Something to Remember

Chapter 19 Old Friends

**

Madam Pomfrey had forced Hermione to take a Calming Draught, and then insisted she got some sleep. So Hermione pulled out a cot in the hospital wing and slept by Draco's bed, dreading how she could only hope to see him awake and lively in the morning. But unsurprisingly, Hermione did not in fact sleep well, disturbed by vivid and explicit dreams of Draco, and certainly not in a good way either.

When first she awoke, it was only midday. She tried to go back to sleep immediately. She had barely rested three hours, and effectively Hermione felt impossibly tired now, more so than before she'd even slept, incredibly. But nevertheless, she simply could not go back to sleep. Silently sitting on the other side of the room was Narcissa, looking very grave indeed. Sitting with her as well, and whom appeared to have only just now stepped in, was Celeste.

The poor girl was peering curiously at Draco, befuddled by it all (or at least it so seemed). "I heard about them being missing and was so worried," Celeste said. "When I heard Draco was hurt, I had to come." Celeste looked sad and worrisome indeed, yet with a mature understanding to sit in and guide her.

"Yes, thank you," Narcissa managed out of politeness, but in truth she looked absolutely miserable. Her son's life was in absolute mortal danger. She looked very frightened.

Hermione got up and made it noticed that she was awake. She suppressed a smile that Narcissa returned only in force. She went over by Narcissa, and sat by her side with Draco, who was still unconscious as ever. She looked deeply at Draco, who looked, even in sleep, as beautiful as ever.

"Oh my love," Hermione whispered. She put her hand on his cheek and just stared at him in fright for a moment, doing nothing else. She wanted him to awake. Why was he still sleeping? She needed him. She could not be without him. He was part of her ...

"He'll be fine, of course," Narcissa spoke, seemingly shouldered by a resounding, confident tone. But she was no hope for Hermione, who even yet saw right through her tone's underhanded, deliberate (and failing) intention to be convincing. Yes, despite these genuine words of guidance, indeed Hermione still deciphered the fragile tone of Narcissa's voice and found that it was actually Narcissa begging HER for reassurance, not Draco's mother attempting to reassure her. And the stark realization of this chilled Hermione to the bone, truth be told ...

And just like that they sat watching Draco for what must have been hours, it felt.

**

Harry entered Dumbledore's office. He was a bit apprehensive. He was close to exhaustion, really, but he was determined to finish the task they had set out. He decided that he didn't want to run off missing once again, causing a second uproar, so he decided to inform Dumbledore this time. He would also seize the chance to ask for a portkey. Harry prayed there would be no protest.

Dumbledore looked mildly surprised to see Harry there. He had a genuine smile at the same time, if as though he had expected Harry to come sooner or later. Dumbledore was an interesting character.

"Harry, Harry, how splendid it is to see you in good health ... Nonetheless, there's something you wish to discuss with me, I presume?" an especially conscientious Dumbledore asked calmly.

"Yes ... Sir, I feel I have a duty," Harry began anxiously, searching for the correct words. Dumbledore nodded a bit, motioning for him to continue. "I have to finish the task we had set out for tonight."

"Ah," Dumbledore understood, very much listening as he surveyed Harry closely through his half-moon spectacles. "You must find the base then."

"Right ... Susan will have to give me the key to the specific vault, she has it. Other than that ... I, err, well I sort of reckon I think I want to go on my own this time. It seems right, Sir." Harry wasn't looking Dumbledore in the eye at all, but at his own trainers. He wasn't completely sure how Dumbledore would react.

"Harry, I understand your strive and yearning to continue. You have my eternal support. However, Harry, I cannot allow you to seek the base without a guard. I must insist that someone accompany you. Possibly Remus?" Dumbledore suggested kindly. He wasn't condescending Harry; he was concerned for his safety.

Harry understood. For all he knew, he could be facing another Death Eater attack, something he of course, would not be able to face alone. The luck they experienced on the island had been just that ... Pure luck. And he alone would never survive another attack. And the stakes and most likely Voldemort's anger at this point had only increased. Harry nodded.

