Chapter Nine:

Sickness

A/N: Thank you for your support!

Savoren.

Tom glared at the back of Bellatrix's bushy, black hair. He could feel the anger inside of him starting to bubble and spit like boiling water, "Let her go and let her speak!" His yell echoed around the chamber, causing his few followers to freeze.

With a hurt look, Bellatrix dropped Pansy to the floor and snarled down at her. She took a step back though to show her master that she wasn't going to harm the girl more. Bellatrix choked down the words she wanted so dearly to say and forced herself to remain silent.

Scrambling to her feet, Pansy scurried to stand in front of the Dark Lord and bowed low. Once coming back up, she tried not to lock gazes with him as she waited for her master to address her.

Satisfied with his young follower, Tom smiled a wicked, unnerving smile. "Are you gaining true feelings for the young Malfoy?" His voice remained gentle but there was a hint of danger to it.

His question sent shivers down her spine. She dropped her eyes to her feet and remained silent.

Infuriated, Tom breathed heavily causing his nostrils to flare. "When I ask you a question you answer it!"

Jumping a step back, Pansy hurried to please her master, "I-I'm sorry my lord. I am starting to feel for him. . . Yes." She immediately cringed when his eyes glistened red. "I'm sorry, my lord, I didn't mean to."

He jumped to his feet and closed the gap between himself and the girl. Grabbing her by the neck, Tom lifted her off the ground and stared into her eyes. His voice was sharp as he screamed, "He is a traitor!" He gave her a shake before suddenly realizing what he was doing and dropped her roughly to the stone floor. He glared down at her, "You will destroy those feelings or I will destroy you."

Pansy stayed where she laid, fighting with her tears to not fall. "I-I'm sorry, my lord."

Tom leaned down and gently lifted her chin so she was looking at him, "Your feelings belong to me, my flower. You will love me - not that scum. You may pretend but nothing more!"

Shaking, Pansy gave a hurried nod of her head. "Y-yes my lord." She had overheard her father speaking to the other Death Eaters about giving her to the Dark Lord as a present, as his wife. She couldn't help but feel sick by this.

Taking hold of her forearm, Tom dragged her to her feet and began pulling her from the chamber room. He stopped in the doorway, keeping a viper grip on her arm, and snapped at his followers, "I will be back after I am finished with her. I expect a plan in place when I return." With that, he grabbed Pansy around the waist, hoisted her up over his shoulder and left the chamber room with his robes flowing behind him.

Growing more frustrated, Harry threw himself back and forth on his bed, trying to get comfortable. The clock on his bedside table read 3:35 and he hasn't even gotten a wink of sleep. What kept him tossing and turning tonight is the mystery of envelope for he hadn't a chance to ask his parents about it when they finally came home last night. The unknown felt as if it were haunting him. I have to know what it is!

Giving up sleep altogether, Harry angrily threw the covers off of him and let out a huff. He got out of bed, deciding to go take a hot shower. He vaguely noticed as Godric followed him into the loo and laid on the rug, falling back to sleep.

Turning on the water as hot as it would go, Harry stripped and stepped in. He closed his eyes, relaxing to the sting of the heat pounding on his head, shoulders and back.

After all these months without contacting me, why would he send me a letter? Why is he still calling me his cousin - is it because I keep denying him?

He bit his lip hard, feeling his anger grow. It's just bloody like them to keep this from me! They keep everything from me like I'm some fragile baby that can't handle shit. I'm sick of it! How many times do I have to yell at them about this?! I DESERVE to know everything! I am the bloody Boy-Who-Lived! I'm the fucking Chosen One! How do they expect me to defeat him if they keep me in the dark? Sure, we killed most of his followers but I still need to be able to defeat him! Everyone is bloody stupid.

He scrubbed the shampoo into his hair and clenched his teeth angrily. And it's not fair that I can't even hold Hermione's hand but Malfoy can snog his slimy snake in front of everyone and get a high-five! It's fucking ridiculous! Why is she so old-fashioned?! Is it because she's older than most parents? Maybe she had some bad experiences with boyfriends. Whatever her fucking problem is, she needs to get over it. It's not fair. I am sixteen! If I want to snog my girlfriend in front of everyone I WILL!

