Harry Potter and Gaining Momentum

Harry was, along with all the other apprentices, standing in the Headmaster's office for a meeting. It was a week since the announcement of who was chosen and everyone one was confused as to why they were summoned here. Hermione and Harry brought Ron and Ginny, who Dumbledore thought needed to attend due the danger they were in for being as close to Harry as they were. Professors, due to it being the middle of the day, were not present with their apprentices and Dumbledore was heading the meeting along with a short squat man with dark hair and very thin shaped glasses. The man was standing beside Albus appraising the group under a critical eye when Dumbledore began to speak.

"This is Mr. Clyde Clause. He is a registered scanner and a good friend of mine. He is here to do me a favor. As apprentices, you, as you know, will be treated quite a bit differently than the rest of the student population. As such, he is here to tell us what abilities you posses both in your area of study and in others you may wish to pursue. He will also be measuring your magic. What I mean by this is, he will be looking at your magical core and telling you if you have the ability to do as you wish. He will also be telling us if you have enough magic in you to be able to forge a staff. Staves are very high in magic and must be charged with your own magic to make them respond to you. Many wizards have killed themselves trying to forge staves just because they didn't have the magic capable of charging it. There is also the option of not having one. Staves are usually used for higher magic. For someone like me, there would be no benefit for a staff; I have no need to perform great magic, for I am only a headmaster of a school. Some of you, who wish to go on to careers such as Aurors, will benefit greatly if you have the capacity to wield a staff. Now, Mr. Clause will be taking each person in the other room, one by one, to examine them. He will tell you and me the results of the examination. If you are able, I will escort those able to Ollivander's tomorrow to purchase the materials for your staves," he concluded and let Mr. Clause have the floor.

"When I point at you, please follow me into the room for your examination. You," he said pointing at Lavender as he turned and walked into the room that Dumbledore had motioned to during his small speech. She walked, if a bit apprehensively, toward the room just behind him. Harry had to admit, he bore a strange resemblance to the short squat woman that taught Defense Against the Dark Arts last year, and he doubted that anyone would willingly follow if they have even a smidge of a resemblance to the fried toad.

"Oh, I do hope I'll have the capacity to bore a staff. You have no idea what kind of magic can be played out with a staff. There's also the benefit of being able to do what appears to be wandless magic with it. You can make a staff morph and in doing so, make a ring or bracelet that will be much harder to loose in a duel than a simple wand," Hermione gushed reciting information to Harry, Ginny, and Ron. Ron just rolled his eyes and smiled at the rapturous girl while Ginny looked just as excited as Hermione.

"What's wrong Harry?" Ron asked catching his eye. Harry hoped they wouldn't see the displeasure on his face, but he wasn't really happy about having his magic looked at. To him, the Boy-Who-Lived, it seemed like a rather personal and private matter.

"I'm just not too sure whether I'm comfortable with someone looking into my magic. What if they say I don't have enough for a staff? I'll look like a fool. I'm Harry Potter, the bloody Boy-Who-Lived. How would it look if the savior of the wizarding world doesn't hold enough magic to be able to defeat Voldemort?" he asked. Ron winced at the name but Hermione rolled her eyes at both of them.

"Harry, you can already do wandless magic, and will magic. I hardly think you have anything to worry about," she said logically.

"Hermione, I practiced and practiced to get those things right. Sure the will magic was a bit of a surprise, but the wandless wasn't. Do you remember Aunt Marge? Or how about when I apparated to the chimney of the school when Dudley was chasing me? I was bound to be able to do some. Besides, from what I've read, it has nothing to do with how much magic, but instead, your ability and concentration to do so. If you guys would master Occlumency, you'll see really fast how much things just seem to work for you. It's all about concentration," he said as he clasped his hands behind his back and fiddled nervously.

"Truthfully, I've been thinking about it lately. Do you think you'd be willing to teach me as you did Draco?" Hermione asked raising an eyebrow.

"I had plans to teach everyone in the DA, and especially see if you five would be interested in it."

"Five? There are only three of us," Ron said confused.

