Though Ron had stayed up most of the night to keep an eye out for Seamus, it seemed he hadn't had to worry. Finnigan never came back in their room that night and it was something they were all happy about. None of the boys really knew how to feel about what Finnigan had tried to do to Harry. He was supposed to be their friend and yet, he'd tried to hurt Harry. Seamus was no longer the friend they once knew.

In the following days, Seamus avoided his dorm mates at all costs, even going so far as to skip classes if it appeared he'd have to sit in the same area as them. He ate his meals before everyone else got there and left as soon as students starting coming into the Great Hall. He had found out early on that almost everyone in Gryffindor knew what he'd tried to do. At least, the ones who mattered to him knew. His best friend, Dean, wouldn't even look at him. But what hurt the most was Harry. He would glare at him whenever they met in the corridor or in their common room. He started spending every waking moment with Weasley and wouldn't even glance Seamus' way if he happened to walk through. It was devastating to the Irish teen. And it made him angry.

Harry opened the doors to the Great Hall just as Finnigan was walking towards them. He was leaving, as he always did when the others were coming down to eat, but hadn't managed to make it out before Harry and his friends showed up. Ron put a protective hand on Harry's shoulder and glared at Seamus. Harry completely ignored the other teen's presence and walked past him. He could feel Finnigan's eyes boring into his back as he made his way to the table, but tried to ignore it.

He was glad Seamus was avoiding him, quite frankly, but even that was beginning to feel a little strange and awkward. He didn't like the way the older teen kept looking at him. He especially didn't like the looks he gave Ron, like he wanted to hurt him or something. When they reached the table, Harry collapsed into his usual seat and scooped a spoonful of scrambled eggs onto his plate. They were having pumpkin juice this morning, so he poured himself a glass. Ron sat beside him and soon Neville and Dean joined them.

"Did you see Finnigan this morning?" they asked when they sat down across from Harry and Ron.

"Yeah. You?" Ron was curious, considering Finnigan had left just a moment ago, whether or not they'd seen him.

"I think I saw him heading outside. At least, it looked like him from a distance," replied Dean. He glanced towards the doorway and sighed. "Sometimes, I miss him. Or, I miss the way he used to be," he quickly justified his words at the look Ron was giving him. "I don't understand what's happened to him."

"I don't either. I never would have thought he'd turn out the way he has. I mean…what he did to Harry was just horrible. I'd never have imagined he'd try to do that to you," said Neville, glancing at Harry as he spoke.

Harry just nodded and lowered his head. He didn't like it when they suddenly brought up what had happened that night. Although he'd defended himself rather nicely, he thought, it was still embarrassing when it was brought up. He sighed as he pushed his fork through his eggs. He wasn't hungry in the least, and even felt a little nauseous, actually.

"Well, at least Harry was able to kick Finnigan's arse," said Ron a little quietly. He still felt downright awful about all that had happened that night. He'd apologized countless times to Harry for how he'd walked away from him, but he could tell his boyfriend was getting a little annoyed at how everyone was acting around him.

"Yeah, that is actually saying something. Finnigan is a pretty good fighter. I was sort of surprised when you told me you were able to get a punch in. His father taught him how to fight when he was younger…boxing, I think."

Harry nodded. He'd heard Finnigan talking about that too, once. "I think you're right. But, I guess it just took him by surprise."

As the conversation went on around him, Harry took a long sip of his pumpkin juice. He thought it tasted kind of funny, but just figured it was because he wasn't feeling well. His stomach was really starting to bother him and the need to just go lay down for a while was becoming more and more appealing.

"Guys, I think I'm going to go back to the common room. I forgot one of my books," he lied, standing up to leave. He hoped if he could just lie down for a while before classes, he would feel better. "I'll see you in Transfiguration, okay?"

Ron didn't look too thrilled. "Maybe I should walk you," he said, starting to get up.

Harry frowned. "No, you haven't even finished your breakfast. Just finish eating and I'll get the book myself. It's okay, really."

"Yeah, the last time I left you to go get something by yourself you got attacked. I don't plan on making the same mistake again."

