Disclaimer: Harry Potter and his world belong to J. K. Rowling

Chapter 25:

The nurses were not needed, Will was appreciated for a few days, and Catherine only stayed one night. Harry always recovered a lot quicker from exhaustion caused by using his magic, than he did from the terrible draining of a Dementor feed. But for days, he seemed to want only to sleep, preferably with Julie by his side. For three weeks and three days, he had lived under tremendous strain. Now it was over, but he took a while to recover. It wasn't only the effort of magic that he'd used to destroy the Dementor that left him so tired.

Julie gave the orders this time, who was allowed to visit, and for how long. Beth was pleased to see her taking charge, protecting her husband instead of undermining him, as she'd done more than once in the past. Beth was very happy not to have been needed, and she and Jeremiah returned to their own sunny home.

Hermione had been drained by the stress almost as much as Harry. Now Hermione, too, began to regain weight and spirits, checking Harry daily, and abusing him soundly if she thought he was doing too much. Harry was meek and grateful, and quite often took notice of what she said.

Connor was thrilled to have Adrian back at school, and when the teacher sternly rebuked Adrian for being away yet again, suggested they needed an ice-cream each.

There had been presents waiting for Adrian when he arrived home, including posters from his big auror friend, Louis. Adrian had looked at them in wonderment. There were three, bought at a souvenir shop in Hogsmeade. One showed his father, standing head up, cape swirling, and surrounded all around and above by the circling dark figures of Dementors. Another showed him facing the camera, wand raised, scar blazing, and looking about to kill. It must have been an old photograph, as his hair was pitch black, without the white in it that Adrian had always known. Another was even older, of a slight, black haired youth, apparently casually leaning against a wall, but with eyes that flicked around warily, as if expecting to be attacked at any moment.

They were very precious to Adrian, but Julie knew Harry, and forbade him to put them on display. Harry would hate it. Cissy came to Adrian's rescue, and made him a secret room in the house, using magic like Harry had used to make a secret bedroom. There, Adrian hung his pictures, and there, he kept his very own growing collection of special books.

Among them was a book written by his big sister Beth, and another by his father's second wife, Luna. Adrian had found his way into the secret portion of the library. There had been a book by his father there, too, just one copy, but it only showed blank pages to his curious eyes, so he put it back.

One day, he yielded to temptation, and showed his secret room to his best friend. Connor looked amazed at the moving pictures on the wall, and now knew that Harry was not just a wizard, he was the great wizard. He kept quiet, not even telling his parents. Neither Ian nor Connor wanted to lose their friendships with the Potter family.

Four days after the Dementor was killed, Harry joined some of his workers in the staff dining room for lunch, Tammy at his heels. He still looked very thin, but wore a look of contentment again. Caradoc Dearborn was there, but stayed back, watching, as Harry's friends made a fuss of him.

Harry smiled at him, and Caradoc nodded back, but he didn't like noisy crowds, and slipped away as soon as he finished his meal. Harry was still getting tired easily, and didn't stay long. It was just to say hello to everyone, and he was very interested in talking to Caradoc.

It was only a day or two later that he called Bluebird into service, the grey and white full brother of Clown. Riding was easier than walking, but he was not up to Mischief yet, and Kelly was a bit tall. It wasn't to be long, and on Saturday, he was on Kelly, casually bareback as always, to visit Ian Maguire. Ian was very pleased to see him, not knowing what the danger had been, but it was obviously over.

Caradoc walked alone still, retreating if anyone approached him, so they left him alone. He'd made one friend whom he seemed to enjoy being around. Often he was with feeble-minded Will, sharing the repetitive manual work that suited Will.

Harry had promised Caradoc that he'd get him a wand as soon as he could, and also that he'd tackle Jebedee about some pay or a pension. Meantime, he presented him with a writing machine. The Ministry did not yet know that Caradoc was with Harry. Harry had forgotten to mention it, and all the Italians knew was that he'd disappeared from inside a locked, closed ward.

The following Saturday, Harry was with Simon and Beau, at another big horse show. As well as the jumping, they had a couple of Cissy's mares to show. To his regret, Harry hadn't been able to go with Cissy and Bridon to buy the stallion. It was not to Cissy's regret - she thought that in Harry's state of renewed enthusiasm, she might wind up with far more horses than she could cope with.

Harry felt almost well again, and looked better than he had in weeks, but he still tired easily, and spent time dozing in the sunshine while Melissa and Jason worked. Ian was reminded forcibly of their first meeting. But Harry had only referred vaguely to kidnap threats when asked why Adrian had been hidden away, and Ian didn't enquire further.

He wasn't to learn more until he was at Harry's place a few days later, and he went off to ask Tracy if she'd mind getting them some afternoon tea. Ian picked up a newspaper left on the coffee table, and gaped as he saw a moving picture of Harry Potter, taken a while back, as he still had long hair. The story was to do with the necessity of driving the monster out of England. It was obvious now that he was insane.

