Anything that rings a bell belongs to JK Rowling

Chapter Thirty Three: Livid but Living

"Mate, can you stop that?"

"What? Oh." Harry handn't realise that his leg had been shaking in agitation, which was knocking into Ron's armchair and interrupting his chess game with George. "Did Hermione say what time she'd be getting in? It's pretty late."

It was 9pm on the last night of the Easter Holidays, and Hermione never returned this late from vacation.

As if in answer to his question, his friend walked into the Common Room. She took one look at Harry, and he jumped to his feet. She turned and walked back out the Portrait hole and by the time Harry reached her, her cries were coming out in body shaking sobs.

"Merlin, Hermione are you alright? Hermione?" Harry hugged her, comforting her and pulling her into an alcove not far from the Fat Lady.

"I'm sorry." She wept and Harry's brain was in a frenzy but he contained himself, knowing that she needed to calm down so she could actually answer any of his questions.

"Are you alright?"

She nodded, slowly, "I can't say. I can't say." She let out a deep breath, "I've been asked to get Ky's things together. Her brothers' want her back in New York. They're waiting in the Headmaster's office."

Harry had been subconsciously stroking his friend's back and his hand froze at her words, "Hermione, is Ky alright?"

"No." She sobbed and it came out like a painful moan. Harry didn't feel better that his paranoid thoughts were confirmed.

He didn't believe that Linus' fiancée had been in a motor vehicle accident on the day of the second task, and Ky had been helping with her recovery in New York, he thought this must be an excuse for her to leave early for Easter break because she was feeling homesick.

He had been riddled with guilt at that possibility, knowing that he was the reason she was having an awful time at Hogwarts. He had said horrible things to her, let Ginny insult her, he had physically hurt her, even if by accident, it made him feel sick just thinking about it, and then because of this stupid tournament Ron and Hermione had been spending all their time with him, and she was all alone.

"I've sent her a letter, and she's ignored me. I don't blame her, but please can you get her to just speak to me. Things will be better for her this term. I'll make sure of it. I'll…" Harry stopped speaking at the horrified look on Hermione's face.

"Harry… Ky's not okay. She's been in the hospital. I've been visiting her, that's why I went back home for Easter, to be closer to Mungo's."

"W…what?" Harry could suddenly feel the blood pumping in his body…that shouldn't be normal…should it? "No. No she's just angry at me. And missing home." It's what he had been telling himself for weeks.

He made her life at Hogwarts so awful that she ran back home to New York for an early vacation.

That was his worst case scenario.

But he was so wrong.

"I can't say what happened. I wish I could, but I can't." Hermione cried harder, "She's not conscious. She's better than she was a few weeks ago, but she's still not okay." She wiped her face on her handkerchief, "Linus doesn't want to listen to anybody. He wants her back in New York. He says he trusted Dumbledore to take care of her, and he has broken that trust. I won't be able to visit her in New York." His friend crumpled forward, and Harry held her, his heartbeat thunderous in his ears.

Ky was unconscious?

Hermione couldn't tell him what happened?

He told her everything, and she wouldn't tell him?

"I have to get her stuff." She stood, and Harry couldn't move to stop or help her. It had been minutes before he processed that Hermione had left.

And then he shot out of the seat.

He didn't know how he wasn't out of breath at the stone gargoyle, he didn't have quidditch training all year because of the tournament, but it's like his body knew he needed it to show up for him right now.

"I need to see the Headmaster." The gargoyle didn't budge.

Thankfully, the entrance opened, and Professor McGonagall stepped out, "Potter? Have you seen - Potter!"

He had stepped onto the stairs before the wall slid closed and ran off, ascending quickly aided by its own circular movement.

He banged on the Headmaster's door, and once he opened it he barged in, "You can't take her."

He looked around, locating the men he wanted to address, they were stood near the fireplace. They both looked older than when he last saw them, unshaven and disheveled.

"Harry-"

"YOU CANNOT TAKE HER!" He screamed and the portraits in the room broke out in whispers, and Fawkes made a soothing sound but Harry rushed to Linus, who looked as if he might strike him.

"Harry, we understand that Ky's friends would miss her." Lenzo spoke softly, "I'm sure something-"

"Len." Linus spoke softly, but firmly, stopping the man from making any promises they had no intention to keep.

