Chapter 6

Nightmare

It was dark and raining. The fog had settled around him, enveloping him in its embrace. Thunder boomed in the distance, following its blinding predecessor.

Ichigo stood in its midst, confused and disoriented. He didn't where he was or how he had gotten there. He couldn't understand what was going on. His mind wasn't working properly, it wasn't working like it was supposed to be, he couldn't -- he couldn't think. Everything was marbled, yet the sense of dread was unyielding, the only thing that his mind could process, could understand.

His body moved of its own accord, one foot stepping in front of the other. He walked for what seemed like eternity, with no destination or hope of salvation, until he reached the edge of a graveyard. The air around him sung of death and solitude, but still, his body pushed on. Ichigo begged it to stop, to bring him to safety instead of peril, with no luck. Slowly, the dark silhouette of an aged house came into view. It wasn't long until Ichigo found himself pushing open the door and creeping inside.

He heard voices, at least, he thought they were voices, he couldn't quite tell anymore. They were hushed, their meaning lost on Ichigo's foggy mind. His body trekked forward, hauling itself up a flight of stars. Ichigo could make out a form huddled over a chair with... something sitting in it. Suddenly there was a loud hissing sound in his mind. It was loud, and the sound hurt. The man gripped the sides of his head, willing it to stop. He briefly registered something brushing against the side of his ankle, but left as quickly as it had come. He saw figures moving, but they were muffled and darkening. Suddenly, there was a sharp pain -- like fire -- crawling in his chest, and then,

He woke up.

Cold sweat stuck his clothes to his lithe form. His heart was beating far too fast to be possible, and Ichigo found that his disorientation had followed him into the real world. His head throbbed and his chest ached, unbelievably so. Ichigo tried to send something, anything, to Dumbledore to alert him of his unsavory state, but he couldn't get his magic to work. Panic spread throughout his being. He threw the covers off of his body, suddenly scorching hot. Sweat dripped off his brow in rivers. Ichigo swung his legs over the side of his bed, and made the mistake of trying to get up. His legs trembled under his weight and he sunk to the floor, his back to the edge of his bed.

He heard muffled yells inside of his mind, but he paid them no mind. Ichigo commanded his magic, he mumbled spells and jinx, trying to just get it to work. His flustered impatience took the last of what little energy he had left. The door to his chambers opened slowly, and then it seemed to slam open, vibrating the floor under Ichigo. He recognized someone coming in, shaky and cold fingers touching him, grabbing him, shaking him. The world suddenly turned sideways as his mind finally gave way to fatigue.

oooOOOoooOOOoooOOOooo

Hermione found herself to be a very observant person, she noticed things that many did not. Ichigo's absence was something everyone noticed. At first, nothing seemed amiss. It wasn't uncommon for the man to miss a class here and there, after all, he was a busy man. At least, as far as Hermione, Ron, and Harry knew. Although they were still skeptical about the man -- as they should be -- Ichigo had never harmed anyone in the school, in fact, he was helping them. He got onto some bullies who were teasing Neville. He helped Hermione with homework, Ron with girls, and Harry with his woes. He helped everyone in some way, even Slytherins, albeit only a few. Some just refused any type of help.

It was when he missed an entire day's worth of classes that they began to worry. Students would take both curious and worried glances to where the wizard would usually stand, and slowly hushed whispers spread. Even teachers seemed curious to where Ichigo had gone, which made Hermione very apprehensive. 'So, it's not something that was planned...' The young girl thought back to when Ichigo had told them about why he was really at the school. She began to worry that maybe he had gotten himself in trouble, something her and her friends seemed to do on a daily basis. Nodding to herself, she scribbled down a note and passed it to Harry, who read it and in turn passed it to Ron.

'We should go look for Ichigo... ~ Hermione'

After their last class ended for the day -- once again without Ichigo -- they made their way to the man's chambers. The door was unlocked, as it usually was. Ron and Harry thought nothing of it, but like said before, Hermione noticed things they didn't. If Ichigo didn't lock his doors on a regular basis, that could mean one or more of three things; either he didn't have anything to hide, he trusted too easily, or there was something intangible protecting his chambers. Hermione leaned towards the last one, particularly because they were witches and wizards, and many things in their lives were intangible.

