Sooner or Later

By: AngelDusterBuster

Disclaimer: Let's face it. We all know I don't own any of the characters from the Harry Potter books. So if you see something here that was ever mentioned in the books remember that I was only given the material I didn't create it!

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Chapter Five: Recovery and Lies

Opening the door to the hospital wing Ron slowly made his was inside. He knew Harry hadn't been sleeping well and if he was sleeping he didn't want to wake him. But Harry was awake as always.

"Still can't sleep?", Ron asked setting a pile of books on the table next to Harry.

Grabbing for his glasses Harry shrugged his shoulders, "I just can't…every time I do my sc… I mean my head it just burns"

"Ginny said she'd come by later to help you with the stuff you missed today. When do you think you're going to go back? Hermione's really starting to get on my nerves", Ron sighed thinking of the past day .

"Soon hopefully", Harry assured his friend, "Thanks for bringing my stuff"

"So…", Ron sat on the foot of the bed, "Talk to Sirius yet?"

"Nope. He hasn't been back since last night", Harry explained frowning, "Although I don't remember much from last night"

"I'm just glad you're okay…we were really worried", Ron turned serious.

"I've been through worse remember?", Harry laughed as he saw some tension release from Ron's shoulders, "So what'd I miss?"

"Well Malfoy's been spreading rumors that you croaked or something but…of course nobody believes that", Ron grabbed something out of his pocket, "Oh and this is from Professor Sanibel. She wanted to come down to see you but…there not letting many people in here"

"I feel like an experiment or something", Harry joked pointing at his books, "Can you hand me one of those?"

"Ron hand him one of those and I'll cut your hand off", Hermione came rushing into the hospital wing, "He's supposed to be sleeping…Harry you promised me"

"And I will! But right now this is more important…remember quidditch?", Harry sat up grabbing a book himself, "So who's going to help me?"

"I told you Ginny was coming soon…why don't you just sleep a little until she comes. She's got class right now", Ron told Harry who didn't look like he was going to listen.

"Maybe it wouldn't be such a bad thing if you were off the team", Hermione rubbed a tear away, "I hate seeing you this way Harry! Suddenly school only matters so you can stay on the team and…you look terrible you need to sleep Harry. Everyone does, it's not a crime"

"She's right you know", Ron grabbed Harry's book away from him turning the page, "but if you refuse of course I'll help"

"Ron! I thought we--"

"Hermione if he's not going to then he's not going to! You can't force someone to something…especially Harry!", Ron joked trying to lighten the mood, "Oh come on now where are you going?"

"I have to go talk to someone", Hermione explained, "I'll be back later. Maybe"

"She just doesn't get it", Harry shook his head looking down at the notes Hermione had written him, "she doesn't know what quidditch means to me"

"Maybe it means a little too much to you", Ron bit his lip, "She understands she just thinks your health and safety come first. Which they should"

"Let's just get this going alright?", Harry asked hoping Ron wouldn't protest.

"Fine", Ron sighed. If Harry didn't want to believe Hermione had her heart in the right place he wouldn't. And there was nothing that even Harry Potter's best friend could do to change his mind.

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"You know I was thinking about this summer", Sirius pulled a chair next to Harry who was finally up and about catching up on some school work.

"Oh?", Harry spoke up waiting for an apology.

"Maybe I overacted about Hermione", Sirius suggested trying to catch Harry's attention. Well it worked.

"You think?", Harry said half full of laugher half sarcastic.

"Okay this is the point where you're supposed to say you forgive me…", Sirius said to himself making Harry wonder if he was talking to him or not.

"I am?", Harry raised his eyebrows at Sirius.

"Harry!", Sirius exclaimed, "I'm sorry alright? I wasn't the easiest person to life with this summer I know…it's not easy raising a teenager you know. I didn't exact have preparation time either…"

"Look if you didn't want the job you could've just said so", Harry looked up at Sirius hurt in his eyes.

