Author's Note: Ah… hello, after such a long time. An Update. Please R&R.

Chapter - 10

GETTING BACK

Harry opened his eye and took in the now familiar surroundings. Same boring plain white walls, the nose burning smell of medicines and the peacefulness.

But today was a special day… today he was going to meet the man who has paid for the cost of his treatment.

It had been around three weeks since he was brought here or so the doctor had told him. They are all amazed by his miraculous speedy recovery.

"Hello Harry," came Christy jaunty voice. Harry unknowingly smiled hearing the voice; she was the only good thing in this monotonous hospital.

"Hello Christy," replied Harry, pulling himself up in a sitting position.

"Take it easy there," said Christy, while looking at his charts, "You can hurt yourself?"

"I'm less of a danger to myself than you are to me," replied Harry nonchalantly.

"What did you say?" said Christy, putting or accurately saying, throwing the notepad away.

"Nothing," said Harry hastily.

"Yes, I'm sure, it is nothing," said Christy, "You ungrateful brat."

Harry just stuck his tongue out at her and she smiled. They had become best friends during his stay here. They always spend hours just goofing around and cracking jokes at each other.

"So…" began Christy and for some unknown reasons, she seemed to be turning red.

"So…" repeated Harry, urging her to say more.

"I hear you are having a visitor today," said Christy and for some reason she looked very conscious. Weird.

"Yes," said Harry, "I plan to pay him back…"

Christy looked at him sceptically.

"Do you even know how much your stay has cost?" asked Christy, swatting Harry's leg away to sit on the side of bed.

"Ouch…" he winced dramatically, "They are still fragile you know. And I don't know the exact amount, but I'm pretty sure I will be able to pay it."

"Let me tell you a thing, Harry," said Christy, "You may be thinking that this Little Whining is a less known area, so the Hospital won't be that costly. But the hospital is very costly. It's actually just on the border of Little whining and the area was only chosen because of the availability of land. And for your information, it was opened just a year before."

"I didn't know that," mused Harry, "But I still think I can pay the bill."

"You are a dork, do you know that?' said Christly, looking thoroughly irritated, "Even if your football sized uncle sells his drilling company, even then he won't be able to pay the dues, you thickheaded fool."

"He won't sell a speck of dust for me," replied Harry, "And I have money."

"Oh… I forget that you have a money tree in your backyard," said Christy, sarcasm dripping from every syllable. Harry opened his mouth to retaliate but Christy cut him off, "Oh! To begin with, do you even have a backyard?"

"Ouch! That was a low blow," said Harry, feigning hurt.

"Keep it up and I will really hurt you," said Christy, flexing her fist.

"Go away already," said Harry, gesturing with his hands, "Go away nurse, go away — ARGHHHHH!"

Harry led out a terrible blood curdling scream as Christy suddenly pinched his tender legs… very harshly.

"Why did you do that?" asked Harry, trying to kick her away from the bed and at the same time, massaging his throbbing leg muscles.

Before Christy could answer, the door to his ward banged open and a doctor barged in.

"What happened?" the man asked, shooting Christy a look.

"Nothing sir," said Christy, "The patient just fell of the bed."

Harry opened his mouth to speak, but Christy just shot him an overtly sweet look, to sweet to be of any good.

"Yes doctor," Harry agreed, reluctantly.

"No need to worry sir," said Christy, "He is a klutz actually."

"Mind your language," said the doctor and went back, the door to Harry's ward closing in his wake.

"So, I'm a klutz now," said Harry, "And also I fell off from the bed. Hmm… like this I suppose."

And with that he shoved Christy off the bed and she landed with a resounding thump.

Seizing the chance, Harry leap off the bed and rushed to the bathroom, not even pausing for a second to look around.

It was afternoon and Christy hadn't come back. After the little scene today, Christy seemed to be really angry at him because of something. He really didn't understand what was wrong; today's episode was a daily occurrence, just the difference was he always lost, and today for once, he won.

"Is that's the reason her mood was so off? Because of that," mused Harry.

Even some other nurse bought him his daily porridge and somehow it felt drier and tasteless than usual.

Harry got up from the bed and walked to the window. As far as his eyes went, he saw blue sky, a perfectly clear blue sky.

He sighed and the sound of his sigh in the silence was very different, almost like some eerie sound. He leaned against the windowsill and looked out. The cold wind danced across his skin, ruffling his hairs a little.

And then it happened. A tear escaped his eyes because in the first time in days he remembered about the wizarding world again. His knees buckled, and his pupils dilated and expanded in rapid motions. The only thing that was keeping him straight was the windowsill.

