Guess What! It's FINISHED! (I'm a bad person for not updating earlier, but I am now) Thanks for the nice comments, and enjoy the rest of the chapters!
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Harry's Soul - 4
Dinner was noisy and crowded and comfortable. Mark was in good spirits, which let Harry relax. He'd been worried about his charge, and even Ron hadn't been able to help, as Mark had only wanted Harry. The worn strip of leather around Harry's wrist was getting quite a workout over the last few days. The cheesecake didn't survive long enough to become left overs, as everyone had second or third helpings. Ron and Mark made rapturous noises about his four cheese lasagne, and Arthur stated that they'd try it tomorrow night and 'give your mother a night off from cooking'. Harry was too caught up over the whole mother thing to mind about the cooking, and agreed blithely.
Everyone retired to the front room while Charlie Bill and Ginny bickered over the washing up, and Mrs Weasley went upstairs. The twins looked tempted, but were told to behave by their father and subsided by the fire to play chess. Ron got Mark interested in a game of gob stones and Arthur drew Harry into a discussion of his apprenticeship. Mrs Weasley returned with a bushel of presents floating behind her, and Harry stretched his magic a little to pop his gifts into place with hers. People drifted off singly to add their own, until the space beneath the tree was overfull with garish wrapping paper and lopsided ribbons.
When everyone was gathered again in the front room, Molly cleared her throat for their attention. Harry had Mark on his lap by that point, the boy half asleep from being overfed at dinner, over excited whilst decorating and over indulged in Mrs Weasley's bedtime drinking chocolate and warm scones. When it was time for the boy to go to bed, Harry would go too, so he wasn't alone on the bus. They trusted him, but didn't want him to feel isolated. Ron was planning to go as well and Harry was comfortably certain they could find something to do together. He was contemplating the spell that would turn their two singles into a king sized bed upstairs when Mrs Weasley had cleared her throat and smiled up at her obligingly.
"I want to talk to you about tomorrows dinner," she said firmly, "Percy will be joining us, and I want you all to behave yourselves."
She was looking at the twins in particular, who did their best to look innocent. It was about as convincing as always, which didn't help. Mark looked up at Harry curiously and he smiled reassurance at the boy. His ward hadn't had the pleasure of meeting Percy Weasley yet, and Harry could only hope that the former Prefect and Head Boy would be able to keep his lectures contained until Mark was in bed, and Harry on the bus with him.
"We'll behave if he does," Charlie muttered, "You should see some of the letters he's sent me. Lecturing about how I should help him make you both see sense, and how I should be managing my career. If I wanted to be stuck in an office I'd have taken up old Woodmere's suggestions."
"He's right," Ron spoke up unexpectedly, "He's even written to tell me that I should break all ties with a certain violent criminal liar that we all know."
"Yes well, Mundungus Fletcher isn't the most savoury of people, for all he's in the Order. I've never seen him be violent though," Molly sniffed, and Ron shook his head.
"He wasn't talking about Fletcher," Ron jerked his head in Harry's direction, unseen by the drowsy Mark. People all over the room stiffened in outrage and Harry rolled his eyes and pulled a face to show that he wasn't bothered by it. Sensing that the discussion was about to get a lot louder and feeling that it was better that the Weasley's had this out without an audience, he said his goodnights to them in a warm voice and got up, carrying Mark as if the boy weighed no more than a feather.
A quick heating charm kept them warm on the short walk to the bus, and he got his charge cleaned, changed and in bed in very short order, sitting with the boy until he was deeply asleep. He checked that Rameses was set up with water and food before heading up to his own owl.
Hedwig hooted at him happily and he willingly became her walking perch, taking her outside so she could go hunting for the night before going into the library and starting work on his planning for the second term - his second last as a student at Hogwarts, though he would remain when his friends left to pursue their own careers.
