Harry climbed through the portrait hole. There was still an hour till
dinner. What was he gonna do. Just then, Professor Mcgonagall came through
the portrait hole. Harry tried to dash up the stairs to his dorm, but she
spotted him.
"Potter!" She called. Harry spun around and retreated down the stairs.
"Yes Professor?" He asked in an innocent voice.
"Scouting for our new house team starts tomorrow. I want you out on the
pitch right now determining what kind of players we need." She said. Harry
stared at her.
"Am I supposed to fly?" He asked. She stared at him.
"No, I want you to scoot around the field on your bottom...Yes you're
supposed to fly!" She said, shaking her head.
"Okay, okay!" Harry said. He ran up the stairs to his dorm and grabbed his
Firebolt. He made his way down to the pitch. It had been so long since he
had been on his broom. The first task of the Triwizard Tournament to be
exact...
Harry felt like he was at home when he stepped onto the smooth grass of the
pitch. This was where he belonged. Harry pulled off his robes and vest and
took off his tie. He left them on a heap on the ground. He unbuttoned the
top two buttons of his shirt and mounted his broom. Harry slammed his foot
down and shot off into the air. He darted around. He loved the way the
Firebolt managed his every thought. Harry circled the goalposts. New
keeper...new keeper...
Quick, good reflexes and...hmm...strong.
Harry swerved this way and that.
New beaters...new beaters.
Strong, fast and...aggresive. Harry darted towards the goalpoasts.
Chasers...new chasers. Can throw...can catch and has to be able to fly
really well. Harry flew around the pitch for a few minutes. Some girls
started to gatehr in the stands. Harry rolled his eyes and landed back on
the ground. He heard some groans of disappointment as he made his way back
to the school.
FRIDAY **************************************** Harry groaned. He pulled on his scarlet quidditch robes. He didn't need any of the padding though, he wasn't going to be playing. Harry grabbed his clipboard with all the names of people who had signed up for tryouts, and made his way down to the pitch. Harry smiled as he stepped onto the clean cut grass of the quidditch pitch. Hufflepuff and Slytherin were holding tryouts too, but they didn't get the pitch. They were off in fields 2 and 3. Justin Finch-Fletchney and Malfoy weren't too happy to find out Harry had gotten the pitch first. Professor Mcgonagall was waiting for Harry. There was already a mass of Gryffindors there. First years right on through to seventh years. Harry spotted some familiar faces...Ron, Dean, Seamus, Abby and Lavendar were a few of them. Harry met Professor Mcgonagal in the center of the pitch. "Ready Potter?" She asked. Harry nodded. "Right, you know what to do. I'll be in the commentator box." She said before sweeping off the field. Harry clutched his broom in one hand. He headed over to the group of kids. "Er...I need you to separate into age groups. There are markers where you're supposed to stand depending on your age." Harry said loudly. The group split into seven separate categories. Harry stood in the middle of the field. "Right, I need Alison Markcheknay, Dennis Creevey, Marissa Holliday, Colin Creevey, Dean Thomas, Erica Patten and Jack Bordeux to come to the center of the pitch." Harry called out. One person from each of the groups came forward. Harry handed them each a broom. "Right, we're not playing with real bludgers. They're padded soccer balls that have been bewitched." Harry told the group. There were some nods. Harry handed the beater sticks to Dean and Jack. Colin was trying out for keeper, Dennis, Marissa and Erica were trying for chaser and Alison was trying for seeker. Everyone mounted their broom. Harry threw two padded soccer balls into the air. They shot straight up. Then, he released the snitch. It darted about, then disappeared. Harry then threw the quaffle. The tryouts started. Harry shot up on his Firebolt and zoomed up into the stands. He quickly sat down at a table that had been set up and watched the practice.....
