The Chambers doing

Chapter 21 - Amans Celia

"Madam Pomfrey!" Ginny called, guiding Harry into the Hospital Wing. He had been feeling worse and worse all the way up, and was now leaning heavily on her side as she helped him to lay down in a bed near the door. Madam Pomfrey rushed over from her office.

"What's the matter, Miss Weasley?" She asked quickly.

"He complained about something feeling weird in the Great Hall. Apparently, his pumpkin juice tasted off, and then his stomach started feeling fluttery. As we came up here he struggled more and more to walk himself, to the point where I was practically carrying him." Ginny informed the Matron. She looked pointedly at her. "I think it has something to do with your last discovery."

Madam Pomfrey's eyes widened slightly, before she cast a silencing charm around them to prevent the other patients hearing what they had to say. "How do you think it is related, Ginny?" She asked.

"We've been suspicious of Dumbledore for a while – we already know he hasn't told us everything he knows about the bond, and we think he might be trying to split us up. We were warned by some – friends – over the summer that he might try a love potion. Apparently, they won't work properly on us, but I guess it could still affect us in some way." Ginny said, as Harry groaned slightly on the bed.

"Right. We'll start looking there then. Are you OK, Ginny, no adverse affects in yourself?"

"Not so far, although I am starting to feel a bit weaker." Ginny said, worry on her face for Harry.

Madam Pomfrey turned to Harry, and started casting diagnostic spells. A few minutes later, she poured a potion down his throat and cast another spell, which seemed to calm him down some. Ginny meanwhile, took a seat next to his bed and held his closest hand between both of hers.

"Ginny, I think you're right. Someone has attempted to slip him a love potion. Something has stopped it from working, although I don't know what, and I'm not going to ask. However, the foreign potion is still in his system, and his magic is protesting against it. I believe the fluttery feeling is due to the nature of the potion – it is designed to instil effects similar to that of a crush or fancy for another person. However, it seems your bond overcomes this, and directs most of the feelings towards yourself."

"So why is he so weak?" Ginny asked, looking up from where she was lovingly stroking Harry's cheek.

"It seems that his magic is working against the potion, and trying to get it out of his system as quickly as possible. In doing so, his magic is weakening himself. I think this is why you are feeling weak as well – he is trying to draw excess magic from his bond-mate – albeit subconsciously. The potion I gave him should stabilise him enough that he stops fighting the effects head on, and the spell transferred a little of my untapped magic into him, so that he doesn't draw solely from you. Otherwise, you could have fallen unconscious as well as he tried to accidentally pull too much from you into himself. He should sleep for a while now, then when he wakes the potion should have run its course. I suggest you lie down with him, as you are weak as well and he will need your comfort and reassurance when he awakens. I will pull a privacy curtain around you." Madam Pomfrey finished, moving over to the curtain beside the bed.

"Thank you, Madam Pomfrey. Unfortunately, I don't think the Headmaster will stop at this. Next time he'll probably try a stronger potion – he doesn't much appreciate having his plans ruined." Ginny replied thankfully as she crawled under the covers beside Harry, curling into his side as she lay her head on his shoulder.

"I understand, but unfortunately there is not much we can do about it. We don't want to let onto him how much we know. He'll probably suspect a bit after you left the hall this evening, but not much could be done about that. If he asks, I will report it as Harry just eating something that didn't agree with him, and you insisting he come up to see me. After all, we know that without you giving him that push he would have just remained there, causing who knows how much damage to his body and magic." Madam Pomfrey said, as she pulled the curtain closed.