About that curse: It was a curse that took ALL of the oxygen out of the victim. So yeah, Harry had like no oxygen left in him, luckily, though, his brain could function for a short while, so he didn't die.
The "air" that Madam Pomfrey had was to give his body (minus lungs for some reason) oxygen. That thing over his mouth gave air to his lungs, without him having to breathe in. About the pain, every time he tried to breathe, the curse would take place and take the oxygen away, also giving him pain (though, not too much).
Don't worry, though, Madam Pomfrey will find a cure. Dah dah dah daaaa Have no fear! Madam Pomfrey is here! (Sorry, I'm on a sugar high… think of the Creevy brothers on their daily sugar high… yeah)
Hehe, I made the curse up, too, that's why it's horrible TT
On to the story!
0—0—0—0
Ginny silently crept up the steps, avoiding that damn cat. She had already gotten caught a few times, once being when she was in her first year, a day before Mrs. Norris was petrified. Mrs. Norris had been holding a grudge on her since, even though she was a cat.
She quietly walked to the third floor. She was supposed to meet Pansy Parkinson to discuss that Potions book she had. Ginny had confronted Pansy after she overheard a conversation concerning Draco and his 'mysterious disappearances'. She told her that Draco had found her and Ron brewing a potion, and about his threat. She was shocked to say the least, but then thought of a plan. They both would brew a potion, where they were positive that Draco wouldn't find them. Since then, Ginny had become quiet close with the pug faced girl.
She opened the door and crept silently inside, making sure that the cat wasn't following her. She sat down, took out her special potions book, lighted a few candles, and checked the potion. It was supposed to be pink by now, but instead, it was black, and smelt like rotten vegetables.
"That's odd," Ginny murmured. Then, Pansy came in. She did a double check, making sure she wasn't being followed, and closed the door.
"Is it pink yet?" she asked. Ginny shook her head and started looking in her book to see what she had done wrong. Then, she heard Pansy gasp.
"What," Ginny asked. Pansy just pointed at the wall near the cauldron. Ginny looked up and also gasped. Written in bold white writing were the words:
YOU'VE BEEN WARNED
NOW YOU SHALL SUFFER THE CONCQUENCES
Ginny panicked, she looked over at Pansy, whose eyes were currently on the verge of falling out. Ginny quickly shut her book and blew out the candles. They didn't bother cleaning the cauldron; they just wanted to run before they were caught. Pansy and Ginny ran through the door, not noticing the cat, or the person next to the cat.
0—0—0—0
Hermione woke up, feeling a sense of emptiness. Then did she realize that Harry wasn't next to her; he had been in the Hospital Wing, lingering between life and death. She suddenly found herself empty of tears.
She sighed and then went to the nursery. She saw that Dobby was already there, crying. Hermione worried. Why on earth would Dobby be crying? Did something happen to James, Lily, or Harry?
"Dobby, what's wrong?" Hermione asked cautiously. Dobby jumped, startled, and then started to furiously wipe his tears away.
"Dobby is sorry miss. Dobby is just so sad! Mister Harry Potter sir might… might… die!" Dobby said, crying once more. Hermione felt bad for Dobby; after all, he did worship Harry.
"D-don't worry D-Dobby, n-n-nothing is going to happen to H-Harry," Hermione said. The elf tearfully nodded and then picked up Lily, taking her to the changing table. Hermione looked over at James, who was sleeping. He was so much like his father. Hermione said that she was going to eat in the Great Hall today, Dobby, still very tearful, nodded.
She went back up to her room and took out her school clothes. She went into the shower and thought. Thought about how she'd get her revenge on Dumbledore. He wasn't going to get off easy; he was going to have hell to pay. He almost killed Harry. And if Hermione said anything, they'd surly think that she was off her rocker. She thought about ways of even killing him, with out going to Azkaban of course.
I'm going to have to do some research if I want to kill the old bastard. Hermione thought getting out of the shower.
She quickly walked towards the Hospital Wing, avoiding the cruel remarks about her and 'how she was just in it for the money.'
"Madam Pomfrey," Hermione called. The nurse quickly came, and motioned to the far side of the wing, where Harry lay. She nodded and walked over to Harry.
He was still extremely pale and seemed to have lost some weight. His hair clung to his forehead because he was sweating so much. Hermione thought that was odd, so she called Madam Pomfrey.
