A/N: Okay, okay, I know that was really mean, but wasn't it fun?! Look how interested you are as to what is going to happen next! I promise, no cliffie this time, I'll let you have a break. I think you will enjoy this one. Thanks again to Dementor149 who has been along for the ride since the beginning.
Officially, these characters aren't mine. But deep down, where all the secrets are hidden, I can pretend they are, and make their lives angsty! (Is that even a word?)
Chapter 17
Healing
Madame Pomfrey frowned as she took in Hermione's blood soaked clothes.
"But her clothes-" she said confused, poking at her with her wand, looking for the reason for all the extra blood. Harry swayed and looked down at his chest where his arm was clutched across it again. He watched as a drop of blood hit the floor. He could feel his consciousness slipping away and everything was starting to go black around the edges.
"That would be mine," he shuddered as he felt his body lose its fight to stay awake and he collapsed on the floor.
****** ****** ****** ******
Ron was beside Harry in an instant. He opened his jacket to reveal his torn and bloodied T-shirt.
"Bloody Hell!" he said as he saw the size of the gash.
It ran from Harry's shoulder down across to his waist on the opposite side. It wasn't deep, thank goodness, but it was upsetting enough to see all that blood. Ron and Lupin carefully picked him up and lay him gently on the bed next to Hermione's.
"What happened?" Ron asked angrily, turning to Lupin. "They were fine when I left."
Lupin shook his head, his eyes never leaving Harry.
"Hermione went down, and Harry wanted to go to her. I gave him cover and I saw him beside her, but I was busy trying to fend off spells coming our way. When I looked around again, they were gone. When I got back to Hogsmeade and couldn't find them, I presumed Harry had taken Hermione to Hogwarts. I have no idea where his injuries came from. We'll have to wait until he wakes up to find out what happened."
"I should have stayed," Ron murmured, running a hand through his hair. "I shouldn't have Apparated. I shouldn't have listened to you."
"So that there would be three of you lying in the hospital? No, Ron, you did the right thing." Lupin laid a comforting hand on Ron's shoulder. Ron angrily pushed his hand off of his shoulder and moved away from Lupin.
"You don't understand!" Ron seethed at him. "We're a trio! We look out for one another! That's what Harry was doing! Hermione and I promised him we would be in this together, and that's the way it's going to be from now on." Ron stormed over and grabbed a chair and placed it beside Harry's bed, out of Madame Pomfrey's way. He sat down, crossed his arms and looked at the three adults in the room, daring them to make him leave.
Lupin sighed unhappily. "This is war, Ron," he said quietly. "Sometimes we have to make decisions that are not easy to live with. You have to think with your head, not your heart. We won't win this by making useless sacrifices or emotional decisions, remember that."
"Fine," said Ron. "Now you remember this. The three of us work together. I won't leave them again, ever. We work better together, so for now on, I am following Harry. Whatever he says goes. End of discussion."
Professor McGonagall took Lupin by the arm and the two of them left the Hospital wing without another word.
Ron watched as Madame Pomfrey closed up Harry's wounds and slathered some kind of thick paste across his chest before covering it with a bandage. She placed several bottles on the table beside him and turned to Ron.
"Since you will be staying, you might as well be of some help. If he wakes up, give him some blood replenishing potion, and then some sleeping draught," she said as she pointed to the different bottles.
She then turned to Hermione and drew the curtains around her for some privacy. Ron watched his friend sleeping and the guilt felt like a lump of lead in the pit of his stomach. Harry was so pale from the loss of blood. Ron shook his head in amazement. Not only had he walked all the way back to the castle after Apparating both himself and Hermione, but he had carried her as well. He didn't know where Harry was pulling his strength from, but he did know that a lesser man would not have made it. He didn't know if he could have done the same thing.
When Madame Pomphrey finished with Hermione, Ron moved his chair so he was in between them. He looked at Hermione. She looked better, with just a few scrapes and bruises visible, but she was so very still and just as pale as Harry. Ron heard Harry groan and he quickly leaned over and put a hand on his shoulder to let him know he was there.
"Her…Hermione," Harry groaned as he tossed his head.
"It's okay, mate. She's okay. Don't worry about her. You just focus on getting better. Here, drink this," Ron said as he held Harry's head up and put the potion to his lips.
When the potion was gone, Ron gave him the sleeping draught and laid him back down. Harry opened his eyes, but they were unfocussed and staring blankly at the ceiling.
"I didn't want to lose her," he slurred as the sleeping draught began to take hold and he closed his eyes. "Can't live…need her," he mumbled as he fell into unconsciousness once again.
Ron looked at him thoughtfully as he slept and then looked over at Hermione.
"You'd better get well and wake up soon, Hermione. I think someone needs you,"
He settled down on the chair, stretching out his long legs and closing his eyes in preparation of a night of waiting. He wasn't going to leave them until he knew they were safe.