He didn't know why this was happening to him. He had thought that he was finally all over that part of him.

Harry closed his eyes and inhaled a deep and long gust of fresh air. It made him feel refreshed and he managed to compose himself.

He had planned on abandoning the wizarding world. He was more than happy here and maybe here he could live a happy life, with someone he loved, and someone who loved him back.

The idea had been fermenting in his brain for quite a while, and was growing stronger and stronger every day. He had thought that he would have managed to make his brain accustomed to the idea, but guess, he hadn't. Even that small reminiscent of Quidditch had gotten him all wrapped up.

"Damn!" he cursed himself loudly, "Why can't I be strong?"

"H — Hey Harry," came a soft voice from behind him and he felt a small warm hand encompassing his shoulder, giving it a light squeeze, "Are you feeling okay?"

"Okay?" Harry shouted turning around, "Do I look okay to you?"

As he completely turned around, jerking the hand off from his shoulder in the process, he saw Christy standing there, looking concerned.

"What happened, Harry?" asked Christy, taking a step to come closer.

Harry just huffed out a breath of frustration. He again forgot that he was in a Muggle Hospital. Not some place with his friends. This kind of thing had happened quite a bit in his stay here and he still couldn't help it.

"And here I am planning on abandoning the wizarding world… huh," murmured Harry under his breath.

"What are you murmuring, Harry?" asked Christy.

"'S nothing," mumbled Harry and looked away from her.

A small hand cupped his face and firmly turned it around and Harry found himself looking in someone's eye. The eyes were blue, sparkling blue actually. But what would have been an eye candy, was ruined by the presence of red-rimmed edges.

"Hey Christy," said Harry, "Have you been crying?"

"No I haven't," replied Christy haughtily, "And anyway, why should I cry? Maybe I just got an infection, that's the third time in this week."

A strong gust of wind blew, making both of their hairs dance along with it. Harry raked a hand though his hair, trying to pat them down —

"Ouch!"

Suddenly Christy shrieked.

"Don't pull my hair, you idiot."

With that she bonked him on the head and calmly entangled her hair.

"I didn't do that on purpose," said Harry, massaging the back of his head, "And anyway it's entirely your fault."

"Oh my fault?" seethed Christy, "Maybe you are accusing me of having black hairs."

"No, I'm not," replied Harry, "I'm accusing you of barging in my private moment and ruining it."

"If you call something as similar to having a panic seizure, a private moment," said Christy and Harry blanched, "I will barge in. You are my patient."

"Look who's talking," said Harry, desperately trying to change the topic.

"And what do you mean by that?" snarled Christy.

"You know it, thickhead," said Harry casually and without waiting for a reply continued, "You know sometimes I wonder why don't anyone come when you shriek like a mad person, which you are."

"Oh mind me oh great Potter," said Christy, sarcasm dripping from every syllable, "But hadn't I told you, your ward is on a special floor, the floor where Mentally Disturbed patient are put."

"Oh…" began Harry, "Damn. You should have told me before."

"And why are you getting so excited all of a sudden?" asked Christy, looking at him in disbelief.

"You know, I just solved a great puzzle," said Harry, "I now know why the other doctors don't mind you and why you seem to have a power over them."

"And why?" asked Christy, tentatively, her expressions turning to one of self consciousness.

"You are a mental patient here," said Harry and ducked a punch.

"Your expressions were a sight to see," choked out Harry between his laughter, "They were priceless."

Christy sighed in exasperation as she plonked on his bed.

"Hey what happened?" asked Harry, coming to sit beside her.

"Nothing," she said.

"You know Christy," said Harry, "when people say nothing, there are obviously many thing troubling them."

"You are a jerk," said Christy, shoving him away.

"Aww, tell me what is wrong," said Harry, pouting.

"You are," huffed out Christy, "impossible."

Suddenly the door opened and a ward boy came sliding in a tray. Soon other followed him and in no time a table was settled in the middle of the room, as some other ward boy started to clean the room and spraying something remarkably like room freshener around.

"What in Merlin is happening here?" asked Harry, pinching his cheek.

Christy smiled and said, "You looked befuddled."

"I sure look," agreed Harry, turning to look at her, "What's all this about?"

"Oh this," said Christy casually, "You know the man who paid all of your due is coming here to meet you. So it's all for him."

"I didn't know that customers are treated so well in this Hospital," replied Harry dryly.

