Author's note: This fan fiction was made possible by the imagination and writing skills of J.K. Rowling. The characters and magical world she created in the Harry Potter novels are the foundation and inspiration for this story. Harry Potter, the characters, names and related characters are trademarks of Warner Bros., Inc. Harry Potter publishing rights © J.K.R. Rights to the characters is neither claimed nor implied. This fan fiction story is owned by the author and subject to copyright law under transformative use. The author has not received any monetary or material compensation in connection with this work.
Harry, Ron, and Hermione wearily descended the spiral staircase from the headmaster's office. Only moments earlier, Harry had discussed the Hallows with the portrait of Albus Dumbledore and used the elder wand to mend his phoenix feather wand. He had felt warmth and familiarity at holding the phoenix wand in his hand again. Their renewed connection had been soothing to his battered spirit. He had also experienced a brief sensation of dizziness and used the claw-footed desk to steady himself. Ron and Hermione had expressed concerns but Harry had said that he was just tired and needed some rest.
The trio now carefully picked their way along the quiet and deserted corridors littered with pieces of statues, stones from walls and all manner of broken window glass. There were many odd smells of burned and broken objects. They passed through a familiar secret passageway on their way to Gryffindor tower and met up with Ginny who was looking for Ron. She too was exhausted. Her hair was tangled and matted and she sported cuts and bruises on her face and hands like the rest of them. They all laboriously climbed several more staircases toward the Gryffindor common room.
Along the way, Ginny told Ron that the other Weasley family members had gone home to the Burrow. They would return to Hogwarts tomorrow for the body of Fred. The family planned to bury him beneath the large oak tree in the meadow behind the Burrow. She also said that those who were not seriously injured were slowly leaving the Great Hall for their homes. Those with serious and life threatening injuries were now under the care of healers at St Mungo's and the Hogwarts hospital wing.
The four of them climbed the last flight of stairs and reached the portrait hole leading into Gryffindor tower. Harry came to an abrupt stop and the expression on his face became blank and distant. His eyes rolled upwards as he swayed and started to collapse. Ginny gasped and Ron caught Harry's arm just in time and lowered him, now unconscious, to the floor.
Hermione took out her wand and with a strained effort said, "Expecto Patronum!" The silvery otter patronus appeared and floated in the air before her. "Madam Pomfrey, Harry is unconscious and needs help. Please come quickly."
The vaporous otter sped away in a blur. Feeling faint, Hermione took hold of Ron's waist for support and breathed in short quick breaths. A moment later, there was a loud pop and Madam Pomfrey appeared. She carried an ancient looking wooden box tucked securely under her arm. The box, covered with runes and ancient writing, hung from her shoulder by an engraved leather strap. She quickly knelt down next to Harry and began passing her wand over the length of his body. She did this several times while the concerned faces of Ron, Hermione and Ginny looked on without a word. A few minutes later, Madam Pomfrey stood and pointed her wand at Harry. "Locomotor Potter!" Harry, still unconscious, levitated a short distance above the floor looking as though he was lying on an invisible stretcher. She carefully guided him through the stone entrance into Gryffindor tower with Ron, Hermione and Ginny following her. They passed through the deserted common room and into a passageway that led to a room normally occupied by the Gryffindor head boy.
As Madam Pomfrey guided Harry into the room she said, "The three of you please remain at the door." Ron, Hermione and Ginny stood at the door and watched as Madam Pomfrey laid Harry on the bed. Ron heard Ginny whisper, "Please let him be okay. After all we've been through, please let him be okay." Ron put one arm around his sister and the other around Hermione as they silently watched feeling very helpless.
For some very long minutes, Madam Pomfrey tended to Harry's injuries. Then, reaching into the ancient box under her arm, she withdrew a small crystal bottle containing a red colored liquid. Pointing her wand at Harry she said, "Rennervate!" A moment later, Harry blinked his eyes.
In a gentle voice she said, "Your friends are safe Mister Potter. The potion I am giving you will help you sleep." With a vacant gaze, Harry nodded wearily. She uncorked the bottle and carefully tipped a few drops of the potion into his mouth. Then she placed her hand on his forehead. "Hora Somni!" Harry's eyes slowly closed and he fell into a restful sleep.
