Ok, I am so sorry, I know that it has been sketchy updating lately, but I have AP's coming up, and all of the material that I had typed ran out, so this is worse than it usually is, sorry L Ok, and I know that most of you don't like to leave the long replies, opting instead for something along the lines of "good job! Update soon" but please, while I really appreciate them! Honestly , they keep me writing, it makes me happy, cause I always feel like no one cares, and then I will get an update, and I will be like yay! And then, errr, wait, back to the subject, please don't (leave those kind of reviews that is)
HYPOCRITE ALERT! HYPOCRITE ALERT!
Yeah, I always leave reviews like that, *smiles sheepishly* but I really would appreciate it if you could leave me a correction to help me improve my writing, I would love you even more – yes that was a bribe - thanx
-Lizzie
A few of the students that had left the great hall has peaked their heads back inside the door in curiosity. A great roar of protest had arisen when the picture had faded completely. They looked around for a second before pushing the door farther open and making their way back to their house table. It took a few chaotic moments but the last person finally sat back at their own table and Dumbledore shut the doors to the great hall with a tired sigh. There was a sickening silence that hung in the air so thickly that even months later people would swear that they could taste it. It lasted for the longest seven seconds Hogwarts had even seen. Finally Dumbledore stood up and surprised the students by sighing. He looked older than he ever had before. He closed his eyes momentarily in reverence for the boy-who-lived. He didn't know how the poor boy had even managed to stun Voldermort let alone stand up, but he doubted greatly with the harshness of his injuries that he would even be able to get out of Voldermort's castle.
He was brought out of reverie when Severus who had walked back around the table touched his arm lightly, "Albus?" Dumbledore smiled a sad, half-smile (which wasn't returned) and turned his attention back to his students.
"Students," he began, "I regret to inform you that you have probably lost one of your fellow students today. A few gasps were heard and those who hadn't gotten sick from the sight they had just seen started to weep. Dumbledore who had said just about all that needed to be said finished, "Please return to your house dormitories, you will receive further instructions in a few moments."
Slowly the students began to rise, taking their time to glance morosely around the hall. It had been about two minutes since the projection had faded and the first group of three students was about five feet from the door when it burst open. The students jumped back in surprise and there was no a semi circle surrounding the door.
Several people gasped and a few fainted, most were just wide eyed with horror. There floating as if held up by invisible strings was Voldermort. There was a bit of blood still trickling from the corner of his mouth making him look sinister even when unconcious. Behind him was Harry. His battered body shaking so furiously that it was amazing he was walking at all. He staggered forward unevenly as people backed up rapidly in fear and amazement. He was about two steps further when Dumbledore came to his senses. He rushed forward and raised his wand shouting, "Mobilicorpus!" Harry dropped his hand immediately and stood stock still for a moment before his knees collapsed and hit the floor with a thud. His arms just managed to catch him as he fell to all fours still shaking feverishly. He wretched violently and all save two took a few more steps back. Ron and Hermione who seemed to have come out of their shock rushed forward and immediately knelt by their friend.
"H-h-Harry?" Hermione asked timidly. He made to speak but this caused him to wretch again. "Its ok," she said hurriedly, "here, I am going to stun you alright? I think it will put your body in a stasis until we can get you up to the hospital wing ok?" He nodded his head and Hermione raised her wand. "Stupefy" she whispered and Ron caught him as he began to fall.
The crowd parted immediately as Ron stood with the excruciatingly light Harry in his arms. Hermione led him, forward and they were almost out of the doors when a third member decided to join the party.
"You stunned him. Good idea, though you shouldn't be carrying him. It will only worsen his injuries." Ron took a moment to glare at Snape as Hermione said the spell. Harry floated out of his arms and they made the rest of the trip in silence.
When they entered the infirmary Madame Pomphry was already bustling around and they immediately knew which bed to put Harry on. The night stand next to it was nearly overflowing with different types of potions and elixirs. They quickly laid him down as both teens sat down on the adjacent bed. The medi-witch immediately burst into action. She was magically fixing all of his broken bones, and not bothering to have Harry actually swallow the potions, but merely apparating the correct amount into his bloodstream. She was nearly on the last potion when Dumbledore closely followed by Mr. Weasley entered the infirmary.
"Poppy-" Dumbledore began but Madame Pomphry cut him off.
