In the Crosshairs
Dragon Voldemort
Chapter 11: Birds and Bees
Ron could barely watch from beneath a suit of armor as the rest of the armor pressed their attack against Harry, the weapons kept up their vengeance. A long bladed scimitar missed Harry, went across Ron's thigh, tore at the fabric, bit slightly into the flesh.
"REDUCTO!" A flash of light came from the wand of Professor Lupin, rushing toward them. Magic struck, obliterated the sword about to impale again onto Harry. A second curse sent the other weapons to the floor with a loud reverberating clang. A third curse conjured a stretcher in the floor beneath Harry's crumpled and broken body, lifting him up. Another curse banished Harry and the stretcher, propelling them fast down the corridor, out of sight, toward the Hospital Wing.
"Blimey!" Professor Lupin ran, grabbed Ron's bicep, pulled him up, and conjured a bandage around Ron's cut leg. "What the bloody hell—?"
"Fucking attacked!" Ron said.
With Ron's first two steps in his dash, he stepped into the pools on the floor, left a short trail of bloody shoe footprints as he and Professor Lupin bolted for the Hospital Wing. Madam Pomfrey was already at work behind the privacy screen around a bed, frantically applying potions, tending to Harry. Professor Lupin raised his wand, silver and green sparks shot out, the sparks flew out of the Hospital Wing.
"What happened?" Madam Pomfrey asked, her focus remained on Harry.
"An attack," Professor Lupin said, "Ron?"
Ron, however, watched Madam Pomfrey's scramble; his best friend badly torn on the bed, the lack of sparkle from Harry's green eyes.
"I'm getting her," Ron stated.
"Go!" Professor Lupin ordered.
Ron went into Madam Pomfrey's office, adjusted and activated his Portkey; he landed in Gia's bedroom a moment later, which was empty, except for Hedwig napping. Ron left the bedroom, saw Richard in his.
"What the devil?" Richard stammered.
"Where's Gia?" Ron demanded.
"At Jen's," Richard said, "Why?" Richard's eyes were trying to decipher Ron's attitude, as Ron was still in his school uniform, with the slacks, the jumper, and the Gryffindor tie.
"I need her, now!" Ron said, calmly but stressed with the urgency, "There's no time to lose."
"Sure," Richard said as he reached for the phone on his desk, punched up the numbers, "Jen—"
"Meet her half way?" Ron asked.
"Jen, get Gia to meet us on Maple," Richard said, "Ta."
"Show me," Ron said.
Ron followed Richard, down the stairs, along Oak Street, cut through to Maple; Gia and Snuffles were coming the other way, Jen a short way behind.
"What's wrong?" Gia asked.
"It's Harry," Ron said.
"I'll blind Jen," Richard said, running past them, intercepting Jen.
Ron activated his Portkey, pushed it against Snuffles, Gia held on. They landed in Madam Pomfrey's office.
"It's serious and bloody," Ron said as he showed her out into the Hospital Wing.
Gia rushed to the bedside, she looked at Harry laying there, some bleeding, but with an IV dripping in fluids into his left arm. Madam Pomfrey was there, busily working, curses after curses came from her wand, Harry twitched a bit from each one.
"Is he doing better?" Ron asked.
"Let her work," Professor Lupin said, pulling Gia back away from the bed, "It's serious and still up in the air."
"Mr. Potter's lost a lot of blood," Madam Pomfrey said, "Remus, more reserve blood, stat."
As Professor Lupin went for the cabinets, Gia ran to the sink and puked.
"Are you alright?" Ron asked Gia.
"All out," Professor Lupin said, "I don't see any Blood Potions either."
"Mr. Potter's too weak for those," Madam Pomfrey said, "I need blood."
"Sorry all the blood makes me—" Gia said, returning to sit on the adjacent bed, "I'll donate."
"Get the pump," Madam Pomfrey said to Lupin.
"Me too," Ron said.
