Kahn grit his teeth against the pain in his chest as he sat up slowly, just in time to see Wolfgang kick Harry fair across the clearing. Deciding it was a bad idea to take the Kanite on, one on one, as he'd been doing with little success, Kahn opted for a more discreet approach. He waited for Wolfgang to jog past Sirius's limp form, before extending his arm and calling him. Sirius immediately left the ground and soared through the air, closely followed by Harry's half conscious body, as Kahn extended his other arm.
Once they were safely beside him, Kahn drew a deep breath and centred himself, gathering his energy from the air, before thrusting both arms upward just as Wolfgang reached the edge of the clearing. He smiled inwardly, as the Kanite slammed into the barrier he'd fixed around his location, and fell to the ground, surprised.
Kahn moved as quickly as he could, hearing his rival scream in anger as he found out that he was stuck inside a dome. Looking up briefly, grasping Sirius and Harry, he stared into the burning yellow eyes in triumph. Without wasting any time, Kahn smirked before Orbing with his two companions, back to the Hospital Wing……
"This is just getting ridiculous, Albus," Poppy fumed as she finished looking after Remus. Hank had carried him back into the Ward, and informed them, that he'd agreed to give Hank some of his own energy, so that he would be better prepared for what was ahead. After all … he would've been almost no help whatsoever in his weakened state. Thankfully, it wouldn't take long for Remus to regain his strength. "I mean … He's probably going to need to stay here anyway, after everything that's happening tonight. Hank has got to learn to keep a low profile. As it is, Miss Granger knows what he is, so it's only a matter of time before the others figure it out as well…"
"I'm well aware of the consequences, Poppy, should anyone important discover Hank's true identity … but I cannot force him to stay here, if he thinks it necessary to intervene…" Dumbledore explained gravely. But he had to agree, things were most definitely getting out of control in certain aspects.
"Have you, by any chance Albus, ever heard of this Piedro Macarthur, Hank mentioned?" Snape put forward curiously. "I've never heard of him, and it looked as though Hank didn't … well … he didn't seem to like him very much, did he?"
Dumbledore turned his eyes to Snape briefly, before nodding his head. "Indeed, Severus," he said. "He didn't seem too fond of the man … not at all. I've never seen such dislike in him before."
"Well, they most likely have a history," said Poppy flatly. "He's not so judgmental to people he's never met. He usually meets them, before he gives an impression of how he takes to them … this one obviously made a bad impression…"
They all fell into a thoughtful stupor, before Snape asked, "How long do you think it'll take for them to get to the boundary past the lake?"
"It shouldn't take too long," Dumbledore answered, casting his blue eyes toward the windows, seeing the storm outside. "However, they could be slowed, due to the foul weather."
"That shouldn't matter should it?" Snape reasoned, also casting a glance to the storm. "I mean, animals aren't slowed by the weather…"
"Never assume anything, Severus," was all Dumbledore said in response to Snape's statement, leaving both Snape, and Poppy, a touch confused.
No one spoke for some time, when the sound of Remus stirring caught everyone's attention. Poppy stepped briskly to his side, and prevented him from getting out of bed, as he'd started to do.
"You're just as bad as Hank, you know that," she scolded, pushing Remus back into the pillow. "You won't be down for long, but you still need to rest for a while."
"Oh, come on Poppy!" Remus whined. "I'm fine, really … and where'd Ron and Hermione vanish to? They were here when I left with Hank?"
Snape shot Remus a thin smile. "Mr Weasley declared that there was a paper that he and Miss Granger needed to finish by tomorrow, and left shortly after you did."
Remus frowned, sceptical. "Ron … said they needed to finish homework? He brought it up, not Hermione?" Snape nodded. "Did they by any chance mention what subject it was for?" he added, looking mildly worried.
Dumbledore noticed this, but answered the question anyway, "Yes. They said it was for yours…"
Remus shut his eyes, and immediately tried to get out of bed again, saying, "Damn those two!"
"Remus! You have to rest!" Poppy insisted, as she tried to get Remus back into the bed.
"I can't Poppy," Remus answered firmly, concern spreading rapidly over his features. "Ron and Hermione are no longer in the castle. They've gone to try and help get Ginny back…"
"What!?" said Snape, looking at Remus as though he'd gone mad. "That's ridiculous! Even they aren't that stupid!"
"I'm afraid that Remus would be correct, Severus," said Dumbledore, looking incredibly grave. "You don't have a paper due tomorrow, do you Remus…" It was not a question.
Remus shook his head. "No … I don't."
"But … Hank himself told them that they weren't able to go," Snape argued quietly. It was no secret that this little group of students always seemed to cause nothing but trouble, but even he was finding it difficult to believe that they would do something like this… "He even gave them the reason … they wouldn't go, not when he told them not to…"
"I believe, Severus, that Mr Weasley was the instigator of this little escapade," Dumbledore put forward, frowning in thought. "Miss Granger wouldn't think of something like this, but I think that Ron only wanted to do something to try and help his sister, rather than sit around waiting."
"And if Ron told Hermione this, she'd go with him, even if she disagreed with it. She wouldn't let him go on his own," Remus added, shaking his head. "How long ago did they leave?"
"Not long after you left with Hank," Dumbledore answered. "So, about an hour ago, I believe…"
"How long do you think it would take for them to get to the other side of the lake?"
Dumbledore looked outside, just as a deafening crash and blinding light filled the sky and air. "Given the weather … they should nearly be there. But the others should have arrived there already…"
"You don't think they've been found out do you? Poppy asked, looking anxious. "That Mr Weasley's and Miss Granger's arrival forewarned that Piedro fellow?"
"It's possible," Dumbledore sighed. "But we won't know what's going on for sure until someone returns…"
"If anyone…" Snape added darkly, as he strode over to the windows that overlooked the lake, seeing brilliant flashes of light every so often on the opposite side.
Dumbledore looked up at Snape sharply, and stood at his full height. "I never want to hear you even *suggest* such a thing … ever again."
"Albus, we must look at all the options," Snape began, trying to pacify the headmaster, with little success.
"Any option, bar that one!" Remus snapped, gaining the apprehension Dumbledore was displaying at Snape's words. "How could you even ponder on it?"
"Quite easily," Snape answered smoothly. "The fact that Hank saw it fit to accompany them, is enough reason for me to know that they will most certainly have casualties … of any description. That does not always mean death … but I do know, that Poppy will have a few extra patients here by the end of the night…"
"The fact that Hank went with them should be enough reason to believe that no one will be injured!" Remus retorted heatedly, scowling at the potions master. "You know how powerful he is…"
"I do," Snape replied. "But I do not know the capabilities of this new threat … so I refuse to be so presumptuous. As much as you might wish to believe it … Hank is not omnipotent."
"No one is — " Remus started, but was cut off by Snape.
"And you must realize that there are others in this world … more powerful than he?"
Remus didn't reply, causing Snape's sallow face to grin minutely.
"You see? You need to consider, ALL the possible options…" he finished, turning his back on Remus, resuming his perusal of the grounds by the lake.
Remus sighed heavily, and faced Dumbledore. "Could he be right?" he asked quietly. "Is it possible that someone could come back … dead? That someone might not come back at all?"
Dumbledore's shoulders fell, as he heaved a great sigh, shaking his head. "I truly don't know, Remus. I pray that Severus is incorrect … but, there is always, of course, that possibility…"
Remus sat back down on his bed, not wanting to even contemplate the idea that, of those that were outside, one or some, might not come back alive. There were two colleagues, one of which was his clan brother, his best friend, and four students … all of whom had grown on him considerably since he'd started teaching at the school again. Remus placed his head in his hand, hoping that they would all come back the way they left.
"Companies coming…" Snape's voice rang out, drawing Remus from his thoughts. He looked toward him, and saw that he was focused intently on something outside, below them.
"Who is it?" asked Dumbledore, striding over to the windows. "Can you tell?"
"It seems that Minerva has some new friends…" he remarked dryly, seeing the all too familiar form of a tabby cat streak across the courtyard, accompanied by another cat, a dog and a bird.
Suddenly, everyone caught sight of a bright light glowing in the room, and so spun to face it; everyone dashing forward as three huge, and muddy forms materialized and promptly crashed to the floor.
The first thing that happened, was Kahn transforming back into Hank, who immediately stood and lifted an almost dead Sirius onto the nearest bed.
