Chapter thirteen

Two days later Harry had been sitting in the great hall studying, he heard footsteps and a lot of laughter. He turned his head to see Ron, Neville and all his Gryffindor friends that was in his year laughing as they hurried into the great hall.

'Did he get them off?' Harry whispered.

'No,' the group said together then started laughing again.

'He tried everything, he even got Dumbledore, he couldn't do it either. He gave me a look as if he thought it might be the twins,' Ron shrugged.

'Harry,' Ginny yelled then ran down and threw herself at him, 'That was worthy of the marauders, are you going to tell him?'

'Yep, then during the holidays I might get one of you to show him your memory of it. I could just see Snuffles rolling around on the floor. He always went on about me being like my father, well, now I'm going to do exactly that. He will wish he never started on me as I know exactly what the marauders did to him.'

'So is there any more surprises?' Dean asked as he sat opposite.

'A few, one very soon though, but not to Snape,' Harry grinned but never elaborated. The twins walked in with Lee, the three of them gave Harry the thumbs up then sat down the end so it didn't look like they were involved. Harry knew the twins were safe, no one could prove anything but if they found out what was used then it would not seem like something the twins would do, use a muggle glue.

They waited a week before Harry got a nod from the twins, which meant that his other surprise would be known the following morning.

Ron joined Harry in transfiguration, 'I saw that nod, so what's up?' he whispered.

'You'll see in the morning, they have to work it late tonight.'

'Do I get a hint?'

'Okay, it involves her and losing something.'

'That's good enough for me,' Ron grinned making Harry chuckle before they took out their books, ink and quills.

The Gryffindor's knew something was going to happen, they had no idea when or to who, they just knew it was planned. They kept seeing looks from the twins, Lee, Ginny, Harry and Ron so they knew it involved them. At one time they saw Ginny give Hermione an evil grin. They weren't sure if it was just the fact that Ginny Weasley did not like Hermione Granger or it was to do with whatever was being planned.

Harry kept chuckling while doing his homework, he had everyone glancing at him, some would ask what was so funny, that would just make Harry laugh more.

None of the teachers had been able to get the desks or chairs off the ceiling in the potions room, so Snape had to use one of the older ones that had been closed off for years. He wasn't happy and tried everything, even threats to find out who did it. Naturally he blamed the Gryffindor's but without proof he could not do much. They all heard that McGonagall had threatened Snape, if he decided to take unnecessary points or put her lions in detention without a valid reason then she was going to file a complaint with the governors before retaliating, she just never said how she would retaliate. So even though Snape did take points, he couldn't put anyone in detention which was making the snarly head of Slytherin house snap at everyone.

Harry, Ron, Neville and their friends all walked down through the castle the following morning. They sat down to have breakfast like any other morning, but they were waiting.

It only took ten minutes before the girls of Gryffindor ran in and started whispering. Everyone within hearing range burst out laughing, Harry ended up on the floor, holding his stomach.

'Do we get to know what the joke is?' Hannah asked as she stood with Susan all staring at the laughing Gryffindor's.

'Well, it seems something happened to Hermione through then night. Her room-mates woke up and saw her, they woke her up and explained. Well, she screamed and ran out of the tower still in her pyjamas but with a towel over her head,' Angelina said.

'Okay, so what happened to her?' Susan asked.

'All her hair fell out,' Katie said then everyone burst out laughing again, even Susan and Hannah. Word spread quickly through the other students and most ended laughing, Hermione Granger was not like at all by the majority of the people inside Hogwarts.

The trouble makers decided to have a break, as it was leading up to the selection of the champions they figured they should wait until after so they could see which Hogwarts student would end up the champion.

Harry knew that evening the cup would be placed within the age line ready for anyone to put their names into it. Fred and George explained that once he ate the strange sweet it would give him an hour before the spots would appear on his face and his temperature would rise just enough to make it appear that he was unwell. Harry thought it would work perfectly, after breakfast he had transfiguration. So just before he left Gryffindor tower, he popped the sweet into his mouth.

He gave the twins a wink as he passed; telling them without words that he was about to get sick then he just continued to walk down through the school with Ron.

They were only in class for ten minutes before Harry felt the symptoms kicking in. He was about to tell McGonagall he wasn't feeling well when Ron put up his hand.

'Yes Mr Weasley?'

'There's something wrong with Harry.'

Minerva moved down the aisle, 'Potter, you are covered in spots.'

'I don't feel good Professor.'