Professor Lupin grabbed a pair of small green boxes, rushed them over. Madam Pomfrey waved her wand, both boxes opened, and the pumps with tubes each attached one to Harry, the others went to Ron's arm and Gia's. Gia winced as the tube bit into her. With a whir, the pumps began to drain blood from Ron and Gia, sending it into Harry. Madam Pomfrey returned her attention to Harry and the extensive lacerations, still oozing a bit of blood, but less than before. Gia held and rubbed Harry's right hand, one of the few exceptions to his wounded body.
"I'll risk two pints each," Madam Pomfrey said to Ron and Gia, "If you feel dizzy, stop the transfusion immediate and notify me, understood?"
"Yes," Ron said.
"There are plenty of other willing donors if needed," Madam Pomfrey said.
Madam Pomfrey kept tending to Harry as slow footsteps slowly approached, accompanied by the tapping of a cane onto stone. Professor Dumbledore took his time to steady himself on the cane, came into the Hospital Wing; Hermione was right behind him. Hermione ran, beat Professor Dumbledore to the bed. Professor Dumbledore steadied himself near the bed; earned a momentary glance from Madam Pomfrey at his small shaking.
"I came as quick…as quick as I could," Professor Dumbledore said.
"Quidditch practice has been canceled—" Ron said.
"Quidditch?! Quidditch?!" Hermione exclaimed, "That's all you could think—?!"
"Civility!" Madam Pomfrey snapped.
"I'm a bit tied up at the moment." Ron kissed her angry face with her flashing brown eyes. "Be a darling and inform the team. Please?"
"Alright!" Hermione snapped, "Don't lose him." She left the Hospital Wing.
"I would appreciate … an explanation," Professor Dumbledore said.
Ron described the attack.
"I heard their shouts and rounded the corner to this barbarism," Professor Lupin said, "My first priority was Harry, so I haven't been able to investigate."
"Understood," Professor Dumbledore said, "I will look … into the armor."
With a slow and deliberate gait, Professor Dumbledore left the Hospital Wing and the tapping of his cane echoed for a short while after.
"Please endorse my petition for an assistant," Madam Pomfrey said to Professor Lupin, "I know, Albus will remind me of expenses, but tending to Mr. Potter has become a full time job by itself."
"Complaining—?" Ron asked.
"I meant no disrespect," Madam Pomfrey said, "I love helping and healing, that's what keeps me here. However, with the frequency of Mr. Potter's visits, I get rather busy and need another skilled hand."
"I take it this was Harry's idea?" Professor Lupin asked, tugging at the collar around Snuffles' neck.
Snuffles growled. Gia nodded.
"Well, keep an eye on Harry," Professor Lupin said to Snuffles, "I've got an investigation.'
Professor Lupin left the Hospital Wing.
"His hand's getting cold," Gia said.
"I had to stop the blood to his arm," Madam Pomfrey said, "I'll see to doing that next."
"He's not going to make—?" Ron started.
"My top priority is saving his life," Madam Pomfrey said.
"Sorry," Ron said.
"I'm doing my best after somebody tried to make steaks out of your friend," Madam Pomfrey said.
Gia trembled, the blood pump detached itself from her arm, with a fresh bandage on it.
"You know Harry," Ron said, wrapping his free right arm around Gia's back, held her.
"I know," Gia said, "Just don't want this to be the time it doesn't happen."
"Any prognosis I give have a tendency to jinx the outcome," Madam Pomfrey said, "I've got dozens of more bleeders to stop."
Hermione returned to the Hospital Wing. She sat on the bed next to Ron, joined in the mutual watching as Madam Pomfrey worked her wand around Harry, applying ointments as she went. The spare blood pump attached itself to Hermione's arm, the needle went into her.
"Wha—?" Hermione exclaimed.
"He needs it," Ron said as Ron's pump detached itself, "Though he also wants to see us bang."
"You mean you want to," Hermione said.