A knock on the loo door shook Harry out of his angry thoughts. He hurried to rinse the shampoo out of his hair and then stepped out and wrapped a towel around his waist. Unlocking the loo door, Harry opened it and gave the intruder a frown, "What?"

Severus frowned at his son's tone, "Why are you showering at this ungodly hour? Are you feeling alright?" Severus pushed himself into the loo and immediately placed a cold hand against Harry's steaming skin. He immediately frowned, "How hot was your water?"

Harry couldn't help but squirm under his piercing stare. "Hot."

Severus rolled his eyes, "Don't give me cheek, Harry. Your skin is beat red! You need to be more careful."

Harry huffed in annoyance, "What's it matter? It's not hurting me! It feels good."

Severus continued to frown. "It is hurting you, Harry! Calm down. What is your problem?"

Crossing his arms over his bare chest, Harry glared at the floor. "I can't sleep."

Quirking an eyebrow at him, Severus gave a small shake of his head. "And that is why you are struggling with your attitude? You're tired?" At Harry's small nod, Severus let out a deep sigh. "Why did you not come get me?"

Harry fidgeted, he didn't want to admit that he was being stubborn and didn't want his father's help since they were keeping secrets from him. "I didn't want to wake you."

Severus gave a small shake of his head, a deep frown etched on his face. "Next time, wake me. Come on, I will give you a Dreamless Sleep potion."

Grabbing his clothes from the floor, Harry followed his father to the lab. He refused to enter though, instead, he stood out in the hallway and patiently waited. No way in Hell will he enter that horrible room again - he might be turned into a baby again!

Returning to Harry's side, Severus led his son back to bed and, once Harry was in his pajamas and laying down, he handed him the vial. "Drink it all, son." He patiently waited for the empty vial. Once Harry drank the potion, Severus fluffed the pillows and gently pushed Harry back against them. "Do you want me to rub your back?"

Harry blushed softly, "I'm sixteen now. . ."

Severus smirked, "And?"

"I'm too old for that," Harry mumbled. He wanted his back rubbed so bad but he didn't want to feel like a baby either!

Severus rolled his eyes at his son. "You are still a child. Roll over, I will rub your back for you."

Harry bit his lip, he wanted to do as his father said but he also didn't want to be referred to as a child. "I'm not a child, dad. I'm a teenager."

Smiling, Severus nodded, "Ah, yes. Deeply sorry."

Hearing the sarcasm in his father's voice, Harry glared at him.

Forcing his smile to go away, Severus physically rolled Harry onto his stomach and slowly began rubbing circles. "A person is never too old to be comforted."

Harry closed his eyes, finally giving in to his father's comfort. He can return to being mad at him in the morning, right now he just wanted to relax and finally fall asleep.

Severus sat on the edge of the bed and continued to rub circles until Harry drifted off to sleep. After a while he stood and returned to his room to go back to sleep.

Harry sat at the kitchen table and glared at the scrambled eggs. I need to show them that I'm pissed but I need to do it in a mature way. How can one be mature and pissed at the same time, is that even possible? I have never been sixteen before; I don't know how to act my age!

Minerva noticed the thoughtful expression on her son's face. Earlier, when she and Severus came into the kitchen to start their morning routine, they found the black envelope on the table and quickly banished it. She hoped Harry hadn't seen the envelope and prayed that he wasn't thinking about the envelope now. "What is on your mind, Harry?"

Harry finally looked at her for the first time this morning. He frowned when he noticed her flushed face - his anger immediately was replaced with concern. "Are you feeling okay, mum?" Why is it so hard to stay mad at them?! I WANT to be angry, not concerned!

Minerva gave a small shake of her head, "I'm not feeling the greatest, no. I'll be fine though. I'm sure it will go away soon." She rubbed subconsciously at the rash on her neck.

Severus frowned and looked at her, worried. The inner workings of his mind started speeding as he contemplated what could be wrong with her. Seeing a piece connect, Severus immediately frowned. "You sneezed yesterday." She sneezed as soon as the confetti landed on her.

Minerva gave him an odd look, "What does that matter?"

Severus pressed on, "Tell me exactly how you feel. What is wrong?"

Minerva fidgeted a little, feeling unnerved by Severus' concern. "It's probably just a small stomach virus." Seeing Severus' stern expression, she let out a deep sigh and answered him. "My throat hurts. I feel nauseous. I have a small headache. I think I have a fever too."

