A Whole New Beginning (Completed)

Chapter 11

The feeling of someone running their hand through his chair caused Harry to stir. He moaned and opened his eyes to see Ron and Hermione staring down at him, concern written all over their faces.

"What happened?" he asked, sitting up in his bed.

"Voldemort activated the connection, Harry," Hermione said.

"Right."

"How do you feel, mate?"

"Like my head's being split open," Harry replied, leaning his head back to rest on the pillows. Hermione picked up a potion and gave it to him.

"This should help."

"Thanks."

"What was he after?" Hermione asked.

Harry's eyes darted to Ron. "You know what. He almost succeeded before you stepped in."

"What's going on?" Ron asked. Hermione looked down at Harry, who nodded.

"Ron, sit down. We have a lot to talk about."

She and Harry told Ron everything about the prophecy and the connection. Ron listened, his mouth opening in shock several times throughout the story.

"Harry's the only one who can stop him?"

"Yup," Harry replied, closing his eyes against the pillow. Hermione gently ran her hand through his hair, smiling softly as he began to fall back asleep.

"That's why he keeps coming after him?"

"Yes. If Voldemort kills Harry, he fulfills the prophecy. If Harry kills Voldemort, he does."

Ron was silent for several minutes, still trying to process everything that he had just heard.

"How are you doing through all of this?" he asked, looking at Hermione. She sighed.

"I'm not doing well, Ron. He either kills or he is killed. It's hard to think about it. Now Voldemort is activating the connection, and there's really no way to stop it."

"Has Dumbledore suggested anything for it?"

"He said something about occlumency. It's some kind of magical mind defense, but he wanted Snape to teach him. Harry turned it down after Remus and Sirius suggested against it."

"He wanted Snape to teach him?"

"Yes."

"I don't blame Harry for turning that down. Why won't Professor Dumbledore teach him?"

"I don't know. He seemed like he didn't want to teach him."

"If it would help Harry, I don't understand why he won't teach him."

"Your answer is as good as mine, Ron. I don't know. Clearly, though, something needs to be done."

She looked up at Ron, smiling softly as she did so. "How are you doing, Ron? With everything that's been going on, I feel as though I haven't gotten to talk to you."