"That's not what I meant…Harry why do we have to hate each other? Why can't things just be like they used to be between us?", Sirius carefully chose his words when asking.

"Because don't you see?", Harry through his arms in the air dramatically, "They aren't!"

"Something's bothering you. And it's more than things between us", Sirius said more as a statement than a question.

"Yes a lot of things are bothering me! But I'm fine", Harry sighed suddenly wanting to tell Sirius exactly what was on his mind.

"Come on Harry…out with it. What's bothering you?", Sirius put his arm around Harry hoping his godson would confide in him.

"Well it's just that---", Harry stared when he head someone else enter the hospital wing.

"Sirius…your needed in Professor Dumbledore's office", Remus poked his head in the door.

Sirius pointed at Harry as if he were saying I'll be there soon. But Remus shook his head, "Said it was important"

"Sorry kid…", Sirius gave Harry a quick hug before standing up, "we'll talk later okay? I promise"

"Okay", Harry frowned. He'd been so close to having it off his chest.

"I could kill you right now you ", Harry heard Sirius mutter before the door shut and Harry was alone again. But lately that was exactly how he liked it. Finally with permission from Madam Pomfrey, Harry went down to the library wanting to escape the hospital wing.

"Harry?", a voice made him jump, "sorry didn't mean to scare you."

"It's okay", Harry shrugged turning around to reveal Lavender Brown.

"So…are the rumors true Harry? Did you try to commit suicide?", Lavender stared at him with horror in her eyes.

"What?", Harry squinted, "where'd you hear that? I mean of course not!"

"Thank goodness! I thought well…I don't know", Lavender turned red with embarrassment.

"I have to get some work done", Harry pointed out, "I was headed to the library"

"Oh well see you around", Lavender smiled at Harry, "wait…I wanted to ask you something"

"What is it?", Harry sighed with annoyance.

"Well since he's your best friend I was wondering if you knew…knew who Ron likes?", Lavender smiled oddly at Harry.

"Nope can't say the topic came up", Harry began to walk away.

"Harry!", Lavender said hurtfully, "why do I get the feeling your ignoring me?"

"Look I don't know who Ron likes Lavender. If you like him why don't you just ask him out? I have a lot on my mind right now I don't need this", Harry groaned when he heard some books hit the ground. His backpack had burst open, "see what I mean?"

"Sorry", Lavender bent down to help Harry pick his things up.

"Thanks", Harry muttered trying to pick it all up.

"You're sure carrying a lot of books around", Lavender noticed.

"Yeah well I have to catch up on my work, after all I was out today…and I'm not sure if I'm allowed to come back yet tomorrow", Harry shrugged suddenly feeling more than just Lavender's eyes on him.

He turned to see who else had joined them, "What do you want Malfoy?"

"Oh I'll wait. Your conversation is so interesting after all", Malfoy joked sarcastically as Crabbe and Goyle laughed along.

"I have to get going", Harry whispered to Lavender, "I'll talk to Ron if you want. I'm sorry if I was rude…"

"Would you?", Lavender asked excitedly.

"Sure", Harry gave her a reassuring smile, "I'll get back to you"

"Aww how sentimental", Draco rolled his eyes after Lavender had walked away.

"I'm not in the mood", Harry continued to walk down the corridor.

"Maybe I am. Come on Potter, I'm ready this time", Draco grinned at Harry.

"I don't want to fight you!", Harry shouted suddenly feeling tired. Now he knew exactly why he was being kept in the hospital wing yet.

"Why afraid I'll kick your ass?", Draco laughed out loud at his own joke.

"Yeah something like that", Harry rolled his eyes. Forget the library I'm going back to bed.

"Leave him alone already", Harry heard Ron's voice behind him.

"One of these times Potter. One of these things Weasley's not going to be here. Granger's not going to be here. Nobody. Just you and me", Draco snapped.

"Oh and what a precious moment it will be", Harry suddenly felt a bit dizzy. Ron seemed to notice he was uneasy on his feet. He stepped behind his friend ready to catch him if he was needed.

