The Battle for Peace

Chapter 7:

Harry jumped up immediately. He was certain that he had felt her respond. He felt a ray of light fill the room. Maybe, just maybe, she was waking up.

"Ashley?" he whispered. "If you can hear me, squeeze my hand." He held on to her hand, waiting for her to respond. He got nothing. "Ashley?" he tried again. Still, he got no answer.

Harry sighed. This was the last straw. No, it wasn't going to be as drastic as that, no. He was giving up. It was absolutely pointless to go on like that. Please, readers, didn't you think it was time that Harry shaped up and just let it go?

That's it, he decided. I can't mope around all day, waiting for her to wake up. And do I honestly expect that's she's going to love me? Get an effing hold of yourself, man.

He turned back to her, watching her. She was breathing, though labored. He didn't want to leave her, especially since the timing seemed bad. It hurt him, but it had to be done.

"I'm sorry," he said, "but it's silly to go on like this." He kissed her hand before getting up and leaving the Hospital Wing. He had finally made a decision; if and when she woke up, their friendship would not be harmed.

Ron and Hermione were outside, talking softly to each other. Harry nodded at them before making his way to his room, where he planned on getting a good night's sleep.

"Well, do you think it worked?" Ron asked. "Did she wake up?" Hermione frowned at Harry's back. "What?"

"I don't think things went according to plan," she stated. Glancing at each other, they hurriedly ran into the Hospital Wing to Ashley's bed. They both studied her, frowning.

"I don't get it. Wasn't she supposed to wake up?" Ron inquired, studying Ashley carefully.

"Yes," Hermione answered.

"Why didn't it work then?" he queried.

"Maybe she just didn't respond," Hermione replied.

"Just go ahead; talk about me like I'm not here. It makes me feel good," remarked a hoarse voice. Hermione jumped. Ron smiled.

"Ashley?" they exclaimed. Ashley smiled, though it was plain that it hurt her to do so.

"That's what they call me." Hermione's hands covered her mouth.

"Oh, goodness, we were all so worried...And even though Ron and I found what could have been the cure, we didn't know if it would--it was almost four hundred years old--we.."

"Hermione," Ron interrupted, "stop." Hermione closed her mouth, beaming at Ashley.

"How did--" Ashley began, but stopped when her throat began to throb. Hermione elaborated.

"Well, we looked through some books--"

"More like the entire bloody library," Ron interrupted again.

"--until we found one that listed some of the victims of Danaev's curse, and we realized that--"

"The bloody Bloody Baron was one, blimey. 'Scuse me for being redundant," Ron remarked, shaking his head. "And believe it or not, he was cursed because he found a way to get around it. Obviously, he died the poor bloke. (Never thought you'd see the day I felt sorry for a Slytherin, eh?)

"Old Danaev never thought he'd come back as a ghost, though. So he's been floating around, waiting to see if anyone else was cursed. Of course, Danaev stopped cursing people when he realized that there really was no point." Through the entire explanation, Hermione was looking at him in awe.

"You actually absorbed all of that information? You actually listened to me?" she asked, stunned. Ron looked at her, frowning.

"Well, of course. I mean, her life was at stake; I had to learn everything I could, possibly," he explained, looking at his feet. Hermione rubbed her eyes, muttering about how everything was a dream.

"What curse?" Ashley uttered, coughing. The pain was unbearable. Ron was shocked.

"Do you mean to tell me that you don't remember anything that happened?" he questioned, eyes widening.

Before Ashley could answer, the door to the Hospital Wing opened. In strode Madam Pomfrey, Professor McGonagall, and Albus Dumbledore.

"Clear out, children, clear out. She needs to be evaluated," Madam Pomfrey demanded, feeling Ashley's forehead and getting ready to give her some Pepper-Up Potion. Dumbledore smiled.

"Really, Poppy, there is still time for all of that," McGonagall huffed. "Albus and I need to get some things cleared, first. Albus?" Dumbledore cleared his throat and stood on Ashley's right side. He held out his hand.

"Would you like a lemon drop? After a long sleep like yours, I find they're rather energizing and refreshing," he offered. Ashley tried not to smile; she knew pain would come with it. Despite her efforts, she grinned.

