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Harry Potter & The Panacea by Falcon
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Harry Potter & The Panacea

Falcon

Title: Harry Potter and The Panacea - Chapter 04
Author name: Falcon
Author email: falcun_21@yahoo.com
Category: Portkey.org
Sub Category: Action/Adventure, Romance, Humor
Keywords: H/Hr
Rating: Graphic R
Summary: Two years have gone by since the end of Harry's final year. Voldemort is dead. Harry has withdrawn from the wizarding society after defeating Voldemort and graduation from Hogwarts, but still keeps in contact with Ron & Hermione through owl post and occasional visits. Ron is a Chudley Cannon. Hermione has been working at Hogwarts since their final year with all the Professors. Sirius has been acquitted of all charges against him and is the Transfiguration Professor. Professor McGonagall is the new Headmistress replacing an ill Headmaster Dumbledore and Flitwick is the Deputy Headmaster. Lupin is reinstated as the DADA Professor after Moody's retirement.

Disclaimer: All characters belong to JKR, and I ain't making no money off them. This story is made up of my own original ideas, and any resemblance to anyone else's is strictly coincidental, and unintentional.

Author's Note: This is for all those who want Ron to get what he deserves. Ron lovers/likers just bear with it.

Chapter 4

"Who's there?" Ron spun, pulling his wand and looking around. It was only then that Harry realized just how much time had passed. It was very dark in the apartment, and the chair he was sitting in was in a shadowed corner making him effectively invisible.

"It's me Ron."

"Harry?"

Harry wasn't sure what kind of reaction to expect from Ron, so kept his guard up. "Yeah, it's me."

"What are you doing here?" Ron put away his wand, flipped on the lights, went into the kitchen and came back with a bottle of fire-whiskey. Harry could smell the perfume and alcohol already surrounding his best friend, but stayed silent about it. Ron untwisted the cap and took a slug.

"I can't drop in on a friend?" Harry asked.

"Not unexpected like this."

"Why not?"

Ron took a long pull off his whiskey and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. "Because, I often have people over and it would be very upsetting for them if you just pop in without any notice."

"By people, I assume you mean women."

"Of course I mean women!" Ron said crossly. "What do you think I am?"

"Well, after the way you mooned over Krum in 4th year, I wasn't sure." Harry said, grinning and cutting his eyes sideways at Ron.

"That is NOT funny Harry. That kind of talk could ruin me if it got out."

"You were kind of obsessed with him, what were we supposed to think?"

"He was my idol Harry. I looked up to him!" Ron said, turning slightly red. "I wasn't interested in him any other way."

"Now, now Ron, denial ain't just a river in Egypt." Harry removed his cape and tossed it in the chair he'd been sitting in. "Loads of sports stars are coming out of the closet these days."

"Harry. I. Am. Not. Gay." Ron said slowly through gritted teeth.

"I know," Harry grinned. "I'm just messing with you."

"Well, stop it! You never know who might be listening in." Ron glanced around his apartment with a strange look on his face. "They're everywhere," he whispered.

"Paranoid much?"

"I mean it Harry, I have no privacy. Everyone wants a picture of me, or a piece of my clothing. Some of them even worship me, like I did Krum. One crazy woman even cut off a lock of my hair!"

"Well, you wanted a life of fame; looks like you got it and all the things that

come with it, wealth, women, and ego."

"What makes you say that?" asked Ron, shooting him a suspicious look.

Harry shrugged and rubbed his chin. "What, you don't think I hear things?"

"Hermione talked to you, didn't she?"

Harry was surprised that Hermione should come up so quickly, but hid his reaction. "Yes, she did." He was unprepared for what happened next.

"I knew she'd go running to you. Stay out of it Harry! It's between me and her and I won't have you interfering."

"What?" Harry didn't try to disguise the surprise in his voice this time.

"You heard me." Ron said shortly.

Harry held up a finger. "First off, where Hermione's welfare is concerned, NOBODY tells me what to do!"