Harry highly respected Remus and now that he thought about it, he could think of no one better to accompany him. Remus had a great mind, and he was very sensible. It would most likely be more sensible for Remus to go along with him than someone like Sirius or Hagrid. As much as he cared for them, Remus was the man for the job.

"Yes, Remus. And please, Professor ... Don't let anything bad happen to Draco." It was the beg of a child in Harry's voice -- the remarkable, outright inflection of a bleeding, hopeful pleader -- and made all the more obvious in that he had not at all intended it to be so ... Yes, just like a child's unarmed plea to a parent, in fact. It might have made him sound naive, but somehow Harry felt saying these words would accomplish something.

A sadness Harry had never seen on Dumbledore glowered on his face, and Dumbledore looked older than Harry had ever seen him.

**

Ginny had been obsessively walking around the lake over and over again with Cho. She had been refusing to visit Draco. She could not bare it. She had visited him once in the morning and felt very faint since. She had not slept at all. Every moment she did nothing but worry for Draco. Cho had come to her rescue and demanded to know of the night's events. She had been worried sick.

Ginny had told her basically everything. She explained about Draco, and how Hermione had only barely saved him. Cho, too, was worried sick. After all, it had not been long ago when Cho had been best friends with Draco. It didn't seem to matter how much they had drifted apart. Cho seemed almost as worried as Ginny.

Hermione was up there with Draco; she had not once left his side. Ginny felt she should be there as well. But Hermione would never understand what she felt for Draco. Ginny secretly believed, though she'd tell no one, that she alone understood Draco and no one could feel the pain she felt for him at that precise moment. Somehow, Ginny believed even Hermione and Narcissa could not be feeling as much pain as she did.

As she had told the story to Cho, they had circled the lake. And now hours later, Ginny was in a worse emotional state than when she had begun. All she could possibly do was cry as Cho insisted she visited Draco. Cho had not visited yet but didn't want to leave Ginny alone. Cho kept telling Ginny Draco would recover but this only made Ginny feel worse.

"Ginny, please, if you can't do it for yourself, do it for me. I'm so worried about him. And I know you need to see him. You know that," Cho said very quietly, as kindly and gently as she could as far as Ginny could tell. Ginny was not looking at her, but staring at the lake, watching her sad reflection.

Ginny considered. She knew Cho was most likely right. She needed and wanted to see Draco. It was just so hard. Draco had always been her personal source of security. She always expected him to come out strong and powerful ... And Draco's guard was down now. And this frightened her more than ever. But she owed it to him. If it had been she who was in that state, Draco would have been there.

Ginny nodded.

**

Many visitors had come and gone but Hermione stayed. She wondered why Ginny had not come. Hermione guessed she was frightened to see Draco in such a state. Her thoughts of course, were not on Ginny. Or she tried for them not to be. But she worried about everything ... Of Harry, if he had followed her request .... Of Ginny, Susan, and Terry, all of them ...

Ginny entered with Cho after some time. Hermione was not surprised to see Cho, she had also expected to Cho to come. They had been good friends before, and since Ginny and Cho were such good friends now, it was really quite expected. Hermione was also glad Cho and she had a reason to talk again. She did miss Cho often.

"Draco," Ginny cried out breathlessly, erupting into tears that as a side-note made Hermione feel immensely uncomfortable. Hermione watched her harshly. Hermione was only just beginning to regain some hope, and Ginny made her feel twice as terrible all over again. Hermione wasn't sure how to react. Ginny was now by Draco's side weeping in his arms.

Cho hugged Hermione. Cho, too, looked pale as ever and as though she was sick. They hugged for a long time. It was as though they made up for the time they spent not being friends anymore just because Cho and Harry had broken up, in simple terms anyway. Cho muttered something about missing her in which Hermione did not catch. She could hear the crying in Cho's voice.

"They're transferring him to St. Mungo's this evening," Hermione said finally. "As a precaution Madam Pomfrey says."

Ginny did not seem to have heard or chose not to respond as she made no motion to indicate she had heard her, but sat with her head on Draco's arms, tears still falling like a waterfall from her eyes.

"She's having a real hard time," Cho explained to Hermione. This much was quite obvious. Hermione could not blame her. Ginny was less in control of her emotions in these kinds of circumstances.

