CHAPTER 19: I'm Always Here

A/N: Hey guys, welcome back. Now how do I explain this chapter...well, I'll just let you find it for your yourself. I'm quite aware that it may alienate some of the you, but my hope is that it intrigues you even if you're not on board with it. Without further ado...

Harry felt his legs could give away any moment as he walked beside Dumbledore. His mind was still trying to comprehend everything that had happened in the past half an hour.

From running after Ron, to seeing Dumbledore in the living room, to them talking out in the open, to... Dumbledore telling him what had happened when he was flying over the country with his friends thinking the worst was behind him and he was finally free from the prison inflicted upon by his uncle.

He felt everything around him was happening in a daze and he had no control over his body.

He tasted the salty taste of sweat on his lips as it dripped down from his forehead. His brain side-tracked for a second as he wondered why he was sweating since he couldn't remember doing anything physically strenuous and shouldn't he be panting as well if he was sweating.

Sure, his breathing was shallow, but that's for a different reason altogether.

All of a sudden, he felt his vision getting blurry with every step he took and before he could blink, he felt everything go to black before he felt a strong, firm hand come to rest on his chest.

It took him a few seconds to open his eyes as the hand that was on his chest moved to rest on his forehead. He felt a cooling sensation pass through his entire body.

He blinked a couple of times before he slowly opened his eyes. The first thing he saw was Dumbledore's face hovering above him. He had a sad smile on his face. He felt his hearing coming back and shifted his gaze to Dumbledore's mouth as he was saying something.

"-You're alright, everything's okay" he caught the last bit of his sentence as he slowly tried to sit up with Dumbledore's help.

"What happened?" he rasped out before saying "Water" He felt like he just swallowed sand.

"Right" He brought a hand to the side of his head and briefly closed his eyes to ease away the headache that had formed. He heard some rustling before feeling something being placed on his lips.

"Here. Drink this" Not caring what it was, he opened his mouth and tilted his head back. He drank the liquid in big gulps, loving the sweet taste of it. He had never tasted it before and felt he could solely survive on it for the rest of his life. He had never tasted anything so good before.

The moment he took his last gulp, he felt all the heaviness, the dizziness, the pain leave his head. He opened his eyes before Dumbledore pulled the silver flask back from his hydrated lips.

"What is it, sir. I have never tasted anything so good before" he watched Dumbledore put the flask inside his coat pocket with a smile on his lips.

It was also the first time he noticed that the headmaster was for once not dressed in usual, although sometimes a bit eccentric, robes, but in a formal, beige woollen suit with a tie that reminded him of Gryffindor house colours. He also had a brown wool fedora on his head, that miraculously hid all his hair. Even his beard seemed a lot shorter than he was used to seeing. All in all, he appeared to be a neatly dressed, normal looking, old man.

"I call it lemonade" Harry saw the twinkle return to his eyes as he smiled warmly at him. "It is my own invention, made entirely out of every kind of lemon drops. Now, come on. Let's get you up" He grasped Harry's hand and holstered him up.

Harry looked around and was a little bit shocked to see a huge traffic of people walking about. He turned his head to look at the hospital building, just now realizing that they were finally here.

He turned his eyes to the massive sign on the top of the building saying, 'St Peter's Hospital'.

"We're here" he murmured.

"Yes, we are" He turned his head in Dumbledore's direction.

"What happened to me?" he inquired with furrowed eyebrows.

Dumbledore gave him a sympathetic smile before answering. "You fainted" Upon seeing a frown come over his face, Dumbledore continued "It is nothing to be worried about, Harry." Harry looked up at him. "A very natural reaction, something we all go through" He stared at him for a moment before nodding his head.

"Good, c'mon let's continue on our way. We're nearly there"

Dumbledore put a comforting hand on his back and guided him forward.

They entered the building side by side and made their way to the reception area. Harry looked around on both sides of the long hallway as they waited for their turn. There was lot of commotion going around as everyone were trying to get to their destination.

