment, "It was Ginny." Ron's fork slipped from his hand.
"What did she want?" he said quickly.
"She wanted to me tell her about why Harry was staying here."
Harry looked over at Ron, "You didn't tell her I was staying here did you?"
"No, but it's probably my fault. I called Mum a few days ago and I told her I was staying with you. Really Harry, Mum always asks about you so I had to tell her. I didn't figure she'd go to Ginny with the news," Ron said quickly sending apologetic looks to his friends.
"It's okay Ron, I'm sure she would have found out soon enough. But did you tell her anything Hermione?" Harry asked.
"Nope, didn't tell her a thing. No offense Ron, but she's more like Rita Skeeter then I care for," she sighed, hating to admit Ginny had become more of an enemy then a friend.
"I know what you mean Mione. She's really taken her job to seriously, all she cares about is what sells. I really blame myself for that drive mostly, I never did pay enough attention to her even after the whole chamber deal. Can't help to think what would have happened if I just spent a little more time with my little sister," Ron admitted sighing slightly. He pushed along a piece of chicken across his plate, not looking up at his friends as he spoke.
"Ron, what Ginny does with her life isn't your fault," Hermione said, "She made a choice to be who she was, can't blame yourself for something, someone else does," she looked at him and smiled.
"Yeah Ron, Hermione's right, it really isn't your fault," Harry piped in.
They were silent, for a minute each lost in their own thoughts, until Hermione spoke up again.
"I haven't been able to find anything about the journal yet," she said, "Every time I think I have free time, I'm given more work by Percy."
"Neither have we," Ron said, "The wizard we've been trailing haven't been saying much either. Do you think this is the right way to go about things Harry?"
"It's the only way I can think of. We can't just go and attack them, that doesn't work anymore. We need to know where they are going to go, so we can stop them. I've been doing this for awhile now and my way works," Harry said, a bossing tone nagging at his voice.
"We could go for the book approach?" Hermione said.
"NO!" Ron and Harry responded at the same time, both remembering their Hogwarts years all too clearly.
"I can help," Draco spoke up, winning three surprised faces, "What?" Draco looked insulted, "I can read, does the term Head Boy mean anything to you?"
"Oh you mean that title you held to keep from getting in trouble while you busted on Harry and I?" Ron asked thinking back on their seventh year at Hogwarts.
"Yeah..." Draco leaned back in his chair with a grin. "Those were the days."
-
When dinner was finished the group, each tired, returned to their beds for a good nights sleep. When morning approached, being a Saturday, Ron and Hermione went outside for a game of chess, leaving Harry and Draco to sleep late. When Harry did wake up, he walked into the kitchen to find Draco leaning against the counter and gazing out the window as he sipped his coffee. His eyes never left the table outside where Hermione and Ron were playing chess out in the back garden.
Harry mumbled a "Good morning," and not getting any sort of response what so ever. He poured himself a cup of coffee and sat down at the table.
"Draco why do you hate me so much?" Harry asked. It was a question he'd been trying to remember the answer to for about a week now.
The question had caught Draco off guard, he'd been so busy looking outside that he really hadn't paid much attention to the fact that Harry had entered the room. He stole a quick glance over his shoulder and then turned back to the window. "I don't hate you Potter," he sighed.
Harry didn't know what to make of that. What he'd really expected was a long exaggerated version of himself and his faults Draco style. He never quite knew what to make of Malfoy when he was being serious, not that he often was. Harry just couldn't make sense of it.
"But all the way through school… Hogwarts… You and me… What?" Harry questioned.
Draco turned around, sat his coffee mug on the counter, and then hoisted himself up to sit on it facing Harry with a smirk.
"Oh don't get me wrong Potter, I don't like you at all. Back in school I did hate you, very much in fact. But…" he trailed off for a moment, "But I think I've seen more than my fair share of hate and it's effects. And what does it accomplish? There's really no point." Draco said simply.
Harry sat dumbfounded by that answer, who was this guy and what had he done with Draco Malfoy?
"Besides," Draco continued, "As much as I'd rather it were otherwise, you and Weasley make Hermione happy, you're a part of her and so I couldn't completely hate you if I wanted to." He took another quick look out the window as Hermione's laugh, as though comically on cue, floated into the kitchen from just outside.
"Thank you."
It wasn't exactly the best or most original response but it was all Harry could come up with at the moment. He watched as Draco sneered and hopped down off the counter.
"Oh stop mooning at me Potter. We're not having a moment here, I just answered your bloody question." He quipped as he busied himself with straightening up the already immaculately clean kitchen.
Harry stood and with a little more effort than he'd of liked it to took and began walking across the kitchen to the door that lead outside to where he'd join his friends. He paused when his hand reached the doorknob.
"You know Malfoy," He said looking back, "She really has made you a better person, almost human."
With that Harry walked out of the house and into the sunshine where he could enjoy the company of his favorite two people in the world leaving Draco inside, able to only stare out and at that bond the trio shared. Strengthening with every day they spent together, it was a world he never had and never would be a part of.