"You need to do everything you can Poppy!" he said firmly to the matron. "He was … struck by lightning to, put it mildly. I can't heal him…"
Poppy nodded hastily, before heading off to her office to collect anything she might need. Remus's eyes were glued to Sirius's still form, taking in the charred fur and skin, a sense of disbelief washing over him……
After pausing a moment, looking at Sirius, Hank spun around to see to Harry. He took the lion effortlessly in his arms and placed him on a bed also, Dumbledore hovering by his side.
"I'll answer the questions I can, after we've seen to everyone," Hank said forcefully, as Dumbledore made a motion to ask him what had happened. "I just need to heal the major injuries he's sustained, and Poppy should be able to fix the rest. I still need to fix what I can when Miss Weasley arrives…"
Dumbledore obligingly remained silent as Hank began to heal the worst of Harry's injuries. He stole a glance toward the small group surrounding Sirius, and felt his heart go out to Remus as he stared blankly down at the form of his friend, while Poppy tried all she could to keep him alive.
After a few minutes in an eerie silence, the doors to the ward opened up, to reveal four animals in varying degrees of filthiness. Hank didn't look up, and only Dumbledore and Snape turned to face the quartet, for Remus was trying to assist Poppy with Sirius.
Silently, they both watched as McGonagall transformed and shut the doors, as the bird, cat and dog, sauntered or glided forward. McGonagall turned and nodded briskly at the two wizards, before drawing her wand and reverting Hermione and Ron back to their original forms. As soon as they'd readjusted, she proceeded to revert Ginny, after she'd settled herself back in Ron's arms.
Ron immediately set her down on the nearest bed, and seated himself beside her, grasping her hand firmly as he gazed sadly at her injuries in the bright light, whispering quietly to her as she winced every so often with pain.
Hermione had approached Hank and Harry, barely acknowledging the presence of Dumbledore and Snape, as she watched him heal Harry's worst injuries. He straitened up when he'd finished, and turned around, spotting Hermione and smiling weakly, his relief that they'd arrived back unharmed evident. Hermione stepped to the side and motioned at Ginny, who was beginning to lose consciousness with the pain, and exhaustion from the events of the night. He nodded slightly, before stepping around her, and stopping at Ginny's side.
"Will she be all right?" Ron asked in a whisper, failing to hide his anxiety on his sisters behalf.
Hank gave Ron a warm smile before nodding. "Yes, Mr Weasley. She will recover in a couple of days. I can't heal all of her injuries, so Poppy will have to finish treating her using the usual methods … I'm just the emergency treatment."
Ron simply nodded as Hank bent over slightly, resting his palm against Ginny's cheek and began to heal the bruising and cuts on her face. All of a sudden, Ron looked at Hank sharply, before letting his eyes dart all around the ward, as though looking for something.
"Where's Kahn?" he asked, frowning in puzzlement. "Why isn't he here?"
"He left right after he brought Harry and Sirius back here," Hank answered quietly, still focusing on Ginny. "He knew that I could handle anything major, and so left to see if he could deal with Wolfgang before he escapes…"
Ron's puzzled mien grew more pronounced. "Wolfgang?"
Hank nodded. "It's Piedro's name when he's himself."
"Himself?" said Ron, raising an eyebrow as he shot a look at Hermione. "And what exactly was that? I've never seen anything like it before, and the only thing that resembles it in any way, are Felanade's."
"And that's as far as the resemblance stretches," Hank commented darkly, as he straightened up from Ginny, and glanced at Ron. "The only people in the room, that don't know what Piedro — or Wolfgang, if you prefer — was, is you, Ginny and Harry. Everyone else should have guessed by now, simply by the condition everyone arrived in."
"He's a Kanite, isn't he…?" said Snape softly.
Hank nodded, but Dumbledore was the next to speak. "Why didn't you say that before, then? When you first told us who had held Miss Weasley? If you'd forewarned Sirius and Minerva, then maybe they would have been more prepared for what could have occurred?"
"It wouldn't've mattered, Albus," said McGonagall, stepping forward. "We would have done things exactly the same way … though, some things should not have been…" she sighed, her eyes flicking toward Sirius's body, as Poppy and Remus dashed about in relative silence.
It was then that Hermione and Ron both noticed Sirius's condition, the both of them staring wide eyed at his gruesome injuries.
"Sirius?" Hermione whispered, horrified at the sight of his charred skin and fur, still seeping blood. "What happened to him? Is he going to live? Does Harry know?"
Hermione stopped her diatribe as Hank raised his hands, motioning her to be quiet. "Please try to stay calm, Hermione," said Hank, now looking quite grave. "And as to your questions … I don't know if Sirius will live or not. I'm unable to heal the burns and injuries caused by the blast, so Poppy's own medicines will be his only hope of living. Harry doesn't know yet, and I would rather keep it that way until we know Sirius's fate for sure…"
Hermione made to argue, but Hank held up his hand, halting her.
"I know that it's his right to know, Hermione … but I don't want to get Harry's hopes up, only to be crushed if he doesn't pull through … please understand…?"
Hermione looked over at Harry's unconscious form sadly, but still nodded, showing that she understood. "And how did it happen?" she asked again, noticing that Hank didn't continue with his explanation, and hadn't mentioned it.
Hank looked awkward, as did McGonagall, at Hermione's question. He looked around, and saw that Dumbledore and Snape were also listening in on their conversation. Casting a sidelong glance at Ron, Hank sighed and nodded.
"Please try to understand that this wasn't supposed to happen," said Hank, almost pleadingly as he gazed between Ron and Hermione. "If Minerva or … Kahn, could have done anything to prevent what was happening, they would have…"
Hank waited for Ron and Hermione to give him a small nod before continuing his story. "Well … Wolfgang wanted to try and draw Harry out, and so he focused on someone he'd surmised had a special attachment to him. He focused on your sister, Ron … on Ginny. He'd caught, what he thought was a lion, and had him suspended in the air in front of him. In his attempt to get Harry to show himself, he focused a blast of energy toward the centre of the clearing … where he had Ginny floating helplessly. At that time, Kahn was half escaped from his bindings, and could do nothing to stop Wolfgang from killing her … but as he let fly, Sirius knocked Ginny aside, and took the blast that was meant for her…"
"He saved her life…" Ron muttered, barely audible, staring at Sirius sadly. "If he dies … Harry's going to hate her — "
"What!?" Hermione spluttered, staring at Ron in astonishment. "Harry would never hate Ginny! How could you even suggest it? If Harry could have done the same thing that Sirius did, he would have. I have no doubt about it."
"But he's his Godfather, Hermione," Ron reasoned. "He's the closest thing he's got to a dad, and if he dies, where does that leave Harry?" Ron paused as Hermione looked away, before returning his gaze to Ginny. "He'll blame her … I know he will…"
"You seem very certain that Sirius will not make it, Mr Weasley," said Dumbledore, gently, but firmly. "I wouldn't be so negative. He is much more resilient than he looks … and I don't think he will want to leave Harry alone either…"
"And it is no ones fault," Hank added. "No one can be held accountable for any of what happened tonight, except Wolfgang."
"No, you're wrong there," Ron replied coolly, his eyes narrowing. "Someone else is the reason this happened as well. That Piedro – or Wolfgang – or whatever you want to call him, only went after Ginny because of Harry! He used her to get to him, to bring him out of hiding! She was only bait!"
"How could you say that!?" Hermione hissed, looking absolutely seething. She wasn't the only one that had hardened her gaze at Ron either … Hank and Dumbledore's eyes had grown rather cold as well. "Harry risked his life to try and save her! So did Sirius, and Professor McGonagall. He had every opportunity to either run, or hide in the trees — he even had the chance to come back to Hogwarts with us when we found Ginny, but he didn't. He wanted to find McGonagall and Sirius, to make sure they were safe too! And look how he came back— " she pointed to Harry's still form, focusing on the swelling around his chest, where ribs had obviously been recently repaired. "Harry wouldn't hurt Ginny for anything, Ron, so how could you blame him for this?"
Ron had remained silent throughout Hermione's tirade, not even looking over at Harry when Hermione pointed at him. His eyes had become hard, and he released the hold he had on Ginny's hand, rising to his feet after Hermione had finished.
