A/N: To my reviewers: I love you!!!!!!!!!
Disclaimer: I forgot to put a disclaimer on my other chapters, so here it is! I own only Melissa, Shelbie, Caysie, and anyone you don't recognize. This sounds familiar. Did I do this in a previous chapter and can't remember? Someone help me, please.
Chapter 15: Harry's POV
~*~Harry's POV~*~
I listened to my two best friends' conversation with amusement, the whole while worrying incessantly about Melissa.
"Hermione, do the beetle wings have to be crushed or whole in a Forgetfulness Potion?"
*Impatient groan*
"Crushed, Ron, how many times do I have to tell you?"
"Sor—ry." Silence. Then…
"Hermione?"
"What, Ron?"
"How many beetle wings do you need to add?"
*Another impatient groan*
"Twelve pairs, Ron."
"Thank you, Hermione." Silence.
"Hermione?"
"Ron, don't you have your textbook?"
"It fell into my cauldron last Potions class."
"What?! How did that happen?"
"I don't know."
"I'm not so sure about you sometimes, Ron."
I was just about to cut in and offer Ron my textbook when the portrait swung open.
"Hey, you guys, what's up?" Melissa greeted cheerfully as she walked calmly into the Gryffindor common room. She didn't seem to notice the wary way we were observing at her.
"Hey, Mel, how you feeling?" Ron asked weakly.
"I'm fine," Melissa replied, laughing at her friend. "Are you feeling okay?"
"Um, yeah, we are. We're fine," Hermione replied quickly, giving me a Look. "Harry's just been a little stressed lately. We all have. We've been worried about you. You were gone for a couple of days and didn't tell anyone where you were."
"Oh, that, sorry. I just—I really needed to get away for a couple of days," the redheaded Gryffindor girl replied almost shamefully, her cheeks tingeing pink.
"That's okay," I assured her, covering over my astonishment. "We just wished you'd have sent an owl or something."
"Sorry," Melissa apologized again meekly. She grinned and headed up the stairs to the dorms. I turned to Hermione and Ron.
"Okay, so, she doesn't seem all that evil now," I said pointedly.
"Maybe she doesn't realize that she—um, uh…" Hermione started to offer before faltering off.
"That she tried to kill me?" I finished for her, crossing my arms
"Heh, heh, heh…um, yeah," Hermione replied, giggling nervously.
"Maybe," I mused, returning to my seat by one of the windows.
"Harry, maybe Hermione's right," Ron insisted. "What if someone put a curse on her?" My head snapped up as Ron said these words.
"A curse?" I asked alarmingly, my eyes widening. Without another word, I jumped up and ran to the portrait, knocking over two first years in the process.
"Harry!" I heard Hermione call. "Harry, where are you going?"
"Come on!" Ron yelled, already on his feet and heading after me.
"Harry! Slow down!" Hermione cried ten minutes later as we raced still down to Dumbledore's office.
"Hermione, she's still under the curse!" I shouted back, slowing down as we approached Dumbledore's gargoyle guardian.
"What? What curse?" she asked confusedly, panting as she clutched her sides, gasping for air.
"OH!" Ron realized what I was talking about with a sharp intake of breath. He turned to Hermione. "He's talking about the Leggythargo Exitmass…curse- ey…thing."
"Uh, yeah, sort of. Lethargus Excessus," I corrected him. Shaking my head, I turned to the gargoyle and said, "Ice Mice." The gargoyle did nothing. "Awwww, shiiiiiit!" I exploded, pulling a Ron and fiercely kicking the gargoyles, earning myself a throbbing foot.
"That was good," Hermione commented lightly. I glared at her in response.
"Come on, just open—oh. Hello, Professor," I greeted in surprise. Just as I was yelling at the gargoyle guardian, the wall behind had slid open and Dumbledore had stepped out from behind.
"Hello, Harry, Hermione, Ron. May I help you?" the kindly headmaster asked.
"Uh, yeah. Um, you see, the thing is, Professor, we think Melissa may still be under the Lethargus Excessus curse," Harry hurriedly explained. Dumbledore's face sobered.
"Yes, I expected as much when I spotted the mark left by her curious blaze that day on the Quidditch field," he told them. He began walking down the hallway. "Well, come along. We had better help her."
Ron, Hermione, and I exchanged confused, yet worried, looks before hurrying after the headmaster.
"Professor, d'you…d'you think she's going to be okay?" Hermione asked breathlessly as we jogged to keep up with Dumbledore. He sure moves fast for an old guy, I thought fleetingly as we tried to match Dumbledore's long strides. The elderly headmaster glanced at us gravely before turning away without answering and quickening his pace. I stopped dead in my tracks, my heart dropping down to my feet.