****** ****** ****** ******
When Harry woke up it felt like someone had used his body for Bludger practice. He groggily opened his eyes and reached for his glasses. He turned his head and saw Ron sprawled out on the overstuffed chair, snoring.
"He hasn't left since you and Hermione arrived," he heard Lupin explain and turned his head to see him standing on the other side of the bed.
"How-" Harry swallowed past his dry throat. "How long?" he managed to croak.
"Three days," Lupin said as he handed him a glass of water. "You lost a lot of blood."
Harry turned his head and looked at Hermione and frowned. "Why isn't she awake?" he asked.
"Madame Pomfrey isn't sure. She should be waking up, but it's almost like she doesn't want to."
"It was Dolohov," Harry said. "He hexed her, and it was pretty powerful. I've never seen anyone fly so far from being hit by a curse. She looked pretty terrified before he hit her. She froze and I yelled at her to move. When she went down-" Harry swallowed and closed his eyes briefly before looking at Lupin again. "I hid us both until I thought it was safe, but we were attacked again by Dolohov. I had to protect her. I wasn't going to leave her for the Death Eaters."
"That explains your injuries," Lupin sighed. "I've already had this conversation with Ron. He was pretty angry with me for leaving you, and he's angry at himself for not staying."
Harry slowly sat up and could feel the pull of the new skin healing on his chest. He looked over to where Ron was sleeping.
"He's a good friend, the best. He wouldn't have left if he knew we were in danger. I don't blame him for what happened."
"Yes, well, he blames me," frowned Lupin.
Harry looked at him, and Lupin saw a level of maturity in Harry's eyes that he hadn't seen before.
"I don't," he replied. "I understand where you are coming from Professor, even though I don't necessarily agree with you. We've seen what Voldemort can do. Ron hasn't. He doesn't understand the dangers. That's why I made you believe that we had Apparated. I needed you to get back here so I didn't have to worry about you too."
"That was very foolish, Harry. You almost sacrificed your life for Hermione's," Lupin frowned.
"And I'd do it again in a heartbeat, because that's what's going to win this war. We need to fight for each other, not just against Voldemort. That's the only way the wizarding world is going to survive. Isn't that what you said when we were at the Weasley's?"
"And we're going to do it together," Ron said firmly.
Harry turned and looked at his friend and saw the remorse in his eyes.
"I'm sorry, mate," he choked, "I didn't know you were in so much trouble. I would have stayed to cover your back."
Harry grinned at him. "I didn't know I was in so much trouble either. No apology needed."
Just then Madame Pomfrey bustled over. "All right you two. My patient needs his rest. Visiting hours are over. That includes you, Mr. Weasley." She wrinkled her nose. "Shower and go get something to eat before you end up in here from being malnourished."
Harry looked at Ron in surprise. "You haven't eaten in three days?" he asked incredulously.
Ron shrugged. "Well, you know, worry for you and all that. Wanted to make sure you were okay."
"Don't let him fool you Harry. Dobby's been bringing him food from the kitchen," Lupin
laughed.
Ron scowled at him. "What are you trying to do? Ruin my image?"
Harry laughed as he lay back down in his bed and took off his glasses. "Go eat you old fraud," he said.
Ron grinned and squeezed Harry's shoulder. "Good to have you back, mate," he said.
Harry closed his eyes as they left and quickly fell back asleep.
When Harry woke up later, it was dark. He put on his glasses and looked over to where Hermione was lying. She hadn't moved from her original position. He slowly sat up and realized that he didn't feel dizzy any more. He slipped out of bed and padded over to Hermione and sat down beside her. He gently took her hand in his and looked into her sleeping face. Her wounds had almost healed and he couldn't figure out why she wouldn't wake up.
"Hermione," he said quietly, "It's me, Harry. I don't know if you can hear me, but you're scaring me. I need you to wake up, please."
He reached up and smoothed her hair away from her face, but she didn't stir.
"Come back to me," Harry whispered. He leaned over and kissed her cheek before returning to his bed.
Harry woke the next day feeling a lot stronger and suddenly very hungry. He decided it was time to get up, so he dressed and went and found Madame Pomfrey.
"I'm glad to see you up and around Mr. Potter. Nothing too strenuous, mind you, until that chest wound completely heals. Go and get something to eat."
"I was actually thinking of getting Dobby to bring me something up here. You know, so I can watch Hermione," Harry said as his eyes darted to the sleeping form.
"Mr. Potter! Are you insinuating that I am not capable of looking after my patients?" she said, frowning.
"No Ma'am, I just…I just wanted to make sure-"
"Go and get something to eat," she said quietly.
"Yes Ma'am. Will you call me if Hermione wakes up?"
"Of course dear," she smiled.
Harry headed down to the Great Hall for breakfast and was pleasantly surprised to see Hagrid was back.
"Harry! It's good ter see yeh!" Hagrid said as he enveloped Harry in a massive hug.
