Title: Eyes of the Chosen
Author: Emcee
Summary: Following Macnair's attack on the students, Remus and Severus go to St. Mungo's. Meanwhile, Derek confronts Ron.
Author's Note: Thank-you to my muses, Rae and Fre and my beta and Pablo. This story is AU to "Order of the Phoenix". It is the sequel to Labyrinth of Illusion.
Disclaimer: "Harry Potter" and the characters, places and things related to it do not belong to me. They are from the brilliant mind of JK Rowling. They belong to her and her publishers. I am not making any profit from this fan fiction.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Cloak and Dagger
"They've both hit their heads badly. There are broken bones... And the Cruciatus curse on Miss Granger."
Harry, Ron and Neville were stuck outside the Hospital Wing. They could only hear the frantic cries of Madame Pomfrey inside, fussing over Hermione and Miss Tsukino.
"How are the others?" Ron asked, his voice dull.
Neville ran a hand through his hair. "Professor McGonagall is calming them down. I snuck out... I needed to see how Hermione was doing. That man who attacked, the Death Eater..."
"Walden Macnair," Harry replied, "He's dead. Miss Tsukino snapped his neck." He shivered involuntarily. "I can't believe she..."
"He would have killed you," Neville assured him, patting him on the shoulder. "Miss Tsukino was just protecting you."
"But--" Harry cut himself off, thinking back on the attack. Macnair hadn't attacked him. He hadn't come anywhere near Harry. Harry had to come after him. "It wasn't me. He wasn't looking for me."
Ron stared down at his shoes, running a hand over his brow. "He was looking for me. The knife he stabbed Miss Tsukino with, that was the one from my vision."
"You're having visions?" Neville looked slightly shocked, gaping at Ron.
"Yes, I'm having visions. People with visions are getting killed by Death Eaters." There was a bitter sarcasm in his voice. "Maybe we should start putting out a newsletter."
"I found this in Macnair's pocket." They could now hear Remus' voice inside. "It's a map. Of St. Mungo's."
Harry turned to Ron sharply, surprised at what Remus had found. "Why would Macnair have a map of St. Mungo's?"
"I'm going to go figure that out." Harry, Ron and Neville turned to the door. Remus was standing there, arms crossed over his chest. "Hermione is going to be fine, boys. She's in good hands. I suggest going back to your dormitory."
Ron and Neville both nodded silently, but Harry wouldn't leave that easily. He had been dragged in this much, he wasn't going to go without some answers. He followed Remus as he strode down the corridor.
"Do you have any idea why Macnair has a map of St. Mungo's?" Harry demanded.
"No," Remus replied, not looking back, "But I'm going to take a guess and say it's evil."
Harry kept dogging Remus' steps, scowling. "Well, why the hell did Macnair attack us in the middle of a school day? On the grounds? Wasn't that kind of asking for it? What's going on?"
Remus whirled around to face Harry. He looked more haggard then he had in a long time. He looked like he was biting his tongue, trying not to lash out. "I don't know, Harry. If I were to venture a guess, I would say that Voldemort is getting a little desperate. His plans must not be going the way he hoped. I have absolutely no clue why he would attack you in the middle of class."
"He wasn't after me." Harry looked up at Remus, his green eyes cold and hard. "He was after Ron."
Remus shook his head fractionally, running a hand through his hair. "Why would Macnair be willing to die for the chance to kill Ron?"
"Because they're killing people with visions. We already told you Ron is having visions." Harry couldn't hide the insistent plea in his voice. "That's why Macnair was after him."
Remus looked down at the map in his hand. It was stained with blood. "Even if Ron is a true seer, Harry... How would the Death Eaters know about it? There are tests you have to go through. It takes years to find a true potential."
"I don't know," Harry snarled, "I just know I want my best friend protected!"
Remus rubbed the bridge of his nose, sighing deeply. "I'm going to St. Mungo's tonight with Snape, Sakura and Hermione. Sakura and Hermione are going to get checked out, while Snape and I investigate what's going on."
"I'm going too." Harry crossed his arms over his chest, making sure Remus knew this wasn't a request.
"No." Remus' voice was cool and even. He was not at all ruffled by Harry's anger.
"Hermione was badly hurt, I want to make sure she's all right."
Remus shook his head. "No. Hermione is fine. We just want to take her with to do an extra check. There's only so much we can do at a school."
Remus strode off, leaving Harry standing alone in the hallway.
Screw Remus. Harry was going to follow Hermione as far as he had to if he meant he would be assured of her safety. He was also insanely curious about why Macnair was keeping a map to St. Mungo's. What were the Death Eaters planning that would take them to the Wizard Hospital?
****
Harry went back to the Gryffindor Common Room. Ron and Neville were sitting up, looking at him expectantly. Neville looked paler than usual, his eyes wide.
"Ron told me what's been going on." Neville's voice was barely a whispered. His hands were shaking. "That's why Professor Trelawney hurt herself? Because people are dying."
