Love Lasts

Chapter 9

Harry walked around all day. He couldn't sit still. His head was pounding and sometimes he had a hard time breathing, but every time he sat to rest his brain felt weird and his leg twitched so he got up and kept moving again.

He hadn't seen Ron or Hermione since the Hospital Wing and didn't see them until dinner. He skipped lunch and kept walking around.

When he sat down at the Griffindor table, he was exhausted, but his leg kept twitching.

"Harry? Where have you been? I figured you would go to the Common Room or the library but we couldn't find you!" Hermione told him.

Harry just shrugged. "I was walking around. Getting to know the lay of the land a bit, you know." Hermione shook her head.

"Harry, you've been at this school for years. You know the 'lay of the land.'" Harry shrugged again.

"Always good to refresh, right?" Ron and Hermione exchanged a glance.

Harry surveyed the Hall and his gaze settled on the Slytherin table. He looked along it and he froze when he saw that Draco was staring at him. A blush rose to his cheeks and he quickly looked away.

His leg kept twitching so he just grabbed a chicken leg then stood to leave.

"I've Er...got to go. See you guys in the dormitory." When he left the Hall, he felt three pairs of eyes on his back. He didn't have to wonder who they belonged to.

Harry kept walking around the castle until he got bored with the now familiar twists and turns, so he went outside.

He walked around in the cool air. He wasn't cold. Actually, he was sweating. You're going mad. That's obvious.

Harry walked around the lake several times, but when he was going to stop his leg twitched again and he kept walking.

He walked to and from Hagrid's cabin multiple times then walked around the lake some more. The ground felt familiar under his feet and he walked it easily.

When he got bored of walking around the lake, he started pacing back and forth in front of the water.

What's wrong with me? Madam Pomfrey said I would be restless, but she didn't say it was this bad.

Harry's feet ached from so much use, but every time he stopped, his legs kept jerking until he moved again.

He only stopped moving around when he saw a familiar shape walking towards him. "Night! There you are!" He crouched down on the ground and Night jumped into his arms.

"This is the last time I'll see you for a while." Night purred and flipped over so its paws were reaching towards the sky. "You're goofy." Harry chuckled. He felt calmer just having Night in his arms.

"I'm sorry I have to let you go. I guess you'll be happy in the forest?" Night purred against him and snuggled closer.

"I'll miss you too." Harry couldn't stop the tears coming to his eyes. It's just a Kneazle. It's not like a family member. But Harry knew why he was crying.

"You're all I've got. Hedwig's gone so you're all I've got. I guess once you're gone I'll have no one to hold at the lake. I guess it sounds stupid. Maybe it is. I dunno. I guess I care for you. But you've got to go. Like everyone else."

Tears started to fall quickly and he couldn't help them. Night crawled up onto his shoulder and nuzzled his neck. His message was clear. I'm not going anywhere. It'll be okay.

Harry smiled a bit, but then his leg started twitching under him.

"I'm tired Night. Any remedies?" Harry was joking, but he could have sworn Night shook his head.