Author's Note: Ok, sorry about the delay folks. I really expected to have this chapter up last week, but stuff happened which delayed my muse. Problems at the parents house. Good thing I don't live there anymore! Anyway, as always, I own nothing, yada yada yada... Enjoy.
Chapter 3
A week had passed since Hermione and Ron had found Harry down by the lake behind Hagrid's hut, and still they were no closer to finding an answer. Hermione spent her spare time scouring the library while Ron went around interrogating Nearly Headless Nick. The endless gawking from other students had doubled, thanks to Ron's incessant joking and laughing with Harry. Fred and George used that to their advantage and teased him about it every time they saw him, making comments about 'Broomilda', which always resulted in a flushed and pouting Ron. Ginny noticed Ron and Hermione's odd behavior as well, and she had begun asking questions. They simply avoided her, leaving Ginny confused and hurt. All Harry could do is stand by and watch, unable to comfort her broken spirit.
The trio convened once more down at the lake to discuss the happenings of the week. "So, do we have any idea why this is happening yet?" Ron asked. Hermione pulled a large, dusty book from her bag, blowing it off before she rested it on the ground in the middle of the trio. Flipping open, she turned pages until she landed on the one she was looking for. "Ah, here it is! 'Ghosts, magical beings who have passed on from the plane of the living, are apparitions that are similar to the appearance of the deceased. Semi-transparent and non-corporeal, these beings cannot ingest sustenance and are commonly associated with the former's place of inhabitance or belongings. Most wizards have a choice to move on from the ghostly plane, but a few choose to remain for various reasons, the most popular theory of which is for some sort of unfinished business.'"
Hermione looked up from the book as she finished. "Harry, I don't think you're a ghost." Ron stared at her as if she had sprouted an extra head. "What do you mean? No one else can see or hear him! He can pop up and appear when ever he wants!" "Yes." Hermione cut in. "But he can also eat, sleep, and he's certainly not transparent. I don't know about you, but I can see him plain as day. He's completely corporeal!" Harry allowed this knowledge to momentarily sink in. "So, I'm not dead?" He asked, scratching his head. Hermione shoved the dusty book back into her bag. "That's what I can't figure out. Every single thing I've read, every sign and detail that surrounds your disappearance points to the conclusion that you and Voldemort, oh stop it, Ronald! It's not like he's going to appear anytime someone says his name!" Hermione yelled at Ron when he shuddered. She continued. "Every plausible explanation points to the fact that you did, indeed, pass away."
"This doesn't make any sense." Harry sighed as he shifted. "If I'm not a ghost, then why can no one else see me? Or hear me for that matter?" Hermione shrugged, obviously out of answers. Ron scoffed. "Yeah, Nearly Headless Nick was no bloody help either. Everything he babbled on about had nothing to do with Harry, and the prat kept going on about the headless hunters and garbage."
Their conversation went on for a while longer, and soon they were interrupted but none other than Rubeus Hagrid. He came bumbling down the grassy hill, looking up when he noticed Ron and Hermione grazing by the lake. "'Ey! What are 'ou kids doin' out like this? Shouldn't 'ou be studyin' or in the common room?" The trio exchanged glances as Hagrid came nearer. Harry pressed a finger to his lips, reminding his friends that only they knew he was there. "Oh, hello, Hagrid!" Hermione shouted as she stood up and brushed off her robs. "We were just out getting some fresh air, discussing an assignment for Transfiguration." Ron jumped to his feet too, joining Hermione's side. "Yeah, the common room is always so crowded this time of day, and the library seems a bit too stuffy. Besides, this is going to be the last of the nice weather before winter starts."
