Harry Potter and the Dangerous Choice

Chapter 14

Dreams and Nightmares

The evening before they were to return to Hogwarts, Harry couldn't sleep. He had been restless for the past several nights, although he could not say exactly what was bothering him. He rolled over in the dark and looked at Ron's sleeping form. Ron and Hermione were enjoying their newfound love and he couldn't bring himself to ruin it by burdening them with his troubles. He would have liked to talk to them but he knew if he explained the prophecy to them, they would immediately turn their attention to him, but it was not what he wanted.

Finally, he decided that a cup of hot cocoa might help him sleep. He squinted at his watch. It was just past mid-night. Harry pulled on his dressing gown and quietly made his way down to the kitchen. There was a single candle burning in the cold stone room and the fire had died down to embers. Remus was seated at the table, a glass in front of him. "Harry," he said, looking up. "Can't sleep?"

"No, thought I'd get some hot cocoa."

"Always a good choice," said Remus companionably.

Harry soon had his mug of steaming chocolate and took a seat across from Remus. "Why are you still up?" asked Harry.

Remus smiled, "Same as you I guess." Remus took a sip from his glass, of what Harry thought, must be fire whiskey. "It's good having you and Ron and the others here. It really warms up the house to have laughter and people in it. It'll be quiet once you go back to school."

"Is there any chance I can come here right away next summer, instead of going back to Privet Drive? I mean, is it really any protection if the death-eaters can come along and blow it up?" Harry added, "I don't think I can stand another summer with the Dursley's and I don't think they'll want me back again, after what happened to their house."

Remus didn't answer right away. "Petunia knows she has to take you if Dumbledore asks it."

"You don't know my aunt," said Harry. "I can't believe she hasn't chucked me out already. She really dislikes magic," Harry explained. "Professor Dumbledore says she knows she is keeping me alive by allowing me to stay, but I think she hates everything about me."

"Ahh, Petunia...quite an interesting muggle, that one," said Remus, staring into his glass. "I don't think you understand the entire reason she's kept you, Harry."

"What do you mean?" asked Harry.

"Petunia Evans Dursley," Remus said slowly. "She renounced her own sister because Lily was magical. Then when her son was born with a condition that would have been terminal, she demanded magical help to save him. It's against our laws to intervene in muggle affairs that way, however when your mother and father were killed, Dumbledore offered her a deal if she would take you in. He was determined to provide you with the magical protection of your mother's blood, so he secretly performed the charm, but he warned her that if she failed to keep her bargain, the spell that keeps your cousin alive, would be lifted."

Remus continued, "I think she always worried that anyone magical might be able to undue the charm, which is why she shuns magical contact, and it's probably why she dislikes your presence in her house. She needs magic, but she also fears it." Remus tipped up his glass, and swallowed.

"I...I never knew," said Harry. It was hard to know how to take this information, but it did explain why she had kept him, when she clearly hated him. "So...," said Harry, considering this new piece of information, "Dudley would be dead if not for some charm that Dumbledore did?"

"That's essentially right Harry. Wizards hardly ever meddle in muggle healing unless magic has already been involved, and then just to reverse the effects of the magic."

They sat for a few minutes in silence.

"She never did it because she cared about my mum then, only to save Dudley." Harry stated.

"I am not the one to tell you what she was thinking, Harry. I dare say if she had realized how often your parents had been in danger of being killed by Voldemort, she might have put her faith in muggle medicine instead of taking Dumbledore's offer."

"Ya," said Harry, remembering. "My parents escaped him three times, according to the prophecy." He looked over at Remus. "Do you know anything about that?" he asked.

Remus looked up at Harry and held him in his gaze for a long moment. "I know the details of two of the times. I was 'indisposed' during the third one, due to a full moon. Shortly after the third, the Fidelius charm was cast. They were killed before I made contact with them again." Remus clunked his glass down on the table and pushed it away.

"The two times then," he said, straightening. "The first was the summer after we had all left Hogwarts. We had all just agreed to join the Order. Sirius and I were assigned to watch the comings and goings at the Leaky Cauldron. Sirius' brother, Regulus, came in one night, saw Sirius there, and they got into a row. We had attracted too much attention, so I pulled Sirius out of there."

"We went to find James and Lily, but we were followed. Death-eaters tried to grab us, but Sirius used his mirror to call James. By the time James and Lily arrived with three other Order members, the spells were flying everywhere. The death-eaters must have called Voldemort, for he materialized in the midst of the melee. James, Lily, Sirius and I were fighting hard and I, at least, didn't notice the presence of Voldemort until I heard James screaming at him. James was standing next to the dead body of Charles Greenly who was in the Order too. Voldemort had just killed him and was laughing. Sirius rushed at Voldemort, shouting. Lily had just stunned the wizard she was fighting, and turned toward Voldemort. All four of us shot stunners at him. The spells converged on the spot where he was standing, but he had disapparated and the spells hit nothing."

"The second time was after Lily announced she was pregnant with you. It was getting close to her due date, and James had insisted she stop all Order activity and just relax at home. She in turn, made him promise not to take on anything risky. James, however, had his own idea of what constituted risky activity. He was involved in following known death eaters; trying to make a list of their associates. We were hoping to catch a spy that we felt was in our midst. James was nearly caught by Lucius Malfoy while using your invisibility cloak to spy on a meeting in the Hogshead. He escaped that night but only just."

"Voldemort decided to come after him. He and his gang of death-eaters showed up at your parents' house the night James took Lily to St. Mungos to give birth to you. Voldemort was apparently livid with rage at finding the house empty, and they all apparated into the lobby of St. Mungos. Luckily, Sirius had gone to St. Mungo's with Lily and James. When they were warned that Voldemort was searching for them, Sirius thought about Hogwarts and the three of them apparated to a point just outside the gates of the school. According to Sirius, Lily never complained. She said she could manage to walk to the castle, but James insisted upon carrying her. You were born about three hours later in the hospital wing. Madam Pomfrey delivered you."

"Your parents had to lie low for several months until Voldemort's attention was turned elsewhere."

Harry looked down into his cocoa. He took a drink to hide the feelings welling up inside of him. The cocoa was tepid. He couldn't look at Remus.

"Thanks," he finally managed, in a strained voice. That information was not likely to put him into a dreamless sleep. However, now he knew. His parents last years had been a nightmare as far as he could tell. He had no right to feel sorry for himself.