"She's my girlfriend Harry."

"Is that so?"

"We've been a couple for some time now."

"That's not what she said. She says you're mistaken about the attention she showed you, and that she just wants to be friends."

"That's a lie! She loves me!"

"As a friend," Harry stated calmly. "She's in love with someone else."

"NO! I don't accept that!"

"It's not your decision Ron. It's hers and hers alone."

"It's that guy from the club isn't it?" Ron snarled. "Little tramp."

Harry stepped close and glared at him. "You're a fine one to talk, you as much as admitted you've been seeing other women! And for your information, the guy at the club was ME, and don't you ever talk about her like that!"

Ron's face turned red with fury. "I'll talk about her any way I please, and you'd do well to get out of my face!"

"Or what," Harry asked, a trifle more harshly than he'd intended. He didn't want to antagonize his friend, but after all he had been through, he wasn't about to be threatened.

Ron scowled. "Listen Harry, I know you think you're something special because you killed You-Know-Who, but that was magic, and you and I both know that the only way you can defeat me in a fight is if you use magic. Physically, you're no match for me." He took a sip of his fire-whiskey as if that was the end of the conversation.

Harry struggled to keep his amusement as well as his ire in check. "If it makes you feel better to think that, go right ahead."

Ron snorted. "Oh I see, you think just because you've grown taller that you can beat me now." He laughed harshly and flexed his muscles, giving Harry a good look at the large biceps. "You don't want any of this," he said, indicating himself. "So don't try unless you're ready to get hurt."

"Gotten full of yourself haven't you Ron?"

"Not really, I'm just confident," Ron laughed.

Harry sized up his best friend. Ron was about six feet tall, give or take an inch, and Harry reckoned him to weigh an even 200 pounds, and not an ounce of it was fat. Harry had the advantage in height and reach, but he was giving up about 25 to 30 pounds. Ron was broad across the shoulders and thick through the chest. He had put on serious muscle since leaving school, and now looked more like his brother Charlie. Ron looked tough, and Harry winced when he thought about the power that must be in those big arms, but there was nothing he could do. Ron's temper was volatile to say the least, and his own anger, which had been growing steadily stronger wouldn't allow him to back down now.

"It takes more than confidence to win a fight Ron."

"I- Wait a minute! You were the guy at the club?"

"Yeah," said Harry, his voice hard and challenging.

"And you said she's in love with someone else." Harry could almost see the pieces connecting in Ron's mind. "She's in love with you!"

"Yeah. You wanna make something of it?"

"You bastard, she was supposed to be MINE!" Ron exploded in fury, throwing a wild right hand at Harry's head.

Instead of catching the punch as he had at the club, Harry dodged it and grabbed Ron by the collar. He lifted the shorter man and slammed him hard into the nearest wall.

"That's the second time you've tried to hit me," said Harry through clenched teeth. "If you don't stop that, I'm going to lose my temper." He pushed his face very close to Ron's. "Don't make me hurt you Ron," he growled.

"Try it Four Eyes!" Ron snapped, and smashed the bottle over Harry's head, knocking his glasses askew and drenching him with whiskey. Harry dropped him, stumbled a few steps and put a hand to his bleeding head.

"OW!" Harry looked at the blood on his hand and glared at Ron. "I should have known you'd use a cheap shot." He straightened his glasses, muttered a spell that made them unbreakable, and tagged Ron on the jaw with a right. Ron fell back against the wall, and wiped his mouth.

"Is that all you got?" Ron chuckled. "Ginny hits harder than you do."

"At least I didn't use a weapon." Harry sneered. "Care to try again?"

Ron smiled. "I'm going to enjoy this."

"Let's see what you got." Harry smirked.

"You're awfully cocky for a guy about to get his arse handed to him." Ron remarked.

"Bring it on." Harry motioned for Ron to attack.

