I'm sorry about this chapter you guys. It's not very good, I know. But I had an uninspired couple of days. Believe me, the following ones to come are much better!

And a disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any Harry Potter related material! (*chhhh* OPERATION STEAL HARRY POTTER IS UNDERWAY *chhhh* OVER *chhhh*)

HARRY

POTTER

AND THE STAFF OF VIGOR

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CHAPTER 6: ENCOUNTERS OF PAIN AND LOVE

"Another one Harry?" Asked Geraldine as they sat at the base of the old oak tree by the lake.

"Just a small one." Harry stopped rubbing his temples and smiled at her in assurance, ignoring the throbbing in his head. His headaches had not subsided and it was nearly a whole two weeks since he had been sent to the Hospital Wing. Geraldine kissed him briefly on the lips.

"Better?" She grinned. He blushed. He still got embarrassed around her and it annoyed him immensely.

"You bet." He returned the grin. It was a lazy Sunday afternoon so they were just enjoying each other's company. Hermione was in the library working on some assignments that were due in a few weeks and Ron was assisting the new members of the Quidditch team. The try-outs had been great and they had found new team members that had sufficient enough talent to play against Ravenclaw in a month. All Ron needed to do was whip them into shape and they would be able to win the first game of the Quidditch season.

"What are you smiling at?" Harry inquired. Geraldine was looking out at the lake and had a large smile planted on her face.

"I just can't believe I'm dating Harry Potter." She gushed. She said that a lot.

"Because you like me or because I'm The-Boy-Who-Lived?" He had wanted to ask her that for days now. Geraldine was a little hesitant with a reply.

"Because...of both really." She finally said.

"Both?" He had not actually expected her to say something along those lines.

"Yes. I do like you. You're a great guy. But because you are Harry Potter makes you..." Geraldine trailed off.

"Makes me what?" He demanded, a little too sharply. She flinched and realised she never should have said anything.

"Nothing. I like you for you. I really do." She went in to hug him and Harry relented. It was too nice a day to start an argument. But that didn't mean he'd forget what she had said and he intended to bring it up another day soon. They watched the Giant Squid splash around at the top of the lake for a few more hours before Harry decided to head back to the castle.

"No, lets stay here for a while longer." Geraldine urged him.

"We have to get back, it's getting dark you know." It was true; the sun was beginning to set.

"So, I doubt anyone will notice us missing at dinner." She turned to face him bringing her lips close to his.

"Um..." He hated when she did this. It could nearly convince him of anything.

"Come on Harry. Just another half an hour." Her lips were brought to his and an exchange was made. They went a little further than they had before, making Harry's face flush because he was still new to things. Before either of them realised it more than half an hour had passed and it had gotten very dark. The old oak tree, near the lake, was unfortunately also situated by the Forbidden Forest. The Forbidden Forest had all sorts of creatures and dangers in it. Harry could hear some of the creatures' noises now. Geraldine sat up abruptly as something growled in the distance.

"What?" She gasped as they heard the growl again, louder this time. A nearby bush rustled and the air brought with it the scent of danger. Harry pulled his shirt on hastily, it had come off whilst they were in the middle of things, and stood up while gathering her up with him.

"Come on. I told you we should have gone back before." He hauled her alongside him as they jogged back to the castle. The growling grew distant and they reached the castle safely, both feeling relieved.

"Why did you let us stay out so late? Do you have any idea what could have happened to us?" Geraldine scolded, panting as they headed towards the Great Hall.

"What? I was the one that suggested we go back early. You're the one that wanted to stay." He argued.

"You should have convinced me otherwise then." She sighed.

"Like I can convince you of anything Geri." He grinned. She didn't smile back.

"Oh don't be a Prat." She pouted and he was thankful she didn't sound too mad.

"I'm not being one." He said defensively.

"You are." Geraldine pressed. Harry was instantly reminded of Hermione arguing with Ron over one of the small things they fought about. He started laughing. Geraldine rolled her eyes.

"Tell me what is so funny?" She commanded.

"We're acting like Hermione and Ron." He was unable to wipe the smile off his face.

"Well isn't that just wonderful." She said sarcastically.

"Huh?" She'd sounded a little too spiteful.

"No offense sweetie," Geraldine paused, "But the company you keep isn't the greatest."

"Are you referring to Hermione and Ron?" He snapped immediately in the sour. She looked taken aback.