As though Remus knew what he was thinking, he said, "You know Harry, your parents, for all that turmoil, loved each other greatly. They were brave and they were funny, and they lived each day to the fullest."

Remus smiled as though reliving a pleasant memory. "They were so excited when they knew you were coming. James was the proudest expectant father alive. In fact, he insisted on building you a crib with his own hands, no magic. He worked on that thing for months. They had moved to Godric's Hollow by then, and there was a bit of a workshop. James was a supremely talented wizard, but he was pathetic at woodworking." Remus chuckled to himself, shaking his head, slightly. "Oh, the crib was strong enough, alright, but it was rather out of square, and the spindles weren't quite spaced evenly. Still, he sanded and painted, and he wrote your name in gilding on the headboard. Lily was encouraging, and told him what a wonderful thing it was." Remus' eyes glazed over, lost for a moment in the recollection.

Harry didn't want Remus to stop talking, firstly because he had never heard so much about his parents before, and second, because he was afraid to move or think too much for fear of breaking down. He felt frozen to the chair and as though there was nothing beyond the boundaries of the candle flame on the table. "How..." began Harry raggedly, "How did he know what name to put, before I was born?"

"Witches can sense the gender of their unborn children, Harry. James and Lily knew you'd be a boy, and they had resolved to name you after your grandfather, Harold, and James, of course."

The candle had burned low. A strong rush of emotion surged through Harry. He looked up into Remus's eyes and without willing it, saw a flash of a memory. His father holding a swaddled infant up proudly as Sirius and Remus came forward, congratulating him. The infant was very small with a shock of black hair; tiny, compared to the three men looking down at him. Harry broke his eye contact and said, "Sorry, I didn't mean to do that."

"It's ok Harry, because I meant for you to see it."

Moody and Tonks came early the next morning to escort them back to Kings Cross for the train ride back to school. Remus had hired two muggle taxis for the trip. Mrs. Weasley had already hugged each of them twice and warned them to watch out for each other. Remus stationed everyone in the hallway and sent Tonks with Ron and Ginny in the first cab. When the second cab arrived, Mad Eye and Remus helped Harry carry Hedwig, and his bag, out into the crisp, cold air. Soon they were speeding toward Kings Cross.

Once they reached the train platform, it became clear that Remus, Tonks and Moody, along with a half dozen aurors would be riding the train too. "Extra protection, Potter," growled Moody, sensing Harry's question. "Bagman would be hung if anything happened to a train-load of students."

The train was not at all full, though. In fact, it seemed to have fewer students than when they had left school for the holiday break. Harry, Ron and Ginny had found a compartment together and then Ron went looking for Hermione. Harry watched out the window as students received hugs and boarded. Then he saw Hermione run toward Ron across the platform. They hugged and exchanged a kiss, before Ron helped her with her bags.

Soon she was sitting with them in the compartment, chatting about her Christmas and asking them about theirs. At one point the conversation turned to the missing Professor Trelawney. Harry told them that she had not been found yet. His stomach twisted a little thinking about where she might be. The others only seemed mildly concerned, thinking that she might not actually be in trouble. He knew better, but did not want to discuss it. He thought about how there were getting to be too many things he couldn't, or wouldn't discuss with his friends, and he didn't like it at all. Still, he was sure, given the danger involved, he was making the right choice.

Once they had arrived in Hogsmeade station, Tonks and Moody walked them to a carriage and watched as they rolled off toward the castle. Moody had pulled Harry aside and asked if he had his mirror on him. Harry dug in to the pocket of his robes and produced the small square mirror for Moody to see. "That's fine, Potter," said Moody. "Make sure to keep it on you and use it if you need to," he said training both his eyes on Harry. "Constant vigilance, boy!"

The castle looked welcoming as they approached in the thestral drawn carriages. Lights sparkled through ice crystal encrusted windows. Soon they were depositing their luggage in the hallway and taking seats at their house tables for a tasty meal.

At the end of the meal, the Gryffindors climbed the stairs, looking forward to their beds. In their dormitory room, they found their trunks back in place and their beds turned down. After getting into his pajamas, Harry noticed a parchment envelope on top of his pillow. His name was on the front in spidery writing. He opened it and found it was note from Professor Dumbledore asking him to come and see him on Wednesday evening.

Harry knew Dumbledore would want to test his Elemental magic skills. He had been practicing and he hoped he would make a good showing. After climbing into bed, Harry closed his velvet curtains but took the candle from his bedside table in with him. He practiced on the flame a dozen times and then, stifling a yawn, he put out the candle and lay down to sleep.

Monday classes resumed as normal, except that Firenze took all the divination classes, as Trelawney was still missing. Ron was happy because he didn't have to go all the way to North Tower, and Firenze, for all his vague reading of the planets, was still more interesting than the shawl draped and misty, Sibyll Trelawney.

Harry met Mac in the hall in front of the Room of Requirement before his potions lesson. "Oh, Harry, I'm glad to see you boy, let's go in, shall we."

"I've been worried about you, young Harry. Have you spoken with Dumbledore?"

"Do you mean about the Avada curse?" asked Harry.

"I was quite upset when Dumbledore began trying to discover what happened. I told him that if he did not like my methods or did not trust my judgment, that I would leave Hogwarts."

"It's ok," said Harry. "Professor Dumbledore talked to me about it, and I told him I'd asked you to teach me." Here was another person who he was not being totally honest with. It was becoming very complicated.

"I like your spirit boy. I don't know what they've got planned for you but whatever it is, make damned sure that you decide whether or not to play their game. Dumbledore is a brilliant wizard and I'm sure he feels he knows what's best. But, in the end, it's your wishes that you need to consider and not his. Just remember that, boy, and you'll be all right."

Mac stared at him for an embarrassingly long moment, before going forward with the lesson.

~ ~ ~

Wednesday evening arrived and Harry checked his watch as he put the finishing touches on an essay about poisonous mushrooms, for Herbology. Tonight he was to go and meet with Dumbledore to have his review of Elemental spells. He shut his potions textbook and made an excuse that he needed to get something from the library, and then he ducked out of the common room before anyone could volunteer to go along with him.

He made the trip to the headmaster's office quickly and without being spotted. Pausing before the stone Griffin, Harry spoke the password, "sugar quill" and rode the steps to Dumbledore's office.

"Ah, Harry, come in, won't you," said Dumbledore. "You know Ludo Bagman, I believe, our acting Minister of Magic."

