To my reviewers:
kellydofc: I hope this one does not fall short.
Alie26: Thank you. :-)
eckles: You really got all that from what little I wrote about the bond? You should be writing this, not me. I'm having Hermione explain the concept a bit as well as the dangers. She's probably the only character that could do it with a straight face.
ooooo
Disclaimer - Regretably I don't own a thing, I'm not making any money out of it or gaining any fame. World domination plans are in shambles and it will take some time to setup again. Until then, J.K.R. and Warner can rest easy.
xxxxx
Chapter 3 - Hermione
It's true. Horribly true. Harry's missing. They found his wand. He would not have gone off without it, would he?
I'm so scared for him. If he was truly taken out of Hogwarts. Out of the supposedly safest place there is. Much as I hate to think it, I'd rather he ran off on his own than be captured. I'd rather be angry with him for being reckless than sacred for him if he's prisoner.
Ron almost took my head off for saying so.
He insists that Harry would not leave on his own without telling us. I'd like to believe he's right, but I know Harry doesn't want us to follow him. We all know that Harry is the one that will have to face Voldemort and he's rather keep us away if he can.
Like we're going to let him do it on his own.
ooooo
Ron looks lost without Harry around. He won't even make jokes anymore. There's a brooding intensity to him that can only be compared to Harry's in one of his bad days.
Yet even in his worst moments, he can make me feel better. A touch of his hand on mine, his arm on my shoulders. His smile. I don't want to read too much into these actions. He's probably just being a friend consoling another friend. I won't read too much into it, like I did with that perfume bottle last year.
It was a nice gift. A girl gift. I thought he was trying to tell me something. That's why my thanks sounded so odd. Unusual. Gods, I've read hundreds of books, my vocabulary is extensive. How come I couldn't say something more appropriate?
I think now it was just an apology for the 'you're a girl' comment he made in fourth year. Letting me know he hadn't forgotten.
That was it, right?
I can't believe I'm mooning over my best friend. Who was totally oblivious of the fact I was female for ages. Who is as stubborn as hell, pigheaded to a fault, disorganized in excess. Loyal beyond anything I've ever met, honest to the point of bluntness, chivalrous when it's important, devilishly handsome.
Merlin help me.
ooooo
Gods I miss him.
I miss the irritating way he rolls his eyes whenever I ask about his homework. The way he and Ron share exasperated looks whenever I mention S.P.E.W. Little do they know half the time I mention it just to get a reaction from them.
I miss the way he quotes from the novels I've loaned him to try and make me blush. Which I do most of the time. He's kept his promise and he has not said a word to Ron about my little secret, but the way he does his best to make me betray myself is a lot of fun. Our own private joke.
I miss his laughter. Or more to the point, his laugher when it's mixed with Ron's. Harry does not have a lot to laugh about and it usually comes about a bit hesitant. Like he's expecting someone to slap him for doing it. When Ron's laughter joins his, it becomes freer, unburdened. I think the sound of two people laughing is one the most magical things in the world. Especially when it's those two.
Not having him around has made me realize just how much Ron and I need him. If you had asked me a couple of weeks ago, I would have said that Ron and I take care of Harry. Like foster parents. We worry about him. In truth, without him we are both a bit lost. Harry is the axle of our little trio, he's the mediator (most of the time), the confidant, the cornerstone, the leader. Without him, we probably wouldn't be friends.
Scary thought. I wouldn't know Ron like I do if it hadn't been for Harry. I wouldn't know about his great heart and unassuming ways. For all he complains about being in the shadows of his brothers and his best friend, whenever he does get the spotlight he mostly shrugs it away as not important.
He probably hasn't even noticed he's one of the most coveted after guys in the school. Sure, Harry is famous and those eyes of his are a real attention grabber, but Ron... Ron is... Ron is sexy. I admit it. He makes me shiver in ways that are not in any way related to the temperature of the room.
