***Nursie Note*** Just a lil note... I was gonna wait to post this since it is the last available part at this point. The next two are currently tied down with my beta. Sorry guys... Here's my olive branch.
~Nursie
Part 8: Identity-
All at once a loud shrill like scream bounced through the hospital wing, catching everyone off guard, including the screamer.
Harry, Tonks and Madame Pomphrey turned towards the noise to find an alarming sight.
Ginny was clinging to her mother as if her life depended on it and crying profusely.
Harry worried for his friend, pushed past Tonks and stepped closer to Mrs. Weasley.
Mrs. Weasley looked at Ginny bewilderedly smoothing down her hair and trying to whisper calming words into her daughter's ears.
Madame Pomphrey quickly disappeared into her potions cabinet, looking for a calming draught to subdue Ginny, who was obviously having flashbacks of her ordeal.
She didn't notice when Ginny rounded on Harry, grabbing her mother's wand from the bedside stand.
Harry stood alarmed for a moment until he found the courage to speak with Mrs. Weasley's wand pointed directly at certain areas of his anatomy that he would rather like to use someday and had grown rather attached to.
"What… what is it Ginny?" He asked softly trying to sound as if it was the most natural thing in the world for him to be at the end of someone else's wand. Unfortunately for Harry… it usually was. He took a deep breath hoping he was allowed to do so, closed his eyes slowly to clear his head then looked directly at Ginny. He noticed the look in her eyes and the way her arm trembled and held the wand in position.
"I'll make him sorry!" She screamed.
"Sorry…" Harry questioned his voice an octave or two off as he watched her. "What did I do?" He swallowed hard.
And then Ginny laughed. The laugh itself would have been welcome if it wasn't laced with the animosity that everyone in the room could hear.
"Where were you yesterday Harry… Or should I tell them." Ginny spat at him poking the wand into his abdomen.
"Ginny dear… you shouldn't be out of bed." Mrs. Weasley's voice was heard pleading with her daughter through the room but Ginny wasn't paying any sort of attention to her mother. Her eyes were narrow and set just below Harry's waistline.
"You tell them or I will." She paused for a bit. "It's a shame really Harry. I thought you were my friend… I even had a crush on you for the longest time… maybe if you'd have just asked but no… the great Harry Potter takes what he wants when he wants it… That doesn't include me though Harry… I'll make sure you can't ever do this to someone ever again!" Ginny cried her teeth clenched and her stance set.
"Tell them what?" Harry insisted until he felt her poke the wand a bit lower into his nether region. "What do you want to hear Ginny?" He finally screamed back at her in frustration. His eyes flashed green and he felt anger well up inside him. He was finally understanding what Ginny was insinuating.
"Expelliarmus…" the words were out into the air before anyone could react and Mrs. Weasley's wand went flying into the hands of the person that had just entered the room.
"Remus… what took you so long?" Mrs. Weasley breathed in relieved as she caught Ginny falling backwards into her arms.
Remus Lupin walked briskly into the room handing Mrs. Weasley her wand back.
"Poppy… you have the calming draught?" He interjected looking at a very stunned Madame Pomphrey.
The nurse nodded helping Mrs. Weasley place Ginny back in the bed. Lupin rounded on Harry.
"I don't think it's safe for you here." Lupin's voice was a bit shaky and his expression told Harry to listen.
"But why? I didn't do anything." Harry argued.
"It's best we don't talk in here." Lupin answered placing his hand on Harry's forehead. "Has your scare been giving you any problems?" His tone was not casual and Harry stopped in his tracks as they entered the hallway.
Lupin took a few steps away from Harry then noticed he wasn't beside him. He stopped and turned, looking directly at Harry.
"I'm not going anywhere until I know what's going on." Harry demanded.
Lupin took a deep breath. "Look Harry… I plan on telling you what I know but I can't tell you here. The walls have ears you know." Lupin's eyes were fierce and Harry could see the wolf inside his friend's temper. Lupin was clearly angry about something, although he wasn't sure if it was at him or not.
