Convaluisset
Chapter 2- Return
Life in prison had been hell. It had been the worst kind of hell he could have imagined. The dementors were only a part of the problem. Somehow in every two or three days his cell doors opened, allowing the other prisoners inside. He had been beaten up more times than he could remember. He got almost no treatment. Another prisoner who could suggest muggle methods tried to help but it had not yielded results. His body was battered, broken. He had grown very thin. A beard also accompanied his face now. His mind in shambles. His birthday had passed and it had been the worst birthday of his life. He had never remembered feeling so much pain, not physical pain but mental pain. He hated himself. If he had not casted the killing curse, if he had not given in to his rage he would not be here. He would be at Hogwarts sleeping soundly in his four poster bed, going to classes with Ron and Hermione. He hated himself. But Hogwarts seemed so useless now. So unnecessary now. It felt as if it did not matter anymore. All he wanted was to get out of here and end Voldemort. He wanted to end the maniac's reign of terror. Fudge was going to pay for his actions. But how was he going to manage anything. He did not have his wand. His wand, the wand which had provided him protection against Voldemort, the wand which had saved his life that night in the graveyard. He did not know how he was going to do it but he was not going to give up. He had people who were going to stick by his side no matter what. They were going to help him no matter what.
The day of his release had finally come. He was going to get out of this hellhole. He was going to breathe fresh air again. He heard movement outside his cell. By instinct he balled his fists ready for another beatdown. But what was the point he had no energy to protect himself. He did not know how to fight. But when the cell door opened. He saw three men standing outside, looking nothing like the prisoners who used to attack him. One man had very long hair and beard both white. Another man had dressed very formally, wearing a bowler cap and the third man had long hair not nearly as long as the first wizard. This man quickly moved forward and hugged Harry tightly. Harry winced louldly as his wounds touched roughly against the man's torso.
"Harry, I am so sorry I did not mean to hurt you," the man spoke quickly. His voice was very heavy filled with emotion. He examined Harry and saw the multiple wounds on his body. "Harry, who did this? Who gave you these injuries?"
The man wearing the bowler scoffed. "He must have injured himself. Probably for attention when he gets out of here. How he was beaten up by the prisoners or something." The loathing in the man's voice matched Snape's.
Sirius angrily turned towards the man, pointing his finger at Fudge's chest. "Cornelius, you speak one word to my godson and I swear you are going to regret it."
The man looked frightened but managed to say, " Don't threaten me Black, I am the Minister for Magic, you can't harm me in any way."
Finally the tall wizard spoke. "Sirius, first let's get Harry out of here then we will talk. He does not need to stay here listen to you too babble."
The younger man nodded quickly. "Yes, Professor you are right."
Sirius helped Harry out of the prison.
"Dumbledore, I must inform you that the criminal will not use a wand for over a year. He cannot attend Hogwarts at all."
"Yes, minister. However, I must warn you. When the truth comes out and believe me when I say that it will, you will face justice for your actions. Truth cannot be hidden for long."
It was not a threat, but it seemed to have more of an effect on Fudge and than Sirius's threat. Fudge quickly left the prison while Harry and Dumbledore took Harry to St Mungo's to get him treated.
"Professor Dumbledore, Mr Black I am afraid that his injuries are rather extensive," the healer spoke quietly.
"But it cannot be magical injuries. The other prisoners could not have used magic."
"No, none of his injuries have been caused by magic. But the injuries have gone unfixed for such a long time that it has made it difficult for us to heal him quickly. He has about twelve broken bones. That includes two broken ribs. He also has a broken nose, a shattered clavicle. There was lots of internal bleeding. And also lack of proper food has also damaged him. He will have to stay the weekend."
"Ok. Please take care of him. He has suffered a lot."
The healer left quickly and Sirius started sobbing. He did not cry often but he could not help himself. His godson had undergone the same things that he had. He had failed James and Lily, he had failed to protect their son. Dumbledore finally spoke.
"Sirius, I would ask you to go home but I know you better than that. You stay here, but get some rest m'boy. You need it. I cannot say that Harry is going to be fine. But I promise you that I will do everything in my power to make sure he recovers. I promise you."
"Thank you Professor."
"Good night my boy."
Dumbledore left the room, Sirius turned to Harry's bed. He was sleeping soundly. He had been given a dreamless sleep potion. Sirius was sure it was the first time he had slept peacefully in months. He slowly stroked his forehead and wished the best for his godson.