FEVER
Chapter 10: For the Truth is Precious

Author's Note:
Last chapter! (bursts into tears) The next chapter in 2 days! Aren't you guys proud of me?

Dedicated to:
Every single soul who ever reviewed this story throughout its existence, you guys rock!

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"No," said Dumbledore at once. "He has nothing to do with this."

"Yes he does," Bethany hissed. "I touched him. He has the essence of Tom. I want him."

"To hell you do," spat Sirius reaching for his wand.

"Sirius!" Dumbledore said sharply.

"She's asking for Harry!" Sirius protested.

"I will handle this," said Dumbledore.

"Oh, you will handle this," Bethany mimicked Dumbledore unpleasantly.

"We both know that I can destroy you in mere seconds." Dumbledore said to her. "Why don't you come with us, and let us take the water. It'll be painless and easier for all of us."

"Why don't you just give him to me and it will be all over with," Bethany returned.

"He is a Hogwarts' student. I cannot give him to you," Dumbledore said.

"Then I will," Bethany said. She tore out of the water towards Harry while Sirius yelled in rage and ran towards Harry.

"Run! Run! HARRY RUN!" Sirius shouted.

Minerva drew her wand in one fluid motion. "STUPEFY!"

Bethany swerved to avoid the spell, the red light ricocheting off a rock the hitting Sirius full force.

"OUCH!" Sirius fell to the ground, unconscious.

"Enervate!" Snape ran past Sirius form and climbed onto the rocks aiming his wand at Bethany. "Petrificus Totalus!"

Harry yelped and scrambled up the rocks towards the castle as Bethany drew nearer in rage. A blinding light flew past his head nearly missing him by inches as Bethany dodged Severus' spell.

"HARRY!"

Harry looked up to see Ron, Neville, Crabbe, Goyle and what looked like the whole school pouring down the castle towards them. "What..."

"STAY AWAY YOU IDIOTS!" roared Snape as he struggled to maintain his balance while hopping from rock to rock.

"Stupefy!" Sirius bellowed.

Bethany dodged to her left and Ron lifted his wand at the same time. "Stupefy!"

The spell hit her in the chest and with a moan, she tumbled down over the rocks and flopped over in a dead faint.

"What are all of you doing out here?" snarled Professor Snape.

"It was quite noisy down here. We could hear it from the towers," said Ron sheepishly for that was only half the truth.

"Does that give you a reason to come out here? Did you know how dangerous it can be?" Snape snapped.

Dumbledore came up to them with jars of water. "Here. Take these to Madam Pomfrey for evaluation. I'll take care of Bethany. Now all of you get moving. Harry are you alright?"

"Yes, sir," Harry muttered, trying to dodge Sirius arms as he tried to lift Harry up. Not in front of the whole school!

Everyone started to turn back to the castle when suddenly an arm shot out and grabbed Harry by the back of his shirt. Harry gave a scream as Bethany rose to her feet, carrying Harry by his shirt as she backed away from the crowd.

"Get back. Get back!" she screamed.

"Harry!" Sirius shouted.

"Let him go!" Remus took a step forward.

Bethany tightened her hold on Harry's shirt, her other hand coming to grab his neck in a threatening motion. "I mean it!"

"Bethany, take it easy," Dumbledore said calmly.

Without answering the Headmaster, she backed away, closer and closer to the waters.

"Do something!" hissed Sirius angrily. He looked like he was about to have a heart attack any second.

Snape held out his wand.

"No, you might hit Harry," said Minerva worriedly. She took a few steps forward so she was beside Dumbledore.

"I know how you feel, but he is innocent, please let him go," said Remus going for the gentle way.

"How do you know how I feel!" screeched Bethany. "For years...for how long have I been below those waters? Has anyone tried to find me? Has anyone rescued me from this living hell? Has anyone captured Tom for what he did to me? How do you know how I feel!"

Wrong sentence...Remus fell silent.

"Bethany, we didn't know you were even alive!" Minerva said. "We found a note, a note that you supposedly wrote claiming that you had killed yourself..."

