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 have NO IDEA how the girls' dormitory, which is used in this chapter, looks like so if it sounds/appears wrong, again probably is.
I was working on this chapter in conjunction with the previous to keep certain elements aligned, that's why it was done so soon.
Please don't be angry with the ending, I warn you now it's a cliff hanger.
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 5/11/03
Harry Potter and the Turmoil Within
Chapter 17
Wounded Earth
Harry watched Daken and Maylen stare at each other, neither one saying anything at all. Maylen stared in fright, but she didn't seem too surprised to see him.
Daken broke the silence, "You've been here all this time?"
"Just at the start of the year," she responded blankly.
"I never seem to notice," he snapped sarcastically.
Her expression changed, there was less fright giving to anger.
"Too much whiskey," she sneered, insulting him," Or you'd remember that only males have a scent and females don't."
Daken didn't take too well her response but never got to do anything about it. McGonagall cleared her throat, giving an obvious hint and Harry watched Maylen turned back to the students but Daken had vanished when Harry looked back.
Harry made to stand up, now having surprisingly regained his strength again but a rumble in his stomach made clear it would not last too long. As he stood, Harry felt his foot hit something and looked down. There were shattered chunks of orange colored glass in a scattered pile. The pieces lay near where Ron had fallen and Harry remembered a blinking jewel had been the source of the flame.
-The Keock Jewel, - Harry thought, remembering the meeting with Dumbledore.
He remembered the list Mr. Weasley had read.
"That leaves the Hetan Stone, Niomia Necklace, Geraus Ring and … the Venarus Blade," Harry whispered, staring at the shattered jewel.
Harry thought about the talismans and realized he had never bothered to find out anything about them, that was usually Hermione's trait. Harry looked around and the realization came again, Hermione wasn't there.
-She's always been with us, - he thought -With me.-
He felt an ache in his chest suddenly as realized that he wanted her with him and the ache grew as he felt both stupid and guilty for not noticing she wasn't there.
"Harry," said a girl's voice?
Harry looked to see Ginny standing by him, an examining look in her eyes.
"Ron's going to be fine… Pomfrey says that aside from his clothes and being completely drain that here isn't a mark on him," spoke Ginny gently, thinking that the reason for Harry's guilty look," It's almost like he's made of stone."
"Where's Hermione," asked Harry quietly?
Ginny hesitated before answering, "She's in the dormitory… Harry I guess maybe you haven't noticed but."
Harry cut her off, snapping, "That's right I'm an idiot… Lavender… Ron… even McGonagall tried to tell me something… and I just ignored everything paying attention to my own problems… letting Malleck bring his damn chaos here and hurt our friends."
Harry stalked off leaving Ginny behind; He didn't notice that a smile came to her face.
Harry went to the common room but there were a lot of other people there, even professors checking on students. If he wanted to talk to Hermione, he was going to have to do it when they could be alone. So he went to his dormitory to wait out the commotion. His stomach grumbled again and Harry swore quietly, he hadn't eaten in who knows how long and he couldn't keep waiting. Harry contemplated looking in Ron's trunk for a chocolate frog when a puff sounded nearby.
Dobby stood there with a plate of sandwiches, a jug of pumpkin juice and a tall mug.
"Potter sir is hungry," stated Dobby happily setting the plate on his trunk along with the other items.
Harry realized the elf had done it again, known what Harry wanted without anything said or done. He stood there looking at the elf wondering. Dobby looked back with a wide grin. Harry decided now was as good as a time as any.
"Dobby," he began," I'll eat it… if you tell me how you knew I was hungry?"
Dobby's grin went away and his ears drooped.
"Dobby cannot say," it responded.
"You don't have a master anymore, you can say whatever you want," said Harry turning for the door," But if that's how feel about it then take it all back.."
Dobby gave a whimper as Harry began to open the dormitory door and in a flash it slammed shut by a bit of magic hitting it.
Harry turned back and Dobby stood there, thoughts running rampant in his eyes.
"Sir is no ordinary wizard," began Dobby, sounding worried, and walking slowly forward," You are different from them… just like Weazy and Grangy… as are some others… we elves are magic creatures, we can sense what you want… your kind is connected to all creatures of magic."
