Chapter 48

Harry felt the effects of the second potion starting to take effect as he entered the room, and felt confident enough to actually pick up his feet in stead of sliding them across the floor. Two chairs sat close to the bed as if someone, or pair of someones, had stood vigil over his fiancé.

He sidled over slowly and sat in the chair closest to the head of the bed and took her hand in his. It was her left hand and he eyed the sparkle of the Fire Diamond ring resting in its place on her finger. He tightened his grip and laid the back of her hand on his cheek to feel the warmth she was radiating.

"Moine?"

There was no movement.

"It's okay, you rest. I'll be right here."

He laid his head on the soft mattress and held onto her hand as he nodded off to sleep.

***********************

"I think it would be best if we held this conversation outside where we will not wake them."

Harry still had his eyes closed when he heard the sound of Dumbledore's voice.

"Excuse me Mr. Headmaster, but that is our daughter."

I do realize this Mr. Granger.

"Dr. Granger," insisted Hermione's dad.

"Of course."

"Dear, quit throwing your weight around. Hermione is in good hands," her mother whispered. "Look at him. You can tell he cares for her."

Then he heard them shuffle off and close the door.

When he opened his eyes he felt much more refreshed and sat up promptly to check on Hermione's progress. She still lay on the bed but had turned to the side, facing him, her head pointed slightly downward.

"Hermione?"

She responded this time and cracked her eyes open smiling sweetly.

He remembered what his throat felt like when he had first awoken. "Feel up to drinking something?"

She nodded slightly and Harry turned to find two glasses sitting on the bedside table with little wisps of smoke wafting off the top. He let her sip off of the first until she could take it in her hand and finish it herself.

"Thanks," she croaked.

Harry nodded. "There's another when you are ready. It'll give you back some energy and make you not feel so stiff."

She held her hand out, "It's called a Restorative Potion."

Harry didn't care, as long as it made her feel better.

***********************

After another two days at St. Mungo's Harry and Hermione were discharged and told in no uncertain terms to take it easy for the next few days until they felt normal. Harry almost laughed at this for he hadn't felt normal for the last six years.

They were offered the use of the waiting room floo for their return trip and chose their own rooms as a destination. When Hermione stepped out of the fireplace she was set upon by a very happy ginger-colored cat.

"Crookshanks!"

Harry followed a couple of seconds later to witness the little reunion.

"Has someone been taking care of you?" She snuggled her face against the cat's. "I bet you've been in the care of a red-haired girl by the name of Ginny, haven't you."

Harry stepped over and flopped on the bed before he heard a tapping on the window. He looked up to see Hedwig on the sill and got up to let her in.

"Hey girl. Been away for a while." The snowy owl nipped him harshly for being so inconsiderate and then brushed her face across his arm lovingly.

He untied the message hanging on her leg and retrieved a treat from the container he kept by the window for such occasions.

Dear Harry,

When you and Hermione feel up to joining us we will be in the Room of Requirement awaiting your arrival.

Dumbledore

"Dumbledore wants us to go to the Room of Requirement."

Hermione set Crookshanks on the bed. "What, already?"

Harry nodded and she sighed.

It was mid-afternoon when they passed the Great Hall and up the main stairs to find out what Dumbledore had in store them. When they rounded a corner and saw him standing just outside the room they quickened their pace.

The headmaster held up a finger to his lips to keep them silent and motioned to the door.

"They will not be able to see your entrance. Keep to the right of the room behind the shielded area and observe."

He opened the door and followed close behind after they entered. Apparently the Order of the Dog Star had continued their training while their leader was incapacitated, and this was one of their sessions.

Tonks and Applegate were their opponents and the pair of Auror's were getting a workout.

Neville was on the ground trapped in a Leg-binding curse, and Ginny was pulling him to the side. Ron was in front, along with Luna giving cover. Applegate dodged a Confundus Charm sent by Ron and Luna blocked a Stunning Hex by Tonks.

However, this put Applegate in prime position to have at Ginny and her burden. Neville saw what was about to happen and for some reason chose this moment to remember the counter-charm to unbind his legs. He rolled into Ginny quickly, knocking her to the floor, and saved her from being incarcerated by a mass of thin snakelike cords being emitted from Applegate's wand.

An angry Neville yelled and threw his other hand outward following it up with a disarming spell.