"Hmph," huffed Christy and continued, "He is a very special man and a very important person to the Hospital."

"I wonder who is he?" mused Harry. He looked towards the commotion and for the first time in many days, his nose caught the waft of delicious food.

He inhaled deeply and exhaled from the crack of his lips.

"Finally good food after such a long time," said Harry, drooling over the thought of the feast he was going to have.

"Who said it was for you?" said Christy sharply.

"What do you mean?" asked Harry, turning to look at her scathingly.

"It's for the man," said Christy.

"Stop all this man nonsense," said Harry, "Why won't anyone tell me his name?"

This face had been irritating him for a quite a time now. Every time he would ask for the man name, no one would answer him. It was as he was like Voldemort of the Muggle world.

"You will meet him soon enough," said Christy.

Silence surrounded them and in the silence Harry could easily hear the ward boys working in his ward, trying to make it fit for a normal human being to be here.

Soon he heard noise of footfall approaching his room.

"He is here," said Christy and for some unknown reason, she was getting stiffer by the moment.

The door was pushed open and two men clad in tight black suit entered. They had black shade covering their eyes and a stiff pose. Harry was quite sure there was a Muggle term for people like them, but he just couldn't seem to remember them. It was something related to body, he remembered as he mulled in his thinking.

"Ah," came a gentle old voice, "No need to be so uptight here."

A man in his fifties entered the room. He was tall and of a fair built. His hair was combed in an elegant way and his bespectacled eyes gave him an aura of all knowing. He was wearing suit too, but his suit suited him more.

"Mind my bodyguards," he said, nodding politely towards Harry. Harry dazedly nodded his head back and the man smiled. After a motion from the man, the two guards withdrew back to the door.

"Take the day off you two," said the man, "I have plan today which will not require assistance."

Both of the bodyguard looked at Harry with suspicion, but didn't overrule their boss command as they stepped back in the lobby.

Harry glanced at Christy. She didn't seem to be taken aback by the man's grand appearance, not much as Harry was anyway.

She suddenly stood up, nodded politely towards the man, and stormed out of the ward, the doors banging shut in her wake.

"What's with her?" murmured Harry under his breath. The old man just stood there, his eyebrow arched in amusement as he looked at the still flapping door.

A moment of silence followed and Harry found himself getting strangely self conscious. He turned around to find that the man was looking at him from head to toe, strangely similar to the way like a person do when marking up his opponent and it wasn't a pleasant feeling for him.

Suddenly, as though aware of Harry's uneasiness, the man looked up and met his eyes.

"Finally we meet Mr. Potter," said the man, like he was some sort of his old acquaintance.

Harry instantly blanched and cursed himself under his breath for not having a wand. Her eyes frantically roved his surroundings, searching for anything he could use as a weapon. He didn't know what caused the reaction out of him, but all he knew was he had to protect himself.

"Calm down Mr. Potter," said the old man, "I mean no harm. I'm Daniel Hinor."

Still Harry looked at him suspiciously, his posture attentive.

"Ah…" Daniel sighed in defeat, "You must be wondering how I knew who you are. Well, Mr. Potter, who in the wizarding world don't know you? I may not have been an active participant in the wars because I'm a Squib but I closely monitored the situation."

Listening this, Harry relaxed a little, but still not enough to completely trust the man. Daniel seemed to be happy because of this change, as he continued in a more energetic voice.

"I was very happy when I heard that You-Know-Who"— Harry made a face at this — "have been finely defeated. Ah… I must be boring you. You should have heard this too many times already, haven't you?"

Harry stiffly nodded at his question.

"So," he began again, less energetically than before, "when one night I found you in my backyard, I was befuddled. At first I didn't recognise you for it was a dark and snowy night. My guards were ready to beat you to pulp, thinking of you as an intruder. And they would have, if I hadn't seen the lightening bolt scar on your face. I remember that moment, oh-so-well. I nearly fainted when I recognised who you were and the condition you were in. I didn't have the time to move you to St. Mungos, so I brought you here. I hope there have been no faults in your treatment. I even brought some potions from St. Mungos for your treatment, Mr. Potter."

"Whom did you tell that I was here?" growled out Harry. He didn't want to have the Weasley's know that he was here.

Mr. Hinor seemed to shrink back in his chair as he replied, "Only Minister Kingsley. I had to tell him because my doctors gave me the word that you won't be surviving. At the time you were hospitalised, you had already lost too much of your blood, and were in comatose. So understand my situation Mr. Potter, I had to request assistance from Minister Kingsley to save you."