FOUR HOURS LATER **************************************** Harry stomach grumbled. It was past dinner time. He wished the tryouts had been held on Saturday instead of after lessons. Now, he was down to the finalists. He had sent a lot of kids back up to the school. There were only fourteen left. "Alright, let's try Abby, Ron, Dean, Seamus, Lavendar, Colin and Damien." Harry called from the stands. They all shot up into the air. Abby, Lavendar and Damien were trying for chaser. Colin was trying for keeper and Dean, Seamus and Ron were trying for beaters. Harry had sent everyone that was trying for seeker, back to the castle. Harry was the seeker. The tryouts were a little confusing because the beaters kept trading off. Harry narrowed it down. "Er...Abby, Lavendar and Courtney are out Chasers. Ron is Keeper and Dean and Seamus are our Beaters." Harry announced. Eight of the students went back to the school disappointed. Ron went up to Harry. "I wanted to be a Beater! Like Fred and George!" He complained. "You've got the make of a Keeper and you've got good reflexes. Trust me." Harry explained. Ron reluctantly agreed. Harry brought out a box for the new team. He set it in the middle of the pitch and they gathered around. Harry opened the box and pulled out brand new uniforms. "Dumbledore found the money for new uniforms for our team and Quality Quidditch Supplies donated six Nimbus Two Thousand and Ones." Harry explained. "Abby..." Harry said. He grabbed her jersey and waved his wand. The word 'Keaton' shimmered in gold letters. He threw the jersey to her and also a pair of shorts. He did the same with all the jerseys. "Practice first thing Sunday morning." Harry announced. Everyone slapped him on the back and headed back up to the castle.
THE NEXT MONTH **************************************** "Harry? Come on, we've got Divination in an hour." Ron called through Harry's hangings. There was no sound. "Harry come on!" He whined. Ron thought for a minute. Last night was the full moon. Was Harry in the Shrieking Shack? Ron quickly pulled back the hangings of Harry's bed. There was a mass under the blankets. Ron let out a sigh of relief and pulled the blankets back. "Harry, come on!" He laughed. He shook Harry. Harry didn't react. "Harry?" Ron asked. He grabbed Harry's shoulder and turned him over. Harry had heavy circles under his eyes. He was really pale and he looked a lot older than he should. "Jesus!" Ron gasped. He shook Harry. "Wake up!" He begged. Harry opened one of his eyes, then closed it again. "Harry! Are you okay?" Ron asked quickly. Harry nodded weakley and motioned for Ron to close the hangings. "But we've got class!" Ron said hastily. Harry motioned for Ron to close the hangings. Ron hesitated, then closed them. He grabbed his Divination books and headed off to class. Why was Harry looking so crappy?
Harry missed all of his lessons that day. It would be an understatement to say people noticed. As Ron was heading back to Gryffindor tower, Dumbledore and Madame Pomfrey went rushing past him. Ron stared as they clambered through the portrait hole. Ron ran to catch up. "Blinking bop." He said quickly. The Fat Lady swung forward. Ron clambered through the hole. Dumbledore and Madame Pomfrey were disappearing into the boy's dorm. Ron hurried after them. He skidded to a hault in the dorm. Madame Pomfrey was pushing Dean and Seamus through the door. "It's our dorm!" They whined. She slammed the door in Ron, Dean and Seamus's face. "Bit rude eh?" Dean mumbled.
** "Harry?" Dumbledore asked through the closed hangings. There was no noise. He pulled back the hangings. Harry was curled up in a ball, asleep. Dumbledore bent over him. "Harry?" He asked. Harry did nothing. Madame Pomfrey bustled over. She pulled Harry out of his ball position and straightened him over top the blankets. She pulled out a very large popsicle stick (tongue depressor) and opened Harry's mouth. She put the stick on his tongue. "Hmm..." She said quietly. She lifted up one of Harry's hands and peered at his palms. Madame Pomfrey then checked Harry's pupils. "Well?" Dumbledore asked. "I think he went through the transformation without actually transforming." She said thoughtfully. Dumbledore stared at Harry. "So then he's not..." He began. "No, but he'll go through the cycle. He won't become a wolf, but he'll go through the pain. I'm surprised no one heard him last night." She said quietly. "So the medicine worked then?" Dumbledore asked. Madame Pomfrey nodded. "Should we take him to the hospital wing?" He asked, a hint of worry in his voice. "Hmm...I think he'll be okay here. He'll definatly need to rest. I want him to come for a booster at every full moon. It will lessen the pain." She said quietly. Dumbledore nodded. He waved his wand. Harry levitated off the bed while the sheets below him straightened and folded back. Dumbledore lowered Harry and the blankets tucked themselves around him. He looked eerie. Dumbledore closed the hangings around Harry's bed and he and Madame Pomfrey left. Ron was pacing nervously in the common room. Dumbledore nodded to Ron as he left. Ron darted up the stairs to see how Harry was.