"Albus," said Bagman, heartily. "Harry and I are old friends, aren't we Harry. Smashing job that...the Tri-Wizard. Fabulous bit of flying." Harry nodded to Bagman with a smile.

"Ludo, I have made a request of the Ministry to allow Harry to apparate before his seventeenth birthday. I am sure you understand my concerns with his muggle relatives. I also believe he should be exempted from the Decree Against the Use of Under Aged Magic. Without proper wizard protection when he is away from school...well...he's left without someone watching his back." said Dumbledore, benignly.

"Well, Albus, I've played enough Quidditch to appreciate what you're saying. Why not then? What can it hurt?" Bagman said agreeably. "Harry you're not going to go doing any magical pranks in front of muggles or anything, are you?"

Harry shook his head no.

"Fine then, what would you like me to sign?" asked Bagman, pulling a slightly rumpled quill from his inside pocket. Dumbledore produced a piece of parchment and Bagman affixed his signature with a flourish. "Alright then, I'm off. Get back to me about those ruddy goblins, Dumbledore. I value your opinion." Bagman turned for the door then spun back around. "Oh, and the dragons should arrive in about a week I think. Should be spectacular! Promote visits to Hogsmeade too! Just think how much safer you'll feel, and the merchants can't mind the extra business, can they? It'll make a brilliant story for the Daily Prophet."

Dumbledore did not appear happy at this but nodded to Bagman. "You know my stance on dragons guarding the grounds, Ludo. I'm not convinced they will be effective, however, if it gives parents a sense of security then, by all means," said Dumbledore graciously.

Bagman waived a hand and exited the office.

"Well, Harry," said Dumbledore, sinking into his chair with a satisfied smile. "At least we have overcome one problem. You now have the ability to do magic as you choose." Dumbledore handed the parchment across the desk. "I am sure, that you will use good judgment."

Just like that, with no real ceremony, Harry found himself in possession of a document giving him full rights to do magic out of school. He really wanted to tell someone the news.

"Harry, please sit down," said Dumbledore. "Let's evaluate your progress with the Elemental Spells, shall we?"

"Could I ask a question first, sir?"

"Certainly," said Dumbledore.

"What did Mr. Bagman mean about dragons?"

"Our acting Minister has decided that dragons are just the thing to protect Hogwarts from further attacks," said Dumbledore with a sigh. "He is under pressure from the parents who have not forgotten that the open Quidditch match was his idea in the first place,"

"Umm...will that work, sir?" asked Harry.

"Dragons are very powerfully magical and they can detect dark magic, however there is the possibility that they will also injure innocent people."

Harry thought this sounded rather dangerous to be going on with, but he knew that at least Hagrid would be happy for the news.

Dumbledore conjured a candle on the desk in front of Harry and he prepared himself, concentrating on the flame. There was much less sputtering from the flame now. He was able to raise the flame a hand's breathe above the candle and then let it back down, smoothly. "Very good Harry." Dumbledore's eyes were twinkling in his old, wrinkled face. "You are, however, laboring under a slight handicap, one which we can easily correct. I want you to raise the flame again, but this time you may use your hands to direct the activity of the flame."

Harry blushed slightly. Why hadn't he realized that he should use his hands? He nodded to Dumbledore, and this time he put his hands on either side of the candle as he willed the flame to rise. The difference was certainly remarkable. He felt little tingles, like electric sparks, move down his arms and out to his fingertips. The flame moved upwards much more easily, and Harry stood as he coaxed the little flame higher into the air, feeling very exhilarated. As it reached his eye height, the flame disappeared in a pop.

"Well, well, I am very pleased," said Dumbledore who steepled his long fingers and considered Harry for a moment. "Please continue to practice. I would recommend confining your practice to moments when you are alone as you have now reached a level of competency that would be interesting to our foes, and to the Ministry. They do not need to know of this yet."

"Why would the Ministry care?" asked Harry

"The Ministry likes to record talents of those who have any of the more 'unusual' powers," Dumbledore said as he rose from his chair. "You may go then and I'll see you Wednesday, next." Harry rose and headed toward the door. "One more thing," said Dumbledore, raising a long crooked finger. "Have you tried this spell on anything other than flame?"

"Uhh...No," said Harry a bit guardedly.

"Please do not try this spell with water, earth or air, until our next meeting. Usually, it is said a wizard will have a predisposition to favor one element over the others, and you do not seem like fire to me, Harry, so your particular element may yield rather fantastic results by the time we discover it. Best that we find it out here in my office, I think."

~ ~ ~

The days slipped by quickly. Rather than a lighter homework load since there were fewer returning students, the Hogwarts staff seemed to be provoked by the most recent attacks on muggles and wizards, to increase the workload substantially. The homework was piling up. When they all groaned as Professor MacNessa gave a long reading assignment on Friday during Defense Against the Dark Arts, he cautioned them that danger was lurking just beyond the gates and they'd better take it seriously.

It was Sunday, a week since the end of the Christmas vacation, and Harry had risen early and found Hermione in the common room reading. "Want to go get breakfast," he asked. She agreed and they walked down stairs while most of the castle was still asleep.

"Harry, over Christmas, did Ron say anything about me?" asked Hermione.

"He didn't have to. He spent the entire time writing to you; letters with little hearts in the margins," said Harry, grinning. "And, when he got your letter saying that your parents liked him, he was really excited."

Hermione blushed a little. "Good," she said. "I was worried that he might have thought staying with muggles was sort of weird, and it might have put him off."

"Not at all. He told me all about what he'd seen. Not too keen on computers, is all."

"Yes, I showed him a computer chess game. He beat the computer three times and then declared it a dreary waste of time. He said the pieces were boring," chuckled Hermione.

"He really likes you Hermione, you know that don't you?" Harry asked seriously.

Hermione blushed and nodded.

Just as they were about to enter the Great Hall they heard the front door bang as though someone had kicked it hard, and then they heard Hagrid's voice. "Someone open the ruddy door!"

Harry rushed to the door and pulled it open. The reason that Hagrid could not open the door himself became clear. He was holding a limp bundle in his arms, with an angry and determined look on his face.

"What is it, Hagrid?" asked Harry, as he stood aside to let him pass.

"Harry, Hermione...will one of you find Professor Dumbledore for me and send him ta the hospital wing?" asked Hagrid as he strode directly toward the stairs.

Before Harry thought to move, Hermione said, "I will," and she sprinted off in the direction of the headmaster's office.

Harry jogged along next to Hagrid whose long strides were twice those of normal humans.

