Chapter 29 – Returning and Healing
HPOV
I opened my eyes to see white all around me. I sat up and got to my feet, not feeling any pain or any stress. I looked around and saw bright gold gates up to my left. I looked down to see I was still in my battle clothing. I went to walk towards the gates then I saw a railroad station in between me and the other side. I saw a train sitting there, waiting. I was confused.
"Don't be. It'll move once you make your decision." I turned to see the second best thing in my life. My father and mother were behind me. They weren't memories or wishes, they were real.
"Mum, Dad!" I ran and hugged them for the first time. It felt amazing to touch them and when their arms wrapped around me, I felt at home. As quickly as that feeling came, it died as a heaviness in my chest appeared. I felt sad and in emotional pain.
"Don't worry Harry. That's why we are here. You have a choice to make. You see, Voldemort accidently made you a Horcrux the night he killed us." I looked to my dad and he smiled at me. I thought about it and it made sense. It also explained how Voldemort could get into my mind but not Connie's, even though we were bonded. Horcruxes couldn't change.
"It makes sense. But, then, why do I have a choice?"
"The curse had two souls to pick from. Your soul is anchored to Voldemort through the blood exchange and through your bond with Connie, and his soul is down in hell rotting. You have the choice to go back or move forward. The train will take you back to Earth and if you decide to go to heaven, then we lead you across the tracks and through the gates." I looked at my parents. I had always wanted to meet and be with them. I loved them dearly and as I felt my love for them, a stronger, more forceful love erupted as Connie's picture appeared in my mind, the last thing I saw of her was her eyes panicking as the curse hit me. I also saw our friends, who had become my extended family. I saw little Fiona with Sirius and Remus. I saw Snape and Dumbledore. I could see the Weasleys in the Burrow, laughing and having fun as a whole family.
"I want to so much be with you guys. I love you."
"We love you too sweetheart," my mother replied, "We understand your desire to be with us but since you can summon us to talk whenever you want, your soul and heart are telling you to go back to Connie and everyone else. We gave our lives for you to live. You have a life to live down on Earth. We can see you again in another century or so but they might come to you if you stay here." My mother was looking at me, no remorse or sadness in those green eyes, just happiness and love. I smiled and hugged them again.
"I love you son and you make me and your mother proud. I couldn't have made you any better or picked a better woman for your wife." I felt myself swell up at the compliment. My mother kissed my hair, her hands pulling me down to her height.
"Oh, my little boy is grown up. Now go board that train and we'll talk to you later sweetheart." I looked at them, happy and carefree, one more time before I ran to the train waiting there for me. I jumped on and closed my eyes. I woke back up to hear Voldemort say Avada Kedavra again. I jumped up and summoned all the magic left in my system (elemental and natural) and shot it at Voldemort's spell, yelling -Go to Hell- on some instinct. The spells collided and the killing curse ended while mine continued to Voldemort. I let my adrenaline run out and my breathing turned heavy as all the powers I had remaining were nearly depleted. My back hurt where the curse had hit me and I was unsteady on my feet. Before I could gain balance, a bunch of people ran into me and I toppled over. I got a glimpse of light brown hair before the sweet lips of Connie pressed against my own in a searing kiss. I couldn't breathe and I let her kiss me, her body unwilling to let me go. I broke the kiss by holding her face in my hands, her tears running down over them.
"Connie, I could never leave you again remember? I love you." She just looked at me and then I heard cheering. I turned my head and saw the whole castle cheering. The Death Eaters left were being rounded up by a few Order members, their fight gone with the death of their leader. Blaise and Ron stood me up with Connie clutching to me. I let them lead me up to the school. Dumbledore, McGonagall and Snape all stood there. Before I could say anything Sirius and Remus came running through and hugged me. Connie got caught in the middle and was pressed right into me, her warmth seeping into me.
"Harry, we thought you were dead. We thought we lost you."
"I was dead for the most part. I had a choice to come back because I was a Horcrux and Voldemort anchored my life to his when he used my blood to bring himself life in the fourth year. Inadvertently, I also anchored myself to Connie through our bond. I decided that since I could talk to my parents whenever I would come back to you blabbering lot." They laughed at my comment but deep down they knew that I loved them too much to ever leave them to fend for themselves without me. I saw Dumbledore crying, unashamed of his show of weakness. Connie helped me limp over to him. I probably looked horrible between all the time I had been sharing with the ground, being attacked and being dead.
"You knew and I forgive you. I would have sacrificed myself for the wrong reason if I knew I was a Horcrux or that you suspected it. Don't blame yourself Grandpa." He hugged me gently to himself. Connie let my body go, her hand remaining in mine.
"I thought I had lost you. You brought back my life and I will never forget that. Without you, I would have lost my own humanity. I'm just glad you're okay." I nodded and let him go. I turned and saw all my friends standing there. I smiled at them and approached them, Connie helping me along. I got to them and smiled.
"Well, aren't you lot going to hug me to or do I have to do it myself?" At that, they all attacked me in a huge group hug, at least one part of their bodies touching my own and I wasn't knocked over. I was still sore and tired but I couldn't be happier. Voldemort was gone, my life could be normal now. I finally was released and they all made a circle around me and Connie as we ascended to the Hospital Wing. Everyone was clapping as we made our way up the floors to the fourth floor East wing. I felt my eyelids growing heavy as Neville opened the doors to Hospital. Pompfry had almost all the beds full. She turned to eye our group and then spotted me in the middle.
"Oh my Potter, come back here. I have a bed in my office you can use." I walked the further distance into her office. At the door, only Ron and Connie followed me in. Ron helped me remove my clothes and dress into the PJ pants the media-witch gave us. Ron whistled when I turned around and my back could be seen and Connie gasped. I looked down and back to see a huge blemish/bruise right on my upper body where the Killing Curse had hit me.
"At least we know if you survive the Killing Curse it leaves a mark." I smiled at his misplaced humor and chuckled.
"Yeah, too bad though I'm the only one who has proof; there will probably be another scar there."
"Yeah, it's possible. Hey, I'll leave you two alone and tell everyone you're doing fine and that they can join us." Ron left and Connie touch my new mark gently. Her touch was feather light but wasn't enough to ease the gaping wound in my soul.
"Don't worry Harry. Once you have some medicine in you and everyone has left, we will heal you completely. I need it too. How did you get these scars though?" She hugged me while tracing the scars from Wormtail dying. I hugged her back, finally feeling that home feeling settle into me with a sense of it being completely right.
"Those are from Wormtail. When he died, his most severe injuries were accepted by me in an attempt to equal out his suffering. I had no choice but to suffer through it. Don't worry, Snape and Colleen took care of them as soon as I was conscious again." She coughed lightly and kissed the jagged scar on my left.
"Potter, you need to take these….oh Merlin, how did you get that?" I saw her eyes widen at the huge bruise on my back.
"I got hit by the Killing Curse again and lived. It'll probably reduce down to another scare in a week or so." Pompfry shook her head and handed me a goblet of potion. I drank it, gave it back and then she refilled it with something different. I took it back and repeated the process. She filled it for a thrice time and I drank that. I was through with Potions. She filled the goblet with water, set it on the table and left, locking the door. I figured the last one was a Sleeping Draught because I fell onto the bed, ready for sleep.
"I'll be here when you wake up Harry. I love you, sleep well. You earned it." I mumbled something under my breath that was supposed to be I love you too but I fell asleep before I could see if she understood me.
AN: I'm debating here if I should put the next love scene in or if you think the couple in here are enough? I might make mention of it…I'm not sure.
