Wanted: Love
Ch3: Back at Hogwarts
The next day, Ron, Hermione and Lavender went gloomily to their classes. All the teachers had been informed of Harry's disappearance and most didn't bother them.
"Bet Snape's down in the dungeons right now dancing." spat Ron angrily as they walked to Care of Magical Creatures.
For once Hermione didn't scold him for mean talking a teacher. They didn't have Potions that day, luckily, but there was no doubt in any of their minds that if they did, Snape would be gloating at them about it the whole time. As they reached Hagrid's hut, they could see him, red faced and puffy eyed. For once, he didn't even bring out any creatures, just instructed them to study chapter six quietly. The rest of the class didn't know what was going on. All their teachers, except Snape who never showed any emotion except anger, had been exceedingly glum all day, and although there were rumors going around about all the possible reasons, none really seemed to make much sense. The three Gryffindors were exempt from studying; instead, they and Hagrid took a seat on the grass a good fifteen feet from the rest of the class so they wouldn't be overheard.
"You hear about it, Hagrid?" asked Ron, already knowing the answer.
Hagrid nodded, "Dumbledore told us teachers this morning. I still can' believe it, though." They all nodded, they, too, were still in partial shock over it. Yes, they had known something was wrong but they would have never guessed something like this happened.
"They'll find him soon." Hermione said more to herself then anyone else but they both nodded in agreement.
"He'll be fine. Harry can take care o' himself." said Hagrid, although he looked like he only partially believed what he was saying.
"What's that?" asked Lavender pointing up in the sky. Something was flying towards them rather speedily.
"It's Hedwig!" exclaimed Hermione.
As Hedwig reached them she screeched loudly and kept turning back and forth like she wanted them to follow her. They got the message and the three young Gryffindors were quickly sprinting after the snowy owl with Hagrid chasing after them a few feet behind. And behind him the rest of the Care of Magical Creatures class had caught onto the fact that something was happening and started running after them.
_~_~_~_~
Harry wasn't sure why they had stopped cursing him. Heck, he wasn't even sure who "they" were anymore. His thoughts had all clouded into one big bowel of mush and no matter how hard he tried there was nothing he could do to straighten them out. All he could do was try to concentrate on what was happening. Vaguely, Harry remembered regaining consciousness. His hands and feet were tied and he couldn't see a thing, though he wasn't sure if this was because it was so dark or because he didn't have his glasses. His body ached beyond belief. He didn't know what they did to him, but for all the struggle he could have put up they might as well of left him untied. It was as his head hit a low branch that he realized that he was floating through the air. Had his legs not been tied so tight and his head throbbing, there was a good chance that this would have been to most comfortable he had been in ages. Sure, his body ached unbelievably, but for once his broken and bruised body didn't have to deal with being rubbed against.
"Damn that Dumbledore!" he heard someone shout angrily.
"Relax, Potter's not going anywhere. We may not be able to disapparate but just think about the reward Voldemort will give us." said someone else. Voldemort.
'Then these must be Death Eaters.' thought Harry as he faintly began to remember what had happened to him.
"Still. . .Crucio!" said the first one he heard.
Despite the fact that his eyelids felt like lead weights his eyes shot open in pain. He opened his mouth to scream but only succeeded in sputtering up blood. Suddenly, through the pain, Harry heard a loud clumping coming closer and closer to him. He also heard the sound of humans shuffling around nervously and the curse ended. Harry hunched over no longer having the energy to support any part of his body. Then, without the slightest clue of what was going on, the unmistakable sound of fighting reached his ears. Someone shouted, "Retreat!" And from what Harry could gather, the humans had run away.
Some making comments like, "Oh, crap, we're gonna get it now."
The sound of the humans died away and Harry was dimly aware of someone releasing him from his place in midair and a pair of strong arms catching him. Although his eyes were already closed, he still winced at the contact.
"Mr. Potter, are you alright?" asked a familiar voice. Harry knew that voice and he tried desperately to place his finger on who it was but was too tired to think about it for long. He wanted to answer the person's questions but speech was beyond his current capabilities and trying to only allowed him to cough up more blood.
"Do you think we're too late, Bane?" asked the voice. Bane. . .Harry knew that name. Where had he heard it?
"We might be, let's hurry and get him to Hagrid." said another voice, Bane.
"Yes, I suppose you're right." said the voice. The next thing Harry heard was the distinct sound of many horses galloping. Horses! That was it. These were the centaurs that he had met during his first visit to the Forbidden Forest, Firenze and Bane. Is that where he was?
'Firenze and Bane must have saved me from them.' Harry thought before passing out.
"He's lost it, Bane." Firenze said.
"We're going as fast as we can." said Bane.
"I know, I know." said Firenze. They galloped at their top speeds along as the rest of their kind that lived in the forest continued to drive the Death Eaters away from them.
"Look, we're almost there." said Bane as the light at the end of the forest became visible. As they emerged from the forest, they could see people already sprinting towards them. One they could make out as Hagrid.
Ron and Hermione were the first to reach Harry and the centaurs, quickly followed by Lavender. Hermione and Lavender let out a horrified gasps as their eyes fell upon Harry.
"What the f- "started Ron in disgust as he saw his friend's mangled body.
"Ron!" exclaimed Hermione shutting him up before he could finish the sentence.
"Firenze, Bane. What're yeh two doing out o' the forest." asked Hagrid as he walked up to him but the moment he saw Harry the question lay forgotten.
"Harry! What 'appened to him?" asked Hagrid as the rest of his class caught up with them and let out a series of remarks.
"Hagrid, first we must get him taken care of and then you can ask questions." said Firenze.
"O' course!" said Hagrid, taking Harry from Firenze's arms and started running back towards the castle with the Care of Magical Creatures class on his tail.
By the time they reached the entrance to the castle, classes had been dismissed for dinner and the halls were filled with students talking and laughing. But when the doors to the castle burst open all those in the entrance hall froze as Hagrid and his class ran past them with the Boy Who Lived lying limply in Hagrid's arms, covered in blood, both old and new, and bruises. They were only visible for a moment before they disappeared behind a corner, leaving dozens of shocked students behind them.
