Nope don't own anything except the story and anything that you don't recognize! ;)

Chapter Forty-four

To Fear The Dark

Harry nodded and stood, using his wand to move the stretcher. He didn't let go of his sister's hand. The other he noticed was clutching her wand.

A cold blast of wind blew past them as they started back towards the castle. Shivering Greg pulled off his school robe, quickly transforming it into a thick warm blanket and laid it over the girl on the stretcher. His eyes met Harry's and he saw the gratitude in them before the Gryffindor looked back down at the still witch.

They trudged through the deepening snow, their previous tracks completely obscured by the driving wind.

They were almost to the castle doors when Harry felt his sister squeeze his hand and her eyelids flutter.

"'Arry!" her voice was weak as she struggled to open her eyes.

"I'm here Taylor. You're safe now. You're at Hogwarts." Harry said reassuringly as he squeezed her hand back.

"You're going to be okay. We're taking you to see Madame Pomfrey." Greg added.

"Gr…eg?"

"Yeah, I'm right here Taylor." Greg said softly as he brushed the matted dirty hair gently off of her forehead. He didn't want to touch her battered face for fear of hurting her.

Greg opened the large castle doors with a flick of his wand as the two wizards walked on either side of the stretcher.

"Harry!" Ginny called as she hurried across the Entrance Hall towards them, gasping when she drew close enough to see who was lying on the stretcher. "Taylor! Oh thank Merlin! But… how? Is Hermione…?"

"Hermione is ahead of us. We found Hermione first, and Ron took her to the Hospital Wing." Harry answered as he hurried across the Entrance Hall and up the stairs, past curious onlookers.

Ginny glanced at the tall Hufflepuff who walked on the other side of the stretcher but she didn't comment knowing Harry would tell her later. To break the silence she said, "When I got back to the common room everyone was saying that you and Ron had raced out of there as if a Manticore itself was chasing you. So I headed back out and kept meeting people asking what was going on. I just finished talking to Neville and Dean to see if they knew what had happened when I saw you come in from outside."

Greg listened as Ginny talked but he didn't say anything. He was far more interested in the girl that was laying on the stretcher. Now that they were inside, and there was better lighting than a lit wand, he could see how deathly pale her face was beneath the dirt, bruising and dried blood.

When they finally reached the hospital, the doors were open and they could hear voices inside.

Madame Pomfrey looked up when they entered. "Bring her over here Potter. I will be there in just a moment." The school nurse said briskly as she turned back to Hermione who was laying on one of the hospital beds already.

Ron stood off to the side so he would be out of the way of the nurse, but he never took his eyes off the witch lying in the bed.

Harry floated the stretcher over to the bed that the nurse had indicated, but he was watching also as the nurse passed her wand over Hermione, a frown on her lined face. Harry's gut clenched, he knew that look meant that Hermione wasn't good.

It wasn't two minutes before Madame Pomfrey hurried over, noting Hunter and Miss Weasley standing at the foot of the bed. Potter however was sitting on the bed holding her patient's hand. "Excuse me Potter." She said as she motioned for him to move away.

Reluctantly Harry let go of his sister's hand and stood. The next instant her eyes snapped open and she began to twist around on the bed.

"Harry!" the voice was full of fear.

"I'm right here Taylor. I'm right here." Harry said as he caught her hand in his again, glancing at the nurse.

With a frown Madame Pomfrey nodded to let Potter know it was ok, as she began moving her wand slowly over the witch. Sadly she shook her head as her wand revealed to her the torture that this young witch had been through. Physically both witches were severely dehydrated and malnourished. The bruises, and numerous cuts, she could heal with no difficulty… but the mental wounds were far more difficult.

As the nurse headed off towards her office Harry looked back down at his sister as she lay still, clutching his hand.

Greg quickly stepped up to the head of the bed, and gently lifted the broken glasses off the witch's face. "Oculus Reparo" he said quietly before he put them back on the still girl. He met Harry's eye, but he just shrugged before going back to the foot of the bed again.

The nurse was coming back towards them with a tray full of different potions when McGonagall, Shacklebolt, Lupin and Moody walked in and after a quick look around sealed the hospital doors.

"Poppy how are the two girls?" McGonagall asked with an uncharacteristic hitch in her voice.

