Sorry about the formating, dont have a clue as to what went wrong with that, as it was fine when I edited the doc before posting. Lets hope this works right this time. Thanks to those that pointed this error out, hope you are now able to read this.
Chapter Four
Albus walked into the hospital and smiled at the nurse, "Hello," he greeted her.
"Hello Mr Dumbledore, young Harry has some visitors at the moment. He looked really happy when they walked in," she told him.
"A young red-haired boy and a brown haired girl?" he asked.
"Yes, and a woman following them," she answered.
"His two best friends from school. They got into a little mischief at the end of the year. But I believe that through their actions a few lives were saved," he smiled, proud of what they did. Even though it had worried him when he had first heard.
"Wow," the nurse nodded, slightly impressed, but had to wonder if the old man was exaggerating a little.
"Well, I shall go in and say hello as well," he smiled as he walked over to Harry's room and knocked the door.
"Come in," Harry's voice rang out happily.
Albus walked in and smiled at the three children and to Anya, who was standing to one side watching them, "Good afternoon," he greeted.
"Headmaster," Hermione said with a polite smile from where she was sitting on the edge of Harry's bed, holding onto a hand. Ron was standing by the bed, still looking around.
"We've only just arrived," Anya said with a smile.
"Hermione's been telling me about what everything is," Ron said as he motioned to the machines that were nearby, monitoring Harry's condition.
Hermione nodded her head, "Mama helped as well," she said shyly.
"I hope I didn't interrupt anything?" he asked as he looked to the children and then to Anya.
"No, they are just going over what the machines were, while Solnyshko tried to keep her tears at bay," Anya teased her daughter a little, hoping that she would cheer up a little. Hermione had been very tearful since learning of Harry's accident.
"Mama!" Hermione protest, eyes wide and face flushed in embarrassment.
"Nothing to worry about," Anya smiled, waving her hand.
"Ugh," Hermione huffed and turned to Harry, "Are you really okay?" she asked.
Ron moved closer to the bed, "Really?" he also asked.
Harry gave them a small smile, "I don't really know. I don't like the fact that I can't just get up any more. They don't know if I will ever be able to do so again. They'll know more when the swelling goes down," he told them, not really sure what he should tell them.
"We'll always be here for you," Ron told him, "You're our best friend."
"We'll stand by you," Hermione nodded, sharing a look with Ron, "No matter what Harry."
"Thank you," Harry said, "Now, what are you going to be doing on your holidays?" he asked, wanting to know that instead.
"Well, mum was going on about wanting Charlie and Bill to come home for awhile. They are thinking about it, but I don't think they will. Not often that they can get time off with their jobs," Ron sighed, he missed his older brothers. Fred and George were always wanting to play tricks on him, especially if it involved spiders. And Percy was acting more and more snobbish over the last year. He no longer had time to just be a brother.
"Mama was telling me that the plans have changed. We were going to France for the holidays, but Babushka and Dedushka want to see me. So we're going to Moscow instead to see them. It's going to be so cold," she huffed, she didn't like the cold that much. As the two of them saw during the lead up to the Christmas holidays, Hermione could be found as close to the fire in the Gryffindor common room as possible.
"Yeah, but visiting family, well, we all have to do it," Ron said, then grimaced when he realised that Harry wouldn't have that, "Sorry."
"Don't worry about it. I'm long used to it," Harry smiled, reassuring the two of them, "Do you like your, Babu..." Harry trailed off, wincing a little and stopping, not wanting to pronounce things wrong.
"They are my grandparents, my mother's parents. Since I am half Russian, I tend to use Russian when referring to them, it means it's less confusing when I talk about my Nana and Gramps." Hermione smiled.
"So you like them?" Harry nodded.
"I do, they're brilliant," Hermione grinned, "I just hate the cold, though they said that they will come to England next summer holidays," she said.
"I didn't know that you were half Russian, why didn't you tell us?" Harry then asked, wondering why she had kept such a large part of who she was from them.
"I got teased a lot for not being fully British when I went to school because I sometimes speak in Russian," Hermione said, looking down, unsure if she should mention anything.
"Hermione, I don't care and neither does Harry if you want to say something in another language go ahead," Ron reassured, getting a nod from Harry.
"I think it's awesome that you know another language," he gushed impressed by it.
