Harry crashed through the eggshell, screaming at the top of his lungs. It was not the feeble, half hearted voice he had expected to emanate from his damaged chest, but a marvellously strong, restored voice, not unlike a roar. He could neither see, nor hear the people around the enclosure as the other eggs cracked loudly in his ears. For all the new strength he felt in his chest, he felt remarkably weak in the legs still. He found he could not run away as he had planned on trying if all else failed. He was in the undignified position of sitting in the half egg shell, and with a thrill of horror, he found that he was as naked as the day he had been born, and he didn't at this moment appreciate what had been done to him, or the fact that in a sense, he had been reborn.
Sashu plucked all the babies, four in total, plus Harry, from their shells one at a time. Even in his terror, Harry plucked a piece of the membrane that had lined his shell. It was as thick as leather, and he quickly tied it about his waist just as he was plucked from the nest. Sashu swept the nest with her tail, knocking the empty shells out, and than placed each baby, including Harry back into the nest. It wasn't as easy on Harry as it was for the baby dragons. He landed roughly on his back, having only enough strength to regain a seated position. The babies were sleepy and unco-ordinated. They were falling over, stepping on and squashing Harry. He felt he should be used to this. Dudley had treated him similarly all of his life. Seeing that Harry was definitely the runt of the clutch, Sashu place him in the side of the nest, away from the other babies.
In all the excitement of watching her eggs hatch, she only now looked properly at Harry. Her eyes were on him, and he quaked with fear under her intensive gaze. Sashu now breathed fire over the heads of the other babies, leaving Harry wet and shivering in the early October breezes. It was as everyone had feared, she was rejecting him, and they would now have to begin a rescue mission. The more Sashu held Harry in her stare, the more a sense of recognition came to her. She gave a tremendous roar as Harry covered his head and ducked. She began to beat her mighty wings furiously, and Harry wished she would just get it over with and kill him. Sashu seemed to be yelling at Harry, and though she laid not a talon on him,she continued to berate him with sometimes angry, sometimes sad tones.
It wasn't long before Harry's battered body began to betray him again. He could not stand the cold, being wet and sticky, but Sashu wasn't finished with him. She gave in to her motherly instinct, and blew a rush of hot flame far enough over his body that he felt the warmth, but did not get burned. His skin and hair dried out and he felt warmed, although now the gooey film which had coated his entire body was now an uncomfortable crust of white, like dried egg whites. The long piece of leathery membrane, had shrunk to shorts length. Harry was, for some unknown reason, determined to die clothed. He grabbed a large leaf, the size of a window curtain, and once again wrapped himself in it. He hadn't been eaten or barbecued yet, so he felt like this must be yet another dream. He coughed and he knew his eyes had deceived him, for he could have sworn that he'd seen sparks fly from his mouth. Sashu seemed pleased. She bent close to him, but just couldn't accept him. It seemed somewhere in her mind, she could place that face, though thinner than when she had first had an impression of it.
Sashu, who had been brought to Hogwarts from Romania, had heard a strange scary tale from the other dragons, who had returned from this familiar place after enduring torment from the pupils of this place or one just like it. It seemed that these wizards enjoyed tormenting new nesting mothers by stealing one of their beloved eggs for sport. This child, this baby, had been one of those boys that the dragons had relayed to one another, the boy with the scar on his forehead who had stolen one of their eggs. Sashu, now believing with her recognition, that Harry was only here to commit a heinous crime against her, was furious, however she was at a loss to explain to herself how she could justify killing this boy, who had just passed out cold.
Once again, Tyler proved invaluable. He called to Sashu, but she was no longer willing to leave her nest to stretch up to see him. "Professor Dumbledore, Sir, I can make her understand. I know what's bothering her! Please Sir, let me go down to her!"
Snape argued against letting this little boy risk his life in a bid to save Harry's. "Headmaster, I will rectify this situation, as it was my idea to approve this unusual treatment." Snape squared his shoulders, took a deep breath and walked into the enclosure, which incensed Sashu. She blew fire directly at his head. Snape fired an icy spray into the fire, freezing it immediately and causing it to dissolve into a smoky mist. Tyler knew Snape would kill if he had to, so he ducked into the doorway, which Snape had neglected to close. He ran unnoticed, right past the Potions Master and stood in front of Harry, who lay sprawled face down in the nest.