Harry relaxed at this. Of course Mr. Hinor didn't mean any harm; he was just trying to save him.

"Yeah, I understand," said Harry, "And please call me Harry."

Mr. Hinor looked positively happy after hearing Harry say this.

"So, Mr…—, I mean Harry," said Mr. Hinor, "Minister Kingsley wanted to meet you. He asked me to call for you if you were ready."

Harry sighed and closed his eyes. He really didn't want to meet anyone from the Wizarding world but he also knew that he had no choice. One day or the other, he would have to meet them. So better get over with it in the start.

"Okay, I'm ready," said Harry, "But how are you going to call him here, Mr. Hinor?"

"Oh," he said and fished out a small portrait from the inner pocket of his coat, "He said to just say that to the little bird in the portrait and he will come here."

Harry sighed again and mentally kicked himself. Of course, Kingsley could come here anytime; he was a Wizard after all.

Mr. Hinor murmured something to the bird and fell silent. In the silence the waft of the food seemed to be somehow stronger. Harry took a great sniff and looked hungrily at the food in front of him. Mr. Hinor smiled and said,

"Hungry Harry. Eat what you want."

Harry sulkily replied, "C…"

He quickly shut his mouth. He didn't want to put finger on others, especially not on Christy.

"Doctors prohibited me from eating everything except the gruesome food served here."

"Ah… it tastes horrible, doesn't it?" he said with a smile and continued, "What they don't know won't hurt them…"

"But it is for my own good," said Harry, repeating Christy's word, which she had said to him once, when he refused to eat the hospital food.

"Don't be silly," said Mr. Hinor, and as if he had suddenly recognised a mistake he corrected himself, "Sorry Mr. Potter. I mean you can eat them. Those rules only apply for Muggles and Squibs such as myself. Great Wizards such as yourself shouldn't worry about this pesky things."

Harry felt uncomfortable when Mr. Hinor complemented him, but his hunger was too extreme to make him too conscious of the fact. Kicking all Christy warning aside, he quickly piled his plate and started eating.

"What about you, Mr. Hinor?" asked Harry, "Won't you eat something?"

Before he had the chance to reply, the door opened and Christy marched in. As soon as her eyes fell on Harry, she went ballistic and shouted, "What do you think you are doing?"

"Eating," supplied Harry meekly, sinking in a corner of his bed. She huffed hotly and turned to Mr. Hinor,

"How could you allow that Dad? You know there are many food restrictions on him. Do you want him to die?"

Even Mr. Hinor sunk back in his chair, but Harry who had been eating like there's no tomorrow, stopped. He looked at Christy as she had grown an extra head and said,

"Dad? Mr. Hinor is your father."

"Yes," she replied disgruntled as if she was ashamed of the fact.

"Now, now," said Mr. Hinor, looking at her sternly, "That's not the tone to use young lady."

Christy glared at him and it was enough to falter Mr. Hinor. She then tuned to Harry, snatched the plate off his head and threw it aside, shattering the glass in a thousand shards.

"What are you doing?" yelled Harry in surprise as the plate was snatched from him. She looked at him, as if daring him to say something more.

"I'm your doctor," said Christy, laying a delicate amount of stress on the word doctor, "And I know what's good for you."

"Calm down, Christy," said Mr. Hinor as he got up from his chair and wrapped an arm around her shoulder, "Take the day off and enjoy. I need to talk to Mr. Potter about some matters."

Instead of answering or walking out, Christy just stood there, glaring at Mr. Hinor.

"I said go out," said Mr. Hinor, in a somewhat sterner tone, "And I'm saying that as your employer, not your father."

"But he is my PATIENT," shouted Christy, pushing Mr. Hinor away.

"He is not your patient," said Mr. Hinor, "You are only an apprentice doctor here."

Christy huffed angrily as tears brimmed on the edge of her eyes. Mr. Hinor looked sad as he stared at the retreating back of her daughter.

Harry, who had been watching the whole commotion silently, said, "You shouldn't have shouted at her like this."

"Well…" said Mr. Hinor, looking depressed, "I didn't mean to. But she doesn't know about Wizarding world and I think it will be better if she doesn't. So I had to do that."

"Oh…" was all Harry could say.

POP.

A loud noise reverberated in the silence and from out of nowhere; a dark tall man appeared in front of their eyes. Mr. Hinor whose eyes had gone as big as saucer, said, "Good Afternoon, Minister Kingsley."

"Good Afternoon," said Kingsley, in a deep throaty voice, "Mr. Hinor."