"Plus Neville and Luna. I have every intention of telling you why you risked your lives last year for the prophecy, but I want you all to be able to protect your minds first. If the full prophecy gets back to Voldemort, he'll take over," he said to Ron.

"Oh," Ron said slightly with the impression of a goldfish.

"So you know what the Prophecy said?" Hermione squeaked.

"Of course. Neville may have accidentally smashed it, but that was only one of two accounts of it. Dumbledore had the other account and has only shown it to me," Harry said.

"I want to learn right away, I want to know what where up against," Ron said bravely.

"Its nice that you included yourselves, but I'm not letting you guys get in the middle of this. I promised your mum last year that I would try to divert you from trouble and I failed once, it won't happen again," Harry said defiantly.

"Don't be stupid Harry; of course we're not going to let you do anything alone. You can both clue us in and have us by your side ready for action, or you cannot clue us in and have us by your side ignorant to what is going on. It's your choice, but I for one am not going to let my best friend go through anything alone," Hermione said crossing her arms and turning away to tell him the conversation was finished.

Harry clenched his jaw but didn't retort. He knew that she was correct and knew that they would end up involved as always. He had to admit, it was a small relief to know he wasn't going to be preparing alone, but at the same time, the last thing he wanted was something to happen to his best friend because he was a danger to them just for having the name Harry Potter.

By the time the conversation was over, almost half of the apprentices were done. Susan, Lavender, Celesta, Parvati, Adrain, Lisa, and Mandy had all gone so far and returned with slightly downcast looks. Harry was all the sudden reminded of his sorting in first year. The same thoughts seemed to be running through his head as he waited to be called forward. After Justin and Blaise went, it was down to Hermione, Neville, Draco, Ginny, Ron, and himself.

"You," he said pointing at Hermione. Hermione stepped forward but stopped short like she was frantically looking for a way out.

"Excuse me Mr. Clause?" she said in low voice. Mr. Clause turned and looked at her as if she were wasting his time. Harry slightly bristled at his attitude, but as he looked over to see Albus's reaction, he saw the old coot beaming. Mr. Clause just simple raised an eyebrow for acknowledgement.

"I was wondering if there was a reason we have to be alone for this?" she asked then blushed as she realized how it sounded.

"Young lady I am not here to bite you," he said flustered.

"Of course not, sorry for the wording, it's just, if it's all right, I'd rather have my friends present," she said shyly in a not-at-all Hermione way.

"The reason for the room was so not to cause embarrassment if I told you bad news. But if it is your wish than so be it," he said in a bored voice. Hermione brightened up a bit at this and stood up straight and clasped her hands behind her back as if presenting herself to him to probe.

He approached her and moved her chin up so that he could meet his eyes. The hair on the back of Harry's neck stood up when he realized that Mr. Clause was doing Legilimency on her. He bristled at the thought of the strange man invading her thoughts and her mind. He wanted to run forward and shove her out of the way, but held his ground when he saw the man break eye contact with her. She shook her head slightly as if to rid herself of confusion before she again took her dignified pose. He walked around her looking over his glasses at her. Harry again wanted to ask the man what he was playing at. He looked to be undressing her with his eyes but when he abruptly stopped and waved his hand in no particular motion, Harry saw a small flash and covered his eyes. When he moved his hand the light was gone and the man was no longer by Hermione but instead standing back looking at her once more.

"You will be able to have a staff, but you should wait to forge it until you have mastered Occlumency so that you'll have more focus to concentrate your magic into it. Without that concentration, you will kill yourself. Animagus and Charms master are definite, and you may have a slight gift for spell invention. You," he pointed at Ginny who looked very much intimidated as she walked forward. Hermione was absolutely beaming and seemed that she didn't even mind that the man simply cast her away like an odd shaped stone and called upon Ginny.

Ginny, as Hermione had, voiced her opinion about wanting the examination done in front of her friends also. When Mr. Clause was finished he told her she had the potential to forge a staff in about a year as long as she too took up Occlumency. She also had the potential for: Transfiguration master, Animagus, and to everyone's surprise she had the gift of Sight, though it would only be brought out if she were in a traumatic experience. The reason behind this was due to the gift being covered up before she had the chance to express it to begin with. Harry automatically thought of her first year with Tom Riddle. Ginny apparently also thought this because she voiced that she understood.

