Chapter 29 – Hey Aren't You?
Both young ladies breathed a sigh of relief and I instructed the two to move him carefully to the medical wing and I would be there as soon as I could check on the condition of the others who might have been injured in the Great Hall. The girls nodded very seriously and I cast the Levicorpus spell on Mr. Potter. He was guided away by the two girls and I turned to reenter the Great Hall….
(and now:)
Because Harry's 'incident' had happened in front of almost every person in the five schools, there was a small parade that headed toward the infirmary once the Great Room and those injured had been sorted out. Most were Harry's Gryffindor housemates initially but Lavender and Dean Thomas forced their way to the front of the crowd that included Professors Lupin, Narcissa Black, and Hagrid. Some students from the other four schools were also scattered here and there through the anxious and speculating procession. Unfortunately, when the crowd arrived in the medical wing they quickly discovered that the infirmary doors were magically locked from the inside. Madame Pomfrey (or perhaps Ginny) knew that some people would be concerned enough about Harry's condition as to investigate as soon as they could. Although the curiosity and well wishes were well intended the locked doors indicated that the patients and healer(s) inside did not wished to be disturbed.
The crowd milled around for a number of minutes before Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall appeared and whispered a quiet password to be allowed entry through the doors. The head of Gryffindor House paused and gave a brief nod toward some of the Potter's friends to let them know that she would investigate and return with an update for them as soon as she could.
The following minutes dragged by in silence or in discussions about what had actually happened to Harry Potter and Daphne Greengrass. Some of the crowd had given up and moved along by the time Professor McGonagall stepped back through the door about ten minutes later. "Madame Pomfrey is doing what she can to deal with the trauma that Mr. Potter sustained outside the Great Hall. He is being treated for nerve and skin damage due to the loss of some outer layers of skin. He remains unconscious which is a type of blessing if his appearance is any indication of a severe burn."
"Is it a burn Professor? Is that what Madame Pomfrey says?" came the question from a worried housemate of Harry's.
"Mr. Potter has loss the majority of his outer layers of skin. A burn of unknown origin is Madame Pomfrey's best guess as to his medical condition Mr. Longbottom. He is being treated for that but is in a deep state of unconsciousness which the two Mrs. Potters have said has occurred during Mr. Potter's previous injuries or mishaps."
"Was this the result of a curse or something worse Professor?"
"This is not a press conference Mr. Diggory and I am not prone to making idle speculations without the facts. No one I know of has reported seeing a spell cast at Mr. Potter. If he does not respond to Madame Pomfrey's treatment specialists from St. Mungo's or the Ministry may be called in to try other types of healing. For the classmates and friends of Miss Greengrass she was affected adversely by the wave of magic that swept through the Great Hall and tumbled everyone and everything about. She has no apparent injuries but she is also in a magically influenced sleep. However Madame Pomfrey expects her to wake up naturally in an hour or two. The same prognosis has been given about Miss Churchbright-Black; the wave of magic forced an animagus transformation upon the young lady."
"I wish I had more positive news to give you but that is all I have been given myself. Mr. Potter has proven to be a very resilient and courageous young man. I have every hope and expectation that he will rebound from this incident in a day or two and be none the worse for wear. Unfortunately this is still a school and we still have schedule to maintain. Please keep Mr. Potter and Miss Greengrass in your thoughts and prayers, for those of you that believe in such, as you resume your classes and studies. I am sure that either of the two Mrs. Potter or Professor Sirius will let you know if there is any change in Mr. Potter's uncertain status. If Madame Pomfrey changes her mind and allows visitors to her patients there will be a notice posted on the infirmary doors."
"The Headmaster will be making periodic visits to check on the patient's status during the day and will make a school wide announcement if any significant changes occur."
"Thank you Professor McGonagall for giving us their information."
"Your welcome Miss Davis and I do believe your friends Miss Greengrass and Mr. Potter will be back to normal soon."
"Harry doesn't do normal Professor."
"That may be Mr. Finnegan but you and the others shall be late for your next class if you don't hurry."
Seamus' "Yipes" of surprise encouraged a quick evacuation of the corridor. Professor McGonagall shook her head sadly but cast another glance at the infirmary doors before she hurried off to teach her second year class of Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws.
