Spider's Blood

Chapter Eleven

Before Harry had another urge to rip up the letter and re-write another filled with secrets and emotions, he quickly tied the letter with a blue ribbon and sent it off with Hedwig straight to the Burrow.

Harry felt himself running through the marble corridors around him. He didn't know where he was anymore or even how he got here, but he had to get to her. His arm was throbbing in pain at his side as he ran, the potion was wearing off and the blood was running down his arm. He slowed down his running enough to catch a breath and examine it. The blood had stained the sleeve of his shirt and it was carefully pouring from the slash at his arm, he didn't mind the pain anymore...it just didn't seem important. He looked up from his spot and saw two separate corridors before him.

He looked to the right and saw Zora pacing in a darkened room. The room was decorated in green velvets on the walls and over the bed, overall very luxurious. She was pacing on a Persian rug of all things, looking extremely worried and deep in thought. He got the feeling of urgency coming form her as he watched and could faintly see tears in her eyes, although he didn't completely understand why they were there.

Then Harry looked to the left of the hallway and saw a vision of Ginny sitting on the floor. Her arms were shackled together and linked to the white marble wall. The room was bare and desolate, filled with an impending feeling of death and danger. Her head was bent down, her red hair covering her face, but Harry could see the shaking of her shoulders. She was crying that was certain, but Harry sensed it was not for the same reasons as Zora.

His mind snapped back to the dark corridor and the two passageways. His mind switched from right to left, right to left, trying to decide. They were both in danger, he knew it from the feeling in his stomach, and they both needed his help. But what if he could only save one? Who was he supposed to choose?

Harry's eyes burst open and he stared in wonder at the canopy surrounding his bed. His heart was still pounding in his chest, echoing in his ears and his hair was plastered to his head with cold sweat. He let out a sigh of relief as he realized it was only a dream. There was no impending death hanging over Ginny or Zora, no choices to be made. He could lie and relax and pretend it truly was just a dream. However, the feeling piercing at his brain and the pit of his stomach told him it was something more. A message he had to interoperate.

He threw the bedspread from over his body and fumbled at his night table for his glasses. The blurs faded into palpable objects as the round specs covered Harry's eyes. He carefully and quietly went to the trunk at the foot of his bed and retrieved his cloak. He held the watery material before his body and admired it for a moment before draping it over himself. Harry stood for a moment and listened to the gentle snoring around him as he left his room, leaving the four snoring boys behind him.

"And then I wake up," Harry added with a shrug to signify he was finished telling the story of his dream.

Zora was peering thoughtfully at the floor as she quietly nibbled at her bottom lip.

"What do you think it means?" Harry asked as he watched her stand from the stone floor and began to walk around the elaborate room.

As she walked, continuing to bite her lip in thought, Harry trailed his eyes from her and glanced around to the impressive sight around him. For over a month he had been making these visits, not every night of course, but he tried to make them more and more frequent. Zora tended to get a bit lonely around three AM after Snape would leave her to study and she clearly enjoyed the company of an informed friend like Harry.

"Well, Zora?" Harry pestered impatiently when he withdrew his eyes from the stacks of books at the other end of the room.

She broke her biting and turned back to Harry, "I think...it was just a dream."

"Really?" Harry replied with a sigh of relief. "It was just so vivid, so real...I was afraid I would actually have to make a choice like that between you two."

"I have dreams like that too, Harry. Everyone does, it was just a dream," she smiled. Her smile comforted him and set his mind at ease. If something were wrong, she would tell him...the voice in his head echoed happily. Everything was going to be all right. But the feeling deep in his gut remained and told him something was off...she wouldn't really keep something like that from him would she?

"Are you sure, I mean...it felt so real," Harry said after a few moments of contemplation.

"It wasn't real, Harry," Zora smiled. "You're in Hogwarts and Ginny and I aren't in trouble. Everything is fine. Now tell me about Ron and Hermione, what have they said about the whole vampire deal?"

