The end of the school year was fast approaching: Gryffindor had won the Quidditch cup, they were second in place for the House cup – only fifty points behind Hufflepuff – and everyone was starting to get the exam jitters. The fifth years were especially anxiety-ridden, as this year they had to complete their O.W.L exams in order to pass to the sixth year. Several students, including Harry, experienced severe anxiety attacks due to the stress and ended up at the hospital wing for a calming drought. Harry and Seamus were walking the halls after such an attack happened.
"You're very smart, Harry. And you're going got get through your exams just fine." Seamus said.
"But what if –" Harry started. Seamus stopped abruptly and turned to Harry.
"No no no! We are not going to do that!"
"Do what?"
"Ask what ifs. There's always going to be what ifs in your life. You're smart and you're capable." Seamus said sternly. "You've been studying so hard and you're doing great.
The two continued walking through the halls, holding hands, talking about things to get their mind off of exams. They were just passing by one of the big windows on the fourth floor when something on the grounds caught their attention. They stopped and looked out: Umbridge and four other ministry members – all with their wands drawn – were walking across the grounds with purpose…towards Hagrid's hut.
"What are they doing? Hagrid's already been fired," Seamus said curiously.
"They wouldn't send it to Azkaban, would they?" Harry remembered when they did that to Hagrid in his second year.
"For what? He hasn't broken the law or anything – wait, who's that?" Seamus pointed to another figure coming out of the castle and heading towards Hagrid's hut.
"I think that's McGonagall," Harry said, squinting. They watched her follow the ministry group and Umbridge into Hagrid's hut and then there was silence. "Should we –"
"We should stay here and see what happens first," Seamus said, knowing what Harry was thinking. They stared out of the window for a good ten minutes before the door to the hut finally opened. "What the –"
Hagrid ran out, his umbrella in hand – the ministry members ran out and after him. The held their wands aloft, sending spells at Hagrid – but with his giant skin, they just bounced off him.
"What are they doing?!" Harry cried out, practically kneeling on the windowsill.
McGonagall appeared as well, sending sparks towards the ministry members: They were shouting something, but they couldn't hear anything through the thick pane windows. The four ministry members all pointed their wands at McGonagall and shot a spell at her – and she collapsed to the ground.
"Someone needs to help her!" Seamus cried out. He and Harry turned looked up and down the hall, hoping to find someone with authority: It was then Snape appeared around the corner. Harry had never felt so happy to see him in his life. He and Seamus ran up to him.
"What are you two running the halls?" Snape asked in his drawl.
"Professor! Professor McGonagall is in trouble! She was just attacked out on the grounds!" Harry cried out, pointing at the window. Snape looked taken aback but rushed to the window and gazed outside. He turned back to the two, an odd look on his face.
"Go inform Madame Pomfrey and do not leave the castle," And he hurried down the hall and out of sight.
The news that Professor McGonagall had been attacked spread like wild fire by the end of the day. All of Gryffindor was up in arms at the injustice as Harry and Seamus had described what they saw, them being the only two to have witnessed what happened. They were pulled a few times from their dorms by Dumbledore and Pomfrey to describe what it was they saw and if they were able to hear anything. They explained everything they could with as much detail as they could.
Harry paced outside of the hospital wing after being speaking with Pomfrey: He had seen the privacy curtains down around Professor McGonagall's bed – and he couldn't help but feel a little panicky. Harry respected McGonagall very much and came to see her almost as an aunt. She has helped him so much these passed few months, Harry was terrified she wouldn't pull through this; she wasn't exactly young, after all.
Seamus stepped out of the infirmary. "Baby? You ok?"
Harry turned to Seamus, his heart thumping. He bit his lip and shut shook his head. Seamus pulled him into a hug. "I'm scared, Seamus. I was worried about Hagrid – but McGonagall can't leave us –"
"She's not going to leave us, Harry." Seamus whispered, gently squeezing him. "Madame Pomfrey is going to make things better. She said we did great and Snape got there in time before anymore damage could be done."
Harry nodded into his shoulder, taking a deep calming breath. He pulled away and wiped a single tear from his eye. "You're right – she'll get through this…"
"See? You're already doing better with your positive thinking. Come on, let's take walk, clear our heads, maybe snuggle for a bit – you'll feel better." Seamus linked his arm in Harry's, and they continued their walking.
The two boys felt exhausted after walking around the caste for two hours. When they finally headed to their dorm, they both flopped onto Seamus's bed and laid there, their arms wrapped around each other. Seamus laid on Harry's chest, listening to his heartbeat: It was slow and steady, and calming. After such a hectic day and with the exhaustion of O. ' fast approaching, the two said nothing but felt comfort in each other's silence. Seamus soon felt himself starting to drift off and buried his face deeper into Harry's chest.
