Disclaimer: Still don't own anything

Chapter 2: The illness

With speed not thought possible to man that size. Gladius sprinted through the ancient halls of Hogwarts with a small mass of brown hair clutched in his arms as the young King stayed just in his trail. With a loud crash the doors to the Hospital Wing burst open shocking all that were in attndance.

"What in the name of Merlin!" Poppy Pomfrey cried out in shock.

"She has passed out quickly help her" Harry commanded to the Healer who could only obeyed

"My, My, what has befallen you my dear." Madame Pomfrey said as she weaved powerful scanning spells on the Lady of Pendragon. " I am afraid you will have to wait out side Potter so that I can finish examining Ms. Granger. I assure you she is in good hands." She said as she assured Harry and the giant of man that had appeared before her only moments ago.

Several Hours would pass for Harry who had but one thought on his mind. That of the health of his beloved Hermione. Each moment for Harry was spent just outside of the door to the hospital wing was more agonizing than last . Several other students had attempted to make conversation with Harry only to warned away by Gladius who now stood as imposing sentinel for his liege.

While Harry sat in silent vigil of his love. Another meeting was occurring else where in the castle. Snape and Dumbledore who until now had been willing partners in this affair sat in argument over what had just occurred.

" That is easy for you to say Albus. However, It is not your neck on the line for making that infernal potion. You did not see the fury in Potter's eye when he came after me. If he finds out that I had....." Snape said only to be cut off by a hand from Dumbledore.

"I assure you Severus that young Harry will never become the wiser that we have engineered this small challenge to the young lovers. I am sure that once Harry sees the folly of his small rebellion and once again see that the plans I have laid forth for him are right one's. He will be most understanding"

" Your plan is all well and good, but there is one flaw in that plan. What happens when Weasley looses his temper and shouts out what you have engineered the condition that has befallen Granger. I can assure that Potter's wraith will be great." Snape said with a great sense of fear of the young King.

" You will find Severus that I have taken steps to ensure everyone who is involved is loyal" Dumbledore smirked as he observed Snape take another of his famous lemon drops.

It was late into the evening when Madame Pomfrey emerged from the inner doors of the hospital wing. Wearing an unreadable expression. Harry who had nearly jumped out of his skin was unable to contain himself with what he hoped was good news.

" Before you start Mr. Potter, she is fine. Although her condition is most unusual. I believe she will make a full recovery. That Mr. Potter is the good news." She said to young man who went from an expression of hope to one of dread.

"Then what is the bad news?" Gladius said before Harry could even speak as he was still trying to process everything.

"The bad news is that her core is unstable. From what she was able to explain to me is that you both share a bond. That linked your magical cores into one. While I am not a hundred percent sure, but your link to the Magic of Avalon has prevented you from suffering a similar fate." Poppy said unsure as to how Harry would take the information. " I have never treated a patient with a bond like your's and Ms. Grangers. However, I was able to make contact with some of the Royal Healers on Avalon by floo. While they have not personally seen such a bond. They do know that other bonds like this have occurred in the past with members of the royal family. They agreed to begin to research what can be done for her."

With a wave of her hand she allowed Harry to enter the Hospital Wing where he was greeted by a site that he had not ever hoped to see again since the last time he had seen Hermione in a hospital bed was during their second year.

" Harry, I'm OK no need to look so glum." Hermione said with a small smirk.

"That's it you are moving into the Royal Tower..." Harry said only to be interrupted by Dumbledore who had wisely chose to enter from another entrance to avoid the gaze of Gladius who surely would not have allowed the Headmaster to intrude upon the young couple.

"I'm afraid that is not possible Mr. Potter. Again I can not allow Ms. Granger to live in the royal tower. It just would not be proper. Please remember that while you are the Soveriegn of these even you must abide by the law. Although if you would like I can make arrangements to move you back into the Gryffindor tower where you can draw upon the strengths of your house mates in this time of need." Dumbledore said with a grandfatherly smile that while it normally would charm the young students who took it as a sense of endearment. It only further infuriated Harry.

"I am tired of your manu...." Harry began only to be silenced by the gentle hand of Hermione touching his arm to bring him out of his rant.

"I am sure you are correct Headmaster, but I think it would be best to leave the sleeping arrangements as they are." Hermione said with gentle smile. "Would it be alright for Harry and I to have a few minutes together before curfew.

With a simple motion Dumbledore turned and walked out of the room smugly thinking that he had only moved one step closer to his ultimate goal of bring Harry back under his power. What he could not possibly know was that while he was preparing to bring Harry under his control. The great Lady of Pendragon was beginning to form a plan of her own.

"Listen Harry before you start. The headmaster is right. I have been doing some research into the power the headmaster has over the students here at Hogwarts. If you defy him and have me moved into the Royal Tower he could use this against you politically. It has always been the custom that while members of the Royal Family attended Hogwarts they be treated like other students. Now there has never been Monarch that was in power during his time in here, but it could hurt you in the International community if you in a lack of better words live in sin with me in the Royal Tower. You will need the support of the International Confederation and going against an age old tradition would look poorly upon you with the British Magical Community. I will find a way around this I promise you." and with a gentle kiss the young pair separated for the evening each promising to see each other in the morning.

The remainder of the week passed slowly for the young couple. While Hermione had been released from the hospital wing. She had continued to have random bouts of exhaustion. Madam Pomfrey remained at a loss as to what could be done to stabilize the young womans core. Hermione was a powerful witch in her own right. With the infusion of Harry's core the seasoned healer believed that should have only enhanced her magical prowess not cause such horrible side effects.

While Madame Pomfrey researched ways to stabilize the Lady of Pendragon's condition. The Lady herself began to spend any free time in the great library of Hogwarts. Looking for a legal way to circumvent the Headmaster's plan. While she didn't know how. She was sure that the Headmaster was using her as a weapon against Harry. So it began a great cat and mouse game that would be played out in the hallway's of Hogwarts.