Chapter three

'Please check to see that none of the boys are dressing.'

Neville nodded then stepped into the room, 'Its empty Professor,' Neville walked to the end of Harry's bed where the trunk was. He watched as McGonagall cast a few charms, 'Can you open it?'

'It will take more than my knowledge, it seems Mr. Potter used blood to seal his vault. Remain here and make sure no one tries to touch the trunk or anything that belongs to Mr. Potter. For all we know something of his was coated in the poison. I will return with Professor Dumbledore who would know how to remove the blood sealing charm.'

Neville nodded then sat on Harry's bed, but he couldn't help thinking about why someone would hurt Harry like this. If someone wanted him dead or hurt then the first task could do that so why poison him.

'Um, Neville, why are you sitting on Harry's bed?' Dean asked.

'I was told to make sure no one touches Harry's stuff, someone poisoned him and we're not sure how.'

'What?!' Yelled dean and Seamus, 'He won't die, will he?' Seamus asked.

'No, but he's lost all his strength and magic. I had to levitate him to the hospital, he didn't even complain, then he passed out.'

The three boys looked up when two professors walked in, 'Move aside Mr. Longbottom,' Albus said seriously.

The three boys stood together while Professor Dumbledore moved his wand in intricate patterns over the trunk.

'Do you know where Harry learned blood magic Mr. Longbottom?' Minerva asked.

'Not really, I mean he's been studying everything that might help in the first task. Not knowing what it is he wasn't sure what he would need. I would do my homework while he researched spells. Being classed as a champion he was able to use the restricted section but I know he only got two books from there. I'm not sure what they were though.'

'This is very advanced blood spells,' Albus said as the locked clicked open, 'Where exactly are the chocolate frogs?'

Neville moved closer, 'Under his clothes and cloak, he may have one beside the bed.'

Albus found a half a block of Honeydukes chocolate and two chocolate frogs, Minerva found another frog. Albus did a few more spells over Harry's clothes, shoes, broom, even his school bag and books.

'I checked his wand, it was clean just the same as everything here. We will test the chocolate next. If you think of anything that Harry may have taken that was different to you Mr. Longbottom, let us know immediately.'

'I will professor, but what about the first task, the binding contract says Harry must compete?'

'We will have to wait and see. You can visit later, we need to finish running some tests.'

'Sir,' Neville stepped closer, 'if someone did this to Harry then I want to stay with him to make sure no one slips him something else.'

'Actually Headmaster, Longbottom has a good idea, Potter will need to be watched,' Minerva said.

'Then yes, you can but wait until you get a message from me before going to the hospital. The test we need to perform should not be seen by students your age.'

'I will wait sir,' Neville watched them leave before he sat on the bed of his friend.

'Do you really think someone is trying to kill Harry?' Dean asked.

'He swore on his magic that he didn't enter, that was a week after the cup selected the champions. If he did then he would have had his magic bound. Why else would someone enter him if not to kill him or whatever the tasks could do?'

'Smart Neville, if someone wanted him dead without doing it themselves this is the perfect way. But then why slip him a poison, he was already entered?' Seamus asked.

'That's why I'm confused, unless there is more than one person that wants him dead. You know, death eaters. I'm sure they hate Harry for what happened when he was a baby and we know a lot never got locked up. From what Harry told me, Dumbledore had him placed with family so he could be protected by blood wards, so he must have known Harry could be in danger.'

'I never knew he had blood wards,' Seamus said.

'It was to do with his mother's sacrifice, as long as Harry stays with her blood he's safe, so he lives with his mother's sister. She's a muggle and hates all of us but agreed to allow Harry to live there, even if she hates him.'

Just then Fawkes flashed into the room, the beautiful phoenix held a note in his beak, he leaned closer to Neville who smiled as he took the note. He remembered Harry telling him about Fawkes, now he knew why Harry said the phoenix were magnificent creatures.

Neville arrived back at the hospital, 'Did you find out professors?'

'Yes, his chocolate frogs were tampered with, we have yet to determine what was used though. Professor Snape is analysing the frogs and Harry's blood. Now, I will allow you to stay with Harry through the night, but you return to classes tomorrow. Poppy will be here through the day.'

'Yes Professor, thank you,' Neville sat on the bed beside Harry, 'When will he wake up?'

'We are unsure, but he is fine, just asleep. It seems the poison is like a sleeping draught apart from making him lose his magic and strength,' Poppy said as she straightened Harry's blankets, 'Call Mipsy, the house elf, she will bring you your sleep wear and some dinner.'

