Harry Potter: Draconis Genesis

CHAPTER 1: St. Mungo's

Harry Potter awoke from another dreamless sleep, but didn't open his eyes right away. The problem with waking up was that his life had been a constant nightmare for the past year. And now it's over. He thought to himself. Unbidden the memories came…

He was back in the graveyard where Lord Voldemort's father was buried, and where Voldemort had risen again when Harry was in his fourth year at Hogwarts. Around him members of the Order of the Phoenix, and Harry's friends were locked in battle with Death Eaters, here an Order member went down, there a Death Eater was hit by two bolts of light from Harry's friends. But Harry was only vaguely aware of this, as he faced down one of the greatest wizards in the world, Lord Voldemort himself.

"Did you really believe that you could defy me again, Potter?" said Voldemort in his high un-human voice.

Harry didn't respond, he was trying very hard to find a way to get around that towering figure and destroy the final horcrux, which Harry knew to be Nagini, Voldemort's pet snake, which was slithering along in the grass around Voldemort's feet. Then Harry heard a blood-curdling scream as a purple bolt of light hit Ginny who had been moving behind Voldemort.
Harry tried not to think about what it would mean to him if Ginny were dead, but Voldemort saw the look in Harry's eyes, and began to laugh.
"That Potter, is the difference between us. Your love for others is your greatest weakness, and now I will destroy you." Voldemort said.

Time seemed to slow for Harry, he saw Ginny open her eyes and scream an incantation at Voldemort, saw Voldemort cry "Avada Kedavra!" and his wand light up green, he went into a roll, and screamed the killing curse at Voldemort. Voldemort's curse went wild as he convulsed in pain from some unseen hit, but Harry's aim was true. Fueled by all the anger and pain Harry had felt in his life, and with the love he had felt for every one of the people Voldemort had taken from him, it struck, and with a look of complete shock, he crashed to the ground.

"No!" cried a Death Eater who had seen her master go down, and quickly the Death Eaters began to realize that their Master had fallen.
Harry had tried to get up, and aid Ginny, but he had been struck from behind by a Death Eater's vengeful curse, and gone down. He had one desperate moment when he looked into Voldemort's eyes, and thought that he was surely still alive, for Nagini was there in the grass, curled up by her Master. But then darkness engulfed him.

When Harry awoke next, he was in St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries. He tried to sit up, to ask someone what had happened, and with a cry he fell back to the bed as searing pain shot through his back where he'd been struck. A healer came up, and told him to lie still, but he kept asking what had happened, how he'd gotten there, but the healer simply filled a cup with potion and poured it down his throat. Harry choked and sputtered, but enough went down his throat, that he instantly began to feel calm and warm, and his brain seemed to shut down, and he fell asleep.

Next time he awoke slowly, and there was a kindly looking witch standing over him wearing the lime green robes of a Healer.
"How are you young man?" she asked.

Harry didn't respond right away, he rubbed his eyes, then looked over to put on his glasses which he found on a small table beside his bed.
"Okay, I think."
"Good. How's your back?" she asked as she fussed with his sheets, and checked the notepad on a shelf near his head.

Harry considered the question, he realized that his entire back was numb, but free of pain.
"Numb." He responded.
"As it should be, we gave you a pain killing potion along with your last sleeping draught, but because you fought so much, we were worried you hadn't gotten a sufficient dose." She said, now preparing another potion.
Harry's face flushed as he remembered struggling against the last Healer, but then the questions he'd tried to ask came flooding back.

"What happened to me?" he asked her.

"Well Mr. Potter, you seemed to have suffered from several different curses when you came in, which is no surprise if the reports are to be believed, but the worst is a long gash across your back that is magicked not to heal. However we have begun treatment, and we believe you will make a full recovery. Not at all in part to a phoenix found protecting you who had shed several tears over the affected area." She said, ending with a smile.

"Now no more questions just yet, you still need sleep. Take this please." And she handed him a cup of potion, which he grudgingly drank. Harry then lay down, closed his eyes, and his mind surrendered once again to the bliss of a dreamless sleep.

Now lying in the bed that had been his for nearly a month, he opened his eyes, and groped for his glasses.
He'd found out that of the friends that had come that night three had been killed, and all wounded in one way or the other. Those that had been wounded the most were those who had been hit with the same curse as Harry, that of the gash that didn't want to heal. Yet Albus, Harry's pet phoenix, had obliged in healing all of them, and they were all healing up well. The names of those who had died that Harry might live now flashed before his minds eye. My Parents, Sirius, Dumbledore, Charlie Weasley, Terry Boot, Justin Finch-Fletchley, Hannah Abbott, Zacharias Smith who took a killing curse for me, and Dean Thomas. Harry was happy the list wasn't longer, yet it was an emotional scar he felt would probably be there as long as the scar on his head.
Those that survived, yet were still in the hospital were Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger, Ginny Weasley, Neville Longbottom, and Susan Bones. They were the ones on which the curse had been used, and on which it was taking even Phoenix tears time to heal. However, Harry was doing much better, he'd been able to walk around and had been told that today he would be able to meet with his friends in a common room for an hour or two.