And I know I'm not the only one. However, being the girl in our little trio does give a lot of control over where the boys' attentions wander. If I keep the interference long enough, I'm sure Ron will notice me. He will. I know he will. I hope he will.
ooooo
I can't sleep. I decided to stay over at Hogwarts over the holidays, but now I almost regret my decision. Most everyone stayed. Parents are scared and would rather their children not travel at all. The train trip was too attractive a target for an attack.
My parents are disappointed, I know. I haven't spent much time with them these past two years. I think they understand but it must hurt them too. I'm pulling away. They think they have lost me to the wizarding world.
In a way they have.
ooooo
Harry is... He must be...
No. I won't even think it.
He has to be...
If he is. If he is. Then we're lost. Harry was... Harry is the one that can defeat him. I know that is what the prophecy said. Harry wouldn't tell us, but it's the logical assumption. He knew. He knows and he wouldn't tell us.
Harry is the one. Or at the very least Voldemort thinks so. That's only thing that could explain the personal attacks on him, ever since he was a baby. The only way he could have survived this long.
But if he is...
He isn't. He's just missing. He's been taken prisoner. Ron insists that we would all know if Harry had been killed. Voldemort would not have hesitated to make public the death of The-Boy-Who-Lived. He's waiting for something. There's time to find him.
Why haven't they found him?
Why hasn't he escaped?
He must be...
He's not. I have to believe that. If I don't, there will only be despair.
ooooo
Midnight already. I give up on sleep and walk down to the common room hoping the fire there might soothe me a bit. And he is there. Pacing across the room like some caged creature. Muttering to himself. Or to someone else.
I walk ahead to my favorite spot. Opposite Harry's. I just stare at it. I can't move. Why isn't he here too? My eyes are filling up with tears, but I don't want to cry. I refuse to cry.
Suddenly Ron has his arms around me. Somehow this simple action breaks all my barriers completely. I'm clinging to him and crying like there's nothing left. He's murmuring soothing words. Like my Dad used to do when I woke up from a nightmare. Only this time I won't wake up from the nightmare. I'm living it.
I'm babbling, all of my fears coming out without checking them.
He's furious at me. He's scolding me for believing I'd be better off without magic. For believing Harry is...
I wish I could believe like he does.
Is it belief or something else? I look into his eyes trying to find comfort and I see it.
He knows. He doesn't believe. He knows.
ooooo
I stare at the mark on his arm. I can't believe they did that without telling me. It was dangerous. Only Aurors are supposed to use such bonds. I bet that's where they got it. Ron has been investigating all he can about it, I'm sure he's read more of that material than the stuff for his NEWTS. But that's just him.
Brilliantly clever only at what really interests him.
He explains how they did it and when and their weird behavior is somewhat explained now. The way they would always know what the other was feeling. Where they were. I guess if Harry had not been taken I would have figured it out earlier. But with only one of them here...
That's how Ron knew Harry had left the castle immediately. That's how he knows he's alive.
He can feel Harry's life, or energy, his magic. As sure as you can feel where your hand is in relation to the rest of you.
Of all the stubborn, idiotic, dangerous stunts they have done, this one takes the lead. It's also breathtakingly brilliant. I wonder if it could be done with more than two people? If it can be used to help when the other is hurt or weak? I need to see that book. It couldn't be that hard to modify.
They had better let me join or I'll hex them both myself. How dare they leave me out?
ooooo
Anima Fratella. Brotherly Souls.
I try to remember all I can about such bonds. I can't believe Ron threatened Harry with a life bond. That would mean that Ron could have opted to die in Harry's place and Harry would have had to live with that. Well, I believe he could and would do it. Harry knows it too. Probably why he gave in. Having someone else die for him would be the last thing Harry wants.
Still. They did something pretty major anyway. A bond requires absolute trust on both parties. I've always known that what they felt for each other ran deeper than just friendship. Harry is the brother that Ron was missing and vice versa. Ron was and will always be the one Harry will miss the most (even more than Sirius). I have to content myself to being a close second.
