Sweet Dreams
Chapter 5:
Harry awoke in the clearing an hour and a half later and walked back to the Burrow. He opened the back door and entered the pristine kitchen. Shocked, he looked around for any sign that it was still the Weasley's and had to be satisfied with merely recognizing the dishes. During his search, a soft moaning reached his ears. He turned and walked out of the kitchen, faintly hoping the moaning was not Ginny.
Upon entering the family room, he sighed as he saw that it was Ginny who was caught in another nightmare. He hurried over to her as her moans turned into a cry of desperation. Grabbing her shoulders, he began shaking her, praying he could wake her before Voldemort injured her again.
*********
In her dream, Ginny found herself confronted by Peter Pettigrew and subsequently dragged into the room where Voldemort sat. She cried out, trying to resist the inevitable knife that glittered before her. Suddenly, Wormtail and the room flickered around her. Puzzled, she froze as everything continued to flicker. Out of the haze in her mind, she heard someone calling her name. The voice's owner suddenly clicked just as Voldemort flew at her with the knife. She screamed out to her friend and the dream world vanished.
*********
"Harry!" Ginny screamed out and shot up into his chest. She sagged against him breathing heavily and he wrapped his arms around her. She held on to him with such desperation that Harry couldn't help but hold her tighter. In the back of his mind, a tiny voice seemed intent on making sure Harry was aware of how nicely Ginny seemed to fit into his arms.
"I'm sorry." The small voice floated up to his ears bringing him back to reality. He gently pushed her back enough so he could look at her face.
"What are you sorry for?" he asked softly.
"For worrying you, slamming into you."
"Ginny, stop. You don't have to apologize for anything. In fact, please don't. You didn't do anything wrong. The only thing you're guilty of is searching for a friend and a relief from your pains and terrors. That's not wrong at all. As far as slamming into me, it's going to take a lot more than that to hurt me." Harry watched as a small smile lifted the corners of her mouth. "So, do you feel up to telling me about the dream?"
Ginny nodded and told him how Wormtail had been lying in wait for her to come and, once she arrived, grabbed her and dragged her to see the Dark Lord. She described how he sat in a chair sharpening the knife and he demonstrated how sharp it was. At that point, the dream got fuzzy as Harry's voice began filtering through. When Voldemort realized he was losing his grip on her, he flew at her in a murderous rage.
"That's when I woke up," Ginny concluded. She shivered violently and her eyes filled with tears again. "I've never seen him look so violent, so . evil. He would have had no problems slicing me up. I've decided I'd rather be killed with the killing curse or something. But bleeding to death?"
Harry pulled her back into his arms and he tried to get her to relax by gently rubbing circles into her back. Thinking of the horrors she was forced to go through again, made his heart wrench. She was one of his best friends and he had no idea what to do to help her. Just your best friend, a tiny voice asked him. He tried to push it away, but only succeeded in agreeing with it. Then and there, he decided he would do whatever he could to help her. It was nuts that she had to fear sleeping. He just wouldn't allow it. Eventually, Ginny calmed down and hiccups wracked her frame. Both burst out laughing.
"Go get some water," Harry said through his laughter. "And I think we should get some of the dreamless potion for you tonight. In fear of sounding like your parents and Dumbledore, you do need your sleep and that's not happening at all, as it stands now."
Ginny began to sigh but a hiccup interrupted her and, smiling meekly, she walked into the kitchen. Harry followed, smiling at her as he watched her get a glass of water.
"You know, I heard of a better cure for hiccups," he said. At Ginny's raised eyebrow, he continued. "Sure. A kiss. You know, the ones that take your breath away."
Ginny turned bright red at his suggestion and looked at his mischievous smile. "I think I'll stick with the water idea for now," she said between hiccups. Then she took the cup and bent over, drinking from the back of it. Righting herself, she smiled triumphantly at Harry, hiccup free. "See? My method worked just fine."
"Well, I think mine would have too," Harry said in a fake put. Before they could continue their banter, Molly walked into the kitchen and began working on lunch and the afternoon tea. Harry caught Ginny's eye and tried to give her the hint. She gulped and put on a pitiful look and turned to her mother.
"Mum, I've been having nightmares and that's why I haven't gotten much sleep. May I have some dreamless potion tonight? Please?"
"Ginny, that stuff is addictive. If you're having nightmares, talk through them and remember to have a relaxing drink before bed," Molly replied, desperately trying to fight her daughter's look.
"I tried that. It hasn't worked so I told Professor Dumbledore about them and he was the one to suggest the potion. It's only for one night and weren't you saying this morning that I needed sleep before the next term started so I could put my best foot forward? As it is, I won't be able to do that. It's just one night. I can't possibly get addicted to it in one night."