"Lavender, go ahead an' tell Madame Pomfrey ter expect us. Hermione, find Dumbledore. Ron, go fetch yer parents. As fer the rest of yeh lot, go ter dinner." Hagrid ordered. The students did as they were told, some more willingly than others, and soon Hagrid was left alone, carrying Harry as fast as he could.
When Hagrid finally reached the hospital wing, Madame Pomfrey was ready and waiting for them. Swiftly, she magicked Harry onto a bed than went about assessing the damage behind a closed curtain. His normal raven black hair was stained red from blood and clung desperately to his scalp. His face wasn't anything less than horrific. There was barely a patch of skin that was untouched by bruises, blisters, and such. His chin and throat were coated in the fresh blood that he had coughed up and his leg, even through the tattered jean pant leg, was bent at an unreal angle.
"Mr. Potter. What have you gotten yourself into now?" she asked as Harry's motionless body as she removed his shirt.
She gasped at what she saw. His chest was partially caved in and he looked like he hadn't eaten in weeks. Not to mention his back which was covered in scars, bruises, cuts, and blood. Just when she was about to start performing some healing magic the door to the hospital wing slammed open.
"Where is he!?" Sirius' voice was clearly full of anxiety.
"He's behind the curtain with Madame Pomfrey." Lavender answered him softly. Shuffling feet told Pomfrey that Sirius was heading towards her and her patient.
"Sirius, please, there's nothing we can do right now. Madame Pomfrey is the only one who can help him. Just try to relax." said Dumbledore's voice, though; Pomfrey knew that he, too, was dying to see him.
Sighing, she went around the curtain to talk to everyone. She was surprised at how many people were there. Ron, Hermione, Lavender, Dumbledore, Sirius, Ginny, Fred, George, Molly, and Arthur.
Instantly, Sirius jumped at her, "Is he okay?"
"He's taken quite a beating. It'll be a while before I'll finish. You all might as well go down to dinner." said Pomfrey. No one in the room looked like they were even the slightest bit interested in leaving.
Pomfrey nodded, "Fine, everyone can stay but I must ask you to stay quiet, I need to concentrate." With that she turned around and marched back behind the curtain.
Hours came and went and by ten o'clock, things didn't look like they would be letting up anytime soon. Sirius was pacing nervously back and forth, Ginny was sitting with her knees drawn up to her chest, gently rocking as her mother rested her head on Arthur's shoulder, Dumbledore was talking quietly with Hagrid, Ron sat in silence with Lavender's head in his lap, and Hermione sat still as she stroked Hedwig who had flown in just over an hour ago. Madame Pomfrey hadn't some come out since when she first addressed them three hours ago. Dumbledore and Hagrid finished their discussion and now sat in rapt silence along with everyone else. The tension in the air was almost unbearable and had it not been for Madame Pomfrey finally coming back around the curtain and relieving some of the gravity of the situation who knew what would have happened.
Simultaneously, everyone in the room jumped up and hurried over to her.
"Well?" asked Lavender, just managing to suppress her tears.
"He's resting." said Pomfrey simply.
"Can we see him?" asked Ginny.
Pomfrey nodded, "Just try to keep the noise down. He needs rest. Headmaster, I should need to speak with you soon."
Dumbledore nodded, "In a minute, Poppy."
With that everyone turned the curtain and, for the first time for some, saw Harry lying motionlessly on a bed. The back of his head was wrapped in bandages and his face, covered in cuts and bruises, showed almost no undamaged skin at all. There was next to no color in the skin that could be seen and a slight sweat could be seen covering his body. Even through the blankets they could see the wrappings that surrounded Harry's torso, though; it didn't hide that fact that he was almost as thin a piece of paper. He looked oddly peaceful there and had they not known by the small, shallow rises of his chest, they might have thought him dead. The girls and Hagrid all burst into tears and the men looked disgusted at the sight.
"W. . .what happened to him?" asked Molly.
"F. . .Firenze and Bane. . .they f. . .found him in the F. . .Forbidden Forest." stuttered Hagrid.
"What the hell was he doing in there!?" shouted Sirius.
"D. . . don' know." said Hagrid as he started to sob again.
_~_~_~_~
"Poppy, please." said Dumbledore. An hour had passed and Harry showed no sign of waking up so all the adults had gone to Dumbledore's office to have a talk. Currently, they were trying to learn the extent of the damage.
Pomfrey nodded, "Multiple cuts and bruises as you saw, five broken ribs, a punctured lung, shoulder blade fractured, both collar bones shattered, every bone in his right foot has been broken, left wrist broken and his left hand seems to have been burned. He has blisters all over his body which is most likely the result of contact with a very hot liquid, and just about every bone in his right leg has been shattered. There is a severe case of malnutrition and untreated pneumonia. There's also a hole in his head-"
"A hole where!?" asked Sirius in horrified astonishment.
"In the back of his head, I believe he might have had something forced into it." said Pomfrey. Sirius, Dumbledore, Molly, and Arthur all looked at each other and instantly understood.
Sirius stood up, "Wait till I get my hands on those good for nothing bas-"
"Sirius, please." said Dumbledore, also standing up.
"How can you just stand there knowing what they did!? Dumbledore, he's just a sixteen year old boy! That good for nothing bastard has had this coming to him! By the time I'm finished with him he won't be able to even breathe without flinching!" shouted Sirius.
Pomfrey was standing in silence. After all, the staff had only been told that Harry had vanished, they had not been informed of anything else.
"Sirius, we will take care of the Dursleys at a later time. Surely, you don't wish to be thrown back in Azkaban before you get a chance to talk to Harry." said Dumbledore.
Sirius glared off into space for a moment then, very dramatically, sat back in his seat, "I'll deal with them later. You can sure as hell be sure of that!"
Dumbledore gave him a small smile, "I'm sure you will. Now, Poppy, please continue."
Pomfrey, who had suddenly realized what was going on looked shocked, "Headmaster. . .perhaps I should save the rest for later." If Sirius had acted like that about the head then he would blow a fuse at what she had to say next.
"Poppy, we need to know." said Dumbledore, sensing her reluctance.