"Great way to deal with stress!" Ron said.
"Mr. Weasley!" Madam Pomfrey snapped.
"I am hungry," Gia said, changing the topic.
"Replenish yourselves." Aiming her wand, Madam Pomfrey conjured up a table with pumpkin juice and sandwiches. "And when he comes around—" Madam Pomfrey pointed at Harry "—shove twice as much down his throat—he needs to fill out." She prodded at Harry's clearly protruding ribs.
"He promised," Gia said, "One thing after another…."
"That's Harry," Ron said.
"Attracts trouble like steel to a magnet," Hermione said, "It's not him, it's others doing it to him."
"He is definitely not doing Quidditch Practice," Madam Pomfrey said, "Neither are you Mr. Weasley—" She closed the last of Harry's lacerations "—I will be back momentarily." Madam Pomfrey went for her office.
"So it's true!" Malfoy pushed his way forward to the front of group coming into the Hospital Wing, tearing at the privacy curtains; he spat at the foot of Harry's bed. "I should've known! Potter seems to have let the springs of Weasley's dilapidated mattress get to him. Sorry fellows, looks like your so called stars cancelled practice for a little fudge packing!"
Josh Brenner led the Gryffindor Quidditch team in; he shoved Malfoy out of the Hospital Wing. Brenner and Ginny came over to Harry; they looked at him.
"Will he recover?" Ginny asked.
"Unknown," Ron replied.
"OUT!" Madam Pomfrey yelled as she rounded back out of her office.
People hesitated; a bang and sparks came from Madam Pomfrey's wand; people rushed for the doors. Gia ran her finger along a bit of red skin on Harry's arm.
"He needs to be cleaned," Gia said.
"He's in too perilous of a condition for a cleaning charm," Madam Pomfrey said.
"Then get me some water and a sponge," Gia said, "At least I can be useful, give Harry a bit of dignity."
"I will supervise since my charms are keeping him from bleeding to death," Madam Pomfrey said, summoning over as Gia had asked, "Skip the cuts."
Gia grabbed the sponge, dipped it into the soapy water, and began with Harry's forehead. She brought his legendary scar back into view, worked the brows, skipping the cuts along the way. Gia wiped against his cheeks, his nose, his lips. Harry began to twitch.
"Step away," Madam Pomfrey snapped.
Gia, though, reached for Harry's left earlobe with her right hand, while her left reached for—.
"Do not grope in the—" Madam Pomfrey said.
"It works!" Gia retorted.
"Gia and Harry sleep together, a lot," Ron said.
Gia relaxed her grip, returned to cleaning the dried blood from Harry's skin, while her bare feet worked at Snuffle's belly beneath her.
"It's inappropriate," Madam Pomfrey said.
"But they do," Ron said, "Just like me and Hermione do."
"Ron!" Hermione snapped.
"You're way too young," Madam Pomfrey said, "Those were just rumors and idle gossip."
"It's quite true that I've had SEX!" Ron said, pointing his thumb back to himself, "That's the part that's true. I'll even demonstrate!"
Ron undid his belt, hooked his thumb and pushed the front of his trousers down, exposing himself. Ron tried to toss. Ron blushed as he stayed idle.
"What'd you expect?" Madam Pomfrey said, "You just gave two pints of blood."
"Hermione, help me make my point," Ron said.
Hermione reached over, grabbed, and held on. Ron grinned.
"You're just children!" Madam Pomfrey exclaimed.
"I'm sixteen!" Ron said, "And hate to break it to you, this ain't exactly rare, it's not like we're the only ones having sex! Are you seriously expecting us to be boyfriends and girlfriends, and not try to have sex? I've got news for you, IT HAPPENS!"
"Some things are better not spoken," Madam Pomfrey said.
"If it weren't for that attack," Ron said, "Harry'd be banging right about now."
"Ron!" Hermione snapped.
