Welcome to yet another in the growing story. I really appreciate those of
you who read and review. Also, another holler to go and check out
'Escawars' by 'Circular Infinity'. It's a laugh, believe me.
AHEM.
DISCLAIMER: This story uses material 'n stuff that comes from one J.K. Rowling, and I humbly use it at that. Well, I hope it seems humble. Also, this story is SLASH, the pairing of a male with a male. So if you no likee, go read something more....
....tame?
Part 26
Ron awoke with a start. Promptly after this he began dry heaving. He closed his eyes tightly and wished strongly that he had died. When he finished, he noticed that his arms and legs were both bound in metal cuffs, and he was chained to the wall in his cell. He supposed that Malfoy didn't fancy the bite he'd received. If Ron could have chuckled he would have. As it was, his head rolled to the side and he entered an uneasy sleep.
Part 27
Harry, Hermione and Draco had a long evening in Dumbledore's office, which was interrupted by Dumbledore needing to go to the great sorting. Upon invitation, the three of them denied, and Harry and Hermione looked at Draco dangerously before deciding that he wasn't going to be trouble.
Hermione touched Harry's arm.
"How are you doing, Harry?" She maintained a sympathetic, if not red faced, look.
Harry merely nodded.
"How are you feeling?" Hermione persisted. Harry looked quickly at Malfoy, then back at Hermione. Hermione nodded.
"For crying out loud, Potter, I don't care how you feel. I assure you, I'm in my own little world over here." He made sarcastic loops with his finger near his head.
Harry turned to him. Draco looked back expectantly. When nothing came, Draco snorted. "What?" Draco spat this out.
"Dammit, Malfoy, I'm trying to build up my nerve to....thank you." Harry said 'thank you' through clenched teeth.
Draco didn't change his expression. A few moments of silence passed.
"Well, I thought you'd have shot me, or turned me over to Voldemort or something." Harry was relieved to see that Draco didn't flinch at the mention of Voldemort's name.
"Isn't it funny how people with different motivations can have the same goal?" Draco smiled insincerely.
"But I still don't get the cupcakes." At Harry's mention of cupcakes, Hermione piped up.
"Say what, Harry?"
Harry looked back at Hermione. "I didn't mention it to Dumbledore...but I didn't knock out those first couple of Deatheaters with my wand."
Hermione looked shocked.
"I threw a cupcake I found at the first one, and he disappeared." Hermione looked even more shocked. "I know! I was shocked too, and I used a second on the other guy. Then Malfoy tells me he planted them there. They were for us."
Hermione gave Malfoy a dirty look on cue.
"But," Harry turned to Draco again, "that's not your style. What with the cupcakes?"
Draco sat still and quiet for a moment. "Even more interesting, how did they get into the Grendarius Penser?" He finally said.
Harry thought a moment.
Hermione spoke. "Perhaps they got there because they were created with malice."
"That would be correct, Miss Granger." Everyone jumped as Dumbledore entered the office unheard.
Hermione smiled weakly. "Thank you, Headmaster."
"But that doesn't make sense," Harry said.
"Actually, it does Harry." Dumbledore sat behind his great desk again. "The Grendarius Penser was created with the intention of letting one isolate himself from everything around him. If the person entered with evil intentions..."
Hermione interrupted. "...Then everything with that same intent would go with them." Hermione looked thoughtful, and Dumbledore nodded.
"How did we get in there?" Draco asked.
"We are still working that out, Mister Malfoy." Dumbledore said this, and Harry would have sworn he sounded a bit tired at the question. "However, I thought that perhaps you would all like to visit Ronald in the infirmary." Dumbledore smiled.
Draco shook his head.
"Very well, Mister Malfoy, you may go greet the newcomers to Slytherin house. Harry, Miss Granger, you may go and visit Ron." Harry nodded ferociously and Hermione got up with Harry. They left as quickly as humanly possible.
On their way and far from Dumbledore's office, Hermione spoke.
"Harry, if you need anything, you know I'm here for you." She grabbed his hand and squeezed it tightly.
Harry just smiled at her. He wasn't going to tell her how he regretted ending Ron's and his relationship. He wasn't going to tell her how he felt when he saw Sirius again, or how he felt when he thought he was losing Ron for real, or how he felt after losing Sirius a second time. For now, smiling was enough.
