CHAPTER TWENTY THREE
Lara had demanded to see Dumbledore as soon as she was mobile enough. The headmaster, although reluctant to see the girl who had so nearly escaped death be out and about so soon, allowed it in light of the circumstances.
"It's not meant to be like this." Lara said before Dumbledore had even noticed her arrival. He had been looking through his telescope in a corner of his office and had not heard or seen Lara come in and settle herself on the chair.
"What isn't?" Dumbledore said patiently, his lack of shock at suddenly finding Lara sitting in his office suggesting he had, in fact, noticed her prescence.
"Love. It's not supposed to work like this. The prophecy said my love and Harry's would be greater than all the loves that ever was."
"Wasn't it?" Dumbledore said in much the same tone, removing his eye from the telescope and making his way to his chair on the other side of the desk, sitting down gracefully.
"We barely had time to enjoy it. We were barely given a chance to truly love." Lara cried, her frustrations over the situation finally flowing out of her.
"But that does not diminsh your love in any way. The brief period of time in which your love bloomed proved it to be very strong, perhaps enough to satisfy the prophecy."
"So that's it then? He's going to die?"
"I did not say that. I am merely pointing out that all the prophecies have been fulfilled. What happens now I cannot guess."
"It can't end like this." Lara said hoarsly, letting her head sink between her knees.
"Why not?"
"Because it's unfair!"
"Life's not meant to be fair Lara."
"Yes, but once in a while the workings of fate cut we mere mortals some slack. But fate can't seem to bring itself to allow me that priveldge can it?"
"I think, perhaps, you are seeing this from the negative view."
"THERE IS NO POSITIVE SIDE TO SEE IT FROM!" Lara roared.
"Harry is not dead yet. There is your positive. You experienced a love that few encounter in their entire lifetimes. There is your positive."
"But it hurts Dumbledore. It hurts so bad." Lara croaked, calming down.
"But if you could give up your love for Harry to do away with this pain, would you do it?"
"Of course not." Lara replied without hesitation.
"Exactly."
"Is this all love is? This pain? This suffering?"
"You tell me." Lara stopped at this comment, thinking about Dumbledore's last words.
"You're right." She said simply after a while. "It's not all pain and suffering, but that's not to say it isn't part of it. And in my case, it's a big part of it."
"Fate works in strange ways...." Dumbledore said solemly.
"Do you reckon fate just woke up and thought, 'I'm going to make some stupid prophecy about love to annoy the hell out of some little girl and make her life a living nightmare."
"No. I think fate forsaw what would happen to the future if Voldemort was not stopped. I think it knew only the sort of power love can summon could stop him, and so it hand picked you, along with Harry, to be the saviours of the world. And I don't think you let fate down."
"Well good for it. But I'm still hurting, more than I have ever hurt in my life."
"To love is to make yourself vulnerable my dear. You've opened your heart up Lara, as much as it kills you to admit it. But you've got to risk something to gain something. You're risking being hurt again for the chance that you and Harry still have a hope for a future, for happiness."
"The worst bit is even if I wanted to give up, I can't. Because I felt love, I felt a few brief moments of it's delicious warmth and I discovered it's everthing it's cracked up to be. It really is worth fighting for, being brave for, risking everything for."
"Of course it is. Or what would we be fighting to save?" Dumbledore said simply. Lara nodded in response, a few tears beginning their journey down her cheek as a heavy silence enveloped them. "Do you want to see him?" The headmaster asked abruptly, slicing the silence. Lara looked up at him, a faint hope beginning to glimmer in her eyes.
"Can I?"
"I think it is about time you did." Dumbledore said before turning to a portrait behind him and whispering some instructions to it. When the conversation was finished, the man in the picture dissappeared in his frame as Dumbledore turned back to Lara.
"He has an adjoining painting of himself in St. Mungos, he's going to advise them of your arrival." Lara nodded, watching as Dumbledore took out his wand from his pocket and cast a quite charm on a quill sitting on the corner of his desk. The quill was, in fact, the same one which had transported Draco, but Lara did not know that.
"When you want to return, hold the quill and say...."
"Volta, yes I know." Lara interrupted. Dumbledore nodded before motioning for her to touch the quill. Lara obeyed, feeling the familiar tug behind her navel as the world spun away.