"Of course, Professor," she whispered, taking the proffered lemon drop. Hermione smiled and Ron rolled his eyes. Dumbledore was still the same wizard he was before the war started, albeit a bit older and wiser.

"Now, what's this Ron and Hermione tell me about Danaev?" Ashley managed to ask, chewing the lemon drop. Dumbledore frowned.

"My dear, you have merely been in a coma; you were hit with Duérme Curse. A little pain is common, as you fell from your broom. It has been a short coma, mind you, but you are indeed awake, now, and must get some rest. Poppy, you may tend to her now," he said, ushering the others out of the room.

Once outside, Hermione and Ron turned to their Head of House and Headmster. Before they uttered a word, McGonagall spoke.

"It is very important that you not utter a word of what really happened to Miss Halliwell," she warned.

"Why?" Ron asked.

"Mr. Weasley, forgive me, but this is not the proper time to enlighten you. Perhaps later. For now, the truth must be secret, at least temporarily," Dumbledore explained. Hermione nodded, though Ron wasn't convinced.

"Should we tell Harry--?"

"You may tell him tomorrow. Don't you think it would be a nice present?" Dumbledore asked, eyes twinkling. Smiling, Ron and Hermione departed, congratulating each other on a job well done. Once they were out of earshot, McGonagall turned to Dumbledore.

"But Albus, I thought you said--" Dumbledore hushed her.

"Now is not the time, Minerva. Even at Hogwarts, the walls cannot be trusted."

***

"Did you tell him?" Ron asked Hermione as she entered the Gryffindor Common Room. She sleepily shook her head.

"No, I didn't want to wake him up. He was asleep when I made it to the room. Anyway, I left him a note telling him to meet us here," she answered. Ron nodded.

"Good," he said. There was an uncomfortable silence as the two waited for Harry to enter the Common Room. They hadn't spent a good two minutes together since their disaster of a first date, and of course, whenever they studied in the library to find a cure for Danaev's curse, but that was strictly business. Hermione appeared to be over it, but even Ron knew better than that. He wished he could have done things differently.

"It's pretty cold, isn't it?"

Ron burst out laughing at Hermione's attempt at conversation. She scowled.

"I was only trying to make conversation. Heaven knows it's difficult to carry a conversation with you," she remarked, huffing.

Ron let out a long breath. "Hermione, it's Christmas. Can we please not do this?" he pleaded. Hermione's features softened, and she looked at the fire. Ron took that as an, "okay."

"Look, Ron, I know that there might be some tension between us--" Ron snorted--"but I don't think we should let a silly mistake like the one we made ruin our friendship," Hermione said. Ron was about to nod when he fully comprehended what Hermione had said.

"Wait at minute. You think that us going out on a date was a mistake?" he asked incredulously.

"Well," Hermione said, "at the time I thought it was perfect, but we could never work out a relationship like that. We're two very different people, and while that is all right for friends, Ron, it just doesn't work for a boyfriend and girlfriend."

"So, you actually thought about us being a couple?" Ron grinned.

"Of course not," Hermione denied. "But just in case you thought so far ahead, rare as it would be, of course, I want you to realize it never could've happened." Ron groaned.

"Once again, Hermione, you have managed to explain something to me and insult me at the same time," he said, slouching.

"Ron Weasley, I'll have you know--"

The portrait hole opened and in walked a very sleepy Harry.

"'Lo," he greeted, running his hands through his hair

"Happy Christmas, Harry," Ron and Hermione chorused, forgetting their tiff. Harry smiled, though it didn't reach his eyes.

"Er, we have something to give you," Hermione stuttered. Harry raised his eyebrows.

"It's not a niffler, is it?" he asked, grimacing.

"I wish," said Ron, suddenly thinking that this wasn't a good idea. Hermione rounded on Ron, frowning. He could tell from the look in her eyes that she was warning him not to let this slip up.

"It's in the Hospital Wing," Hermione said. Harry groaned.

"You know I don't want to go there," he stated. Yes, readers, he knew what he decided the night before. But he's not God; he can't get over her in less than twenty-four hours. He needed some grieving time, though he agreed that he wouldn't be so moody.