Ron attacked quickly, punching hard with both hands, and Harry was hard pressed to defend himself. He danced sideways, ducking and weaving, somehow managing to evade every punch and infuriating his opponent.

"Stand still!" Ron growled, trying to hit him again.

"Whatsa matter Ronniekins? Having trouble hitting me?" Harry taunted.

"I'LL SHOW YOU RONNIEKINS!" Ron screamed and launched a much more violent attack.

Harry blocked first one haymaker then another with his forearms, and then threw a quick left jab that mashed Ron's lips back against his teeth. The redhead countered with a thunderous right that caught Harry on the temple. Harry reeled from the blow, but lashed out with one long leg and kicked Ron in the knee. Weasley cried out, and dropped to the floor clutching his leg.

"Arghhhhh! God damn it Harry! What are you trying to do, break my fuckin' leg?"

"Yeah!" Harry moved forward, but Ron's other leg shot out and caught him right above his own knee. Harry saw it coming, and bent his leg to prevent his knee getting snapped. He growled and grabbed Ron by the shirt front and lifted him to his feet.

"That was dirty Ron."

"Yeah, well you know…you do what you have to." Ron grinned, and slammed his heel down on Harry's toes. Harry retaliated with a palm thrust to Ron's chest that knocked the other man backward several feet. Ron gave him an amazed look, and then charged him, throwing a multitude of punches. Harry managed to slip a high left, but caught a hard right on the cheekbone that made bells go off inside his head and made him regret his earlier taunts. Harry realized rather belatedly that Ron was very quick, and could hit very, very hard. He dodged another left, but got another nasty shot to the head from the same right. Harry grinned ruefully, he had been right; Ron was most definitely capable of putting up a good fight.

Harry saw the left start, but this time he was ready for the follow up right and dodged first the left then the right but Ron changed the angle of his right arm at the last minute and clipped Harry with his elbow. Harry clenched his teeth against the pain and pulverized Ron's lips with a stiff left. He threw another left, but the redhead countered with an uppercut to his ribs that stood him on his tiptoes and left him gasping for air.

Trying to get some breathing room, Harry stabbed an overhand right that broke Ron's nose, and doused the front of the man's shirt in blood. He followed the right with a left to the stomach, and when Weasley bent over, Harry dropped his palm to the back of Ron's head and forced it downwards to meet his rising knee. After that little maneuver the fight got bad.

Harry spun around behind the dazed Ron and slammed his elbow into the back of Weasley's neck, and Weasley hit the floor on his knees. Harry launched a toe kick into Ron's gut, but Weasley blocked it and punched Harry straight in the balls. Harry grunted and grabbed his crotch, he staggered backwards, but Ron grabbed the front of his shirt and heaved him across the room. Harry was launched forward by Ron's throw, and landed hard on the dining table, its edge slamming into his stomach. He felt Ron grab the back of his shirt, and heard it rip as Ron yanked him off the table. Harry caught Ron with a back-fist, and as Weasley was falling, tried a snap kick to Ron's midsection. His foot was snagged, and Ron used the caught limb to spin him around. The next thing Harry felt was Ron's shoulder striking him in the back as the man propelled him face-first into another wall.

Harry threw up his arms to try to cushion the blow, and partially succeeded. His forehead struck the wall hard enough to make his eyes cross, but not enough to knock him out. He shoved away from the wall, and jammed his elbow into Ron's already abused nose. He grunted in pain when Ron slammed him against the wall, held him in place with one hand and hammered his kidneys with the other. Harry fought to turn around and a hard right to his eye spun him, he doubled over clutching his head, and then whipped an uppercut from his toes into Ron's stomach. Weasley fell back gasping, and Harry watched him warily.

"You had enough?" Harry asked.

"I'm just getting warmed up!" Ron roared.

