Chapter 20 –
"Don't tell him," Madame Pomfrey said wiping away a tear from the corner of her eye.
"I just…I don't want him to be put in anymore danger," I simpered as I sipped the calming potion.
"Dear, nobody likes seeing Harry hurt, he's the boy who lived and nothing will ever change that," She said patting me on the back. I gulped the rest of the potion as the clock struck 5 signalling it was teatime. I slowly got out of the bed and done the senses charm on myself standing up with a little help Madame Pomfrey.
"Thank you Madame Pomfrey for listening," I said wiping my puffy red eyes.
"Always here to lend an ear if you need one," She said winking before bustling off to her office.
I placed a finger on both eyelids as they de-puffed. I adjusted my skirt as a small vial of purple liquid floated in front of me. I smiled snatching it up "Thanks Madame Pomfrey!" I yelled as she waved me off from her window. I walked over to the door and pulled it open only to be pushed over as someone ran into me.
"I'm sorry, did you happen to see – Kimmy!" Hermione squealed as she hugged me. I smiled up at her as she scrambled to her feet embarrassedly.
"Are you ok now? You missed out on a whole day of class?-" I hushed her placing my fingers gently on her lips.
"I'm fine, I just needed a calming potion," I said waving the vial at her as she sighed. We began walking towards the great hall. I saw Harry talking to Ron about something at the Gryffindor table. I saw Cho sitting a little way from him with Cedric and Sean, she waved enthusiastically at me and I waved back walking over to them.
Cedric pulled me into a hug and than released me as Sean hugged me. "How you feeling?" Sean asked holding my hand. I rolled my eyes at them.
"It's not like I died or something, I'm fine, just a little exhausted," I said as Sean looked at me intently.
"Are you sure? Maybe you should lie down?" He said holding a hand to my head, I laughed at him slapping it away.
"I'm fine, now if you don't mind I'm going to see Harry," I said as Sean held his hand gingerly, before smiling as Amelia sat down next to him kissing him on the cheek.
"Cute couple," Hermione said. I looked at her smiling before walking over to Harry. I leaned over bringing a few plates towards me as my stomach grumbled hungrily. I picked up my fork and knife licking my lips as I sat down. 'Mmmm food…'
"What? No hello? No kiss?" Harry asked. I placed my hand downs leaning them on the table as I turned to look at him.
"Hello darling," I said smiling as I pecked him on the lips. He smiled rolling his eyes as I began scarfing down the food.
"Yeah, hello to you too," He said watching me shaking his head. I rolled my eyes as I rolled a giant ball of pasta on my fork before lodging it in my mouth.
"So, can you give me a hint about what you're going to tell me later?" Harry asked, I coughed on the pasta and hit my chest as it went down. I sipped some water.
"No, it's not really a secret anyway," I said pulling a slice of apple crumble towards me as Hermione and Ron looked at me shocked.
"Oh really? If it's not a secret why not tell me now?" He asked playfully. I waved a finger at him as I took a bite of the apple crumble.
"It's not for others to know, just you and me and a few other people who already know about it," I said winking at Hermione as she caught on and sighed. Harry laced an arm around my waist pulling me closer to him.
"Can't you give me a little snippet," He whispered into my ear as I smiled shaking my head.
"I'll give you three words…me and you," I said catching his lips with mine; he smirked into the kiss as I leant back finishing the apple crumble.
"You are such a tease," He huffed at me. I giggled softly as Hermione rolled her eyes at me.
"And you love me for it," I whispered as he nibbled on my ear making me giggle. I shoved him away gently.
"You suck," He said laughing as he took a bite of my apple crumble.
"You wish," I muttered as he turned to look at me. I looked away smiling as he poked me in the stomach as I squirmed.
"Okay, I'm going to go before you tenderise me into a plump piece of steak," I said standing up, kissing Harry on the cheek.
"You want me to escort you?" He asked, holding my hand every so tenderly. I lifted his hand to my lips kissing it sweetly.