Xxxxx xxx
(From Chapter 28)
With the last of his coordination, Harry bent over and with a roar of pain and frustration he straightened up and twisted his body around and dislodged both Ginny's and Hermione's grip on him. They rolled and tumbled a good distance away to the flagstone floor. Harry shook his head and stumbled one step… two steps… three long steps until he cleared the doors. His concentration fell as he was overcome and his world and thoughts exploded in a blast of light and magic and Harry knew no more….
. ~ . ~. ~
. . . .
Harry was drifting along in a sea of unfeeling untouched nothingness that he vaguely recognized as unconsciousness. He didn't know if he had been out for a minute, a day or month. Or possibly longer. There was no sense of time or space as Harry gradually returned to awareness. Fighting off the last holds of his un-ness Harry found himself to be standing. He expected to be in the Hogwarts infirmary once again when he woke up or at least in some familiar surroundings where Ginny or Hermione would appear to him through their mental connection. That was not the case this time; Harry had no idea where he was. Or maybe when. Or even if he might be anywhere at all. When (or if?) he got back Harry would have to ask Ginny or Madam Pomfrey if there was such a thing as anti-blindness. Instead of blackness surrounding him, there was white everywhere; something like being in a cloud but even the surface under his feet was white. And solid. Harry scuffed it with his foot and it made a soft whishing sound.
Harry's clothes had even turned white. White pants, a soft white tee-shirt made up his current wardrobe along with white socks and white trainers. Harry disregarded the clothes for now as he extended his human and magical senses trying to pick up any clue at all to where he was or if there was anyone around him. There was nowhere to go, no direction to follow as the silence was only broken by the sound of his lonely heartbeat. Harry had no idea if he was supposed to remain here for something or somebody to come across him or if he should try to follow a straight line out of this white void.
cr - eak! th - unk
cr- eak! Th…unk!
Crea - k thun -k Creak thunk, creak th-unk, creak th-unk, creak-thunk, CREAK-THUNK, CREAKTHUNK, CR-THUNK, THUNK, THUNK….
Harry turned to where he thought the sound was coming from although he wasn't quite sure. He had no idea who or what was making the sound and desperately wished he had one of his wands on him. Harry tried summoning the bond magic to put up a shield but that seemed unavailable also.
Xxxx xxxx
The Great Hall was filled with the students from five schools and a collection of reporters from some of the most prestigious papers in the magical world. Additionally the Minister of Magic and a number of Ministry Department heads were present for the announcement about the method of choosing the champions. The excitement of the evening was lessened a bit for the occupants of one of the House tables however. Harry Potter was still in magical slumber in the Hogwarts infirmary and his wives were also there and being diligent about watching over him. Supper was a mix of anticipation and worry for the Gryffindors and some of the Slytherins who were friends of the two missing Greengrass girls.
Gracie was still poking at her food and only the encouragement of Sirius next to her got her to feed herself anything at all.
"It's not like he's really hurting Gracie. Madame Pomfrey said that Harry had grown back most of his skin already before she tossed us out of the infirmary."
"But he, Ginny and Hermione are missing out on the choosing."
"The choosing will actually happen the day after tomorrow. The Headmaster will only start the selection of champions tonight. So you better pay attention so you can tell Harry and his wives everything that happens this evening when we go back to the infirmary."
Gracie finally pushed her plate away. "Okay but I hope this gets over with soon. I want to go back to the infirmary for a while before I have to work on my homework."
Sirius smiled and hugged his daughter. "That's the spirit; Harry wouldn't want you to get behind with those tests coming up. Although you DADA teacher may be a little lenient about handing in your current assignment."
Gracie rolled her eyes and frowned at her father. "Quit reminding me; I am way past nervous now what with Harry being in the hospital."
"He'll be fine."
"Harry has bounced back from worst things before" Neville contributed from down the table. He had been listening to the conversation because he knew how upset Gracie had been at what had happened earlier.
"Like what?"
Before Neville could reply Dumbledore rose from the main table and the murmuring in the hall died down. A few flashbulbs went off and the Headmaster glanced for a second at the reporters and photographers. "The moment has come" Dumbledore said smiling as he looked at the sea of upturned faces. "The International Magical Challenge is about to begin. I would like to take a few moments before I explain how the champions from the five schools will be chosen."