"Why hide from the truth?" Ron said, "I love you, and I ain't afraid of that rumor. Going to bed with you, playing with you, turns rotten days into alright days, and alright days into bright days. I think it does for you too, right?"
"Have you considered the consequences of being sexually active?" Madam Pomfrey asked.
"Yeah," Ron said as he stood up, he ignored his falling trousers, "We had sex all summer long, it was a great holiday."
Madam Pomfrey took a moment to study Ron.
"Then I need to check—" Madam Pomfrey aimed her wand at Hermione, Gia. "No sign of pregnancy. I take it you at least use protection."
"I'm not mental!" Ron said.
"That remains to be seen," Hermione said.
"Wonder if Harry's listening," Gia said, "He'd love this.
"We found the spell that gives protection," Hermione said.
"Makes me a bit weak on the magic," Ron said, "Worth it though."
"I do need examine you Mr. Weasley," Madam Pomfrey said, "Convenient as you're practically volunteering for it."
Hermione laughed as Madam Pomfrey began.
"My big mouth," Ron grumbled.
"It does have its uses," Hermione said.
"Sorry if I forgot to check your bite," Madam Pomfrey said, sealing the minor laceration on Ron's thigh.
"I kinda wasn't worrying about it," Ron said, giving a glance to Harry asleep on the bed.
"Good evening Mr. Weasley," Professor McGonagall said, coming into the privacy screen surrounding the bed. Her eyes immediately went to Harry. "My Goodness! He needs at least a blanket—" her wand came out.
"No!" Madam Pomfrey said, rising, "Do not risk the charms holding him together until he's able to stomach a potion or two."
"Is it as bad as the rumors said it was?" Professor McGonagall asked Madam Pomfrey while Ron pulled up his trousers.
"If it weren't for the fast actions of Professor Lupin, he would have been dead in minutes," Madam Pomfrey said, "Mr. Potter appears to be stable now."
"You are excused, Mr. Weasley," Professor McGonagall said, "It is past curfew already."
"Come Hermione," Ron said.
Ron and Hermione left the Hospital Wing, went up the stairs..
"You're late," the Fat Lady said as her portrait swung open.
Ron shrugged as they passed through. They ignored the giggling from behind the curtains in the corner. Hermione sat on the sofa, Ron stood in front of her.
"Do you mind," Hermione said to Ron, "Your slacks are in the way."
"Oh!" Ron said, fingers dropped his trousers to the floor, and he stepped out of them, "Could get closer."
"No, stay right there," Hermione said.
Ron leaned, knelt against the sofa, watched her brown eyes for a moment, before he held her hands.
"You got worried, right?" Ron asked.
"All these trips to the Hospital Wing," Hermione said, "Doesn't that bloke realize—?"
"It's Harry," Ron said, "Trouble's stuck to him like Spell–o–glue."
"You're being an idiot," the Keeper said to the Seeker.
"I had the chance," the Seeker said, "We would've had even more fun if that filthy werewolf hadn't interfered."
"A dead Potter won't get us what we want," the Keeper said, "We need him alive until we don't, that is for me to decide, not you."
"Let's ask the Lord," the Seeker said.
"Do you really want to do that?" the Keeper asked.
"No," the Seeker said.
"Potter will be easy to kill when the time comes, so stick to the plan," the Keeper said, "Stick to the plan."
A yip and a thrash woke Gia up early Wednesday morning. She was under the blanket, next to Harry on the bed in the Hospital Wing.
"What am I…my head," Harry grumbled, "Here, again?"
Gia got out of the bed.
"Where—?" Harry asked.
"I pestered her into letting us sleep together, but I have to let her know when you wake up," Gia said, making for Madam Pomfrey's office.
Gia entered the office. Madam Pomfrey had a quill in hand, writing on parchment. An assortment of devices were strewn about her desk, including condoms and some pills.
"Harry's awake," Gia said, "Talking."
"Good," Madam Pomfrey said, her eyes staying to her parchment, "I didn't think my request would be approved, but it was, TODAY!"