The redhead put up his fists in the classic boxer's stance, while Harry assumed a more relaxed posture. They closed, and Harry jabbed a quick right to Ron's left eye. He caught a left hook from Ron that caused his right ear to explode in pain, and he stumbled backward. Harry watched for an opening, and got it when Ron pressed his advantage. Weasley threw a wide right and Harry grabbed the arm and used it to hurl Ron across the room. Ron hit the stereo hard, shattering the casing and knocking over the speakers.

Harry advanced on the prone man, grabbed him by the collar and yanked him to his feet. He hammered Ron in the ribs, and got elbowed in the nose. Harry howled in pain, threw Ron backwards, and the man tripped over the coffee table landing hard on his back. Harry leaned over to grab him, and Weasley kicked him in the chest with both feet.

Harry flew backward like he'd been kicked by a mule and shattered the display case. The glass sliced into his back and arms, but he ignored it. Harry pushed himself from the ruined case and met Ron in the middle of the room. He grabbed Weasley and slammed him face first into the TV. Ron roared and swept Harry's legs out from under him. Harry hit the floor on his back, and looked up in time to see Ron push the TV over on top of him. Harry rolled out of the way to avoid being crushed, and Ron kicked him in the head.

Ron grabbed Harry's hair and slammed his head on the floor repeatedly. Punch drunk, Harry sank his elbow into Ron's gut, shoved him to the floor and scrambled to his feet. He stood there, one eye swollen shut, his shirt ripped and torn, and wiped the blood from his broken nose. He watched his opponent rise and do the same. Ron worked his jaw and spat out a mouthful of blood. Harry savagely tore off his ruined shirt and popped his neck. He eyed Ron and cracked his knuckles.

"Ready for the pain?" Harry snarled.

"Don't sing it Harry, bring it!" Weasley growled and hurled himself at Harry, punching wildly. Harry stabbed a straight right to Ron's cheekbone, splitting the skin. He knew Ron was hitting him, but he was intent on putting the redhead down. He sent another right hand down the same track, and opened Ron's split cheek wider. A hard left made Harry see stars, and he slammed a right uppercut to the other man's ribs. He followed it with another right to the ribs, then feinted a left and clobbered Ron with a right hook. Weasley staggered, and Harry launched a spinning back kick at his friend's head. It caught Ron and knocked him sprawling across the sofa. Harry cocked his fist, and when Ron stood up he rolled his shoulder and put all his weight behind a straight right. It caught the other man full on the chin, Ron's eyes rolled back into his head and he folded like a busted flush.

Harry rubbed his skinned knuckles and went into the kitchen. He splashed water on his face, and then filled a pot. He conjured two icepack and went back to the living room, carrying the packs in one hand and the pot in the other. He dumped the water right in Ron's face, and the redhead sat up quickly, spitting and spluttering.

"Gah! Whazzat?" Ron blinked rapidly, cradled his head in his hands, and groaned. "Owwww. You broke my noze Harry."

Harry handed Ron one of the icepacks, held the other to his own swollen features, and dropped down on the floor beside him. "Yeah, you broke mine too."

"You look like I feel," said Ron, taking the icepack and applying it to his black eye.

"Sorry. I didn't come here to fight you. I just wanted to clear the air between you and Hermione."

"It's not fair you know." Ron mumbled through swollen lips.

"What's not?"

"You getting her. You got everything else, she was the one thing that I was supposed to get and you weren't."

Harry moved his icepack and stared at Ron like he had lost his mind. "I got everything alright. My parents were killed, the people that raised me treated me like a slave, and my life was in constant peril for seven years. What problems did you have? Oh yeah, you were poor," he snorted. "I may have had money, but it was to provide for my education. Money can't buy a family Ron, and that's all I've ever wanted."

"I know. It can't buy happiness either." Ron's voice was quiet.

"I never thought I'd hear YOU say something like that."

Ron massaged his jaw. "I've learned a lot in the past few months. I'm starting to see what you meant, being famous is a pain."

"Took you long enough," Harry said, but then reconsidered his words. "I'm sorry, that was uncalled for."