Madame Pomfrey glanced at the four healthy students and shook her head slightly knowing that it wouldn't do any good to tell them to leave anyway. Though she did wonder a little what the Head Boy was doing here with this group.

"Well, it is about what one would expect to find in someone who has been cursed repeatedly. The mental damage far outweighs the physical wounds. They are both also extremely dehydrated and malnourished. I am going to give them some potion that will help heal their wounds. I hesitate to use my wand so soon after the Cruciatus Curse was used, it can sometimes cause a reaction. Then I'm going to give them each some Dreamless Sleep potion. I suspect it has been a long while since they have had a good night's sleep."

"Are either awake?" Moody asked in his gravelly voice.

The nurse looked up at the old auror in surprise. "Miss Porter was semi-conscious for a few moments, but Miss Granger hasn't stirred since she arrived."

"I'm afraid we are going to need you to revive Miss Porter then. We need to ask her some important questions." Shacklebolt said regretfully in his deep voice.

"Tonight? But surely it can wait! The poor girl has been through a terrible ordeal! She needs to rest." Madame Pomfrey exclaimed. It always amazed her at how some people discounted the debilitating effect that one suffered when they were tortured like these two girls had been.

"I'm sorry Poppy, but it can't wait." McGonagall said quietly.

"What do you need to bother Taylor tonight for, anyway?" Ron growled.

Harry stood up and faced the Order members wondering the same thing.

"Weasley if you used your head you'd know why!" Moody growled.

"We need to know what happened. How Taylor and Hermione were able to escape. Is the school in imminent danger? It is very important that we find out as much as we can right now." Lupin cut in as he tried to make the four teenagers understand just what might be at stake.

Taylor lay there listening. She was tired, but she was scared to go to sleep. Scared that she was somehow dreaming and she was still in the dark cold cell. Harry's warm hand was like her lifeline she couldn't let it go.

"I think you should let her rest!" Greg growled speaking for the first time since he had entered the castle.

"I see no reason that you need to be here Hunter!" Moody growled as he pinned the Head Boy with both eyes.

"I'm not leaving!" Greg growled as he glared at the old auror, well aware that the wizard could easily make him go if he chose.

Taylor's heart warmed just hearing the Hufflepuff's deep voice. She was suddenly scared that someone would make him leave. Struggling to force the words from her parched throat all she could do was make an unintelligible sound.

"Taylor!" two voices coursed, one slightly deeper then the other.

"…'ader" Taylor croaked and tried again. "wa…ter"

"Here." Harry said as he conjured a glass and filled it with water.

"Don't you think a straw might help?" growled Greg softly as he conjured one and put it in the glass.

Taylor couldn't find the energy to open her eyes, but she felt something touch her cracked lips as her brother said softly "Here's some water." The first drops of water were heavenly. She didn't think she had ever drunk water so good. So she drank slowly savoring every bit of the cool, clean liquid. She knew she wasn't dreaming when Greg quietly refilled the glass and she drank that down too.

Taylor let her head fall back on the pillow and relished the feeling of the water soothing her parched throat as it reached her stomach it seemed to spread. It helped revive her better then anything else, and helped convince her that she truly couldn't be dreaming. She could hear hushed voices in the background but she squeezed her brother's hand as a smile played at her lips. "Thank you, both. That's the best water I think I've ever had."

"Don't thank me. I'm just so glad that you're here." Greg said softly.

Harry echoed Greg's sentiment.

"Miss Porter, I'm afraid that we need to ask you some questions. I think that maybe the others should leave." Moody said firmly in his gravelly voice.

Taylor opened her eyes for the first time since her drink. As she slowly shook her head, her eyes fell on who all was there. "No. Whatever you want to ask me can be said in front of them. They will just find out later anyway." Her voice still sounded tired but it was stronger and clearer now.

"Miss Porter need I remind you," Moody began but Taylor's snort cut him off.

"Moody what do you think you can threaten me with that's worse than being cursed by Voldemort? I don't want my friends to go."

There was a collective gasp at this revelation but Taylor was too tired to care.

"Voldemort was at the place where you were being held?" Moody asked sharply.

"No, just today. He got back from someplace. He wanted to question Hermione and me."