Harry opened his eyes wearily. He couldn't see anything. Someone was holding his hand. Harry reached for his glasses and slipped them on his nose. He looked around. Hermione was sitting on the end of Harry's bed, holding his hand. Ron was laying on the floor with his hands covering his eyes. Harry felt very weak. He cleared his throat. Ron and Hermione both looked at him. Hermione didn't remove her hand. Harry looked at her, then his hand, then her again. Hermione blushed and pulled her hand away. Harry propped himself up. "What's going on?" He croaked. Neither Ron nor Hermione could answer. They didn't know. "Did I miss classes?" Harry asked. Ron nodded. Harry groaned and heaved himself out of bed. "What're you doing?" Hermione asked. "I have to go see Dumbledore...apologize." Harry muttered. Before either Ron or Hermione could stop him, Harry had grabbed a pair of sweat pants and a t-shirt. He waved his wand and he was dressed in those clothes. Harry staggered from the room. Ron and Hermione just stared after him. Harry dragged himself through the portrait hole and out into the hall. He immediatly ran into Filch. It must have been really late. "What're you doing?" Filch growled. "I have to see Professor Dumbledore." Harry said wearily. Filch eyed him then swept up the stairs, grumbling. Harry made his way down the stairs. He found he had to grip the railing. Harry rounded a corner and bumped into someone. Harry fell over. He looked up. Lupin was standing in front of him. He really tired, but not nearly as tired as Harry. "Harry, what're you doing wandering aruond?" Lupin asked, helping Harry up.
"I have to see Professor Dumbledore." Harry said weakly. Lupin eyed him for a minute. "Did you have any problems last night?" He asked in barely more than a whisper. "What? What was last night?" Harry asked. Lupin looked at him, disbelieving. "The full moon." He said quietly. Suddenly everything came pouring back to Harry. The surging pain. He had clamped a hand over his mouth the muffle the screams. Harry grabbed his head. "Oh my god. I..I have to see Pro-Professor Dumbledore." He said quickly.
Lupin stared at him. Harry didn't have time for this! He quickly shuffled past Lupin and towards Dumbledore's office. He came to the gargoyle, but couldn't remember the password. "Bertie Botts...er...Butterbeer?" Harry asked. He was losing energy. "I don't have time for this!" He whined. Harry began to sway. He grabbed the gargoyle. "Dragon dung!" Harry cried in anger. The gargoyle leaped aside. Harry fell to the floor but quickly scrambled up. He stepped onto the moving staircase. "Dragon dung?" He thought to himself. He slowly moved upwards. He came to Dumbledore's office door and knocked on it. There was a minute of silence, then.. "Come in!" Harry opened the door. Dumbledore stood up. He ushered Harry into the room, then shut the door. A black dog appeared from behind the desk. He quickly turned into Sirius. "Harry, why aren't you resting?" Dumbledore asked sternly. "I needed to..." Harry looked at Sirius. "What're you doing here?" Harry asked weakley. Sirius opened his mouth to reply, but stopped. Harry was beginning to sway. He looked for something to brace himself with, but there was nothing. Sirius grabbed Harry's arm and shoved him into one of the chairs. "Harry, I think you should go back to bed." Dumbledore said quietly. "I wanted to tell you that last night..." Harry began. Dumbledore held up a hand. "I know." He said quietly. "How?" Harry asked. "Your teachers reported to me today that you did not show up for your classes. I became worried and asked Madame Pomfrey to escort me to check on you. We found you looking quite a mess. Madame Pomfrey explained to me what happened." Dumbledore explained. The three spent nearly an hour talking about what had happened. Finally, Dumbledore sent Harry back to bed. Harry said goodbye to Sirius and returned to Gryffindor tower. Ron and Hermione were waiting for Harry in the common room. Harry plopped down on the couch. Hermione rushed over to sit with him. Harry made sure his hands were firmly behind his head. They didn't talk. Hermione tried to force conversation about the Halloween dance, but neither Ron nor Harry were very interested. Abby came down the stairs a little later. She was holding that same small book. She smiled at Harry. "Professor Trelawney asked where you were, so I did you a favour and told her you had been pulled into the lake by the squid. It was today that you had put down as your water tradgedy, wasn't it?" Abby asked as she sat down. Harry smiled. "Yeah, good memory." He laughed. Hermione was staring into the fire, her jaw was clamped shut and her eyes were blazing. "Was the old bat pleased with herself? I mean, she