A/N: The twenty-fifth chapter of my HP/ST:TNG crossover-fic. I'm terribly sorry that I haven't updated for almost a month!
Disclaimer: Harry Potter belongs to J.K Rowling. Star Trek belongs to Paramount Pictures and, of course, Gene Roddenberry (R.I.P.), The Great Bird of the Galaxy. And all other trademarks aren't mine, but just used in the story. Lynn is all mine.
25. Back on track
Something soft. Something made out cloth... a blanket? Yes, that's what it was, a blanket. He lay on a blanket. A warm breeze was blowing. Though he did not open his eyes, he felt that the sun was still up. But since one side of his face felt colder, the sun was probably setting. Therefore it had to be evening. Or perhaps it was morning. He wasn't quite sure, but he didn't really care. He felt sleepy.
Suddenly he felt a arm upon his chest. But he did not open his eyes. Somehow he knew who it was. He moved his arm to touch the other arm. He felt the arm. Then moved his hand along the arm down to the hand, studying the fingers through his touch. The fingers were very slim, the fingernails on them short but well cared for. He turned his head to the right, feeling the warmth of the sun on his whole face now. Now he opened his eyes. He saw that the sky was a wonderful orange colour, becoming pink farther from the setting sun. He saw a lake. Some trees around the lake. But most of all he saw the person who lay next to him. It was girl with brown eyes and with red hair that almost seemed to glow in the orange light, a smile upon her delicate face.
"Hi..." said Harry and smiled. He held her hand.
"Hi..." said Ginny. "I miss you."
"What are you talking about, I'm right here?" said Harry, a frown upon his face.
"No. You're not," said Ginny. She let go of his hand and sat up. Harry thought for moment, and then remembered. He sat up also.
"So it wasn't a dream then," said Harry. "I really went to the future. Got to meet Captain Picard, Commander Riker, Wesley, Geordi, Commander Walsh, Data, Worf, Counsellor, Dr Crusher and Guinan. Fought to protect the Enterprise. Attended Lynn's wedding..." Ginny nodded. "So I'm not really here." Ginny nodded again. He was silent for a moment. "Don't tell me, I'm really dead, and you're Q disguised as Ginny?" Ginny laughed.
"No, silly!" she said. "I'm Ginny!"
"But how can you be her? I'm still in the future," said Harry.
"I'm as you remember me," said Ginny. "Remember that we had a picnic here the night after I'd finished my OWLs?" Harry smiled.
"Yeah, I remember," he said. "You looked exactly like that that evening." A moments silence. "I miss you. It's been so hard without you."
"I know," said Ginny.
"You do?" said Harry. "I thought you said that you were my memory of her?"
"I am. But you knew me better than any person in the whole world, Harry," said Ginny. "You knew me even better than I knew myself. Therefore you know what I would say to what you said."
"Everything?" said Harry, a smile on his face.
"Not everything," said Ginny, smiling also. "Some things are just too personal." They were silent for while, looking at each other.
"So, where am I know?" said Harry, breaking the silence. "Last thing I remember I had destroyed that Death Eater ship. The shockwave from the explosion hit me, and I blacked out."
"I don't know," said Ginny. "I only know the things you know up to this point. I don't know anything about the things you're not living through. And I don't know any of the things that Ginny has lived through since you left either." A moments silence.
"So I could be dead?" said Harry. Ginny shook her head.
"No," she said. "If you had died I would say: 'Sorry, Har, you're dead and I'm an angel disguised as your girlfriend!'" Harry chuckled.
"Well, dead or not, the 'angel'-thing isn't that far from the truth," said Harry. Ginny smiled and they kissed. He looked at her face after they had finished kissing, and they both smiled again.
Suddenly she started to fade. It looked like Ginny and everything around them where blown away like dust in a hard breeze. Then Harry felt like he was falling head first, down a long shaft. He saw a light at the bottom. The light came closer faster than he had thought and suddenly he slammed into the bottom. He screamed, convinced that his body had just been crushed at the bottom and that he was now dead. But instead he found that he was sitting right up on a bed in sickbay, panting.
"Are you alright?" said Dr Crusher. He looked around sickbay, and then back at Dr Crusher who was standing on the right side of the bed.