He was a bit surprised to find these many people at this hour. But then he thought back to why he was here and realized that tragedy can occur at any time.

A hand on his shoulder made him look up at Dumbledore. "C'mon Harry. It's this way" Confusion marred his features before he realized that Dumbledore had already spoken with the receptionist while he was distracted in his solemn thoughts.

They turned right and walked to the end of the hallway before turning left. They stopped next to an elevator. They waited for a few seconds after Dumbledore pressed the button before the bell sound rang out and the lift doors separated.

It was empty as they stepped inside. He saw Dumbledore press the third-floor button. The ride was short and silent. They bell rang once again before the doors opened and they stepped out. Dumbledore looked on either side before turning right.

"C'mon, this way" he laid a hand on Harry's shoulder as they continued walking.

They turned left at the end of the corridor and continued ahead. "Excuse me, madam" Dumbledore called out to a nurse walking in the opposite direction. She looked up from the clipboard she was carrying and looked at him. She smiled warmly at him as she stopped before them.

"Anything I can help you with, sir" she asked politely.

"Yes, if you would be gracious enough to point us to the ICU, please," said Dumbledore.

"Of course. You keep going straight and take the second left and then the third right. It will lead you to a small opening that has only one room, which is the ICU. I hope I was clear" she smiled once she finished.

"You most certainly were, thank you very much" Dumbledore humbly bowed his head, which surprised her a little, Harry noticed by the expression on her face, before they left.

He looked over his shoulder and saw the woman stare at the wall with an amusing smile before she shook her head and continued walking.

They reached a small lobby area which was empty. "Let's take a seat" They walked over to the chairs that were adjacent to the room and took a seat.

They sat in silence for a while, during which Dumbledore skimmed through every magazine sitting next to him on the table. Currently he was reading a health and fitness and magazine. Harry, on the other hand, had a blank expression on his face for the entire time and his eyes had an unfocused gaze as he kept staring straight forward at the glass wall opposite him.

Dumbledore cheeks turned a little pink as he turned a page before he slammed the magazine shut and hastily put it back on the table. The noise got through Harry's senses, and he blinked his eyes a couple of times before turning his head in Dumbledore's direction who seemed in a peaceful state with his eyes closed and hands twined on his lap.

"Umm professor," he spoke tentatively.

Dumbledore slowly opened his eyes and looked at him. "Oh Harry, sorry, shut my eye there for a second. Everything alright"

"Umm yeah..." Harry trailed off, wondering if he imagined the sound. "I thought I heard something" He looked around the room. "Probably imagined it"

"Probably" He looked back at Dumbledore whose eyes were twinkling under the bright white light. "Or maybe not." Dumbledore raised an eyebrow as his lips curved at the corner.

Harry shook his head as he exhaled an exasperated breath. "I'll never understand why you talk in riddles. It would be a lot easier for the other person if you stopped doing it. You know, so they can actually understand you" Harry frowned at him.

Harry feared if he crossed some sort of line as Dumbledore kept staring at him with a neutral look before a huge smile spread over his face.

He released a sigh of relief as Dumbledore leaned toward him. "But what would be the fun in that" he whispered conspiratorially.

The headmaster winked before sitting straight. Harry scoffed before a small smile spread across his lips. "Yeah..."

The smile left his lips and was replaced by the dejected look he had worn for the past hour. Dumbledore's hand on his shoulder made him turn his head in his direction.

"I think something very significant happened during the holidays, am I correct?" asked Dumbledore. Harry looked down at the empty chair between them before nodding his head.

"And I figure it has to do with your aunt?" Harry gave a nod of his head once more. "Am I correct to assume that it was...pleasant." Harry lifted his gaze and looked into his eyes. "And I presume a shift happened between your relationship with your aunt that was most welcome, for both of you" At seeing Harry's nod, a brief smile came over Dumbledore's lips which was instantly replaced with a saddened expression.