"I'll be fine," I said releasing his hand "Remember meet me at 6, meaning you've got ¾ of an hour to ponder," I said winking at him as I turned to Hermione.
"Mind if I borrow your study notes today?" I asked, she smiled happily and rummaged through her bag handing me about 5 scrolls. I took them gratefully as I walked out of the great hall in the direction of the room of requirement. I walked past the door smiling to myself as the door appeared. I turned the door knob and walked into the deep red furnishings of the room, it had a plushie red bed in the corner along side a comfy looking couch and table set with red rose and a basket containing a cold bottle of sparkling grape juice and ice.
I smiled waving my hands at it as the cork popped open and poured myself a glass of juice. I levitated the glass towards me as I knelt down on my stomach as spare bits of parchment, a quill and ink appeared in front of me. I nibbled the end of the sugar quill as I began reading over the notes from Hermione a small frown written on my features.
"So…Lord Artemis Goodwash, created the spell of hmmm…" I scratched the quill behind my ear as I rolled onto my back looking up at the scroll Hermione gave me for History of Magic class. I heard the door open as footsteps padded across the floor.
I rolled back onto my stomach as I picked the quill up scribbling something about him discovering the spell on October 17th in the early16th century.
"You've been working hard, I haven't even started my homework and I was in the classes," Harry said smiling down on me as he glanced at the bed a small smile playing on his lips.
"Well I figure I'll be busy later so thought, I'd also take the liberty in-" I picked up my wand flicking it at a spare quill and parchment as the quill scribbled furiously down the page "-doing yours too," I said putting my quill on the table, closing the ink bottle as Harry pulled me up into a hug.
"You're the greatest girlfriend in the world," He said kissing me on the cheek as I rolled my eyes at him.
"I know I am," I said as I kissed him sweetly on the lips, sitting up as he pulled his lips away from mine, panting slightly.
"So what did you want to talk to me about?" He asked a cheeky twinkle in his eyes. I smiled standing up and holding my hand out for him pulling over towards the bed.
I pulled him down on top of me as I kissed him quickly on the lips silencing him as I expertly undid his belt.
"I think you know what I came to talk about, and it doesn't involve that much talking," I said as he smiled leaning down and kissing me as he slid the clasp of my skirt undone as it slid slowly down past my knees.
"I like this kind of 'talking'" Harry whispered as I pulled my top over my head. I smiled at him cockily as I pulled his hips towards mine as we both smiled at each other knowingly.
An hour or so later"Come on, Harry, they've set a new curfew we are suppose to be back by…a while ago," I muttered as I clasped my bra up and pulled my top over my head as Harry lay on the bed watching me.
"Can't we just-not go back?" He asked suggestively, I rolled my eyes and pulled him to his feet.
"Nope, we're going back cause I want to go to sleep," I said tying my hair up and looking at him in all his nakedness, I saw him blush and clicked my fingers smirking to myself as he stood fully clothed.
"I hate you," He muttered sarcastically. I pulled him down into a sweet kiss laughing slightly.
"Awe, I hate you too," I said grabbing his hand as I clicked my bag over to me full of my homework and his.
I peeped outside the door making sure the coast was clear before pulling Harry along with me as we giggled playfully between each other towards the common room, upon arrival, I fell onto the couch Harry, falling beside me.
"That was close, that Ravenclaw prefect almost-" Harry puffed.
"-Caught us, I know," I breathed as I held a hand to my chest. I felt something tapping at my fingers and took the letter from the familiar brown owl, which had quietly landed on my knee. I handed him a treat from beside me as he flew off through a small flap by the window.
"Dad…" I said looking at the letter as Harry looked at me quizzically.
"Something up?" He asked looking at me to the letter. I nodded frowning at the dark red wax seal.
"I'm going to sleep, I'll see you tomorrow," I said kissing him on the cheek as I raced up the girls' stairs the letter crunched between my fingers.
I quickly opened the door and ran into the bathroom, I turned the light on and ran into a stall closing the door and locking it as I put the lid down sitting on it as I ripped open the letter.