Molly looked like she was enduring a big internal battle. Finally, she sighed, shook her head, and looked at her daughter carefully. Ginny's appearance radiated fatigue and Molly thought she saw a nasty cut on her daughter's arm but it vanished before she could be sure. She sighed again, this time in defeat.
"Alright, I'll brew up a little bit but only since Professor Dumbledore is aware of it. Ginny, is that a cut on your arm? Honey, please tell me you are not cutting your self because you're upset or frustrated or something."
"No! Of course I'm not doing anything like that. I just got my arm caught on the fence. That's all," Ginny said as she tugged on her sleeve.
Molly looked far from convinced but she let it go. "I'll brew some of the potion for you but I want you two to run off and enjoy the last day of your holidays." She watched as Harry and Ginny did just that.
Ron and Hermione found them shortly there after and the four teenagers spent a wonderful afternoon playing Quidditch with the twins. They had even managed to convince Hermione to play. As such, she, Harry, and Ginny played on one team while the Weasley boys made up the other. Since the teams were so small, all six played chaser. Ginny began using her magic to help the Quaffle come to her each and every time. Harry picked up on her little trick and shook his head at her. She just grinned innocently at him so he tried to even the score by giving the other team the same small boost to one of the guys. Ginny began playing fair when she had her own trick thrown in her face.
"You know I have no problems with discreet practicing but that just wasn't fair since you were doing it purely for the game," Harry said flying alongside her. Ginny pouted, sticking her lip out in that adorable way. Wait a minute, adorable? When did his mind take that turn when he thought about Ginny? Shaking his head, he noticed that everyone else had landed so he flew down and joined them. They were laughing and having fun as they headed up to the Burrow.
Smells assaulted their noses as they got closer. Most of them were delicious and obviously from dinner but one came through the air and hit them like an anvil. Harry and Ginny looked at each other and Harry broke into a cheeky grin as Ginny rolled her eyes and groaned. They both recognized it as the dreamless potion. The rest of the night consisted of running around and getting all four trunks packed and ready for the next day.
The following morning, the Weasleys, Harry, and Hermione piled into a ministry car and drove off for King's Cross. During the drive, Ginny sat between her parents reflecting on the night before. She hadn't slept so well in a long time and it left her feeling refreshed. Before she knew it, the car pulled into the parking lot at the station. In true Weasley form, the group arrived with no time to spare and had to run to Platform 9 ¾. The carts rattled as they ran through the wall. With a rushed good-bye, the four students boarded the train and found the last empty compartment at the very back of the train.
Soon they were careening through the countryside on their way to school. Hermione was reading a book with Crookshanks curled up on her lap. Ron and Harry were playing a game of exploding snap next to the window while Ginny tried to get comfortable as lingering exhaustion and boredom assailed her. She knew the potion had worn off earlier that morning as she felt herself going to the mansion just prior to Hermione shaking her awake. Now, though, she was too tired to worry about it. Besides, Harry was there beside her and he could wake her before she began screaming too loudly. She squirmed a little more as the cards exploded in her brother's face. Chuckling, the boys immediately pulled out the wizard's chess and began playing.
Ginny watched them for a bit before her state of discomfort made her sigh in exasperation. "Ugh. I give up. This is downright ridiculous," she cried as she took the robes she had been using as a pillow and threw them in Harry's lap. The other three students watched in surprise as she put her head down on the robes and closed her eyes. Just before she drifted off to sleep, she decided that Harry definitely had a comfortable lap. Harry looked up to see Ron's totally bewildered look and Hermione's amused one.
"Is there something you would like to tell me, Harry?" Ron asked.
"Not particularly. Besides, there's nothing to tell. We're just friends," Harry replied. Ron still looked a little incredulous. Finally, he just shrugged and let it go. Harry sighed and returned to the chess game. Before long, Hermione snuggled up to Ron to watch the game but all she managed to do was give Harry a further advantage since Ron was so distracted. In fact, he barely noticed when Harry moved his pieces into checkmate. Harry grinned as he let his friends amuse themselves with each other. He leaned back to watch the country side fly by as he absently played with Ginny's hair.
Before he knew it, the train was pulling into Hogsmeade. Harry gently shook the sleeping girl in his lap. She groggily sat up as the three took their trunks down off the rack. Harry watched Ginny pull hers down, still half asleep. It's a miracle she didn't have it topple down on top of her. He shook his head at her as she followed Ron and Hermione to the waiting carriage. Ron took her trunk and put in up with the rest of the luggage while the girls climbed in. After Harry stowed his trunk and joined them, the carriage set off for the castle for the last time, well, for three of the four students.