"Professor, she is going to be all right, isn't she?" I whispered, an alarmed tone creeping into my voice. I could see Dumbledore slowly halt and sigh deeply before turning to face me.
"I sincerely hope so, Harry," Dumbledore told him softly. "Come."
"Come on, Harry," Hermione whispered urgently, tugging on my arm. I numbly nodded and ran after her and Ron.
~*~*~Ten minutes later~*~*~
"Shrentle skin."
I followed Professor Dumbledore, Ron, and Hermione into Gryffindor Tower, still walking about in a daze. The cacophony (A/N: I've been waiting awhile for a chance to use that word!) in the common room died down immediately when people saw Dumbledore.
"Gryffindors, can you tell me where Ms. Potter might be located?" he asked in his deep, distinctive voice. All fingers silently pointed to the girls' dormitory staircase. "Thank you." He started heading up to the staircase, paused, and, his eyes twinkling, turned back around.
"Mr. Finnigan and Mr. Thomas, I would advise you not to give that innocent third-year one of the Weasley twins' Ton-Tongue Toffees, as I see you were about to do when I stepped in," Dumbledore called. Dean's mouth fell open and Seamus dropped the toffee they had been in the process of giving Dennis Creevey. "I was warned about those," Dumbledore added. Smiling, he took out his wand and whispered a spell before sweeping up the stairs. Grinning at each other, Hermione started up the stairs after the headmaster. Ron and I glanced at each other before gingerly stepping onto the first step. After we realized that Dumbledore had removed the spell that kept boys from heading up the girls' dorms' staircase, we took the stairs two at a time after him. We caught up to Dumbledore and Hermione as they were entering Melissa's room.
"Melissa, my dear, may we talk?"
Melissa looked surprised at seeing the headmaster of the school at her door. Nevertheless, she shrugged, nodded, and closed the Muggle magazine she was reading. The three of us nervously followed Dumbledore in and stood huddled near the door.
"Oh, hey, Harry, Ron, Hermione," Melissa greeted, waving hello. Ron and Hermione smiled slightly and I managed a tiny wave. "What is up with you guys?" she asked, laughing at our strange manner.
"That's why we're here, Melissa," Dumbledore interrupted, drawing her attention back to him. "I'd appreciate it greatly if you'd be so kind as to follow me back to my office."
"Uh, uh, y-yeah, sure," Melissa stuttered in reply. She stood up and walked out the door after Dumbledore, Ron, Hermione, and I following them.
~*~*~Fifteen minutes later~*~*~
"Melissa, we're worried about you," Dumbledore began, sitting down at his desk.
"Why?" Melissa asked in reply.
"Well, for starters, you nearly ki—" Ron burst out before both Hermione and I clapped our hands over his mouth. All that was heard then were muffled curses.
"Shut up, Ron," Hermione whispered before pressing a kiss to his cheek. He visibly calmed down and, when we cautiously removed our hands, he didn't seem angry for cutting his statement short.
"Mr. Potter, Mr. Weasley, Ms. Granger, perhaps this would be more effective if you waited outside," Dumbledore told us pointedly. I could feel my face turning red and saw Ron and Hermione were doing the same thing.
"Sorry, Professor," I mumbled as the three of us headed out the door.
We glanced at each other when Dumbledore's office door was firmly closed and involuntarily burst into uncontrollable giggles. We were gasping for breath by the time we had descended to the guardian, where we, to the worst of our luck, ran directly into Professor Trelawney. She took one look at me and her eyes misted up with tears. She excused herself and hurried on down the hall. I rolled my eyes and stuck my tongue out at her retreating back, which made Ron, Hermione, and I dissolve into laughter again. We managed to make our way back to the common room somehow. Seamus and Dean had disregarded Dumbledore's advice and persuaded Dennis to eat the toffee and now, he was lying on the floor, gagging. Seamus, Dean, and the rest of the Gryffindors were rolling on the floor, shrieking with laughter.
"You guys are really bad," I told them, laughing. Ron, Hermione, and I hurried upstairs to grab our History of Magic textbook, along with some parchment, quills, and ink. We had a two-foot essay due in three days. None of us had written a single word yet. I tried to occupy myself with the urgency of the essay, but my mind kept drifting back to Melissa. She and Dumbledore had been talking for quite a long time.
I really hope she'll be okay, I thought anxiously. I don't think I could bear it if I lost her. I'd be right back at square one with no one but Ron and Hermione. Sirius is gone now. Damn Voldemort. The whole world's messed up because of him.
A/N: Okay sorry!!! I know the end of this chapter's REALLY lame, but I really needed to get it up. I had terrible writer's block. By the way, to Lindsey: Happy birthday!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Totally love you!!!!!!