"What is it Hagrid?" Harry asked again.

"Better ask who it is," said Hagrid gruffly. "Professor Trelawney. Found her in the forest. Was looking for a unicorn that was feelin poorly the other day, gonna bring it some sugar lumps. I heard somein rustling in the brush and a kinda weak cry, like you hear from a wounded deer. When I got there, it was the professor. Looked near death, if you ask me. So I grabbed her up, and ran up here."

Harry glanced again at the bundle. He could now see that Hagrid had wrapped her in his large moleskin coat. No sign of a body was showing. Harry followed Hagrid to the hospital wing where Madam Pomfrey came scurrying forward as soon as they entered.

"It's Sybil Trelawney," Hagrid said.

"This way," said Madam Pomfrey as she gestured toward the nearest bed. Hagrid gently deposited Trelawney on it and backed away. The large coat fell open revealing a lifeless form. Her glasses were missing and she had a large bruise across her face. Her clothes were ripped in places, and very dirty; as though she had crawled through the forest, before collapsing. Madam Pomfrey told Harry to get blankets from a cabinet and he rushed to find them. When Harry returned, he and Hagrid stood looking silently down at the divination teacher until Madam Pomfrey ushered them out of the room.

They were met at the door by Dumbledore, who was followed by a breathless Hermione. Dumbledore stopped Hagrid and Harry from leaving, by a look and a signal from his raised palm. He swept over to the bed, bent down and touched Trelawney's forehead. He closed his eyes and remained motionless for a few seconds. Then he turned to Madam Pomfrey and said something that Harry could not hear. She nodded.

Dumbledore returned to the doorway where Hagrid, Harry, and Hermione were waiting. He looked back at Trelawney and shook his head. Then he beckoned them back out into the hallway. "I need to speak with you, Hagrid, right now, if you would come with me." Then Dumbledore turned to Harry. "I need to see you when you are done with breakfast, Harry," said Dumbledore. Harry nodded, as Hagrid and Dumbledore strode off.

"What do you think happened, Harry," asked Hermione. "Dumbledore didn't say a thing when I told him, he just raced down here."

"I'm not sure," said Harry running his hand through his hair. "I'm guessing Trelawney was kidnapped and then she escaped, and tried to get back to Hogwarts."

"But Harry, I just don't understand why they would want to capture her," said Hermione curiously. After a pause she said, "And, why does Dumbledore need to see you?"

Harry shrugged, "Don't know," and turned away. He could not look Hermione in the eye. He did not want to tell her or Ron about the prophecy. Unfortunately now Trelawney was a victim of Harry's secret. It made him both angry and guilt ridden.

After they ate, Hermione decided to return to the dormitory while Harry went to see Dumbledore. By the time Harry arrived at the headmaster' office, Hagrid had left. Fawkes was sleeping on his perch with his head tucked under his large wing and Dumbledore was alone, sitting at his massive desk, with the Pensieve perched in front of him. The silvery liquid within it glowed and swirled. The last time Harry had seen Dumbledore's Pensieve it had showed Trelawney's second prophecy. Harry shuddered.

"Harry you know this means that we were right to think that Sibyll Trelawney was abducted by Voldemort."

"But sir," said Harry, "She didn't know she gave a prophecy, did she? She didn't remember it."

"No, not consciously, Harry, and that's probably why she is still alive. It is easy enough for a powerful wizard who is a skilled Legilimens, such as Voldemort to break into someone's mind. It is far more difficult to get the subject to give up a secret that they don't remember," said Dumbledore.

"So," asked Harry, "do you know if she told Voldemort the prophecy?"

"I can not determine what happened, and I doubt she will be able to tell us," sighed Dumbledore. The old wizard looked tired. He rubbed his temple. "I am reluctant to probe her thoughts further or to allow another to do so. The results could destroy her mind permanently. I am afraid that it may be too late for her already. We must proceed under the assumption that Voldemort was successful. It is, however a good sign that she was able to escape and get back here. Only time will tell what this means."

Harry stared at the floor in silence. He could hear a clock ticking somewhere in the office. He felt he should say or do something, but he did not know what. "I guess I'll go back to the common room then."

"Of course," said Dumbledore, absently.

Harry left the headmaster's office with his mind whirling. He needed time to think. Everyday there were more deaths, more injury and mayhem. Voldemort was responsible, but Harry thought, he too was responsible, as he was the only person who could put an end to Voldemort.

He walked aimlessly through the corridors until looking up; he realized that he was again outside the door to the hospital wing. He quietly slipped inside. Sibyll Trelawney was lying in the same bed, but was covered in soft white blankets. Harry could see that her face looked thin and skeletal. He moved to the side of the bed and gazed down at her, wishing that she had not been involved.

Suddenly, Trelawney's eyes opened wide, and just as suddenly, a hand shot out from under the blankets, grabbing Harry's arm in a vice like grip. She pulled him closer to her. Then came the strange gravelly voice Harry had heard two times before, a voice that did not match the body.

"The marked one's power increases, strengthened by fire, air, water, and earth. The dark lord's power increases, strengthened by blood and venom. Spirits of the elements will vie with spirits of the darkness in the final battle. The wrong choice will prove fatal...."

Her mouth continued to move for a second and then her hand went limp and fell to the bed. She hadn't finished speaking before she lost consciousness again.

Before Harry could call for her, Madam Pomfrey came hurrying into the room. "What's going on, Potter?" she asked? "I heard voices."

"She spoke, but she didn't seem to be awake," said Harry, backing away from the bed.

"What were you doing here?" asked Pomfrey, distractedly.

Harry picked up Hagrid's coat. "I...I thought I'd return this to Hagrid," said Harry, hoping Pomfrey would not pick up on the lie.

"Well, out you go then," said Pomfrey, hustling him toward the door.

Harry walked down to the front hall. The school was unusually quiet. He swung the door open and walked outside. The sky was grey and forbidding, however, Harry appreciated the fresh air in his lungs. He needed space around him to think about the new prophecy he had just heard. He knew he should probably tell Dumbledore about it, but he felt too stunned to run to the headmaster. He needed a moment to think. The only thing this new prophecy really said was that he'd be using the Elemental magic that Dumbledore had showed him, against Voldemort. Or would he? There was that part about a fatal choice. His mind was a blur. Harry headed in the general direction of Hagrid's, hardly thinking about where he was going.