The ride was uneventful, except for the bickering Ron and Hermione and slipped into. Ginny fell asleep again once she was in and settled, though this time she leaned on Harry's shoulder. He just sat back and waited for the journey to end. When they pulled up to Hogwarts, Ron and Hermione were still arguing and disembarked without the slightest pause in their argument. Harry chuckled and shook his head as he set about the task of waking Ginny.
"Gin, Ginny, wake up. We're here," he tried. She simply sighed and snuggled into him more. He frowned and tried again. "Food."
"Where? Where?" Ginny asked franticly. Harry laughed and calmly patted her head as if she were a small child. She responded by scowling at him and walked off to the feast. Still laughing, Harry followed her and they walked into the Great Hall together. It looked just as they remembered but it seemed to be a little more grand and elegant for some reason. Harry wondered if it seemed so because it was his last year or if it really was slightly different. Glancing beside him, he noticed Ginny was barely awake on her feet. He shook his head as he steered her to sit next to her brother. Ron and Hermione seemed to have finally finished their fight and were currently playing footsie under the table.
Ginny sat down and let out a huge yawn as she settled in to watch the sorting ceremony. Her fatigue didn't leave her until Dumbledore had said his usual greetings and the feast appeared. Half way through dinner, she found herself thinking of the day and how strange it was that she had gotten so much sleep. Then, like lightening striking, it hit her. Her fork fell from her hand, spraying Ron in the process, and loudly clattered to her plate. Yet she sat there, not seeing any of the looks her friends were sending her. If she had, she wouldn't have cared. She went over the day in her head again and realized she hadn't imagined it. She had spent the whole day sleeping and not once, had she experienced another horrible nightmare.
A/N: I'm so sorry this took so long to get out and it was so short, in comparison. I had a really bad case of writers block then I had finals to take care of, then I kept losing various parts of the story. So here is the next chapter and I have chapter six started and roughly planned so I will try desperately to have it out by next week. Again, I apologize for the delay. If any of you are still reading this, please review and let me know if it's not going in a direction you like or if something needs to be changed, or if you like it. I'm also thinking about starting a mailing list for updates. Let me know if you want to be on that list or not. Ttyl.
Harry awoke in the clearing an hour and a half later and walked back to the Burrow. He opened the back door and entered the pristine kitchen. Shocked, he looked around for any sign that it was still the Weasley's and had to be satisfied with merely recognizing the dishes. During his search, a soft moaning reached his ears. He turned and walked out of the kitchen, faintly hoping the moaning was not Ginny.
Upon entering the family room, he sighed as he saw that it was Ginny who was caught in another nightmare. He hurried over to her as her moans turned into a cry of desperation. Grabbing her shoulders, he began shaking her, praying he could wake her before Voldemort injured her again.
*********
In her dream, Ginny found herself confronted by Peter Pettigrew and subsequently dragged into the room where Voldemort sat. She cried out, trying to resist the inevitable knife that glittered before her. Suddenly, Wormtail and the room flickered around her. Puzzled, she froze as everything continued to flicker. Out of the haze in her mind, she heard someone calling her name. The voice's owner suddenly clicked just as Voldemort flew at her with the knife. She screamed out to her friend and the dream world vanished.
*********
"Harry!" Ginny screamed out and shot up into his chest. She sagged against him breathing heavily and he wrapped his arms around her. She held on to him with such desperation that Harry couldn't help but hold her tighter. In the back of his mind, a tiny voice seemed intent on making sure Harry was aware of how nicely Ginny seemed to fit into his arms.
"I'm sorry." The small voice floated up to his ears bringing him back to reality. He gently pushed her back enough so he could look at her face.
"What are you sorry for?" he asked softly.
"For worrying you, slamming into you."
"Ginny, stop. You don't have to apologize for anything. In fact, please don't. You didn't do anything wrong. The only thing you're guilty of is searching for a friend and a relief from your pains and terrors. That's not wrong at all. As far as slamming into me, it's going to take a lot more than that to hurt me." Harry watched as a small smile lifted the corners of her mouth. "So, do you feel up to telling me about the dream?"
Ginny nodded and told him how Wormtail had been lying in wait for her to come and, once she arrived, grabbed her and dragged her to see the Dark Lord. She described how he sat in a chair sharpening the knife and he demonstrated how sharp it was. At that point, the dream got fuzzy as Harry's voice began filtering through. When Voldemort realized he was losing his grip on her, he flew at her in a murderous rage.