"Hello Harry." Said Lucilda, Harry's Healer.

"Hi Lucilda, what time is it?" he asked.

She laughed, and told him that all she needed to do was check his dressings, make sure he got dressed all right, ate some breakfast, and then she'd bring him to the common room. At that moment a paper aeroplane flew in and came to land on Harry's lap. Harry opened it, and found that the memo was from the front desk.

Harry Potter –

An Owl has arrived for you from the Daily Prophet; we will send it along with your lunch this afternoon.

- St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries.
Front Desk.

"Not another one!" Cried Harry who'd been receiving requests from the Daily Prophet for an interview everyday for the past two weeks.

"You'd think they'd get the hint, eh? Oh well, come on Harry, on your stomach so we can have a look at these dressings." Lucilda said.

Healers accompanied all six of them, but all of them managed to make the walk from their rooms to the common room on their own. Harry arrived first, then he saw Hermione coming, and he took her in a gingerly hug as both of them began to cry tears of joy. Soon Ron appeared, and Hermione turned to embrace Ron, but unlike with Harry, she laid her head on Ron's shoulder and murmured, "I'm so glad you both made it." Ron looked up at Harry with a slightly stricken look, as if to say: Did they get her head too Mate? Harry simply shrugged. A sound made the three look up, and Harry moved to greet Neville in another hug.
"So it's true then? He's… He's really gone?" Neville asked.

"Yes Neville." Harry responded. And the two of them smiled as tears leaked down their cheeks.
Next came Susan Bones, whom Neville had been dating since Christmas, and who he instantly swept into an embrace like he'd never see her again.
Hermione suppressed a giggle while Harry and Ron averted their gaze, as Susan kissed Neville hard on the lips, and then whispered something that made Neville's round cheeks blaze.

Ron then moved forward and greeted the two of them, Hermione right behind him, but Harry's gaze was wandering from one corridor to the next, searching, waiting for the one person who'd managed, not only to save his life, but also steal his heart. He took in the common room as he gazed about. It was a plain looking room, as most in this wing were, with a few soft armchairs, and two loveseats, ranged around the room, with little side tables holding magazines and old editions of the Daily Prophet. There were also lamps lit on these tables that added to the look, if not the light in the room, for the ceiling was made up of panels that gave off a soft white light. Ron noticed Harry looking about and came over.
"You all right Harry?" he asked.

"Where's…" but his question died on his lips as Ginny rounded a corner and came into view. Despite the fact that they all wore the same hospital clothes, Harry couldn't help thinking that after all he'd been through there was nothing more beautiful in the world at that moment then the girl making her way towards them. Ron made a beeline for his little sister, and taking her into a warm embrace shed new tears to see her okay. Ron made way for Hermione who had her turn hugging her best friend, who was in turn replaced by Neville and Susan in turn. When Susan cleared back Ginny looked up, and Harry locked eyes with her for the first time since that terrifying night. They both had tears running freely down their cheeks, and Harry took her into his arms, and simply looked into her eyes for a moment that seemed like eternity.
Or maybe it was an eternity because suddenly Ron said: "Harry are you going to kiss her, or simply continue counting her eyelashes?" which evoked a laugh from Neville and Harry, yet earned Ron a disapproving glance from Hermione and Susan.

"And what if I don't want to kiss Harry in front of you, Ron?" Asked Ginny, without breaking eye contact with Harry.

"Well, I'd much rather not have to watch anyway!" Huffed Ron. Hermione then took Ron by the shoulder, and steered him towards the opposite side of the room. Ginny spared a glance at her brother, as a mischievous smile broke across her face, but then she leaned in and Ginny and Harry shared a sweet kiss before breaking apart. All headed for seats now, as all were still sore and bruised in places. Ron and Hermione sat in chairs next to each other; Neville and Susan took a loveseat together, and promptly cuddled as close as possible as much as their injuries would permit, and finally Harry and Ginny took the other loveseat, but contented themselves to simply hold hands, and let the reality of all that had happened wash over them.
Ron was already arguing some point with Hermione, and Neville and Susan were too absorbed in their own little world, so Harry turned to Ginny slightly and said: "Thanks."

"For what Harry?" Ginny said.

