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 Twelve: Identifying The Problem
For the next several days Harry remained in the hospital wing. Each day made him more irritable and tired than the last. Person after person had been in day after day testing every curse, spell, and potion on him. Frankly all he wanted by now was an answer.
Of course Ron and Hermione daily visited him, but it wasn't enough. Too much free time on his hands had resulted in way to much time for his mind to wander. Wander to things like Sirius. Things that could be dangerous if he thought about too long.
"Earth to Harry", Ron waved a hand in front of his face, "you're spacing out on me again"
"Sorry", Harry apologized, "Guess I was…I'm just going insane here"
"Well they have to let you out sooner or later right?", Ron reminded him yawning, "whew I'm beat"
"Tell me about it. I sleep half the day I'm still exhausted", Harry stretched, "you can go if you want. I'm fine"
"You okay?", Ron stared at his friend. It looked like something was on his mind. But if it was one thing Ron knew it was that Harry isn't a very easy person to pry thoughts out of.
"Oh yeah having a blast", Harry replied sarcastically .
"No really. It just looks like something's bothering you", Ron gathered his things together.
"I'm the last person who should be saying this but…I really miss Sirius", Harry bit his lip.
"Did you try writing him?", Ron suggested hopefully.
"Hedwig always brings the letters right back", Harry shrugged, "well I'm going to try to bore myself to sleep"
Ron laughed, "good luck with that. I'll come back tomorrow to help you but…don't you think it's time you talked to Ginny?"
"Face it Ron she hates me", Harry blinked rolling on his side, "night"
"Yep", Ron paused for a moment before walking out. Something had to be done about Sirius and Ron was taking the challenge.
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"Hermione you've gotta help me", Ron begged early the next morning.
"Ron this isn't our business", Hermione slammed her book closed, "Just eat your breakfast and forget about it"
"I can't forget about it…Harry's getting even more depressed about it", Ron shook his head.
"I just don't understand him sometimes. One minute he'd praying that Sirius will finally leave him alone…then when he does he's not happy either. And really Ron I'm over my head as it is these day…", Hermione reminded him.
"Your going to let some stupid summer internship get in the way of your friendship with Harry and me?", Ron snapped louder than Hermione's liking.
"Ron this my future were talking about. If you got out of Harryville for five minutes you'd realize it's only a matter of months before were out of here. Before were adults. What are you going to do then? Run over to Harry's every time he's got the slightest paper cut?", Hermione glared at Ron.
"Remind me why I defended you a few days ago", Ron blurted out rhetorically.
"Really Ron you both need to snap out of it and realize what's going on. This isn't lets all sneak out to Hogsmeade time anymore. Maybe if you listened to Professor McGonagall once in a while---"
"You're pathetic", Ron jumped up from the table, "excuse me while I go get Harry a Band-Aid"
"Ron wait…", Hermione shut her eyes for a moment, "Ron please I didn't meant it that way…that came out wrong"
"Ron….", Ginny rushed up to the table breathing heavily, "You're both supposed to go to Professor Dumbledore's office. I'd assume its about Harry"
Ron turned pale. Any news about Harry seemed like bad news these days, "Come on…let's go"
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"Whhaaat?", Harry's mouth dropped open, "but that's impossible…"
"Harry you've got to think…the only way we can cure this is if we know how you got it", Remus tried to remain calm, "the sooner the better"
"How the bloody hell am I supposed to know!", Harry's eyes widened in horror, "so your saying I'm going to die?"
"Harry…"
"I'm seventeen Remus, I want the truth not a lie", Harry shut his eyes impatiently.
"You're susceptible to any germs that enter your path. Which is why…which is why we're going to have to take you out of Hogwarts", Remus took a deep breath.
Voice shaking Harry managed to speak, "So you're saying…I have no immune system?"
"Not exactly", Remus shook his head, "Professor Dumbledore thinks it has to have been something you drank orally. Something that's slowly breaking down your immune system. And I emphasis on the slowly. Which is why whomever did this to you had to plan it all out"
"I want to be left alone", Harry blurted out.
"Harry…"
"No! I want to be alone", Harry shouted rather loudly, "leave!"
"Harry I can't do that!", Remus raised his voice.