Neville was next and was told he had several gifts that included both Charms and Transfiguration master, and Animagus. He would be able to forge a staff right away and have no problem charging it. Harry thought Neville was going to cry or faint at these words but just opted for silence as he made his way back to the group.

Next was Draco. Draco too would be able to forge a staff right away. He had the gift of Spell invention, Charms master, Potion master, and Animagus. He looked relieved but, of course, didn't show it as he strode back to Harry's side coolly and collected.

It was now down to Harry and Ron. Harry noticed, like him, that Ron started fidgeting also. He was wiping his hands on his robes constantly. Harry had the strong urge to do exactly the same thing, but refrained from doing so as he saw how insecure it made Ron look. The man eyed them both critically, and then strode up to both of them.

"You both have very strong auras. I've been making my way up the colors in terms of strength and you both have very strong ones. There is something wrong with yours though," he said looking at Harry. Harry bristled a bit but kept his footing. He was afraid of something like this, though he knew there could be many reasons for this.

"Wandless magic?" he asked. Harry presumed, as apparently Ron had, that they were both being addressed. Harry nodded yes while Ron shook his head no. The man looked rather intrigued.

"Accidental magic?" he asked. Again Harry nodded, feeling even more uncomfortable, and Ron shook his head. "Right, you," he said nodding toward Ron.

The man followed the same ritual as everyone else than informed Ron.

"Charms master is definite as is Transfiguration master. You have the attention span of a toad, so that's the reason for your lack in performance. You too, as your friends will also, will benefit from Occlumency. When you learn to concentrate on the matter at hand, I don't think you'll have a problem any longer, far from it I'd guess. Animagus is also definite, possible magical creature, and you will most defiantly be able to form a staff, but only after you've had your Occlumency lessons," he concluded then turned to Harry.

"You have to be the oddest specimen I've ever seen. Your aura is tinged with many different colors. It is also very luminous. I think that if its outline weren't black, you'd have a sliver aura. Why it is outlined in black is none of my business, but I do hope you don't dabble in the Dark Arts," he said sternly. Harry was all the sudden very angry. The man was supposed to be here helping and tell us what they were capable of and he was standing here before the one person that would never touch the Dark Arts, and accusing him of such.

"Mr. Clause, if I may?" Albus said coming forward. "Harry absorbed some of Voldemort's powers the night the Dark Lord tried to kill Harry. I have no doubt in my mind that this is the reason behind the darkness of his aura."

"That would suffice, now," he said lifting Harry's chin. Harry felt the man trying to get in, but laughed inwardly when the man let go out of frustration. "You will have to let your walls down so I can see your magical core," he said sounding a bit perturbed. Harry looked at him oddly.

"Is there anyway for you to do so without me opening my mind?" he asked narrowing his eyes at the man. He heard a short snort from the group and recognized it as Draco. Harry again smiled inwardly at his boyfriend's approval.

"No," the man answered sternly and shortly.

"Mr. Clause," Albus interrupted again, "Harry holds many secrets that are very critical to our cause in the war. He has worked long and hard to form those walls and as I would be also, he is reluctant to break them down. Can you promise that you will only look into his magical core should he let you in?" Albus questioned the short man.

"I never pry. It is not my business what he does in his personal life, or what he knows. I am here as help, not to meddle," the man said affronted.

"Would it be possible for me to place a memory charm on you after the examination?" Albus asked carefully, but confidently. Harry felt better about that, but kept his voice silent letting Albus do the negotiating.

"If you see fit, I see no reason why not," the man said finally showing another emotion, defeat. Harry nodded at Albus showing his approval and looked the man in the eye. He let down his walls and Mr. Clause plunged in as he usually did with Draco, naturally, not with a wand.

There was a warm tingling and the he could barely feel the man inside. Before he knew it the man was out and walking around him in the same appraising manner he did everyone else.