Sashu did not want to hurt the child. She knew he was innocent and unique. Sashu showed Tyler her fear. Harry was here to steal her babies as he had stolen the Hungarian Horntail egg. Tyler assured her that the egg had been fake, and that Harry had actually not wanted anything to do with aggravating the nest in the first place. Tyler frantically communicated to her that Harry had only ended up in the tournament in the first place because of dark wizard interference. This explanation placated the disgruntled dragon as far as the boy in her nest went, but she wanted something now that she knew she had leverage with these humans...Harry, as a hostage. Sashu wanted the powers that be, to know that messing around with a mother's babies wasn't acceptable sport, and it was hurtful and frightening, even for a creature so large. Using a creature's young as a game was sickening.
Tyler was moved to tears as he was ordered to relate to the highest authority present, Sashu's demands, that no dragon's would be used for wizard sport ever again. It didn't seem to bother her to be oohed and awed over, but the mistreatment of young by her standards, was not negotiable. She held the cards now, and she knew that this boy was important to these humans, as important it seemed as her babies were to her.
Professor Dumbledore stepped forward and it was clear that as old and intelligent as he'd always been, he really hadn't considered that a dragon's feelings could be hurt and that they could carry that hurt for years. He had always lived his life as a caring, compassionate wizard, who never abused his power, and he felt ashamed and hurt that he had been a part in inflicting hurt feelings on creatures who were not as tough as everyone suspected. Dumbledore bowed to her humbly, at a loss for words. So deep was his guilt that he did not defend himself when she hurled a fiery wall at him. This time it was Hagrid, who, raising his wand, leapt out of no where, into the old wizard, knocking him to the ground and he himself becoming engulfed in flames. No one could believe that Hagrid lay injured, but intact upon the ground. Normally he would have been left nothing but a pile of bones. Dragon's like this could control their flames within inches of their target. Sashu had not intended to hit Dumbledore squarely, it had been a warning, but Hagrid's massive frame had come within her target range.
Hermione started screaming in indignation and anger as Ron threw off his many layers and ran into the field with his parents and the rest of the Weasleys. The thought that he'd hurt a creature, knowingly or unknowingly, had hurt Dumbledore to his heart. Everyone still standing now had their wands trained on the frustrated frightened mother. No one wanted to kill her, though they did not know that Harry's face had provoked fear and panic in her because of his past dealings with dragons. Everyone feared that Harry had died, for he had not moved during all the loud commotion.
Ginny knew in her heart that Harry would not want the dragon hurt. He had not even wanted Sirius and Lupin to kill Peter Pettigrew after all the murderous things he had done. Harry had a very different outlook on death, having seen it many times in his young life. This was a misunderstanding started by humans, and humans needed to fix it. "Please Harry, just move your hand, anything to tell me that you're alive...please," Ginny pleaded, her face pressed against the wall, where Harry could never possibly hear her. By miracle or coincidence, and at this point Ginny didn't care, Harry turned his head, without opening his eyes. He was still alive!
"Lower your wands! I"m telling you, lower them!" Tyler ordered, as he turned to Sashu and pointed to Hagrid. Tyler had heard of baby Norbert from Harry when he had tried in vain to keep Harry talking while he had been pinned under the log to keep him conscious. Tyler related to Sashu, Hagrid's sorrow of having been separated from the dragon he'd loved. Sashu trained her eyes on the prone figure of Hagrid, and was confused now. She made a deal with them. "Leave! Go back, go back!" shouted Tyler.
Reluctantly, everyone went back to their seats. Mrs Weasley was in tears as she wrapped Ron back up in his cloaks. Ron didn't care if he was cold and he couldn't feel the burn in his throat from all the yelling he had done unknowingly. He stared glassy eyed at the place where Harry and Hagrid lay, knowing that the person he'd promised to fight beside, was finally dead. Hermione's ever present hope couldn't die as she watched Mr Weasley and Snape, levitate Hagrid onto a floating stretcher. When Professor Dumbledore had recovered himself, he spoke to Sashu through Tyler. Charlie, who was the only wizard Sashu had ever trusted now stood, wand pointed at his charge, hoping he wouldn't have to use a damaging curse to stop the rampage. Charlie called to Sashu too, then he did something very brave or very foolish. He put his wand down, and stepped away from it speaking in a soothing tone. Even though Sashu could not understand the words, she understood the gesture. She had seen nasty wands before.
