"Harry Mate, Wake up! It's me Ron! Wake up!"
Harry opened his eyes and looked around. He was still shaking from the violence in his dream and had broken out in cold sweats. Ron was kneeling beside him with his hand on Harry's shoulder.
"Are you ok Harry?" Ron asked.
He couldn't answer and all he could do was nod his head.
"You don't look ok. Ginny, stay with him! I'm going to get Mum."
Harry focused in on Ginny who was wearing a bathrobe and had her hair up in a towel. She looked terrified but she walked over to Harry and sat down beside him. She picked up his hand and caressed it gently making soothing sounds as she did so. He closed his eyes again momentarily trying to refocus when he heard Mrs. Weasley rush into the room. Ginny stood up to let her mum get closer to Harry.
"Ginny, run to the medicine cabinet and see if there is any calming draught. If there isn't, floo Professor Snape at Hogwarts and have him bring some. And hurry Ginny: there isn't much time. He's going into shock." Ginny flew out of the room to the bathroom.
"Ron, go grab me some blankets from your bed. Quickly now!" Ron leaped from the room in two bounds and was back within a minute.
"Put his legs up on the pillows and wrap the blanket around him. That's right! Harry, you are going to be fine. Now take some deep slow breathes. That's right now. In… Out…."
Harry was starting to feel nauseous and frightened. He felt out of control and unsure of what was going on. A few minutes later, a very concerned Ginny and a panting Professor Snape came running into the room.
"I couldn't find any Mum, so I went and got Professor Snape." Said Ginny breathily.
"What happened Molly?" Professor Snape asked.
"I don't know Severus. Ron found him in a bit of a trance saying some awful things. Maybe we should give him the draught first to calm him down and we can ask him after he settles down a bit.
"Of course! Potter, this potion will calm you down and relax you. I want you to drink it down in one gulp. Do you understand?"
Harry nodded and Snape put the vial to Harry's lips. The amber liquid poured down Harry's throat and warmth followed it. Harry closed his eyes and took in a deep breath. Within a few minutes, his breathing was slow and steady and he was asleep.
"He'll be ok now Molly. He should sleep for an hour or more. I don't think he should be alone though."
"I'll stay with him." Said Ron.
"So will I after I go change into some clothes." Said Ginny.
"All right, I'll go finish supper. Severus, will you stay to dinner?"
"Thank you Molly. I believe I will. I would like to know what went on here earlier. And to see if there were any lasting effects." As he said this, both he and Mrs. Weasley left the room.
Ron and Ginny looked at each other.
"I'll be right back Ron. I'm going to put some clothes on."
Within five minutes, Ginny came back dressed and carrying a tray of ice water for them and Harry should he wake up.
"Ron, what do you suppose just happened?" Ginny asked.
"I don't know Gin. I've seen a lot of strange things happen around Harry, but this takes the cake. He looked absolutely terrified and did you hear what he said? It kind of freaked me out!"
"I know, I saw that and heard everything after the initial scream." Ginny said quietly.
"Ron, I'm going to tell you something and please don't blow a gasket." Ginny implored. When Harry and I were alone in the Griphooks office today, he asked me out on a date. I said yes. I'm not dating anybody since Dean dumped me and I really like Harry."
Ron just gaped at her for a few moments.
"You and Harry? Dating? Wow! I'd never of saw that coming!" He grinned.
"You right Ron. Just like you and Hermione will never get together."
"Well, now that you mention it, it was kind of cozy in that cart today." Ron was blushing brightly.
They both looked over at Harry who was beginning to stir on the sofa. His eyes fluttered for a moment and then flickered open. Harry focused in on the room on his two favourite redheads and gave a faint smile.
"Well good evening sunshine!" Ginny said.
"I guess I gave everyone a good scare didn't I? Harry said weekly. "Is there any water? My mouth is really dry." Harry said struggling to sit upright.
"Hey take it easy mate. You've just had a bad spell. Let me help you!"
Ron got up and propped Harry up against the pillows and then handed him the extra glass of water that Ginny brought up.
"I'll go tell Mum that you are awake." Said Ron as he left the room.
"Well Harry, if I knew I was going to have this effect by kissing you, I wouldn't have done it!" Ginny joked, trying to lighten the mood.
"It wasn't you Gin! I fell asleep thinking about you but something happened."
"What did happen Harry?" Ginny asked softly.
