Author's Note: Hello all, I know it's been forever. I had surgery last week which should help me maintain a more normal writing schedule, although I can't promise quick updates. Life is just crazy for the next few months. Many of you have been asking about Ron, well he's in this chapter and he and Harry have a discussion about the choices they've made. I hope those who have been missing him are pleasantly surprised. Probably another 3-4 weeks for a new chapter, although it could be sooner if the gods keep smiling on me and my productivity. Thanks to Arnel and Stephanie who proofed the chapter in mere hours of sending it to them. Thanks too to all of you who are reading. I'm anxious to know what you think. MNF
Chapter 26:
Siarad (Welsh)/Talk (Modern English)
February 23, 1996
"Are you that worried, Harry?" Maggie asked, and at mention of his name, Harry turned to her, looking surprised and confused. They were in the surgical waiting room at St. Mungo's, which had thankfully been emptied for their private use. Harry wasn't interested in being put on display or mobbed.
"Huh?"
"Worried, Harry," she said again. "You aven't said a word in nearly an hour. Not since Patrick left, and even den, you were not your usual entertaining self. He's gonna be fine, I know it. Otherwise, I'm gonna track down every healer who worked on him today and given them what for." He silently wondered how Sirius got along so well with her, they were both rather volatile and aggressive. It was other thoughts of his godfather which were plaguing him, something which caused him to stay awake through the night.
"Er, not really worried about the surgeries," Harry confessed. "He told me... everything last night. All about what happened to him while he was in that hell. I just can't... how is Malfoy not imprisoned over what he did? How is it that it was okay for Sirius to be tortured like that?"
"I dinna know, Harry, but I think when it was all going on, the Brits Ministry was more concerned with maintaining a semblance of peace than actually creating real peace. There wasn't anyone to fight for Sirius, so he stayed locked up, and in some ways, forgotten."
"It's just so wrong," Harry said. "Now, after it's all said and done, there really isn't much left to do to Malfoy that Sirius hasn't already done; except take away what's left of his fortune. It's not like Sirius needs any more money anyway." The last bit was added under his breath, as a throw-away.
"Actually, Harry, there is more we can do," Maggie said. "We can make sure it never, ever happens again." Maggie looked Harry right in the eyes, and after he'd studied them for a moment, he nodded his affirmation. "Oh, and we can keep his rambunctious arse in bed for the next three weeks."
"Sure, you and me and what army?" They both laughed and then turned the conversation to lighter topics. Harry was anxious to discuss with her what he was learning about Irish Wizarding politics and international law. Maggie was quite certain that Harry was even more intelligent than his father, which was saying something. She also saw in him a legal mind which could one day rival his great-grandfather Eldon's. She silently chastised those who only saw him as 'the Boy Who Lived'. Harry was ever so much more.
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After nearly two hours of waiting, Harry needed to get up and move. He wasn't as calm as Maggie was, he wasn't even as calm as he knew he could be. Instead, he felt as if he needed to climb out of his own skin or scale a mountainside or beat the punching bag Sirius had installed in the basement of the cottage. He'd tried using the meditation techniques Klytïe had been teaching him in his Divination lessons, but he just couldn't settle both his mind and body at the same time. It didn't help that they'd been alone in this room with its pale green walls and horribly uncomfortable chairs for so long. He'd even flipped through every copy of Quidditch News, but none of it was really news, as the most recent copy was from Nineteen-ninety-two.
"I'm going to get some tea. Do you want anything?" he asked as he stood, shoving his hand in his pocket to make sure his wallet was inside.
"Tea sounds lovely, Harry," Maggie replied with a knowing smile. "I wouldn't be opposed to a biscuit or two either." Harry nearly laughed at her, but chose discretion instead. Maggie's sweet-tooth was somewhat of a legend around the house.
"Tea and biscuits, coming right up." Harry turned on his heels and headed out the door and down the long hallway. It had been several months since he left Hogwarts, and he no longer felt the need to keep his hair shorter. He'd never admit it aloud, but he did it to stop Professor McGonagall from clucking her tongue at him while giving his hair a questioning look. He doubted there was anyone alive who intimidated him quite so much. If you added in the portraits, his Grandma Freddie took the top spot, even over his Mum.
The longer hair helped with its insistence at flying every which way, now it looked sort of like Sirius's and it looked more 'casual cool' rather than 'I fell out of bed five minutes ago'. It also obscured his scar completely, which he truly appreciated. He'd had his eyes fixed, so his glasses were no longer an issue or a defining factor in his appearance. He was also now wearing clothes which fit him well, rather than Dudley's cast-offs. Choosing Muggle apparel over Wizarding gave him an added layer on anonymity as well. Harry didn't look like a Hogwarts student but instead like a young adult, someone here for an appointment or perhaps even in University level classes for a medical career. Lost in thought, it wasn't until he heard his name called that Harry realised he'd made it to the canteen already.
