Chapter Twelve: Ghosts to Rest

Harry awoke with a shiver of expectation running down his spine. Rubbing his eyes blearily, he threw on his robes before climbing out of bed, in time to see Dean do the same thing across the room. Nodding a greeting, Harry pulled on his shoes and ambled downstairs to the Common Room. As always it was deserted, apart from Dean no one else was up. Moving to face the dying fire, Harry fell into the cushions of one of the chairs, surrounded by warmth and comfort he felt his eyes drop once more. He awoke to see a shadow flash in front of his eyes, then stand up to face him. Involuntarily yelling, Harry sent the silhouetted figure flying backwards in alarm, and only when they settled on top of the fire's mantle, did Harry realise who it was. 'Dobby?!' he asked, his heart racing. 'Didn't I tell you never to wake me up like that?' The house elf grinned cheekily as he climbed down, 'I is sorry Harry Potter, but I is not trying to wake you this time.' Turning his back on Harry, he pointed a hand at the fire and muttered an incantation, when he turned back the fire was roaring once more. 'You is up early for Quidditch sir?' 'Always will be,' Harry replied, stifling a yawn. 'Although for once I feel like going to sleep again.' 'I is not sure you will,' Dobby replied, 'we is making the breakfast in the kitchens, is there anything you is wanting?' 'Slice or two of toast?' Harry asked, and in a burst of light the house elf was gone. 'Thanks Dobby,' Harry muttered. When he returned a few seconds later, Harry's eyes were shut as he breathed deeply and calmly. Putting a tray of toast down beside him, Dobby stood, staring curiously at Harry for a few minutes. 'You is taking care now sir,' he whispered silently, and in a flash was gone once again.

* * *

'So,' Fred continued, and Harry's head jerked upright, why was he so tired? 'Our tactics are simple: Me and George hit stuff, the lovely ladies score goals, Harry gets the Snitch and Dean stops the Quaffle going through our hoops. Any questions?' 'Define stuff.' Angelina said. 'Bludgers, brooms and bugg- '' George began, before Fred clamped a hand over his mouth. 'Well, it that's all.' she prompted, and as one the team grabbed their broomsticks, and left for the pitch. Harry's chest began to tighten as they neared the entrance, inside the stadium he could hear the cheers, and boos, of the crowd. In his mind's eye, he saw the great maze once more, saw Cedric's face as they both struggled to fight their way to the centre. Saw the wave of green light that tore the life from him. Shaking his head, Harry found himself in the centre of the pitch with the other Gryffindors, and once more the feeling of great tiredness hit him. So this is what McGonagall meant, he thought, struggling to clear his head. Through the haze a whistle blew, and with a rush of speed he mounted his Firebolt and kicked off the ground, felt the wind dash through his hair once more as he flew through the sky. As he flew, he escaped the drowsiness of the emotions clouding his heart, and once more found the joy he had known. Looping around he saw the blur of colours in the crowd as he shot past them, felt the warmth in his heart as he remembered the past victories on the pitch. In the background, he could hear Lee Jordan's commentary, mixed in with that of his replacement, another Gryffindor whom Harry had never met, but had seen around. Watching and listening, he let his amusement show when a Bludger 'strayed' into an area near Dean, provoking a fight for the best swear word before Professor McGonagall could take the loudspeaker. Relishing in the flight, Harry almost missed the Snitch as it shot past him. He didn't miss the canary yellow of the Hufflepuff Seeker as they dove past chasing the ball. Diving fast, Harry picked out the golden-winged Snitch as it dodged frantically sideways to escape the path of the chasing Seekers on their broomsticks. It succeeded however when a dodge to the left caused the Hufflepuff player to swerve in front of Harry, causing both of them to lose sight of the Snitch, and Harry to lose his grip on the Firebolt. Flipping over the other Seeker as they flew into his path, Harry knew on instinct that his broom would follow his path, but even so flailed desperately to regain his grip on the handle as he cleared the other player. With a crack he felt his left shoulder pop as he grabbed hold of the speeding broom, then continued chasing the Snitch downwards. Remembering his first ever game, Harry slowed sufficiently to stay on the Firebolt, but not slide forwards towards the small golden ball. Seizing his chance as it began to pull out of the dive, he sped up, arm outstretched and snagged the Snitch from the air as it began to launch itself skywards once more. Pulling up himself, Harry shot into the air with the sunlight glinting off the Snitch. Cheers (and again, some boos) sounded through the air as he flew. Gripping the ball tightly, he let his eyes close as the wind whipped through his hair. Thinking back again, he saw the figures of his mother and father, along with Cedric, all standing by him. 'This one was for you,' he whispered. Deep inside, he felt a tiny part of himself click back into place, settling for the first time in months.

