Chapter Fifteen

A/N: I DO NOT OWN ANYTHING IN TERMS OF THE LION KING OR HARRY POTTER! Apologize for shortness. My brain apparently didn't like going any longer than the current chapter was at.

Hermione left some time in February, meaning Simba was once again left on his own. The nurse had chased Timon out of the Hospital Wing, so that was out as well. He was left all by himself.

ALL BY MYSELF!

SHUT UP!

I can't help it!

If you don't shut it, I'll shut it for you!

How?

My foot up your ass!

Silence. But then….

I'm in your head. How can I have an ass? Oh, and nice language for a twelve year old!

Simba mentally sighed. Sooner or later, he'd get out of this. Then, he'd get rid of the annoying voice inside his head. It was driving him insane!

00000

The months trickled by, but Simba still got news on occasion. Like Harry's valentine. That would have sent him off the bed laughing if he wasn't petrified.

But news was few and far between, something, which drove Simba insane. He didn't like not knowing things. Yes, he often said his brother and friends were as bad as newborns but that was besides the point.

Oh, and what is the point?

GO AWAY!

It was official. Staying in the Hospital Wing almost the entire year was going to drive him out of his mind.

000

One day in May (or June, Simba couldn't tell), Professor McGonagall came rushing in with Harry and Ron. Simba's heart clenched.

"Hermione!" Ron gasped and Simba felt his stomach drop. There was another member of his pride that he didn't protect, because he was stuck like this. Some lion he was!

He could see Hermione out of the corner of his eye, and wasn't even paying attention to what McGonagall was saying. It was odd, seeing her lying so still and not breathe.

000000

Simba had finally gotten used to falling asleep even though he had his eyes open, but was rudely awakened by the forcing of liquid down his throat. But then that was excused when he felt his limbs move.

"Hey Hermione," he called and winced at the roughness of his voice. Guess not using it for a while made it like that.

"Hey Simba," Hermione smiled at him. "How's it feel to move around again?"

"Amazing!"

"I know," she nodded. "I can't believe they solved it. I hope Harry didn't get hurt. I wonder where he is?"

Simba looked around and saw Ginny nursing some sweet smelling beverage but he didn't see his brother.

"Go," Madam Pomfrey ushered them all out of the Hospital Wing—except for Ginny. "There's to be a feast!"

Simba ran out of the Hospital Wing and raced to the Great Hall. There, not even paying attention to who was there, he pounced on Harry.

"Simba!"

"Harry!"

He got up and climbed under the table. There would be more chicken and he was happy with this.

00000

Later that week, Simba was chilling with Harry outside when Harry got up.

"What's up?" Simba asked.

"Our bet," Harry said. "It was rather dangerous of me to go after the Heir alone."

"Forget it Harry," Simba said. "You're safe, the school is safe and most importantly, we're not dead. Let's leave that for another time."

Harry grinned. "You're alright, little brother."

"Excuse me?" Simba play-growled to his real little brother. "You think you're now the older sibling?"

"Duh!"

"You'll have to wrestle with me first!" Simba growled playfully and did just that. The older years who were out had learned by then to get out of the way, and the first years just followed the older years' lead.

"Harry!" Hermione exclaimed upon finding them. Ron held her back.

"They're not fighting Hermione," Fred jumped out of the tree he was sitting in. "They did that about once a day at the Burrow. I think it's their way of getting rid of boredom."

"Fred, you approve of all things loud and annoying," Ron said in a dead panned voice.

"So?"

Ron rolled his eyes and picked up a stone. He had learned the hard way that it was better to not physically get between the siblings and their matches.

"OI!" both brothers yelled when the stone was thrown.

"You could have simply tapped Harry on the shoulder," Hermione said with a frown.

"Last time I did that, I got three claw marks to the arm!" Ron protested. "Took mum half an hour to heal that."

"Sorry Ron," Simba looked down.

"Eh," Ron shrugged. "I've had worse from the twins. Bill and Charlie too now that I think of it. Family Quidditch matches are brutal."

Simba brightened up at this. He didn't want to think of himself as causing pain to any of his friends.

"Anywho," Ron said. "Pumba and Timon are looking for Harry, and this moron wants to hang out with Simba," he said pointing to Fred.

"Aww Ronniekins I'm touched," Fred said with a smirk.

"Shut it," Ron grumbled and walked away with Harry, who'd ruffled Simba's mane before he left.

"Boys," Hermione shook her head before leaving with them. Simba turned to Fred.

"So what's up?" he asked.

"Just wondering if you were going to come to the Burrow again," Fred said. "It was fun having you and Harry around last time."

"The Burrow's the best!" Simba exclaimed in joy. "Of course I'll join you. Though, I think I'll need to ride in your trunk again. Otherwise, I might end up at the Dursleys."

"You don't think they'll try that again do you?" Fred frowned.

"They looked stupid to me," Simba shrugged. "So, I don't really know."

Fred chuckled and ruffled Simba's mane. "You're alright kid. Hey, want to go prank the Hufflepuffs with George, Lee and me?"

"SURE!" Simba grinned and ran after Fred with delight. The next few days were rough for the lion, but as there was no DADA or any exams, they could be spent relaxing with his brother or pranking with his friends.

"I think we made a mistake," Ron said as they got on the train, "allowing them to grow so close."

"I think it's sweet," Hermione rolled her eyes. "Oh did you hear? I'm going to France with my parents this summer. I can't wait."

"Yeah Harry," Ron said, "I'll see if Mum will let you come over again this summer. You don't mind if Simba stays with us, do you?"

"No," Harry shook his head. "Besides, one doesn't know if the Dursleys will be at the station again."

"They can't be that bad?" Ginny asked. Simba smirked; that was the first thing he'd heard the red-head say in front of Harry. The train lurched to a stop before Harry could answer and Simba jumped into Ron's trunk.

"The Burrow here I come," he muttered and smirked. That smirk faded though upon seeing the Dursleys once again. He somehow knew that his brother would have a hellish summer with them. He only hoped that Harry would escape their clutches soon and rejoin him in a summer of fun and pranks.

"See you mate," Ron muttered and put a hand on Harry's shoulder to show support. "I'll write when I can."

"You mean when Errol's recovered?" Simba muttered. What? He knew that owl and that owl was old! It even had an old scent.

"See you," Harry nodded and followed the Dursleys back to their car.

"Be safe little brother," Simba whispered as he watched his family walk off. "Please don't let this summer be like the last."