Shaking madly Harry pulled the covers over his head. Remus of course tried to pull them off but Harry refused to let him, "I need to be alone"
"Listen to me Harry. Were going to figure this out. I don't want you to worry", Remus pried the covers off of him.
Trying to refrain from becoming more upset Harry looked up at Remus one more time pleading, "Please…"
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Still partially angry with Hermione, Ron stormed down the hallway five feet ahead of her.
"Ron!", Hermione hurried to keep up, "I'll help you…I will. I'm sorry I said those things…"
"You don't know half of what's going on with Harry right now. You don't know HALF of it", Ron stopped in the middle of the hallway, "Because Harry didn't want you to know why he's still in the hospital wing. He wanted to spear you"
"What is going on Ron!", Hermione gripped onto his arm, "Ron take a breath and tell me--"
"I'm just telling you I have absolutely no idea why were being called down here", Ron pulled away, "so just keep your mouth shut"
"You are worse then Harry and he has reason!", Hermione groaned, "get a life Ron"
"Maybe I'm just being a good friend!", Ron shouted angrily at Hermione, "unlike someone who's future is more important"
"Being a good friend doesn't mean I have to solve every little thing that breaks Harry's heart. You know I want to but I can't! We can't bring his parents back…and as much as we try we CANNOT bring Sirius back either. It's life Ron. I'd think you of all people would comprehend all this", Hermione continued walking.
"That's crap Hermione", Ron grabbed her arm making her wince, "Oh deal with it!"
"Let go of me", Hermione pulled away glaring at Ron, "Now are you coming or not?"
"Of course I am", Ron followed closely behind Hermione keeping his distance.
Hermione blocked Ron's path before he could, however, enter, "Ron I've gotta know. Is something wrong with Harry?"
Ron stared at Hermione for a moment, "I honestly don't know"
"What he doesn't know won't hurt him!", Ron put his ear to the door when he heard a familiar voice, "I just had to know what's going on around here"
"He needs to see you. He needs to know that your still on his side", Dumbledore's voice came next.
"I'm doing what I feel is best for him. Now excuse me but I have places to be"
"You're making the biggest mistake of your life Sirius", Dumbledore spoke again.
Hermione and Ron instantly stared at each other exchanging glances. Hermione reacted first, "Come on we can't let them know we heard…we've gotta go tell…."
"Oh well this is just great!", Hermione's mouth hung open when she heard someone behind her.
"I could say the same to you!", Ron grew angry but Hermione stepped out in front of him.
"We're supposed to meet with Professor Dumbledore. We weren't spying", Hermione assured Sirius.
"Oh dear…", Professor Dumbledore repeated the reaction as he too walked out.
"You planned this didn't you Dumbledore?", Sirius looked at the older man, "pathetic really. After what I just told you…"
"Stop being stupid", Ron jumped in, "you can't leave again"
"Ron this is none of your business", Sirius looked over at the redhead, "this is between-"
"Sirius!"
"I have to go", Sirius nodded at Dumbledore, "and you two not a word of this to Harry or Remus"
"What is wrong with you?", Hermione exploded, "I'm not going to let you walk out on your godson again! He's your responsibility for gods sake"
"I'll be back I promise", Sirius reassured Hermione, "I'll be back by graduation"
"Sirius please…Harry's ill he needs you", Professor Dumbledore had been reluctant to blurt out.
"Harry's….I mean I'm sure he'll be fine", Sirius shrugged, "I have to get going"
"If you must", Dumbledore shook his head with disappointment, "Ron…Hermione I need to speak with you both"
Hermione quickly followed the headmaster inside. But Ron lingered behind leaving Sirius with one thought, "If you think I'm going to keep my mouth shut about this…you've got another thing coming"
"Come on Ron. He obviously doesn't care about Harry", Hermione pulled him inside slamming the door shut as harshly as she could.
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For the next few days Harry laid in the hospital wing refusing visits from even Ron or Hermione. When the day finally came when he was to leave he was more depressed than ever before.
"Come on Harry up", Remus forced the boy out of bed, "Ron and Hermione want to talk to you before you leave"
"I don't want to talk to them", Harry grumbled, "I just want to get out of here"
"Harry they're your best friends…you owe it too them", Remus through Harry's remaining items inside his trunk.