Dumbledore assured Sashu that she was in no further danger at Hogwarts, and even he had no understanding of how much of the conversation the dragon could take in. He intended to put an act in front of the Ministry of Magical Creatures to stop further exploitation of these misunderstood dragons. So much had been learned on this day. How it all turned out, would have a huge impact on the outcome of the proposed protective act.
Tyler let Sashu know that she was in control. They just wanted Harry, not her babies.
Sashu nudged Harry onto his back and made a sad, anguished noise. Even she could tell that he was not acting like a normal baby. She inquired of Tyler what was wrong with the boy. Again, Tyler showed her the dark wizards attacking him, as she blew a hot gentle steam over him. His skin seemed to pink up almost immediately, as Sashu nudged Harry again. He opened his eyes slowly, panic returning in full, staring into the large orbs inches from his face.
"Harry!" Tyler yelled.
"Tyler! Get away from it! It'll kill you too!" Harry yelled in alarm.
"No Harry, stay down, she understands me. Just hang in there. She's really scared."
"She's what!"
"Look, Harry, she thought you were there to steal her babies because of that tournament you were in."
"That wasn't my idea! I never thought that was a good idea from the start," Harry lamented, feeling sick and miserable. Sashu's face came closer to his. "How much do I have to pay for that tournament? If it was money, I'd give it all away. Cedric already paid with his life for it. If you're gonna kill me dragon, do it now! I'm dead already anyway! Do you hear me dragon! Right here!" Harry pointed to his heart. "I'm done! Everything in the world's my fault, I shouldn't have lived! Come on!" he bellowed at the poor dragon, than he staggered, passing a hand over his brow, breathing labouriously. He fell to his knees sobbing unable to continue and waiting for the final blow which never came.
Hagrid sat up, receiving care from Madam Pomfrey. He had tears in his eyes. There wasn't a dry eye in the place, who didn't wish they could ease Harry's burden. On top of everything else, here he was being accused of being cruel to a creature, when he had never been cruel in his life, though at times, at least on Dudley, it would have been more than justified. Sashu now knew that Harry had also been abused all his life and became protective of him. She stood protectively over him as Dumbledore promised that sporting tradition would change at Hogwarts immediately. Dumbledore was a humble man, and would do anything to improve himself and his school.
Harry's whole body shook with pain, physical and mental. He could take no more. He still had no idea why he was here. He wasn't aware that somewhere, very close were his friends, his family. Once again, Sashu warmed her nest and Harry prepared to be engulfed in flames and die. He hoped it would at least be quick. He opened his eyes, though without his glasses, it didn't do much good. Sashu allowed Charlie to levitate Harry's glasses to him as Harry sighed in uncertain relief that he did not get burned.
"Harry, you're going to have to reach out to get your glasses," Charlie called. Harry wasn't sure he wanted them. As far as he was concerned, there wasn't anything to see, but he put them on reluctantly. When he looked up, his eyes still misty, it struck him just how beautiful the creature was. For a full minute, she stared right back at him, no longer seeing the brave warrior who had committed aggressive acts on her kind, but though, at sixteen, he was almost a man, she saw a small child. Harry's scar was no longer an identifying mark upon his brow, but a bond between the child and herself. They had both been cruelly stricken by dark wizards in their pasts.
When Harry finally figured out that she was no longer bent on killing him, he sank back down and Sashu closed off everyone's view of him. Harry could not fight his exhaustion any longer and fell asleep. All anyone watching could do, was hope that Harry would survive until Sashu would let them have him. It was clear that she would do him no direct harm, but they feared that he may need medical attention. Between Charlie and Tyler, Harry was sent soup and crackers and protein shakes, but Sashu would not permit them to see or touch him. Hagrid had sent a gift of whisky to the mother for her babies, even though they were not orphaned and would not need anything but mother's milk. She gave some to all of her babies and insisted Harry have some. Noting the absence of chicken's blood, Harry was eternally grateful. These dragon's needed no extra protein so Hagrid had thoughtfully left out that ingredient.