"What did he ask you?" Shacklebolt asked worriedly.

"He wanted to know where Harry was, what he was searching for and where the Order's headquarters are." Taylor answered tiredly.

"What all did he learn?" Asked Lupin in a frightened voice.

Taylor looked over at her parents' friend knowing his fear wasn't about those questions. Taylor closed her eyes to gather her strength. Opening them she looked Lupin in the eye. "I told him that I didn't know any of that. He wasn't none too happy." Taylor paused. She wasn't really sure how to explain the next part. She'd never experienced anything like it before.

"He probably put you under the Imperio Curse and you just don't remember." Moody growled.

"No, he tried to but it didn't work." Taylor looked up at her brother whose green eyes were wide. "I've always been able to shake off an Imperio Curse." She said simply.

"Voldemort has other ways of finding out information." Moody pressed.

"Yeah, he can read people's minds." Taylor said quietly. She looked back at Lupin, as she said slowly, "But he couldn't read mine."

"Miss Porter I wasn't aware that you knew Occlumency," Shacklebolt said curiously.

Taylor found her brother staring at her, and she said slowly. "I don't. He just couldn't read my mind. He tried…" her heart started to pound as the memories came back fresh and vivid, "numerous times… every time he…" Taylor squeezed her brother's hand as she began to tremble, "couldn't he… he would… Crucio me." She whispered.

"It's okay Taylor. It's over. You're safe now." Harry said softly as he sat down on the bed beside his sister's trembling body.

"Don't you think you've asked her enough for tonight? She told you she didn't tell You-Know-Who anything!" Greg growled angrily as he glared at Moody in particular, wishing they would leave Taylor alone. His heart broke to see her hurting like she was.

"Hunter, I will decide when we are done here!" Moody growled really starting to lose his patience with the upstart whelp.

"Moody and Mr. Hunter! Enough both of you! Honestly I thought I'd be dealing with Potter not you two!" McGonagall snapped as she glared at the two of them. "Now what else do you need to know tonight?" the Headmistress' voice making it clear that she wasn't going to allow much more.

"So Voldemort couldn't read your mind, so he didn't get the answers to his questions from you. What about Miss Granger?" Moody asked growling a little more then usual.

Taylor took a deep breath as she met Moody's eyes. "Hermione… Hermione and I were always separated for our… sessions. They always took her first. This last time was no different. Except they didn't drag Hermione back down to the cell."

Ron swore bitterly and Ginny gasped. Greg shook his head and put a comforting arm around Ginny's shoulders. Harry felt his stomach revolt and thought he might be sick. The adults were less shocked but no less upset.

"When they came for me…" Taylor paused swallowed and continued. "The Death Eater told me that Voldemort was there and he was taking me to him. The Death Eater said that if I wanted to save Hermione and get out I had to listen. They also said that Hermione hadn't told Voldemort anything. Just what they meant I never had time to ask, so I took it that they somehow fixed things so that Hermione didn't answer any of Voldemort's questions either." Taylor told them what Snape told her, and how she had eventually gotten away, only leaving out Snape's name. When she was finished they all stared at her dumbfounded.

"Who helped you escape?" Harry asked shocked.

Taylor shook her head. She couldn't tell her brother, not now, not here. And she definitely didn't plan on ever telling anyone else. "I can't tell you. Their name isn't important. Their courage is all that matters. That and the fact they saved Hermione's and my life."

After a few more questions about where she had been held, Moody, Shacklebolt and McGonagall turned to leave having a quiet word with the nurse before they did.

Lupin stepped closer to the bed as he smiled down at James' and Lily's lost daughter, his voice was gentle and his words heartfelt. "You are a truly courageous young lady. I can't tell you how happy it makes me feel to see you again. Get some rest. I'll be by to see you again sometime."

Taylor could feel tears prick at her eyes and blinked to keep them away. "Thanks Lupin. It's good to see so many friendly faces again. I'll look forward to seeing you soon."

Lupin smiled easier as he nodded, spoke to Harry and the others then excused himself to follow the Headmistress out of the Hospital Wing.

Taylor closed her eyes and listened to Ginny's low voice as she said something to Greg. A few seconds later three thumps sounded as Greg spoke quietly.