Hearing that, Severus stood, forgetting about his breakfast. "Come, we are going to the Infirmary, Poppy should be there getting her office ready." He glanced at Harry, "Finish the chore list so you can get off your grounding. You only have one left, correct?" At Harry's slow nod, he said, "Good. Finish it."

Minerva huffed, "Severus, don't be ridiculous. I'm fine!"

Severus ignored her and continued speaking to Harry. "Molly and Arthur are taking you kids-" he coughed and fixed himself, "They are taking you teens to get your school supplies. Since an attack just happened a few days ago, a couple Order members are tagging along. Molly and Arthur will tell you the rules when you get to their house later. You need to listen to them and not stray from the pack. Do I make myself clear?" He eyed him closely, a dangerous glint in his eye if Harry said no.

Harry rolled his eyes and slouched in the chair, "Yeah. Got it."

Severus narrowed his onyx eyes at the boy. "Would you rather stay home nursing a sore bottom?" Seeing Harry's eyes go wide and a quick head shake, Severus continued, "Then I advise you to drop the attitude before I drop it for you."

Clenching his jaw, Harry dropped his eyes and glared at his plate. "Fine."

Feeling the fury begin to bubble inside him, Severus forced himself to look away from the rebellious teenager. Instead, he gently took Minerva's arm and led her out of the house.

Harry glared at his father's retreating back and once the front door closed behind them, he let out an angry scream and crossed his arms, infuriated. I should have flipped out on them! I should have demanded to know about the envelope! I deserve to know! Mum said she'll be fine so I should have asked what I wanted to know! Now, because I was bloody stupid, I have to wait even longer!

Standing from his seat, Harry stomped over to the refrigerator and snatched the list off it. He glared daggers at the last chore: help Professor Sprout tend and prepare the greenhouses for the upcoming school year. Crumpling the list in his hand, he threw it on the kitchen table and went to find Hermione.

Once he arrived next door he pounded impatiently on the wooden door, causing it to shake.

Poppy threw the door open, eyes wide and full of concern, "What's wrong?"

Harry immediately dropped his eyes to the floor, not wanting to look at her when he feels so angry inside. "Is Hermione ready to finish the list?"

Furrowing her brow in confusion, Poppy crossed her arms over her chest. "What is wrong, Harry James?" When Harry stayed silent, she pressed on, "You do not come over here and pound on the door like a maniac unless something is seriously wrong. So, spill. Tell me what's wrong."

Harry grumbled something under his breath and glared a hole into side of the house.

Leaving out a sigh, Poppy grabbed his ear and started taking him home, "If you won't speak to me, you will speak to your parents. This attitude of yours in unacceptable and I won't have you breaking my door because of it!"

Harry wiggled and tried to get his ear free, "They aren't home!"

Poppy stopped and gave him a curious look, "Where are they?"

Sighing, Harry dropped his eyes, "There's something wrong with mum, she's sick. . ."

Immediately Poppy let his ear go, she watched as he began rubbing the sting out of it. "Is that why you are acting like this?"

Harry kept his eyes down, dropping his hand from rubbing his sore ear. "No."

Sighing, Poppy turned to look back at her house. "Then why?"

Harry huffed angrily and crossed his arms over his chest in a dramatic way. "Oh, so you're telling me that you don't know?! You're not keeping secrets from me too?!"

Poppy narrowed her eyes at the teenager, "I have no idea what you are ranting about but you are being disrespectful and I do not appreciate it, Harry James."

Her tone caused shivers to travel down his spine but he pushed forward, trying not to care. "You don't know about the black envelope?" At her head shake, Harry rolled his eyes, "Yeah, right."

Feeling her hand twitch, Poppy forced herself to remain patient and not slap the boy. "What black envelope, Harry?"

Clenching his jaw, Harry managed to snap out, "The bloody black envelope with blood-red letters saying "cousin" on the front? I'm sick of EVERYONE keeping secrets from me! I'm SICK of it! It's fucked up and I've had it! So don't fucking tell me that you don't know about it!"

Angry, Poppy snatched out and landed a stinging hand-print across his flushed cheek. "Get inside and find a corner." She breathed heavily, infuriated with the boy. "Now!"

