OK now people, we know the deal, I own nothing. Any way, this chapter is 6 pages long! R&R! (no chapter dedication this time)
THE CENTAURS' WISH
By the time Halloween day had come, Harry regretted his promise to go – Ron would be alone on Halloween, with the exception of a jumpy first year. Although Ron showed little signs of wanting to go, Harry reminded himself that this was probably because he didn't show signs of wanting to do much of anything. Harry quietly uttered an apology to Ron, who muttered distractedly, and went to see Madame Pomfrey. After insisting he felt right, Harry made his way to the common room. He couldn't help his spirits from rising, as he was looking forward to the feast.
He found Hermione and Ginny waiting for him when he got to the portrait hole.
'Hello Harry!' Hermione said happily. Ginny didn't say anything, but just stared at him. Harry was reminded of Luna Lovegood, a girl in Ginny's year. Harry's stomach missed a few steps – Ginny was acting weirdly again.
'Hi!' said Harry. It felt good to be able to stretch his legs, and was walking faster then both Ginny and Hermione, but this was not from lack of trying.
Ginny seemed to be pulling back Hermione, whispering things in her ear. Hermione looked very shocked, and tried to push her away, but she sustained a new founded strong grip. Hermione broke away, and urged Harry to walk quicker. Ginny started to pull Hermione back again, but Harry had had enough of whispers behind his back.
'IMPEDIMENTA!'
Hermione looked even more shocked as she stared at Ginny, who had been blasted off her feet.
Harry rounded onto Hermione.
'What did she say?' he demanded.
'She … er … was just saying stuff like "Potter" and how she … she hates you … quick!'
Ginny was stirring on the floor. Harry, keen to hear more from Hermione pulled her off to a sprint around Hogwarts to the Entrance Hall. Harry stared at Hermione, who was avoiding his face, and walking to the Great Hall.
'Hermi– '
'Ssh! Let's go in, while there aren't so many people.'
She and Harry crept into the great hall, where the great babble of noise erupted around them, with most people pointing, again, at Harry.
'Aren't so many people?' he said, incredulously, as he walked down the gap between the Hufflepuff and Gryffindor table, looking for seats. Ginny still wasn't there, which made Harry (in spite of himself) cheer up; she had been making him nervous.
'Harry!' called Neville, Seamus and Dean. Harry grinned and looked up.
'Where've you been?' asked Neville, looking at Harry as though he had never seen him before.
'Hospital wing, I, er…' Harry was spared making up an excuse as Dumbledore had got up, and cleared his throat. All four Houses fell silent at once. Harry looked up towards him, and saw the decorations, and smiled; there were skeletons dancing around, and Hagrid was watching them in awe.
Dumbledore cleared his throat again, and various other people who had been watching the bewitched skeletons flicked their head back onto Dumbledore.
'Welcome, to an excellent feast. Let us not wallow in our despairs; let us eat this merry night away!'
Harry didn't need telling twice, and, as Dumbledore sat down, he watched the usual mass of food appear. Harry, who had been living off of healthy, balanced food for the last month grabbed everything he could find.
Not that the food in front of him wasn't nutritious; mounds of vegetables were in front of him, and the meat was the best he had ever tasted. Many people were eating with great enthusiasm but, as Harry looked round, he saw that somebody wasn't.
'Are you gonna eat anything?' he asked, but Hermione just looked sadly down at her plate, pushing around her stake and kidney pie with her fork. Harry read what was going on in her mind.
'Hermione,' he said, in a lower, gentler voice, 'we can visit Ron later. He probably doesn't even know there's a feast…' As soon as Harry had said the words, he knew he had made a mistake. Hermione lowered her head even further, and Harry saw silent tears run down her face. 'D'you want to go now? I don't mind.' He added, sideways looking onto his untouched potatoes, but Hermione shook her head, and gave Harry a watery smile. Harry was very grateful, but he could tell that Hermione still wanted to see Ron; she kept on glancing to the big, oak doors.
