The Pivotal Five

Summary: Five great stories come together in an epic imbalance that sets the world of fantasy on its side. Each people from each story must learn to put their differences aside and work together to save their own world, and the world of reality.

Chapter 6: Bitten

The metal piece glinted in the sad lighting of the train. Harry sat alone in a compartment, examining the piece. On the back was a carving of a large star. On its points were different drawings. The drawing on the top point was a primitive picture of a woman with her arms extended above her head. The next point to the left was of a lighted torch. A ship was on the next point. One before the last was a thick circle, with markings on it as though it were a record, or CD. On the last point, a ring was carved with odd letters. In the middle was a shallow hole. Harry had no idea what it meant, but he found it interesting.

"Stepped in it, did you?" Hermione yelled. "Had to open your mouth!" She and Ron opened the compartment door and walked inside. "Harry! I'm so glad you're okay! Nothing has been happening, but we were still worried," Hermione explained. She looked breathless and harried. "I'd hug you, but Ron can't walk on his own." Indeed, Ron's left leg looked useless. He was dragging it and holding onto Hermione for support.

"Malfoy's got a pet," he snarled. Then Harry saw it. Two incisions, slightly oozing red and green, were right above Ron's left ankle.

"What was it?" he asked.

"I think it's called a Buto. It's this winged snake. This one's wings were injured. Ron insulted Malfoy and then the Buto. At that point, it scuttled right up to Ron and bit him."

"How was I supposed to know the thing was poisonous?" Ron asked angrily.

"You shouldn't have said anything in the first place!"

"You try keeping quiet when he's smirking at you! As though he were better than you! I've really had enough of him this year—"

"Would you stop fighting?" Harry interrupted. "I've got something the both of you should see." He gave them the metal and the letter. The sphere was still in his pocket.

"This is amazing, Harry. This must be centuries old!" Hermione exclaimed.

"That would explain its color," commented Ron as he rubbed rust off on his robes.

"But why wouldn't this be that same color?" Harry asked as he pulled out the sphere.

"Did that come with this?" Hermione questioned.

"Yes. According to the letter, it's as old as the piece."

Hermione held the sphere in her hands for a bit and stared at it. "It's cool to the touch, even though it was in your pocket. What is it?"

At this moment, Ron yelped in pain. "Hate to break up the inquisition, but the poison's not just staying in my leg!" It was true. Half of his mouth wouldn't move.

"May I use Hedwig?" Hermione asked quickly.

"Of course! And hurry!" Harry responded.

Hedwig was out the window ten minutes later. Ron was almost fully paralyzed when the train pulled into the station.

The two of them were ready to carry Ron up to the castle, but Kingsley Shacklebolt rushed to them. "Let me at him!" he boomed. He picked up Ron as

though he were a weightless doll, and then sprinted towards the castle.

"I hope he'll be all right," Hermione cried.

"Me, too. Come on, the carriages are waiting."

Harry and Hermione silently made their way towards the castle. A shadow of worry clouded Harry's mood, despite his coming home. His imagination ran wild all during the Sorting. He thought about it so much his head began to ache.

"Harry, Madame Pomfrey hasn't failed yet. Ron will be all right," Hermione comforted.

Harry just shook his head and asked for the password to Gryffindor Tower. He then left for it before the end of the feast.

"Password?" the Fat Lady asked.

"Buto Wings."

Harry stepped into the Common Room and lay down on the couch. Anyone who might've seen him might've thought he was sleeping. But he couldn't sleep. His mind was reeling. Another death was all he thought about. His parents' voices, Cedric's face, and Sirius' plunge were before his eyes, once again. As tears welled in his eyes, he suddenly sat up and lobbed the cushion that was under his head away. Only when the fire spit loudly did Harry realize he threw the cushion into the blaze. He cursed as he tried to get it out, but it was engulfed.

He took a deep breath as he calmed down. Harry lay down again, uncomfortable without the cushion under his head. Grumbling softly, he dozed into an uneasy sleep.

"He's out, alright."

"Think we should wake him?"

"No. He's had a rough day."

"But he'd want to know about that Buto."

"Not now. That's the last thing he needs to know when he needs sleep."

The murmuring stopped, and Harry fell back asleep.

(A/N: Not many people are reading this...That's a shame...I think this is the biggest and most complicated idea I've ever had. Oh well...more reading for my one reviewer...Speaking of whome:

funnessandoddball91: Hey! The first half of your penname is familiar!! :-D. Thanks for reviewing. There isn't much to tell you that I didn't say at play practice. TECHWEEK!!! AHHH!!!! Lol...XD)