Poppy cast a glance at Sirius then continued, "He has scars all over his body, particularly his back, and, although, I can get rid of them I'm certain the memories that go with them will still take some time to heal. He also has showed some signs of internal bleeding. His mind is in shock. He probably won't wake up for at least a few more days but when he does. . .There is a chance that when he wakes up he might be, not this isn't for certain, but he could be partially. . .paralyzed."
The Weasleys' eyes opened wide, Sirius jumped up again, looking ready to use Avada Kedavera at that moment. Hagrid, looked like wasn't too far behind Sirius' train of thoughts, and Dumbledore's eyes narrowed.
"Now are you just going to sit there, Dumbledore!? I don't care if I do get life in Azkaban! If Harry wakes up and can't move I will kill them!"
"Sirius, we aren't sure that the Dursleys are to blame for all of this. Whatever happened to him in the forest is sure to be at fault for some of this." said Dumbledore.
_~_~_~_~
Two weeks had passed since Harry was found by Firenze and Bane and he had yet to wake up. Rumors were spreading like wild fires around the school. What happened to him and who did it to him? Both of these questions had at least twenty different answers. Madame Pomfrey had been ordered not to let anyone outside the teachers and the circle of close friends to be let in to visit him. This, however, just doubled the attempt most made to find to truth. It also meant that those who did know, a.k.a. Ron, Hermione, Ginny, and Lavender, were constantly hounded with questions by their fellow students.
Ron, Hermione, and Lavender were walking on their way back from a visit at Hagrid's when they bumped into none other than the infamous Draco Malfoy and his cronies, Crabbe and Goyle.
"Oh, look. It's Potty's fan club. So sorry to hear about your leader's little accident." Malfoy said nastily.
Crabbe and Goyle chuckled as Ron looked as if he might snap and do something incredibly stupid if Malfoy said one more thing about his bedridden friend.
"Shut up, Malfoy." Lavender said sensing the danger coming from her boyfriend.
"Pity he has everyone so worked up about him. . .though I must say, he does make an interesting topic to read about, doesn't he?" asked Malfoy.
"What are you talking about?" asked Hermione, glaring at him.
"Oh, you don't know. I'm surprised. Whole school's talking about it." said Malfoy smirking, Crabbe and Goyle were shaking with silent laughter.
"About what!?" spat Ron. From within the confines of his robes, Malfoy brandished a copy of the Daily Prophet.
He then made a big scene of unfolding it and in a very fake voice full of concern read the headline, "The-Boy-Who-Lived Found Near Death in the Forbidden Forest Outside School. Oh! What a terrible tragedy!" Malfoy smirked then continued, "The whole Ministry's in a riot about it. Like I said, pity they're wasting all their energy worrying about something as insignificant as him."
Hermione and Lavender were shocked. Dumbledore had made it sort of a mission not to let Harry's condition slip out to the public. They should have known it was impossible, though. The whole school knew about Harry. Did their headmaster actually think they could act as though nothing happened? Especially after word of his disappearance had been headlining the papers for a while. Ron, on the other hand, was not so subtle in his reaction. Infuriated by Malfoy's behavior towards his best friend, he had launched himself at him and was currently punching the daylights out of him as Crabbe and Goyle tried to pull him off. A group of students, who had been passing by, had heard the last couple of comments and didn't hesitate in the least to help out Ron. Seamus and Dean started attacking Goyle as Fred, George, and Lee took on Crabbe. Even Neville, who had always been keen on trying to stay out of trouble, took a few hits at the trio of Slytherins.
Just as things were looking up for the Gryffindors, as they had their opponent outnumbered, about twenty to three, a group of Slytherins had walked up from the dungeons and saw three of their number getting the stuffing knocked out of them. Without hesitation, they, too, jumped into the fight. As much as Hermione and Lavender were pleased to see Malfoy and his friends get pounded, they became a little wary when the other Slytherins showed up. They, themselves, were never the types to engage in fist fights but were soon forced into it as Pansy Parkinson and some other fifth year Slytherin girl grabbed them and pulled them into the conflict.
It was a good ten minutes before any of the professors showed up but when they did there was fire in their eyes. A very bright spark was set up and the students automatically stopped what they were doing, Ron getting one last punch in at Malfoy before standing up with the rest of the kids. McGonagall had sent up the spark but she wasn't the only one there, Snape, Hagrid, and Dumbledore all stood there looking from guilty face to guilty face.
"What has been going on here?" asked McGonagall. At once everyone involved started shouting explanations and it took another spark, this time sent up by Dumbledore, to silence them. Calmly, he lowered his wand to Lavender and said,
"Miss Brown. Would you be kind enough as to explain what has happened? Lavender, who had been nursing a deep cut on her arm, looked up as she was addressed.
"Well. . .Ron, Hermione, and I were coming back from visiting Hagrid-" the teachers looked at Hagrid and he nodded that it was true, "---And then we were heading back to the common room when he-" Lavender glared at Malfoy who smiled innocently, if that's possible, "and his friends started talking about things they don't know. . .strictly speaking, Harry. Then he said something really. . .really. . ."
Lavender searched for the right word but couldn't seem to find it so Ron burst out, "That fucking-"
"Ron!" shouted Hermione.
"He said. . .something really rude about Harry and Ron snapped and attacked him-But it wasn't his fault! It was really awful what he said! But anyway, some of our fellow Gryffindors also heard what he said and decided to help Ron, but then the Slytherins came up here and started helping their own." concluded Lavender.
"That Potter, always causing trouble, even when he's unconscious." Snape muttered under his breath.
"That's not what happened!" shouted Malfoy.
"Shut your cake hole, you slimy git!" shouted Fred.
"Yeah! We all heard what you said, you ungrateful little-" then George said something that caused an outbreak from the Slytherins and the group of students started fighting again
The professors quickly reinstated the order and Snape said, "Headmaster, with all due respect, Mr. Malfoy is right. We have only heard the story from a Gryffindor. It is likely to be biased."
Ron was about to say something but Hermione clamped her hand over his mouth and fiercely whispered, "Ron, just be quiet before we get in even more trouble!" With that she removed her hand and Ron just put on a scowl and muttered something under his breath that Hermione could quite catch.