Hermione blushed, "Thank you," she smiled. "So, what... what happened?" she asked, wondering if Harry could remember what had happened.
"We were going back to Privet Drive. Vernon was driving and Dudley was complaining about his seatbelt. He took it off, he was so stupid. Uncle Vernon... the officer that came in. He wants to talk about the crash, and... he muttered something. I don't think he realised that I could hear him. He said that Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia could have lived, it was a survivable crash. Uncle Vernon died because his head hit on the steering wheel twice. Dudley went into the seat and that. Same with Aunt Petunia. They don't understand how I was able to stay alive. Since he went into me a lot as well."
"You are alive because your magic was able to protect you. Dudley is also alive because of your magic," Albus said, hearing the conversation and seeing how it was beginning to upset Harry. "There is nothing you could have done to change it, Harry."
"I know, but..." he sighed, looking at the ceiling as he leant back.
"Harry, it was his choice. It is the law for the seatbelt to be worn. He and those in the car disregarded that. It was up to his parents to enforce it. Because they didn't they lost their lives. I know it sounds callous, but I can't really be sorry that those two mu'dak are dead. I feel sorry for Dudley, but even then I can't really feel much towards him," Hermione snorted, eyes narrowing when she thought of what Harry had told them only a couple of days ago.
"Hermione Svetlana Granger, language!" Anya reprimanded her daughter for swearing, "You know we don't use language like that," she added, giving her daughter a disappointed look.
"Mama, but they are. They... they..." she sighed, trying to reign in her temper. She looked at Harry and saw the nod, "They hurt him, Mama, I will not apologise because they are so, but I am sorry for swearing in public," she said, looking at her mother.
"That maybe Solnyshko, but that is not to give you permission to speak ill of the dead. It is not done," she reminded her daughter.
"Some people do not truly deserve the gift they were given. Maybe things could have been different. But I believe that those that harm children should be nowhere near them. They should not even..." she was cut off as a hand on hers.
"Enough Hermione, your mum is right, it's not nice to speak ill of the dead, no matter what they were like in life," Harry spoke softly, hoping to calm Hermione down.
Hermione slumped where she sat, "I know Harry. It just boils me that they got away with what they did to you," she mutter, tone dark and eyes flashing. Her hair frizzed a little more as her magic tried to fight whatever it was that she was angry about.
"I know, but Harry's right and your mum is," Ron said taking hold of her other hand.
Hermione sighed and nodded. Doing a few breathing exercises she had taught herself when she was a child, her hair slowly started to lie almost flat again, "All right, I'll let it go, what's going to happen to Dudley?" she asked, looking up at the headmaster.
"At the moment Mr Dursley is in a coma. From what I've been able to learn, they don't know if he will wake up. While Harry's magic stopped him from being killed. He was already injured by the time Harry's magic enveloped him," Albus said as he glanced to Harry, giving him a smile.
"Let's hope he does wake up. There is a chance that without them and me around, he might be able to change," Harry whispered.
Hermione gave a nod, "Possible," she agreed.
"So, what's going to happen now?" Ron asked, wanting to get off the topic of the crash, he didn't really understand it. He also wanted to know what Harry thought about not going back to Hogwarts.
"I don't know. All I really know is that I won't be able to go back to Hogwarts. It... it hurts that I won't be able to," Harry answered, his voice trembling slightly.
"It won't be the same," Ron muttered, disgust at the fact that Harry wouldn't be there.
Hermione nodded, "It won't be," she sighed. Their eyes downcast as they thought of how different it would be without Harry.
"The headmaster is looking into where I'll be living. But they have to be related to me, I think," Harry frowned, glancing at Dumbledore, getting a smile and a nod to say that he was right, "Family," he said, feeling scared at the thought. The last family he had didn't really like him much, to be frank, they hated him. He was scared that the next would be the same, that he would never have the family he craved, and wished for.
"Hmmm," Hermione hummed as she glanced over to the Headmaster, "How is that going sir?" she asked.
"We have located two, but one I have already ruled out. There is another and I have asked to have a meeting with them," he answered her honestly.
Harry looked up, "You... You may have found someone?" his voice shook, fear beginning to creep in.
"I don't know until I have talked to them. I will keep an open mind," he said.