"Harry, you have to," Hermione urged, an edge coming into her voice. Harry held up his hands in surrender, making his way to the Hospital Wing.

Along the way, he realized that Ron and Hermione had not followed him. The first thought that came to his mind was that it wasn't Ron and Hermione he had just chatted with, but two Death Eaters in disguise. He gripped his wand tightly inside his pocket. If it was an ambush, he was ready.

An immediate burden laid itself on Harry's shoulders as he neared the wing. She was either gone or going. At least one good-bye. If this is Ron and Hermione's present, then I will never speak to them, he thought, running a scanning spell on the door to see within. The charm was supposed to reveal any untrustworthy figures, which would be shaded black. Everything was a safe color; he went in.

The first thing he noticed was that Ashley's position had changed; she was on her right side, not on her back. She was also smiling. Slight hope rising in his chest, he spoke.

"Are you awake?"

She moaned and shifted, slowly opening her eyes. She squinted through obvious pain, though she managed a smile upon seeing Harry.

"Now, I am," she replied, making the struggle to sit up. Harry walked over to her bedside and sat in a chair. He was happy that she was awake, but needed to get something off of his chest.

"I know you just woke up, but I need to tell you something," he started, looking around. She looked at him, not wanting to make a facial expression. Obviously, it would hurt.

"Go ahead," she urged, whispering. He sighed.

"This is difficult..." he trailed off. "So how's it going so far?"

"Harry," she said.

"Seriously, how does it feel to be awake?" he questioned, trying to smile pleasantly.

"Just say it and stop avoiding it," she ordered. He sighed.

"Listen, I'm not going to pretend that, after we broke up, I didn't have feelings for you. I've loved you for a while. And I have been doing some stupid things because of it. I want you to know--" he paused again, his breath coming short.

"Do you need any water?" Ashley asked. Harry shook his head.

"I have to finish," he said. She focused her attention on him, scared of what he might say.

"I want you to know that I'll never stop caring about you, especially after our history. But... I guess I'm trying to say that I'm over it," he said, relaxing once he finished.

Despite the obvious pain, she raised her eyebrows.

"Oh," was all she said. That was all?

"What?" he asked, slightly alarmed.

"Good for you, Harry," she praised, though she was still stunned. He smiled. "I mean, I never knew it was so difficult for you." He smirked.

"After all, I didn't break us up," he said. She stuck her tongue out, though it would only go so far.

"Thanks for that," she said sarcastically.

"Do you want anything to eat?" he asked her. She rolled her eyes. Never mind the miniature headache that came with it.

"Duh," she answered. He laughed, telling her he'd be right back. As he left the wing, he let out a breath. It was quick, but it had to be said. Now, they could be friends.

*&*

Ron and Hermione were playing chess, Hermione losing but not without a fight, when Harry came in. They looked up, expecting to see Ashley next to him. When she wasn't there, they frowned, concerned at what had happened.

"She was going to St. Mungo's?" Harry asked, amused yet in disbelief. He had figured it out along the way back.

"She was, Harry," Ron confirmed slowly. Hermione grinned.

"Do you have any idea why, though, Harry?" she inquired, her eyes twinkling mischievously. Harry, surprised at Hermione's deviousness, shook his head.

"No, that's as far as I went," he admitted. She explained everything.

"Do you have any idea how the Bloody Baron died? Or why he was--is--so bloody?" she asked.

"Wait for it," Ron advised as Harry shook his head.

"Well," she began, "it turns out that he himself was put under a curse by Danaev. He was to die by spontaneous human combustion. Obviously, he did. Don't you see Harry? That explains the blood."

Harry was still confused. "But I still don't see--"

"He was cursed because he found a way around the effects of the curse," Hermione elaborated. Finally, Harry understood. Before he could ask what the way around the curse was, Hermione continued. "Since the curse was all about pain, one had to bring about a pleasant feeling in the victim. It seemed impossible to do so, but then the Baron found a way that he deemed ridiculous, but after testing it, found it had worked.

"Do you remember all those stories about Sleeping Beauty or Snow White and how they awakened with a kiss? Those silly Muggle fairytales (yes, they were around at that time, Harry) held some truth. The only difference was that Snow White and Sleeping Beauty weren't under Danaev's curse."

