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Author's note: Okay, I finally figured out what I'd done wrong with the postings of chapters 34 and 35, and I think I've fixed it! So THIS IS A NEW CHAPTER. For a day it was just chapter 34 repeated, but now it's the real chapter 35. So please read and enjoy!
Author's Note Part II: Um...Thank you to Mr.Steven for informing me of the...um...rather inappropriate alteration of the spelling of the word shoulder. I have fixed that in this version of Chapter 35...so...yeah... (lol)
Chapter 35
Hermione transfigured her third quill into a perfectly formed silver needle…and she had no idea how she managed it. She felt as if she had less concentration than she'd had in her last two Transfiguration classes.
However, this time her lack of concentration was not related to the handsome man sitting by her side, who was not even attempting to concentrate in the least. This time Hermione was confounded by the recent turn of events between Harry and Ginny.
Ginny had just given Harry that barrette back and told him that she couldn't play by his rules anymore… Was that spoken out of anger? Or, was she truly unwilling to continue to 'play by Harry's rules?' And what did that even mean? Hermione honestly could not imagine Harry without Ginny in his life, or vice versa for that matter. Now that they fully realized their love for one another, how could either of them deny it?
Surely Ginny hadn't meant that she would not even secretly date Harry. That was just too awful to think about! Hermione was reminded of that horrid week at Grimmauld Place, in which Ginny quit eating because of Harry's refusal to be with her. Surely she wouldn't put herself through that torture. Unless, of course, the torture of being in a secret relationship with Harry, was worse than no relationship with him at all. But that was absurd!
But it wasn't so absurd that the idea of it wasn't driving Harry mad… He never skived lessons. But he did not go to Potions, nor had he shown up for Charms…or Transfiguration… It was probably for the better that Harry did not face Snape today, who seemed to be feeling especially cruel. He had reminded Ron of his detention for this evening as soon as he'd laid eyes upon him. Hermione and Ron had both forgotten that Ron had two more assigned detentions ahead of him.
So, Hermione spent most of Potions worrying over what horrid task Snape had set for Ron. Would he make him endure more painful labor like the de-spining of the Lionfish? Ron's hand still wasn't healed from Wednesday!
Hermione guessed that there was a subconscious part of her that wanted to ensure that McGonagall was not disappointed in her work for the third time in a row. For there was no other fathomable way she could be doing so well with McGonagall's assignment with the current worries she had roosting in her mind.
As Hermione began the incantation on her fourth quill, a soft snoring interrupted her. She looked to her right and saw that Ron had dozed off with his cheek resting on his fist.
"Ron!" Hermione whispered urgently as she placed her hand upon his knee under the table and shook it gently.
His head shot up quickly as he muttered something that sounded like, 'chocolate frogs.' He then looked at her with a rather puzzled expression. "Was I dreaming?" He asked quickly, looking a bit anxious for some reason.
"I don't know if you were dreaming," Hermione began, with one eye on McGonagall, "But you were sleeping! And I don't think this is the place to catch up on your sleepless night, Ron."
He sighed heavily and picked up one of the needles Hermione had transfigured. "So," He began in a bored voice, "We're turning these into quills?"
Hermione rolled her eyes at him and began explaining the lesson to him under her breath. She demonstrated it for him. More so because she wanted to remain inconspicuous than because she actually thought he needed a visual aid. However, she must have really been concentrating on her transfiguring because she was startled when she heard a snippy voice from overhead.
"Mr. Weasley."
Hermione looked up slowly to see McGonagall peering down at Ron with a disapproving, pursed-lip frown. "Yes, Professor?" Ron asked in a voice that sounded as if he'd just eaten something rotten.
"Mrs. Granger is doing an exemplary job today, and I'm sure she would appreciate it if you'd listen to my instructions at the beginning of the class period so that she would not have to recite them to you multiple times throughout the hour." She responded in one long breath.
"Yes, Professor." Ron replied as he scooted his chair a couple of inches away from Hermione's and picked up a quill.
McGonagall nodded and took a deep breath before saying in a somewhat secretive tone, "I hope that you have plans to begin busying your team with practices starting next week. I hear that Hufflepuff has a promising group of players this term. I would hate for a pitiable year of Quidditch to affect your performance in my class, Mr. Weasley."
Ron looked quite taken aback, but he straightened up in his seat. "Well, professor …I wasn't sure if we would be allowed to use the pitch after four PM with the new rules and all."
"Of course you can." She replied briskly, "As long as you hand in a schedule of your practices at the beginning of each week." Clearing her throat she added, "Now please, Mr. Weasley, that's enough idle chatter about Quidditch. Resume your work."
Hermione watched her walk to the next table and peer over the frustrated, scowling face of Seamus Finnigan, who seemed to have turned his quill into a nettle instead of a needle. He had apparently pierced himself with one of its thorns as he was sucking on his thumb. The rest of the class period resulted in three more exceptional needles from Hermione and two very nice needles from Ron since he had been cheered up considerably by his chat with McGonagall.
On their way down to the first floor for Defense Against the Dark Arts, Hermione turned to Ron and asked anxiously, "Do you think Harry will show?"
Ron yawned a rather large yawn before responding with a casual shrug and an, "I don't know, Hermione."