"Firstly I would like to introduce again two members of the Ministry of Magic that were instrumental in Hogwarts hosting the competition this year. Mr. Bartemius Crouch, Head of the Department of International Cooperation and Mr. Ludo Bagman who is the Head of the Department of Magical Games and Sports. They have been working diligently in designing the challenges and coordinating the arrangements necessary for the various schools to appear. They will also being joining the judging panel with all of the Headmasters."
"The panel has chosen to add an additional challenge to The International which will bring the total number to four. I can only say that this new challenge will be academic in nature and will test the mental acuity of the Champions as the other challenges will test their other abilities. These individual challenges will be spread out over the course of the school year to allow the Champions to recover and to prepare for the next test. "
An excited murmur went across the Great Hall as everyone contemplated another Challenge was being added to the Champions list of things to prepare for. 'It's too bad Hermione isn't here. She would like the idea of an intellectual competition' Remus Lupin thought.
"And now to get to the actual method of choosing the Champions from each of the five schools. Professor Hagrid?"
Hagrid had left the teacher's dais when Dumbledore rose to speak and reemerged from the little gathering room in the back carrying an antique chest that was bound in shiny black leather and encrusted with jewels of various sizes and colors. There was a murmur of excitement as Hagrid placed the chest on its end upon a small table.
Hagrid retreated and Dumbledore tapped on the chest three times with his wand and the lid opened up. He reached into the chest and brought out a wooden flagon that might have been found in the half-giant's grasp down at the Three Broomsticks. The only difference was that this goblet was jewel-encrusted and filled to the brim with magical blue flames that danced and shimmered inside it. Dumbledore waved his wand hand and the chest closed up again. He set the huge cup on top of the chest very carefully and turned back to his audience with a smile.
"Anyone wishing to submit themselves as a champion must write their name and school clearly on a piece of parchment and drop it into the goblet. Aspiring champions will have forty-eight hours in which to put their names forward. The day after tomorrow, Halloween, the goblet will return the names of the five it has chosen to best represent their schools. The goblet will be placed in the entrance hall tonight where it will be freely accessible to all those who wish to compete."
"To review the rules again, no one underage is allowed to enter the Challenge. To prevent this from happening I will draw an Age Line around the Goblet of Fire once it has been moved to the entrance hall. No one under the age of seventeen will be able to cross this line."
"Lastly I would be very remiss if I did not caution everyone that submitting your name to be chosen as a Champion in not a risk to be taken lightly. If selected to compete, the Champion from each school is magically bound to finish the competition. This competition is designed to test the utmost physical, mental, emotional and magical resources of each individual. Champions have been seriously injured or even been killed in previous competitions. A thousand galleon prize will not replace your life. That being said I wish everyone good luck with their decision and we will all see who the next group of Champions will be in two days. Good evening."
There was little commentary amongst the students at the tables as Dumbledore, the other headmasters and the staff left the Great Hall. Professors Moody and Hagrid stood guard by the Goblet of Fire as a number of curious students came forward to examine it.
"I certainly hope Harry wakes up before the choosing" Grace said as she stood up to walk out with Sirius.
"It might be better if Harry continues to sleep all the way through Halloween. The day has not treated him kindly in the past."
Gracie paused as the words from her adopted father hit her and she remembered what else had happened to her brother on that day over the years. She shook her head in sadness and hurried to accompany her dad to the infirmary and her family.
Xxxx xxx
THUNK, THUNK,THUNK,THUNK….
Harry tensed up and prepared to run or dive as the noise became louder and closer. The whiteness swirled around him and he strained his eyes to see through the foggy surroundings. Harry spun around in a circle as the sound approached. He finally saw something vaguely coming in his direction. Something that started as blurry grey but then evolved into something shiny and almost metallic. There was still a small creak involved with the movement but it had almost disappeared as the unidentified sound came closer.
It was… it couldn't be … but it was… part of a suit of armor was running right at him! The boots with the shin guards ('Whatever they were called?') were rising and falling about a foot off the flooring in the pace of a man or woman running very energetically. There were no other parts coming at him - just the empty boots as Harry glanced around him quickly. No sword was being brandished, no mace or lance was aimed at his body and no magic spells came hurtling out of the whiteness.