"WHICH I DIDN'T!" Bethany yelled.

"We didn't know that!" Minerva shouted back.

Harry whimpered a little as Bethany's hold on his neck became suffocating.

"Please let him go," Sirius pleaded as he looked everywhere but at his Godson, not wanting to bear the agony of watching him getting hurt.

"No. I need something for revenge. You can't give me Tom, I will take someone else."

"She's illogical!" Sirius complained.

"Being in the water for so long has to mean something," muttered Remus.

"You keep your mouth shut!" Bethany shrieked.

"Calm down, Bethany." Dumbledore said gently. "Now calm down. Everything will be alright. Put the boy down, and then we can have a talk."

"I don't want to talk to you!" Bethany shot back. "What makes you think I want to talk to you, old man?"

The crowd of students behind suppressed a wince.

"Age hits hard," Crabbe smirked.

"Now that's not really nice is it," Dumbledore continued good naturedly.

Right behind the crowds of students, Professor Flitwick and Madam Hooch slipped over the rocks to run softly around the professors and students coming up not far behind Bethany and Harry. Minerva glanced up and saw them, opened her mouth and shut it again quickly looking away as so not to give away the two professors.

Bethany ignored the headmaster instead twisting Harry around so that she could scrutinize his scar. Harry tried hard to to cry out in pain as she used a bunch of hair to pull his head back. Her long index finger traced the faint lightning shaped scar roughly.

"You marked this boy, and I shall have him," she hissed. Letting go of Harry suddenly, he fell to the ground hard, on his knees. She yanked at his hand and ran towards the water, dragging Harry along.

"Let me go!" Harry yelled trying to get on his feet, falling repeatedly as she hauled Harry with her.

"Stupefy!" Professor Flitwick shrieked as he jumped over Madam Hooch's shoulder to point his wand at Bethany.

"Don't hit Harry!" Sirius hollered.

The spell the Charms professor had released seemed to snap everyone out of their frozen positions and it was pandemonium the next minute. Dumbledore who was unfazed by his old age, ran down the rocks with surprising agility followed by Minerva. Sirius leapt down, surpassing them all with Remus practically flying after his friend. Severus was nearly engulfed by the wave of students crashing down over the rocks, swarming towards the beach despite yells from professors to get back to the castle.

"HARRY!" Sirius shouted frantically.

The stunning spell missed Bethany as she finally reached the waters and dived into the dark sea.

"LUMOS!" Dumbledore bellowed.

The sheer power of the Headmaster alone was enough to light up all the wands present and the air was suddenly flooded with bright lights. Sirius was the first to wade into the water, calling Harry's name desperately. Remus plunged into the water, diving underwater. Dear Professor Flitwick was swallowed up by a wave as he waddled quickly into the waters.

"Harry! HARRY!" Ron shouted as he waded into the sea. "HARRY!"

Shouts pursued Ron's calls from the students as they all spread out to shout for Harry. Remus resurfaced to cast a quick spell before disappearing entirely into the sea. Sirius, maddened with worry, discovered his wand was floating out of reach snapped "Accio!" with such ferocity that the wand zapped into his hand in a split second. Casting the same spell on himself, he dived in pursuit of Remus.

"THERE!" Severus shouted as his feet left the sandy bottom. Swimming quickly towards a large dark object in the waters, he was almost hit when Bethany resurfaced, Harry's limp body in her hands.

"Want him?" Bethany smiled evilly. "Come and take him."

Sirius' head popped up miles away. "HARRY!"

Dumbledore, his face hard and angry, lifted his wand. "Relashio!"

"CAREFUL WILL YOU!" Sirius shouted.

"He's five times your age!" Minerva snapped back. "He knows what he's doing!"

"He's old!" Sirius snarled back. "His aim has got to suffer through the ages!"

The spell unleashed a jet of boiling water towards Bethany's figure. The water hit her back and she yelled in pain, releasing the limp bundle she was dragging along. Severus held up his wand, which was dripping water, above the waters and shouted, "Wingardium Leviosa!"

