AUTORS NOTE: Sorry to all of my devoted fans, (LOL) this chapter is a little late getting out. I'm starting to work on the ball right now. I promise!! You won't be disappointed!!

Confusion

Harry awoke some time later in the hospital wing. His hands were balled into fists and he couldn't remember why. Madame Pomfrey bustled in the room and finally noticed that Harry was awake.

"How are you feeling?" she asked, caution in her voice. Harry looked at her suspiciously.

"Fine. I guess. I don't really remember the past days. Why am I in here?" To Harry's surprise, she looked relieved.

"Good. It's nice to have you back, Mr. Potter," she cried and hurried out of the room, only to return with the Headmaster, Professor Snape and Lucius minutes later. Harry looked around the room.

"What happened?" he asked softly. Dumbledore spoke first.

"You have been out for two days, Mr. Potter," he explained. "Mr. Malfoy and Professor Snape have already informed me of the nature of your illness. Mr. Draco Malfoy and Miss Anya Vincent have also been notified and they are on their way here now."

"I still don't understand what happened," Harry told him.

"Neither do we, Harry," Lucius said, speaking up, "But Severus and I have a theory. So don't worry about it right now. The ball is in a few days and I think that you have to get ready." Harry nodded and sat up. There was a clatter of noise and two familiar figures raced in the door. Draco and Anya barely stopped from running into Harry's bed. Draco's face showed relief but Anya's was cautious and worried.

"You all right there, Harry?" Draco asked. Harry nodded, never taking his eyes off of Anya.

"Yeah, but I don't remember what happened. Why am I in here?" Harry saw Anya's eyes make the same transition that Madame Pomfrey's did. She hugged Harry around the neck and stepped back, embarrassed. Dumbledore looked in another direction and followed Snape and Lucius out of the room. Madame Pomfrey waited impatiently for Harry's friends to leave.

"I'm glad you're better, Harry," Anya said to break the silence.

"Look, now that the teachers and Father are gone, tell me what happened," Harry demanded. Madame Pomfrey had left to go attend to another student complaining of a headache. Draco nor Anya, however, were willing to give an answer.

"Harry, you weren't yourself. Really," Draco started, looking around for something to look at. "He's right. You went crazy, almost. You started out really bold and asked me to the dance, and then you went into a rage. But when Snape and Mr. Malfoy came down, you got really scared and backed into the wall. Then you passed out. They know what's wrong, Harry. I know they do," Anya explained, her voice rising with passion.

"Well, Snape likes you better than me, so you ask him," Harry suggested, getting tired of the guessing.

"Harry, this is serious. I'll ask Father and I'll tell you later. Is that okay?" Draco said. Harry shook his head. He had suddenly decided to forget the ordeal. He really didn't want to know what had happened because even his friends were worried. As long as he didn't let it happen again, Harry knew he'd be fine.

"It might just have been a freak thing. I'll be out of here tomorrow and we'll forget the whole thing. I just want to, hey, that reminds me. Anya, when I asked you to the dance, what did you say?" Harry asked as Madame Pomfrey came back, muttering about hypochondriacs. Anya looked red and she hesitated before answering.

"I said I guess so," she said, caution in her every word. It was, to Harry, as if she expected him to yell at her.

"So that's a yes?" he asked, hopefully. She smiled happily.

"Definitely," she told him and wrapped him in another hug. Draco looked away and stepped back. Madame Pomfrey bustled over.

"All right, you two. Say your good-byes and leave him be. He'll be back with you tomorrow." Anya walked with Draco out of the room and turned at the door to wave. The curtain around Harry's bed was pulled and she didn't get to see him wave back.