"He's going to be okay, Ginny," Hermione finally said. She could think of nothing else to say, even if she wasn't totally assured herself. "Please ... Please, just hang in t here, Ginny."

"I can't. It's so hard ... I can't think of him ever leaving us ..."

A terrible chill went through Hermione's body at those words. "Promise to try?" Hermione whispered. Ginny ran to her and embraced her into a hug. It was quite emotional. Hermione was crying again. She could not help it. She wanted to be strong in front of Ginny but she couldn't. But she understood it was okay. Ginny probably had expected no better.

"Maybe I should be asking you that, Hermione," Ginny whispered so low that Hermione was barely sure she had not imagined Ginny speaking.

Cho was now by Draco's side, watching him closely. Cho looked scared, and she was shaking. Hermione hoped they didn't leave. She hated being alone with Draco. It made her feel better to have her friends with her. She wished Harry could be there as well. Ron had stopped by a few times, but it wasn't the same. Harry was Draco's best friend ...

"I miss Harry," Hermione said. "But he has to do something."

"He's finishing the job, right?" It was Cho who spoke this time, looking at Hermione directly, demanding an answer. Hermione figured Ginny had told her of the night's events.

"Yes," Hermione replied hollowly, leaving it at that, as she couldn't be sure exactly how much Cho already knew.

"That's Harry ... He's a hero .... He has to save the world to be able to rest at night," Cho said, in a rather admirable way. She could not have made it plainer she still had intense feelings for Harry. She truly had loved him. She still had not moved on. She had not really dated seriously since. And he was obviously still embedded in her mind.

Harry had cared for Cho very much, and still probably did. He didn't talk about it much, though. But Hermione read him well. Harry was probably unsure if he was capable of having someone like Cho in his life. And at the time of the break up, Cho had only proved that. Cho had learned from it, but at that point, had already scared Harry away.

"And that's why we cherish him," Hermione responded quietly, but then looked over at Draco again, in a loving way. She didn't want to lose him. She couldn't. She loved him too much. She could not go on without him. "Wake up darling, wake up, please. Don't leave me. I need you."

And the three of them watched Draco together for what seemed like an eternity, praying for the recovery they begged was imminent.

**

Remus and Susan had both joined Harry in Dumbledore's office minutes after their short conversation. Susan gave Harry the proper key to the vault, and asked if he needed her to assist him, which he of course, told her no. Only Remus would be accompanying him this time. He gave her much appreciation regardless. She promised to take care of Draco.

When only Remus and Dumbledore remained with him, Dumbledore spoke. "We will use a portkey. Please be safe. Use your wits."

Harry's heart was pounding very hard now. He was not necessarily frightened, as he rarely truly was after all he faced. But he was terribly apprehensive, as that happens in situations like that, where he felt something would go absolutely terribly wrong. But either way, he was going to have to face it and the knowing fact of the matter somehow made him feel brave.

Remus eyed him, and smiled just a bit. Harry could tell he wanted to comfort him. But Harry was much too old to be naive enough to believe Remus would be able to protect him. In ways, Harry knew it was his job to honestly protect others. He was not a child anymore ...

"Are you ready?" Dumbledore's voice boomed. "On the count of three. One ... Two .... Three..."

And Harry and Remus touched a frame in which Dumbledore had bewitched and they were gone. Seconds later, Harry was no longer in Dumbledore's office, but in place he remembered very vividly as one of the first and most essential magical places he had ever visited. He was in Ollivander's shop. It was here he had purchased his very first wand.

Harry surveyed his surroundings. There were no customers in the shop. But still, Ollivander stood behind the same counter he did when their first ever met. He glowed at the sight of Harry. It was obvious he had not forgotten the experience during Christmastime when he had nearly lost his life. His face showed complete gratitude towards Harry.

Ollivander did not look surprised to see them at all. But Ollivander did not look the same. He was very pale, and looked sleep deprived. Harry was surprised he had kept his shop open after the attack. Ollivander greeted them animatedly.