"Quite easily," he replied icily. "He's to blame, and nothing you say can change my mind. I'm not letting Ginny anywhere near him anymore. He almost got her killed, and the same will happen to anyone he gets close to. You should run while you can…"
Hermione was so shocked by Ron's words, that she didn't even move as Ron brushed past her, and briskly left the Hospital Wing. No one made a sound or moved for some minutes after Ron's departure, until Hermione finally came from her daze, and slowly shook her head disbelievingly. She slowly turned around, and faced Dumbledore, looking up at him meekly, cringing slightly at the anger in his eyes at Ron's words. The same could be said for Hank and McGonagall. Even Snape seemed at a loss for words at Ron's statement.
"He didn't mean it," Hermione whispered timidly, sounding as though she was trying to convince herself rather than anyone else. "He wouldn't say that about Harry … he couldn't – it was in the moment – he was only worried about Ginny! He doesn't really believe that, does he?" Hermione swivelled and faced Hank, gazing up at him pleadingly with glassy eyes. "You know he didn't mean it! He – he – "
"Hermione," Hank interjected gently, looking somewhere between crushed, and fuming. "I don't even know if Ron believes it himself, or not. He may be completely serious, or he's been stretched to his limits and what he said was in the moment … I can't say. I truly hope, that he wasn't serious…"
"Would you have done what Sirius did?" Hermione asked suddenly, still gazing at Hank. "If you'd been able too … would you have taken the blast in her place; if you weren't tied up?"
"Yes," he answered firmly. "I wouldn't've been in terrific condition … but at least I would live … which is more than I can hope for Sirius…"
"Did you mean what you told Mr Weasley, Miss Granger?" said Snape suddenly, fixing Hermione with a shrewd stare. "About Mr Potter taking her place in a heartbeat? Would he, truly, have done that?"
Hermione looked puzzled by Snape's question, but it was Dumbledore that next spoke.
"Of course he would have, Severus," he said. "Harry's first priority, has always, and most likely will always be, the safety of others. Most predominantly, his closest friends. In case you'd forgotten, he took it upon himself to leave the school, not so long ago, to keep them safe from himself…"
"But, what if Sirius dies?" said Hermione, staring up at the headmaster. "If Ron was right about anything, it was that. Harry won't have anyone … I don't think he could cope with someone else dieing. Especially someone he cares about so much…"
"It's true, yes," Dumbledore answered gravely. "Losing Sirius, or anyone he knows, would affect Harry most severely … so that is why I refuse to even mention the possibility of Sirius's condition again. Not until we know for sure…"
Everyone fell silent, all pondering many different ideas. Slowly, they all went about their business. Dumbledore returned to his office, making sure that Hank would tell him of any news regarding Harry or Sirius; Snape left the ward, after mulling around for a few minutes, staring at the forms of Sirius , Harry and Ginny; McGonagall remained, and took to hovering over Poppy's shoulder, wanting to try and help with Remus; and Hermione and Hank both took seats beside Harry and Ginny's beds, silently watching over them, waiting for any signs of movement.
"Why couldn't you heal Sirius, or Ginny's burns?" Hermione asked suddenly, keeping her voice low. "Is it because they're burns? Or is it some other reason? I noticed that you couldn't heal mine either…"
Hank sighed heavily before shifting his seat slightly, making himself face Hermione. "It's not just because they're burns," he answered softly. "All Morphie are unable to heal anything, that is a direct result from our magic. Nor are we able to heal ourselves, no matter what the cause of it is – I'm still unable to heal myself. The flames that Piedro had conjured, were a creation of Morphie magic, as were the burns they created. I can't heal them … and the same goes for the burns and injuries that Sirius sustained. Your own burns to … have they healed yet? I'm sorry, I haven't asked earlier…"
"That's all right," Hermione answered, giving Hank a small smile. "You had other things to worry about. And yes, they are healed now. Thank-you for asking."
Hank returned the smile and nodded, before both he and Hermione practically jumped from their seats as Madame Pomfrey suddenly appeared beside them, looking a little grave.
"Is he all right, Poppy?" said Hank immediately, before Poppy had even opened her mouth. "Will he live?"
"I don't know yet, Hank," Poppy answered gently, taking hold of his hand. "I've done everything I'm able to. He's still in a critical condition, and the next twenty-four hours should tell us … one way or the other. I'm sorry I couldn't do more for him…"
"No Poppy," Hank stopped her from continuing, now clasping her hand tightly between both of his. "I've no doubt that you tried everything in your power, and you have my most profound gratitude for it. Thank-you very much…"
Although the matron was extremely close to tears, Hank could see the gratefulness she was feeling in her eyes, and smiled at her warmly. Poppy nodded, and turned away, casting a small glance at Remus's form, sitting in a chair beside Sirius, before she gathered up some more things, and started to treat Ginny's legs.
"When you're finished with Miss Weasley," said Hank to Poppy, "Might I ask you for a bone mending potion?"
Poppy's brow furrowed, and almost automatically, scanned over him for any outward sighs of injury, returning her gaze to his eyes when she saw nothing other than a very filthy pair of jeans and singlet. "Why?" she asked, suspicion lacing her voice. "Who's it for?"
"It's for me," Hank answered honestly. "My ribs need pasting back together. Nothing major…" he added airily, fighting off a small grin when Poppy scowled heavily at him.
"You should have told me earlier!" she admonished, visibly upset at him for not mentioning it.
"You were preoccupied with a friend of mine at the time," Hank countered, now serious. "His state of health, was by far more important…"
Poppy didn't press the matter, and simply nodded her head, agreeing to get the potion required when she'd finished with Ginny.
"He has to live," Hermione said thickly, after Hank had resumed sitting by Ginny's side, staring over at Sirius. She couldn't see much, from where she was, but Hermione could see liberal amounts of orange paste, covering a descent percentage of his body. Both Remus and McGonagall had taken seats by his side, and where whispering quietly to each other. "He can't die … it would kill Harry…"
"We'll know soon enough, whether or not he was meant to live, Hermione," Hank answered gently, though not quite able to hide the sadness he was feeling from his voice. "All we can do, is hope and pray, that he lives…"
***
Hermione brushed away the silent tears that were falling from her eyes, as she strode back to Gryffindor Tower in the middle of the night. Madame Pomfrey had declared that neither Harry, nor Ginny would wake most likely, until at least the next morning, and had proceeded to kick Hermione out. She wasn't sure if Poppy would remove Remus or Hank though, from Sirius's bedside. After McGonagall had left, Hank had taken her place, and hadn't moved since.
Hermione glanced at her watch, and saw that it was almost eleven-thirty. Almost all the students would be in bed by the time she got back to the Common Room, so she wouldn't have to explain to anyone what had happened that night at dinner, nor try to explain away Ginny or Harry's absences.
As she walked, Hermione's thoughts drifted back to what Ron had said in the Ward, once more causing tears to spring to her eyes. She just refused to accept that Ron felt this way toward Harry. It wasn't possible … they were best friends. Though, Ron had become more up front with Harry, ever since he started to subtly show his feelings for Ginny.
Hermione shook her head. No, Ron wouldn't turn on Harry just because he fancied his little sister, would he? Hermione knew how close Ron and Ginny were, but surely that wouldn't give Ron reason to treat his best friend in such a manner? Deep down, Hermione was sure that Ron really didn't hold Harry for what had happened that night. It was just his way of showing his worry for Ginny. Yeah, that's all…
Hermione came to the portrait of the Fat Lady, and gave her the password, stepping into the common room when the Portrait swung open. Hermione instantly came to a dead stop, when she saw someone sitting on the couch in front of the fire. Not knowing whether she should confront him now, or tomorrow, after he'd had more time to think, Hermione hovered in the doorway indecisively.
"I'm sorry about what I said earlier," Ron's voice drifted over to her, barely audible, even in the silence of the deserted Common Room. "It's not Harry's fault. And I don't blame him for what happened to Ginny either. I shouldn't've said any of it…"
Hermione didn't respond straight away. Instead, she merely eyed Ron off, trying to determine if he was sincere. She took a few steps toward him however, after she saw him raise a hand and wipe at his eyes.
"Well then why did you?" Hermione replied, feeling angry at him. "You knew when you said it, that is wasn't true!"
