Disclaimer: I don't own it.

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Chapter Thirty-Three: Poisoned!

Two days passed and still Hope didn't get any better. She continued to cough, more often than ever, and the only potion that would have any effect was the sleeping draught.

Severus was becoming increasingly worried. It was obvious that this illness did not come from her being in the rain. He knew from tests that Hope's lungs kept filling with liquids and each time they were emptied, they'd fill faster. He began searching through poisons, knowing that it was what caused this.

He and Draco had read up on several poisons before finally finding the one they were looking for.

"It's called the Melicious Potion because of who made it. It's easy to fix if you catch it in time."

Draco eyed the potion's master wearily. "Did we?"

Severus looked the younger man as he gathered some ingredients. "We'll have to see. Let's brew."

Hope awoke in the hospital wing, coughing fitfully as she felt someone's hand in her own. She looked over to see Harry smiling at her.

"Where's everyone else?" She asked, meaning Severus, Draco, and Hermione, who had been around when she woke every other time.

"Working on getting you better," he said, as if it was obvious.

Hope laughed, causing Harry to relax. "What's wrong with me?" She asked, turning serious.

"You drank a poison…"

"The other morning! I knew it tasted different!" Hope exclaimed.

Harry looked at her confused until she explained. "I was talking to Blaise, and my pumpkin juice tasted different than it usually did."

He stared at her. "And you just thought to explain this now?"

Hope coughed fitfully again. "I didn't think about it. Why would someone poison me other than Pansy, who's gone?"

"Well, Nott could, or Crabbe or Goyle. There is only a whole house of people who have parents as death eaters."

"Oh…" Hope muttered. "…guess I didn't think about it like that."

He shook his head at her and noticed her getting tired again. "I should probably go find the others and let them know you woke up."

Hope looked sad. "You'll be back though, right?"

He smiled and kissed her forehead. "I'll be back, Hope. Is there anything you need?"

She thought for a minute. "Sasha. Can you bring her down here?"

Harry hesitated before nodding and leaving. Hope coughed and closed her eyes, falling back asleep.

The next time Hope awoke, she was surrounded by people and had Sasha resting against her stomach. She tiredly sat up and reached down to pet the animal, and received a purr in return.

"Hey girl," Hope whispered, ignoring the other people.

Sasha didn't answer, so Hope looked up at everyone else. "Hey," she whispered to them all.

She noticed that almost everyone was in there and was overwhelmed with worry. "What's wrong?" She asked, looking at all their faces.

"Nothing, we just wanted to come see you, and apparantly, we all decided to at the same time. Not that Harry has left much…" Hermione joked.

Hope laughed and looked around again. Other than Hermione and Harry, there was also Severus, Draco, Ron and Professor Dumbledore.

Harry moved to take her hand and used his other to brush the hair out of her face. "How are you feeling?"

She shrugged, but was given away but another harsh coughing fit. She groaned. "Okay, maybe not so great…" she muttered.

Everyone laughed sadly except Ron, who glared. "I bet you're just acting to get attention," he muttered, drawing everyone's attention to himself.

Hope looked over at him with confusion on her face. "What are you talking about, Ronald?"

"It's always something with you, Hope. First it was that curse. Then it was your problems with Severus, and now you're poisoned? I wouldn't be surprised if you did it to yourself."

Hope's face showed the hurt that came from his comment. "I don't like being in the center of attention, Ron. I lost my parents, was tortured every day by Voldemort, found out about an entirely new world, and now have someone constantly trying to kill me. I don't ask for problems, they just seem to come to me."

Ron scoffed and left, causing Hope to sigh. Harry looked between his best friend and his girlfriend, unsure of who to stay with. He felt Hope's eyes on him and turned to meet them.

Hope saw the conflict going on through Harry's eyes. "Go," she told him. He hesitated before nodding and following the path his best friend left.

Hope turned back to everyone else who was looking at her oddly. "Umm…I'm sorry about that," she apologized to everyone.

Draco laughed. "It's not your fault that Weasley is an immature prat."

Hope sighed and adjusted her pillows so she could lean back but not be lying down. "I guess not…"

Hope stayed awake while everyone was there, and eventually everyone left except for Severus and Draco. Hope noticed how quiet they stayed during the entire time with the exception of Draco's comment about Ron.

"What's wrong?" She asked, noticing the shocked looks on both their faces. "I know something is, you both are being quiet and looked as if someone died."

"Nobody's died yet…" Draco muttered, earning a smack in the head from Severus.

"And nobody is going to. The potion will be finished by tonight and we'll be able to administer it."

Hope shook her head and laid back down. Severus and Draco stayed for a few more minutes before leaving to finish the potion, promising to be back by six. Hope glanced at the clock. That was in three hours, so she took advantage of it and went to sleep.

Harry didn't know where Ron had headed, so he went to the common room to search. Harry checked the boys' dormitory and was relieved to see him there. The only downfall was he wasn't the only one there.

"Ron, I need to speak with you privately," Harry said, watching the older boy.

"No. If you want to have it out, you can have it out here. Unless you're afraid of other people hearing what I have to say about the trash you call your girlfriend."

Harry jerked back as if he'd been burnt. "What is your problem?! Hope has been nothing but sweet to you and you turn around and act like a prat. I knew you got jealous easily Ron, but this is a new low even for you."

"Jealous? Harry, are you so stupid that you can' t even see that she is using you?"

"Using me? Ron, Hope is the most powerful person in this school, why would she be using me?"

"You're famous. Everybody wants a famous boyfriend."

"Ron Weasley, that is the most idiotic thing I have ever heard. Hope knew me before she knew I was famous. I've never wondered if she would still be with me if I wasn't famous. I can't say the same about your friendship."

Ron's face blanched. He looked around and noticed all the other guys were listening in the conversation. "You're going to throw away our friendship based on some girl?"

"No, Ron," Harry said, his voice deadly quiet. "You are. I've let you tag along for almost six years now. In a week, this term will be over. Find someone else to sit with on the way home."

Harry turned and left the dormitory, leaving several people staring at him opened mouthed.

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A/N: Thanks to imajesusfreak who has faithfully reviewed the majority of chapters. I really appreciate it. Can everyone else do the same for this chapter? Please?

Thanks also to Nita, and anyone else reading this story. Love ya'll.

Kayla