Disclaimer: All Harry Potter characters and story affiliations mentioned in this fan fiction all belong to JK Rowling and legal associations. I own nothing of it nor am I profiting from it now or planning to in the future in any way. The only exception of profit is to my self for literary improvement.
Author to Reader Note: I apologize fore taking so long to update, admittedly I took a break to go over my previous chapters
I want to reiterate my deep appreciation for the wonderful reviews, I am inspired to go further and literally beg for more, picture hands and knees begging here. I will take all reviews. Tell me what you don't like as well what you do like. I need criticism to grow. Admittedly some grammar and spelling errors are still present. I only have time to write at night and sometimes very late so I kind of miss a few things.
I don't know the rules to Quidditch so I may have a few things incorrect by adding my own accounts to the game.
If you have questions you just HAVE to ask or would like to give me a more in depth review (of which I encourage) you can send/e-mail them to itmonster@hotmail.com . It's the e-mail I use for my fan fictions, so it's cool.
Revised 7/6/03
Harry Potter and the Turmoil Within
Chapter 13
Boiled Hearts and Tempers
Harry still couldn't stop feeling like something was wrong as all the players took their positions. It was even worse when the Hufflepuff seeker took position in front of Harry on the field… the Hufflepuff seeker… Justin Flinch-Fletchley.
The very boy Harry nearly killed now stared back at him with a nervous but friendly grin. Harry realized just how distracting things must have been the last two weeks to have never discovered that Justin was the replacement seeker for his house.
-Justin, - thought Harry as his insides went cold, -I never did say anything to him. -
He racked his brain with ideas of what to say to Justin concerning the library. Everything he thought sounded stupid.
Harry decided it best to simply tell him he was sorry and held no grudge about it. That was true; it was horrid being told by Dumbledore that Justin had been hurt so bad for something he was being forced to do and Harry was sure there had to have been something less drastic that could have been done.
So Harry gritted his teeth and did what he knew to be right.
There was one problem though he hadn't been paying much of any attention to the field and Madam Hooch had blown her whistle at the moment Harry made his decision. So he had to remain in position until the Quaffle was thrown or risk a foul to Gryffindor.
The Bludgers flew up and out of the stadium, followed by the Golden Snitch. The tiny golden ball flew near Harry hovering there momentarily, almost as if it were daring Harry to take a grab at it.
Harry resisted reaching for it, Madam Hooch still had to throw up the Quaffle for the game to begin but the snitch still seem to just hover there when it was suppose to fly off.
Much to the crowd's delight, Madam Hooch threw up the Quaffle and the game began.
Justin flew forward for the snitch and Harry backed off as the snitch flew towards him rather than away. Justin wasn't able to catch the snitch as a group of chasers forced a detour as flying up quarreling for the Quaffle.
Harry hovered off to the side, high above the field. He decided on a different tact, just end the game quick and get to Justin before Hufflepuff goes to their locker room.
-Damn where is it, - yelled Harry inwardly.
Harry scanned the field high and low, squinting for the tiniest glint of gold.
Justin hovered even with Harry on the other side of the field. Fred held his position mid way down the Hufflepuff end of the field and his twin stayed near Ron. The Hufflepuff beaters had opposing positions, keeping themselves ready for the Bludgers at any time. The chasers went back and forth across the field sparing, sometimes aggressively, for the Quaffle.
Then he saw it, at the base of the Hufflepuff center goal, hovering just behind it... the Golden Snitch. Harry took off at full speed towards the goal post. Justin followed but whether having seen the snitch or not, no one knew.
The crowd roared as Harry and Justin sped by on either side towards the snitch. Every moment that passed, both seekers came closer to the snitch.
And with each moment passing, Harry's bad feeling grew.
The snitch now could be easily seen, Harry could easily make a grab for it soon since Justin was trailing far behind with an inferior broom.
The snitch rose a few feet, moving out away from the goal post in Harry's direction. It just stayed there as Harry closed in on it. Justin had no hope in getting it, as soon as it moved Harry would be on its trail.
Except as Harry closed in on it, the snitch didn't fly away beckoning for the chase but instead flew at Harry. He wasn't sure why but he veered off and let the snitch fly by. It stopped a few feet away and danced about as if taunting the Gryffindor. Justin flew by, having closed his gap in Harry's hesitation. The snitch took off at top speed.