"Can... are you allowed to tell me anything about them?" Harry asked him, wishing he could sit up properly instead, but his body felt so heavy any time he tried, and he had been told off about it. He was glad that the medication he was on was keeping away most of the pain because what he was feeling was bad enough.
"I don't want to say too much at the moment. But they're in another country. I 've had to ask for permission to go there and speak to them. Not only that, but they don't know about magic. I'll be going there alone, as I requested that a private meeting is set up," he answered, not really giving much away.
"Nothing?" Harry asked, hoping for more.
Albus shook his head, "There is no point telling you anything much at the moment. I will know more myself after I visit them. While on paper they could be wonderful for you. It could be something different should I get permission to meet them. Until then, I don't want to worry you about this."
Harry sighed, "I just want to know those that I might end up with. I know there is a chance that nothing could happen, but... I just..."
"You don't want to end up in the same situation that you were with the Dursleys," Hermione said, giving voice to what Harry was thinking. Getting a stiff nod from Harry as he looked away from them all, trying to control his breathing that was beginning to pick up.
"Harry," Hermione called to him firmly, "Nice slow breath remember," she informed him, once more she talked him through the panic he was feeling.
"Thanks," he mumbled when he finally felt he could breathe straight.
"It wasn't that bad this time," she smiled at him, hoping that it would make him feel better.
Harry just gave a nod, looking away from them. He hated that he had shown that side of him again. He was supposed to be this kind of hero to the magical world. But all he was, was a child that wanted a home and a family that would love him.
"Harry," Albus moved to the bed, "I know you just want to know what is going on. But for now, I just want to make sure that they pass my first test. Then I can see about you talking to them through the phone. You will need to learn another language, and I'm going to be using a spell on you to do so."
Harry glanced over, "Sure," he said, a little despondent.
"How about we leave you kids be for a while?" Anya suggested as she looked to the headmaster and then to the children, "No trouble though," she warned them.
"We won't Mama," Hermione smiled, hoping that they would be able to cheer Harry up without the headmaster there.
"Okay, headmaster, why don't we go and get some tea," she said as she walked over to the door.
"I think that sounds like a good idea," he smiled, nodding and glancing back to Harry as they walked out of the room. Holding out an arm for the young woman to take.
Smiling she took his arm as they walked, "Give him time," she said as soon as the door closed, "He has been hurt badly from what Solnyshko has told me over the last couple of hours."
"Yes, and I didn't know about it. I should have done, but I never thought a family would turn against their own child," he sighed, "Where are we going?" he asked as she was leading him out of the building.
Anya smiled, "There is a small coffee shop near here. When my husband's mother was in the hospital a few months ago I spent a lot of time there. She isn't very happy that I am Russian, well, she warmed up to me a little over the years, but she still doesn't think the best of me at times," she chuckled, as she led the way.
"Ah," he nodded.
"You have to see this from Harry's point of view," she said softly after they were silent during the walk.
"I am, that's why I'm not telling him anything. I don't want him to end up getting hurt if they don't react well," Albus protested, it had been on his mind since he had found out the truth of Harry's situation.
Anya gave him a look as she was stopped from saying anything, "What would you like?"
"Two teas to drink in please," she smiled to the barista.
"Sure, milk?" she asked as she went about making it.
"Please," Anya answered. A few moments later two mugs of tea were on the tray and Anya had paid. "Let's go get some sugar and sit down."
Albus nodded and followed her, he had never been in a muggle coffee shop before. It was unusual but nice. "Of course, sorry," he smiled as he found himself in the way a little.
Anya smiled and got the sugar, putting it on the tray she started to lead the way through the crowded little shop to the stairs. She walked up to them and found a place near the window. It was a little open, but they would be able to talk quietly there without people really overhearing what they were saying.
"You say that, but you're not. Harry wants to know now, he is scared that they are going to be like before. He wants a family, you can see that. But he needs to know for his own peace of mind," she huffed as she placed the tray down and sat, "Bah, I'm not explaining it well."
"No, I think I get what you are saying. With him being scared he should know, so he can prepare himself, for either acceptance or rejection. By knowing a little about them, he has an idea of what they might be like," Albus said, trying, to sum up, what she was saying, sitting down opposite her, smiling as she put milk and sugar in his tea, "Thank you," he said as he took hold of the white mug.