0o0o0o0
Ron had dragged him up to bed - which they transfigured together - and Harry had waited until his friend was asleep to head back down to keep working. Once more he'd gotten a nap at dawn in order to appear refreshed and after breakfast he'd plunged back into his work. Luckily Ron and Mark were used to this pattern by now, and they would spend their day together rather than hanging around Harry. He joined them for lunch and listened as Mark almost chattered about the snow village he was building with Ron and Ginny - an apparently complex task as they had decided to make the buildings hollow with windows and chimneys and everything. Mrs Weasley had pointed discretely to the camera on the mantelpiece and Harry had grinned. The photo albums of his life with Ron were expanding almost daily.
He finished early, packing up though he wasn't done yet in order to make the requested lasagne. He was planning on making two big pans and steaming some vegetables as a side dish, with bread pudding and brandy sauce for afters. Mrs Weasley's kitchen was well accustomed to receiving magical directions, and Harry was soon caught up in the whirl of food preparation, almost a holiday compared to his school work. He didn't notice his new mother taking a picture of him at work.
The Weasley's that worked came home in dribs and drabs with Bill arriving first and Charlie last. The second eldest Weasley was apparently on a four-month rotation with his department, one that was offered to all of its field agents at one point or another. Everyone was home and inside by the time Percy arrived, something the third eldest son noticed. He didn't endear himself when he bumped into Mark and asked 'who are you?' in his most stuffy voice, and dinner looked to be a particularly tense affair when he spotted Harry in the kitchen and exclaimed,
"What is he doing here?"
"He is here to spend Christmas with his family, just like you, Percy," Arthur said a little tersely and Ron and Ginny went to help set the table while Mark retreated to Harry's side. Harry bent to whisper a reassurance in his ear. A wave of his wand had the vegetables in bowls and Mark carried them to the now set table while Harry and Ron carried a pan of lasagne each.
Everyone sat down, and began the business of passing plates and bowls and generally relaxed a bit as they talked about their day and what they'd been up to. Mark was persuaded to say a few words about the snow village, which wasn't quite complete though they'd finish it tomorrow. Ron assured Bill - who was lamenting that he had to go to work - that he'd set a few freezing charms to preserve the village and Molly suggested a tour of it by wand and candlelight tomorrow after supper.
"This is smashing!" Fred complimented Harry as he went for seconds of everything. George nodded vigorously, his mouth to full to speak, and even Mrs Weasley went back for another helping. Harry was glad that he'd made extras again, and put a bit more on Marks plate. Both pans were scraped out and Charlie was mopping his plate with a bit of bread and butter when Bill asked about desert.
"Have you no manners?" Molly scolded while Harry laughed and got up to carry empty serving dishes to the table while the twins collected plates and came back with desert bowls and spoons. A quick charm reheated the brandy sauce, which was a thick syrupy consistency, and Ginny took it to the table while Ron carried the jug of custard. So far Mrs Weasley hadn't had to get up once, something that she remarked on with pleasure. Harry put the pudding into a bowl and carried it back to the table.
Charlie offered to take Ginny in to Diagon Alley tomorrow for some shopping time, and Bill started a discussion with the twins about Puddlemere United and the Wimbourne Wasps, which were apparently looking for sponsors and a new pitch. Percy was talking to Mr Weasley about the Ministry, but it wasn't a light-hearted conversation by the look of it.
They retreated to the front room when dinner was over, and Ron and the twins cleaned up the kitchen this time, though Harry had done a lot of it as he went. He'd learned to clean as he went in the bus, due to the fact that the kitchen was so small and a lot of clutter made things difficult. Mark once more sought the comfort of Harry's lap, and Harry was all too glad to spend a little time concentrating solely on his charge, whispering questions to him and encouraging answers. He was aware that Percy was looking at him funny, but was too caught up in Marks needs to pay attention to the older man.
