Author's Note: First of I want to say how sorry I am for taking so long to get this chapter out. All I have to say for myself is that Harry just refused to talk to me about this one. He clammed up tighter than Dean's fist when he has to hand over Baby's keys, but here it is. Not the best of work since it's mostly filler but still has points that are important to the grand scheme of things. Also I want to thank everyone who reviewed; each review spurned me into writing a little more. Also, to Man of Constant Sorrow, your idea will get used, just not in this chapter, never showed the perfect opportunity. Thanks again everyone! And keep reviewing!

He Is Not One of Us

Chapter Nine

The first thing that seemed to register in his still fogged mind was the slightly scratchy material of sterilized sheets, next of course was the stinging smell of disinfectant, old blood, and potions. Unfortunately, all of that was overshadowed by the sudden influx of a lingering burn, muscle crippling exhaustion, and flashes of a giant fire breathing dragon hell bent on his destruction. His eyes seemed glued together as he tried to open them trying to get a better baring of just where in the Hospital Wing he currently resided, so when he finally managed to open them the sudden bright sunlight blinded him causing him to release a groan. He jumped slightly at the new noises of chairs scraping on the stone floor and the sweet hint of pears and vanilla to override the pungent odor of the wing itself.

"Harry…Harry," He couldn't stop the small smirk from lifting a corner of his mouth at the barely restrained anxiety in her voice.

"Mione, next time I get an idea that involves disillusionment remind me to actually use that spell," he muttered through a rough voice as he slowly opened his eyes once more. He grinned at the tear rimmed brown eyes that sparkled at him, he was instantly bombarded by a bushy head of brown hair, and sobbing murmurs that he couldn't quite make any sense of. With a slightly shaking hand he gently combed her hair back to lay a chaste kiss to her temple gaining her attention once more.

"So, I take it that you agree with that concept?" he smirked, getting a chuckle that was on the verge of a hiccup as she sat back up. The smile that was on her face instantly vanished as she then began to beat him with a pillow.

"Harry James Potter, if you ever do that to me again I swear I'll…I'll…I'll, oh I don't know what I'll do but it will be excruciatingly painful you can be sure of that,"

Harry attempted to grab the pillow but it always seemed to jump just out of his reach, it was either that or he just really wasn't trying that hard to get it.

"Alright, I yield! I yield to the great Hermione Granger!" he exclaimed to get her to finally stop pummeling him with the torture implement. He peaked over the once fluffy pillow that she simply drop on top of him, to see his friend trying to hold onto her anger in a futile attempt. Hermione simply collapsed into sitting on the edge of the bed facing away from him nearly causing him to have a heart attack at the thought of her being injured. Harry instantly tried to scramble to her side but was brought up short at the sudden jolts of pain coming from his abdomen forcing him to remember the incoming dragon tail. Slowly, he tugged on her arm to have her melt back into his bandaged chest.

"Please, Harry, please promise me that you will be careful. When you were thrown into the wall…all that blood…limp…Oh, Harry!" Hermione sobbed as Harry held her a little tighter.

"I'm sorry, Mi, I didn't mean to hurt you. I'm alright now," he whispered with another soft kiss to her temple. "Did you mean it?" he asked quietly.

"Of course I did, you gubber," she answered smiling up at him as she gently moved around to be more comfortable but still keeping her head on his chest.

"Say it again then,"

"I love you too, Harry," she managed just before her lips were captured by his in a kiss that sent fireworks through her, but of course no good thing can last forever. The two of them were instantly brought back to reality by a huge black dog that was forcefully nuzzling in between them and a hearty laugh coming from the bottom of the bed. Harry glared at the dog as it plopped at his feet with a wide goofy doggy grin.

"Really, Padfoot; was that really necessary?" Harry asked as he promptly tossed the brutalized pillow at the dog, a muffled woof came from said pillow in answer.

"What this mutt is trying to convey, Harry is that I believe you are a little young to go any farther than what your little self was planning," Remus retorted with a knowing grin aimed at the teenager's lap, Hermione's face promptly colored as Harry snatched the pillow back and held it over his lower section. Trying to keep some dignity, Harry glared at the werewolf starting to retort only to be brought up short by Madam Pomfrey and Albus Dumbledore interrupting him.

"Ah, Mr. Potter so glad to see you awake and in proper health," Dumbledore stated, his blue eyes twinkling merrily at the sight before him. Harry cleared his throat as he squirmed just a little more as Madam Pomfrey bustled over to check on him. He did catch the pointed look the Matron gave Hermione but decided for the sake of what was left of his dignity he would ignore it.