'Weasley, take Potter to the hospital wing then come back.'

'Yes, Professor,' Ron helped Harry shoved his book back in his bag but Ron took it from him then walked slowly beside him.

'It's all good Ron, I'll explain when I know we're completely alone,' Harry winked then gave a little groan.

'Madam Pomfrey,' Ron called.

'What have you done now Potter?'

'Professor McGonagall said I'm covered in spots, but I don't feel well, sort of hot and sick.'

'Very well, onto one of the beds, Weasley, you can return to class.'

'Yes, ma'am, I'll come back later Harry.'

'Bring notes and assignments, just in case,' Harry groaned again then lay down on the bed. He watched the matron do her charms, 'Do you think it's chicken pox or something like that?'

'Not chickpox or dragon pox, the muggle disease called measles. Weren't you ever immunised Mr Potter?'

'No, those muggles didn't care if I was sick, I never saw a muggle doctor and you're the only person I've seen in the magical world. So will the spots get worse or disappear?'

'Worse I'm afraid, you're in here for a week, at least. The measles are highly contagious, but as most people inside this castle are magical who don't spend time with muggles I doubt it will cause many problems. Now get changed and get comfortable, I will bring you the potions you will need.'

'Normally I would argue but I just don't have the energy,' Harry made it look like an effort to sit up so he could remove his shoes, then change. By the time he got into bed Pomfrey was handing him the first of three potions. He might need to drink the disgusting things but Harry knew it would be worth it when everyone would realise he could not put his name into the goblet of fire.

It was only an hour later that the headmaster stepped into the hospital wing to speak with the matron. Harry made it look like he was asleep, so even when he heard footsteps come closer he never moved. If the headmaster looked at his face and hands he would see Harry was covered in spots.

Right after classes, Ron and Ginny arrived in the hospital, 'So, tell me?' Ron whispered.

'It's fake, one dream I had was that Pettigrew, Voldemort and another man were planning to take me, it was to help bring Voldemort back. Sirius found out about the tournament so I worked it out with the twins to get a muggle disease that will keep me away while the champions are selected. If they wanted me in that then I have the perfect excuse to prove I never entered.'

'So he's really trying to come back?' Ginny asked with a quiver in her voice.

'Yes, he is and wants me, something about my blood. So I'll be here for about a week. I feel fine but I have to make it look like I'm ill. So I'll do my work just take a lot of naps, or make it look that way.'

'Then I have your first lot of notes and homework,' Ron pulled out some parchment and placed them on the table at the end of Harry's bed.

'Do you know what he wants your blood for?' Ginny asked.

'No, but it must be so he can come back. Right now he hasn't got a proper body, just this disgusting little thing that needs snake milk to survive. That's what Dumbledore was trying to find out when he tried to go into my mind.'

'Okay, but what I don't get is how would the tournament take you to him,' Ron said.

'No idea, but someone inside this castle is helping him so he must have some type of plan.'

'Then don't touch anything unless it's given to you by someone you trust,' Ginny said urgently.

'Right, port key, I never thought of that. Ron, write to Snuffles, tell him I'm in the hospital, he knows why, ask him if there might be a way to block a port key. Being an auror he should know.'

'The teachers would know but then they would tell Dumbledore. Okay, I'll send Hedwig right after dinner.'

'You don't think they will try now since you're sick and won't be there on Halloween?' Ginny asked.

'I doubt it, most people don't know much about muggle diseases. Think of this, most of his lot are purebloods, they are used to potions and healing charms fixing things in a day or so, unless it's really serious.'

'Yeah, you're right, whoever it is might believe you'll be up and about by then. Then you already have permission not to attend the Halloween feast so you should be okay. I'd still be careful though.'

'I will, hopefully Snuffles can help,' Harry waved Ron and Ginny closer, 'I just caught a flash of Mad-eye outside the door. Since he can't use Hermione he's got Mad-eye spying.'

'He's trying to find out what's going on.'

'We know he reports to Dumbledore. Pomfrey has to tell the headmaster if a student has a disease that could be contagious. Normally she doesn't tell anyone, patient confidentiality, but a disease is different.'

'We'll ignore him if he asks, but we have to go or we'll miss dinner.'

'Let me know if Snuffles sends the reply to you.'

'I will, try not to get too bored,' Ron smirked then walked off with Ginny.

Harry decided against doing any work, he figured he would have time being stuck in bed for a week. He knew the matron would get him dinner soon so he decided to read until then.