The twins brought in the usual mugs of hot chocolate and tea, and Ron followed with the biscuit tin. The quiet comfortable chatter continued and eventually Mark fell asleep in Harry's lap, curled comfortably in the shelter of his guardian's arms. It was fortunate that Percy's remark fell in the silence then, rather than when the boy had been awake.
"Isn't he rather taking advantage of you? Not only does he put the family in danger he brings other strays with him?"
"Harry is not a stray!" Arthur shot a sad look at Harry who smiled back. He was a stray, and they were very kind to put up with him and his problems.
"Father, you must acknowledge that he has brought more harm than good with him," Percy insisted, going a little red but obviously determined to have his say. Molly was staring at her carpet slippers, an unhappy look on her face, caught between defending her adopted son and welcoming her third eldest back to the family.
"Trouble!" Charlie hissed, "He fought a Basilisk for Ginny!"
"He gave us our starting money!" Fred added, sharing a glance with his twin.
"He acknowledged Ron as the most important person to him in the Tri Wizard Tournament!" Bill glanced at his youngest brother warmly, and Harry sensed that they might have a kindred spirit there.
"And last Christmas he defended this house and family from a Death Eater attack," Ginny added, her eyes flashing with temper.
"Not to mention he's a great cook," George defused the moment and Ron sniggered. Harry chuffed in amusement and nodded in acknowledgement to George's toast. It appeared that the Weasley men's weakness was their stomach, and Ron's vacuum cleaner tendencies took on a whole new light.
"Ginny would never have been anywhere near that Basilisk if Malfoy hadn't targeted her for defending Potter," Percy refuted, and Ginny bounced onto her knees. Most people tended to forget that Ginny had a temper of her own until they were on the wrong side of it. If she could face her peers after the events in the Chamber, then she could face down her own brother.
"Malfoy went after me because he wanted to stop Dads Muggle Protection Act. The fact that I knew Harry was just a bonus," she sent her father an apologetic glance and he held his arms out for a hug, which she granted immediately, nestling into his side. That action told Harry that Arthur and his daughter had worked hard together to overcome the effects of being possessed by Voldemort in her first year.
"And the money? You can't deny that you wanted the twins to finish their education, mother. Without Harry's money they would not have been able to leave the school," Percy appealed directly to his mother, who held up her hand to silence Fred and George.
"Harry offered that money to both the Diggory's and your father and I. We turned it down," she said firmly, "And it's true I wanted my boys to graduate fro m Hogwarts, but it's also true that they've been a great success so far, and they were never what you'd call enthusiastic scholars."
The twins beamed at her, finally hearing what she really thought of their business. Harry was also relieved, he'd thought she'd be cross that he'd given the twins a chance at their dream, which was so different from hers.
"Why didn't Harry offer the money to Ron, if Ron is so important to him?" Percy gazed at his youngest brother, and Harry tensed a little, worried that Ron was resentful, but had never said anything.
"Don't be a prat, Percy," Ron said lazily, his eyes locked on Harry's, "If I'd been given that money I'd have wasted it on something stupid. Besides, I don't need Harry to pay me to be his friend. That comes for free."
"You could have invested in your future!" Percy protested. Ron smiled slowly, and looked at his older brother pointedly.
"I have," he said simply, "Harry snubbed Malfoy for me the first time we met. We've been through a lot together since then, and he's never let me down. I can rely on Harry. What more do I need?"
"And when you want to marry and start a family? What will you do then?" Percy asked sharply. Obviously he hadn't been informed of Ron's letter to his parents, declaring that he and Harry was now a couple. Even Ginny knew and accepted them, something that made Harry hope that she found someone really special in life. Ginny was a gem and deserved only the best.
"I've already got a fine place to live, and someone special to live with," Ron shrugged, "But seeing as I'm not even out of school yet I think I'll hold off making any announcements to the public until we graduate."
Harry ducked his face into Marks hair, hiding his smile. That was a pretty strong declaration of love right there, though the actual words had never been expressed.