"I don't know, Hermione," Ron answered, shaking his head as he bowed it even lower. "It just started to come out, and once I started…" he sighed heavily. "I just don't want to see Ginny get hurt again. Is that too much to want?"
"No Ron," Hermione answered, taking a seat beside him. "You have every right to want to keep her safe … but not at the cost of Harry. What do you think would have happened, if he'd been awake to hear you say that about him? The last time, Hank was able to bring him back to us … I don't think he would've managed it a second…"
Ron looked up and turned to face her, but his expression changed swiftly from self-reproach, to concern as he saw the tearstains that streaked her face.
"What's wrong?" he asked, gently wiping a lone tear that fell from her eye. "And why'd you get here so late? Did something happen?"
Hermione shook her head in answer. "No, nothing happened…" she trailed off.
"Well then, what are these for?" Ron countered gently, gesturing at her tears.
Hermione felt a fresh wave of tears threaten to spill over, but fought them back. She took a couple of steadying breaths, before facing Ron, looking him in the eye. "Madame Pomfrey told Hank and I, that in the next twenty-four hours, we'll find out whether or not Sirius will live…"
Ron's face fell at the news, and placed his arm over Hermione's shoulders as she stopped her battle against her tears.
"How did Remus handle the news?" he asked quietly, as Hermione rested her head against his shoulder.
"Well," Hermione began, sniffling quietly. "Him and Hank were still sitting by his bed when I left … but from what I've seen all night, I don't think he's let it all sink in much. We'll see how he took it, tomorrow…"
"Do you know if Harry and Ginny will be out of the Ward tomorrow or not?"
Hermione shook her head. "I don't know. Madame Pomfrey didn't even give me a general estimate. She did say that they'd be awake by morning though." She felt Ron sigh lightly at this news.
"Good," he said. "I want to at least try and convince Madame Pomfrey to let Harry come down to breakfast…"
"If she'll even let you in the Ward," Hermione remarked darkly. "I don't know if she heard what you said or not … but if she did…?" Hermione shook her head slightly. "She'd probably ban you entirely…"
"Well in that case," Ron replied. "I hope she was too preoccupied with Sirius, to pay any attention to me."
"You do realize that Hank and Dumbledore, and the others are not going to like you much?" Hermione explained quietly, trying to sound pacifying. "After what you said … Ron I don't think I've seen either Dumbledore or Hank so upset."
Ron sighed heavily and lay his head on the back of the couch. "I guess I'll just have to apologize to them, huh?" he mumbled, sounding very down in the dumps.
Hermione nodded. "Yes, you do. I don't know if that'll be enough for them or not … but it's the best you can do."
They sat in reflective silence for a time, each thinking about startlingly similar issues, when Hermione suddenly raised her head and searched Ron's clothing and her own, much to Ron's confusion.
"What?" asked Ron, casting an eye over himself, in an attempt to find out what Hermione had suddenly begun to laugh about. "What's so funny?"
Hermione reclaimed control over herself, and swept over herself and Ron with a wave of her hand, and said tonelessly, "We're still covered in mud."
"Hey, we are too!" Ron laughed, only just truly seeing both their filthy robes. "I didn't even realize it…"
"Obviously," said Hermione, grinning at him.
"You can't talk," Ron shot back, pointing at her. "You're even worse off than I am, and *you* didn't realize it!"
Hermione just poked her tongue at him, before saying, "Well anyway, we've got classes tomorrow, and we'll have to get up earlier than normal because we're going to try and visit Harry and Ginny … so we should probably get cleaned up and get some sleep. It's been a long day today, and we're still going to have to deal with what Hank and Dumbledore are going to say about us going tonight without permission…"
Ron hung his head at Hermione's last comment. "Yeah … that won't be pretty. I think they let it go for tonight because of everything that's happened…"
"Yeah," Hermione agreed. "I hope they'll understand the reason we did it though?"
Ron didn't answer, and just nodded after heaving a heavy sigh. He looked up for a moment and cleared his throat lightly, before muttering "Goodnight" and leaving the Common Room.
Hermione watched him out of sight, wondering what his sudden change of demeanour meant, but shook it off as the stress of the nights events, and also made her way up to her dorm … grateful it was the end of the night………
Harry groaned inwardly when he recognised the pungent odour of the hospital wing, invading his acute sense of smell. He opened his eyes and blinked a few times, to focus them properly, and recognised the room he'd been staying in when he was in hiding.
Realizing that he was in his Animagus, Harry transformed and rolled over, to see Ginny in the only other bed in the room, still sleeping. Harry smiled softly and made to sit up, but halted in a hurry, when his ribs began to ache profusely. Harry grimaced and held a hand to his chest, giving himself a self-diagnostic, and came to the conclusion that his ribs were only sore, not broken. His right arm was aching a little as well, but at least he could try to keep from moving it too much.
Steeling a quick look at the door, Harry slid out of bed and cautiously made his way toward Ginny, trying to be as quiet as possible. He smiled wider when he saw that her injuries had been healed, and that her face no longer bore the ugly marks that had tarnished it the previous night. Trying to be as careful as possible, Harry sat on the edge of Ginny's bed, and patiently waited for either Ginny to wake, or for Madame Pomfrey to come in and declare if they were fit to leave.
It was during this stretch of time, that Harry realized that he had no recollection of how he or Ginny even got to the Hospital Wing in the first place. He vaguely remembered seeing Ron and Hermione taking Ginny themselves … but as to what had happened after that, Harry couldn't say. It was all a big blur, with a couple of flashes of something…
Harry found himself shaking his head, as he thought of Ron and Hermione, and stopped it straight away. Who was he to be upset with what they did? It wasn't as if he wouldn't've done it if he was in their position, so how could he be mad at them? If anything, it was a good thing they came along. Otherwise, the night may have turned out quite differently…
After sitting by Ginny for some time, Harry surmised that it must've been the early hours of the morning when he woke, because he hadn't heard anything to tell him that someone other than himself was even awake.
Believing that Ginny wouldn't wake for a while at least, Harry got up and crossed the room, deciding to look around and see if any of the others were around. He walked into the hallway, and heard someone speaking, from inside one of the other rooms in the back area. Curious, Harry approached the voice, and found it's origin a couple of doors further down the track. Silently, Harry peered through the small crack in the door (it hadn't been shut properly) and was taken by surprise when he saw Hank sitting by the bed … but he was positioned in a manner, that Harry couldn't see what was lying on it.
"Mr Potter!" a voice called, causing Harry to swivel around, bringing him face to face with Madame Pomfrey. "You should still be resting," she scolded, approaching him swiftly. "What were you doing?"
"Um … I was…" Harry stammered, full well knowing he was spying. "I was just looking around…"
Harry stopped talking when Madame Pomfrey suddenly dashed around him and shut the door firmly, before turning to face him.
"What did you see?" she asked quietly, suddenly stern. "You shouldn't be snooping around back here. You should still be in bed, resting." As she was speaking, Harry noticed that she'd been gently steering him back towards his own room.
"Why was Hank in there?" asked Harry, trying to step around the matron. "And who was the person on the bed? Was it a student?"
"I wouldn't worry yourself over it, Mr Potter," Poppy answered gently. "Now would you please go back to bed, and stay there?"
"But why would you keep them in the back rooms?" Harry persisted, as he finally stepped into his room. "Why wouldn't you have them in the main ward?"
"I can't tell you, Harry!" Poppy suddenly snapped sharply, looking most distressed about something. "Please stop asking me questions, and just stay in here!"
Harry stared at her, almost dumbfounded, before lowering his gaze to the floor, feeling about an inch tall. The matron was obviously frayed about something, and he'd only made her worse. Without speaking, or looking up, Harry turned and headed back over to Ginny's bed, and resumed his seat by her side, looking down at his hands.
Poppy gazed at Harry sadly. She hated having to keep something as important as his Godfathers state of health away from him … but it was at Hank's request, and she wouldn't renege on her word to not tell Harry. But she also hated seeing him so sullen all the time. Recently, it was a rare thing to see Harry give someone a true smile.
"I'm sorry, Harry," she sighed. "I shouldn't've snapped at you … but please don't go looking around again. And don't ask about it either…"
Harry didn't reply and simply nodded is head minutely. Poppy sighed again, and stepped out of the room, shutting the door behind her.