For two people who are so different, they share a lot in common. Like the fanatism for Quidditch. Which to me is just an impressive way to get yourself nominated to the Darwin Awards. Or winning it. Both are impressively loyal. So stupidly brave sometimes, that I just want to bang their heads together for risking themselves like that. Could they be a little bit selfish, just once?
So, for the bond to work they have to trust each other completely. If I remember correctly, the main advantage is knowing where the other is and be able know it they are OK. Even if one is in pain, the other will know, but will not be incapacitated by it and thus be able to help. Aurors use them with their partners to work and be able to help each other in dangerous situations, to be able to apparate to each other's location.
By doing this, they have a connection like Fred and George's, able to follow each other's train of thought easier. Thank Circe they haven't started to finish each other's sentences yet. That would be really annoying.
The real challenge is the personality mix. Harry is closed off. A result of growing up with those horrible Dursleys. Keeps everything inside where it won't even hurt him if possible. Ron is the opposite. You can see almost every emotion in his eyes and face. One of the things that endear him to me. He's almost incapable of lying.
The downside is the closer they are, the more the bond will expand. I think that is why Harry was doing so much of the meditation and occlumency exercises. He wanted to spare Ron as much as he could, not only to close his mind to Riddle, but to protect Ron from what he is going through. Ron, being the stubborn, wonderful idiot that he is, just made himself as open as he could, because he wants to help Harry in any way he can.
If either one of them... died. The bond would immediately break as to not hurt the other. They would only feel the loss of their friend and brother, not the physical pain of it. Although the minutes before it could be pretty bad, I suppose. I'm guessing this is why Harry agreed to this one and not to any of the others, which usually have more dangerous repercussions when they are severed. Still, I can't help but worry.
With my hand on the mark I can feel the power of it. How their friendship strengthens it. I can feel a whisper of Harry through it. He's alone, probably scared and certainly cold.
I sit with Ron with my head on his shoulder. Both just waiting for morning so we can continue pretending we're fine while our friend is missing.
ooooo
I can see it in his face. He knows. He's right. Harry's close by. Ron's face is alight with relief. He grabs me in his excitement.
He kissed me. He just kissed me.
He kissed me and ran to his dorm leaving me confused and annoyed. Happier than I ever thought I would be last night. Harry is on his way to being safe and Ron just kissed me.
I watch him as he flies towards the main gate and I rush out of the common room towards the medical ward. Ron urged me to find Madam Pomfrey. Harry is hurt. He could feel it. That's why he rushed the way he did. Absolutely nothing to do with the fact that he kissed me.
Please, don't let it be that.
I'm running through the halls sure I will run into Filch or worse, Snape. Who won't believe anything I say and will probably just take points for the sake of it. I don't care about the rules at the moment. I have a hurt friend coming in.
I reach the infirmary without incident. Madam Pomfrey is already awake, but I can't make her understand what is happening. She thinks I'm delirious. She would have put me to bed if we had not seen a broom fly inside the ward with something in tow. Ron looks worried and pale.
Oh gods, Harry.
ooooo
I watch as the nurse examines Harry, the shock at his presence giving away to the urgency of his injuries. With Ron's help, the reminder of Harry's clothes are slowly pulled away to reveal his chest. He seems to be covered in bruises and cuts, but the really appalling thing is how emaciated he is. Harry has always been thin, but with the quality of coiled steel. You would think twice before messing with him. Now he looks frail, skin stretched tightly over bones and tendons.
"Several broken ribs, extended exposure to cruciatus, beginning of frostbite..." Murmurs the nurse waving her wand over Harry.
"His back.." Gasps Ron as he removes what remains of the shirt. He places what's left of Harry's glasses on the bedside table. They look crushed.
Madam Pomfrey flinches as she examines Harry's back and shoulders. From were I'm standing, I can see the marks and cuts that cover it. Are those burns?
"Fire whip. I haven's seen marks like this since Grindewald..." They lay Harry on his stomach so she can start cleaning the wounds.