"Yes?" she asked walking up to Hermione.
"Harry's sweating, is something wrong?" Hermione said worried. Madam Pomfrey glanced over at Harry, then started checking him. She pulled out her wand, and started chanting a few spells. She then went into her office, coming out she brought a blue vial full of dreamless sleep.
"Well, there seems to be some good news, and some bad. The good news is that Harry will probably live. Trust me, when you've been hit with an ancient curse like this, it's a wonder Mister Potter lived to this day. The bad news is that I still have to find how to cure him." She sighed. "I'm not sure if Harry will be able to breathe on his own, if I don't find a cure," she said. Hermione looked at her, shocked. Harry might not be able to breathe? He still has a chance of living, though, only if she found a cure, and soon.
Hermione suddenly found herself full of tears. She started to cry, not caring if she was going to have red-rimmed eyes, or puffy cheeks. She just wanted Harry to live. Once Harry woke up, Dumbledore was surly going to die, that much Hermione knew.
When Harry wakes up, Dumbledore's going to wish he never messed with me and Harry, Hermione thought angrily.
After what seemed like hours (though it was only about 10min), she got up, straightened out her clothes, and fixed her hair. She gave Harry a lingering kiss on the cheek and left.
0—0—0—0
Hermione sat by herself that day during classes. All of the classes she took, she and Harry always sat together, even before they were together. Everyone who were in there class knew that no one took their seats, even if one weren't there that day.
So Hermione attempted to listen to what Professor McGonagall was saying, but no avail. Though she already learned everything, she had to organize her thoughts.
"Miss Granger, see me after class today," McGonagall said. The class echoed in 'ooh's' and 'ah's.' Hermione looked to her left, where she saw Draco writing a note. He glanced he way and passed her the note when McGonagall wasn't looking.
Hermione opened it and read:
Granger,
What REALLY happened to Potter? I heard rumors, but I didn't believe any. I need to hear the truth, about the Triwizard Tournament, and why Potter's in the Hospital. Again…
See me after dinner, in the Hospital Wing.
-You saw me pass this note to you, Granger, are you really that oblivious?
PS: Ignore the surnames; Pansy was next to me eyeing me suspiciously. She thinks I'm going to hex you.
Hermione looked over at him and gave a slight nod.
After class was over, she walked up to McGonagall's desk, where she was looking very worried.
"Miss Granger, do you know what happened to Potter?" She asked. Hermione nodded.
"He… he was hit with some ancient curse."
"Yes, and Dumbledore told me that you were the one who cast it upon him. But it doesn't add up, why would you of all people want to try to kill him?" She asked. Hermione didn't know whether or not to trust her or not. In the end she decided that if McGonagall went against Dumbledore to build their rooms, why not tell her about Dumbledore?
She took a deep breath and answered, "That's the thing, Professor, I didn't cast the spell. I haven't even heard of it until now, and I still don't know exactly what it is."
McGonagall sighed. "That's what I feared," she muttered. Hermione didn't understand. What did McGonagall fear?
"Um, excuse me Professor, but, what did you fear?" Hermione asked.
She sighed, and then told Hermione about how Albus had been acting differently since Harry had started school. Apparently he wanted to tear them apart, because Dumbledore wanted all of the glory to himself. He didn't want to share the spotlight; he wanted it all for himself. She then told him about the night that she was looking for a book in his office. That was when she found the potion that made Hermione pregnant. She told the young girl about his plans, how he was going to kill them and should be very cautious.
Hermione sighed, she knew that was coming. "Professor, why isn't Dumbledore going to Azkaban? Harry might not even live," Hermione shouted.
"Yes, I am very aware of that, Miss Granger. However, Albus is a very powerful wizard. Though, I can not do anything, you two will certainly be able to. I fear that the old Headmaster we once knew is no more." She sighed again and dismissed Hermione, not being able to take anymore.
0—0—0—0
"What? No Potter? What happened this time?" Snape asked the class. No one thought he was actually expecting an answer, so no one raised their hands. "Answer me," he bellowed.
Draco put his hand up. Snape motioned for him to answer, expecting a foul answer, but getting something far from it. "Harry was sent to the Hospital Wing. He got hit with some ancient curse. No one knows if he's even going to live." Everyone gasped. Draco, say Harry's first name? Shit, I messed up, Draco thought. "Oh shut up. He's got a name you know," Draco said to the class.