Hagrid finally made it down to them, and he started rolling up his pant legs. "I suppose 'ou're right." He kicked off his enormous shoes and stepped into the lake until it came up to his knees. He started tossing rocks, watching them skip across the water. "Been hearing some strange things about 'ou kids." He said. "That 'ou're talking to thin air." Ron and Hermione exchanged glances, looking back at Harry. "Um, we just like pretending we can talk to Harry. It helps to feel like he's still here with us." Hermione said quickly. At the mention of Harry's name, Hagrid felt himself getting teary eyed. He fiddled with the stone in his hands. "Not healthy to be doing that." He choked out. "Maybe 'ou kids should go and see Dumbledore. Great man, 'e is." He threw his rock out into the water.
The four of them remained quiet for a few minutes, not quite sure what to say. "You know," Hagrid finally started, "I miss 'im too." He let his face twist in emotion. "I should of 'een there, you know. Should of helped him!" He threw another rock at the water, it just sinking in this time. Hermione gave him a sympathetic glance, and waded out in the water to him after she handed her robes to Ron. The tide came up to her waist, since Hagrid was obviously much taller than she. "It's ok, Hagrid. There was nothing more any of us could have done." She cooed, patting his back. She cast a look back to the shore. "You know, he isn't gone. The ones we love never really leave us." Hagrid nodded, grunting and trying to conceal his tears. "I suppose." He sniffled. He turned around. "What the… 'Mione! You're 'alf drenched! Come on." He picked her up easily, and Hermione gave a brief protest as Hagrid slung her over his shoulder out of the water. "That… that's all right, Hagrid! I can walk myself!" She sputtered. "Nonsense!" He said. "You'll catch cold if 'ou don't go and change into some warm clothes and get next to a fire!" Ron suppressed a giggle, his hand raising to cover his mouth watching Hagrid carry Hermione up the hill to his hut. He and Harry took off after him. "Hey, wait up!" Ron yelled after them
After much coaxing by Ron and Hagrid, Hermione sat in the hut, next to a roaring fire and wrapped in an overly large blanket while Ron gave her his jacket. They were pretty much out of options for her skirt and shoes though, so they'd have to wait until they got back to the dormitory. Hagrid made her some tea, practically shoving it at her. "Drink this." He had said. "It'll keep 'ou warm." He also placed some of his famous fudge in front of the two, and Ron, not wanting to hurt his feelings, starting eating it in very little bites and chewing quite profusely. "So, uh, quidditch season starts soon. Will 'ou still be playing, Ron?" Hagrid asked, trying to make conversation. "Um…" Ron gave a glance at Harry. His friend nodded, gesturing back to Hagrid. "Oh, yeah. Of course!" Ron said quickly. Hagrid sat down at the table after feeding Fang some extra steaks he had knicked at the last meal in the great hall. "Good." He said. " 'Ou kids need something to put your attention on." He scratched his huge beard, trying to think of something to say next. "So, 'ou kids enjoying the classes?" Hermione turned around in a heart beat. "Oh yes! Ancient Runes and Arthimacy are fascinating! I read in 'Hogwarts: A History' that…" She trailed off at the odd glances Ron and Harry gave her. "Oh, um… it's not that great." She said, biting her lip.
Ron decided they had spent enough awkward time there. "Uh, come on, Hermione. It's getting late, and it'll be past curfew in a bit." He motioned for her to get up, and she gently placed the blanket over the back of the chair she had been sitting in. "We promise to come visit more often." She patted Hagrid's shoulder. "Ok. 'Ou kids behave yourselves." Hagrid said as she and Ron left the hut. Harry lingered for a moment. "I'm so sorry, Hagrid." He whispered, then followed his friends back up to the castle. Hagrid gave a strange look, then got up and looked out of his door after Ron and Hermione running up the hill. "That's strange." He said, shaking his head and closing his door.
