The group was sitting in the common room later that night. Harry sat in the closest chair by the fire. He, Hermione, and Seamus were sitting in the common room, finishing an essay for Professor Snape. The crackling of the fire was the only thing that could be heard throughout the common room.
"I'm not sure what Snape means by adding the lion-fish scales after the lacewings but before the caterpillar heads. Do you understand it, Harry?" Seamus asked. He glanced up when Harry didn't respond. "Harry, you ok, babe?"
Harry was staring into the fireplace, visibly shaking.
"Harry?" Hermione called, noticing Harry's odd behavior.
"Hmm?" Harry looked up. "Sorry, I wasn't listening." Harry's teeth started chattering.
"Are you cold? You're sitting right next to the fire." Hermione looked concerned.
"I can't seem to get w-warm," Harry let out a massive shiver.
Seamus walked over to Harry and sat on the edge of his chair. He felt Harry's forehead. "Oh my God, baby, you're burning up!"
"You are looking kind of pale, too." Hermione said. "Are you feeling ok?"
"I'm exhausted, to be honest." Harry said. He leaned his head against Seamus' leg, closing his eyes.
"Maybe you should go lay down for a bit," Seamus suggested. "Come on, I'll take you upstairs."
"How was detention?" Hermione asked as Ron entered the common room an hour later.
"Sucked, of course." Ron said, collapsing in an armchair next to Hermione. "Where's Harry? We should head down to dinner soon."
"He's upstairs taking a nap. He doesn't feel good." Hermione explained.
"Oh. I can see if he's up. If not, we can probably snag some things from the kitchen for him later." Ron got up and headed up the stairs to his dorm.
The room was completely dark. Ron was not shocked to find Seamus in Harry's bed. They were both sound asleep, Harry curled up and nearly on top of Seamus. Harry did, indeed, look pale. Ron turned around and went back downstairs.
"Still asleep?" Hermione asked.
"Yep. Him and Seamus. Looks like it's just us for dinner."
Harry awoke with a start. He could feel himself drenched in sweat. He sat up and winced; his whole body was extremely sore. He looked around the darkened room – all the beds were filled with sleeping occupants, except for Seamus, who was next to him.
Harry threw his sweater off – he felt like he was on fire. He could feel sweat starting to form on his forehead. He took his shirt off as well, hoping that would help. Harry's body gave an involuntary shake: His vision (which was already blurry due to lack of glasses) started to become even more blurry and dizzying. Without warning, he turned to the side of the bed and started violently vomiting.
"Harry? Are you ok?" Seamus woke up suddenly. He knelt on his knees and leaned closer to Harry, who was still vomiting. Seamus rubbed his back.
"What's going on?"
"What's happening with Harry?"
The other boys started stirring awake. Ron made his way to Harry's bed, careful to avoid the sick-covered floor.
"What's happening, Seamus?"
"Not sure. I just woke up, meself," Seamus said, still rubbing Harry's back.
Harry finally stopped puking but didn't move, gasping for air. He still felt very dizzy, even with his eyes closed. He tried steadying his breath the best he could.
"I'm going for help – he's as white as a ghost!" Neville ran out of the room.
Harry shakily reached behind him, searching for Seamus, who grabbed his hand.
"You're freezing, Harry!"
"S-Shay….I don't…" Harry struggled to get the words out. His eyes suddenly rolled into the back of his head, and he passed out in Seamus' arms.
Harry could hear whispering…he could taste metal in his mouth….his body shook as he suddenly felt freezing again. He slowly opened his eyes; he was in his dorm, the lights on, surrounded by people. He was in Seamus' arms, shirtless and covered in sweat. Ron and Professor McGonagall were standing next to the bed on his left.
"What happened?" Harry asked, his throat on fire.
"You passed out," Seamus said, moving the sweaty bangs out of Harry's eyes.
"Madame Pompfrey is on her way, Potter." McGonagall said. She reached out and put the back of her hand to Harry's forehead. "You're slightly warm – perhaps the fever is subsiding."
"Move aside, please, move aside! Where is he?" Madame Pompfrey made her way to the side of the bed. "Ah, Mr. Potter. What's going on?"
"He was throwing up a lot, and he was burning up for a bit. And he's been getting cold sweats." Seamus explained.
Madame Pomfrey sat Harry up and started checking all his vitals. Harry could feel himself getting dizzy again; Seamus steadied him by putting his hand in the middle of his back.
"Well, Potter, it looks like you've got the flu," Madame Pompfrey sighed. "Not that I'm surprised – it's been spreading like wildfire this week."
"What would you recommend?" Professor McGonagall asked.
"Bed rest. He's definitely too weak to move right now, so he'll rest here for the night. I will be back tomorrow to check on you, Mr. Potter."
