October 1, 1998

All through supper, Harry's mind went over the fight with Ginerva. If they were fighting like this while not being a couple, was it even worth getting back together with her? Sure, the fight was because she wanted to get back together, but the point was the pout that he said no and that she was acting like a spoiled child. Harry said they'd talk, he didn't say when. And currently, aside from it being his final year at school, he had a lot going on mentally. Even Draco and his friends spoke up to make the girl see.

And the way she behaved upon being spoken to by multiple people bothered Harry too. It seemed like she only backed off to not ruin her chance of eventually getting him back. Harry couldn't worry about it right now, he had a killer headache and just wanted to get a potion to help with that pain, and something to help him sleep tonight, then go see Headmaster Snape about leaving campus for appointments with a mind healer because everything from the war was getting to him.

When dinner ended and everyone was dismissed from the hall, Harry waved goodbye to his friends and got to the infirmary. Walking through the door, the medi-witch, Madam Pomfrey immediately looked over and gave Harry a soft smile.

"Mr. Potter…I thought I might go one year without seeing you," The witch put her hands in front of her now.

"I guess I couldn't go one year without seeing you, just to keep to the normal, Madam Pomfrey." Harry replied.

The medi-witch must have liked the joke or felt honored because she patted the bed she was closest to for Harry to come sit, and the teenager did so. "What seems to be the problem?" Poppy asked.

"It's really just a bad headache I developed before dinner." He admitted.

"A pain reliever should take care of that. You don't appear to be sleeping well. I can see the bags under your eyes, the exhaustion in them." The infirmary matron stated.

"Just some bad dreams waking me up is all." Harry told her.

"Might I suggest a mind healer, Mr. Potter. You did go through quite a lot, I can't imagine that now everything has slowed down it wouldn't affect you." Poppy offered.

"A few friends have suggested the same. And Draco gave me a list of some accepting new patients, I just have to talk to the headmaster about leaving campus for appointments." Harry informed.

"I am certain he won't mind." Poppy smiled. "Sit tight, I'll get you those potions." She then walked away to her cabinets.

Harry sat there, tiredly. All he had to do was go see Snape after. His hopes were high that the man would understand his position and allow Harry to leave campus. The others were right, Harry needed to talk to someone to recover from everything in the past. Harry wanted to be able to sleep peacefully again. He knew there might always be moments, but it couldn't stay as constant as it was. It would only get worse if he didn't get a handle on it now.

While sitting there, the teenager wasn't sure if his headache was becoming a migraine or not but he felt a bit nauseous. Harry felt like he had the hiccups, but he knew he didn't and he was now fighting the urge to throw up. He prayed that he didn't and he hoped that this wasn't all part of becoming sick. No, Harry didn't need that right now. He was in his seventh year and the workload was murder, he couldn't afford time off because he was sick.

"Mr. Potter? Are you alright?" Poppy's voice broke Harry's concentration on trying not to vomit. He felt those hiccups activate and he brought a hand to his mouth, but managed to keep it down. As he was bringing his hand down, it happened again as Poppy quickly waved her wand to close the curtain around the bed, and summon over a basin.

She held it in place just as Harry threw up. The medi-witch frowned as she put a hand on the teenager's back to rub it a bit as Harry puked two more times. "Get it all out?" The woman asked. Harry managed a nod and she banished the mess quickly and cast a cleaning charm before summoning over some water for Harry. "Sip it slowly, dear."

Harry held the cup and drank slowly as instructed. "Perhaps it's not just a headache?" Poppy suggested.

"That's all it was, I swear." Harry replied. "Then I just felt nauseous. I feel okay now."

"Alright, I won't push. But you come back if it keeps happening or you feel any other symptoms, okay?" Poppy stated as Harry nodded to her. He really just wanted to get some sleep. "Good boy. Alright, here you go. Take this now for the headache…And then this is a very light sleeping draught, helps promote good dreams."

Harry took the potion given, and pocketed the small dose of sleeping draught. He could take that tonight after he was done with his work. "Thank you, Madam Pomfrey." Harry said gratefully.

"You're welcome, dear. Now, off you go. I don't want you to spend your final year here with me. Try to stay out of trouble, hm?" The witch smiled.

Harry got to his feet and nodded. "Well, no quidditch matches and no Voldemort…I think I'm safe from life threatening injury." He stated.

"I certainly hope so." Poppy agreed. "Off you go then. And do come back if you feel any worse."

"I will, Madam Pomfrey. Thank you." Harry smiled and left the infirmary.