Poppy walked down the hall, and entered the room Hank was in, meeting the worried gaze of himself and Remus, who had been sitting on a chair on the opposite side. She shut the door and walked over, and began her morning check-up on Sirius. To make her job easier, Remus had converted Sirius to his human form. She checked his pulse and made sure that his burns were healing properly … feeling her angst peak when his pulse seemed to be weaker than the previous night.
"How is he?" Hank asked quietly, watching Poppy perform her routine tasks. "Is he any better?"
Poppy sighed and shook her head. "His pulse is weaker, Hank," she replied softly. "I honestly don't know if he'll ever wake up again … I'm sorry…"
Hank hung his head and sat in his chair heavily, and Remus buried his face in his hands. All in all, the atmosphere in the room was depressed and helpless. No one could do anything to guarantee that Sirius would live through the day.
"Who was outside?" said Hank to Poppy, sounding strained. "I heard you talking to someone."
"You should learn to shut your door, Hank," she answered, frowning at him. "And to keep your voice down. Harry woke up early and decided to go for a small walk. Low and behold I found him outside the door, looking in."
"He didn't see Sirius did he?" asked Remus, turning pasty white at the very idea.
Poppy shook her head. "No, I don't think he did … though, he's probably not in the best of moods at the moment." Poppy hung her head slightly, making Hank frown.
"Why?" he asked. "What happened?"
Poppy looked up at him, seeming a trifle awkward. "I was a bit short with him, when he started to ask all these questions about who was in here. He was giving me the silent treatment when I left…"
Hank grimaced slightly. "Hmmm … We'll have to keep an eye on him today, I believe," he said, looking at Remus, who nodded. "Um, Remus…" Hank waited for him to look at him before continuing. "Perhaps it would be best, if you stayed here, with Sirius today? You won't be able to focus on your classes, and someone needs to keep an eye on him when Poppy isn't around…"
Remus's eyes practically lit up at the suggestion … though even then, he still looked dead on his feet, with bags under his eyes from lack of sleep, and his hair dishevelled … plus his five-o'clock-shadow. To sum it up … Remus looked ragged.
"And while you're here," Hank continued, smiling inwardly at his friends energised response, "Maybe you should try and get some rest? You really need it, brother…"
Remus ran a hand distractedly through his greying hair and nodded. "But, what about my classes?" he said suddenly, looking up at Hank. "I can't just not turn up."
"I'll tell Albus the reason why you won't be teaching today. Maybe he could fill in … or they might find someone else to do it for the day?"
Remus seemed to be contemplating the idea, when he looked at Hank, fair in the eye. "What will you tell Harry and the others? They're bound to notice me missing from breakfast … well … missing in general, actually. What will you tell him, seeing how he's the only one, other than Ginny, that doesn't know of Sirius's condition?"
Hank shrugged. "I don't know. I'll think of something to tell him."
"You shouldn't be keeping this from him you know," said Remus firmly. "Imagine what he might do, when he finds out that you've kept this from him? He will be crushed by this on it's own. Think of how much worse you could make it, by lying to him, and having him discover it. He's taken a great liking to you, Hank … and he will see this as a betrayal."
"I will not tell him about Sirius, until we know for sure … one way or the other. I don't want him to get his hopes up, only to have him loose the only father he's ever known…"
Remus shook his head forcefully and sat forward in his chair. "OK then. Lets say that you don't tell Harry, and wait to see what happens. How do you think Harry would react, if Sirius was to die … and Harry wasn't here to say goodbye. What would you do? Would you just walk up to him and tell him that he'd died? That Sirius had been kneeling at deaths door, for the past day, and you just forgot to mention it?"
Hank stood up and glared at Remus. "I don't have to listen to this!" he barked. "It is my duty to protect him from everything … whether that would be from physical harm, or just by being a shoulder to cry on. I refuse to have him subjected to this added weight, and that is final!"
Remus also stood abruptly and glared at Hank, his eyes smouldering in their sockets. "Then he will resent you. He will hold you in contempt, for keeping such an important thing from him. He will hate you … and you will never live it down. But if you tell him, now, he'll turn to you. Not me … maybe not even his friends. You will be his anchor … and he'll remember it forever…"
They stared at each other, unblinkingly, with Poppy shooting nervous glances between them. Suddenly, Hank let out a breath and spun around, wrenching the door open before stepping through it, and slamming it shut so it rattled in it's frame. Poppy flinched and Remus just sat back down in his chair, shaking his head.
"Do you really think Harry will take it that badly?" asked Poppy quietly. "The news of Sirius's condition?"
Remus sighed heavily and stared at Sirius. "Yes I do," he answered. "He'll be devastated by it. He's like a father to him…" ………
Harry looked up from Ginny, as he heard some raised voices from down the Hall. Frowning, he stood up and slowly approached his door. Harry reached for the handle, just as he heard an almighty slamming of a door, and some footsteps marching angrily into the main ward. The door to the back hall swang shut, just as Harry poked his head out his door, and so he didn't get the chance to see who had walked out.
Remembering how cross Madame Pomfrey had gotten the last time he'd gone poking around, Harry reluctantly shut the door to his room again, and went and sat by Ginny's side……
"Ron, would you hurry up!"
Hermione shook her head as she walked briskly toward the Hospital Wing, with a groggy Ron lagging behind her. It was his idea to go and see Harry and Ginny before breakfast to start off with, so Hermione found it distinctly annoying, that Ron was late to wake, and was still taking his time.
"I wouldn't have to hurry, if you would just slow down!" Ron shot back, beginning to jog to keep up with Hermione's fast pace. "It's not as if the Ward was on fire, and it was a matter of life and death … we're only seeing if Harry can make it for breakfast or not?"
"But it was still your idea," Hermione retorted, throwing a nasty look over her shoulder. "You should be the one yelling at me to hurry up, not the other way around."
"Whatever," Ron replied. "Can we please slow down though?"
Hermione rolled her eyes, but still slowed to a fast walk. "Better?" she said sardonically.
Ron grimaced and replied in the same tone, "Much."
They walked in relative silence for a time, when suddenly, they both halted at the sight of Hank storming across the corridor, and out of sight. Steeling a look at each other, they immediately ran after him, but when they turned the corner, they found him gone.
"Where'd he go?" asked Ron, looking around the hall as though Hank would suddenly reappear. "He only just came in here?"
"I'm not worried about that," Hermione answered, knowing what Hank had done. "What I want to know, is why he looked so upset?"
"You don't think…?" Ron began slowly, but didn't finish. Ron and Hermione looked at each other, and both knew what the other was pondering.
"Sirius!" they uttered in unison. Abandoning all pretence, Ron and Hermione sprinted through the remaining corridors, praying that something else had caused Hank's foul manner. Just before they reached the Ward doors, they stopped as Remus came out of them, looking around frantically, before his eyes fell on the two students.
"What are you two doing here this early?" he asked, walking up to them. He stopped in front of them, and then threw a nasty look at Ron. "I'm surprised that you're here at all," he commented darkly, making Ron drop his gaze to the floor awkwardly.
"It's OK Remus," Hermione put in firmly. "We talked about it last night. He knows he was wrong…"
"That's not the point," Remus replied, still glaring at Ron. "The thought shouldn't even have entered his mind."
"Um … this was probably a bad idea…" Ron muttered as he started to turn away, head still bowed. "I should leave…"
"That's the best idea you've had," Remus sneered, glaring at Ron's back coldly. He jumped with surprise though, when he felt Hermione slap him forcefully on his shoulder.
Turning to face her, rubbing his shoulder, he saw her giving him a look of complete astonishment and reproach.
"What?" said Remus, truly baffled by her behaviour. Hermione merely shook her head and dashed toward Ron, who was halfway down the hall by this time.
"Ron! Ron wait!" she called, catching up to him and skidding to a stop in front of him, blocking his way.
"Just leave me alone," said Ron shortly, trying to step around her. "Remus was right…"
"No he wasn't," Hermione interrupted sharply, still blocking Ron's way. "We settled that last night. You know that what you said was wrong, and that's all that matters." Seeing that Ron was adamant about leaving, Hermione gently took one of his hands in both of hers, and started back toward the Ward, noticing that Remus was still standing at the doors, observing them.
"Try not to take anything that Remus said to heart, Ron," she said quietly, turning her head to look at Ron. "I think something must've happened, for Hank and Remus to be in such a mood. Anyway … Don't you want to check and see how Ginny's doing?"
