Disclaimer: I don't own a thing!
Author note: I am so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, sorry for the two-month delay in this chapter. I've had a lot of stuff to be dealing with lately.
Thanks to all you reviewers! You really make my day! Really!
Special thanks to my friends LegyLuva, MichelleFrodo and arwen undomiel (?) who helped me find my muse again.
Luvs!
Chapter 6: Stress and Insults
"Have you?" Ron asked eagerly flicking through his potions book for the ingredients written on the chalkboard.
Harry just shook his head. "Nope."
Ron let out a huge sigh. He'd wanted to hear all the details. "You must've done something?"
"Not like I'd tell your sick mind," Harry jabbed Ron's forehead with his quill tip.
"Ow!" Ron rubbed his forehead. "My mind is not sick, Potter. Merely inexperienced."
"Shh!" Harry managed before Snape sauntered over to them.
"Enjoying your potion Weasley?" He asked slyly.
Ron made a face to Harry quickly before turning back to his teacher, "Lovely, sir." He gave Snape a big cheesy grin.
"Good," He smirked. Then he turned to Harry. "Dumbledore's office, on the double,
Potter."
Harry stood up and shrugged to Ron. Snape literally tried to march him out of the classroom.
They reached the gargoyle in minutes.
"Sugar Plum Cocktail." Snape uttered to the gargoyle. It came to life and sprang open.
Albus Dumbledore was sitting on the edge of his desk feeding Fawkes as Harry walked in.
"Ah, Harry," Dumbledore signalled to Snape who quietly left. "Please, sit down."
Harry did. Dumbledore sat down behind his desk.
"I want to talk to you about the white room," Dumbledore rocked slightly in his chair.
"Hermione told you?" Harry asked twiddling his thumbs.
"Professor McGonagall actually. Miss Granger told her Head of House who in turn thought it best to inform
myself." Dumbledore grinned. "There have been several occurrences during my years. I have witnessed a few
myself."
Harry stiffened a bit in his chair. He didn't know anything about them or what they did. "What are they, sir?"
"Empty dreams. You go to sleep, you dream. But when a fine line is crossed between unconsciousness and consciousness…some people end up there."
"What happens? The person there just told me what it was but didn't say anything…"
"Harry…" Dumbledore held up his hand, signalling him to cease his babbling. "I know exactly how you feel. It isn't a violation, rather a re-entry point for the dreamless."
"Oh," Harry smiled. "Thank Merlin. I thought it was something serious."
"It is," Dumbledore said turning the boy serious again. "Very serious indeed. It occurs when the subject is under stress. Try and cool down a bit, Harry."
Dumbledore finished the last part with a smile. "You may go now, if you wish."
Harry nodded an agreement and walked swiftly from the room.
Hermione and Lavender walked quickly from their Transfiguration room. When they reached the foot of the stairs, Hermione collided with something.
"We ought to stop meeting like this," Harry laughed as he helped his girlfriend back to her feet.
"I kinda like meeting like this," She wrapped a hand around his neck and kissed him softly.
"If that isn't the cutest thing!" Lavender gleefully jumped on the spot. "Harry bent slightly like that, Hermione's arms around his neck holding him. Aww!"
Harry and Hermione opened their eyes, not breaking the kiss and looked at Lavender.
"You…are…weird…" Hermione muttered in between kisses. She laughed a little.
"Shh!" Lavender hit her friend playfully on the arm. "Don't ruin the moment!"
The couple laughed again and couldn't contain it, breaking the kiss and laughing.
Lavender stomped her foot on the floor. "Now that was silly! I was going to run up to Colin and get his camera."
Harry shrugged. "We'll give you plenty more opportunities."
Hermione smirked at her boyfriend raising an eyebrow at him. "Starting with when?"
Harry smiled back and leaned in taking her lips with his own.
"Oh," Lavender smiled instantly. "That was sweet! Oh, that was so lovely!"
"Urgh!"
Another voice sounded from the stairwell.
"The Terrible Two are at it again!" Draco laughed.
Harry and Hermione almost jumped away from each other.
"Sod off, Malfoy," Hermione narrowed her eyes at him.
Draco snickered. "The Mudblood's annoyed at me for breaking up her snog date? Boo hoo."
Hermione and Lavender jumped forward quickly enough to physically restrain Harry from causing some serious harm to the blonde.
"Don't bother with him, Harry," Hermione spoke softly into Harry's ear. "He's really not
worth it."
"Oh really?" Draco sneered evilly with a smirk on his face. "Did you know that the Mudblood's all over Finch-Fletchley when you're not around, Potter?"
Again, the girls restrained Harry, pulling his arms back behind him.
Draco laughed heartily. "They were up in the Conference Room together. I saw them. But it's not like she'd tell you that you disgust her, is it, Potter?"
The girls weren't quick enough this time. Harry stumbled backwards as blood was gushing from Draco's nose.
"You bastard!" he screamed. "I'm…I'm bleeding to death! You bastard! My father…"
Harry shooed him with one hand. "Go and cry to your daddy then Malfoy. Daddy protects you.""
"Well, it's better than being an orphan," Draco sneered and ran before Harry had chance to retaliate.
But that insult really hit home.
Harry felt his insides boiling over at Draco's comment.
Hermione put her arms around Harry's waist and hugged him close to her, cuddling him.
"Don't let him get to you, Harry," She whispered into his chest as he smothered his face in her hair.
"Yeah," Lavender agreed. "You're a better man than he'll ever be."
The comforting words from the girls and the hug from Hermione seemed to be working. He was feeling calmer.
Hermione pulled away and looked at him. "You okay?"
Harry nodded and leaned over, kissing her forehead. He could make out her smile as he pulled away.
Linked arm and waists, they walked up to their common room, Lavender walking beside Hermione.
When they reached the top, Harry slumped down into one of the big chairs and stared at the fire.
Who knew that one little insult from Malfoy could bring about all this grief? Normally he would have just shrugged it off, but not tonight. Tonight felt emotional.
The portrait swung open and Ron strode in.
"Hiya!" he called, depositing a kiss on Lavender and smiling at Hermione before walking around to Harry.
Hermione and Lavender had seated themselves at the big desk and were completing their homework, Hermione taking sneak glances at her boyfriend every few minutes.
"Harry?" Ron asked, sitting down on the sofa near him.
Harry looked up, clasping his hand together in his lap.
"Hagrid wants to see you in his hut," Ron informed, putting his bag down on the floor. "He has a guest."