"Mr. Potter, I wish to congratulate you on your exceptional elemental work, even Headmaster Karkarof could find little fault with it which is saying a great deal," Dumbledore announced with a bright smile as he looked over the now fading black runes and blue lines. Harry watched him cautiously, waiting for the other shoe to drop only to be once more dumbfounded by the ancient headmaster.

"Professor Moody was also quite ecstatic with your control and advised me to inform you that should you ever wish to join the Auror Department to speak with him. He is quite taken with you, Mr. Potter; he's only ever shown that much approval to one other person. Now she is truly a remarkable young woman, her impersonation of me is simply captivating." Dumbledore paused at the sudden noise of a clearing throat, causing him to smile.

"Quite right, Poppy, now is not the time. Mr. Potter, I am here to inform you of your scores and of the next Task. I gave you ten, as did Ludo, and Madam Maxime, Barty gave you a nine for being injured and Igor's score for you was a six. Which is quite generous considering he gave Miss Delacour a three and our Mister Diggory a two, whatever for I'm uncertain. Now, the second task will not be until the 20th of February so you have plenty of time to sort out the clue that was hidden within the egg that you were able to retrieve from the first task. Good luck and know that should you need advice all you need do is ask. As your Headmaster I owe you an apology, Harry, therefore I am sorry for all that has been done to you and for my lack of faith and my ignorance," he continued, the twinkle gone from his eyes and slight bow towards the young champion. Harry blinked at him silently, shocked at all that the wizard had just told him. The sudden nudge of an elbow to his shoulder finally brought him back to earth.

"Uh, sure, Headmaster, thank you for the scores and information about the second task. As for the apology I'm not sure I'm ready for it at this time. Everyone practically abandoned me when you agreed that I was put into this farce just so I would die in it. You've not stopped the abuse that has run rampant against me since my name came from the Cup, so no thank you on the apology right now. Maybe later but not now," he stated as all his anger once more came to the surface. He never noticed the intricate tattoos beginning to darken as the air became heavier and heavier until the gentle touch of a soft hand on his shoulder. He glanced over into Hermione's tender brown gaze and slowly began to regain his control. He listened to Madam Pomfrey suggesting that the headmaster should leave all the while Padfoot crept up the bed until his wet nose nuzzled his clenched fist. Harry gave a dry grin to the dog as he scratched the mutt's head behind his ears.

"Thanks, Pads," he murmured to receive a lick to his palm.

"Now that that business is over you have some friends who would like to speak with you. Since you are still recovering I will allow them a few minutes but only a few minutes. Elemental magic is no laughing matter and if you had done something wrong out there you would have lost your magic not to mention the possibility of your life. Are we understood, Mr. Potter?" Madam Pomfrey interjected narrowing her gaze at the teenager until Harry nodded his head.

"Good, then I know that you will remain in that bed the entire time and keep your temper in check so that your magic can regroup. Miss Granger I'm putting you in charge I know you will be the responsible one," Madam Pomfrey added with just a hint of a smile lifting the corners of her lips as he glanced between the immodest mutt lounging on the bed and the currently previous teacher successfully failing at trying not to smile.

"Yes, ma'am, not going to leave," Harry stated as he nestled himself lower against his pillow. He grinned at her as she rolled her eyes, a smile once more trying to surface.

"More like James Potter every day," she muttered as she turned away to allow his friends to come closer.

"Wicked dragon, mate!" Harry blinked at the sudden influx of redheads and one brunette swarming around his bed.

"Thanks, I think," Hermione rolled her eyes as settled into a chair that she pulled up against the head of the bed where she could keep a hand combing through Harry's hair. She grinned at the duel mocking looks that the Twins gave him.

"Just don't know what to do with our all powerful dark lord,"

"Quite right, quite right, a modest and humble dark lord who could see that?"

Neville snorted as he scuffed Padfoot's head as he sat down on the end of the bed next to the mutt while Remus conjured a chair for himself next to Hermione.

"Oh yes, quite modest and humble; the giant ice element dragon was the pinnacle of that decision. Scared the piss out of me and I'm not humble enough to deny it. Though the rumor of you basically chasing the French champion away with her tail between her legs was rather spectacular as well," Neville added as he smirked at his friend to see him looking away from Hermione's narrowed gaze that told everyone there that she knew nothing about that one.

"What happened, Harry? When I was in there everyone was staying to themselves?" Hermione asked. When Harry didn't answer her she poked his shoulder causing him to jump and send her mock hurt look.