***********Meanwhile***********
"Draco?" The red head asked softly, leaning into his shoulder and wrapping her arms around his waist, enjoying the warmth of his body against hers. He in turn wrapped his arms around her shoulders and kissed the top of her head.
"Yes Gin?" He replied as he stared out at the lake they were standing in front of.
"Do you think he'll be alright?" She whispered.
"I know he will." Draco said, holding on to the girl in his arms tightly.
"How can you be so sure?"
"I have to hope Ginny. Or what am I holding on to?"
"Me." She replied. Draco's heart smiled at this, a smile that gradually spread until it inhabited his face.
"And you'll always be there for me? No matter what happens? No matter who my father is?" He winced at this last thought.
"Of course I will." Draco's heart skipped a beat as a warm and comfortable silence descended upon them. It was in that moment that his soul, having been tormented for weeks over Harry's state, at last gained a moments rest. He at last felt the soft tenticles of happiness enfold his mind and heart, enveloping him in its embrace.
"I love you." He whispered.
"I love you too." She replied, lifting up her head to face Draco. He smiled down at her, leaning in to kiss her gently. He couldn't believe that with all the sorrow that he had experienced in his life, he had managed to find a girl as wonderful as Ginny. He felt the warmth flow from her lips and onto his, assuring him of what she said before. She would always be there for him, and he in turn would always be there for her.
As they broke away, when the need for oxygen became too great, he immediately felt a great loss. Leaning in again, he captured her lips in another kiss, this time far more fervant and fiery. They clung to each other in desperate need, fearing to let go for a reason beyond their comprehension.
*************************
"Ron?" Hermione questioned, her head resting on his chest. They were lying in front of the fire in the Gryffindor common room, enjoying each other's company. She had her head on his chest, and her arms around his waist.
"Yes Herm..." He said dozily, playing with the strands of long, smooth hair that fell on her shoulders.
"Do you think that Lara is going to be alright? I mean, if Harry doesn't pull through, it's going to kill her."
"I know. But she has us, and Sirius."
"But Ron, she loves him, she loves him more than anything in the world. If he dies...."
"He's going to be okay Hermione. He's going to pull through."
"But what if..."
"Don't. There is never going to be a what if. He is going to live." Ron said determindly. Hermione nodded slightly, cuddling closer to him. With his spare hand, Ron gently pushed her chin up so that her lips were centimetres from hers. Leaning down, he breached the gap between them, kissing her sensually, exploring every inch of her mouth.
And this small moment of peace and tranquility meant the world to Ron. In light of all that had happened, of all the suffering and death, the need to hold on to love and happiness was all the more stronger. Reluctantly, as if not wanting the moment to end, Ron pulled back for a breath.
"You know, I don't think I've ever felt happier in my life than when I'm with you."
"I know what you mean. I feel the same. But as much as it wants to, my soul can't rest easy. Not with Harry in the state he's in...." Hermione replied, tears trickling down her face.
"Hey, it's okay." Ron said softly, holding her close. "And no matter what happens, we'll be there for each other."
"Always."
"Always." Hermione relaxed in the embrace of her boyfriend, delighting in the feel of his chest rising and falling beneath her.
"You and me have been pretty lucky you know." Ron said suddenly. Hermione turned towards him.
"What do you mean?"
"I was watching Ginny and Draco before they left. You should have seen her face Hermione. She was in so much pain, and I was thinking, we didn't go through that."
"Thank goodness..."
"I know. But to see that pain on her face....man. And Harry and Lara..."
"They waited until too late. And now.... now they might never feel what we've been lucky enough to experience...." Hermione finished softly.
"Love." Ron mused, smiling slightly.
"Yes, love." Hermione said determindly, holding her boyfriend close. "I love you Ronald Weasley."
"I love you too Hermione Granger." Ron whispered back, trying to hold back the tears that were unwillingly building up in his eyes. Hermione, however, had no need to refrain her tears, and so let them flow in torrents down her cheek.
The droplets spilled onto Ron's shirt, although he didn't care. Tilting her head slightly, Ron kissed the tears away softly.
"Don't worry Herm...everything will be alright."
********************
Slowly, her fingers trembling, Lara pulled away the curtain and laid her eyes on the sleeping form of Harry. Her heart pained as she saw the serene expression on his face, it's perfection only marred by the small scar on his forehead.