Harry came back bearing a tray, concentrating, as he had to do without his cane. He saw immediately that he'd been thoroughly sprung, but only asked if his guest would like his coffee poured. Tracy followed him out not long after, with another tray of fresh scones, and his cane tucked under an arm. She looked at the Daily prophet lying on the table with some alarm, but Harry only shrugged, and thanked her.

"Do you want to tell me about it?" Ian asked Harry.

Harry said "Umm..." then shook his head. "Too difficult to explain."

But as he spread jam and cream on a scone, he did explain further. "I can do things that no other wizard can do, and people don't always like it. Sometimes, I'm 'the great wizard,' as you heard Julie refer to me one time, but mostly nowadays, I'm the monster."

"Difficult," observed the vet.

"Julie hates it," said Harry. "If it was just me, I might try and brazen it out, but as it is, I think I might accept a teaching position in America for a year. They like me there."

Ian asked, "Then what?"

"Well, Adrian is supposed to be going to school here when he's eleven, but it depends how bad the feeling is about me at that time. It would be sad if he couldn't go, I loved Hogwarts when I was a kid, but it may not be possible. We'll have to see."

The monster making an explosion in Diagon Alley had convinced a lot more of wizardry that Harry Potter was to be feared, and preferably expelled from decent company. Stories of those whom he'd killed were spreading far and wide, and the carefully considered Ministry statement was widely labelled a cover-up.

When Jebedee visited a few days later, Harry was talking to Mischief.

Harry grinned at him. "Look at her," he said. "Just like her dad! She wanted a stallion, so she let herself out of the paddock, and found herself one - and I have no idea what sort of stallion it might be."

"Barbara wants to talk to you," Jebedee said, not adding that Jebedee had strict instructions from Catherine to take him to her, too.

"Sure," said Harry. "Now?"

"You're fit enough to apparate?"

"Oh, yes, Hermione said I could apparate over a week ago." But he regarded his muddy boots, "Maybe I'll just change first."

They walked toward the house. Harry suddenly turned to Jebedee, and he was reddening. "Just wanted to say thank you. I think I might have gone mad if it wasn't for you and the others looking after me."

Jebedee gripped him by the shoulder. "No-one more happy than I..." and the big tough black man stopped, turned away, and continued rather too quickly, walking toward the house. His moment of emotion passed, though, and he thought with an internal grin that Harry had indeed gone a little bit mad. How many fights had there been? And how many girls!

Not long later, Jebedee waited in the atrium of the Ministry for Harry to appear. He was puzzled, what was the delay? He checked in Barbara's office in case he'd avoided the atrium. Had something happened? They'd been together. Jebedee thought that they'd disapparated together.

He waited a few more minutes, and then returned to Harry's place. A hundred yards away, Harry was off by himself, generating some very intense strong magic. Fifteen sheep huddled against a fence, as far away from him as they could get. Jebedee himself, flinched, even at that distance. A young man whom Jebedee didn't know watched them both with curiosity.

Harry allowed his magic to die down, and walked across to Jebedee. Jebedee glanced at where he'd been, and asked, "Why?"

Harry was looking embarrassed. "Ummm..."

Jebedee just stared at him, and suddenly Harry was laughing, though it was going to be an awful problem if he couldn't fix it... And he said to Jebedee, "I'm the great spell-breaker, right? Haven't had a failure since I don't know when."

Jebedee nodded. Harry was shaking his head. "There's a spell on me, and I can't overcome it."

"What spell?" asked Jebedee, concerned.

"The Dementor put an anti-disapparation spell on me. It was the first warning of its presence. I forgot about it."

"Embarrassing," said Jebedee. "Are you going to be able to overcome it?"

Harry scratched his head, serious now. "I don't know. It's different magic. I might have to work on it a while." He flashed a look at Jebedee, "You reckon you can keep it quiet? It's rather embarrassing!"

Jebedee hesitated. "You can't apparate because there's a spell on you!"

Harry nodded. "I should have been able to feel it, but it's different magic. I didn't realise until I tried to come with you."

Jebedee said, "Barbara knew I was looking for you... Do you mind if I bring her here?"

Harry hesitated. The secrecy of his hidden home was important to him, but he rebuked himself. Barbara had never wavered in her support. "Yes, of course, I'd like to see her. I'll see if Tracy and Klaus can made us a morning tea as good as she always provides."

Ten minutes later, Harry had conjured some fresh furniture, to be outside in the gentle April sunshine, even making a chair modified to suit Barbara's short stature, and had alerted Tracy that the Minister for Magic was expected, and a morning tea needed.

Tracy, who was pregnant, started instructing her new assistant in what was needed. Sybil Shunpike was clumsy, but well meaning, and very eager to please. She thought it absolutely amazing that she'd been hired to help serve the great wizard, but was apt to go bright red and drop things whenever he was near.