-Something about Ron, me and Hermione is different, - question Harry, -And that makes it so the elf can sense what we want.-
Then he remembered before… the brooms… the cookies… the juice… the argument in the Hall.
"What is the difference," asked Harry slowly and trying hard to not sound the least bit harsh?
Dobby pulled on one of his ears, thinking, then answered," Many names… wizard's name for it… Elemental."
Dobby was beginning to look more and more upset by the second and Harry figured the elf had enough, it wasn't the important matter at hand.
"Thank you Dobby," thanked Harry, smiling as best as he could, then changed the subject," Do you want me to leave the stuff here when I'm done?"
The elf became instantly happy, shook its head and apparated away.
For the next few days, a game of cat and mouse played out. Hermione came to breakfast either before him or after and the same with lunch and dinner. She'd be in the girl's dormitory or in class any other time. Harry slowly became annoyed as he was sure she was avoiding them. It didn't help that there were always other students around every second and this had to be a private conversation. Ron tried as well, best he could while exhausted, to help Harry and isolate her. Finally Harry decided on a new tact the day of their Transfiguration lesson. Hermione was at home in the library and research was something she liked to do, so the plan would be to ask for her help and confront her in the library.
That morning he dressed and Ron heard his plan, agreeing with it.
They went to breakfast and with a little help from Lavender and Ginny, though kept un-informed, they made sure the only seat available was right in front of Harry.
Hermione appeared and sat where the only seat available was. Harry made ready to ask as normally as he could while she nibbled at her toast. Ron watched as did Ginny and Lavender.
"Hermione," said Harry?
"Yes," she responded quietly?
There was a ringing sound as McGonagall calling all the students' attentions for an announcement from Dumbledore, ending Harry's chance.
"Good morning students… I understand that it has been some time since Quidditch has been played here at Hogwarts and have great news of that… as you all know the Museum of Darks Arts was destroyed… and now there is work underway to restore it... so I have had an idea in my old age… yes I know it is a shock," laughed Dumbledore, speaking cheerily to the people in the Hall," It also costs quite a bit for such an endeavor.. thus I along with the ministry and others have arranged for a little charity event to raise gold… we will have a Hogwarts team comprised of the best of the four houses in a Quidditch best two out of three exhibition match against the best players… of Durmstrang… and I believe Victor Krum will accompany them… thank you."
Dumbledore sat down and the Hall erupted in cheers and excited shouts. Ron was ecstatic as well but stopped when he saw Harry looking away towards Hermione as she left the Hall.
The bell rang and students headed for their morning classes. Harry paced the common room watching the clock and cursing silently every few minutes. He tried to read and maybe do homework but no avail. The morning was going to be very long.
Meanwhile, in the library…
Hermione sat, staring at her book again. She decided against going to class this morning, trying to accept what Dumbledore said… that Durmstrang along with Krum would be arriving.
"Hello," greeted Lavender politely as she and her sister sat at the table grinning with a small sack in hand.
"Hello," responded Hermione, watching them," Why aren't you in your Divination class?"
"How's your essay coming," asked Lavender, not responding to the question?
"It's done, this is just… a revision," answered Hermione quickly as she placed the parchment in the book, closing it.
Lavender saw the parchment before sitting and all that was on it was Hermione's name including the title.
"That's good because we need your help," began Lavender, looking at her sister, "We need to complete a Tarot card assignment."
"What does that have to do with me," snapped Hermione, "I don't believe in that rubbish."
Patti giggled and Lavender, as best as she could, struggled to speak calmly in return," That's just it… we have to get the most unbelieving ones we can… and you're the most unbelieving one that we know of besides McGonagall."
"No thank you," stated Hermione.
She picked up her book and quill, preparing to leave.
"I thought Prefects encouraged the development of student minds in their assignments," whispered Lavender loudly.
"I'm not a… Prefect anymore," snapped Hermione, her voice shaking a bit.
"If its just rubbish… as you say… what are you worried about," sneered Patti speaking suddenly, "Maybe you might learn about something… or someone… you hadn't expected?"
Lavender reached across the table, placing her hand on Hermione's shoulder," Please… we just need some one to use… for our assignment… maybe we can find out who likes you?"
"Leave me alone," snapped Hermione viciously.
She stood up and walked quickly away. Lavender and Patti sat still, wicked grins on their faces waiting till Hermione left their sight.