She wasn't much satisfied with his answer. Actually, it quite irked her. For some reason, Harry's absence and his and Ginny's spat had really bothered Hermione.
"You don't know?" Hermione repeated as she mocked his shrug. "Are you not the least bit concerned over Harry? Or your sister?"
Ron frowned at her. "Well, Hermione…Ginny was just angry with Harry at breakfast. She's not really going to break it off with him. Believe me. I watched her drool over him for five years. She won't botch it up now."
"Botch it up?" Hermione said in slight disbelief, "She's not botching anything up. She's just not happy with the mixed messages Harry's giving her."
"His messages don't seem all that mixed to me." Ron replied calmly.
Hermione sighed heavily and walked the rest of the way with a good two feet between them and her lips pursed. Why was he acting so unconcerned? Ginny had left the Great Hall in tears and Harry had been too upset to notice that he was cutting into his hand with a metal barrette. And what did Ron mean, 'his messages don't seem all that mixed?'
…Ginny we can't act like we're dating, but nothing else in our relationship will change. Ginny you can't eat with us all the time. Yes you can. Ginny be nice to Dean, but not flirtatious. No, Ginny! Not like that…!
It made Hermione's head hurt just thinking about it! She knew Harry was only doing it because he cared greatly for Ginny's safety, but still… It was enough to make anyone go mad! And Ron was acting like there was nothing wrong with…anything! He didn't even seem worried that Harry had just skived three full class periods! Which, to Hermione's recollection, had never happened before.
Hermione could feel Ron's eyes upon her as they continued to their next class, but she didn't look at him. She was just so miffed about his flippant attitude! However, once they'd reached the landing of the first floor, he unexpectedly grabbed her hand and pulled her into the corner, nearest the doubled archway leading from the entrance hall to the classroom corridor.
"Hermione," He began, taking both of her hands in his, "I've been thinking…tonight…I'll say something to Harry about that dagger. And about how he's been treating this situation with Ginny. Alright?"
Hermione gazed up into his concerned blue eyes, and quite without warning, she lowered her head, and…burst into tears. Ron immediately bent down to peer into her face with a frantic look of desperation.
"Ah damn me to hell…" He said under his breath as his hands left hers to stroke her arms.
"Ron!" She reprimanded in a choked sob, looking up into his still frantic expression.
"I'm sorry, Hermione! I won't say anything to Harry, alright?" He said soothingly. Hermione couldn't speak so she simply shook her head in an attempt to tell him that he was mistaking the meaning of her tears. "No? Okay …so you do want me to…not…tell…him? Or no..." He looked up to the ceiling temporarily before quickly looking down at her and squeezing her upper arms. "Is this about me falling asleep in Transfiguration?" He asked almost hopefully. She continued to shake her head, and his shoulders slumped slightly. "Blimey, Hermione…just tell me what to do and I'll do it! Alright?"
Hermione's tears slowly began to subside, so she took a deep breath and attempted to speak, "Ron, I'm just crying because…." She swallowed another rising lump in her throat before whispering, "I…l-love you s-so m-much!"
His confused frown turned into the most endearing smile ever. "Hermione…" He said through a deep chuckle as he pulled her to him. With his arms tightly about her he kissed her gently on her cheek. "I love you, too." He whispered low in her ear. She wrapped her arms as tightly as she could about his waist.
As she continued to cling to him, Hermione tried to understand where that strange outburst had come from. She had been almost as startled over it as Ron. She guessed that spending over two hours worrying about the possibility of two of her best friends splitting up and denying their love for one another had stressed Hermione to the limit. The limit that was breakable by Ron's sincere concern for her obvious annoyance at him on the way to the first floor.
She could only imagine the thoughts he must have had as he attempted to understand why she was angry with him. He seemed to have come to the right conclusion, as he had offered to speak with Harry over his treatment of Ginny… Ron still amazed her sometimes with the many ways he showed his love for her. Which brought Hermione to the realization of another reason for her tears. The current dispute between Harry and Ginny had made Hermione really appreciate her love with Ron. She was so glad that she and Ron had a relationship that they didn't have to hide any longer.
"Oi there! Let's keep our halls nice and clean!"
Hermione and Ron pulled away from one another to see Whitman just arriving on the landing from the staircase. He had been smiling smugly, but as he looked at them his eyes went wide.
"Bluey, is that you? And Miss Granger?" He asked in disbelief as he approached them with a flashy smile.
"You two cracking on each other?" He asked in surprise, but when neither of them answered, he turned to Ron, "Well, from one man to the next…Defense Against the Dark Arts can only get you so far…" He said in mock-seriousness, and then pointing to Hermione with his thumb, he added, "…with sheilas."
Hermione was surprised to see a hesitant, yet genuine smile from Ron. "Yeah," Ron said quietly, before looking to Hermione, "She keeps me on my toes."
Whitman and Hermione both chuckled a bit, but then Hermione looked to Ron and had a sudden urge to do something. "Actually," Hermione said playfully, "You keep me on mine." He raised his eyebrow at her as she approached him and stood on her tiptoes to kiss him on the cheek.
"Oh! I think she's got you there, mate!" Whitman said as he chuckled. "You've got him grinning like a shot fox, Miss Granger!"
