In the Crosshairs
Dragon Voldemort
Chapter 70: Waking
Sunday morning, Harry woke up in the bed to the sound.
Crash!
A shriek.
"ANT!" came the shout, the familiar shout.
"IT'S YOUR FAULT!" Andy shouted.
Harry's eyes moved to the new light on the landing above the stairs, Richard and Andy glared at each other.
"IS NOT!" Richard replied as Andy punched at Richard.
"YOU PLANTED IT!" Andy yelled as Richard dodge her punch, "DON'T DENY—"
"Ginny?" Harry asked.
Harry heard her move on her spot on the floor at the foot of the bed. Ginny stood.
"I DID NOT!" Richard protested.
"Did George or Fred—?" Harry started to ask Ginny.
"YOU DID TOO!" Andy yelled, "MY ROOM! WHAT WAS MY BEAUTIFUL ROOM!"
"THAT RUBBISH BIN—BEAUTY?" Richard asked.
Andy shoved Richard, he shoved back, his hands to her chest.
"DID IT TO YOURSELF!" Richard yelled, "CARE TO EXPLAIN?"
Ginny moved Andy back into her bedroom.
"Here, the noise ain't helping my brother," Ginny said, "Lets calm down and talk it out."
Harry turned his eyes back to Ron, still comatose. Harry heard the air moved between Ron's lips, the chest kept moving. Harry exhaled, let the fatigue overtake him, for what seemed a short while.
"You're not banging him?" Ginny asked, on the other side of the bed.
"No!" Harry grumbled as he sat up.
"Good," Ginny said. She stood, and left the bedroom. "Madam Pomfrey!"
Harry pulled on the duvet, bunched it up against himself as a shield. Madam Pomfrey entered the bedroom. Hermione turned, she was sitting on the desk chair, her elbow pushed against the spine of the Healing Book that was laid open.
"I did not realize your hours—" Madam Pomfrey started.
"Not everybody is a morning person," Hermione said as Harry reached over the edge of the bed.
A towel jumped to Harry's hand, and Harry bunched it up to hide his morning wood before he stood up. Harry leaned back against the bookshelf.
"I appreciate the humor," Madam Pomfrey said as she drew her wand.
Madam Pomfrey's wand went over Ron, worked up the chest.
"Think it's time," Madam Pomfrey said.
Madam Pomfrey removed the EverDrip IV patch, and pulled out a vial. Hermione moved fast to that end of the bed, on her knees on the mattress, hovered over Ron's face. Harry watched Madam Pomfrey dribble the pink liquid, carefully down Ron's gullet. Eyelids fluttered open, the blues gazed up to Hermione.
"Oh no," Ron muttered, groggily, "What'd I do this time?"
Harry snorted, the voice a tad strange but welcome after a near week without it.
"Ron!" Ginny shouted. Her hands reached for Ron's, touched his fingers.
"Get out Gin!" Ron said, propping his torso up with his elbows, his freckled face above his chest, "Prat spying—"
Crash!
"I'll…" Ginny started before she bolted from the bedroom.
"Tell George and Fred—" Harry started to shout toward Ginny, however, she vanished fast.
"Why's Ginny or them here?" Ron asked, his blue eyes turned to Harry.
Harry sat on the edge of the bed.
"You got knocked into the next week chum," Harry said, "It's Sunday."
"You certain?" Ron asked, his eyes focused on Harry's, "I left Dumbledore's office—all I remember is yellow. Must be Thursday—?'
"It most definitely is Sunday, I counted," Madam Pomfrey said.
"Really?" Ron asked.
Ron's blue eyes turned to Hermione, and she nodded.
"How are you feeling Mr. Weasley?" Madam Pomfrey asked.
"Okay, I suppose," Ron said, "Could go for a bang."
His eyes on Gia walking in. Harry watched those blue eyes, not hiding the lust for Gia.
"Most definitely need a bang," Ron said.
"Five days!" Hermione exclaimed as she snorted. Hermione got off the bed, sat on the chair.
"Oh, hello," Ron said to Hermione, "Suppose we ought to bang?"
"He's back to normal," Hermione said.
"Good," Madam Pomfrey said, her eyes turned to Ron, "Seeing as you've recovered, if you need anything further, use the owls. Take it easy and have a good day—I plan to see you tomorrow in the Hospital Wing for a checkup."
"He'll be there," Hermione said.
"Depends on when we're suspended," Harry said.