Harry tried to nod but stopped…he could feel a headache coming on. He shut his eyes while the others mumbled something…footsteps across the creaky floor…the groaning of mattress springs as the others went back to bed…
"Come Harry, lets lay back down."
Harry could feel Seamus slowly guiding him back, but Harry tried to resist. "Shay, wait…maybe you should go back to your bed – I don't want you getting sick –"
"I don't care about that, Harry. I want to see you get better first. Now come on, you need your rest."
Harry allowed Seamus to guide him back down. He snuggled up to Seamus once more, his head on Seamus' chest, his arm around his waist. Seamus put his arm around Harry and pulled him closer.
"Good night, Shay," Harry mumbled, already drifting off to sleep.
"Good night, Harry." Seamus nuzzled his face into Harry's hair, smiling.
Harry was low to the ground, slithering on an immaculate stone floor. He looked this way and that, but it was completely empty and silent. He passed by many locked doors before coming to the one he was looking for. But there was someone there…someone guarding it…he was told this would be a possibility. The man thought he was clever, hiding underneath an invisibility cloak….but he was foolish, for Harry could see right through that…
The man was nodding off, but soon was startled awake as Harry approached him…the man jumped up and pointed his wand at him, but it was too late….Harry struck once, twice, three times, letting the warm, sticky blood coat his mouth…
"AHHHHHHHH!"
"What's happening?"
"What's going on, now?"
"Harry?"
"Baby! Harry, calm down – stop moving!" Seamus grabbed Harry's flailing arms and pinned him to the bed. Harry blindly tried struggling against him, his eyes still shut tightly, sweat pouring down his face once more.
"What's going on? Who's screaming like that?" Asa, the Gryffindor Head Boy, walked into the dorm, his wand held aloft.
"Get McGonagall – NOW!" Seamus yelled urgently. He sat on top of Harry as Asa ran out of the room. "Harry – Harry, you need to calm down, please! Ron, help me with his legs!"
Ron pinned Harry's legs down as Seamus continued to struggle with his arms. Harry's eyes suddenly flew open, and his body went limp, yet he was still violently shaking.
"Mr. Potter! What is it, now? What else ails you?" McGonagall ran into the room, Asa following behind her. Harry ripped his arms out of Seamus' grip and bolted upright, causing Seamus to fall over.
"Blood, there was so much blood! He's hurt – the snake got him!" Harry rambled. He couldn't get the image of Mr. Weasley out of his head.
"What are you talking about, Mr. Potter?"
"Mr. Weasley! He's hurt – badly hurt! He was attacked by a giant snake!" Harry yelled, not caring about the others in the room who were all exchanging looks of confusion.
"You mean you had a nightmare?" McGonagall asked.
"No, I swear, Professor, it was real! He was guarding a door and I came – I mean the snake came but he couldn't escape fast enough – PLEASE! He's going to die!" Harry cried, tears pouring down his face. Ron whipped his head around to look at McGonagall, who was white as a ghost.
"Follow me, Mr. Potter. You too, Weasley." McGonagall left the room in a huff. Harry, Ron, and Seamus (who knew he was probably meant to stay behind but didn't care) followed her out of the common room and through the halls. They walked in silence, Ron throwing scared looks in Harry's direction; Harry was silently crying, breathing heavily, and stumbling with weakness; Seamus had his arm wrapped around Harry's shoulder, keeping him steady.
They finally arrived at the staircase leading to Dumbledore's office. McGonagall said the password and they ascended up to the magnificent oak doors. She gave a hurried knock. There was quiet for a moment before a tired, "enter," came from the other side. The four of them entered Dumbledore's office.
"Minerva? What is going on?" Dumbledore asked, standing up.
"Potter has had a – a vision of sorts, Albus. And this one involves Arthur Weasley possibly hurt –"
"He got viciously attacked by a snake, Professor!" Harry cried desperately. "Wherever he is, whatever he's guarding, the snake – there's so much blood!"
Seamus squeezed Harry tightly as he broke down further, his body shaking even more furiously. Dumbledore exchanged looks with McGonagall before he turned to one of the portraits. Harry couldn't hear a single word as blood pounded in his ears. Seamus pulled him into a hug and allowed Harry to cry into him. He was terrified – what if they didn't get to Mr. Weasley in time? What if he ended up dying? Harry couldn't bear those thoughts but couldn't stop them from crossing his mind.
When Harry was finally able to get his breathing under control, he pulled away from Seamus. Dumbledore was pacing behind his desk, clearly thinking hard. Ron was looking between Harry and Dumbledore, abject terror in his face. The door opened just then and McGonagall – whom Harry didn't realize had left – walked in, followed by Ginny, Fred, and George.