Hermione smiled sheepishly, but Ron simply stared at Hermione with a silly grin. Which was, of course, her intention. She knew showing affection toward Ron in the presence of Whitman would thrill him…or at least make him feel a bit more comfortable.
"Well," Whitman began, as he slapped Ron on the back, "I think I'll rack off on that note!" He then moved past them to head for his classroom, still chuckling slightly. "Keep him on his toes, Miss Granger!" He called over his shoulder.
After Whitman left the entrance hall for the corridor, Ron's smile broadened. She beamed at him, and it looked as if Ron were about to say something, but he was interrupted by a loud cackling.
They both turned toward the staircase to see Peeves the poltergeist floating down the stairs, quickly pursued by…Ginny. She was waving her fist at him and shouting, "Give it back!" Hermione then noticed that Peeves was holding, what looked like, a satchel just above Ginny's reach. Peeves stopped right in the middle of the entrance hall, giving Hermione and Ron a perfect view from their corner in the corridor. Ginny was now jumping for her satchel, but to no avail.
The next horrible set of events happened in quick succession. Too quick for Hermione to really even consider trying to aid Ginny in retrieving her bag. The whole while Hermione and Ron were just staring at the scene from the safety of their corner, yet Hermione still felt as if she would be wise to conjure a shield around her and Ron.
As Ginny continued to jump at Peeves…Dean Thomas came down the stairs to the landing, surveyed the scene and then proceeded to smile from ear to ear like a 'shot fox,' as Whitman would say. Dean then approached Ginny and began jumping for her bag along with her.
Unfortunately Peeves only flew higher. Although Hermione had no idea what would happen next, she found herself hoping that Harry would actually skive Defense Against the Dark Arts as well. However, her hopes were unfulfilled as Harry appeared on the landing from his descent of the staircase mere seconds later.
Harry looked from Ron and Hermione, still huddled in the corner, to Ginny and Dean, still jumping for the satchel. His stare was one of frustration and just plain stress. Harry remained by the stairs, as he too became a member of the audience, which seemed to be growing. There were now students gathering about the entrance hall, watching in either amusement or sympathy. Only a few students actually entered the classroom. Harry moved partway behind the banister of the stairs, and Hermione was fairly sure that Ginny had not even seen him enter.
"Wheee!" Shouted Peeves as he did a couple of flips in mid-air to dodge a rather large jump from Dean, which actually got close to making contact with Ginny's bag.
"Oh! Almost caught it did you?" Peeves taunted. "Peevesy's too quick! Peevesy's too clever!"
"Oh just forget it!" Ginny cried in frustration as she roughly pushed her long strands of hair from her face and shoulders. Dean continued to jump for it.
"Is wee wittle Weasley going to pout?" Peeves asked in a singsong voice. "Pouting shan't get you your sack! Pouting shan't get you nothing! Wittle weeper!"
"Give us the bag, Peeves!" Dean said impatiently, as he too stopped jumping.
Dean then looked down at Ginny with a somewhat timid smile, as he said, "Let me just give you a boost, alright?"
Before she even had time to answer, he reached down and gripped a startled Ginny by the hips and hoisted her up into the air. A few bystanders whooped. Harry wasn't one of them…actually, he now had his head ducked low.
Ginny looked as if she might yell for Dean to put her down, but she glanced upward and saw how very close to the cackling Peeves she now was. She swiftly reached for her bag, and actually got a firm hold on one of its straps. But she lost her balance in the process. With a gasp she wrapped her arms tightly about Dean's neck to keep from falling backward, but Dean must have seen this as an invitation to kiss her…because he did.
Peeves blew a raspberry at them and flew up through the ceiling, apparently bored with them now that Ginny had retrieved her bag.
Hermione thought she heard a muttered, 'damn,' from Ron and a few low whistles from some bystanders, but her gaze was on Dean and Ginny. Ginny hastily removed her hands from his neck and pushed on his chest. He took his mouth from hers and looked down at Ginny's shocked expression. He too appeared startled at what he'd just done, but he didn't remove his hands from her, which had somehow moved to her waist.
Suddenly, however, Dean gasped and pulled his hands away from her as if he'd just been burned. He looked at Ginny and then down at his hands in slight shock and even took a step back. Hermione immediately looked over to Harry, who was in the same partially concealed spot behind the banister, but who was now squatting on the ground with his head in his hands.
"Ron!" Hermione whispered urgently as she pointed to Harry. Ron's brows furrowed as he looked from Harry to Dean. Hermione was almost positive that Harry had just mildly cursed him.
Ginny wasted no time in reaching down to the ground for her satchel, which Hermione actually couldn't remember falling from Ginny's grasp. She then slung it over her shoulder and all but ran for the stairs. Dean was frowning after her, but he was still occasionally looking down at his hands with confusion. When Ginny reached the landing, she ran straight up the stairs without a glance at Harry's squatted form. Hermione didn't think that Ginny even saw him or knew that he had witnessed the entire thing.