Sashu did not understand weight proportions between Harry and her babies, who gulped the whisky gratefully. It wasn't long before Harry was extremely comfortable. It was a good thing that Sashu had blocked him from view, because right now, Harry felt no pain, and didn't care in the slightest that he was buck naked. Tyler could only catch snippets of his drunken conversation with Sashu.
"It's a nice place y'ev here, but I do think the roof leaks, it's a little musty, and I think yer dog pooped on the floor over there", he said, pointing to a large pile of dragon dung. "BIG DOG! Nice puppy, puppy!" Harry called drunkenly. In a way, it was nice to hear Harry out of fear and feeling no pain. He must have passed out, because Sashu blew a light heat over him and his conversation ceased after he slurred to Sashu in a friendly was that he had a dog too.
Mr and Mrs Weasley had endured many beratements from Ron, who had been ordered back to the Hospital Wing when it became apparent that the cold tension filled wait was proving too much for him to handle silently. Normally, he would have been punished for the behaviour he was now showing. He had lost his voice in protest that he needed to be near Harry. Mr Weasley had for the most part, left the discipline to his wife, but now he reluctantly, with regret written all over his face, raised his wand and struck Ron silent to save his throat. He ordered Fred and George to take him back to his room. Hagrid waved everyone off when they suggested that he head back to the castle as well and they had to admit that he looked fine. A half Giant's constitution is very strong indeed.
Ron was so distraught that Hermione felt torn between staying and going. Ever loyal, Ron indicated he wanted her stay here, as the twins led him away regretfully. They would have protested as well, but looking at Ron's pale face, they had to agree that he needed to lie down. He gave one last long glance at the nest, feeling guilty for the hard time he had given his parents at such an already stress filled time .
When Harry awoke, glasses crooked, feeling quite hung over, but not knowing whether it was the whisky or the injuries that were making him feel so miserable, he saw the baby dragon's were still sleeping. He was no longer scared, nor was he resolved to die. Sensing her child stirring and still going by instinct alone, Sashu figured that having woken early, he must be hungry. She offered him some more Firewhisky, and when it came near his nose, he almost wretched, and clutched his stomach. She pushed his human drink, the protein shake over to him, and though he didn't have the stomach for it, he sipped it anyway to avoid the further intake of alcohol. Just the container of it being near him was enough to make his senses reel. When Harry had finally finished his protein shake, Sashu, to Harry's absolute embarrassment, raised her talon, and gave him a light tap on his back. He burped, and it now became apparent that living inside a dragon's egg had had a very profound effect on him. The burp had brought sparks issuing from his mouth! While he was feeling like that must have been some very powerful Firewhisky, Sashu seemed immensely proud. She blew flames over her babies, as if showing him how it's done. Harry wasn't remotely scared, just curious. What was he doing here? Would this new talent stay with him? This was the first time Harry had been alone without someone fussing over him, if you didn't count the over protective mother dragon that is. It felt almost like freedom to him now to be here with her. Harry of course, had no idea how heartsick and worried everyone was about him.
Harry had no desire to escape. Where? He thought to himself. He almost fancied now , that if he wanted to run away from his destiny, this dragon might be just the ticket. He kept his fantasy in check, when he decided he would not risk his new friends life for a chance at freedom, and feeling this way, he wondered for the first time, how would get out of here. Knowing that Tyler was around, Harry could sense he was safe, a feeling he was not keen to give up.
It had become apparent to everyone assembled, that Sashu was not willing to give Harry up just yet. The light of day, turned to night. Harry had slept a good deal of the day away, sleeping off the Firewhisky, and feeling very warm with the baby dragons. When night fell however, Harry found that the pain in his body had returned in full. Madam Pomfrey had informed him that he would have to take potion to ease it for many months yet, if he was to heal properly. Harry tried hard not to make a big deal of it, he'd endured so much in his life.
Sashu remembered Tyler showing her images of Harry trapped under a fallen tree, and he had also related Harry's injuries to her. She knew she had helped Harry as far as keeping him warm, but even she could tell his face changed when he cringed in pain. It did not escape her mother's instincts. She blew a warm puff of heat over him and covered him in large leaves. Sashu turned to Tyler who had fallen asleep under a large feather filled blanket conjured up by Professor Dumbledore for him. Tyler woke up, almost sensing her gaze. Tyler was allowed to see Harry, as Sashu asked him what she could do for this baby. Despite being told that Harry was almost grown as a human, Sashu saw him as a new baby.