After Malfoy was clearly out of eyeshot Ron rushed in front of Harry, "Are you alright? He didn't do anything to you did he?"

"No…no. I've just been moving around a little to much to soon", Harry rubbed his eyes as a yawn slipped out.

"Come on I'll make sure you find your way back alright?", Ron said and Harry knew. He wasn't about to take no for an answer.

But when they got back to the hospital wing there was a frantic Sirius waiting for him.

"There you are!", Sirius pulled Harry straight back to his bed, "why did you go off like that?"

"I had permission", Harry spoke up for himself, "is something wrong?"

"No I just wondered where you were", Sirius calmed down a bit waving to Ron who had left them in peace.

Pushing a hand through Harry's hair Sirius remembered something, "Harry what was it you were going to tell me before?"

"Oh you know what? I don't even remember", Harry got out through another yawn.

"It's not nightmares is it?"

"No it's not nightmares…why would it be?", Harry rubbed his eyes suddenly for once wishing he could go to sleep.

"Because I know you haven't been sleeping much lately…so I just assumed", Sirius smiled obviously relieved.

"Well there's nothing to worry about. I'll be fine really. Now where did you have to go off to before?", Harry changed the subject.

"Oh, that? That was nothing really just something for work", Sirius had a hint in his voice saying there's something I can't tell you I'm sorry.

"Okay…"

"Your not still mad at me are you Harry?", Sirius spoke up.

"I guess not", Harry smiled, "so can I still come home for Christmas?"

"Of course you can. There's always a place for you in my home, you know that. I'll let you get some rest, as soon as Madam Pomfrey thinks your ready to go back you can. But I think you're going to be stuck here at least another day", Sirius explained, "and no doubt Professor Dumbledore will be down here sooner or later"

"Okay", Harry said rolling over in a more comfortable sleeping position and shutting his eyes.

A few minutes later he heard Sirius leave. Finally he was able to think about what Sirius had said, something with work. He knew that was a cover up for something else. Something bigger. Something that was no doubt going to soon affect his life.

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Two days later Harry was finally released one condition. He had to come back in a week to check that he was feeling fine. Finally things were getting back to normal again, and he was glad.

"I 'm never going to remember all this Ginny!", Harry pushed the book back toward her, "I'm to stupid"

"Come on Harry you have that make up quiz on this tomorrow in potions…you can do well I know you can. Let's just concentrate. Okay?"

"Harry!", Ron smiled at seeing him.

"What is it Ron?", Harry rolled his eyes. Ron obviously wanted something.

"Come on let's go", Ron started gathering Harry's things together.

"Go? Go where?", Harry and Ginny asked in unison.

"Bunch of us are going to Hogsmeade tonight", Ron looked over at Ginny, "you of course aren't coming"

"Wouldn't want to", Ginny snapped at her brother, "Harry come on you have to learn this stuff by tomorrow remember? You have a quiz"

"Come on one quiz isn't going to affect his life", Ron raised an eyebrow at Ginny, "come on Harry…Hermione's even coming"

"Hermione Granger?", Harry stared at Ron in awe, "How'd you manage that?"

"You aren't going Harry!", Ginny yelled erupting their thoughts.

"He's right Ginny. I'll do fine tomorrow", Harry shrugged his shoulders, "come on let's go"

"Didn't you hear me?", Ginny grabbed her brother's arm, "he's not going"

"And who are you to tell him what he's doing?", Ron glared at his little sister.

"Because Ron, Harry's just recovering from being sick. He doesn't need to be out at Hogsmeade at all odd hours of the night", Ginny protested.

"Come on Ginny I'm perfectly well. And it's Friday night. We have all weekend to sleep", Harry frowned at her, "Let's go Ron"

"I'll tell Sirius!", Ginny threatened.

"That's a chance I'll have to take. I haven't had fun in a long time Ginny and not even you are going to take this opportunity from me. Have nice night though", Harry took one last look at her before Ron dragged him out of the library.

