Chapter 27

Talks In The Dark

It was quiet where he was in the darkness. Harry could feel someone sitting next to him shaking. They were holding his cold hand. He didn't understand.

What happened?

The last thing Harry could remember was that he was in his bed looking at the bed hangings. He was freezing cold and was having problems keeping his eyes open. He remembered finally closing his eyes and now he was here, in this dark place.

It was odd the sensations he felt. At one moment he felt sick and had the urge to vomit and then the next moment he felt peaceful and content. Suddenly, Harry could hear voices one was shaky and Harry could tell they were crying.

He could only make out a few words like "spell", "poison", "death", "time." He wasn't sure what they meant but he could tell they weren't good.

Harry felt the odd content sensation and soon fell back to sleep.

"How is he doing?" Lily asked. She had decided not to use the polyjuice potion since the hospital wing was closed to all other students. Madame Pomfrey looked up from the boy in the bed and shook her head.

"He's in an odd stage of awareness and unconsciousness. He seems to at times be able to hear and feel us near him but he's not doing very well. The slicing spell seemed to be refined. There was a poison of some sort used in the core of the wand that the caster possessed. He is very close to death. It's only a matter of time," she said grimly.

Lily burst into tears. James stood back and looked at his wife. He slowly walked up to her and pulled her into an embrace. She grabbed hold of the collar of his robe and let out sobs. Their son was on the brink of death and they never even talked to him in their true form.

James looked at the pale boy in the bed. He still had his defined muscle figure but his face was sweaty and gaunt. He was sick and he needed help.

While James was carrying him down to the hospital wing, Harry got a glimpse of him. He remembered clearly as Harry looked at him oddly and whispered the word "dad" before passing out. At the point, James felt closer to tears than ever before. He was dying.

Lily's wretched sobs subsided as Hermione, Ginny, and a sullen looking Ron walked in. Ginny immediately ran to him catching hold of his hand and Hermione stood at the end of the bed just looking at him.

Moments later, she too burst into tears. Ron whose face was drawn and sad looking pulled Hermione too him and he let her cry on his shoulder.

It was depressing scene to watch. Dumbledore, who was standing next to McGonagall at the entrance watched as wretched sobs filled the air.

When Albus turned to look at his fellow colleague, he was surprised to see her cupping her hand over her face.

"Minerva?" Albus asked tentatively.

She turned to look at him with tears running down her face, "I'm sorry Albus," she said brushing away the tears and blowing her nose.

"I'll go and notify the students the lock down is over. Excuse me."

Albus watched as she walked out of the wing and down the hall.

"My dear boy, please wake up," Albus said to himself before shaking his head and leaving the wing alone.

It was another week until Harry came into his state of awareness. He heard friendly voices speaking to him as if nothing was wrong.

"Okay then Harry! I decided to do all of your homework! Isn't that absolutely wonderful! I learned this one spell where once I'm done writing something I can change it to your handwriting! Hmm… let's see… Ron has been really depressed lately. He feels bad that he was so cross with you while you were hurt. We got over our fight. Ginny's been going absolutely mad without you Harry. She doesn't really know what to do with herself really. There's a bunch of new rules too. No more quidditch which made Ron go raging around the castle this whole entire week. We aren't allowed outside on the grounds. Hagrid was distraught to hear you got hurt and that there were no more Magical Creatures classes. We have it once a week though. All the teachers that are off at the moment come down and keep guard."

Hermione was going on about all the new rules and everything. Harry smiled inwardly when she told him she had done all of his homework for him.

"Now when you wake up you are going to have to read every single essay's I wrote so you can learn the material for the end-of-the-year exams. Hogsmeade is coming up! Well actually no it isn't; not for about two months but oh well! I'm going with Ron and Ginny said you are going to spend that whole day together. You know she really loves you Harry. Please wake up. Do it for Ginny," Hermione was now pleading with him. It bothered Harry to see her, rather hear her like this.

"Oh dear, I really have to go Harry! Dumbledore is actually letting us go into meetings! Isn't that amazing? Well, I'll have to fill you in soon Harry. Wake up soon, please," Hermione kissed him on the cheek and Harry could hear the click of her shoes as she ran out of the room.