Mentally groaning, Harry knew he wouldn't get Ron to back down now. And he couldn't lie down without Ron asking him what was wrong and hovering over him like a bloody mother hen. He decided to try and make it through morning classes and try to skip out after lunch if he still didn't feel well.

With his plan decided, he told Ron that he'd get the book later since he wouldn't need it until later that afternoon. They went directly to class, but any hopes Harry had had that he'd start to feel better started to drift away as the day progressed. He'd started out just feeling slightly nauseous. But on top of that, he now had a headache that kept pounding within his head, he was fairly certain he had a fever, and he felt weak and shaky.

Lunch time was quickly approaching and Harry was about to the point where he didn't care if Ron was hovering over him. He did not feel well at all. When class ended, Harry grabbed Ron's arm to stop him. "I need to go lay down," he whispered to his friend.

Ron took one look at Harry's pale face and nodded. "Okay, come on," he agreed, and concerned, he took Harry by the arms when he started to sway as he stood up. "Damn, mate, you really don't look good. Let's get you upstairs and in bed."

Harry couldn't disagree and leaned heavily against his boyfriend as they started out of the classroom.

"Maybe we should go to Madame Pomfrey instead, Harry. You really feel warm." Ron could feel the heat coming off of Harry, even through his clothes.

"No, I just need to lie down. I think I'll be okay if I could just lie down for a little bit."

Ron wasn't really convinced but he didn't want to fight with Harry on the subject either. If things got worse, he'd take Harry to Pomfrey no matter what. Kicking and screaming if he had too, though it didn't look like Harry had the strength to fight him on it if it came down to it.

They made it to the portrait of the fat lady just as Hermione was walking out. She also took one look at Harry and was immediately on his other side to help support him and offer whatever comfort she could.

"Harry, you look awful. I bet you've gotten the flu, haven't you? It's been going around."

Harry just nodded. He was pretty sure he had gotten something, be it the flu or just a really bad cold. The last few days he'd just felt dizzy and slightly anxious, but now he just felt absolutely awful. "I thought it was just a little cold, but it's gotten worse now."

Hermione just clicked her tongue in sympathy. "You should have come to us. We could have helped."

"I'm not used to having help when I'm sick. I handle it by myself. I always have."

Ron and Hermione both gave each other angry looks over Harry's head. They both knew why Harry had always had to handle his illnesses on his own and neither was happy about it. They planned on correcting that in the future, however, because Harry would never be going back to his relatives.

"Here we go, get into bed," instructed Hermione. She fluffed the pillows and pulled the covers up to Harry's chin. "Do you want us to stay with you?"

"You have class, Hermione," Harry pointed out to her. He was very surprised she would even suggest skipping classes just to sit with him.

"I realize that, but if you need me, I'd be more than happy to stay."

Harry smiled at her. "I think I'll be okay, but thank you for offering. I feel better just by laying down. I think I'm just going to try and get some sleep. But, if I need you, I'll send Hedwig, okay?"

Hermione nodded before pulling the covers up more snugly around her friend. She couldn't help the almost motherly way she was treating him. She felt like she should somehow make up for all the times he hadn't had anyone to take care of him. It wasn't an obligation or anything, but something she felt she had to do and wanted to do. Once she had tucked Harry into the bed so thoroughly he almost couldn't move, she felt secure in leaving the room. "I'll be up to check on you later."

Harry grinned tiredly. "Could you un-tuck me a little? I'm having difficulty breathing," he laughed.

Ron grinned in return and pulled the blankets out a bit. "Better?"

"Yeah, thanks," he replied as he turned onto his side to better face the red-head. "You don't have to stay either. I really do just plan on sleeping. And, you can't afford to miss any classes."

Ron just groaned. "My grades aren't that bad."

"Yes, Ron, they are," he said with a small smile. "Really, I don't want you failing a class just because you stayed up here with me. Go on, I'll be fine."

Ron still shook his head. "I don't feel safe leaving you here by yourself. If Finnigan came in and decided to finish what he started earlier, then you wouldn't be in any condition to defend yourself," he said adamantly.