Hermione smiled as Ron shot her a weak grin, and started walking faster toward the Ward. Hermione gave Remus a withering glare as she led Ron through the doors, and headed toward the back rooms……
It wasn't long after he'd shut his door, that Harry heard some more voices out in the hall. Once again approaching his door, but making no move to open it, Harry recognised the voices of Remus and Madame Pomfrey, talking as they walked from the room he'd peered into earlier on that morning.
"… You really should talk to him, Remus," said Madame Pomfrey, sounding weary and tired. "You know he means well…"
Harry heard Remus sigh, just as they passed his door. "I suppose so," he answered, sounding just as ragged as the Matron did. "I guess I'm not as reasonable at the moment … what with — well … you know…"
Harry didn't hear a reply to Remus's strange statement, because both he and Poppy shut the door to the back rooms, cutting off whatever talking that might've continued. Harry stood there for a few moments, turning over what he'd heard in his head. It made no sense. Shaking his head, Harry sat down on his bed, just thinking.
"Well, that was strange," he muttered, still staring at the door.
"What was?" asked a croaky voice from behind him.
Harry spun around, quick as lightning, and felt a huge grin plaster itself to his face. Ginny smiled back over at him wearily, as she tried to push herself up into a sitting position. Harry sprang off the bed and went over to her, and gently pushed her back down onto the pillow.
"Don't sit up," he said quietly, grinning even wider as Ginny pursed her lips and glared up at him playfully. "You need to rest," he reasoned, sounding like her mother. Harry chuckled as Ginny giggled at him, but he soon became worried as she moaned and rested a hand to her ribs.
"Are you all right?" he asked urgently, sitting at her side again and clasping her hand in his. "I'm sorry, I should've thought — "
"Harry, it's OK," Ginny interrupted, before he could continue, steadying her breathing. She smiled up at him reassuringly, and gave his hand a small squeeze. "You were only trying to help. You know … you really should stop apologizing for things that have no bearing on you. It's not healthy…"
"Not healthy?" Harry repeated, gaining a small amount of iciness in his voice. "Have you taken a look at yourself, and where you are? You were nearly killed last night … and it was only because you were friends with me. Maybe it's not healthy, but knowing me is a death wish Ginny!"
"No it's not, Harry," said Ginny gently. "You're the only one that hold yourself responsible for the things that have happened in the past few years. No one else does. It's not your fault that everything has you as the common factor … but you have to realize that you aren't the cause of it…"
Harry shook his head. "It doesn't matter. You were only taken because I left you alone last night, after I started chasing Wormtail … and I still managed to not catch him either…"
"I'm sorry," Ginny commented lightly. "I know how much it would mean to you if you caught him."
Harry nodded, sighing heavily. "Yeah. I could prove Sirius was innocent, and finally go and live with him … so long as the offer still stands."
"Don't worry Harry," Ginny replied, smiling up at him warmly. "I'm sure Sirius would still want you to move in with him."
"I hope so," Harry answered, staring off into space. "Don't know what I'd do without him … I mean, my parents decided for him to be my guardian if anything should happen to them, and he's the only person — except for your Mum and Dad — that's ever tried to treat me as their own."
Ginny smiled and held his hand even tighter. "You'll free him, Harry. One day…"
"Yeah. One day," Harry sighed.
Harry turned around suddenly, as he heard the door to the hallway open again, hearing three voices arguing as they approached his door.
"It's too early for visitors," Madame Pomfrey scolded, stopping at the door. "Your sister's probably not even awake yet."
"I just want to see her," said Ron, sounding pleading. "And you still haven't told us if Harry can come to breakfast or not?"
"After what you said last night, I'm surprised you want to see him at all," Poppy retorted, making Harry blink with pronounced confusion. He looked at Ginny, who seemed just as confused as he did, before returning his focus to the door.
"I already told you that he didn't mean it!" said Hermione, sounding exasperated. "We only want to see if Harry can come to breakfast with us, seeing how he missed his reintroduction last night, and to see how Ginny was doing?"
Harry heard the Matron sigh, before she said, "Fine. We'll see if Miss Weasley is awake, and after I give Harry a goings over, I'll tell you if he can leave the Ward … All right?"
Harry didn't know how they answered, but the next moment, he found his door being swung open, revealing Madame Pomfrey, Ron and Hermione. Much to Harry and Ginny's confusion, all three of them were staring at him in surprise.
"Harry!" Hermione gasped. "We didn't know you were awake…"
"Oh! And good morning to you too Hermione," said Harry, smiling sardonically. "And thanks, I'm feeling fine…"
Hermione shook her head, almost reproachfully, before stepping into the room, and taking a seat opposite him on his bed. "Sorry … I just wasn't expecting you to be awake. Someone forgot to mention it."
Poppy just shrugged apologetically, as Ron dashed past her, heading for his sisters side.
"Ginny!" he said upon reaching her side. "You're awake! How are you feeling? Are you OK?"
Ginny giggled quietly, but still nodded. "Yes Ron. I'm fine. A little sore still, but nothing permanent."
Ron grinned widely, but grew serious the next moment, and seemed to hesitate. "What about your legs? They were – they were pretty messed up … when we saw them last night…"
"They should nearly be healed, Mr Weasley," Poppy answered crisply, trying to lift the grisly atmosphere that settled upon the room at the mention of the previous nights events. "I'll be keeping her here for the rest of the day so she can rest properly. She should be able to go to dinner if she rests enough."
"I'll try to, Madame Pomfrey," Ginny answered, smiling mischievously at the Matron.
Poppy rolled her eyes before turning her attention to Harry.
"Now, Mr Potter – If you would step this way, I'll begin your examination … then we can tell your friends whether or not you can go to breakfast."
Harry sighed, but still nodded and stood, leaving the room with the Matron.
"Why did you say that to Ron?" Harry asked quietly when they reached the Main Ward. Poppy stopped walking abruptly, and turned to face Harry, wearing a rather awkward expression.
"What do you mean, Harry?" she replied, totally unconvincingly.
Harry raised an eyebrow and crossed his arms. "You know what I mean. Why'd you say that you were surprised he wanted to see me? Why wouldn't he want to?"
Poppy simply shook her head and turned away, continuing toward her office, clearly displaying that she wasn't going to answer his question, and unwittingly igniting the small candle of defiance within Harry's being. How dare she keep such things from him? He had a right to know and she was going to tell him.
Harry glared at Poppy's back and quickly stepped forward, grasping her above the elbow and roughly spinning her to face him. At fifteen, Harry was now every bit as tall as the Matron was, and grinned evilly at her as he stared into her terrified eyes……
Hank stared unseeingly at the early morning sun; just beginning to leave the ground beneath it as it started it's daily travel across the sky. He loved the display of colour that sunset and sunrise gave, and so, after his argument with Remus, Hank sought refuge on the roof of north tower … away from the confinement inside the school brought.
He sighed heavily as his narrow options spun through his mind. On one hand, he had the option of telling Harry about Sirius … which also had the great possibility of Harry crumbling before his eyes. And on the other, he had the option of keeping Sirius's condition away from him, so as to not put him through such torment … but if Sirius was to die, then there was the real possibility that Remus would be correct with his assumption of what Harry might do.
If only he hadn't been so careless, Hank thought solemnly, laying back on the angled iron, using an arm as a pillow. He should never have been caught by Wolfgang, and he should have gotten himself free much faster than he did. He should have taken Ginny's place, not Sirius.
Hank felt uncertainty start to creep through him, as he wondered how much Wolfgang had told Ginny, while she was held captive. He knew Wolfgang well enough to know he would have at least attempted at small talk while he waited for them … and while he tortured the poor girl. He was twisted, and there was no denying that fact … but he could also be exceedingly polite and gentlemanly, when the occasion called for it.
Hank shook his head, knowing that Wolfgang had probably mentioned something about him to Ginny, but what he was worried about, was what he might have told her. There were so many things that he was keeping from the little circle of friends, and only Hermione had the knowledge of what he was. As it was, there were many things he had never uttered to anyone … not Dumbledore … not Remus … Not even his own Tribe. It was simply too dangerous for them, if they possessed the same knowledge he did…
"I thought I might find you up here…" a soft voice spoke, off to the side.
