THE HOSPITAL WING.

February was disappearing and March was coming. Hogsmeade trips were cancelled and I couldn't blame the staff for doing so after what happened to Katie Bell, who had still not returned from St. Mungo's. I thought that everyone was going back to normal, when one morning, around six o'clock on a Saturday, hastened knocking woke me up.

"You get it," Lupin groaned.

"Why me?"

"Because no one ever knocks for me."

When I opened the door, Harry was standing before me, Ron behind him, staring off into space. When Ron saw me, he wrapped his arms around me. "Darcy, you smell divine…"

"What's wrong with him?" I asked Harry quietly.

"Love potion," Harry whispered.

"Come on." I ripped Ron off me and spun him around, pushing him out of my quarters and closing the door behind me. "Let's go to Slughorn's room."

Harry grabbed one of Ron's arms, but Ron protested. "Where's Romilda? Harry, you said you were going to introduce us!"

"Yes, Darcy knows her," Harry explained to Ron. "She's going to set you two up on a date."

"Romilda?" I hissed at Harry. "The girl that flirted with Remus after that one Quidditch match? Dark hair, dark eyes and incredibly flirty?"

"That's the one," Harry sighed. He lowered his voice, letting Ron go ahead. "The love potion was meant for me in some chocolates, but Ron ate them." I pursed my lips. "Slughorn might be a bit jumpy; we haven't exactly seen eye to eye after I asked him about the memory a while back."

I was quiet as we walked down to Slughorn's room. Harry knocked quietly and Slughorn opened the door a crack, looking the three of us over. He was in his sleeping clothes; Ron and I were in our pajamas as well and Harry had never changed out of his robes.

"We're sorry, sir," Harry said quickly. "We wouldn't bother you unless it was absolutely essential."

Slughorn narrowed his eyes as he looked at Ron. "What's wrong with Wembley?"

"It's Ron, actually," Harry corrected him.

I lowered my voice to a whisper. "Very powerful love potion. Could you possibly make an antidote for him? We would take him down to Madam Pomfrey's, but Weasley items aren't allowed here in Hogwarts and I'd rather save all the awkward questions."

"I'd have thought one of you two could have whipped up an antidote for him," Slughorn said, opening his trunk full of ingredients and mixing a few of them together. "An expert like you, Darcy…"

I blinked. "I just thought we'd need a real expert." Ron clung to my waist again and I pushed him off. "Ron, get off! Do you want Romilda seeing you like this?"

"But you are, dear!" Slughorn replied. "You've got the whole class wrapped around your finger. No one wants old Sluggy teaching classes anymore…"

"Romilda?" Ron gasped and flattened his hair. "How do I look?"

"Very handsome," I grumbled.

Slughorn continued to stir in some final ingredients and he handed the drink to Ron. Ron stared at it.

"What's this?" Ron asked.

"Tonic," Slughorn explained and Ron let go of me, taking the glass from Slughorn. "For the nerves."

Ron smiled and drank it all. Suddenly, the dreamy look in his eyes was gone and I raised an eyebrow. His smile disappeared and he looked around the room, horrified. "Are you back to normal?" Harry asked with a huge grin on his face. "Thank you, Professor."

Ron fell onto a long couch and breathed deeply, as if he had run through every corridor of the school. "Don't mention it," Slughorn said, shutting his potions trunk and opening up yet another cabinet. "Needs a pick-me-up, he does. Let's see, I've got butterbeer, wine, and oak matured mead… I intended on giving this as a gift, but I think given the circumstances…"

Slughorn pulled the mead down from the shelf and brought out four glasses, pouring a little into each glass. I thought eight o'clock in the morning seemed a little early to begin drinking, but I took the glass gratefully.

Slughorn held up his glass. "To life!" Harry, Slughorn, and I tapped glasses, but Ron was already drinking his and it hadn't even been a second before I looked at Harry, knowing something was wrong.

Before anyone else drank any mead, Ron had dropped to the floor, his glass shattering and he was jerking about, shaking violently, foaming from the mouth. I dropped to my knees and Harry seemed frozen, thinking about what to do.

"Professor!" Harry yelled, looking around frantically. "Do something! Darcy!"

"What -?" Slughorn was stuttering, staring at Ron.

Ron was turning blue and I looked up at Harry. "Harry, quickly – a bezoar!"

Harry nodded and began rummaging towards Slughorn's potion kit and he opened almost every drawer while I yelled at him to hurry. Finally, after what seemed like too long of a time, Harry rushed back over to me, holding the small bezoar in his hands. "What do I do?" he asked, his hands shaking.

"Shove it down his throat!" I shouted and Harry did just that, foam getting all over his hands. Harry made sure that Ron swallowed it and once he did, Ron gasped and his body was still.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Fred and George had come to Hogwarts to see how Ron was doing. Ginny, Hermione, Harry and I had to wait until eight o'clock until Madam Pomfrey let us in and Lupin joined us shortly after, the seven of us sitting by Ron's bedside in the hospital wing.