"You have a lot of suppressed magic. I'm not sure why, but it's there. If it were ever decompressed, the odds are, it would consume you and you would no longer exist. I don't understand how you have the aptitude to be able to do both wandless magic and accidental magic, but the suppressed magic leaked for some reason. A number of things could have caused this, but what did I don't know. I would suggest that you not forge a staff," Mr. Clause said clasping his hands behind his back. The group beside him gasped at the recent development of Harry not being able to forge a staff.

"The reason I am suggesting this is because should you charge a staff, the dam holding in the magic you are suppressing may collapse and flood your body with magic. The result would be that all of Hogwarts and possibly Hogsmeade would be flattened, that's how much magic is being suppressed. The only safe way for you to have a staff would be if you learned how to manage your channel and use the reserve of suppressed magic as the mouth of your channel. This would make you possibly the strongest wizard to date, but I must tell you gravely that the chances of you learning to channel the magic as I've suggested, is very, very slim. As of right now you have the depth of Mr. Weasley's potential. Your talents and gifts are abundant though. Transfiguration master, you're already an magical Animagus, Serpent Speaker, Charms master, slight Seer, Spell inventor, Potions master, Legilimens, Master of Occlumency, Scanner, and if you ever learn how to channel the suppressed magic, most powerful wizard ever known," he concluded. Albus was absolutely beaming at Harry, as was Draco. Ron looked a bit put out, Harry assumed it was due to being second once again. Ginny, Neville, and Hermione all looked shocked.

"Sir, would it be possible for you to look at one other person before you leave. She's a friend of mine and I'd like you to tell her what potential she may hold. As everyone around me is in constant danger, it would make me feel better if she were told her capabilities. It could drive her to handle herself better and make me feel better in the long run," he asked.

"Certainly," he said striding away from Harry to Albus's side once more.

"I'm assuming you are referring to Miss Lovegood?" Albus questioned and Harry nodded in confirmation.

***

Harry was sitting in the Great Hall listening to Dumbledore make, yet, another announcement. It seemed this year the Headmaster was doing everything in his power to lift spirits among the student population. Through Professor Moon, Dumbledore had gathered the name of fourteen contestants that would be appropriate for a school duel. Harry had, of course, been picked since he himself had outwitted the Defense teacher. He made his way up to the podium where: Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger, Ginny Weasley, Draco Malfoy, Susan Bones, Casey Price, Micheal Mulciber, and Cho Chang already where. After his approach more were called up: Hannah Abbot, Michael Rhodes, Neville Longbottom, Justin Finch- Fletchley, and Katie Bell were all called up. Harry saw that the competition was going to be steep. Katie alone was a seventh year and really good in Defense. All of his close friends that knew him and how he dueled were there. There were even rumors of Mulciber and Price being Junior Death Eaters in training, they were both from Slytherin house, and were seventh years. He noticed that there was a good amount of students from each house, but secretly wished he didn't have to go up against Cho in a duel. He didn't intend to let her win, but would feel awful if she lost. It would make him feel like the duel was lost because she was uncomfortable dueling her. He also decided as soon as he was up that he would switch the wards over to Albus the day of the duel so he could use his wand without hurting anyone.

As dinner finished Harry was about to make his way out of the hall when he felt a hand clasp his right shoulder. He turned around to see both Price and Mulciber standing there, presenting sneers.

"You're going down Potter, and we're making sure that were taking every precaution to humiliate you," Price said giving a maniacal grin. Harry looked into his steeling brown eyes and raised an eyebrow.

"You know, I've noticed one thing about those who support the radical ideas of Voldemort. They're more talk than action. They also like to brag before they've actually accomplished anything, so until you do win a duel against me, I suggest you get to practicing," he said and turned before Mulciber grabbed his arm and spun him around.

"The dark lord knows all. Watch yourself Potter," he spat menacingly before stalking off with Price in tow.

"Problems Harry?" Albus's voice came from behind him. Harry spun around to see Albus watching the two walking off.

"No Sir, just large egos trying to get at me," he said and started walking to the staircase that would lead him to Gryffindor tower.

"Harry, may I have a quick word with you?" Dumbledore asked after only three steps in the right direction. Harry turned around and gave the Professor his attention.

"Yes."