"Tell me, Mr. Potter, now," Harry gulped and instantly began his tale of bringing his marks up to unlock the link and how the Veela then decided that she was a better match for him. The Twins burst out laughing as Remus chuckled. Ginny simply stared at him while Hermione's eyes misted.

"Oh Harry," was all Hermione got out before she was suddenly pressing her lips to his and her arms wound around his neck and once more Padfoot forced himself between them to the amusement of the others. Harry glared at the dog.

"Padfoot if you do that again I will neuter you," The Hospital Wing rang with Remus' laughter as Padfoot curled up protecting his lower extremities with a whimper. The Twins stared at the dog then at their former DADA professor dumbfounded.

"You named your dog after a Marauder?" Fred muttered, Harry smirked at the Weasley Twins. He then glanced at Neville and then at Ginny who was smiling at them. The only female Weasley nodded to them, instantly telling Harry that he didn't have to worry about her and fangirlness anymore. Harry then looked over to the main doors then nodded at Hermione who waved her wand around them.

"Guys, I would like to introduce the last of the Marauders, Messers. Padfoot and Moony; it's safe, I trust them," The four friends stared at Harry then at the end of the bed where the dog was now sat a wizard with mirthful gray eyes.

"Sirius Black…" Neville muttered as he looked from Harry to the Azkaban escapee.

"Neville, Sirius is also my godfather. He didn't betray my parents, Pettigrew did,"

Neville stared at his friend then over to the older wizard and back again to Harry. Finally he tentatively reached a hand out, only jumping slightly when Sirius shook it with a broad smile. Neville watched the gray eyes soften as Sirius looked over him.

"You look like your mother, did you know that, but that deviousness of getting Harry to spill was all Frank. He'd be proud of you for sticking with Harry, Alice too. She was very close to Lily nearly sisters really by the time our Seventh year came around," Sirius added, watching the boy gape at him with moist eyes.

"You knew my parents? Do you really think they would be proud of me?"

"Absolutely, Neville, Frank was a year ahead of us but that didn't seem to bother him especially when he found out that we were the Marauders and the cause of all the pranks. He wanted in immediately of course, Alice, now there was a spitfire. She held her own when Lily got into one of her James is the bane of all existence moods. Good times…" Sirius smiled at the ceiling as memories began to flash in front of him.

"Padfoot…" Remus started but the sudden shake of his old friend's head caused him to stop.

"I'm alright, Moony, say what is all this?" Sirius asked glancing over to the bedside table to see a stack of presents, cards, and flowers of all kinds. He instantly saw the heated glare that Hermione sent at them.

"Those are 'gifts' from Harry's admiring public. I've already separated the ones from us," Hermione added looking over at Harry who was now glaring at the pile with his own distaste. He snarled as he pointed his wand at them.

"Incendio," The stack instantly caught on fire everyone watched the dark cloud fill the bright green eyes until Hermione's hand gently rested on the teenager's arm and doused the fire before Madam Pomfrey could run out and scold them.

"Harry,"

"They are no friends of mine, everyone turned against me the second my name came out of that godforsaken cup on Halloween. They deserve whatever they get from now on. They wanted a scapegoat well now they have one," Harry retorted as he glared at the smoldering ashes a while longer. Sirius glanced over to Remus, his eyebrows slightly raised as the werewolf nod his head just enough to be noticeable by his long time friend. Sirius then moved his eyes to Harry then back to Remus in a silent message saying that it was his turn to be the voice of reason; Remus narrowed his brown eyes and nodded towards him but in turn the silent argument continued as Sirius gave the werewolf a quick sad puppy dog face which instantly zapped Remus' resolve. The former DADA professor slumped his shoulders with a silent sigh of resignation. He opened his mouth to say something but was stopped by the sudden pop of a small creature appearing wailing franticly.

"Dobby is a bad elf! Terrible! Bad bad elf! I didn't save the Great Master Harry Potter! I told Master Harry Potter Sir that it was time to face big bad beastie! Such a terrible bad elf, I is!"

Harry quickly grabbed the thin spindly arms of the little House Elf before he could pop back to injure himself worse than he already had. He could see the burns trying to heal all over the little hands and ears.

"Stop, Dobby, this is not your fault! You were not supposed to save me, my little friend. Remember we discussed this before, no punishing yourself! You are not a bad elf, Dobby. I had to face the dragon. Now I want you to get something to take care of those burns, and I don't want to see you injured again unless there was no other way to get away from harm. I need you to watch over Hermione when I'm not around and to do that I need you at full strength, got it?" Harry kept his gaze locked with the bulbous eyes, which were currently filled with unshed tears, until the elf nodded his head.

