Harry Potter and the Unknown Power

Harry opened his eyes, smelling lavender and Madame Pomfrey's special antiseptic and realized he was in the infirmary. It was dark and quiet. He peered up at the tall windows, slipping his glasses on, and wondering what time it was. He pulled his wand from under his pillow, "Tempus," he whispered, the small red numerals spelled out that it was just after two in the morning. He looked at the bed next to his and saw Ron and Hermione, fully clothed, lying together. They must have been watching over me, and fallen asleep. He felt his heart swell as he looked at them.

He sat up in bed, and watched his sleeping friends. Hermione was holding Ron's hand, and Ron's arm was draped over her shoulder. Harry reached over and caught Hermione's free hand in his own, and then Ron's. His heart felt full, and he could feel tears prickling in his eyes. Blinking hard, he fought for control. I know what I need to do.

He sat up and crossed his legs, then closed his eyes and began to steadily sift through his memories. He pulled every kind thought, every compassionate moment, and every instance of love, and wound them together. He thought about the kind teacher who had offered to let him check out as many books as he wanted, the nurse who had smuggled him sweets, and the young woman that day in the park.

He realized, too, that he had never been unloved. Remus had as much as told him that he had thought about Harry often. It still hurt to think about Sirius, but he had broken out of Azkaban thinking only about killing Wormtail and protecting Harry from harm. Professor Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall had always looked out for him, taught him and cared about him, too. He thought about Arthur and Molly Weasley and how they had all but adopted him as one of their own. He knew that they loved him. He knew, too, that without a doubt, his two best friends, Ron and Hermione, loved him. They had seen him at his worst -he shuddered to think about how shabbily he had treated them last year; and they had been there for him every time he needed them.

When he next opened his eyes, he was surprised to find that the sun had come up, and his face was sticky with dried tears. He saw his friends sitting on the end of his bed, waiting for him.

"Harry!" Hermione squealed, hugging him until he gasped for air. Ron stood and clapped him hard on the back, unable to say anything. They both looked exhausted, each with dark hollows in their cheeks, and bruised eyes that spoke of sleepless nights. Hermione's hair was wild, as though she had grabbed it in frustration, as Harry had seen her do while studying for exams, while Ron's was plastered to his head, as though he had nervously run his hand over it many times throughout the day.

"How long has it been? What happened?" asked Harry, "I didn't think anything in the Pepper-Up Potion would explode like that! Did we do something wrong? How many points did I lose?"

"The potion was, erm, contaminated, Harry," said Hermione, casting a cautious glance at Ron, "The contaminate is what caused it to explode, last week. It's been five days, Harry."

"Five days!" Harry sank into his pillow thinking about all the work he had missed.

"Snape looked so worried; he grabbed you and carried you down here. He didn't even take any points," said Hermione. "Though, you did miss a good lesson in Transfiguration, Harry."

"We will help catch you up, mate, I'm sorry, it was my fault. Remember when I grated my thumb? Well, that was the contaminate." Ron looked defeated. "Apparently, blood reacts badly with the salamander bile in the potion."

"It's alright; I got out of Potions for whole week, though I would have liked to be awake for it. I had a dream, a really good one, even though it's a little sad. But I think part of it is that I need to tell you something. I'm not sure how, exactly," he had felt so good, waking up after his dream, but now he felt a bit nervous. He had never been very good about talking about his feelings.

"It's alright, Harry, no one here is going to laugh, you know," said Hermione, elbowing Ron in the ribs. Ron grimaced as he rubbed his side, and then nodded, looking serious.

"There was this Shadow, and it guided me through my memories. Some that I didn't realize I still had of my parents, and other times in my childhood that weren't horrible. Times where I was cared for. I think I am supposed to tell you how I feel about you. I've never been good at this sort of thing, because it's just not how I was raised. It took a long time for me to get used to being touched, and even longer to talk about what I am feeling. Besides, it's just not something most blokes are good at."

Ron and Harry exchanged smiles. Ron said, "Nah, why bother when we can bloody well beat each other up?"

"Language, Ron! Honestly, go on Harry," said Hermione. She leaned forward and put her hand on Harry's arm. He felt bolstered by her touch.

Harry told them what happened in his dream, all the memories he visited, and ending with the last one of him in bed, holding hands with his friends, "And although I was unconscious, you were there, holding my hands and letting me know that you cared."

"I remember that... I also remember thinking that if Malfoy came in and found me holding hands with you, we would never hear the end of it."

"Ron, just when I thought you had managed the emotional range of teacup you go and find your teaspoon again," snipped Hermione, giving him a steely glare that rivaled Professor McGonagall. She softened, "I remember that, too. I was so afraid that you weren't going to make it, Harry. You were so pale."