Harry was walking down the hallway, holding hands with Seamus…they walked through the doors out onto the Hogwarts grounds – except the grounds turned into Grimmauld Place…the two walked up the stairs towards the drawing room. Harry turned to Seamus, wondering what was going on….but Seamus soon turned into Sirius, who looked scared…
Grimmauld Place soon turned into a hallway…a very familiar hallway with doors on either side…which turned into the room with orbs….Harry walked down the hallway, the sound of screams growing louder…
Harry was aware he was dreaming and tried to wake himself up, but couldn't open his eyes. He could feel himself tossing and turning, sweat pouring down his face.
Harry got closer to aisle fifty-eight…when he turned, there was Sirius, tied to a chair, struggling….Someone was pointing a wand at him, but Harry couldn't see who it was, for they were in the shadows…
Seamus suddenly rolled and nearly fell off the bed as Harry started flailing. He sat upright as he realized Harry was still sleeping. "Harry? Baby, wake up!" Seamus tried waking him awake, but to no avail.
Harry tried to make his way to Sirius but suddenly felt his world shaking, causing him to fell to his knees..He tried to call out to his godfather, but Sirius continued screaming out, his body writhing in pain…
"Harry! Harry, you need to wake up!" Seamus cried. In his desperation, Seamus reached out and slapped Harry as hard as he could across the face.
"Ahhh!" Harry's eyes suddenly flew up. He sat up straight, sweat pouring down his face, breathing wildly, tears forming in his eyes. He looked around wildly before seeing Seamus. "Shay!"
"Harry - what's going on?" Seamus asked worriedly.
"Vision! I – I had a vision and Sirius was there, he was where ever Mr. Weasley was the night he was attacked! And he's getting tortured! I think Voldemort was there and –" Harry started hyperventilating, trying to get everything out.
"Slow down, slow down! What happened with Sirius? And I thought you weren't getting visions anymore?"
"I haven't been! But – " Harry took a few deep breaths, trying to calm himself down. "I think with finals coming – and the stress of everything…Seamus, Sirius is in trouble! We need to do something!"
Harry jumped up and threw on his shoes. Seamus did the same, following Harry out of the tower. "Harry, where are we going?"
"We have to go tell someone! We have to save Sirius!" Harry cried, practically flying down the stairs.
"Harry, wait – stop!" Seamus ran ahead of Harry and stopped him from going any further. "Who are we supposed to go to? Professor McGonagall is in the hospital wing and Dumbledore isn't even here!"
"We have to try! Sirius is being tortured right now!" Harry tried to push passed his him, but Seamus stood his ground.
"I understand, but baby – what if you-know-who wanted you to see this?" Seamus asked, looking around, making sure no one could hear him.
"What do you mean?" Harry asked, his patience starting to wear thin.
"I mean…what if you-know-who is aware of the connection and is purposely trying to get you to go wherever it is he wants you to go?"
"So I'm just supposed to let Sirius die?! He's the only family I have, Shay!" Harry yelled, successfully pushing passed his boyfriend. Seamus ran after him, reaching out for his arm.
"That's not what I meant! I mean – what if he made that vision up as a ploy to get you?"
"And what if it's not?" Harry shot back. He continued running and they soon found themselves outside of the hospital wing. "There has to be a way we can find out!"
The two walked into the hospital wing and stopped short: The bed in which Professor McGonagall was in was empty. They looked at each other before running to Madame Pomfrey's office. She looked up from her desk when the two boys barged in.
"Harry? Seamus? Is everything ok?" Madame Pomfrey asked, standing up.
"Where is Professor McGonagall?" Harry asked, starting to feel breathless again.
Madame Pomfrey's face fell Ass she looked at them. "I'm so sorry boys. But Professor McGonagall was transferred to St. Mungo's an hour ago. All those stunning spells to the chest at her age – she needed more professional help than I could give her."
Harry's breath caught in his throat and he started feeling dizzy. He reached out for Seamus to steady himself. Madame Pomfrey stood up. "Alright you, Harry? Do you need to sit down?"
"Is Professor McGonagall going to be ok?" Seamus asked worriedly.
"She's in better hands, now. I don't know how long she's going to be away for, but I am in constant contact with the healers. Are you sure you don't need to sit down?"
Harry nodded as he closed his eyes, trying to regain his composure. When he opened them, he took Seamus by the hand, turned, and practically ran out of the hospital wing. When they were far enough away, Harry turned to Seamus.
"McGonagall is gone, Hagrid is gone, and Dumbledore is gone. Who else can we tell?" Harry asked, sounding terrified.
"Is there anyone else here that knows of Sirius?" Seamus whispered as a few second years passed by.
"No! No, there isn't anyone….wait a minute," Harry suddenly gasped, "Snape!"