Suddenly, Hermione heard a wheezing sound and looked up to see that Dean was clutching at his chest and taking big gasping breaths of air…or trying to. His face was contorted into a panicky gape. Hermione seemed to have lost all ability to move or speak, as she was glued to the spot, watching in horror. It seemed that most of the onlookers were suffering from the same stunned silence, although, some were whispering fiercely and pointing in confusion toward Dean. Looking around at them all, Hermione saw someone standing in one darkened corner…Malfoy. He was watching the scene with intense interest.
Seamus had run out of the crowd in the adjoined corridor to stand beside Dean with a terrified and helpless expression. "Dean!" He was shouting at his friend.
Ron suddenly ran past her toward Harry, who was still squatting on the ground, his head in his hands. "Harry!" Ron shouted, leaning down over Harry and gripping him by the shoulders.
Now everyone in the hall had noticed Harry's crouching form. Everyone was looking from Ron and Harry to Dean, who had now fallen to the floor on his back. His wheezing continued. At a complete loss as to what to do, Hermione ran to Dean and knelt on his other side, opposite Seamus, who was now kneeling as well.
"What's he doin' to 'im?" Seamus shouted at her angrily. She simply looked at him, as tears began stinging her eyes. She didn't respond, but instead looked down at Dean's panicked face.
"Dean?" She cried. What should she do? Hermione grabbed his hand and he held it tightly, there were now tears his eyes, which were staring into hers with fear. She placed her free hand on his forehead, and he was freezing cold, yet sweating.
"Ron, do something!" Hermione screamed.
"Harry, stop!" Ron began shouting; but Harry remained squatted in the floor with his head down. Suddenly Neville surfaced from the crowd of students and ran to Ron's side.
"Harry!" Ron shouted again.
"I'm trying!" Harry bellowed in a strangled voice. Ron looked at Neville and they each bent down to grab hold of Harry's arms, however they couldn't seem to lift him.
"What's all this chinwagging about out here? It sounds like a herd of-…"
Hermione looked up to see Whitman standing in the door to the entrance hall with wide eyes on her and Dean.
"Hey!" He shouted ashis eyes moving to Harry, Ron, and Neville. Whitman pushed through a group of students and began running toward them, but he stopped in his tracks as Harry shot up from the ground, knocking Ron and Neville to the floor.
Quite a few people screamed then, including Hermione. Harry had one hand over his face as he backed up against the wall, but his hand couldn't conceal the green light emitting from his eyes. The green glow was so bright it could be seen through the spaces between Harry's fingers.
"What the f-…" Whitman breathed before shouting, "Everyone get inside the classroom!" He then retrieved his wand and pointing it at Harry, he muttered something. No one obeyed his order to leave the scene. They all continued to stare as a blue, translucent orb encircled Harry.
Harry's hand then fell from his eyes, and Hermione saw them fully. His eyes… They looked just as they had in his Animagus form. There were no pupils, just green glowing globes. More people screamed, and she suddenly felt faint. Nonetheless, she kept her hold on Dean's hand, who had stopped wheezing, and was now coughing and breathing heavily.
Now, however, Harry was clutching at his own chest and wheezing. Hermione stood from Dean and ran to Whitman.
"What's happening?" She cried through tears. Ron stood from the ground and ran to her. "Make it stop!" Hermione screamed as Harry kneeled back down to the ground.
"Stop, you bloody-…!" Ron shouted at Whitman, "Look what you're doing to him!"
Whitman's hand was shaking as he held his wand on Harry, "It's … not … supposed … to … ah!" He dropped his arm and grabbed at his wrist. As soon as he did so, the blue orb faded and Hermione heard a yell from Dean, who again began clutching at his chest and wheezing. Even Seamus' eyes were glossy as he looked back down at his friend.
"Ah!" Whitman shouted as he jabbed his wand in Harry's direction. A red light shot forth and impacted with Harry's chest. Harry let out a low groan before crumpling the rest of the way to the ground, unconscious.
"No!" Hermione screamed, making to run to him. Ron caught her around the waist, and held her back.
"Hermione, it's…it's not safe…" Ron said in a strange, low, quavering voice.
Whitman approached Harry and bent down to lift him up in his arms. He then took a few steps toward the opposite end of the hall as his classroom, before stopping and calling, "Uh…cl-class dismissed!" He then hurriedly carried Harry toward the hospital wing. Hermione looked up at Ron, who released his hold around her waist, grabbed her hand, and followed.
"So, you two are telling me that his eyes started glowing because he was crook with a poltergeist?"
Ron and Hermione exchanged tired glances. Whitman had taken Harry straight to Madam Pomfrey, who was currently tending to his still unconscious form stretched out on a bed. Whitman had then sent for Dumbledore and begun an interrogation on Ron and Hermione while they waited.
"Peeves can be rather annoying, you know?" Ron replied, trying to sound convincing. Whitman just gave him a very disbelieving stare. What was he supposed to say? He couldn't tell him the truth! He couldn't tell him that Harry was mad at Dean for kissing Ginny because that would give away Harry's feelings.
Although, Ron highly doubted that the bystanders that had watched the entire scene hadn't become suspicious of Harry and Ginny. Whitman hadn't seen the kiss; he'd just seen Dean Thomas suffocating and Harry…glowing. But for those that had seen the kiss … wouldn't it be easy for them to piece together that bit of information with Harry's…attack?
