Chapter 21

Another Morning in the Hospital Wing

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Harry woke to find Hermione and Ron sitting by his bed. Hermione had a book in her hand and Ron was going through his large pile of Wizarding cards while eating a box of Bertie's every Flavoured Beans that Harry guessed were actually his left for him as a get well soon present by someone.

"What happened?" he croaked as he massaged the throbbing pain at the base of his head and neck.

"Welcome back Harry" Ron mumbled with his mouth full of sweets.

"You were hit by one of Malfoy's curses in the duelling class."

"Yeah" Hermione said putting down her book, "I'm not sure what happened because Crabbe and Goyle stood in front of me but Malfoy's shot put you flying across the room"

"Was I out for long?" Harry asked. "It's just usually when I wake up a week has gone by or longer"

Ron started to laugh but Hermione didn't see the funny side and had a very serious face on instead.

"Come on 'Mione, Harry was only joking"

"Well it's not funny" she scolded, "And no, it's only been a few hours." Her tone softened when she looked at Harry, "What's wrong Harry?"

"I feel funny" he said

"Are you hurt mate?" Ron asked jumping off the seat. "Will I get Pomfrey?"

"No, I'm not hurt Ron, I just feel so tired, drained and I can't remember what I was going to say. What were we talking about?"

Ron looked at Hermione and raised his eyebrows. "I think you just need rest"

Hermione replied quickly breaking the silence, "Yeah, rest then everything will be better"

"We'll check on you tomorrow" Ron said rising from his seat.

"Night Harry" Hermione said

The two friends left Harry and as he rested his head on the pillow and stared at the ceiling he tried to remember what had happened in the class. He remembered Neville being dismissed because he had the flu. This got Harry thinking back to Trelawney's class and being told he'd have the flu in January aswell. That's why he felt tired, achy, drained; he had picked up Neville's flu. Feeling much better that he had figured out the reason for Malfoy's shot hitting him he closed his eyes and fell asleep.

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The next day Harry had convinced himself and Madam Pomfrey that it was flu symptoms he had and that he was really fine. He just needed to slow down and rest, and he promised not to go outside for a few days. She had wanted to do a more thorough check and prescribe him with something but Professor Sprout had run into the hospital wing shouting that Madam Pomfrey was needed immediately as one of her students from her own house had received a nasty rash from one of the exotic flowers they were dealing with, and as it was one of her own students she would not hear of Pomfrey waiting for another second. So a distracted and annoyed Pomfrey walked out of the hospital wing forgetting about Harry and his flu.

Instead of heading towards the common room, Harry decided to walk to the Owlery and see if Hedwig was alright. He walked aimlessly down the corridor humming a muggle tune that he couldn't for the life of him remember the name of or any of the words. As he went to walk up the stairs to the tower he suddenly stopped and looked around. He didn't know where he was; he couldn't remember how to go back and where he was going to. Panic started to hit him and the world started to spin, he grabbed on to the banister to steady himself.

"Hiya Harry" he heard from the bottom of the stairs. "You alright up there? You look a bit shaky"

Fred started to mount the stairs.

"I'm fine" Harry lied, "Just out of the hospital wing and you know how it is, and I decided to just come here and…"

"Send an Owl to tell everyone you're okay, I bet Professor Lupin is worried about you" Fred replied finishing Harry's sentence.

Relieved Harry smiled, "Exactly George, I'm writing to Lupin to tell him I'm fine and out of the hospital wing. Do you know at this stage I should have my own bed in there Ha! Ha! Imagine that. Well see you later George"

"Yeah sure Harry, but it's Fred"

"Fred, of course, Fred. I knew that. I must have hit my head harder than I thought. See you later Fred."

Fred continued to watch Harry walk up to the Owl tower.

"Madam Pomfrey must be using something stronger these days" he said to himself, "Harry would never mix me up as George"

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Harry finally reached the Owlery and sitting at the desk that was provided he placed his head in his hands. Everything seemed foggy in his head, words all jumbled up but not forming sentences. He grabbed a piece of parchment and with a shaky hand he went for a quill.

"Think Harry" he said, "Come on you can do this."

Taking a deep breath he started his letter to Lupin.

"Dear"

Harry stopped what was Lupin's first name, was he allowed call him by his first name. Harry couldn't remember what had Fred called him.

"You're going to write to Professor Lupin" Fred had said and returning to his letter he continued.

"Dear Professor Lupin.

I hope you weren't worried about me. Madam Pomfrey thinks I have the flu and that was the reason why Malfoy's shot hit me as hard because my defences were low. I have been instructed to rest and take it easy over the next few days. I hope you are well?

Harry

Harry re-read the letter and sent Hedwig off with it.

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"There you are" he heard a voice behind him as he watched his owl fly away.

"Cho" he smiled. "I was just sending a letter to Professor Lupin telling him about what happened and how I am feeling"

"And how are you feeling?" she asked, "And what did you tell him about what happened"

"Em nothing special just that I'm fine and that Madam Pomfrey thinks I have the flu. There's no need for you to feel concerned" he said bringing Cho into a hug.

"Concerned" she said forcing a smile, "Why I'm not concerned. I saw Ron and Hermione earlier and they told me that you had the flu"

"Did they?" Harry said shaking his head. "I don't remember telling them that I had the flu, but then again the way I feel I don't think my head can remember anything" he sighed

"You just need to rest maybe you should go to your common room, we can meet when you are feeling better"

"You're right" Harry said. "Thanks for caring Cho. I'd kiss you but I don't want you to catch my flu"

Cho forced another smile and kissed Harry on the cheek.

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"How much longer do I have to do this for?" Cho complained that night

"Shh! My love" Malfoy replied stroking Cho's hair. "I've spoken to my father and it's only a matter of time. The Ministry are in talks with Dumbledore to have a Valentine's Ball."

"The Ministry?" she said

"Yeah, the Minister thinks it looks good for the school and for himself if he organises a ball, it gives reassurance to the parents or something like that" Malfoy replied, "Nothing special, but Minister Fudge likes to look good for his people. As my father is great friends with our Minister he just happened to tell him the plans, who in turn told our Lord and all of us. Father is pleased with us regarding Potter."

"Remember Draco dear, I'm not doing this for your father, I'm doing it for me" Cho said sharply

"Everything is done for our Lord" Malfoy replied with anger in his eyes, "We work for him"

"Of course" Cho replied, "Him aswell"

As Malfoy kissed Cho, she thought to herself.

"Your Lord's plans are second Draco dear, what Potter did to my Cedric is priority on my list. I'm doing this to please myself first and foremost, for my Cedric. Your Lord just helped me with my plans!"

With a feeling of fire and excitement running through her veins she kissed Draco more passionately.

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End of chapter