"She won't tell", Ron assured him, "she doesn't have the guts"

"I don't care if she does. Who is she to tell me what I can do?", Harry muttered.

"Hey there you guys are", Hermione waved to them from down the hall, "ready to go?"

"Wait a minute I thought you said there were a bunch of people coming?", Harry asked as they made their way down the corridor.

"No just us. We haven't done that in a while", Hermione put her arm around Harry, "do to the fact that I flipped out on you"

"Hey let's not go over this again!", Harry held a hand up to silence her, "we talked about this remember?"

"Yeah now come on! Let's go have some fun!", Hermione smiled pulling the two boys behind her. And they didn't even care if they got caught because it was a known fact that all the seventh years sneak into Hogsmeade on the weekends. And with that the three left Hogwarts in search of freedom. In search of time they could spend together, just having fun.

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Author's Note:

Hey! It's me again. What is this the third update this week? You can tell I'm into the story if I update that many times. Usually I'm the once a week type person. But it's a new week right?

School starts on the 3rd so that'll slow things down a bit. But I'll try to update as much as humanly possible this week. Thanks once again for all the reviews! Because honestly it's all your kind reviews that keep me updating this fast.

~^~AngelDusterBuster~^~

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Arewena: Grrr I hate it when you guys ask me things I can't answer. How bout I assure you this. Eventually if you keep reading and reviewing I'll tell you! Well thanks for reviewing!

Nobody In Particular: Yeah Sirius isn't as overprotective. Yay! I hate it when the sites down to but I guess it's just like us, imperfect. Well like I said as long as you keep reviewing I'll keep writing!

Black Dreamz: Yes something's definitely up wouldn't you say? Guess you're right though. You'll have to keep reading to find out more! Thanks for reviewing as always!

Harrystwin:Different…does that mean you didn't like it? Well I sure hope that's not what it means! Well I hope to hear from you soon.

Sons: I think you know me better than this by now! Of course I'm not going to tell you that. Although it's highly predictable isn't it? Well hope to hear from you again soon!

Princess Kattera (x2): Don't worry about not reviewing right away. As long as you eventually find time to I'll be as happy as ever. And your right on about everyone. But don't think things are going to remain as they are right now ,halfway decent, forever.

WeaselyGirl12345: Hey it's you! Thanks for reviewing by the way. You hit me at 60! J If you read on you'll soon find out that Harry and Sirius don't fight forever! Well hope to talk to you online soon!

Sky Brooks: Well Harry was kind of under the weather and having enough problems figuring out what was going on to remember he was angry with Sirius. But thanks for reviewing!

Anaticulapraecantrix: Okay talk about a hard name…forgive me if I got it wrong! And I'm working on Pathways it's just taking a little longer than usual. I'm trying to get this story going right now. And I have another story that's more in need of an update than Pathways. But look out for one in the next few weeks!

Pathetic Invader: Hey! Well lookie that you reviewed! I'm surprised….usually I have to make you lol. But anyway I'm glad I gave you an idea! And I'm glad you like my story.

Bookworm2000: Oh my gosh! I am so deeply and fully sorry. It was a typo I never meant to offend you in any way. Please forgive me!

PadfootsPeanut: I hope your computer works soon. I wanna read your story! Congrats on getting the job too. Hope to talk to you soon!

Aalina:L I don't hate Sirius! I've been even trying to make him better lately! But anyway thanks so much I'm really glad you like the story. Thanks for reviewing!

Fickle: Thank you so much! And thanks for reviewing too!

Esperanza: I am not saying anything about Harry/Ginny. You'll just have to wait and see! Thanks for reviewing!

Mrs. Moony: Ha ha I know. I'll add as soon as I can. Well thanks for reviewing!

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*Email: AngelDusterBuster@msn.com

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Until next chapter remember to review this one! The more reviews I get the faster you'll see the next chapter. So why wouldn't you review? Hmm…that sounds pretty good to me!