"And as to him bringing trouble to our door, it would have found its way all by itself. We're not about to sit around and let the Death Eaters have free reign, Percy," Arthur said quietly, still hugging Ginny, "We'd have opposed them no matter what. You'll just have to accept that Harry has a place in this family, just as you do."
"And the boy?" Percy gestured to Mark, "Is he to be your next project?"
"He's my little brother," Harry said softly, "And he's having a rough time at the moment. Leave him alone."
He said goodnight quietly and got up, followed closely by Ron who opened the kitchen door for him and cast a warming spell over the three of them for the short walk to the bus.
0o0o0o0
Harry had offered to take Mark and himself back to Hogwarts, but Molly and Arthur pitched a fit and they stayed. Mark had slept through the whole confrontation and though he was worried by the slight tension in the house, the fact that the Weasley's continued to welcome his company and participation in their lives soon eased his fears. Ron and Ginny helped finish the building of the snow village, and the wand/candlelight tour was a big hit. Harry helped Ron put preservation charms on the village and on Christmas Eve they organised a treasure hunt through it, with the houses lit up from within by coloured balls of light, a spell that Ginny knew and taught to her older brother.
Christmas Day was one relaxed feast, with presents and warm laughter. Mark didn't have time to miss his parents, as he was rapidly involved in one game after another. Harry had finished his planning by then and played with abandon, happy to be responsibility free for now. Percy's presence was not allowed to cast a pall over anything; in fact the third eldest soon learned that no one in the family would put up with his stuffy behaviour for long. In a funny way, Percy was being forced to grow up, even though he'd already left home and held a full time job - something that most people would consider the actions of a grown up.
There was something new to do each day, and by the time they had to go back to school Harry was relieved that they'd managed to ease Mark through the worst of it. The young Slytherin hadn't had time to brood, though he sought the comfort of Harry's arms each night. Molly always got a very fond look in her eye when she saw Harry caring for his little brother.
Harry took Mark back with him a few days before classes were due to start, allowing the schools apprentice to get his classroom organised and to swap several of his dark plants around. Some were almost dormant during winter, which was the best time to allow inexperienced students to study them. Professor Flitwick sought him out to discuss several new charms that the Charms Master wanted Harry to work on with the younger students. The tiny professor said that the class had been having trouble putting the charm into the right context, and as it had defensive uses, Harry was justified covering it in his class as well.
The castle was soon bustling with returned students, and the second term of school saw a marked improvement in his second years. The first years were also working hard, and Professor McGonagall had once again informed him that he had passed his apprenticeship requirements to date.
It came as no surprise then that Voldemort chose this term to become particularly active. Once more he had recruited new followers on New Years Eve, though several families had fled, seeking shelter at the Ministry, the school or overseas, rather than take the Dark Mark. This time around Voldemort was having a harder time finding willing followers. Harry's dreams on New Years Eve had been unpleasant, though at the time he'd chalked it up to a combination of memories and concern for Mark.
Sleep became impossible. Nightmares so vivid they made him sick plagued him every time he closed his eyes. Harry took to using a glamour charm to conceal his red eyes, pale and sickly complexion and lank hair. He brewed a strong batch of Pepper Up Potion, which he carried in a flask wherever he went, rather like Mad Eye did. He'd researched the long-term effects of taking the potion, and was relieved that there were none, though the potion lost its effectiveness after a while.
Ron seemed to sense something was wrong, as Harry preferred to sleep alone now, rather that ruin his best friends rest as well as his own. Unable to explain that he was not only having bad dreams but had also started to wake up while puking in horror, Harry did his best to put aside some quiet time for the two of them once or twice a week, though they mainly just sat together in silence and played chess or worked on homework. Harry made sure that he touched Ron, to reassure his friend that it wasn't his empathy keeping them apart, and Ron seemed to develop a fascination with Harry's hair, carding his fingers through it when they were alone. It felt good to have the long slender fingers stroking him, and Harry leaned into the touch whenever it was offered.