"Good, now straighten up, stand proud," Harry ordered smiling slightly as Dobby did exactly that with a grin of his own.

"Master Harry Potter Sir is so kind, so good. Can Dobby do anything for the Great Master Harry Potter?" Dobby asked hopefully as Harry smirked at the little elf.

"Yes, you can remember to call me Harry not that long line names, and then you can get us some food. I'm starving," Dobby bounced in his excitement.

"Yes, Mas…yes, Harry sir," Dobby popped away as Harry let out a sigh at the small victory.

"Close enough," he muttered.

"Mr. Potter! Why are there ashes on that table?" Harry jumped slightly then glanced around to see Padfoot at the end of the bed and then to sheepishly look over at the glaring form of the MediWitch of Hogwarts.

"What ashes, Madam Pompfrey?"

"The ashes that are now taking the place of your 'get well' gifts, Mr. Potter, your magical reserves need to recharge, and using your magic is not allowing for that to happen. Do you understand me, no magic for a week, and you can just forget about complaining about that extended stay, because I have heard it all before. Now, it is time for your friends to leave, you need your rest. Out, all of you, you can return tomorrow," Madam Pomfrey ordered narrowing her gaze at each person huddled around her charge until they each began to slink away from her.

"Well, cheerio, oh Master o' ours!" Fred and George announced just before they left with twin grins as they looked from Harry to Padfoot and Remus.

"I'll see you some time tomorrow, Harry," Neville added as he held out his hand to Ginny who took hold of it with a grin and faint blush to her cheeks. She nodded her head to Harry who winked at her. Remus stood up then, grabbing a hold of a hunk of Padfoot's long scruffy fur before the dog could nuzzle his way between Harry and Hermione again.

"Get some rest, Harry, and I must say since I haven't had a chance till now. That elemental dragon was absolutely superb, if I was still your professor I would award you at least 100 points. Maybe I can talk Filius into it, or maybe Vanessa," Remus added as he began to leave with a whimpering dog being drug along the hall. Padfoot's paws trying to grip the stone.

"Bye, Moony! And Padfoot, I'm fine so you can go get a bath. The dog smell is really beginning to overwhelm," Harry called out, laughing as Padfoot growled at him.

"You too, Ms. Granger, you need your rest just as much as he does. You also have classes to attend to. I've allowed to remain here this long only because of just how dire Mr. Potter's condition but now he is in a full recovery," Madam Pomfrey interjected to receive a wide eyed look from the teenage witch, the girl's brown eyes filling with fear.

"Hey, what's that look in those eyes, Mi? You will be fine. Dobby will be with you, stay with Neville, Ginny, and the Twins," Harry added softly as he tilted her chin towards him. Hermione's eyes brimmed with unshed tears.

"I'm not worried about myself, Harry. You nearly died! I could have lost you," she stated, fading to a whisper.

"Hey, I'm not dead. Do I look dead to you? I'm fine, and did I just hear right. You, Miss Or-Worse-Expelled, skipped out on classes. Go, get back in a routine, learn magic, be with our friends, bring me notes, and think of ways to break me out of here," Harry added with smirk at the indignant humph coming from Madam Pomfrey. He leaned forward gently bumping his forehead against Hermione's, a grin spread across his face as Hermione giggled slightly. Hesitantly, he leaned a little closer until his lips barely brushed hers in a sweet kiss.

"I love you, Hermione Granger," he whispered.

"I love you, too, Harry Potter. Now, get some sleep, while I go eat," Hermione answered with an impish sparkle in her eyes as she hopped up from the bed. She grabbed her satchel as she turned to leave as Harry exaggerated a pain in his chest, by grasping over his heart.

"Oh, the cruelties of my fair Dark Lady, to abandon me here in this fluffy, warm, comfortable bed while she eats with another man! Oh the disgrace!" Hermione rolled her eyes at him while the faint sound of Madam Pomfrey trying to hold her chuckle back.

"You, Mr. Potter have been spending too much time with your godfather and uncle," Poppy Pomfrey added with a shake of her head as she went back to her office, leaving Harry gaping at the witch.

"The little sneak, she knew the whole time," Harry pouted as he crossed his arms over his chest. He looked up as Hermione laughed softly.

"Goodnight, Harry, I'll see you tomorrow,"

"Goodnight, Mi," he muttered holding the yawn back until she reached the doors of the wing. He slunk down against the pillows, falling asleep instantly.