To Live…..

Chapter 1 A New Day

It took Harry a few seconds to realize that he was really lying in Gryffindor tower. Light breathing could be heard coming from the other beds. As Harry went to pull the curtain back a sharp pain ripped across his chest and down his side.

"Well that's that. It's real. It really is all over" thought Harry.

Very carefully he sat up and swung his legs over the side of the bed. Standing slowly and breathing deep he looked around him. All his friends were in there beds sound asleep.

Trying not to wake them. Harry grabbed his rucksack and tiptoed out the door. As he neared the common room he could hear soft voices whispering to each other. Not sure if he should walk in on whomever it was he hesitated on the steps.

Keeping his head down Harry pushed open the door and tried to walk as quickly as he could to the portrait whole.

"Harry dear where are you going?"

Turning around he could see Mr. and Mrs. Weasley setting by the fire. "Sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt. I was just….going to get cleaned up." Harry replied.

Mrs. Weasley stood up and walked over to him looking him in the eyes.

"Are you alright? I know you have not been looked over by one of the healers yet. I got both Ron and Hermione looked over before they went to sleep. But you left before I could get Pomfrey to have a look at you."

Feeling the pain in his chest and the rest of his body throb Harry replied "I'll go to the hospital wing after my bath. I promise."

"Let me know before you go dear and I'll go with you. I was there with the others and I would like to here what the healers say." Said Mrs. Weasley.

"Alright Mrs. Weasley, but it might take me awhile. I want to soak for a little while." Agreed Harry. Giving Molly a quick hug he turned and left.

Harry headed to the prefect bathroom. The halls where littered with blasted glass and ruble from the battle that had took place. Here and there parts of the walls had holes in them still. Harry knew that it would take quite some time before the castle would be back to what it was meant to be, but already he could see the house-elf's where hard at work trying to bring order back.

One little elf snapped its fingers and a suite of armor flew back together. Some where removing portraits from the walls and stacking them to be moved, but only the ones that showed damage.

As Harry walked passed, all of the sounds and flashes from the fight replayed in his head, the screams, blasts, and he could swear that even some smells where still there. He started walking as fast as he could without running. Not wanting to see anymore. Reaching the bathroom he sighed with relief.

The door was torn off the hinges and ruble lay across the floor. So he took out his wand raising it high said "Reparo." Harry watched as everything flew back to its place. Still as amazed as he was the first time he ever saw such a sight.

Once the spell was finished with its work. The bathroom stood gleaming in the half moon light coming in though the window.

"Myrtle are you in here?" Not getting an answer he walked over and started the water.

Stripping down quickly Harry paused as he got a glimpse of his chest. There right over his heart was a jagged cut about two inches long. That matched the old scar on his head just bigger. Surrounding it was a multitude of deep purple and green burses. The sides of the cut where pointing out as if whatever cut him came from the inside.

The bruises stretched down his side and wrapped around his ribs. Dried blood was caked all over him. Harry felt bile clog in his throat and ran for the stall.

After being sick he had to rest before getting back up. That hurt more than the action called for. Reaching to flush it away Harry heard a muffled yell.

"Don't you dare flush that down with me!" and Myrtle shot out of the pipes.

Harry ran and dived under the water. Coming up coughing and holding his ribs.

"Myrtle! You shouldn't be in here. Get out please!"Yelled Harry. Myrtle just stared at him for a minute and plunged back down the toilette. Shaking his hair out of his eyes he went over to the side to start getting cleaned up… After his bath Harry looked at himself in the mirror and seeing the need for a hair cut and shave started on that as well. He looked older then he had just three days ago, he knew that all his friends probably did as well.

A little while latter he found himself down on the grounds under his cloak walking to the white tome that is the resting place of his mentor and friend. Yet even out here marks could be seen, black marks on the grass, and even Hagrid's hut stood burnt and black.

The stars shown brightly as Harry walked across the dark grass. With the moon light the tomb shined a ghostly white. When he came to the side of the grave he could see a scar down the middle of the marble where Voldemort broke into it. Feeling the sadness and loneliness that surrounded him he bowed his head.

"We did it sir. It's over and we won. I don't think I'll ever really understand everything but I know you did more for me then anyone will ever know…. I miss you sir." And with that Harry raised the elder wand and cast a spell to return it to where it truly belonged.

It took some time for him to find Mrs. Weasley and get to the hospital wing but once there he was quickly seen and shuffled to a bed. Where he was sat and told not to move until Madam Pomfrey could get to him.

Once she was there she gave him a sleeping potion and told him to get some rest while she gave him a once over. Telling him she would tell him what she finds when he wakes up. This sounded good to Harry who had already started feeling worn-out and was ready to lie down for a while.

Harry got a surprise when he awoke however. He was no longer in the hospital wing but in a room with soft lights floating on the sealing and a young healer was bent over him looking at his chest.

"Mr. Potter….. Sorry about moving you without your say but we need to get you here fast. Welcome to St. Mungo's. I'm your healer Mark Crockford. Just stay calm and I'll do my best to explain everything."

For some reason Healer Crockford seem really pleased about that little speech to Harry….

" Healer Crockford where is Mrs. Weasley?" Asked Harry reaching for his glasses. Seeing what he was after the healer handed them to him.