Madam Pomfrey turned, left the bedroom.
"Take it things worked out for you," Ron said to Harry.
"Yep," Harry said.
Hermione turned, hugged Gia.
"She gets the reward?" Ron asked.
Harry leaned over, put his arm around Ron's torso, hugged in tight. Hermione laughed.
"Thank you for hanging in there," Harry whispered.
"Already regret it," Ron said as Fred and George entered.
"My, my," George said.
Harry removed himself, Hermione hugged Ron.
"Good that our brother is better now," Fred said, "Have to teach you for scaring the nurses of St. Mungo's."
"Not going back there, are we?" George asked.
"St. Mungo's?" Ron asked.
"There's a new group," Harry said, "Calls themselves 'EM', don't like us, and took credit for attacking you."
"Really?" Ron asked.
"An activist group according to The Daily Prophet," Hermione said.
"Membership drive in Diagon Alley," Fred said, "Doubt you'd be allowed to join."
Harry snorted.
"They really like yellow," George said.
"Suppose that makes them easy to spot," Gia said.
"After Madam Pomfrey sent you to St. Mungo's," Harry said, "A group of them stormed the hospital, not stealthy at all, and they made it very clear they were intent on finishing the job of killing you. Voldemort joined in on the fun. We had to break out, and well…"
"Overreacting," Hermione said, "We've been banned from St. Mungo's, for life."
"Outdone us there," George said, "Never banned from St. Mungo's ourselves, and that's not for lack of trying."
"Harry," Ron said, "Grab your Firebolt, we're—"
"You gotta be kidding," Hermione said.
"It's a MUGGLE town!" Fred said.
"And we're getting hungry," George said.
"Breakfast," Ginny said, standing in the open doorway.
Harry heard Ron's stomach growled.
"Alright," Ron grumbled, "Want a bang first."
"You're already on a bed and she's right there," Fred said, "Need a minute?"
"Yes," Harry said, "But not for that. Out, take Ginny with you."
"I…" Ginny protested.
"OUT!" Ron snapped.
Fred and George left, Ginny stumbled slightly. Harry's wand leapt out, the door closed.
"Ta," Ron said.
Dressed a few minutes later, they left the bedroom. Ginny came out of Andy's bedroom, followed them down the stairs.
"Ready?" asked Fred, smartening up his gold jacket.
"I am," said George, in a matching jacket.
"Me too," said Charlie, nearby, carrying Edward.
Bill followed the group out of the green door set in the orange firebrick, into the crisp air beneath the cloud covered skies. Their eyes adjusted to the slightly pale vibe.
"Where'd you find this house?" asked Bill to Harry.
"I'm classmates with one of the occupants," Gia said.
"Okay," Fred said, "Lousy way to get to the Leaky Cauldron."
"Not heading there," Harry said.
"This way," Gia said, taking the lead.
All nine of them walked along.
"We should call ahead," Hermione said, "It's a crowd."
"I don't know their number," Gia said, "Have to take our chances."
"We'll play a little Quidditch while we wait," Ron said.
"Around Muggles?" Bill asked, "Know what Dad'd say?"
"Nothing while in Azkaban," Ron said, "Any news on the appeal?"
"A bit…hushed on the matter," Bill said.
"Perkins did start a petition," Fred said, "Signed it yesterday."
"Think that'll work?" Ginny asked.
"Worth a try, I suppose," Ron said.
"Already has signatures," George said, "Didn't bring it because having it all signed as Weasley wouldn't make a good impression, though Perkins is taking it around."
Gia opened the door to the pub, held it open.
"None of you have lifetime bans, do you?" Gia asked.
"We can try," said Fred.
"Please don't," Charlie said, fighting as Edward struggled.
Bill moved several tables together, and they sat around it. Hermione to Harry's left, Gia to his right. Ron was pulled in between Bill and Charlie. Harry watched the expression on Ron's face as Edward crawled on Ron's lap, Harry let loose a laugh.
"Belt it," Ron said to Harry.
"Harry," Hermione whispered to Harry.
"How soon until you have a kid?" Harry asked.
Hermione glared at Harry, Ron snorted and blushed.
"You know I'm on the pill!" Hermione snapped.
"Responsible," Fred said as George returned from the counter.
"Agreed," said Percy.
"Blimey!" Charlie said, eyes up on the wizard standing there.
"May I join?" Percy asked.
"Is that allowed?" Fred asked.