Harry looked around, his eyes falling on Dumbledore, who had quietly reclaimed his seat.

"I don't know what's happened to Ky. Hermione won't tell me. And I don't deserve to know, I haven't been a good friend to her lately." Amidst the exhaustion, a hint of anger flickered in Linus' face at that, "But if she's sick, please don't take her away, Linus, please." Harry knew this was grovelling, but he didn't care, "Because she will wake up. She will get better. She has to." Harry didn't know where he got this blind faith from, he didn't even know what and the extent of her injuries were, "And when she does, she's going to be furious. And trust me, you don't want her angry at you. You don't want her to not talk to you. For her to be in the room and not look at you. Please, you can't take her away, not without her permission."

"You're right." Linus gave Harry a level stare, "She'll probably be livid, but she'll also be living, and I can live with that. You think this is normal. You think his lackadaisical approach to security in this school is fine because you don't have parents."

"Linus." Len whispered.

"If your parents were alive, and someone put your name in a dangerous competition, they wouldn't have shrugged and said nothing can be done about it." He glared at his grandfather and Harry hadn't been prepared for that response, but straightened his back, if he could do just this one thing for her…

"I don't think they would have. I think they understand this world in a way that you don't. Professor Dumbledore explained that there was a binding magical contract for this tournament, and I trust him completely, if there was a way for him to get me out of it, he would have. And I know you miss Ky. I get it. I wouldn't want to spend a day without her too." Linus' eyes narrowed at his words, but he remained silent, "But if she really is sick, she needs to be with her family. And that's not just you and Lenzo anymore."

"Harry-"

"He has a point." Harry whipped around, standing at the door was Severus Snape. "Her wounds are magical. Her healers have stated that the best thing for her is to rest, and you can empty your considerable coffers but you won't be able to buy better care for her anywhere in the world, not because the people who care most about her happen to all be in this castle right now, but your money cannot buy what the Headmaster's influence can. Her healers were the foremost experts in the world, they came in from France, Uganda, and India a mere hour after she was brought to Mungo's. And of course the Headmaster will send word again if Bane needs it, whether she is here, or she is in New York, because he wants what we all want. What we all need. For her to be better."

Harry never expected him and Snape to agree on anything. He looked pleadingly at Linus, who turned to the Headmaster, with appraising eyes.

With the smallest of nods from Linus Thornton, Harry let out a breath he didn't realise he had been holding.

-x-x-x-

Pain raced through Ky's body like fire to a tree, it raged and was unforgiving and was only trumped by the screech that resounded in her head. The screaming that would not stop. She opened her eyes.

Everything stopped.

There was no sound…there was no pain. Nothing. Except the bright blue sky above. Ky watched as an owl flapped its way across the sky and then disappeared.

The realisation that she had involuntarily been trying to sit up from the moment she opened her eyes dawned on her, the fact that she couldn't… terrified her. With concentration she managed to flex her fingers, the knuckles cracking like fireworks in the silence. She slowly pumped the blood through her body, flexing her toes and fingers. She looked around, basking in the familiarity.

She was in Hogwarts. In her room. She thought she wasn't allowed here during term.

"Such a shame, he may have been bit of a stick in the mud, but old Barty was a good wizard."

"I never knew him personally…but a disappearance on school grounds amidst everything else that is going on…something is not right Pomona."

"Indeed, it isn't Poppy."

Ky tried to speak but no words came out, her mouth felt like sandpaper. She did manage to make a gurgling growling sound that she thought she should commit to memory for the Twin's amusement. Ky blinked, trying to adjust to the sudden shadows in her periphery.

She blinked rapidly, the shadows forming more defined shapes.

"Ky?"

"Miss Thornton?"

Gurgle growl.

The sandpaper lost its edge, and she was finally able to mutter a, "Zia Mona?" in a voice many octaves softer than her usual tone.

She didn't get another word in though because she was enveloped in comforting warmth, wetness dripping into her hair. She tried lifting her hands, but it still didn't comply, Mona let go and wiped at her eyes, heaving. She looked at her in confusion, but she didn't get a chance to ask a question because she turned and ran out of the room. Ky looked for Madam Pomfrey who was bustling about at her side, waving her wand around her in a frenzy.