"Very well, Mr. Malfoy, would you please entertain us with your side of the story." said Dumbledore.
"It's simple, really." said Malfoy in an overly melancholy voice and pretending to stifle a sob, "Crabbe, Goyle, and I. . .well, to be quite honest, we never really hated Pot---er. . .Harry, that is. And we were just expressing our apologies to his closest friends when Ron-" Ron tried to make his way over to where Malfoy was standing and was so angry that it took Hermione, Lavender, Fred, and George, to hold him back.
"That fucker doesn't have any right to call Harry Harry! And I don't want him calling me Ron either! I don't need to hear the rest of his story! It's bull!" he said with venom in a low, deadly voice.
"-snapped and started punching me. Vincent and Gregory tried to help me-" Crabbe and Goyle imitated Malfoy's antics at the mention of their names, "- but then Ron got his friends to help him. If it weren't for my friends coming to help me. . .I dread to think what might have happened."
Everyone in the hall, except the Slytherins, looked appalled by Malfoy's version. Even Snape, who had Malfoy as his favorite student, felt that his rendering of the fight was beyond sense.
"That's bull! Why don't you try telling the truth for once you freakin' Death Eater! I don't who you think you're kidding! Everyone knows you want Harry dead and if you ever call me Ron or Harry Harry again I'll smash your bloody face in!"
With that Ron broke free of everyone's grip and started attacking Malfoy again. For the third time chaos broke out in the entrance hall but this time, it took more than a measly spark being sent into the air to stop them. The professors were forced to go into the thick of the battle and separate the Slytherins from the Gryffindors.
Once the calm was back, Dumbledore spoke, "Minerva, perhaps you best go inform Poppy that she should be expecting quite a few students in a bit."
McGonagall nodded and went off as Dumbledore continued, "Mr.'s Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle. You three will be receiving a week's detention for provoking a fight with three already very agitated Gryffindors. You also can take pride in knowing that you have lost thirty points for Slytherin house. Fifteen for the fighting, and another fifteen for lying to your professors."
Ron was smiling broadly as were the rest of the Gryffindors at the look on Malfoy's face, though, he was still very perturbed.
"As for the rest of you. . .take this as a warning. No more fighting will be tolerated on these grounds for any circumstances. Punishment will not be exempt next time. Now, all of you head up to the hospital wing and get cleaned up." said Dumbledore, ushering all the students out of the hall.
The rest of the day went by quickly and soon it was midnight. The castle was silent with the exception of a small conversation going on in the Gryffindor common room. Ron, who burst out ranting and raving about earlier that afternoon every time something that had to do with Slytherins was uttered, was pacing back and forth as Hermione watched him, Lavender was asleep on the couch.
"I'll get that good for nothing prick if it's the last thing I do! Can you believe him!?" Ron shouted at Hermione.
"Ron, please, you're going to wake up Lavender, not to mention half the tower." said Hermione quietly though she, too, was still seething with anger. In the hospital wing Malfoy had snuck a peek at Harry while Madame Pomfrey and burst out laughing. Crabbe and Goyle had leaned over to see what was so funny and accidentally knocked Malfoy over who, consequentially, took the curtain that was blocking Harry from view with him.
Everyone in the room had froze and stared at him. Madame Pomfrey had been angrier than anyone could ever remember seeing her. Having just finished the last person, she magicked the curtain back up and grabbed Malfoy by the ear. Quickly, she shooed everyone away than motioned for Crabbe and Goyle to follow her. And while Dumbledore took off another fifteen points from Slytherin, nothing could make up for the rumors that were now circling around the school. But other than that, all the adults seemed to be hiding something from them. They would be talking perfectly normally and then when one of them walked up or by they would suddenly clam up.
"I don't care if I wake up the whole bloody school! Why aren't you more upset about this!? Malfoy's going to end up destroying Harry and you could care less!" shouted Ron.
That hit a nerve. Hermione was suddenly on her feet and crossed over to Ron in less than a second. Her face was beat red and Ron cowered beneath it like he did his mother. Then, without saying anything, she slapped him hard across the face.
"Don't you think you can tell me what I care about!? If you had any idea-" Hermione broke off with tears in her eyes and sank to the floor, sobbing.
"Her. . .mione?" asked Ron cautiously as a bit of realization dawned on him. He rubbed his cheek where a hand print had begun to show up and put a hand on her shoulder. Hermione turned her head to the side so she didn't have to face him.
"Hermione?" Ron asked again bending down to the floor with her, "Hermione, I'm sorry. I didn't mean it." Hermione wiped her eyes with her robe sleeve and sniffed.
Putting on a small smile, she faced him, "I know, and I'm sorry I hit you."
Ron laughed, "Don't worry about it. It goes well with the collection I started."
Hermione laughed too, "Thanks, Ron." With that she hugged him and then they stood up.
Ron glanced at Lavender, "How can she have slept through that?"
Hermione giggled, "Heavy sleeper?"
"Maybe." said Ron as he walked over to her and wrapped a blanket around her then gave her a small kiss on the forehead. Hermione watched this and let out a small sigh. How she secretly wished it was her in Lavender's position and her own prince charming was leaning over her, tucking her in.
"Can we go see Harry?" Hermione blurted out without thinking.
Ron turned to her and smiled, "Sure."
Author's Note: Wondering about Viktor Krum ain't cha? Well, I think you all probably have a hunch, don't cha? Well, the only thing I'm saying is don't think that's the only thing that it can be, 'cuz it's not. Any who. . . should I make Harry paralyzed? I wonder. . .::smiles evilly::. . .okay, if I don't get any reviews telling me what to do I'm gonna have to make that big decision on my own. . .and trust me. . .you don't want that. Lol, review if you know what's good for ya!
Katzztar, Videl86, Otaku Freak, LittleEar BigEar's sis, Soxroxmysox, Pamela, MissPatriciaPotter, Starkitty: Thanks for your reviews, can't believe I got this many already! You all really make me want to update ASAP! And I promise to try to update regularly! But if I take too long try my other stories!