"What was that," whispered Harry confused, "It flew towards me."
Justin stopped, having lost the snitch somehow, clutching his hand close to himself.
Harry stayed where he was, by the center Hufflepuff goal post, looking around again but this time not for the snitch.
-Something's wrong here, - thought Harry looking around.
The chasers were going back and forth...
The keepers held their positions...
The beaters were ready for the Bludgers…
"The Bludgers," questioned Harry aloud before a strange realization set in?
Gripping his broom, Harry took off towards Madam Hooch.
A few minutes later the crowd murmured loudly as Madam Hooch blew her whistle three times calling for a timeout.
Harry landed on the field and the Gryffindor team descended to his position.
"Harry what's going on," asked Ron puzzled, "We're ahead forty points."
Harry didn't answer but walked quickly towards the Hufflepuffs. The Gryffindors followed awaiting Harry's explanation but nothing was said.
They came to a stop before the Hufflepuffs, much of the crowd's murmurs still continued as the two teams met.
Before Harry said anything, he saw Justin's hand, wrapped in a handkerchief with blood easily seeping through.
"Justin," inquired Harry, "How did you get hurt?"
"I tried to grab the snitch but its wing cut me," replied Justin.
"Your time is almost up," stated Madam Hooch, approaching the teams.
Harry stared at Justin's hand a moment longer before turning to Madam Hooch.
"Cancel the game," stated Harry fiercely!
Everyone stared, including Madam Hooch.
Harry turned and grabbed Justin's hand, pulling it out for everyone to see.
"The snitch isn't sharp, how did it cut him," snapped Harry?
"Harry it's just a cut," answered Fred.
"Harry," began Ron hesitantly.
"Really," snapped Harry again, glaring at them all, "You know you're right… it is just a cut… just like the bruises we have are just bruises from those Bludgers bashing us around."
One of the Hufflepuff beaters replied annoyed, "We haven't had any trouble with the Bludgers, they're… "
The boy stopped and everyone started to have the same thought but Harry voiced it, "Exactly… where are the Bludgers? I've never played a game without having one on my tail."
Ron whispered, "Malleck took long enough to do something more."
"Perfect time," responded Harry looking into the stands as another thought came to mind, "The whole castle and more, gathered here at once... lots of victims."
Madam Hooch took to her broom, flying to Dumbledore in the stands.
She conversed with the Headmaster and it looked as if Dumbledore was going to agree with the cancellation from his nodding accept never got to give a final answer as the tower stands suddenly gave a violent shake as Bludger burst through the wall of the tower stand causing it to begin tilting to one side.
People in the crowd screamed at the site but changed their source of worry as the other Bludger appeared in similar fashion through another wall of stands. In seconds, both Bludgers were just bashing in and out of the stands. From the cracking sounds heard, the Bludgers were breaking the beams that supported the stone. The tower stands were beginning to wobble as the Bludgers easily destabilized them. Fear and panic intensified almost instantly. The Bludgers waved close to the students as the destructive duo pummeled into the stone splintering more support beams repeatedly.
The wind whipped about the scene and Harry knew he had to help.
"We have to hold back the Bludgers, beaters… with me and Ron," commanded Harry, "The rest of you, get people out of here."
Harry jumped on his broom, taking off, Ron and all four beaters following behind.
"Split up, "yelled Ron.
Harry, Ron and one of the Hufflepuff beaters went towards one Bludger as the others pursued the second one.
They closed in on it quickly and the Hufflepuff beater hit it with the club with all his might only to discover a new surprise. The club broke on impact and from the breaking sound with it so did the arm of the Hufflepuff boy.
In severe pain, the boy fell off his broom, caught by Harry in mid fall. Ron continued after the Bludger while Harry lowered the boy to the ground. The beater was in real pain and knowing that medical aid would be a while, something had to be done.
"I'm sorry about this," apologized Harry pulling his wand out," Stupefy!"
He stunned the boy, temporarily stopping the pain of the injury. Harry grabbed his broom, with wand in hand and was about to take off to help Ron only to be stop by a loud thud on the ground. He turned to see that Ron had a hold of their Bludger and was wrestling with it, in an amazingly strong grip, cursing freely at it.