"I know," Draco said to himself, "I know Potter."
-
Harry walked outside and pulled up a chair against the table his friends sat at. Hermione and Ron were sitting across from each other with a chess board between the two. They both were silent, each thinking about their next moves. Harry was looking at the chess board inventively, and then suddenly realized something.
"Ron, is this the board we got you back in 5th year?" Harry asked picking up one of the pieces one of Ron's men had taken.
Ron nodded as a reply, his mind lost in the game. The chess board was a present from Harry and Hermione back in 5th year, as a birthday present to Ron. Harry was amazed the pieces looked as new as they did, from being this old, and was more surprised Ron had kept them. The pieces were craved to resemble the ones they played with during their search for the Scorer's Stone first year, and one the back of the board was the engraving, "To Ron: Our Knight, Love Harry & Hermione".
"Bishop to E7," Ron finally said smirking an all knowing smirk. One of his men crept along the board and over took one of Hermione's knights and proudly took it's new spot.
"I'm going to lose," Hermione sighed.
"I could have told you that before we started to play," Ron said smirking once more, "You weren't able to beat me then and you aren't now," he added with a playful tone to his voice.
"Well for what I lack in chess skills, I've more then made up for in the brains department," Hermione said letting a playful grin tug at the corners of her mouth.
"Good one Hermione, I see living with Draco has its advantage, you've finally discovered the art of come backs," Harry said laughing a bit.
She rolled her eyes, "Knight to B3" she said watching her knight take a step forward, the grin on Ron's face spread.
"You just made this really easy, Hermione," he said, the grin still playing on his face, and a second later, Hermione's queen was checked and the game was over.
"I can't believe you've kept these pieces this long," Harry remarked.
"Why not? I mean they are a perfectly good chess board, why wouldn't I keep it?" Ron said, re setting the pieces back on the board.
"This board really sort of represents our friendship in away," Harry started, "And I figured you'd never want to see it again,"
"How does a chess board represent us?" Hermione asked, knowing the answer, but wanted to hear it from Harry.
"Well, each of us are like pieces of the board. Ron's the Knight he's always going to be around to protect us from whatever comes, no matter how worried or scared he is. He'll always be around to step up when needed."
Harry looked at Ron who grinned broadly at him.
"You've got that right Harry," he added.
"Hermione you are like the chess player, you always are there to tell us what to do. Even when we don't know what we are up against you'll be there to make sure we are safe and go the right away," Harry said smiling at her.
"Always, no matter what," she placed her hand on Harry's.
"And I'm like the King, I guess. Always having to save the day, check the mate. Do what's got to be done. But what's more important is we can't do anything without each other. I think that's what I've learned over the last ten years, is you can't play a chess game with just the King, no matter what you try. You need your Knight and your payer, or you aren't anything but a lost game," Harry paused, "Thank you guys for helping me out, you wouldn't believe what a weight has been lifted from my shoulders."
"What are friends for?" Hermione said smiling at Harry.
"Yeah, exactly what are best friends for," Ron grinned, "Wanna play Harry?"
"I haven't exactly played in a few years," Harry started.
"Even better, you'll be easier to beat then Hermione," Ron said with a laugh, as Hermione smacked him playfully.
The trio played chess late into the day, Ron winning them all of course, but each feeling as if they've won in the long run.
-
After dinner that night everyone in the house went their separate ways to have a little time apart… So Draco and Ron wouldn't kill one another mainly.
Harry offered to do the washing up and set about doing so while whistling as loudly as he possibly could.
Ron went to his room to write a letter to his mother about Ginny and what not to tell her in the future. He sat down at Hermione's desk in her study and picked up a spare quill and began to write in his oh so unique Ron Weasley script.
Dear Mum,
I hope this letter finds you and Dad well. I know I haven't written in a while so uh sorry. As Fred and George have most likely ratted me out no, I'm not working at the joke shop any longer. I'm actually staying with Hermione and uhhhh her husband. I won't give you a name, I don't think Dad's heart could take it. Harry's here too and that's sort of what this is about. Harry, Hermione and I (been a while since you've seen that huh?) are working on something and Ginny stopped by Mione's office today. She was really sticking her nose in where it doesn't belong. I know that's her job but this is very important and even dangerous. Mum please, talk to her ok? Tell her to do what's right for her friends for once, not what would sell fifty more copies of the Daily Prophet. I'll send another owl soon, I promise.
Your son,
Ron
Read reread the letter and sighed.
Meanwhile Draco, seizing the rare moment, had pulled Hermione into the darkened living room for a little "alone time."
"Have I told you how much I've missed you Mrs. Malfoy?" Draco murmured, he and Hermione were slowing swaying back and forth to a soft muggle song on the radio.
"At last check my last name was still Granger love." She grinned. It was an argument as old as their marriage itself. Draco had been confused when Hermione had opted to keep her own last name but she, in the end, convinced him that it was better for her work.