Harry nodded watching the portraits on the wall leaning towards them in order to hear what ever it was that Harry and Lupin were discussing. "Lead the way then, Professor."
It was as Harry suspected. He found himself in the headmaster's chambers but he clearly wasn't alone with Lupin and Dumbledore.
There were several others standing awaiting their arrival. Harry noticed Willow right off and wondered what she was doing there. He saw Professor McGonagall and Snape along with Tonks and Mad-Eye Moody.
Harry arched an eyebrow. "Am I in trouble?"
Willow couldn't help herself. She ran towards Harry and flung her arms around his neck choking him. "I'm so sorry Harry… This is all my fault."
"Ahem…" Dumbledore cleared his throat and all attention was on him. "That will be quite enough Professor Warren."
Willow let go of Harry and stepped away from him.
"What's going on here?" Harry crossed his arms and set his jaw.
"There is one week left until the winter holidays Harry. I don't feel it would be safe for you or your friends to stay at Hogwarts over that time." Dumbledore said simply.
"Is that all… you brought me here under heavy guard just to tell me that I can't stay here over Christmas?" Harry cried.
"No… Harry… Not exactly." Dumbledore proceeded. "There have been some problems here at the school that need some rather special attention."
"Like?" Harry prompted.
"That is not your concern Harry… what I need to know from you is this. Have you been having any dreams lately?"
Harry breathed out aggravated. "What do my simple dreams have to do with any of this… you know as well as I do that I don't see Voldemort in my dreams anymore. He's been blocked out. Remember? You did that at the end of my fifth year."
"I'd hate to discredit you Harry… but I do beg to differ." It was Willow's sad voice that now filled the air.
Harry flashed her a dirty look. "Not now Professor. This is no time for your stupid games."
Dumbledore put his hand up in the air to call for silence. "Ah… Harry… I am afraid Willow doesn't speak nonsense. She has told me what happened when you entered into her dream the other night."
"What has any of this got to do with Ginny? She was ready to kill me down there… She's my friend and she wanted to kill me. She looked at me like… like…"
"Like a monster." Willow answered for him. "Harry, to her… you were."
Harry scanned the room feeling like he might vomit. His insides felt on fire and his stomach wanted to find the nearest wastebasket to heave into.
"You don't think I would hurt Ginny… You don't think I did that to Ginny."
Harry couldn't help it. Once his words were out he flung himself over to the nearest desk and lost his stomach contents directly into the bottom drawer. "Sorry about that." He muttered wiping his chin with his robe.
"Of course nobody thinks you did anything to Ginny." Lupin reassured him.
"The problem is that Ginny thinks it was you."
"How?" Harry tried to form a sentence but found that his vocabulary was gone. He slumped into the nearest chair and prayed that someone would say something to help.
"I know it wasn't you Harry." Willow finally spoke after several long agonizing minutes of quiet. "You and Hermione were with me, and then you and Ron were with Hermione in the library. Madame Pince has attested to that." Willow looked up at Dumbledore.
"Yes, and Hagrid said you were in class before that." Dumbledore smiled at Harry for the first time since he had entered the chambers.
"How do you know Ginny thinks it was me?" Harry asked.
"I used Occlumens on her." Dumbledore answered with a swift look at Willow.
"But you said…" Harry cried. "You said you weren't going to do anything like that to Ginny."
"Let's just say that something came to my attention after a rather thorough talk with Professor Warren." Dumbledore replied.
"Yes… well let's just look at the Professor shall we then…" Harry said his voice oozing with venom and his eyes flashing the tell tale Gryffindor colors. "We had nothing of this sort happen here at Hogwarts until she arrived."
"Harry!" Willow gasped. "How could you think that I would do that to Ginny or Lavendar… I don't even have the right parts for it!" Hot tears sprang to her eyes and her voice squeaked as she tried to defend herself.