The teenager made his way to the headmaster's office, he knew he was already behind schedule thanks to the random bit of vomiting he did before. Hopefully Professor Snape wouldn't be too upset. Reaching the statue, which had been changed from a Griffon to a totem pole with all the houses represented on it, Harry stood before it and wondered how the hell he was supposed to activate it without a password.

"Uh…Hello?" Harry said. As he glanced around, he found a journal stand on the outside of the entrance to the headmaster's office. Along with it was a quill and inkpot. "Odd." Harry touched the journal as words began to appear. Harry definitely wasn't getting Tom Riddle's Diary vibes. Nope, not one bit.
State your name please.

Well, that made sense. A two-way journal and when Severus knew who was there, he just activated the spiral staircase. Harry took the quill and dipped it, writing on the page; Harry Potter. And then just like that, the staircase began to move and Harry headed up. Reaching the door, Harry knocked lightly three times.

"Come in." Came Severus's voice from the other side.

Harry took a deep breath and set his hand on the knob, twisting it until it unlatched, then opened and he walked in to find Severus at the desk. The office had changed from what he remembered when Dumbledore resided in it. Harry had a lot of memories in here, learning about the Horcruxes, seeing Snape's memories in the pensive and learning he had to die.

"I don't have all night, Mr. Potter, and you are already behind the agreed upon meeting time." Severus stated.

"Yes, sir. Sorry…I was at the infirmary with Madam Pomfrey." Harry admitted.

"I see. Are you ill?" Severus inquired. "You look exhausted. And do not tell me you are not. I have eyes, I can see it for myself."

"It was just a bad headache I had through dinner, Headmaster." The teenager replied.

"Very well then. Now what did you wish to speak to me about?" The man inquired.

"As you pointed out, I'm exhausted. I'm not sleeping well most nights due to nightmares waking me up. Or breaking through my own silencing spells and waking Draco up, then he wakes me up." Harry began. "I've decided to see a mind healer."

"I am honestly quite surprised you have not before now." Severus said.

"There was a lot going on after the war ended." Harry shrugged. "I never gave it much thought and it…Didn't bother me when I was busy every day with trials or helping the rebuild." Severus nodded, understanding.

"Now that things have slowed down, all you went through is hitting hard?" The headmaster pushed.

Harry nodded. "It might just be from being here again. At the school. A lot happened here the years I attended, and this was also the final battle." He was beginning to feel sick again. Flashes of those who died laid about on the Great Hall floor came across his mind and the reel stopped on Fred, then Remus and Tonks.

He quickly shook the thoughts away. It was only upsetting him further and adding to the nauseated feeling. Severus seemed to regard him carefully.

"Why don't you take a seat, Potter?" Severus offered, motioning to the chair that sat before his desk. "You're looking a little pale."

"No, I'm alright. I don't want to be here too long. I have work to complete before I turn in for the evening." Harry told him.

"So you wish to see a mind healer, what does it have to do with needing to speak to me?" Severus pushed.

"The offices are off campus…So I wanted to ask if you'd give me permission to leave the school for appointments." Harry informed. "Nothing during class time, of course. I figured after classes and before dinner. Or on the weekends perhaps."

"And who are you seeing? Location, so I know where you'd be going if I allow this?" Snape wondered.

"I…Haven't found one yet. Draco got me this list to decide from." Harry pulled it from his pocket.

"May I add a suggestion to it?" Severus questioned. Harry nodded and handed him the parchment, and Severus dipped his quill to quickly put down a name and location, then waved it to dry and handed it back to Harry, who looked it over.

"Miriam Strout," Harry read off.

"She was originally a healer at St. Mungos, but specialized in mind healing. Both repairing and mending it magically, but also…She's taken courses for muggle therapy too. She's a half-blood, and pulled away from the hospital to aid in helping those who fought in the war." Severus explained.

"She comes highly recommended. Can prescribe potions for certain things. And she's taken on a lot of students who fought in the final battle, and dealt with or saw things leading up to that battle." The man added. "I've been sending a lot of students to her who reported to their heads of houses that they're struggling."

"I can put in a word for you as well. It only takes a letter, or floo call during normal hours." Severus informed. "If you'd like, of course. I'm not sure what she has for availability, but I have been sending the younger students out with a parent. They pick up their kids in Hogsmeade and take them, then bring them back afterwards. Most are seen on the weekends."

"Where is the office?" Harry inquired.

"Diagon," Severus replied. "It's low-cost too." He added.

"Sounds like a good option. But I don't have a guardian to take me, so would I go with a teacher or something?" Harry wondered.