"Details, details…" Draco grazed his lips over his wife's cheek prompting a sigh from her. Two weeks was a rather long time… Maybe tonight they might finally get a chance to-
CRASH!
The sound broke the silence in the house as Hermione began racing in the direction of the kitchen meeting Ron face on in the hall. As they simultaneously reached to kitchen and looked in what they saw frightened them both. Harry was lying on his stomach in the middle of the kitchen floor, a small pool of blood trickling from his mouth. It was obvious to them all that he was in pain.
"I think I might need your help," He groaned. "I've fallen."
"And let me guess, you can't get up?" finished Draco who'd come to stand behind Hermione and Ron with a sigh, but when the view before him of Harry, Hiss face mirrored those of Ron and Hermione.
It took Hermione all but a minute to take charge of the matter. She had grown used to being the level headed one in situations and making sure things got done, but she wasn't sure what to do right away. If it had been back at Hogwarts she'd be a nervous wreck by now, tears falling from her eyes, not being able to do anything. But that was then and Hermione was different and now she was ready to take charge.
"Ron, Draco!" she yelled suddenly, "Carry him into the bedroom, quick!" she proclaimed. Ron and Draco, wordlessly walked over to Harry and helped him
off the ground, he winced in pain as their hands touched his skin, but the two lifted him off the ground.
Hermione walked straight into the extra bed room Harry was occupying and soon Ron and Draco stumbled in half dragging Harry between them. They placed him
on the bed, and Harry's eyes shut tightly as another wave of pain went through him.
"What happened Harry?" Ron finally asked, as if just know he was realizing what happened.
"It's a long story," he said sitting up slightly in the bed.
"We have all day Harry. What's wrong with you? And I want the full truth." Hermione stated firmly.
Harry weathered a smile, "You've change a lot Herms, I've never seen you this clam when someone you know is hurt."
She looked at him oddly for a second and was about to open her mouth but Harry started again, "But, I guess I do owe you an explanation for what just happened. I've been trying to not be a burden to you guys but just then, I just couldn't stand it, the pain, any longer. My legs just gave out, I'm afraid I wont be using them for long," Harry admitting looking a sad but continued, "I've seen my share of hexes over the years, and they've all taken their tolls. But... well, when those 5 wizards attacked me something different happened. After it all happened, I couldn't use magic." He said it so simply as if it was nothing, but the reactions from the three others were much of the opposite.
"What do you mean you can't do magic?" Ron gasped walking over to the edge of the bed and sitting down.
"Nothing at all Harry?" Hermione said in a very small voice, she didn't expect this coming from him.
"As of yesterday nothing, I can't even use simple charms. I don't know why, it's just happened. And there's more… I've been having trouble walking, moving... it feels like everything is just slowly… well stopping," Harry finished with this voice softer then when he's started, as if speaking the words out loud had forced him to accept the truth.
"What do you think it was?" Hermione asked looking at Harry intently, "Do you think it was a curse? Do you know which one? I could-"
Harry shook his head.
"It seems to me Potter has just taken one too many hexes," Draco finally spoke up. He had been standing in the door way since he walked Harry in. "It's happened before, I've read about it. Sometimes it happens, you guys remember Mad Eye? The way he acted, the way he looked?" Draco said walking over and standing next to his wife, "But I've never heard of a case where you can't do magic. Are you sure Potter?"
"Yeah Malfoy," Harry said, "I'm sure. I've been trying, but nothing happens. Nothing at all, I can't even do it when I'm mad,"
"Why didn't you tell us?" Hermione said quickly.
"I didn't know how to..." Harry started.
"So you were going to wait until it was to late then?" she said loudly, "What if you and Ron were attacked while out? Do you think Ron could handle those wizards?"
"Hermione, I'm sorry, I just didn't know how to tell you. I didn't know it would progress this far, I swear.." Harry said apologetically.
"That was stupid Harry, very stupid, but you did it and now we have to deal with it. Tomorrow me and Ron will go to the library and look up what we can on losing magic abilities," she started looking sternly at Ron, for once he didn't object. "Draco, you will take Harry into town and buy him a wheel chair."
"Can't you just transfigure one?" Draco said.
"I'm not going to take the time and effort when you can just use the car to go into town and get one. No if's and's or but's about it!"
"I don't need a wheelchair..." Harry started, but Hermione caught him off.
"Apparently you do, I'd rather see you in one then trying to walk. Now if you don't need anything else I'm going to bed. I advise everyone else to do the same, since we'll be getting up early tomorrow to start to figure out how to make you better Harry." The tone of her voice made it clear she wasn't going to take no for any answers at his time. The three guys nodded and Hermione started out the door,
"Goodnight, and Harry? No more surprises, or I might not take it as well as this one," and with that she left the room in a huff.
A smirk started to tug on Draco's face, "Now who's Hermione's bitch?"