"I mean… how do we know Willow is who she says she is. Professor Moody can tell us all about imposters and polyjuice potion." Harry screamed.
"Stop this at once Harry. I am inclined to believe Willow… There are just certain aspects that you cannot know. Willow is here to help, dear boy and you will come to thank her in time. However, I do feel that I may be the one that made the mistake, you see… I probably shouldn't have been so ready to believe Willow's tale."
"Professor Dumbledore… I didn't… I mean… what are you talking about?" Willow asked through her tears. "Are you saying that I've done something to cause all of this?"
"No, Professor Warren… I am merely saying that there is more here than we can comprehend right now. It is best I send the kids as well as those others involved away for the holiday. We will see what happens then. Furthermore, I do not believe Harry attacked anyone. We will keep this among us for now. We don't want Harry being taken off to Azkaban when we know he is innocent."
"To Azkaban? What for?" Harry's eyes grew wide and his body started to tremble.
"For the murder of Lavendar… and the er… attack on Virginia Weasley." Tonks said.
Harry glanced over at her once she had spoken and the weight of what was occurring finally sank into his head. Ginny had some how pointed him out as her assailant… and that meant he was now a murder suspect as well. Harry swallowed hard.
"I didn't do those things. I swear."
"We know Harry… that's what we are going to try to find out." Lupin said placing a hand on Harry's shoulder.
Harry looked down at the ground. His world seemed to be falling apart and he didn't like that feeling at all. His mind drifted to the night before and how his only worries in the world were Hermione and Voldemort. His mind began recalling how she felt in his arms and then the argument as well as his conversation with…
"Myrtle…" Harry said loudly. The wizards and witches in the room turned towards Harry. "Moaning Myrtle. I spoke to her last night. She's hiding something." Harry added hopefully. "She knows something."
Dumbledore smiled slightly. "And how do you know this?"
"Because I spoke to her last night. She was… err… um… well I was taking a bath in the prefects bathroom and she sort of showed up."
"Well then… I guess it's time we questioned her." Dumbledore turned to McGonagall. "Could you see to it that Sir Nicolas de Mimsy-Porpington gets the message that the headmaster would like to have a word?"
"Right away, Headmaster." McGonagall said and turned to go at once. She passed Lupin and Moody then stopped directly in front of Harry. "Ron is waiting for you in your common room. He doesn't know what happened in the hospital wing and if I were you, I would tell no one. We gave Miss Weasley a calming draught and Madame Pomphrey has been given permission by Mrs. Weasley to perform the Obliviate charm on her daughter."
Harry looked disheveled and clearly sad about what they were doing to Ginny to protect him. "What about everyone else… How are we going to keep this from them? And won't she be awkward around me?"
Professor McGonagall took Harry's face in her hands. "Harry, I will not have you blaming yourself for what has happened to Miss Weasley. We will catch the culprit behind these attacks just as we did back in your second year. We all know how that turned out." She gave Harry a rare smile then glanced at Dumbledore. "I will speak with you later then Headmaster." She turned and left the chamber, her robes billowing behind her.
Once she was gone, Harry looked up at Dumbledore once more. "How are we going to tell Lavendar's parents about what happened? There's going to be questions… about her and Ginny."
"Don't worry Harry… We will indeed be taking care of this… I will be ending the quarter after this meeting and sending the students home for the winter holiday, in hopes that we can have this dealt with before school resumes after the New Year. I will be sending you with Lupin back to Grimmauld Place once I have announced my plans to the student body."
"What about Hermione?" Harry whispered.
"Excuse me Harry… I didn't quite hear you." Dumbledore smiled knowing exactly what Harry had just said but wanting Harry to repeat it.
Harry rolled his eyes. He had no intentions of letting the entire school know how he felt about his best friend. "I said… What about Hermione… These attacks are happening for a reason… and it's probably got something to do with me. She is the closest girl to me and if someone hurts her, I will become a murderer way before I am supposed to. She is not safe in the muggle world." Harry finished his words and glared at Dumbledore for having him voice his thoughts in front of Lupin, Tonks. Moody and Willow.