And then the tears began to fall, big wet droplets that splashed down her cheeks before landing on Harry. She sat down next to him on the bed, leaning across his chest and sobbing uncontrollably. She clutched at his shirt, the same he had been wearing that awful night. His shoulder, although already healed perfectly, was still soaked with dried blood.
"Harry, you can't leave me here." Lara whispered softly. "You just can't!" She cried, sitting up again. Slowly, she took his hand in hers and gently bought it to her lips. She kissed his fingertips lightly, enjoying the feel of his rough fingers in her own.
"I wonder what would've happen if life had given us a chance. If we had been allowed to be happy." She said sadly. "I swear Harry, if you live through this... gosh I don't know what I'd do..." Lara said exasperatedly. "I'll sing in front of the entire planet! I'll love you for the rest of my life. No, for longer than that, I'll love you for all eternity!" Lara cried, her heart buckling under the enormous pressure it was under.
"But you have to wake up, Harry. You gotta pull through or I don't think I will." Lara croaked, before wrapping her arms around him and collapsing onto his chest.
It was there that the nurse found her several hours later, fast asleep on the bed next to a wide awake Harry Potter.
******************
The hospital was in chaos. As soon as the nurse discovered Harry Potter awake, she raised the alarm and several healers came rushing to his ward, throwing aside the curtain that blocked him from view. .
"Hurry, he's awake!"
"What's that girl doing there? Get her off him!" A healer said, as another drew out his wand and levitated Lara to the bed she had occupied during her previous stay.
"No, keep her here!" Harry cried, sitting up.
"Mr Potter you need to rest, now lay back down and...."
"NO! I want her here... I want to talk to her..."
"She's sleeping now Mr. Potter, you can talk later. Now please, lay back down." Harry sighed, finally defeated.
"How long have I been here?"
"Almost four weeks." One of the healers said patiently as he checked Harry's temperature and blood pressure.
"What?"
"Yes, we feared you wouldn't make it."
"And Lara? How long has she been awake?"
"Almost two weeks now since we dismissed her."
"Is she alright?"
"Yes Mr. Potter, now please sit still! We're more concerned for you health at this present moment."
"Well I'm not!" Harry said angrily. "I want to see her!"
"Please calm down!" The same healer said, oviously getting infuriated. "Andrew!" He said, turning to another male healer standing behind him.
"Yes?"
"Wake that girl up and send her back to Hogwarts. He'll never get any rest with her..."
"No! She's got to stay! Please!" Harry cried, but it was too late. The healer walked towards Lara's bed, picking her up gently and carrying her out of the hospital room.
And all through the chaos of the healers and Harry's frantic cries, she did not stir once.
***********************
Lara was fed up with the entire situation. Dumbledore refused to let her see Harry, and she had no idea why. After a very perplexing first visit, in which she had fallen asleep next to him and woken up in her dormitory, the headmaster had refused to allow Lara to see the boy again. Her efforts at convincing Dumbledore otherwise came to no avail, and she simply could not understand it.
"Have you visited him at all?" She whispered to Ron and Hermione, who were sitting next to her in Potions the day after her curious visit to St. Mungos. She had been attending her first classes that week after several months break.
"No, we're not allowed to." Ron whispered back, lowering his voice as Snape prowled past them. They were making a particularly difficult potion in class that day, and Lara had paired up with Draco (who had been all but rejected by his fellow house mates because of his friendship with the Gryffindors).
"Dumbledore had said he would let me visit him after you, but I asked him this morning and he refused." Draco whispered as he handed Lara his crushed up beetle shells, who in turn poured it into the bubbling yellow mixture.
"Cut up the roots next." Lara said, slightly louder as she didn't mind if Snape overheard this part of the conversation.
"I know I know." Draco said impatiently as he pulled the roots towards him.
"That's really weird though." Hermione said, joining the conversation. "I've never known Dumbledore to suddenly change his mind like that."
"He's keeping something from me, I can feel it." Lara said.
"He would.... he would tell us if Harry.... if he... you know...." Ron said, his fale paling slightly at the thought.
"Of course he would." Lara snapped, although she too paled at his words. "He wouldn't keep something like that from us."
"Wouldn't he?" Hermione whispered, the anxiety on her face clearly evident.
