Chapter 22

The Nightmares get worse

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"I'm starving" Ron said as the three friends headed towards the Great Hall for dinner.

"Yeah me too" Harry agreed, "I thought Binns was never going to end his discussion on, on, what was he talking about?"

Ron laughed. "Really Harry how could you forget already, I dozed off for thirty minutes and when Hermione nudged me he hadn't moved on at all, so I missed nothing."

"You missed a couple of important dates Ron that we need to know" Hermione said and with a I'm not impressed with you Harry look she continued, "and the battle Harry was regarding Merlin a definite question in the exam. When will the two of you start to take this year seriously?"

Harry felt his cheeks go red she was right, this was a very important year he needed to concentrate more in class, although he was sure he hadn't fallen asleep in Professor Binns class today so how did he forget the battle his Professor had been discussing? Shaking his head he reached for a bread roll. He felt slightly better when Seamus joined the table.

"If I have to hear you'll need to know this for the exam or that for the exam from one more teacher I'm going to scream" he began. "There's just so much to do. How are we meant to remember everything? There's no end to it"

Dean sighed and rested his hand under his chin, "We're doomed"

Ron nodded in agreement.

"We need something to cheer us up" Parvati added to the conversation.

As Harry and his room mates continued their conversation they didn't notice Dumbledore rising from his chair at the top of the room and waiting for silence. Finally the Gryffindor table stopped talking and Dumbledore said,

"I am aware that some of you are finding the pressure of exams and the amount of homework very difficult to handle at the moment"

Harry looked at Ron in disbelief, did Dumbledore really know everything. Ron obviously thought the same because he raised his two eyebrows to Harry in agreement.

"Don't fret or worry it is only the start of February" Dumbledore continued, "You have all worked very hard already and deserve a treat."

Seamus and Dean looked at each other, smiled at one another and then returned their focus on the top table.

"The 14th" Dumbledore said "As you know is Valentine's Day and we will have our very own Valentine's Ball."

Seamus sighed and Dean replaced his hand under his chin. Hermione and Parvati screeched in delight. Harry and Ron looked at each other in disgust.

"Not again" Ron complained, "I've forgotten all those bloody dances since Christmas."

Harry chuckled but he agreed with the rest of the boys at the table, not another ball. He looked to the Ravenclaw table and caught Cho's eye, she smiled at him and Harry's heart fluttered. He was being silly of course he'd love another ball, to spend an evening with Cho, who wouldn't enjoy that?

Turning back to his table he continued with his dinner and didn't see Cho turn to the Slytherin table and wink at Malfoy.

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Later that evening in the common room there was only a handful of people.

"I feel so cold" Harry said as he shivered in front of the fire.

"Dean, can you check if that window is closed completely, there's a terrible draft."

"Come closer to the fire Harry" Ginny offered, "I don't think it is that cold but the common room has always been chilly."

Harry gave her a small smile in appreciation and moved the armchair closer to the hearth. Ron and Hermione were doing Prefect duties together and Harry was happy to have the time to himself. It gave him a chance to think which was always a good thing. That is until his own nightmares returned to haunt him, the loneliness would kick in and he hated that more. As the room became more and more deserted Harry found comfort staring into the red and yellow flames.

He had seen Cho earlier that evening and they chatted excitedly about the Valentine's Ball. They had walked through the grounds of the school together kissing and laughing every few minutes. He loved the way she gently tickled the back of his neck with her delicate fingers. It always made him feel tingly afterwards. Harry smiled to himself as he watched the flames dance. Harry Potter had fallen in love and he loved every minute of it.

Cho had left him quite early saying she had stuff to do and had to meet someone, so he had decided to return to the common room, but since returning form the walk he hadn't warmed up. Shivering once more he brought his knees up under him and rested his head on the arm rest. He decided to wait for Ron and Hermione to return but sleep came to him quite quickly because he was comfortable and the flames from the fire were hypnotic. His body was cold and his teeth chattered slightly as he slept.

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He dreamt he was with Cho and they were walking hand-in-hand down by the lake. Her hair was shining in the moon light. He felt nervous but he wasn't sure if it was because he was there with Cho or if it was from something else. He felt cold and started to rub his hands together, blowing gently into them for heat. He asked Cho how she was and she replied she was chilly but fine. He offered to perform a warming spell on both of them but he couldn't remember the incantation.

They took a seat by the lake and Harry felt he had been here before but the scene suddenly changed and Cho had vanished. He was on the ground shivering with the cold. There was complete darkness and as he went for his wand that he kept in his trouser pocket he found it was gone. His head felt fuzzy and his neck ached. He tried to stand but his legs couldn't carry his weight and he stumbled into a stone wall.

Taking deep breaths he tried to steady himself, he heard voices but couldn't see from what side the people were approaching. His scar was burning and as the voices got closer the pain increased.