"Are you sure this will work," asked Lavender?
"Yes… it just requires a bit of the person… blood is just the standard that was chosen the book says anything from the physical body will work," answered Patti, opening her bag and pulling out a deck of tarot cards along with other items.
Lavender placed a long strand of brown hair into the bronze bowl.
Patti opened a greenish package, sprinkling a bit of the contents into the bowl.
The girls waited and a moment later there came a small sound as a puff of smoke left the bowl and a beige powder was left behind. The sisters looked at each other with grins. Lavender spread out the cards into a pile while Patti began to sprinkle the powder onto them. The cards emanated a beige glow before Patti stacked them together, shuffling as Lavender opened her Divination book to the chapter describing the various cards.
Four cards were laid first, spread out to be corners of a square. Then four sets of three cards were placed between the corner cards, making a perfect square. Patti finished by laying one card in the middle.
For a moment, Patti's finger's stayed on the center card. Her expression showed deep desire, she wanted to turn the card over, to know something particular but Lavender tap her arm while shaking her head no.
"The inner circle," spoke lavender, "Lets see what protects her."
Patti turned over the right corner card. There was a medal on it bearing a shield and a broken sword across it.
Lavender continued with, "Let's see what embraces her."
Patti turned over the top left corner card. It was blank and totally dark until a lightening bolt flashed across it.
"I knew it," said Lavender excitedly," The next card… that which guides her."
Lavender still kept glancing at the Lightening card as Patti turned over the bottom right card
The card was blank.
"Something unknown," question Patti?
"We'll figure it out later, "answered Lavender, "Lets see what has faith in her."
Patti turned over the bottom left card and there was a fire that burned bright on the image.
"Fire… so that which opposes also has faith in her," said Lavender questioning, "Well that might explain a few things?"
Patti had her hand on the center card and the anxiety in her expression was very strong. Lavender had wrote the notes of the previous cards down quickly and looked back in anticipation
The final card lay ready and Patti had her thumb under it.
Lavender nodded and Patti turned the card over slowly.
Shadows kept the card a mystery as long as possible as it turned in the air and sat back against the table.
Their eyes focused on the image.
The image of blooming flowers encircled a faceless figure.
It was labeled… the Earth card.
Both of the sisterly witches gave off such a squeal of excitement that the librarian gave them a very stern look in a glaring gaze, clearing her throat loudly and slowly, with a hand on one hip.
"He does care for her," said Lavender in excited whispers.
"Just as she does him," replied Patti just as excited.
The lunch bell rang a short while later…
Harry was already in the Great Hall. He waited anxiously, with a quick hello to Ron and others, he waited. Time went by but Hermione didn't show.
Harry ate a small amount, not wanting to nearly pass out again and made to leave. Ron followed suit and Harry made no argument about it. They arrived at McGonagall's class and waited inside of the entrance.
The bell rang again and after a few minutes, students began arriving. They waited until a certain bushy brown haired individual appeared.
"Hermione," piped up Harry right beside her suddenly.
She stopped and looked at him. Her eyes looked tired and worn with a hint of something struggling in her mind.
"Could we have your help in the library after class," asked Harry, trying to sound humorous, "Your help would be most useful."
Hermione's expression didn't brighten or change for the better as Harry expected and suddenly he felt worse of not noticing what had been happening.
She looked even sadder and turned her face away, replying, "Alright… after class."
McGonagall appeared right then and shooed them to their seats.
Hermione went up front and Harry and Ron sat in the back as usual.
McGonagall carried on her lesson but Harry paid no attention, he kept looking at Hermione trying to figure out what was going on.
Hermione suddenly stood and walked up to the Professor. Having not been paying attention, Harry saw a few objects floating in front of the class by McGonagall and Hermione stood between them.
Apparently, McGonagall had been instructing the class on how to transfigure multiple items into the same thing.
Harry watched as Hermione raised her wand and performed the spell and to his own amazement, nothing happened. Hermione tried again and still no results. She tried one more time and all that happened were the objects changed to have the same emerald green color but there physical forms remained unaltered.
Hermione's face went into a panic and surprisingly the room stayed silent. She looked around a second, her eyes wide with fear and ran out of the room.
He moved to the door but McGonagall stopped him.