"For saving my life." Then seeing the confusion, he elaborated: "you destroyed the snake that would have been Voldemort's final foothold in this world."

"Yes well, you're the one that did him in. You think any of us would have survived?" she said quietly.

"No." said Harry. "Not one of us. In fact, none of us should be here, we should have all died."

"Why do you say that?" she asked him.

"What do you mean? We were nearly killed! Think about it Ginny, we're all barely out of school, and those Death Eaters were hardened veterans. If it hadn't been for Voldemort underestimating us we would have been dead. Just like…" But Harry trailed off, realizing to late what he had said. Ginny had a pained expression on her face, and tears were again flowing freely. Harry felt ashamed, but as he opened his mouth to apologize Ginny put a finger to his lips. Then they reached for each other, and let the grief that had been welling up inside find release.
No one spoke to them for a while, Hermione had noticed their exchange and realized that it was just like Harry to blame himself for all those lives that had been lost. But also knew that if there was anyone who could knock some sense into his head it was Ginny.

"Er, Hermione, look I'm sorry." Said Ron, looking sheepish.

Hermione on the other hand wasn't sure she had heard right. Whenever her and Ron fought lately it was likely to mean days of not talking to one another, yet here he was apologizing.

"I'm sorry too. After all, this should be a happy time. Not at all a good time for a row." Hermione said with a grin. And with that Ron's face broke into a grin, and they began to discuss the hexes and curses each had used successfully in the last battle.

Harry and Ginny stopped crying long before they let go of each other, but eventually they joined in an animated conversation with the rest.

"So Neville, what are you thinking about doing with your life?" Asked Ginny.

"After Susan stops snogging you senseless of course." Added Ron. Who promptly received a pair of death glares from Ginny and Hermione, while the couple in question exchanged a look, blushed, but smiled all the same.

"Well, Professor McGonagall always told me to stick to my strengths, and Professor Sprout's been saying I'm fabulous at Herbology so I've been thinking I'd like to teach the subject one day." Neville replied.

"Smashing idea Neville! Do you think Professor Sprout might take you on as a junior teacher?" Hermione asked.

"I don't know, but I'll certainly be asking." He said.

"Susan, what about you?" Ginny asked.

"Well, after all I've been through fighting evil and the lot, I've been wanting to continue my Auntie's legacy and enlist in Magical Law Enforcement." She said confidently.

"Oh Susan! That's wonderful." Said Hermione.

"Will you be an Auror then?" Asked Ron.

"No, not really. See, Auror's fight dark wizards. I've had enough of that. I want to be one to deal with some of the more simple things." She said.

"Ron, you are so thick sometimes. Honestly, your father works for the ministry, and you didn't know the difference? Did you really think we'd have to be the ones who check on regurgitating toilets and that lot." Hermione said.

Then, before another row could begin, Susan said: "Oh is that what you want to be then? Aurors?"

"Yes actually, though it will be a miracle if Ron passes our first year." Hermione said.

"Now see here! What gives you the bloody right to say I'm stupid? I'm here aren't I? I survived as well as you did! And who is it you think that cursed that Death Eater before he got a clear shot at you? ME! I saved your life, and that's the thanks!" Ron raged. And with that he stood up and was about to leave. Harry however stood up and followed, grabbed his best mate and turned him about so he could see Hermione's shocked expression.

"Ron, we're all a little emotionally fried right now okay? Just try to ignore it. For the rest of us." Harry said softly.

Hermione's jaw was set, bet tears were leaking down her face. Ron melted as he saw this, and once again went to sit next to her. As Harry made his own way back to where Ginny was sitting, the thought struck him: So Ron does still fancy Hermione.

"And will you be going into Auror training too then Harry?" Susan asked.

"Yes." He replied.

"But haven't you done enough?" Neville asked.

"I'm afraid not. See the Death Eaters are still at large, and the Ministry is just not taking it serious enough." Harry said, and he could feel a little of his old temper rising. "The people want to get back to their ordinary lives, they hate this war, and the Ministry knows that. They too want to think that with Voldemort truly dead that it will be an end to the killing, and the violence, why I read the other day that they were considering cutting back on the number of Aurors because the danger level has been reduced so drastically with Voldemort gone! They don't realize that Voldemort can be mimicked, and a new Dark Lord could rise!" Harry spouted quickly. Ginny took his arm and whispered: "We believe you Harry." Then a little louder so the others could hear she continued. "There's no need to get upset, and we'll help you to change all that, and make sure there never has to be another Dark Lord." At that instant a fireball erupted above Harry's head and Albus, Harry's pet Phoenix appeared, and with a warble of it's eerie song, it landed on his shoulder and began to rub it's head against Harry. The calming effect that the phoenix always had was only marred by the sound of alarms that always went off due to the burst of flames that heralded the phoenix's arrival and Ron's cry of: "Bloody Hell!"

