Christmas was approaching. As always, closer to the end of the term, they began assigning so much homework that personal matters faded into the background. McGonagall demanded from everyone a complex chain of nonverbal Transfigurations, which even Hermione managed only with great difficulty and not on the first try. Naturally, everyone tried to stay away from Neville, who even on ordinary days could create a small catastrophe instead of turning a hedgehog into a pincushion, and under such pressure… Harry wondered how he had managed to cope with all this before and attend practices at the same time? There could be only one explanation: before, he had shamelessly used Hermione's help. Now he managed to deal with the assignments himself. Or rather, not quite himself, since Flamia was always nearby. But she, as a former part of his soul, was not perfect either: in Binns's lessons, just like most students, she felt sleepy. Besides, complex spells were almost harder for her than for Harry. The Patronus she tried to create stubbornly refused to take corporeal form. Perhaps it was because her soul was still incomplete.
Ron Weasley, whose only remaining incentive for existence was success in Quidditch, walked around between brutal practices looking utterly miserable. His team had a chance of winning the School Cup only if they won the upcoming match against Ravenclaw. This became the goal of his life; he even devoted little time to Transfiguration, although under other circumstances he would have been afraid of incurring the wrath of his Head of House. Strangely enough, Minerva McGonagall tried not to notice the simply horrifying results of the captain of her House team. She clearly did not want to allow the possibility of handing the Cup to Snape. Harry made no attempt to influence his friend, although he understood that if things continued like this, Ron would be in serious trouble. Hermione had always said so, but now she kept her distance from that blockhead. After all, it had never even occurred to him to make peace…
Speaking of Hermione… Harry did not immediately notice that after that conversation about Snape, Miss Know-It-All began looking strangely at Flamia. Something clearly seemed suspicious to her, although, lacking proof, she was in no hurry to accuse anyone. The strangest thing was that Hermione once again began visiting the library often. Although what could she find there? Perhaps the recipe for Amortentia and the signs of its use.
But what truly alarmed Harry was Flamia's inexplicable melancholy. He had noticed before that something was weighing on her, but as soon as he tried to find out anything, he received a cheerful smile and a kiss in response. Only now, when Harry was practicing Legilimency every now and then, it could not escape him that the girl was troubled by something. There was something vitally important, something she needed to know, but fear of learning the answer was stopping her.
The end of the semester approached unnoticed, and with it the time of the Gryffindor-Ravenclaw match. Because of problems with players, Ron had to take… McLaggen as a Chaser. Few people liked this, but there was not much choice. Besides, Ron was so fierce during practices that even that oaf preferred to keep his clever thoughts to himself. Especially since the Captain had worked out a very serious strategy and promised to Avada anyone who dared to ruin his brilliant plan. The captains shook hands, the game began… It immediately became clear who had devoted more time to training: the Ravenclaws literally watched as the Lions scored Quaffles one after another… The score was already approaching 200-0, but even then the Lions did not want to stop. The Beaters diligently prevented Cho, the Ravenclaw Seeker, from even thinking about the Snitch. But all good things sometimes come to an end… When the opposing team's players got hold of the Quaffle, McLaggen suddenly snatched the bat from Jimmy Peakes and launched a Bludger with all his might… toward the stands. It was simply amazing that almost no one was hurt… except the one the Bludger was meant for. Harry Potter received the ill-fated ball straight to the head. The only thing he managed to hear before he blacked out was the commentator's shout: "Ginny Weasley catches the Snitch! Gryffindor wins with a score of 350-0…"
Harry once again felt himself floating outside his body. The hospital wing again! And again an injury incompatible with life…
Madam Pomfrey simply could not understand what was happening. How could a person be THAT resilient??? The blow delivered by McLaggen was horrifying. It would have killed anyone on the spot, except perhaps Hagrid! But the Boy-Who-Keeps-On-Surviving once again called the word "impossible" into question… He was alive! By all signs, he was simply asleep! How could this be explained…
Then Dumbledore entered the room together with Flamia. Madam Pomfrey had not wanted to let her in until she figured out what was going on. But the Headmaster's gaze did not allow her even to begin protesting about outsiders appearing in the hospital wing. Moreover, Albus demanded that she leave the ward, after which he cast a light memory-altering spell on her, convincing her that Harry had escaped with a slight fright. He asked her not to let anyone in for now, so the boy could calmly come to himself.