Harry ignored the question, sitting down on in an easy chair. He leaned closer to Ron and Neville. "Listen, Remus and Snape are heading to St. Mungo's with Hermione and Miss Tsukino. I guess there's only so much Madame Pomfrey can do here. Either that, or it's just a really good excuse for checking the place out. Remus thinks Macnair was planning something."
"Something for St. Mungo's?" Neville went even quieter. "You mean, with the patients?"
"I'm not sure." Harry replied, "Anyway, we need to figure out how they'll be getting there."
"They'll take the Knight's Bus." Ron finally spoke up. "When someone's injured, it's not good to use a portkey, or apparate, or floo. It can aggravate the injuries."
Harry nodded. "Good then. We'll follow Remus under the Invisibility Cloak and get on with him. If it's so important, they won't turn back and will have to take us with them."
Ron shook his head. "I'm not going."
Neville nodded furiously. "I agree with Ron. Do we really want to risk it? And if Professor Snape is going with them... We'll get expelled for sure!"
Ron cleared his throat. His ears were turning red. "That's... Umm... Not actually what I meant. I think you guys should go. Someone who knows what's going on should go with Remus. But I don't think I can."
Harry furrowed his brow, staring at Ron in disbelief. In all of his years at Hogwarts, Ron had never willingly stayed behind before. "But Ron..."
"Harry, someone tried to attack me on Hogwarts grounds. What do you think is going to happen to me if I leave?" There was a desperate look in Ron's eyes. "I think I should stay here and do some more research."
"You sound like Hermione." Harry's voice was slightly morose. Ron was his constant companion in times of trouble. Not having him along with him bothered him. It made the situation seem so much direr.
"I want to read about the Gypsies. About that Thagari and the prophecy. If that's the reason Seers are dying, I need to know about it." Ron looked younger as he spoke, all the confidence drained for his features. His hands were trembling slightly. "Do you understand that, Harry?"
Harry nodded silently. He couldn't hide his frown. Could he do this alone? Well... Of course he could. Harry had done many things alone. It didn't mean he liked doing them. It wasn't so much his safety he was worried about. It was Ron's.
Someone was trying to kill Ron. It wasn't for some vague reason, only because Ron happened to be his best friend. It was because there was something special about Ron.
Harry would have given anything to be the target of the Death Eaters again. They could go after him all they wanted. Going after Ron... That made him angry.
"We should get ready if we're going to go." Neville's voice was tremulous. He placed his hand on Harry's shoulder, all of his wills seemingly dedicated to keeping it steady.
"You're going with?" Harry was sure he would be on his own for this one, following Remus and Snape. Neville was stepping forward for once?
Of course he was. His parents were in St. Mungo's. He was worried about them. He had been fretting over Hermione, because she had been tortured in the same way they had.
For a moment, Harry considered telling Neville to stay with Ron and make sure he was safe. But there was no way he would agree to that. If Sirius were threatened, Harry would have done anything in his power to protect him. That was all Neville was doing.
Harry didn't wait for Neville to respond. He looked up at him, giving him the briefest of smiles. "Let me get my cloak. Then we'll wait."
****
The sky was dark and the grounds were abandoned. Only four people appeared to be walking on the grounds this late.
Remus's arm was wrapped tightly around Sakura's waist. She had her arms wrapped loosely around his neck, her head resting on his shoulder.
Severus was beside him, similarly supporting Hermione. His brow was furrowed and his nose crinkled in disgust.
"Are you sure you don't want me to carry you?" Remus asked Sakura, brushing a hand over her hair.
She nodded. "I'll be fine. We're just going to the edge of the grounds, aren't we?"
He looked over to Hermione, frowning slightly. "What about you, Hermione? Are you all right?"
Hermione shivered, staying mute. She clutched Severus close, shutting her eyes tightly. Severus' nostrils flared and his lip curled. "Remind me again why I cannot carry Miss Granger using magic, Lupin?"
"It's good for her to have human contact after an attack from the Cruciatus curse. It helps soothe her."
Severus snarled. "I'm sure Miss Granger would tell you I don't count as human contact."
"It doesn't matter now," Remus commented. "We're ready." He held out his wand in front himself.
There was a loud bang and a violently purple bus roar up the road. A pimply boy stepped out. "Welcome to the--"
"We know, St. Mungo's, as soon as possible." Remus shoved a handful of Galleons into Stan Shunpike's hand. "You first, Severus."
Severus stepped onto the bus with Hermione. Stan frowned as he noticed the terrified look on the young girl's face. He was about to ask Remus, when he was suddenly shoved aside by an unseen force.
Remus pursed his lips and looked down at Sakura. He sniffed the air, nodding. He ran his free hand through his greying hair, then handed a few more Galleons to Stan. "That should cover it."
He picked Sakura up, carrying her onto the bus. He found Severus at the back of the bus, laying Hermione down on one of the four-poster beds.
