Harry lay starring at the ceiling, it had been hours but he was unable to sleep. Once his anger had died down he knew what his mother was trying to say even if she had a half arsed way of saying it, she was worried about him. Rolling over he looked at his watch to see it was just past four thirty, knowing he wasn't going to sleep any time soon he pushed himself out of bed. Padding across the room he got his sweat clothes knowing what he needed was a good work out.
He decided he hadn't really been around London yet, and that it would be quiet enough this time of the morning to manage it without running into anyone. As he made his way down the stairs he stopped by his mother's room to make sure she was still asleep. It was obviously she hadn't long been in bed but thankfully she was out of it.
When he reached the front door he scooped up his grey hoody slipping it on, and decided to leave a note for his mother. He wrote out a quick note telling her he was going for a run, and then would head to the Burrow to see Ginny. He charmed it to find her once she was awake, satisfied that she wouldn't freak out; he set out for the house.
Once he reached the Muggle Street he sighed at the silence and started jogging. He didn't pay any notice to where his feet were carrying him instead he let the steady beat of his heart take him over. He passed through parks and industrial affairs, his feet carrying him as the sun rose up and people started appearing on the streets. It was only as he found himself in down town London that he realised he had been out for over two hours. Stopping to take a breath even though he didn't really need it he studied exactly where he was. There were a few people in the streets now, people heading into muggle shops and pulling the shutters up, others heading to offices, but more than one looked at him as he studied the street signs.
It took him a few moments but he figured out where he was and headed in the direction he knew wizards would be, suddenly wanting to be amongst his own people. Finally his eyes clapped onto the sign that he was looking for and he smiled. He had only ever been here once with his mother when he had been younger and had been under a charm at the time, but now he could walk in there head held high.
Gripping the handle of the door he pushed his way into the Leaky Cauldron stopping just inside the door to smile. It wasn't the same as he remembered, less dank and dark looking, and as he spotted a woman behind the bar he figured it was her doing. Slowly he made his way across the room realising he had seen this woman at one of the Order meetings.
"Hannah isn't it," he asked as he reached her and she turned to look at him her eyes growing wide.
Before she could say anything he pressed a finger to his lips smiling and she nodded, swallowing visibly and running her hands over her apron.
"You're out early," she said finally and he nodded as he slid onto a bar stool.
"Yeah I was out for a jog and found myself near here so I thought I'd pop in," he turned to look at the room again and smiled at her, "doesn't look the same as I remember though."
Hannah blushed slightly and nodded, "yeah I took over the pub from Tom a couple of months back; he said something about not wanting to have to deal with the nightly brawls anymore. Don't know what he was moaning about it's been fine while I've been here," she said beaming as a customer came up to the counter and Harry left her to tend her customers.
He sat for a while soaking in the feel of being around other wizards, as the room began to fill with guests coming down for breakfast. Soon serving girls appeared from nowhere ready to take orders and he watched as the bustled expertly around the tables. Hannah smiled suddenly spotting someone across the room and Harry turned to see a young man heading her way beaming at the same time. It was only as he reached her and pulled her into a hug that Harry remembered his name, Neville he was another order member.
Neville turned spotting Harry and beamed reaching a hand out for him to shake, "good morning," he said catching himself before he said Harry's name.
Harry smiled at that thinking it didn't really matter if he had said Harry as long as he didn't go flashing Potter around. For a while Neville and Harry chatted about nothing in particular and Hannah disappeared into the kitchen returning a few minutes later with heaped plates of food for the both of them.
All and all it was an enjoyable morning for Harry; it had been some time since he had interacted with other people his own age without having his mother at his elbow or other people starring at him. Ginny had been the only one that he had been able to be himself with, but as he started talking with Neville he decided he liked him very much, he had such a calm demeanour about him it was hard not to get on with him.
"Is there anywhere I could nip to change you think," Harry asked as he finished up and smiled at Hannah.
She didn't miss a beat taking in his slightly sweaty hoody, "of course, here," she handed him a room key and he smiled, "take as much time as you need. There's a shower in there so feel free to use it if you need," she smiled and patted his hand before turning to head down the bar.
"What'll I owe her," he asked turning to look at Neville.
Neville snorted and both of them laughed, "you think she's going to let you pay."
He patted Harry on the back and then headed off to help Hannah as she gathered plates from one of the tables that had been vacated. He watched for a few more minutes as Neville looped his arms around her waist placing a soft kiss on her neck as he whispered in her ear. She laughed and threw a look at her boyfriend over her shoulder and Harry left them to it heading up to get changed.
He did in fact take the chance to shower enjoying the feel of the hot water as it slid over his muscles, but he didn't take too long emerging less than five minutes after he had gotten in. He cleaned down the clothes he had been wearing and with a flick of his wand changed them into a pair of black jeans and a green t-shirt, his mother had taught him long ago how to survive with just one set of clothing just in case. She smiled as he slipped the clothes on thinking of her survival techniques that had already come in handy.