"No, it was called for. I've been a total asshole Harry. I wanted Hermione because I thought she liked me, and then I just wanted her to keep you from having her. I've treated her so badly. Do you think she'll forgive me?" Ron sounded hopeful.

"Sure. Once she sees that you're over your little obsession with her. Are you going to be alright with me and her?" Harry asked.

"Yeah," Ron ran his hands through his hair. "I don't even know what I saw in her, she's not my type and she's not even that attractive."

"She is to me." Harry said quietly.

"Well, she is attractive, but…. It's just that my tastes run more towards…" Ron made a motion with his hands, and Harry grinned.

"Yeah, I know. I saw that girl at the club."

Ron blushed, turning as red as his hair. "Oh yeah, her. Well, pretty much every girl I've been with was like her, easy on the eyes, but not much upstairs." He grinned sheepishly. "You know me… I'm more a body man than a mind man. If they look good, I don't care how dumb they are."

"Surface over substance huh?"

"Yeah, I don't like for a girl to be too smart, Hermione always intimidated me with her intelligence. I don't like that. She was always so…so…" Ron struggled to find the word.

"What?"

"Haughty towards me," Ron said finally.

"Oooh, good word usage."

"Thanks."

"As you were saying," Harry prompted.

"Right, I guess deep down I always knew she preferred you. She never talked down to you like she did me. She treated you like an equal. I see that now. I'm glad you two have gotten together, and I'm not mad, because even while I was thinking of her as my girlfriend, I was sleeping with other women. So it's a good thing I wasn't dating her, because then I would have been cheating on her, and she doesn't deserve that at all.

Ron buried his head in his hands. "I've really screwed up Harry. I've been living the wild life, money, sex, booze, you name it, and the whole time I was telling myself that this is what I always wanted. But it's not." He looked up, misery etched into his features. "I don't have any friends here Harry, at least none that I can trust. I don't know if they like me for me, or my fame, and it's driving me nuts. I don't know how you dealt with as well as you did."

"I had good friends to keep me grounded," Harry said, shrugging his shoulders. "That's all it takes."

"Whatever happened to us Harry?" Ron asked. "We used to be so close."

"I don't know." Harry gingerly felt his swollen eye. "There were indicators going back as far as 4th year."

"If you say so Harry," Ron grinned, "I've taken quite a few bludgers to the head since then, so my memory might not be very reliable."

Harry laughed. "How bad were they damaged?"

"Very funny, you know how much those things hurt."

"Yeah, I do." Harry said. He stood up and offered Ron a hand. "We okay?"

Ron took his hand and stood up as well. "Yeah, we're okay." They embraced, clapping each other on the back.

"I've missed you buddy." Harry said, stepping back.

"I've missed you too," Ron said. "Can we just pretend that the last few years never happened?"

"I'd love to man, but can't. Too much has happened that seems to be leading up to something even bigger. I'm going to need your help once I've gotten all the information together. Are you in?"

"Trouble?"

"That's an understatement."

"You-Know-Who type trouble?" asked Ron, his voice held the slightest hint of fear.

"Yeah."

"Not again! What is it this time?" Ron asked, resigned to the inevitable.

"I'll fill you in when we've gotten the rest of the information gathered." Harry grinned. "You're going to be my Ace-in-the-hole."

"Cool!" Ron went into the kitchen and came back with two butterbeers. He handed one to Harry, and they sat down at the table. Ron leaned his elbows on the table, and Harry slouched in his seat.

"Why didn't you return my owls?" Harry asked.

"Return your owls! Why didn't you return mine?" Ron exclaimed.

Harry frowned. "Something is not right here Ron. I've owled you at least twice a week since I left at graduation."

"You think someone has been stopping my mail?"

"It's the only thing that makes sense." Harry sat up straight. "Whom does your mail go through?"

"Everything I get goes straight to the team P.R. Agent."

"Do you trust him?"

Ron grinned, "Her actually, and I guess I trust her. I've slept with her."