"Harry, come in," said Hagrid, despondently, as Harry knocked at his door. Hagrid opened it a moment later and invited Harry in. Hagrid looked as dejected as Harry felt. Soon there was a pot of hot tea on the table and they had steaming cups in their hands.

"Do you reckon she'll recover?" asked Hagrid after a moment.

"Don't really know." said Harry. He wanted to change the subject. He wanted to stop the words of the new prophecy from pounding away in his head. "Oh, Hagrid, Professor Dumbledore told me that the ministry is bringing dragons to Hogwarts," said Harry failing to add much enthusiasm to his voice.

"Oh, ya, I heard," said Hagrid. "I thought I might do some lessons using the dragons, if Charlie and the others'll let me."

It was too bad that the news of the dragons had to be offset with the discovery of Trelawney. Harry knew how much Hagrid loved dragons.

After leaving Hagrid's, Harry decided he should try to find Dumbledore. The stone griffin guarding the headmaster's office wouldn't respond. There was no news about Trelawney the rest of the day. Harry hoped that if something happened to her, Dumbledore would let him know. He decided to try out his mirror and contact Remus, but he was a bit reluctant to use it in case he interrupted something important.

Harry waited in his dormitory room until everyone had gone off to dinner and then pulled the mirror out of his robes. He turned it over in his hands and then looked into it and said, very clearly, "Remus Lupin".

The mirror went foggy and then cleared, showing the anxious face of Remus. "Harry, what's wrong?" he asked apprehensively.

"Nothing. I mean I just wanted to ask about Professor Trelawney. Do you know what's happening with her?"

Remus' face relaxed, "There won't be any information for a day or so. Dumbledore put her into a deep sleep to see if she can heal enough to survive. He will probably try to bring her back around later this week. Madam Pomfrey has been treating her broken ribs and some internal injuries. Try not to worry too much Harry. If she gave up the prophecy we can't do anything about it. At this point we just want her back and talking. She might be able to give the Order some valuable information if she can come around."

"Ok," said Harry. "About that," he began, meaning to tell Remus what Trelawney had said.

Remus interrupted him. "Sorry, Harry but I'm on duty tonight and I have to go. Let's talk later, alright? And, please use this mirror anytime you feel the need."

The mirror fogged over, and his own reflection returned. Harry felt frustrated, as he starred at the silvery surface, but Remus did say that nothing was likely to happen for a few days. Perhaps he'd just wait until his next meeting with Dumbledore to mention the new prophecy. He put the mirror back in his pocket, and went off to join Ron and Hermione at dinner.

Dinner was rather fun that night, driving thoughts of Trelawney farther from Harry's mind. Dean was doing a very bad impression of one of his relatives at Christmas and the Gryffindor table was in stitches. Soon they were all exchanging funny stories. Harry had not laughed so much in weeks.

After dinner, it was time for some homework in the common room. As they sat their favorite table by the fire, Harry whispered to Ron, Hermione and Ginny about Bagman's plan to bring dragons to Hogwarts.

"Hey!" said Ron, "That might mean Charlie will be coming."

"I hope he does," said Ginny.

"I wonder how many they'll bring?" asked Hermione.

Harry told them he didn't know, but that Hagrid was hoping to use them for lessons.

"Well," said Hermione, "with Charlie and the other Ministry wizards around, it should be safe, don't you think?"