He was just tying his now black converse looking shoes when an explosion rocked the room. Instantly he was alert, grabbing his hoody and with a touch of his wand turned it from the bright grey to midnight black. Shrugging it on he tore out of the room to find chaos at every turn. People were running around like they had been electrocuted and it took him a while to make it back into the bar. He found Hannah stood there directing people and waded his way over.
"What the hell was that," he asked having to shout over the din.
"Death Eaters," she said simply turning her whole attention on the wizard in front of her.
She watched as the laughing Harry retreated to hide behind a mask so harsh and real that she would have flinched at his cold look if she hadn't spent time with him this morning. He simply nodded and she watched as he drew his wand from inside of his jacket and turned to walk calmly out back. She called after him telling him that Neville had gone out to help but she didn't know if he had heard since he just kept going.
When Harry entered Diagon alley it was to find panicked people running around screaming. As he strode towards the din that he knew was the fight he heard and saw more than one hurt person. He pushed aside the thoughts of them as he walked knowing any worry would only get him hurt and as he moved he pulled his hood up charming it so it wouldn't fall as he moved knowing keeping his cover at the moment was not going to be easy. But all thoughts about himself flew out of his mind as he rounded the corner to find three order members surrounded by a group of at least fifteen Death Eaters. The group was doing their best to stave off the attacks but the laughing Death Eaters threw curse after curse at them and they had no chance to send out any of their own since they were too busy defending themselves.
Taking a breath he felt his mind still as he fed everything into his minds flame, his body readied itself for the fight as he felt his power radiate through his limbs. His panther stretched, is claws springing forward ready to lend him its power, and happy for the fight that was ahead. Taking another breath he blinked and found himself in the middle of the three order members.
"Down!" he yelled and they obeyed without even thinking about who was in the middle of them.
With his preternatural speed Harry fired off curse after curse, hitting his target every time. It was only after he had disabled six of the death eaters that the others realised what was happening and started fighting back harder. Harry watched as one of them changed tactics and tried to attach the small group at his feet to distract him. Without a second though he threw his other hand up and cast a protective barrier around the group while he fired off more curses.
He could feel his anger growing as he reacted to the attack, but instead of crowding his mind as it had done before it seemed to help keep it clear. He almost felt ice slice through his veins keeping his mind clear.
As he fought the Death Eaters became more and more desperate, but they also became more organised. Instead of fighting him for all sides now the organised smaller number faced him head on so they could see where their target was at all times. They seemed to be able to organise themselves so that they were each having a chance at firing a curse off and defending the group. Harry would have applauded their tactics if it wasn't for the fact that they were trying to kill him.
He distantly heard other voices and preyed they were other wizards coming to help, but he put that thought aside. He felt Neville move at his feet and knew he was about to try something heroic, and Harry preyed he didn't get in the way.
Just then he felt a curse wiz passed his face and he turned to see another Death Eater descending on them, this one striding full pelt towards them from nowhere. He tried to keep his attention divided but it was hard to keep everything together. It was just then when he felt a curse hit his shoulder and with a strangled cry his arm dropped and because of that the shield dropped protecting the people at his feet.
"Get out of here he yelled," and Neville looked up at him with a small nod he grabbed the other two wizards and disappeared.
Now unencumbered by the need to protect them Harry could move, and he took full advantage of his speed to run at the death eaters.
He fired off a curse shooting one black robed figure clean off his feet and into the window of a nearby show, glass shattering and flying everywhere. He didn't stop to think though as another death eater whirled to launch a volley of curses at him. Slashing his wand out he saw blood bloom on them mans chest as he dropped his wand and clutched at his wound, blood spilling over his finger as he did. Harry strode past him as the figure crumpled to the floor and his friends turned to run.
With a growl of rage Harry managed to catch one of them with a curse before they all dissolved into black smoke, sending him flying across Diego alley to crash into a small cart that had been parked outside one the shops. He tried to scramble up but Harry shot another curse at him as he strode forwards and the man crumpled to the floor like a puppet with its strings cut. Harry stood in the chaos and destruction breathing heavily as he turned on the spot making sure there was no one else that was going to come flying at him. Taking a deep breath he lowered his wand and surveyed the black robed figures around him, he knew more than one of them was dead but he couldn't bring himself to care. As he surveyed the damage wizards started to appear, some coming from the shops and then some official looking people arrived on scene and Harry knew it was time to make himself scarce. Once he knew that they alley was in good hands he turned on the spot and disappearted.