"Welcome," she nodded, "And yes, that is what I was trying to say. Let him do this his way. I know you are unsure if they will even wish to talk to you. But he doesn't care about that, he just wants to have the basic information about them. To know them a little before that meeting."
"I will talk to him when we go back," Albus agreed, "Do you think it was a good idea for us to leave the children there alone?" he asked, glancing in the direction of the hospital.
Anya laughed, "Yes, Hermione is a level-headed girl. So proud of her, but she does need to let go on occasions. Too serious too young," she said, a fond smile on her face, "They will be just fine. Let them talk without us there. They don't have to censor themselves. You are their headmaster, they feeling like they shouldn't talk about things. And I am Hermione's Mama."
"I don't think that stopped her at one point," he chuckled, thinking about her swearing.
"Ah, she has a temper at times. She doesn't like to see people hurt and when she does. She becomes a wild beast," she laughed, smiling.
"Ah, yes, I have noticed when Harry was harmed in any way," Albus nodded, "At the end of the year, when Harry had been hurt. Hermione was... well ranting and saying some most unpleasant things."
"That's Solnyshko for you," Anya smiled. "Will you talk to him, let Harry know what you know?" she asked.
Albus was quiet, drinking and looking out the window. Watching as muggles rushed past the coffee shop, "I will," he nodded coming to a decision.
"Good," she smiled.
XxXxX
"Right, they're gone," Hermione said as she came back from the door. She had opened it not long after her mother had closed it to make sure that they were really leaving them alone.
"Right," Ron nodded and grinned to Harry, "Now, no censor, are you all right?"
"I don't think I will ever be all right Ron. I may never be able to walk again. I won't be able to go to Hogwarts. Not able to do so much and it's going to hurt not being there with you," Harry answered honestly. He didn't want to show his true feelings with the headmaster or with Hermione's mother there.
"I have no doubt my Mama is giving the headmaster a grilling and trying to get him to tell you what is going on better," Hermione said, a grin on her face, "I know what Mama is like."
"So, we have someone else on your side there Harry," Ron said, hopping onto one side of the bed. Leaving the other for Hermione to climb up on.
"Are you sure that you're fine with us being on the bed?" Hermione asked, wondering if they weren't making things worse.
Harry smiled, "Yes, it's fine. I don't really feel much of anything. My stomach and chest hurt at times, and I can't really feel anything below my waist," he grimaced.
"I don't like the fact that Dumbledore said something about you learning another language," Ron said.
"Knowing another language is fine," Hermione defended.
"I know that I'm saying that Harry learning a new language means that there is a good chance that he will end up outside of England," he pointed out.
"Oh," Hermione said, sitting straight.
"I didn't think of that," Harry said softly, "that... that means that I won't be able to see you. I..."
"We might not be able to see you every day, but we will do all we can to make sure that we see you whenever we can. I'll make sure that any holidays that we have, Ron can come with us to come and see you," she said, a smile on her face.
Ron nodded his head, "Agreed, I'll even go on one of those flying things that Hermione was going on about."
"Airplane Ron or just a plane" Hermione sighed, that would be the seventh time she had told him what they were called.
"Yeah those," Ron grinned, blue eyes were full of mischief.
Harry looked to him and then laughed, "You know he is playing you up, don't you?" Harry told her.
Hermione looked from Harry to Ron and glared, "Are you?" she asked, eyes narrowing and a growl coming from her.
Ron gulped, "But Hermione, I wanted to cheer Harry up," he said, pointing to his best friend who was still laughing lightly at the two of them.
Hermione gave another growl as she looked at Harry, "Can it Harry," she huffed, arms crossed in front of her, nose in the air and looking away from them.
Harry and Ron shared a look before they burst out laughing once more. Hermione was able to hold the pose for a few more seconds before she flopped onto the bed laughing herself.
"OW, ow ow," Harry said, holding his chest and stomach, though still little bursts of laughter were breaking through the pained gasps.
"Oh shit," Hermione cursed as she realised what was going on, "Sorry Harry," she said, eyes filling with tears as Ron stopped laughing.
"You okay?" Ron asked, moving closer.
"Yeah, it hurts, but worth it. Totally," he grinned at the two of them. Feeling lighter than he had since he had woken up and received the news that he might never be able to walk again.
"Okay, let's calm down." Hermione said, looking at Harry in concern, "You sure you don't need a doctor to come and make sure that you're really all right?" she asked.