"I'm extremely sorry Harry, I didn't know how hard this must be for you" he spoke sincerely.

"It's not your fault" started Harry as his eyes flared with anger. "I'm going to kill him if anything ever happens to her" he whispered darkly.

Dumbledore remained silent and shifted his gaze from looking at Harry to staring ahead at the glass wall.

"What's going to happen to him now" Harry said after a while.

Dumbledore released a slow sigh. "To be perfectly honest, I'm not sure" He turned his head towards Harry who was gazing at him with a slacked jaw. "When I got there, the house was empty. I only know what the neighbours told me. I didn't go to the law enforcement because I thought you deserved to know about it first"

Harry nodded his head as he turned his gaze downwards.

"But" paused Dumbledore as Harry looked back at him. "If anything close to what the couple of people I spoke to said happened, then I don't think things are looking good for your uncle"

"He's not my uncle!" yelled Harry. His nostrils were flaring, and his breathing was ragged. Dumbledore stared at him calmly as he continued. "He's nothing to me. I'll kill him!" Tears were starting to form behind his eyes, but he kept them at bay. It felt strange to him to feel his eyes sting as he couldn't remember the last time he cried.

Dumbledore's eyes softened and he was about to put an arm around his shoulder when the door to his left opened and out walked a middle-aged man dressed in a doctor's uniform with Dudley behind him.

Harry's eyes were fixed on his cousin who had tear stains on his cheeks and blood shot eyes. His body language resembled that of a person who had nothing left to live for.

'No No No, please no' Harry kept repeating it like a mantra.

Dumbledore got up as the doctor's eyes fell upon him. "Oh sorry, are you here for Mrs Dursley. I was notified that none of her relatives could be here. I'm Dr. Anderson by the way" He extended his hand.

Harry watched Dudley just now realizing that there were other people in the room. Instantly their eyes met and locked.

"Peter Mathew." Dumbledore shook his hand. "I'm a family friend and Harry here is her nephew" Dumbledore pointed towards Harry, who finally broke the eye contact after hearing his name and stood up.

"Hello young man" smiled Dr Anderson. Harry gave a curt nod.

Dr. Anderson turned towards Dumbledore. "Can I speak with you in private?"

"Of course," They walked across the room towards the glass door. Harry kept his eyes trained on them.

"How did you get here so quick?" Harry whipped his head around and saw Dudley standing right next to him.

"Umm, Professor Dumbledore got us here quick"

"That's him?" Dudley gasped in shock, as he stared wide eyed at Dumbledore.

"Yeah" Harry stood awkwardly, not knowing how to broach the subject. "What happened?" his voice just above a whisper.

Dudley turned his head in his direction. Harry could tell he was struggling to form words as tears gathered behind his eyes and his breathing got heavier. "Dad...Dad knocked mum on the head. Real hard. She lost her balance and hit her head on the wall before dropping to the ground" Tears were now running down his face.

Harry wasn't surprised. He expected something like this. It was all he had been thinking about ever since Dumbledore told him what happened.

Dumbledore and Dr. Anderson walked over to them. "Dudley, would you like to stay here with this gentleman and your cousin or would you like to come with me. I promise I won't be long."

Dudley wiped at his face with his sleeve before answering. "I'll stay here. I'm tired"

"Okay son. I won't be more than 10 minutes" with that Dr. Anderson walked out of the lobby.

"What did he say to you" Harry asked Dumbledore as they all took a seat.

"The good news is she's out of critical condition"

After he didn't comment any further Harry asked "And?"

Dumbledore took a deep sigh before answering. "But they are not sure when or...if she'll regain consciousness in the immediate future." A sharp gasp left both 12-year-olds lips.

Dumbledore gave them a hopeful smile. "Dr Anderson said that they will be monitoring her closely so you both need not to worry. At times like these, we must have our full faith in him"

"But..." stammered Dudley.

Dumbledore was about to open his mouth when Harry said. "Can't we do anything else professor? Maybe find her a better hospital." Harry asked desperately.