"Not now Albus." She said curtly as she grabbed the second to last potion and measured out the correct amount. She waved her wand and the potion disappeared. She repeated this one more time before turning slowly around to face the headmaster. "Yes?" She said tiredly, her mood a good deal different from the efficient medi-witch a few moments before.
"Will he be alright?" Dumbledore asked, not at all put off by her previously brusque manner. Poppy walked over and sat down in one of the visitor's chairs, something neither Ron nor hermione had ever seen her do before. She halfheartedly tucked a few stray hairs behind her ear before continuing.
"I don't know. I really hope he can pull through. He always seems to survive despite our worst doubts. Maybe he can do it again." The room fell silent after she spoke her last hopeful words. The stillness persisted a few moments more before Dumbledore sighed, looking like he was going to say something. He was cut off for the second time that hour when a soft moan was heard from the bed that they all surrounded. All of their heads whipped around as Harry stirred. A few more incoherent mumbles could be heard before Harry said something distinguishable.
"What the hell did you put in me? I feel like I just drank several thousand gallons of caffeine." Without another word he dry heaved over the side of the bed. He rolled back over and wiped his mouth on his arm. "Ahhh, I see you put nothing in my stomach either; very clever." No one said anything causing Harry to roll his eyes. "Well don't stay silent. Talk, make noise. This silence is killing me." Hermione visibly shuddered at Harry's terminology. His mood darkened immediately. "Where is he?" Dumbledore reached into his pocket and drew out of it a small black stone. Harry nodded. "Good, give him to me." He made to get up, and Madame Pomphry made a small noise of anxious protest. Harry sent her a look and she settled for merely looking unhappy. Harry stood, his newly healed body still shaking slightly with the effort. "Nice work," he said grinning appraisingly at Poppy. Her scowl lessened at his words and she mumbled,
"I do my best." Harry walked over to Dumbledore each step increasing in its confidence. He held out his hand and Dumbledore deposited the stone in his palm without hesitation. Harry headed towards the door assuring everyone he knew they were following him when he said "room of requirements" over his shoulder.
They walked in silence the entire way, and everyone stood back as Harry passed the same spot on the wall three times. A door appeared and Harry walked up and opened it without hesitation. The other four (Albus, Arthur, Hermione, and Ron) walked in a little less confidently. Once the four of them had all stepped into the room Harry waved his hand and the door slammed shut and disappeared into the wall. The four people looked around them and exchanged confused glances. They were in what looked to be, in all appearances, a storeroom. Harry was stopped in front of a wardrobe in the corner. He opened the door and the four people just got further confused when a dark gray mist oozed out onto the floor.
"Damn," Harry muttered lightly under his breath.
"Harry?" Hermione asked questioningly. Harry shoved the blob back into the wardrobe with his foot and turned around with an annoyed expression on his face. I thought it would turn into a dementor like it usually does, but nothing seems to be going my way today." He paused for a moment, looking thoughtful. "Well, except for this cool wandless magic. This is pretty neat." Hermione didn't seem to have heard his last words though.
"That, that thing was a boggart?!" Harry nodded and kicked at the wardrobe.
"Bloody useless thing it turned out to be too. Well I guess we'll just have to go to Azkaban then." He turned and walked out of the newly materialized door. Those that were following him were too stunned to say anything and merely managed to follow dumbfounded in his wake.
It only took about two minutes to make it out of the front door of the castle, and a further ten from there to the front gate. Small talk about the odd boggart was the only thing to arbitrarily penetrate the silence. Once they passed the gate Harry turned back around.
"Alright, Hermione you hold onto Dumbledore. Ron, you hold onto your father. We are going to Azkaban. Both of you imagine a dementor clearly as you can as I doubt you have seen Azkaban. Ok? Ok. Let's go then." Without a last look he disapparated. Both Dumbledore and Arthur exchanged surprised glances but managed to shake off their bewilderment pretty quickly.
"Ok, Ron? Hemione? Ok, just think of a demntor alright? Picture it as clearly as you remember it. Ok, on the count of three." Arthur finished speaking and Dumbledore grabbed Hermione's arm, Ron's dad doing the same thing for him.
"One," Dumbledore began, "two, three!"
With a pop (slightly louder than usual) all four of them were gone.