Shocked but even more angry, Harry spun around and stomped inside his aunt's home. He found the closest corner and gave it an angry kick.

Poppy entered the house and glared at his back, "Put your nose against the wall, Harry James!" Turning, she saw a shocked Hermione sitting on the couch, a book loosely in her hands. Rubbing her forehead, Poppy let out a deep sigh. "Hermione will you please go to your room for a bit? I need to speak to Harry in private."

Immediately, Hermione jumped off the couch and did as she was told, not wanting to make her mother even angrier than she already is.

Harry could feel his anger slowly fading away as he stared at the intersection of two walls. "Mum and dad went to the Infirmary; you should probably go to them."

Poppy almost didn't hear him because he was whispering. She nodded, even though he couldn't see her. "You are to stay in that corner, keeping your nose against the wall, until I return or send a message saying otherwise. Am I clear, Harry James?"

Harry closed his eyes, sighing. He nodded his head and leaned it against the wall, "Yes, Aunt Poppy."

Nodding to herself, Poppy went upstairs to tell Hermione. "I need to go to the Infirmary for a little. You may leave your room but do not speak to Harry or entertain him. He is to keep his nose against that wall until I return or send a message."

Hermione nodded, looking up from the book she was reading on her bed. "Yes, mum."

With that taken care of, Poppy went downstairs and floo'd to her office. When she exited the fireplace she immediately took notice that Minerva was laying on a cot while Severus and Albus paced back and forth.

Turning to look at her, Severus' stressed face immediately relaxed a little. "We just assumed you would already be here. Minerva is sick. She has a sore throat, a headache, a rash, and is feeling nauseous."

Minerva rolled her eyes from where she is laying. Yeah, she feels like complete crap but the thought of everyone coddling her is making her uncomfortable. "I'll be fine! It's probably just a stomach virus."

Poppy ignored her patient and immediately started casting diagnostic scans. What she started to see made her forget about the angry teen in her living room. She quickly put Minerva and the bed in a bubble so the virus wouldn't get to anyone else.

Seeing her concerned face, Severus straightened himself and walked over to look at the floating parchment. He snatched it out of the air and quickly read it over. He frowned, "Scarlet Fever? I thought that was archaic in the wizarding world?"

Albus took the parchment from Severus and read the results for himself. "It is. You can only find it in the muggle world but even then it's hard to find."

Minerva shook her head and sat up, "Then how did I get it?"

Poppy furrowed her brow and thought over what she learned in her archaic virus classes. "Scarlet Fever is airborne. Have you come in contact with anything odd lately?"

"Tink!" Albus suddenly hollered.

*POP* Tink bowed low, "Headmaster wanted to see Tink?"

Albus nodded, "I need you to go to my office and get the birthday card off my desk. Quickly, please." He watched as she popped away again before looking at his family, "In the birthday card He wrote "I hope you like your gift, I worked hard on it." I couldn't find any dark magic or curses on it but a muggle virus would not set an alarm off." When Tink popped back in he quickly took the card from her and handed it to Poppy, "Check this for the same virus."

Poppy frowned, never seeing this card before. Is this what Harry was talking about? She flicked her wand at the card and immediately the tip of her wand glowed red. "It's positive for Scarlet Fever."

Severus immediately began pacing back and forth, "It's curable right? She will be okay?"

Poppy nodded, "She will be fine. She will just be uncomfortable for a few days. I don't have the potion to cure it. I don't even know where to find the potion to cure Scarlet Fever. Wizards have not had to deal with this particular virus in over 800 years!"

Severus shook his head, "I'll find it." He gave her a hopeful look, "Don't worry, Min. We will take care of you."

Feeling suddenly tired, Minerva nodded and laid down, closing her eyes.

Before the Potions Master could leave, Poppy stopped him. "I need to make sure you didn't catch the virus from her. I will check Harry as well." She glanced at Albus, "You too." She quickly set about checking them over and once they all came up negative, she nodded in approval, "You may go now, Severus."

Severus quickly left the Infirmary to look for the potion directions.

Poppy sighed softly, "Albus, will you sit with her? I have a moody teenager I need to go take care of."

Albus' eyes sparkled with amusement, "Yes, I will contact you if she needs something that I, myself, cannot help her with."