"And I guess you see why we put you up to it," Ron intervened. "I can't kiss her; we're cousins. Hermione couldn't kiss her, unless there's something about our Hermy we don't know about--" he was answered with a hard smack on the arm from Hermione--"and of course we couldn't just line people up to try and wake her up with a kiss." Seeing Harry shocked at Ron's logic, Ron added, "Hermione told me not to on that last one."

"So that just left me," Harry concluded. Hermione nodded.

"Another major plus would be that you had, indeed, helped save her life, and would stop beating yourself over the head about it," she said.

"Perfectly fine with me, mate, if you want to get back together now," Ron said, obviously not well at being inconspicuous. "It's about time you both gathered your senses." Harry looked at him.

"First of all, look who's talking," he said, causing both Ron and Hermione to blush. "And second, I'm not getting into that again. No arguments; it's Christmas and I want to open some presents." Though that statement in itself was unusual from Harry, the Trio went ahead and began to open gifts.

Gifts are gifts, and as the author has no intention of elaborating on them since they hold no importance with the rest of the story (for example, a ring will not be crucial to the Final Battle), just imagine what you like.

Now, on with the story.

*&*&*&

It was around lunchtime when the portrait hole opened and in walked Sirius. His robes were muddy and his eyes were sunken; the look he had gained in Azkaban was starting to return. The trio stiffened and started firing questions.

"What happened to you?"

"It's not serious, is it, Sirius? Oh dear, sorry about that."

"What the Hell is going on?"

Amidst all the questions, Sirius wearily sat down on the couch. Realizing they wouldn't get an answer until Sirius was somewhat relaxed, Harry, Ron and Hermione sat beside him, waiting for him to reply.

"This war is really taking its toll on the people," he said. "The Dementors have all gone to the Dark Side, and about half of the werewolves, too. Remus has managed to convince some of them to gather their senses and stick with the Light Side. We have some stiff competition," he admitted.

"But we're going to win, of course. What with Dumbledore on our side and the Order, not to mention the others on our side, we simply must win," Hermione said, accenting her words by lightly pounding on the table with her fist.

"Well, we'll see," was all Sirius said.

"We're going to have to fight in this, aren't we?" Ron mentioned. Harry scoffed.

"No, shit."

"No, mate, I mean really. We never actually thought about it. I know all I've thought about is that we're in the middle of it. But whether we're in the Order or not, we have to fight." Harry and Hermione fully absorbed Ron's words. It was true; they wouldn't be guarded or safely hidden by the teachers. They would be out there to fight. They didn't even have another option. That was just the way it was.

"You guys don't have to," Harry stated. "I'm the one who's going to have to fight in the end." Ron and Hermione looked at him.

"Harry, you ninny! Did you actually expect us to sit there and watch you fight all by yourself?" Hermione fumed.

"Come on, even I'm not that stupid. Yes, Hermione, I know what I just said," Ron added, as Hermione was about to speak. "We're friends, Harry. No, scratch that. We're family. Nothing is going to keep us apart; we'll fight with you till the end."

"Thanks," Harry said meekly. He felt a wave of gratitude towards Ron and Hermione, and all of the other people who were willing to stand by him.

It made everything just a little easier to handle.

~~~&~~~*~~~

"You almost killed yourself last time. Why are you deliberately putting yourself in danger?" a girl asked.

"I have to," a hooded person answered. "Come on, we're going to be late." He motioned toward another hooded figure to come and follow him. "You missed the last meeting and he was mad."

"Why are we going to this one, anyway?" his guest asked.

"Because Potter found out about the phony prophecy; the Dark Lord wants us to hatch a new plan to get rid of the Boy-Who-Bloody-Won't-Die." The other one smirked, though it was hard to tell in the dark.

"Did the Dark Lord actually say that?"

"No," he replied, grinning. "That's my little invention."

"You're not actually going to help him make up another plan, are you?" the girl queried incredulously.

"Of course not; we're merely trying to dissuade him from doing so. Well, we'd best be off." He kissed the girl on the lips briefly before departing with his friend.

"Great," they muttered once they reached the abandoned building where the Dark Meeting commenced.