"Hey Harry!" Harry heard brightly. Another week passed and he still hadn't opened his eyes. He had been unconscious during that time and now was back to hearing the voices.

"Wow Harry! Hermione is going nuts doing all your homework! Actually, she really loves it. She gets too write two at a time and you know how much she loves homework," Ron explained to Harry.

"Everyone is a bit anxious now that death eaters can get on the grounds. No one will go anywhere without someone else. It's sort of depressing. Anyway, we really miss you, mate. Ginny'll be having a heart attack soon enough if you don't get up soon. She actually snapped at me and then threw her book at me when I said hi to her. She's gone absolutely nutters mate. She really has. It's really boring without you Harry. I am sick of hearing girl things all day. All Hermione and Ginny talk about is hair, make-up, clothes, and you. No offense mate but I'm sort of sick of hearing about you every day. Order meetings have been pretty intense. V-Voldemort has gone on rampage a bit… he killed a muggle family of five on Monday. We all read it in the paper. Amelia Bones is doing her best to lighten everyone's mood but you know, it's hard," Ron said sighing in exasperation.

"Look, Harry, I'm sorry I snapped at you and yelled at you. I was definitely being a prat and you know, I thought you died. I thought that the last thing I did with you was get in a fight and yell at you. Anyway, the order is trying their best to secure the castle. Dumbledore's been trying to put up some new wards. He still doesn't understand how death eaters even got CLOSE to the castle. Look, I have to go to class, mate. Wake up soon okay?" Ron clapped Harry on the shoulder and walked out the wing.

At that moment, Harry knew he had to get up. It had been two weeks and he was practically in a coma. Some people were there though… someone Harry seemed to know or have a connection too. It was the start of a revelation for Harry. If it was the last thing he did, he would wake up… right after he got to sleep a bit more.

"Poppy, when is he going to wake up?" Mrs. Weasley said stroking Harry's head. He was pale now, only getting sunlight from the small windows. It was now March 23rd, exactly three weeks since Harry had gotten sick from the poison.

"I don't know, Mrs. Weasley. He is strong though, I have a feeling it will be soon, yes. Very soon he will open those green eyes," Madame Pomfrey said as she clicked out of the wing and into her office.

Mrs. Weasley looked at Harry. Such a kind boy; so sweet and he grown to be so handsome. This year had been good to him so far; although the rough beginning had hurt him he was still strong and finally seemed happy.

Soon enough he would find out that his parents were among them living happily in the castle counting down the days until they get to speak to their beloved son Harry. She smiled knowing that this was a dream come true for him. Harry had one night expressed how he always wanted a family. That was his biggest dream. He didn't wish for money, power, or good looks. All he ever wanted was a family to call his own.

Molly Weasley leaned down and whispered in his ear:

"Soon you will find them Harry for they have already found you."

The words echoed in the boys head.

"Soon you will find them Harry for they have already found you," Harry repeated in his mind, "what does that mean anyway?"

Harry was getting bored of the darkness. It had been tree weeks and all he had to do was sit and listen and wait. That was probably the most boring thing to do.

Gathering the strength, Harry's eyes slit open. He saw the blurry image of Molly Weasley leaving him. He wanted to call out to her but he couldn't; he couldn't find that strength. Harry sat there, hoping and waiting for someone to come.

For twenty minutes, Harry sat there, lying on his back counting the ceiling tiles.

154, 155, 156, WHERE IS EVERYBODY, 157, 158.

Harry continued counting the tiles until voices finally came. It was Sirius!

He saw the shadows come around him and when Sirius pulled the curtains he didn't even notice Harry was awake. He was talking to someone; two other people but Harry couldn't make them out from the shadows.

"I know it's been three weeks. He's a strong kid, he can make it though," Sirius said soothingly. He turned to Harry and jumped back in shock. Harry smiled but couldn't seem to talk.

"MY MERLIN! HARRY! YOU'RE AWAKE!" he screamed jumping and hugging Harry tighter than Harry preferred.

"Harry! This is so wonderful! WOW! What took you so long," Sirius said quickly. His words were jumbled from his joy. Harry smiled and shrugged. He still couldn't talk.