The bus jerked as it began to race away from Hogwarts. Remus set Sakura down on a bed, turning to Severus. "You don't need to comfort Miss Granger any longer, Severus. Harry, do you think you and Ron can handle it?"
Harry removed the invisibility cloak, revealing himself and Neville. Neville looked almost as red as a tomato. He tried to hide himself behind Harry. On the other hand, Harry didn't look bashful at all. "How did you know we were here?"
Remus tapped his nose. "I smelled you. I'm surprised about Mr. Longbottom thought. Oh well. We'll have to write Professor Dumbledore when we get to London, so he won't worry about you."
"Are you mad, Lupin?" Severus snarled, rising to his feet. He wasn't at all affected by the constant bumps of the bus. He was completely still, his arms crossed over his chest. His dark gaze narrowed upon Remus. "These two should be expelled for sneaking out. We should send them back immediately. We have important work to do."
Remus shook his head. "I can't say anything about them being expelled, as I am no longer on the staff of the school. However, they are insistent on coming with us. It is better for them to join us directly than to sneak around on their own, getting up to God-knows-what."
Harry wasn't listening to the argument between Severus and Remus. He worried his lower lip as he walked to Hermione's bedside. She was shivering slightly. He sat down beside her, brushing her bushy hair out of her face. "Hermione?"
Hermione turned to look at him, blinking. "Harry?"
He leaned in, pressing his lips to her forehead. "It'll be all right, Hermione. I'll take care of you."
He drew her close, holding her tightly. Remus took a step forward. "Gently, Harry. She's been roughed up pretty badly."
"I'll be careful." He murmured against her hair.
Severus muttered an expletive and strode to the corner bed, pulling the curtain shut on them. Neville looked up at Remus, blinking.
Remus patted Neville on the shoulder. "Go sit, Neville. We'll be at the hospital in about an hour." He cast a quick glance to Harry and Hermione. "Will you be all right?"
Neville nodded silently. He looked to Snape's bed in the corner, then walked back to the front of the bus, as far away from the Potion's Master as he could get.
Remus settled down beside Sakura, his long fingers gently combing through her hair. Harry was stroking Hermione's hair gently, soothing her. She had fallen into a light slumber. "Are Hermione and Miss Tsukino going to be all right?"
"They'll be fine," Remus murmured, looking down at Sakura. "You know they're not the real reason we're going, right?"
"I figured as much." Harry curled his fingers around a lock of Hermione's hair. "This isn't going to get easier... Is it?"
****
Derek rolled the parchment up, stuffing it into his bag. His stomach writhed as he contemplated this next course of action. Could he really do this?
This meant he would have to talk to someone. That was never a fun prospect.
Hunching his shoulders, he made his way into the library. It was nearly curfew. He would need to get this done quickly.
Ginny Weasley was checking in books. He waved at her, giving her a weak smile. They had Herbology together. She was very sweet.
But she wasn't the Weasley he was interested in.
Derek scanned the library. Ron was huddled in the corner, surrounded by a pile of very dusty books. A large ginger cat was circling him.
All right. He just needed to take a deep breath and then... Just do it.
"H-h-hullo, R-R-Ron," Derek forced a weak smile.
"Huh?" Ron looked up, blinking. He rubbed the end of his nose, wiping a spot of dust off. He sneezed. "Hi, err... Derek, right?"
Derek nodded, kneeling down. "Wh-what are you l-l-looking f-f-for?"
Ron shrugged, shifting in his seat. He attempted to hide the covers of the books around him with the sleeve of his robe. "You know. Stuff." His eyes then light up. "Wait a minute. You're a Gypsy, right?"
"R-R-Romany," Derek corrected him. "Y-Yes."
"Maybe you can help me. I'm looking for something." Ron rubbed his hands together, licking his upper lip.
"On th-the Ch-Ch-Ch-Chosen?" Derek stammered out. His heart beat a furious tattoo.
"Yeah..." Ron furrowed his brow. "How did you know?"
"Th-th-that's wh-what ev-everyone's l-l-looking up a-a-about us." Derek let out a trembling laugh.
Ron nodded, narrowing his gaze on Derek. "I guess... So you can help me?"
"I-I-I've g-g-got s-some b-b-books. C-c-c-come w-w-with m-m-me." Derek's hands were shaking. It wasn't hard for him to put on his stammer. It was naturally coming out. How could his mother ask him to do this?
Ron nodded, packing up his things. "All right. We've got a little bit before curfew." He waved to his sister. "See you back in the Common Room, Ginny."
Derek followed close behind Ron to the Corridor. He reached into his pocket, feeling around.
Ron turned to face him. "So, are we going to go to your dormitory?"
Derek shook his head. "I'm sorry. No."
Ron backed up slightly. "What happened to your stammer?"
Derek pulled out his wand. "Stupefy."
Ron fell to the ground. Derek shook his head. "This is for the best, Ron."