"Is everything alright?" asked a Healer who had come to check what was going on.

"Yes, everything's fine. It was my phoenix again." Harry said, then added: "Sorry."

With a smile of relief, the wizard waved his wand towards the ceiling, and the alarms fell silent. Then with a wave, he walked off.

"Does that happen often?" Asked Hermione.

"Every time I'm upset, or agitated. Albus feels it's his job to comfort me." Harry said, a grin forming on his lips as he remembered the first time Albus had appeared here in St.Mungo's. Thankfully the Healers had allowed him to stay, because his tears had likely saved all six of the people who'd been injured the worst; that is, Harry and the people around him now. Not to say that the Healers hadn't been frightened a bit when Albus burst into the room where Harry was amidst a ball of flames, but then Albus always had seemed to like to make an entrance.

"Is this Dumbledore's old Phoenix?" Susan asked.

"No. Actually, it was a gift I received shortly after Dumbledore…" Harry trailed off; it still hurt to think of the ultimate price that his old Headmaster, Albus Dumbledore had paid in order to keep Harry safe.

"Well, after sixth year. He was at our house when it came. Phoenix's are really rare, but someone sent one anonymously." Completed Ginny.

"He's beautiful." Susan said.

"I named him Albus, because he reminds me of Dumbledore, and Fawkes his pet Phoenix." Harry said quietly.

They talked a little longer, and the subject came up of what Ginny wanted to do when she was finished her last year at Hogwarts.

"Well, I'm not completely decided. I've considered becoming an Auror like Harry." Ginny said, to which Ron began to protest before being silenced by Hermione's death glare. "Or perhaps go into professional Quidditch." She finished.

"Not a bad idea. You are really good after all." Hermoine said.

"And with Harry gone this year I'll probably be one of the few returning members of the team." She said.

"I'll bet you'll be Team captain too." Said Harry, and leaned over to kiss her on the head.

"It won't be the same you know, I hardly feel I should have to go back to school, and without you all, I know it's going to be terribly dull." Ginny said, as tears came to her eyes.

Harry pulled her into an embrace, truly he was going to miss her terribly as well, yet he wanted her to go back to Hogwarts, not only because she'd finish her education, but also because there she'd be the safest from Death Eater attacks. Though a year before Harry had pushed Ginny away because he thought she'd be safer, they had come together as never before during the final months before the Last Battle, as the Prophet had taken to calling it, and Harry's feelings for Ginny surpassed any he'd ever had before. In the past month, he'd begun to dream of a time when he could come home from his latest assignment as an Auror, and find Ginny there waiting for him. Yes, Harry Potter had finally begun to dream that it was possible to live an ordinary life, get married to the girl he loved, and no longer be afraid that Voldemort would be there to haunt, kill or torture him, or his family.

The conversation after that was kept light, and the six of them simply enjoyed each other's company. Eventually Susan, Hermione, and Neville began yawning, and bid the others good night, Ron asked a Healer if he could go visit with Hermione a little longer, and made his way down the corridor towards where Hermione's room was. Before Ron turned a corner however, he looked back and caught Harry's eye, there was a look there that said: Are you okay with this? Harry smiled, and then gestured with a nod that Ron should go ahead. Ron smiled back. Harry winked exaggeratedly, and caught a quick glimpse of Ron's bright red ears, as he hurried around the corner.

That now left Harry and Ginny. A Healer came and asked if they wanted anything, and Harry asked if it would be okay if the two stayed together a little longer, and the Healer simply smiled, and left them there.

Ginny reached up and caressed Harry's cheek, and whispered: "Alone at last."

"I wasn't sure we'd have any time together." Harry said.

"I was about to say I wanted to go to my room, but Susan beat me to it." Said Ginny. "Did you happen to notice that Neville was following Susan?" She continued.

"I did, and I think they both make cute couples." Harry said, thinking of his two best friends who would now have some alone time.

"Do you think my brother will finally admit he likes Hermione?" Ginny asked.

"I was about to ask you if you thought Hermione would finally break it to Ron." Harry said.

"I hope they come clean soon, the frustration between the two's been insufferable." Ginny said with a smile.

"Speaking of which, I've been horribly frustrated with the Healers about you. Only a week ago would they say more than that you were alive." Said Harry. "I don't know what I'd do without you Ginevra."

What ever other thoughts Harry had at that moment were annihilated by the feel of Ginny's soft lips on his own, as softly, gently, they celebrated their survival, and their love.