"Quite the lady killer, huh?"

Ron shrugged, "Well, you know, if they're offering."

"Aren't you worried about paternity suits?"

"Nah…I'm careful."

"You'd better be." Harry downed his drink and stood up. "Look, I have to be getting back. Hermione is probably worried sick thinking we killed each other or something."

Ron grinned and punched him in the shoulder. "Well, it wasn't from lack of trying was it?"

"Nope," Harry grinned back.

Ron looked Harry up and down. "You look like shit Harry."

"I'm sure I do. I feel that way too."

"Want to borrow a shirt?"

"Nah, I'm good."

"You sure? You're cut up pretty good."

"Yeah, I'm sure," said Harry. "They're not that deep and the bleeding has mostly stopped. Sorry about the TV by the way."

"No problem, I never watched it anyway. I don't see the attraction Muggles have for such devices."

"You would if you'd been raised around them."

"I'm sure I would. Sure I can't get you a shirt? Or at least some bandages?"

"Don't worry about me, Hermione will patch me up when I get home."

"Tell her I said 'hi', and that I'm extremely sorry for the way I treated her," Ron said, his tone heavy with sincerity. "And that I hope we can be friends again."

"Alright, I'll tell her. Take it easy Ron."

"You too Harry."

Harry grabbed his cape from the recliner. "Let me fix this place before I leave." He waved his hand, and the apartment and Ron were restored to perfect condition. "Oh yeah, I almost forgot, you may be getting a brother-in-law."

"Wow!" said Ron, feeling his face and looking around at his flat. His face fell when Harry's words finally registered. "A brother - in - law? Really? Which one of my brothers turned gay on me, and who are they marrying?"

"Not your brothers Ron… Ginny."

"Ginny? Who in their right mind would want to marry her? She's just like Mum, and I can't imagine anyone insane enough to find that attractive." Ron thought a moment. "Well, besides Dad that is. Who's the unlucky guy?"

"Draco Malfoy."

"WHAT?" Ron shouted. "Ginny and that…that…MALFOY! I can't believe her, my own flesh and blood consorting with filth like him!" Ron raked a hand through his short, stylish hair savagely. "After everything that slimy no good git has said and done, she's dating him. Oh God, wait till I get my hands on him! I'll pop him like the oily, white headed little pimple he is!" Ron threw his bottle against the wall where it shattered. He gave Harry a plaintive look. "Where did I go wrong with her Harry? Didn't I do everything to show her how worthless that scumbag is?"

"Yep, and Ron, keep it under your hat, but I think he may be using her to resurrect Voldemort."

"Don't say his name!"

"Ron, I am not about to go around calling that idiot 'You-Know-Who.' He is and always will be Voldemort, there's no use in being scared to call him that."

"Fine, you call him what you want, I'm sticking with 'You-Know-Who'." Ron frowned suddenly. "You say Malfoy may be using my sister?"

"Yeah."

"So she may not be in control of herself, right? There may still be hope for her." Ron said eagerly.

"It's entirely possible. I've got Bill looking into it, so you steer clear." Harry gave Ron a hard look. "Alright?"

"Yeah, alright." Ron grumbled.

"I mean it Ron, stay out of it, I don't want Malfoy getting wind of anything." Harry warned.

"Okay, I'll stay out of it."

"Good, I'll let you know when and where we need you. Until then, keep up the appearance of being mad at me and Hermione. Just in case somebody's spying on you," said Harry, winking.

"Got it, Ron said smiling. "It's good to be working with you again Harry. Just like old times huh?"