Harry didn't have time to gawk at his friend. Ron would buy time for the aid of professors with holding the Bludger back so attention had to be given to its twin. The beaters were fighting hard against it but having little result. It had already broken George's club and the other Hufflepuff beater had blood trailing from his lip suggesting that the Bludger had done damaged to him previously.
Harry felt something in his blood energize and so, on his broom, took flight to help them. He was halfway there before something shiny whizzed by him following with searing pain in his arm. Harry stopped and touched the spot; pulling his hand back to find it covered in blood. Something gold blurred by again and yet again came the same pain but in his leg. Before having a chance to act, the thing struck again and again each time faster and faster. Harry managed to realize that it was the snitch attacking, its tiny wings like blades, slicing cloth and flesh easily. Harry wasn't sure what to do, it was too fast to hit with a wand and the pain was very distracting. The one thing was sure and that was Harry was getting angry.
Someone flew by Harry and the attack stopped. Turning, he was surprised to see Justin there. Having removed his robes, Justin had trapped the snitch inside the bundled cloth.
Justin looked back at Harry, shouting, "I'll take care of this, get the Bludger!"
Not saying a word, Harry continued his original path to help the other beaters. He discovered that the snitch had a done a well job in its purpose, as Fred being lowered to the ground by the Hufflepuff beater with help from George. Their Bludger, having escaped, headed into the Gryffindor stands.
There Hermione was using her magic to stabilize the stands while students tried to get out of the wobbling section. Harry watched helplessly as Hermione just barely dodged the Bludger as it smashed into her last position. The Bludger reappeared, bursting from underground a distance away and again flew towards Hermione.
Harry felt his pulse quicken and the air around go cold as he zoomed faster towards the Bludger, gaining significant ground easily. Soon everything was just a blur as his speed multiplied and the boom grew hot from the expending magic. He could feel a stinging sensation in his eyes. He had come within a few feet of the Bludger as it finished the distance towards the stands. Harry could feel a prickling sensation fill his body as his anger grew.
Hermione continued to use her magic in spite of the looming threat to help her fellow peers. A fact that made Harry angrier, his friend, someone he felt close to, having had odd sensations for now stood in imminent danger still helping others as he would. The Bludger was going to hit into the stands no matter what and Harry knew that couldn't be stopped but there was something that could be changed and that was who it would hit…
A surge of strength flowed through him and with a powerful burst pushed past the Bludger. His last memory was connecting with it, pushing it away before he and the Bludger smashed into the stone wall of the stands.
Hermione watched the scene horrified, as they passed into the insides of the stands. The Bludger exited out through the back and Hermione hurried down the stairs to the lower inside levels.
Hermione managed to work her way through the fallen wooden beams and past the chunks of stone brick to where Harry lay. The site that greeted her caused her breath to stop as the rhythms of her chest froze.
There Harry lay; amidst stone and wood from the wall of the Gryffindor stands. His glasses gone, robes shredded while blood pooled slowly from his mouth and on his chest from hidden wounds.
Hermione knelt as close as she could get, wanting to do something, anything but knowing to move him would only make things worse until his injuries were known. A slow fluidic sound of air moving and the rising of Harry's chest told Hermione that he still lived. She was relieved to know that fact but she had little time to relish upon it as the developing sound of a whistle reached her ears.
Hermione looked out through the opening created by Harry's battle with the Bludger to see a small metal object growing in size as it drew nearer, gaining in speed.
The Bludger had returned and now hurled straight for them; ready to finish its dark mission.
Hermione stood, withdrew her wand and took aim…
Every charm, curse and hex left her wand and hit the Bludger but to no avail. Whatever was done to make the Bludger take on a dastardly quest of destruction had also made it invulnerable to magic as all of Hermione's spells did nothing but create show of fireworks as the Bludger blazed through them unaffected. Closer and closer it drew as its whistling warning intensified.
Hermione knew only one way now to stop further injury to Harry. With a quick squeeze to his hand, Hermione moved and stood before the opening between Harry and the oncoming metallic beast.
She could feel her cheeks become wet as tears streamed down from her eyes. Her body would most likely not withstand the hit but it would buy time for professors to get to them.
Time slowed down for her as the Bludger closed the final distance; she took in a deep breath as a quick breeze blew past her.