Ron finds a couple of wands in the folds of the cloak. He sets them away carefully, pushing the rest of the ragged clothing away. I see his hand waver over his own wand as if deciding whether to burn the clothes up. As if destroying them would erase what happened to his friend.
ooooo
The nurse is too busy to set up the usual privacy screens as she works and I move away to give Harry some dignity. Ron stubbornly stays were he is helping the nurse in what he can. His voice is steady and his manner professional, only the icy glint of his eyes and the set of his jaw speak volumes of what he must be feeling at seeing his friend (our friend) in this state.
Harry's breathing seems to be getting shallower. Ron's voice urgently saying. "Something wrong..."
"Nonsense, Mr. Weasley. He's just exhausted."
"Please check. He's fading," an edge of panic.
Another complicated wave of her wand and Madam Pomfrey's face turns pale she starts working faster and waves of shimmering light appear over the bed. At that moment, the hurried figures of the headmaster and Snape enter the ward. Dumbledore hurries over to the bedside, his face asking the question for him.
"Magical Depletion, Albus..." Pomfrey says hurriedly.
The old teacher pulls out his own wand and joins the spell the nurse has been casting, the shimmering light brightens and seems to envelop Harry. Ron moves aside, slightly unsteady on his feet, his eyes not leaving his friend's face, I walk over to him and place a hand on his arm to steady him.
I can feel Ron's fear. He'll never admit it of course. Not even to me. He's concentrating as hard as he can. To the point of passing out.
He's fading. His words make me fear for both of them. Surely Harry wouldn't give up now? Not when he's finally safe. Not when Ron is standing right beside him. I hold on to Ron and concentrate every ounce of my will on the bond mark in his wrist. Trying to bolster Ron's efforts. To reach out to the both of them. Pull them back safely.
ooooo
A deep shuddering breath is heard from Harry and those green eyes open. He blinks in confusion, a mixture of relief and despair in his face. His eyes quickly find where Ron is standing and holds the gaze. I can almost feel a week's conversations happening in a blink. The nurse hurries over to her cupboard, surely looking for some additional ointments or potions.
"Ron." More a croak than actual voice. Ron just grins and nods at his friend.
The gaze changes direction and find mine. I'm not sure if Harry can actually see me without his glasses, but his stare pierces me. "Herm..." Glasses or no glasses, I smile at him anyway.
Harry closes his eyes for a moment and there is a murmur, "Professor Snape?"
The potions master had been about to leave the ward when this question is asked, surprising all present. Harry's voice somehow carried over to where he is and it stiffens his usual poise and manner. Gathering himself, he turns back and walks closer to the bed where the son of his childhood nemesis lays.
The green eyes waver and find his teacher's. "Thank you."
"I just found you Potter. I wasn't about to leave you lying there."
There is a flicker of a smile on Harry's face "That was not all you did."
"Potter, you're imagining things."
The flicker comes back and the green eyes are boring into his teacher's without flinching. "Right."
Snape just stares at his student with a blank face, "I take my students' safety seriously Potter. Even yours." Some of his customary sneer returns as he continues. "However, this escapade will not excuse you from handing in your work."
There is a definite hint of amusement and mischievousness in her friend's face now. "Already finished yours."
ooooo
Ron is trying hard not to snicker at the now stunned professor. I have to admit I am too. Madam Pomfrey returns and clucks us all away while she sets to binding and bandaging Harry's wounds. I see him wince at some of the ministrations, but does not complain. I notice only Dumbledore had stood his ground and had not left the bedside.
Ron and I move away. We know that if we stay quiet and unobtrusive, the nurse will not force us to go away just yet. I feel quite willing to hex her if she tries. As long as I can stay in the room, I won't complain.
"Weasley." A silky voice interjects.
"Yes sir?" Responds Ron politely. Amazing. He can do respectful when he wants to
"How did you know where he was?" Comes the almost whispered demand.
"I just did." Ron states matter of factly.
Snape draws himself up to his full height, which does not seem to make much of an impression on Ron, as he is actually taller. Snape's stare bores into Ron's face, but Ron just gives his best I'm-just-the-sidekick expression.
"You have your secrets, professor. So do I." Ron says evenly.