"Well we can sit here comfortably. Harry do you want a chair too?"

Taylor felt the bed shift slightly but he brother's voice was soft, as if trying not to disturb her. "No, I'm good for now. Thanks." He gave her hand a gentle squeeze and she squeezed back.

She could hear Madame Pomfrey walking across the floor towards them.

"I am going to need a few minutes to look after these two and get them settled more comfortably. You may wait outside if you wish. When I am done you can come back in." The nurse's voice was firm and professional but understanding.

"Madame Pomfrey," Ron's voice asked cautiously. "Can you tell me how… uhm… is Hermione going to be all right?"

A soft sigh, "Like I told the Headmistress, Miss Granger has suffered a great deal and it is impossible to say what lasting emotional scars her ordeal will leave. However, she is young and healthy, and she has good friends that are going to be there for her. I say she, as well as Miss Porter, will be fine, given time."

A chorus of 'thank you's sounded from the three Gryffindors and one Hufflepuff.

Taylor heard the others getting up and felt her brother get up off the bed. Her eyes flew open as her fingers gripped his hand.

"I'll be right back. I'm only going over there." Harry said softly as he pointed with his other hand to indicate the doors. He could feel the tremble in his sister's body and the sudden fear in her eyes.

Taylor didn't want to let go of Harry. He was still her lifeline. His warm hand told her that she had done the impossible and escaped from Voldemort.

"Dear, it will be alright. If you want he can stay a bit longer and I'll clean up Miss Granger first." The nurse said kindly, and Taylor nodded.

The nurse put up a screen around Hermione's bed as she removed the filthy clothes and vanished the dirt and dried blood then dressed her in clean pajamas, humming quietly while she worked.

Harry sat quietly. He seemed to know that was all his sister needed. It was a tiny thing considering all he had to make up to her.

"Alright dear, it's your turn. Potter can come back as soon as I am through." The nurse said firmly.

Reluctantly Taylor let go of Harry's hand. "I'll be right back. I promise." Harry whispered.

Taylor watched her brother until the nurse moved the screen in the way. She repeated what she had done to Hermione and soon Taylor was clean, warm and wearing a pair of the schools pajamas.

When Madame Pomfrey was done she pushed the screen back, so that there was room for the three chairs but it provided some privacy. She then moved Hermione into the next bed so that they would be closer, knowing somehow that it would help to comfort both girls. True to her word the nurse called around the screen to the waiting teens as she started to measure the potions on the tray into glasses.

Taylor watched as the nurse used her wand to open Hermione's mouth and administer the three potions. Harry and the others walked around the screen as the nurse turned to Taylor with the potion for her.

"Here, drink this. In the morning I will get you something from the kitchens. Tonight this potion will be all you need." The nurse said as she passed one of the glasses to Taylor who took it suddenly wary.

"What does it do?" Taylor asked.

"That is just a simple healing potion. It will heal any cuts and fade the bruising. This one will start your body healing inside, and help you recover from the malnourishment your body has endured. And the last one is just a Dreamless Sleep potion, which will help you rest better through the night."

Taylor felt her blood run cold as she started to shake her head.

"Dear none of these will harm you in any way." The nurse added but Taylor continued to shake her head no.

"No. I don't want it…" Taylor didn't know how to make the nurse understand. Sleep without dreams was total darkness. She couldn't go where she couldn't see anything.

"Which one don't you want dear?" the nurse asked patiently.

"Not the Dreamless Sleep. I'll take the others but not that one!" Taylor said as she shook her head.

The nurse sighed, "That will be fine. Now here take the healing potions."

Harry watched, worried once more about the fear he saw in his sister's eyes, wondering how much more she was going to have to suffer because of him.

After Taylor took the two potions the nurse checked on Hermione once more then retired to her office saying to call her if they needed anything.

Harry conjured a chair and sat down between Taylor and Hermione. Once again taking his sister's hand in his. Ron took his chair over to the other side of Hermione so he could hold her hand more easily. Ginny sat on the end of Hermione's bed and Greg pulled his chair over to Taylor's other side. He didn't try to touch her, he just seemed content that he was close by.

Taylor settled back into her pillow and soft bed. A true luxury, after all the time she had lain on a cold stone floor without even the benefit of a blanket. A thought occurred to her.