BANG!
The doors slammed open, and bounced back from the doors. Ginny was standing in the threshold, clutching her wand tightly in her hands. She walked slowly to seats at the other end of the table from Harry and Hermione, and shot contemptuous glances at everyone who was already sitting down.
Hannah Abbott and Ernie Macmillan were watching her beadily. They weren't the only ones; students were craning their necks to see the source of the commotion, and the uncomfortable draft around Harry's ankles told him that she had left the door open.
With a mere flick of his wand, Dumbledore, without even looking at the doors, shut them, talking to Professor McGonagall. Harry started on his food, and, for a while forgot his troubles, just like Dumbledore had said earlier.
He, Seamus and Dean were talking about Gryffindor's Matches so far. Harry had not gone to either of them, and was being told what had happened. He was surprised to hear that Ginny had filled in for him, but even more surprised when he heard that she had not even looked for the snitch; both times the other team had won by a large amount.
This reminded Harry that he had not been on a broomstick since his last year at Hogwarts. He felt a pang in his stomach; he really missed it.
Hermione started eating. People were getting up from their tables and crossing over. Dumbledore made no effort to stop them, but perhaps this was because the houses rarely talked to one another.
Harry watched Malfoy get up haphazardly, but then he changed his gaze; he was sure Malfoy was making fun of himself. He turned his attention to other people getting up; some left the Great Hall. Harry watched as Terry Boot, Hannah Abbott, some Ravenclaw First years, Millicent Bulstrode, and a girl with a long, black ponytail down her back accompanied by a boy with blond spiky hair go out the great oak doors. Harry watched them uneasily. Felling that Hermione still wanted to go to the Hospital Wing, he got up only to find someone pulling his robes. Harry whipped around, just as Hermione gasped:
'Malfoy!'
Harry pulled out his wand and pointed it at Malfoy, but Malfoy ignored this and pulled Harry's robes down further. Harry was wrenched down onto the floor, head to head with Malfoy. Only then did Harry realise something was wrong. He looked into Malfoy's face, and saw that his eyes were rolling; his pale face was flushed, and he was having difficulty talking; he was breathing as though he had run for miles.
'Harry,' said Hermione, 'I think he needs to see Madame Pomfrey. He doesn't look to wel–' Hermione stopped in Horror as Malfoy turned to her.
'Hermione,' he gasped, and so did Hermione; it was the first time Malfoy had called her by her first name. 'Need…help…help…me…' His words trailed into nothing as Harry looked at Hermione.
'You know this could be a joke,' he said seriously, but Hermione looked at him, and Harry sighed. 'Fine, but can't we stun him, or something. We've got to be quick,' he added hastily, and he was correct; students were craning their necks to have a look at him. All the Gryffindor's were muttering to each other.
Harry decided not to stun Malfoy; he could feel the teacher's eyes on the back of his head. Instead, he and Hermione dragged Malfoy out of the Great Hall, and propped him against a broom cupboard. Malfoy's breathing slowed down, but his eyes were still rolling, and drool was now coming from his mouth.
'Harry … help me … Lord … who … my Father … help …' Malfoy's words were broken, and Harry couldn't tell what he meant. Harry could hear people running around…he was sure not that many people had left the Great Hall.
Just as Harry thought that, five more people ran from the Hall, their eerie silhouettes against the wall. They were all no taller than either Harry or Hermione.
'Help…' Malfoy kept on muttering, repetitively. 'Help…'
Harry and Hermione did not speak to each other the whole journey to the hospital wing, partially due to Malfoy's weight, and partially due to the fact that they were both scared.
Harry's stomach gave a leap as he saw the wing, and, as he opened the door, a twinge in his scar made him stop. He rubbed it hard with his spare hand; it had not hurt this bad in days. As Harry took the first step into the Ward, his scar opened with pain, and Harry dropped Malfoy, and fell to the floor…he felt angry, and could hear screaming…a tangle of shapes…angry yells…the screams continued…
'Harry!'