The next few weeks flew by like nothing at all. Ron and Ginny were busy with Quidditch, training a new chaser since Ginny took Harry's place as seeker. Hermione spent all her time on books and doing research, as usual, only now she took them with her to the Quidditch field, as Harry insisted that they go and watch. He was worried Ron may have an accident, or maybe the Slytherins may try to jinx him and keep him from playing. "What I'd give for my wand…" Harry muttered as Ginny swooshed past the two, chasing after the snitch. "I'd hex Draco a damn good one, just for kicks!" Hermione shook her head as she flipped pages in her latest book. "Oh Harry. Draco may be annoying, irritating, conniving, immature…" Hermione went on for about three minutes straight, listing off all of the bad qualities that Malfoy had. "Ok, ok!" Harry held up his hands. "I get the picture! What's your point?" Hermione looked up from her book. "The point is, he's a bloody coward. He wouldn't dare try anything without his cronies at his side, or he'll wait until you turn around and blast your back. Either way, he won't lay a finger on any of us anytime soon. I'll put him in the infirmary quicker than he can say treacle tart!" Harry let out a laugh at Hermione's feverish determination. "I know you will." He assured her.
Ginny slowed down out in the field, far from the stands. She had caught Hermione doing it again! Talking to nothing, to thin air like someone was sitting right next to her. Ginny shook her head in annoyance, not paying attention to the bludger speeding her way. "GINNY, WATCH OUT!" Ron shouted, startling her from behind. Harry and Hermione jumped up to his voice as well. "Oh! Oh!" Hermione dropped her book, fumbling for her wand. Harry looked back and forth quickly, nervously. In a split decision, he leapt over the edge of the stands, falling quite a bit to the ground. "HARRY!" Hermione shouted, plowing to the edge and peering over, forgetting about her wand. Harry hit the ground running, and Hermione stared at him unbelievably. How he managed to not crush when he hit the bottom was beyond her.
Ginny screamed as the bludger hit her, knocking her off her broom with a mighty force. A loud, sickening crack resounded through the stadium as the bones in her shoulder shattered, and she went hurtling to the ground. Harry almost flew, running as fast as his legs would carry him. Hermione watched in awe as Harry speed almost in a blur. "That's not humanly possible!" She gasped, and let out a loud shriek as Ginny plummeted out of the air.
Harry was under Ginny at precisely the right moment, and before she hit the ground, she felt something strong break her fall. Harry collapsed under the pressure of her drop, and her broom crashed down next to them. Hermione was running from the stands, her wand brandished. Ron and his teammates were landing around Ginny. "Oh my god!! Is she all right! Is she ok! Someone get a professor!" Random shouts rang up from the group. Ron threw his broom aside as he dropped down next to his sister and Harry. "Bloody hell!" He shouted., staring at Harry and grabbing Ginny. "Hey!" He shouted, carefully shaking her. "Look at me!" Ginny briefly opened her glazing over eyes, staring up at her big brother. "Did someone save me?" She spoke in a pain filled whisper. Ron nodded his head, tears pouring down his face and giving a glance at Harry. "Yeah, I think someone did."
After Hermione levitated Ginny to the hospital wing, the others waited outside patiently. "Did you see the fall she took?" Angelina spat. "I can't believe she didn't crush every bone in her body!" "Hey!" Ron shouted. "Knock it off!" He didn't want to hear how much worse it could have been. Hermione was frantic, but at the same time was trying to comfort Ron. "She'll be fine, Ronald. Madame Pomfrey can mend anything." She laid her head on his shoulder, and he wrapped his arm around hers. "I know." He murmured, half trying to convince himself.
Madame Pomfrey finally opened the doors about a half an hour later. She let the group come in, and their eyes met a peacefully sleeping Ginny. Her left arm was firmly wrapped and slung with bandages, and Harry was by her side the whole time.