"What day is it? How long have we been gone?"

"It's January seventh." Ginny answered with a smile.

Taylor thought for a while, she'd been gone for only nine days. It had felt like a month.

"Taylor," Ron asked tentatively "When did you think it was?"

Taylor looked over at him for a few moments before she answered. "I have no idea. It felt more like a month. There were no windows. We didn't know if it was day or night."

Taylor knew her friends were brimming with questions. She wasn't sure if she could answer them, but if she kept talking she wouldn't close her eyes, and now that she was feeling better from the potions, she had no desire to be in the dark again.

"Did you recognize any of the Death Eaters?" Greg asked quietly, curiosity getting the better of him.

"I only saw four or five different ones. Malfoy senior was there. Dolohov, McNair and of course my favorite, Bellatrix Lestrange!" Taylor growled as her fists clenched crushing Harry's fingers.

"Ow," Harry cringed, as his sister muttered her sorry. "What was she doing there?"

Taylor couldn't help but snort a bit at the ridiculous question. "Harry I was at Death Eater headquarters, or something like it! Bellatrix acted like she ran the place. Maybe she does. She took special interest in Hermione and me." Taylor ground her teeth as anger coursed through her.

"What do you mean, a special interest?" Ron ground out, clearly trying to keep his voice low so Madame Pomfrey wouldn't hear.

Taylor looked away from him, taking several deep breaths, trying to get a hold on her anger. She might never be able to be comfortable in the dark again, or sleep without hearing Hermione's screams, as she was tortured, but Bellatrix Lestrange didn't scare her. The sadistic Death Eater made Taylor furious! When Taylor once again had calmed down enough to speak, knowing this was in the realm of things her friends didn't need to know, she said slowly. "She made us glad that we didn't have to worry about being asked to join Voldemort!"

It was a long while before anyone spoke again.

"Maybe you should try to get some rest. If Madame Pomfrey comes out and sees that you're still awake she's likely to kick us out." Harry said quietly. He had noticed that his sister, though exhausted as she must be, hadn't yet closed her eyes for very long nor had she relinquished his hand. He was starting to think that maybe the Dreamless Sleep potion was a good idea. "Why don't I put a few of the lamps out, it might be…"

"No!" Taylor jerked up in bed as she looked up at him wide eyed.

Harry glanced at Ginny in surprise as Taylor slowly lay back down.

"The lights are fine, they're good just the way they are." Taylor rattled off nervously.

Ginny shifted on Hermione's bed a little before asking gently. "What's the matter with putting a few lamps out?"

Taylor looked over at the redheaded witch for a long time before she answered. "It was dark in the cell." Taylor knew from the look on the other witch's face that she didn't get it. "There were no windows. The walls were made of rock." Slowly Taylor slipped back into that cell. "The door was made of wood, and there was no handle on the inside. It was cold. The floor was stone and damp. We would sit for eternity in the black. We always needed to touch. It was the only way we could be sure that we were together." She looked down at her brother's hand grasped in hers. "We… Hermione learned how to make a small flame, no bigger then a match, with wandless magic. It was precious to be able to see. It was tiring though, so she could only make light for a little while. We hid our bread if there wasn't enough water… Then they would come and take her away upstairs… always her first." Taylor's voice trembled, no more then a whisper. "And I was left in the dark, alone to… lis-…" Taylor couldn't tell them about Hermione's screams. "…to wait for them to bring her back. She was always unconscious. That at least was a blessing. Then it was my turn…"

Harry and Ron swore long and bitterly. Greg dropped his head into his hands and looked at the floor too appalled to speak. Ginny, tears leaking from her eyes came and hugged Taylor.

"You're here now. We will keep the lights on for as long as you want. You're safe." Ginny whispered as a sob tore out of Taylor. Ginny held her friend for a long time until finally the sobs died down.

The school clock struck ten, curfew.

Madame Pomfrey came out of her office.

Taylor wiggled down in her bed so that she could pretend that she was sleeping. She felt someone taking off her glasses and looked up at Ginny who gave her a wink.

"I believe it is time for you lot to be heading off to your dormitories. These two need their rest. You can come by in the morning." The nurse said briskly.