did say she had seen that one coming!" Harry laughed. Abby nodded. "Oh yeah, very pleased indeed. She said if you died, then that would chalk up to a horrific death!" She laughed. Harry chuckled. "I better get to bed. Want to be wide away for that Divination lesson." Harry laughed. He scrambled to his feet and dragged himself up the stairs. Ron dashed behind him. "God!" Ron laughed. "What?" Harry asked as he opened the door to the boys dorm. "You were totally flirting with her!" Ron said pointedly. "I was not!" Harry protested. "We were talking about my death! Jeese Ron!" Harry chuckled. He changed into his pajamas and crawled into bed. Every single last one of his bones was sore. He though maybe his joints were rusty. He was so tired. Harry closed his eyes and quickly drifted off to sleep.
Harry woke up to the sound of rain lashing against his window. He crawled out of bed. Ron was up and getting dressed. "You look better." He said to Harry as Harry ran his hands through his hair. "Yeah, but I still don't feel the best." Harry grumbled. He hastily got changed and glanced at his timetable. Divination was first. Harry grabbed his books and headed down to breakfast. He climbed through the portrait hole and went down the stairs. He was just rounding a corner when... "Harry!" Harry spun around. Hermione was dashin towards him. She slowed to a walk and walked alongside him. "Have you thought about who you're gonna take to the halloween dance?" She asked casually. "No. I don't know if I'm supposed to go." Harry said as he shifted his books around. "Not supposed to go? What do you mean?" Hermione asked, panic in her voice. Harry glanced at her. "I mean...that's the end of the month. I'm not gonna really be in any shape to go if that's the night I..." Harry trailed off. Hermione went very silent and hurried ahead of him. Harry was stunned at her behaviour. He took his usual spot next to Ron. Harry buttered a piece of toast and bit into it. "Hey Harry!" Harry looked up. Cho was standing across from him. Harry swallowed his toast. "Er...hey Cho." He said quietly. She smiled at him and went back to the Ravenclaw table. Why didn't Harry feel his stomach tie in knots like it usually did when he saw Cho? Maybe he was over his little crush. Harry finished his breakfast and headed up to Divination with Ron. "What's she gonna say when I'm not dead?" Harry laughed. "She'll probably say she saw you being saved by a powerful force." Ron snorted as they reached the landing.
FRIDAY **************************************** Harry groaned. He pulled on his scarlet quidditch robes. He didn't need any of the padding though, he wasn't going to be playing. Harry grabbed his clipboard with all the names of people who had signed up for tryouts, and made his way down to the pitch. Harry smiled as he stepped onto the clean cut grass of the quidditch pitch. Hufflepuff and Slytherin were holding tryouts too, but they didn't get the pitch. They were off in fields 2 and 3. Justin Finch-Fletchney and Malfoy weren't too happy to find out Harry had gotten the pitch first. Professor Mcgonagall was waiting for Harry. There was already a mass of Gryffindors there. First years right on through to seventh years. Harry spotted some familiar faces...Ron, Dean, Seamus, Abby and Lavendar were a few of them. Harry met Professor Mcgonagal in the center of the pitch. "Ready Potter?" She asked. Harry nodded. "Right, you know what to do. I'll be in the commentator box." She said before sweeping off the field. Harry clutched his broom in one hand. He headed over to the group of kids. "Er...I need you to separate into age groups. There are markers where you're supposed to stand depending on your age." Harry said loudly. The group split into seven separate categories. Harry stood in the middle of the field. "Right, I need Alison Markcheknay, Dennis Creevey, Marissa Holliday, Colin Creevey, Dean Thomas, Erica Patten and Jack Bordeux to come to the center of the pitch." Harry called out. One person from each of the groups came forward. Harry handed them each a broom. "Right, we're not playing with real bludgers. They're padded soccer balls that have been bewitched." Harry told the group. There were some nods. Harry handed the beater sticks to Dean and Jack. Colin was trying out for keeper, Dennis, Marissa and Erica were trying for chaser and Alison was trying for seeker. Everyone mounted their broom. Harry threw two padded soccer balls into the air. They shot straight up. Then, he released the snitch. It darted about, then disappeared. Harry then threw the quaffle. The tryouts started. Harry shot up on his Firebolt and zoomed up into the stands. He quickly sat down at a table that had been set up and watched the practice.....