"You are not excused Mr. Potter," snapped McGonagall, "I will take points from Gryffindor."
-Not this time, - thought Harry.
"I don't really give a damn what you do," retorted Harry and he ran out.
McGonagall went and sat at her desk. Whispers went wild in the room.
McGonagall withdrew two small pieces of parchment from her desk.
She wrote something and handed it to an owl on her desk, which flew off with the note in its beak.
She began to write on the other piece thinking, -A hundred points… to be… awarded to Gryffindor.-
Having guessed where she would go, Harry gave the password and entered the common room as the Fat lady let him by.
Crookshanks lay on the plush chair nearest the entrance; its piercing eyes watched Harry. He suddenly realized that he hadn't seen Hermione's cat in the time they had been at Hogwarts or even at the Weasley home but that mystery would have to be solved later; it was Hermione that Harry had to attend to. He continued on, there was only one place in the Gryffindor house Hermione could be but stopped in mid step by a nasty growl.
Having only taken only a step or two, the cat had reacted quite angrily. Its fur was standing and teeth barred in hisses. It had moved to the armrest, standing with claws extended digging into the cloth cushion. Harry took another step and Crookshanks gave another threatening howl.
"That does it," whispered Harry withdrawing his wand, "No more interruptions."
He aimed the wand at the cat, anger growing within, nothing would stop him now.
The cat remained in position even with a wand aimed; it remained, unwilling to back down, vigilant to Hermione wish to hide, still giving its threatening howls.
A spell in mind and ready to speak, a thought came to Harry's mind.
Nothing could stand in our way…
Our powers united would crush whatever dares to try…
Harry stood in place, wand ready, words in his throat and in a single breath the cat would be no more trouble.
"No," whispered Harry, closing his eyes and feeling his anger diminish.
He lowered his wand, remembering when Hermione got the cat. It had been in the shop for years, unwanted, an ugly orange thing but Hermione had and still loved it. If Hermione wanted to be alone then this creature was going to do its best to give her that in return for her surprising affections for it.
Harry suddenly felt a commonality with the creature. He too had been unwanted and alone for years, and like Ron, Hermione had chosen to be his friend regardless of his past or the danger that followed him. This cat was willing to fight for her regardless of the enemy involved and Harry realized he would do the same for any friend… or maybe someone more.
So instead Harry did what probably few wizards would ever do and that was kneel before the cat and speak to it as the equal Hermione thought of it.
"Please," asked Harry quietly, "Let me talk to her… to help her like she has for me."
Harry felt quite stupid talking to the cat as if it could understand him but he didn't how else to get by it.
Much to his surprise, Crookshanks tilted its head to one side and calmed suddenly. The cat turned around, and sprinted off the chair towards the stairs, stopping at the landing looking back. Harry took that as a positive response and followed. Crookshanks led Harry in the direction of the girl's dormitory.
A moment later, Harry stood before the door to the fifth year girl's dormitory, suddenly realizing he had never been in there but that was where Hermione had hidden herself.
Whatever was going on was bad enough to drive her into hiding. Make her unable to do magic and become terrified at the announcement of the charity match between Durmstrang and Hogwarts.
Placing his hand on the handle, turning it slowly and letting it loudly squeak to announce someone entering, Harry opened the door to the dormitory. Walking slowly while Crookshanks hurried in, he could see four beds, each with a small desk with drawers and small vanity mirror on top beside them.
Harry had to grin a second, the room was very neat and clean whereas he and his roommates were slobs.
Turning in the other direction Harry saw a large open bay window, draped on either side with the crest of Gryffindor allowing the sunlight of the mid afternoon fill the room and cast a long shadow as well. A shadow from a figure sitting at a bench in front of the window, the figure of girl he knew and had known for his entire Hogwarts life… a bushy brown haired person by the name of Hermione.
"Lavender I thought I made myself clear about the Tarot reading… I'm not doing it," snapped Hermione, looking out the window.
"I'll let her know when I see her," spoke Harry quietly trying to imply a joke.
Hermione turned, her eyes went wide and her skin blushed
"You… you shouldn't be in here," stuttered Hermione, suddenly pulling her robes closer together," Boys aren't allowed in the girls' dormitory."
"Didn't stop you from going in to the boys' dormitory," replied Harry.