"Well yes. Don't get angry, forget I said anything." She grabbed his hand and pulled him through the doors into the Great Hall. It appeared that they were just in time for dinner. He caught sight of Hermione and Ron, sitting away from each other. He sighed, they were still fighting. Hermione had tried a few more times to apologize to Ron but he hadn't succumbed and always retorted that she should go and find some friends that were up to her standards. Harry didn't know who to sit with so he decided to sit with Geraldine.

"That's good. I've been wanting to personally introduce you to my friends." She smiled, her anger faded. Harry was pulled over to the Ravenclaw table and across to a few girls. Cho Chang was not very far away from where he was but she was ignoring him. He decided to do the same.

"Harry sweetie, this is Bernadette Jones and Martha Madding." She directed her head at two girls. Bernadette was tall and thin with short, curly blonde hair and freckles. Martha was about Geraldine's height with long brown hair and small oval glasses. Both girls were pretty like Geraldine.

"Wow. Harry Potter!" Bernadette looked up at him wide eyed.

"Yes, you're a bit. I don't know, different from how I pictured you." Martha was studying him over the top of her glasses.

"How so?" Harry inquired sitting down next to Geraldine so he was across from her friends.

"Well, you're not very tall and you are not as sturdy as most hero's." Martha pointed out. Geraldine frowned at her slightly.

"Just being honest." Martha shrugged.

"I'm not a hero." He muttered into his plate.

"Oh don't be modest Harry! Geri's told us all about your adventures." Bernadette beamed at him.

"What adven-" He began but Geraldine interrupted him.

"So girls, have a date for the Christmas Ball yet?"

Martha rolled her eyes.

"Please, no-one plans that far ahead." She stated matter-of-factly.

"I've been asked by a few people but I don't know who to pick." Bernadette coughed softly. Martha looked offended but didn't comment again.

"Who may I ask asked you?" Geraldine sounded jealous.

"Well, only three people. It's not important. Nevermind." Bernadette coughed again.

"Oh, no it is. Please share." Geraldine prodded.

"I'd rather not." Bernadette refused.

"You have to!" His girlfriend squealed. Harry knew this could be annoying, someone else prying in your business.

"If she doesn't want to tell you..." He trailed off. Geraldine narrowed her eyes at him.

"Harry why are you defending her?" She lowered her voice, "You don't like her do you?"

"What! I just met her!" He exclaimed. It was unbelievable how moody Geraldine had been today.

"I know, I know. I'm sorry," She apologized immediately, "I just see the way girls look at you and I don't like it. I don't think they know that you're my boyfriend officially."

"How could they not? We've been together for a few weeks. We always walk into the hall holding hands and I'm sitting with you tonight aren't I?" He argued.

"Maybe you could kiss me, so everyone would know for certain." Geraldine suggested. Harry went crimson. He felt like Bernadette and Martha were both listening, along with the rest of Ravenclaw.

"I couldn't do that." He whispered.

"Come on Harry. Just a quick kiss, just so everyone knows."

"No."

"Come on."

"No!"

"Harry! Please, just one quick little kiss!"

"No Geri, okay? No." He said angrily. This was annoying him.

"Then you leave me no choice." Geraldine sighed. Harry frowned.

"What does that mean?" It didn't sound good. Geraldine shrugged before throwing herself on him and placing her lips on his. He was too shocked to push her off but he didn't need to because she pulled away before he even registered what was happening.

"I told you no and you did it anyway?" He wiped his mouth. She pouted.

"All's fair in love and war Harry." She said. He sighed; he didn't want to go into what had just happened. Or what she had said about dating him for being famous, or when she had tried to blame him for staying out late. But if she kept up treating him the way she did then he was going to have a talk to her, a very serious one. The only problem was on how she would react. He liked her a lot and didn't want her to break up with him.

"Okay. All is fair in love and war." He agreed half-heartedly. Geraldine grinned at her friends.

"See? Didn't I tell you he was a sweetie?" She told them. Bernadette nodded and Martha grunted rudely. They talked politely for the rest of dinner. Bernadette had warmed up to him immediately and kept asking him questions like 'What's your favorite food?' and 'What is your favorite subject at Hogwarts?' and 'What do you want to do when you graduate?'. Martha didn't seem to like him and kept glaring at him over her glasses.

"Well I better go over and see Hermione and Ron. It was nice meeting you." Harry smiled civilly at Bernadette and Martha and got up off his seat.

"No Harry, stay." Geraldine grabbed his arm.