"Harry," the familiar voice called again, and he looked up to see Mr Weasley standing next to Ron only a few feet away. The Weasley patriarch waved and Harry tipped his head before he walked to the pair. He knew he'd eventually need to talk with Ron about the choices they'd each made, he just didn't expect the conversation to take place in a dining hall at St. Mungo's.
"Good to see you, lad," Mr Weasley said before shaking Harry's hand.
"Good to see you too, sir," Harry said politely. After they'd shook, Harry extended his hand to his former best friend. "Ron."
Ron eyed it and him before reluctantly taking Harry's hand. The shake was brief and lacked the strength Harry and Mr Weasley had put into theirs.
"What brings you to hospital today? I hope everyone is alright." Harry asked.
"Nothing serious, Harry. Charlie was here to transport a young dragon from Wales to the preserve and the claw on its wing got Charlie in the arm. He wanted to heal it himself, but the leader of the team insisted he get it closed correctly. Molly's fussing over him while he is waiting for some potions to start working," Arthur Weasley replied.
"Tell him I hope he feels better," Harry politely answered.
"What brings you in? Ginny isn't with you by chance?"
Harry shook his head in response to the second question. "She has classes this afternoon with my Mum on comparison shopping, budgeting and how to keep a ledger for Muggle and Gringotts accounts."
"Why would she need to learn that?" Ron interjected, scoffing at the idea of these lessons.
"Ron," Arthur said harshly. "Your sister is learning all manner of things about how to live on her own. They all are, and I think it's a wonderful idea. Charlie still doesn't know how to manage his money or do his own laundry. He's been in more pink clothing as of late." Ron scowled and Harry chuckled. The latter chose to ignore the outburst.
"As for your first question, Sirius is having his surgeries today," Harry stated. "I'm down here to get tea and biscuits for Maggie and me."
"I see," Arthur said. "Let Sirius know that we're all thinking about him, and hope that his recovery will be fast."
"I'll let him know when he's lucid." An awkward silence followed, and Harry decided to finally broach the large elephant which was in the room. "Ron, er, I think we should talk."
"I don't have anything to say."
Harry tried to keep his frustrations hidden and silently counted to five before he said anything."Well, then, can you listen? There are some things I need to say, and others that I need to understand."
"Fine. I guess I do have something to say as well," Ron replied and tipped his head toward a secluded table, partially obscured by a large potted plant.
"Why don't I get Maggie her tea and biscuits and take them to her?" Arthur suggested. "Where is she waiting?"
"We're in the last waiting room on the surgical floor, the one on the right side. They made it private for us today, since they're doing so much and it will take all day." The older man nodded and headed for the queue. Ron and Harry walked to the table, Harry taking the seat behind the plant, effectively hiding himself from the rest of the room.
"The Prophet did a complete turn around on you, huh. Too bad they're still after Dumbledore. Oh, right, that's your fault, isn't it," Ron stated.
"Ron, all I did is tell the truth," Harry said through gritted teeth. "He knew my parents were in danger long before he told them. He knew Voldemort was coming after me or Neville. He knew Sirius was in Azkaban and being tortured. He was the one funneling funds and using them in improper ways."
"Because you say it, it becomes so. Must be nice to be the 'Boy Who Lived'," Ron mumbled.
"Of all the people in the world," Harry harshly whispered, "you should know how much I hate that title. It's brought me nothing but grief. Believe me, I have wished, more often than you know, that I'd died along with my parents that night. I've only just learned what it feels like to have a family that loves me, unconditionally. If you're just going to sit there and be angry and not listen to anything I have to say, then please, leave."
Ron stared at the boy he once thought was his best mate, and wasn't sure what to say. This was a different Harry, that was certain. He'd actually told Ron what he was feeling, without yelling and screaming about it. Sometimes it was easy to forget what Harry had gone through to become so famous; Ron had also forgotten how much Harry was forced to give up.
"Sorry, mate," he said.
"Apology accepted," Harry replied. After a moment of quiet, Harry decided to broach the subject he'd been avoiding. "Ron, why didn't you come with us to Ireland?"