He shut the door behind him, glancing at what must be Hermione's bed as Crookshanks sat there watching his every move.
"What do you need," asked Hermione, turning her head away whispering," Something I can be of 'use' to you for?"
Harry walked towards her very slowly; knowing that cat of hers was still glaring watchfully at him. He stopped a few feet away seeing as she kept her gaze astray and held her robes together.
"Actually… I wanted to see if you were okay," answered Harry as gently as he could do.
"I'm fine," said Hermione quickly, clearing her throat," Just having a bad day, you know."
Harry let his eyes move around, looking the scene over. There were no books around and Hermione was one to read when in a bad mood or having a problem, research was her answer for most everything.
"Hermione," inquired Harry as kindly as he could," I don't see any books… and you're not having just a bad day… you've been like this since the beginning of the year… is there something… wrong?"
He knew he sounded stupid but Harry didn't have any idea how to talk to her. Normally he and his friends were always open with each other about most everything but now it seemed like everyone was hiding something including him-self.
"Hermione," prodded Harry?
Harry watched as Hermione's eyes watered slightly and her lip trembled. She was trying to fight her feelings but was losing. It only worsened as Harry moved closer and sat next to her on the bench. Her whole body began to tremble as she leaned away a bit and blinking rapidly to fight the tears struggling to escape.
"Hermione," began Harry but she spoke?
"Everything," choked out Hermione, pulling her robes even tighter, turning completely away," Everything is wrong about me."
"What," again began Harry but she spoke again?
"I'm just a-know-it all… good for nothing but school stuff… I can't even do that now," sobbed Hermione, her tears beginning to escape her eyes," I'm not anything… I'm not… pretty… like Lavender… or Cho… and you know it."
"Why do you think I believe you're," asked Harry but yet again, Hermione cut in?
"I'm not blind… maybe stupid… but not blind," yelled Hermione in heavier sobs, "You cringe from me… just stare at me… just like the freak I am... I'm not… interesting at all!"
"When did I," asked Harry in confusion, pausing to let her interrupted but she said nothing, "Cringe from you… and not interesting?"
"When you woke up here after coughing blood," snapped Hermione, still fighting herself.
Harry thought back and remembered. He had awoken from that dream again to find Ron next to him and they spoke for a second. Hermione bounded into the room and was ecstatic to his awakening. She had gotten close to him, making him feel uncomfortable and remembering what that thing had said. Then the scene she referred to came as Harry remembered backing away suddenly walking way out around her, leaving the room. Since then she had started acting odd.
"Hermione that wasn't because of how you look… well in a way it was… but not about being pretty but," stammered Harry clueless to explain the moment.
"I don't want to hear it… I already know," shouted Hermione her voice breaking, "Go back to Cho… she's the 'older' girl... she's interesting to look at... I dressed as best as I could and you didn't even give me a second look… no one did."
Harry struggled to understand.
-Dressed as best as she could, - thought Harry bewildered.
Flashing back in his mind, Harry remembered the Quidditch field after the incident in the library. Hermione had on a new blouse and her skirt had been pressed. The hair being tied back… the gloss on her lips… she was trying to… tell him something… ask something… there was a message implied there and Harry hadn't picked up on it.
"Hermione… I think… there was something," slowly tried Harry but to no avail.
"Just get out," yelled Hermione, her voice no longer steady, a tears slipping through her resistance, down her cheek, " I told you I don't want to hear it! Just let me know when you need something from someone… useful… I seem to be only good for that!"
Maybe it was what Hermione said… maybe that Harry couldn't explain him-self... maybe he was tired of being interrupted, he didn't know but something sparked anger within. Hermione was in pain by a fault of his own, he knew that for sure and was going to correct it.
In swift movement, ignoring how Crookshanks may react, Harry left the bench and kneeled in front of Hermione, grabbing her upper arms, keeping her from turning away again. Hermione pressed her hands to her face to keep from looking at him.
"That wasn't what that was about… what about the night on the bench in the yard… or… in the kitchen… and when we first got to Diagon Alley… I didn't cringe or," stammered Harry desperately to explain what even he didn't understand," I keep having this… this dream… and… this thing keeps telling me things… and… when you came in… and got close… something it said I remembered… and I… and I panicked."