"I won't let you die Harry, "whispered Hermione to the unconscious boy, "I… I… I l…"
Hermione didn't finish her message. The Bludger passed into the opening of the stands and in a moment she knew all would end.
A deep growl resonated behind her…
Hermione meant to turn but a crushing grip formed around her waist and violently pulled her away from the opening…
From the corner of her eye all she saw was the Bludger come within inches of a dark figure... a bleeding figure.
There came a bright flash ending with a deafening explosion. Hermione felt the front of her hit something hard and a great weight lay on upon her.
Still stunned from the explosion she managed to make out the stone she had fallen down upon. Ahead a wall of piled stone and broken beams fell away as a red haired figure, loudly cursing, pushed away the blocking debris with ease. She just noticed the blood splattered, robe torn arm that draped over her shoulder before finally fainting.
When she awoke…
"Do you expect me to believe that Potter destroyed that Bludger while in this condition," scoffed Madam Pomfrey, "I can't believe that… even with the previous injuries he's had before, it would have been indescribable the amount of pain that there would have been to even consider moving let alone destroy anything."
Hermione had begun to open her eyes and heard Madam Pomfrey speak this. She was in a bed, presumably in the hospital wing with the curtain drawn all the way around her.
"Believe it," came Daken's snapping voice," The girl had flash burns on her robes and you removed the metal bits of the Bludger from his arm yourself."
A soothing voice now spoke, "Madam Pomfrey… Daken… enough… yes this is all strange… but for now we must help Harry… where is your assistant?"
Hermione could recognize Dumbledore voice anywhere.
"She's helping the other professors with the students… Dumbledore… Harry isn't responding to my healing spells… and he seems to have developed some kind of resistance to my potions," spoke Pomfrey seriously concerned, "Unless I can increase his body's strength, I can't use any stronger magic."
"Then we shall have to use other means," simply stated Dumbledore.
"So you know which one is Earth then? My suspicions were correct it really is," spoke Daken were a note of satisfaction.
Dumbledore interrupted with an odd hint of strong authority," I only have thoughts of strong possibility… I will not ask until I know for sure… but you, Daken… can provide the other means as to which I was referring to."
"What can he do?" asked Madam Pomfrey.
Dumbledore spoke again but his voice was no longer soothing rather hard and final, "Poppy, please leave us… you cannot be present for this."
Hermione listened as well as she could, hardly daring to breathe in fear that they would know she was awake and listening. She could hear the nurse make a sound as if to protest but footsteps soon told Hermione that the nurse had left as told to.
"This is a bad idea," spoke Daken with a hint a danger," You've already got me here and Draco is not far along enough. Harry will have side effects of the transition… you'll have a territory fight before long."
"Each problem as they occur, we shall deal with, "replied Dumbledore his tone the same.
A silence fell and Hermione waited…
"Get the knife," spoke Daken viciously, "Pray that the first girl to fall victim to this will... understand."
"It will only be temporary, I'm sure Harry will control himself," stated Dumbledore, "It should only be about a month or two."
"I will remember you said that when he feels the effects of the boiling blood," replied Daken in an acid tone.
Hermione let her thoughts go rampant of the information she had gathered as the room went silent again except for the clinking of vials and the unsheathing of a blade. A small grunt told her that something had been cut with effort.
Daken spoke again and his tone had not changed, "The wounds are healing… incredibly faster than they should… Severus will need to make more of the potion… I don't have enough for three."
"I will speak with him before the day ends," spoke Dumbledore, his voice soothing again," You'll be… explaining this to Ronald?"
A quick silence came…
"I'd rather tell Molly, Ron might burn my skin off when he finds out," replied Daken quietly," I'm sure Ron is the Fire elemental as we know almost for certain that Harry is the Lightening one."
"Ronald has displayed little magic to demonstrate such a thing," spoke Dumbledore inquiringly.
There was a loud snort followed with, "Ask Molly about Ron as a baby… when I first met his family and then you'll know why I can be so sure."
Another silence came and Daken spoke again with a hint of desire in his voice.
"I wonder if Severus might have the right idea… we'll know for certain of the two boys and it will confirm the Earth one as well."
Hermione could not remember the last time she ever heard Dumbledore speak in a voice of a threatening nature but now she did.
"I have let you have much of your way in this school but no such attempt shall be done… I am headmaster and for the moment… you are a professor here… do not test that."