As they neared the infirmary, Harry's stomach started to turn. He hadn't seen Ron after he'd woken up. Dumbledore had said that Ron's body was mostly all right. Would Ron be able to hear him if he talked to him? What would he look like?
Hermione entered the infirmary first, and Harry followed. Madame Pomfrey walked to greet them once she'd seen them come in.
"Here to see Ron then?" She asked kindly.
"Yes," Hermione whispered.
Madame Pomfrey led them over to a corner of the room where curtains were drawn in a tight square.
"Didn't want him to attract attention. Here you go, dears." She swept aside a bit of the curtain, and Hermione entered. Harry followed.
Harry could have guessed that Ron was going to look like he was sleeping. Ron lay on the bed, arms at his side, a thin straight line for a mouth. His hair looked much the same as it had the last time Harry saw him on the train. Hermione went and sat at the edge of Ron's bed and looked up at Harry.
"C'mon then, have a seat, Harry." She patted on the mattress opposite her. Harry walked slowly around the bed and sat across from Hermione. Hermione grabbed one of Ron's hands, and Harry grabbed the other.
"Well, all right then. Ronald Weasley, I hope you're listening to me." Hermione spoke firmly. "You had better come out of there right now. I'm not going to stand for this...this..." She started to cry. Harry could only watch. "You fight on your end. We'll fight on ours." She stood suddenly, startling Harry. With one last teary look, she turned and exited. Harry might have asked her where she was going if he didn't already know.
Harry sat there, feeling alone. He looked down at Ron's face. It hadn't changed since he'd come in. Harry leaned down close to Ron's face and planted a kiss on his lips. When nothing happened, Harry sighed.
"For crying out loud, mate. What am I going to do without you? Who'm I gonna lose to at chess? Who'm I gonna have to watch my back? Huh? I've lost enough family, Ron. I've lost enough friends and family-" Harry grabbed Ron's shirt and shook Ron. "Dammit, Ron, wake the fuck up!" Harry's face was twisted in sadness and anger. He weakly released Ron's shirtfront. He put his hands on Ron's chest, and lay his head down on it. He could hear the faint, and slow, beating of Ron's heart.
Part 28
Ron suddenly felt warm. He thought quickly that this might be some spell, or perhaps he had finally died. He touched his chest. It felt very warm. He realized then that his lips felt hot. It was the strangest feeling Ron had ever felt.
He looked around him again. There was a Deatheater standing at the hallway entrance to the dungeon, of which his cell was the only enclosure within. Ron tried to stand, but his chained arms would only allow him a short distance up before holding him down. He pulled with all his might, but the chains felt solid.
Ron sat again, but for some reason, he couldn't feel despair. He only felt warm. This feeling seemed to continue as Ron watched Lucius Malfoy enter the dungeon.
Malfoy sneered at Ron. "Awake, finally. Do you sleep this much at Hogwarts?"
Ron spat on the ground. "You're a bastard. Your son is a bastard. Fuck off." Ron had a strong fire in his eyes.
Malfoy raised his eyebrows. "Watch your tongue, Weasley, or I shall remove it." He brought his wand up sharply.
"You can't kill me, Malfoy." Ron laughed. "You wanted to end my life, but you couldn't."
Lucius looked like he was getting angry. "You are correct, Weasley. I do not even wish to kill you any longer. But you would be surprised as to what I can do to you that wont kill you." He smiled crookedly.
Ron looked up at him defiantly. "And you'll be surprised how I'm going to call you a bastard after everything, you coward."
Lucius must have been watching his temper, because he started pacing instead of yelling.
"Did you realize that we have Potter?" Lucius stopped pacing.
Ron lost his smile.
"Yes. Same train, same day. Harry Potter is in a dungeon adjacent to yours. Have you heard him scream?" Malfoy said this as though he were asking a far less sinister question.
Ron merely sat in disbelief. Something in his heart was tugging at him. Something inside him told him that what Malfoy was saying wasn't true.
Lucius looked over the silent Ron and pulled some article of clothing from his robes. Ron stared as Malfoy unraveled it. It was Harry's shirt.
Or, rather, as Ron reminded himself, it looked like Harry's shirt. Then Ron noticed the blood stain on it.