"I've never seen…that…happen over a prankster's chyacking!" Whitman exclaimed, "Dumbledore told me that Harry was learning some advanced magic…but what in the bloody hell was that? Oh! And, Hazza was attacking that Thomas fellow, not that Peeves larrikin!"
"But he wasn't attacking him on purpose!" Hermione said, standing up from the bed next to Harry's, where she and Ron were seated, and stamping her foot.
Whitman sighed and turned his back on her, but Ron grabbed Hermione's hand and urged her to sit back down beside him, which she did grudgingly. She turned toward Ron and crossed her arms, "He didn't attack him on purpose." She said with tears welling in her eyes.
"Of course he didn't…" Ron said soothingly as he scooted a bit closer to Hermione on the bed and put his arm around her waist. He kissed her lightly and she then rested her head on his shoulder. The only problem with Ron's soothing words was the fact that he didn't really know whether or not they were true.
What would Ron have done if he had witnessed someone kissing Hermione during his and Hermione's brief secret relationship? Ron wouldn't have been surprised if his eyes had glowed as well! When Ron had approached Harry's kneeling form and touched him, Harry had been very warm to the touch. And when Harry had stood, Ron had felt some sort of invisible 'push' throw him to the ground. As Whitman had said…What in the bloody hell was that?
"Alright." Madam Pomfrey said suddenly, standing up straight from Harry's peaceful form. "He should wake in a few more minutes."
"Wake?" Whitman asked in disbelief, turning around to face the beds again. "Have you got kangaroos loose in your top paddock?"
Madam Pomfrey pursed her lips and stood up straighter, "The Headmaster has asked that he be woken. He wishes to speak with him." She said firmly, and then thrusting a bottle of pink potion into Whitman's hands she added, "Here. Make sure Potter drinks this when he wakes. It's an Energy Restorative Potion." She then briskly headed for the door and exited, making sure it closed softly behind her.
Whitman sat the potion down rather hard on Harry's bedside table. "Energy restoration? The silly codger… Not only does he want him awake, he wants to make sure he's got heaps of energy!"
Hermione scoffed and turned her body away from Whitman. Ron squeezed his arm a bit tighter around her waist, but he didn't say anything. He sort of shared Whitman's concern. What if Harry was still unable to control his…power…when he awoke? Should they give him more energy to work with? Where was Dumbledore! Ron needed some answers!
Suddenly, there was a quick knocking on the door before it opened with a creak. Dumbledore stuck his white-bearded head in slowly, before pushing the door open a bit more to enter.
"Oh bonzer, Headmaster! You're here!" Whitman said, approaching him with his hand outstretched, "Holy dooley, Dumble-…" Whitman began as Dumbledore took his hand. Whitman suddenly stumbled however as, to Ron's surprise, Ginny walked in with deep concern knotting her forehead. "…dear…" Whitman finished with a small smile as he looked at Ginny.
"Actually it's pronounced Dumble-dore, though I once thought of changing it to Dumb-lay-dore." Dumbledore said calmly as Whitman absently shook his hand, his eyes still on Ginny. Dumbledore continued after Whitman released his grip, "Sounds a bit French, doesn't it? Nice country, France…"
"You're Miss Weasley, correct? In my fifth years' class? Hey, Bluey! Is this lovely, blue sheila your sister?" Whitman asked, completely ignoring Dumbledore's babble.
"Yeah, she's my sister." Ron stated with unconcealed bitterness.
Ginny turned around from softly shutting the door behind her, and then looked up at Whitman in confusion. He approached her and held out his hand in greeting. Ginny didn't take Whitman's hand, and he sort of shrugged before placing both hands on his hips.
"Your sister…" Whitman said after clearing his throat, and flashing Ginny a winning smile. "Well, she's a beaut, isn't she?" Ginny blushed, yet furrowed her brows at him.
"Edgar, let's all have a seat, shall we?" Dumbledore asked calmly, as he cast Whitman a barely detectable glance of amusement. He then conjured five plush, purple lounge chairs.
Ron and Hermione rose from the bed and took two of the seats, Dumbledore sat down gracefully in the largest of the five, and Whitman sat down with a half-shrug. Ginny, however, glanced from Harry to Dumbledore.
"May I, sir?" She asked quietly. Dumbledore nodded serenely at her.
Ginny then turned to Harry and slowly approached him. She sat down gently on the edge of the bed and peered over his sleeping face. Tears abruptly began falling from her eyes. Hermione made to stand, but Ron grabbed her wrist as Dumbledore held his hand up to stop her. She slowly sat back down. Whitman looked a bit baffled as he stared at Ginny and Harry.
Ginny leaned down to rest her forehead on Harry's, placing her hands on his chest. Suddenly Ron saw Harry's hand twitch slightly before he reached up and took hold of one of Ginny's hands. She raised her head and Ron saw that Harry's eyes were now open, and they weren't glowing anymore. Ginny took his glasses from the side table and placed them on Harry's face before kissing him on his forehead…on his scar.
She then wiped at her eyes. Harry sat up and swung his feet off the edge of the bed so that he was sitting hip-to-hip with Ginny. He was still fully dressed in his robes. Dumbledore vanished the armchair that had been intended for Ginny and softly cleared his throat.