'Thank you Madam Pomfrey,' Neville looked back at Harry as the others left, 'Who Harry, who would do this to you?'

Neville decided to lie back on the bed he would be using that night, his wand was right beside his hand. He was not going to take the chance that someone would try to hurt Harry while he was asleep. His mind kept going over everyone who might have a reason to kill Harry. But apart from the Slytherin's, he couldn't think of anyone else.

When it got late Neville called the house elf to bring him his pyjamas and some dinner after, with some juice. Even while eating he couldn't stop thinking about who hurt his friend.

Neville had just finished eating when the twins and Lee turned up.

'Dumbledore made an announcement that Harry was ill, but he didn't say from what,' Fred said.

'Yeah, he seemed to hesitate, do you know what's going on with Harry?' George asked.

'He was poisoned, it's drained him of magic and strength and put him to sleep. Professor Snape is working on what was used so they can find something that will help. But Madam Pomfrey said he's fine otherwise, his just asleep now.'

'Do you know if it was meant to kill Harry?' Lee asked.

'I don't know, I just figured it was. The thing is, if it meant to kill then why didn't it?'

'Well, Harry survived the killing curse as a baby, maybe he has some type of immunity to things that kill. I'm not talking natural causes, but curses and potions, stuff like that.' Fred said.

'If Snape is working on this then he may find the answer. He might be a bastard but he's gifted with potions,' George said.

'Let's hope he finds something. Do you know what's going to happen with the tournament?' Lee asked.

'No, Dumbledore just said we'd have to wait and see. But if he's drained now, he wouldn't recover in two days.'

'You're right, people drain their magic when using strong protection charms, especially when they try to save others,' George said, 'It usually takes them weeks to get back to their full power.'

'I suppose we'll just have to wait and see. I noticed Hermione looked upset, was she still trying to talk to Harry about Ron?' Fred asked.

'Yep, he told her they weren't friends anymore since she couldn't do the one thing he asked, stop bringing him up. Harry was not going to forgive him this time, she wouldn't listen, not that she ever did.'

'You're like us Neville, we don't like her at all. We only spoke to her because of Harry. Anyway, let us know how he is, but we'll visit again tomorrow.'

Neville watched the three leave, one thing struck him as odd, they didn't look worried, not like he was. He knew they would never hurt Harry in anyway, he just couldn't figure out why weren't they concerned that someone had poisoned Harry.

He decided to get changed and read for a while, he could catch up on some of his school work while he was keeping watch over Harry. He was also going to write to his Gran and Mr. Grenich, tell them what is going on with Harry now. They would hear about it as someone would let the Daily Prophet know, but Neville wanted to tell them. He also wanted them to know the truth and not the lies the Daily Prophet usually wrote about Harry.

Nothing changed the following day. By the time Neville finished his classes Harry was still asleep and no word yet from Professor Snape. Once again Neville made himself comfortable on the bed, book opened, wand beside him and that's how he would stay for the next few hours. Even though he was studying, he kept glancing at Harry to see if there was any change, so far, nothing.

The following day was the start of the tournament and Harry slept, but Professor Snape found out that the poison was not meant to kill Harry, just drain him of his magic. The poison will expel naturally from his body within the week, then his strength and magic would return, slowly and it will take time but it will return. Hearing that made Neville sag in relief, now he just had to wait until Harry woke.

There was much talk from the judges, Dumbledore and Poppy. When the judges tried to go on about the magical binding contract, Poppy stepped in stating as Harry was her patient it was up to her to decide. She said straight out that Harry was not competing due to health issues which automatically cancelled the magic in the contract. No one was told the outcome of the meeting, apart from Neville, they figured Harry should be informed first but Neville was acting as a bodyguard for Harry. Poppy only had one concern, it seemed Mad-eye Moody who at first tried to say Harry could not have entered the competition himself, was now trying to find a way to make him compete.

When Neville decided to remain beside Harry instead of watching the first task he finally remembered about Harry's godfather. He wasn't sure if Mr. Grenich informed Sirius so he decided to quickly write a letter, explaining everything but how Harry was fine and how he would not want his godfather to come out of hiding, not when he will be okay. Neville also wrote that he would make sure Harry notified him as soon as he was well. Neville didn't want to leave Harry as everyone, including Madam Pomfrey was down on the grounds, it would be the perfect opportunity to get to Harry. So, he called a house elf to take the letter to Hedwig and it was to go to Snuffles.

Neville had no idea what was going on outside, but he did hear the odd scream and a terrifying roar through the open window.

'Blimey, I wonder what they had to face out there?'

'Dragons.'