"I just want to say hi to them Geri." Harry pulled his arm away gently. She rolled her eyes at him and turned away.

"Fine." Harry knew she wasn't serious though.

"I'll see you later." He bent down and kissed her on the cheek. She smiled immediately and waved goodbye to him. Harry made his way over to the Gryffindor table and sat down next to Ron.

"Hey mate. How was Quidditch practice?" He asked.

"Fine. We have some real talent." Ron answered unenthusiastically.

"Which might I say, you sound thrilled about." Harry grinned. Ron was looking over at Hermione.

"Yes, I am still not talking to her before you ask. And yes, I am still very mad at her." Ron said turning to face Harry. Harry put his hands up in the air.

"I did not say anything," He waited a moment, "But, you really should just talk to her. She's really sorry you know."

"Ah-ha! I knew you wouldn't hold it in. No, no and no." He watched the dinner plates disappear and be replaced by dessert bowls full of yellow pudding.

"Yellow pudding?" Ron pulled a face. Harry eyed it warily and a small smile appeared on his face at how quickly Ron's attitude changed at the mere sight of food.

"I don't want to eat that." He said. They glanced around; no one else was touching their dessert either. Ron took his spoon and gingerly put a small amount in his mouth.

"Oh! It's great!" He started digging into it eagerly. Harry tried his and liked it and before long all of Gryffindor was eating again. Ron's face was covered in the pudding when Ellanora walked past.

"You look lovely tonight." She complimented, smiling mildly. Ron went red.

"Houghow Mela-ora," He swallowed and went a darker shade of red, "I mean, hello Ellanora."

"Thank-you for that flying lesson." She didn't look very thankful though. Since the night after Edward had been sent to the Hospital Wing she had been as sour and rude, as she was the previous weeks. The only person she seemed to warm up too remotely was Ron.

"Anytime you need one. Do you need one?" Ron asked. She shook her head and eyed his pudding in the same manner Harry had recently.

"What on earth is that?" She asked.

"What do you mean? You don't have it?" Ron frowned.

"No, dessert tonight was apple pie and cream or strawberry tart." She looked thoughtful.

"Well, its good." Ron said happily.

"Oh," Ellanora looked around the Great Hall distractedly, "Well, enjoy it then. Come and see me later if you want."

"I...I will. Bye." Ron watched her retreating figure.

"What is with that girl?" Wondered Harry.

"Not a clue." Ron shrugged and continued to eat his pudding again.

"You're giving her flying lessons?" Harry asked.

"Yeah. Her dad started giving them to her last year but she hasn't tried to fly since he died. I think she must be starting to deal better because she asked me for some lessons. She told me that I'm helping her cope with things." Ron smiled happily.

"Good for you mate," Harry grinned at him, "It's kind of strange to see her be nice the way she is to you."

"I think...well, I hope...well...I think and hope that she might like me." Ron's previous blush returned.

"Ah, young love." Harry mused. Ron punched him in the arm playfully.

"Speaking of young love. How are you and your Veela Woman going?" Ron had nicknamed Geraldine 'Veela Woman' and took every opportunity to use the term.

"Okay. She's a bit moody today. Actually she was really moody today. But we hung out and it was fun." Harry raised an eyebrow at Ron's critical gaze.

"I can tell you had fun," He spooned the last of his pudding into his mouth, "You're shirt is inside out."

"What!" Harry looked down and discovered, much to his discomfit, that his shirt was in fact inside out. Ron laughed.

"Young love indeed," He was obviously amused, "And as for the moodiness. I wouldn't worry. All girls get it. They're kind of born with it in their genes. Every now and then they become vicious, blood-sucking monsters that are happy...then mad...then happy...then mad...it's a horrible never-ending cycle."

Harry forgot his inside-out shirt embarrassment and laughed. Ron suddenly looked sick.

"Are you okay?" Harry and Ron said at the same time. They both frowned in unison.

"I'm fine." Ron said, confused.

"Me too," Harry scanned Ron's face, "But you look awful. You're all pale and you have some yellow spots on your forehead...now your nose...now your cheeks!"

Yellow spots had started popping up all over Ron's face at second intervals. Ron jumped up and gaping, felt his face.

"You do too Harry!" Harry felt his face and wasn't happy to discover Ron was right. The Gryffindor table erupted into squeals and cries as they began to inhabit the yellow spots also.