"Yeah...I'm fine..." said Harry after a few seconds silence. He clutched his forehead. "Just some bad dreams." Dr Crusher tapped her com-badge.
"Crusher to Troi," she said.
"Troi here," answered Troi's voice.
"Harry's awake now," said Dr Crusher.
"I'm on my way. Troi out," said Troi.
"She wanted to know when I woke up, right?" said Harry.
"Yes, she was worried about you," said Dr Crusher. "We all were. You almost died." A loud snore was heard. Harry looked down to his left. Ron was sitting there, leaned against the wall, sleeping. Harry and Dr Crusher smiled. "He insisted on staying until you woke up."
"What time is it?" said Harry.
"About twenty over eight in the morning," said Dr Crusher.
"Which day?" said Harry.
"The battle was yesterday," said Dr Crusher.
"How did it go?" Harry said.
"We defeated the Death Eaters, but lost seven ships and a number of fighters in the process," said Dr Crusher. "We beamed you here after your fighter was badly damaged when it got hit with that shockwave, from the Death Eater ship exploding. You've become quite the hero, since you saved the Enterprise." Harry chuckled.
"Great, just what I need: more fans..." he said. Now Troi entered sickbay, followed by Hermione, Lynn, Wesley and Malfoy. "Hi." Hermione ran up and hugged him hard.
"Thank God you're not dead!" she said.
"Yeah, I kinda like that fact myself..." said Harry, a smile on his face. "Didn't know you missed me that much."
"You're my best friend, silly!" said Hermione, and hugged a bit harder before breaking the hug.
"Nice to see that you alive and kicking," said Lynn, giving him a peck on the cheek.
"Thanks, but I haven't kicked anybody," said Harry.
"That's my job," said Hermione, and kicked Ron lightly. "Get up, sleepyhead!" Ron's woke up and raised his head quickly, accidentally slamming it into the wall.
"Ow...!" said Ron, rubbing his head. "What is it?"
"Harry's awake," said Hermione.
"He is?!" said Ron and stood up quickly. He saw Harry and grinned. "Bloody hell, you're alive!" Then Ron hugged Harry, patting him hard on the back. "Great to still have you with us!"
"Thanks, but would you mind not patting me on the back...?" said Harry, cringing in pain.
"What? Oh, sorry!" said Ron and broke the hug. "Got so happy that I forgot that you were injured."
"It's okay," said Harry. He looked at Wesley, Troi and Malfoy. "Hello, Ensigns, counsellor, how are you?"
"Fine, but how are you feeling?" said Troi.
"I'm okay," said Harry. Troi looked like she didn't quite believe him. "How's it going with the rest of the fighter group, Brent?"
"We took some casualties, but we're okay," said Malfoy. "That's quite some stunt you pulled yesterday. You've become quite a celebrity."
"Yeah, so I've heard..." said Harry. He looked at Wesley. "I suppose you helped spread the rumour? You did have a front row seat and all."
"I might have had something to do with it," said Wesley, a slight smile on his face. Harry looked at Troi, whom looked concerned.
"Guys, could you leave me and the counsellor alone? I'll see you all later," said Harry.
"Okay," said Ron, and left with the others.
"I'll be over here if you need me," said Dr Crusher and walked away. Troi sat
down next to Harry upon the bed.
"You sensed it, huh?" said Harry. "That I'm not feeling to good." Troi nodded.
"It will pass," she said. "You almost died. That's something that gives you a lot of emotional distress. It's also why you may have some strange dreams."
"Yes," said Harry. "I dreamt I was falling down a long shaft. When I slammed into the bottom I was convinced that I was dead, but instead I woke up here."
"That's a very common type of dream when you feel as if you don't have control of your life," said Troi. "And since you where on the border between life and death, this makes sense."
"I dreamt something else..." said Harry. "I dreamt about Ginny..." Harry explained the dream for Troi, what Ginny had said.
"So, you were aware of what happened to you?" said Troi after Harry was done. Harry nodded.
"Strange, huh?" said Harry.
"Yes, but not unheard of," said Troi. "It sometimes happens as a sort of last resort for the mind to keep the body alive, to preserve itself. Though I have to admit that I've rarely heard about it amongst humans."
"It's just...it was so real..." said Harry looking down into the floor. "I really do miss her..." A tear ran down his cheek. Troi put her arm around him.