The fact that Ron and Hermione were also swamped with homework, as the NEWT tests grew steadily closer helped Harry conceal his difficulties from them. They both thought that Harry was finding it hard to keep up his teaching and studying and were very kind about not demanding more time than he could give. Harry made a point of sitting with them to do his homework whenever possible, and left it at that.
Harry dutifully sent notes each day to Dumbledore regarding the contents of his visions, acting as a spy in Snape's place, though he wasn't sure how much stock Dumbledore put into his reports. Voldemort was pushing his Death Eaters to find 'the key'. Harry had a feeling that whatever it was, was associated with something incredibly powerful. Voldemort never named it, and punished his followers cruelly for every failure, real or imagined.
The Headmaster made it a point to meet with him once a week to discuss these visions, a meeting that always left Harry wanting to weep. His emotions were always close to the surface now, and it took a great deal of self control - something that Snape had accused him of lacking - to keep them under wraps. The meetings only served to consolidate his anxiety about facing the Dark Lord, especially as Dumbledore practically admitted that he was unsure what it was that Voldemort was seeking. He couldn't let the Headmaster see his anxiety, and as he was also trying to protect his friends from it as well, Harry was very isolated.
Quidditch was his only escape. Even exhaustion couldn't dull his enjoyment of the game and his broom performed flawlessly. It was his last season, and Harry didn't miss a match, maintaining his unbeaten record with a fierce sort of pride. Gryffindor would win the Cup this year; call it a present to his Head of House who always took such pride in placing it upon her mantelpiece.
It was a shock at the end of term for Harry to discover what it was about his hair that had Ron so fascinated. He rarely took the glamour charm down, not wanting to risk anyone spotting him with it off, but one evening he crept from a particularly bad nightmare to his office, seeking refuge in the once hated solitude. He took the glamour off as the effort of maintaining it was too much until he'd settled his stomach and his nerves, and when he passed the small mirror that was hung by his office door as he paced around the room he noticed something shimmering in his hair.
A closer look showed that what he thought was a reflection was actually a white strand, nestled amongst the black. It felt different to his fingers and combing his hands through his hair only brought more to the surface. He stared in shock, his mind whirling at the discovery.
He was just over seventeen and a half years old, and he was going grey.
0o0o0o0
The glamour charm stayed up. He didn't take it down for anything. He wasn't sure what Ron would do if he realised that the fascinating textures in Harry's hair were actually caused by premature aging, but the oddly coarse white hairs were not seeing the light of day if Harry had any say in it. He locked himself away for the entire Easter break, and let the castle reassure him that Mark was doing well, surrounded by friends and able to turn to Ron or Hermione if he needed to.
The final term for the seventh years was a nightmare of study and learning. Tempers became short, and more than once a student had to be led aside to a quiet room and given a calming draught. Third week into term the remains of a house elf was found strewn across the path that led to Hogsmede. No one was sure what had killed the elf so viciously, but all students were warned to keep a close watch on the younger ones when they went out. Loola told Harry that he was certain it wasn't one of Hogwarts elves, but Harry still had a bad feeling about the whole thing.
The weather began to fine up, pleasant sunshine taking over the usual spring storms. Seventh years were urged to study outside, and Madam Pomfrey was heard to mutter something about them being the most 'delicate bunch' they'd had for a while. A good dose of sunshine seemed to cure some of the more pasty faces that were wandering the halls.
The Daily Prophet was of course full of Death Eater activity and mournful predictions about the future. Fudge was issuing statements every day, each one a little more desperate than the last. Now that the bribes from the Death Eaters were common knowledge - and he wasn't the only official that had been caught - the Wizard on the street seemed to have lost faith in the Ministry. People were reacting a lot more violently to perceived threats to their loved ones and property, which at one point resulted in quite a few injuries as people over reacted to the simplest of things.
