Disclaimer: I own nothing but the plot.
A/N: Author's note at the bottom this time.
Chapter 5: Explanations?
"Harry? Harry, wake up."
Harry slowly opened his eyes and looked up into the face of Ron Weasley. He realized that he was lying on the floor of the Gryffindor common room. Both Ron and Ginny were bending over him, looking worried. Hermione, who had apparently returned while he was asleep, stood above them. Harry could tell that she wanted to mother him, but she was restraining herself and letting the two Weasleys take care of it. He slowly sat up.
"What happened?" he asked. Ginny rocked back on her heels and studied him.
"You passed out again," she said.
"Did I?" he asked, confused. He didn't remember falling on the floor.
"Really, mate, I think you ought to go and see Madame Pomfrey about this. This could be serious," Ron said. Harry shook his head.
"No, I don't need to see the nurse," he said stubbornly. Hermione made a small tutting noise.
"Honestly, Harry, this is probably the fifth time this has happened to you," she scolded. "Ron's right, it could be serious. I think you need some help."
"I'm fine," Harry insisted. "I think I just need to get something to eat. I'm going down to the kitchens for a little while." He stood up and walked over to the portrait hole. As he went out into the corridor, he heard footsteps behind him. He turned around and found Ginny following him.
"I'm coming with you," she said before he could protest. "I want to be there in case you collapse again. And," she looked around the corridor slyly, "we can have some alone time." Harry grinned and took her hand, leading her away toward the kitchens.
They walked in silence for a few moments. Harry noticed Ginny looking at him out of the corner of her eye. He looked over at her.
"What are you looking at?" he asked her. She didn't answer for a minute, she just continued staring at him. "What?" he demanded, irritated.
"What happens when you pass out?" she asked suddenly. Harry stared at her for a moment, thinking.
"Well," he began. "I think I dream about something. But I'm not so sure it's a dream. It's as if this is all real, and that's just a dream. But I know that I'm dreaming right now."
"What?" Ginny asked. "No you're not."
"Not what?"
"Not dreaming. This is all real," Ginny said. Harry just looked at her.
"But," he started, then stopped. He didn't know how to explain it. "Well, it's like this. When I… 'pass out', it's like I'm dreaming. I'm dreaming about my life, but it's all screwed up. Hermione and I were dating, you know, but in my dream, she broke up with me. So she and I aren't speaking. And you aren't speaking to me because you blame me for…Ron's death. I really don't know what to think about it all, because it feels so real. But while it's all happening, I feel like I'm just going to wake up and everything's going to be okay." When he finished, he noticed Ginny staring at him strangely. "What?"
"Harry, this could be serious," she said quietly. "It sounds to me like someone's messing with your mind. With your thoughts, even. How do you feel right now?"
Harry though for a minute. "Well, in my other world, all this stuff is happening while I'm sleeping, so I think that I'm dreaming this. I don't even know if this is all real right now. I can't ever tell if this is real, or if I'm dreaming. You know what I'm saying?"
"No," she said, shaking her head slowly. "Harry, I really think that you should go to Madame Pomfrey. This really is serious. If someone's messing with your mind, it could be Voldemort doing it. And he could make you think that everyone's turned against you, and make you try to kill yourself or something. You should really get help."
"Maybe you're right, Gin," Harry said, shaking his head. "I think I'll just…I think I'll…I think…" he trailed off as the room began to spin. He dropped to his knees, clutching his head. He was vaguely aware of Ginny bending down next to him, asking him what was wrong. He tried desperately to answer her, but he had once again lost control of his vocal cords. In his desperation, he managed to choke out one word: "Help." Then he collapsed.
A/N: Okay, once again, not a very long chapter, I apologize. But it does explain somewhat about what's going on with the weird dreams. If you didn't catch on, try reading it again. If you still don't catch on, then just tune in to the next chapter.
I hope you all had a great Christmas. I know I did!!! REVIEW!!!!