"He won't be needing this any longer. He is quite a screamer, though." Malfoy chuckled. "Mind you, he isn't quite as loud as you, but then you are a Weasley."
Ron found himself propping himself up on his knees. His face had fallen some.
"In fact, you scream louder than your father."
"YOU FUCKER! YOU LIE!" Ron's face scrunched up and he screamed his words.
Malfoy chuckled.
"He was the first of your ilk we got to, actually. He didn't seem very strong willed." Malfoy continued to smile down at Ron. "But alas, he eventually broke off the Imperius curse. But not before...." Malfoy trailed off.
Ron sat, arms hanging limply at his side, face long. He didn't know what to say anymore. He was almost feeling he could handle whatever torture Malfoy wanted to give him. There was the hopeful chance that Malfoy was lying, but there was no way he'd know.
"Fine then. Why don't you just kill me?" Ron continued staring at the floor.
Malfoy laughed harshly.
Part 29
Hogwarts began classes the following day, and Harry was truly dreading going. Harry had opted for 7th Year Potions as opposed to Advanced 7th Year Potions in the hopes that he'd spend less time around Snape. Harry had thankfully given up divination last year and replaced it with Exotic Creatures of Magic Origin, which was supposed to include a field trip to see a dragon. Then there was Basics in Auror training, which both Harry and Ron had expressed interests in doing. Truthfully, Harry couldn't see Ron as an Auror, but he supposed anything could happen.
Harry was walking to his first class of the term, Complex Transfiguration, thinking about meeting Hermione after class to go and see Ron again. Then, out of nowhere, Draco Malfoy appeared in front of Harry.
"What the-" Harry stammered.
"Well, hello, Potter. Fancy meeting you here."
"What do you want?" Harry immediately became defensive.
"Well aren't we conditioned? I want nothing."
"Well then bugger off." Harry began to walk quickly around Malfoy.
"I hear you're dating Weasel." Malfoy said this silkily.
Harry stopped and turned around.
"You heard what?"
"Surely I need not repeat it." Malfoy failed to look innocent.
"Well, I'm not, Malfoy."
"Ah, broken up, are you?"
Harry moved in close to Malfoy.
"If you tell a soul...." Harry put his hand in his wand-pocket for emphasis.
Draco looked completely unfazed. "Yeah, yeah, unforgiveable. Really, Potter, you think you'd be a little more genial after we went through such an experience together."
"How did you find out?"
"About our experience?" At Harry's threatening look, Draco acquiesced. "Conjecture and hearsay. But thank you for the validation." Draco smirked.
Harry spoke slowly and angrily. "If anyone finds out, Malfoy, I'm coming for you first."
As Harry turned again, Draco continued. "Who would care, really? I mean, beside the fact that you could do much better in the wizarding world."
Harry stopped again, and clenched his fists.
"Alright, alright, Potter, don't get all worked up now." Draco said this and walked away. Harry wasn't sure why Malfoy was avoiding further confrontation, but for the moment he was grateful. He didn't need a detention.
*************
"Malfoy said what?" Hermione looked appropriately shocked.
"He knew that Ron and I dated. Well, actually, he thought we still were." Harry sighed. "What a fucking prick."
Hermione nodded. "It's not like you two have been overt or anything. Here, look at this one."
Harry grabbed the book Hermione proffered him and read its title: 'Conditions of Wizards: The Sleeping Beauty Complex.' Harry sighed once again.
"He isn't sleeping, you know!"
Hermione brought up her hands and pushed them into the air, as if to comfort Harry and quiet him at the same time. "Harry, I know that. But anything – absolutely anything would help right now!"
The environ of the library was making Harry's head hurt. They hadn't heard anything from Dumbledore or anyone, on Ron's condition, in six days. Hermione had brought Harry to the library every day after their daily Ron visit since.
"How are your parents doing?" Harry asked covertly while in the midst of 'An Encyclopedia of Magical Sleeping and Warts.'
Hermione looked up, obviously surprised. "They're fine, thank you." She went back into her book. "I've got something here about being hit on the head with a magical mallet and waking up in a carriage, but I doubt this is the one." She tossed that book aside.
"Hermione?" Quietly.
"Yeah?" Tentatively.
"What if Ron doesn't wake up?" Harry looked up, his face straight and serious.