The first years didn't seem to understand why the senior students were acting so strangely, and a few of them were on the receiving ends of sharp reprimands from over stressed seventeen year olds. Harry knew that they'd have to learn the hard way not to bother the fifth and seventh years, but did his best to be sympathetic. Mark took a good look at what was happening at the school and started bringing Harry cups of tea at prep or to his office. Harry appreciated the gesture and drank them good naturedly, even if they were too sweet for his taste.
He continued to brew and drink the Pepper Up Potions, though they were slowly losing their impact. His sleep pattern continued to be a torture course of nightmares and visions, and he continued to meet with Dumbledore to discuss what he saw each week. The castle continued to give him shortcuts and warnings, and Harry became used to the feeling of being watched when he was alone. He spoke to the castle sometimes, and had the feeling that it spoke back.
The week of exams arrived all too soon, and Harry was as panicked as the rest of the seventh years, faced with the end of school before he was even ready for it. He and Ron sat up with Hermione until all hours, revising hard and quizzing each other on the work they'd covered, much as they had for the OWL tests. Harry had the added stress of still being required to teach his two classes and take prep for them, though Professor McGonagall had strongly suggested that this year he ask them to sit and do some revision of their own. He'd taken her advice, giving them each a practical lesson where they paired up and went over the spells they were to have mastered this year and making the rest of the lessons study periods for them. If they chose to study something other than Defence Against the Dark Arts then he ignored it, using the time to clear his desk of marking assignments and squeeze in some revision of his own. Their exams allowed him to revise Arithmancy, and he went straight from second year Ravenclaw and Hufflepuffs to that exam, his head spinning as he tried to remember all he needed to. His hands had been shaking so badly he'd needed to concentrate in order to write legibly.
The Friday that exams ended saw Harry reeling with fatigue, and he fainted as he exited the practical exam for Transfiguration - the last exam on their schedule. He was only out for a few minutes, but when he woke he was too exhausted to open his eyes. There were voices all around him, nervous and hushed, arguing about something, and Harry forced himself to listen carefully.
"…There must be something!" that sounded like Professor McGonagall. He had a vague notion that he'd fallen near her, which must have given her quite a shock.
"If you'd give me some space, Minerva, I might be able to figure it out!" that was definitely Madam Pomfrey, sounding exasperated as only she could, "There seems to be something draining his magic, a low constant strain."
"Well can't you stop it Poppy?" his mentor sounded frustrated and there was a tsking noise followed by a very strong spell that took him by surprise and took the glamour with it. He groaned in despair as the two women exclaimed in shock.
"Look at him!" the Head of Gryffindor choked, "Oh Poppy, he's going grey! How could I miss it?"
"Pepper Up Potion," Snape's crisp voice intruded, "I've just found his store. It appears he's been brewing it in his office, for the past two terms if the levels in the containers of potions ingredients are anything to judge by."
"Dear me," the matron sighed, "That complicates things. If he's so far behind in his work that he feel the need to take a potion…"
Harry grunted indignantly and felt someone pat his hand. He wasn't far behind in his work at all! In fact he'd bet that none of them were as up to date as he! He'd marked all his students exams, and had the holiday homework all set and ready to go! He'd even finished his prep for next week - all he had to do was teach the lessons and mark the final homework assignments - which the students hadn't even had yet!
"I believe there is another explanation," the Headmasters voice intruded, and Harry wondered who was running the school if the Head, Deputy Head and Head of Slytherin were all in here with him. Madam Pomfrey made one of her wordless interrogative noises.
"Harry has been suffering from nightly visions from Voldemort," Dumbledore ratted him out to the school matron shamelessly, no doubt on the receiving end of one of her nastier glares, "He assured me that he was coping with them, and to my shame I did not pry far enough. The Head House Elf has just been to see me, and his report is most worrisome. It appears our apprentice only sleeps an hour each night at the most, and has several nasty side effects from the visions he did not see fit to share with me."