"Hello, Harry, and Remus .... Oh how I remember, how I remember ..." And he drifted off a bit. Harry wondered exactly what he remembered. Was it the incident during Christmas, Harry's first wand, or Remus's first wand? Ollivander was a bit peculiar, of course.

"You had a single hair of a wolf did you not?" Ollivander spoke, clarifying what Harry wondered. The question was rhetorical; it wasn't as though Ollivander actually did not remember. As he had told Harry, he remembers every wand he ever sells. Remus nods anyway.

"Great man, Dumbledore .... Letting you go to school and all," Ollivander spoke, as though it was a normal conversation. Harry always felt Remus was a bit uncomfortable discussing the fact he was a werewolf outside of the inner circle, though of course, it had been made public at the end of Harry's third year.

"Yes he is ... Harry and I must be going. As Dumbledore must have told you, we have much to do." Remus suppressed a smile, but it was obvious he preferred for a quick rush out of Ollivander's.

Harry was first to exit. Remus followed very closely. It was a rather windy day for May. There was a chilly feeling to the air. As Harry looked around, Diagon Alley was no longer the cheery and rather eventful place he remembered it to be. He expected though the attack during Christmastime had not affected Ollivander as it should, it certainly affected the people. The shoppers were huddled together, rushing through their shopping, trying to leave as soon as possible. Harry did not blame there. You never knew when something terrible could happen.

Gringotts was not far away. Harry and Remus did not talk almost all on the walk over. Harry admitted privately to himself he was a bit more shaken now. He hadn't seen the outside effect of Voldemort as much. For some reason, he never thought Diagon Alley would be like this.

As they entered Gringotts, Harry noticed that this, at least, was still the same. The goblins still ran the bank, looking stern and hostile, yet still businesslike as ever. Gringotts was most likely more crowded than Diagon Alley. Harry noticed two familiar figures sitting behind a counter. But no, it couldn't be ...

But it must. The red hair and the freckle-face could be spotted anywhere. A smile was on his face. It was definitely him. But why wasn't he in Egypt? Bill did not work in the Gringotts in London ...

But the next figure was less believable. It was someone he was sure he would probably never see again. But she was also as familiar as ever. The silvery hair and stunning body absolutely unnatural to humans was definitely her. He was as shocked as ever to see her, but it was her. It was his former Triwizard opponent back in his fourth Hogwarts year, the champion from Beauxbatons, stunning, part-veela Fleur Delacour.

And Harry remembered her stating she wanted to find a job in their parts to improve her English. He had flirted with Bill openly. It wasn't a surprise they were working together. But still, why was Bill here? Surely he didn't move to London for her ...

"Oh 'Arry! It zees you! Such zey pleasure to see you again!" Fleur beamed at him.

"All right there, Harry?" Bill asked brightly, glowing at him. He had only met Bill a few times, the first being the summer before their fourth year, but he had liked him very much.

"I'm good. How are you both?" Harry asked politely, smiling back. It was nice to see them.

"I am very well, 'zank you. Bill 'as gotten me zey job 'ere at Gringotts," Fleur smiled. "I 'oped to see you soon."

"It's good to you both," Harry said.

"Who 'ees zis lovely man 'ere?" Fleur asked cheerily, gesturing to Remus, but she did not look as though she found him charming.

"This is Remus Lupin," Bill explained for Harry. "He's a good friend of Dumbledore's."

"Nice to meet you," Fleur said, offering her hand. "'Ow can I 'elp you?"

"We have a vault we need to retrieve something out of," Remus explained patiently.

"Do you 'ave zee key?" Fleur asked. Remus nodded and Harry handed it to her. "Thank you. This way, please ..."

They entered the underground portion of Gringotts. It had not changed at all since Harry's last visit. They still used those mad carts Harry remembered too well that had made Hagrid sick. Harry smiled to himself at the thought.

This time, as the cart took many sharp turns and increased speeds, it was Remus who began turning blue. Harry had a strong stomach and did not usually suffer motion sickness. Harry turned to Fleur, who also looked fine.

"How is Gabrielle?" Harry asked, remembering the second task at the lake, when he had rescued Fleur's hostage, her younger sister.

"She is very well, she speaks most 'ighly of you," Fleur said, beaming at him.