Bethany shrieked as the spell lifted her out of water including Harry which was in her grasp. Severus hoped that Harry was still breathing and swam towards Bethany just as she let go of the boy. Severus held out his arms and barely caught the ice cold bundle before Sirius caught up with him and snatched the boy away.

"Harry? Harry, wake up, it's Sirius," Sirius smoothed back strands of wet hair, frantically waiting for a response. "Harry!"

"Take him away," Dumbledore said firmly as he levitated Bethany out onto the beach.

"Here! Come here!" Madam Pomfrey was waving her wand impatiently, apparently devastated beyond words. Severus scowled and took Harry out of Sirius' hands and passing him to Remus who was nearly to shore.

Dumbledore hit Bethany with another spell that rendered her unconscious. He levitated her. "I'm taking her to the Ministry. Poor girl, I'm afraid I can do nothing to help her." He seemed distracted. "I'll be back."

Minerva later predicted that her was feeling upset because he couldn't do anything to help his former student of which Sirius insisted that there was nothing to feel upset about because his former student nearly killed his current student.

Remus was talking to Professor Flitwick who dried everyone with a swish of his short wand. Professor Flitwick nodded twice then again before following Remus out again into the sea. Remus had found the squid which seemed a little out of the world. They disappeared and returned later announcing that the squid was A-Okay.

Severus, back to his snappy self ordered all the students back to the castle with a deduction of a hundred points from Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff and Slytherin while Gryffindor suffered a hundred and fifty much to the Gryffindors utter displeasure.

Madam Pomfrey led Sirius back to the Hospital Wing where they laid Harry down on the bed. Madam Pomfrey, who had a load on her hands allowed Sirius to stay and help her distribute the water to the sick students.

"A sip will do," she told him before leaving to fetch bandages and potions.

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A week later saw all the students back to their normal activities. No one had visited the Hospital Wing after all the healed students left the Infirmary in drives. Hermione had been horrified to learn that she spent nearly a month in the Hospital Wing and had immediately scurried to the library once she had the chance.

Harry, unconscious for three whole days, had finally gave his stressed out Godfather the last stroke when Sirius, dismayed that Harry's fever had been dipping and soaring every few hours due to the slight pneumonia he had gotten, passed out on the chair he was sitting on.

Madam Pomfrey had whisked him off to the next bed, knowing full well Sirius would insist that he keep Harry in full sight after he woke up. Remus spent the day reading beside Harry when Sirius was sleeping. Lessons had been cancelled for the next week, giving the previously ill students to catch up with their schoolwork from their classmates.

Dumbledore returned soon enough and announced that the Ministry was trying to undo the curse on Bethany and would inform him if they succeeded. Minerva hadn't said a thing but her face clearly shown that she didn't think the Ministry had more brains than a prawn to heal Bethany.

Harry's fever finally broke and stayed broke after the third day. He woke to see Sirius sleeping on the next bed, his left hand dangling off the bed, snoring softly. Remus was asleep on the chair on his other side while he could hear Madam Pomfrey bustling around in the store cupboard. He sat up, wincing as he jostled his bruised ribs. Reaching out towards the bedside table, he groped for his spectacles and pawed them on.

He took a moment to adjust to his surroundings and to check himself wondering why he was wrapped up like a mummy.

"Harry?"

He looked up to see Ron leaning against the doorway. "Hey, Ron," he smiled.

Ron looked nervously at both the professors sleeping on either side of Harry. Harry sighed inwardly knowing that he couldn't very well hide the fact that one of them was his Godfather and the other was might as well his second Godfather. He pushed off the blankets softly as not to alert Madam Pomfrey and slid down quietly from his bed. He dodged Sirius' arm and walked over to Ron.

Although it hurt to walk, it wasn't unbearable. Furthermore, the aches in his joints told him he had stayed in the same position for a long long time and he was ready to relieve the throbbing in his muscles.

"Are you sure you can..." Ron looked at Madam Pomfrey's back.

"A few minutes won't hurt," Harry quickly pushed Ron out of the Hospital Wing. The moonlight shining through the nearby window told him that it was night.