"Given your age, and being licensed to apparate, I could allow you to go without one. As long as you believe you will be safe on your own. There are still a fair amount of not captured Death Eaters out there, all looking for revenge on you in particular." Severus reminded.

"I know you defeated the Dark Lord, Potter, and you're exceptionally powerful for your age and always have been. But you are still a student in Hogwarts, which means you are my responsibility." He added firmly.

"I'll be okay, Professor Snape. My apparition is pretty spot on. I can apparate from the edge of the school's wards to Diagon Alley. If you tell me where the office is in Diagon, even better." Harry stated.

"I can get you an exact address." Severus nodded.

"Thank you." Harry nodded.

"Very well then. Was this all you needed to speak to me about, Potter?" The headmaster questioned.

"That was it, sir. Thank you…" Harry replied respectfully.

"You're welcome, Mr. Potter. I will send word this evening to Healer Strout's office, she should receive it in the morning. I will inform you when I have an answer of when she can see you." Severus told him.

"Thank you. Headmaster. I'll head off to my dorm now. Work to get done…Have a good night, sir." Harry bowed his head to the man, grateful for his help, then turned and exited the office.

. . .

The walk to Phoenix house on the third floor was not fun. Harry felt tired and like he was going to throw up again, but he withheld long enough to put his hand on the portrait and then it came away from the wall to allow him inside. The common room was bustling as always, some just chatting, others reading, and then the group who chose to do their homework with all the noise.

"Harry, your back…" Hermione smiled as she waved him over to her. Hermione was sitting with Pansy, the two had become surprisingly good friends since sharing a dorm. But she was also with Blaise, Theodore, Vincent, and Draco.

Harry walked over, giving a smile. "Did you think I wouldn't return or something?"

"No, of course not. But you know I worry about you, Harry." Hermione reminded.

"Yes, beloved big sister…I know you worry." Harry teased. Hermione giggled, but shrugged and nodded. Harry saw her like a sister, so she loved when Harry first called her sis.

"Did you talk to the headmaster?" Draco asked.

"Yeah…" Harry sat down with them in the newly made open space. "A lot of people have been going to see mind healers lately. He lets their parents pick them up from the edge of the wards and apparate to the location, then back again afterwards. Mostly on the weekends."

"Did you pick who you'll see yet? My guy is on that list, he's really good." Blaise mentioned.

"Professor Snape made a suggestion that I went with. Uh, Miriam Strout, I think her name is. I guess she used to be a healer for St. Mungo's, but she left to open a shop in Diagon dedicated to mind healing to help people after the war. The headmaster said he's been sending a lot of students to her, so he's going to send a letter to her about me. And he said that since I'm an adult and can apparate legally, I can just apparate there on my own without a guide." Harry explained.

"Is that safe?" Hermione inquired. "There's still a lot of Death Eaters out there…" She frowned.

"'Mione…I'll be okay. Snape offered me a guard if I felt I needed it despite knowing I'm pretty powerful for my age and always have been." Harry stated. "It's apparate from the edge of the wards to the office and back. It's not like I'm going to be wandering around Diagon." Harry stated. "I know how to protect myself, and as we've seen…I know how to survive."

"I know, Harry…But after everything, including you actually dying back in May…You can't blame me for worrying about your safety." Hermione sighed.

"I don't blame you, but I'll be okay." Harry promised.

"Alright," Hermione replied, still unsure of the arrangement.

"How's your headache doing?" Pansy asked.

"Gone now. Madam Pomfrey gave me something for it, and a light sleeping potion for tonight." Harry stated, patting his pocket where the potion was. "I should go get some of my work done, but I'm exhausted."

"Can't imagine you wouldn't be after earlier with the Weaslette at dinner." Theodore remarked.

"Come on, don't call her that." Harry sighed.

"Potter, she screams a big red flag." Pansy stated, sitting back on the couch, a leg over the other.

"She's just upset we're not back together yet. She was fine when we were together before I went on the hunt with Ron and Hermione." He replied calmly. "I get it. We danced around things in fifth year, and some of sixth. We finally got together and I left because it wasn't safe. I didn't want Voldemort or the Death Eaters using her against me."

"Harry, love, you said it yourself tonight. She's acting like a spoiled brat." Pansy chuckled. "Like a toddler stomping their foot on the ground type of spoiled."

"Hermione, back me on this…?" The teen asked.