Snape looked… shocked. But he quickly recovered. "Yes, well, thank you Draco. Class, turn to page three hundred forty-two." The class instantly obeyed.
0—0—0—0
Dinner had not gone well at all. First, people kept on commenting about how Hermione had just wanted Harry's children. Then, they couldn't stop talking about how Draco called him 'Harry.' Ginny kept glancing around the Great Hall, as if someone were about to attack her. For some reason, too, she kept glancing over the Slytherin table, in the direction of Draco and Pansy.
Dumbledore had been eyeing her suspiciously while McGonagall kept glancing at her worriedly. The other students, mainly Victor Krum, had been trying to talk to her. He had taken a liking to her ever since Harry was entered in the Triwizard Tournament.
Hermione made her way to Harry's bed. He looked a lot better than he had before. He had just about gotten all of the color in his skin back. Though, he did seem to be sweating profusely. That scared Hermione. Madam Pomfrey walked up to her saying that she had finally found a cure, though, it'd take at least a night, if not more, for Harry to wake up.
Draco came in but a few minutes later. He, too, noticed that Harry had looked better since he last saw him. He sat on a chair next to Harry's bed.
"What's that thing on his mouth?" He asked.
"It's a magically enchanted muggle device that gives you air. Apparently from what I've read, you don't need to breathe in for the air to go to your lungs. Harry can't breathe on his own, though he's fighting it," Hermione said starting to tear up.
"Oh. Well, err, he looks better. At least he's not white as a sheet," Draco said trying to change the subject. Hermione just nodded.
"Okay, so in the note today, you asked about the truth." Draco nodded. "Well, it seems to me that someone entered Harry. Someone that wants something bad to happen to him. I don't know who, though. So now he has no choice but to enter, I really wish he weren't, though. He's already got so much attention, he doesn't need anymore," she whispered.
"What about this," he asked motioning to Harry. Hermione sighed.
"Can I trust you to not tell anyone?" Hermione asked. Draco looked at Hermione. He wouldn't tell anyone anything, not that he was friends with Harry and Hermione. They had changed the bad boy Slytherin to a loyal Gryffindor fool he once thought was disgraceful.
"Yes, you can trust me."
Hermione sighed. "Well," she started off in a whisper where Draco had to lean in to listen properly, "Dumbledore hit Harry with some ancient curse. It took all of the oxygen out of the victim. It was a wonder how Harry survived." Draco laughed.
"Kind of like how the survived the killing curse. The bloody Bloody-Boy-Who-Lived lives again, though this time, barely."
"Yes, so now Dumbledore said that I was the one who cursed Harry," Hermione said, still whispering. "Just wait until Harry get's up. We'll make his life hell," Hermione mumbled. Draco sat there nodding. Then he realized what she said, Dumbledore cursed a student! He could have his wand snapped!
"Hermione!" Draco said cheerfully. Hermione looked up from where she was staring at Harry's pale face, to Draco's. "We can have his wand snapped. Then he won't be able to do anything," he said whispering cheerfully.
Hermione looked thoughtful for a moment, but then answered, "what if he can do wandless magic? Then it wouldn't matter or not if he had his wand."
"Yes, but a wizard could only do so much without a wand."
She saw Harry twitch. And twitch again. Hermione looked at him sadly and pulled his bangs back. That was when she saw that his scar had been blood red and bleeding slightly. She gasped, "oh no. Why on earth would it bleed?" Hermione asked to no one in particular.
"What's bleeding—oh," Draco said, looking at the scar with slight fear. Sure, he's seen it many times, but he's never seen it bleed. Hell, he didn't even know that scar could bleed. He saw Harry twitch again, as if he were having a nightmare.
Suddenly, Harry's eyes snapped open. They moved around frantically, as if making sure he was safe. After a few moments, his eyes went to Hermione. They didn't notice the beetle on the wall, nor the person lurking about the shadows. Suddenly, he started twitching and shaking, he gave Hermione a look that clearly said 'help and his chest stopped moving, his eyes closing.
Hermione and Draco's eyes bugged out. They ran towards the office, all the while calling for Madam Pomfrey. She looked quiet irritated with them.