Poppy nodded her thanks and then returned to her office to floo home. When she returned home she noticed that Hermione was still upstairs. Going to the kitchen, she grabbed a wooden spoon with a few holes in it. With that, she returned to the living room and took a seat on the couch. "Come here, Harry James."

Turning, Harry felt his insides twist when his eyes locked on the spoon. I'm sixteen! When am i going to grow up and stop putting myself in these situations? He sighed and slowly made his way to her side, keeping his head down.

Tapping his chin, Poppy gave him a firm look. "Look at me, Harry James." Once she was looking in his emerald eyes, she said, "What you said to me was extremely disrespectful. I did not know what you were talking about and it, honestly, hurts my feelings that you didn't believe me."

Harry fidgeted with his hands, "I'm sorry it just feels like everyone is hiding things from me."

"And that gives you the right to swear at me and be disrespectful?" At Harry's head-shake, Poppy continued, "Since having your mouth washed out never works for you, you will receive sixteen with the wooden spoon. Do you have any questions?"

Harry gave a small shake of his head, feeling bad for himself. "I'm sorry, Aunt Poppy."

Poppy gave a firm nod and sat up straighter, "You will be." She patted her lap, "Lay yourself over my knees, please."

Harry blushed fiercely, "Am I getting too old?"

Poppy shook her head, "Until you can no longer fit over my lap, this is where you will get your punishments."

Great, I've always been small for my age! Hermione will stop being put over her knee before I will! Sighing, Harry slowly did as he was told. He wiggled to try to get more comfortable over her lap.

Taking the hem of his trousers, Poppy lowered them to below his knee and then did the same with his underpants.

Harry shivered uncomfortably as the chilled air hit his bottom. Closing his eyes, he held on to her one leg and braced himself.

Wanting to get this over with, Poppy gave him no warning as she brought the spoon down with a stinging smack.

Jumping, Harry held on tighter and clenched his eyes. He breathed in through his nose and out his mouth, counting his breaths to distract himself from the fire that was already starting in his backside.

"Why are you getting this punishment, Harry?"

Harry tried to even his breathing so when he spoke he won't immediately start to cry. "I was disrespectful and swore at you."

She nodded and quickly set into a pattern, she brought four smacks down on each cheek and then raised her knee. She rained the last eight stinging smacks against the sensitive under-curve of his bottom. When the last smack landed she dropped the holey spoon and re-covered his bottom. Then she pulled him in tight against her and hugged him, rubbing his back to help calm his tears.

Harry sniffled into her and tried hard to stop crying, I deserved that. "I'm so sorry, Aunt Poppy."

"Shh, sweetie, it's all okay now. You are forgiven and the issue is forgotten." She gently rubbed circles on his back until his tears turned to hiccups.

Getting off her lap, Harry wiped away at the remaining tears on his cheeks, "I don't know what's gotten into me lately, Aunt Poppy."

Taking his hand, she pulled him down to sit next to her, "Like I said, Harry, you are forgiven." Changing the subject, Poppy said, "When I went to the Infirmary to take care of your mother, I figured out what the black envelope is that you kept referring to earlier."

Curious, Harry sat up straighter, "And?"

"He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named sent you a birthday card," Poppy told him in a gentle voice, not sure how he would handle that.

Harry frowned, "Why would he do that?"

Poppy sighed softly, "The birthday card was infected with a muggle virus known as Scarlet Fever. Your mother is infected with the virus and is currently in the infirmary."

Panicking, Harry shook his head, "I'm sorry! I- I didn't know she was that sick! I feel like such a-" he stopped himself so he wouldn't swear again. "I feel horrible. . . Is she going to be okay?"

Poppy nodded, "Your father just needs to find the potion to cure it. It might take him a day or so to find the cure though because this virus hasn't been in the wizarding world for a long time. She will be fine though, just uncomfortable and sick until your father gets the potion." Seeing his worried face, she pulled him into a hug, "It's going to be alright, Harry. I need to cast a diagnostic on you though so make sure you didn't catch the virus okay?"

Harry nodded and watched as a floating piece of parchment popped into the air. He frowned when he saw the quill scribbling down on the parchment. "What's it say? Am I sick? Do I have it?"