"No need to worry about Miss Granger Harry. She will be going along to Grimmauld Place with you and the Weasley's." Dumbledore assured him.
"The Weasley's? What about Ginny… Mrs. Weasley clearly knows that Ginny thinks I did …"
"No need to worry Harry… Mrs. Weasley does not think you had anything to do with her daughter's attack. She feels as we do that someone is trying to frame you Harry. That is the reason she allowed Poppy to perform the memory charm."
"What do I do now?" Harry asked standing to leave the chamber.
"Make it through today and first thing in the morning I will devise a Portkey to Grimmauld Place." Dumbledore answered. "Remus, am I to understand that you will be staying here at Hogwarts tonight?"
"Yes, Albus. That would be wonderful. That way I can keep an eye on Harry."
"Do you need accommodations?" Dumbledore asked.
"No." Harry interrupted. "He's more than welcome to stay in my room. I wouldn't mind at all." Harry looked over at Lupin to make sure he was alright with the arrangements.
Lupin nodded. "Looks like I have a cozy rug to crawl up on. I do appreciate the invite Harry, but first I need to speak with Albus alone. I'll be along sometime after dinner." With that, Lupin ushered Harry out of Dumbledore's office.
It was during dinner when Harry first laid eyes on Hermione for the first time since the night before. His heart felt heavy and his mouth went dry as she sat several students down from him talking animatedly to one of the sixth year students. Ron caught his eye for a brief second shaking his head. Harry sighed and went about playing with his food.
Most of the students were thrilled to be getting out of classes a week early but Harry was still trying to deal with what had happened in Dumbledore's office.
The Great Hall seemed to empty much more quickly than usual as students left to pack for the trip home over the holiday.
Harry jumped when he felt a hand hit the back of his shoulder. He dropped his fork on his plate and looked up slowly to see Ron staring at him.
"What is it Harry? You've been out of it all day. I know you're upset about my sister and Lavendar but there really wasn't anything else you could have done for either of them." Ron shrugged and sat down at the empty Gryffindor table.
"It's not that." Harry lied half-heartedly. No matter how upset he was about what had happened to Ginny, and Lavendar, he was also more than a little worried about Hermione.
"Then what is it mate… I know finding Lavendar like that was shocking to say the least but you've been in a trance all day Harry. Are you thinking about Hermione again? What happed to make her stop talking to you?"
Ron had struck a nerve with Harry. He jumped up from his seat and pushed his full plate of food away from him sending it sailing off the other end of the table.
"Whoa…" Ron watched Harry walk past him before he stood to follow him. "Harry… talk to me mate… something is going on… Hermione wouldn't speak to me either."
That did it. Harry finally stopped and turned back towards Ron. "She didn't say anything to you today?"
"She asked what happened to Lavendar and that was it… she didn't say much more."
Harry shook his head. "Alright… I'll tell you but..." He paused giving Ron a look that told him he wasn't kidding around. " You can't say anything to anybody. It's rather private."
"Is that why I found you starkers in your bed this morning… did I time it just right so that I missed Hermione?" Ron's teasing tone soon vanished as he saw the sorrow in Harry's eyes.
"No… nothing like that."
"Come on Harry… let's go to your common room where you can relax. We'll have Dobby bring up some hot chocolate and you can tell me all about it."
Harry nodded and they both turned opening the large oak doors to exit the Great Hall.
Harry closed his trunk as he ran over everything he needed to pack for Grimmauld Place. He glanced over at the doorway and stood to unlock the door for Professor Lupin whenever he decided it was time to go to bed. Harry yawned as he twisted the doorknob making sure it was unlocked. He crossed his room stripping off his jumper and beginning to unbutton his shirt.