A few hours later the group had left, except for Ron, Hermione, and Harry. They stayed, waiting for their friend to wake up. "I think you saved her life, mate." Ron said slowly. "If you hadn't been there…" Hermione rested her hands on Ron's. "He was there." She commented, comforting him. Harry stared down at the girl sleeping in the bed. He lovingly stroked her red hair, brushing it from her face. "I'd never let anything happen to her." He assured Ron. "Just like I'd never let anything happen to you two." He added. Ginny stirred. "Harry." She said, her eyes still close, and she sleepily turned her head. Harry backed up suddenly. "Did you hear that? She said my name!" Hermione stared down at Ginny, studying her. "She's still asleep, Harry. She's just dreaming." Harry looked downcast, then settled back in his seat. "Yeah, I guess so." He'd let his hopes get up, and felt crushed all the same. "Listen, you guys need to eat something. I'll stay here with her." Harry insisted. "But what about you?" Hermione asked. Harry didn't have much of an appetite. "I'm not hungry." He said quickly. "You two need to eat. Besides, Madame Pomfrey is probably going to kick you out soon anyway." Hermione nodded, standing up. "All right. Ron?" He didn't get up. "No. I want to stay here." Hermione gently grasped Ron's arm. "Harry's right. You need to get something in your belly before you get sick." She urged him. Reluctantly, Ron rose and allowed Hermione to usher him out of the hospital wing and to the Great Hall. "You watch over her, Harry!" He shouted over his shoulder as he and Hermione left. "I will." He said after them, knowing they were already gone. His attention rested back on Ginny, and he laid his head on the bed next to her as the night went on.
Ron was already in quite a foul mood as he and Hermione traveled through the Hogwarts halls to dinner. They didn't make it there before a foul voice interrupted them from behind. "I heard a nasty little Weasel took a fall from her broom today." It said. "That'll teach her that stupid little girls don't belong on the Quidditch field!" Ron drew in a sharp breath and spun around. "Bite your tongue, Malfoy!" Draco sneered, Crabbe and Goyle at his sides. "Aww. What's the matter, Weasley? Upset that another idiot friend of yours got hurt? Oh that's right! The other one died!! Good for the world, if you ask me. Did us all a favor, that Potter." Ron's hand trembled over his robe pocket over his wand. "Forget him." Hermione spat, grabbing Ron and pulling him to turn around to walk away. "Yes, by all means, listen to the little Mud-blood." Draco hissed, and his cronies flexed their muscles threateningly. In a flash, Hermione spun around, wand in hand. "Incendio!" She shouted, sending a burst of fire from her wand. Draco's eyes widened and he dropped to the floor, the flames singeing the back of his robes. "You'll pay for that!!" He screamed at her, pulling out his wand. "Furnunculus!" He hissed. Hermione was too fast on her feet though. She wrapped Crabbe in ropes that shot from her wand, and flicked her wrist. "Wingardium Leviosa!" Crabbe was shot out in front of her as Draco's spell hit, causing boils to erupt all over his poor crony.
Ron had already blasted Goyle, and was heading for Draco. He speared him from behind, and the two boys started landing punches on each other. Their wands were tossed aside as they fought, and Hermione yelled at them. "Stop it! This is HIGHLY uncivilized!" "I agree." A firm and menacing voice broke through the fighting, and Hermione's spine went stiff. "Oh hell." She muttered. Professor Snape came up to them, grabbing Ron and Draco by their robes. "Anybody want to explain what's going on here?" Snape asked coolly. Hermione started to speak, but Snape shushed her. "They attacked me!" Draco feigned a painful appearance, holding his stomach. "That bloody git is lying!" Ron spat. Snape shook Ron. "Ten points from Gryffindor for interrupting!" Draco went on. "We were just on our way to dinner, and those two started blasting spells at us!" He shouted, pointing between Crabbe and Goyle. "We had no choice but to defend ourselves!" Snape dropped the two. "That's enough to get both of you expelled." He sneered. "Detention for a week. And I shall be bringing this matter to the Headmaster's attention as soon as I escort Mr. Malfoy and his friends to the hospital wing!" With that, he turned heel, levitating the others behind him. Draco shot an evil smile at Ron as he headed off.
"Unbelievable!" Ron shouted, picking up his wand. "I can't believe that bloody bastard wouldn't even listen to our side!!" Hermione exhaled sharply. "We just have to speak to Dumbledore. He'll sort all this out." She steered Ron up to the headmaster's office to have a little chat about their predicament.