"Just like old times," Harry agreed, a huge grin splitting his features. He waved and the air around him shimmered. He reappeared in his study seconds later. He checked his watch and saw that the time was past 8 o'clock; Harry was mildly surprised that Hermione wasn't pacing a trench in the floor waiting for his return. He threw his cape on the sofa and stepped into the hallway. The sound of running water caught his attention, and the idea of a hot shower was so appealing that he commenced to strip right there in the hall. He opened the door and stepped into the steamy bathroom, he laid his glasses on the sink and eased over to the shower. He squinted, trying to make out Hermione's form through the steamed glass and his incredibly poor eyesight. All he could see was a big pink blur in front of him, so he figured she wouldn't get too upset if he joined her. Besides, he was too tired and sore after his fight with Ron to really care. The sound of the shower masked that of the door opening, and he stepped inside nearly giving Hermione a heart attack when she turned around.

"HARRY! What are you doing in here? GET OUT!" Hermione struggled to cover herself.

"I can't see you, and I'm too tired to do anything even remotely strenuous."

"Harry! You're hurt!" Hermione grabbed his head and tried to examine him, but he pushed her hands away.

"Yeah, I'll tell you all about it later. Bathe first, then heal."

"Okay," Hermione said, grabbing a wash - cloth and soaping it up. "I have to say that I'm more than a little uncomfortable with this Harry."

"I'm sorry. But remember what I said about using my power? If I heal myself it's going to take a lot of my strength and I don't have it to spare right now. So please do this for me."

"Alright, but you owe me big - time."

"What are you complaining about? You're the one getting the free show. I can't even tell what you look like."

"True." Hermione grew quiet, and Harry wondered what was going on in her head.

"What are you doing?" He asked, beginning to feel self conscious.

"Enjoying the view," Hermione said, and Harry could hear the smile in her voice.

"That's not funny, not to mention unfair."

"You used to watch me when we were at school, turnabouts is fair play."

"I only watched you a few times."

"You said you watched from 5th all the way to 7th year!"

"I did, just not every night. I was exaggerating when I said that."

"Harry Potter!"

"Look, can we continue this later? I really need to clean up, heal up, and rest up."

"This is not over Harry." Hermione promised, running the cloth over his chest and shoulders. The soap cut through the dried blood and found every nick, scratch, cut, scrape, and gash inflicted by his battle with Ron. Hermione scrubbed his stomach, and back then handed the cloth to him for the more personal areas.

"All yours. I'll be waiting for you in your room when you get out." She opened the door and stepped out, leaving Harry to contemplate the rapidly cooling water.

Harry quickly finished bathing, stepped out of the shower and promptly stubbed his toe. He cursed, wrapped a towel around his waist, and headed for his room. He entered his bedroom to find Hermione wearing a robe and sitting on his bed with a pensieve cradled in her hands. She looked up when he walked in, set the pensieve aside, and leaped off the bed. She pushed him to a sitting position, and inspected his injuries.

"Did Ron do this when you told him about us?"

Harry grinned. "Yeah, and if you think I look bad, you should see him."

Hermione tutted impatiently, "Honestly Harry. I do hope you didn't hurt each other too bad." She tilted his head up and examined his black eye. "This looks like it hurts."

"Yeah, it does," Harry grimaced when she pressed just a trifle too hard.

"Sorry." Hermione winced in sympathy. "I hate to ask this, but how did it go? Aside from the obvious fight I mean."

"Pretty good actually, he was okay with everything…after we beat the hell out of each other that is," Harry added ruefully. "He sends his apologies by the way."

"Great. It's about time he apologized for something." Hermione said bitterly.

"Now, now Hermione, be nice. You know being a bitch doesn't suit you." Harry chided.

"Darn, and I try so hard." She smiled suddenly. "Was Ron injured so bad that he had to go to a Mediwizard for his injuries?"

"Nope, I whooshed them away."

"Why didn't you do the same to your own?"

"Pumpkin, half the fun of having a girlfriend is having her fuss over you when you get hurt." He grinned.

"Well, if that's the criteria for being a girlfriend, then I've been yours since 1st year."

"That's what Ron said, that you've always been mine or preferred me. He just didn't want to accept it. He felt that since I got everything else in life, he deserved you. Then he insulted you, but not in a mean spirited way."