"Ohmigod! This is horrible!" Lavender started sobbing as she covered her face in her hands. Her best friend Pavarti, next to her, did the same. Most Gryffindor's ran from the Great Hall in shame while the other Gryffindor's that stayed tried to remove the spots or continued to cry out in shock.

"Oh Harry!" Hermione ran over to them and looked at Ron awkwardly, "You both look awful."

"You don't look too good yourself Hermione." Ron snapped, sitting down at the table again. She looked down at the ground and shuffled her feet.

"It must have been the pudding." Hermione muttered. Ron and Harry sighed.

"Who did it then?" Harry asked. Amidst the cries, a small laughing sound could be heard. All three looked at the end of the table where they found Edward. He was trying very hard to stand up because it seemed that he found the whole situation entirely amusing. Ron's face became red with anger.

"One guess Harry." He gritted his teeth.

"Again? But isn't he on detention for all those water balloons he put over everyone's bed?" Harry uttered astonished. A week ago Edward had magically levitated a large water balloon over every Gryffindor's bed. He had also charmed the balloon so that it would fall when the unlucky Gryffindor whose bed the balloon was hovering over woke up. Edward had been put on detention for two weeks but it didn't seem to have deterred him from his troublemaking.

"It must be Melliflusully." Hermione scratched her arm distractedly.

"What does that do?" Asked Harry scratching his neck. He was itching all over.

"Exactly what it's done to us. You break out in yellow spots that itch all over and some people get so sick from it that they..." She trailed off as Dean threw up not far along the table from them. Ron pulled a face.

"They throw up?" He finished half-heartedly.

"Precisely. It was discovered quite a few decades ago and it is warned for it never to be consumed. Although I suppose some troublemakers like to use it for the odd reckless prank now and again." She finished angrily scratching her arm even more profusely. Harry sat back down unhappily. He felt so queasy. Glancing around he noticed many people from all the other Houses were sniggering at them. Slytherin was louder than anyone was and Harry hung his head in embarrassment. He glimpsed up and caught sight McGonagall striding angrily towards the end of the table where Edward was.

"Edward Egon! How dare you!" She cried grabbing his arm. Ellanora was instantly at her brother's side. Harry frowned as he saw Ron walking up to Edward and McGonagall.

"You don't know it was him!" Ellanora's stern voice directed Harry's attention back to the end of the table. She was standing in front of her brother protectively. McGonagall took a deep breath.

"With all do respect Miss Egon, your brother has been causing trouble all over the school. And now I find him being the only unharmed student in this little escapade." McGonagall explained.

"I don't care. Those were things that were proven. I want you to show me evidence that he did this," She gestured to the yellow-spotted Gryffindor students, "And I will have no problem letting you deal with him."

"Perhaps you forget Miss Egon that you are a student and I am a teacher." Professor McGonagall said gently but resolutely. Ellanora scanned McGonagall's stern face.

"Proof," She muttered, "Just give me some proof."

"Miss Egon please. It can be strongly assumed." McGonagall pointed out.

"You can't put him on detention again. How much more do you think he can take?" Ellanora demanded firmly.

"But Ella! Ella I did it." Edward piped up. Ellanora put her hand over his mouth.

"Shoosh. You didn't."

"But I did! I snuck some Melliflusully down to the kitchen and got the House Elves to put it in some pudding for the Gryffindor's." Edward moved away from her to release himself from her grip.

"Why on earth would you do that?" She scolded loudly, not noticing that all of Hogwarts was watching the display.

"Because I hate Gryffindor." Edward rationalized; a few cheers erupted from Slytherin.

"That is no excuse." She grabbed his arm again and bent down, whispering something into his ear. She stood up and pushed Edward towards McGonagall before muttering something incoherently. Harry watched her leave the Great Hall followed closely by Ron.

"What is Ron doing?" Hermione frowned at his retreating figure.

"He, er…I don't know." Harry shrugged and began scratching himself again. Shortly after the small argument all Gryffindor's were urged to go to the Hospital Wing to be treated and Edward was pulled from the Great Hall with a months worth of detention and a proud smirk planted on his face.

* * * *

Later that night Harry sat in the common room doing his Care of Magical Creatures homework with Neville. Hermione was reading in front of the fire and Ron still wasn't back from when he had disappeared at lunch. Harry suspected Hermione was reading in the common room for more than just the comfort of the fire because she kept looking up at the common room entrance about every five minutes.

"You waiting for someone Hermione?" Neville asked unknowingly.