When he opened his eyes again he found himself stood outside the Burrow and it was only as he moved that he realised the extent of his injuries. He could feel blood running down his arm that lay limp against his side and he knew that curse had done some heavy damage, though he wasn't really feeling the pain yet. He also noted that one of his legs was bleeding and realised he'd taken a slicing charm to the thigh without even noticing it.
Suddenly he thought better of being there and would have turned to leave realising his state might be scary, if the back door of the Burrow hadn't been thrown open at that exact moment. He saw Ginny appear a smile at the sight of him painted on her lips, and then watched as that smile dissolved into horror as she took in his state. He smiled softly taking a haltering step forwards and she instantly there her hands pressing against his chest.
"What happened!" she exclaimed her eyes wild.
"Attack at Diagon Alley," he croaked out feeling his legs turning to led.
Just then his knee buckled and he went down on one knee, breathing deeply realising his blood loss was obviously getting to a critical stage.
He heard Ginny calling to her mother and the next thing he knew he felt Molly's cool hands pressed to his forehead.
"Can you hear me Harry?" he nodded and she sighed, "Do you think you can walk?" he nodded and with some effort forced himself to his feet.
He felt Ginny's arm slide around his waist her touch strengthening him enough so he could get into the Burrow, collapsing when he was just inside the door. Molly started barking orders at the assembled people and he heard people running around but he didn't pay them any attention. At some point someone levitated him onto the kitchen table and he felt someone slip a pillow under his head. He opened his eyes and looked up to find Ginny cradling his head in fingers.
"You're going to be alright Harry," she whispered as she leant over him to press a kiss to his lips.
"I know Breeze, nothing I haven't been through before," he sighed as a bold of pain shot along his arm, "I just needed to get someplace safe so I've got a chance to heal," he said capturing her eyes.
She smiled weakly brushing her fingertips over his forehead, "so you came here?" she asked and he could see the wonder in her eyes.
He chuckled softly gasping as Molly's fingers expected the wound in his shoulder, "of course I did where else would I go," he said and then there was no more time for talking.
Ginny helped her mother get his jacket and then his t-shirt off so they could see the damage to his arm. Turned out the curse had cut deep enough so they could see bone and Molly was concerned there as major damage to the socket but Harry wouldn't hear of going to the hospital. Hermione disappeared then promising to return with help.
Molly and Ginny did their best to stem the bleeding and get the wound clean and then Molly bound it up until they could figure out exactly what to do. They then moved onto the wound in his leg by stripping his pants off as well. This wound was a lot easier for Molly to handle and she cleaned it and sealed the gash while Ginny kept Harry's mind from the pain that was building in his mind.
Ginny had just helped him sit up to swallow some pain potion when Lily appeared, Hermione hot on her heels.
"I figured if anyone knew how to deal with his injuries it'd be his mum," she said weakly but Ginny pulled her into a hug.
Lily was at her son's side now, her fingers nimbly smoothing hair from his face as she gazed lovingly down at him.
"What have you got yourself into now?" she whispered and he smiled despite seeing tears glittering in her eyes.
"I'm fine mum honestly, I just didn't have enough power left to get my arm sorted," he said and she nodded.
Molly watched the exchange frowning unsure what mother and son were on about but as she watched Lily carefully undid the binding on Harry's shoulder and inspected the wound. She called for some more pillows and carefully arranged them under Harry's arm and shoulder. Harry winced at the pain but never once said anything and Molly couldn't believe what she was seeing. Not once had the ma called for anything, instead he had been trying to reassure everyone else as he lay bleeding.
Moving his arm had caused the wound to come open again and his blood was seeping to a pool steadily under his shoulder and Harry had a thought to worry about if it would stain Molly's table.
Lily took Harry's good arm and then pressed her other hand to his ribs just below his wounded shoulder, "take what you need son," she said smiling lovingly at her child and Harry nodded.
Ginny sucked in a shocked gasp as she watched bright light shine under Lily's hands suddenly and then Harry's eyes were glowing green as his mother shut her eyes concentrating. Molly would have said something if her eyes hadn't caught movement at his shoulder and she turned to see his muscles and tissue knitting back together in front of her very eyes.
Power rippled along Harry's body and Ginny felt her cat bound to the surface instantly clawing at the need to get close to Harry. For once she didn't fight its needs and stepped forwards pressing her hand over Harry's heart as the other went to tangle in his hair. She vaguely heard Lily gasp and then collapse back into a chair but she didn't hear anything else. All she could hear was her own heartbeat as it turned to match Harry's. She could feel his mind as it slide into hers and she was assaulted with images of him. She knew he was drawing on her magic to heal but she didn't care giving as much of herself as he needed.
She felt her eyes slide close as a shock of tingling power slid along her nerves and she knew he was pushing his desire into her. She felt her knees go weak and before she collapsed forwards she felt his strong arms come around her body cradling her against him. All of a sudden she found her face pressed against Harry's bare chest and his knees either side of her body locking her to him.
