AUTHOR'S NOTES: Two things 1) Yes, Harry will walk again.
2) the scene at the end with Harry watching the bats fly out is based off of something that I actually do on warm evenings. We have a roost of bats living in the eves of our garage and at night I'll sit outside and watch them fly around. (I live in the boondocks of MI. We make our own fun here.)
Chapter 2 Family at Last
The blood wards had fallen and that scared Albus Dumbledore. Either the Dursleys were gone or something had happened to Harry. Either scenario was bad news.
As Dumbledore contemplated going to the Dursley home to check on Harry, Molly Weasley burst into the office. "You let Harry be abused by his uncle?!" Molly shouted, livid.
"I beg your pardon?" Dumbledore said, standing up from his chair. Harry had never told him anything about mistreatment from his family. 'Then why—' said a small voice in his mind. '—does Harry never wish to return to his relatives for the summer?' "I did not know," Dumbledore said, somberly.
"Well, of course he wouldn't tell you," Molly said, glaring at the Hogwarts Headmaster. "You were the one who left him there!"
"Where is Harry now?" Dumbledore implored. "If he is injured—"
"I contacted St. Mungo's before I came here," Molly said, her eyes narrowed. "The healers managed to take care of most of the damage the Dursleys had inflicted."
"'Most'?" Dumbledore repeated, not liking the word.
"Harry will have to recover from the injury to his spine the muggle way," Molly explained, heading for the door.
Dumbledore said nothing but he went and sank back into his chair. "Good Lord…" he whispered. "What have I done?"
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In the Thorton home, Dobby the house-elf had become a priceless asset in helping with Harry. Once magical healers had taken care of Harry's elbow and leg, Kate spent a week working with her new ward's physical therapist along with a muggle-born healer named Dana Hart.
It was only two weeks into July and already Harry felt better than he had in a long time…. Even if he was still in the wheelchair. He hadn't yet been able to move his legs but even Dana had said that injuries to the spinal cord were near impossible to completely heal—even with magic.
But even with the problem of being crippled, Harry was happy. The Thortons had all but adopted Harry and genuinely cared about him. Plus Harry was helping the Thortons' daughter, Rae, get ready to go to Hogwarts even though Harry was unsure if he'd be able to go back himself.
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Three days before his birthday, Harry was on the patio in the backyard of #3 telling Rae about Quidditch when Albus Dumbledore appeared.
Rae looked at Harry who wheeled himself around so that he faced the Headmaster. "Harry… should I get Mom and Dad?" Rae asked, frowning at the old wizard.
"Yeah," Harry said as Dumbledore came closer. "I think that would be a good idea."
Rae dashed inside as Dumbledore said, "Good afternoon, Harry."
Harry nodded, curtly. "Well… you've made sure I can't walk away from you," he said, ice in his tone as he patted his wheelchair.
"I failed you, Harry," Dumbledore said, noticing that the Thorton family has stepped outside to stand with Harry. "This is my fault."
"Damn straight," Blake said, crossing his arms across his chest. "So you're Albus Dumbledore."
"Inspector Thorton," Dumbledore said with a polite nod. "Thank you… for helping Harry. But I am afraid that while you are listed as Harry's guardians… you are not his family," Dumbledore said, looking at Harry. "Harry has a godfather who has been exonerated and he's asked me to—"
Kate nudged her husband's arm with a folded piece of paper and Blake took it, unfolding it and looking wide-eyed at his wife before handing the paper to Dumbledore. "We know about Harry's godfather. And while we know that Harry's close to him, with no other family…"
"You decided to adopt Harry as your son," Dumbledore finished, reading.
Harry turned to look at the two adults who had saved his life and taken him into their home. "You… adopted me? Why?"
Kate went around to her new son and bent down so they were face to face. "Because Blake and I care about you, Harry. Back in the U.S. we saw so many children lost like you… or dead by the hands of those who were responsible for them." She took Harry's shoulders and hugged him. "You were the one we could save. The one victim we could actually protect. We've learned to love you."
Harry hugged her back and Dumbledore noticed tears falling down Harry's cheeks. The idea of tearing Harry away from the family he'd just found… Sirius would understand. Letting go of his new mother—it felt strange yet wonderful to think of her like that—Harry said, "I'm staying here. Sirius can visit, though, right?"
"I will send him along," Dumbledore agreed. "But there is also the matter of—"
"Is Harry coming to Hogwarts this year?" Rae asked.
Dumbledore knelt down on one knee and faced the young girl. "Yes, he is."
"What about…?" Kate nodded at the wheelchair.