"Pull up a chair," Ron said.
Percy grabbed one, sat.
"You're rather elusive with family," Bill said.
"Don't bash on him," Harry said, "Glad you showed up.
Harry smiled at Percy, focused his eyes onto Percy's. Harry spotted confusion behind Percy, like Percy was unsure, other than a desire to assess reconciliation.
"You don't know how bad he can get!" George snapped.
"Blimey, we've got enough enemies!" Harry pointed his straw at George, sparks came out of it. "Don't BITE!"
"I heard Ronald had recovered," Percy said.
"Ta," Ron grumbled.
"Cheer up!" Harry said, "Percy's quite capable of helping us, for some times rules are meant to be followed. Right Ron?"
Hermione stared at Harry, her eyes unwavering in trying to verify that he was really Harry.
"You're actually advocating—" Hermione started.
Harry belted out a laugh.
"As an auditor," Percy said, "Following rules…nobody can sustain an objection if you're following them to the letter, no matter how ridiculous or absurd the rule may be."
Trays of food came over, the waiters set them down onto the table.
"How'd Puddlemere do?" Ron asked, clear he was changing the topic.
"Awful," Fred said, scooping out some of the fruit salad, "We lost."
"Over half the team wants you two back," George said, "Despite…publicity."
Gia's left fingers worked Harry's zipper on his trousers, they explored inward, while her right brought some sausage on a fork to Harry's lips. Harry understood this message, ate. Harry caught the glance from Ron.
"Lemme guess what she's up to," Ron thought.
Harry smiled for a moment, before he let her spoon baked beans into his mouth.
"That bad?" Ron inquired.
Harry snorted, relaxed as Gia's fingers kept working.
"Hermione's over here," Harry replied.
Harry studied the greening ears on Ron before Edward spilled a cup of juice. Bill and Charlie wiped it up.
"My door's always open for you," Bill said to Percy as Percy stood. Percy left.
"What was that about?" Ginny asked.
"It's Percy being Percy," George said.
"Belt it," Bill said, "He tried and you shoved him away."
Harry felt like chiming in, for a moment, however, Gia's hand was still inside his trousers.
"George," Fred said.
George pulled out a pink paper gift sack adorned by a red heart and with furry handles, a wagging tail sticking out of it. Ron's wand was already out.
"Relax!" George said to Ron, "It won't bite—yet."
George stood, set the sack down in front of Harry.
"We heard about your…procedure," Fred said to Harry.
"Across every bloody paper," said Bill.
"A sympathy card seemed…inadequate," George said, "Some…things to help spark…"
"Sure you'll understand," Fred said, "A small selection of…accessories for the bedroom. If you need more, let us know."
Gia moved the plates to the side, before her right hand reached in, her left still visiting Harry. First the tail, which was attached to an small oblong bit of black.
"Use lubricant," George said.
"A butt plug?" Hermione asked.
"It's more about the tail," Fred said.
"Get one for Hermione?" Ron asked.
"Got a couple of Galleons to spare?" George replied.
Charlie snorted. Gia pulled out some bottles of lubricant before she pulled out a flat box, opened it.
"Chocolates!" Gia said.
"Some are more than chocolate," Fred said.
Hermione groaned. Harry reached in, felt beads, a fuzzy pair of handcuffs, and more toys, before he pulled out a slender box.
"Um…" George muttered as Harry opened it.
Harry recognized the shape, the likeness to his own todger in the full up position. It vibrated as Harry held it.
"Did you think of—" Bill started, his hand moved fast to cover Edward's eyes.
"You took his measurements from The Daily Prophet and did that?" Charlie asked, "I wouldn't—"
"We thought Harry would want to please his girl," Fred said, "Even a strap to hold it in place, if you'd like to bang like that … procedure never happened.
"Can I have one?" Ginny asked.
"And?" Harry asked, his gaze turned to George's eyes, realized the word behind the eyes was 'Prototype'.
"How many?" Harry demanded.
"Can you field a report on how well it works?" Fred asked.
"How many?" Harry repeated.
Harry couldn't decipher the full number behind those eyes, the thoughts to orders already fulfilled.
"You're SELLING them?!" Harry shouted, his wrath building faster than Gia's crotch massage could remove it.
"I like it," Gia said, her right hand taking the thing from Harry's grip, "Looks real enough, though I prefer the original."
"You should've asked," Harry snapped as he stood, his eyes glared across the table at the two.