"How are you feeling, Harry?" He asked calmly.
Harry looked around at them all before looking down, somewhat shame-faced. "Alright, I guess." He muttered.
"Oh yeah, Hazza." Whitman said suddenly, snapping his fingers together, "You're to down that pink juice." He indicated to the potion.
Ginny reached for it and handed it to Harry, who took a sip. He looked to Whitman as he swallowed and said blandly, "You stunned me…or cursed me…or something."
Whitman smiled at Harry apologetically. "Well, I was afraid they'd throw you in Azkaban if old Thomas carked it." A worried expression replaced Whitman's smile, "Ah shite! Did anyone send for Dean?"
"You just left him in the-…" Harry began frantically, making to stand from the bed. Dumbledore held his hand up to Harry and interrupted him.
"No…no…" He said shaking his hand slightly, "He's been sent for and Madam Pomfrey has agreed to tend to him in her office since you and he seem to be…at odds with one another." Dumbledore replied nonchalantly.
Harry simply nodded, absently placing his hand on Ginny's knee. He drank some more of his potion, squinting his eyes as he swallowed.
Dumbledore suddenly turned to Whitman, "Oh, and Edgar…" He began calmly, "I do ask that my staff keep their language clean around my students."
Whitman looked confused for a moment before a dawning look came over him, "Certainly. Beg your pardon, Headmaster." He said politely.
Dumbledore nodded and then gave a small sigh before stroking his beard absently. "I think…" He began slowly, his gaze moving to Harry, "That we should discuss a few things."
Ron noticed Hermione sit up a bit straighter in her seat as Dumbledore continued, "Now. I have been told that a seemingly uncontrollable power caused your eyes to glow green, which somehow hindered Mr. Thomas' ability to breathe properly. Correct?"
Harry, Ron, and Hermione all nodded. Ginny looked worriedly at Harry.
"Well," Dumbledore began, "What is the rest of the story?"
"Sir," Harry began slowly, "If that is all of the story that you know, why did you bring along Ginny?" Ginny looked curiously at Dumbledore as if she hadn't considered this as of yet.
Dumbledore took a deep breath before beginning. "Harry, I have known for some time that your feelings for Mrs. Weasley run deeper than that of two friends."
"How?" Ginny asked quietly.
"Have we forgotten your brief courtship while at Grimmauld Place?" Dumbledore asked, peering over his half-moon spectacles at Ginny and Harry.
"Oh yeah." Ginny responded as Harry blushed.
"But you still didn't know that Harry was angry at Dean kissing Ginny." Hermione said suddenly. Dumbledore inclined his head just slightly and raised his eyebrows.
"Well, that makes more sense than that yabber about the ghost!" Whitman exclaimed with his eyes wide. Dumbledore looked to Whitman with his eyebrows still raised and Whitman leaned back in his seat with an almost embarrassed expression.
"Is that what happened, then?" Dumbledore asked with interest, turning to Harry. He then clasped his hands, tapping the tips of his index fingers together. "Hmm. I see. Well, I believe that my suspicions must be correct."
No one spoke. Everyone seemed to be sitting on the edges of their seats waiting for Dumbledore to continue. Ron wanted to stand up and scream, 'What? What suspicions?' But he didn't, of course. Suddenly Dumbledore stood from his chair and vanished it. He then took a seat on the edge of the bed across from Harry and Ginny.
"Harry, is there anyone present that you would like to leave before I divulge my suspicions of this ordeal?" Dumbledore asked. Harry looked around the room very briefly before shaking his head 'no.' He didn't even pause on Whitman, which slightly surprised Ron. But, Ron reckoned Whitman already knew enough to where a bit more information wouldn't make much of a difference.
"Harry, in the prophecy-…" Dumbledore began, but Ron coughed loudly, causing the Headmaster to turn a questioning look at him.
"Um…sorry, sir, but the prophecy?" Ron began, casting a furtive glance at Whitman, "I mean…do you think it's alright to-…"
"Edgar is in the Order, Mr. Weasley." Dumbledore responded good-naturedly. "He joined last summer after I'd hired him."
"Oh…well…still…" Ron said, avoiding looking at Whitman, who was remaining silent. He felt awkward displaying his qualms over disclosing the prophecy to his Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, but he just hadn't been expecting it.
"All Order members are told of the prophecy." Dumbledore began, "And no Order member can repeat the contents of the prophecy outside of an actual Order meeting, due to a special charm similar to that of the Fidelius Charm."
Ron blushed slightly, but simply nodded. He didn't look over at Whitman. Of course Dumbledore wouldn't just give out the prophecy to anyone! How could it have remained a virtual secret for so long if Dumbledore were careless with it?
Dumbledore turned his gaze back upon Harry. "Harry, as you know, there is a line in the prophecy which refers to a power that you have that the Dark Lord knows not." Dumbledore began quietly. Harry was staring at him intently, "And I've told you that I believe this power to be your ability to love."
"Yes." Harry said blandly.
"Well…" Dumbledore began again.
"Wait, what?" Hermione interrupted suddenly. "You never told us that part of the prophecy, Harry."
Ron felt as confused as Hermione looked. Harry had, indeed, refrained from mentioning some power he had that Voldemort didn't know.