Ch3: Back at Hogwarts
The next day, Ron, Hermione and Lavender went gloomily to their classes. All the teachers had been informed of Harry's disappearance and most didn't bother them.
"Bet Snape's down in the dungeons right now dancing." spat Ron angrily as they walked to Care of Magical Creatures.
For once Hermione didn't scold him for mean talking a teacher. They didn't have Potions that day, luckily, but there was no doubt in any of their minds that if they did, Snape would be gloating at them about it the whole time. As they reached Hagrid's hut, they could see him, red faced and puffy eyed. For once, he didn't even bring out any creatures, just instructed them to study chapter six quietly. The rest of the class didn't know what was going on. All their teachers, except Snape who never showed any emotion except anger, had been exceedingly glum all day, and although there were rumors going around about all the possible reasons, none really seemed to make much sense. The three Gryffindors were exempt from studying; instead, they and Hagrid took a seat on the grass a good fifteen feet from the rest of the class so they wouldn't be overheard.
"You hear about it, Hagrid?" asked Ron, already knowing the answer.
Hagrid nodded, "Dumbledore told us teachers this morning. I still can' believe it, though." They all nodded, they, too, were still in partial shock over it. Yes, they had known something was wrong but they would have never guessed something like this happened.
"They'll find him soon." Hermione said more to herself then anyone else but they both nodded in agreement.
"He'll be fine. Harry can take care o' himself." said Hagrid, although he looked like he only partially believed what he was saying.
"What's that?" asked Lavender pointing up in the sky. Something was flying towards them rather speedily.
"It's Hedwig!" exclaimed Hermione.
As Hedwig reached them she screeched loudly and kept turning back and forth like she wanted them to follow her. They got the message and the three young Gryffindors were quickly sprinting after the snowy owl with Hagrid chasing after them a few feet behind. And behind him the rest of the Care of Magical Creatures class had caught onto the fact that something was happening and started running after them.
_~_~_~_~
Harry wasn't sure why they had stopped cursing him. Heck, he wasn't even sure who "they" were anymore. His thoughts had all clouded into one big bowel of mush and no matter how hard he tried there was nothing he could do to straighten them out. All he could do was try to concentrate on what was happening. Vaguely, Harry remembered regaining consciousness. His hands and feet were tied and he couldn't see a thing, though he wasn't sure if this was because it was so dark or because he didn't have his glasses. His body ached beyond belief. He didn't know what they did to him, but for all the struggle he could have put up they might as well of left him untied. It was as his head hit a low branch that he realized that he was floating through the air. Had his legs not been tied so tight and his head throbbing, there was a good chance that this would have been to most comfortable he had been in ages. Sure, his body ached unbelievably, but for once his broken and bruised body didn't have to deal with being rubbed against.
"Damn that Dumbledore!" he heard someone shout angrily.
"Relax, Potter's not going anywhere. We may not be able to disapparate but just think about the reward Voldemort will give us." said someone else. Voldemort.
'Then these must be Death Eaters.' thought Harry as he faintly began to remember what had happened to him.
"Still. . .Crucio!" said the first one he heard.
Despite the fact that his eyelids felt like lead weights his eyes shot open in pain. He opened his mouth to scream but only succeeded in sputtering up blood. Suddenly, through the pain, Harry heard a loud clumping coming closer and closer to him. He also heard the sound of humans shuffling around nervously and the curse ended. Harry hunched over no longer having the energy to support any part of his body. Then, without the slightest clue of what was going on, the unmistakable sound of fighting reached his ears. Someone shouted, "Retreat!" And from what Harry could gather, the humans had run away.
Some making comments like, "Oh, crap, we're gonna get it now."
The sound of the humans died away and Harry was dimly aware of someone releasing him from his place in midair and a pair of strong arms catching him. Although his eyes were already closed, he still winced at the contact.
"Mr. Potter, are you alright?" asked a familiar voice. Harry knew that voice and he tried desperately to place his finger on who it was but was too tired to think about it for long. He wanted to answer the person's questions but speech was beyond his current capabilities and trying to only allowed him to cough up more blood.
"Do you think we're too late, Bane?" asked the voice. Bane. . .Harry knew that name. Where had he heard it?
"We might be, let's hurry and get him to Hagrid." said another voice, Bane.
"Yes, I suppose you're right." said the voice. The next thing Harry heard was the distinct sound of many horses galloping. Horses! That was it. These were the centaurs that he had met during his first visit to the Forbidden Forest, Firenze and Bane. Is that where he was?
'Firenze and Bane must have saved me from them.' Harry thought before passing out.
"He's lost it, Bane." Firenze said.
"We're going as fast as we can." said Bane.
"I know, I know." said Firenze. They galloped at their top speeds along as the rest of their kind that lived in the forest continued to drive the Death Eaters away from them.
"Look, we're almost there." said Bane as the light at the end of the forest became visible. As they emerged from the forest, they could see people already sprinting towards them. One they could make out as Hagrid.
Ron and Hermione were the first to reach Harry and the centaurs, quickly followed by Lavender. Hermione and Lavender let out a horrified gasps as their eyes fell upon Harry.
"What the f- "started Ron in disgust as he saw his friend's mangled body.
"Ron!" exclaimed Hermione shutting him up before he could finish the sentence.
"Firenze, Bane. What're yeh two doing out o' the forest." asked Hagrid as he walked up to him but the moment he saw Harry the question lay forgotten.
"Harry! What 'appened to him?" asked Hagrid as the rest of his class caught up with them and let out a series of remarks.
"Hagrid, first we must get him taken care of and then you can ask questions." said Firenze.
"O' course!" said Hagrid, taking Harry from Firenze's arms and started running back towards the castle with the Care of Magical Creatures class on his tail.
By the time they reached the entrance to the castle, classes had been dismissed for dinner and the halls were filled with students talking and laughing. But when the doors to the castle burst open all those in the entrance hall froze as Hagrid and his class ran past them with the Boy Who Lived lying limply in Hagrid's arms, covered in blood, both old and new, and bruises. They were only visible for a moment before they disappeared behind a corner, leaving dozens of shocked students behind them.