Harry took two big steps sideways from the path the boots were taking and watched as the boots sped by without a single misstep, hesitation or indication that he was in the same neighborhood as the steadfast footwear. Taking the steps back, Harry turned and watched as the boots continued on their way and disappeared back into the whiteness. The sound of the boots hitting the ground likewise faded off until they could be barely heard.
"What in the name of Merlin's beard was that?" Harry spoke aloud.
"The shin guards are called greaves and the foot piece is called a sabaton although you'd have to check with Mooney or Fleur for the correct pronunciation." The voice sounding just as a hand landed on his shoulder caused Harry to jump about sixteen feet straight up and his heart remained in his throat and he spun around once his feet touched the ground again. "Holy buggering mercy! Don't go scaring a bloke like that! I could have… I could have… I… could…D – D – Dad?"
A well-practiced smirk was the response to Harry's speech and shock. The smirk was attached to a very familiar face although it had been years since he had first seen it in person by way of the Mirror of Erised. Harry gaped and felt himself grow faint as he saw that predecessor of his very own face again. Another figure stepped out from behind the now smiling relative. The green-eyed lady showed a lot of love on her face as she looked at her son. Harry had sunk to his knees in shock and was crying as he beheld yet another impossibility. Lily and James Potter rushed to their son's side and engulfed him in hugs. Lily released Harry first and carefully wiped the tears away from his eyes. "I'm sorry my darling son but your father insisted that this might be a better way to get your attention. This was going to be a shock any way we approached you and James thought you might think Sirius was lurking around somewhere. I really think he just couldn't resist the temptation to prank someone else other than me after all this time."
"I'll… I'll have to tell Sirius when I get back. I am going back, aren't I? I'm not … I didn't leave… please tell me I'm still alive…?"
It was his father that stroked his head and smiled at the distraught young man. "You're not dead Harry and you will return to your three Gems in a little while. The powers that be or fate gave us this opportunity to see and talk to you very briefly."
Harry looked around at the whiteness again trying to grasp the fact of being with his parents. "So what is this place and how did I end up here?"
Lily looked around and shrugged her shoulders. "We don't know what this place is called – Limbo, Shangri-La, or the approach to the Rainbow Bridge. For all we know, the three of us are in a part of your mind that you've stored what you know of us."
"Ginny would say I might just be having a mental breakdown and imagining you two" Harry said with a bit of hopelessness.
"Just because we might be in your head doesn't mean it's any less possible or real" James said.
A bench appeared nearby and Harry was led over to it and sat down with Lily's arms across his shoulders. Harry relished in the embrace as he looked at the look of love in his parent's eyes. "I've missed you two so much. I never expected to ever see you again."
"We've missed you too son but you've never been out of our thoughts, prayers and sight. Not even for a second since that night we were attacked."
Harry had started crying at that reminder and his mother brought his head down to her shoulder to let him vent. James rubbed his back until Harry could control his emotions again. "I … I have so much to tell you about…"
"Not as much as you might think" Lily said with a strange little smile.
"Why?" Harry said a little nervously.
"We've been watching. All that time you spent at the Dursley's, your encounter with Hagrid, your meeting the Weasley's. Everything."
"Everything?" Harry asked as his face flushed with both shock and embarrassment.
"Almost everything Harry. We turned our heads and looked in other directions for some of your private moments with your Gems."
"You know about…"
"Ginny, Hermione and Daphne – yes." Lily smiled at her son. "I couldn't be happier that you found true love not once but three times. I know for you it will never make up for us being absent but I couldn't ask any more for you than to be happy and to be really loved."
"It's okay with you both I'm having three wives? It's kind of … "
"Who was it said that the new Potter sub-motto should be 'We don't do normal'?" James quipped.
"That would be Ginny" Harry said with a shy grin.
Lily smiled. "We love all three of your ladies but your father gets the biggest laughs from your interactions with her."
"And you mother smiles every time you impress Hermione with a new idea or fact she hasn't know about."
"They are all different but all so important to me."
"We do understand love son. And family."
"Even as wicked as your one has become."
"Dad!" "James!"