"Such as?" Madam Pomfrey asked her cool fingers fastened around Harry's wrist. Harry wanted to tell the Headmaster to be quiet, but wasn't able to do much more than lie there and breathe at the moment.
"He becomes physically ill. Sometimes violently so."
"That explains the weight loss," Pomfrey muttered as McGonagall's hand petted Harry's head gently. Harry decided this was all too embarrassing and went back to sleep. At least he wouldn't have to listen to them any more.
0o0o0o0
The sound of his father's invisibility cloak sliding off Ron's hair woke him. The cloak always made a static noise when it clung to hair, and although he knew Hermione loved him too, she wouldn't steal his cloak and sneak down to the hospital wing. He felt a lot better, though he was still tired. In fact he thought he might even try opening his eyes in a moment.
"Look at you," Ron's voice sounded so sad. Harry knew what his friend meant. Between the premature aging and the weight loss he was pretty ugly. He wouldn't be surprised if Ron ran the other way now. He didn't love the lanky teen for his looks, not that Ron was ugly, quite the opposite, but he wasn't sure if Ron's love for him was based on personality and friendship, as Harry's was.
"So tired, so pale," Ron continued, his hand once more carding through Harry's hair, "Never again Harry. School will finish in five days time and then I'm taking you away for a nice long rest. And when you're all better we're going to talk about why you should have told me you were in trouble."
"Ron," Harry sighed and prised his eyes open. Ron's eyes widened and he leaned down to kiss Harry's cheek, resting his forehead against the other teens and swirling his fingers through Harry's hair.
"Hello lover," Ron whispered, "Just rest. Everything is under control. Professor Dumbledore is taking your classes, Mark is all packed and ready to come home with Ginny, and Mum is fitting the bus out for us. You'll sleep, I'll drive and when we find the right spot we'll stop and live there for a while, until you're all better."
"Sorry," Harry felt it was important that Ron understood that, and from the way the redheads fingers tightened in his hair for a moment he knew his friend understood. He was sorry for lying, for not telling Ron what was going on.
"I understand," Ron kissed his nose, "You didn't want to disturb me or some such rubbish. I'll tell you a secret, Harry. When I sleep alone, I have nightmares too."
"Brains," Harry realised and Ron nodded. There were very faint scars on his hands and arms from the brains that had attacked him in their fifth year rescue mission. The school matron had commented that thoughts could leave deep scars.
"They left behind a few nasty thoughts," Ron confirmed, "But Harry, they also left behind some nice ones. One even left behind a few suggestions for what I could do with you once we… you know. Nice thoughts, love thoughts. When you're better we'll try it, hmm?"
"Love you," Harry sighed and Ron kissed him softly, "Grey…"
"Not completely, more like a bit of silver. Sexy, no matter what," Ron corrected him, "Unless you're covered in dung or something. That might not be sexy."
Harry managed a small giggle and Ron's hand went back into action. Harry moaned in pleasure and let the action send him back to sleep, the warmth that was Ron soothing him better than Dreamless Sleep potion ever could.
The next time he woke, afternoon sunlight was filling the hospital wing. Madam Pomfrey was tucking him in, and he blinked up at her with a lazy smile.
"Ah, you're awake," she smiled back, though he had no doubt he'd be in for a huge lecture once she was sure he'd stay awake for it, "Mr Weasley said you woke up on Sunday morning. What the boy thought he was doing sneaking around after midnight is anyone's guess. Are you hungry?"
"A little," Harry nodded, and she waved her wand. The pillows behind him multiplied until he was sitting up. His head spun briefly for a moment, and she rubbed his shoulder sympathetically before remembering she was supposed to be angry with him and pulling away.
"I'm not surprised, it's Wednesday after lunch," the matron eyed him sternly, "I'll get you something to eat."