Harry sighed. "I could defend myself," he said indignantly.

"Yeah, what would you do? Vomit on him?"

Harry grimaced. "That's gross," he said, swatting Ron with his hand. "But, it would do the trick, don't you think?"

Ron laughed. "Probably so, but just the same, I'd rather stay here."

"I've got my wand and the power of vomit. I'll be fine. Now go. Seriously Ron, you can't miss any classes or you won't pass."

Ron sighed irritably but finally conceded. "Fine, but I also expect an owl if you need anything. Got it?"

"Yes, sir."

"Now shut up and go to sleep."

As Ron left the room, Harry did precisely that.

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When Harry next woke, he thought he was feeling a little better. There was a glass of water sitting beside his bed and he took a small sip. He grimaced as it went down his throat and put the glass back on the table. It tasted a little brackish and made a mental note to ask Ron to get him a fresh glass when he came back. He sat up and made it to the bathroom with just a small spell of dizziness. He hoped this cold would only last for a few days and as he was starting to feel better, he hoped it would do just that.

He took a drink of water from the faucet and then washed his face and teeth. He felt better once he'd done that and went back to his bed. He'd made it halfway across the dorm room when a wave of disorientation struck him. He started to go down when he felt strong arms wrap around his waist and help him the rest of the way down.

"Harry, are you okay?"

Harry groaned internally when he realized who it was. He didn't figure Finnigan was here to finish what he'd started, but wasn't about to take any chances. Quickly, he grabbed his wand from his back pocket and grasped it firmly in his hand.

"What are you doing here?" he asked.

"I just came to get a few things. I've been trying to stay away from you. I've felt so awful for what I tried to do, Harry. I can't tell you enough how sorry I am," he said, but Harry thought it lacked conviction. The look in his eyes was just wrong and he didn't believe him for a second.

"Yeah, well, I'm too tired to deal with you right now, Seamus," he said weakly. He started to get up but when he felt Finnigan put an arm around his waist again his entire body stiffened. "I don't need help," he said roughly, pushing the arms away from him. "Just go."

Seamus' eyes darkened and he stood up angrily. "Fine, stay on the damn floor! See if I care!"

Harry glared at him even as he was trying to get up. He felt extremely vulnerable with Seamus standing over him while he lay on the floor.

The floor tilted dangerously underneath him as he made it to his feet and he was just starting to tumble back to it when he once again felt Finnigan's arms wrap around him. They weren't gentle this time either, but rough. "If you had just let me help you in the first place!" he spat angrily as he threw Harry onto his bed. As his stomach rolled, he really thought he was going to be sick. He almost laughed at the idea that he really would be defending himself by vomiting all over the other teen.

He was just turning and struggling to point his wand when he heard it.

"You son of a bitch!"

Well, Ron was back.

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Ron was very carefully balancing the tray of food in his hands. "Could you get the door?" he asked Dean.

Dean nodded and opened the door for them. Neville carried the pitcher of pumpkin juice that Dobby had gotten for them in his hands. When the door slid opened, his mouth dropped at the sight of Harry getting tossed onto his bed by Finnigan.

If any doubt had remained that Seamus had just gotten a little too frisky with Harry and things had merely gotten out of hand, those doubts were quickly vanished as they saw how he was treating their sick friend. Harry could barely hold his wand up, but he was trying. And then Ron's shock wore off.

"You son of a bitch!"

The tray Ron had been carrying clattered to the floor as he tackled the Irish teen. They both hit the floor with a thud. Ron had his hands wrapped around Seamus' throat despite Finnigan's efforts to throw him off. All of his anger and despair was focused on the boy beneath him. He'd let Harry down, something he'd promised to never let happen again. He knew he shouldn't have left him alone. He just knew it! And look what had happened.

"If you hurt him, so help me," he gritted through clenched teeth.

Dean and Neville both had to struggle to get Ron off of Seamus, but they finally managed it. Once that was accomplished, Neville took out his wand and pointed it at the person he had thought was their friend for so many years.