"Very well… Headmaster," responded Daken placidly before his footsteps could be heard leaving.
Another silence came before Dumbledore spoke again.
"What could be compelling enough to awaken him to such a painful state and drive him to continue fighting?" questioned Dumbledore openly but his voice gave the hint to knowing the answer already.
Hermione was preparing to act as if she had awoken but waited when new footsteps entered the room.
"Headmaster all the students have been met with and there are no injuries aside from Mr. Flinch-Fletchley and Ms. Chang," reported a familiar woman's voice," He had some very bad cuts, while the lady had a fractured collar bone but both are fine now but I asked for them both to stop by tomorrow for a checkup."
"That is good to hear," replied Dumbledore with a relieving sigh.
"How is Harry?" asked the woman.
"See for yourself."
A loud gasp soon replaced the momentary silence.
"I knew Madam Pomfrey was highly accommodated for healing skills but I didn't know she could work this fast... Harry's nearly healed," spoke the woman with great surprise.
Hermione could see the figure of the woman in shadows on the drawn curtain… a very definite figure.
"I'm sure Madam Pomfrey will be glad to know you are impressed," added Dumbledore," Especially coming from someone as young as you Ms. Nulbeck."
-Maylen, - thought Hermione -The woman from the museum?-
The figure of the woman turned and her shadowed hand reached for Hermione's drawn curtain. In a quick instant she had pulled the curtain open and stood with a grin as she looked down at the awaken Hermione.
"Good evening Hermione," greeted Maylen with a sweet smile," You're a lucky girl. Not many boys go through this kind of pain for their… friends."
"Ah Ms. Granger, I am pleased to know you are well and uninjured," added Dumbledore with a smile.
Hermione wondered if he knew she had been awake the whole time. His smile certainly suggested that.
Dumbledore made to leave the hospital wing with farewell nod.
After closing the doors behind him, Maylen turned back to Harry as Hermione climbed out of the bed.
"He's a mess," chuckled Maylen," Boys and their sports… they just can't play nice can they?"
Hermione found that she may not have been injured but she was sore all over since she had been tossed around and knocked hard to the floor. Maylen stood beside Harry watching Hermione kindly.
"What," asked Hermione curiously?
"I need to clean Harry up from this bloodied mess," answered Maylen quietly.
"So," replied Hermione, stretching a bit.
Maylen continued to stand in the same spot, her eyebrows raised and her lips pursed together in a straining grin.
"I think you're still a little young for this," continued Maylen, humor evident in her voice.
Maylen was trying not to laugh about something but Hermione wasn't following. Hermione watched as the young nurse's eyes trailed along Harry's form from head to toe then back to Hermione with her head titled. Hermione still didn't get the message Maylen was trying to silently imply until Hermione did the same thing as Maylen. Hermione scanned Harry from head to toe, seeing his bloodied and torn clothes from shirt to shoes.
-What is she getting at, so his whole body is…- inquired Hermione to herself until at last the implied idea sunk in.
-His whole body?-
"Oh… yes I'll go," spoke up Hermione as her face went hot and red with embarrassment.
Harry's face wasn't the only area that needed to be cleaned as Hermione finally realized. She left the hospital wing as quickly as possible, still blushing as red as possible. She walked through the darkened corridor, heading for the library to see if she could find some answers to the clues she now had.
"She's quite persistent, if not nosy," chuckled Daken quietly as he stepped forth from a shadowed area near the door of the hospital wing.
"Hermione isn't the only one who's nosy," came a boy's voice that Daken recognized but knew it couldn't be.
"It can't be…"
"Humans can use the Shadow Shroud spell too, Daken," said Ron as he stepped from a shadow as well near Daken.
"When?"
"Studied it ever since Harry woke up in the dormitory after the void spell was used," answered Ron," I knew you were in the room. You told me about the Shadow Shroud before… knowing what you are, I knew what to look for."
"It's not something to fool with Ron, the cold can kill if you wait too long," informed Daken cautiously.
Ron being able to perform the Shadow Shroud spell effectively and have been in it so long without freezing surprised Daken completely.
-Percy couldn't even do that spell, - thought Daken worryingly.
"Lecture me later about dangerous magic," snapped Ron impatiently, "I heard the vials and I saw the knife but I don't want to believe that you infused Harry with your blood."