Harry sort of shrugged, "I guess I never really put much thought into that part of the prophecy. I mainly dwell on the whole part about me being destined to be a murderer of the second most powerful wizard in the world."
"Sir," Harry began as he addressed Dumbledore, "Do you know the prophecy well enough to repeat it for Ron, Hermione, and Ginny?"
With a somewhat sad smile Dumbledore nodded, "Oh yes. I have reviewed it…a few times." He sighed heavily before beginning, "The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches ... Born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies ... And the Dark Lord will mark him as his equal, but he will have power the Dark Lord knows not ... And either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives ... The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord will be born as the seventh month dies...."
"So…" Ron began, feeling slightly dazed, "If he marked you as his equal, but you have a power that he doesn't…then you're actually stronger than him, aren't you?"
The corners of Dumbledore's whiskers twitched a bit. "I've said the same thing many times myself, Mr. Weasley."
"I'm sorry, sir," Ginny began almost desperately, twiddling with her fingers, "Could you please hurry and tell us the rest of your suspicion?"
He gave her a small smile and nod. "Alright. Where was I?"
"Love." Harry, Ginny, Hermione, Ron, and even Whitman responded in unison.
"Right." Dumbledore replied serenely, "Love. You have it running through your veins. As you know, I performed an ancient magic charm that was sealed upon you when Lily's last remaining relative, Petunia, took you into guardianship. I have, of course, told you all of this before, but what I have not told you are the details of the charm I placed upon you."
"In ancient times, Harry, many witches and wizards practiced these Blood Bonds before going into war to add protection to their warriors. They would generally nominate one among them to sacrifice. They would then use that person's blood to perform rather complicated spells and charms for protection. In your case, your mother sacrificed herself for you out of love, more so than loyalty. So, I was able to perform a very rare Blood Bond with Lily's blood."
"Now, after the incident at Grimmauld Place, in which you damaged the ceiling with a simple stare, I began to wonder if it might have something to do with a one Miss Ginny Weasley. Simply because…I couldn't think of anything else that might have happened while at Grimmauld Place that could have upset you so. Was I correct?"
"Yes, sir." Harry replied quietly.
"Was this incident also related to jealousy?" Dumbledore asked curiously.
Harry nodded. And unexpectedly Whitman chuckled. "You bring a whole new light to the phrase, 'green-eyed monster,' eh?" He said grinning at Harry.
Harry gave him a small smile, as Dumbledore continued, "As I said, Harry, I became somewhat suspicious after the incident at Grimmauld Place, and I decided to research Blood Bonds a bit further, for I had heard tale of a few instances, in which the charm could become altered under certain circumstances."
"Altered?" Ginny asked apprehensively.
"I should say enhanced. Harry still has the protection of Lily's loving blood, but I suspect he has now found another form of love. Not motherly love… a love that he has never known before. A romantic love with you, Miss Weasley."
Harry and Ginny looked at one another. Ginny blushed and Harry smiled at her briefly before turning his gaze back to Dumbledore, who continued after another deep breath.
"In my research of these particular Blood Bonds, which are forged with the intent of using the actual love in the blood to create a shield, I found cases in which some individual's developed new powers after they fell in love, had children, or even made strong friendships."
"So," Harry began slowly, "The love I now have for Ginny has…has reacted with the Blood Bond and given me some new power?"
"I think so, yes." Dumbledore said.
"But I…I can't control it." Harry said in a small voice.
"Yes, you can." Dumbledore said confidently. "It's just something that we will have to work on during your training lessons with myself and Remus, which coincidentally, resume at the start of next week."
Harry nodded, but didn't look entirely convinced.
"So, what is the power, exactly?" Ron asked. "I mean…is it just…can he just suffocate people with his eyes, or what?"
"Of the actual abilities he has gained with this new power, I am not sure." Dumbledore said, "Although I suspect there is more to it than that, Mr. Weasley."
Knock. Knock. Knock.
Suddenly there was a quick rap on the door to the infirmary, which then opened slowly. Madam Pomfrey peeked inside; looking rather frazzled, and then quickly went to Dumbledore's side. She leaned down and whispered something in his ear. Ron watched as Dumbledore's beard seemed to droop at the corners and his brows furrowed.
"Tell them that I'm on my way." Dumbledore said quietly to Madam Pomfrey, who nodded sharply and scurried from the room. With a heavy sigh Dumbledore stood gracefully from the bed. "I'm afraid that my presence has been requested. I regret leaving all of you with an undoubtedly long list of unanswered questions, but I will, of course, be glad to answer your queries at another time. Edgar, could you please spare a moment?"
Whitman looked rather worried as he stood from his chair, which Dumbledore vanished. "Of course, Headmaster." He replied promptly.
"Well, you four feel free to visit as long as you like." Dumbledore said as he and Whitman headed for the door. "I'll inform Poppy not to rush you off."
"Ta-ta." Dumbledore and Whitman said together. They each stopped and looked at one another briefly with mildly interested expressions before turning to exit the door and, closing it softly behind them.
"What do you suppose that was about?" Hermione asked worriedly.
"I wonder if it's to do with the Order." Ginny offered. "He invited Whitman along."