She wouldn't look at him, sobs filtering through her hands and Harry struggled on.
"You're not just useful… you never were just that," stammered Harry," You're smarter than I'll ever be… it does get annoying when you nag about homework and rules… or drone on about educational stuff… but I."
He let his mind flash memories of those times.
"I always liked how you cared so much… how you brighten at knowing the answer… the excitement in your eyes when you learned something," Harry said softly, reminding him-self as well, "You have no idea what I feel when I see you reading a book and light from the fireplace glows around you… you have no idea what I feel just looking at you… I'm not even entirely sure what it is… but I like it."
Letting the words tumble out of his mouth Harry realized how right it all was and wondered why he never thought it before.
Hermione lowered her hands enough to stare at him, her eyes red, looking hard.
Harry thought as quick as he could to say something, to explain but everything was jumbled about in his mind and the anger wasn't helping. However a thought did come that seemed simple enough to say as the breeze of the fall afternoon blew in from the window behind her, blowing a fragrance from Hermione that Harry had smelled before, calming him.
He continued to hold her in place and tightened his grip as the answer to his needed explanation came clearly.
"No… I don't think you're pretty," stated Harry calmly.
Hermione redden eyes went wide...
A moment passed of silence, not even birds outside could be heard…
"You're beautiful," spoke Harry.
Hermione's eyes widen as much as possible, staring dumbstruck at Harry, a gasp filtering through her hands.
Harry realized what he had said and now knew for certain that it was true. Why he had been staring at her so much from time to time. Hermione was beautiful to him.
"And I don't think it," finished Harry hesitantly," I know it."
An awkward moment of silence came again as Harry had finished saying all he could think to say and Hermione just stared at him.
Hermione's eyes began to water again and Harry felt quite stupid for failing.
Only to his surprise, Hermione threw herself towards him. Wrapping her arms around his neck and burying her face in his shoulder.
"I can't believe I listened to that bastard," cursed Hermione!
Then she just cried, continuously into Harry's shoulder, not saying anything but muffled wails in his robes. Harry didn't know what to do besides let his arms hold her, sliding them around her back, locking his hands together, holding her.
He didn't notice, as the door to the dormitory open then shut as an orange tail passed through and a puff of smoke floated out underneath.
In time, Hermione's cries dulled to sniffles until only a slow breath could be heard. Harry dared a chance to talk to her not knowing if things were better or worse since he'd never held a crying girl before let alone be around one. Leaning back he found her eyes closed, Hermione had exhausted herself and had fallen asleep.
Being as careful as he could Harry leaned to one side letting her sink into one arm while using the other to straighten out her legs as he looped it under her knees, her head lay against his shoulder. To his own surprise, Harry was able to stand lifting her with him, finding her to be extremely light. Turning and carrying her, Harry presumed that the bed with the orange hairs left by Crookshanks to be hers. As best as he could, Harry laid Hermione on her bed, slowly pulling his arms back.
He withdrew his wand and at pointed it at the fire place, with a quick spell, lighting a fire within it.
Harry looked back to her, tear stained cheeks still wet as she slept soundly. On sudden impulse Harry brushed the remaining tears gently away with his hand.
"Mr. Potter," said a stern and sharp voice.
"Oh hell," responded Harry, turning.
Professor McGonagall stood in the door way looking at him. Harry knew he was definitely in trouble, having left her class abruptly, not to mention most rudely, being in the girls' dormitory and even now cursing in front of her again.
-Probably a week's detentions and hundred points, - thought Harry worried, -If I'm not expelled.-
"Thank you Harry," spoke McGonagall softly.
Harry made ready to explain him-self when McGonagall's words sunk in. Instead he just stared at his professor, dumbfounded by her reaction to his blunt rule breaking.
"You have been able to do more in this short time than I have all this term," stated McGonagall, "She wouldn't tell me or anyone, even her own family, what was hurting her."
"She didn't," responded Harry but stopped as McGonagall raised her hand.
"Sometimes something hurts us… very badly…wounds us… so much that we can't talk or even deal with it until we let the pain surface and flow," explained McGonagall, looking towards Hermione," Girls… and even boys… sometimes just need to simply cry… letting their pain out… in a sense like letting the wound bleed a bit to clear it out… else the pressure just builds… then the source… the wound… can be healed… and you helped her to do so."