"Well...they haven't gone out since first week when they didn't see it...I mean you. Hermione hasn't mentioned it, but I know she still looks it up in books. Ron's just kinda there...worried about Ginny I suppose. She was having some dreams over the holiday he said...she'd be screaming, but couldn't remember anything. Do you think that means anything either?"

Zora was once again nibbling on her lower lip, "It's probably nothing. Traumatized ...who wouldn't be?"

"If anything were wrong...you would tell me, right?" Harry asked as he finally acknowledged the nervous feeling his gut as doubt.

"Anything you need to know now, I will tell you. Don't worry so much," she added with a bright smile.

"So, how's training going for you?" Harry asked as he peered over at the swords sprawled on one of the many tables in the vast room and noted one had a deep red tip of blood.

"Good, I guess," Zora replied. "I actually get to do the whole classroom thing now...as in sit with the actual class and answer questions and take sixth year level tests. Speaking of, I had a dream last night - there's a pop quiz tomorrow during potions."

"That's so creepy how you do that! You really just dream things?" Harry asked as he looked at her with a hint of admiration.

"Only stupid things really, Severus says I've dreamt my whole life...I just block all the important stuff out and remember the trivial things. Like...tomorrow's pop quiz, and the next Quidditch game score."

"You know the score!" Harry burst excitedly, feeling his eyes bulge.

"Yes, but I can't tell you," Zora replied firmly. "It would interfere...not very good thing to do."

"Fine, but not even a little hint?" Harry pleaded. The match was against Slytherin and Harry was dying to catch a defeated look on Draco's face before the year was up.

"No! Now, if you don't mind...I have...work...to do."

Harry just smiled, he knew she really didn't have anything to do but read. "You don't have to lie...I know you just don't want to tell me."

"So, I'm not the only psychic in the room. No, I really should read the next chapter in DADA, although I don't really see the point. Besides, you have to be up in three hours."

"Oh yeah, that's right," Harry laughed as he looked at his wristwatch.

Harry stood from the cold ground and draped the watery material of his cloak over his body.

"Best looking I've seen you, Harry," Zora smiled.

"Oh hush!" he called from the material and darted up the stairs to the painting door concealing the room.

Harry sat on his Firebolt, looking down on the Quidditch pitch below his dangling feet. It seemed this game would never end, partially because of the overcast skies, leaving little light to catch a glimpse of the Snitch. Harry withdrew his eyes from watching the Slytherins score yet another point and concentrated on peering around the pitch.

"I can't see anything," he muttered to himself as he strained his eyes through the near darkness, searching for a gleam of gold.

"Even with those obnoxious specs, you still can't see, Potter?" Draco sneered close by.

Harry had reasoned long ago that it was best to simply ignore Draco during these games. There was no point in getting worked up over silly remarks when there was a game resting on his shoulders.

Harry easily glided just out of earshot of Draco as he continued to scan the pitch. Suddenly, just out of the corner of his eye, Harry caught a glimpse of something shinning. He darted his head quickly and saw the tiny gold flicker circling around the Slytherin side's three hoops. Harry quickly began to ease his way over to the goal posts, careful not to tip of Draco, who was only a few yards away. Harry decided he was close enough and could plainly see the ball of gold darting up and down and around, but remaining within the same basic area.

"Another ten points for Slytherin," Lee Jordan announced half-heartedly and was followed by a loud uproar from the green section of the stadium. Harry noted Draco out of the corner of his eye was cheering and laughing, completely distracted. It was now or never. Harry bolted forward on his broom and charged at the Snitch.

"Harry Potter's spotted the Snitch!" Lee Jordan cheerfully chimed in as all Harry's surroundings turned to a blur.

The Snitch was flying just out of his reach, but Harry kept his concentration on its gleaming shine and followed it wherever it led. He could feel Draco near his side. Harry reached out his hand and made a grab for the Snitch. He felt his palm close over the golden ball just as he felt the thin boy at his side slam violently against him. Harry lost his grip on his broom and fell to the hard ground below.