It read:
Dear Kimmy, How are you? I was really worried after the big debacle at the hospital, when I saw you there…oh the heart ache, I hope your feeling better and the spell I gave you is helping you along, also I wanted to tell you something about the spell. I've been asking around and found out that your mother's where abouts is still unknown and the spell that she put on you has been put on a few other people in America.
I have also found out something, which is really…okay. I'm just going to be blunt, I'm moving back to America, I have an important mission to find out about the spell and I am going to moving back there, and I know how much you don't want to move so I have bought you an apartment in Diagon Alley. Tom the barkeeper will know about this don't worry, it's all been paid for. I love you sweetie, and I promise to visit as soon as I can. Try and have fun these Summer Holidays,
Love Dad xoxoP.S. Remember what I told you, don't fall in-love; you could be putting everyone in mortal peril. Love you.
I reread the letter as a tear fell from my cheek. I wiped my eyes and walked over to the sink as emotions began flooding back through me, I took a deep breath reaching into my pocket as I found the familiar vial; I took a swig downing half the vial. I placed the stopper in and placed it in the draw. I brushed my teeth and washed my face as I walked into the room slipping into a nightie, I slid the opening of the curtain and slipped into bed, I curled up in the covers the letter scrunched in my fingers as I fell into a fitful sleep.
"BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! I'M HAVING TROUBLE SLEEPING, YOU'RE JUMPING IN MY BED, TWISTING IN MY HEAD, LEAVE ME." The alarm clock sang.
I slapped a button on the alarm clock as the song played a little quieter. I got out of the bed the letter rolling onto the floor as I padded over to my closet. I pulled out a freshly cleaned uniform and padded into the bathroom.
I turned on the shower hanging my uniform on the towel rack as I grabbed a couple of towels placing them next to my uniform. I closed the small compartment of the shower and stripped my self of my clothing jumping under the warm jet of water letting it wash away my emotions.
"Kimmy?" Hermione asked as I began scrubbing my hair with a strawberry shampoo.
"Yea?" I yelled, as I rinsed the shampoo applying some conditioner.
"I found a letter," She said barely audible over the sound of the shower. I froze as feelings rushed over me. I slid to the floor.
"Kimmy?" Hermione asked worriedly.
"I'm fine, it's nothing," I said, letting the water wash out the conditioner. I quickly got ready and brushed my teeth at the counter as Hermione stood by watching me. The letter scrunched in her hands.
"Are you sure your okay?" she asked stopping me before I left. I looked away.
"I haven't lived a single summer holiday without my dad, I'm a little scared," I said as my eyes watered. I pulled my wand at myself muttering the senses charm as Hermione pulled me into a hug.
"You can come stay with me, my parent's will be okay with it," Hermione said smiling. I pulled her into a hug.
"Okay, I'm going to get ready now they're announcing the champions, tonight," Hermione said excitedly changing the subject as she handed me the letter as I shoved it in my pocket.
"Okay, I'm going to get some breakfast before class," I said smiling at her; I grabbed my bag shoving in today's lessons as I trudged downstairs. I quickly clambered out the portrait making my way to the great hall.
I sat down at the Gryffindor table sadly as I poured some cornflakes into my plate, I swirled my spoon around occasionally having a spoonful 'putting everyone in mortal peril…' I dropped the spoon into the plate sipping some pumpkin juice my mind made up.
"Hey Kimmy, you alright?" Harry asked I looked up at him my eyes tearing. He looked at me worriedly.
"Was it something in the letter?" He asked pulling me into a hug. I silently sobbed as he waved off people who looked at me questioningly.
"Harry?" I croaked looking up at him. He cradled my face in his palms wiping away my tears with his thumbs.
"Can I talk to you later?" I asked looking at him weakly.
"What kind of 'talk' are we talking about?" He asked smirking; I felt my eyes tearing again and looked away.
"A serious one," I said simpering as he looked at me sadly.
"Oh," was all he said. I grabbed my bag and stood up.