Hermione stared, jaw half agape. "I refuse to believe that he wont."
"But what if-"
"Damn, Harry!" Hermione yelled, surprising herself and Harry. "I don't want to have that conversation yet! Cross that bridge when we get to it!" Hermione breathed heavily, on the verge of tears. Harry sat dumbstruck, and nodded.
"Alright, Herm. It's just...." Harry looked down, not focusing on his book.
Hermione put her hand over Harry's left, which was on the table. "If I let myself think those things," Hermione said softly, "then I wouldn't be here, trying." Hermione's face suddenly turned stoic as she stood. Harry looked around him quickly.
It was Severus Snape. He strode over to their table and lowered his gaze upon Harry. "I've been sent," he said, a trace of resentment creeping, "to fetch you. Come with me."
Harry stood, then stopped. "Where?"
Snape rolled his eyes. "Where do you think? Headmaster Dumbledore would like to talk with you."
"Why did he send you?" asked Harry bitterly, emphasizing 'you.' Hermione quickly moved to put herself between both individuals.
"Let's go then," she said quickly and rushed quickly out of the library. Harry followed, but not without another vitriolic look at Snape.
"C'mon Harry. We're above him, right?" Harry grunted in response to Hermione's chiding.
They got to Dumbledore's office, where Harry spoke the password. The door opened silently, and they went in and up the stairs.
As they entered Dumbledore's office, Harry suddenly felt ill. He couldn't quite explain it, but it felt a lot like it did over the summer when he had bad feelings. Harry and Hermione sat, and just as Harry was about to speak, Dumbledore raised his hand and he quieted.
"Things are not going well." Dumbledore looked very stoic, and made Harry wish for him to smile just once, to know that things were fine, somehow.
"We've heard no news from the Ministry of Magic, and our own agents are coming up empty handed." Dumbledore leaned forward and began speaking softly. "Have you been to visit Ron lately?"
Harry and Hermione shook their heads. They hadn't been since yesterday.
"Then I shall warn you: his body is fading." Dumbledore sat perfectly still, and Harry wasn't sure he understood.
"What do you mean?" Harry asked, desperate for some news that wasn't depressing.
"Just as I said, Harry. His body is leaving this world in favor of the other." Dumbledore let this soak in. "I shall let you run to see him momentarily. First, I must ask you to treat Draco Malfoy with the utmost care and respect."
Hermione nodded, and Harry looked at her like two bunny ears had grown from her head.
"It is necessary that we make everyone in this school feel like welcome, useful members. Especially when they come from backgrounds that don't permit them a home to go back to."
Harry still looked as though he'd been shot. This lasted until Hermione shook his sleeve. "C'mon, Harry, let's go see Ron." Harry nodded blankly, and got up with Hermione. He got the most sympathetic look from Dumbledore he'd ever gotten.
As they neared the infirmary, Harry's heart quickened. He wasn't sure how to handle this. 'Fading?' It seemed so ridiculous that Ron would just fade out. Ron was more of a fighter than that, surely!
Hermione and Harry entered the wing, and Miss Pomfrey came to greet them again. Harry was in a haze as she led them, tight-lipped, over to Ron's curtains. She held them open as before and Harry entered first.
Harry went and sat down next to Ron, who looked normal. Upon closer examination, Harry noticed that he could almost see through Ron to the bedsheets. It was so faint that Harry thought he was losing his mind. He gasped, and Hermione made a loud guttural noise.
Harry's fists clenched. Suddenly the curtains flew open and a panting Mrs. Weasley was standing there, face in horror and shock.
"Harry....Hermione..." She took a look at Ron, made to touch him, and hesitated. "Surely not you too!" She collapsed to the floor.
------
Well, here is the end of my...what? SEVENTH installment?!? Wow. I expect two more installments before the conclusion of this plot, so hold yer breath. Or, not.
Thank you muchly to the following for their continuing support in reviews: m477tf (for a double review from a 'jolly 'ol chap'); m477tf (another comment: Matrix? Love it and am flattered, but I was just thinking about how to make a really good action scene...I guess that just invokes the Matrix in my hands); KarenleFay (reading back, Harry did seem girly; have worked on it).