Tyler suggested that Professor Snape put Harry's medicine into a warm cup of tea. Snape seemed relieved that Harry was alert enough to feel pain. He placed Harry's many potions into the cup of tea with honey and milk that Dobby had made, and floated it out to the nest. Everyone who remained in the seats around the enclosure was rewarded with a brief glimpse of Harry reaching for his tea from under his leaf blankets.
The pain in Harry's back diminished immediately and the tea felt wonderful on his throat. Sashu closed her nest off from view as quickly as possible, and she seemed to feel better now that her 'child' seemed to be feeling better, though by morning, she wondered why he wasn't tromping around the nest like the other babies. She did not understand yet, that Harry could not walk.
On the second day since the hatching, Sashu had trouble keeping her babies from treading on Harry. They were becoming a handful now already, though she felt she could not neglect Harry. That evening, when she had finally gotten her babies to sleep, she tucked Harry lovingly into the large leaves on the opposite side of the nest. She was exhausted, but Tyler had told her that Harry had no mother. She couldn't let him go out into the world without a mother.
Though Harry could not communicate with Sashu as well as Tyler had, there was a bond between them, though Harry still had no idea why she seemed to be looking after him. He had gotten quite used to the tap on the back when he'd finished his meals and potions, but he was unprepared for what happened next. He finished the last sip of his cocoa and scrunched up his shoulders in preparation for the tap which would be forthcoming. Sashu gave her usual small tap, and this time, a small flame emanated form Harry's mouth. Harry was so shocked that he wiggled his tongue around in mouth to check for burns, but there were none. Sashu was proud indeed. She in turn tapped each of her babies on the back, who emitted sparks and smoke rings from their mouths. As ridiculous as it was, Harry was almost proud of himself. According to the Dursley's, Harry had done every milestone at least three months behind Dudley. Harry thought bitterly that he'd better not show off, he might be accused of publicity seeking.
"Can I go now?" Madam Pomfrey examined Ron's throat carefully as Hermione sat in the chair next to his bed. She had been going between Ron's bedside and the dragon enclosure for three days. Up to now, the only thing she'd been able to tell Ron was that Harry was still alive, and Sashu wouldn't let anyone else near him.
"Yes, Mr Weasley, you may go." Madam Pomfrey's tone, let Ron know that he'd been a pain in the neck during the last three days.
"I'm sorry, Madam Pomfrey," he apologized sincerely. "I just wanted to get back to Harry." He looked down at the floor.
"I know Mr Weasley, we're all quite on edge, but I daresay you should apologize to your parents. They could lose one son, they don't want to lose another. Ron had not gone quietly back to the Hospital Wing that night. He'd said some pretty awful things in his anguish.
The morning was cold and rainy so Hermione made her ceiling charm for them to walk down to the enclosure. When Mrs Weasley saw them, Ron knew she held no grudge as she drew him into a warm hug. Ron hugged his parents, very ashamed that he had given them such grief.
Ginny had said very little for the last three days. She had made herself a little makeshift tent, and had stayed by the side of the enclosure, feeling sure that somehow she would able to help Harry, she just had to. For the first day, Ginny had been angry with the mother dragon, then she felt jealous that Sashu would not give him back, than she just felt that everything happened for a reason, and sometimes you are just not made privy to those reasons.
Ginny had never made her feelings for Harry public since she had had a crush on him as a small child. As far as she had let on, she had grown out of her childhood crush, yet she was strangely drawn to stay near Harry. She knew she would have done this for any one of her brothers, but this she also knew, was different.
By the third day, it wasn't only Sashu who was having a hard time. Her little ones had grown significantly bigger overnight, and were much larger than Harry now. Not being able to walk, meant Harry had to crawl painfully away from their trampling clumsiness. The little dragons were intensely curious about the different baby. Sashu had just shielded Harry with her tail, as one of the babies, burped a small fireball at him playfully. She knew that his soft, pink skin was not flame resistant like her other babies. It was at this point that Sashu knew she could not keep Harry as she had intended.