FOUR HOURS LATER **************************************** Harry stomach grumbled. It was past dinner time. He wished the tryouts had been held on Saturday instead of after lessons. Now, he was down to the finalists. He had sent a lot of kids back up to the school. There were only fourteen left. "Alright, let's try Abby, Ron, Dean, Seamus, Lavendar, Colin and Damien." Harry called from the stands. They all shot up into the air. Abby, Lavendar and Damien were trying for chaser. Colin was trying for keeper and Dean, Seamus and Ron were trying for beaters. Harry had sent everyone that was trying for seeker, back to the castle. Harry was the seeker. The tryouts were a little confusing because the beaters kept trading off. Harry narrowed it down. "Er...Abby, Lavendar and Courtney are out Chasers. Ron is Keeper and Dean and Seamus are our Beaters." Harry announced. Eight of the students went back to the school disappointed. Ron went up to Harry. "I wanted to be a Beater! Like Fred and George!" He complained. "You've got the make of a Keeper and you've got good reflexes. Trust me." Harry explained. Ron reluctantly agreed. Harry brought out a box for the new team. He set it in the middle of the pitch and they gathered around. Harry opened the box and pulled out brand new uniforms. "Dumbledore found the money for new uniforms for our team and Quality Quidditch Supplies donated six Nimbus Two Thousand and Ones." Harry explained. "Abby..." Harry said. He grabbed her jersey and waved his wand. The word 'Keaton' shimmered in gold letters. He threw the jersey to her and also a pair of shorts. He did the same with all the jerseys. "Practice first thing Sunday morning." Harry announced. Everyone slapped him on the back and headed back up to the castle.
THE NEXT MONTH **************************************** "Harry? Come on, we've got Divination in an hour." Ron called through Harry's hangings. There was no sound. "Harry come on!" He whined. Ron thought for a minute. Last night was the full moon. Was Harry in the Shrieking Shack? Ron quickly pulled back the hangings of Harry's bed. There was a mass under the blankets. Ron let out a sigh of relief and pulled the blankets back. "Harry, come on!" He laughed. He shook Harry. Harry didn't react. "Harry?" Ron asked. He grabbed Harry's shoulder and turned him over. Harry had heavy circles under his eyes. He was really pale and he looked a lot older than he should. "Jesus!" Ron gasped. He shook Harry. "Wake up!" He begged. Harry opened one of his eyes, then closed it again. "Harry! Are you okay?" Ron asked quickly. Harry nodded weakley and motioned for Ron to close the hangings. "But we've got class!" Ron said hastily. Harry motioned for Ron to close the hangings. Ron hesitated, then closed them. He grabbed his Divination books and headed off to class. Why was Harry looking so crappy?
Harry missed all of his lessons that day. It would be an understatement to say people noticed. As Ron was heading back to Gryffindor tower, Dumbledore and Madame Pomfrey went rushing past him. Ron stared as they clambered through the portrait hole. Ron ran to catch up. "Blinking bop." He said quickly. The Fat Lady swung forward. Ron clambered through the hole. Dumbledore and Madame Pomfrey were disappearing into the boy's dorm. Ron hurried after them. He skidded to a hault in the dorm. Madame Pomfrey was pushing Dean and Seamus through the door. "It's our dorm!" They whined. She slammed the door in Ron, Dean and Seamus's face. "Bit rude eh?" Dean mumbled.