"FINE", Harry shouted harshly, "It's probably not my choice anyway"
"Try to be nice to them okay?", Remus watched Harry storm out of the hospital wing, "Harry…"
"Hey we were just coming to see you!", Hermione smiled cheerfully at Harry as they met him at the door.
"Yeah how's it going?", Ron too put on an all to fake smile.
"I'm dying what do you think", Harry shrugged trying to get past them.
"We have to tell you something. Something important", Hermione put an arm on his shoulder, "please Harry"
"Five minutes", Harry took a deep breath.
Hermione looked relived., "It's about Sirius"
"Sirius?", Harry swallowed hard, "what about Sirius"
Ron continued watching Harry closely, "He was here…a few days ago. We wanted to tell you sooner but you--"
"He was here? Why didn't someone tell me!", Harry turned red with anger, "Why didn't he come see me?"
"He says he'll be back by graduation if it helps", Hermione gave Harry a reassuring smile.
Harry looked like he was ready to explode with hurt and anger, "I have to get going"
"Harry are you okay?", Hermione stared at him.
Harry's head felt like it was spinning in circles. He could no longer comprehend what Hermione and Ron were saying. And one thought stuck out in his mind. What if I'm dead by then?
"I'm fine", Harry responded taking off in another direction, "I just have to go"
"I'll follow him", Ron muttered to Hermione as Harry rushed inside the boys bathroom.
"I'm scared Ron", Hermione brushed away a tear, "I'd give anything to help him…I've been researching since we found out. But I still…I can't find anything"
Ron pointed at the door Harry had just gone through, "I better go make sure he's okay"
"Okay", Hermione whispered weakly.
"You'll be okay right?", Ron gave Hermione's hand a gentle squeeze.
"Yeah I'll be okay", Hermione nodded as Ron rushed after Harry, "once I know Harry is"
Ron quickly walked toward the bathroom. He pushed the door open but it was stuck, "Harry unlock the door!"
From a distance he heard Professor Lupin exchange words with Hermione, "Harry it's Ron!"
Remus put a hand on Ron's shoulder, "I'm sorry about him"
Ron was startled, "I didn't…I mean I didn't mean to upset him"
"It's not your fault", Remus used his wand to open the door, "He's just going through so much"
Remus and Ron each slowly walked inside the bathroom, "Harry?"
"Go away!", Harry yelled from the corner, "I don't want to talk to anyone"
Remus kneeled down beside him, "Harry you've gotta stop this. Please just let us help you. Forget about Sirius…just forget about him. There are plenty of other people here for you"
"I don't want to die", Harry brushed away a tear.
"You aren't going to die", Remus handed Harry a tissue, "once we figure out where you got it from we'll be able to stop it. So just think Harry…for gods sake do you remember anytime someone could've done something like that?"
Harry shut his eyes trying to recall the last few months, "Wait a minute…"
"What?", Ron spoke hopeful.
"That night at quidittch…", Harry stared at Ron, "I've recalled the night over and over in my head so many times…after you left Ron, I was sitting outside by myself"
Ron winced, "Well…um what does that have to do with anything?"
"Cody…I could've sworn something tasted funny but I was so upset…again", Harry joked trying to pull himself together, "I could be totally wrong I mean…it's just an assumption"
"Your gut feeling is usually right", Ron extended a hand to help his friend up.
Harry accepted, "I'm probably wrong I mean it…"
"Harry stop trusting people", Ron put his arm around his friend, "in times like these you can hardly trust anyone"
"I just-"
"We know you just don't want to hurt anyone. But think of all the people who've hurt you Harry. The world isn't as trusting as I'd like to let you go on believing", Remus followed slowly behind Harry and Ron.
"So your saying you think Cody…I mean it doesn't make sense. I must be wrong", Harry shrugged.
"I'm not going to look back ten years from now and think I could've done something to save my friend and I didn't", Ron stepped out in front of Harry.
Harry smiled for the first time in days, "Thanks Ron"
"We better go straight to Dumbledore", Remus motioned for Ron and Harry to follow him.