"Is he going to help?"

"Yeah, he was very anxious to be friends again." Harry frowned. "He's been miserable without us."

"Well, I'm glad he's come to his senses."

"Do you forgive him?"

"Yes. As long as he doesn't bring it up, neither will I." She inspected the gash Harry had gotten from the whiskey bottle and tutted under her breath.

"That's fair, now, about my injuries," Harry said.

"Oh poor baby, let me kiss your boo boos away."

Harry smirked. "Just heal me, and don't stop with just the visible wounds, make it a full body repair spell."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah, I have aches and pains in places you can't reach," said Harry. "Also, can you do something about my eyes? I had forgotten how big a pain wearing glasses was."

"You can't fix them yourself?"

"No, and I'm not sure why. I think it has something to do with Voldemort coming back. You can use my power to fix them, but I can't." Harry took her hand and placed it on his forehead. "Heal the body first, and then I'll help you fix my sight."

"Alright Harry." Hermione took her wand from the pocket of her robe and tapped Harry's head three times. She muttered the healing spell, and his wounds closed and his energy returned.

"Now the eyes," Harry moved her hand down over his eyes and covered it with his own. "Concentrate on the healing spell, and I'll channel my power through you. Keep repeating the spell and it should work…I hope."

"Okay Harry." Hermione started chanting the spell under her breath.

Harry felt her hand grow warm under his, and his eyes started to tingle pleasantly.

"Ahh," he sighed, "it's working." A few moments later he let go of Hermione's hand and smiled broadly. "Much better! Thank you."

"Is that all I get?" Hermione asked. She leaned down and looked him in the eye, a mischievous grin playing about her lips.

Harry's now much keener eyesight awarded him a view of cleavage, and he answered her playful grin with a wicked one. "I'm sure I can think of something that would show my gratitude."

"I'll bet you can," Hermione said, noticing where he was looking, "and as much as I'd like to explore those possibilities, we simply must stop torturing ourselves." She tugged her robe closed.

"I know, but it is fun." Harry pulled her down onto his lap and squeezed her bottom. He instantly regretted his action as it caused certain parts of his body to respond to the pressure caused by her firm behind. And since he was only wearing a towel, he knew she was as aware as he was. He covered his embarrassment by rubbing her thigh.

"It's nice to have a distraction every now and then."

"I agree," Hermione said, slapping at his roaming hands. "However we should try to keep our senses and concentrate on the problems at hand."

"Alright, alright," Harry looked at the pensieve setting on the side of the bed and indicated it with a nod of his head. "Mission accomplished I see."

"Yes, it was still in the Headmaster's office just as McGonagall said."

"Did you find anything of interest in there?"

"I've been waiting for you to get home."

"Oh. Well, there's no sense wasting any more time. Let's check it out."

"Aren't you going to get dressed first?"

"Why? They won't be able to see me, and you already have, so where's the problem?"

"I give up. If you want to run around Dumbledore's memories wearing nothing but a towel, then be my guest."

"You're only wearing a robe," said Harry, but Hermione's expression shut him up. "Fine, I'll throw something on." Harry stood up quickly, unseating her and headed for his dresser. He grabbed a pair of briefs and sweats and pulled them on right in front of her. He snagged a shirt off the bed, yanked it on and looked at her.

"Happy now?"

"Yes, thank you."

"Let's get this over with so I can get some sleep." Harry said, sitting back down and staring into the bowl. Hermione sat next to him and placed her head beside his. They stared for a good few minutes, moving their heads closer and closer until their noses touched the silvery liquid inside. Harry's bedroom lurched, and they fell forward into the bowl.

To Be Continued

Author's Notes: Please read and review. I'll take any kind of constructive criticism. I really need some good constructive criticism. If you like it, tell me why & in detail. If you don't like it, tell me why & in extreme detail. I'll even take flames, IF they are constructive. Remember, the more reviews I get the faster I can get out the other chapters! = )