Opening her eyes she looked up into his shinning emerald gaze and smiled. She tore her eyes from his long enough to look down at his shoulder to find the wound nothing more than a pink patch of healed skin that looked weeks old rather than moments. She trailed her fingers over the wound careful not to press and she felt his smile against her neck where he had buried his head.
"Told you I'd be fine," he said and she felt his words tickle along her bare skin raising the hair on the back of her neck.
She looked up at him and he pressed a kiss to her lips steeling anything she was about to say. Someone cleared their throat and the broke apart to look at Lily who was seated nearby smiling, her eyes half lidded.
Harry kept Ginny locked to his body with an arm wrapped around her waist but he reached his other hand out and grasped his mother's pale hand where it laid against the table.
"Are you alright?" he asked and she laughed lightly muttering something about that being her line.
"I'm fine son, I'm just tired," she said her voice sounding very distant.
Harry turned to look at Molly who was staring at the three of them her mouth in a silent o and her eyes slightly wide.
"Molly is there somewhere my mother can rest, I think I took a little too much power from her," he said and that seemed to snap Molly out of it.
She rushed forwards babbling something that Harry couldn't follow so he stopped trying. Carefully Molly helped Lily to her feet and they disappeared up the stairs, Molly promising to be right back to check on Harry but he knew she didn't need to he was fine now.
He turned to kiss Ginny again and she laughed light before she pulled back to shoot a look to the side. He turned to find Hermione stood leaning against the kitchen counter her knuckles white where she gripped the granite slab.
"You oh Mione," Ginny said and the other girl's eyes snapped to them.
"Yeah it's just," she trailed off and shrugged, "all I could think of was to get Lily," she said finally and Harry knew that wasn't exactly what she was going to say.
"Well I'm glad you did Hermione she was exactly what I needed," he turned to look at her as he folded his arms around Ginny, "it can be a little freaky to watch I know. I promise I'll explain everything," he looked down at Ginny who was smiling dreamily up at him, "later," he breathed as his head dipped to kiss her again.
Just then there was a bang and the back door flew open to admit Ron looking wild eyed. He came to an abrupt stop when he saw harry now only in his boxers and socks sat on the table to Ginny cradled between his legs and Hermione stood watching.
"What the hell," he breathed but before he could get up a full head of steam Hermione threw herself at him wrapping her arms around his neck and the anger died from his face.
Harry picked the distinct sound of a sob and knew Hermione must be crying so he turned to bury himself in Ginny's neck giving them a little privacy.
"Can someone tell me what the hell's going on here," Ron finally demanded once Hermione had pulled herself together enough to step back.
Harry looked up to find Ron shooting anger glares his way again and sighed, he really didn't think he had the energy to fight of Ron at this stage, but it seemed Hermione had caught her boyfriends intentions and was now glaring at him.
Hermione pressed her hands against his chest pulling his attention to her and she held it with an icy glare.
"Don't you dare say anything to harry, he just almost died," Harry didn't feel like interrupting long enough to tell her that wasn't true so he stayed quiet and watched as Ron's eyes cleared slightly.
"I just witnessed one of the most amazing things I have ever seen. If it wasn't already obvious it sure was after that, that Ginny loves Harry with everything she is. She gave a part of herself to heal him and his only thought was of her when he came here," she said her eyes swinging to the couple and a smiled played over her lips, "I don't know what I saw but the closest thing I can say is that it looked like love," she whispered and pulled Ron into a hug by wrapping her fingers in his shirt.
"Please Ron put any stupid anger aside and look, he loves here there's nothing else to it," she said as she leant her head against his shoulder.
Ron looked over the top of Hermione's head and took in the sight in front of him. He had rushed home because he had heard of the attack and it had been as shocking as hell to walk into the kitchen to find Harry almost naked wrapped around his sister. But now as he watched them he could see the love shinning on Ginny's face as she ran her hands over Harry's hand and he just simply gazed down at her smiling softly.
He grunted as he realised he may have been a little harsh before and Harry looked up to take in the other man. Ron stared at him for a moment and then inclined his head in a small nod and before anyone could say anything else he turned and led Hermione into the front room.
"Guess that's the best I'm gunna get," Harry laughed as he looked down at Ginny again.
Ginny went on her tiptoes so she could mould her lips to his in a searing kiss and Harry forgot all thoughts of Ron. When she finally pulled back she was panting slightly and he could feel her body trembling.
"I think we need to move this away from the kitchen," he whispered and she nodded.
Carefully Ginny helped Harry hope down from the table and he tested his leg happy to find the muscles felt perfect now. He paused long enough to scoop up his wand and banish the mess he had made, before Ginny helped him up the stairs to her room.