"Harry..." she said.
"I'm alright..." he said, and wiped of the tear. He looked back at Troi. "How long until we can get back home? How long until we're in the right place?"
"Commander Walsh is finishing his research. And it will take three days until we are at the right co-ordinates," said Troi.
"Good," said Harry and let out a exasperated sigh. "I don't know how much longer I can take it."
"Hang in there," said Troi.
"I am," said Harry.
"Good," said Troi. "I have to go know. Are you gonna be alright?" Harry nodded.
"Yeah. I just need some rest," he said. Troi got up of the bed. "See you later, Counsellor."
"See you later, Harry. Try to get some rest," said Troi.
"I will," said Harry. Troi smiled and left the room. Harry lay down on the bed.
The door beeped in Picard's ready room. Picard was reading a PADD. It was the casualty report from the battle.
'So much loss of life... This mission has been our most devastating yet...' thought Picard. The door beeped once again, snapping Picard form his thoughts.
"Come," he said. The door opened and Commander Walsh entered. Picard looked up at him. "Ah, Commander. What is it?"
"I thought you'd like to know that I've finished my research," said Walsh.
"And?" said Picard.
"It's going to be risky," said Walsh. "But I can do it. They'll get home safely."
"Good. That's all that matter," said Picard.
'Otherwise, what has this mission been about?' he thought.
"Was there something else?" said Picard.
"Yes. I thought that you'd like to know Mr Potter has woken up," said Walsh.
"How's he feeling?" said Picard.
"I'm going to see him, but I hear he's alright," said Walsh.
"Well, I'm not going to keep you any more then," said Picard.
"Yes, Sir," said Walsh and left the room.
Picard entered sickbay by the door nearest Doctor Crusher's office. She was sitting at her desk, looking over and typing on some PADDs. Dr Crusher looked up, almost as if she sensed his presence.
"Jean-Luc," she said. "What is it?"
"Is Mr Potter well enough to take visits?" said Picard.
"Yeah, go right ahead," said Dr Crusher. Picard walked over to Harry's bed. Harry was sitting on it, looking down into the blanket he had.
'He doesn't look to great...' thought Picard.
"Harry?" said Picard. Harry snapped out of his trance. He looked at Picard.
"Captain," he said. "Glad to see you're okay."
"Likewise," said Picard. "Are you feeling alright?" Harry sighed.
"Considering the circumstances, yeah," he said. "I just need to get some rest." A few seconds silence. "How did the battle go? All I heard is that we won, and that I've become a hero. Again." Harry sounded very tired at the last part.
"We got our share of casualties," said Picard. "We managed to capture some of the Death Eaters. They're being interrogated. With any luck, we'll have most of the Death Eater organisation uncovered soon."
"That's good..." said Harry. "Good that they finally will get what they deserve..."
"You sound very pleased when you say that," said Picard. "If I didn't know better, I'd think you enjoyed killing them before."
"What?!" said Harry.
"Can you deny it?" said Picard. "The first time they attacked us, did you ever think twice about the people you killed?"
"B-but I didn't use any unforgivable curses!" said Harry.
"But you killed," said Picard. "You ran that sword through them. You shoot them with a phaser. And I'm afraid that you enjoyed it."
"So what?" said Harry. "So what if I did enjoy it?"
"If you enjoy killing, then you're nothing better then them!" said Picard.
"They took EVERYTHING from me! EVERYTHING!" said Harry. "They killed my parent's, they killed Ginny-"
"You don't know that," said Picard. "You don't know if they killed her. Counsellor Troi told me you never checked up on it."
"I know they did," said Harry. "After I was killed I know that the remaining Death Eaters found her and killed her. If she wasn't dead already."
"So that justifies murder?" said Picard.
"It was in self defence!" said Harry. "THEY attacked US!"
"Yes, they did," said Picard. He was silent for a moment. "But that doesn't justify you enjoying to kill them. Can you say truthfully that 'Yes, it does!'. Can you?"
"No..." said Harry. "No I can't..." Suddenly he chuckled. "So much for the 'The Great Harry Potter'. Isn't it funny? All my life I've wanted to get away from the 'hero'-image, and when I become the opposite of a hero, a man who on some level enjoys killing people, getting in touch with my dark side, I deny it." They were silent for a few seconds.