Harry opened his eyes and saw the gray clouds covering the sky above him was decorated with a few early stars. He felt a pain in his back and his head as he struggled to move. He thought it best to just lie and wait for the pain to pass or at least settle a little. He raised his right hand and saw the golden ball trapped between his fingers.

"Harry Potter's caught the Snitch! Victory for Gryffindor," Lee Jordan was boasting happily.

"You all right, Harry?" Fred was asking at his side. Harry turned his head and saw Fred crouched next to him, his face full of worry, much like one Mrs. Weasley would give him.

"I'm great," Harry smiled as he played with the Snitch in his hand. "Help me up."

Fred smiled and helped Harry to his feet. The pain had not weakened at all as Harry rose from his place and stood weakly.

"Hasn't anyone told you that your bum has more padding to land on, not your back?" Fred asked once Harry was stable on his own feet.

"I'll keep that in mind for next time," Harry smiled as he rubbed his back. "Oh, I'd better see Madame Pomfrey."

"Of course," Fred replied. "You can't enjoy the party tonight if you're in pain...let's go."

Harry and Fred slowly made their way through the growing crowd congratulating them and the rest of the team following close behind on their victory.

"Make way, give him some air...No, he's only hurt his back...Nothing serious...Yes, he'll be able to play next game..." Fred was replying at Harry's side as they walked to the Infirmary.

"Why is it, Mr. Potter, that out of all the players on the Quidditch teams, you are the one who ends up here the most?" Madame Pomfrey asked in her harsh yet kind tone.

"'Cause he plays harder than any other, and better too," Fred replied joyfully.

"Well, it's nothing too serious. You hit your back quite hard when you landed and it will be sore for a few days, I suggest plenty of rest and a few drops of an Ache-Freeing potion with your meals...and ease during practices, Mr. Weasley."

"Of course, always," Fred winked at him, making Harry smirk and Madame Pomfrey let out an exasperated sigh and left the two boys.

"Feeling any better?" Zora asked with her usual bright smile as she walked up to Harry's bed.

Harry laughed inwardly as he watched Fred out of the corner of his eye; his reactions were pure comedy even though Fred didn't mean them to be.

"Hallo, Zora," Fred smiled widely and straightened himself immediately.

"Hey, Fred...haven't seen you lately, how are you?" she smiled brightly.

"Just fine," Fred smiled. "Oh...and you?"

"I'm good, I just need to talk to Harry for a moment."

"Of course...I'll leave you two then," Fred replied as he slowly walked between the rows of beds and finally out the door.

Zora watched and made sure the door was closed before she smiled back at Harry and sat on the bed next to his legs.

"Guess the score!" Harry said with a smile as he relaxed against his pillow..

"Two-thirty to One-Seventy...Gryffindor," Zora smiled. "How do you feel?" she asked.

"Fine, just sore...wait a sec...where are your glasses?"

Zora smiled even brighter, her eyes twinkling, "You noticed. I don't have wear them...I can control it now, isn't that great?"

"Yeah...it is," he smiled honestly.

"But that's not why I needed to talk to you," she said as her smile faded. "You fell off your broomstick and fell twenty feet to the ground. I saw it."

"Yeah, I know...everyone saw. Damn Draco, doesn't play fair."

"I saw...but I wasn't at the game. I was in the dungeons, cleaning out my cauldron."

"The dungeons...but...but you can't see the pitch from there," Harry added thoughtfully.

"I know," Zora replied, "that's why I needed to talk to you. I was cleaning and I caught a flash...no, it was more than a flash...it was a vision of you playing. Draco hitting you and you falling. And then..."

"Then what?" Harry pleaded her to go on as he rose his head from his pillow an inch or two, all his body would allow him pain-free; he was captivated by what she was saying now.