The two ran down to the dungeons as fast as they could, hoping beyond hope Snape was in his office. They pounded on the door. It was a second before the door was opened, but it wasn't Snape that answered…it was Umbridge.
"What are you two doing banging on Professor Snape's door like this?" Umbridge asked, glaring at the two boys.
Harry gawked at her before looking passed and seeing Snape staring at them curiously. Umbridge shifted her position so that she was blocking Harry's view.
"Well?" Umbridge pressed.
"W-we need to speak to Professor Snape," Harry said.
Umbridge opened the door wider to let the boys in. But they both hesitated. "Well? There he is. Go speak with him."
"We were hoping to speak to him in private, Professor," Seamus said, trying to sound respectful. Umbridge narrowed her eyes with Snape looked confused.
"Whatever you have to say to Professor Snape, you can say in front of me. That is my right as the High Inquisitor of Hogwarts, after all."
Harry and Seamus exchanged looks. Harry couldn't possibly mention Sirius in front of Umbridge – she was deep in the ministry and would do anything she could to get him. But he didn't have time to come back at a later time – Sirius could already be dead right now for all he knew.
Harry looked at Snape, who was looking at the two expectantly. Harry desperately wanted Snape to read his mind – to see what he saw. But how? And if Snape did, how would he let Harry know? Harry swallowed hard, trying to come up with a quick plan.
"If you have nothing to say, then you two need to go back to your dorms. There's no need to waste out time." Umbridge said, starting to shut the door. But Harry put his hand out, keeping the door open.
"Er…ok. Um, Professor Snape…" Harry looked passed Umbridge once more, into Snape's black eyes. He thought of the vision once more, willing Snape to see what he saw.
"Well?" Snape prompted, waiting for Harry to say something.
Harry swallowed once more. He took a deep breath…there was no use. He had to be smart with his wording, that was all. Choosing his words carefully, he spoke slowly. "I…need to tell you…that….Snuffles is being held in the place where it is hidden…"
Harry watched Snape closely, watching for any sort of sign of understanding. But Snape remained still as Umbridge looked between the two of them, looking confused.
"What is he talking about, Severus? Who is Snuffles? And what is being hidden?" Umbridge asked quickly.
"I have no idea what Potter is talking about," Snape said, looking at Umbridge, who was staring at him with narrowed eyes. "If that is all, I suggest you two go back and study."
Seamus grabbed Harry's arm and meant to drag him out, but Umbridge stepped in front of them, blocking their path.
"What are you two up to?" Umbridge asked suspiciously. "And don't try to lie to me!"
"Nothing Professor, I think Harry is just overwhelmed with stress because of exams," Seamus said quickly. He tried to move pass the Professor, but she further blocked them.
"Do you think I'm an idiot, Finnegan? I know you two are up to something! Now you will tell me what is going on right now or you will find yourselves in detention with me!"
"We're not allowed to have detention with you!" Harry yelled in frustration: So much time has passed by, he just desperately needed to know if his godfather was ok.
Umbridge smiled nastily. "If McGonagall was here, you would be correct, Potter. However, she isn't here, poor thing. Now start talking."
Seamus and Harry exchanged looks once more. What were they going to do? How were they going to get out of this one?
"Very well. If you're not willing to tell me, I'm sure Professor Snape has something in here that will make force you to tell me." Umbridge turned to Snape, who raised his eyebrows. "Severus? What potions do you have?"
Snape hesitated. "Veritaserum. However, it is quite illegal to use on students, Dolores."
"I'm sure Cornelius will allow it, especially if these two are up to anything dangerous. Now fetch it for me, please."
"I really don't think –" Snape started, but Umbridge interrupted.
"Now, Severus! This is a ministry matter!"
While the two adults were going back and forth, Seamus looked at Harry desperately. Harry leaned in close: Without barely moving his lips, he whispered, "Go along." Seamus nodded subtly.
"Ah!" Harry fell to the ground, holding his head in his hands.
"Harry!" Seamus cried, bending over Harry.
"What are you doing, Potter?" Umbridge asked suspiciously,
"My head! My head!" Harry cried, writhing around on the ground.
"I think he needs to the hospital wing, Professor!" Seamus said, trying to lift his boyfriend up.
"I'll escort you two," Snape said lazily, making his way to the two boys. Umbridge lifted her hand, stopping Snape in his tracks.
"No, Severus. This is clearly some sort of ruse," Umbridge rolled her eyes. "Finnegan, you get Madame Pomfrey and we will stay with Potter."
Seamus gulped and looked down at Harry, who was still pretending to roll around in pain. Seamus felt guilty as he stood up: He looked at Umbridge, who watched Seamus in triumph. He nodded his head, said, "I-I'll be back, Harry," and ran out of the office.
Harry felt his heart sink as he watched his boyfriend leaving the office. He prayed to god that Seamus had a plan to get him out of there.