"Harry, from what I've heard of your past, 'Hero' might not be the appropriate thing to call you," said Picard, breaking the silence. "At least not for the thing you got the stamp of a hero from. You were merely were a baby, protected by something you couldn't control."
"So you're saying I'm a bad man?" said Harry, looking down into the blanket. "A bad Human being?"
"What I'm saying is this," said Picard. "Yesterday I saw a seventeen year old boy doing something damn foolish, something that showed that he didn't take ANY concern to the consequences! But you know what else I saw when you steered that small fighter towards that big Death Eater ship with all your weapons firing? I saw determination, concern for other people's lives. And heroism." Harry looked up. "When you did that, you were a real hero. You were willing to sacrifice yourself for us. And if the story's about you are any bit true, you have done it before. When you kept Voldemort from getting the Philosopher's stone, when you fought off that Basilisk and saved Ginny Weasley. When you saved your wrongfully accused Godfather. All those were things made out of concern for others. So I say: No Harry, you're not a bad person. You're just had a bit of down-turn. And I believe you've just picked yourself up. Now get some rest. I'll be expecting to see you up and out of bed soon."
"Yes, Sir," said Harry, a slight smile on his face.
"Good," said Picard, and smiled. He went towards the door.
"Captain?" said Harry. Picard stopped and looked back on him. "Thanks." Picard nodded and left the room. Harry lay down upon the bed, and closed his eyes. A short while later he was asleep.
"Tea, Earl Grey, Hot," said a voice. Hermione woke up immediately. She sat up in her bed, looking around and holding her sheet to conceal herself. She saw a cup materialise in the replicator. A person was standing front of it.
"Who's there?" said Hermione. The person turned around, and it was- "Ron?!"
"Who else?" said Ron, his voice a bit deeper than usual. Hermione let go of the sheet and chuckled.
"Nothing..." she said. "What's with your voice?"
"I think I've got a cold..." said Ron. "That or I'm allergic to some of the aliens on this ship..." He coughed.
"Why just not go to sickbay and get something for it?" said Hermione.
"Hey, I'm English, and for an Englishman there's nothing better than cup of tea..." said Ron. He took a sip of his tea. Hermione chuckled.
"Never thought you were such a tea person," she said.
"I'm not," said Ron. "But it's good for colds." He took another sip. "How about you and your coffee?"
"So? I drink coffee," said Hermione as Ron took a big swig of the tea.
"You drink a lot of coffee," he said, sounding a bit better.
"I drink it to stay up when I'm studying!" said Hermione.
"Yeah, as I said: you drink a lot of coffee," said Ron.
"I-" began Hermione, but stopped herself. Then she nodded. "Yeah, you're right. Probably should cut back on the coffee a bit."
"Success: she listens to me," said Ron. Hermione pouted at him. Ron just smiled and drank up the rest of his tea. Hermione yawned.
"What time is it?" she said.
"About half past two," said Ron. He but back the cup into the replicator. "Recycle." The cup dematerialised. He got back into bed. Hermione put her arms around him. "Careful, I might be contagious."
"Are you talking about the cold or you plain and simply?" said Hermione, smiling.
"Both I guess," sad Ron, smiling also.
"Well, then I'll just have to take the risk," said Hermione and kissed him.
"You now I've been thinking..." said Ron after they'd finished kissing. "We go back in a few days time. A lot has happened on this trip and I was thinking..." He looked down.
"Ron? Any particular reason your looking at my breasts? Besides the obvious reason..." said Hermione when Ron had been silent for a few seconds. He looked up again.
"Sorry I was just thinking..." he said. "It's just that with Lynn and Wesley getting married and all I...I, um...thought that, um... Aw, bloody hell!" He jumped up out of the bed and went over to the wardrobe and opened it.
"Ron, what is it?" said Hermione, sitting up. Ron started rummaging through his clothes, throwing them out on the floor. "Ron! What are you doing?!"
"Just hang on a sec, I'm just go-" said Ron, stopping when he found something. He turned towards Hermione, who was looking at the mess on the floor. "Hermione..."
"Look at this mess!" said Hermione, and got up. She started picking up all the clothes.
"Hermione..." said Ron.
"Yes Ron, what is it?" said Hermione, picking up a sock.