And a humble apology to S.K.R. for making a flat Hermione. I hope she has been vindicated in this chapter....if not, how can I make her come alive a bit more? :)
AHEM.
DISCLAIMER: This story uses material 'n stuff that comes from one J.K. Rowling, and I humbly use it at that. Well, I hope it seems humble. Also, this story is SLASH, the pairing of a male with a male. So if you no likee, go read something more....
....tame?
Part 26
Ron awoke with a start. Promptly after this he began dry heaving. He closed his eyes tightly and wished strongly that he had died. When he finished, he noticed that his arms and legs were both bound in metal cuffs, and he was chained to the wall in his cell. He supposed that Malfoy didn't fancy the bite he'd received. If Ron could have chuckled he would have. As it was, his head rolled to the side and he entered an uneasy sleep.
Part 27
Harry, Hermione and Draco had a long evening in Dumbledore's office, which was interrupted by Dumbledore needing to go to the great sorting. Upon invitation, the three of them denied, and Harry and Hermione looked at Draco dangerously before deciding that he wasn't going to be trouble.
Hermione touched Harry's arm.
"How are you doing, Harry?" She maintained a sympathetic, if not red faced, look.
Harry merely nodded.
"How are you feeling?" Hermione persisted. Harry looked quickly at Malfoy, then back at Hermione. Hermione nodded.
"For crying out loud, Potter, I don't care how you feel. I assure you, I'm in my own little world over here." He made sarcastic loops with his finger near his head.
Harry turned to him. Draco looked back expectantly. When nothing came, Draco snorted. "What?" Draco spat this out.
"Dammit, Malfoy, I'm trying to build up my nerve to....thank you." Harry said 'thank you' through clenched teeth.
Draco didn't change his expression. A few moments of silence passed.
"Well, I thought you'd have shot me, or turned me over to Voldemort or something." Harry was relieved to see that Draco didn't flinch at the mention of Voldemort's name.
"Isn't it funny how people with different motivations can have the same goal?" Draco smiled insincerely.
"But I still don't get the cupcakes." At Harry's mention of cupcakes, Hermione piped up.
"Say what, Harry?"
Harry looked back at Hermione. "I didn't mention it to Dumbledore...but I didn't knock out those first couple of Deatheaters with my wand."
Hermione looked shocked.
"I threw a cupcake I found at the first one, and he disappeared." Hermione looked even more shocked. "I know! I was shocked too, and I used a second on the other guy. Then Malfoy tells me he planted them there. They were for us."
Hermione gave Malfoy a dirty look on cue.
"But," Harry turned to Draco again, "that's not your style. What with the cupcakes?"
Draco sat still and quiet for a moment. "Even more interesting, how did they get into the Grendarius Penser?" He finally said.
Harry thought a moment.
Hermione spoke. "Perhaps they got there because they were created with malice."
"That would be correct, Miss Granger." Everyone jumped as Dumbledore entered the office unheard.
Hermione smiled weakly. "Thank you, Headmaster."
"But that doesn't make sense," Harry said.
"Actually, it does Harry." Dumbledore sat behind his great desk again. "The Grendarius Penser was created with the intention of letting one isolate himself from everything around him. If the person entered with evil intentions..."
Hermione interrupted. "...Then everything with that same intent would go with them." Hermione looked thoughtful, and Dumbledore nodded.
"How did we get in there?" Draco asked.
"We are still working that out, Mister Malfoy." Dumbledore said this, and Harry would have sworn he sounded a bit tired at the question. "However, I thought that perhaps you would all like to visit Ronald in the infirmary." Dumbledore smiled.
Draco shook his head.
"Very well, Mister Malfoy, you may go greet the newcomers to Slytherin house. Harry, Miss Granger, you may go and visit Ron." Harry nodded ferociously and Hermione got up with Harry. They left as quickly as humanly possible.
On their way and far from Dumbledore's office, Hermione spoke.
"Harry, if you need anything, you know I'm here for you." She grabbed his hand and squeezed it tightly.
Harry just smiled at her. He wasn't going to tell her how he regretted ending Ron's and his relationship. He wasn't going to tell her how he felt when he saw Sirius again, or how he felt when he thought he was losing Ron for real, or how he felt after losing Sirius a second time. For now, smiling was enough.