"How could you?" he asked venomously. He glanced at Harry and saw that he was slumped bonelessly against the bed. Had they not come in when they did…he didn't even want to think about it.

"What is wrong with you?" asked Dean, his taller frame towering over Finnigan. "He's your friend! I thought we were all your friends! What the hell did you think you were doing?!"

Seamus was glowering. "It's not fair!" he yelled. "I had feelings for him first! You all knew that!" he glared pointedly at Ron. "But you had to go after him, didn't you?! Didn't you! He was mine to have! I wanted him first!"

Dean was struck speechless for a moment. Then he started yelling. "Harry is not a prize to be won! He was not and never will be yours! He is not something you own, Seamus!" Dean just didn't know who this person was anymore. "What is wrong with you?" he asked again. "This isn't you."

Seamus threw his hands in the air. "You don't even know who I am! You don't even care that I lost the one person I love. All you care about is Ron! Harry was supposed to be mine! He took him from me!"

Neville was glancing between all of them with an angry expression on his face. "There you go again! Get it through your head, Seamus! It doesn't matter what you want or that you think Harry was supposed to be yours! He's not, and just because you think he's yours doesn't mean you get to force him! He loves Ron…don't you care what Harry wants?"

Seamus shook his head violently. "Of course I care!" he yelled, though his movements were belying his words.

"Then what the hell were you just doing?" asked Ron.

"I was helping him onto the bed. He was dizzy," he said defensively.

"No, that wasn't helping him. You were throwing him!" yelled Dean. "What were you going to do once you had him on the bed, huh?"

Seamus looked at Harry then, who was blissfully unaware of what was going on around him. But, the look was enough for the three other teens to know exactly what he had planned on doing.

Ron tried to advance on him again, but Dean and Neville quickly grabbed him. "No, Ron, you can't. You'd just get yourself in trouble!"

"I don't care!"

"Harry wouldn't want you to do it, Ron. And he needs you! So knock it off, all right? I know you're pissed, we all are, but you can't go off like this. You have to calm down." Neville tried to be the voice of reason though he was having trouble not hexing the little prat himself.

Ron finally shook them off. "I'm calm!" he said through clenched teeth.

"Sure you are," muttered Dean.

"What's going on here?" asked a female voice from behind them. They had apparently attracted a bit of an audience with Hermione and Ginny standing in the doorway. "Is everything okay?" she asked. She caught a glimpse of an unconscious Harry lying in an unnatural position on the bed and then she saw Finnigan. Ron had told her what had happened that day in the library and judging by the look on Ron's face, she could only assume the worse. "Finnigan!" she screeched, advancing on the larger boy with an entirely too frightening look on her face. "To the headmaster, now!" she grabbed his arm and started to lead him from the room.

At first he tried to throw her off, but she instantly cast a spell that made him unable to move anything but his legs. "Walk or I swear I'll drag you through the castle."

He behaved after that and Ron and company watched as she led him from the room. Neville was never more happy to see him go. He'd thought for a moment that he was going to have to keep Ron from killing him.

"Harry," they turned as one to see Ron kneeling on Harry's bed trying to rouse him. "Come on, Potter. Wake up," he whispered.

Harry's eyelids fluttered repeatedly before finally shooting open. He sat up quickly and glanced around the room. When he realized that Finnigan wasn't in the room and that it was just his friends standing there with him, he started to relax. Then his stomach finally rebelled and he ended up throwing up all over the edge of his bed. "That could have come in handy earlier," he muttered. Another dizzy spell had him nearly passing out again until he was finally able to lie quietly against the bed and gain control of himself.

"Mr. Potter?"

Harry glanced up at his name and saw Professor McGonagall standing in the doorway.

"Are you quite all right, Potter?" she asked concernedly as she moved across the room to his side. "I was just called into the headmaster's office and learned of what has been going on," she said, her voice suddenly going strict as she glanced at the other boys. "Why was I not informed of this attack on Potter?"