"Meet me by the fireplace, after they announce the champions tonight," I whispered as I heard the bell ring overhead. I passed Sean and Cedric looking down at my feet.
"I have to do this…" I muttered to myself as I leaned against the wall outside Transfiguration.
"Have to do what?" I looked up and saw Draco smirking at me. I looked up at him and his face softened he glanced around making sure no one was looking.
"What's wrong? Did potter do something?" He asked holding my forearms. I sobbed slightly as he pulled me into a hug.
"I'm putting people in danger by being with him!" I burst, as I broke into a fresh round of tears falling into Draco's arms.
"Oh please don't do this!" He said looking around "Kimmy, please calm down!" He murmured as my knees gave way and he held me to him trying to hold me up.
"Oh that's it!" He said as he saw people rounding the corner. He swung me over his shoulder and ran down the corridor with me crying over his shoulder a few 1st years watching curiously as he ran down the corridor me crying on his shoulder.
He quickly walked up a few stairs and down a few others. He stood still for a while and than pushed open a door. He placed me down on a seat kneeling down in front of me.
"Okay, tell me what's up?" He asked lifting my chin up as I sobbed quietly. I pulled the scrunched letter out of my pocket handing it to him. He read it quickly before looking at me.
"Oh…I see," He said. He gestured an elf over who looked timid.
"Yes, Master Malfoy," Dobby asked shakily.
"Uh, one tub of cookie dough and two spoons," He said as some other elves' held them out to him; he grabbed them handing it two me opening the lid. He handed me a spoon and I began digging in my tears eventually stopping.
"So, yea, I understand the family stuff cause you guys are close…but the fall in-love bit?" He asked.
"I'm going to break up with Harry," I said my eyes watering as I lodged another spoonful in my mouth.
"Oh good Merlin! You're in love with Potter aren't you!" He asked looking at me in shock as I nodded suckling on my spoon before taking another scoop in my mouth.
"Well how are you putting everyone in mortal peril? You have to tell me cause you owe me since the battle a few days ago," He asked. I frowned a small smile on my lips before looking at him.
"It all began a few months ago…" I began. He listened intently as I explained everything. About the spell. About my mum. About my powers. About everything. But mainly…about Harry.
"…And so I have to break up with him because I don't want anyone to get hurt, especially him," I cried as I dropped the spoon in the now empty container as I cried into some tissues Dobby held out to me as he patted me on the back.
"Dobby?" I asked weakly,
"Yes Harry Potter's Miss?" He asked looking at me worriedly.
"I'm begging you not to tell Harry," I whispered. He looked at me worriedly.
"But that would mean that Harry Potter won't have a miss, and Harry Potter, will be upset," Dobby asked looking at me with wide eyes. I grabbed his knobbly hands in mine.
"Please Dobby, it would kill me if Harry found out this way, I want to tell him, just not now," I whispered tears streaming down my cheeks.
"Alright, Harry Potter's…um, miss," He said bowing as he scurried away as he glanced at Draco.
"Well, think of it this way you can be with him after the spell eventually wears off?" Draco said clapping me on the shoulder, I wrapped my arm around his neck noogying him.
"Oi! MY HAIR!" Draco yelled as I released him as he attempted to fix his hair. I heard another bell go off and looked at him.
"Lunch, I'm hungry," I muttered as he rolled his eyes pulling a pocket mirror out of his pocket. I pushed him as I walked over to the exit "Leave in about 5-10 minutes, so it doesn't look suspicious," I said as I exited.
I adjusted my bag on my shoulder and walked towards transfiguration, I saw the class leaving and saw Hermione, Ron and Harry look at me questioningly. I walked past them into the class.
"Um, Professor McGonagall?" I asked as I reached the front desk, she looked up at me before glancing down.
"I am assuming you are here with reason perhaps why even Mister Malfoy was not present in class along with you," She asked as she put some scrolls in her desk.