"Harry, can you talk at all?" Sirius asked sitting down still smiling.

Harry shook his head angrily and crossed his arms.

Sirius laughed a bark like laugh and looked at the boy.

"Well, I should tell everybody! This is… thank Merlin! Now, we can all make fun of you and you can't get us back!" Sirius told Harry gleefully. He got up and practically pranced out of the wing.

The next couple of days Harry spent his time in bed doing all his homework. Hermione said it was occupy him and seeing as he couldn't answer she took it as a "yes Hermione. Please, I really want to do homework," sort of answer.

Harry sat in his bed writing his potions essay when Ginny came happily up to him and kissed him lovingly on the lips.

"Hello love, and how are you today?" she asked smiling. She had brought some food up from dinner, just like every night.

Harry opened his mouth and nothing came out. He huffed angrily and looked at her laughing face.

"Harry, this is the funniest thing in the whole world. I can insult you all I want and all you can do is huff at me!" Ginny said between laughs.

"You are horrible kisser. Your breathe smells badly. I don't really like your hair. You need a tan," Ginny told Harry. His face was falling. He did not kiss badly! Or smell bad! Ginny had told Harry his hair was sexy once and he did admit he needed a tan but it wasn't his fault.

"Just kidding love, you are the best kisser, your breathe smells like that toothpaste you use, vanilla mint, yes that's it. And your hair is beautiful," that perked Harry up quite a bit.

Suddenly, Ginny paled a bit and looked up at her boyfriend, "Harry? When you were sick do you remember anything?"

Harry looked up and thought. Actually, he didn't remember anything after he ate breakfast at lunch time. He shook his head.

Ginny seemed relieved.

"Now eat some food and do your essay," she ordered sounding much like her mother. Harry smiled and chowed down on his dinner.

"Ron and Hermione got in trouble you know. It was absolutely hilarious. They were caught snogging in the infamous third floor broom closer," Ginny chuckled. Harry was enjoying just listening.

"I think you should get your voice back soon, I miss the way your voice cracks when you're nervous," Ginny whispered to him. She was close to him and stealthily he pulled her to his lips and kissed her. It wasn't an ordinary kiss but it was filled with passion and love.

"I love you," he hoarsely whispered to her.

Ginny's head shot up and she looked at Harry in surprise.

"Why… you got your voice back!" she said happily.

Harry nodded and looked at her waiting for an answer.

"And I love you too," she whispered in his ear. Pulling her into another kiss, they forgot about their food and homework instantly.

Two days later, Harry was finally released from the hospital wing with a clean bill of health. He had missed almost a full month of school but recovered thankfully. He couldn't seem to remember anything that happened from when he was brought down to the hospital wing and many believed it was for the best.

When Harry returned to classes, most of the students were cautious around him as if trying to make sure he doesn't break. It was aggravating for the 16 year-old but Harry felt cared for. He had received many cards from fellow students and Ron had taken the liberty to bring him as many candies as he could find.

It was now the first of April. Bright and sunny; the students were now able to go outside although they kept only a couple of yards away. Hagrid was delighted when Care of Magical Creatures was re-instated from Dumbledore and the day they had it, he decided to throw a party.

Harry returned to his extra lessons with Dumbledore and Hund quickly and hoped to be able to catch up to himself in the subjects.

"Harry, we have graduated fourth year so far and now onto fifth. Now, the first thing you will do is learn summoning charms. This will become quite useful in time. I want you to summon that book," Professor Hund instructed. Harry nodded and putting his hand out he called the book.

"Accio Book," he said. Immediately, the book hovered a bit and slowly came flying to him. The professor smiled and clapped.

"Good my boy! Very good!" he congratulated, "now, we'll just keep practicing this until I see that book zooming across into your hands."

Harry continued his training for the next hour with Hund coaxing and cheering him on. When Harry finally mastered the spell, the professor turned to him.

"Now, Harry. You know we've been working on basic magic; the things that can help you in school and maybe in the real world but we're going to learn REAL magic. You are going to be great Harry and if it is the last thing I do on this earth, I will make you be able to take on Voldemort," the professor stopped and came eye level to Harry with his hand resting on the students shoulder, "and win."

And so the lesson began.