Disclaimer: Not mine, never will be.

Chapter 15: Questions, Sleep, Anxiety and More Questions

Albus and Poppy watched as Pandora left the ward as though she were a breeze down tornado alley through the same doors she had entered. Poppy couldn't remember the last person who had used those doors. No one ever used those doors. Actually they were used once before and Poppy could remember by whom. She looked at Dumbeldore, who smiled back at her.

'I see some of the wheels in your head are working Poppy. There will be a staff meeting concerning some of the questions you seek the answers for soon. I wish to observe Pandora's progress alone for a little while first. I trust Harry will now be fine in your capable hands.'

'Of course Albus. But why did Pandora leave like that? Doing that, diving into someone else's soul and coming out so quickly would be like the bends I imagine. Pandora must be suffering some awful repercussions.'

Dumbeldore sighed. 'You are right of course Poppy. However Pandora has access to some things that we do not; and for whatever reason, something she seen, sensed made her feel it was necessary to leave. I will see to it that she gets into her dorms without any problems. When you see her, I am asking you Poppy not to harass the girl about her abilities. All things, I feel will become known in time.' Dumbeldore leant down gently and briefly kissed Poppy's cheek, his pale beard tickling her face. 'Goodnight Poppy. Have some rest. Harry will be fine now I am sure of it.' He walked out the same door Pandora had moments before.

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Hermione stretched as though she were taking on the traits of her familiar. Her neck ached from the strange angle she had fallen asleep in. She blinked slowly as her eyes refocussed on the warm candle lit common room. The fire had died down to brightly glowing logs without baby flames hungrily licking at the edges. Crookshanks had left, opting for the opportunity of Hermione's bed without her body in it as well. Neville was sleeping whilst sitting up, his arm his cushy pillow, gentle sighs his night language. Ron was curled up; his head tucked into the corner of the lounge as though he was hiding his face from the world. Hermione noted that the angle looked painful and realised that Ron was going to be even sorer than she was feeling at that moment. Hermione stared up at the clock happily clicking away above the mantle. 3:11am. Nothing had been said about Harry and Hermione was sure that the new girl hadn't come back again either.

Ron groaned and rolled slowly, pulling an invisible blanket up to his ears and clicking quietly. Lazily he opened one eye. 'You didn't have to steal my blankets 'Mione.' He murmured. Hermione glared at him. Her sleep fog had cleared and she expected no less of her comrades.

'Honestly Ron, you know that girls are not allowed in the boys dorms and warming charms do a better job than blankets any day. We are in the Common Room.'

Ron opened the other eye, but he didn't really seem to be there. 'Right Hermione, I'm going to bed. Goodnight.' Without looking back Ron stumbled up the stairs to his bed.

'Hmph. Honestly.'

'What? Am I sleep-talking again Nan? Sorry. Are mum and dad any better today?' Neville was evidently on that plane between wake and sleep where the parameters of existence are blurred.

'Neville.' Hermione leaned over, patting him on his cushion arm. 'Neville, it's Hermione. You should go to bed. You are in the Gryffindor common room.'

Neville opened both his eyes and smiled at Hermione in a way that made her think of a Baby's grin. 'Thanks 'Mione. I'm going to bed. See you in the morning.'

Hermione sighed at the fireplace as a curling bit of smoke emerged from the back of the logs and kissed her on the nose.

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Poppy was anxious. She was still restocking the cabinets for the year, but she couldn't force herself to leave Harry's side for long. Pandora had snapped up so fast, too fast; but Harry layed motionless for too long. Poppy was so distracted with Harry that she dropped a jar of Quick-grow Hair potion on the linoleum floor, the jar smashed and the pieces spread like segments of a Pro Hart artwork. Little droplets caught Poppy's bare legs, the hair automatically growing in those spots, but she didn't notice. Her entire being was focussed on the boy in front of her who was now stirring wildly, as though battling with consciousness.

Slowly his willow eyes opened, his hands automatically searching for his glasses. Madam Pomfrey handed them to him. Harry put them on and blinked at his personal medi-witch.

'What happened?' Harry grimaced, placing his hands to his temples.

'You fainted harry, in the Great hall.' She fussed about him, checking for any signs of an ailment of any kind.

'Yes I had the strangest dream…' he stopped as the final door opened itself one more time. Harry shivered involuntarily.

'Are you all right? Is it too cold in here?' Madam Pomfrey had her wand out, ready to change the temperature in an instant.

'No it's ok. I'm fine, really. Have a rotten headache though. Feels like someone has been stomping around in my skull.' Harry forced a smile.

Poppy raised an eyebrow at him, interested in his word choice. But after treating Harry for four years she knew he wouldn't open up to her.

'Does your arm feel better Harry?'

'Yes thankyou Madam Pomfrey. It is great to have that cast off. It was so itchy. Could you possibly do anything about this headache?'

Poppy smiled. 'Of course.' She got down the headache potion and fed it to Harry, who frowned and protested.

