Resolution

Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter. All recognisable characters, content, or locations belong to their respective owners. No copyright infringement intended.

Chapter 36: April 3rd

When Harry woke, it didn't take him long to determine he was in the hospital wing. It seemed he'd fallen asleep while he maintained vigil by Sirius' bedside, but sometime in his sleep, he'd been moved to a bed, his clothes had been changed, his wand and daggers deposited on his bedside table.

Professor Lupin was passed out on a bed across from him, and Theo was still under the effects of the dreamless sleep, but several beds down, Susan and Neville were awake, in quiet conversation over their respective breakfast trays. Susan, like Theo, had slept under the effects of a dreamless sleeping draught, but in the light of day, she still seemed weary, and impossibly small.

Harry joined his friends, seated criss-cross by Susan's feet, and picked mindlessly at their sliced fruits while they discussed a Herbology assignment Harry hadn't even thought about, never mind started.

"So…" Neville trailed off into a vaguely awkward silence, and Susan picked at the bacon she'd not eaten.

"Some night, huh?" Her smile was wry.

He shrugged. "It could have been worse. No one was bitten, Greyback is dead, and everyone will recover. I don't think it could have turned out better, actually."

"Except, of course, if the defences had done their bloody job," Neville answered, and the scathing in his tone was startling, albeit justified.

Harry shrugged. He'd come to expect the occasional bout of mortal peril at Hogwarts, and although that alone was concerning, he wasn't sure if he had the power to change the status quo. Once again, however, the protections around Hogwarts had failed them, and this time, Harry's life wasn't the only one at stake.

"It wasn't what I expected," Susan admitted.

"Were you expecting a grande adventure?" Harry's tone was biting, but the irritation left as quick as it had come, and he slumped, tired. Across from him, Susan did, too.

"I suppose I was," she conceded, and her expression was sad, "I'm sorry, Harry. I let you and Theo down. I won't… it won't happen again."

Before he could answer, Madam Pomfry shuffled in with a breakfast tray in hand. She deposited it in his lap, eyed him sternly, and instructed him to 'eat up'. Harry didn't protest, and he instead dug in heartily, famished. She left him to it, and Harry watched as she approached Sirius, wand raised and a diagnostic spell on her tongue.

"How is he, madam Pomfry?"

"It's not the worst injury I've seen from him, Mr Potter. The slice was rather deep, and I'm sure his side will be rather tender for the days to come, but your godfather will make a full recovery. I can guarantee it."

"That's good," Harry acknowledged, and the weight on his shoulders eased, "And Professor Lupin?"

"With some rest, he will be well."

The mediwitch retreated to her office, and Harry focused on his breakfast. As he did, he reflected on the events from the evening prior, and sighed to himself. Although Greyback was dead, the monstrous werewolf was still wreaking havoc on he and Theo's lives. The latter's mostly, since after the shock had worn off, Theo had vomited into the grass, had collapsed by Susan, and had proceeded to babble incoherently - and simultaneously - about how it was finally over, and that he couldn't believe he'd actually killed the monster that had shadowed most of his life.

At the same time, Sirius had transformed to his human self, and between a roughshod transfiguration of the corpse into something considerably easier to hide, and the occasional glance at Moony to ensure the wolfsbane potion was still under effect, he took the opportunity to lecture Susan, Harry, Theo and Neville on the topic of recklessness and absolute imbecility, accompanied by a guilt trip of epic proportions.

The fact that he was bleeding from a gaping wound in his side kept them from protesting, but Harry was fairly certain he wasn't the only one who'd rankled under the chastisement. With regards to Neville, Susan and Theo, Sirius wasn't their parent or guardian, and neither was he a teacher. In Harry's case, Sirius was a stranger, and legal guardian or not, Harry wasn't particularly fond of authority figures.

But then Sirius had staggered from blood loss, and the group - excepting Susan - was suddenly occupied with ensuring he made it to the hospital wing. Moony loped off into the trees with a transfigured bone between his teeth, and meanwhile, the third years had somehow managed to manoeuvre Sirius onto a broom. Harry, as the strongest flyer, was designated pilot, and before midnight, they'd made it to the hospital wing, Sirius was deposited into Madam Pomfry's care, and the quartet of Hogwarts students could finally settle down to absorb the events of the hours passed.

Susan had cried, and Theo had shed a few tears, too. In contrast, Neville was stoic in a way Harry had come to expect from his friend. The other Gryffindor was more comfortable when he had the opportunity to internally sort through his feelings, and Harry couldn't begrudge him that. More recently, Harry was prone to the same routine, and thus, while he'd watched over Sirius, and to a lesser extent, Susan and Theo, he reflected on the actions made and the resulting consequences, meditated over them, and sometime in the dark before dawn, he finally accepted that there was nothing he could change.

He pulled himself from his reverie, and studied his Hufflepuff friend. She'd been particularly reckless the night before, but Harry was fairly certain she'd learned from the experience. More to the point, his history guaranteed that he wasn't particularly inclined to give a lecture. Instead, he asked, "How's your arm?"

"Good as new," she replied, "It mended overnight. There isn't even a scar."

"And how are you?"

Susan took a few moments to contemplate her answer. "I feel hollow, I guess. He's dead, and I thought I'd be satisfied with that, but I'm just… not."

Harry squeezed her blanket coloured feet, and said sagely, "It doesn't bring back your family."

Next to him, Neville nodded his agreement.

She slumped, wiped at eyes that welled with tears, and replied, "I don't know what I expected."

"I don't have answers for you, Susan. I'm sorry."

She offered him a feeble smile. "It's enough that you understand. You too, Neville. Thank you for that."

"Any time, Sue," Neville acknowledged, and this time, it was Harry who nodded his agreement.

-!- -#-

Some time later, they were joined by Theo. The Slytherin was predictably quiet, but there was a shadow in his expression Harry hadn't seen before. It seemed Greyback's death weighed heavy on his mind, and Harry wished he had the right words to say.

He didn't.

Susan offered him her replenished bowl of fruit. "Strawberry?"

Theo accepted one with a nod of thanks, eyed the game of poker they'd been playing, and queried, "Can I join in?"

"Yeah, mate," Neville answered, "I'll deal you in the next round. We're playing for chocolates."

They played until mid-morning, at which point Madam Pomfry sent them on their way. Harry opted to return to his dormitory, and there, he was met by Athena. She was asleep against his pillow, though that was nothing new. She slept a lot these days, and Harry had a feeling she was on her last legs.

Despite the short amount of time he'd spent with her, the thought saddened him. He wasn't sure if it was because of Athena herself, or because she was a link to the family he'd not had the opportunity to know. Either way, he was fairly certain he wasn't ready to let her - and what she represented - go.

He wasn't certain he ever would be.

Author's Note: I love you guys and gals. That's all I wanted to say. Thanks for your support. Until next time, -t.