Lara had demanded to see Dumbledore as soon as she was mobile enough. The headmaster, although reluctant to see the girl who had so nearly escaped death be out and about so soon, allowed it in light of the circumstances.
"It's not meant to be like this." Lara said before Dumbledore had even noticed her arrival. He had been looking through his telescope in a corner of his office and had not heard or seen Lara come in and settle herself on the chair.
"What isn't?" Dumbledore said patiently, his lack of shock at suddenly finding Lara sitting in his office suggesting he had, in fact, noticed her prescence.
"Love. It's not supposed to work like this. The prophecy said my love and Harry's would be greater than all the loves that ever was."
"Wasn't it?" Dumbledore said in much the same tone, removing his eye from the telescope and making his way to his chair on the other side of the desk, sitting down gracefully.
"We barely had time to enjoy it. We were barely given a chance to truly love." Lara cried, her frustrations over the situation finally flowing out of her.
"But that does not diminsh your love in any way. The brief period of time in which your love bloomed proved it to be very strong, perhaps enough to satisfy the prophecy."
"So that's it then? He's going to die?"
"I did not say that. I am merely pointing out that all the prophecies have been fulfilled. What happens now I cannot guess."
"It can't end like this." Lara said hoarsly, letting her head sink between her knees.
"Why not?"
"Because it's unfair!"
"Life's not meant to be fair Lara."
"Yes, but once in a while the workings of fate cut we mere mortals some slack. But fate can't seem to bring itself to allow me that priveldge can it?"
"I think, perhaps, you are seeing this from the negative view."
"THERE IS NO POSITIVE SIDE TO SEE IT FROM!" Lara roared.
"Harry is not dead yet. There is your positive. You experienced a love that few encounter in their entire lifetimes. There is your positive."
"But it hurts Dumbledore. It hurts so bad." Lara croaked, calming down.
"But if you could give up your love for Harry to do away with this pain, would you do it?"
"Of course not." Lara replied without hesitation.
"Exactly."
"Is this all love is? This pain? This suffering?"
"You tell me." Lara stopped at this comment, thinking about Dumbledore's last words.
"You're right." She said simply after a while. "It's not all pain and suffering, but that's not to say it isn't part of it. And in my case, it's a big part of it."
"Fate works in strange ways...." Dumbledore said solemly.
"Do you reckon fate just woke up and thought, 'I'm going to make some stupid prophecy about love to annoy the hell out of some little girl and make her life a living nightmare."
"No. I think fate forsaw what would happen to the future if Voldemort was not stopped. I think it knew only the sort of power love can summon could stop him, and so it hand picked you, along with Harry, to be the saviours of the world. And I don't think you let fate down."
"Well good for it. But I'm still hurting, more than I have ever hurt in my life."
"To love is to make yourself vulnerable my dear. You've opened your heart up Lara, as much as it kills you to admit it. But you've got to risk something to gain something. You're risking being hurt again for the chance that you and Harry still have a hope for a future, for happiness."
"The worst bit is even if I wanted to give up, I can't. Because I felt love, I felt a few brief moments of it's delicious warmth and I discovered it's everthing it's cracked up to be. It really is worth fighting for, being brave for, risking everything for."
"Of course it is. Or what would we be fighting to save?" Dumbledore said simply. Lara nodded in response, a few tears beginning their journey down her cheek as a heavy silence enveloped them. "Do you want to see him?" The headmaster asked abruptly, slicing the silence. Lara looked up at him, a faint hope beginning to glimmer in her eyes.
"Can I?"
"I think it is about time you did." Dumbledore said before turning to a portrait behind him and whispering some instructions to it. When the conversation was finished, the man in the picture dissappeared in his frame as Dumbledore turned back to Lara.
"He has an adjoining painting of himself in St. Mungos, he's going to advise them of your arrival." Lara nodded, watching as Dumbledore took out his wand from his pocket and cast a quite charm on a quill sitting on the corner of his desk. The quill was, in fact, the same one which had transported Draco, but Lara did not know that.
"When you want to return, hold the quill and say...."
"Volta, yes I know." Lara interrupted. Dumbledore nodded before motioning for her to touch the quill. Lara obeyed, feeling the familiar tug behind her navel as the world spun away.