"You'd best quit picking on my Harry!"
"Daphne?" There call came from somewhere and Harry stood and spun around trying to locate the source. A familiar blond emerged out of the mists to engulf Harry in a massive hug. Harry noticed a few differences in her appearance but he was so happy to see someone he loved here (besides his parents) that he just about tumbled over in her embrace. Harry swayed suddenly and Daphne but then he was held up by his fiancée and his parents. The contact initiated a flood of feelings, memories and knowledge from the girl beside him. Harry was shocked again. It was similar to what happened in the Chamber of Secrets but this time he was conscious for the sharing:
… A full-blown temper tantrum at 6 when my father had to leave for an overseas business trip and told me I couldn't come along… Helping Tori sneak into my bedroom at night so we could talk about what possible use boys might be… Writing my first letter home and telling her family that she and Tracy had ended up together in Slytherin… and that we had actually seen Harry Potter… Burying their old cat Whiskers near a corner of the family cemetery. … Trading candy with her father on his desk to start learning about business…The shock and disappointment of learning Harry was married – twice….Her Grandmum's apple pie that tasted so good but took forever to cool before they could eat it…. The taste of that Death Eater's hand when I bit it to escape being a hostage in Hogsmeade… That first kiss with Harry Potter that was so much more delicious than the hugs she had stolen…
Harry's head swam around once again to focus on the shining blue eyes of his very favorite Slytherin. "This has happened? Not that I'm not glad to see you but how? And why?"
"Why am I here or why aren't Ginny and Hermione with me? Or why has bond formed?"
"Ah…. yes?"
"The simple explanation is that you and I are sleeping separately in the Hogwarts infirmary and your other two Gems, Tori and a few others are taking turns watching and fretting over us."
"The not simple explanation then? Sorry I've forgotten something important again. Mom, Dad – this is Daphne…"
"…Greengrass" from the nodding redhead.
"Not Greengrass – Potter" James corrected. "The third Mrs. Potter I believe."
Lily slapped her husband's stomach. "Ignore the lout Daphne. We're…
"Mr. and Mrs. Potter; Harry's parents. I've seen the pictures."
"Just Lily and James. You've earned the right as you're part of the family now."
Daphne smiled and nodded but turned back to the green-eyed young man she was in love with. Harry's parents were flanking them as Daphne leaned in to her wizard and…. She paused, looked over to Lily and got an approving nod before kissing Harry full on the lips. She leaned back in his embrace and tried explaining more. "A less simple answer then Harry. I awoke here a little while ago and have been talking to my parents over.." Daphne waved her arm in a general direction, "…there I think. It appears that you glowing was… has been a symptom of another soul bond settling up between us."
[[ In the Hogwarts infirmary Astoria almost cried out in relief when she saw her sister turn on her side, let go a long sigh and smile in her sleep. She rose from her seat and went rushing to tell Madame Pomfrey, Ginny and Hermione. The two Mrs. Potters were sleeping in a bed next to Harry's but they were glowing softly and throwing off an occasional spark of colored light. Not understanding that Astoria slowly returned to Daphne's bedside but called out softly to Keffie, one of the Greengrass house elves and asked her to keep her company until her sister woke up. Madame Pomfrey slept uneasily and unaware in a chair in her office as she waited for her patients to wake up. ]]
Harry's mouth dropped open as he tried to encompass yet another huge change in his (their!) life(s). James leaned over to push it back closed. "Give him a second ladies; he'll process it."
"Wow! This complicates everything again."
Daphne had a very wide smile. "Yes love, we will have to sit down and talk when we get back to the real world."
"I was very scared when I came to that I might be …dead. You have no idea how guilty I felt when I thought I might have left you, Hermione and Ginny."
"There's no reason for guilt. We are expecting to get another century or two of family life out of you Mr. Potter."
"But there's still they matter of a soul bond forming" Harry asked a little mystified.
Lily hugged the couple tightly. "It is my guess…"
"You can probably count that as a certainty from the brightest witch in my generation" James said.
"Before I was so graciously interrupted I was saying that when Dulari granted Daphne the gift of talking to you three mentally, she threw open the door for the soul bond. Your magic has naturally become more interconnected since then."