As they neared the infirmary, Harry's stomach started to turn. He hadn't seen Ron after he'd woken up. Dumbledore had said that Ron's body was mostly all right. Would Ron be able to hear him if he talked to him? What would he look like?
Hermione entered the infirmary first, and Harry followed. Madame Pomfrey walked to greet them once she'd seen them come in.
"Here to see Ron then?" She asked kindly.
"Yes," Hermione whispered.
Madame Pomfrey led them over to a corner of the room where curtains were drawn in a tight square.
"Didn't want him to attract attention. Here you go, dears." She swept aside a bit of the curtain, and Hermione entered. Harry followed.
Harry could have guessed that Ron was going to look like he was sleeping. Ron lay on the bed, arms at his side, a thin straight line for a mouth. His hair looked much the same as it had the last time Harry saw him on the train. Hermione went and sat at the edge of Ron's bed and looked up at Harry.
"C'mon then, have a seat, Harry." She patted on the mattress opposite her. Harry walked slowly around the bed and sat across from Hermione. Hermione grabbed one of Ron's hands, and Harry grabbed the other.
"Well, all right then. Ronald Weasley, I hope you're listening to me." Hermione spoke firmly. "You had better come out of there right now. I'm not going to stand for this...this..." She started to cry. Harry could only watch. "You fight on your end. We'll fight on ours." She stood suddenly, startling Harry. With one last teary look, she turned and exited. Harry might have asked her where she was going if he didn't already know.
Harry sat there, feeling alone. He looked down at Ron's face. It hadn't changed since he'd come in. Harry leaned down close to Ron's face and planted a kiss on his lips. When nothing happened, Harry sighed.
"For crying out loud, mate. What am I going to do without you? Who'm I gonna lose to at chess? Who'm I gonna have to watch my back? Huh? I've lost enough family, Ron. I've lost enough friends and family-" Harry grabbed Ron's shirt and shook Ron. "Dammit, Ron, wake the fuck up!" Harry's face was twisted in sadness and anger. He weakly released Ron's shirtfront. He put his hands on Ron's chest, and lay his head down on it. He could hear the faint, and slow, beating of Ron's heart.
Part 28
Ron suddenly felt warm. He thought quickly that this might be some spell, or perhaps he had finally died. He touched his chest. It felt very warm. He realized then that his lips felt hot. It was the strangest feeling Ron had ever felt.
He looked around him again. There was a Deatheater standing at the hallway entrance to the dungeon, of which his cell was the only enclosure within. Ron tried to stand, but his chained arms would only allow him a short distance up before holding him down. He pulled with all his might, but the chains felt solid.
Ron sat again, but for some reason, he couldn't feel despair. He only felt warm. This feeling seemed to continue as Ron watched Lucius Malfoy enter the dungeon.
Malfoy sneered at Ron. "Awake, finally. Do you sleep this much at Hogwarts?"
Ron spat on the ground. "You're a bastard. Your son is a bastard. Fuck off." Ron had a strong fire in his eyes.
Malfoy raised his eyebrows. "Watch your tongue, Weasley, or I shall remove it." He brought his wand up sharply.
"You can't kill me, Malfoy." Ron laughed. "You wanted to end my life, but you couldn't."
Lucius looked like he was getting angry. "You are correct, Weasley. I do not even wish to kill you any longer. But you would be surprised as to what I can do to you that wont kill you." He smiled crookedly.
Ron looked up at him defiantly. "And you'll be surprised how I'm going to call you a bastard after everything, you coward."
Lucius must have been watching his temper, because he started pacing instead of yelling.
"Did you realize that we have Potter?" Lucius stopped pacing.
Ron lost his smile.
"Yes. Same train, same day. Harry Potter is in a dungeon adjacent to yours. Have you heard him scream?" Malfoy said this as though he were asking a far less sinister question.
Ron merely sat in disbelief. Something in his heart was tugging at him. Something inside him told him that what Malfoy was saying wasn't true.
Lucius looked over the silent Ron and pulled some article of clothing from his robes. Ron stared as Malfoy unraveled it. It was Harry's shirt.
Or, rather, as Ron reminded himself, it looked like Harry's shirt. Then Ron noticed the blood stain on it.
"He won't be needing this any longer. He is quite a screamer, though." Malfoy chuckled. "Mind you, he isn't quite as loud as you, but then you are a Weasley."
