Chapter - Close Call
Harry was dazed. His mind kept returning to the dungeon. What could have done that to Sirius? Was that what Neville's parents were like? Would he get better?
"Harry, pay attention." Hermione whispered. Poking him in Charms class. Harry did a double-take, realizing that his charm had gone awry.
"Sorry." Harry mumbled. By lunch they were all exhausted and wanted to go to bed.
"Harry, at least this afternoon should be easy." Ron told him, "So long as we don't fall asleep during Divination."
"Harry, you've got to snap out of it." Hermione whispered. "People will start asking questions."
"Easy for you to say." Harry replied, "You didn't see him. This is all my fault."
"That's the lack of sleep talking." Ron told him. "It's not your fault."
Lupin sat at the staff table, looking drawn and weary. Lupin's eyes kept resting on Harry. Finally, Remus turned to Dumbledore and said something. Araya came up and spoke to them. Lupin left with her and Dumbledore remained, but his eyes fixed on Harry.
"Harry?" Ron said, "You're staring again."
"Come on." Hermione said, "Let's get off to class."
Harry actually did fall asleep during Divination, which was no surprise, Ron did too. This of course earned Professor Trelawney's wrath.
"Potter! Weasley!" she yelled, "Unless the spirits pulled you into slumber to reveal to you the glories of the future, you're both in trouble."
"Um, yes Professor." Ron said, "I - er - saw blood, red eyes, and hissing. It was awful." Ron tried to look shocked and disoriented.
"Mr Potter?" Her voice didn't sound convinced.
"I - I saw," Harry swallowed, and took a deep breath, "A Grim, ma'am." Harry saw her over-large eyes dance with delight. "I - it was dark and looming over me. It looked like it was staring at me - from the stands of the Quidditch pitch."
Sadly this seemed to delight Professor Trelawney. Her over-large eyes focussed on them. "Tell us more dears." The class gasped.
"I-it's fading, Professor." Ron said sadly.
"Sorry, I can't remember any more." Harry said. For the rest of class, neither Ron nor Harry could doze off. The rest of the class kept looking over at them. Some, like Lavender and Pavatil, took them seriously. Ron was sure some others were going to give away the lie.
When class finished, Harry and Ron tried to rush away before they were caught in their lie.
"Oh Harry, you shouldn't play the next game." Professor Trelawney said at the end of class. "Fate warned you for a reason."
"Professor, the Grim will get me if I don't." Harry replied seriously. "Of that, I'm sure...because the team'll kill me."
"Professor, don't worry about Harry." Ron said as they were leaving. "I think the Grim was for the other team." They retreated quickly, "Good save Harry."
"You too." Harry said. It was the end of the day, "I don't feel tired anymore."
"Me neither." Ron said. "We should meet Hermione." Ron stretched, "I thought for sure we were busted there for a second."
They met Hermione in the Common Room. She was asleep on her feet. She hadn't looked near this tired since third year, when she had double and triple classes.
"Hello." she yawned, "You two look almost cheerful. What's up?"
"We talked our way out of a detention." Ron reported brightly, "Harry told Trelawney that he dreamt of a Grim."
"Strange," Harry said, "I had a sudden feeling that washing tea cups would be in our future."
"Almost as good as a Grim." Hermione replied, stretching, "What did you do? Sleep through class?" she joked as they smiled. "You didn't!"
"Harry!" Fred's voice bellowed, "There you are. We've been looking for you." He was dressed in his Quidditch robes, "Come on then."
"Huh?" Harry asked, confused.
"Practice." George replied, "Honestly, if you're going to stay out all night, at least make sure you can crash the following day." He shook his head, "Amateurs."
"Harry, surely you realise how close the scores are." Fred said.
"I'd love to see Slytherin go down again." George smiled, "Come on."
They practically pulled Harry out the door. Harry looked back pleadingly.
"Think we should try to rescue him?" Hermione yawned, watching them leave.
"Nah...They'll take care of Harry. Give him something else to think about for a while." Ron said, flopping down, "Think Neville'll loan us Snowball?" He lay his head down on his arms on the desk.
"Why?" Hermione asked, pulling out some textbooks and parchment.
"Maybe she could heal, Sir-" Ron mumbled. Hermione jumped up and smacked him.
"Brilliant!" she said, "Ron, you should be over tired more often." She got up, Ron looked at her, "Come on, let's go."
"Hermione?" Ron said, "Can't this wait?"