"Lavender, go ahead an' tell Madame Pomfrey ter expect us. Hermione, find Dumbledore. Ron, go fetch yer parents. As fer the rest of yeh lot, go ter dinner." Hagrid ordered. The students did as they were told, some more willingly than others, and soon Hagrid was left alone, carrying Harry as fast as he could.
When Hagrid finally reached the hospital wing, Madame Pomfrey was ready and waiting for them. Swiftly, she magicked Harry onto a bed than went about assessing the damage behind a closed curtain. His normal raven black hair was stained red from blood and clung desperately to his scalp. His face wasn't anything less than horrific. There was barely a patch of skin that was untouched by bruises, blisters, and such. His chin and throat were coated in the fresh blood that he had coughed up and his leg, even through the tattered jean pant leg, was bent at an unreal angle.
"Mr. Potter. What have you gotten yourself into now?" she asked as Harry's motionless body as she removed his shirt.
She gasped at what she saw. His chest was partially caved in and he looked like he hadn't eaten in weeks. Not to mention his back which was covered in scars, bruises, cuts, and blood. Just when she was about to start performing some healing magic the door to the hospital wing slammed open.
"Where is he!?" Sirius' voice was clearly full of anxiety.
"He's behind the curtain with Madame Pomfrey." Lavender answered him softly. Shuffling feet told Pomfrey that Sirius was heading towards her and her patient.
"Sirius, please, there's nothing we can do right now. Madame Pomfrey is the only one who can help him. Just try to relax." said Dumbledore's voice, though; Pomfrey knew that he, too, was dying to see him.
Sighing, she went around the curtain to talk to everyone. She was surprised at how many people were there. Ron, Hermione, Lavender, Dumbledore, Sirius, Ginny, Fred, George, Molly, and Arthur.
Instantly, Sirius jumped at her, "Is he okay?"
"He's taken quite a beating. It'll be a while before I'll finish. You all might as well go down to dinner." said Pomfrey. No one in the room looked like they were even the slightest bit interested in leaving.
Pomfrey nodded, "Fine, everyone can stay but I must ask you to stay quiet, I need to concentrate." With that she turned around and marched back behind the curtain.
Hours came and went and by ten o'clock, things didn't look like they would be letting up anytime soon. Sirius was pacing nervously back and forth, Ginny was sitting with her knees drawn up to her chest, gently rocking as her mother rested her head on Arthur's shoulder, Dumbledore was talking quietly with Hagrid, Ron sat in silence with Lavender's head in his lap, and Hermione sat still as she stroked Hedwig who had flown in just over an hour ago. Madame Pomfrey hadn't some come out since when she first addressed them three hours ago. Dumbledore and Hagrid finished their discussion and now sat in rapt silence along with everyone else. The tension in the air was almost unbearable and had it not been for Madame Pomfrey finally coming back around the curtain and relieving some of the gravity of the situation who knew what would have happened.
Simultaneously, everyone in the room jumped up and hurried over to her.
"Well?" asked Lavender, just managing to suppress her tears.
"He's resting." said Pomfrey simply.
"Can we see him?" asked Ginny.
Pomfrey nodded, "Just try to keep the noise down. He needs rest. Headmaster, I should need to speak with you soon."
Dumbledore nodded, "In a minute, Poppy."
With that everyone turned the curtain and, for the first time for some, saw Harry lying motionlessly on a bed. The back of his head was wrapped in bandages and his face, covered in cuts and bruises, showed almost no undamaged skin at all. There was next to no color in the skin that could be seen and a slight sweat could be seen covering his body. Even through the blankets they could see the wrappings that surrounded Harry's torso, though; it didn't hide that fact that he was almost as thin a piece of paper. He looked oddly peaceful there and had they not known by the small, shallow rises of his chest, they might have thought him dead. The girls and Hagrid all burst into tears and the men looked disgusted at the sight.
"W. . .what happened to him?" asked Molly.
"F. . .Firenze and Bane. . .they f. . .found him in the F. . .Forbidden Forest." stuttered Hagrid.
"What the hell was he doing in there!?" shouted Sirius.
"D. . . don' know." said Hagrid as he started to sob again.
_~_~_~_~
"Poppy, please." said Dumbledore. An hour had passed and Harry showed no sign of waking up so all the adults had gone to Dumbledore's office to have a talk. Currently, they were trying to learn the extent of the damage.
Pomfrey nodded, "Multiple cuts and bruises as you saw, five broken ribs, a punctured lung, shoulder blade fractured, both collar bones shattered, every bone in his right foot has been broken, left wrist broken and his left hand seems to have been burned. He has blisters all over his body which is most likely the result of contact with a very hot liquid, and just about every bone in his right leg has been shattered. There is a severe case of malnutrition and untreated pneumonia. There's also a hole in his head-"
"A hole where!?" asked Sirius in horrified astonishment.
"In the back of his head, I believe he might have had something forced into it." said Pomfrey. Sirius, Dumbledore, Molly, and Arthur all looked at each other and instantly understood.
Sirius stood up, "Wait till I get my hands on those good for nothing bas-"
"Sirius, please." said Dumbledore, also standing up.
"How can you just stand there knowing what they did!? Dumbledore, he's just a sixteen year old boy! That good for nothing bastard has had this coming to him! By the time I'm finished with him he won't be able to even breathe without flinching!" shouted Sirius.
Pomfrey was standing in silence. After all, the staff had only been told that Harry had vanished, they had not been informed of anything else.
"Sirius, we will take care of the Dursleys at a later time. Surely, you don't wish to be thrown back in Azkaban before you get a chance to talk to Harry." said Dumbledore.
Sirius glared off into space for a moment then, very dramatically, sat back in his seat, "I'll deal with them later. You can sure as hell be sure of that!"
Dumbledore gave him a small smile, "I'm sure you will. Now, Poppy, please continue."
Pomfrey, who had suddenly realized what was going on looked shocked, "Headmaster. . .perhaps I should save the rest for later." If Sirius had acted like that about the head then he would blow a fuse at what she had to say next.
"Poppy, we need to know." said Dumbledore, sensing her reluctance.