Ron found himself propping himself up on his knees. His face had fallen some.
"In fact, you scream louder than your father."
"YOU FUCKER! YOU LIE!" Ron's face scrunched up and he screamed his words.
Malfoy chuckled.
"He was the first of your ilk we got to, actually. He didn't seem very strong willed." Malfoy continued to smile down at Ron. "But alas, he eventually broke off the Imperius curse. But not before...." Malfoy trailed off.
Ron sat, arms hanging limply at his side, face long. He didn't know what to say anymore. He was almost feeling he could handle whatever torture Malfoy wanted to give him. There was the hopeful chance that Malfoy was lying, but there was no way he'd know.
"Fine then. Why don't you just kill me?" Ron continued staring at the floor.
Malfoy laughed harshly.
Part 29
Hogwarts began classes the following day, and Harry was truly dreading going. Harry had opted for 7th Year Potions as opposed to Advanced 7th Year Potions in the hopes that he'd spend less time around Snape. Harry had thankfully given up divination last year and replaced it with Exotic Creatures of Magic Origin, which was supposed to include a field trip to see a dragon. Then there was Basics in Auror training, which both Harry and Ron had expressed interests in doing. Truthfully, Harry couldn't see Ron as an Auror, but he supposed anything could happen.
Harry was walking to his first class of the term, Complex Transfiguration, thinking about meeting Hermione after class to go and see Ron again. Then, out of nowhere, Draco Malfoy appeared in front of Harry.
"What the-" Harry stammered.
"Well, hello, Potter. Fancy meeting you here."
"What do you want?" Harry immediately became defensive.
"Well aren't we conditioned? I want nothing."
"Well then bugger off." Harry began to walk quickly around Malfoy.
"I hear you're dating Weasel." Malfoy said this silkily.
Harry stopped and turned around.
"You heard what?"
"Surely I need not repeat it." Malfoy failed to look innocent.
"Well, I'm not, Malfoy."
"Ah, broken up, are you?"
Harry moved in close to Malfoy.
"If you tell a soul...." Harry put his hand in his wand-pocket for emphasis.
Draco looked completely unfazed. "Yeah, yeah, unforgiveable. Really, Potter, you think you'd be a little more genial after we went through such an experience together."
"How did you find out?"
"About our experience?" At Harry's threatening look, Draco acquiesced. "Conjecture and hearsay. But thank you for the validation." Draco smirked.
Harry spoke slowly and angrily. "If anyone finds out, Malfoy, I'm coming for you first."
As Harry turned again, Draco continued. "Who would care, really? I mean, beside the fact that you could do much better in the wizarding world."
Harry stopped again, and clenched his fists.
"Alright, alright, Potter, don't get all worked up now." Draco said this and walked away. Harry wasn't sure why Malfoy was avoiding further confrontation, but for the moment he was grateful. He didn't need a detention.
*************
"Malfoy said what?" Hermione looked appropriately shocked.
"He knew that Ron and I dated. Well, actually, he thought we still were." Harry sighed. "What a fucking prick."
Hermione nodded. "It's not like you two have been overt or anything. Here, look at this one."
Harry grabbed the book Hermione proffered him and read its title: 'Conditions of Wizards: The Sleeping Beauty Complex.' Harry sighed once again.
"He isn't sleeping, you know!"
Hermione brought up her hands and pushed them into the air, as if to comfort Harry and quiet him at the same time. "Harry, I know that. But anything – absolutely anything would help right now!"
The environ of the library was making Harry's head hurt. They hadn't heard anything from Dumbledore or anyone, on Ron's condition, in six days. Hermione had brought Harry to the library every day after their daily Ron visit since.
"How are your parents doing?" Harry asked covertly while in the midst of 'An Encyclopedia of Magical Sleeping and Warts.'
Hermione looked up, obviously surprised. "They're fine, thank you." She went back into her book. "I've got something here about being hit on the head with a magical mallet and waking up in a carriage, but I doubt this is the one." She tossed that book aside.
"Hermione?" Quietly.
"Yeah?" Tentatively.
"What if Ron doesn't wake up?" Harry looked up, his face straight and serious.
Hermione stared, jaw half agape. "I refuse to believe that he wont."
