Harry Potter and the Year After

Chapter Forty-three: It's Got to be at Dawn

Chapter 43: It's Got to be at Dawn

Harry lay in bed, reliving the last few hours in his head. What was Hush, really? Was that real? And how could Ginny be okay with telling him that she trusted him completely but then refused to ask him to be exclusive?

Harry sat up in bed. Bilius hooted, startled.

Was she sleeping around? She was insulted before at the insinuation that she would be. But would she? Was she?

Harry thought about how Draco had touched her back as he'd led her into the Slytherin Common room. Draco Malfoy wouldn't have touched, say, Hermione. Or Ron, for example. You only touch someone that way that you're comfortable touching.

Was Draco Malfoy the one who gave her Hush? Had he hoped to get her naked while high on the stuff, as Harry inadvertently achieved?

Harry's stomach churned at the thought of it.

He fell asleep just before dawn and slept until Hermione was standing over him, shaking him awake.

"Harry, wake up," she said.

"What? What's wrong?" Harry said groggily, shoving his glasses on his face. "Are you okay?"

"Yes, I'm fine. Ron and I are going to Hogsmeade. Do you want to come with us?"

"What time is it?"

"Nearly eleven. You missed breakfast."

Harry's stomach rumbled. He was starving. He'd missed dinner the night before and now breakfast.

"Yes, I'm coming along. Give me a 'mo."

Harry trailed behind them on their way down to Hogsmeade. It was odd how he had never felt like the third wheel before this year and now, every time he was alone with the two of them, he felt completely out of place.

Once they made it down to the Three Broomsticks, Ron and Harry went up to the bar to order three butterbeers and sandwiches for lunch while Hermione sat down in case she was "tired" (Ron had insisted).

"I'm going to have it out with Draco Malfoy," Harry said under his breath to Ron as stood and waited at the bar. Ron was watching Hermione, who looked bored.

"I thought you and him were mates now," Ron said sarcastically.

"He... Merlin, I can't tell you this. Nevermind," Harry said. Madam Rosmerta came back with the butterbeers. Harry took a swig of one while they waited for the sandwiches.

"Well now you've got to tell me. What'd he do? I'll hold him down for you while you block his ears."

"Alright, I don't know if I should tell you this, but Ginny and I... er..." Harry glanced over at Hermione again. "Hermione—"

He strode quickly to Hermione, who was holding a hand to her chest. Ron was close behind.

"I'm just a bit short of breath, that's all. I'm fine."

"You're not fine," Ron said quietly as he knelt down at her side. "I'm going to take you to Madam Pomfrey. Or we could Apparate to St. Mungo's."

"Are you still getting chest pains from making the Pensieve?" Harry asked.

"Mm. Yes, it's just from that. I'll be fine in a minute," she said breathlessly. Both boys hovered over her, waiting for her instruction. She took a few deep breaths and rubbed her chest lightly with her palm. "See, it's fine. The pain passed."