"If not us it'd be somebody else," George said, "Already the Unofficial Harry Potter Fan Club shop is selling copies of the photographs, really big, and they'd love to have you sign them."
"Not happening," Harry said.
"Know what it takes to make a prototype?" Fred said, "It ain't cheap, sorry if you're expecting us to hold it down to one."
Harry felt his wrath continuing to build, faster than he could stop it. Harry turned bolted for the door.
"Think we're done here," said Bill.
Harry left the pub. Warmth came across him, despite the cold, though Harry's mind didn't dwell on that, simply on the todger that had become a trophy. Harry didn't make a beeline for home, simply ran as the gold apparated around him.
"Harry! Harry!" George quipped, hands held Harry's shoulders.
"Haven't you done enough?" Harry snapped.
"Harry," George said, "You're as good as family."
"Buttering me up?" Harry snapped.
Harry glared.
"Family that exploits me?" Harry asked.
"If not us—others!" George said, "Even Crockford's having the statues reworked."
"Statues?" Harry snapped.
"Not ours," George said, "Latest will be anatomically correct down to the last pube—which is all over The Daily Prophet."
"I had no fucking CHOICE!" Harry said, "Dumbledore did and he stole that from me."
"Sure he had his reasons," George said.
"Doesn't make it right," Harry said.
Harry twisted, ran further, turned onto the path. George apparated back in front of him.
"Not getting away that easy," George said between his pants.
"George!" came the shout.
George stopped as Ron, caught up with them.
"You're supposed to be taking it easy," George said.
"Fred wants … needs your wallet," Ron said.
George disapparated. Ron gave a pat on Harry's back.
"Hermione and Gia tried to pay," Ron said, "Fred insisted on covering."
"Really?" Harry asked.
"Guess they're making a shit ton on those dildos," Ron said.
"GREAT!" Harry snapped.
"Let's talk," Ron suggested.
Ron's fingers gripped Harry's shoulder, squared them off. Harry felt the customary penetration from the twinkling of the eyes.
"Alright?" Ron asked.
"Yeah," Harry said.
Ron turned, and they walked. A short distance to the small footbridge over a creek, Ron leaned against the railing, Harry did the same. Harry glanced down, a small bit of water flowed below.
"Fred and George mean well," Ron said.
"Really?" Harry snapped.
"Sure," Ron said, "Though…they saw an opportunity, seized it."
"Tell em to copy yours," Harry said, "Theirs?"
"Wouldn't put it past them to ship theirs," Ron said, "Likely the first of the first, would've been tricky to keep it out of our Mum's grip."
Harry snorted.
"Besides," Ron said, "Yours might be good to have."
"Why?" Harry asked, his eyes turned to focus on those blues.
"Ya gotta pretend," Ron said, his eyes glanced downward, the thought of Harry's bollocks "If spotted, claim it's the dildo pleasing Gia."
Harry stared at Ron.
"Tell Fred and George it needs more work," Ron said, "Needs to go soft too."
Harry chuckled.
"Wear it," Ron said, "So they see two, one up and one down—if you happen to be starkers."
"Sure," Harry grumbled.
They turned, walked.
"Suppose you run—" Ron started.
"Great idea!" Harry said as he bolted.
Ron gave chase. Harry slowed down enough for Ron to stay a few feet behind, ran back to 26 Oak St.
"Okay, okay," Ron said, "So you've been practicing."
"Upstairs, upstairs?" Harry asked as he twisted the knob on the green door.
"Sure," Ron said as Harry opened the door.
They started to walk in.
"Wondered where you'd gotten off to," said Hermione as she joined up.
"Harry," came the familiar voice, as Lupin, on the sofa, quickly hid The Daily Prophet beneath him.
"What?" Harry stammered, he reached.
The Daily Prophet flew into his hands, spotted the third page articles and opened the paper.
=v=v=v=v=v=v=v=v=v=v=v=v=v=v=v=
Doris Crockford, Founder of UHP, Dead
Ministry officials stated that Doris Crockford died of natural causes as the Magical Law Enforcement Squad attempted to take Crockford in for routine questioning. Doris Crockford is survived by her granddaughter, Ashlie Crockford.
EM Cautiously Optimistic
We acknowledge the passing of Doris Crockford, a tragic reminder that worshiping Harry Potter will not save your arse when the worst comes.
"That's that," Harry said, "What about the fan club—?"
"There are others who can take over," Ginny said.