With that, he turned to Harry and said with a big smile, "Ah.. so nice to see you all well Harry."

"Good Afternoon Kingsley," said Harry, a little curtly. He wanted it to over as fast as possible so he didn't want to spend his time in pleasantries.

Kingsley looked a little taken aback by the formality in Harry's voice but he composed himself again and continued, "You look much better from the last time."

"What do you want from me?" asked Harry, cutting short the idle chit-chat.

Kingsley stared at Harry, disbelief etched all over his face. But he quickly composed himself and said in a businesslike voice, "Everyone in the Wizarding world is worried about your sudden disappearance. I had been able to constrain them but I don't think I can do that anymore. You must make a appearance."

"And what if I say no?" spat Harry, "I don't owe you anything."

Kingsley remained silent for a moment, and said, "Harry, understand my situation. Daily Prophet has gone ballistic, printing this and that. People are in chaos on the sudden disappearance of the hero. Someone got the news that you are hospitalised and from that day, St. Mungos had to be patrolled by Auror's for just containing the overwhelming crowd. Weasley's have wore down the Ministry carpets —"

"Weasleys?" Harry laughed bitterly.

"Yes Weasley's," said Kingsley, looking at Harry in disbelief, "I don't know who did that to you, but I am sure we can solve that Harry."

"I don't want to go back," said Harry, "At least not now. I will let you know when I change my mind."

"Weasley's did something to you, didn't they?" asked Kingsley, a knowing glint in his dark eyes.

At this question, Harry answer was just silence.

"Here take this," said Kingsley, tossing a wand at Harry, "I thought you might need this."

Harry caught the toss wand and felt happiness coursing through his veins.

"Thanks," he said, feeling genuinely happy as he twirled his old wand.

"Do you want me to tell the others that I have seen you and you are well?" asked Kingsley, "It can very well contain a chaos."

"No don't speak of our meeting Kingsley," said Harry, "Consider it as a friend request."

Kingsley nodded and with a POP, he was gone again.

"What was that all about Harry?" said Mr. Hinor, his eyes still wide in surprise, "Why you don't want to return to the Wizarding world?"

"I would rather not talk about anything related to Wizardry or magic right now," said Harry.

Silence stretched between them.

"So," said Harry suddenly, "How much do I owe you?"

"Owe me?" said Mr. Hinor, looking thoroughly confused.

"Yes," said Harry, "All the Hospital charge."

Mr. Hinor waved a hand in dismissal and said, "Consider it a payback from me for all the work you have done for the wizarding world."

"No, I didn't do that for a price," said Harry, "So how much do I owe you, Mr. Hinor?"

"You don't owe me a thing?" said Mr. Hinor.

"Please," said Harry, stubbornly, "just tell me how much do I owe you? I can't pay you enough for all you have done for me, so please at least pay me for the hospital charge."

Mr. Hinor sighed and said slowly, "Please Harry; don't embarrass me. I am the owner of this Hospital so you shouldn't worry about this."

"But you did pay for the St. Mungos potions?" pointed out Harry.

"Oh no," said Mr. Hinor, "Minister Kingsley paid for it."

"Oh…" said Harry, "But all the medicines and equipments must have cost a dough."

"But…"

"No buts Mr. Hinor," interjected Harry, "I would have understood if I didn't have money. But I have a fortune and so I would rather not exploit your hospitality."

"Christy told me that," said Mr. Hinor, his voice dawdling to a whisper.

"Yes, what Christy told you is right too," said Harry, "But I have a fortune stored in Wizarding world. And I could easily have them transferred to Muggle money."

Mr. Hinor sighed in defeat and said, "As you please Harry. But you will have to call me Daniel from now on."

"Okay," said Harry, a little uncomfortably.

"Let's eat," said Mr. Hinor, giving Harry a plate filled with food.

"But what if Christy came back?" asked Harry, his eyes darting to the door.

"I know my daughter," said Mr. Hinor, "she won't be coming here for the day."

Feeling assured, Harry started to eat, occasionally chatting about the goings in the Muggle world. He was half way through his meal, when the door suddenly fluttered open and marched in Christy.

Her presence was followed by noise of shattering of glasses and a shriek, "What's this?"

The plate in Harry's hand automatically dropped down and he said, "What!"

Without answering, Christy stored and upturned the table on which food was put. Mr. Hinor and Harry gulped and Harry whispered to Mr. Hinor, "Now you must be regretting your decision to give the day off to your bodyguards."

Mr. Hinor just nodded as Christy glared at them.