"But I think what I am supposed to do is tell you that I...I...love you. Both of you, as my best friends. Hermione, you are the sister I never got, and honestly never knew I wanted. I think you feel the same towards me, because you are an only child. Ron, you are the brother I always wanted, and even though you have more than your fair share, I hope that is the way you feel about me. You are the first friends I've ever had, and I want you to know how much I appreciate you," Harry then laid back in bed, exhausted, but happy, as he watched his friends' faces.

"Harry, you are the brother I always wanted. How did you know? I love you, too," said Hermione, not a little weepily. She flung herself into Harry's arms and hugged him tightly. He patted her bushy hair awkwardly, and then tightened his arms around her, before letting her go. She sniffed and wiped the tears from her cheeks.

"Harry, you've got it in one, I think we are closer than I am with any of my brothers. Mum and Dad think of you as one of their own, too," Ron leaned down to hug his friend, whispering, "I love you, too, mate." As he straightened up he spoke again, "I don't have to repeat that, do I?"

Harry laughed, then laughed harder at the glare Hermione shot Ron. Ron joined in and grasped Harry's shoulder tightly, until Hermione had to laugh, too, holding onto Harry and Ron for support.

From the far corner of the infirmary, a light glinted off a pair of half moon spectacles fixed on the group of laughing friends.

***

It had been three days since Harry had woken up, and with each passing hour he had become more and more bored with the hospital wing. Harry begged the medi-witch, "Please, Madame Pomfrey, I promise I will come in every morning before breakfast so you can check me over. May I please move back up to the Tower?"

"Young man, you have been through a severe trauma, you were unconscious for a full five days. I cannot in good conscience, send you back to your dormitory as injured as you are."

"Please, what if I come down here every evening after dinner, too? For another week or two? Wouldn't I get more rest in a familiar place? Please?" Harry turned to her and fluttered his eyelashes dramatically.

The stern medi-witch looked at him and smiled, "Mr. Potter, I swear you got all of your father's charm, didn't you? All right, you may go back to your dormitory, but you promise to come down here every evening after dinner and every morning before breakfast so I can check on you. You are to eat at each meal, and you aren't to tire yourself. Gryffindor doesn't have match until the end of November, so I think no Quidditch practice for the rest of this week shouldn't hurt your chances. You can observe candidates from the ground, and then resume play next week."

"Yes, ma'am," said Harry meekly. He pulled on his clothes and raced upstairs, ignoring Madame Pomfrey's admonishments as he went.

He slid into the seat next to Hermione, and grabbed a chicken leg from her plate. She was so engrossed in her Arithmancy book propped on the juice jug that she didn't notice it was him. "Ron, leave my plate alone! Honestly! Isn't there enough food on the table, without resorting to nicking food from me?"

"Ichuzzan 'e, 'Mione," said Ron, grinning and talking around a mouthful of roast potato, he swallowed, "Good to see you back, mate, thought that you'd eloped with Pomfrey for a moment."

"I nearly did," joked Harry, as he filled his plate with potatoes and more chicken. He spotted the tray of treacle tarts and grabbed two.

"Harry! I am so glad to see you! We need to talk about your dream, but first I need to -"

"Go to the library?" asked Harry and Ron together.

She rolled her eyes, "Honestly, I do go other places, you know."

"So where are you going, then?" asked Ron, smirking knowingly.

She flushed, "The library."

As she walked stiffly for the door, Ron caught Harry's eye and they laughed. "It is good to see you. We've got some planning to do for Quidditch."

"I'm going to need your help, too. Madame Pomfrey won't let me on a broom for at least another week, so I will be observing from the ground," said Harry ruefully. "Here's what I was thinking, though..."

***

"Good morning. Those of you who want to try out for Chaser over here, and Beaters over there," called out Harry, gesturing to two different spots on the Quidditch pitch. A small group of mostly girls stood to one side and three boys to the other. "Good. Katie is going to show you a few maneuvers and we will see how well you work with her. After that, we will see how well you do against the Keeper.

Beaters, you are in for a treat. Two of the most lethal Beaters in all of Hogwarts history will be here shortly to get you started." Harry had to stop to smirk as he noticed the terrified glances the boys exchanged. He congratulated himself on owling the twins to help out with recruiting Beaters for the team. If he could find candidates half as good as the twins, then he would be twice as well off from last year. He was glad when Sloper and Kirke had decided not to play this year. They had been mediocre at best, and not very enthusiastic about being on the team. "Then we will see how many Bludgers you can return and how accurately you return them. Are we clear?" In response, Harry received a few nervous nods. He continued, "Good, Chasers, mount your brooms, then!"

Harry stood on the ground, and scribbled several notes as he watched the Chasers. They were moving in tight groups of three. Ginny was quickly learning the maneuver and keeping up with Katie. He focused on her as she streaked through the air and managed to get a quaffle by Ron. So far she and Katie were the only ones to do so.