"Madam Pomfrey-"

For the second time that day she was stopped mid question, this time by a loud gasp. Ky moved her hand, and it finally relented, she pushed herself into a sitting position. She barely said a word as her vision was blurred by a mass of brown hair. Ky blinked through the bushy strands, patting at her heaving back. Mi was in a right state when she finally let go of her. Her face was red and her nose leaking, cheeks tear stained with tired lines. Ky smiled, and her face cracked at the action. She flexed her jaw.

She watched as Minnie walked in, face pale and eyes watery, followed closely by Sev. He looked at her and quickly looked away, finding something very interesting about the carpet in her room.

She had the air knocked out of her as two blurs descended on her; the choking feeling broke the dam of memories like a hammer to a wall. Her head throbbed with pain and she fell back to the bed, coughing. Linus and Lenzo's worried face hovered above her, but twinkling blue eyes was what she saw last before darkness.

-x-x-x-

"Miss Granger, don't you have exams to be studying for."

"Professor Snape…I didn't know you were in here. Sorry. I'll just be going."

"That isn't necessary; I was just restocking some Vitamix potion."

"I hope its raspberry flavoured."

Ky muttered in that annoying quieter voice of hers, thankfully it didn't hurt as much as before. She tried to sit up but stopped as a firm hand was placed on her shoulder.

"Don't exert yourself. Your meddlesome moving around is what caused your extra seven days of unconsciousness. Just stay put Bane, and quiet."

"You can get one or the oth-"

She continued talking, but no words came out. She glared at Sev knowing hesilencioedher, unfortunately with less venom than she usually mustered. He smirked and left the room, Mi loomed down on her, a frown planted on her face.

"Ky…"

Her lips quivered but she breathed in and out deeply as if on instruction. This time she held no confusion as to why, she would be the same if the roles were reversed.

Ky looked up at the sky, it was already dark. She hated making her feel that way. Sev soon returned with Madam Pomfrey who flittered around again, shoving potion upon potion down her throat. The last feeling Ky had was a pleasant raspberry taste, until sleep claimed her again.

-x-x-x-

Ky opened her eyes to darkness. She sat up and her body complied with more ease than usual. She listened to the slow breathing of the person who occupied the seat at her bedside. She leaned over to get a glass of water and as if the sudden movement was an alarm the figure awoke abruptly.

Light doused the room as she watched Mi jump and get the glass for her; she was always a quick riser. She tried pouring the water down her throat, but she shoved her hand away, she wasn't an invalid. Well not anymore at least.

Mi scribbled something onto a familiar looking parchment; her chocolate orbs met her curious ones, "It's your Parch, your brothers wanted word once you woke again. They were here, but had to leave because of a business emergency, I said I'll write once you woke up again." Another quiver and Ky looked away again. She hated that she was going through this because of her. "Would you like more water? I just need to call Madam Pomfrey-"

"Don't Mi. Just sit. Please."

This conversation was way overdue as is. She swallowed whatever argument that was on her tongue and sat back down. "So, I guess you found out about my house elf."

She made a choking noise, between a cry and a laugh, "Kinky isn't your house elf. Just another unfortunate Hogwarts house elf. But don't try telling her that. She's been here every day, dusting things that don't need dusting. Making you soup…that you couldn't...that couldn't be-"

Ky stared up into the ceiling waiting for her to calm down.

"How long?"

She sniffed but her answer was clear, "Just over three months. Then you woke up, but you didn't hold consciousness for long, then another week. You awoke three days ago, but you sunk into unconsciousness again. Madam Pomfrey said it was to be expected seeing as the amount of potions you are on."

"I spent almost 13 weeks in this room?! Wow, and Linus said I couldn't sit still for a second."

"Well not exactly. You were at St. Mungo's for the first month and a half…then you were brought here."

"That makes sense." Ky stared at a lone star, "Kind of disappointing, I always wanted to visit Mungo's. I can't even recall what it looks like now."

She heard more sniffling and then tickling strands touched her hand. She looked down at Mi's hair, her face down on the bedsheet.

She placed her hand on Mi's head, and then tugged at her hair until she looked up, eyes red.

"You're getting snot on my sheets. I much prefer it on my shirt if you don't mind." Mi didn't need telling twice as she jumped onto the bed and grabbed her, her tears falling fast onto her neck as she sniffled into her hair. Ky hugged her back.