Hank started and sat up suddenly, almost making him lose his hold on the roof. Regaining his balance, Hank turned to where he heard Remus speak, and raised his guard. "What do you want?" he asked Remus shortly, making the smaller man flinch minutely.
"I wanted to apologize," said Remus, as he climbed out of the trapdoor, and gingerly edged along the slanted roof, toward his brother. "I know it was wrong of me, what I said back in the Hospital Wing, and after thinking about it, realized that in part you were correct in wanting Harry left not knowing about Sirius."
Remus stopped a couple of feet from Hank and sunk down beside him, staring into the sunrise.
"But?" said Hank quietly, not meeting his eyes.
Remus sighed heavily. "But you must think over the long term. Think of what's best for Harry in the long term. Keeping this from him would be a temporary keepsafe …"
"But in the long term, it would be detrimental…" Hank finished heavily, nodding his head in defeat. "All right Remus," he said, clapping him gently on the back, as he started to stand. "You win. I'll tell Harry about Sirius…" Hank trailed off suddenly and his eyes grew wide as a silent alarm bell went off at the back of his mind, making him go rigid with anxiety.
"What's the matter?" Remus asked, noticing Hank's angst as they rose. "Hank, what – "
"We have to go!" Hank cut in sharply, grasping Remus by the arm firmly. "Harry's starting to sway…" was all he said as they both disappeared in a swirl of light……
"I hope that Harry can come to breakfast with us," said Hermione, sitting on Harry's bed while they waited for the Matron to finish with Harry. "He really needs to start getting back into a normal routine."
Ron nodded his agreement, but Ginny barely registered the fact that Hermione had spoken. She was staring at Ron, almost calculatingly. When Ron noticed this, he asked her what she was staring at him for?
"Why was Madame Pomfrey surprised that you wanted to see Harry?" she asked, ignoring Ron's query. Her gaze became both curious and icy, when Ron looked away and began to fidget. "What happened last night, after we got back?"
"Nothing you need to know about," Ron replied meekly, evading his sisters penetrating gaze. He knew that if she found out what he'd said, she'd be furious with him … and that was something he wanted to avoid adamantly.
"Don't you lie to me!" Ginny snapped, her eyes growing hard. "We both heard Madam Pomfrey say that she was surprised you wanted to see Harry at all. Why would she say that? What did you do?"
"You'll only get mad at me!" Ron pleaded, reaching for Ginny's hand, sighing heavily when she pulled it away. "I've already apologized to almost everyone who was there, and I don't think you should know!"
"Tough!" Ginny shot back harshly, starting to sit up. "I want to know what you did – or said? It obviously wasn't very nice, or you would've told me – but what I really want to know, is why this has something to do with Harry?"
Ron was avoiding her eye, so Ginny turned to Hermione, who had remained rather quiet for her and Ron's argument. Ginny's temper flared even more when Hermione also refused to make eye contact with her.
"OK, brother dear. Now I know that this has something to do with Harry. What did you do?" Ron still did nothing. "If you don't tell me, I won't speak to you for the rest of the term!" she threatened forcefully, smiling inwardly and cringing at the same time when Ron looked at her sharply, injured deeply by her ultimatum.
"Ginny … You have to understand – I thought you were going to die! I know now, that what I said last night was wrong, and I really don't want to repeat it…"
"Well you're going to," Ginny cut him off sharply, worried now, at what it was that Ron had done to cause such stubbornness from him. "Tell me … please," she continued, much softer than before.
Ron gazed at her for a moment, before slumping his shoulders in defeat and nodding.
"Try to remember, Ginny, that I was really upset with what had happened, and – what I said, wasn't really rational thinking…"
"Stop stalling, Ron," Hermione spoke up firmly, giving Ron a pointed look. "Just tell her."
Ginny returned her eyes to Ron, just as he drew a deep breath …
"Ginny … Last night I told everyone that, what happened to you … was — "
Ron was cut off suddenly by a shout from out in the main ward, followed by the door to the hallway slamming open. The three friends held their breaths as they heard sharp footsteps hurrying down the hall, and stopping at their door. Another panicky shout was heard before the door to the room was suddenly ripped from it's hinges as it was propelled forward, into the room…
After a moment, they all looked toward the door and saw something that made their hearts stand still. Through the dust that had been created, was Harry, cold fury etched in every movement he made, his eyes cold and dead.
"MY FAULT!!!" he screamed, striding toward Ron, fists clenched, features twisted in rage. Ron jumped to his feet and started to back away, but soon found only stone wall. He was staring at Harry in terror, and Hermione had risen from her seat and started to approach Harry from behind.
"H – Harry, you have to understand – !" Ron stammered, but was soon cut off when Harry reached him and wrapped his fingers firmly around his throat. Gasping for air, Ron clawed at Harry's arm to no avail. The grip was iron clad.
"NO HARRY!!" Ginny cried, attempting to get out of bed, looking desperately at Ron's increasingly pale face. "LET HIM GO!!"
A flicker of emotion passed over Harry's face when Ginny spoke, but it soon vanished as Ron renewed his attempts to get free of his grip. "No Ginny," said Harry, almost calmly. "I won't let him go! Not after what he said!" Harry's eyes bore into Ron's, making the other tremble visibly with fear. Harry tightened his grip and completely cut off Ron's air supply. "How dare you?" Harry snarled, his lip curling in loathing as Ron slowly sank lower to the floor, still trying desperately to pry Harry's fingers from his neck.
"Harry," said Ginny urgently, feeling a trickle of hope pass over her when she saw Harry's expression soften at her voice. "Harry, please let him go … for me? Please don't hurt him anymore…"
"He deserves it!" Harry countered viciously, his eyes never leaving Ron. "He said that what happened to you was MY FAULT!!"
"HARRY!!"
Ginny and Hermione whipped around as Hank and Remus came hurtling through the door, coming to a dead stop at what they saw.
"Harry … you've done enough," said Hank hurriedly, taking a small step forward. "You've made your point … let him go."
"No," was his short reply.
Hermione spun to face Harry's back and stepped up to him, intending to remove his hand from Ron's throat forcefully…
"No Hermione!!" Hank yelled … but he was too late. As soon as Hermione's hand came into view, Harry had half turned and lashed out viciously, striking her harshly across the face, sending her reeling backward into Remus's arms.
At this, Ginny flung her legs over the side of her bed and stood; swaying dangerously, for her legs were still too weak to support her. Hastily, Hank stepped forward and steadied her, not asking any questions as she started walking toward Harry. Just before she reached him, Ginny cast a concerned sidelong glance in Hermione's direction, and saw her kneeling on the floor with Remus beside her, checking her face as she held a hand to her cheek.
Ginny turned back to face Harry, and felt her heart catch in her throat. Ron was almost unconscious, his face pasty white. The grip he had on Harry's arms was almost nonexistent, and he'd now sunk to his knees.
Ginny almost flew into a blind panic at the sight of her brother, half dead at Harry's feet, but caught herself before she did anything rash. Getting Harry angry at her, wouldn't help him at all…
Deciding to take a mildly different approach than Hermione did, Ginny stepped into Harry's line of sight first. Seeing that he didn't even register her being there, she hesitantly began to reach out her hand. Harry's eyes snapped toward her … yet he made no move toward her.
"Harry … that's enough," she said gently, trying to sound pacifying. "He didn't mean what he said … you know that."
"He said it was because of me!" Harry spat, his eyes returning to Ron. "He blamed ME!!"
Ginny balked as Harry drew Ron toward himself, before thrusting him back, slamming him into the stone wall. She stared at Ron in horror before she reached out and grasped Harry's arm, turning to him and saying, "Stop it Harry! You'll kill him!"
As soon as Ginny touched Harry's arm, his face softened. Harry blinked his eyes a few times and shook his head, swaying on his feet a little. He released Ron and brought the hand to his forehead, as Ron slumped to the floor, coughing and gagging as he grasped his neck.
Ginny didn't know who to go too first. She wanted to see to Ron, and see if he was really all right … but she could plainly see the anguish and shame shining in Harry's eyes as his gaze flicked between Hermione and Ron. He'd begun to tremble and he was looking everywhere but at a person.
Deciding to look at Ron first, Ginny hastily knelt by his side and helped him sit up; patting him on the back lightly as he tried to regain his steady breathing.
"Ron, are you all right?" she asked, her voice laced heavily with the worry she was feeling on his behalf. "Ron?"
