Desperate Measures

Chapter 22 - Breakdown & Fallout

Hermione looked up as someone tapped her shoulder. "Yes, Neville?" she asked the concerned looking boy.

"Have you seen Harry since he said he was going to go walk about the castle?" Neville asked worriedly. "I've been focused on tutoring the fifth years in herbology and I haven't noticed."

"Have you checked in the dorm?" Hermione asked sensibly.

Neville nodded and chewed his lip. "He's not there. Did he say anything to you?"

"Just that he was going to wander the halls for a bit to think," Hermione said, starting to get worried herself.

"We need to find him," Neville said urgently.

Hermione nodded and started gathering her papers. "It is almost curfew," she agreed.

"It's not that," Neville said. He leaned closer and whispered, "He entered stage two this morning."

Hermione's eyes widened and her gathering speed doubled. "Lavender, Parvati, will you watch my things? Maybe take them upstairs for me?" Hermione called over to her dorm-mates. She was satisfied with the nods and vague wave of hands so she grabbed Neville and the two friends quickly left Gryffindor tower.

"Where would he go?" Neville asked urgently. "You've explored this castle with him more than I have."

"He could be anywhere," Hermione admitted agitatedly. "Harry knows this castle better than any of us."

"Favorite places?" Neville asked anxiously.

"He likes the lake for thinking," Hermione said then added dismissively, "but it's cold and rainy tonight."

Neville stopped abruptly and Hermione, still holding his arm, was forced to stop as well. He stared at her. Hermione stared back in bewilderment for a moment before her eyes widened. Hermione let go of Neville's arm and together they set off at a run for the main doors.

A few minutes later Hermione and Neville were cold, wet, and panting. They were, however, correct in their presumption and were now standing right next to Harry. A Harry who was obviously completely soaked and, if the shivers and shallow breathing were any indication, also hypothermic.

"Harry? Harry?" Hermione called to her friend. He seemed dazed and she was afraid to touch him and startle him. It took another minute before her calls and pleas were heard.

"H'mione?" Harry mumbled.

"Yes, it's me," Hermione said in relief. She was freezing already from just a few minutes outside and Harry was obviously worse. They needed to get him inside quickly. "Neville's here, too. We're going to take you back inside now, all right? All you have to do is let us guide you back inside. Can you do that?"

Harry frowned in thought, as if he had to decipher the words. "Sure," he said eventually.

Hermione and Neville each took one of Harry's arms and started leading him back to the castle. Harry stumbled several times but kept his feet with the offered help. Neville had just closed the main doors when Harry mumbled something.

"What was that, Harry?" Hermione asked as Neville rejoined them.

"I could have mated with him," Harry mumbled again, his friends straining to hear. "I would have been happy, I think."

"Who, Harry?" Hermione asked as she tried to get her friend moving once again. He didn't budge, though, so she took the opportunity to start casting several drying and warming charms.

"Martin," Harry mumbled. "I liked him. I liked him a lot. He was very kind. And he felt so nice. His magic. It was wonderful. We could have mated. Maybe I should just pick."