"Maybe I'll wait till Ron and your mum comes back as I don't want to tell this more than once."
"All right then Harry, just rest for a few minutes. I'll be right here."
Harry closed his eyes again until he heard footsteps up the stairs a few minutes later. Ron had returned with Mrs. Weasley and Professor Snape in tow.
"Are you all right dear?" Mrs. Weasley asked concerned.
"Better now, thanks!"
"So… Potter, what was the vision about? Ron said when he found you, your were yelling in a strange voice, and he had a hard time waking you up."
"I fell asleep and started dreaming. The next thing I knew, I was watching Voldemort and he was… The angriest I had ever seen or felt him before. He was hurling the cruciatus curse at one of his death eaters on after another. It was so violent and overpowering."
Harry shuddered and stopped talking.
"Very well Potter, I must go and report to the headmaster. He will want to know this bit of information. I would suggest you lie here quiet this evening and take this potion when you go to bed tonight. It is for a dreamless sleep. I'm sorry Molly, but I can't stay for supper. I must get back."
Harry lay back against the pillows. His remaining energy spent from reliving the nightmare he had.
"How about I send up dinner for the three of you here? We have an Order meeting this evening anyways and it will be less taxing on you to not have to venture downstairs."
Harry smiled at her. "Thanks Mrs. Weasley. That would be great!"
Mrs. Weasley and Professor Snape left the room.
"Ron, I need to make a trip to the loo, but I'm still kind of weak, could you lend me an arm for support?
"Sure mate! No problem."
Within 5 minutes, Harry was back laying on the couch with the blankets pulled up around him and Ginny fussing over him.
"I'm fine Gin, just a little weak that's all." Harry said.
"Your skin is like ice." Ginny retorted.
"Wow, you ask a girl out and she turns into her mother." Harry grinned.
"You know Harry, I was going to say something like that. She's turning into quite the mother hen." Ron said mischievously.
Ginny, exasperated said. "Fine, if you don't want me to help or show my concern, I'll just go. I'm sure Mum could use some help in the kitchen." And she turned on her heel to leave.
"Wait Gin, I'm sorry, I was just teasing."
"Yes I know Harry." She smiled and left anyway.
Ron started laughing.
"Well buddy, if you are going to date my sister, you are going to have to learn how to take her. She can give as much as she takes so be forewarned."
Harry was sitting there with his mouth open starring at the empty doorway.
"And speaking of dating my sister…"
Harry's eyes flew back to Ron, not sure how Ron was going to react.
"You better treat her right. I know we're best friends and all, but I'll pummel you into oblivion if you hurt her." Ron was smiling but Harry was sure he'd follow up on those words should Harry screw up. Ron was very defensive and loyal when it came to his family.
"Don't worry, I'm not about to get the wrath of the entire Weasley family on my head." Harry decided to change the subject.
"So what's up with you and Hermione?"
Now it was Ron's turn to feel uncomfortable.
"Um, nothing, that is nothing yet." Ron blushed.
"So what happened then? You both looked flushed when you stepped out of the cart today?"
"I kind of was a bit freaked out by the cart ride and the next thing I knew, she took my hand and squeezed it. I feel kind of bad though cause I think I kind of squeezed back a little to hard on some of those turns." Ron said sheepishly.
"I think it's a Weasley family trait Ron." Laughed Harry. "So when are you going to ask her out?"
Ron was horror struck.
"I, um, I don't know if I can!"
"Well you had better do it before someone else does. She's getting prettier every year Ron! Somebody is bound to notice sooner or later."
"You, I know, I know." Ron said sullenly.
"Be brave Ron, I know you can do it."
"Do what?" Ginny walked in the room carrying a large tray with 3 plates on it.
"Ask Hermione out." Harry said.
"Well Ron, it's not all that hard. After all, Harry did it didn't he?"
"Hey that's not fair Gin!" Harry said
"Who said anything about being fair?" A sly smile crept upon Ginny's face. "Now let's eat before the food gets cold."
They set upon Mrs. Wesley's fine dinner. Harry was surprised at how much better he felt after eating. So much had happened today and he was trying to absorb it all.
"What time is it?" Harry asked.
"Almost seven." Said Ron.
"I almost forgot. I was supposed to have a chat with my Great Grandmother tonight. Could you pass me my ruck sack Ron?"
"Sure, no problem."