"I'm not leaving Hermione!" Ron stated firmly.

"I'm not leaving Taylor or Hermione either!" Harry said his voice leaving no doubt that he was staying.

"I'm Head Boy so I can be out after curfew, but I'm not leaving here either." Greg stated.

"Well I can't very well go back all the way to Gryffindor tower by myself. It's not safe, plus I don't want to leave anyway!" Ginny said with finality as if that settled it.

The nurse shook her head, as she checked over her patients. It wasn't the first group of friends that had refused to leave the Hospital Wing.

"Miss Porter, if you are not asleep the next time I check on you, then you will be taking some of that potion. So I suggest you try harder. Or I could kick your friends out. That might help!" the nurse warned briskly.

"No, Madame Pomfrey. I'll try to go to sleep. I want them to stay if they want to." Taylor said quickly.

"Very well." The nurse said as she waved her wand at the nearby beds, rolling back the covers to let them know they were welcome to use them, before she headed back to her office.

"You'd think she's had some experience with stubborn students before." Ron remarked dryly.

Harry leaned over and kissed his sister on the forehead as he smoothed her hair back off her forehead. "You'd better try to get to sleep. I won't go anywhere. And I won't let her put out all the lamps, okay."

Taylor nodded, without her glasses her brother was blurry when he straightened up away from her. She looked over at the blur that she knew was Greg.

"I'm not going anywhere either. Try to close your eyes and get some sleep." Greg's voice was gentle and he reached out and patted the blanket that lay over Taylor's lower leg trying to reassure her.

Taylor let her eyes drift closed. She had Harry's hand, her lifeline. She'd be okay.

The clock chimed two in the silent castle.

Greg opened his eyes and rubbed a tired hand over his face, sitting up straighter in his chair. He glanced at the bed to his right and saw Ginny sleeping there. He knew she had lain down around twelve thirty. He could see Ron had taken the bed on the other side of Hermione and was softly snoring. Harry was slumped in his chair, his hand still resting on the bed where Taylor held it even in sleep

Movement in the bed made him look up to see Taylor's eyes open staring up at the lamp that was still burning low on the wall near her bed.

Getting up quietly, so as not to wake any of the others he moved his chair up by her head. "Hey," he whispered, "You're supposed to be asleep."

"I keep waking up, afraid I was dreaming. It's dark when I close my eyes." Taylor whispered back.

"All you have to do is open your beautiful eyes to see the light," Greg whispered as he tentatively reached out to smooth the hair off the witch's forehead.

"Thank you for staying."

Greg leaned in close as he gently brushed his fingers against Taylor's cheek. "I have no desire to be anywhere but here."

A slight creak caused the two to look over at where Harry sat slumped in the chair.

"He looks so uncomfortable." Taylor whispered. "I shouldn't have asked him to…" her voice started to tremble.

"Shh, hey, he is right where he wants to be. He'll hold your hand as long as you need him to." Greg whispered, though it hurt a little. He wished that he could offer her that kind of comfort.

"I'm sorry Greg."

"What do you have to be sorry about?"

"I wish I could be like other girls. Ones who go to restaurants on dates. And have a normal supper at a boy's place. Who don't show up unexpectedly laying in the snow. Who…" Taylor felt a tear slide down her face.

"Hey, shh." Greg whispered as he leaned in closer then ever and wiped the tear away. "I don't want other girls. I want you. I don't care if we ever go to a restaurant, or you never make it over to my place for a normal supper. I'll take you unexpectedly any day! Though I pray I never have to pick you up out of the snow again, but I will. I love you Taylor. I don't expect you to love me, though I hope you might some day. I will wait. So never wish you were some other girl. I sure don't." he kissed her tenderly on the forehead before he leaned back a little.

Taylor searched his face but she couldn't see anything but tenderness. Her heart swelled with emotion and she reached her hand up to touch his face and he leaned his cheek into her hand. Neither moved for a few moments.

"I'd love for you to touch me like this forever, but I think you had better try to go back to sleep. If you want you can hold my hand." Greg whispered as he reached up and took her hand in his.

"Thank you." Taylor whispered as she squeezed his hand.

Greg smiled his crooked grin. "Any time you wish to hold my hand it is yours. I'm not going anywhere."

