Return to Power

Rating: M for later scenes

Genre: Romance

DISCLAIMER: I do not own any of J. K. Rowling's characters. The plot line and original characters are my own. Sadly, I do not own hers. I wish I did. That would be one sweaty night!

Harry heard voices as if from very far off as he blinked several times, trying to clear his vision. He was staring up at the ceiling, the blinding white telltale of the Hospital Wing. He had been in here way too many times over the years. A mop of red hair entered his vision as his best friend, Ron Weasley, leaned over him.

"It's not even the school year and you're back in here, mate?"

Harry sat up slowly, his expression showing that he was anything but amused at Ron's comment. He looked around, not seeing anyone else, which was very unusual when Harry was in here. Usually Hermione and Ginny would be in here with at least one other person.

"What happened?"

"Well, according to Ginny, something about a blue field of light, you were being a lying bastard, and you almost falling into the lake. Familiar?"

"Yeah. Most of it does. But what happened? How did I get here?"

"After that weird light made Ginny fly back into a tree, you stood up, looked at your hands, and fainted. Hermione had moved quietly into the room, carrying a book as usual, and sitting on the side of his bed. Harry gave her a quizzical look as he glanced at his palms where the marks of the dragon and phoenix were still newly present against the pale white skin of his hands.

"What the hell is it?"

"It is the Zon-rari. The mark of one blessed by the gods, and rumored to have been last seen on the hands of Godric Gryffindor, and Merlin himself even before that. It brings with it great power, and with time, an understanding above any other persons, one rumored to be deadly to normal mortals."

"Zon-rari … Didn't Binns mention that once? He said nothing could have stopped the goblin rebellion of 1776 in less than a complete massacre except for the powers of a Zon-rari."

"Yes. But Gryffindor had died three years previous, so they could do nothing."

Harry looked at his palms again, and then waved his and to the side, convinced that this was just some elaborate joke and the blue light some new ward that the Order had put on him to keep him safe. But as he waved his hand, the little table by his bed was thrown against the far wall and the trash bin by the doors to the Hospital Wing burst into purple flames.

"You have to be careful now, Harry," Hermione said as she pt her hands over his, putting them back onto the bed. Ginny chose that moment to walk in, and she stormed over, obviously about to hit Harry again, but thought better of it, and slapped Hermione across the face.

"You better start explaining right now, Harold James Potter!"

"Nothing is going on between me and Mione, Gin. She was upset! Her parents were killed! I was comforting her and she kissed me!"

Ginny looked shocked, her mind so set on the fact that Harry had made up an easily believable lie so he could leave her for Hermione.

"Oh." She went over and took Hermione's hand in hers. "Mione? Can you forgive me? Lame it on my red hair. We don't check facts."

Hermione laughed before taking Ginny into her arms. Then Ginny turned to Harry and held her arms out.

"Can you forgive me too, Harry?"

Harry pulled her close, hugging her tightly to him.

"How can I not?" He kissed her forehead lightly before letting go of her, looking at Ron who had a look of revolt on his face.

"Can you not be all lovey-dovey with my sister around me?"

They all burst into laughter, which brought Madame Pompfrey in to shut them up.