Julie was with Harry now, smiling with pleasure at the prospect of a visit from Barbara who had become a friend. And it was Julie who pointed out that the short, round woman was not much of a walker, and the apparation zone was 600 yards from the house.

When Barbara appeared five minutes later, a small two seater open carriage waited, with a pretty little grey and white pony harnessed to it. Harry was smiling at her, and Julie waited on the seat.

Jebedee was impressed. That hadn't taken long!

Barbara gave Harry a tight hug and a kiss. She'd seen the Dementor, knew what had been in store for him, the same as he'd endured twice before, and had scarcely survived. The second time, she knew, he hadn't wanted to survive.

Harry hugged her tightly back. He was really remarkably fond of Barbara.

Barbara had never been to Harry's place before. Not many had. It was hidden. Barbara looked around in pleasure at the gardens and fields. The place bore an air of smiling content. And Harry, on a pony beside the little cart, was also looking smilingly contented, very different from when she'd seen him last.

There had been three foals that year and Barbara smiled in pleasure as she caught sight of them romping together. The foals were of the line of Sheba, and were sired by a big and powerful stallion with a reputation for producing show jumpers. Beau and Simon had suggested the stallion, and were taking a great interest in the foals, two bay colts, and a black filly.

Harry courteously handed down his friend from the little vehicle, and they talked generally a while. He was not needed for the overseas trips, as Cissy was feeling better now, in mid pregnancy. She'd already started, doing Norway instead of Harry. Crowds of people expecting to see the great wizard had been disappointed, and several hopeful girls gave up and went home.

Harry wouldn't give an answer about future plans. Attacks on him by the Daily Prophet had become increasingly vitriolic. And when Jebedee said that it would be a good thing if the full story of the Dementor were known, including that he could no longer apparate because of a spell, because it might soften the public perception of him a little, he gave it some serious thought. But then he remembered the December before last, and the Dementor coming to him for a feed, and he blanched and refused - he never wanted people knowing about that.

Restlessly, he got up, and paced for a moment, and then conceded that they could make it known that he could no longer apparate if they chose, and then added that temporarily, he could no longer apparate. It might make him less feared, at least.

Julie was enjoying talking to Barbara now that business appeared to be over, and Harry asked Jebedee to come with him. He wanted him to meet someone. He extended his mind a touch, and knew that Will and Caradoc were working in the walled garden.

Harry introduced Jebedee to Caradoc, and Jebedee said to Caradoc. "I should have known that Harry had something to do with your disappearance. The Italians were baffled."

Harry shrugged. "They shouldn't have locked him up. Sometimes I think that no-one should be locked up, no matter what!"

Caradoc was already looking uneasy, and Harry said that they'd leave him alone, but that the Minister for Magic was here, with Julie, if he wanted to meet either of them.

Caradoc gave a remote smile, and said maybe some other time. He had a look from a distance, though. It was just that he'd been so long alone.

Harry was unexpectedly frank with Jebedee as they returned to the others. "He was on duty when he was hurt. What about his pay? He needs his own money."

Jebedee blinked. Ninety years backpay? "I'll organise something."

"He needs a wand, too, but I might send Jason to get him one, and me, too, since it seems I can't so easily travel," and he added again, as he had before, "Just temporarily, of course. No doubt I'll work something out."

Harry worked on the problem. He could make very strong magic, but the alien magic was different, and it was like he could not aim right. There was no good trying to fix himself with that touchpoint that was in a person's mind that he used in his telepathic cures. That was a place, a deep awareness that knew what a person was meant to be, and could restore him to that, casting off donkey ears, or pig snouts, or skin conditions. But this was not a spell like that.

A month later, he was beginning to be really annoyed. Muggle transport was so slow! But it was beginning to look like the great wizard would have to use muggle transport. No-one else could apparate with him, either. He had Jebedee try it, but they both stayed firmly where they were.

Word spread. Harry White was triumphant. He could do what he wanted now, and be the powerful wizard that he was always meant to be. He started travelling. He found no Dementors, but started building up a power base among certain powerful dark wizards in some cold Northern countries. And he started talking to Goblins.

Rebecca White was very relieved. Her husband was often away for long periods. She knew not to try and flee, and he always came back, but life was a lot easier for the innocent girl who had married a monster. She remembered how he'd looked to her before they'd married. Big and powerfully built, blonde, handsome, smiling. She never thought of their wedding night, or their honeymoon when she'd discovered just how helpless she was. Rebecca White had some very deep and painful scarring of the soul.

Harry Potter thought about checking on White. He hadn't done that in a long time. But he shrank from contact with that mind, and he hated the idea of having to go up against his own son. He was glad that he hadn't killed him. Surely it must be a great crime to kill one's own son! Now he could not apparate in order just to go and have a look.

But there was no word of any problems, and the Dementors still had not made any sort of a reappearance. Maybe Harry wasn't responsible for everything. He decided to forget about that accidental Australian son whom he really did not like.

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