Harry's scar stopped hurting as someone hit him hard round the head. Hermione was looking at him with scared, round eyes, with her hand drawn back. It seemed to be her who hit him. The pain in his scar seared again, and Harry fell back on the floor…he could hear feet moving closer and closer…he could hear someone…a traitor, someone who should not be here…an impostor…his scar felt fit to burst, as if someone was pressing a hot iron spark next to it…
Harry's scar stopped hurting as abruptly as it started. Now not only Hermione stared at him; Malfoy and Madame Pomfrey came over, and the twitchy first year watched uneasily; Ron made timid motions, and gasping sounds.
Harry had crossed the room in an instant.
'Ron, what's wrong? I'm fine now, you know, it was just my scar…I…' Harry's voice faltered. Ron had an extra scar, right next to the one on his neck. Harry was sure that this scar wasn't there before, as it was still bleeding now. Harry ushered Hermione over to Ron, and she squealed out loud. She pointed to Harry three … four … five more scars that hadn't been there before. Harry's eyes fell from Malfoy, who was panting wildly on the floor, to Madame Pomfrey, who was looking at him in concern, to the agitated first year.
'Oi - you!' He yelled; the first year jumped. 'What are you in here for?' He didn't answer. 'Madame Pomfrey?' he asked in a more subdued voice, 'Please tell me what he is in here for.'
'He – he is in here for his own;' she lowered her voice, 'm-mental health.' She finished.
'Put him in a private ward.' Harry said, rather aggressively. He didn't care about being rude; this runty boy had been hurting his best friend. Hermione have a dry sob next to him. He put an arm around her, wishing Ron was better. Anger rose up in Harry very quickly.
'You, idiot, get into you own ward, NOW! There's a private one round there, isn't there?' he added to Madame Pomfrey, who nodded quietly. Harry took no notice of her being more subdued than normal. The little first year jumped from bed, and carried his wand into the private ward with himself. They heard him shut the door behind him – 'Colloportus!' – And everyone in the Wing fell silent. Ron made a gasping noise, and Hermione rushed over to him. Harry wrenched his eyes from Ron's colourless face, and turned to Malfoy, who was lying, twitching on the floor.
'Malfoy...er, Draco,' he said, uneasily, 'what's wrong? What happened? What had this got to do with,' he lowered his voice, 'Voldemort?' Malfoy gave a gasp, and Madame Pomfrey listened intently. Harry wished she wouldn't; she made him feel like he was being spied on
Malfoy seemed incapable of speech, but he kept on gesturing in the air. Harry requested three more beds for the Hospital wing. He wasn't taking any chances.
Harry hardly slept that night; he kept on waking up and checking on Ron. Hermione simply didn't sleep at all, but watched Ron, her eyes tired, but alert.
'Hermione,' Harry whispered, 'you have to go to bed – you haven't eaten for–' Harry thought about it, and realised that she hadn't eaten for '–days. You look so tired…' Harry voice trailed off as she held Ron's hand, and he saw more tears run down her face, and she gave a small sob.
'Harry,' she said softly, 'you know only one person could do th-this. You know Voldemort has planned this all?' she held Ron's hand tighter. Harry saw Ron squeeze her hand back. 'He's running Hogwarts, and we've only just finished October! He has too much power…but why did he pick Ron? Why?' she hung her head, and said no more. Harry sat by her for the rest of the night.
Over the course of the night, four more people were admitted to the wing; they all seemed to have collapsed, yet all of them were older students. Surely they could defend themselves? Thought Harry. They all looked shocked, even though they had fainted. They were all glinting oddly in the moonlight…black owls zoomed into the darkness…
'Wake up, wake up!' Madame Pomfrey's voice rang through the wing. Hermione jolted awake; she had only fallen asleep an hour ago. Harry knew because he watched her. 'Breakfast,' she added.