"Like I sort of did to Hermione accidentally. I shall have to thank the griffin properly when she visits again."
"I suspect she knew exactly what she was doing my dear" came from Lily's mouth. Harry looked at his new wife ('Wow!') and just nodded his head.
"Don't forget the paperwork this time son."
Harry rolled his eyes and both Lily and Daphne laughed. "At least I had the paperwork when I needed it."
"We've not had the dubious pleasure of meeting Umbridge. At least so far."
"Your father wants to have a few words with that … that…"
"Rhymes with twitch" Harry and Daphne said together.
"Right but I'm not sure that there would be much left of her after my Lils gets through with her."
Harry grinned at his mother. "Good for you then. She certainly tried to mess up our lives enough."
"I thought Robb and Walter did a good job of handling her when she was alive."
Harry blushed yet again. "Oh, you saw that too?"
James chuckled. "Yes and they were pranks certainly worthy of any Marauder. Good job getting Padfoot free also."
The smile suddenly faded from Daphne's face. "Oh I think it's my time to go. But you need to stay here for a while Harry; this may be the only opportunity to talk to your parents until you actually pass over."
"A very, very long time in the future we hope" James said.
"It's been an honor and a pleasure meeting you Mr. and.…"
"No" said Lily holding up a finger.
"So that's where he gets that? It's almost scary when Harry does that when he's serious. Okay, it's been great meeting you Lily and James. I will certainly tell Ginny and Hermione all about you when I wake up."
"Give our love to Tori and tell her that her parents are still watching over her as well as you."
Daphne nodded and hugged Harry once again and brought his hand up to her lips to kiss the back of it. "You go have a nice time catching up with the other Mr. and Mrs. Potter love. All your Gems will be anxiously waiting for you to wake up and come back to us."
Backing away from the trio Daphne kept looking at Harry as she faded out into the whiteness she had appeared in. Harry sighed when she finally disappeared from sight.
"She's definitely a keeper son."
"Well duh! They all are dad."
Lily laughed and took up the hands of her husband and her son. "Now where did that bench wander off to?"
Thunk, Thunk, Thunk, Thunk, Thunk, Thunk.
"James - really?"
"It wasn't me!"
"Harry?"
"Just think of it as one small bit of mischief I've managed to pull on you two."
Lily rolled her eyes but the three Potters walked off toward the sound of the running boots and the whiteness covered up their laughter.
Xxxx xxx
A tired looking Astoria appeared in the Great Hall in the morning with a huge smile on her face. The news spread quickly over breakfast that Daphne Greengrass had woken up the infirmary and was only waiting for Madame Pomfrey's release to return to Friday's classes. A few Slytherins hurried out of the hall to see if they could talk to her and Astoria walked over to the Gryffindor table to let Neville know that Harry hadn't woken up but he and anyone else could go to the infirmary and see him. Neville asked about their classes but the young blond said that Hermione and Ginny would be alternating taking classes for the day so that somebody would always be in the infirmary if he woke up.
Neville grabbed up his bookbag and went and talked to Susan and Hannah at the Hufflepuff table. They decided to join him and the small number of students who were also heading toward the infirmary with the news that visitors were being allowed.
The visitors peaked cautiously into the infirmary and saw that Ginny and Hermione were seated in the cot next to Daphne who was still resting in her bed. Tracey pushed her way through the people in front of her to give Daphne a brief hug and then just stared into her face. "Are you okay Daphne? You gave us quite a scare collapsing like that."
Daphne had a small smile on her face. "I'm just as good as I ever was. In fact the little enforced rest has made me feel better than normal."
Tracey turned her head to look at the two Mrs. Potters who were finishing up their morning teas. "What did your husband do to her this time?"
"I have no idea what you're talking about Miss Davis" Hermione said calmly.
"I intend to post a notice that whoever hexed Harry ought to turn themselves in before we call the Aurors in to investigate."
"So why haven't you done that already? Called the Aurors in I mean."
Both girls turned to look at another cot further up that still had a privacy screen around it. "Dumbledore already reported what happened to Madame Bones Draco. We're waiting to see if he has any adverse complications whenever he wakes up."
"That was an attack on the Head on an Ancient and Noble House" Neville said.