Ron's eyes turned to the red haired girl, stuck his tongue out.
"I recovered," Ron said, "Go back to school."
"Professor McGonagall said I'd return with you tomorrow," Ginny said, "You supposedly have—"
"Who said we'd take you?" Ron asked.
"Because you're a gentleman," Hermione said.
Harry belted out in a brief fit of laughter.
"Have fun on the—" Ron started.
"THAT'S FINAL!" Kristen shouted from outside the door, in her police uniform.
"IT'S NOT FAIR!" Andy shouted as she came inside.
"NOW!" Kristen said to Andy, hovering over her, "Before I put an iron gate as your door."
Andy stormed up the stairs.
"What'd she do this time?" asked Gia as she walked in through the door.
"You wouldn't believe—at church!" Kristen said, "Not only did she steal a hundred pounds from the collection plate, when caught, she peed into the holy water. Can't believe I'm raising this—a thief and a crook! Need better counselors, that's in store for her."
"Ginny," Harry said.
"See what I can do," Ginny said as she went up the stairs.
"Be careful!" Kristen said.
"Gin can hold her own," Ron stated.
"And…you've recovered," Kristen said.
"Ta," Ron replied.
"Harry," Lupin said, "Mind if we—?"
"Sure," Harry said.
Harry motioned, led Lupin into the kitchen. Lupin fumbled with the electric kettle.
"Here," Harry said, took it, filled it up, and pressed the button.
"Guessing that you feel relieved today," Lupin said, "Odds…never ask Madam Pomfrey about odds."
Harry turned, crossed his arms across his chest, studied the man with sullen eyes, the ragged suit jacket .
"Of course," Harry said, glad Ron was up and talking.
"Caught up on your studies?" Lupin said, "He's not."
"Not quite," Harry said, "Some ahead because it's easier to do a whole subject for a while."
"It can be like that," Lupin said.
A whistle of the kettle, Lupin poured the hot water out into a mug, over a waiting tea bag.
"Tea, the great equalizer," Lupin said, "Suppose you've got all your essays for tomorrow done."
"Um…no," Harry said, "Got Defense Against the Dark Arts left to go."
"Your best subject," Lupin said.
"Important part is there's this deranged Wizard after me," Harry said.
Lupin grabbed the mug, held it in both hands, blew across the top.
"About that," Lupin said, "Got something planned for tomorrow—when you're suspended."
Harry arched his eyebrows.
"Think you'll find it useful," Lupin said, "Any plans on the suspension?"
"I'm not arranging anything," Harry said.
"Of course not," Lupin said, "Must seem like Dumbledore and Sirius and I are—coordinated."
"At times," Harry replied.
"We do talk," Lupin said as he added a bit of milk, "Sometimes it's not even about you."
"Really?" Harry quipped with fake enthusiasm, "Fascinating."
Lupin sipped from the mug.
"Sirius is…running around," Lupin said, "He wants to figure out how to help without incurring your wrath."
"He's…" Harry started, reading the eyes, "He's scared of me?"
"Worried he'll let you down, again," Lupin said, "It's a tall order to be a godfather, goes from Azkaban to…you understand. He thinks he's failed."
"Padfoot…scared of me?" Harry chuckled as he said it.
"Padfoot?" asked George as he entered the kitchen, "The Padfoot?"
"Having a private discussion," Lupin said.
"They've heard of them," Harry said, "Though they don't know who they are."
"Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot, and Prongs?" Fred asked, a couple steps behind.
"Wormtail went dark," Harry said, "Was evicted after the map."
"Quiet," George said.
"I'm no longer a teacher of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry," Lupin said, "Any map is of no concern, unless it's to my house."
"That can be arranged," Fred said.
Harry moved, glanced through the door to the dining room. Kurt was at the other end of the table, working on a stack of paperwork.
"You know them?" George asked Harry, "Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot, and Prongs?"
"It's obvious," Harry said, glancing at Lupin, "I won't spill."
"Moony or Padfoot would likely let Prongs Junior. decide," Lupin said.
"Prongs has a son?" Fred asked.
"Yes," Harry quipped.
"If Padfoot is correct," Lupin said, "Prongs Junior. has pulled off the biggest—"
"Padfoot would be wise to not spread that around," Harry said, "Otherwise face the wrath of Prongs Junior."
"You're talking in riddles," George said, "Doesn't explain who—"
"Moony might claim," Lupin said, Harry reading the bemusement behind those eyes, "That Padfoot might claim that Prongs Junior has done more than two infamous twins at Hogwarts."