Applegate didn't know what to block first, the spell or the small gobstones. He chose the spell and was struck about the head and shoulders by about five gobstones which squirted juice all about.

To Harry's astonishment Applegate froze in his stance and fell dead away on his face.

Tonks was doing her best against the barrage of attacks by Ron and Luna, sending off counter-curse after counter-curse and shielding against those she couldn't meet quick enough.

But when Ginny and Neville joined in the action against her she yelled, "Enough!"

Both Harry and Hermione looked over at Dumbledore a little awestruck. "What have they been doing?"

He smiled. "Practicing."

Hermione started to walk around the barrier and stopped. "May we interrupt?"

"Wait just a moment." And he pointed to the group.

Neville was on his feet. "I thought I said not to worry about me!" he snapped at Ginny.

She set her hands on her hips. "I wasn't about to leave you laying there all helpless."

Neville shook his head and pointed at Applegate. "If he was a Death Eater we might not have been so lucky. Next time listen to me. Take out the bad guy first then come back for your casualties."

Ginny sniffed angrily in response. "I am not leaving one of my friends to be captured or worse by a Death Eater."

Ron stood behind Neville. "It's his call, Ginny."

"But ..." she wined.

Tonks stepped in. "You all chose him as leader in Harry's absence. The first rule of battle is follow your leader. If you don't, then people get killed."

That seemed to sober her up.

Harry struggled to close his mouth at the mention of Neville as ad hoc leader of the Order.

"When?"

Dumbledore smiled and started to turn. "I'll let them explain that amusing tale. Have a good evening and welcome back, both of you. You were missed ... by more than your friends."

Harry nodded and smile in return, acknowledging Dumbledore's affections. Hermione had already rounded the invisible barrier and started off on her friends.

"That was wonderful!"

"Hermione!"

"When did you get back?"

"Where's Harry?'

He followed behind a second later almost knocked over by Ron and Neville with their handshakes and back-patting. Hermione was in similar straits with the hugs from Luna and Ginny.

"Just got back in and Dumbledore had Hedwig giving us a note to come watch the practice."

Neville suddenly got very self-conscience and red in the face until Harry grabbed his hand and starting pumping it.

"So you're the new leader, eh?"

"W -- well," he sputtered, "only when you aren't here."

Harry smiled on. "Brilliant work there."

Neville looked back a the rest of the group encouraging him with their smiles.

Ron slapped him on the back. "Neville here's a real work horse. Had us down here every day for at least an hour if not more, on top of the regular full training days." He paused. "Worse than Wood if you ask me."

Harry saw out of the corner of his eye, Tonks was on her knees trying to help Applegate onto his feet.

"What's with the gobstones?"

Luna piped up. "A rather ingenious idea Neville had. The excretions from the Spinus Membatonia plant act as a powerful sleeping agent, all he needed was a delivery system."

Ron brushed Harry's elbow. "Underwater cactus juice."

Harry nodded in understanding.

"Luna charmed a bag of gobstones for me, to squirt the juice when the right amount of pressure is applied," added Neville.

"Fantastic idea, Neville." said Hermione.

"Can you make enough for everyone?"

Neville nodded. "This was the first time I've tried it in in a practice situation. I wanted to see if it worked first. And they're kind of expensive."

Harry shook of the statement. "Next time I'm at Hogsmeade I'll pick up enough for everyone."

"They're reusable, so a couple of sets for each of us should do. And I should have enough of the agent by this weekend." Neville said almost too excitedly. "I've been milking it ever since you gave me the assignment. Think I ought to grow some more, though, for back up."

Harry nodded and agreed. He was too stunned with Neville's progress and his being voted at acting leader. It looked good on him and it was something that would, in turn, boost his confidence.

"Come on, everyone. Pumpkin juice is on me. Let's go raid the kitchens. I've had nothing but the sludge St. Mungo's has been serving over the last few days. I'm starved."

He looked back at Applegate and Tonks. "Is he gonna be okay?"

"We'll be down in a minute, Harry." Tonks waved on. "It only lasts for a few minutes and then he'll have a headache for the rest of the day."

Neville fished into his cloak and retrieved a metal vile, corked on the end. "Have him drink this. It's the anti-serum. No headaches."

He tossed it over.

"Thanks, Neville." she said. "Come on, staggering beauty. Suck some of this down. I want to eat."