Poppy smirked and shook her head, "You don't have Scarlet Fever, Harry."

Still frowning, Harry pressed on, "Then why did it write something down? Aunt Poppy, please! I'm worried. . ."

Forcing herself not to smirk again, she answered him, "It just wrote down that you have a sore bottom - that's all."

Blushing softly, Harry dropped his eyes, "Oh."

Rubbing his back, Poppy placed a small kiss to the top of his forehead, "It's alright, Harry. Why don't you go get Hermione and then the two of you go help Professor Sprout? As soon as you are done, the two of you are no longer grounded. Plus, don't you want to get it done before Molly and Arthur are ready to go shopping?"

Harry nodded quickly and jumped to his feet, hurrying to get Hermione.

Hermione and Harry finished helping Professor Sprout in just enough time to get cleaned up and go to the Weasley house so they could leave for Diagon Alley.

When they entered the home they noticed Kingsley Shacklebolt and Alastor Moody sitting in the living room, patiently waiting for everyone to be ready.

Seeing Harry enter the house, Kingsley stood and walked over to him, "Drink this. With all the attacks lately you cannot chance going into Diagon Alley as yourself." Seeing Harry staring at the potion with curiosity, Kingsley gave him an impatient look, "It's Polyjuice Potion. Drink it now."

Harry did as he was told and as soon as he took a swig, he felt his skin bubble and his bones and muscles contort. Once the uncomfortable change was complete, he hurried to a mirror and looked in it. He gaped at himself, shocked. He actually didn't look that bad, weird but not too horrid. He has flaming red hair and thousands of freckles. His emerald eyes are now a bright, sparkling blue. He was also definitely not sixteen, he looked 13! He turned to look at Kingsley, "Who am I? How am I supposed to get my robes if I'm not the same age?"

Ron laughed as soon as he saw him, "You're the same height still." When Harry glared at him, he said, "Sorry. You're one of our cousins. We never see them anymore though because their parents kinda freaked and ran away to America. Your name is Kyle Weasley (Dad's nephew). You're kind of a little shit who is spoiled and throws temper tantrums - have fun, Harry."

Harry smirked, "When was the last time you saw them?"

"We get Christmas cards every year. I bet he's still a shit though - he probably didn't change much since he was five," Ron answered him.

"Ronald!" Molly screeched from behind him causing him to jump, "Watch your mouth."

Blushing, Ron dropped his eyes, "Sorry, mum."

Molly ignored him and continued to bustle around making sure everyone was ready. "Harry, did Alastor give you the flask so you don't change back while we are gone?"

Before Harry could even shake his head, Alastor shoved the flask in his hand and demanded him to hide it in his robe pocket.

"Are we all ready?" Arthur asked. In his hands he held a portkey.

Harry nodded and played with the bag of coins his father had handed him earlier that morning.

Once everyone nodded, Arthur had them grab the portkey and, in a whirl, they disappeared to Diagon Alley.

Molly immediately started setting the rules, "No one is to go off on their own - stay with a group or have Kingsley or Alastor take you. If you leave, let me know first! Also, if you leave, meet back here in two hours." With that said she gave a firm nod of her head and started towards the book shop, "Everyone needs textbooks so come along!"

Ron and Harry exchanged frowns, Molly sure is being bossy today.

Once they all got their textbooks, Draco turned to Kingsley and asked, "I need to get a present for the twins. Will you come with me? I have everything else I need, Remus ordered me the Prefect robes as soon as the badge arrived, so I don't need my robes."

Kingsley nodded, "Molly, I am taking Draco to get a gift. We will find you afterward."

Molly nodded, "Alright. We need to go get Ginny a new potion supplies - the hand-me-downs are no longer working." She glanced at Ron, Hermione and Harry. "Are the three of you coming with us?"

Ron gave a fast shake of his head, "We need our robes yet. We will meet you afterward."

Molly sighed, not sure if this was a good idea, "Fine but take Alastor with you." With that, she, Arthur and Ginny left.

Ron sighed impatiently as he watched Moody speaking to someone - they looked deep in a conversation, "Let's just go without him. I bet, by the time we get back, he will still be chatting with that woman."

Hermione bit her lip, "I don't know if that's a good idea, Ron. We aren't supposed to go without an adult."