Madam Pomfrey watched Harry a moment longer. Satisfied, she turned to leave but paused and looked back at Harry sleeping soundly on the bed. She whispered, "Thank you Mister Potter for all you have done for Hogwarts." She glanced at the walls and ceiling of the room. "Now it is time for Hogwarts to do something for you." Then she continued to walk toward the door.
Ron, Hermione and Ginny stepped back as Madam Pomfrey came out of the room and closed the door. She tapped the door lightly with her wand and muttered a complicated spell barely above a whisper. The lock on the door clicked.
As Madam Pomfrey turned and faced them, Hermione said in a pleading voice, "Madam Pomfrey, Harry trusts and regards us as his family. Please, tell us everything about his condition."
She saw genuine concern in their faces. "He is weak and exhausted, nothing more. The level of exhaustion is great and his body's natural self-protections have come into effect. He must have undisturbed sleep now until the potion I gave him completes its job."
"Madam Pomfrey," said Ginny, "how long will Harry sleep?"
"Twenty-four hours. His life and magical energies are at very low levels. I do not know how he was able to greet people for all that time in the Great Hall. The potion I gave him will help mend his body. Sleep will restore his spirit."
In a soft and reverent tone, Ron said, "Akasha."
"Quite right," said Madam Pomfrey, "the symbiosis between life energy and magical energy in all living things. It comes from the space in which everything exists. All living things absorb and store Akasha a little at a time. Witches and wizards, with practice, are able to call it forth when casting a spell. The stronger the emotion, the more powerful is the spell's affect and the more it depletes the one casting it. This is why a powerful spell, like a patronus charm, can leave the witch or wizard fatigued or short of breath."
"Why can't muggles use Akasha?" queried Hermione.
"They can and do to a degree. However, for muggles, it requires a high level of focus and concentration. What they call electricity is a good example. It is low-level magic but useful none-the-less. Pure magic, like that performed by a witch or wizard, can take a lifetime for a muggle to learn. This is a rare accomplishment among muggles, owing mostly to doubt, but it has occurred."
Seeing the questioning expression on Hermione's face she said, "Someone who is born with an enhanced perception for Akasha is more likely to develop into a witch or wizard. During the first few years of life, the human spirit is most open and may achieve an unconscious awareness of Akasha. Since there is little doubt in the mind at that age, awareness can grow allowing Akasha to become a part of their being."
Hermione nodded thoughtfully. After a short pause Madam Pomfrey said, "Now, will you all please come with me."
With a defiant expression Ginny said, "I want to stay with Harry." Ron looked at his sister and saw her firm commitment for Harry.
"Yes, at the proper time," said Madam Pomfrey. "First, there is something important for each of you to do."
Madam Pomfrey ushered Ron, Hermione and Ginny into a deserted dormitory room and made them lie down on separate beds. She passed her wand over each of them in turn, casting healing charms and tending to their injuries.
Then, looking seriously at Ron and Hermione she said, "Each of you is in the same frightful state of exhaustion as Mister Potter." Looking at Ginny she said, "You have sustained injury from a powerful hex directed at you. While not life threatening, it has weakened you considerably. You all need extended rest and sleep."
Ginny abruptly sat up on the bed. "What! We can't do that now, there's so much to be done." Ron also sat up nodding in agreement.
Sternly, Madam Pomfrey said, "You will be helping in other more important ways while you sleep. You must take some time to rest and heal. Almost all of those who are still here at Hogwarts will be in the same sleeping state once I get 'round to them. You must properly regain strength before you can effectively help rebuild our magical world. This is the wish of headmistress McGonagall. She is depending on each of you."
This disarmed Ginny, she trusted McGonagall. They each knew she would be doing not only what was best for them but also best for Hogwarts. Silently, both Ron and Hermione welcomed these words. They were so very tired and really wanted to sleep.
Resigned to the fact they had little chance of changing the healer's mind, Hermione said, "We want to be awake when Harry wakes up. We promised to be with him until the end."
Madam Pomfrey replied, "Yes, that can be done. Twenty-three hours sleep for you all."
Ron and Hermione looked at each other and their tired eyes said, "Sleep well" to each other. Ron lay down on his bed.