Dumbledore gave him a sad smile. "I'm not sure that will be of much help Harry." Harry looked down as his whole body started shaking.

Tears started flooding down his cheeks and he couldn't do anything to stop them.

Dumbledore put an arm around both their shoulders and they went willingly into his embrace and clung to him as the room was filled with their agonizing cries.

After a short while Dr Anderson came back and stopped as his eyes fell upon them. He locked eyes with Dumbledore before walking over to them.

"I think it's better they hear it from you doctor" Harry and Dudley looked up at Dr Anderson standing before them. "And please don't hide anything from them"

"Very well then," said Dr Anderson. "Boys...Mrs Dursley suffered a traumatic brain injury and as a result she is in a deep sleep. As of now we're not sure if...when she will wake up. We're not even sure in what condition she'll be when she does. If a patient takes more than a month to wake up, it's very unlikely for them to get back to...let's just say get back how they were before the accident" He paused and eyed them with a sympathetic look. "I know how hard this must be for both of you, but you need to fight through this, as I'm sure she is doing inside that room. Okay"

After not receiving any response for them for couple of minutes, he walked into the ICU room.

"What am I going to do now?" Harry and Dumbledore turned towards Dudley whose lower lip was trembling. "I have no one else. I don't want to live with my dad's sister. I never liked her" He looked at Dumbledore with pleading eyes. "I want my mum" he burst into tears.

Dumbledore looked at Harry, who was crying as well. He stared straight ahead, looking at his own reflection. After a few minutes, during which Harry and Dudley's cries got louder, he pulled the ring off his finger and started twining it between his fingers.

"You're a fool" he murmured to himself.

He closed his eyes. Slowly, the noise of Harry and Dudley's crying faded away until he heard nothing but absolute silence. He opened his eyes.

He found himself in a garden with beautiful red roses all around him. The sun was shining bright and there was not a flicker of a cloud. The sound of water made him turn his head to the right. He walked over to the stream with clear blue water flowing lazily. A small, curved stone bridge was to left of the stream. The stream flowed under the bridge before it merged into a waterfall.

He squinted his eyes as he saw a woman with golden brown hair standing on the bridge, with her back to him. She was dressed in a white polka dot, cotton dress. A simple attire. His lips curved into a huge smile as he made his over to her.

He slowed down as he reached the bridge. He put his hands in his coat pocket. Her eyes were locked on the waterfall, and she had an ear-splitting smile on her face.

He maintained a small distance between them and leaned on the bridge wall. He stared at the waterfall for a moment before turning towards her.

She gave no indication of noticing his presence.

"Has it been that long?" he asked with a smirk. "I don't think I deserve this cold shoulder treatment, if I'm being completely honest"

She turned her head and glared at him. "1 year, 2 months, 3 days, 7 hours."

A small chuckle escaped his lips. "Yet, time hasn't turned you humble in the least. Always the one to boast about your superior intellect to us mere mortals"

She harrumphed in annoyance. "What is it this time? Last time you couldn't decide whether you should hand Harry his letter himself or not? I swear, Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, it better be something important this time. I don't have time for your self-doubts today. We have guests coming today and I have to be back before sunset. So, spit it!" she scowled at him as the wind blew a strand of her hair across her face which she swept away in annoyance.

He gave her an amusing look before releasing a long sigh. "Am I on the right track with this?" he looked at the trees with red leaves behind her before his eyes shifted to the cobblestone narrow path that cut through the forest.

She didn't answer right away. He shifted his focus back to her and a small smile came over his lips. She was chewing her bottom lip and her eyebrows were furrowed in concentration. "I don't need to tell you that If you go through with this, life wouldn't be kind to you if anything goes wrong. People will turn against you and at your age I would advise you to stop pissing everyone off and live your remaining days in peace"

"How kind of you. It makes my heart happy that my safety is still at the top of your list of priorities" he remarked cheekily.