"You were unconscious for three days," Ron told him. "By morning, it would be your fourth."

"Well, I'm awake now," Harry gave a slight grin.

Walking softly and quietly, they found themselves heading for the courtyard. They sat down on the grass, leaning against the fountain's edge.

"So..." Ron said, avoiding Harry's gaze. "You okay?"

"Yes, of course," Harry looked up towards the sky. "You?"

"Good, good. I'm fine," Ron said.

They remained in silence before Harry spoke.

"Sirius is my Godfather."

Ron turned to look at him aghast. "Your what?"

Harry winced. "Godfather."

Ron stared at Harry for a full minute before finally saying, "Wicked."

Harry grinned. "Really?"

Ron smiled sheepishly. "I have to admit it wasn't what I was thinking."

"What were you thinking then?" Harry asked.

"Nothing you should know," said Ron in a rush.

"What?" Harry said, his curiosity aroused. "You can't tell me then...don't tell me!"

"Nothing, it's nothing," Ron blushed a deep red.

"Come on," Harry urged.

"Ithoughtyouguysweregay," said Ron all in one breath.

It took another few moments for Harry's brain to comprehend what that meant before bursting into laughter.

"Hey, everyone would think so," Ron was embarrassed.

Harry tried to stop but didn't succeed. "I got to tell Sirius about it."

"NO!" Ron said devastated. "I would get a 'Troll' for Defense!"

Harry finally stopped laughing as his ribs were beginning to protest. "You don't need to worry about that. I'm sure he'll find it amusing as I did."

Ron huffed. "So is this a big secret or can anyone know?"

"Why?" Harry raised an eyebrow.

Ron flushed again.

"Oh no," Harry said realizing what that meant. "Please don't tell me you have been sharing that theory of yours with the whole school."

"Not the whole school!" Ron protested, inching away from Harry. "Just Hermione, Neville, Dean, Lavender, Parvati..."

"RONALD BILIUS WEASLEY!" Harry said trying to smack Ron but he was too far away.

"I'LL FIX IT!" Ron called, laughing as he sped up towards the castle. "DON'T YOU WORRY!"

Harry shook his head as he stood there alone in the courtyard.

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Harry peeked around the corner before trying to sneak towards his bed. Hoping that nothing had changed during his short absense, he tiptoed into the Infirmary.

"HARRY JAMES POTTER JUNIOR!"

Harry winced.

"Where did you go?" The Hospital Wing flared up into bright lights. "You are therefore grounded until you hit eighteen!"

Remus who was beside Harry in an instance, covered his eyes protectively as the lights snapped on, it being the brightest thing Harry would've seen in three days. Used to dim lights, Harry winced as the light hit his sensitive eyes.

"Sirius!"

Sirius immediately flicked his wand and the lights dimmed. "I'm sorry, I was too worried. Harry, where have you been?"

Remus removed his hand and picked Harry up carrying him over to the bed. "You really should've woken one of us up."

"I'm sorry," Harry apologized. "I had something to...uh...fix."

"What do you have to fix?" Sirius asked, sitting back down, relieved.

"Something," said Harry stubbornly.

"What?" Sirius asked persistantly.

"Something with Ron," Harry said so softly that Sirius could barely hear it.

Remus gave a warning glance at Sirius as not to pursue the subject.

"You could have waited," said Sirius. He enveloped Harry in a tight hug. "You had us so worried for three whole torturous days."

"Of which he spent one day passed out from exhaustion," Remus teased.

"You did?" Harry sounded guilty.

"Crazy carrots," Sirius glared at Remus. "Of course I didn't. Remus was the one sleeping like the dead on that chair."

"I was not!" Remus said indignantly.

"Mr. Potter!" Madam Pomfrey came over brandishing her wand. "I have a good mind to retain you in here for the rest of the month! Giving me such a scare!"

"Sorry," said Harry sheepishly.

Madam Pomfrey snorted then tapped her wand, a tray of soup materializing onto the table. "Now eat up, you hadn't had any real food for three days."

Harry peered over the rim of the bowl in horror. "That is so much..."