"As you know, I'm taking those who wish to Ollivander's tomorrow to retrieve the means to forge their staves. I was wondering if you'd like to join us. I know it was recommended that you don't forge one yourself, but it would make me comfortable to know you have the means of creating a staff if ever you manage to create the correct channel for your magic," he said looking intently at Harry's reaction. Harry showed no emotion.

"I would like to, yes, but do you really think I have a chance at ever channeling the magic?" he asked furrowing his brow at the older man.

"I have learned in the past to never underestimate you my boy, and I will not go back on that notion now. You have time and time again surprised me and shown me what an extraordinary wizard you are and will be," he said graciously.

"Be that as it may, I don't think that my power is going to grow much more without channeling into the mouth, as Mr. Clause so nicely put it," he added wrinkling up his nose.

"Harry, I will not lie to you. I know the power you possess right now is only a fraction of what Voldemort possesses. I must impress upon you the importance of this. You must find a way to channel the needed magic. I fear for you life should you not," Dumbledore said gravely.

"I understand, and I intend to ask Hermione and Ginny to look into it with me as soon as their Occlumency lessons are over. I'm telling the prophecy after that and I might as well tell them everything I know. Draco knows most already, but I refused to tell him anything also until his Occlumency was done. I think after the others have more concentration and focus, their skills will start emerging and I'll be able to ask them for more. But until then, I'll have to suit myself by taking the project on alone," he said casting his eyes to his shoes ashamed that he didn't trust his friends.

"I know you trust them Harry, no one can be too careful with the secrets and information you hold," he said patting Harry on the shoulder and walking away in the direction of the gargoyle.

***

For the second time since he began his way to the dormitory, Harry stopped and turned around. The feeling of someone watching him was constantly making the hair on the back of his neck stand on end. As if he was moody he faked a continuance and spun around once again to see nothing behind him. He had the slight urge to laugh at himself for that, but kept quite so his ears were pricked for the slights sound in the eerie corridor. Deciding that it was probably just a loose feeling from the run in with Price and Mulciber he continued on his way once again. He was almost to the third floor when he again got the prickle. He rolled his eyes and strode forward until he heard an almost hissing sound. He knew immediately he was being attacked from the back.

He dropped to the floor just as the red light from the stunning curse flew over his head. He flipped himself over with every thought in the world running through his mind, but his mind froze like ice when his eyes came to land on the source of the stunner. There, standing less than twenty feet away, eyeing Harry appraisingly was---,

"Peter Pettigrew," Harry snarled harshly.

"Hello ickle Harrykins," the man said in the same feigned voice that Bellatrix Lestrange used the previous year at the ministry. "Fancy meeting you here," he said looking around the corridor but never taking his eyes off the vicinity of Harry.

"Oh, yes, because we all know I'm so above school," Harry said sarcastically. He went to get up but Peter spoke up.

"Uh-huh Potter, your coming with me, unconscious," he said striding forward to close the distance between the two of them. Harry felt very much trapped. He was in a corridor that had only classrooms on it, and all the classes had ended before dinner.

"Afraid to duel me yourself?" he asked raising and eyebrow casually. He had to keep his cool if this was going to work.

"I have very strict orders to put you under and bring you back, no playing. So, no, I'm sorry Potty, their will be no chance to escape this time," he said casually as if the option was given like this everyday. As he walked by a suite of armour, Harry took action. Not having his wand in hand, he simply used his hand. With a wave the armour came to life and leapt at Peter. Stunned slightly, he stumbled out of the way and used the blasting curse to destroy it. By this time Harry had already gotten to his feet and had his wand in hand.

"I'm very sorry Peter, but you will have to duel me if you wish to take me anywhere," he said in a challenging tone. Peter smiled,

"As you wish---Reducto!" he thundered and the blast of light shot at Harry with alarming speed. Harry dodged out of the way and cast a quick Avis followed by a stunner that Peter deflected with his silver hand. "I should have told you Potter, but my hand does have slight magical properties," he said grinning.