"Harry? What's going on?" Ginny asked, looking scared.
"Professor McGonagall said you saw dad hurt? But how?" Fred asked. They all turned their eyes to Harry, who turned to look at Dumbledore: He gave a short nod, indication of an invitation for an explanation. Harry took a deep breath and explained everything he saw in great detail, all the while wondering how they were going to find Mr. Weasley, and dreading what state they were going to find him in. When he finished, the room was deadly quiet. The Weasleys were staring at Harry in horror, and…was it fear?
"We have sent someone to go find Arthur – in the meantime, I will send you to Grimmauld Place to await any news. Minerva, no doubt she is already aware that there are students out of their dorms. If you could hold her off – ?"
McGonagall nodded. "And Mr. Finnegan? Should I escort him back –"
"Professor – please –" Harry looked at Dumbledore imploringly, holding Seamus tighter. Dumbledore looked at Harry sadly and shook his head.
"I'm sorry, Harry. Not this time."
McGonagall took Seamus by the shoulder and started steering him out of the office. There was a look of abject sadness and regret in his eyes. He lifted a hand in a sad sort of wave. Harry gulped nervously as he waved back. The two hurried out of the office, while Dumbledore rummaged through his desk, looking for something. He pulled out an old glove and tapped his wand to it, saying a series of unrecognizable words under his breath. He came around the desk and held out the glove.
"This is a portkey that will take you all to Grimmauld place. Grab hold please."
They all put a finger to the glove, squishing in together. Harry looked at Dumbledore, scared. But as soon as they made eye contact, Harry could feel his vision blurring again – a rage reared up in him like he's never felt before. He wanted nothing more than to hurt Dumbledore. But before he could act on anything, he felt the familiar jolt behind his navel, and they were whisking away from Hogwarts. They landed in the drawing room of Grimmauld Place less than a minute later. Harry immediately let go and rushed to a corner where he proceeded to throw up.
"What's wrong with Harry?" Sirius jumped out of the chair he was sitting in and rushed over to Harry. Ron was already there, supporting Harry so he didn't fall over.
"He has the flu. I don't think the portkey really helped him." Ron said, trying to keep Harry steady. Harry knelt down, his eyes tightly shut, taking deep breaths. He didn't want to say anything in front of the others, but he knew this time, it wasn't because he was sick…it was the feeling of wanting to kill…of wanting to kill Dumbledore and everyone who stood in his way…but in his way of what, exactly?
"Perhaps we should get him upstairs –" Sirius started to suggest.
"N-no, I'll be fine. I just need to sit down." Ron helped Harry up and brought him to the closest armchair. Harry kept his eyes closed and continued his deep breathing.
"What happened? Dumbledore wasn't very descriptive in his letter," Sirius asked the group at large. Everyone briefly looked at Harry, and then at Ron, who had witnessed everything.
"Harry had a sort of – I don't know, vision, I guess you can say….he saw dad getting attacked by a snake and was convinced it was real." Ron explained. "When we got Professor McGonagall and explained what happened, she immediately brought us to Professor Dumbledore's office and now we're here."
"What should we do, Sirius? Dumbledore didn't give any other information?" Fred asked, pacing by the fireplace.
"He just said you would be staying here for a bit and to await his next owl." Sirius said, gazing into the fireplace himself.
"What about mum? Shouldn't someone tell her?" Ron said, putting a comforting arm around Ginny, who started to tear up.
"I'm sure Dumbledore reached out to her already –"
Just then, there was a burst of flames, and a letter appeared on the mantelpiece by the fire. Sirius grabbed it. "It's from your mother!" He handed the letter to Fred, who read it aloud:
"They have your father; he is being transported to St. Mungo's. He is alive for now. Await my next letter." Fred looked up at his siblings.
"Alive for now?" George looked very pale. "But that sounds like –"
"St. Mungo's is a very prestigious hospital. They'll set him straight." Sirius said, keeping a calm voice. He looked around the forlorn group, in their nightclothes, bags under their eyes. "Might I suggest getting some rest while we wait? It could be awhile –"
"I'm not going anywhere until I hear from mum," Ginny said, plopping herself down on the nearest couch. Ron sat down next to her, George following suit. Sirius nodded understandably as Fred took space in another chair. Harry curled up in the armchair he was in, his vision going in and out.
Harry was absolutely exhausted but couldn't think of sleeping. He was afraid to shut his eyes. What if something else happened? What if he attacked someone in this room? He tried not think of the huge fangs he had sunk into Mr. Weasley's body, for he knew he was the snake. He didn't know how it was possible – the very thought of it hurt his head. He tried focusing on the sound of the crackling fire behind him…the sound of someone continuously pacing the floor, causing the floorboards to creak…the others' deep breathing…