"That's when I woke up," Ginny concluded. She shivered violently and her eyes filled with tears again. "I've never seen him look so violent, so . evil. He would have had no problems slicing me up. I've decided I'd rather be killed with the killing curse or something. But bleeding to death?"
Harry pulled her back into his arms and he tried to get her to relax by gently rubbing circles into her back. Thinking of the horrors she was forced to go through again, made his heart wrench. She was one of his best friends and he had no idea what to do to help her. Just your best friend, a tiny voice asked him. He tried to push it away, but only succeeded in agreeing with it. Then and there, he decided he would do whatever he could to help her. It was nuts that she had to fear sleeping. He just wouldn't allow it. Eventually, Ginny calmed down and hiccups wracked her frame. Both burst out laughing.
"Go get some water," Harry said through his laughter. "And I think we should get some of the dreamless potion for you tonight. In fear of sounding like your parents and Dumbledore, you do need your sleep and that's not happening at all, as it stands now."
Ginny began to sigh but a hiccup interrupted her and, smiling meekly, she walked into the kitchen. Harry followed, smiling at her as he watched her get a glass of water.
"You know, I heard of a better cure for hiccups," he said. At Ginny's raised eyebrow, he continued. "Sure. A kiss. You know, the ones that take your breath away."
Ginny turned bright red at his suggestion and looked at his mischievous smile. "I think I'll stick with the water idea for now," she said between hiccups. Then she took the cup and bent over, drinking from the back of it. Righting herself, she smiled triumphantly at Harry, hiccup free. "See? My method worked just fine."
"Well, I think mine would have too," Harry said in a fake put. Before they could continue their banter, Molly walked into the kitchen and began working on lunch and the afternoon tea. Harry caught Ginny's eye and tried to give her the hint. She gulped and put on a pitiful look and turned to her mother.
"Mum, I've been having nightmares and that's why I haven't gotten much sleep. May I have some dreamless potion tonight? Please?"
"Ginny, that stuff is addictive. If you're having nightmares, talk through them and remember to have a relaxing drink before bed," Molly replied, desperately trying to fight her daughter's look.
"I tried that. It hasn't worked so I told Professor Dumbledore about them and he was the one to suggest the potion. It's only for one night and weren't you saying this morning that I needed sleep before the next term started so I could put my best foot forward? As it is, I won't be able to do that. It's just one night. I can't possibly get addicted to it in one night."
Molly looked like she was enduring a big internal battle. Finally, she sighed, shook her head, and looked at her daughter carefully. Ginny's appearance radiated fatigue and Molly thought she saw a nasty cut on her daughter's arm but it vanished before she could be sure. She sighed again, this time in defeat.
"Alright, I'll brew up a little bit but only since Professor Dumbledore is aware of it. Ginny, is that a cut on your arm? Honey, please tell me you are not cutting your self because you're upset or frustrated or something."
"No! Of course I'm not doing anything like that. I just got my arm caught on the fence. That's all," Ginny said as she tugged on her sleeve.
Molly looked far from convinced but she let it go. "I'll brew some of the potion for you but I want you two to run off and enjoy the last day of your holidays." She watched as Harry and Ginny did just that.
Ron and Hermione found them shortly there after and the four teenagers spent a wonderful afternoon playing Quidditch with the twins. They had even managed to convince Hermione to play. As such, she, Harry, and Ginny played on one team while the Weasley boys made up the other. Since the teams were so small, all six played chaser. Ginny began using her magic to help the Quaffle come to her each and every time. Harry picked up on her little trick and shook his head at her. She just grinned innocently at him so he tried to even the score by giving the other team the same small boost to one of the guys. Ginny began playing fair when she had her own trick thrown in her face.
"You know I have no problems with discreet practicing but that just wasn't fair since you were doing it purely for the game," Harry said flying alongside her. Ginny pouted, sticking her lip out in that adorable way. Wait a minute, adorable? When did his mind take that turn when he thought about Ginny? Shaking his head, he noticed that everyone else had landed so he flew down and joined them. They were laughing and having fun as they headed up to the Burrow.
Smells assaulted their noses as they got closer. Most of them were delicious and obviously from dinner but one came through the air and hit them like an anvil. Harry and Ginny looked at each other and Harry broke into a cheeky grin as Ginny rolled her eyes and groaned. They both recognized it as the dreamless potion. The rest of the night consisted of running around and getting all four trunks packed and ready for the next day.
