Chapter 5
Harry exhaled sharply as he tumbled into a rough, wooden floor and lay still for a second. Ron flipped him over while Harry tried to protest.
"You alright, mate?" Harry groaned in response. "Sorry, Harry, I forgot. It's easier to do than a Portkey, but it's still hard to get used too. Lots harder than Floo Powder. Come on, get up." Harry refused Ron's hand and stood up by himself, only wobbling slightly as Ginny appeared from around the corner. She grinned at him and waved her fingers at him flirtatiously. She gasped as she saw him.
"Merlin, Harry, you're sweating like a dog! What happened?" Harry looked down at himself to see his skin glistening with sweat, which was dripping off his body. He blushed.
"I'm okay," he reassured her, though not convincing himself. "Just going upstairs to lie down for awhile." Ginny looked worried, but headed into the kitchen to help Mrs. Weasley prepare her next meal.
What wrong with me? Harry cried silently. Am I going crazy? Was she right? If so, I'm a danger to everyone.
But I saw her! I held her! His other self argued.
Your mind is just overwhelmed, perhaps you were seeing things.
No, I felt her. She was real! She had robes on that I could touch! Hallucinations don't have that! I touched her head!
He didn't notice Ginny come in quietly, wave her wand and mutter a few soft words, or the orange mist that enveloped him as he fell into a perfect, dreamless slumber.
When he came to, he was lying on the couch. He groaned inwardly as he stood, and staggered towards the kitchen. Ginny was moving her wand in complicated whooshing patterns and causing plates and cups to wash themselves in the sink. He was humming a common muggle tune that Harry couldn't quite place.
"Morning, sleepyhead," Ginny grinned. Harry gaped.
"God, is it morning already? Did I sleep for a whole day? What's going on, what did I miss?" Ginny placed a comforting hand on his shoulder and kissed him.
"Relax, Harry. I was kidding. It's just past dinner, you missed it. I saved you some things, though. Are you hungry?" Harry shook his head.
"I'm alright for now. Listen, do you know where Ron is?" Ginny shook her head.