Secrets and Truths

Chapter Seven
Questions Answered



While Harry and Banji were ‘talking’ Althia and Siria were discussing other things. Althia knew she had to get something accomplished before they arrived at the school. She also knew that, because of earlier happenings they were already running late, but what she had to do needed to be done. She decided that her friends arriving might have been a blessing in disguise. She just hoped they would do as she requested, no questions asked. When the other two had caught up to them she figured now was as good a time as any.

“Hey girls, I need you to do me a favor.”

“Sure, what do you need?” they asked together.

“Harry and I need to step inside the woods for a few minutes but I need you two to stay out here.”

“Why?” Siria asked.

“To keep watch. I don’t think there’s anything to worry about but it never hurts to be on the safe side.”

“Why do you need to go in there in the first place?” Banji asked.

“That is something I can’t tell you. It’s a private matter between Harry and myself. Will you do it?”

“Sure, no problem.” Siria said nodding her head.

“But you better make it quick, whatever it is you have to do. Because I’m pretty sure the carriages have already arrived and unloaded. And we still have a piece to go before we get there.” Banji commented.

“Thanks guys, don’t worry I’ll do my best to be quick.”

Althia grabbed Harry’s robe sleeve and pulled him into the woods. He had remained silent up to this point wondering himself why they needed to go into the woods.

“Why exactly are we going in here?” He decided to ask.

Althia figured they were far enough in so stopped and faced him. Their faces only inches from one another.

“Like I said before, I need to get you alone while I can.”

Oh yeah, I almost forgot about that…But why? He only then noticed their closeness; he could feel her breath on his face. Uh oh…is she planning to snog me or something?

His confusion must have shown on his face. Because only seconds passed when he heard her laugh, heartedly, and stepped back.

“I assure you Harry it’s not what you’re thinking. I didn’t drag you in here to ‘jump your bones’. If I wanted to do something like I wouldn’t care if people knew.”

He blew out a strong breath of relief. Well, that was awkward he thought to himself.

“Good, but why then?”

“One word…bruising. I didn’t have enough time to heal it before your friends showed up.”

“Oh. It’s fine really. You don’t have to bother yourself with it. They’ll go away easily enough on their own.”

“It’s not a bother Harry. I know they’ll go away but it will take days. Do you plan not to shower at all in that time? Seems to me they’ll be hard to explain to anyone who sees them.”

“You’re right. I can’t believe I didn’t think of that. Ron totally freaked when he saw the one on my leg. I could only imagine what he would say if he saw the rest.”

“So it’s settled then, you’ll allow me to heal them?”

“Yes. I don’t think I have any other choice. Unless you have some bruise balm handy.”

“Ewww, no. I hate that stuff. It’s all sticky and smells awful. It would surely give you away. Now come on, take off your robe and shirt, we’re running out of time.”

“Take them off,? Why, you didn’t do that earlier on the train.”

“I know, but if I can see where I need to apply my hands it’ll make the process that much quicker. And I won’t miss any that way, now hurry up.”

He hesitated for a moment. Sure she knew about all the bruising, he still couldn’t figure out how though, but having her see them full on? It was embarrassing, to say the least. He hesitated only a moment more before removing the obstructive clothing.

“Finally! Now cast a Lumos so I can see better. It’s a little darker in here than I expected.”

He plucked his wand from the robe lying on the ground. As it lit the bruising came into clearer view. She had known they were there but seeing them, well that was a bit different. Looking at him she had to wonder herself just what the boy had been through. Where creamy tanned skin was supposed to be it was marred with a multitude of colors. Anything from deep blacks and purples to vivid greens and yellows. As she began she couldn’t help but curse in her mind at whoever had done this. She could see where she had mended his ribs earlier; the area wasn’t blemished. She finished with his front and had moved around to his back. Here she noticed that the bruises were much worse and was glad he couldn’t see her cringe. She was careful not to press any harder than necessary for she didn’t want to cause him any more discomfort than necessary. Up to this point neither had spoken a single word. But when she reached his lower back she broke the silence.

“What an odd scar. What caused it?” She asked while brushing her thumb softly over it.

“Wardrobe knob. That’s something I’d rather not talk about, sorry.”

“Don’t be sorry Harry, you don’t have to tell me anything you don’t want to. I won’t pressure you about it either.”