"Well, you know what they say, it's a lot harder to let go of bad habits" she smirked at him before turning serious. She walked over to him and put her hand over his. Her gaze was locked on their twined hands. He looked down and instantly his gaze fell on the wedding band on her finger. The silver band was adorned with a ruby stone in the middle.

"You've always done what was right, not easy" she looked up at him and gave him a small smile. "Don't break your streak now"

"I should've broken it a long time ago" he spoke softly. He noticed tears gathering behind her eyes.

"Yeah well, you can't change the past" she spoke hoarsely.

"If only I could-" She stopped him with her hand on his mouth.

She leaned in closer and whispered. "You're losing time. Harry needs you"

"Why I can't I stay here with you at this moment forever. We could keep reliving this day till we're old and withered"

She let out a giggle, which sounded like music to his ears. "But we're old and withered silly"

"What if I can prove you wrong?" he challenged with a smirk.

She raised a tired eyebrow in response. He motioned with his head to the water. They both turned their heads and looked at their reflection in the cascading waves. Staring back at them were a man and a woman in their early 20s, grinning from ear to ear. His long shoulder length, black hair fell over his eyes, which elicited a chuckle from her.

After what felt like an eternity, she leaned back and turned to him. "Time to go. If I don't leave now, papa would come looking for me"

"Let him come" he shrugged his shoulder nonchalantly. "I'm not afraid"

"Oh really" she said dryly.

"Yeah, I'm the most powerful wizard there is, or I will be one day" He puffed his chest out.

"I thought you promised you gave all that up, that we would not talk about that rubbish ever again" she narrowed her eyes.

"It's just pretend" he huffed childlike.

"Fine" She rolled her eyes before a smirk grew on her face. "Anyways, I'm not sure you could be so sure about being the most powerful"

"What? You don't believe me?" He said feigning hurt.

"I could think of a few that could give you a run for your money" she paused.

He scoffed. "I think you're just jealous."

"Why I would I be jealous?" she exclaimed. "I love all of you equally"

He took a sharp intake of breath. "How could you say that? I knew you were a skiving, treacherous woman-" A light slap to the face made him halt.

"You will never stop being dramatic won't you." she exasperated. "And how can I be treacherous when I'm talking about-"

"Fine! "He grumbled and looked away.

She chuckled and made him turn his head by pulling on his cheek. "Don't be mad. Remember, you'll always be my first"

A lazy smile spread over his lips "Really?" He raised an eyebrow.

She nodded her head. "Hmm" She pecked his cheek before saying "I have to go now"

"When will I see you again?" he asked.

She placed her hand over his heart and smiled at him. "I'm always here"

His own lips curved into a smile as she slowly started walking backwards.

"Wait!" he called out when she reached the forest. She turned around. He hesitated for a moment before speaking. "I don't want to hear them. Please. Just this once" he pleaded.

She started laughing loudly. His own lips turned into a curve, as he started feeling hopeful. Suddenly, the laughter died down and he noticed that instead of the bright daylight, darkness surrounded him. The forest seemed ominous in the pale moonlight, but nothing could compare to how scared he felt when he looked at the woman staring at him, dressed in a simple white robe. He looked at her hands that were covered in blood before looking at her face.

She was the same woman he was laughing with not a minute ago. But only in appearance. There was no emotion on her face, which was glowing beautifully earlier, now had lost all its colour. Her eyes, that were so full of life before, were all black, not a speck of light in them.

She radiated death. A woosh of air, and the next second she was standing right in front of him. She leaned her face towards him. He gulped as she placed her hand behind his head.

"You will always hear them" she hissed in a whisper. "That's the price you pay for coming here" she smiled evilly and started cackling madly. Her manic laughter soon turned to anguish filled screams of pain that were like cancer to his ears. But he didn't block the noise as a tear slipped down his cheek.

Slowly the screams got farther and farther away until he could hear no more and everything turned to black.

He slowly opened his eyes and saw his reflection in the glass window.