Ron and Harry exchanged looks. They knew that Hagrid was likely to discover some way to turn an already risky lesson, down right dangerous. Hermione seemed to have decided this too, and ended up grinning at them.

~~~

The common room was empty. Harry lounged in a chair near the fire, reading his Transfiguration textbook while the fire's glow made dancing shadows on the walls and floor. Suddenly, a soft whisper broke the silence, "Harry."

Harry looked up to see Ginny standing at the foot of the stair. A draft was blowing her red hair and ruffling her nightdress, as she looked at him. He stood up and his book slid to the floor, forgotten, as Ginny approached him slowly. She came closer and closer, never breaking eye contact. Soon she was standing toe to toe with him and looking up into his eyes. Harry swallowed hard. Ginny began to slide her hands up his chest and around his neck. Harry could feel her soft body pressed against him, and found he was mad to kiss her, but everything was moving as though slowed down. She was tilting her head back, gazing up at him. He could see her neck; he could feel her breath as she waited for his lips to meet hers. Harry closed his eyes, as he lowered his face toward hers. CROAK!

Harry scrambled to a sitting position. He was in his bed, blankets and sheets twisted around him. CROAK! Trevor, Neville's toad, made a second loud noise from his terrarium. Harry was breathing very hard. Trevor stared at him dumbly. Even in his momentary disorientation, he knew it had been a dream. He disentangled himself and sunk back down against his pillows. He was both embarrassed and excited by the dream. He found he was torn between wanting it to continue, and wanting to push it totally out of his mind. He shook his head vigorously. Whatever was he thinking?

Drowsily he shut his eyes and tried to picture some other scene to carry him back into sleep. He saw himself walking by the lake accompanied by Snuffles, who was scampering around in front of him. Snuffles suddenly perked up his ears at a distant noise and darted off toward the sound, tail wagging. Harry ran after him. Snuffles was bounding around a person, who was bending to pat him. As Harry approached, through the clutter of bright autumn leaves, the figure straightened. It was Ginny. She smiled, holding out her arms, and somehow they were standing pressed together again. She had a wreath of leaves in her hair and her cheeks were glowing. She reached up and ran her fingers through his hair and his lips pressed against hers.

In the morning, Harry was almost afraid to look at Ron for fear he'd see what Harry had been dreaming about his sister the previous night. Although Ron had shown an inclination to suggest that he and Ginny get together, Harry wasn't sure that Ron had envisioned this. No amount of Occlumency was likely to help him with these dreams, he thought, flushing slightly.

He was definitely feeling drawn to Ginny. She seemed to Harry completely unlike most girls, and that was quite a recommendation. She was clever and gutsy, like her brothers. She didn't giggle very much anymore, which was fine with Harry, and she was an excellent Quidditch player. Plus, when the firelight hit her hair just right.... Harry swallowed hard as the images of the dream rushed back.

He was rather glad he didn't run into Ginny during breakfast that morning. He was sure he would have a difficult time talking to her. As luck would have it, he did not spot her at all.

In Care of Magical Creatures class, Hagrid had decided to give a lesson regarding dragons. He had all the students crowd into his cabin where the fire was roaring, as he explained the twelve properties of dragon's blood which had been discovered by Professor Dumbledore, many years ago. It was an interesting lesson. Hermione and Ron chatted enthusiastically about it as they trudged back toward the castle and their next classes. They parted inside the entrance hall and Harry climbed the stairs toward the Room of Requirement.

Conner MacNessa was proving to be a brilliant potions instructor, in Harry's estimation. So far, he had learned why certain arcane ingredients were chosen for concocting potions, and what the ingredients would do. Mac had given him tips to help him with his potions making, and above all else, Harry found that the absence of Professor Snape made a great difference in the outcome of whatever he was asked to brew.

Mac had promised to show Harry something interesting today, so he was eager to get to class. Mac had been mysterious about this lesson.

"Today, young Harry, I am going to teach you something which every auror should know," he said brightly. He listened with interest. "Over the next two weeks I am going to teach you how to use two spells that are very helpful in potions brewing. The first is the Rememorari Spell and the second is the Full Moon Spell. For some reason they are not often taught in school but they are extremely useful. We'll do the Rememorari Spell first."

Mac spent the next hour explaining the spell and how it could be used. This was a spell that Harry definitely liked. If performed properly, upon an empty cauldron, the cauldron would refuse to accept the wrong ingredients or the wrong quantity of an ingredient. It would also let out a whistle if the wrong stirring or heating were tried. All one had to do was to read the recipe to it. Unfortunately, according to Mac, you couldn't permanently charm a cauldron. It had to be charmed with each potion brewed.

"Approach your cauldron and say Rememorari misceo sectae. Then make a stirring motion around the top of it, like this." Mac demonstrated the process. "Give that a try, boy."

Harry followed Mac's instructions.

"Now, read this recipe for shrinking solution. And mind, speak clearly." Harry read the potion recipe slowly into the cauldron. "That's fine," said Mac. "Begin adding the ingredients, but when you get to the sliced caterpillar, try adding this yew bark instead." Harry began adding each item as the recipe specified but when he tried to add the bark, it spilled off on to the table as though an invisible dome was shielding the opening. Harry tried again with the same results.

"Cool," he said eagerly. "Why didn't Snape show us this spell?" asked Harry.

"He'd be out of a job, wouldn't he?" said Mac, with a wink.

By Thursday, Professor MacNessa was ready to move on to the second spell he had mentioned. He had asked Harry to make up a strengthening solution. The potion had reached the point where it required three days of simmering to complete. "The Full Moon Spell," Mac began, "can be used in certain circumstances to 'age' a potion that normally needs to brew or simmer for a long time. Sometimes, young Harry, one does not have a month, when a potion is desired; Veritaserum, for example. In the back page of your textbook, I have jotted down a list of potions that can be accelerated using this spell. Be mindful that the potion in question is not going to have the potency of a potion that has had the proper brewing time. It will still work, but generally the effect will wear off sooner."

"Always be mindful that the key to good potion making is patience and concentration. Even using this spell, make sure to pay attention," said Mac. "These short cuts that I am showing you are very useful when you are in an emergency situation, which is why they are very valuable to aurors. Now for the spell." Mac removed his wand from his robe and stood over the cauldron of strengthening solution. "Correptius" said Mac. The potion bubbled and hissed as though it was being reluctantly forced to mutate. Mac stood with his wand raised and his face fixed in concentration. After about a minute, the potion changed colors, to the clear green, described in the text. Mac relaxed. "Now," he said, "that would normally take four days in the cauldron, but it's finished in a few minutes using this spell."

"Do many wizards use the spell, then," asked Harry?

"Actually, no." said Mac, with a mysterious grin. "Pity, too."

To Harry's recollection, Snape had never mentioned these obvious improvements in any of his lessons. He wondered if Snape normally saved this information for NEWT level or if he simply did not share it with Hogwarts students.

As though Mac could tell what Harry was thinking, he said, "The purists reject such methods as a cheat. To me, it's simply practical application." Harry thought the spells were brilliant. Perhaps he could even make up Remus' potion, so he would not have to rely on Snape. Harry knew that the last thing he would ever want to do would be to take a potion concocted by Professor Snape. He would have to remember to talk to Remus about it.