Well that was a relief. Had it been Hermione or Ron to see his condition they would insist that they be told…when it happened, how it happened, who had done it and why. She was giving him something that he rarely ever got… a choice. He could tell her what happened or keep it to himself. For that he was grateful. He wasn’t ready to speak of past events yet but maybe, just maybe, he would in the future, to her at least. He figured she deserved that much for doing all of this for him.

“Thank yo…um…I appreciate that.”

“Not a problem. Just know you have an open invitation if you ever do want to talk, about anything. I’ll always listen, not just hear, what you have to say.”

“I’ll remember, promise.”

She had finished on his back and explained that she would leave the remaining one on his leg because it had already been seen. She suggested he should go see Madam Pompfrey for a bruise balm because she had a feeling that Weasley wouldn’t be able to keep his mouth shut. He had agreed to go after the opening feast.

“Good, I hope you do…Mmm”

Harry had turned to face her just in time to see her waver. As her knees buckled he reached out and caught her before she could fall. He wrapped his arms around her for support. She allowed him to do so and rested her forehead on his shoulder. Considering he was bare-chested it felt a bit awkward but he didn’t move.

“Are you alright? What happened?” he whispered in her ear.

“I will be, just a bit drained.”

“Drained?”

“Yeah, between the walk, the healing, that little outburst with Draco and having not eaten since breakfast I’m feeling a bit tired and dizzy. It’s normal I assure you. The worse the injury the more I have to tap into my magical core. The same rule applies if I do it multiple times in one day. I just need to rest bodily and magically.”

“So you feel this way because of me! It’s all my fault.”

“No, it’s not ALL your fault, just some. I used up a bit healing you yes, but you didn’t make me attack Draco, I was the one who suggested we walk and I was the one who chose nothing from the snack trolley. So don’t go feeling all guilty on me Harry. And I’ve changed my mind, it’s not your fault at all, I chose to heal you, you didn’t ask me to.”

“That’s beside the point. I still feel bad about exhausting you.”

“Like I said, don’t. It was my choice to make and I don’t have any regrets, well just one. Now come on, put your shirt and robe back on we’ve got to go.” She said as she removed herself from his arms.

“Just one? What would that be?”

“What happened to Draco. That wasn’t supposed to happen, being knocked out. He was supposed to get a little ‘shock’, just to irk him a bit and to get my point across, but nothing more.”

“Well I wouldn’t let that bother you. That prat deserves everything he gets. What do you suppose caused it?”

“I have a feeling I know but it’s not something I can discuss with you. You wouldn’t want me to go blabbing to him about things concerning you would you?”

“Point taken. I’ll respect his privacy, even if it is Malfoy.”

“Thanks.”

They were almost to the clearing where the girls were waiting when he remembered something he wanted to ask.

“Hey, I was wondering. How did you know anything was wrong with me, before, on the train?”

“Yes, I remember that. I didn’t get to answer because of your friends arriving. It’s part of my ability. I get a sensation, a tingle really, when I’m around injured people. I don’t know exactly what’s wrong until I do a diagnostic on them.”

“But you never did that. You didn’t take out your wand until you rebroke my wrist.”

“Yes, that’s right. Do you remember when I shook your hand?”

“Yeah.”

“I did it then. I don’t have to do any foolish wand waving for that. Skin on skin contact is all I need to get a reading.”

“But how, there were never any images like when Pompfrey does it.”

“I feel it. Take your ribs for example. Where they were cracked my ribs mirrored the same feeling, only on a lower pain level. And before you go on a guilt trip again, it only lasts as long as we’re touching.”

“Amazing. Is it like that every time you touch someone? I think I would go nutters if it did.”

“No, my sanity is safe. I will myself, so to speak, to run the tests. I can touch people normally.”

“Cool. What’s the sensation you get feel like; when you’re around the injured.”

“That’s hard to describe, it’s easier to show you. Give me your arm.”

He wondered how she could show him so he reached out his arm to her. She took it in her hand and with her other lightly brushed her fingers up then back down his arm. She then began to pinch her way back up, a little harder each time.

“That’s the difference. With most I get a whisper of a feeling and with a rare few I get a ‘pinch’, understand?”

“Perfectly actually.”

They had made it to the tree line and stepped out. Just as promised the girls were keeping watch. After casting a Tempus all four were in agreement that the best action to take would be to run the rest of the way to the school.



*****************************************TBC***************************


A/N…Tempus…Time

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