The following morning, the Weasleys, Harry, and Hermione piled into a ministry car and drove off for King's Cross. During the drive, Ginny sat between her parents reflecting on the night before. She hadn't slept so well in a long time and it left her feeling refreshed. Before she knew it, the car pulled into the parking lot at the station. In true Weasley form, the group arrived with no time to spare and had to run to Platform 9 ¾. The carts rattled as they ran through the wall. With a rushed good-bye, the four students boarded the train and found the last empty compartment at the very back of the train.
Soon they were careening through the countryside on their way to school. Hermione was reading a book with Crookshanks curled up on her lap. Ron and Harry were playing a game of exploding snap next to the window while Ginny tried to get comfortable as lingering exhaustion and boredom assailed her. She knew the potion had worn off earlier that morning as she felt herself going to the mansion just prior to Hermione shaking her awake. Now, though, she was too tired to worry about it. Besides, Harry was there beside her and he could wake her before she began screaming too loudly. She squirmed a little more as the cards exploded in her brother's face. Chuckling, the boys immediately pulled out the wizard's chess and began playing.
Ginny watched them for a bit before her state of discomfort made her sigh in exasperation. "Ugh. I give up. This is downright ridiculous," she cried as she took the robes she had been using as a pillow and threw them in Harry's lap. The other three students watched in surprise as she put her head down on the robes and closed her eyes. Just before she drifted off to sleep, she decided that Harry definitely had a comfortable lap. Harry looked up to see Ron's totally bewildered look and Hermione's amused one.
"Is there something you would like to tell me, Harry?" Ron asked.
"Not particularly. Besides, there's nothing to tell. We're just friends," Harry replied. Ron still looked a little incredulous. Finally, he just shrugged and let it go. Harry sighed and returned to the chess game. Before long, Hermione snuggled up to Ron to watch the game but all she managed to do was give Harry a further advantage since Ron was so distracted. In fact, he barely noticed when Harry moved his pieces into checkmate. Harry grinned as he let his friends amuse themselves with each other. He leaned back to watch the country side fly by as he absently played with Ginny's hair.
Before he knew it, the train was pulling into Hogsmeade. Harry gently shook the sleeping girl in his lap. She groggily sat up as the three took their trunks down off the rack. Harry watched Ginny pull hers down, still half asleep. It's a miracle she didn't have it topple down on top of her. He shook his head at her as she followed Ron and Hermione to the waiting carriage. Ron took her trunk and put in up with the rest of the luggage while the girls climbed in. After Harry stowed his trunk and joined them, the carriage set off for the castle for the last time, well, for three of the four students.
The ride was uneventful, except for the bickering Ron and Hermione and slipped into. Ginny fell asleep again once she was in and settled, though this time she leaned on Harry's shoulder. He just sat back and waited for the journey to end. When they pulled up to Hogwarts, Ron and Hermione were still arguing and disembarked without the slightest pause in their argument. Harry chuckled and shook his head as he set about the task of waking Ginny.
"Gin, Ginny, wake up. We're here," he tried. She simply sighed and snuggled into him more. He frowned and tried again. "Food."
"Where? Where?" Ginny asked franticly. Harry laughed and calmly patted her head as if she were a small child. She responded by scowling at him and walked off to the feast. Still laughing, Harry followed her and they walked into the Great Hall together. It looked just as they remembered but it seemed to be a little more grand and elegant for some reason. Harry wondered if it seemed so because it was his last year or if it really was slightly different. Glancing beside him, he noticed Ginny was barely awake on her feet. He shook his head as he steered her to sit next to her brother. Ron and Hermione seemed to have finally finished their fight and were currently playing footsie under the table.
Ginny sat down and let out a huge yawn as she settled in to watch the sorting ceremony. Her fatigue didn't leave her until Dumbledore had said his usual greetings and the feast appeared. Half way through dinner, she found herself thinking of the day and how strange it was that she had gotten so much sleep. Then, like lightening striking, it hit her. Her fork fell from her hand, spraying Ron in the process, and loudly clattered to her plate. Yet she sat there, not seeing any of the looks her friends were sending her. If she had, she wouldn't have cared. She went over the day in her head again and realized she hadn't imagined it. She had spent the whole day sleeping and not once, had she experienced another horrible nightmare.
A/N: I'm so sorry this took so long to get out and it was so short, in comparison. I had a really bad case of writers block then I had finals to take care of, then I kept losing various parts of the story. So here is the next chapter and I have chapter six started and roughly planned so I will try desperately to have it out by next week. Again, I apologize for the delay. If any of you are still reading this, please review and let me know if it's not going in a direction you like or if something needs to be changed, or if you like it. I'm also thinking about starting a mailing list for updates. Let me know if you want to be on that list or not. Ttyl.