"No, no. I just...Do you need any help with your homework Neville?" She blushed a little. Neville shook his head and she went back to reading her book. Harry flipped through his textbook and tried to find the pages on fairies as he was supposed to have a major assignment written on them in a few months. Neville closed his book and rolled up his scroll.

"Finished," He stood up, "I'm going to bed, night."

"He hardly talks anymore." Hermione commented sadly, joining Harry on the floor after Neville had gone up to the boys' dormitories.

"Well. He fought the Deatheater that drove his parents insane last year. I think that might explain it." Harry sighed, feeling instantly bitter with his memory of the Ministry of Magic battle from last year. So many of his friends had gotten hurt. Sirius had died. Voldemort had tricked him. It was all because of that dark Wizard that Harry had lost so much.

"Why did Sirius have to die!" His eyes widened when he realised he'd said it aloud. Hermione froze and seemed unsure on how to react. She bit her bottom lip.

"Oh Harry," She had tears in her eyes, "I know how much you miss him. I wish we could bring him back, I really do! It's always so unfair when we lose the people we love..."

"Unfair is an understatement." Harry growled more to himself than Hermione. Hermione lent over and hugged him gently. Harry hugged her back thankfully. But he wouldn't cry, he didn't want to be weak.

"You two want a room?" Ron asked grinning, appearing beside them. They broke apart and Hermione wiped at her tears in embarrassment.

"Don't be stupid." Harry muttered. Ron looked down at Hermione's tear-stained cheeks and the grin was wiped off his face.

"Are you okay?" He asked bending down to face her. Hermione nodded her head.

"Where were you?" She inquired softly. Ron shrugged.

"I had stuff to do, people to see." He answered patently. All three of them lulled in the stillness of the room for a few minutes before Hermione spoke.

"I've had a big day. I'm going to retire. Goodnight." She allowed Ron to pull her up and nodded her head at them as she went up to her room.

"Places to go, people to see? Please!" Harry chuckled as soon as she'd disappeared. Ron directed his gaze nonchalantly at Harry.

"There's nothing going on with Ellanora, Harry. Honestly, there isn't." He urged sitting down next to his friend.

"If you say so."

The boys were sent into an uncomfortable silence. Harry opened and closed his mouth several times but for some reason he couldn't think of something to say.

"You're spots are gone." He managed to remark; he hadn't seen Ron as the Hospital Wing when Madam Pompfrey had cleared up all the other Gryffindor's Melliflusully spots. Ron looked away.

"Ella helped me get rid of them."

"Oh."

"Have you and Hermione worked out what happened to you yet?" Ron asked, clearing his throat.

"With my attack?" Harry scribbled on his scroll distractedly.

"Yeah."

"No. Hermione's read up on everything she might think could have triggered it but she can't come up with anything." Harry shrugged. Ron nodded his head.

"Is something the matter? Did I do something?" He asked. Harry was surprised.

"No. Of course not. Why?" Harry thought Ron was the one acting strangely. He was fine. Why would he have any reason to be mad? Ron hadn't done anything.

"Well, I don't know." Ron avoided Harry's gaze.

"Why would I?" Harry asked, perplexed. Ron stood up distractedly. He looked very tall, towering over Harry's sitting figure. He was so different from the quiet, awkward first year who Harry remembered meeting when he first came to Hogwarts.

"No reason. Listen, I think Hermione's got the right idea. I'm going to bed mate." Ron made his way up the stairs and eventually the echoes of his shuffling feet became inaudible. Harry's brow furrowed in confusion. What had just happened?

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To my reviewers:

Yeah, I do not like 'You can call me Geri' much either. But I think she has a point…I think…

Okay, I wrote a few more chapters and I like Ella now. You'll have to wait and see!

ashley: Don't worry. There is DEFINITELY heaps of Ron and Hermione coming up…I'm just taking my time…

Blue.Rose.Marcella: I'm glad you're enjoying it and I'm sorry but I'm more of a Draco/Ginny shipper…you know…that whole love turned to hate thing…plus I think that Harry/Ginny is a little overdone…I mean there are heaps of other characters they can get with…plus… four years passed and Harry never noticed Ginny…and she moved on in the fifth book…

Kagome19: Ah, one of my constant reviewers! Yeah…just give Ron and Hermione time…I know Ginny/Draco will take a while…But I'm glad you like it! :)

zealousgirl: I loved the criticism, thanks. Don't worry, all will be explained soon. And I'm sorry about the pace of this chapter. It goes on a bit…but ugh…keep reading still!