"Oy! Harry! You know, we aren't near as protective of her as our dear Ickle Ronnikins, but if you don't stop staring at her like she is dessert, we may have to take exception, even if you are our partner." laughed Fred.

George chimed in, "Yeah, though, who knows, Ginny may just take exception to us, Fred."

"Ooh, too right, that Bat-Bogey Hex of hers is lethal."

"Speaking of lethal, boys, that group over there are my potential Beaters. Give 'em hell," said Harry, smiling. The twins kicked off on their brooms, and began putting the would-be Beaters through their paces. Harry turned his attention back to the Chasers, trying to ignore their comments about Ginny. So far no one else had scored. Harry fervently hoped this was merely because Ron had improved and not because the Chasers weren't good.

After several hours, the students were looking worn out and were grateful to land on Harry's whistle. "Good job, everyone. You all flew and played very well. This is going to be a tough decision, so I am going to talk this over with the twins, Ron and Katie and I will post the results in the common room in the morning. Thanks!"

They watched the exhausted group go back to the school. Suddenly Katie broke out, "Ginny is excellent, she has the right sort of build for the job, and she can take a hit." She then continued, "I also think that Andrea Parker would be an excellent choice; she is a fourth year, so she can keep the team going when we are gone. Sad, isn't it?" asked Katie. They nodded, shuffling their feet.

"Parker, she was that blonde girl?" asked Harry. Katie nodded, "She did fly very well, and on one of the school brooms, too."

"She said if she made the team, her mother would send her broom from home. She says she has a Nimbus 2000."

Harry sighed, thinking fondly of his first broom, "It's a good broom. Okay, Parker and Ginny it is. Katie, could there be anyone else? I'd like to have a Reserve Chaser, just in case."

"Some of the younger students, MacDonald and Jackson, were fair players, but indecisive. Parker and Ginny were fearless. But if I had to choose, I'd say MacDonald would make a decent Reserve player," she mused.

"What about Beaters? Fred?" he asked.

"Well, I really think those Creevey brothers would make good beaters. They are brothers, so they can read each other well, and they've bulked up some since last year. I think with regular training, they could be very good," said Fred.

"I agree, and they are extremely accurate; they hit every target they aimed for, and didn't miss a single bludger," said George. "They might be a little excitable, but that energy will work to our advantage during games."

"If you want Reserve Beaters, then I would probably go with Thomas, and Finnegan," added Fred.

"But they didn't try out," pointed out Harry.

"No, but they've got decent arms, and they play pickup games on the weekends," said George, "And they are bigger than the Creeveys, so what they lack in accuracy, they can make up in size."

"Alright, so Ginny, Andrea and the Creeveys. With Finnegan, Thomas, and MacDonald as Reserve players. I will ask Hermione to rewrite this for me and post it," said Harry.

"Oy! Don't I get a Reserve?" asked Ron.

"Nah, you and I don't need 'em," joked Harry, "What could possibly happen to us? I'm starved, anyone for a trip to the kitchens?"

Katie begged off, "I've got to study, NEWTs this year."

So they shouldered their brooms discussing the plays that Gryffindor ought to use this season, and the merits of broom typing for the different positions on the team. Ron was in favor of mounting everyone on the fastest racings brooms, and putting the Keeper on a broom that will offer the most amount of stability, while the twins thought it was best to put the Seeker and the Chasers on the fastest brooms, and including the Beaters with the Keeper on stable brooms.

Later in the kitchens, over steaming mugs of cocoa and plates of sandwiches and biscuits they discussed more game strategy, Harry listened to the twins and Ron talking and suddenly felt very grateful to be included in their family. He felt the surge of warmth in his heart, a surge he was coming to think of as love. Ron looked at him oddly, before cottoning on. He smiled, and nodded to his brothers, "Its okay, Harry, I'm used to sharing and I can't think of anyone I would rather share with."

"What?" asked Fred. George looked puzzled.

Harry quickly told them about his dream and what love meant, and how it could be used to fight Voldemort, "So, you see, what I am trying to tell you is that I am grateful that you've included me in your family, that you never treated me any different, no matter what the press has said, I love you guys," he finished simply.

"Aw, Harry, we didn't know you cared! But seriously, we think of you as the black haired sheep of the family, but family nonetheless. We love you, too." Both Fred and George looked a little flushed, but neither was uncomfortable.

Ron laughed, "That's alright, you don't have to say it again."

Harry laughed, too, but when they said good-bye, Fred and George grabbed him quickly and thumped him on the back firmly, letting him know that they were there for him, should he need them. Harry felt warm all over, and followed Ron back to the dormitory. He lay back on his bed and sighed happily, before rolling over and falling deeply asleep.