"But what if-"
"Damn, Harry!" Hermione yelled, surprising herself and Harry. "I don't want to have that conversation yet! Cross that bridge when we get to it!" Hermione breathed heavily, on the verge of tears. Harry sat dumbstruck, and nodded.
"Alright, Herm. It's just...." Harry looked down, not focusing on his book.
Hermione put her hand over Harry's left, which was on the table. "If I let myself think those things," Hermione said softly, "then I wouldn't be here, trying." Hermione's face suddenly turned stoic as she stood. Harry looked around him quickly.
It was Severus Snape. He strode over to their table and lowered his gaze upon Harry. "I've been sent," he said, a trace of resentment creeping, "to fetch you. Come with me."
Harry stood, then stopped. "Where?"
Snape rolled his eyes. "Where do you think? Headmaster Dumbledore would like to talk with you."
"Why did he send you?" asked Harry bitterly, emphasizing 'you.' Hermione quickly moved to put herself between both individuals.
"Let's go then," she said quickly and rushed quickly out of the library. Harry followed, but not without another vitriolic look at Snape.
"C'mon Harry. We're above him, right?" Harry grunted in response to Hermione's chiding.
They got to Dumbledore's office, where Harry spoke the password. The door opened silently, and they went in and up the stairs.
As they entered Dumbledore's office, Harry suddenly felt ill. He couldn't quite explain it, but it felt a lot like it did over the summer when he had bad feelings. Harry and Hermione sat, and just as Harry was about to speak, Dumbledore raised his hand and he quieted.
"Things are not going well." Dumbledore looked very stoic, and made Harry wish for him to smile just once, to know that things were fine, somehow.
"We've heard no news from the Ministry of Magic, and our own agents are coming up empty handed." Dumbledore leaned forward and began speaking softly. "Have you been to visit Ron lately?"
Harry and Hermione shook their heads. They hadn't been since yesterday.
"Then I shall warn you: his body is fading." Dumbledore sat perfectly still, and Harry wasn't sure he understood.
"What do you mean?" Harry asked, desperate for some news that wasn't depressing.
"Just as I said, Harry. His body is leaving this world in favor of the other." Dumbledore let this soak in. "I shall let you run to see him momentarily. First, I must ask you to treat Draco Malfoy with the utmost care and respect."
Hermione nodded, and Harry looked at her like two bunny ears had grown from her head.
"It is necessary that we make everyone in this school feel like welcome, useful members. Especially when they come from backgrounds that don't permit them a home to go back to."
Harry still looked as though he'd been shot. This lasted until Hermione shook his sleeve. "C'mon, Harry, let's go see Ron." Harry nodded blankly, and got up with Hermione. He got the most sympathetic look from Dumbledore he'd ever gotten.
As they neared the infirmary, Harry's heart quickened. He wasn't sure how to handle this. 'Fading?' It seemed so ridiculous that Ron would just fade out. Ron was more of a fighter than that, surely!
Hermione and Harry entered the wing, and Miss Pomfrey came to greet them again. Harry was in a haze as she led them, tight-lipped, over to Ron's curtains. She held them open as before and Harry entered first.
Harry went and sat down next to Ron, who looked normal. Upon closer examination, Harry noticed that he could almost see through Ron to the bedsheets. It was so faint that Harry thought he was losing his mind. He gasped, and Hermione made a loud guttural noise.
Harry's fists clenched. Suddenly the curtains flew open and a panting Mrs. Weasley was standing there, face in horror and shock.
"Harry....Hermione..." She took a look at Ron, made to touch him, and hesitated. "Surely not you too!" She collapsed to the floor.
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Well, here is the end of my...what? SEVENTH installment?!? Wow. I expect two more installments before the conclusion of this plot, so hold yer breath. Or, not.
Thank you muchly to the following for their continuing support in reviews: m477tf (for a double review from a 'jolly 'ol chap'); m477tf (another comment: Matrix? Love it and am flattered, but I was just thinking about how to make a really good action scene...I guess that just invokes the Matrix in my hands); KarenleFay (reading back, Harry did seem girly; have worked on it).
And a humble apology to S.K.R. for making a flat Hermione. I hope she has been vindicated in this chapter....if not, how can I make her come alive a bit more? :)