"My hand started bleeding," she said questioningly as she unfolded her palm and showed her hand.

There on her index finger was the cut from the glass vase over a month before. Harry looked closely and saw a faint trickle of blood surrounding the slash.

"I thought it healed," Harry asked as he looked to his own cut across his palm. His was a mere scar through his hand, but hers was open and bleeding.

"They did heal...both of them...but when you fell it opened again."

"Do you know what happened? With the cut? Why it opened?"

"I honestly don't know," Zora replied as she looked at her hand. "I tried to heal it myself, but it won't close. Then I had a nagging feeling that I had to see you and make sure you were all right. I'll ask Severus and McGonagall if they know anything about mixed blood...it's probably nothing...I hope."

"Harry! Are you all right?" Ginny asked as she came running toward the bed.

"Quiet, please, Ms. Weasley!" Madame Pomfrey shouted from her office door, her voice echoing against the walls.

"Sorry!" Ginny shouted back twice as loud as before.

"I'm fine, Ginny, just hurt my back," Harry smiled and nodded his head assuredly.

Ginny let out a sigh of relief and smiled, then turned her eyes to Zora and her smile slid down her face and her eyes grew rather wide. Ginny slowly backed away from the black haired girl and moved to the other side of Harry's bed.

"Ginny, we told you to wait!" Ron said as he walked hand in hand with Hermione between the rows of beds.

"I wanted to be sure Harry was ok," she replied, not taking her eyes from Zora.

"Of course he's...ok," Ron replied as he turned his eyes to Zora.

"Hello," Zora replied, her smile fading into a stiff line.

"Zora," Hermione smiled nervously, "didn't expect to see you here. Where are your glasses?"

"On a day like this? You insane? No sun for miles...not even a vampire would need sunglasses on a day like today."

Harry laughed inwardly as all three of his friends' bodies stiffened in fear.

"Well, I better let you rest," Zora replied to Harry. "I'll see you all...later," she added as she raised her eyebrows and gave a devious smirk.

Harry had to turn his face to the bed next to him and bite his lip hard to keep himself from laughing.

"Well...that was different," Hermione replied as Zora exited the room.

"Told you she wasn't a vampire," Harry replied when he had regained his composure.

"Then what was..." Hermione began, but then looked in Ginny's direction and stopped herself immediately.

"Whatever you have to say, I can hear it too," Ginny replied, looking a little hurt by Hermione's resistance to have her hear what she had to say. "I'm part of this too, ya know?"

"She's right, Hermione," Ron replied bravely, standing up to Hermione when she felt strongly about something wasn't the safest thing to do in the world, especially when she was your girlfriend. "She is part of this and she knows everything...I told her...anything you have to say about the attack or Zora or the blood...you can say it in front of Ginny."

"Then what was that thing in the halls?" Hermione finished her statement.

"A ghost...a student...a teacher...who knows. It was probably nothing. What we need to worry about are other uses for the spider's blood and everything with Ginny's attack. But I can guarantee you all, Zora has nothing to do with any of this."

"And how can you be so sure?" Hermione asked, folding her arms over her chest.

"I asked her," Harry replied nonchalantly.

"You asked her? Are you insane! And like she would even be honest with you about it!"

"She was honest...she has nothing to do with this. I believe her like I would believe any of you."

"But she's evil...you said it yourself," Ginny chimed in a quiet voice.

"I was wrong...anyone can be wrong. But now I know better...she's just like us with a few...quirks. It's nothing life threatening. If you can't trust her...then trust me, she's on our side."

Hermione shifted her glance to Ginny and to Ron and then back to Harry.

"All right, but can we please start concentrating on the fact that there is still something going on here? Even if it's not Zora, it's someone."

"Yes, but not tonight," Harry grumbled as he rested against his pillow again.

"Why not tonight?" Ron asked curiously.

Harry looked to each of his friends and smiled, "Tonight...we celebrate."