"I'm sure people are always needing to speak with Dumbledore nowadays." Harry said absently, staring off into space. Ron was sure Harry, like himself, was thinking more on this new power than Dumbledore's hasty departure.
Ginny looked at Harry for a moment as if considering something. "You need me." She replied plainly.
Harry turned to look at her. "What?" He asked curiously.
"You need me, Harry." She said again. "We should stop hiding. You're stronger when you can love me."
He looked at her and smiled, "But I always love you."
Ginny's eyes began tearing up, but as Harry reached for her she leaned away from him and held out her hand. "Give it back." She said firmly, wiping her tears away with one hand, yet keeping the other outstretched.
"What?" He asked in confusion.
"I want my barrette back."
He sighed slightly and chuckled at her as he stood up and reached into the pockets of his robes to retrieve it. She reached for it, but he pulled it back. "Let me." He said softly. Ron glanced at Hermione, who was smiling and biting her bottom lip as she watched Harry and Ginny.
Harry sat back down on the bed as Ginny stood up. Ginny then stood in between Harry's legs with her back to him. He gently gathered her hair into his hands with his fingers. After he had gotten all loose strands from her face and about her neck, he clipped her hair together in a low ponytail.
As soon as he was through, she spun around and hugged him tightly around his neck. He wrapped his arms around her waist and Ron heard Harry whisper, 'I'm sorry...' Ginny was now sobbing on Harry's shoulder, and Harry was kissing her tenderly on her hand, which he was holding in one of his hands.
Ron then felt a hand cover his. He looked up to see Hermione nodding her head toward the doors. They stood up from their lounge chairs and quietly slipped out of the infirmary. Harry and Ginny were so consumed with one another; Ron doubted that either of them knew that he and Hermione had left.
As soon as Ron and Hermione had exited the hospital wing, they heard the chattering of voices and saw the swarm of hungry students entering the Great Hall for lunch. Ron gripped onto Hermione's hand and looked down at her.
"Are you ready?" He asked with a sigh. She looked up at him with a feeble smile.
"No…are you?"
"No…but I'm hungry."
Hermione giggled slightly. "Well…shall we?"
Ron shrugged and began leading her into the crowded entrance hall, holding tightly to her hand. As soon as they entered the crowd…they heard them…the whispers.
"Do you think he really is the heir of Slytherin after all?" "Did you see those eyes?" "He knocked his best mate to the floor!" "I hear Dean wants to be an auror; Harry must not want any competition." "Will he go to Azkaban for attempted murder?" "Did you see that kiss between Ginny Weasley and Dean Thomas?" "Harry must fancy Ginny Weasley!" "Will Professor Whitman be fired for attacking a student?" "Did you see how Hermione Granger was all over Thomas? The rumors about her must be true."
Ron stopped in his tracks at these last words and turned to glare at the perpetrator. Hermione was pulling on his hand to try and get him to just leave it and continue toward the Gryffindor table. It was Pansy Parkinson, and she was looking straight at Ron and sneering.
"Come on, Ron." Hermione said urgently, "Let's just get to the table."
Ron continued to glare at Pansy, but he then heard a small, "Please," from Hermione. He looked down into her imploring eyes and grudgingly followed her to their table after casting one last glance at Pansy, who was now taking her seat beside Malfoy and whispering into his ear. Malfoy laughed loudly and looked up at Ron with a snicker.
Ron realized his pace had slowed down considerably as Hermione again began tugging on his arm. He then quickened his pace until they finally reached their area of the table and took their seats. Ron could feel dozens of eyes on him and Hermione; even from their fellow Gryffindors!
Hermione scooted as close to Ron as she could, grabbed his hand, and pulled his arm about her waist like a belt. Resting her forehead on his chin she whispered, "Oh, that was so awful. Why can't they just keep their thoughts to themselves?"
Ron sighed heavily and tightened his arm about her waist. "I don't know, Hermione." Twiddling with her robes on her stomach, Ron began hesitantly, "Hermione…do you think Harry will be able to control his power?"
She leaned her head back to look at him, "Yes." She stated firmly. "He has to. And Dumbledore will be helping him."
Ron nodded at her. She sounded very confident, but Ron's stomach was still squirming. He just couldn't get the image of Harry's glowing green eyes out of his head.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Yay! Well, I hope this was an enjoyable chapter for everyone. All of this content was originally going to be in chapter 34, but I was crazy to think I could manage all that in one day! So anyway, I hope you guys like my idea of the Blood Bonds and whatnot, and I hope I explained it well. Okay then...hopefully I will have another chapter for you tomorrow night! It's been storming a lot here in TN soI'm going to turn in for the night b/c I love sleeping in stormy weather! I don't know why I felt the need to tell everyone that, but anyway... lol...
Thanks everyone so much for the reviews! They are as inspiring as ever!
Oh, and there are a few Whitman Words below, although, I think they're probably self-explanatory. Ta-ta!... lol..
Cracking / pursuing romantically
Grinning like a shot fox / the same as 'grinning ear-to-ear'
chinwagging / talking
crook / angry
chyacking / jeering
kangaroos loose in your top paddock / crazy
cark it / die
yabber / a lot of talk