"Good to hear that," Harry said, conversationally.

"'Ere we are," Fleur said, and the cart came to a rather rushed stop. "Vault Two 'undred and forty, yes?"

Remus and Harry both nodded. They followed Fleur. Harry became very apprehensive again, though he was also quite excited. Finally, the key to destroying Voldemort was upon them. Finally, it would all be over. They would make the Draught of Destruction and finish Voldemort and peace could be restored.

Fleur opened the vault. Harry peered inside. It was absolutely completely dark. He could see no outline of any type of object inside. And it was then Harry became scared and worried. Had Gringotts been successfully robbed by Voldemort, as it nearly had when Voldemort had wanted the Philosopher's Stone? Did Voldemort have the second piece of the puzzle, making it impossible to conjure the Draught? It would be useless as well to Voldemort, but this way, at least Harry would be unable to use it ...

"One moment," Fleur said. She took her lantern and flashed it over the vault. It was empty. No, it can't be ...

"Where is it?" Remus demanded immediately.

"No, no, where is it? What has happened?" Harry said in a panicked voice.

"'Ush, boy," Fleur hissed at him. "Nula Revele!"

A tiny yellow package appeared in the center of the vault. A shower of relief poured over Harry.

"Eef you 'ave ze 'nough money, you can 'ave extra security," Fleur said informatively.

Harry pocketed the package and nodded. He was still shaken from believing it had been stolen. But regardless, a shower of satisfaction and happiness was already running through him. He had the base to the Draught that would make Voldemort powerless. Hopefully, with Hermione's help, they could whip up the Draught in no time, and end the treachery.

And for the first time in a while, he thought of Cho. Cho and he had split because she could neither understand nor adapt to his lifestyle. Few could though. Once it was soon over though, would they be able to have something? It wasn't as if he didn't still have feelings for Cho. Deep down, he was quite aware he did. But he had felt staying with her would only hurt both of them ...

But once it was over, that could all change.

**

Hermione and Ginny sat together in the Great Hall, having finally left Draco for a bit to have something to eat. Ginny was barely eating anything. Her thoughts were on Draco.

"I hope Harry's okay," Ginny said finally. They had not spoken much since they had sat down together. The silence was much too strange. Susan had come to them and told them Harry had gone on to collect the base with Remus.

"I'm sure he's fine," Hermione said, but the tone in her voice was quite worried indeed.

"I don't think I could have done it," Ginny said very quietly.

"Done what?"

"Leave Draco like this," Ginny said.

"Well, it wasn't easy for him. But he is strong. He has watched the people he cares about being taken from him, hurt, and he just knew he had to continue on," Hermione said. "He wanted to be with Draco as much as you and I."

But Ginny privately believed no one was as distressed over Draco nor cared as much about him as she did.

"I certainly did," came a sudden booming voice. Ginny turned. It was Harry. His heart skipped a beat. He smiled at them. "How is he doing?"

"He's being transferred to St. Mungo's in about an hour. We hoped you'd be back in time to see him before they took him," Hermione explained, and she hugged Harry. And there again was that bond between them that of course Ginny had never truly been a part. But she was rather used to it.

"I want to see him," Harry said. And Ginny understood. It was not a want even ... It was a need, a demand almost.

"We can all go now," Ginny said.

They left and hurried to the hospital wing. It was a painful experience. Harry had not been able to spend much time with Draco. Ginny watched Harry by his side, looking absolutely depressed and full of angst. Ginny and Hermione allowed him private time with his best friend.

As Ginny finally approached Draco after a while, she saw three tear stains on Draco's sheets. She looked into Harry's eye. He was terribly trying to hide the fact that he had wept. Watching Harry this upset only pained her further, and she hugged him. "It's going to be okay," she said gently, trying to comfort him.

"Ginny ... Oh Ginny .... He has to be okay," Harry said desperately. And Ginny remembered the boy she had a crush on when she had been younger. She remembered strong, noble, brave Harry Potter ... the boy who always came out twice as tough as any other. The boy she still admired. But now, Harry Potter's guard was down. It made her feel weaker. She herself began crying into Harry's arm. She and Harry shared a moment together strong then they had ever had.

**