Disclaimer: I forgot to put a disclaimer on my other chapters, so here it is! I own only Melissa, Shelbie, Caysie, and anyone you don't recognize. This sounds familiar. Did I do this in a previous chapter and can't remember? Someone help me, please.
Chapter 15: Harry's POV
~*~Harry's POV~*~
I listened to my two best friends' conversation with amusement, the whole while worrying incessantly about Melissa.
"Hermione, do the beetle wings have to be crushed or whole in a Forgetfulness Potion?"
*Impatient groan*
"Crushed, Ron, how many times do I have to tell you?"
"Sor—ry." Silence. Then…
"Hermione?"
"What, Ron?"
"How many beetle wings do you need to add?"
*Another impatient groan*
"Twelve pairs, Ron."
"Thank you, Hermione." Silence.
"Hermione?"
"Ron, don't you have your textbook?"
"It fell into my cauldron last Potions class."
"What?! How did that happen?"
"I don't know."
"I'm not so sure about you sometimes, Ron."
I was just about to cut in and offer Ron my textbook when the portrait swung open.
"Hey, you guys, what's up?" Melissa greeted cheerfully as she walked calmly into the Gryffindor common room. She didn't seem to notice the wary way we were observing at her.
"Hey, Mel, how you feeling?" Ron asked weakly.
"I'm fine," Melissa replied, laughing at her friend. "Are you feeling okay?"
"Um, yeah, we are. We're fine," Hermione replied quickly, giving me a Look. "Harry's just been a little stressed lately. We all have. We've been worried about you. You were gone for a couple of days and didn't tell anyone where you were."
"Oh, that, sorry. I just—I really needed to get away for a couple of days," the redheaded Gryffindor girl replied almost shamefully, her cheeks tingeing pink.
"That's okay," I assured her, covering over my astonishment. "We just wished you'd have sent an owl or something."
"Sorry," Melissa apologized again meekly. She grinned and headed up the stairs to the dorms. I turned to Hermione and Ron.
"Okay, so, she doesn't seem all that evil now," I said pointedly.
"Maybe she doesn't realize that she—um, uh…" Hermione started to offer before faltering off.
"That she tried to kill me?" I finished for her, crossing my arms
"Heh, heh, heh…um, yeah," Hermione replied, giggling nervously.
"Maybe," I mused, returning to my seat by one of the windows.
"Harry, maybe Hermione's right," Ron insisted. "What if someone put a curse on her?" My head snapped up as Ron said these words.
"A curse?" I asked alarmingly, my eyes widening. Without another word, I jumped up and ran to the portrait, knocking over two first years in the process.
"Harry!" I heard Hermione call. "Harry, where are you going?"
"Come on!" Ron yelled, already on his feet and heading after me.
"Harry! Slow down!" Hermione cried ten minutes later as we raced still down to Dumbledore's office.
"Hermione, she's still under the curse!" I shouted back, slowing down as we approached Dumbledore's gargoyle guardian.
"What? What curse?" she asked confusedly, panting as she clutched her sides, gasping for air.
"OH!" Ron realized what I was talking about with a sharp intake of breath. He turned to Hermione. "He's talking about the Leggythargo Exitmass…curse- ey…thing."
"Uh, yeah, sort of. Lethargus Excessus," I corrected him. Shaking my head, I turned to the gargoyle and said, "Ice Mice." The gargoyle did nothing. "Awwww, shiiiiiit!" I exploded, pulling a Ron and fiercely kicking the gargoyles, earning myself a throbbing foot.
"That was good," Hermione commented lightly. I glared at her in response.
"Come on, just open—oh. Hello, Professor," I greeted in surprise. Just as I was yelling at the gargoyle guardian, the wall behind had slid open and Dumbledore had stepped out from behind.
"Hello, Harry, Hermione, Ron. May I help you?" the kindly headmaster asked.
"Uh, yeah. Um, you see, the thing is, Professor, we think Melissa may still be under the Lethargus Excessus curse," Harry hurriedly explained. Dumbledore's face sobered.
"Yes, I expected as much when I spotted the mark left by her curious blaze that day on the Quidditch field," he told them. He began walking down the hallway. "Well, come along. We had better help her."
Ron, Hermione, and I exchanged confused, yet worried, looks before hurrying after the headmaster.
"Professor, d'you…d'you think she's going to be okay?" Hermione asked breathlessly as we jogged to keep up with Dumbledore. He sure moves fast for an old guy, I thought fleetingly as we tried to match Dumbledore's long strides. The elderly headmaster glanced at us gravely before turning away without answering and quickening his pace. I stopped dead in my tracks, my heart dropping down to my feet.