'Something to eat' turned out to be poached eggs on toast. Harry inhaled them ravenously, and managed second helpings as well. This earned him a moments respite from the glare and permission to sit up for a moment longer. This was a good thing because Professor McGonagall arrived with Mark in tow, who promptly threw himself at Harry, clambering onto the bed and hugging him breathless. Harry smiled at his worried Professor and wrapped his arms around his 'little brother', holding Mark close and letting the fatigue he'd been fighting send him back to sleep.
0o0o0o0
Harry was having a very nice dream. He was in the dorm with the other boys, sitting on his bed and watching them get ready. It was just after dinner, and they were changing into clean school robes, and polishing their shoes - which proved it was a special occasion because that was something Seamus never did. Neville was combing his hair extra carefully and Ron was knotting and reknotting his tie.
"I wish Harry was here," Dean said, looking over at his friend, "Then he'd be able to do that for you and we wouldn't have to strangle you with it."
"Very funny," Ron said morosely as the others laughed. He left the tie alone though and went to sit on his bed. Harry snickered to himself - Ron hated doing up ties and Harry usually took over after his friends third attempt, unable to bear watching any longer. Seamus put his shoes on and went to wash his hands, and hopefully his face, which had polish on it from where he'd rubbed his nose. The rest of the boys stood up and looked at each other, then around the dorm.
"Rampage tonight, after the leaving party," Ron offered the suggestion, which was taken up with enthusiasm. A rampage was a combination of midnight feast, prank war and games tournament. Hermione had unknowingly named it when she complained about the noise, which sounded like 'a rampaging horde'. Harry - who had realised this was not a dream but more of a vision extended to him by the school itself - hoped the castle would show him the rampage as well. They were always great fun, though he'd sprained a wrist once in a particularly vicious pillow fight.
The girls were waiting in the common room, their hair dressed nicely, and in silence the seventh years walked down to the front foyer, gathering with the other seventh years. They would all be going to the Three Broomsticks in Hogsmede after this, without teacher supervision for the traditional leaving party, which could be anything from a quiet round of drinks to a boisterous bout of hilarity. Professor McGonagall was waiting in the foyer with them, her eyes shining, and she directed them to get into alphabetical order once everyone had arrived. When the doors to the Great Hall opened the sounds of their parents talking quietly filled the foyer, and they followed McGonagall in, just like they had seven years ago to be sorted.
Harry went to sit with the Weasley's and Grangers at the Gryffindor table, not that they knew he was there. Mr and Mrs Weasley were both bursting with pride, and Mr and Mrs Granger were looking around avidly, impressed at the trappings that their daughter now considered to be every day. Hermione had told Ron and Harry that her parents had both been fascinated by the magic she was allowed to perform over summer, and that she couldn't wait until she was graduated and could show them everything.
Dumbledore stood and made a short speech, touching on some of the things that had happened while they were at Hogwarts. Prizes were given by Sprout and Flitwick, with Neville winning one in Herbology to his parents and grandmother's delight, and Hermione winning one for her overall scholastic achievement. This usually went to a Ravenclaw, something that was explained in a hurried whisper to the Grangers by Arthur Weasley so they would understand the murmurs and applause better.
Snape began calling the roll for the last time, his splendid House robes rustling as he performed this task. McGonagall handed the scrolls to Dumbledore, who shook the students hand and handed it over. Harry wondered if his name would be called - after all he was graduating tonight, but his body was still asleep in the hospital wing. His curiosity was answered when Snape drawled his name in a very deliberate manner and McGonagall shot her colleague a covert glare. Before she or the Headmaster could say anything Hedwig swooped into the hall, to the laughter of Ron and Hermione.
The Headmaster held his arm out with aplomb, and McGonagall tied his scroll to Hedwigs leg. They both petted the owl for a second and then she took off, no doubt heading for Harry's bed. The Weasley's clapped, as did the Grangers. Harry laughed at the scowl on Snape's face, and that disturbed his concentration enough to lose his connection with his surroundings and head back into sleep.
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