He looked down at the ring and put the ruby band back on his finger.

He wiped a lone tear from his face before looking at Harry who had fallen asleep. He turned towards Dudley who was snoring loudly.

Harry groaned as he felt someone shaking him. He slowly opened his eyes before sitting up. He rubbed at his eyes before looking at Dumbledore, who was trying to wake Dudley up.

"Professor? How long was I asleep?" he let out a yawn.

"Not long Harry" Dumbledore said before standing up. Harry watched Dudley rubbing the sleep out of his eyes. "Now listen both of you." Dumbledore clapped his hands to gain their attention. "We're leaving"

"Leaving?" Dudley's voice still hoarse from the nap. "Where?"

Harry noticed Dumbledore hesitate for a second before he responded. "Hogwarts"

"Hmm?" Dudley furrowed his brows in confusion.

However, Harry didn't hear him for he was in shock. He must've heard him wrong. It couldn't be. Could it...

"What's that?" asked Dudley as he let out a huge yawn.

"It's where Harry goes to school, Dudley, the school I'm the headmaster off" Dumbledore stated.

Dudley's eyes bulged out of his sockets and his mouth opened in disbelief. "What?" he gasped.

"Magical healing is much more advance than muggle doctrine. I can assure you that not only would your mother wake up, but she will do so far quicker and will regain her full health back in no time. Cases like these are of normal occurrence in our world." He kneeled and placed a hand on Dudley's leg. "The only reason I'm suggesting this is because you have no one else to look after you. I would've suggested St Mungo's, a brilliant facility, but again there would be no one to look after you. At Hogwarts, we can provide you a room so you can be with your mother and also have people look after you. Of course, it would be only until she gets well" He finished breathlessly. He realized it was much more saying those words aloud than talking in a single breath, for the cause of shortness of his breath.

"But professor, I thought muggles were not allowed to know about our world" said Harry, who was still in shock.

"Yes, I realize that Harry, thank you for clarifying it" Dumbledore sighed. "I'm sorry" he said softly. "I know what I'm doing. We just have to be very careful about it. Not tell anyone, and I mean anyone, Harry. Not even your friends could know. I will decide who to tell." Harry didn't know why he was nodding his head.

He turned to Dudley, who it seemed had still not gotten out of his shock with the way he was staring wide-eyed at Dumbledore. "It's up to you, Dudley" said Harry, breaking him out of his shock.

"Harry's right, Dudley. The decision lies solely on you. No, Harry and I will leave and I'm sure Dr. Anderson would take good care of you, or, Yes, and I'll take you to wonderland"

Dudley kept looking between them. His hands were getting sweaty, and he was starting to feel a little dizzy.

Dumbledore and Harry kept waiting for his answer, but it never came. Harry looked at Dumbledore with a solemn expression, who gave him a small smile in return.

Dumbledore was about to stand back up when the door to the ICU opened.

"YES!" Yelled Dudley, gaining everyone's attention, including Dr. Anderson's, who stopped in his tracks and looked at him.

"Everything alright?" Dr. Anderson asked warily, as he looked at all of them sceptically.

Dumbledore faced Dudley and raised an eyebrow in question. "Yes?"

Dudley took a deep breath before nodding his head. "Yeah"

Dumbledore's lips curved into a smile. "Very well then. Off to Wonderland it is"

In a flash his wand was out and before anyone knew what had happened, Dr. Anderson was softly snoring on the chair that Dumbledore had previously occupied.

Harry and Dudley jumped out of their seat in a flash. Their eyes wide as saucers.

"No time for questions boys, that will come later. I want you both to stay put, alright." he finished adjusting Dr. Anderson in a more comfortable position, so he won't have a sour neck when he regained consciousness.

"Professor-" started Harry in a shaken voice.

"Not now Harry. For now, I would advice you to shut that curious side of your mind. Keep this" He handed him his ring. "If anyone comes, I want you to hide yourself ok. Don't get caught. In any case, I won't be more than 2 minutes." he said calmly.