Harry grinned in return and waved his wand with no incantation. Peter raised both his hand and wand but was left looking stupid when nothing seemed to happen, Harry was still grinning. A look of panic over came Peters face and he hear tromping start behind him, but he didn't turn around knowing that if he did, Potter would stun him. Instead he 'popped' in to his Animagus form and began to run for the cover of the battered brick walls. Just as he was about to reach the wall, Harry waved his hand and cast the same spell that was used by Lupin and Sirius in his third year while in the Shrieking Shack. Peter grew to a normal size, but was still on his hands and knees.

"You don't get to leave this time Wormtail," he said waving his hands towards the armored suites that had lined up making a barrier to block off the other end of the corridor. Harry opted to use the suits because Peter could probably defect anything that was thrown at him with his blasted silver hand. Peter shot up in an upright position when he saw the suites again move toward him. He cast a Reducto which Harry counter and threw off course. The curse missed all the suits and took a chunk out of the wall.

Annoyed, Peter turned toward Harry, wand brandished.

"Cruico!" he yelled but Harry threw a strong Portego and the curse again flew astray. "Imperio!" he yelled again now grasping at straws, but this time Harry laughed at him.

"Tom couldn't do it in the grave yard, what makes you think you can do it?" he said in a teasing tone.

Peter evidently saw red at this. It was common knowledge that everyone thought that Peter only hung around his father, Sirius, and Lupin because he was weak. In fact, this was assumed to be the reason for his change of sides. He was hungry for power, he wanted to be the one with the upper hand; even if it meant being above Muggles to do so.

While Peter threw a vicious stunning curse, which the phoenix swooped down and ate, turning to flames and falling as ash to the ground. Harry had two quick thoughts. One, that was a very powerful stunner, and two, he had to get rid of the silver hand, as gruesome as it sounded.

"Accio Silver Hand!" Harry yelled. The sight was revolting to say the least. Peter's eyes grew wide as his arm shot out and detached slightly above the wrist only to come hurling at Harry and leaving Peter gasping in pain, not able to yell due to shock. Harry tossed the hand aside while Peter was bleeding freely, but silently, on the floor of the corridor. Peter waved his wand and mumbled something under his breath that must have been a pain relieving charm, because his face was immediately void of pain and he was again pointing his wand at Harry.

"Aspro Barra!" he thundered as a spear with a razor sharp end came catapulting at Harry. Not having time to move out of shock of Wormtail's still bleeding arm, Harry was struck on the left side of his stomach where the spear went straight through Harry and out the other side. The pain was like that of the Cruciatus, but centralized in a specific location of his body. He gasped loudly knowing he should have summoned another phoenix just in case this happened again.

On his knees he looked up at the still shaken Peter Pettigrew. This was the man that was responsible for his parents' deaths. This was the person that was responsible for the rise of Tom Riddle, Cedrick's death, and most of all, Sirius' imprisonment. Fighting against the pain like never before, now bleeding freely himself, he stood and looked his enemy in the eye with his own narrowed in hatred. There was a passion in his eye; a determination. He watched happily as Peter's expression turned from superiority to slight and sudden fright.

"Avada Kadava!" Peter yelled desperately at Harry. Using a trick he had seen from no other than Voldemort, Harry conjured a silver shield and the killing curse bounced off of it making the resembled 'gong' sound as it did. The vibrating rang throughout the corridor, and through Harry. The pain was immense as the rumble shook his body with great ferocity. He literally felt as if he was put in a tumbler of some sort. Not really thinking due to pain, but knowing he needed to rid himself of both Peter and the still heavily vibrating shield, he took it in the form of a Frisbee and hurled it at Peter. His opponents eyes widened in fear as the silver shield came at him faster than seemed possible. The shield hit Wormtail directly above the shoulders. It separated his head from the rest of his body and left a headless corpse standing while the head flew into the air and landed with a thump on the ground a few feet away. The shield traveled a good twenty feet before hitting a suite of armor and creating a racket Peeves would be proud of.

For a second, he felt like a zombie; void of all emotion, blood running cold. Head whirling uncontrollably, Harry turned around and threw up on the floor of the corridor before passing out from both loss of blood and mental shock.