"Then you know what Harry will go through," asked Daken cautiously.
Ron looked severely unsettled and was glaring at Daken. The corridor was suddenly getting warm even though the evening was cool and the sun low. Sweat beaded on Daken's forehead but Ron remained completely normal.
"I'll keep Harry from … hurting anyone," answered Ron in a dark and quiet voice, "You get me some of that potion and keep Draco at bay… Draco makes one move and I'll be the one who finishes it."
"Ron… what's happening to you," inquired Daken slowly and worryingly," You were never so sinister like?"
The room heated up further and the air was getting hard to breathe as it heated. The torches in the corridors began to ignite on their own. Daken struggle with his breath and watched in surprised as Ron was still un-phased by the changing environment.
-I was right… he is the Fire elemental, - thought Daken, - Just like years ago, his temper is heating things up.-
"I made a few decisions," answered Ron in a near whisper," And watching your best friend nearly get mutilated kind of adds to it."
With that Ron walked away turning the corner, leaving Daken alone as the corridor began to cooled.
"Will you still protect him when he tries to kill you," spoke Daken fearfully.
Evening fell upon Hogwarts and the Great Hall filled with students for the feast. There was hardly any talk of Quidditch and Dumbledore made only one announcement to say that Harry was okay. Hermione and Ron sat at the end of the table. Ron demolished anything and everything on his plate. Some people dared to ask Ron about Harry only to receive curt and simple answers. Hermione ignored everything around her eating quietly while focusing her mind on what was said in the hospital wing.
What could be compelling enough…
I don't have enough for three…
A territory fight before long…
Boiling blood…
The first girl to fall victim…
-What does it all mean, - thought Hermione?
Later they tried to visit Harry but Madam Pomfrey forbade it, even when asked if permission were acquired. Ron didn't seem happy but was not surprised at the answer. Hermione felt uneasy about leaving Harry alone for so long. Madam Pomfrey may have been refusing visitation but she also seemed very hesitant about being in the hospital wing herself. Ron and Hermione barely spoke except to bid each other goodnight after working on their homework for a while. In time the castle went quiet as students settled in for a night's rest and pleasant dreams before another day of classes.
However Harry's dreams were of the opposite sort…
It was night, fog was everywhere but it wasn't putrid smelling. It was still cold but not numbingly so. Moonlight filtered through the dense fog and Harry could make out bits of shrubbery and dark soil. Harry could definitely tell this was not the maze he normally expected.
"Now what," whispered Harry?
Harry walked forward near the shrubby he could see.
"Did you think you could hide things from me for long?" came a growling voice.
"I'd call it convenient withholding of certain truths," followed a dark voice.
"Call it what you wish, she won't be yours," said the growling voice.
Journeying through the fog, Harry found himself behind a bush that hid him from a strange scene. Further ahead Harry could see two men arguing. Their appearances were only dark figures to Harry as the moonlight did not filter enough through the fog to reveal their forms.
"She chose me, I didn't need magic to sway someone as desperate and simple as her," stated the dark voice.
"There is only one person among us who truly loves her and you won't destroy that," threatened the growling voice.
"Love?" questioned the dark voice," You're not one to speak of love and destruction… isn't that right Malleck? You who dwells in suffering and torture for amusement… you lecture me about who can love and who can destroy… ridiculous, we are the same type of wizard."
The growling voice chuckled and replied, "The same type? Hardly, I don't deny being a half breed… you lie to others about your so called pure blood… the very blood spawned from a muggle father that rejected you… oh yes how wonderful it would be if your close 'friends' discovered just how pure that wizard heritage of yours really is."
"Do not dare to threaten me," yelled the dark voice with a dangerous tone," I am nothing of muggle filth!"
A swish of air and Harry could see wands being drawn. The one with a growling voice was amazingly fast and drew his wand first. He spoke a word Harry could not understand and in an instant, now held the other's wand.
"Did you forget my advice? "The growling voice spoke, "Always keep your wand ready and your instincts sharp."
The dark voice said nothing in return.
"Don't worry too much… you know I'd never hurt her," sneered the growling voice raising its wand," As far she'll ever know when your corpse is buried and her tears are shed is that Malleck killed you while stealing my research… Goodbye friend."