Harry vigorously nodded his head, not understanding the half of what he was saying. He looked at Dudley, who looked even more lost than him. He didn't blame him though.

He looked back to Dumbledore and found the spot empty. His mouth opened in shock and he turned to Dudley whose face was ashen white.

"What just happened?" Dudley whispered in disbelief. "I saw him vanish right in front of me" he stuttered, pointing to the spot where Dumbledore had been standing.

Training his mind and senses to calm down for both their sakes, Harry took a deep breath. "It's okay Dudley. He'll be back soon I promise"

"But where did he go?" Dudley turned to him.

"I don't know" Harry shook his head.

They both stood rooted to the spot, not saying a word. But they didn't have to wait as in less than 2 minutes, Dumbledore was standing right where he left off.

"AAAAH!" Dudley let out a high pitch scream.

"Sorry Dudley" Dumbledore said dismissively as he walked over to Harry. "My ring, Harry"

It took Harry a moment to realise what he meant. "Oh, right" He took the ring out of his pocket and handed it to him. Dumbledore put it back on his finger before motioning both to come closer. "Alright, both of you, take my hand"

Harry grasped his right hand, while Dudley sceptically held onto his left before his eyes turned wide in fear. "Wait! Am I going to disappear to?"

Dumbledore gave him a wry smile. "Just don't let go, alright"

Before Dudley could nod, he felt his entire body being squeezed through a vacuum. "AAAAH!"

In less than couple of seconds, he felt solid ground under his feet and instantly dropped to his knees.

Harry forced himself to not throw up this time. He walked over to the table a few feet to his right and leaned on it. He took huge deep breaths to stop the headache that was starting to form.

"Oh god!" Dudley moaned in disgust and pain. Harry didn't need to turn around to know that he had outed all the contents of his stomach on the floor, and probably his clothes as well.

"It happens to everyone the first time" he heard Dumbledore consolidate him. "Here, drink this"

Harry finally turned around after he felt that he wouldn't be following his cousin's example. He watched Dudley gulped down the goblet like a thirsty camel. With a wave of his wand, Dumbledore had cleaned all the mess.

Harry looked around the room, and instantly knew that he was back at Hogwarts, but never been to this room before. It was slightly large than the boy's dormitory with a huge living room that had a couch and two chairs opposite it. A small table was sitting between them on top of a red carpet. There were bookshelves all around the walls, filled with huge leather-bound tomes.

"What about my mom!" Harry turned around and saw Dudley staring up at Dumbledore with wide eyes, who gave him a small smile.

"Come" he put an arm around Dudley's shoulder and guided him towards the door on the opposite side of the wall. Harry followed them.

He stopped next to them as Dumbledore knocked on the door. "Come in"

Dumbledore turned the knob and motioned Dudley to walk inside first. Harry followed him before Dumbledore closed the door behind him.

He couldn't believe his eyes. He turned back to Dumbledore with mouth wide open. Dumbledore winked at him before motioning him to move forward.

Harry turned back around and walked over to the bed, where his aunt was lying peacefully. Dudley was already crawled next her, hugging her lithe frame as sobs shook his entire body. Harry's own eyes filled up as he reached the side of the bed.

He laid a tentative hand on her arm before interlocking his fingers with her warm hand. He turned his head as the door next to the cupboard opened and in walked Madam Pomfrey. "Hello Potter" She was carrying a tray that had 5 small glass bottles on top of it. She walked past him and put the tray on the table beside the bed.

"What do you think, Poppy?" asked Dumbledore as he walked in a couple of paces.

"I have already given her the rednum potion for her breathing and sealed the wound properly. I can't believe the negligence of muggle doctor's" she harrumphed, which brought out a small smile on Dumbledore's face. "But she should regain consciousness in two weeks. Since, she doesn't have a magical core, her recovery would take a little longer, but she will be back to normal. Although, my advice would be to examine her for a week longer after she wakes up just for regular check-ups, but that's up to you" she finished.