Mac was humming to himself as Harry cleaned up. There was time left until the finish of the class period and Harry had something on his mind. Christmas night had confirmed to him that he needed to take care of himself, and not rely solely on the Order. Harry thought he would chance a question that he already knew the answer to, but he wanted to hear Mac's opinion, which was always enlightening. "Mac, the stone, where Professor Dumbledore has Grindelwald... what kind of spell could do that?"

"That's an interesting question young Harry," said Mac, getting up and coming over to where Harry sat. "It's not likely that you've been shown that type of magic here at school. They call it Elementum. You summon a force, such as wind, and you use it to your advantage. Dumbledore summoned earth, and created the stone to entomb the necromancer, Grindelwald." Mac turned to the supplies cabinet and began looking for something. "But, alas, very few wizards... and I do mean very few... can work these spells. That's why there is no attempt made to teach it." Harry nodded.

"You can't tell if a wizard will be able to perform the spells until they have reached the age of fifteen or so. There is an old test, but I don't know what it is. Never saw another wizard use this magic, except for Dumbledore. It's wandless magic, you know. That's why it's so special. You just have to have it in you. Only a select few possess the gift."

"Umm...sir, do you know if Grindelwald could do it too?"

"No, boy, at least I'd guess not. Dark wizards don't operate that way. They are averse to becoming one with the forces of water, fire and the rest, because they don't allow positive feelings into their magic." Mac returned to the supplies cabinet.

Harry felt he had confirmed the information about the Elementum spells. Without Hermione to confide in, he felt there was a definite lack of background information to draw upon. He now began to wonder if he would be able to work the spell well enough to manage anything useful. If only to re-affirm that that he could actually do it. Harry focused on the candle burning upon the table near him and he raised the flame slightly above the wick and then let it back down.

Harry turned and saw Mac watching him from across the room, but his face was unreadable, and Harry hoped he hadn't noticed the flame. "Better scoot along there, Harry," said Mac. "Read chapter 15 for the next session and be sure to review that list I printed in your book."

That night, Harry decided to forsake his potions homework in favor of reading some more from the book he had gotten from the Library in London. Ron was sitting lost in thought, over some tricky divination homework Firenze had assigned. Hermione was working through Arithmancy problems and Ginny, who was also sitting at their table tonight, was working on a list of uses for asphodel. After about an hour, Hermione shoved her books into her bag and looked across the table at what Harry was doing. "What book is that?" she asked.

"It's a book that Remus got for me." said Harry.

"Is it that old spell book you showed me?" asked Ron without looking up.

"Ya...it's sort of interesting," replied Harry

"Can I see it?" asked Hermione reaching over toward Harry. Harry handed her the book and waited for her reaction. She flipped through it for a few minutes and then said, "I've never heard of this kind of magic before. It sounds really interesting though."

Ginny tugged the book toward her and examined it for a moment. "Pity no one can do any of it," she said.

"What do you mean," asked Hermione.

"I always heard these spells weren't really real....just used in children's stories," said Ginny.

"Harry I thought you were trying them?" said Ron.

"Oh, just playing around really."

Ginny looked over at Harry and for a moment he felt she might say something, but she simply went back to her homework.

Very late that night, Harry woke with a start. He realized, as he tried to un-fog his brain, that Ron had screamed and was now gasping in the next bed. Harry could just make out a dark shape leaning over Ron. Harry grabbed for his wand and his glasses. He froze. His wand was missing. But now, with his glasses in place, he could see the outline of a wand in the hands of the intruder.

Harry leapt from his bed. "Ron!" he called out into the darkness. Harry heard muttering and suddenly the tip of his wand ignited. The light of the wand revealed an eerie sight. Percy Weasley was bent over his brother, his eyes wild and maniacal. Ron had backed quickly away from Percy and now slid to the floor at Harry's feet. Ron was trying to stand up. "What's he doing here...Percy, what are you doing?" Ron was saying to the dark room.

Harry tried to understand what was happening. At a loss as to what to do, he decided to talk to Percy. "Umm...Percy," Harry tried, in as soothing a voice as he could muster, "Let us take you back to bed...how's that sound." Percy seemed not to hear and certainly did not acknowledge Harry in any way. He continued to mutter something that Harry couldn't make out. "Percy, give me my wand," said Harry steadily. Percy danced around strangely, waving Harry's wand and talking to himself. A jet of sparks shot from the end of it and made Harry jump. "Ron, get your wand," whispered Harry, just as Percy began to crawl over Ron's bed toward them. The shadows from the light of the wand gave his face a truly insane quality.

Ron and Harry backed toward the dormitory door, stumbling into each other, but still speechless. The scene was surreal. "Harry," breathed Ron, "my wand is on the night stand." So, thought Harry, they were defenseless. Soon they were on the stone landing. Here there was a bit more light reflected up from the dying fire in the common room grate. Dean and Neville were waking up. This was bad because Percy was now firing off random spells and curses. "Neville, Dean, get a wand and stun him, can you?" asked Harry. Just then Percy had shouted, among other things, "Expelliarmus" and there was the sound of wands clattering to the floor some where in the room.

"Imperio, curio, deareo...," said Percy in an odd, insane voice.

"Completely gone round the twist" breathed Ron. "Listen, emm...Percy, that's nice and all but it's late. Let's go find Madam Pomfrey and see if she has something for you, shall we?" tried Ron.

Percy capered about the room madly, muttering in Latin. Harry shouted for Neville and

Dean to hide, then saw their shapes in the darkness, roll on to the floor and under their beds.

"Diffindo, dissendium, diffindo ......" sung Percy as purple slashes gashed the air. Then suddenly he turned his mad eyes upon Ron and babbled some more words of incantation peppered with nonsense. It was as though Percy was having a conversation with himself, as his voice rose and fell. At least he was no longer waving the wand.

"Maybe we can lead him back to the hospital wing," whispered Ron.

"Ok, let's try that," said Harry.

They backed further out into the stairway. Ron began talking to Percy, trying to coax him along. Ron was standing with his back to the stairs, and Harry had just about decided that he'd have to jump Percy from the side, if Ron could hold his attention. Without warning, Percy launched himself onto Ron. He was screaming a string of curses and spells and gibberish. "Waddiwassi! Exossoare! Exossoare!"

Ron and Percy tumbled backwards down the spiral stairs, bouncing off the cold stone walls as they fell. Ron shouted and Harry heard him make a sound as thought the air was driven from his lungs. Wand sparks continued to flare as Harry lurched after them. He could hear Neville and Dean scrabbling out from under their beds, and soon their footfalls were following him down the stairs.

Harry was vaguely aware of the sound of other students coming out to investigate the noise. When he reached the bottom stair, he found a twisted mass of legs and arms. Harry quickly rolled Percy off of Ron. Neither one was moving. Ron's leg was sticking out in a very unnatural direction. He had huge gash on this head and blood was soaking through the arm of his pajamas. Percy looked just as damaged, but his face was pale white and still. Blood was soaking the carpet under his head.

Dean was the first down the stairs and gasped in horror at the sight. "Get Pomfrey now!" ordered Harry, trying to hold back the bleeding in Ron's arm. He could feel the bone poking through the skin underneath. Dean sprinted off. Hermione, who had come running down the stairs from the girl's dormitory, gazed in shock at the mangled bodies. Lavender Brown, beside her, fainted at the sight of the blood. Harry heard Ginny gasp and he saw her looking down upon her brothers.

She pushed through the crowd of dumbfounded Gryffindors and began to apply pressure to the cut on Ron's head. Ron lay motionless as Hermione knelt and felt for a pulse while Harry and Ginny tried to stop the bleeding.