"He's in here my Lord" he heard.

Harry froze, panic hit him. He had to get out.

"Harry Potter" Voldermort said, "Welcome to my home."

Harry recoiled back to the stone wall, his head felt like it was going to burst open.

Voldermort spoke again, "I have your girlfriend Harry. You have good taste, she's very pretty. Do you want to see her? Of course you do"

Harry raised his head and watched as they brought Cho into the room. She was blindfolded and her hands were bound behind her back. Voldermort walked up to Harry and he touched Harry's scar. Pain shot through Harry and once more the scar of the sleeping Harry started to bleed.

"Say goodbye to your girlfriend Harry" Voldermort laughed.

As Voldermort raised his wand towards Cho, Harry heard,

"Harry, come on Harry. Wake up, its okay. Come on mate."

A second voice appeared, "Someone get Dumbledore."

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The more Harry became aware of the voices around him, the more his dream vanished and he knew he was back in the common room. He heard another voice, but couldn't put a face to it, it sounded younger that the other two voices.

"Look his scar has stopped bleeding again."

The pain eased and Harry opened his eyes.

"I need to find Cho" he croaked, "She's in trouble."

Nobody moved so Harry said it louder.

"I need to find Cho. Move"

A wave of dizziness hit him as soon as he went to get up off the chair.

"Move aside please" McGonagall's voice came through the crowd. "Mr Potter, can you hear me?"

Harry had closed his eyes to ease the nauseous feeling in his stomach, he nodded to his Professor. He wanted someone to check on Cho or warn her that Voldermort was coming and that she was going to be in serious trouble.

"Cho" Harry whispered

"What about her Mr Potter?" McGonagall replied

"She's in trouble"

"Trouble Harry?" Dumbledore's soft gentle voice was heard.

Harry opened his eyes to find his Headmaster kneeling in front of the armchair Harry was on.

"Yes Sir" Harry whispered, but said no more.

Dumbledore understood why Harry didn't continue and he turned to the people in the room who were listening to every word.

"I think hot chocolate for everyone in the Great Hall will help you all sleep. Mr Thomas if you could please take your room mates down to the hall, and in case you meet Mr Filch bring this note with you. We can't have all of Gryffindor House in detention for being out after curfew" he laughed.

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As the room emptied Hermione and Ron remained behind and once more Dumbledore asked Harry about Cho. Harry tried to remember what he had seen but it was fading too fast.

"It was really dark, my scar ached" he started. "He had her Professor, I couldn't do anything. He had her blindfolded."

Tears stung his eyes and he quickly wiped them away but his voice broke and he felt his throat tighten, he couldn't breathe. Hermione rested her hand over Harry's and Harry continued.

"Professor, I was more afraid than I have ever been and my scar, Voldermort touched it. It didn't feel right and I heard someone from here say it was bleeding. I don't understand my scar only started to bleed this year, something isn't right. I don't feel myself."

Harry stopped; Ron walked around to the other side of the armchair and placed his hand on his friend's shoulder for support.

"If he hurts her" Harry said with anger in his voice. "If he hurts her, I swear I'll I'll"

Dumbledore raised his hand to silence Harry.

"Don't worry Harry we will make sure Ms Chang is safe. Minerva, can you please go to the Ravenclaw House and see if Ms Chang is alright without frightening or worrying her. Advise her that Mr Potter had a bit of a scare but he's fine now."

Harry wanted to go and see if Cho was alright himself and warn her about Voldermort but he knew deep down that Dumbledore was right he didn't want Cho to be scared or worried.

"How many times has your scar bled Harry?" Dumbledore asked

"I don't know Sir; I only feel it before I wake up, but then it dries up just as fast and it just looks redder than usual."

"I think that's the third time Professor" Ron interrupted.

"Oh and the day down in Diagon Alley" Hermione said.

"I don't understand Professor, why would Harry's scar suddenly start to bleed after all this time?" Ron asked with a worried look.

"I'm not sure Mr Weasley but obviously since Voldermort has returned to full health he's stronger and more dangerous than ever. As soon as I have an answer for that I will leave you all know"

"It's all my fault" Harry spoke. "If I hadn't helped bring him back, it's all my fault." Harry looked at his scar on his arm, "It's all my fault"

"Harry its no-one's fault, you can't blame yourself" Hermione said patting his hand gently.

"Ms Granger is right Harry, you can't blame yourself. I suggest going to bed now before your room mates arrive back and ask questions. If you need me don't hesitate to contact me, you know the password to my office" Dumbledore said

Harry nodded in agreement. Slowly he got out of the chair and said thanks and goodnight to everyone in the room; he then headed for his dorm. Ron and Hermione remained in front of the fire for a bit longer.

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End of chapter