Ginny, whose face was still protesting this unexpected turn of events, folded her arms over her chest. She looked at Ron and Hermione with a scowl.
In a subdued and apologetic tone, Hermione said, "Ginny, its better this way. We'll see him soon."
Ginny huffed and then reluctantly reclined on her bed.
"Thank you for understanding Madam Pomfrey," said Hermione in a quiet tone.
Madam Pomfrey said, "Should anything potentially serious occur at the castle while you sleep, the spell will break and you will awake. No one, including the house elves, will be able to enter this room so you will be safe. When you wake, you are free to go."
They each nodded acknowledgment of her instructions.
To each in turn, Madam Pomfrey administered the red potion and placed her hand on their forehead saying, "Hora Somni!" One by one, their eyes closed and they fell into peaceful sleep. After seeing them all safely asleep, Madam Pomfrey turned and said, "Alohomora!" The door swung open and she left the room. The door clicked shut and the only sound in the room was their gentle breathing.
It was a tingling sensation and a sense of connectedness that he had not previously experienced. The sensation was slowly fading away, like the memory of a dream after you wake. If only he could hold onto the moment for a little while longer. He felt so alive and thought how easy it would be to go out and move a mountain. Thoughts were clear, crisp and vivid like a new spring day. Images of the people and places he loved washed effortlessly through his mind and a warm feeling of contentment filled him.
As his eyes slowly opened, it all came back. About how Madam Pomfrey had tended to each of them and then made them all sleep. He was grateful now for her insistence on restful sleep. The last few days had taken a great toll. He felt certain Hermione would agree. He turned his head to the left and saw Ginny still asleep. Turning to the right, he saw Hermione sleeping though she was beginning to stir.
Not taking his eyes off her, he got up and moved to sit on the bed next to her as she began to wake. She stretched and a pleasant look of satisfaction shown on her face. Her eyes opened and her gaze fixed on him.
He softly said, "Mornin', sleeping beauty."
She smiled back at him and whispered, "Hello prince charming," as she twisted a lock of his hair with her finger.
She was quiet and he recognized the familiar thoughtful expression growing on her face. "What is it?"
In a quiet voice she said, "I had the most unusual dream, it was so real. Hogwarts was somehow draining me of the hurt, stress and aggressive emotions from the battles we fought. It seemed to be using them to strengthen and fortify itself."
"Yeah," whispered Ron somewhat enthusiastically. "I had a dream like that too. It reminded me of what you said about the Sword of Gryffindor taking in that which gives it strength."
She smiled. "It felt like when Ollivander placed my wand into my hand for the first time. When it chose me, the wand gave my arm a warm tingly feeling. But this feeling goes all the way down to my toes."
Ron smiled and nodded. "In my dream, I saw Mum and Dad, when they were young and attending Hogwarts. I saw my Grandparents, Aunts and Uncles too." With a thoughtful expression he said, "I never knew how much my ancestors did for Hogwarts. I feel very proud to be a Weasley and part of the magic in this castle."
"Yes," her face still looking thoughtful, "like Hogwarts has chosen us."
"The castle does feel like that right now, in spite of all the destruction. I wonder what other magic goes on around here that we don't know about."
"Probably a lot. Remember at the end of our first year? Dumbledore awarded you fifty points for the chess game you played. But he wasn't at the castle and the three of us were the only ones in that room. So how did he know?"
After a short pause, she said, "The feeling is gone now. I wish it could have continued on a bit more. It was so soothing."
"Maybe something like it can." He slipped his arm around her and their lips touched.
After a brief moment, they both heard the sound of a giggle. Their eyes abruptly opened and their lips parted. They slowly turned their heads toward the sound. Ginny was lying on her bed, arm propping up her head and beaming at them. In a bubbly voice she said, "Good morr...ning. That was so sweet."
Ron sighed and turning back to Hermione. "She gets that from George." Ron and Hermione smiled. Focused on each other, they had forgotten that Ginny was in the room with them.
Ginny sat upright. With an anxious expression she said, "Harry! What time is it?"
Hermione took her wand from the night table and sat up. Holding her hand open, she placed the wand on her palm. "Ostendere tempus!" The wand spun around and then stopped. It pointed in a single direction and slowly rotated counter-clockwise along its length.