"Ah yes as to that we have rules that we go by Mr. Potter. You see only your closest living relatives can be here….so all the Weasley were made to stay in the waiting room. And please just call me Mark everyone does."

Harry just had to take a few breaths before he could wrap his mind around that one. Did Mark really just say what he thought he had? Well to be fair he did not know Harry or the Dursleys so he couldn't be held responsible for that stupid remark.

"OK Mark just to let you know… The Weasleys are my family. And Hermione of course. Have you at lest told them how I'm doing? How am I doing anyway? This is weird….You know. Why can't I seem to get my head together?"

Mark laughed and set on the side of the bed.

"We had to give you some potions for pain. So that's why you are all fuzzy right now. I told them that I couldn't tell them anything before talking to you about it first but that you will be alright.

Now as to what's wrong with you well you have some cracked ribs and quite a few scrapes and bruises a very deep cut across your chest….but what we are concerned about is the magical buildup in you system." At this Mark looked away from him like he was trying to fined the right words to go no. Finley saying.

"By all accounts this should not be Mr. Potter. Magical buildup only happens when a wizard holds in his magical powers. So we know that this is not the case with you. What we need to figure out is where this is coming from so we can address the problem. It's like a dam was released and flooded your system."

" Call me Harry. Is there anyway to fix the problem without you knowing what happened…. I know some of what might be causing it but….?" Harry felt panic raising in him at the thought of having to tell this guy he did not know about what had happened.

"We can, but it will involve magic leaches….and there's no telling how long it will take, Harry. You can tell me the truth you know I'm your healer and I can't repeat anything you tell me in confidence. More than that though after what you just did….. I would have to be the lowest of lowlifes to betray you Harry." Mark looked him in the eyes then and Harry could tell he meant every word he had said.

So taking a deep breath Harry started telling him what had really happened to him so long ago the night his parents died and what came to an end out in the forest. As Mark listened he became pale and seemed to sadden more and more.

"We can fix this Harry, but it will have to be the leaches after all because I just don't know another way. I never heard of this before and I can't go to anyone else with it. Have you noticed any other side effects? Anything you want me to checkout."

Harry thought about this but just couldn't really tell yet what if any changes there where in him and told this to Mark. Soon Mark had gotten to work putting the leaches on and told him that once they fell off that he would see if more was need. Then Harry asked to see the Weasley and everyone else who was there.

The first in the room was Ginny with her hair flying behind her she ran to Harry throwing her arms around him. There where tears in her eyes when she pulled away.

"DON'T YOU EVER DO THAT AGAIN!" Then she leaned down and kissed him senseless. This was quite alright with Harry who found him self kissing her back with a hunger that caught him off garde. Neither of them wanted to be the one to let go first, but soon Harry was made aware of more people in the room by a loud cough.

"We'll talk about this later." Wisped Ginny as she straightened up and sat on his bed.

Looking around Harry was shocked to not only see the Weasleys and Hermione but also Professor McGonagall, Kingsley, and Mrs. Tonks holding a blanket that was moving around.

" Mrs. Tonks I …. May I see him?" Asked Harry holding his arms up and waiting to meet his godson.

Walking slowly over and looking as though she could brake at any moment Mrs. Tonks bent down and handed him the blanket saying.

"Teddy meet your godfather Uncle Harry, Harry bend your arms a little and don't forget to support his head. Like this." She showed him how to hold his arms then put Teddy in them for the first time.

Looking down he saw wide hazel eyes looking back at him from a heart shaped face and bright blue hair. He was the perfect blend of his parents. Harry felt his heart constrict and knew that little Teddy had just wrapped Uncle Harry around his little finger. Tears stung his eyes and he could not help but see again Remus and Tonks lying side by side in the great hall.

Harry looked up at Ginny and saw her watching him. She to had tears in her eyes looking at the little guy. She smiled slightly and touched Teddy lightly with her hand. Harry tightened his hold hugging him to his side.

All of a sudden a flash went off and everyone in the room looked to the door.

"Sorry but I just thought that would make a good picture" said Dennis walking into the room. "I mean it was just too good a shot."

" Hi Dennis. Come on in." Said Ron, "and I'll want a copy of that one mate."

Harry just smiled and looked to Mrs. Tonks. She was watching him with Teddy looking as if she was on the verge of ripping him out of Harry's arms. And Harry knew that he would have to let her know that he would never take Teddy from her but that this was not the time to have that conversion. So he lifted Teddy back towards her and watched as she clung to the baby as if her life depended on the little guy.

Harry had a good time visiting with everyone and healer Crockford told them just what was needed to explain why he was in St. Mungo's. Finally telling them all that visiting hours were over and that it was time to leave.

Ginny looked right at him…..

"Make me."

"Ginny dear we'll bring you back tomorrow." Said Mrs. Weasley

"Gin, your mum needs you with her. All I'll be doing is sleeping besides I'm probably leaving tomorrow." Said Harry softly so only she could heir. Leaning into her and bushing his lips lightly against her cheek.

So only to soon Harry found himself alone once more thinking of what was and what was to come. He knew that there were a lot of funerals a head and grief to get thought, but they all would make it though together and then life would start to move forward as always. Harry was looking forward to the new days ahead