Surprise filtered across their faces as they took in the state of his bedroom. It was in shambles! The books from his shelves were in disarray across the floor, his bed sheets torn to shreds, furniture topped over and broken.

Ron stepped into the room and picked up a book, dusting wood shavings and dust off of the cover. "What do you... I mean... Do you think he was attacked...?"

The other two stepped into the room behind his head. Hermione shook her head. "I'm not sure... it was definitely magic that did this, but there's no blood anywhere, so I don't think he was attacked. Also, for someone to make this far into Hogwarts without being noticed, is nearly impossible."

"Unless the foe is hiding as a friend." Ron and Hermione looked at Harry. It wouldn't be the first time, nor would it be the last someone wasn't who they said they were. Specifically the Defense against the Dark Arts professors.

"Harry," Hermione began, "who do you have in mind?"

"Mr. Potter, Mr. Weasley, Mrs. Granger!"

The three turned to look at the open doorway, where stood the young house elf Winky. She was tugging a cart full of various cleaning supplies behind her, no doubt there to clean up the ruined room.

"Winky? Do you know what's happened?" Harry asked her as she stepped inside. The elf shrugged her shoulders as she began picking up the books on the floor. "Headmaster Dumbledore asked me to clean this room. Said something about Mr. Kurosaki being ill."

"He's sick?" Ron asked. "Then why is his room bloody Hell?"

Winky shrugged. "I do not know, Winky was not told anything, but I do think Mr. Kurosaki is somewhere in the infirmary." That was all it took for the trio to head off towards their new destination. The halls were fairly empty now that the school day was technically over. Not many students paid them any mind as they jogged down the hallways. It wasn't uncommon for them to be running for some reason or another.

It also wasn't uncommon for there to be a few kids in the infirmary this time of year. Magic could perform amazing feats, but alas, it could not cure the common cold. Not that the students minded, after all, they were getting out of class. Their eyes were caught by a bed in the corner with its curtain pulled around it for privacy.

"What if it's not him, and we're bothering a random sick person?"

"Don't worry, Ron, I'm sure it's him." Harry answered. They walked at a hurried pace, but not too fast as to disturb anyone. When they reached the bed, Harry and Ron pointedly looked at Hermione. She sighed and turned towards the bed. She muttered a quiet 'excuse me' and pulled the curtains aside. It was Ichigo.

He was either asleep or unconscious, the trio couldn't tell. A light red was covering his features, and Hermione knew without touching that he had a pretty high fever. His breathing was quick paced and rapid, but not enough so to cause actually worry. The thin pajamas he was wearing clung to his sweaty skin in sleep. He seemed restless, uncomfortable and distressed in his state, occasionally thrashing out at an invisible foe. The three students were unsure of what exactly they should do. Harry pulled over three chairs, and they sat next to the bed, silent.

It seemed like mere moments before the sound of someone clearing their throat behind them interrupted their thoughts. "Headmaster?" Harry asked. The three turned around to face the man.

"It seems as though Ichigo has made himself quite at home at Hogwarts, especially considering how much his absence has affected everyone." Dumbledore explained.

"Headmaster, what's wrong with him?" Hermione asked as she stole another glance and the prone form in the bed.

Dumbledore sighed, the smile on his face disappearing. "I wish I knew the answer to your question, Miss Granger. Madam Pomfrey herself is stumped."

"You don't suppose..." Harry began, "that it has something to do with who he is, do you?"

A mischievous gleam filled Dumbledore's eyes. "Ah, so he's told you then. I would assume so, but I must admit, my knowledge of him is quite lacking, I'm afraid." The elder stood up and placed a hand on Hermione's and Ron's shoulders. "Come, children, dinner is about to start and you'll do Ichigo no good by going hungry."

oooOOOoooOOOoooOOOooo

When next Ichigo woke, it was on his own terms. He floated in and out of consciousness for what seemed like an eternity, before he decided that enough is enough. The first thing Ichigo noticed when he stirred, was that he was utterly and mind-numbingly, sore. His limbs felt like dead weight, and he felt an overwhelming sense of lethargy and stiffness. Ichigo did feel, however, significantly better than he had when he last woke. He noticed Madame Pomfrey fluttering about the room, tending to the few students there. When she noticed he was awake, she scurried over to his bed.