"It's not their fault, Professor. I asked them not to tell," Harry said quietly, trying to defend his friends. He really hadn't asked them, but it had been an unspoken request. They all knew he didn't want it getting out that Harry Potter had been nearly sexually assaulted by another guy.

"This is not the type of thing you should keep to yourself, Mr. Potter. You should have come to one of the Professors. We would have done something immediately with Mr. Finnigan. We do not condone that type of an assault on any person in our school."

Dean looked up. "Is he being suspended or expelled?" he asked.

"Expelled," she said briskly. "Again, we do not tolerate that type of behavior. This is why it should have been brought to our attention immediately. This second attack could have been avoided," she said, her brows lifted knowingly. "In future, I trust you won't keep this type of behavior to yourselves?"

"No, ma'am. We won't."

"Good. I must get back to the headmaster now. He'll need my assistance when we contact Mr. Finnigan's parents," she paused on her way out. "Ms. Granger informed me that you weren't feeling very well, Potter. Take this. It should make you feel better," she had instantly pulled a vial from her pocket. "Drink it up," she encouraged.

Harry quickly downed the nasty potion and without thinking grabbed the water that was still on his bedside to wash away the nasty taste with. He took three deep swallows and grimaced. He'd never had a chance to get Ron to pour him a fresh glass.

"Do get some rest, won't you?"

Harry merely nodded.

As McGonagall rushed from the room Harry lay back down against the pillows and pulled the covers up around him. When he felt the mattress depress behind him, he turned to see that Ron was actually getting in beside him. He looked at Ginny, Neville and Dean in surprise, but none of them seemed to care. He was honestly surprised that Ron was making such an active affectionate move in front of their friends. As Ron wrapped his arm around him, Harry rested his head against his boyfriend's chest and felt his eyes drifting closed. He felt truly safe and was asleep within moments.

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"Harry, wake up!"

Harry moaned and tried to push the hand that was actively shaking his shoulders away. He felt awful. The potion McGonagall had given him apparently hadn't worked as well as she'd hoped.

His headache had increased and the nauseous feeling had more than doubled. He groaned as he tried to push the persistent hands away. "Go 'way," he grumbled, but talking only made him feel worse. He whimpered in distress as he leaned over the side of his bed and was sick for the second time. He couldn't remember who had cleaned up after him the first time, but he hoped whoever was annoying him now would do it for him.

He tried to roll over and go back to sleep but the hands were suddenly back and were again trying to shake him awake. "No, Harry, you need to wake up," it said, and it was the utter fear and worry he heard in the voice that made him fight the weakness and dizziness that were trying to drag him back under.

"What?" he asked confusedly as he finally started to come around.

"Oh, Harry, thank Merlin. Are you all right dear?"

Harry glanced up once more in confusion as the voice started to filter into his groggy brain. "Mrs. Weasley?" he asked in shock.

"Yes, darling. Can you wake up for us?" she asked, and her voice held such a hint of desperation Harry couldn't help but to try and obey. He couldn't figure out what was making her so upset, though.

"I'm 'wake," he said groggily and struggled to sit up. The vertigo that struck him then was so strong he nearly fell off the bed. Someone grabbed him, though, and held him in their arms.

"What's wrong with me?" he asked, trying to hold onto his head as if that would make the room stop spinning.

"You've been poisoned, Harry," he couldn't be sure but he thought that was Madame Pomfrey. Then what she said finally made sense and his head shot up. He regretted it a moment later though, as he was once more vomiting all over whomever was holding him.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry," he whispered dejectedly. He was about to get up to help clean up his mess when he felt someone take his face in their hands.

"Stop it, Harry. It doesn't matter."

Harry glanced up in surprise to see that not only was Mrs. Weasley there, but so was Mr. Weasley. And it was Mr. Weasley in fact who was holding him.

"I was poisoned?" he asked a moment later when he realized he wasn't going to get in trouble for being sick.

"Yes," said Pomfrey as she rushed around the hospital wing. "That ungrateful boy," she muttered and Harry glanced at her in confusion.

"Huh?" he asked. He wasn't sure who she was referring to.