"Good to see you, Darcy," George smiled, throwing an arm around my shoulders. "Shame that it's because of Ron being poisoned, but it's good to see you nonetheless."

"Yeah," I sighed.

"The poison was in the drink?" Fred asked and Harry repeated the story to the twins and Lupin. "And you're sure that Slughorn didn't slip something in the drink while you weren't looking?"

"I doubt it. I was watching him the whole time," I told Fred. "Besides, Slughorn wouldn't poison anyone. What would he want with Ron?"

"If anything, Slughorn would poison Darcy because she's pretty much taken over his job," Hermione added and everyone agreed.

"Maybe that's what he meant to do," George shrugged.

"No, I don't think he slipped anything in the poison," I said again.

"If the poison was already in the bottle, it could have been meant for Slughorn," Ginny said and I found that to be more believable.

"Why Slughorn, though?" asked Lupin.

"Dumbledore reckons Voldemort wants Slughorn on his side," I explained. "He said Slughorn was in hiding before coming here." Harry and I met eyes – could that have something to do with the memory?

"But I thought Harry said Slughorn was going to give it as a gift?" Lupin looked at Harry. "To who?"

No one could provide an answer.

It wasn't much later that Dumbledore rushed into the hospital wing, followed by Slughorn, who was carrying the mead, with McGonagall and Snape bustling in after the two of them. The four professors stood at the foot of Ron's bed, who was still fast asleep. They all watched him for a moment.

"It was quick thinking on your part, Harry," Dumbledore said quietly. "Using a bezoar."

"Well, it was Darcy who –"

"You must be very proud of them both, Horace," Dumbledore finished.

"Hm?" Slughorn seemed distracted. "Oh, yes. Very proud."

"I think we all agree that their actions were heroic," McGonagall said suddenly. "But the question is: why were they necessary?"

"Why indeed?" Dumbledore turned to Slughorn. "This appears to be a gift, Horace. Do you remember who gave you this bottle?" Slughorn shook his head and Dumbledore sniffed the mead. "By the way, this possess remarkable subtle hints of licorice and cherry – when not polluted with poison." He passed it to Snape, who sniffed it.

"Actually, I had intended to give it as a gift myself," Slughorn admitted sadly.

Dumbledore raised his eyebrows. "To whom, I might ask?"

Slughorn paused and looked away. "To you, Headmaster."

The door to the hospital wing suddenly opened and closed and light footsteps got closer. Lavander Brown pushed Slughorn and Snape apart and approached Ron's bed. "Where is he?" she cried. "Where is my Won-Won? Has he been asking for me?" She looked at Ron and then her eyes landed on Hermione, who was seated beside his head. Hermione straightened up a bit. "What's she doing here?"

Hermione stood up. "I might as you the same question."

Lavender stepped forward. "I happen to be his girlfriend!"

Hermione clenched her fists. "I happen to be his –" She hesitated. "Friend."

"Don't make me laugh," Lavender huffed. "You haven't spoken in weeks. I suppose you want to make up with him now that he's suddenly all interesting!" She looked on the verge of tears.

Hermione scoffed. "He's been poisoned, you daft dimbo!" She added, "And for the record, I've always found him interesting!"

Ron began to mumble and everyone looked to him. Lavender nodded shortly. "Ah, see?" she seemed happier as she got closer to Ron. She leaned over onto his bed. "He senses my presence. Don't worry, Won-Won, I'm here! I'm here…"

Ron kept muttering in his sleep and I looked at Lupin with my eyebrows raised. Hermione looked at Lavender, defeated, and she fidgeted. Hermione looked back to Ron as he began to talk louder.

"Er-my-nee," croaked Ron.

Hermione's mouth opened slightly as she stared at Ron. Lavender looked up at Hermione and frowned, standing back up and licking her lips. Crying, she ran back out of the hospital wing. Hermione sat down and took Ron's hands in her's.

Dumbledore watched Lavender run out and turned back to the seven of us crowded around Ron's bed. "Oh to be young," Dumbledore said cheerfully. "And to feel love's keen sting. Well, come away, everybody. Mr. Weasley is well tended."

Everyone stood up and began to file out and I smirked at Hermione. She looked away and blushed. "Oh, shut up."

Lupin and I walked out last and I grinned at him, grabbing his hand. "Won-Won was a cute name," I laughed.

"Don't get any ideas," Lupin said quickly.

"What?" I teased. "I can't come up with a nickname for you?"

"No."

"Are you sure?"

"Positive."

"Oh come on, you're no fun!" I said, pushing him playfully.

"You're lucky it wasn't you who drank that mead," Lupin said suddenly and I raised an eyebrow.

"Where did that come from?" I asked.

"I just – that could have been you instead of Ron."

"Don't start this," I rolled my eyes. "I can fend for myself."