"Running a sexual education course?" Gia asked.
"After Mr. Weasley's persistence, I managed to convince Albus," Madam Pomfrey said, "Hopefully you refrained from Mr. Potter—?"
"We just slept," Gia said, "Though I'd like to know when he's fit enough again, for that."
Harry walked into the office.
"He's too young to be doing it!" Madam Pomfrey exclaimed.
"He's wonderful," Gia said, "And though he does use the condom, I worry it's not enough, and it'd be nice to not have to remember it." She grabbed the pill. "Would this be a good idea?"
"Condom's good and all," Harry said, "It'd be nice to be skin on skin."
Madam Pomfrey studied the two teenagers standing there. Gia, with her blond hair. Harry, only a couple of blemishes remained.
"There is a potion, in pill form for those wishing to blend in," Madam Pomfrey said, "I am hesitant to prescribe it to students."
Gia's eyes fleeted, landed on a dust covered model of the male midriff in the corner.
"You could use a real model, for your lessons," Gia said, "If it's Harry, can you prescribe?"
Harry glared at Gia.
"Mr. Potter, your health is my concern and shall remain so as long as I'm your Mediwitch, despite how reckless you might disregard it," Madam Pomfrey, "Therefore, I will consider your girlfriend's request so long as you comply and let me do my job when it comes to your health."
"Hermione would need it too," Harry said.
"Do we have an agreement?" Madam Pomfrey asked.
"Yes," Harry replied.
"Good," Madam Pomfrey said, "You're sexually mature, try to let that maturity into your life and accept responsibility for your health. I know that young wizards and witches tend to ignore it, but your health has to last you a lifetime, and your girlfriend is interested too."
"Oi! There you are," Ron said, as he entered the Hospital Wing and came over to Harry. "You're looking better."
Harry and Gia followed Ron back into the Hospital Wing; Hermione was there. Hermione hugged Harry, tightly, kissed Harry on the cheek, before letting go.
"About time for you to get to school," Harry said to Gia, leaning over to kiss her.
"Back in the bed, Mister," Gia said, pointing to Harry.
Harry cowered, backed himself onto the bed, sat down. Ron laughed.
"It's not funny," Harry snapped.
"You get the rest that you've been ordered to get," Gia said, "I'll go."
"Let's find a spot," Ron said, grabbing Snuffles by the collar. Gia followed Ron.
Hermione sat on the next bed, facing Harry.
"Was it really that bad?" Harry asked.
"Yes," Hermione said, "You are my friend, I care about you, deeply."
"Thanks, I guess," Harry said.
"So the rumor is correct," Professor Lupin said, coming in, "You have regained consciousness, welcome back to the living, Harry."
"I didn't die, did I?" Harry asked.
"No, but it did give us a very good scare," Professor Lupin said, "As such, I want to know what happened, from your perspective."
"Nothing much, really," Harry said, "Ron and I were headed back to the dormitory, as we needed to get ready for Quidditch practice. We went around the corner and the armor attacked."
"Try to be a bit more specific, if you can," Professor Lupin said.
"Not much more," Harry said, "I saw the blades moving on us, I think I pushed Ron."
"That part worked," Professor Lupin said, "Ron suffered a simple cut, whereas you were nearly fillets fit for roasting."
"What of the armor?" Hermione said, "You've obviously investigated."
"And I can tell you that the armor, like it all, was cursed, enchanted," Professor Lupin said, "But whoever it was did a good job covering up their tracks by alerting the House Elfs to do some fast cleaning, so I've got no leads. I'll try to keep you apprised if that changes, but I wouldn't keep my hopes up if I were you."
"Thanks," Harry said.
Professor Lupin turned around, began to leave, before he stopped and faced Harry again.
"Ron, Hermione, and Gia eagerly volunteered to donate some of their blood, to you, so that you may live. I wouldn't be surprised if all the blood in your body is from them," Professor Lupin said, "You've got good friends, cherish them."