"If it was an attack at all" Draco whispered to his girlfriend.
"We know Neville but you know how much Harry hates attention. He wouldn't want a guard placed on him while he's safe here in the infirmary."
"Safe?" Colin and Dennis Creevey said together.
"Yes safe" came a voice out of mid-air. Half of the dozen of the visitors jumped in alarm when a swirl of magic settled to reveal a new presence in the room. Vika looked around at all the visitors as she spoke again. "I fully intend to stand guard over our friend until he wakes up. By the way, I ran into Dobby in the last couple of minutes. Here is what you requested him to fetch Mrs. Potters."
Another sparkle of magic and two Boundless bookbags appeared on the floor beside Ginny and Hermione.
"You're both going to classes and leaving Harry here?" came the question from an amazed Fleur Delacour.
"Believe me all of you that we will know when Harry comes to" Ginny said.
"Can we at least look in at Harry now?" Lavender asked.
"I guess so" Ginny said. "He's still a little pinkish with the new skin but all he is doing is sleeping."
Ginny led the small group over to Harry's cot and drew the privacy screen aside for a few seconds and let everyone see that Harry was resting comfortably in his usual cot. A few of the girls tittered at the choice of pajamas Harry had been clothed in – peach-colored hippogriffs and polka-dotted jaguars wandering around in a sunlit forest.
"Who chose those?" Luna asked.
"His sister Gracie" Ginny replied. "She wanted some pygmy puffs but only transformed his regular clothes into this. She didn't want to try changing them when again she saw what she did."
The tittering finally brought Madame Pomfrey out of her office and she shushed everyone up and pushed them all out the infirmary door. Over at Daphne's cot, Astoria was trying to talk her sister into letting her remain.
"Go to classes Tori. Come back at lunch and we four will sit down and explain everything."
"Harry too?"
"Yes. If he's awake by then" Daphne replied.
"So you don't know any more than Madame Pomfrey when he's going to wake?"
"Fraid not."
"Darn. Okay I'm going" Astoria reluctantly picked up her own book bag and had the pleasure of opening the infirmary door right on Dumbledore's face as she was exiting. "Sorry Headmaster."
"It's quite alright Miss Greengrass. I'll count both of us as lucky that it wasn't Professor Hagrid on the opposite side of the door as it swung open. Off you go."
Astoria apologized one more time and then hurried down the corridor on her way to the 2nd year Charms class. Dumbledore followed her retreat and then went to Daphne's bedside.
"Good morning sir."
"Good morning Miss… hmmm?… Do you have some important news for me?"
Daphne colored briefly and looked around. "Is it that apparent?"
"Not to most; I suspect Poppy has done the readings on your magical core but has not commented because of your desire for confidentiality."
"I… we… hope that that sense of confidentiality is also held by a dear friend of the entire Potter family."
"Until I have been given permission to talk of it by the affected parties."
"You have my permission to inform Professor McGonagall at your discretion sir since it involves three of her favorite cubs. The rest will have to wait to be told after Harry wakes up."
"I sincerely hope to be present for that conversation after Mr. Potter is brought up to speed."
"He is aware of the change in status sir since I was able to visit him."
"That was indeed a fortuitous circumstance."
"I left him talking to his parents sir; I gave him leave such as it is to take as long as he could to spend time with them. So he may not awaken until very late tonight or tomorrow"
"And just when I think I have caught up with all the surprises of this year."
"Sir? Hermione, Ginny and I have a request for you. It is a favor we hope you would take some enjoyment out of once we explain it to Harry."
Dumbledore smiled. "I think I would enjoy it immeasurably if I think it what I think it is. Will there be many other observers."
"I don't think there will be many for this event but it will depend on Harry's viewpoint."
"Then I will check with Madam Pomfrey and try to get you released so you may visit your friends and confidants."
"Thank you sir."
"I hope I am the first to officially say 'You're welcome' Mrs. Potter."
"It's extremely nice to hear that title Headmaster."
Xxxx xxx
Harry Potter woke up one hour after curfew on the night of October 30th. When he saw the three smiling faces surrounding his cot he gulped wordlessly and readily agreed to their plan.
(A.N. My sincere apologies for the long delay in posting this. Inspiration deserted me for a while.)