"Harry!", Hermione ran toward him after they reached the corridor, "I was so worried about you"
"I'm sorry", Harry surprised Hermione by pulling her into a hug.
Hermione stared at him oddly, "are you alright?"
"That is one question I am getting so sick of", Harry rolled his eyes.
"Get used to it….your only seventeen. At the rate your life's going I mean", Ron joked along.
Minutes later the four arrived in Dumbledore's office. But someone else had beat them there.
"Remus…Harry I'm glad your both here", Professor Dumbledore frowned, "Max here has brought something to my attention"
Hermione grabbed Harry's hand whispering, "Remember whatever it is were all in this together"
"I'm so sorry Harry", Max rushed to his side, "I should've said something sooner….I know I should've….you must hate me"
"So it's…it's true then?", Harry spoke quietly, "your brother…"
"My whole family. They're all on the dark side. Cody was just doing what dad told him too…they were going to kill my dad Harry he had too!", Max grabbed Harry's arm.
"So you'd rather have Harry suffer instead!", Ron shouted shoving Max away from Harry, "After all Harry's done for the team….for you"
"So what made you come forward now? Why should I believe you aren't lying again?", Harry took a step backward.
"Because I know the cure. I know where the antidote is", Max replied weakly.
"Well hand it over!", Ron looked ready to strangle his fellow quidittch member.
"Well its…it's not that simple", Max shook his head, "the only person who can get at it…is someone who isn't willing to help you"
"Who?", Remus stared at the small boy, "surely we can convince them…"
"Draco Malfoy"
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Author's Note:
Okay so I still left a horrible cliffy…I deeply apologize. Ha ha…I know your all swearing at me right now. But anyway there's a chance I'll get a big chuck of the next chapter written tomorrow. Depends if I decide to work on this story or Brotherly Love. Which also depends on how many reviews I get!
Anyway I hope you enjoyed this chapter! (outside of the cliffy)
AngelDusterBuster
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The Best Readers A Writer Could Have
Lady of Arundel- Well I briefly mentioned Sirius in here. But I'm making him a bigo jerk…I feel so bad. He is coming back in the future and I hope to clear things up for the poor guy!
Nobody In Particular: I hate it when computers do that…but anyway thanks! Oh and thanks for reviewing too.
Tiger Lily: Yeah poor Harry…I'm so happy that you like that story! Thanks for reviewing!
Anie: Really it was? That's what people said…hmm I'll have to read it again. But thanks!
Harrystwin: Thanks and I'm glad you can't wait! I can't wait either…wait that didn't make any sense did it?
Princess Kattera: Yeah maybe that's why I did that! I was er…pretending that was me in my mind or something. Ha ha…well I'm glad I cheered you up! Now I just need to cheer myself up…
Anaticulapraecantrix- Don't worry about it! I understand…I originally had something else as eleven and stuff. Oh and I hope you like the first chapter to Brotherly Love as well!
FairyTale- Our famous ex-convict…haha. I'm not sure when I can tell you he'll be back. I mean I know when he'll be back but I don't know when that chapter will pop up just yet. I'll keep you posted. Dam…now I'm going to get detention. Yeah really my stress needs to blow up! Ha ha…so talk to you soon I hope!
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-_- ha ha I know whatcha mean. I've been writing for a while now and I still can't get used to the fact people even read my stuff. Well hope to hear from you soon!
Cierra- I want to I want to! Geez people are really going to start striking after this chapter….but he's coming trust me! Only I can't say more then that…
Cissy- I'm glad too. I love writing, literally.
Lei Dumbledore- Whoa whoa whoa! I read something of yours….I can't put my finger on it though. I always think its freaky when people who have stuff way better than mine take a moment to read my stuff. But….thanks!
Camel Socks- Nice name….haha. Well don't worry cause it's not over! But I'm glad your enjoying it. Enough to read it twice? Wow!
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Arwena- Thanks! And I hope you enjoyed Brotherly Love…if you read it…
Amy- Sirius is coming back! Like I keep telling everyone I want to tell you but I can't. And thanks.
Okay you guys I'm getting really freaked out that this many of you read my….my stories. Is this a dream or something? Well let me know in your review next chapter! (haha)
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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!