"It's just after ten in the morning. Madam Pomfrey was true to her word with us. Harry will wake in just under an hour. Let's go."
They got up to leave, each pocketing their wand. A realization came to Hermione. She paused and quickly looked at Ron and then Ginny. "Look, our clothes are clean. And ... umm ... do you feel like you've ... taken a shower?"
Ron and Ginny, each with a surprised look on their faces, nodded their heads in astonishment.
Descending the dormitory stairs, they slowed and paused on the threshold of the Gryffindor common room. There were a few others present in the mostly empty room. Ron turned and looked at Ginny for a long moment. He recalled what he had felt, only moments earlier, when Hermione awoke. He thought about his baby sister and realized how much she had grown into a determined young woman. She wanted to be with Harry and he knew Harry wanted to be with her. Moreover, deep down, there was no one he trusted more with his sister than Harry.
Ginny noticed his stare and said, "What is it?" Hermione also looked at him.
"I think ... just you should be in the room when Harry wakes up." Hermione beamed and enthusiastically nodded her approval.
"Really? ... Does this mean you're okay with Harry and me?"
Ron nodded.
Ginny stepped forward, hugged her brother and then kissed him lightly on the cheek. Turning to leave, she made eye contact with Hermione who smiled at her with a little squeak. Ginny hastily moved into the passageway that led to the room where Harry was sleeping and disappeared from sight.
After Ginny was gone, Hermione said, "That was beautiful Ron. Ginny really needed to hear your blessing on their relationship. She was very upset by what happened on Harry's birthday last year."
He looked toward the empty passageway. "Well, they need each other now, at least for a while. The way she looks at him. And the way Harry sometimes talks in his sleep."
He turned back to Hermione. "I heard him say Ginny's name a few times while we were on the run." Smiling he said, "I might have done something like that when I was boggled in the hospital wing."
Hermione put her arms around him. "Be sure to give Harry your blessing too. He especially, needs to hear it from you." Then they walked over and sat down together in a large chair by the fire to wait.
Ron said, "I hope Harry wakes up soon, I'm hungry." She rolled her eyes and giggled.
After a few minutes, Hermione saw Parvati Patil come into the room from the dormitories. Her face was mournful and her eyes were red and puffy.
"Ron, I'll be back in a few minutes." She stood and walked toward Parvati.
Ron watched as they embraced and gently rocked while Parvati cried on Hermione's shoulder. Parvati spoke quietly in what appeared to be broken and choked sentences. Tears soon fell from Hermione's eyes. After a few moments, Hermione quietly spoke and Parvati nodded. Then, wiping her eyes, Parvati disappeared through the portrait hole.
Wiping her eyes, Hermione sat down by Ron and he put his arm around her shoulder.
"Alice Tolipan was killed in the battle. We sh ... shared dormitory with her." She sighed, "We have so much healing ahead of us."
Ron gave her shoulder a squeeze and his eye got misty as he thought about Fred. They sat together in silence.
Looking around the common room, they saw a few other couples holding hands and talking softly to each other. After a few moments, Hermione turned to Ron, "I want to tell you more about my dream. It was so real and ... there was more than just Hogwarts in it ... I saw us too."
"There was something about us in my dream too." He glanced at one of the couples holding hands. Looking back at Hermione he said, "Let's go somewhere a bit more private. I expect it will be a while before Harry and Ginny show up." In a matter-of-fact voice he said, "We can meet up with them later."
"I thought you were hungry?"
In his most sincere voice he said, "I think talking to you is more important right now."
Her eyes brightened in suspicion. "Why Ron, you are full of surprises today."
He replied with an air of self-sacrifice, "Well ..."
With a raised eyebrow and half-smile she said, "I know your motives and what you're up to Ron Weasley."
The tips of his ears turned a little red. Then with a grin he said, "Are you saying my motives don't interest you?"
"I'm not saying I disagree with them," smiled Hermione, "but we're going to talk."
He stood and held out his hand to her saying, "Yeah ... er ... right ... umm ... come on then. How about that quiet alcove by the library?"
With a smile, she shook her head and then took hold of his hand. After helping her to stand, they left the common room through the portrait hole.