'What the hell is in this stuff?'

'Don't think you want to know Harry. Headache mixtures are generally a combination of traditional potions and natural extracts. That mix is more natural extracts with Ylang ylang, Clary sage, jasmine, grape seed, marjoram, peppermint and crushed Laery. Here is some lavender to put on your pillow. It should help you rest and ease the pain a little as well. I think you should get some proper sleep now Harry.' Madam Pomfrey tucked Harry in.

Harry layed in the hospital dark, thoughts bouncing wildly around his mind. For some reason his heart beat loudly in his ears and he couldn't help but feel that he had become property that had been trespassed.

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'Hello Snuffles.' Dumbeldore smiled at the big black dog curled around an uncomfortable looking Pandora. "I see that you have met our newest Fifth Year addition to Gryffindor. You always did know how to get close to the girls.' Dumbeldore's eyes twinkled.

Snuffles gently shifted, making sure the girl touched the floor gently. He stood and slowly released the rather daunting figure of Sirius Black.

'Good Morning Albus. I came to see Harry and found this young girl outside the portrait. She didn't seem entirely well before she fell asleep on me.'

'That is because dear Sirius, she isn't. Don't worry, I think that she will be fine in a day or so. Harry is not in his room. He is in the hospital ward.'

Sirius looked up at Dumbeldore, concerned. 'Is he all right Headmaster? I have been worried about him since the events with the Goblet of Fire and you-know-who's attack on that photographer.'

'Harry is fine Sirius, just fine. He fainted in the Great hall this evening and young Pandora here helped him out. Harry will be fine.'

The portrait swung open, no words said. Hermione reluctantly peeped her fluffy head out. 'Hello Professor Dumbeldore, hi Padfoot. I thought I heard voices. I could not sleep any more because I hadn't heard anything about Harry and that new girl didn't come back. Is that her?' Without waiting for any answers Hermione rushed out to Pandora and lifted her head off the cold floor. 'Is she alright Professor?'

Dumbeldore and Sirius looked at each other momentarily before looking back at Hermione and the dark pile on the floor. Dumbeldore walked over to Hermione and gently moved her out of the way. The purple robes swept up Pandora quickly. Pandora stirred and grabbed her head.

"I had to leave before Harry seen me. He couldn't see me.' Her big eyes looked up at the kindly face and sapphire eyes of her new headmaster. 'I'm sorry I'm out of my dorm, but I didn't know the password.' She shut her eyes again.

'What does she mean Harry couldn't see her. Does that mean that Harry is alright? What is going on? Hermione's voice steadily got louder, attracting Peeves' attention. He came through the walls, a true look of glee covering his deathly dial. 'Beat it Peeves or I'll get the Bloody Baron onto you before you can say 'Rotting apples.'

Peeves stopped, shrugged, pulled a comical face at the eclectic bunch and floated off, down the hall.

'Now what is going on?'

Dumbeldore looked down at her in his ever-calm manner. "Come inside now Hermione. I shall put Pandora to bed and explain one or two things to you. Sirius go and see Harry, I think you might be needed. Good night.'

Sirius raced off down the hall, forming a dog again once he had got passed the trick stair.

Dumbeldore put Pandora down and tucked her in then reluctantly went down to the one-woman verbal firing squad of Hermione Grainger.

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So here it is everyone, sorry about the extended wait.

60 Reviews!!! I really can't believe it. Thankyou so much every person who has ever written anything down for me. It is deeply appreciated and means so much.

Jagged Epiphany: Congrats on making it into uni! Well done. Thanks as always for reviewing. Blood doesn't worry me, I'm not real fond of other bodily excretions though.

Naomi SilverWolf: Your mum freaks out the Hamster? Okay. Thanks for saying you liked the last chapter posted and I hope that you appreciate this one as well. ;)

Kram Neuber: Thanks for reviewing and giving me some pretty interesting ideas. I could have some fun with Pandora getting into Snuffles dreams. You will find out more about the photographer, their evidence and Pandora's abilities. There will be some funny stuff happening as well, hope you enjoy!

Tossing Starlight: The pixies will be making an overdue return, but it won't be for a while yet, but I promise that they will come back and hopefully it will be funny. Thankyou for reviewing.

Eve of Fire: I honestly think that you are close to being my most frequent reviewer in the shortest time span. Thanks heaps, it makes me smile and also makes me really appreciative. Now to your various points.

*I figured that Harry's personality would change a little considering he is entering his mid teens and had a pretty bad ending to 4th year.

*I don't know if Dudley will be making another appearance, I doubt it.

*Re. Your letter by Mrs Weasley. I thought it was pretty spot on. Heehee.

*I will try and read your story soon, uni and work are keeping me pretty preoccupied.

*Steve Irwin isn't stupid, he's actually very clever. He is just a dufus. He has been good for conservation in Australia and obviously markets himself well.

Smallfry: Thankyou for being my 60th Reviewer and thankyou for keeping it so short, sweet and nice!