Taylor smiled but she could feel her eyelids starting to droop. "If Harry wakes up, tell him to get some sleep." Taylor mumbled, knowing that it really didn't make sense but too sleepy to care.

The clock chimed three.

Harry woke up with a start, and it took him a second to remember where he was and why. He glanced over to see his sister twisting restlessly in her sleep still holding his hand. Then he noticed that Hunter had moved his chair and was now sitting directly across from him, as Taylor held the Hufflepuff's hand with her other one.

The Hufflepuff stared back at him, before he spoke quietly. "She only sleeps for ten or fifteen minutes quietly before she starts to twist and turn."

Harry nodded but didn't say anything.

"I can't sleep. Why don't you go get some rest. I'll stay with her."

Harry shook his head. "No, if she's this restless… I promised her I'd stay."

The Head Boy just shrugged his shoulders.

All was quiet for a long time and Harry's eyes drooped and finally closed, only to have them snap open again as his sister moaned. "No, please leave her alone. Please."

Harry looked up and his eyes met the blue ones of the Hufflepuff.

"No leave her alone. Please… Hermione."

Taylor twisted in the bed again and then sat up gasping looking wildly around.

"Taylor, it's all right. You're safe." Harry said soothingly.

"Harry?"

"I'm here, now go back to sleep." Harry said as he put his hand on her shoulder gently pushing her back onto the bed.

"Greg?"

"Shh, I'm right here too. Try to go back to sleep. We aren't going anywhere."

The clock had chimed four long ago when Harry was instantly awake again.

Taylor was twisting again, as she moaned. "Hermione she's stopped. Here they come. Poor Hermione, lucky Hermione. Please god, don't let her wake up. Don't make her listen to my screams. Please god, please."

Harry's hand shook as he lifted it up to rub over his face, his eyes meeting Greg's wide-eyed stare.

"I won't tell you. I won't tell you. I won't!" Taylor sat up in the bed trembling.

"You're all right. It was just a dream. You're okay now." Harry said gently as he put his hand on her shoulder.

Taylor shook her head slowly, as she looked at her brother, seeing only him for a moment.

"It was Voldemort, he was in my mind. He wanted to know about you, but… I didn't tell him. I didn't tell him anything."

"I know." Harry whispered.

The sound of Madame Pomfrey's footsteps approaching made Taylor lay back down.

"I see you are awake again. Maybe you should have some potion. It will help you sleep." The nurse suggested as she quickly checked her two patients.

"No, I'll go back to sleep. It's just hard to get used to this soft, warm bed." Taylor said as she smiled weakly.

The nurse raised her eyebrow but didn't say anything more and in a moment she went back into her office.

Taylor looked up at her brother, and then over at Greg as she released their hands. "You two should get some sleep too. I'll… I'll be okay."

"I'm not tired. Hufflepuffs are made of sterner stuff." Greg proclaimed but he ruined the effect by yawning at the end.

"I'm not going anywhere." Harry said as he picked up his sister's hand in his and gave it a gentle squeeze.

Greg didn't try to reclaim the witch's hand as she rolled over onto her side away from him. He sat for a long time, thinking about what he had heard. How, somehow, this young girl had stood up to the most evil wizard in the world. He already had a long list of things he loved about her, but now he could add another, raw nerve. He wasn't sure if he could have stood half what she had suffered through.

Though Taylor slept fitfully at times, she didn't say anymore in her sleep, and she slept through until dawn.

A/N Well that was a nice long chapter... even though I know I am once again leaving the chapter rather open... although I wouldn't call it a cliff-hanger :) So what did you think? There are a few more chapters to go in this roll-a-coaster sequence of events(not that they are all related... exactly but they happen in quick secession) so that means I will be updating again in the next day or so.

WOW I have over 50 reviews! That is just amazing! I love you guys so much! I want to thank you all for not only reading but for Alerting and Favoriting this story! And THANK YOU to Riniko22, Liza Cobbler and Meegles for taking the time to leave a review, again!;) You guys just made my day! I answer all my reviews so if you have a question or observation please let me know! Thank you to my wonderful bata, barbc, without her tireless effort and timely bataing these chapters wouldn't be being posted at this rate! Well until next time, cytpotter.