"Harry's chest stopped moving!" Hermione shouted, tears falling down her cheeks. Draco nodded quickly. Madam Pomfrey went back into her office, gathering potions and whatnot and then ran to Harry. She gave him a few potions to see what he was suffering. His lungs were functioning properly, so were his muscles, what was the problem? Then she saw the faint blue mark near Harry's chest. She muttered something quickly, and checked him again. The blue mark was gone. She gave him some more potions and told Draco and Hermione that if anything happened to tell her immediately.
0—0—0—0
Harry lay there, hearing the steady sound of his heart. He then heard sounds of people talking, from what he heard, one was a girl and the other was a boy.
He was still trying to open his eyes, though, every time he tried, he ended up twitching. He tried again, yet another twitch. Finally, he gave up, trying to sleep. He really was getting tired of sleeping. (Hehe)
There was a shadow lurking around the corners of the Hospital Wing. The shadow looked around, as if making sure that no one was around.
Then, and only then, did he cast an unknown curse that was headed straight towards Harry. He tried, but then found that his muscles were going haywire, probably the effect of the curse. Then, he felt his heart slow down. Then pain, lots of pain. Also a faint cry of babies could be heard throughout the wing.
Harry could feel the blood trickling down his scar. That had been happening a lot lately, even though he couldn't open his eyes.
Then all of a sudden, he felt something hit his chest, he opened his eyes, searching for that shadow. Then his eyes fell on Hermione, and then with his eyes, he pleaded for help. Then like in the nightmare, his muscles started going haywire, and then his heart started slowing down. He gave up and closed his eyes, waiting for the pain to come, but it didn't. He then felt something calm his nerves, so he decided that he should just let his nerves calm down letting the blackness envelop him once more.
(A/N: I bet you guys are getting tired of Harry and his near death experiences.)
0—0—0—0
"What was that blue mark on Harry's chest?" Hermione asked Draco.
Draco seemed to be in thought, but then it dawned on him. "No, only a few other people are known to have been hit with it. But… how did he… no…" Draco said talking to himself.
"How did he what? Draco, answer me," Hermione said.
"He-he was hit with a curse… I forget what it's called at the moment, but this curse, it makes your nerves go all haywire. Then something happens to your brain. It's been a long time since I've read it; it's one of those ancient curses. I've only read it once, and from what I remember no one survived it. Yet again, Potter has pulled off the impossible, actually, this isn't impossible. To get cured, all you have to do is cast a spell that calms down your nerves mildly. Nothing too big, but once people get to the hospital they're already dead…" he trailed off.
"But-but who cast it? There was no one here before he woke up. He just looked around and started shaking and twitching," Hermione said.
"You're right Granger. Who…"
Hermione leaned in so close to Draco that their faces could've touched. She then whispered "what if Dumbledore did it? What if he's watching us right now?"
Draco leaned back, that was too close for comfort. Sure, she was his friend, but that was it, just a friend. How Harry and Hermione stayed that close even before they got together was a wonder for Draco. It was as if they were jointed at the hip. He quickly regained his train of thought and looked around the Hospital Wing.
It seemed, to Draco, that no one was there. Though, he could always be wrong. He got up and started looking around every corner, just then, the Hospital Wing's doors burst open, making both Draco and Hermione jump.
"But-but I-I d-didn't do it," a girl said crying. Draco instantly knew who it was: Pansy. He quickly jumped onto the bed next to Harry and started complaining about the poor service. He quickly told Hermione to get by Harry's side and act like he was a prick (Hermione snorted).
"Draco, oh my god, what happened, love?" Pansy asked rushing to Draco's side, not caring about her broken arm. (I wonder how she got that…)
"Ugh, that stupid dinner. I swear, I'm going to get that old muggle loving fool fired," he said.
"Oh don't worry Draco; I'm sure father could do something." She sat next to him, glaring at Hermione who was a bed away. "What are you looking at Granger? Jealous? I heard what everyone was saying, how you were just in it for the money. How—"
Draco cut her off with 'accidentally' shoving her off the bed with his feet. "Sorry, I forgot it could still move." Wow that was stupid. What happened to your wonderful excuses? Ugh, Harry and Hermione are having too much influence on me. Whatever, Draco thought, not noticing that Pansy was lying next to him, with Madam Pomfrey looming over them.