"Professor, she is going to be all right, isn't she?" I whispered, an alarmed tone creeping into my voice. I could see Dumbledore slowly halt and sigh deeply before turning to face me.
"I sincerely hope so, Harry," Dumbledore told him softly. "Come."
"Come on, Harry," Hermione whispered urgently, tugging on my arm. I numbly nodded and ran after her and Ron.
~*~*~Ten minutes later~*~*~
"Shrentle skin."
I followed Professor Dumbledore, Ron, and Hermione into Gryffindor Tower, still walking about in a daze. The cacophony (A/N: I've been waiting awhile for a chance to use that word!) in the common room died down immediately when people saw Dumbledore.
"Gryffindors, can you tell me where Ms. Potter might be located?" he asked in his deep, distinctive voice. All fingers silently pointed to the girls' dormitory staircase. "Thank you." He started heading up to the staircase, paused, and, his eyes twinkling, turned back around.
"Mr. Finnigan and Mr. Thomas, I would advise you not to give that innocent third-year one of the Weasley twins' Ton-Tongue Toffees, as I see you were about to do when I stepped in," Dumbledore called. Dean's mouth fell open and Seamus dropped the toffee they had been in the process of giving Dennis Creevey. "I was warned about those," Dumbledore added. Smiling, he took out his wand and whispered a spell before sweeping up the stairs. Grinning at each other, Hermione started up the stairs after the headmaster. Ron and I glanced at each other before gingerly stepping onto the first step. After we realized that Dumbledore had removed the spell that kept boys from heading up the girls' dorms' staircase, we took the stairs two at a time after him. We caught up to Dumbledore and Hermione as they were entering Melissa's room.
"Melissa, my dear, may we talk?"
Melissa looked surprised at seeing the headmaster of the school at her door. Nevertheless, she shrugged, nodded, and closed the Muggle magazine she was reading. The three of us nervously followed Dumbledore in and stood huddled near the door.
"Oh, hey, Harry, Ron, Hermione," Melissa greeted, waving hello. Ron and Hermione smiled slightly and I managed a tiny wave. "What is up with you guys?" she asked, laughing at our strange manner.
"That's why we're here, Melissa," Dumbledore interrupted, drawing her attention back to him. "I'd appreciate it greatly if you'd be so kind as to follow me back to my office."
"Uh, uh, y-yeah, sure," Melissa stuttered in reply. She stood up and walked out the door after Dumbledore, Ron, Hermione, and I following them.
~*~*~Fifteen minutes later~*~*~
"Melissa, we're worried about you," Dumbledore began, sitting down at his desk.
"Why?" Melissa asked in reply.
"Well, for starters, you nearly ki—" Ron burst out before both Hermione and I clapped our hands over his mouth. All that was heard then were muffled curses.
"Shut up, Ron," Hermione whispered before pressing a kiss to his cheek. He visibly calmed down and, when we cautiously removed our hands, he didn't seem angry for cutting his statement short.
"Mr. Potter, Mr. Weasley, Ms. Granger, perhaps this would be more effective if you waited outside," Dumbledore told us pointedly. I could feel my face turning red and saw Ron and Hermione were doing the same thing.
"Sorry, Professor," I mumbled as the three of us headed out the door.
We glanced at each other when Dumbledore's office door was firmly closed and involuntarily burst into uncontrollable giggles. We were gasping for breath by the time we had descended to the guardian, where we, to the worst of our luck, ran directly into Professor Trelawney. She took one look at me and her eyes misted up with tears. She excused herself and hurried on down the hall. I rolled my eyes and stuck my tongue out at her retreating back, which made Ron, Hermione, and I dissolve into laughter again. We managed to make our way back to the common room somehow. Seamus and Dean had disregarded Dumbledore's advice and persuaded Dennis to eat the toffee and now, he was lying on the floor, gagging. Seamus, Dean, and the rest of the Gryffindors were rolling on the floor, shrieking with laughter.
"You guys are really bad," I told them, laughing. Ron, Hermione, and I hurried upstairs to grab our History of Magic textbook, along with some parchment, quills, and ink. We had a two-foot essay due in three days. None of us had written a single word yet. I tried to occupy myself with the urgency of the essay, but my mind kept drifting back to Melissa. She and Dumbledore had been talking for quite a long time.
I really hope she'll be okay, I thought anxiously. I don't think I could bear it if I lost her. I'd be right back at square one with no one but Ron and Hermione. Sirius is gone now. Damn Voldemort. The whole world's messed up because of him.
A/N: Okay sorry!!! I know the end of this chapter's REALLY lame, but I really needed to get it up. I had terrible writer's block. By the way, to Lindsey: Happy birthday!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Totally love you!!!!!!