There is a glint in Snape's eyes, which had it been anyone else, I would have described as grudging respect. With one last sneer, the potions master leaves the ward in a swish of black robes. I can't help but remember one of Harry's comments Snape does like his dramatic exits. Ron's arm is around my shoulders, mine is around his waist.
Funny how well we seem to fit together.
ooooo
The tension I had been feeling for what seems forever is finally going away. We settled on one of the beds watching Madam Pomfrey and Harry. Dumbledore is pacing near the bed, not looking at Harry, but his concentration is focused there nonetheless. It is not until Harry refuses one of the nurse's potions that we all focus again.
"No."
"You need your rest, Mr. Potter."
"No more dreamless sleep. I was alone and drugged too long. I don't even know how long."
"You've been away from Hogwarts for twelve days and four hours." The headmaster says.
Harry turns towards the headmaster "They were only feeding me once a day. I wasn't sure."
Once a day! My stomach grumbles sympathetically and Ron looks shocked. He's about to tear to the kitchen for some food. So am I for that matter. Pomfrey tries to make Harry drink while he is distracted, but the glass flies away from her hand and settles on a table several meters away. She looks surprised and shocked and looks at the headmaster reproachfully, but he only shakes his head in denial.
"No. I'd rather have nightmares." Harry says firmly. Harry did that!
"I think Mr. Potter would do better with some nourishment Poppy. Magical Depletion and all that. I need to talk to him."
"Albus..."
"Poppy, please ask the house-elves to bring some food. I'm sure Mr. Weasley and Miss Granger would like to have breakfast with him after they've dressed themselves."
Ah. Dumbledore is hinting that he wants us to leave, besides, he does have a point, we're still in our pajamas. Madam Pomfrey looks ready to hex someone at being dismissed. Her lips are pressed into a thin line in a very good imitation of Professor McGonagall's.
"Mr. Weasley. Miss Granger. Get yourselves dressed and come back in about half an hour. Don't tell anyone that Mr. Potter is back."
Harry throws a desperate look at us, but does not ask anything. He wants us to stay, but is really not strong enough to contradict the headmaster.
ooooo
We hurry back to Gryffindor tower and the castle seems to be waking up around us. However, our housemates are dead to the world as I hurry over to the girls' side and get dressed as fast as I can. I hesitate a bit before the fifth years' door, but I remember the warning tone in Dumbledore's voice. Don't tell anyone. Ginny is going to kill me later.
Ron takes a bit longer than me, long enough for me to me annoyed at him. Doesn't he want to get back?
He finally shows up with a couple of things in his hand and rushes on towards the portrait hole as if I were the one delaying us.
"What took you so long?"
"This," he says holding up a pair of glasses and a wand. "I thought that Harry would prefer his own wand. And the glasses he was wearing were beyond repair. Too much of the lenses were missing for a reparo."
"Good idea." My annoyance vanishes as I contemplate both items.
ooooo
We quickly reached the ward and hesitate a bit before entering. I can see through the open door that Dumbledore is still talking to Harry. Both of them look miserable, yet Harry is steadfast avoiding looking at the headmaster so he may be unaware of old wizard's distress. With what seems a final word we see Dumbledore reach out and place a hand on Harry's shoulder. In that moment, Harry breaks down, his face and body crumpling in despair and old teacher holds him gently and tenderly, almost as if Harry was his own child.
Harry breaking down. Harry who has never let us see him crying or even despairing. Brooding yes, defeated never. Harry who is stronger than anyone I know.
Ron pulls me away from the door. He does not want us to intrude in such a moment. I can feel my eyes watering and I can see that Ron's eyes are bright. He's holding me against his chest and an eternity passes. Until we can hear Madam Pomfrey coming back and talking. We walk tentatively inside as Dumbledore makes to leave.
As the headmaster passes us he gives a short order. "Don't question him. He will talk if he wants to." Dumbledore's customary twinkle is absent from his eyes and he looks older than ever. I nod obediently and see Ron mirror the movement.