"Er," the red-head stumbled to answer. "At first I was confused. My family is split over this Dumbledore thing. Mum and Percy side with Dumbledore. Well, Percy seems to side with whoever he sees as being able to help him. Did you know he was demoted at the Ministry?" Harry shook his head no. "Yeah, he's now a clerk in the Transportation Arrangements Department. Anyway, Dad and the rest of my brothers are supportive of you and were surprised to find out how bad things were. You know where Ginny's heart is on the matter. I was really torn, and I guess I still am."
"I can understand that," Harry said, even though he thought the evidence against the former headmaster was more than convincing. "Is there anything else?"
"Yeah, I like Hogwarts. Every Weasley has gone to Hogwarts and been in Gryffindor. Leaving felt like I was being disloyal to my family in some way. I don't blame Ginny for going. She might not have said anything to you, but she was being teased mercilessly by the Slytherins for being close to you. I mean, Hermi...we were too, but it was Malfoy and his crowd and they're all wankers." Both boys laughed.
"Harry, I also feel like I need to help Professor McGonagall keep things in order around the school. You do know you took the all the natural leaders with you, right? Most of them were prefects and we're really hurting without people like Susan, Hermione and Daphne. Ginny said they're all learning really cool things, but Hogwarts isn't the same without them, or you."
"I guess I never thought about what would happen to the school if we all left," Harry said. "I respect you for your need to help. I wish you'd told me that, rather than saying nothing."
"Harry, you know I'm not good with thoughts and stuff like you and Hermione. It took me months to figure out what I just said, and I'm not sure I know what I just said." They both laughed and Harry shook his head. This was the boy he'd befriended on the train five years ago. "Anyway, someone has to keep the twins from burning the school down with their pranks."
"I suppose you're right on that account," Harry replied through his laughter. The pair talked for a while longer before Harry decided he needed to get back. Sirius should be done with the morning surgeries soon, and he'd like to speak with the lead healer. They parted with each wishing the other well, and asking to pass on messages of hellos and good wishes to those they were living with. While Harry settled back down in the waiting room after the Weasleys left, he wondered if he and Ron would ever be close again.
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Later that night, Harry left the hospital so he could meet with Patrick, Myrddin, Eldon, James and Remus. It was unusual that Remus would be included, given he wasn't pure-blood, but this wasn't a lesson, this was a discussion about returning seats to families who had lost them, or who were never given them. It was also generally considered unusual that half the people participating in such a meeting were dead and only their portraits were participating.
Patrick found Harry's understanding of the traditions of the most ancient houses impressive, and wondered just how much he had read on the subject.
"Myrddin, I've read your original teachings, those given directly to the Druids. If the families are willing to follow the path, pass through the flaming door and make offerings to the four elements, they are purified. It then becomes a matter of the current Myrddin to send out the invitation or not," Harry calmly and confidently said. The man of the first seat looked at the lad with a truly amused face.
"Turning my own words on me? Rather brazen, wouldn't you say?"
"Not when you told me to study so I could present my case," Harry answered.
"True, true," old Myrddin said. "I do believe you're correct in your assessment. The path isn't particularly easy, but it's not impossible either. Neville's and your forefathers took up the same task when we first began to rebuild our lands."
"Arthur Weasley is a good man," Remus said with his usual stately inflection. "He will have no problems completing the tasks."
"Harry, he will need a Lord to vouch for him, publicly," Patrick explained. "Am I to assume that you would be that person?"
"Yes, sir. While I can't definitely speak for him, Sirius would like to vouch for the other family we discussed," Harry answered.
"When Sirius is able to speak, I'll discuss the matter with him. Speaking of your house father of sorts, how is he doing tonight?" Everyone chuckled at the assessment of Sirius' job at the house.
"Don't ever let him hear you call him that. Father is not a name he plans on ever wearing. Claims he's too damaged to ever love a kid. I've tried arguing with him, but he's Sirius. He's recovering well, but hates being immobilised. Maggie, Hermione and Daphne are there right now. The medi-witch was coming in to give him a sedative potion when I was leaving. Hopefully for all three ladies, he's been asleep while there."
"You know for the amount of time we spent in the hospital wing at Hogwarts, you think he'd be used to it," James chimed in, causing even more laughter.
"Most of those times were your own fault, too," Remus sniggered, not quite under his breath.
"There were more than just prank failures," James retorted. "We had Quidditch errors too."
"Again, your fault." James huffed, but Remus knew his friend wasn't really upset.
"Harry," the first Myrddin called to the young man, bringing the meeting back to focus. "Speak with the family in question and explain what will need to be done. It would appear you have the best understanding of the steps of purification. Help them to be purified and then make their gifts. After all of that has happened, speak with Patrick."
"Yes, sir."