"Why are you here Mr. Malfoy?" The nurse asked. Sure, he was there with Harry before, but now he was on the bed, lying next to a girl.
"Err… stomach ache," he said lamely. She wasn't a fool, she caught on quick. Draco didn't want anyone to know that he was there with Hermione and Harry, so when she came in, he quickly made an excuse of some sickness.
"Ah yes, I've the potion right here," she winked and gave him a vial. He eyed it suspiciously before drinking it. There was nothing in there… clever, thought Draco.
"Feel better, best I head off to bed now," Draco said walking away. Pansy protested, but gave up in the end.
Hermione got up from her seat and gave Harry a lingering kiss on his sweaty forehead. Hermione walked away, knowing that tomorrow, Harry was going to be alright.
0—0—0—0
Dumbledore paced in his office. He hit Harry with that curse in the Hospital Wing. He wanted to kill Harry once and for all, but that damn boy just wouldn't die. He cast an undetectable charm on his wand the week before, so no one would be able to track what spells came out of his wand.
He was going to have to settle for something else. So, he sent howlers to Harry and Hermione's relatives saying that they 'must stay there until they're seventeen.'
0—0—0—0
Petunia was just cleaning up the dishes when she heard taps on the kitchen window. She had a feeling that it was an owl. The last one she got was the one from Harry and Hermione saying that the twins were born, with it were some pictures of the four.
She saw the owl, tied to its leg was a howler. One addressed to her, another to the Grangers'.
She quickly gave the owl a few biscuit bits, it gave a "hoot" and left. She opened it and it started yelling:
"HOW COULD YOU LET HARRY LEAVE?! DO YOU NOT KNOW WHO HE IS STAYING WITH NOW?! HE IS STAYING WITH A MURDERER!! YOU LISTEN, AND YOU LISTEN WELL. THAT BOY AND HIS CHILDREN WILL STAY AT YOUR HOUSE FOR THE SUMMERS UNTIL HE IS OF AGE. HE WILL BE ALLOWED TO LEAVE FOR SOMETIME TO SEE HIS OTHERCHILD AND GIRLFRIEND. BUT! HE MAY NOT LEAVE YOUR HOUSE! YOU HEAR ME?! HMPH, YOU SHOULD BE ASHAMED!" The paper ripped, leaving a stunned Petunia in the kitchen.
She had some serious talking with Vernon to do. That was for sure.
0—0—0—0
Stephanie and her husband, Jeff, were enjoying each others company. They still weren't over the fact that Hermione got herself pregnant, but they couldn't hate her. She was still their daughter, though, they did hate Harry.
Just then, an owl landed on their bed, carrying some sort of a red letter. Mrs. Granger took it, gave the owl some water, and went to open it when it opened itself and started shouting at two stunned adults.
"HOW DARE YOU LET HERMIONE LEAVE?! DO YOU NOT KNOW WHO SHE IS STAYING WITH?! A MURDERER!! YES! A MURDERER!! YOU LISTEN, AND YOU LISTEN WELL. SHE WILL STAY AT YOUR HOUSE UNTIL SHE IS OF AGE! SHE WILL BE ABLE TO VISIT HER BOYFRIEND FOR A SHORT WHILE, BUT I'M WARNING YOU! IF NOT, SHE'LL BE STAYING WITH A MURDERER!! DO YOU HEAR ME, MUGGLES?! YOU SHOULD'VE BEEN CALM AND LET HERMIONE STAY!" The howler blew a raspberry and shredded itself.
Mister and Missus Granger obviously had the wrong interpretation as to who the 'murderer' was. They thought it was Harry.
"That boy murdered someone?" Stephanie said on the verge of tears. "My baby is dating a murderer. And she had his children! I swear that boy is no good. I've heard what he did. When he was 11 he stole something priceless! And he can talk to snakes! Hermione said that the only other person in Britain was that Voldermort man! He's evil! And just last year he and Hermione helped save another murderer! Jeff, he's going to kill my baby!" She said sobbing now. She might've been angry at her child, but she still loved her. After all, she was her mother; she could never stop loving her child.
"I don't know, love, but we'll figure it out. After all, they might be coming over holidays," Jeff said.
Boy was this going to be a long year…