Sashu nuzzled Harry, and Harry understood. Part of him, a small part, would miss the quiet of the nest, but the bigger part missed the company of his friends and the comforts the nest could not provide, like Ginny's back rubs to ease his pain. Sashu called to Tyler in a series of soft chirrups, long and short. Again, Tyler woke immediately. Sashu seemed almost formal in her stance. Harry saw Tyler nod in relief and understanding, just as she closed off her nest from view again.
Tyler conferred with Dumbledore and Snape, than approached the waiting area. "She wants someone to come collect him who loves him. She'll only accept females, Tyler informed Hagrid as he volunteered eagerly for the position. She wants to talk to someone about Harry. I think she wants to make sure that someone will mother him. She knows, see...that he has no...mother."
The obvious choice was Mrs Weasley, but even Mr Weasley did not seem keen to let his wife go down to meet the protective mother. It would take more than one person to get Harry out of there, so it was decided that Hermione and Ginny would accompany Mrs Weasley to get Harry. Mr Weasley hugged Mrs Weasley like they were saying goodbye, and Ron embraced Hermione, not wanting to let go of her. "I'll be right back," she assured him, as they had to run to catch up with Ginny, who was warned not to come across as too bold.
"Oh, I know I know," Ron lied. He remembered vividly the times when two of them would pair off to defend the other, but now, he felt left out of the loop. Sure, the dragon had not harmed Harry, but she did not have the bond with Hermione, his sister, and his mother as she had with him.
Hermione, Ginny and Mrs Weasley approached the curled up dragon with fear and caution, arm in arm, even though Tyler assured them that everything would be fine, so long as she felt that she could trust them to look after her charge.
Sashu seemed to have questions that were very tough for all of them, translated by Tyler. She wanted to know who Mrs Weasley was, and what her intentions toward Harry were. Sashu could not understand how dark wizards could have gotten a hold of Harry without her knowing about it. Tyler tried to explain that dragons aged slower than humans, and that Harry in fact, was not a baby, and that even if Mrs Weasley was his real mother, she would not still be with him all the time. Sashu did not quite understand, but she did know that Mrs Weasley had adopted him in her eyes and that she loved him like her own, and that was good enough for her.
Sashu seemed to understand Hermione. She looked at her own babies, and then at Harry and Hermione. She felt that Harry and Hermione looked similar to each other, and she guessed that Hermione was his sibling. Mrs Weasley pointed out her children to Sashu. When Sashu saw Ron, she looked back at Mrs Weasley, as if remorseful that she had accidentally hurt her child. Charlie knew he had enough new knowledge and understanding of dragon's feelings and family structure to re-write the book on dragons.
As Sashu regarded Ginny, the small girl shivered slightly despite trying to remain calm. Even Tyler, though he would never tease Harry about it, had figured out that he had feelings beyond friend for Ginny. The dragon felt that it was entirely too early to be scoping a mate, but she didn't understand the human aging process. The earnest expression on Ginny's face, let Sashu know, before she had even asked Tyler, that this girl truly had protective instincts for Harry. The dragon knew that they could not replace Harry's mother, but she felt she could trust these females to nurture him back to health and happiness. So it was with sorrow, that Sashu stood aside and let them see Harry for the first time in days.
The sight was nothing short of awesome. Sashu seemed to be saying a quiet goodbye to her nestling as Mrs Weasley transported Harry onto a stretcher, wearing only the leaves he had wrapped himself in. As soon as he was out the cozy nest, he felt the icy cold breeze of October. Sashu approved highly of the ladies placing their cloaks on him. She could tell that he would be well tended. The babies needed her attention, which was a good thing, as she was getting very emotional.
Ginny looked into Harry's green eyes, and knew that there was something different about him. He looked back at Sashu, feeling almost sad to leave her. He knew she had adopted him, and she had only let him go because in her heart, she knew he belonged with his own kind. Now that she had Harry safely in her care, Ginny felt grateful to the dragon who had saved Harry's life, and she gave a polite bow of thanks, as did her mother and Hermione.
"I''ll come see you as soon as I can," Harry promised. Tyler did not have to translate. "Thanks," Harry said through tears he now did not care who saw. He really had no idea just what had taken place over the past days, but he knew that it was something very special. Sashu blew a warm breath over him before Hermione, Ginny and Mrs Weasley gently drew him away.
