Disclaimer: I'm sorry to say that I do not own any of the brilliant characters of the Harry Potter world; they are in fact the property of Ms. JK Rowling.
Chapter 3
Harry woke up sometime later to the sensation of his hand being licked. "Ginny?" He asked once he found his voice. The licking stopped and Harry felt alone again, for some reason there was something comforting about it…"Don't stop I like it…"
"What?!"
That sounds like Ron thought Harry as he slow came to his senses.
"Snuffles is here Harry." Hermione said cutting of Ron from saying something stupid. But Harry said something stupid instead.
"Oh, so it wasn't Ginny then?"
"No, I'm right here" Ginny's voice came from the foot of the bed, sounding a bit embarrassed by Harry's insinuation.
"Oh" Harry said, trying to open his eyes for the first time, but he panicked when he realized he couldn't see. "Um, guys? Why can't I see?" He asked his voice wavering.
"Because the bandages around your head are covering them, when we got you here your scar was bleeding rather badly and Madam Pomfrey thought it best to bandage you when we realized that magic couldn't stop the bleeding." Hermione stated matter-of-factly.
"Oh." Harry said again, not being able to think of anything better to say.
"Harry," Ron asked his voice twitching with irritation, "Why would you think that Ginny, my baby sister, would be licking you?"
"I don't know? I guess she was just on my mind…" Harry didn't get any further in his explanation because a frustrated Ron wouldn't let him.
"Why, was she on your mind?" Ron pressed, not knowing just how serious Harry's condition was.
"Ron!" Ginny interjected, "Leave him alone!"
Sirus, in his dog form came up and not so gently nudged Ron away from Harry's bed. Ron took the hint and calmed down a bit.
"Sorry, Harry." He apologized to his injured friend.
"Its okay Ron," Harry responded, "don't worry about it."
"Bye Harry" Hermione said taking Ron by the arm and leading him away.
"I'll see you later Harry" Ginny said giving Harry a pat on the arm before turning and following her brother and Hermione out of the Hospital Wing. Harry heard a faint 'pop' followed by his godfather's gentle voice.
"You had us worried there for a minute Harry. You were in pretty bad shape when they brought you in here."
"I know, I didn't feel very good either." Harry replied.
"What happened?" Sirius asked. Noticing Harry's muscles tense up Sirius placed his hand on Harry's shoulder, giving him that extra bit of support that he needed to continue.
"It was Percy." Harry said at last his voice barely above a whisper. "Somehow he got into my room and was waiting there for me. He…" Harry paused his voice catching in his throat, "he used the Criatious Curse on me."
Sirius, tensed at this and involuntarily clutched Harry's shoulder a little too tight causing him to wince in pain. Whatever he was expecting it definitely didn't involve Percy Weasley using an unforgivable curse on Harry.
Sirius released Harry, and shook his fist with fury, slamming it down on the nightstand.
"I'll be back," Sirius said his voice eerily calm, "take care of yourself Harry."
Harry heard another pop followed by the pitter-patter of 4 paws trotting across the stone flow of the Hospital Wing. Once snuffles had left Madam Pomfrey returned with a goblet full of dreamless sleep drought for Harry.
"Here you go dear, drink up now"
Harry did and soon fell into a fretless sleep.
~*~*~
Harry awoke late that evening feeling much better. The first thing that he noticed was that he could see again. The bandages must have been removed he thought to himself. He reached over for his glasses on the nightstand next the hospital bed and brought the room into focus. Even though it was the middle of the night it didn't take Madame Pomfrey long to come check on her patient.
"How are you feeling?" She asked, handing Harry a glass of water.
"I'm feeling much better, thank you." He answered truthfully, taking a sip of water from the glass Madame Pomfrey had given him.
"That's good dear," she said, taking Harry's glass back from him after he had a few more sips, "Try and go back to sleep. I imagine you'll be having visitors in the morning." She frowned at the last statement. Mutter to herself as she left about her patients needed their rest.
Harry knew that he wouldn't be able to go back to sleep now that he was awake. He had far too many questions. How did Percy get into his room? But more importantly how did he get away?
Harry pondered these questions into the morning uninterrupted until Ron, Hermione and even Ginny showed up to see how he was doing before they went down to breakfast. Harry heard them enter the Hospital wing and after a short conversation with Madame Pomfrey they joined him by his bed.
"Morning there Harry." Ron greeted him with a timid smile.
"Sirius told us what happened last night." Hermione said her voice apologetic.
"Don't worry about it," Harry replied "there was no way for you to have known."
"Besides," He continued "I'm okay now. I'm more worried about you two." He nodded towards Ron and Ginny.
"Well, it was a bit of a shock to know that Percy was here. He's our brother…and even though…he…" Ginny stopped, biting her lower lip
"Oh, Harry!" Ginny suddenly sobbed, "How could he do this to you?! You're family!"
"Ginny, its okay see Harry's fine." Ron said softly, putting his arm around Ginny and pulling her into a light hug.
Hermione smiled and thought to herself, sometimes he can be a really stupid git, but when he's like this I know why I care for him so much.
Ron allowed Ginny to calm down in his arms before continuing. "So Harry, when do you think you'll be let out of here?"
"I don't know Ron." Harry sighed exasperated, his eyes still on Ginny. I should be the one hugging her, he thought to himself.
"He'll not be going anywhere." Madame Pomfrey piped in before Harry could venture a guess. "He has at least another week of bed rest before I can allow him to even think about leaving.
"A week!" The trio plus one shouted in dismay. Madame Pomfrey quickly recovered from their outburst and continued.
"Yes a full week, he'd be here longer if Professor Dumbledore hadn't insisted that he return to classes as soon as possible. He'll be here longer still unless you let him get some rest. Now out, all of you."
"Don't worry about missing class Harry. Hermione and I will take good notes." Ron smiled.
Hermione rolled her eyes, "Or at least I will anyway, and I'll bring your homework up so you don't get too far behind."
With that Ron and Hermione left the ward, leaving Ginny to have a quick word with Harry.
"I'll come by and visit you." She said at last.
"Don't worry it's only a week, I've been here much longer than that before." Harry joked, trying to lighten the mood. They both stared at each other not quite sure what to say.
"Well, I'll see you later then." Ginny said quickly giving his hand a pat before rushing out of the hospital wing.
"Later." Harry replied after she had gone.
Please review!! I welcome any comments. Sorry for the shortness of this chapter, I'm really busy at school with exams and such so just bare with me. Thanks for reviewing!