The growling one raised his wand and a green glow filled the tip. The moment came for the curse to unleash but the wizard lost the chance. Another spell pierced the fog, the same shade of green and struck the wizard with the growling voice down.
A new figure emerged from behind the fallen wizard, a figure of a woman with her wand raised in attack. The dark one approached her as she stood next to the body of the defeated wizard.
"We should leave here, an unforgivable curse will be detected," said the dark voice which had lightened to a softer, more human tone.
"I killed him," whispered the woman in an emotionally vacant voice.
"You didn't know… no one did," said the wizard," You saved me… You have no idea how appreciative I am of that."
The wizard leaned in towards the woman and Harry got the distinct impression he was kissing her.
A moment later, the wizard guided her away with one last thing Harry could hear, "Things will be different now that Malleck no longer threatens… others. You are the reason for that change, remember well."
The couple vanished into the thick fog and Harry stepped out from the bushes, walking slowly to the fallen wizard.
-Malleck is dead- thought Harry confused?
"Markus!"
A glowing fire appeared in the fog as another emerged carrying a torch and held his wand ready. Harry was going to go back the bush but it was too late. He was standing by the body, surely to have been seen. Harry began to back away as the wizard tossed the torch aside and approached, trying to think of what to say but the truth would be as weird the previous moments were. The wizard fell to his knees by the fallen one and hoisted the torso closer to him. The wizard seemed to ignore Harry completely.
A raspy breath escaped the torso and Harry realized the person was still alive.
"Markus, I'm sorry! I was trapped by a void spell and I …"
The newly arrived wizard tried to explain his apparent failure in sobs but the raspy voice interrupted him, stuttering.
"She… does not… know… tell her," struggled the raspy voice, dwindling in strength, "Fibuar… Yubarem… Maypium…"
One last breath escaped from the lips of the struck wizard followed by his body giving one last shake before at last the end had come and his form went limp in final death. Sobs of anger came as the kneeling wizard cried, holding this person who must have been his friend. Harry wanted to say something but having realized he was in a dream knew that he was only witnessing events and not able to partake in them.
The crying wizard, between sobs, made a vow in whisper to the fallen one.
His voice growled much the same as the fallen wizard," He'll pay dearly for this… no matter what must be done… no matter who must die… he'll pay."
The vowing wizard raised his head and in the dim moonlight filtered by the fog, the only descriptive features Harry could see of this person were silver eyes… and fangs.
Harry woke up suddenly, looking around to see the hospital wing and the hour must be late given the darkness in the room. A warm light glowed by his side and squinted to see a small fire crackling in midair. A small green thing lay at the end of the bed and realized from the squeaking sounds that it was a snoring house elf.
"Dobby," whispered Harry.
So the odd elf stayed with Harry when others couldn't at that hour. Harry could help but find it comforting to know that Dobby would put itself out so much for his sake creating a fire that kept them warm during the night and being a companion to curb any loneliness.
Harry felt awake now even having had another terrible dream but was grateful for not having to converse with anything this time. He slowly climbed out of bed, grabbed a blanket from nearby and tucked it around the elf.
Having found his glasses, Harry walked over to the window and looked out into the night. He realized suddenly there were some odd details about these actions. The fact that he felt completely well, no soreness or stiffness, not even a single scratch that he could see, were apparent. In fact he felt incredible and that was even stranger considering he had gone through a wall of stone.
Harry decided to wait a while by the window in peace for now that he had it. No one was asking him how he felt or if there was any pain. Finally just alone, no one prying or following, just alone with the water jugs and the sleeping elf in the quiet hospital room. The quiet would be wonderful since he had double potions in the afternoon with the Slytherins.
Time passed by, Harry watched as the sun rose and roosters in the pen followed their morning rituals. Birds flew about gathering bugs and the owls returned from a night's hunt. He could smell the fragrance of the flowers blooming nearby and the wetness in the air from the early dew. Everything seemed so alive to Harry, like all were screaming their existence in someway. Sounds and smells reached Harry's senses and felt energized by it all. He even started to feel hungry.
The door to the hospital wing opened and someone came in. Harry turned to see and saw Hermione tiptoeing towards the hospital bed he was suppose to be in. She was carrying a tray in front of her, filled with fruit. She didn't see him by the window, so he moved to meet her there.