Poppy cast a glance at Sirius then continued, "He has scars all over his body, particularly his back, and, although, I can get rid of them I'm certain the memories that go with them will still take some time to heal. He also has showed some signs of internal bleeding. His mind is in shock. He probably won't wake up for at least a few more days but when he does. . .There is a chance that when he wakes up he might be, not this isn't for certain, but he could be partially. . .paralyzed."
The Weasleys' eyes opened wide, Sirius jumped up again, looking ready to use Avada Kedavera at that moment. Hagrid, looked like wasn't too far behind Sirius' train of thoughts, and Dumbledore's eyes narrowed.
"Now are you just going to sit there, Dumbledore!? I don't care if I do get life in Azkaban! If Harry wakes up and can't move I will kill them!"
"Sirius, we aren't sure that the Dursleys are to blame for all of this. Whatever happened to him in the forest is sure to be at fault for some of this." said Dumbledore.
_~_~_~_~
Two weeks had passed since Harry was found by Firenze and Bane and he had yet to wake up. Rumors were spreading like wild fires around the school. What happened to him and who did it to him? Both of these questions had at least twenty different answers. Madame Pomfrey had been ordered not to let anyone outside the teachers and the circle of close friends to be let in to visit him. This, however, just doubled the attempt most made to find to truth. It also meant that those who did know, a.k.a. Ron, Hermione, Ginny, and Lavender, were constantly hounded with questions by their fellow students.
Ron, Hermione, and Lavender were walking on their way back from a visit at Hagrid's when they bumped into none other than the infamous Draco Malfoy and his cronies, Crabbe and Goyle.
"Oh, look. It's Potty's fan club. So sorry to hear about your leader's little accident." Malfoy said nastily.
Crabbe and Goyle chuckled as Ron looked as if he might snap and do something incredibly stupid if Malfoy said one more thing about his bedridden friend.
"Shut up, Malfoy." Lavender said sensing the danger coming from her boyfriend.
"Pity he has everyone so worked up about him. . .though I must say, he does make an interesting topic to read about, doesn't he?" asked Malfoy.
"What are you talking about?" asked Hermione, glaring at him.
"Oh, you don't know. I'm surprised. Whole school's talking about it." said Malfoy smirking, Crabbe and Goyle were shaking with silent laughter.
"About what!?" spat Ron. From within the confines of his robes, Malfoy brandished a copy of the Daily Prophet.
He then made a big scene of unfolding it and in a very fake voice full of concern read the headline, "The-Boy-Who-Lived Found Near Death in the Forbidden Forest Outside School. Oh! What a terrible tragedy!" Malfoy smirked then continued, "The whole Ministry's in a riot about it. Like I said, pity they're wasting all their energy worrying about something as insignificant as him."
Hermione and Lavender were shocked. Dumbledore had made it sort of a mission not to let Harry's condition slip out to the public. They should have known it was impossible, though. The whole school knew about Harry. Did their headmaster actually think they could act as though nothing happened? Especially after word of his disappearance had been headlining the papers for a while. Ron, on the other hand, was not so subtle in his reaction. Infuriated by Malfoy's behavior towards his best friend, he had launched himself at him and was currently punching the daylights out of him as Crabbe and Goyle tried to pull him off. A group of students, who had been passing by, had heard the last couple of comments and didn't hesitate in the least to help out Ron. Seamus and Dean started attacking Goyle as Fred, George, and Lee took on Crabbe. Even Neville, who had always been keen on trying to stay out of trouble, took a few hits at the trio of Slytherins.
Just as things were looking up for the Gryffindors, as they had their opponent outnumbered, about twenty to three, a group of Slytherins had walked up from the dungeons and saw three of their number getting the stuffing knocked out of them. Without hesitation, they, too, jumped into the fight. As much as Hermione and Lavender were pleased to see Malfoy and his friends get pounded, they became a little wary when the other Slytherins showed up. They, themselves, were never the types to engage in fist fights but were soon forced into it as Pansy Parkinson and some other fifth year Slytherin girl grabbed them and pulled them into the conflict.
It was a good ten minutes before any of the professors showed up but when they did there was fire in their eyes. A very bright spark was set up and the students automatically stopped what they were doing, Ron getting one last punch in at Malfoy before standing up with the rest of the kids. McGonagall had sent up the spark but she wasn't the only one there, Snape, Hagrid, and Dumbledore all stood there looking from guilty face to guilty face.
"What has been going on here?" asked McGonagall. At once everyone involved started shouting explanations and it took another spark, this time sent up by Dumbledore, to silence them. Calmly, he lowered his wand to Lavender and said,
"Miss Brown. Would you be kind enough as to explain what has happened? Lavender, who had been nursing a deep cut on her arm, looked up as she was addressed.
"Well. . .Ron, Hermione, and I were coming back from visiting Hagrid-" the teachers looked at Hagrid and he nodded that it was true, "---And then we were heading back to the common room when he-" Lavender glared at Malfoy who smiled innocently, if that's possible, "and his friends started talking about things they don't know. . .strictly speaking, Harry. Then he said something really. . .really. . ."
Lavender searched for the right word but couldn't seem to find it so Ron burst out, "That fucking-"
"Ron!" shouted Hermione.
"He said. . .something really rude about Harry and Ron snapped and attacked him-But it wasn't his fault! It was really awful what he said! But anyway, some of our fellow Gryffindors also heard what he said and decided to help Ron, but then the Slytherins came up here and started helping their own." concluded Lavender.
"That Potter, always causing trouble, even when he's unconscious." Snape muttered under his breath.
"That's not what happened!" shouted Malfoy.
"Shut your cake hole, you slimy git!" shouted Fred.
"Yeah! We all heard what you said, you ungrateful little-" then George said something that caused an outbreak from the Slytherins and the group of students started fighting again
The professors quickly reinstated the order and Snape said, "Headmaster, with all due respect, Mr. Malfoy is right. We have only heard the story from a Gryffindor. It is likely to be biased."
Ron was about to say something but Hermione clamped her hand over his mouth and fiercely whispered, "Ron, just be quiet before we get in even more trouble!" With that she removed her hand and Ron just put on a scowl and muttered something under his breath that Hermione could quite catch.