Ron nodded his head, declaring that he was fine … sort of … but he still looked extremely upset, and Ginny didn't need to guess why. Madame Pomfrey must have told Harry what Ron had said the previous night, and it had set him off. Ginny saw Ron look up at Harry fleetingly, before lowering his eyes again, wiping his forehead clear of the sweat that had gathered there. Seeing her brothers turmoil, Ginny leant forward and wrapped her arms around his shoulders, letting him know that she wasn't angry with him for what he'd said, and letting him know how happy she was that he was all right……
Harry looked away as he saw Ginny embrace Ron, seeing the intense worry in her eyes as she did so. Feeling a tingling beginning in his eyes, Harry blinked furiously and chanced a glance at Hermione, feeling his stomach fill with lead as he saw the tears trickling down her face. He clearly remembered striking her, quite viciously, and the knowledge that she wouldn't forget it filled Harry with a sense of dread. Would it affect their friendship? Harry had no doubt that it would. Then there was the added problem, that Harry had once again tried to take Ron's life. Harry had felt quite relieved when Ron forgave him the first time … but could he manage it a second?
For the moment though, Harry was extremely grateful of the strange connection that he bore with Ginny, for it had almost certainly spared her brothers life.
"Harry?"
At the sound of his name, Harry looked up at Hank, who was giving him a look that was full of both sympathy, and pity. Immediately, Harry broke eye contact and shook his head. He didn't deserve anyone's sympathy, and didn't want their pity. Feeling the dampness in his eyes begin to spill, Harry hastily wiped them away and spun toward the doorway, crossing the floor swiftly and rounding the frame, ignoring everyone's voices as they called to him.
Hastily, Harry stepped out into the main ward, but soon found his feet wouldn't move when he saw what was in front of him. Dumbledore and McGonagall were standing in front of the door … both wands pointed at his chest, while Snape saw to Madame Pomfrey, who was sitting on a bed, bleeding from a cut on her head. It was then that Harry remembered what he'd done to the Matron, when she disclosed what Ron had said the previous night.
Harry winced visibly as a vision of his thrusting Poppy's head into the wall flashed across his vision, making it impossible to hold back the flood of misery wanting to escape him. As the tears splashed onto the floor, Harry bowed his head, trying to hide his face from his Professors.
Seeing this, Dumbledore and Minerva lowered their wands, knowing he was over his outburst, but also wincing in sympathy as Harry backed into the wall and slid down it, burying his face in his knees as he wept uncontrollably, reliving all he'd done during his tantrum……
"Just sit still for a moment, Hermione," said Remus firmly, as she tried to stand and go after Harry. "Don't worry, he won't go far. Dumbledore should be with him at the moment, so you will sit here while I take a look at that nasty bruise…"
"But if we don't talk to him, he'll only go back into his shell," Hermione countered in a desperate whisper. "He feels horrible about what he just did, I could see it. I mean – it's the second time he's tried to kill Ron in as many weeks … and, well…"
Remus looked up at Hermione as she broke off awkwardly and looked away.
"And then there's what he did to you," Remus added, correctly predicting what Hermione was reluctant to say. "Yes … I could tell that he wasn't very keen on what he did. Not only to you, but in general. It's starting to really take it's toll on him…"
Hermione nodded as Remus finished examining her bruise. "I don't know how much more of this he can stand," she stated quietly, but her voice was deadly serious. "He's just hating himself more and more because he can't really control it, and it's just tearing him apart from the inside out. I wouldn't be surprised if he wanted nothing to do with anyone for the whole year, or at least until he gets a cure…"
"Hermione, the cure will take time to discover," Hank interjected gently, turning away from a still shaky Ron. "Believe me … I'm trying to get all the information about it that I need, but it is going to take time…"
"But it's time we don't have!" she retorted, standing up. "He can't keep going like this! We can't keep going like this … always trying to second guess what his reaction to a comment might be, just in case he'd go nuts on us…"
"I understand how you feel, Hermione," Hank replied gently, appearing grave. "Everyone has to watch what they say while Harry's around, and yes, it does get frustrating. But I'd rather having to put up with that, and have him here … than off gallivanting around in the forest where anything might happen to him."
Before another word was spoken, Hank quietly stepped out of the room, leaving the four companions to their thoughts.
"You're not going to get mad at Harry again, are you Ron?" Ginny asked suddenly, making everyone stare at her, shocked by the forwardness of her question. "You remember what happened last time you got mad at him, and – "
"Whoa Whoa Ginny!" Ron cut in, holding his hands up against Ginny's demands. "Why would you think I'd do that again? Of course I'm not going to go mad at him … he'd probably kill me for real if I did…"
"Don't joke about something like that!" said Ginny sharply, dropping her gaze a moment later. "I mean – look at what you said last night … You always speak out before you really think about what it is you're saying. You knew that what happened last night wasn't because of Harry, and you still said you blamed him for it…"
"I already told you, it was because I was worried about you," said Ron in his own defence. "I wasn't thinking…"
"All right kids!" Remus cut in, just as Ginny was about to reply. "End of discussion. It's time you all went and saw Madame Pomfrey … so long as she's in a fit state herself…" he added in an undertone, remembering the way he'd seen the Matron lying half unconscious on the floor……
"Harry?"
Still sniffling, Harry looked up and saw Hank standing over him; Dumbledore and McGonagall in the background with Snape and Poppy.
"I'm s– "
"Harry, don't apologize," said Hank firmly, cutting his apology short. "You have no need to, because it wasn't your fault."
"What else am I supposed to say?" Harry replied unsteadily, looking at his hands shamefully. Hands that had done so much… "I attacked both Madame Pomfrey and Hermione … and I tried to kill Ron again. How can I not apologize for what I did to them?"
"There is nothing that can be said, that will make you feel less guilty about what's happened, Harry," Hank explained gently, kneeling in front of him. "We all know that you don't mean too … and we all see how much you torment yourself over it when you do. It can't be helped. We can only be more cautious … or pray that Ginny is around."
Harry looked up at Hank as he spoke of Ginny's influence over his action, while in a frenzy, and wondered if he knew anything that related to it.
"Why does Ginny affect me like she does, when I'm on the edge or over it?" Harry asked slowly. "She's drawn me from a rage before this one … and I don't seem to get so emotional when she's around? Do you have a theory as to why that could be?"
Hank scratched at the slight stubble on his chin as he contemplated an answer to Harry's enquiry.
"I really wouldn't be able to even give you an idea, as to why Ginny holds sway over your frenzies. Maybe you share an empathic connection, or maybe it is simply because of your strong feelings for her. It could be anything."
Although the matter was serious, Hank couldn't help but smile as Harry turned red at his mention of the feelings he clearly bore for the youngest Weasley. It was painfully obvious to most of the people in the Ward at the moment that Harry and Ginny harboured feelings for each other, but why they were denying it was a puzzle to Hank.
"Poppy! Do you think you're in good enough shape to see to two more patients?"
Both Harry and Hank turned as Ron, Hermione and Remus filed from the back hallway. Harry continued to look in the direction of the doorway after they'd all vacated it, but Hermione's voice answered what he'd been waiting for.
"Ginny's still in her room Harry," she stated, seeing where he was looking. "Her legs are still to weak to let her walk around much."
Harry nodded his acknowledgment, happy that she was at least still speaking to him.
Harry snapped his head to look at Hank, as a sudden thought occurred to him.
"Um … Hank?" Harry waited for him to turn and listen before continuing, "How is it that you knew what was happening? Were you down here already, and heard what was happening? I remember seeing you down the back earlier on today, but you left, I think…"
Harry trailed off as Hank became unusually grave and awkward, looking around the room instead of at him like he usually did. Harry saw him glance at Remus, noticing that he was also unusually grave, and saw a look, full of hidden meaning pass between them both. Hank faced Harry again, after giving Remus a small nod, and sighed heavily.
"Harry … Something happened last night," Hank began hesitantly, looking him in the eye. "I'm going to ask you, to come with me. There's something I have to show you…"
Harry slowly got to his feet, just as Hank rose also, and followed him back into the hallway … toward the room he'd seen Hank sitting in earlier on…
"I have to ask you, to try and remain calm, Harry," Hank continued, as they stopped just outside the door. "This will come as a shock…"