***********Meanwhile***********
"Draco?" The red head asked softly, leaning into his shoulder and wrapping her arms around his waist, enjoying the warmth of his body against hers. He in turn wrapped his arms around her shoulders and kissed the top of her head.
"Yes Gin?" He replied as he stared out at the lake they were standing in front of.
"Do you think he'll be alright?" She whispered.
"I know he will." Draco said, holding on to the girl in his arms tightly.
"How can you be so sure?"
"I have to hope Ginny. Or what am I holding on to?"
"Me." She replied. Draco's heart smiled at this, a smile that gradually spread until it inhabited his face.
"And you'll always be there for me? No matter what happens? No matter who my father is?" He winced at this last thought.
"Of course I will." Draco's heart skipped a beat as a warm and comfortable silence descended upon them. It was in that moment that his soul, having been tormented for weeks over Harry's state, at last gained a moments rest. He at last felt the soft tenticles of happiness enfold his mind and heart, enveloping him in its embrace.
"I love you." He whispered.
"I love you too." She replied, lifting up her head to face Draco. He smiled down at her, leaning in to kiss her gently. He couldn't believe that with all the sorrow that he had experienced in his life, he had managed to find a girl as wonderful as Ginny. He felt the warmth flow from her lips and onto his, assuring him of what she said before. She would always be there for him, and he in turn would always be there for her.
As they broke away, when the need for oxygen became too great, he immediately felt a great loss. Leaning in again, he captured her lips in another kiss, this time far more fervant and fiery. They clung to each other in desperate need, fearing to let go for a reason beyond their comprehension.
*************************
"Ron?" Hermione questioned, her head resting on his chest. They were lying in front of the fire in the Gryffindor common room, enjoying each other's company. She had her head on his chest, and her arms around his waist.
"Yes Herm..." He said dozily, playing with the strands of long, smooth hair that fell on her shoulders.
"Do you think that Lara is going to be alright? I mean, if Harry doesn't pull through, it's going to kill her."
"I know. But she has us, and Sirius."
"But Ron, she loves him, she loves him more than anything in the world. If he dies...."
"He's going to be okay Hermione. He's going to pull through."
"But what if..."
"Don't. There is never going to be a what if. He is going to live." Ron said determindly. Hermione nodded slightly, cuddling closer to him. With his spare hand, Ron gently pushed her chin up so that her lips were centimetres from hers. Leaning down, he breached the gap between them, kissing her sensually, exploring every inch of her mouth.
And this small moment of peace and tranquility meant the world to Ron. In light of all that had happened, of all the suffering and death, the need to hold on to love and happiness was all the more stronger. Reluctantly, as if not wanting the moment to end, Ron pulled back for a breath.
"You know, I don't think I've ever felt happier in my life than when I'm with you."
"I know what you mean. I feel the same. But as much as it wants to, my soul can't rest easy. Not with Harry in the state he's in...." Hermione replied, tears trickling down her face.
"Hey, it's okay." Ron said softly, holding her close. "And no matter what happens, we'll be there for each other."
"Always."
"Always." Hermione relaxed in the embrace of her boyfriend, delighting in the feel of his chest rising and falling beneath her.
"You and me have been pretty lucky you know." Ron said suddenly. Hermione turned towards him.
"What do you mean?"
"I was watching Ginny and Draco before they left. You should have seen her face Hermione. She was in so much pain, and I was thinking, we didn't go through that."
"Thank goodness..."
"I know. But to see that pain on her face....man. And Harry and Lara..."
"They waited until too late. And now.... now they might never feel what we've been lucky enough to experience...." Hermione finished softly.
"Love." Ron mused, smiling slightly.
"Yes, love." Hermione said determindly, holding her boyfriend close. "I love you Ronald Weasley."
"I love you too Hermione Granger." Ron whispered back, trying to hold back the tears that were unwillingly building up in his eyes. Hermione, however, had no need to refrain her tears, and so let them flow in torrents down her cheek.
The droplets spilled onto Ron's shirt, although he didn't care. Tilting her head slightly, Ron kissed the tears away softly.
"Don't worry Herm...everything will be alright."
********************
Slowly, her fingers trembling, Lara pulled away the curtain and laid her eyes on the sleeping form of Harry. Her heart pained as she saw the serene expression on his face, it's perfection only marred by the small scar on his forehead.