Harry nodded, relaxing back on his bed, "Yeah, I'm good. Just twinges a little, and yeah, while painful when laughing like that. It was well worth any pain," he told her, "I needed to laugh and remember that life is okay. I might never walk, but I can always do something else. I won't..."
"You won't just lie down and take it. You'll work with it," Hermione grinned, "Good."
Ron nodded, "So, no matter where in the world that you go, you have to write to us once a week. And during the holidays we will see each other for a good two weeks if we can manage it," glancing over to Hermione at that.
Hermione nodded, "Yes, so whoever takes you in, will have to know you have two friends that will be staying with you during the summer holidays. You can also call my Mama and dad during school time as well, especially if something happens. They would be able to get in touch with us before a letter could reach us."
"It depends on how far as well. If he ends up somewhere like Australia," Ron said, "Then he would have to send a letter through several stops. May take anywhere up to four days to get to us. But it can also get expensive. International Owls are hard to train, so it costs a lot to use them. Not every letter will reach us, never know what might happen," he said, trying to remember what it was like when Bill had a job in New Zealand for a few weeks. It was expensive to send an Ow,. and it had taken almost a week for it to arrive at the Burrow.
"Hmmm," Hermione said, thinking, "then maybe Muggle post would be a good idea. It might take the same amount of time, but it won't cost as much," she told them, a smile on her face, "Then my parents can send them on to us at Hogwarts."
Harry nodded his head, "Might be all right to do both, how about Muggle every week or two and owl once a month?" he suggested.
"Oh, yeah, doing it like that would be a good idea," Ron nodded, smiling.
"Okay, we have that sorted out," Hermione grinned, "Wish I brought a notebook with me."
Ron and Harry shared another look and laughed lightly, "Don't ever change Hermione."
"I won't," she grinned to them.
"So w..." Ron began but stopped when the door to the room opened.
"Did you all behave?" Anya asked as she walked into the room.
"Yes, though please see about a doctor coming in and making sure that Harry is all right. He was laughing rather hard earlier. He was in some pain, but I don't think it was bad," Hermione said to her mother.
"All right," she smiled as she went out to talk to someone.
"Harry," Albus said as he went over to the bed, "Anya will be staying here during the night with you. I need to head out in about an hour. They have agreed to a meeting. It's in Japan, they run an inn and have two children, but both are grown up now."
"Okay," Harry said, happy that he knew, "Do you know anything else about them?" he asked.
"Not much more than their names. They are almost in their fifties. I don't think they will since they are getting on in years. But I'm going to talk to them anyway," he answered. The door behind them opened and Anya walked in with a doctor.
Harry nodded, "Okay." He felt a little better knowing that there was a large chance that they would say no because of their ages.
"Thank you, Anya, for staying with him tonight. I don't know when I'll be back. If you really need help, have Hermione send for Poppy at Hogwarts. She knows about Harry being here. But I've no doubt that you will be fine," he smiled at the woman standing at the back of the room.
"No problem," she smiled, "Come on you two, visiting hours are almost over. I want to make sure that I get a good book to bring with me. Maybe something I could read to Harry," she suggested, a smile on her face as she looked at the young wizard.
Hermione nodded as the two of they got off the bed, "Harry we'll be back tomorrow."
Anya nodded her head, "I don't mind bringing you both each day. Though it might be harder for Ron to get to ours."
"I'll make him a reusable portkey to and from the burrow to your home Anya. That way he will be able to come like that," Albus suggested.
"That would be fine, make sure that he will appear in the garage, it wouldn't do for him to come when we have people over. It will be difficult to have to tell them about magic," Anya pointed out, laughing lightly.
"I'll make sure of it," he agreed, laughing as well.
Anya led the two out of the room, "Come, let us get home," she said, placing a hand on Hermione back and one of Ron's shoulder. They didn't look happy about having to leave their friend.
"Are you really all right with coming here all the time Mama?" Hermione asked her.
Anya nodded her head, "Yes, he is your friend Hermione and at the moment he really needs your support. I could not ask for a better daughter than you. You make me proud Hermione," she said looking to her daughter, "And I have no doubt that you make your own mother proud Ron. You are a good child, and a caring one."
"Thank you, Mrs Granger," Ron blushed, glancing at Hermione, and seeing her smile at him.