** "Harry?" Dumbledore asked through the closed hangings. There was no noise. He pulled back the hangings. Harry was curled up in a ball, asleep. Dumbledore bent over him. "Harry?" He asked. Harry did nothing. Madame Pomfrey bustled over. She pulled Harry out of his ball position and straightened him over top the blankets. She pulled out a very large popsicle stick (tongue depressor) and opened Harry's mouth. She put the stick on his tongue. "Hmm..." She said quietly. She lifted up one of Harry's hands and peered at his palms. Madame Pomfrey then checked Harry's pupils. "Well?" Dumbledore asked. "I think he went through the transformation without actually transforming." She said thoughtfully. Dumbledore stared at Harry. "So then he's not..." He began. "No, but he'll go through the cycle. He won't become a wolf, but he'll go through the pain. I'm surprised no one heard him last night." She said quietly. "So the medicine worked then?" Dumbledore asked. Madame Pomfrey nodded. "Should we take him to the hospital wing?" He asked, a hint of worry in his voice. "Hmm...I think he'll be okay here. He'll definatly need to rest. I want him to come for a booster at every full moon. It will lessen the pain." She said quietly. Dumbledore nodded. He waved his wand. Harry levitated off the bed while the sheets below him straightened and folded back. Dumbledore lowered Harry and the blankets tucked themselves around him. He looked eerie. Dumbledore closed the hangings around Harry's bed and he and Madame Pomfrey left. Ron was pacing nervously in the common room. Dumbledore nodded to Ron as he left. Ron darted up the stairs to see how Harry was.
Harry opened his eyes wearily. He couldn't see anything. Someone was holding his hand. Harry reached for his glasses and slipped them on his nose. He looked around. Hermione was sitting on the end of Harry's bed, holding his hand. Ron was laying on the floor with his hands covering his eyes. Harry felt very weak. He cleared his throat. Ron and Hermione both looked at him. Hermione didn't remove her hand. Harry looked at her, then his hand, then her again. Hermione blushed and pulled her hand away. Harry propped himself up. "What's going on?" He croaked. Neither Ron nor Hermione could answer. They didn't know. "Did I miss classes?" Harry asked. Ron nodded. Harry groaned and heaved himself out of bed. "What're you doing?" Hermione asked. "I have to go see Dumbledore...apologize." Harry muttered. Before either Ron or Hermione could stop him, Harry had grabbed a pair of sweat pants and a t-shirt. He waved his wand and he was dressed in those clothes. Harry staggered from the room. Ron and Hermione just stared after him. Harry dragged himself through the portrait hole and out into the hall. He immediatly ran into Filch. It must have been really late. "What're you doing?" Filch growled. "I have to see Professor Dumbledore." Harry said wearily. Filch eyed him then swept up the stairs, grumbling. Harry made his way down the stairs. He found he had to grip the railing. Harry rounded a corner and bumped into someone. Harry fell over. He looked up. Lupin was standing in front of him. He really tired, but not nearly as tired as Harry. "Harry, what're you doing wandering aruond?" Lupin asked, helping Harry up.
"I have to see Professor Dumbledore." Harry said weakly. Lupin eyed him for a minute. "Did you have any problems last night?" He asked in barely more than a whisper. "What? What was last night?" Harry asked. Lupin looked at him, disbelieving. "The full moon." He said quietly. Suddenly everything came pouring back to Harry. The surging pain. He had clamped a hand over his mouth the muffle the screams. Harry grabbed his head. "Oh my god. I..I have to see Pro-Professor Dumbledore." He said quickly.