"I'm OK Mi. No need to frown, you don't need the wrinkles."

She moved back and her face came into view, her cocoa orbs dark and intense with a fire that burned in its depths. Mi didn't look sad. She looked like anger epitomised.

"Give me a name and I'll kill him."

Ky looked at her determined eyes, knowing that she really did mean that, and so many emotions flooded her system, pride at their friendship, comfort at the fierce protection that emanated from her, complete and utter adoration for her entire being. "I know you would Mi. Tell me what you know first, and I'll fill in the gaps."

Ky leaned back, and she followed suit. She stared at the lone star in the dark sky of her canvas again,

"It was just after the second task. I just got out of the water and was drying up and felt slightly hurt that you were not faffing around me. I realised I couldn't spot you in the stands and I knew you weren't allowed to miss official occasions because McGonagall would have your head. Then I noticed that Dumbledore was different, so were the other staff, they seemed off. Snape wasn't even there. I was about to ask McGonagall if she knew where you were when she came up to me and asked me to follow her to her office. She sat me down and explained what had happened. She said…she said that…" Ky waited for her to breathe, "That you had showed up a few hours ago, in the hands of a school house elf outside Dumbledore's office. She said that you were in bad shape, and I could tell she wasn't being completely honest. She wanted to know if I knew anything about you meeting anyone in Hogsmeade. A boy. I told her no, that the only boys you knew well, other than your brothers, were all at Hogwarts. She didn't want to tell me much that day and she didn't want to take me to see you either. She asked me to not tell anyone, not even Harry and Ron."

"They don't know?"

"Nobody knows the details. Except me and Theodore Nott."

"Why does he know?"

"Well, he doesn't exactly know. He came up to me soon after McGonagall sent me away. He told me that Snape had asked him a few questions about you, but he didn't know anything about you being in hospital, so I didn't tell him. Apparently one of the portraits down in the dungeons had spotted you chatting to him earlier that evening."

"I was. What does everyone else think?"

"You're with your brothers. That your brother's fiancée was in a bad car accident, and you went back to help with that."

"And people believe that?"

She didn't find the humour in it though, "They didn't manage to find who it was who did this, so Dumbledore thought it safer to keep this quiet. They searched the Shrieking Shack once they found out that's where Kinky had found you. They found your hoodie, your wand and your bracelet. No trace of the man though…They've been searching for him ever since but they have nothing so far."

Ky let that sink in, their relentless searching weighing heavy on her. She heard Mi sniffle and then outright bawl. Her friend gasped and rubbed at her eyes,

"It's all my fault! They asked the school ghosts and Nearly Headless Nick said that you ran off once you found out I was taken! And they found Gillyweed in your pocket! You thought you were trying to help Harry save me! That's why you were at Hogsmeade at that time of the night and that's why you were…you were…you were-"

"I wasn't -"

"I'm not stupid Ky! They said you didn't have your hoodie on when you were brought here and you never leave the dorm with just that vest on! And it was torn!" Ky hadn't even registered that, 'And the wounds on your neck…on your wrists…St Mungo's said that –"

"Nothing happened! He…he wasn't successful. And it wasn't your fault. The only person's fault this is, is the sick twisted sack of shit that TRIED and FAILED to…to do it." This didn't help, Mi just cried harder. "I chose to sneak out that day…not you. I chose to take that risk, not you. I chose to not say anything about the first time…not you."

Mi stopped crying and looked at her, her eyes wide. Best get this through quickly before she changed her mind, "It happened on the day the Dark Mark appeared at the World Cup. That's where I was. Someone attacked me…tried taking advantage of me. But I threw him off, and he ran away when he saw the Dark Mark. Cedric found me and helped me out. I didn't tell anybody because I didn't want my brothers to change their mind about sending me to Hogwarts…and because I was embarrassed. I didn't want to face what had happened…. the more people who knew, the more real it seemed. I was going to tell you…but I kept putting it off. It was the same person. He was wearing a mask again. A Death Eater's mask."

She was quiet. "Did you manage to see his face at all?"

"No…."

Ky couldn't speak anymore, she felt arms wrap around her and she turned away from Mi. Settling deeper into the pillow, closing her eyes from the look on her friend's face.

A/N: Thank you for reading this chapter!