Professor Lupin left.
"You gave me blood?" Harry asked.
"Yeah," Hermione said.
"You look worried," Harry said.
"Something Ron said," Hermione replied, "I do love you too."
Harry blushed.
"Blimey!" Ron said as he returned to the Hospital Wing, "Get kissing you two!"
"Hi Ron," Harry said.
"We need to get to breakfast," Ron said, "Trying to think, keeping you occupied, you know, so you're not tempted to duck out. I'm thinking D–O–B–B–Y."
"Not Dobby!" Harry snapped.
Pop!
"Dobby is happy to serve Harry Potter!" Dobby said.
Harry glared at Ron.
"Harry needs to follow Madam Pomfrey's orders," Ron said, "And, keep him company."
"Dobby helps Harry Potter!" Dobby exclaimed.
"Come," Ron said to Hermione, holding her hand.
Hermione followed Ron, they left the Hospital Wing.
"That was—" Hermione started.
"Without Gia there, he'd go wandering," Ron said.
They entered the Great Hall. Grumblings met them as Professor McGonagall was handing out revised schedules; she handed one to Ron and Hermione.
"Why—?!" Neville muttered as Ron sat down at the Gryffindor Table.
Ron glanced at the food and started dishing some out to his own. Hermione read the schedule, saw the lesson SEX–ED on it.
"Unbelievable!" Dean exclaimed.
"Your big mouth," Hermione said to Ron, "Looks like Madam Pomfrey took you seriously."
"Sexual awareness…" Neville moaned.
"We're all quite aware—boys versus girls," Seamus snapped, "Girls not arses—"
"Condoms—" Dean snapped.
"Cut em off—" Seamus grabbed a knife and reached for Ron's shirt, "Problem solved!"
Ron pushed Seamus back.
"Falling for Slytherin bait and fodder?" Hermione asked.
"Balls to suggest we catch him in the act," Seamus said.
"Why the fuck do you care? You're not being asked to participate, are you?" Ron said, "Harry's cock, Harry's choice, understood? So, bugger off."
Ron and Hermione entered the Hospital Wing just before lunch.
"Well?" Ron asked.
"Free to go," Harry said.
They left the Hospital Wing, went for the Great Hall, and entered. They sat at the Gryffindor Table; Ron to Harry's right, and Hermione to his left.
"How was your morning?" Ron asked, piling on some sausages to Harry's plate.
"Fine," Harry said, "I'm not that hungry."
"You should be," Ron stated.
"Not that again!" Harry grumbled.
"We are worried about you," Hermione said, "Eat up! See if you can eat more than Ron."
"Ron's a pig," Harry said.
"Am not!" Ron exclaimed, mouth half full, still chewing.
"How was it?" Neville asked Owen Cauldwell, a bit down the table.
"Great," Owen Cauldwell, sarcastically.
Harry stood.
"I've never—" Neville muttered.
"Easy!" Malfoy shouted, leading a small pack over to the Gryffindor Table, "Potter's a whore—sleeping around—"
Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs watched the showdown. Harry turned, faced Malfoy.
"Easy Draco," Pansy Parkinson said, "Potter's got a rough life—fucking fan after fan, weasels, Mudbloods, and other filth—"
"Weasel family fun—" Blaise Zabini said.
"Got your Herpes under control?" Harry asked, eyes glared right at Malfoy.
"Do not slander—" Malfoy sneered.
"Relax," Tracey Davis said, "They're just trying to cover the emotional damage that weasels inflict on their bitches—family affair, you understand. As evidenced by this Mudblood, looks like Potter's in on the family secret on how to expertly hide the bruises."
"Careful—" Ginny whispered to Ron, both of whom now had their wands drawn.
"Aw," Malfoy said, "Looks like they want some family time everybody!"
Malfoy lead the pack of students out of the Great Hall.