"Hermione could please sto-" said Ron.
"Hold on, there's only one shirt left..." said Hermione. She picked up the shirt, and turned towards Ron. "Now, what did you want to ta-" She saw that Ron was kneeling in front of her. "Ron? What are you doing?" She saw that he had a little box in his hand. She dropped the clothes, realising what the little box was. The clothes, however, fell over Ron, a shirt perfectly covering his head.
"Okay...not quite how I imagined this moment..." said Ron under the shirt. He removed the shirt. "Now, Hermione..." he opened the box to reveal a ring. "...Will you marr-"
"Yes, yes, oh God yes, I will!" said Hermione and threw herself upon Ron, hugging and kissing him.
"HE WHAT?!" said Harry, choking on his butterbeer that he was having in Ten Forward.
"I asked her to marry me," said Ron. Harry was silent for a moment.
"Is there an epidemic outbreak of people proposing on this ship that I have somehow missed?" he then said. He looked at Hermione and continued before they could respond. "And you said...?"
"Yes, of course," said Hermione. "What else should I have said?"
"So you're getting married in a day or two then?" said Harry.
"No," said Hermione.
"But...I don't understand..." said Harry. "You're engaged, why not get married?"
"Since both our families are back in our time we've decided to wait," said Ron.
"For how long?" said Harry.
"I dunno...ten years okay for you, hon?" said Hermione, looking at Ron.
"I was thinking like five, but I'm flexible," said Ron.
"Wait a sec: YEARS?" said Harry.
"Harry, just because you get engaged it doesn't mean you need to get married as soon as possible," said Hermione. "We could stay engaged for twenty years if you'd like." Harry was silent for a few seconds. Then his face broke into a grin.
"Yeah, you're right," said Harry. "I'm happy for you guys! Congrats, Hermione!" He gave her a peck on the cheek.
"Thanks," said Hermione, smiling.
"So you're totally okay with it then?" said Ron.
"Well...not totally okay..." said Harry. He took a sip of his butterbeer.
"How come?" said Hermione.
"Well, with you getting engaged and Lynn and Wesley getting married, I'm in quite a fix..." said Harry. He took another sip of his butterbeer. "Now the first thing Ginny will want do to when I get home is for us to get engaged too..."
A/N: GOMENASAI!!! (Yes, Love Hina fans, that's me doing my best imitation of Keitarou...) I'm so terribly, really, utterly, sorry that I haven't updated until know! I've had so much do in school that I haven't had the time to write! And sadly, it's going to get much better. You'll just have to take comfort in the fact that it's only two-three chapter left now (I haven't decided exactly on how many yet...).
Now, about the chapter: Yes, Ron and Hermione got engaged. Hand up you people who didn't see it coming....yeah, that's what I thought.
The psychological thing about Harry and Ginny I do not know if it's true, and can happen. I don even know if it happens often. Perhaps its common among humans. I just don't know.
The scene between Harry and Picard was originally between Harry and Walsh, but halfway through I thought to myself: "Hey. This is Picard dialogue!" So I ordered my brain to "Make it so" and changed it. Personally I think it's a nice conclusion to the whole Dark Harry thing in this story. What do you think?
6 reviews since last time. Review comments:
coolone007 – I responded to you on this with an E-mail, but let me say it again. The ending will be as I have always imagined it to be. There has been no major changes.
C1ofUnknown – Nice to see you back reviewing! Chapter 22: Yes, the transporter thing IS meant to be ironic! My favourite of the episodes youmentioned is the one where Picard, Guinan, Ro and Keiko become children. The episode is called "Rascals". One thing I like about it is when child-Picard insists on seeing his "father"! "I want my father! Now, now, now!" And when Picard moves his hand to the top of his head after he's been turned back to normal, that's just priceless! : D The episode with the cloned Riker is also a great one. Chapter 23: Thank you! About the girl, I try my best...!
I'll see you next time!
Emher
PS (now named "Emher's love problems").
Nothing new here actually. Except that I have to keep myself from staring at her on every class we have together. It was worst the other week when she wore a green shirt. She looks FANTASTIC in green!
Anyway, I'm getting a bit stressed since I graduate in little more than two months, so I'm on a time limit here to get to know her better!
DS ("Emher's love problems" is to be continued...).