Harry, too, wasn't sure about this plan - his backside still feels uncomfortable from earlier! No way he wants to anger another adult!

Ron glared at them, "What happened to my best friends? You are both SO boring lately! You never want to go on adventures. You never want to take chances. I miss the old you!"

Harry sighed and looked at Hermione.

Hermione glared at Ron, "That's not fair, Ronald."

Ron rolled his eyes, "Whatever. I'm going without you lame-os!" And with that, Ron spun on his heel and left them.

Hermione let out an angry growl, "Ugh! We can't just let him go alone!"

Harry agreed with her, "Let's go, Herm." Taking her hand, they hurried after their angry friend.

The trip to get their robes went without an issue and then they started to go find the group. As they were walking they saw Pansy and her mother walking towards Borgin and Berks.

Harry frowned, "I don't like the look of that."

Ron agreed but he also couldn't help but feel excited, they might actually be taking a chance on something for once! "Let's follow her!"

Hermione rolled her eyes but stayed silent as they followed.

When Pansy and her mother went inside the store, they climbed on top of a roof diagonal to Borgin and Berks and looked in the window.

Harry watched as Pansy opened and closed a cabinet, "I don't trust her. I never have. . . What do you think Draco sees in her? She's so creepy looking."

Hermione gasped, "Did you see that?!"

Confused, Harry frowned, "See what?"

She pointed with a shaky finger, "She put an apple in the cabinet and when she closed it and then opened it again, the apple was gone!"

Ron chuckled, "Are you feeling alright, Hermione?"

Hermione glared at him, "I'm being serious!"

Hearing a bell chime, Ron's face paled and he felt his heart begin to race. "How many times did that ring?"

Understanding dawned over the other two and they hurried to get off the roof, they didn't realize how long they took in the robe shop and following Pansy - now they are late getting back to the group.

They ran back to where they were supposed to meet and slid to a stop in front of a red-faced Molly.

"You are five minutes late!" Molly yelled at them. "Why didn't you take Alastor with you?!"

Harry and Hermione immediately dropped their eyes, feeling their stomachs twist and turn.

Kingsley stepped up, "Molly, you are making a scene. A scene is not what we want here. Come, let's return to the school grounds."

Arthur nodded in agreement and pulled out the portkey.

"Ginny!" Dean's voice yelled from down the street.

Already feeling angry that he will be in trouble and that he got yelled at in front of everyone, Ron glared daggers at the brown-haired boy. "Don't come any closer, Dean."

Dean smirked and closed the gap between himself and Ginny. He pulled her close and captured her lips, not caring that her parents were right there.

Infuriated, Ron viciously pulled Dean away from his sister and gave him a hard push. "How many times do you need to be told to leave my sister alone?!"

Dean glared at him, "No one can keep our love apart, you stu-" He fell back, clutching his bleeding nose. He glared at Ron and dropped his hand from his nose. He clenched it into a fist and swung at Ron, missing.

Ron landed another fast punch across his cheek, "You're the scum of the earth! You don't deserve my sister's love!"

Arthur finally got a hold of his son and pulled him back, "Stop it, Ron!" He said one thing but he couldn't help but want the opposite. I have raised them to know that fighting is wrong, I can't just let him beat this idiot up even if he deserves it.

Dean scrambled to his feet from where he fell. He glared at the group, not looking at Ginny. "You can't stop this - we are soul mates."

Ron lashed out and tried to hit him again only to be held back by his father.

Seeing this, Dean smirked, "See ya at school, Weasley." He finally looked at his girlfriend, "I love you, babe. Don't let anyone tell you differently." With that, he turned and walked away, his head held high.

Arthur gave Ron a shake, "Pull yourself together, Ronald!"

Ron finally stopped trying to go after Dean. He sagged against his father, "I hate him."

Ginny glared at her brother with tear-filled eyes, "And I hate you!"

Molly quickly grabbed Ginny before she could run after Dean. "It's time to go!" She stared at Arthur expectantly.

With one hand on his son and the other holding out the portkey, he waited for everyone to touch the device and then they disappeared back home.

When they arrived all Hell broke loose. Kingsley and Alastor quickly made their escape.

A/N: Thanks for reading! I hope you enjoyed this chapter!

Savoren.