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Lupin and I joined Hermione for the Gryffindor versus Hufflepuff Quidditch match. Because of Ron still being in the hospital wing, Cormac McLaggen was now the temporary Gryffindor keeper, much to my dismay.

We sat in the student section so we could sit with Hermione and when I looked to see who was going to be the commentator for that game, I noticed a girl with very long, dirty blonde hair. Who in their right mind would let Luna Lovegood commentate and Quidditch match? I shook my head and looked back at the game.

"Ginny's taken the Quaffle," Luna said dreamily. "I do like her, she's very nice…"

"Is that Luna's voice?" Lupin and Hermione asked at the same time and I nodded uncomfortably.

A few minutes later, Cadwallader from Hufflepuff scored after Cormac was distracted. He was shouting at Ginny for dropping the Quaffle and wasn't paying attention to the Quaffle that had passed him.

Luna's voice floated throughout the crowd again. "And Harry Potter's now having an argument with his Keeper… I don't think that'll help him find the Snitch, but maybe it's a clever ruse…"

I sighed and watched as Harry's face turned beet red and he sped off, circling the pitch, looking for the Snitch. Ginny and another Chaser scored and the Gryffindor supporters cheered, including Luna. Cadwallader scored yet again, but Luna didn't seem to notice. She was talking about the shapes of the clouds and anything else not related to Quidditch. McGonagall suddenly took the microphone and barked, "Seventy-forty to Hufflepuff!"

"Is it, already?" Luna sighed.

"Remus! Look!" I pointed down to Cormac just as Luna had appeared to notice, as well.

"Oh, look! The Gryffindor Keeper's got hold of one of the Beater's bats."

Harry turned around on his Firebolt and Cormac looked like he was showing the Gryffindor Beater how to properly hit a Bludger. Harry yelled something I couldn't understand and got nearer to Cormac just as he hit a Bludger and mishit it.

The Bludger zoomed towards Harry at a dangerous speed and hit him right in the head. He went limp and suddenly, we was falling down towards the ground. I pulled my wand out of my pocket and pointed it at him.

"Aresto Momentum!" I screamed and as Harry slowed down and hit the ground softly, I rushed out of the stands to the Quidditch field, where a time out was called and Madam Pomfrey was rushing to Harry's side. Madam Hooch was yelling at Cormac and he didn't seem sorry at all. Lupin and Hermione were right behind me and I shook Harry. When he didn't wake up, I turned to Cormac, waited until Madam Hooch was done with him and clenched my fists. "YOU IDIOT!"

Cormac crossed his arms.

"YOU'RE A BLOODY KEEPER! YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO BE BLOCKING THE QUAFFLE NOT TEACHING THE BEATERS HOW TO DO THEIR JOB!" I screamed and Dumbledore walked down to the pitch, followed by his fellow professors. "YOU CAN'T EVEN DO YOUR OWN JOB RIGHT! HARRY'S CAPTAIN! HE'LL TELL HIS PLAYERS IF THEIR PLAYING WRONG – NOT YOU!"

"It looks as though Harry Potter's sister, Darcy Potter, is yelling at the Gryffindor Keeper now," Luna's voice echoed throughout my ears, but I ignored the snickering Slytherins and the shouting Gryffindors who were all infuriated with Cormac.

"YOU BETTER MAKE SURE I DON'T HIT A BLUDGER AT YOUR SKULL, CORMAC MCLAGGEN!"

"That's quite enough, Miss Potter," snapped Snape from behind me and he grabbed one of my arms, Lupin grabbing the other. They held me back and tried to drag me away from Cormac, but I was still screaming.

"HOW DARE YOU HURT MY BROTHER? YOU WAIT UNTIL I GET MY HANDS ON YOU, MCLAGGEN!"

Ginny was being restrained by Madam Hooch and as Lupin and Snape dragged me off the field, I heard the whistle being blown and the Quidditch match resumed. How could they continue play after that? My blood was boiling and I walked in silence up to the castle, where Madam Pomfrey had transported Harry via stretcher.

"In case you've forgotten," Snape said when we sat me down in the hospital wing. "Professors can't threaten students like that."

"DOES IT LOOK LIKE I CARE?" I bellowed in his face. "THAT BLOODY IDIOT COULD HAVE KILLED HARRY! I HATE HIM! I'LL GIVE HIM DETENTION UNTIL THE END OF THE BLOODY SCHOOL YEAR!"

"Calm down," Lupin said soothingly, rubbing my back. I breathed in deeply and my hands were trembling. "Harry's fine – I've seen worse."

I went to stand up, but Snape pushed me back into my chair. "You let me up right now," I told him as sternly as I could, but he shook his head.

"Where do you think you're going?" Snape asked.

"TO KILL MCLAGGEN!"

"No," Snape said again, firmer than before. "You stay here. Leave the killing to the rest of Gryffindor House when he loses the match."