She was within a few feet of his bed and must think that Dobby was him for she wasn't looking anywhere else. Harry walked slowly behind her, unaware that he made no noise in his approach. As he drew closer, he couldn't help but notice there was a certain scent in the air around her... a very alluring scent even delicious in a way as his mouth watered at the smell. He could also hear a strange sound like a drum beating faintly nearby. These new smells and odd sound increased his new appetite.
Hermione came to a stop as she had reached the bed and noticed it was Dobby there, not Harry. To even his own surprise, Harry had closed the gap between them easily and unnoticed.
He reached out and touched her shoulder.
Hermione gasped deeply preparing to scream when she heard Harry speak.
"Madam Pomfrey won't like you sneaking in here."
Hermione turned and released the air she had taken in, thankfully without screaming.
"You scared me! I didn't know you were behind me," whispered Hermione furiously.
Hermione took a second to look Harry over. He was fine and that was the problem she noticed. Harry didn't have any signs of previous injuries, not a bruise or a scratch on him... just a little pale and a bit hungry looking.
"Harry? How did they heal you so fast? You were in seriously bad shape to recover so quickly? It looks like you were never hurt at all," inquired Hermione confused.
Harry smiled and answered, "I guess Madam Pomfrey is better than we thought."
Being near Hermione, having her looking at him in so closely was doing something odd to Harry. He felt drawn to her but… differently somehow. There was something about his friend that he wanted and he stared at her eyes and lips as before but there was something else now.
Harry stepped closer to her and felt as things grew more intense.
Hermione was surprised to see Harry come so close to her and even became happy to see that action. That was until her feelings took an odd turn. Suddenly she got a familiar feeling of panic and her instincts started to tell her to leave. The only thing that was between them was the fruit tray she held but it was no comfort. Something about Harry was starting to scare her.
Harry raised his hand and Hermione began to shake slightly, fighting her feelings to run.
-What is this, - she thought closing her eyes, unknowingly terrified.
A moment later she heard a crunch and then Harry's voice.
"Did you want the apple?"
She opened her eyes and there he stood having taken a large bite out of the apple she had brought... the reddest one she could find.
She shook her head saying no and looked at his eyes, which were focusing on her. She knew she was wrong but swore there was a hint of silver in his normally green eyes. She still felt scared of him for some reason like she had once before with another as he took slow bites of the apple, never diverting his eyes away. She actually even got the feeling that there was something he was hungry for and fruit would not be it, a feeling that can't be right.
"I can't eat all that my-self… have some too," spoke Harry, his voice oddly quiet and soothing but a small hint of a growl there as well.
Hermione sat down, avoiding Dobby who still snoozed away and began eating grapes. Harry's eyes still remained on her and she just couldn't ignore the feeling as if she were being… but that was silly, Harry was not way.
The doors to the hospital open suddenly and Ron stepped in quickly, his wand ready. It was the first time Harry drew his attention away. Ron surveyed the two with an odd expression.
"What's going on," asked Ron slowly and quietly?
Harry still chewed on the apple slowly, raising his eyebrows, he answered, "Some would call it breakfast… what about you? Chasing somebody with your wand?"
Ron slowly put his wand back into his robes and walked towards them, "Just a bit of precaution."
Ron sat next to Hermione, watching Harry intently. Harry seemed to focus everything on his apple to which in all this time he still hadn't finished.
"Hermione's got a couple of oranges hidden in there if you want one," said Harry not looking at them.
Hermione looked at Ron and back to Harry before replying, "How did you know that, they're buried under everything else?"
"I can smell them," said Harry shrugging his shoulders.
Ron looked back to Hermione who pulled two oranges out from underneath a pile of bananas and grapes. Ron realized he wouldn't have seen them either. Hermione gave one to him and Ron began peeling it. Harry continued to nibble at the apple. Hermione stuck with her grapes. They let Dobby sleep and ate in silence.
Ron watched as Harry continued to take glances at Hermione and he knew that Harry was trying to figure out the new sensations.
Hermione saw the glances from Harry and saw as Ron kept his attention on Harry, wondering why they were so quiet.
Daken looked through a crack in the door in Madam Pomfrey's office, "This is going to get serious. Everything's going to get crazy soon… what with their," whispered Daken aloud, "Boiled Hearts and Tempers."
Next Chapter
Second Challenge