And then the tears began to fall, big wet droplets that splashed down her cheeks before landing on Harry. She sat down next to him on the bed, leaning across his chest and sobbing uncontrollably. She clutched at his shirt, the same he had been wearing that awful night. His shoulder, although already healed perfectly, was still soaked with dried blood.
"Harry, you can't leave me here." Lara whispered softly. "You just can't!" She cried, sitting up again. Slowly, she took his hand in hers and gently bought it to her lips. She kissed his fingertips lightly, enjoying the feel of his rough fingers in her own.
"I wonder what would've happen if life had given us a chance. If we had been allowed to be happy." She said sadly. "I swear Harry, if you live through this... gosh I don't know what I'd do..." Lara said exasperatedly. "I'll sing in front of the entire planet! I'll love you for the rest of my life. No, for longer than that, I'll love you for all eternity!" Lara cried, her heart buckling under the enormous pressure it was under.
"But you have to wake up, Harry. You gotta pull through or I don't think I will." Lara croaked, before wrapping her arms around him and collapsing onto his chest.
It was there that the nurse found her several hours later, fast asleep on the bed next to a wide awake Harry Potter.
******************
The hospital was in chaos. As soon as the nurse discovered Harry Potter awake, she raised the alarm and several healers came rushing to his ward, throwing aside the curtain that blocked him from view. .
"Hurry, he's awake!"
"What's that girl doing there? Get her off him!" A healer said, as another drew out his wand and levitated Lara to the bed she had occupied during her previous stay.
"No, keep her here!" Harry cried, sitting up.
"Mr Potter you need to rest, now lay back down and...."
"NO! I want her here... I want to talk to her..."
"She's sleeping now Mr. Potter, you can talk later. Now please, lay back down." Harry sighed, finally defeated.
"How long have I been here?"
"Almost four weeks." One of the healers said patiently as he checked Harry's temperature and blood pressure.
"What?"
"Yes, we feared you wouldn't make it."
"And Lara? How long has she been awake?"
"Almost two weeks now since we dismissed her."
"Is she alright?"
"Yes Mr. Potter, now please sit still! We're more concerned for you health at this present moment."
"Well I'm not!" Harry said angrily. "I want to see her!"
"Please calm down!" The same healer said, oviously getting infuriated. "Andrew!" He said, turning to another male healer standing behind him.
"Yes?"
"Wake that girl up and send her back to Hogwarts. He'll never get any rest with her..."
"No! She's got to stay! Please!" Harry cried, but it was too late. The healer walked towards Lara's bed, picking her up gently and carrying her out of the hospital room.
And all through the chaos of the healers and Harry's frantic cries, she did not stir once.
***********************
Lara was fed up with the entire situation. Dumbledore refused to let her see Harry, and she had no idea why. After a very perplexing first visit, in which she had fallen asleep next to him and woken up in her dormitory, the headmaster had refused to allow Lara to see the boy again. Her efforts at convincing Dumbledore otherwise came to no avail, and she simply could not understand it.
"Have you visited him at all?" She whispered to Ron and Hermione, who were sitting next to her in Potions the day after her curious visit to St. Mungos. She had been attending her first classes that week after several months break.
"No, we're not allowed to." Ron whispered back, lowering his voice as Snape prowled past them. They were making a particularly difficult potion in class that day, and Lara had paired up with Draco (who had been all but rejected by his fellow house mates because of his friendship with the Gryffindors).
"Dumbledore had said he would let me visit him after you, but I asked him this morning and he refused." Draco whispered as he handed Lara his crushed up beetle shells, who in turn poured it into the bubbling yellow mixture.
"Cut up the roots next." Lara said, slightly louder as she didn't mind if Snape overheard this part of the conversation.
"I know I know." Draco said impatiently as he pulled the roots towards him.
"That's really weird though." Hermione said, joining the conversation. "I've never known Dumbledore to suddenly change his mind like that."
"He's keeping something from me, I can feel it." Lara said.
"He would.... he would tell us if Harry.... if he... you know...." Ron said, his fale paling slightly at the thought.
"Of course he would." Lara snapped, although she too paled at his words. "He wouldn't keep something like that from us."
"Wouldn't he?" Hermione whispered, the anxiety on her face clearly evident.