Dumbledore stood and nodded. "Yes, we will have to apply certain charms to enable Harry to ascend the staircases. But that will be no trouble."
"We're throwing Harry a birthday," Blake said, a hint of a smile on his face. "Why don't you pop in?"
"I believe I shall," Dumbledore said as Blake held out a hand. The two men shook hands and Dumbledore left the yard.
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On the morning of his birthday Dobby helped Harry get dressed before following him into the kitchen where Kate had breakfast cooking. "Morning, Harry," She said, pulling sausages out of the pan and putting them on a platter with scrambled eggs, toast, and bacon.
"Morning… Mum," Harry said, wheeling up to the table.
Kate smiled as Rae came down the stairs. "I like you calling me 'Mom'," Kate said as her two children started filling their plates. "Blake can't make the party, I'm afraid. He has to testify in Vernon Dursley's trial." Harry's good mood dissipated hearing the name as he knew that the next day he would be called to testify against the Dursleys. Kate picked up on Harry's mood change and said, "We're all coming with you, Harry. You won't have to face them alone."
"They were never my family. I meant nothing to them," Harry said.
"Cheer up, big brother," Rae said. "You'll love the party this afternoon."
Harry smiled and finally dug into his breakfast.
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Guests started to arrive around 2 that afternoon and by 3 the yard was jam-packed with Harry's friends. Remus Lupin had even come with Sirius who wanted a private word with Harry before things got to frantic.
Sirius sat on a tree stump and looked at Harry. His godson was a bit more muscled than when they'd last seen each other and Harry's hair was longer making him look even more like James. "How are you, Harry?"
Harry shrugged. "Still can't move my legs…" He looked over at the barbeque pit where Blake was getting ready to roast the ribs and burgers. "But I have a real family now. I even have a little sister now."
"But it took you losing the use of your legs," Sirius pointed out.
"But I think it had to happen," Harry said. "I've actually gotten used to it."
"You're really okay, Harry?" Sirius asked, looking his godson in the eye.
"I'm okay, Sirius," Harry replied.
"Hi, Harry," said Ginny Weasley as she came up her red hair pulled into a ponytail.
"I'll leave you two alone," Sirius said, getting up and giving Harry a wink as he left.
Harry's breathing shortened as Ginny came closer. She went right next to him and as their eyes met, she leaned forward and kissed him on the lips.
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At the end of the night, Dobby had to use his own magic to levitate Harry into bed as the teenager had fallen asleep in his wheelchair.
Looking at his sleeping master, Dobby smiled. The wizard had been through many trials but now he was finally able to live a good life. He'd been adopted by a family who were as open to Harry as they were to Dobby.
For once, life was good for wizard and elf alike.
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In the courtroom the following day, Blake, Kate, and Rae sat in the gallery and tried to offer supportive smiles as Harry described 13 years of abuse.
Harry's doctors testified that the spinal injury caused by Vernon Dursley's car should heal but there was still a chance that Harry might not walk again.
Once all testimony had been heard, Harry sat with his new family as they waited for the judge's decision. Finally, Judge Nancy Fairbanks gave her verdict. "Vernon Dursley, I find you guilty on abuse and vehicular assault charges. You will receive 20 years in prison and due to your wife's hand in things, she will receive 11 years. Your son, Dudley will be sent to a foster care center until he comes of age."
As Vernon was taken past Harry he made a lunge for the boy and would have gotten his beefy hands around Harry's neck had Blake not jumped up and grabbed Vernon. It took three guards and Blake to subdue Vernon who was led away cursing Harry and the day the boy had landed on #4 Privet Drive.
"You okay, son?" Blake asked, noticing how Harry was shaking.
"I… I should be used to him coming after me," Harry said, softly. "But he scared me."
"You're safe now," Kate said. "Let's go home."
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That night, as the stars started coming out and the bats flew from the garage attic, Harry sat in the driveway looking up at the sky.
Blake came out and dropped the tailgate of his pick-up truck so he could sit near Harry. "Can I talk to you… son?"
Harry looked at his adoptive father and nodded. "What about?"
Blake looked up at the sky as two bats flew overhead. "I'm happy that you're living with us, Harry. And happier that you call me and Kate your parents." He looked at Harry. "But never forget that you had a mother and father who died protecting you. They loved you, too."
"I'll never forget them," Harry said, looking at Blake. "But I am happy to call you my parents."
"And I'm thrilled that you're my son," Blake said, getting up and hugging Harry. "Come on… Kate's rented some movies and Rae's making popcorn."
Harry wheeled himself inside as he and his father talked movies. It felt good to have a real family at last.
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