"Unfortunately, Harry…I have to agree with them." Hermione said softly with apologetic eyes. "It's a red flag that you two went all that time not dating, and she didn't act like this. Ron has said she's had a thing for you since before she even met you, Molly always told her stories about the boy who lived…" She paused. "Always told her she'd get a chance most others didn't in meeting their hero…It's just…It's suspicious, alright?"

"I thought you were all for me and Ginny, 'Mione. Where's all this coming from? You're making it seem like you don't trust her, or that she'll hurt me if we get back together. Do you know something I don't?" Harry questioned.

"With how she's acting, Harry, I'm sorry…But I have to worry. All she went on about over the summer according to Ron was wanting to get back with you and Molly isn't suggesting she be patient about it. Ron said Molly would even help her try to convince you. It just feels off, okay? And for the sake of you not having to deal with any trouble…I just want you to be careful."

"What she means, Potter, is that it seems like there's an ulterior motive." Draco said. "Tonight seemed rather desperate is all."

"Do you even like her anymore?" Hermione asked. "We know what was said when feelings got brought up, but you know I know you better than that, Harry. You said it's because you have to get your head together, which is fine, of course…"

"But if you liked her before everything, then should you not feel the same a year later? Or did something happen, you haven't really shown interest in getting back with her. And the mind healer thing was only a suggestion brought up on the train, and this morning." Blaise mentioned.

"Like I told her…A year can change a lot. I've got too much going on right now to worry about a relationship. Ginny can respect that and wait, or move on. What's the rush for? We're both still in school, and I'm not ready to settle down right after I graduate. I still want to get settled in a career and be stable before settling down into getting engaged and married, or having kids." Harry remarked.

"That's our point, Potter. You're both in your final year, which isn't even over yet. Okay…Then you want to settle into a career, enjoy the relationship before getting into marriage. So why does she want to get back together and rush things." Theodore explained.

"Granger is right." Draco paused. "It looks really off. So maybe while you're…Going through your mind healing and whatnot, just…Monitor Ginerva as well. Look for the red flags before you go jumping back into a relationship with her. You're better off finding them now rather than down the line during engagement or after that into marriage. Divorce is messier than ending a relationship."

"Especially because most wizarding folk don't just marry…They bond. It's…Magical marriage. The bond starts during the vow ceremony and finishes during consummation. It allows for one another to feel each other's emotions, danger sense, and even shared magic. And Harry, there are tons of different bondings." Hermione stated. "And no offense to any of you, of course," She referred to the group of pure-bloods with them.

"But pure-bloods tend to stay permanently with who they bond to. Some of these can be slave-like, unbreakable…And if Ginny is a pure-blood. She's been very pushy and insistent you get back together without any regard for how you feel. I don't want to see her trap you in something you can't get out of…And end up being used or hurt." Hermione said gently.

"So please…Please just watch yourself with her and don't rush back into anything. I don't want to see you get manipulated through guilt or while you're vulnerable right now to be with her again and get dragged into something you don't actually want." the muggleborn pleaded.

Well, they were right that it seemed off. And Harry would have to keep an eye on Ginerva. She did seem rather pushy, and desperate. But maybe it was just the once. And even so, Harry needed to work out his feelings. If they were still the same or not.

"A year can change a lot, Harry…" Hermione said gently. "That's why I asked if you still feel the same way you did a year ago. It's fine if you don't. It's fine if things change. You were basically adopted into the Weasleys, you've grown up being a younger sibling to all the males."

She paused for a moment, "Except perhaps Percy, since last I heard the bridge was only just on the mend from he took the Ministry's side over his family's in believing you about Voldemort being back…" Then she shook off the after-thought. "I would think that maybe you realized that she's more like a sister to you. I know that's how I see her."

"I don't know how I feel, alright. Everything is just a mess right now, and all I wanna do is get my head straight so I can sleep peacefully. I'm not worried about dating Ginny or how I feel for her. I have bigger things to worry about than a relationship." All he wanted to do was go to sleep now.

"Well, just know I'm here for you, Harry." Hermione smiled.

"I know, Hermione." Harry nodded.

"And I've always got your back." The muggleborn added.

"I've never doubted such." He smiled. "Now, I'm off to get some work done and then sleep. See you in the morning," Harry got up and left the common room, heading for the dorm before any of them could stop him.

No sooner than he got into the dorm, he tossed his bag on the bed and got into the bathroom. Harry sank to his knees before he threw up twice. He spat and summoned a glass of water to rinse his mouth before wiping it with some toilet paper and then flushing the toilet. He sat against the tub, taking a few breaths and hoping his stomach settled.

"Fuck…Please don't be getting sick…" Harry groaned.