* * *

'OW!' Harry yelled as his arm was clicked back into place. Gritting his teeth, Harry fought against the pain as Madam Pomfrey slid his arm back into its socket, and then rotated his shoulder to check it was in place. 'If you'd just take more care,' Madam Pomfrey muttered, but her hands expertly tested Harry's muscles and bones to see if they'd suffered damage. 'Try not to strain your arm too much,' she continued, 'I'm going to put it in a sling for now.' 'Is that really necessary?' Harry asked, knowing that it wasn't as bad as she made out. 'No, but it will make me feel better about letting you out now, rather then tomorrow morning.' She made the remark to appear tough, but Harry could no longer find her as fearsome as he once had. A few seconds later he left the hospital wing, his left arm cradled in a small sling. He was walking towards the staircase when the attack came. Out of the shadows, a fist struck his arm causing Harry's eyes to burn as he stumbled sideways. Looking up as he thumped into a wall, Harry had time to see Draco's sneer as another fist landed against his arm provoking another wave of pain. 'Think I'd let you get away with this?' Draco spat at Harry, gesturing to his chin with his other hand. Harry could only lift himself back up against the wall for support, just in time for Draco to slam a fist into Harry's jaw, but not with the same effect he had experienced. As Harry's vision span, he managed to focus on Draco and saw that his jaw was still swollen where he had hit him that day on the train. As Draco pulled back his fist once more, a thought snuck into Harry's head, almost mocking him. This is going to hurt. But the blow never landed, and Harry's eyes re-focused on the hand that grasped Draco's fist, then turned it away with a smooth flick. Sliding back down the wall, Harry saw Draco, and an unnoticed Crabbe and Goyle walking away with sullen faces from the cloaked figure in front of Harry. After they had gone, Harry made to stand, but found himself frozen in terror as the grating of steel met his ears. Looking up at his rescuer, he instead saw them drawing a long sword, raising it to their face in a salute to him. 'Your time is limited,' they hissed, 'but know that your friends have even less time.' Moving suddenly, they drove forwards, and a cold hand shot from their robes to slam Harry into the wall. As he hit the stone, Harry felt pain explode in his head and arm, then the rough patches of stone as he slid down into an unconscious crouch. Your friends have even less time.

* * *

'Jesus Harry, what the hell happened?' he found himself shook awake, a cultured voice in his ears. His eyes opening, he focused on the faces floating in front of him. 'Do you want me to get a teacher?' Justin Finch- Fletchley asked as Harry levered himself up. 'No.I'm fine,' Harry said, pausing as his head swam, 'I fell, tripped on the stairs.' 'Your arm okay?' Ernie MacMillan asked, not sounding as concerned as Justin. 'Fine, just strained it,' Harry replied, slightly dazed still. Waving Justin's arm away, he began to walk back upstairs again, aware the two Hufflepuffs were watching him. 'It was a good game,' he said, pausing in his climb as they turned to walk away, 'I know Cedric would have been proud.' Ernie could only nod, but Justin let a smile onto his face as he acknowledged Harry's comment. 'I'll let them know.' Harry nodded once, as if in confirmation, then began walking upstairs once more, trying not to think about the cloaked figure.