Once ready for bed, Harry sat down on the mattress . Placing his glasses on the bedside table, he quickly got comfortable closing his eyes.
Harry recognized the room right off, it was the very room he had first seen Sirus and Peter Pettigrew in his third year. The Shrieking Shack had not changed much in the past few years and Harry found himself waiting for something… or someone. There was a small broken mirror he noticed as he passed it making his way to a small hiding place next to one of the boarded up windows.
He felt his legs start to go numb as he crouched in the cramped quarters forgetting about how much time had gone by while he waited. He caught his reflection once more in the broken mirror and wondered as he studied the face looking back at him. There was something oddly different but he couldn't quite put his finger on what it was.
Suddenly he heard footsteps with a soft giggle and he felt his insides gnaw at him while he waited in the shadows ready to pounce.
~What am I waiting for? ~ He wondered idly watching the small shadow come towards him.
He heard himself saying words he never thought he'd speak. As soon as the girl came into view, he found himself standing surprisingly fast and the spell he cast frightened him. He hadn't realized he even knew how to use an unforgivable, let alone mean one.
Yet there it was, he had spoken it clearly and the girl before him was racked with convulsions while supporting herself on her hands and knees.
Harry felt himself moving closer to the girl's body and a wicked smile cross his face. He cackled profusely looking down at the girl with cruel glare. He bent down grabbing a handful of hair.
"Does that hurt?" He said to the petrified girl as she fought to keep a straight face. "What… you don't know how to speak?" Again he heard that loathsome cackle. "Well… I am sure we can find something else to do with that pretty little mouth of yours." He bent in to kiss her still holding a fistful of hair. He drew back after a brief touch of their lips tasting the distinct flavor of blood.
"Hmmm…. And to think, I was going to go easy on you." He said casually running his free hand over the girl's neck and down her chest.
Harry sat up screaming. He opened his eyes in the pitch black room feeling the sweat trickle down his face into his burning eyes. His head pounding and his scar sending pain directly to his brain.
His arms went directly to his chest feeling for his state of dress finding he was fully clothed. He rubbed at his forehead wincing as his fingers touched the outline of his scare.
"Harry?" He heard a familiar voice call out. The voice was tired and raspy but friendly and he welcomed that after what he had just went through in his head.
"Lupin?" Harry choked out swallowing the knot in his throat. "Lupin… I saw… I saw…"
Lupin moved from the floor to Harry's bed sitting on the edge and reaching for Harry.
"Lumos." He cried and a soft glow came to the dark room showing Lupin Harry's state of distress. "Tell me what you saw Harry. Did you have another nightmare? Was it the Dark Lord?"
"No… no… although I think it's linked to him."
"What do you mean Harry?" Lupin questioned trying to hide the surprise in his tone.
"These attacks… I saw who is doing them." Harry shuddered as Lupin pulled him into a hug.
"And?" Lupin prodded. "Who is it?"
"It was me." Harry whispered softly feeling the tears behind his eyes break through and slide down his cheeks.
A loud thud echoed through the dingy room. A hand felt it's way from the floor to the bed finding the top of the mattress and braced it's body pulling up to a standing position.
The room's occupant sat instantly on the bed catching his breath. After what seemed like eternity his voice rang out into the dark room.
"Lumos." then the light gently flickered from his wand lying on the vanity. He scratched his neck then ran a hand over his forehead and through his messy dark hair. He smiled wickedly touching his fingertips to the area above one eye.
"You may have seen me tonight in your dreams but you didn't realize it wasn't you." He said smoothly as he stood making his way to the vanity. He picked up his wand touching the tip where his fingers had been but seconds ago.
"That blasted girl doesn't know what she's messing with coming here." He laughed menacingly once more laying down the wand and picking up a simple pair of glasses. Placing them on his face, he sneered at his appearance. "This isn't over with yet father… not by a long shot." With that, he ripped the glasses from his face and threw them across the room.
To be continued…
Interlude 1: Willow's Confession-