Harry took his Gran's empty portrait out of the sack and Ron sat her on the empty chair across from him.
At seven sharp, Katherine Potter arrived in her portrait.
"Hi Gran!" Harry said.
"Hello again Harry dear. And Ginny and Ron wasn't it?" They nodded.
"Harry, You don't look well! Is there anything wrong?"
"I'm all right Gran, just had a bad vision that's all."
She frowned. "What do you mean, a bad vision?"
"Oh, it's nothing. I don't really want to talk about it right now. I want to know some of my family history." Harry changed the subject. And it was obvious that he had chosen the right subject. He had a suspicion that this was Gran's favourite topic.
"Well, let me start with what I remember about your parents and move back from there. I was about eighty when they go married. It was a beautiful ceremony. They had it on the grounds of Hogwarts where they first kissed. It was so romantic." She said dreamily. "Her father walked her down the aisle of white chairs placed for the guests. He was so proud. She had two attendants. Alice Longbottom and Marlene Mckinnon who were her closest friends. Your father stood there beaming with Sirius as his best man and Remus standing for him as well. Albus, who because of his standing in the wizarding community had the powers to do so, married them. There wasn't a dry eye in the place.
"I never knew Professor Dumbledore married them! He has never said so!"
"I'm sure he just didn't want to bring up bad memories for you Harry. Anyways, the reception was held in the Great Hall. The head table was where the teachers usually sat. Small intimate tables of ten were placed around the room leaving the center open for the dance floor. The ceiling was enchanted with balloons and streamers and a ball of disco…
"Disco ball Gran." Harry corrected.
"Oh yes, that's right, a disco ball shimmered from the candle light."
After a magnificent feast, Lily and James got up from the table and had their first dance. Her dress was made of the finest silk and trimmed with antique lace. Your father wore dark emerald dress robes trimmed with the same antique lace. He thought it looked a little feminine, but I think it tied them together beautifully.
Great Gran Katherine could tell a story like no other and by the end of it, they had been so absorbed that they didn't realize it was 9 o'clock.
Ginny sighed. "That was so romantic."
"Yes it was dear, yes it was!" Said Gran.
Harry and Ron just shrugged. 'Must be a female thing!' Harry thought it was nice to hear the story though. They chatted for a while longer about the people who attended the wedding, where Lily and James went for their honeymoon, and Harry told her some of his life story leaving out the 10 years at the Dursleys. They were so wrapped up in their conversations that they didn't hear Mrs. Weasley come up the stairs and were startled when she came in the room.
"Well, everyone has had an gripping day today and I think it's time for bed. Oh hello Mrs. Potter!" Said Mrs. Weasley noticing the painting.
"Yes you're right Mrs. Weasley. Have a good night everyone. I'll have to go back to my other portrait and report everything as the rest of your family wants to get to know you too."
Harry smiled. 'He had a family that wanted to get to know him even if they were just images from the past.'
"Tell them I said Hi will you Gran and maybe we could do this again tomorrow night?"
"I'll tell them Harry, and I'd be delighted to do this again tomorrow same time. Goodnight my dear boy!" And she left.
Everyone got up to go to bed.
"Don't forget the potion Professor Snape brought for you Harry."
"I won't Mrs. Weasley." He said picking up the vial.
Harry was fine now to move around but he was still a little weak. He waved off any help from Ron though.
"I'm fine, I'm fine… Just a little tired that's all." As he said this, he stumbled a little and had to steady himself on Ginny who was nearby.
"Nonsense Harry, you need a strong arm or two." Said Ginny as she put his arm around her neck to steady him. "Ron, grab his other arm."
Ginny was in full-blown Mrs. Weasley mode now and there was no refusing her. They walked up the other flight of stairs and down the hall to their rooms.
"Ron, I wonder if I might have a word with Harry alone?"
"Sure Sis, no problem but be gentle. Our Harry's had a rough day." He laughed and went into the bedroom.
"Well Harry, you seemed to have forgotten our conversation from this afternoon. The one about 'You aren't in this alone!' and 'We are here to help!' Quit being so stubborn will you? One would think you had Weasley blood in you." Her eyes were twinkling.
She hugged him and he hugged her back. They stood there for several minutes wrapped in each other's embrace. She looked up at him and he bent down to kiss her. It was as wonderful as the kiss they had shared this afternoon. And that's the last thing Harry remembered that night before he took the dreamless potion.