What can you say to a friend that has being through hell and somehow came back?
ooooo
Conversation was easier that I thought it would be. After a few moments when I half hugged him (being careful with his injuries) and Ron clapped his shoulder gently. Harry didn't grimace or try to pull away from our touch. His smile turns into a grin as he realizes he really made it back. He escaped.
For now anyway.
Following Dumbledore's instruction, we do not ask anything about his ordeal. We share breakfast like we have for almost five years. He is not eating much, but he seems to savor each bite. Part of me hates whoever did this to him, the rest of me is glad to have him back.
It's surprising how easy we fall into our usual morning routine of buttering toast and serving juice. Talking about Quidditch and classes. Harry demanding to know why there wasn't any training while he was gone.
Ron gave him back his wand and his spare glasses. Harry grins as he feels his own wand again. Multicolored sparks fly out of it as he waves it around experimentally. He frowns for a moment and reaches for the two wands he brought from wherever he was.
"I wonder to who they belonged."
As he touches them, sparks fly too. Not as many as with his own. I'm surprised he was able to find another one, less alone two. I noticed he has a hard time when using other wands but his own.
"Maybe Mr. Olivander would now." I suggest.
His face lights up at the suggestion. "You're probably right." He places them away again reluctantly.
ooooo
Madam Pomfrey looks at us as if we're nothing more than trespassers in her ward.
"I bet Dumbledore ordered her to let us stay."
Harry laughs at that. "I wouldn't be surprised. I'm glad if he did. I don't want to be alone."
I reach out and place a hand on his arm for a moment. He smiles at me. Thanking me silently for not pressing the point. Yet surprising me with his next comment.
"I was mostly alone in a dark cell. Brooding. I really don't remember much of the rest. Not sure if I was drugged or obliviated. I think part of me doesn't want to, anyway."
Ron and I are both surprised at the degree of openness. I had been mentally bracing myself for several months of temper tantrums and moody silences before he actually said anything.
"But..."
"I know how I look. I can feel the hurt, but I can't remember the details of what happened to me. For the most part."
Whatever it is he does remember it's sure to be a nightmare. No wonder he doesn't want to sleep.
ooooo
Harry is restless for some reason. He touches the scar on his forehead distractedly and is looking out the window.
Suddenly he seems to convulse in pain. He is clutching his head and stumbles out of the bed ending in a crouch in the floor. The faintest of moans can be heard. His hands are pressing hard, his knuckles white.
"He knows. He's back." I hear him gasp.
He's in pain. Voldemort must know he escaped and is furious and Harry must be getting the whiplash of it.
Madam Pomfrey reaches to Harry's side but is thrown back before she can touch him. Ron manages to grab her before she falls.
"He's going to kill them. He's..." Harry tries to say to say.
He's punishing whoever had something to do with the security I bet. Whoever he thinks responsible for Harry escaping. And he's punishing Harry at the same time. How lovely of him.
I'm kneeling beside Harry, not daring to touch him for fear of more accidental magic. Last thing I want is to be thrown across the room. Ron is beside him too. We're talking to him; trying to get him to pull away from whatever vision he's seeing. He's struggling against it. The air around him is starting to glow faintly.
He fails around and to my surprise he grabs my hand and squeezes almost to the point of pain. The glow intensifies around him and our hands. Ron's eyes widen as he reaches for Harry's other hand; the glow is now even brighter. We hold on to him and whatever magic is going on grows, enveloping Ron and myself. Without thinking about it, I reach for Ron's free hand and we close the circle. Harry's eyes are open, but he seems to be seeing something else.
It could have been a few seconds. It could have been an eternity. I feel connected to the two of them. There's a rush of images and emotions, which I can't identify as theirs or mine. Overwhelming. Then it is over.
Harry is now smiling. There's an indescribable look of joy in his face. Dazed.
xxxxx
A/N - That was probably the most difficult chapter so far. I find it hard to get into Miss Granger's head at times. I have most of two more done: Neville and Ginny with an epilogue with Harry again. I hope to post all before the coming of the prince.
Please let me know what you think so far.