"Hagrid! Wounded! Stop!" Harry gasped
"Oh, sorry. I was jus' glad teh see yeh."
"Me too, Hagrid, me too," Harry said as he rubbed his chest.
He made his way over to where Ron was sitting across from Lupin. He sat down and began piling food on his plate. Ron watched him and grinned between shoveling food into his mouth.
"Trying to make up for lost time?" Harry teased.
Ron shrugged and swallowed. "Hey! You can't neglect a body like this! Besides," he said as he grabbed
for more toast, "Looks like you are trying to keep up with me."
"Not possible," Harry said, "No one can keep up with you."
"Harry," Lupin interrupted, "I've been looking up the spell that the Death Eaters were chanting."
Harry closed his eyes for a moment, thinking.
"Mihi Pugna per Quisnam Ago," he said.
"That's right," Lupin said, surprised that he could remember. "Unfortunately Harry, it is an old spell and it was directed at you. Roughly translated, it means `Help me fight the boy who lives.' They were calling for power from the Dark Lord to fight you. I think that's why the ward was so large and Dolohov's spells were so strong. We may have a problem if they are using this kind of dark magic to fight."
"Or we need to find a stronger magic to fight against it," Harry mused. "Maybe that would be a good start for our DA classes."
"Let me do some more research. Perhaps we could use it in the Defense Against the Dark Arts as well," Lupin said.
Harry watched as Hagrid made his way over to the table.
"Able teh come over fer a cuppa then, Harry?" Hagrid asked.
Sure, Hagrid, can I come by later? I want to go see Hermione first."
"How `bout round four? I need teh get ready fer me classes fer this year."
"Okay," grinned Harry as Hagrid ambled off.
Harry got up from the table and turned to Ron. "Are you going to come up?" he asked.
"In a bit," Ron replied, "I have to send an owl to my mum to tell her you're okay; otherwise she'll worry herself sick."
Harry headed up to the infirmary and quietly went in. The curtain was around Hermione's bed, so he waited until Madame Pomfrey was finished. She came bustling out a moment later with a worried look on her face. She stopped short when she saw Harry, and gave him a small smile.
"Go ahead, Mr. Potter," she said, "She's still unconscious, but maybe talking to her would help. She needs to wake up soon, otherwise…" she left the rest unsaid, but Harry understood. She may never wake up.
Harry went over and sat on the side of the bed and took her cold hand in his. He wrapped both hands around hers, trying to warm it.
"Morning, Hermione. It's time to get up. We've got some research to do," Harry reached up and stroked her cheek as he told her about what Lupin had found.
"We need the brightest witch to help us come up with a counter spell," he said as he held her hand with his two again. He watched her face for any kind of response, but didn't see anything. He sighed, and just sat there, stroking the back of her hand and watching, his thumb gently rubbing circles on the back of her hand. After a few moments he looked up at her face again.
"I don't know what is going on in there, Hermione, but this isn't like you. I have never known you to shy away from a challenge before."
Ron came in quietly, unbeknownst to Harry.
"Hermione, you need to come back. I need you to come back. I can't do this without you. There's a big hole in my heart right now and you're not here to fill it. I can't even make any plans right now because all I can think about is you," Harry swallowed past the lump in his throat. "Please, Hermione, don't leave me," he whispered.
Ron came up behind where Harry was sitting.
"You care for her," Ron said quietly.
Harry startled and dropped Hermione's hand as he turned around to face Ron.
"Of course I care about her," he said. "She's one of my best friends."
"No," said Ron. "I mean you really care for her. Do you love her?" he asked.
Harry just looked at Ron, afraid of how he would react to Harry's feelings towards Hermione. His friendship with both of them was so important to him that he didn't want to lose one of them over the other. Harry looked into Ron's eyes and saw no resentment, just curiosity. Harry turned and looked back at Hermione.
"I…I don't know," Harry said honestly. "I've never really loved anyone before but I do know I feel something for her that I haven't felt with Cho or Ginny. I'm…I'm sorry Ron."
Ron shrugged. "It's okay. We didn't work out. She's more like my sister than anything else. And being as such, I'm going to watch out for her. Don't mess up." He smiled at Harry and clapped him on the back as he moved to the other side of the bed and sat in the overstuffed chair, stretching his legs out. He watched as Harry picked up Hermione's hand again.
"So why do you think she won't wake up?" Ron asked.
Harry shrugged. "Madame Pomfrey can't figure it out. Physically, she's fine."
"I've always said she was mental," Ron snickered.
"I heard that," Hermione rasped.
"Hermione!" Harry cried, the relief evident in his voice.
She slowly opened her eyes and looked first at Harry and then Ron.
"I have a terrible headache," she grimaced.
"I'll go get Madame Pomfrey," Ron said as he jumped up.
Harry looked at her as he brought her hand to his lips in a quick kiss. "I've missed you," he murmured.
"Me too," she said with a small smile as she closed her eyes. "And I don't plan on leaving anytime soon."
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