***

Harry woke up, as usual, to the smell of antiseptic washed sheets and white washed walls. He groaned out loud at the feeling of pain in his side, but still forced his eyes open. Sitting next to him was Draco, Ginny, Hermione (whose nose was in a book of course), Ron, Luna, and Neville. The windows in the hospital wing were dark, it must have been late.

"Sorry guys," he croaked trying to sit up but wincing at the stabbing pain in his side. That's when all the previous events that led up to this exploded through his mind.

"For what?" Ron asked confused. There was an edge on his voice, but apparently no one but Draco noticed, still, Draco didn't comment.

"For forcing you guys to sit with me once again," he said closing his eyes only to see Peter's head again be sliced from his shoulders and land on the ground with a sickening thud. He felt the bile rising from his stomach into his throat and went wide-eyed. He faintly heard Draco murmur something and a basin sat in his lap where he hurled. The pain was so intense that he was no longer thinking of the gruesome picture, but now vomiting from pure pain. Draco was keeping his hair out his face and someone had produced a cold, wet rag which was pressed to his forehead. The cool feeling made the nausea subside, only to allow the image to float back into his mind again. This time though, he didn't hurl, he had nothing left to do so with. Then it hit him.

"I killed someone," he croaked in a scratchy voice. His mouth still tasted of vomit and the taste alone was churning his stomach faster than an Amish churned butter. Eyes widening again, he leaned forward and began to dry heave into the basin Draco had produced for him. He heard Ginny on his right side; she was 'shushing' him in a soothing tone and rubbing his back soothingly. Draco was doing the same from the other side while keeping hair out of his face. After this bout, he finally let exhaustion once again take him and he leaned back on to his pillows again, only to bolt right back up into a defeated-hunched position cringing. His stomach muscles had cramped into the hunched position he used while vomiting and the pain from the wound, still being somewhat fresh, again turned him to nausea. He began the attempt to hurl again, only to dry heave.

The sickly noise that Harry was making with every lurch of his stomach apparently alarmed Madam Pomfrey because she came bustling out. She shooed Neville, Luna, and Ginny away from Harry's right side and began to wave her wand at and around him. At this point he was beyond caring that he had an audience. All the wanted was to be out cold once more. Madam Pomfrey tutted and clucked her tongue before shuffling off into another room. She returned only seconds later with at least five different coloured vials.

"Rest, that's what you need Mr. Potter, rest," she said handing him a purple coloured potion. His heaves only subsided seconds earlier and he looked at her as if she had grown another head. "It will soothe your stomach, drink up," she insisted at his withering gaze. Heaving a small sigh, which was all his body would allow, he downed the bottle of potion and grimaced as it turned his mouth, throat, then stomach to ice.

"Cold," he murmured and within a second he had two blankets draped over his shoulders, courtesy of none other than Draco.

"Come on Mr. Potter, this one next," she said brandishing a mud coloured potion. Again he looked at her for knowledge of what it was and she sighed. "Diluted nutrient potion; it will give you back some of your energy and keep your stomach from shriveling up from lack of food," she informed him. Nodding he downed the vial.

"Pepper up," Ron said in a proud tone when he saw the next flash. Everyone let out soft laughs at this being turned into a game of 'Name that Potion'. Harry smiled weakly and took the vial. It did exactly the opposite of what the anti-nausea potion. His insides felt as if they'd been shocked with electricity and he felt slight jolts before feeling a lot better.

Madam Pomfrey, again, held out anther potion.

"Pain relieving potion," Neville said in the same proud voice Ron did. Everyone grinned at him; Harry made a feeble attempt also. Pomfrey nodded and watched Harry down the potion. At long last she handed Harry the last potion. Harry knew this one, it was a Dreamless Sleeping Draught, though he did not get to voice his answer, because everyone else did.

"Dreamless Sleeping Potion," they all said in unison making them all crack up laughing at one another. Harry wanted to give a slight laugh, but bit back knowing it would take a little while for the Pain Relieving Potion to take effect and dull the pain in his side.

Madam Pomfrey murmured something under her breath and Harry's stomach muscles relaxed as Draco helped his layback on his pillows behind him. He felt the Sleeping draught take effect immediately as he closed his eyes and let the dark abyss take him off to limbo for a while. He rested.