"Um, I don't know where Malfoy was but I just came to hand in yesterday's homework and ask for today's and to also apologise, I wasn't feeling my best this morning," I said handing her my homework, she took it from me and skimmed down it. She smiled dipping her quill and scribbling something along the top.
"Now head off before Mister Potter, and Miss Granger fall over with anticipation of your appearance outside the door," She said pointing at the door as she thrust the scroll back into my hands.
I looked at her confusedly before shrugging as I walked back outside, I saw Hermione leaning against the wall with Ron beside her as Harry paced, he looked up and saw me, rushing up to meet me as I stepped outside the classroom.
"Are you okay? Where were you? Especially when Malfoy wasn't in class either? Did something happen? Have you been crying? Was it something in the letter? Is it about what you're going to tell me later?" Harry asked looking at me. My eyes not leaving the scroll Professor McGonagall had handed me. I squealed excitedly jumping up and down throwing my arms in the air as I done a little happy dance as I squealed running around Harry in circles before he held me to the spot.
"What are you so happy about?" He asked looking at me; I smiled at him, kissing him on the lips shushing him.
"I got my first 'O' for the year!" I squealed as I looked at the parchment again. "I'm going to frame this," I said looking at it as I began striding quickly down the corridor.
Harry, Hermione and Ron quickly running to catch up.
"Why weren't you in class?" Harry asked looking at me.
"Yeah, please tell us it was coincidence that Malfoy wasn't there too?" Hermione questioned.
"Am I even gonna bother saying anything when no one listens to me anyway?" Ron said slightly behind us.
I came to a stop making Ron walk into me. I turned to look at him smiling; I ran past him towards the great hall again, I sat down beside Cedric and Sean as Harry, Hermione and Ron stood behind me watching me curiously.
"Harry? Hermione? Ron? Why are you standing around here? Aren't you going to each lunch at your table?" Cedric asked as Ginny came up to him snuggling into him.
"Kimmy isn't talking to us," Harry said sadly as I was about to bite into a sandwich, I turned to look at him, I saw Draco enter from the corner of my eye and sighed. I grabbed a napkin putting a couple of sandwiches on it as I handed Harry a couple of empty glasses, I filled them with Pumpkin juice and got out of my seat.
"Come on, let's go, this may take a while," I said as Hermione looked at me.
"I'm going to tell him…he needs to know," I said as she and Ron looked on worriedly.
I pulled Harry to the tree by the lake and sat down on one of the logs, the leaves rustling around our feet. I grabbed a drink from his hand placing it on the log between us as I handed him a sandwich.
"You're breaking up with me aren't you," He asked, I sipped the juice before turning to look at him.
"Well hold on, I need to tell you something first," I began only to see him look at me smiling hopefully. I looked down sorrily.
"You know how at the beginning of the year, I had this thing how I could smell feelings and than this other time at camp where I sat inside a box no one could get in?" I asked he looked at me sceptically nodding as he took a bite into his sandwich.
"Well my mum put it on me, this spell that is. She's teaming with Lord Voldermort to steal my powers," I said looking away as Harry started coughing on his sandwich.
"Your mum- Lord Voldermort?" He asked looking at me; I nodded looking over the lake.
"You see she put this spell on me, where basically if I fall in-love, I'll gain more power, and once I reach the maximum she's going to steal my powers," I said glancing at Harry.
"So your basically saying we're going to end this relationship because if your in-love with me your powers get stronger and your mum will try and take it alongside Lord Voldermort?" He asked looking at me. I nodded sadly.
"Are you trying to be noble?" He asked, I smiled at him weakly.
"I guess I care about everyone so much that I'm willing to let the person I'm in-love with go," I said as I looked away. He pulled my chin towards him and pulled me into a delicately sweet kiss.
"I understand, but promise me if you ever find the counter spell you'll give us a proper chance?" He asked. I nodded my head slightly as we shared another soft kiss. I looked over the lake leaning my head on his shoulder.
"At least we can be friends, right?" I asked, he nodded and I smiled happily.
'Its not over till it's over,'