"We shouldn't be discussing this right now," said Mrs. Weasley, her voice sounding firm and Harry wasn't about to try and force the issue. He didn't have the strength any ways.

"Here, I need you to drink this, Potter."

Harry warily took the vial she held out before him. "McGonagall gave me a potion earlier, but it didn't help. I just feel worse now."

Pomfrey shook her head. "Yes, she's very apologetic about that, but she had no idea that you had been poisoned. Had you truly been suffering from the flu that potion would have had you right as rain in a matter of hours. But, the ingredients in the potion and the poison running through your system interacted rather badly and made you deathly ill instead. It was a lucky thing that your Mr. Weasley brought you to me when he did."

"Oh," he said rather blandly. He'd almost died. What a shock.

After he took the potion, he did start to feel better. The nausea was the first improvement he noticed. When he didn't feel like he was going to vomit all over the world and his headache was lessened to a mere ache, he finally relaxed. "I feel better now," he said softly to Mrs. Weasley. She had been hovering over him since he'd woken up, and he thought she'd probably been doing it long before that even.

"I'm so sorry, Harry. I'm so upset that Ron didn't contact us immediately with what was happening with that Finnigan boy. I'm so angry I could spit!" she said heatedly.

Harry grinned. "Spit?"

"Oh, hush you!" she said lightly. Then she surprised Harry by pulling him into a gentle hug. "Ron told me what that boy tried to do," she said softly. "And he told me that he walked away."

"It's okay; he didn't realize what was happening. Please don't be upset with him," Harry implored.

"I'm not upset, just disappointed. It hurts me that he could see you in that type of situation and not realize that you wouldn't do something like that to him. I know how loyal you are to him, Harry."

Harry nodded. "Don't hold it against him. He really didn't know, and with how jealous he can get sometimes, it shouldn't have surprised me."

"He should have known," insisted Molly and her tone was firm. Harry knew better than to argue.

"Did Seamus poison me?" he finally asked. He'd assumed, but he wasn't sure.

She sighed deeply. "Yes, darling, he did."

Harry didn't know why, but he was surprised. "He did?" he asked, his voice plaintive. "Why?" he shook his head as he realized he shouldn't have to ask. "He hated me that much?"

Molly shook her own head then. "No. I don't know what happened, but he was sick. He had that thought process that if he couldn't have you no one could," she said softly. "You don't need to worry about him anymore. They're going to get him help. His parents are having him admitted to a hospital that helps specifically with disorders of the mind."

Harry could only stare at her. "It's my fault."

"No, Harry. You didn't turn him into what he became. He did that all on his own. Just because he thought he had feelings for you doesn't mean anything. Don't feel badly about this Harry, he tried to hurt you. You have no reason whatsoever to feel badly."

"But, I still do."

"And if you were anyone but Harry, I wouldn't be surprised. But please, try not to dwell on it. At least he's getting the help he needs now. And you don't have to worry about him any longer."

Mr. Weasley had stayed out of the conversation up to that point, but he took Harry's hand at that point. "Are you all right?" he asked.

Harry nodded. "Yeah, I'm feeling better now. Thank you."

"I'm sure Ron is dying to see you by this point, as well as Hermione and your other friends. We'll get out of here for a little bit to give you some privacy and then we'll get you ready to go home."

Harry was confused. "Go home?" he asked. He started to panic. "Why? I don't want to go back there. I'll be fine here!" he said, his voice rising.

"Harry, no!" Mr. Weasley grabbed his shoulders to get his attention. "Calm down, son. We didn't mean we were taking you back to the Dursleys. Don't you remember what we talked about over the summer? You're coming home with us from now on. And until you're completely better from this poisoning, you're coming home with us to rest."

Harry calmed down and looked at them sheepishly. "Oh."

Molly grinned. "So, we'll see you in a few minutes?" she asked, clearly trying to re-emphasize that he would be going with them.

"Okay."

"Good then. We'll go get Ron now."

Harry sighed in relief for a moment as he finally got it through his head that they wanted to take him home with them to get better. It was a nice feeling. Suddenly the doors were swung open and he saw Ron, Hermione, Neville, and Dean come into the hospital wing.