"You're insulting us," Fred said.
Lupin sipped at his tea.
"Sure, two twins might have an entire drawer to themselves in Filch's office," Harry said, "However, Filch has a lot less on Prongs Junior."
"Does less," Fred quipped.
"Or," Lupin said, "Prongs Junior and friends might simply not get caught."
Harry snorted.
"I'll go and thank them for the tea," Lupin said.
Harry recognized the excuse, nodded.
"You—" Harry said to Fred and George, "Thought you two—"
"Came back to apologize," George said, "You're right, we should've asked first."
"What made you—?" Harry started, the hint of a mystery behind those eyes.
"Every single one is a pile of ash," Fred said, "How'd you do it?"
"Dunno," Harry shrugged.
"Level with us," George said.
"Dunno," Harry said, as he started for the door to the living room, "If you don't mind—"
"No you don't," Fred said as he reached to grab Harry by the shoulders.
"Besides, it was busted," Harry said, "Should go soft right before use."
"Good prank idea," George said.
Harry took another step, the shoulders moved through their grip.
"Hey!" Fred snapped.
Harry continued to the door, went past Kristen as he crossed the living room, and went up the stairs.
"How can you stand that many pains in the arses?" Andy asked, her voice drifted out of her room.
"Mum!" Ginny replied, "They're picking on me! Helps being the baby—was the baby."
Harry stepped lightly, glanced at the two running yarn between their fingers, and headed into Gia's bedroom.
"Finally!" Hermione said, already sitting cross–legged on Gia's bed, her fingers fliped the page on the book in front of her, "You two can get to work."
"We're going upstairs," Ron said, as he already stood nearby, strap of his book–bag over his left shoulder.
"I should—" Hermione started.
"Can I see your essays?" Harry asked.
"No CHEATING!" Hermione snapped.
"Let's go upstairs," Harry said to Ron.
"Plenty of room here," Hermione said.
"And have the temptation to peek at your essays?" Ron said, "You're right, we shouldn't cheat."
"Hmph!" Hermione exclaimed.
"Pub?" Ron asked Harry.
Hermione shook her head.
"Upstairs," Harry said.
Ron walked past, into the landing, and opened the trap door to the attic. Harry grabbed Ministry Mysteries, and followed Ron. Ron climbed first, Harry second.
"She's not happy," Ron said.
Harry glanced below, legs straddled, as he pulled the ladder up. Harry closed and dead–bolted the trapdoor shut. Harry stood, his head had the clearance to the rafters that threatened Ron's red hair. His wand emerged, the bright light probed every corner vanquishing the shadows away.
"Blinding me?" Ron rubbed his eyes. "These spots…"
"Checking for uninvited guests," Harry said, "Should be a habit, like Moody."
"Burning the place the place would be as effective," Ron grumbled.
"That'd be impolite and illegal," Harry said.
"Says the one with the illegal stiffy," Ron said.
"I needed…relief," Harry said.
Ron belted out a laugh.
"I didn't die," Ron said.
Harry sat down on one mat, crossed his legs. Ron sat down on the other, faced Harry.
"Obviously you didn't die die," Harry said, flipping the pages, "Know you considered it?"
"I did?" Ron said, "Anything to do with…Hermione thought it was a wager?"
"This," Harry said as he opened Ministry Mysteries, to the the page, "Called the Katra Effect."
"Not much to go on," Ron said.
"That was a century ago," Harry said, "We've practiced possession, I had the sorting hat helping, your soul took refuge inside me."
"You—refuge?" Ron asked.
Both of them laughed.
"If true," Ron said, "I own you big time."
"Don't keep score," Harry said, "Need to fill you in."
Harry started to explain everything, starting with the summons by Dumbledore, to St. Mungo's, to Hermione's helping Harry, to the attack on St. Mungo's.
"Blimey!" Ron asked, "Have you written in your journal?"
"No," Harry said, "Had other concerns."
"Well," Ron said, "Whoever this EM' is, they don't like us."
"Really?" Harry snapped.
"Got Hermione upset downstairs," Ron said, his eyes hinted at his desire for peace, "Guess we should do at least one essay."
"Three due tomorrow," Harry said, "I need to get the defense one done."
Harry summoned over the thin board, set it onto his lap as he brought out his inkjar, quill, and parchment. He opened his book, and began to work.