Harry and Sashu watched each other for as long as they could see. Everyone ran up to them, ecstatic to have Harry back, and relieved to have had the transaction go smoothly and without injury or death. Harry was not the only exhausted one. Indeed they all looked haggard as they travelled back to the castle.
Charlie and Hagrid saw them up the outer wall of the enclosure. "I'll be up ter see yeh soon, Harry," Hagrid promised. Charlie, who had been scribbling down notes the entire time, complimented Tyler for his handling of the situation.
Ginny held Harry's hand all the way back up to the castle. There was a silence among them. Harry just wanted to seal this experience into his memory, his and his alone at least for now. Harry had not had anything like a secret or privacy for a very long time, except for bad periods of isolation and lonely times, nothing positive like this had been. He knew he would visit Sashu again as soon as he could. He missed her already as a matter of fact, but when Ginny smiled at him, eyes bright from being on the on the verge of tears of relief, he was glad to be going back, even if it was only to the Hospital W ing.
Max leapt happily up onto Harry's bed as he was tucked in, glad of the smooth soft mattress and blankets. Harry patted the shaggy head of his enthusiastic friend, and looked forward to taking Max for walks around the grounds. 'If my legs hurry up and get with it,' he thought.
The last thing Harry felt like was being fussed over. He just wanted to sleep, and dream of dragons, flying, breathing fire, and being free, but he submitted politely to the usual routine. Madam Pomfrey's wand shouted "ninety eight point six !" from under Harry's tongue and everyone cheered, except Snape, who merely nodded, as if for once Harry had concocted a satisfactory potion in class. "Satisfactory Potter, I believe you are on your way." Now that Harry wasn't necessarily dying, Snape had regained his cold, detached demeanor.
"Alright, there are entirely too many people in this room. I must ask you all to say goodnight. Mr. Potter needs his medicine and some rest. Mr Weasley, it is time for you to rest that throat as well. To bed now," she ordered Ron.
Mrs Weasley hugged and kissed them both warmly, and suddenly having them both back safe, realized just how exhausted she really was. Dumbledore had made arrangements for them to reside in a Suite off the Hospital Wing, except for Ron, who would continue to reside with Harry. Hermione kissed Harry on the cheek, saying, "now I'm jealous I can't stay too. Don't tell Ron anything. Make him wait until you can tell me too. It's so good to have you back...again!" Everyone was so tired, that there were no celebratory gestures on the success of the whole experiment, which Harry still had no clue about. He still had no idea why he'd been in a dragon's nest.
Ginny had lingered behind the parting company as everyone welcomed back and said their goodnights. She shyly approached Harry's bed and seemed to search his face. "There's something different about you...Oh no, in a good way, I mean," she added hastily as he became sensitive after that statement. Ginny didn't know what else to say, so she said goodnight to Ron, and before she could stop herself, bent and gave a very stunned Harry a goodnight kiss and departed without a word. Harry looked at a grinning Ron with a look that clearly said, "what was that for?"
When everyone except Ron had left, Madam Pomfrey and Snape had a last check on Harry before leaving. "Harry dear, we were so worried," she told him, sounding more like Mrs Weasley than the School Healer, and looking at Snape, who gave no indication of any such thing. She tucked the blankets in close to him, and cleaned and in fresh pyjamas, he felt very comfortable and sleepy.
"Mr Weasley," Snape said in deeper tone than usual, "I believe it would be in Mr Potter's best interests to rest now and talk tomorrow, and yours as well." Ron was just about to promise to keep the conversation short for tonight, when Snape pointed his wand at the completely astonished boy and struck him silent with a silencing charm. To Ron's absolute disgust, Madam Pomfrey did not seem to be much perturbed by this, stating that she quite agreed, Mr Weasley should rest his throat.
Now Harry wondered what had happened to Ron that would make everyone keep telling him to keep quiet. As soon as they were alone, Harry asked nervously, "what happened, you okay!"
Ron gestured that 'yes,' he was alright, just furious with Snape now. Though they tried to communicate, Harry's potion had made him very sleepy and talking in mimes was just too tiring. There wasn't a piece of parchment or a quill in sight anyway, and soon they were fast asleep.