"Call me Aunt Anya if you wish Ron," she said.
"Tha... Thank you, Aunt Anya," he smiled shyly at the woman as she led the way out of the hospital and to the car park.
XxXxX
"You need to take it easy, you did no damage this time. I know you are a child, but you have to be careful. You died for a while Harry, and that is something that you can't easily heal from, your body is still extremely stressed from its injuries and trauma," the doctor scolded Harry as he finished examining him.
"I will, sorry. It was just nice to laugh and to... it made it all feel light if you know what I mean," he sighed as he leaned back against the pillows behind him.
The doctor smiled, "I know it would, but you still have to be careful. You could pull your stitches or cause your ribs to move around wrong."
"I will," he nodded solemnly, taking in the warning.
"Okay, well, dinner should be coming around soon and then you need to sleep," he smiled as he looked to Albus, "He really is all right, just make sure he doesn't laugh too hard again."
"I will, and thank you for seeing him. Anya should be back here in around an hour or so to stay the night with him," Albus reminded the doctor.
"You give permission for her to make decisions on your behalf is something were to happen?" he asked.
"Yes, I do. I already put down some written form of this. To make sure that would be all right. I have to step out of the country for a little while. I should only be gone the night, maybe a little bit of the morning as well," Albus told him.
"All right, I'll make sure we talk to her when she is here," he smiled and then did the same to Harry," See you later," he said walking out of the room.
"It won't be the same if I'm living half the world away from them," Harry mumbled as the bed began to move so he could lie down. He was a little tired after the visit.
"I know, and I'm still hoping that we will find someone else that would be able to take you in that is a little closer," he sighed sitting on the chair that he had done so for most of his time in the room. There was a small cot that he had used during the night, but it hadn't been very comfortable, and he didn't want to risk using magic in the room with Harry to make it comfortable.
"Same," Harry sighed.
"It does not matter Harry. No matter where in the world you are, you could always come here for a visit to see them, and I have no doubt that they would be able to do the same as well," he reassured him.
Harry smiled and let his eyes close. He was going to have a little nap before dinner came. He was really sleepy, the visit from his friends had really tired him out. He hadn't released just how much until they were gone.
Albus watched as the young wizard drifted off to sleep. He sighed as he pulled the letter out of his pocket to read it once more.
To Albus Dumbledore
The Katsuki family have agreed to meet with you at their Inn. I have told them only that you know of a relative of theirs that is in need of a home. They know that they must be related to the child by blood for you to ask such a thing. But they don't understand how someone from England could claim such blood relation to them. They are hoping that you would be able to clear this up in how it would be possible.
They know nothing of magic at all, and as agreed with you. They have now been giving license for the family and those married, or to be married into it to be told of magic. I am leaving that in your hands to do.
Yours Sincerely
Hikaru Ootori
Albus had something big to do. He hadn't had to tell a family about magic in a long time. It was something that he now left to Minerva to do. He looked at the sleeping child and smiled. He hoped that he would find a suitable family. He didn't think that the Katsuki family would be able to cope with Harry. He was still young, and while he might not be able to walk it would still be hard for any family to deal with.
"It's going to be hard Harry, but keep a smile on your face. Ron and Hermione are very precious, as are all friends we make in our lifetime" he sighed as he leaned back in his chair.
XxXxX
"Hello," Anya greeted as she walked into the room after being let in. "Ah asleep," she smiled as she looked to the child.
"Yes has been since not long after you left. He knows that you are staying the night with him. He is fine with that. I thank you for that. I didn't like the thought of him being alone here," Albus smiled at her.
"You're welcome, he has not eaten?" she asked.
"No, they said that they will keep something warm for him. Saying that at the moment his sleep is more important as he needs to rest," he said, telling her what the nurse had said when she saw Harry sleeping.
"Okay, you go and do what you have to and I'll be here waiting," Anya said, as she shooed him out of the door.
Albus smiled and glanced at Harry one last time before making his way to the MInistry of Magic for an international portkey to Hasetsu Japan. He landed in a secluded area of the beach not five minutes after leaving the ministry. The place was beautiful. he smiled as he walked down the road to where Yu-Topia inn was situated. He took a breath as he reached it. It gave off a welcoming air, that Albus found he smiling at as he walked to the door and went inside.