"This is only your first course," said Madam Pomfrey sweeping away. "You have been eating less than a bird and you are not to leave the Hospital Wing until you have gained at least five pounds."

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"This was a tedious year as we have experienced a short interruption in the schedule and had to cram at the end. But I'm sure all of you have done well in your term exams, and I congratulate you all," Dumbledore beamed at everyone. "To the seventh years, I would like to see you make an impact on the world when you graduate, to the first years, I hope I can guarantee you a much more peaceful year. Enjoy your holidays, and let's eat!"

Everyone cheered.

"So where are you going for the summer holidays?" asked Hermione taking a huge slice of Shepard's pie.

"Nowhere," Ron sounded depressed as he stabbed a drumstick.

Harry scraped a little off the huge chicken onto his plate before looking back at his plate and started in dismay as it was heaped full of food. He shot a glare towards the teacher's table, Sirius tapping his wand against his goblet grinning at him.

Harry pushed half of the food on his plate to Ron's.

"Why?" Ron asked spearing an egg tart. "Don't you want them?"

Harry tried to hide from his Godfather's view. "Thought I'll...." The food on his plate multiplied again. "Share," he finished with a sigh giving in and started eating slowly.

"So, you staying at Hogwarts?" Ron whispered. Hermione looked up interestedly.

"I guess," Harry mumbled eating a potato. "Depends where he's staying."

"Awesome," Ron said. "I wish I had Godfather too."

Harry smiled. "Yeah. They can be pretty fun..." His bowl suddenly filled itself with mushroom soup. "But only sometimes."

/THE END/

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Replies to Reviews from:

CelticHeiressFiona, Froboy, Hi, Unknown, Washu, hp-lover-1-lol, Kjkit, Rakuril, restlesssoul -- Thank you for your support! Hugs and kisses to you!
AthenaKitty -- They are fat enough to do without the kitchen ;)
ParanoiaIn2005 -- LOL, here's this one for you then! (the pout worked!)
MissLilyStar -- AHH! Of course Harry's not going to die, I'm going to die if I ever kill him!
Serebii -- Haha, I could of course :)
Savoy Truffle and Lyss33-- Thank you! (sob) But it's good in a way, I don't need to do any homework, haha! But I guess I'll have to pay for it later...
SapphireSkies -- Before I reply, I'll like to state too, that I HATE SCHOOL! lol, does it? I have no idea it sounded like a Batman episode...yikes. Thank you for your review!
Remo Con -- (throws a rope over to Remo Con and shouts over her shoulder) COME ON! We have to save Remo from misery! Oh, you like Sev/Harry too? YAY! Look, Snow, look! LOL.
Hp-Azn -- Oops, seems like I have to break this one, sorry! I looked everywhere but there was absolutely no place to stuff Draco in! Sorry! (runs off before getting caught)
Krysalys73 -- Aha! Next time I'm going to send all of you (eyes muses) to Krysalys when you deny me a plotline! This is great! (scribbles Krysalys's contact number on a paper and sticks it on fridge) You better behave, musies! LOL.
Raine: LOL! Thank you for the advice, I'll take it to heart. I wrote this story with Snow, I won't stop anytime! (glares at Snow's broken arm) But if she breaks it another time...lol.
Snow: It is frustrating! But Raine is helping me type everything anyway, so (beam) I'm one happy girl sprawling on the bed and spouting sentences!

ChristinaLupin01442 -- Bonkers! That's a really nice word! I must remember that...OH YES! Prisoner of Azkaban is OUT! I'm going completely bonkers (oh yes!) over that! I JUST CAN'T WAIT! Oops, sorry...(sobers down)
Hedwigs-biggest-fan -- You cheered? OH...(goes awestruck)
Lissy -- There! This for you!
Invisible Child -- I wouldn't dream of discontinuing it! (looks horrified) But in a matter of fact...it's finished...(bursts out crying again)
lost angel92 -- Oh, yea...we live on cliffies ;)
EmeraldKatsEye -- SHREK LIVES! Pussy is so cute! Hairball! LOL