"Hey, mate, feeling better?" asked Ron softly as he bent down and gently kissed his lips.

Harry's face flamed. And he'd thought Ron climbing into bed with him had been a brilliant act of affection, this way more than topped that.

"Yeah, much better," he answered just as softly.

"Do we need to leave the two of you alone?" asked Dean jokingly.

Ron threw a pillow at him. "Shut up, Dean!" he yelled, but the smile on his face let him know he wasn't serious.

Hermione sighed and climbed onto the bed with them. "I'm so glad you're okay," she said suddenly.

Harry nodded. "Me too."

"So, are you feeling any more effects from being poisoned?" asked Neville. He yelped when Dean smacked him upside the head. "What?" he asked indignantly.

"He might not know yet, that's what!"

"Oh," he turned wide eyes on Harry, looking utterly stricken. "I just figured they had told you!"

"Calm down you guys, I know what happened. They did tell me I was poisoned," he said. "And they told me who did the poisoning."

"We're so sorry, Harry. I knew he was turning a bit possessive, but I had no idea he was going to stoop so low as to try and kill you!" said Dean. He'd been Finnigan's best friend for the longest time. He thought he should have known what the Irish teen was thinking, if no one else. "But to go so far as to poison your drinks," he shook his head.

Harry looked up. "That's how he did it?" he asked. "I thought that anything I had drunk had tasted kind of strange lately. Especially the water you left by my bed earlier," he mentioned to Ron.

"I didn't leave you any water, Harry. I was actually bringing you your food and something to drink when we came in right after Finnigan threw you onto the bed," said Ron quietly. "Finnigan must have brought it in," he said angrily.

Dean groaned. "I'm so sorry, Harry. I can't believe we let this happen to you. I can't believe I didn't see what he was trying to do!"

"It's not your fault, Dean," said Harry. "You couldn't have known he would do that. None of us did."

"You can't blame yourself, Dean. Honestly, it was out of anyone's control. Yours as well, Harry," said Hermione knowingly. If she knew Harry, and she did, she was pretty sure he'd be blaming himself for this as well.

"You don't have to worry, Hermione. I've already gotten his lecture from Mrs. Weasley. I felt bad at first, but she made me realize that I didn't make Seamus do what he did. He was sick."

"Yes, he certainly was," muttered Ron under his breath.

"Did my Mum tell you that you were going home with them?" asked Ron.

Harry nodded. "Did she say how long you might be gone?"

Harry shook his head. "No. I'm not sure, either. But, probably not any longer than a few days. I mean, I don't feel that poorly."

Ron grinned. "I think she just wants to keep you close for a while," then his face turned sober. "This really scared her. It scared us all when you wouldn't wake up."

Harry ducked his head. "I'm sorry I worried you guys."

"It's not your fault!" insisted Hermione. "That's enough talking about this. Harry needs to rest," she said strictly.

"That's right," said Mrs. Weasley as the doors opened and her husband followed in behind her. "And we're going to take him home now so he can get that rest."

Harry watched tiredly as Molly and Arthur got everything ready to go. He was nearly asleep again by the time they'd gotten his clothes and personal items from Ron.

As his parents took Harry's things and shrunk them to fit inside their pockets, Ron quickly snuck back to the sleepy guy he loved. "I'll see you in a few days," he said softly.

Harry smiled. "Okay," he whispered. The last thing he remembered before he was completely immersed in sleep was Ron gently pressing his lips against his forehead and the whispered words, "I love you."

Basically asleep, he muttered back, "Love you, too."

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THE END

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Okay, I know I promised not to make Harry too girly, and I might not have stuck to that too much in this chapter. SORRY! It just came out this way, but come on…he was sick and defenseless…that's not exactly girly…just that he needed someone to lean on. That's my explanation at least.

I'm taking a break from the HP universe for a little bit…unless another writing bug bites me…and I'm going to focus on a quick story in regards to the Supernatural universe. I'm so excited about it! Anyone going to be interested in reading it?

Please review.