Esprit de Corps

Chapter 9

Hermione woke up with a start. She was sure that she had heard a scream. She quickly put on her dressing gown and stepped out of her room. She found Ron standing in front of Harry's door in his pyjamas.

"You heard him, too?" he whispered. Hermione nodded.

They pushed open the door and found Harry thrashing about in his sleep, clearly having a nightmare. He had his fists clenched so hard that his nails had penetrated his skin and there was blood on his hands. Ron and Hermione gently pried his hands open and sat down on either side of him.

Harry's mouth fluttered open and he uttered one word with such pain that his friends couldn't help their tears.

"Sirius?"

"He is not here, Harry. It's just a nightmare. Wake up," said Ron firmly. It had little effect on Harry.

"Come back," said Harry in a broken voice, "don't leave me - not again...Sirius! No! Leave them alone! Ron, Hermione, no!"

Hermione, who had pulled out a first aid kit from the bedside drawer, applied some anti-septic on his hands and bandaged them deftly while Ron had been talking, cupped Harry's face when his voice cracked.

Harry's eyes flew open. They were shining with tears. Hermione stroked his hair gently and said, "It was only a dream, Harry."

"We're right here, mate," said Ron.

Harry sat up hurriedly, very red in the face.

"Sorry," he mumbled.

"It's all right, Harry," said Ron and Hermione simultaneously, concern evident in their voices. Harry stared at his hands, unsure of what to say.

"Harry?" Hermione asked tentatively, "Were those nightmares or visions?"

"Nightmares," said Harry dully, "Voldemort apparently thinks my brain is too useless to haunt it anymore. He hasn't troubled to visit since June."

"Maybe your power scared him," said Ron. Hermione nodded. Harry looked up at his friends.

"Thanks," he said simply.

"When did you sleep properly the last time?" Hermione asked, trying to sound casual.

"Dunno," said Harry, looking down again.

"You mean you haven't slept properly since you returned?" asked Ron incredulously. Harry merely nodded.

"That's unhealthy, Harry," said Hermione.

"Do you think I want these nightmares? Do you think I don't wish to sleep like a normal person?" Harry said coldly. Hermione looked flustered.

"I didn't mean that, Harry. I really didn't. I - I - shall I get you some Muggle sleeping pills?"

"Will they help?"

"Maybe," said Hermione.

"Ok."

Hermione picked out a strip of tablets from the kit she was holding and handed it to Harry.

"Only one at a time," she said. Ron handed him a glass of water. Harry downed the pill.

"We'll stay till you're asleep, mate," said Ron.

"Thanks," said Harry.

Soon enough, Harry was fast asleep. Ron and Hermione slipped out of the room quietly.

"Will it work?" Ron asked quietly.

"Hope so," said Hermione, "for the moment, at least. They're highly addictive, and I don't want him to get dependant on them. His resistance and dosages will start increasing otherwise and he won't be able to sleep at all without them..."

"What can we do? He needs to sleep."

"I know. But drug-induced slumber is not healthy..."

"Have you seen the dark bags around his eyes?"

Hermione nodded unhappily.

"I wish I had some dreamless sleep potion - they're non-addictive and have no side-effects."

"You can ask Snape to make some for you," said Ron sarcastically, "Good night, though. Hopefully he'll sleep well."

Hermione wished him a good night and stood there in the dark corridor for sometime before slipping into Harry's room.