Harry looked back to Hermione as she slept. She did look happier and he too felt better having said to her what he hadn't realized but now understood. Even as his hand dampened with her tears began to sting.
"Your mother was able to help people much the same way," added McGonagall.
Harry jerked his head back to the professor hearing what had been said of his mother.
McGonagall cleared her throat suddenly and squared her shoulders, obviously having said something which brought discomfort.
"I believe you've… bended… the girls' dormitory rules long enough," she stated clearly, implying that Harry should leave.
Harry walked towards the professor, the stinging sensation growing to envelop his entire hand. McGonagall stepped aside, pulling her wand out from a side pocket and with a wave, conjured a blanket over Hermione.
On the landing, passing McGonagall, Harry felt him-self getting dizzy suddenly. McGonagall closed the door to the dormitory adding a silencing charm to the room and turned in time to see Harry fall forward to the landing floor, unconscious, his a hand colored a dark red.
Harry opened his eyes and found himself sitting at a table across from a person he hadn't expected to see for a while yet… Victor Krum.
Harry didn't have a clue how he had gotten there only remembered having left Hermione in the dormitory.
"Vow is it," asked Victor?
As Harry prepared to speak, he heard a voice leave his lips, a girl's voice saying something other than he intended.
"Wonderful," answered the girl's voice
Then he saw as his hand reached for a glass of water in front of him bringing it to his lips and drinking from it. There was a reflection in the water and Harry could see his face… or rather Hermione's face.
It took a second for Harry to realize what was happening and the scene he saw continued on. He remembered the dream he had after the Quidditch match of the individuals in the fog and realized this must be the same thing… a dream where he observed but could do nothing. Only instead of observing from the background, he was seeing everything from Hermione's eyes.
Harry watched as Krum and Hermione spoke in basic conversation eating whatever Bulgarian meal that had been served. He watched and listened as, for Harry, the evening droned on. They went on talking and eating eventually having some kind of desert while Krum talked about Bulgaria and the things he was involved with. Hermione talked of the museums, libraries, and many other historical things that Harry generally found uninteresting but it was nice to hear Hermione enthusiastic again.
In time they moved to the, to what must have been Victor's, living room. It was weird watching as Hermione walked and Harry sort of followed along in her eyes. Yet again they just talked on and Harry was beginning to seriously consider what kind of sick magic joke this was until something odd happened.
And the answer to her behavior came…
Harry awoke swiftly sitting up, clasping the fabric in his hands, holding his breath and held his eyes close.
"Harry," said a girl's worried voice, "Are you okay? I'm sorry."
Harry let out his breath and looked to his side, opening his eyes.
Hermione stood there, leaning slightly close, her eyes still red but only slightly staring with concern at him.
Harry felt his heart beat quicken.
He placed his hand on hers, squeezing it gently, answering softly" I'm fine… just not completely recovered from the vampire thing yet."
Her face blushed and a happy grin appeared, her eyes softened.
Ron and McGonagall stood nearby.
"I suppose I should move my things here," laughed Harry, "I keep ending up in here."
Hermione laughed, her eyes starting to water. Ron grinned and McGonagall seemed settled.
Harry looked back to Hermione," I'm fine… I promise you."
That calmed her and tears drew back.
"Well Mr. Potter, you'll be staying here the night," stated McGonagall," Mr. Weasley, Ms. Granger if you please."
Ron headed for the door along with the Professor and Hermione gave one last look before leaving as well.
Harry waved them off as the door shut and he looked towards Pomfrey's office. Seeing the door shut, Harry climbed out of bed and walked up to the windows looking out to the Quidditch field, watching as Ravenclaw practiced.
Harry raised his hand towards the window, speaking, "Accio snitch."
The sound of glass breaking came as Harry held in his enclosed hand the Golden Snitch. Red sparks flashed in his hand and in his reflection on the glass; Harry saw red streaks of lightening flash in his eyes.
"No one dares to hurt her," growled Harry at his reflection," Then think I'll do nothing… in two weeks… you won't face an underage witch on holiday."
"You'll face me… for your life," said Harry as he opened his hand and let the snitch go, "That will be the cost for… a Wounded Earth."
Next Chapter
Field of Honor