Lupin stared at him. Harry didn't have time for this! He quickly shuffled past Lupin and towards Dumbledore's office. He came to the gargoyle, but couldn't remember the password. "Bertie Botts...er...Butterbeer?" Harry asked. He was losing energy. "I don't have time for this!" He whined. Harry began to sway. He grabbed the gargoyle. "Dragon dung!" Harry cried in anger. The gargoyle leaped aside. Harry fell to the floor but quickly scrambled up. He stepped onto the moving staircase. "Dragon dung?" He thought to himself. He slowly moved upwards. He came to Dumbledore's office door and knocked on it. There was a minute of silence, then.. "Come in!" Harry opened the door. Dumbledore stood up. He ushered Harry into the room, then shut the door. A black dog appeared from behind the desk. He quickly turned into Sirius. "Harry, why aren't you resting?" Dumbledore asked sternly. "I needed to..." Harry looked at Sirius. "What're you doing here?" Harry asked weakley. Sirius opened his mouth to reply, but stopped. Harry was beginning to sway. He looked for something to brace himself with, but there was nothing. Sirius grabbed Harry's arm and shoved him into one of the chairs. "Harry, I think you should go back to bed." Dumbledore said quietly. "I wanted to tell you that last night..." Harry began. Dumbledore held up a hand. "I know." He said quietly. "How?" Harry asked. "Your teachers reported to me today that you did not show up for your classes. I became worried and asked Madame Pomfrey to escort me to check on you. We found you looking quite a mess. Madame Pomfrey explained to me what happened." Dumbledore explained. The three spent nearly an hour talking about what had happened. Finally, Dumbledore sent Harry back to bed. Harry said goodbye to Sirius and returned to Gryffindor tower. Ron and Hermione were waiting for Harry in the common room. Harry plopped down on the couch. Hermione rushed over to sit with him. Harry made sure his hands were firmly behind his head. They didn't talk. Hermione tried to force conversation about the Halloween dance, but neither Ron nor Harry were very interested. Abby came down the stairs a little later. She was holding that same small book. She smiled at Harry. "Professor Trelawney asked where you were, so I did you a favour and told her you had been pulled into the lake by the squid. It was today that you had put down as your water tradgedy, wasn't it?" Abby asked as she sat down. Harry smiled. "Yeah, good memory." He laughed. Hermione was staring into the fire, her jaw was clamped shut and her eyes were blazing. "Was the old bat pleased with herself? I mean, she did say she had seen that one coming!" Harry laughed. Abby nodded. "Oh yeah, very pleased indeed. She said if you died, then that would chalk up to a horrific death!" She laughed. Harry chuckled. "I better get to bed. Want to be wide away for that Divination lesson." Harry laughed. He scrambled to his feet and dragged himself up the stairs. Ron dashed behind him. "God!" Ron laughed. "What?" Harry asked as he opened the door to the boys dorm. "You were totally flirting with her!" Ron said pointedly. "I was not!" Harry protested. "We were talking about my death! Jeese Ron!" Harry chuckled. He changed into his pajamas and crawled into bed. Every single last one of his bones was sore. He though maybe his joints were rusty. He was so tired. Harry closed his eyes and quickly drifted off to sleep.
Harry woke up to the sound of rain lashing against his window. He crawled out of bed. Ron was up and getting dressed. "You look better." He said to Harry as Harry ran his hands through his hair. "Yeah, but I still don't feel the best." Harry grumbled. He hastily got changed and glanced at his timetable. Divination was first. Harry grabbed his books and headed down to breakfast. He climbed through the portrait hole and went down the stairs. He was just rounding a corner when... "Harry!" Harry spun around. Hermione was dashin towards him. She slowed to a walk and walked alongside him. "Have you thought about who you're gonna take to the halloween dance?" She asked casually. "No. I don't know if I'm supposed to go." Harry said as he shifted his books around. "Not supposed to go? What do you mean?" Hermione asked, panic in her voice. Harry glanced at her. "I mean...that's the end of the month. I'm not gonna really be in any shape to go if that's the night I..." Harry trailed off. Hermione went very silent and hurried ahead of him. Harry was stunned at her behaviour. He took his usual spot next to Ron. Harry buttered a piece of toast and bit into it. "Hey Harry!" Harry looked up. Cho was standing across from him. Harry swallowed his toast. "Er...hey Cho." He said quietly. She smiled at him and went back to the Ravenclaw table. Why didn't Harry feel his stomach tie in knots like it usually did when he saw Cho? Maybe he was over his little crush. Harry finished his breakfast and headed up to Divination with Ron. "What's she gonna say when I'm not dead?" Harry laughed. "She'll probably say she saw you being saved by a powerful force." Ron snorted as they reached the landing.