The two were silent as she did, what Ichigo assumed was, a routine check-up. The two of them were silent as she worked, poking and prodding at the man. Ichigo thought about asking her what was going on, but decided against it. He doubted that she really knew anything about what was going on, even he himself did not. After a particularly sharp jab in the chest from a wand, Madame Pomfrey helped prop the man up, stuffing an ungodly amount of pillows behind him. She prodded him some more before she shoved a foul tasting juice down his throat and left. It wasn't long before he had another visitor.

Dumbledore conjured a chair and sat next to his bed. "Ah, Ichigo. I'm glad to see you awake, how are you fairing?"

Ichigo shrugged slightly. "I'm not quite sure, actually, although I'm not in pain, so I consider that a good thing."

The headmaster smiled in agreement. "Do you remember what happened? I, myself, am a bit puzzled by this ordeal."

Ichigo thought for a moment before replying, "Not a lot. I had a dream, and it just felt... wrong. Then there was pain, and I woke up. I will still in a great deal of pain and for the life of me, I couldn't get my magic to work. Then... nothing."

"I see..." Dumbledore stated. "Quite peculiar indeed. Well, you've been ill for a long time, a week or two I'd say. You had a high fever, and you mumbled and trashed in your sleep, or unconsciousness, we weren't very sure. What concerns me most is that you couldn't access your magic and for someone of your caliber, that is most alarming." The man looked out the window. "In other news, I'm sorry to say that you've missed the arrival of the schools, as well as the drawing of names. Someone charmed the cup, it drew Harry's name, and the contract is unbreakable. I can't help but feel as though the fiasco with the cup has something to do with your illness. But what do I know, I'm just an old man?" With that, Dumbledore left Ichigo alone with his thoughts, the chair he conjured dissipating into a sparkling mist.

To say Ichigo was disappointed would be an understatement. The wizard had been looking forward to seeing the schools' arrivals since they were announced. Ichigo wondered what they were like. The students had spoken to him about the two schools, but nothing too in depth as they had never seen them before either. And who would have charmed the goblet? His thoughts immediately trailed to Professor Moody, but he dismissed the thought. Ichgio was suspicious of the man, but he hadn't actually done anything so far. Perhaps he was just a spy? Ichigo shook his head, that didn't seem right either. Why would Moody charm the cup, what would he gain? He didn't want Harry dead, or he would've tried to kill the boy by now. No, there was something else going on.

'You shouldn't think too hard, King, you might hurt yourself.'

'Haha, very funny.' Ichigo replied.

'But seriously, you need to take it easy. Whatever that dream was, it wasn't right. It did stuff, man, it did stuff inside here, messed things up real bad. The old man and I aren't sure exactly what, but it's been pouring in here while you've been sleeping like a baby.'

'Where is Zangetsu?'

'He's resting. He's been trying to fight off... whatever it is that's been going on. I've tried, but it has no effect. We're getting into some real deep shit, King. You need to watch yourself.'

Ichigo nodded in response. Memories of him trying to use his magic unsuccessfully filled his mind. He looked at the bottle of disgusting juice that sat on the nightstand. He grabbed his wand off the stand and pointed his wand at the bottle. "Wingardium leviosa." To his surprise and delight, the bottle lifted into the air. It did not make it high before it fell back onto the table, shattering. Ichigo scowled at the display. At least his magic was working, albeit only a little, but it was something. The small spell took the wizard's energy, and he decided to get some more rest.

When he woke again, he had even more visitors.

"Dobby, what are you doing here?"