As soon as the Headmaster and Madam Pomfrey left, Flamia rushed to Harry. The saving kiss helped this time as well. Harry opened his eyes and saw the girl illuminated by sunlight from the window behind her. For some reason, an association with an angel immediately arose… But this time, besides joy, he again saw that same melancholy in Flamia's eyes, and her determination to speak had clearly increased…
"Harry! I'm so glad you're alive!"
"And how can I die now? I can't leave you alone!"
"Not funny! McLaggen nearly sent you to the next world! McGonagall even raised the question of expelling him! And he still tried to justify himself, supposedly he missed the Ravenclaw player! As if!"
"Yes… I didn't expect that!.. But you're still holding something back… I noticed long ago that something was weighing on you, but I still haven't understood what exactly…"
"Harry… I don't even know how to say this… But I… I…"
"Is something wrong? Do you feel unwell?.. Do you like someone else?"
"No, what are you saying! I can exist only near you, and you know that perfectly well… It's something else…"
"Don't be afraid, I'll understand everything! Tell me, why are you worried?"
"Harry… I'm a HORCRUX! Well, how can you like me… I'm not even sure I'm a human being in the full sense of the word!"
"What are you saying! Even if you really were precisely a Horcrux, why did you decide that because of that I could stop liking you?"
"But a Horcrux is Dark magic, it is created by killing someone…"
"But no one suffered! That is a big difference! Besides, so you won't worry, I think I've figured out what to call you…"
"What?"
"You are my angel…"
"Harry…"
A jubilant crowd of Gryffindors was carrying the hero of the match in their arms. Ronald Weasley could already accept congratulations on winning the School Cup, since even in the match against Hufflepuff, the Snakes had been unable to take that many points. Snape was ready to kill every member of his House team, because now they had practically no chance of taking first place. As luck would have it, Malfoy had left the team altogether, declaring that he had more important things to do. The only joyful news for the Terror of the Dungeons was that the Boy-Who-Keeps-On-Showing-Off had once again landed in the hospital wing. And this time clearly for a long time. And then, as soon as the DADA professor, with such an optimistic thought, took his place in the Great Hall (lunchtime had already arrived), all his hopes collapsed once again… Into the Hall, with such calmness as if nothing had happened, entered the Best Couple… Moreover, the girl was so happy as if Potter had not just been carried off on a stretcher to Madam Pomfrey, but had been called up to the England national Quidditch team… A nightmare!
Hermione was in shock. Before her very eyes, a Bludger had nearly split Harry's skull open, and already an hour later he walked into the Great Hall as if nothing had happened, arm in arm with this Flamia! All right, suppose he had simply been lucky, and the Bludger had only grazed him slightly… But to persuade Madam Pomfrey to let him go so quickly! And clearly in the company of a girl with an unknown past! All of this was very suspicious…
And Harry really had forgotten all about the incident. Of course, what kind of incident could there be when the reason for his beloved's melancholy had finally been discovered! And not simply discovered, but eliminated! Now he could enjoy life a little, since the Headmaster had clearly brainwashed the nurse… He did not even want to think about any ferrets, Legilimency, or other nonsense… Christmas was coming soon, and he could spend it truly cheerfully! And his peace was guarded by his angel…
___
[Please leave a few reviews and Power Stones]
If you enjoy my work, you can support me on Patreon and get early access to additional chapters:
patreon.com/cw/Phoenixfic
____