Once again, Hermione only pushed around her egg and kippers. Harry only ate a little, glancing over to Malfoy, who was silently crying to himself. Despite himself, Harry felt sorry for Malfoy. They were now all united, under Voldemort … and Harry hated him so much … all these things he had done, not caring for anyone but himself …
Madame Pomfrey fed Ron his potion. His eyes flickered, and Hermione whispered 'It's OK Ron, we're here now, nothing's going to happen … you're going to get better now.'
'Thank you,' Ron said huskily, and Hermione gave a watery smile.
BANG!
Harry and Hermione started. Ron and Malfoy didn't seem to notice the thunderous students.
BANG!
The Wing door opened and Firenze cantered in.
'Potter boy,' he said; Harry wheeled around. 'None of you are safe, I have told the headmaster. They seek to kill.'
'Who's killing who? What do you mean?'
Firenze kept his voice calm, but he kept glancing to the door.
'They all seek to kill.' He repeated. Harry remembered something Hagrid had said – 'Ruddy mules – aren't interested in anything closer than the moon.' Firenze seemed interested now. He walked to the back of the wing, and asked for food. Madame Pomfrey conjured up some plant assortment, and Firenze ate serenely.
Malfoy was talking louder now.
'They come…I can hear them…' Malfoy didn't sound like his normal self; there was no drawl to his voice, and there wasn't a hint of snide in his tone.
BANG!
Harry could hear what sounded like hundreds of thousands of footsteps rumbling on only the floor above. He saw Hermione tense in her seat, and Madame Pomfrey turned her head fearfully to the ceiling, which was shaking.
Malfoy's head kept on shaking, and he was still conversing with someone he alone could see…
'I can hear them…' he said again. 'They come closer … closer … I can hear them … I can hear them!'
BANG!
The doors flung open, and hundreds of centaurs came in. Harry understood why he had heard so many footsteps…each centaur had four feet…
Hermione cowered in her seat; she remembered her last encounter with these beasts. Harry placed himself in front of her, hearing her whimper. Ron lay completely still.
But the centaurs didn't head to Harry, or Ron, Hermione and Malfoy. The centaurs, Ronan in the lead, approached Firenze, who looked at them.
'Ronan,' Firenze said with a hint of disgust in his voice.
'You have betrayed our kind too often. You should be ashamed to be a centaur, you common mule.' Firenze stirred on the floor, but stayed his ground. 'Master –' Ronan talked up to the ceiling '–we gave you are words, and you gave us ours. Help us, NOW!'
And when that last word issued from Ronan's mouth, Harry's scar exploded with such a force that he was knocked onto the ground…he couldn't see…he was blinded by the pain…white-hot knives being pressed not only on his scar, but in his skin…his eyes were rolling madly…flashes of green light…he could distantly hear the footsteps going, and he could hear screams…
'Harry! They're in the school; they've got kids … Harry … Harry …' Hermione picked Harry up with difficulty; she was very weak. Harry looked around – there was only one centaur left. He was sprawled against the floor, his legs sticking out at all angles. His blond hair lolled on around him, like a halo, and his astonishingly blue eyes were wide open, a look off surprise on his face. Firenze was dead.
BANG!
Everyone jumped, and Hermione comforted a shivering Ron.
Dumbledore stepped into the Hospital Wing, accompanied by several stretchers.
'Poppy, would you be as kind as to –' he stopped as she saw Firenze's lifeless form. He walked forwards, put a hand to his chest, and breathed heavily. He waved his wand, and Firenze was shroud.
'Help!' Malfoy said. 'Help…quick…Dark Lord…help…'
Harry strode over to him, with Professor Dumbledore.
'What is the Dark Lord doing?' Dumbledore asked slowly. Malfoy turned his head to Dumbledore.
'My father…hasn't done…he punishes him…it hurts me…' he pointed to his chest '… inside … I feel … pain … Imperius … crucio ... all on me … I want … home … help me … help …' his voice was brought to a standstill.
'It's OK, Draco, we're here…nothing will harm you.' Dumbledore said.
Malfoy rocked backwards and forwards, and said no more.
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