The house was sitting at the foot of his bed with another house elf he had never seen before. "Dobby was very worried about you, Ichigo sir. You see, Dobby was bringing Ichigo his daily tea, when I found you quite confused on your floor. Dobby got Headmaster very quickly, yes he did, for he was worried about his friend."

Ichigo smiled. "Thank you very much, Dobby. Who is your friend? I haven't met her before."

Dobby gestured towards the female elf next to him. "This is Winky, sir. Winky cleaned your room for you while you rested. It was very dirty, yes it was. Madame Pomfrey also asked her to help you get better."

"That's exactly right, Dobby." Madame Pomfrey said from beside Ichigo, startling the man. "See, Mr. Kurosaki, after being bedridden and unconscious for so long, your body has become very weak. A wizard's body is a very complex thing. I've asked Winky to help you build back up some strength. I've taught her some exercises to run through with you at certain intervals throughout the day, starting now."

"Madame Pomfrey, I don't think that's really necessa--"

"Young man, do not argue with me! If you try to push yourself too early you'll just hurt yourself even more, and the students already miss you enough as it is." Madame Pomfrey and Winky helped him do simple things, like making fists and raising his arms and legs. All of them simple things, but they made him incredibly sore and tired. Ichigo was beyond confused. Due to his shinigami and hollow abilities, he was able to regenerate at incredible rates, so being incapacitated by something as small as a fever was very foreign to him. Was this one of the things that his dream messed with? Hopefully not. How was he supposed to help protect Harry like this?

They finished after what felt like forever. Madame Pomfrey and Dobby left, both having to get back to work, leaving Ichigo alone with Winky.

"Winky, don't you have to get back to work?" he asked.

"No, sir. Winky's only job now is to help you. I have nothing else to do in between your exercises, so I will stay here with you."

"Don't house elves usually have more tasks than this?"

Winky nodded. "Yes, sir, but Winky is a free elf, like Dobby, so she is treated differently from the others."

"You're free as well, that is wonderful! Do you like it?"

"Not at all." She replied.

Ichigo's eyes widened. "What, why don't you?"

She looked at the floor. "Elves are supposed to have masters, to belong to someone. Winky likes having a master, it made her feel safe, but now Winky does not have that. Winky does not have anything to strive for anymore, now she is lonely."

"But you have Dobby."

She shook her head. "It is not the same, sir."

"I see... Well, I'm sorry to hear that, Winky." Ichigo replied. Winky stared at Ichigo for a moment, before she excused herself to go get Ichigo's dinner. He had no more visitors for the rest of the night, and Ichigo found himself falling asleep again after he ate. After a few more days of resting and rebuilding his strength, he was allowed to leave the infirmary.

Winky helped the man return to his chambers slowly but surely. He had not regained his strength completely, nowhere near it, actually, but he was making progress. His roomed looked the same as ever when he returned, but he did notice that everything in it had been replaced. "Winky, what happened in here?" The elf shrugged as she guided the man towards his bed.

"Winky does not know, but the furniture and everything else was destroyed, so we replaced everything," she explained. Winky helped Ichigo change into a black kimono, similar to his shihakushō. Now that he could get out of those awful pajamas Madame Pomfrey forced him to wear, he wanted to be more in something more comfortable than his usual clothing choices. Ichigo thanked Winky for both helping him dress and cleaning his room., as well as help him recover. It did take a lot off of his mind.

"Hey, Winky?"

She looked up from where she was putting away his pajamas. "Yes, sir?"

"I was thinking, you've been so kind and helpful to me lately, and it really has been relieving. Do you, I mean... would you like to work for me?" Winky's eyes widened. "I mean, you obviously don't have to if you don't want to, but I just thought, you might enjoy having me for a boss instead of working at the school, but I guess I was mista--"

"... yes."

Ichigo looked at her. "I'm sorry, what?"

She smiled at him. "Yes, Winky would very much like to have Mr. Kurosaki for a master instead of working at the school. Winky will go tell Headmaster right away!" Ichigo smiled as she left the room in a hurry.

Perhaps something good turned up from this whole ordeal.

*I hope you all enjoy the chapter, and leave a review!