"Adam, Eve, and Steve have fifteen minutes," Seamus Finnigan announced as he joined the crowd of students out of the Great Hall.
Harry and Hermione entered Madam Pomfrey's office after their lessons.
"Ron and Gia will be along shortly," Harry said as he sat.
"You are a resilient individual Mr. Potter," Madam Pomfrey said, "I wish you'd learn to not rely on it so much, because at some point, it will fail you, and you'd leave your girlfriend a widow."
"That'd be great," Harry said, "Just get Voldemort to stop chasing me and everything will be fine!"
"We don't know if he's related," Hermione said.
"Who else wants me dead?" Harry said, "If Professor Lupin hadn't … I would have been killed. And Voldemort's the first person I can think of who wants to see me dead."
"Stop saying that," Hermione said.
"It's the truth, isn't it?" Harry asked.
"Makes me worried," Hermione said.
"And me," Gia said as she entered, with Ron.
Madam Pomfrey waved her wand, the door closed and locked itself.
"What I'm about to divulge does not leave this room," Madam Pomfrey said, "I do not want to hear anybody else asking me about it, understood?"
"Yes," Gia said.
"Yes," Harry replied.
Hermione and Ron nodded.
"I need to just do a cursory check," Madam Pomfrey said, aiming her wand at Gia first, then Ron, and finally at Hermione, "Clean of STDs. As to you Mr. Potter, I've examined you enough times to know that you're clean."
"Thank you," Harry said.
Madam Pomfrey held up the packets of pills.
"It's a potions in muggle form," Madam Pomfrey said, "Magical birth control pills, and I will prescribe them to both Miss. Granger and Miss. Prescott, seeing as I can't persuade you to stop the sex, right?"
"That won't happen," Harry said.
Ron, Gia, and Hermione shook their heads.
"Any side effects?" Gia asked.
"Aside from admitting to an active sex life to me, nothing you can't manage," Madam Pomfrey said, "With weekly usage, this potion will prevent pregnancy, without the hormone swings you'd find in the Muggle pills. It does this by substituting in a magic egg for the real egg when your body ovulates, so the real egg stays put in your ovaries, and the magic egg cannot be fertilized, to be passed out in the ordinary fashion. Understand?"
Ron shook his head.
"Condoms can leak, this can't," Hermione said to Ron, "With this potion, you don't need a condom, I don't have to do anything else except for taking it once a week, and my body won't know the difference, and it's impossible to get pregnant, right?"
"Yes," Madam Pomfrey said.
Ron smiled.
"This will not protect you from diseases, it will not protect another girl should Mr. Potter or Mr. Weasley decide to stray," Madam Pomfrey said, "It will only protect the person for whom it is prescribed, understood?"
"Get started," Ron said to Hermione.
"Each take the first one, now," Madam Pomfrey said, handing a pill each to Hermione and Gia. She handed over to cups of water.
Hermione and Gia both swallowed, drank.
"That's it?" Ron asked, eyes wide like Christmas had come early.
"You will still need to use the condoms until their next period," Madam Pomfrey said, "After that, it's whenever you want to have sex."
"This sounds wonderful," Harry said.
"I will give you each four doses," Madam Pomfrey said, "Come back in a month so I can check to see how you're doing, and I will then issue you a year's supply."
"I can do this," Gia said.
"A word of caution, do not skip a dose," Madam Pomfrey said, "If you, for whatever reason, stop taking it, use protection, because once it stops being effective, unprotected sex will guarantee pregnancy."
"We'll keep that in mind," Hermione said.
"Thank you Madam Pomfrey," Harry said as he stood.
"Oh, no Quidditch for you until next week," Madam Pomfrey said to Harry, "And eat a bit more, I'd like to see a some meat on those ribs of yours."
Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Gia left Madam Pomfrey's office.
"That sucks Mate," Ron said, "I've got to get out there. And here you go."
Ron handed over Harry's wand, Portkey, to Harry. Harry escorted Gia behind a privacy screen, activated the Portkey, and she held on.
