"Love Almost Lost"
Chapter 10 Impulsive
A/N: Usual disclaimers apply. Don't own anything HP. To those who read, thank you. To those who review, thank you also.
Harry and Professor Dumbledore entered Hermione's room to find that Mrs. Weasley, Ron, and Ginny had stopped by for a visit. They had heard about the potion from the headmaster and wanted to see how Hermione was doing. Seeing Harry, Mrs. Weasley went over to him and gave him a huge hug. She was much calmer now, compared to the last time he had seen her.
"You okay Harry, dear?" she asked.
"I'm doing fine, Mrs. Weasley," said Harry with a smile.
Ron came over and clapped his best mate on the back.
"She looks like her old self again, mate. I have to give it to ol' Snape, he really came through for us," said Ron grinning broadly.
"Yes, he did, Ron. It was really rather amazing, actually," replied Harry.
Ginny took this time to come over and give Harry a hug, and reminded him that if he needed anything to just let them know. He assured her that he would. Seeing that everything was well in hand, the headmaster bid everyone good bye, and headed back to Hogwarts. The Weasley's also took their leave since they had shopping in Diagon Alley to do.
Harry was now alone with Hermione. He took up his usual spot beside her bed, gently holding her hand. He was so happy Professor Snape was able to finish the potion in time. As he looked at her, he knew she must have had another dose of the potion because she looked even better now than she did before he left.
Knowing Hermione was going to be okay now, they could get back to making plans about their future together, however, he really needed her awake to discuss their plans since they affected her too. Harry looked down at Hermione and was amazed at how much she had improved.
It was still relatively early in the day and Hermione was doing loads better, so he decided to step out for some fresh air. He walked up the sidewalk outside of St. Mungos stretching his legs and getting the kinks out of his back. It was really a beautiful sunny day, as there wasn't a cloud in the sky. For some unexplainable reason, he suddenly decided that a quick little trip to Diagon Alley might be just the thing, so he flagged down the Knight Bus and headed there.
Harry really didn't understand why he felt such a strong urge to go there, but deep down inside him, somewhere, was the feeling he needed to be there. He walked around all of the shops and stores looking at what they had in their windows. Muggles actually did call it 'window shopping'.
He was starting to pass the window of this little shop he'd never noticed before, was almost completely past it, when this overwhelming impulse hit him to go back and look in the window. He backed up and walked over to the window, and to his amazement, in the window was a huge array of absolutely exquisite diamond rings.
Harry was very confused. Why am I looking at these? He thought to himself. Then a little voice, not unlike Hermione's, spoke up in his head.
"You are thick, aren't you? You don't have a clue why someone would look at a diamond ring? You do know what they are used for, don't you?"
Harry thought for a long moment, then suddenly, understanding flooded through him. He quickly proceeded into the shop.
A few hours later a dazed, confused, and quite a bit galleonless Harry returned to St. Mungo's hospital. What had he done? As he approached the Healer's station he saw Professor Dumbledore talking to Healer Osbourne. His heart skipped a beat. He prayed nothing had changed with Hermione's progress.
Walking up to the headmaster, he asked with great concern, "Is everything all right, sir?"
"Oh, hello Harry, there's nothing to worry about my boy, I was just dropping off some more potion for Miss Granger. The Healers say she is improving even better than they had hoped for," said Dumbledore.
"That's excellent, Professor. She isn't awake yet, is she?" asked Harry.
"No, not yet, but Healer Pruitt said to give her another day," said the headmaster.
Professor Dumbledore noticed the bewildered look on Harry's face.
"Harry, are you okay? You look a bit out of sorts, is there something wrong?" enquired Professor Dumbledore.
"Sir, may I have a word with you?" asked Harry.
"Certainly, let's go to the conference room down the hall," answered the headmaster.
Once they had entered the conference room, Harry pulled out his wand and aiming it at the door he said,
"Collorportus!"
The room was now sealed. Dumbledore was curious. What was so important that Harry felt he had to seal the room?
"Harry, what's wrong?" asked Professor Dumbledore.
"I don't know sir?" said Harry.
"I don't understand," said the headmaster.
"Neither do I. Earlier today I was sitting with Hermione, and then, all of a sudden, I got this overwhelming urge to go out, maybe get some fresh air. I eventually ended up at Diagon Alley where I did some walking around, browsing around some of the shops, looking at what they had in their windows. I came to this one little shop and this powerful impulse came over me, compelling me to go in. I don't know why, but I did. Then I, uh, well, I bought this," said Harry.
He produced a small black box from his robes, opened it, and held it out for the headmaster to see.
Sitting there, in the little black box, was a beautiful white gold diamond engagement ring.
"What's wrong with me, Professor? Have I gone stark raving mad?" asked Harry.
"My dear boy, you haven't gone mad. As a matter of fact, you are acting completely normal for someone in your condition," said the headmaster, his blue eyes twinkling.
Harry looked even more puzzled.
"My condition, sir?" asked Harry.
"Harry, you are acting perfectly normal for someone who is in love," said Professor Dumbledore.
Harry thought about what Dumbledore had just said.
"Professor, being in love can make someone act so impulsively?" asked Harry.
"Very much so, Harry. Love can make us do things we never thought we could, and it can make us feel things we never thought we could experience. Love is a powerful and mysterious force. You of all people should understand how powerful love can be. It was because you have the ability to love that you were finally able to defeat Voldemort," said Professor Dumbledore.
"Professor, you don't think I'm rushing things? By getting the ring, I mean," asked Harry.
"Under normal circumstances, Harry, I would say to someone your age that it would be rushing it just a little bit, however, and please don't take this the wrong way, there's nothing normal about you or Miss Granger," said Dumbledore smiling at him.
Harry looked even more puzzled.
"I'll explain. Miss Granger is the brightest witch of our age. Actually, if truth be known, she is one of the brightest witches to come along in more than a century. You Harry, whether you realize it or not, are a very powerful wizard. You are one of the most powerful wizards to come along in well over a century, maybe longer. The events you two have experienced, no child should have ever had to go through that. There are older witches and wizards that haven't experienced half of what you two have gone through, in their lifetime. Both of you have grown up faster than you should have, but certain events warranted this. You and Miss Granger have developed a maturity well advanced of your actual ages. Under these circumstances, I do not feel you are rushing things. You and Miss Granger are already of age and you have already inherited a home, plus a vast fortune, thanks to Sirius. You are already prepared for the rest of your and Hermione's life. The only one who may determine if you are rushing things is Miss Granger. She will be the one to let you know if you need to wait a bit longer. However, my guess is, when she sees that beautiful ring, you are going to have a very happy Hermione on your hands," said the headmaster.
Harry looked at Professor Dumbledore and saw a little grin hidden up under his long beard and his blue eyes were positively glowing.
"Thank you Professor, I feel much better now," said Harry.