"Very well, Mr. Malfoy, would you please entertain us with your side of the story." said Dumbledore.
"It's simple, really." said Malfoy in an overly melancholy voice and pretending to stifle a sob, "Crabbe, Goyle, and I. . .well, to be quite honest, we never really hated Pot---er. . .Harry, that is. And we were just expressing our apologies to his closest friends when Ron-" Ron tried to make his way over to where Malfoy was standing and was so angry that it took Hermione, Lavender, Fred, and George, to hold him back.
"That fucker doesn't have any right to call Harry Harry! And I don't want him calling me Ron either! I don't need to hear the rest of his story! It's bull!" he said with venom in a low, deadly voice.
"-snapped and started punching me. Vincent and Gregory tried to help me-" Crabbe and Goyle imitated Malfoy's antics at the mention of their names, "- but then Ron got his friends to help him. If it weren't for my friends coming to help me. . .I dread to think what might have happened."
Everyone in the hall, except the Slytherins, looked appalled by Malfoy's version. Even Snape, who had Malfoy as his favorite student, felt that his rendering of the fight was beyond sense.
"That's bull! Why don't you try telling the truth for once you freakin' Death Eater! I don't who you think you're kidding! Everyone knows you want Harry dead and if you ever call me Ron or Harry Harry again I'll smash your bloody face in!"
With that Ron broke free of everyone's grip and started attacking Malfoy again. For the third time chaos broke out in the entrance hall but this time, it took more than a measly spark being sent into the air to stop them. The professors were forced to go into the thick of the battle and separate the Slytherins from the Gryffindors.
Once the calm was back, Dumbledore spoke, "Minerva, perhaps you best go inform Poppy that she should be expecting quite a few students in a bit."
McGonagall nodded and went off as Dumbledore continued, "Mr.'s Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle. You three will be receiving a week's detention for provoking a fight with three already very agitated Gryffindors. You also can take pride in knowing that you have lost thirty points for Slytherin house. Fifteen for the fighting, and another fifteen for lying to your professors."
Ron was smiling broadly as were the rest of the Gryffindors at the look on Malfoy's face, though, he was still very perturbed.
"As for the rest of you. . .take this as a warning. No more fighting will be tolerated on these grounds for any circumstances. Punishment will not be exempt next time. Now, all of you head up to the hospital wing and get cleaned up." said Dumbledore, ushering all the students out of the hall.
The rest of the day went by quickly and soon it was midnight. The castle was silent with the exception of a small conversation going on in the Gryffindor common room. Ron, who burst out ranting and raving about earlier that afternoon every time something that had to do with Slytherins was uttered, was pacing back and forth as Hermione watched him, Lavender was asleep on the couch.
"I'll get that good for nothing prick if it's the last thing I do! Can you believe him!?" Ron shouted at Hermione.
"Ron, please, you're going to wake up Lavender, not to mention half the tower." said Hermione quietly though she, too, was still seething with anger. In the hospital wing Malfoy had snuck a peek at Harry while Madame Pomfrey and burst out laughing. Crabbe and Goyle had leaned over to see what was so funny and accidentally knocked Malfoy over who, consequentially, took the curtain that was blocking Harry from view with him.
Everyone in the room had froze and stared at him. Madame Pomfrey had been angrier than anyone could ever remember seeing her. Having just finished the last person, she magicked the curtain back up and grabbed Malfoy by the ear. Quickly, she shooed everyone away than motioned for Crabbe and Goyle to follow her. And while Dumbledore took off another fifteen points from Slytherin, nothing could make up for the rumors that were now circling around the school. But other than that, all the adults seemed to be hiding something from them. They would be talking perfectly normally and then when one of them walked up or by they would suddenly clam up.
"I don't care if I wake up the whole bloody school! Why aren't you more upset about this!? Malfoy's going to end up destroying Harry and you could care less!" shouted Ron.
That hit a nerve. Hermione was suddenly on her feet and crossed over to Ron in less than a second. Her face was beat red and Ron cowered beneath it like he did his mother. Then, without saying anything, she slapped him hard across the face.
"Don't you think you can tell me what I care about!? If you had any idea-" Hermione broke off with tears in her eyes and sank to the floor, sobbing.
"Her. . .mione?" asked Ron cautiously as a bit of realization dawned on him. He rubbed his cheek where a hand print had begun to show up and put a hand on her shoulder. Hermione turned her head to the side so she didn't have to face him.
"Hermione?" Ron asked again bending down to the floor with her, "Hermione, I'm sorry. I didn't mean it." Hermione wiped her eyes with her robe sleeve and sniffed.
Putting on a small smile, she faced him, "I know, and I'm sorry I hit you."
Ron laughed, "Don't worry about it. It goes well with the collection I started."
Hermione laughed too, "Thanks, Ron." With that she hugged him and then they stood up.
Ron glanced at Lavender, "How can she have slept through that?"
Hermione giggled, "Heavy sleeper?"
"Maybe." said Ron as he walked over to her and wrapped a blanket around her then gave her a small kiss on the forehead. Hermione watched this and let out a small sigh. How she secretly wished it was her in Lavender's position and her own prince charming was leaning over her, tucking her in.
"Can we go see Harry?" Hermione blurted out without thinking.
Ron turned to her and smiled, "Sure."
Author's Note: Wondering about Viktor Krum ain't cha? Well, I think you all probably have a hunch, don't cha? Well, the only thing I'm saying is don't think that's the only thing that it can be, 'cuz it's not. Any who. . . should I make Harry paralyzed? I wonder. . .::smiles evilly::. . .okay, if I don't get any reviews telling me what to do I'm gonna have to make that big decision on my own. . .and trust me. . .you don't want that. Lol, review if you know what's good for ya!
Katzztar, Videl86, Otaku Freak, LittleEar BigEar's sis, Soxroxmysox, Pamela, MissPatriciaPotter, Starkitty: Thanks for your reviews, can't believe I got this many already! You all really make me want to update ASAP! And I promise to try to update regularly! But if I take too long try my other stories!