Harry and Gia landed in her bedroom, in Noigate. It was quiet in the house; Harry walked over, put an owl treat in Hedwig's dish. Gia hugged Harry, kissed him, and pushed him back onto the bed; she knelt, straddled him, on her hands and knees, her blue eyes studied his bottle green, while her hands cradled his head.
"Thank you for coming back," Gia said, "Must be starving, lets get something."
"Not hungry," Harry said.
Gia got off the bed, reached for his hand, grabbed, and pulled him upright.
"You should be, lets go," Gia said.
Gia pulled, Harry followed, down the steps and out the front door. And they returned later, climbed up the stairs, and entered her bedroom; Harry stripped and he laid on the bed, arms and legs wide. Gia got her math textbook from her bag, sat on the edge of the bed, her left hand played with Harry.
"Rough Day," Harry said, "Madam Pomfrey's lesson on sex!".
"At least once a year we've had it," Gia said, "Sorry if I'm a bit less sympathetic, nice knowing what to stick where."
Knock! Knock!
"Hey, Gia, it's me," Richard said, "Need to talk."
"Come in," Gia said as she quickly pulled the covers over Harry's exposure.
Richard came in, wearing his green and blue plaid boxers.
"Mum freaked when she heard about your incident Harry," Richard said.
Harry fixed his eyes onto Richard's.
"I didn't have to say anything," Richard said, "Ron didn't say much, just that it was critical."
"It wasn't that serious," Harry said.
"Not serious?!" Gia stammered, "Transfusions—two pints from me!"
Richard's hands worked at the two small flabs of fat on his stomach.
"Might want to go down and see Mum, she's probably back by now," Richard said, "She's got your wallet, Harry."
"Why?" Harry asked.
"Guess you left it here," Richard said, "Ant stole it, tried to use your debit card. Mum's got a question or two for you about it. Though she'll be interested in how you didn't realize it was missing yet it rang up as stolen."
"Can't fool the goblins," Harry said, "They run the wizarding bank."
"Aw, great protections then," Richard said.
"You can say that," Harry said.
"I'd recommend going to see Mum, like now," Richard said.
"Alright, alright," Harry said.
Harry got up, went down the steps into the living room.
"Good evening," Kristen said, she put a novel down into her lap. She was in her police sweats, legs propped up onto the coffee table.
"Richard said it was urgent," Harry said.
Kristen studied the exposed teenager with his unkempt jet black hair standing casually in her living room.
"Rumors of your demise at school were greatly exaggerated I see," Kristen said.
"They tend to overreact to a stubbed toe," Harry said, not wanting to explain magical healing if she knew the full extent.
"I've got your wallet in the study," Kristen said, "Apparently you misplaced it in Gia's bedroom, and Andrea tried to get a finders fee from you. Did you authorize this?"
"No," Harry said, "Didn't even realize she had taken it—don't typically need it at school."
"This bank…Gringotts, did a bit of research," Kristen said, "It seems to be a rather small bank. Where is it?"
"Tiny corner of London," Harry said, "Got good security."
"Evidently, yes, if they knew it was stolen before you knew it was missing," Kristen said, "Feels a bit dodgy, though, like it's a front to something else that's…don't get your money mixed up with organized crime."
"I inherited my parents' account there," Harry said, "It's alright. Thanks for the wallet back, I'll get back to Gia."
Kristen nodded. Harry went back up the stairs; Richard was still in Gia's bedroom.
"So, where is Ant?" Harry asked.
"Jail," Richard said, grin on his face, "Mum's punishment for her—and she only doles that out when it's really serious. Did it once after that car incident a couple years ago, but Ant's in there every several months."
"Richard!" Jen shouted through the door, "Stop trying to pick up other women and get out here!"
"See ya," Richard said to Harry and Gia; he left.
Harry closed and locked the door. He turned out the light, climbed into bed.