A half hour later, Harry was standing with Hermione and Ginny in the hallway outside the hospital wing, waiting. Harry had pried his wand from Percy's fingers before he was taken away. He shuddered as he thought of Percy's dead, staring eyes.

Only a few months ago, they had waited like this for news of Ron, after the accident in Herbology. This time felt much worse. Madam Pomfrey had pronounced Percy dead when she reached the common room. A sickening hush had followed her words. Lavender, who had been revived, fainted again, before Percy's lifeless body was covered up.

Ron had been whisked away, leaving a dark red pool upon the thread bare carpet. Pomfrey was muttering that she'd be lucky to save him. Harry, Hermione, and Ginny were now waiting, cold and worried in the drafty hall, unable to speak or even look at each other. Hermione paced and Harry slumped to the floor against the wall, head bowed. Ginny stood next to the door, anxiously trying to listen to what was happening inside, and covered in her brother's blood.

Foot steps echoed up the stairs and soon Mr. and Mrs. Weasley came hurrying toward them. "What happened!" asked the flushed Mrs. Weasley. "Where are they?"

Harry's mouth had gone completely dry. He was unable to tell them they had lost a son and that another was near death. He pointed toward the door, and the Weasley's went in. It wasn't long before a pitiful cry was heard followed by sobbing. Harry hung his head. Hermione sat down next to Harry; her eyes welled up with tears, and grabbed his hand tightly. Ginny stood staring at the door, as though it would divulge some information about Ron, if only she kept watching it.

The noise from the hospital turned from crying to the sound of raised voices. Dumbledore emerged followed by Arthur Weasley, supporting Molly's arm as she sobbed and screamed at Dumbledore. "You said Percy would be safe HERE. How did he get out? He could have killed RON! How could this happen...." Her voice trailed off as she dissolved into sobs again. Arthur looked pale and lost as he led his wife along. Dumbledore took her other arm and they moved off toward his office.

Madam Pomfrey stood in the doorway, shaking her head sadly. Then she noticed Harry, Ginny, and Hermione. She looked for a moment as though she'd send them off back to their dormitory, then she beckoned them in, silently.

Ron was lying in a bed, bruised and bandaged. He appeared to be sleeping. His leg was lying exposed and it appeared very rubbery. It had the sickening look that Harry's arm had displayed in their second year, when Gilderoy Lockhardt had tried to repair his broken wrist with a spell that had gone wrong. Ginny asked quietly, how Ron was doing.

Madam Pomfrey sighed, "He's a strong boy, but he has quite lot of damage to be going on with. He hit his head especially hard so I'm going to keep him sleeping for the time being, because of the work that needs to be done to him. His broken arm has been mended, but he lost a good bit of blood and it will require several potions to get him over that."

"The two of you," she said looking from Harry to Ginny, "did a good job in slowing the bleeding. Still, it may be touch and go for the next day. The other problem is that leg of his. His brother hit him with the Exosso curse, bone removal, didn't he?"

"Ahhh....yes, I think so," said Harry, remembering Percy's hysterical screams as he attacked Ron. "It was all happening sort of fast. But you can fix that, can't you, I mean, you can grow back his bones, can't you?"

"Not using the normal method, I'm afraid. He's allergic to Skelegrow. I have to use a particularly difficult bone-lengthening spell... Try to grow the bone that way... Not the best way to do it. Not only is it painful, but it takes several days for a leg like this, and in the end, he may have trouble with it. I can't promise anything."

Harry asked, "How did Percy get out of his room? Wasn't he locked in?"

"Good question Potter," said Madam Pomfrey, "We have no idea. The door was locked from the outside." Pomfrey walked away.

Harry looked at Hermione and Ginny who both were on the verge of tears again. "No," said Harry flatly. "Ron would want us to be optimistic and that's what we should be. Now let's just sit here until we get kicked out." They all took seats next to the bed, holding hands in the quiet darkness.

Mrs. Weasley returned, a bit more composed, after what seemed an hour. When Madam Pomfrey attempted to herd everyone out of the room, Mrs. Weasley and Hermione absolutely refused to leave Ron's side. Ginny looked wrung out but said she'd send word to Fred and George and also Charlie. Bill had been notified already and was on his way to Hogwarts. Harry admired the determined way she handled the situation. He walked with her back to Gryffindor tower, and offered to help her with the letters for which she looked grateful.

The Gryffindors were a miserable lot sitting around the common room. When Harry and Ginny arrived many leapt to their feet and a hundred questions were shot in their direction. He had not counted on this, but should have. Harry explained the main points but glossed over the details, which he knew the Order would not want divulged. Still there would be no way to keep all the details quiet. Colin Creevey raised his hand and asked, "How would Percy Weasley know how to get into Gryffindor tower?" It was a fair question, and Harry had not considered this in all the turmoil. Ginny, who had thus far remained silent, spoke in a soft voice, "Percy was Head Boy. Head Boy and Girl are given special passwords that can be used on a lot of the doors to the castle. They can get anywhere they need to, even if the regular passwords are changed."

Once everyone knew the gist of what had happened, they trailed back to bed. Ginny got parchment and quill and began writing to her brothers. Harry told her he'd take them to the owlry when she'd finished, but she insisted on going along.

The owlry was cold and it took some time to coax Hedwig and one of the school owls down and attach the messages. Hedwig, being the more reliable, was sent to Romania with Charlie's message. Once the owls had flown, Ginny rested her elbows on a window ledge and buried her face in her hands. Harry approached Ginny and put a tentative hand on her back. "I'm so sorry, Ginny," was all he could think to say.

Ginny straightened and faced him. "Harry, did you hate Percy?"

"No, I don't think Percy would ever have done those things if it hadn't have been for the Death Eaters, so it wasn't his fault. I don't think he knew what he was doing tonight. He was just out of his head." Ginny looked a bit relieved. Harry knew how much her older brothers meant to her. In truth, Harry thought Percy had brought a good deal of this on himself by not listening to his father and ignoring his family's warnings. Still, he couldn't bring himself to say such a thing to Ginny who was putting up the best front she could.

Ginny wanted to check on Ron again and so they walked back to the hospital wing. They pushed open the door quietly and walked softly over to the bed Ron lay in, where a single candle was burning.

Mrs. Weasley looked up with red eyes. "Ginny dear, you should go off to bed. No sense in you staying up all night." Ginny nodded but did not move.

"How's he doing," asked Harry.

"No change," muttered Hermione, dully.

Four days later, Ron was doing much better. He was eating again and Madam Pomfrey was working on restoring his rubbery leg to normal. He was complaining bitterly about the potions she was pushing on him, but Harry noted that he took them. The hushed voices when Ron was asleep told a story not so optimistic. It looked as though Ron would have a permanent limp.

Harry was surprised when Ron limped into the common room a few days later. He was leaning heavily on a crutch, and looked very pale. Hermione looked up with a start, and let her book fall to the floor as she rushed over to him. "Why didn't you tell us you were getting released, we could have come and helped you," she scolded.

Harry came over and patted Ron's back, "Alright Ron?"

"Alright," he said. "Leg's a bit off yet."

Harry and Hermione looked at each other. Hermione's face looked stricken. Without looking at either of them Ron said, "I know what you're thinking, but just don't. I'm not going to put up with being treated like some pathetic cripple. Madam Pomfrey says my leg will get better as I use it, and it shouldn't stop me playing Quidditch at all. So that's the bright side." Ron did not sound bright, but stoic. Harry knew better than to try to coddle him or cheer him up with false optimism.

"Cmon' then and let's have a game of chess," said Harry. Ron smiled at him and limped over to the table.