"Whatever you think is best" Dumbledore bowed his head in respect.

"If only you would listen to me regarding your own health" she quipped as she took a blue coloured potion from the cupboard.

"Oh, believe me I try" chuckled Dumbledore. "But you know what they say, it's a lot harder to let go of bad habits"

"Bad habits?" questioned Harry with a furrowed eyebrow.

"Lemon drops" said Madam Pomfrey. "Alright Potter, off you go. You can come back tomorrow if you like. But-" she shot him a warning glare. "You must visit me first. You'll find me in the hospital wing"

Harry nodded his head. "Yes, madam Pomfrey" He turned to Dudley who was asleep before looking at Dumbledore. "What about Dudley, sir?"

"Don't worry about him Harry. Madam Pomfrey would take good care of him. He won't be leaving these chambers so if you want to see him, you will have to get Madam Pomfrey's permission"

"Have you informed any elf yet, headmaster?" asked Madam Pomfrey.

"Oh yes Poppy, Hector. He oversees the kitchen and the leader of the elves in the castle. He mentioned that he would come see you as soon as his work is done," said Dumbledore.

"Very well then"

"You told an elf sir?" Harry's thoughts instantly took him to his own terrible experience with one.

"Yes Harry. Madam Pomfrey won't be around all day to look after your aunt, during that time Hector will look after her. He is also quite apt at healing"

"But-" He didn't think now was the best time to inform him about Dobby and his lack of trust regarding all elves. "Can you trust them?" He asked warily.

Dumbledore gave him a warm smile and laid a hand on his shoulder. "You can trust them with your life. They are the most loyal creatures in the world"

Harry still wasn't ready to believe him but for now kept his mouth shut. 'If Dumbledore trusts them, then that's good enough for now' he thought.

"Okay" He gave a nod.

"Good" Dumbledore's smile widened. "C'mon"

They walked out of the room before crossing a small passage towards a door hidden between two bookshelves. Dumbledore opened the door and motioned for Harry to walk through first.

Harry waited for Dumbledore as he closed the door behind him before turning around. He let out a sharp gasp as he looked around. He was in the hospital wing, on the balcony on top of the spiral staircase.

"Whoa!" he exclaimed as Dumbledore patted his shoulder.

"Whoa indeed" Dumbledore grinned at him that made him feel relax and smile after what had been the most emotional couple of hours of his life.

They were walking down a long corridor. It felt really odd to Harry knowing that he was the only student in the castle at the moment. "Professor? What did you do Dr. Anderson?"

"Oh you don't need to worry about that, Harry. He's perfectly fine. He'll be up in another 10 minutes" He said checking his watch.

"Won't he tell everyone what you did to him. He'll also figure out that you took Aunt Petunia" Harry asked worriedly.

Dumbledore lips curved into a half smile as he answered. "No, he won't, or would anyone who knew that your aunt was in the hospital"

"But-"

"You don't need to worry yourself over this, Harry" Dumbledore stopped walking and turned towards him. "You're not in any trouble"

Harry nodded his head as he looked into his eyes. "What about you? Will you get in any trouble?"

"Nothing out of the usual" winked Dumbledore. Harry lips lifted at the corner. "But we have a light predicament at hand in front of us?"

"What do you mean" Harry squinted his eyebrows in confusion.

"I was thinking it would be best if you went back to stay with your friend for the remainder of the holidays only because it would raise a slight suspicion, which would then be turned into a countless rumours as to why you came back before your peers. It's only a couple of days anyway and would leave me the burden of coming up with a viable excuse" finished Dumbledore.

Harry wanted to say 'no' immediately. But then he thought about how much trouble Dumbledore already went for him. He didn't have to do any of this, yet he did, only because of him.

"Okay"

Dumbledore's eyes turned soft as he crouched down to his level. "I can see that you don't like this decision. If it really-"

"No, it's fine" Harry mustered up a smile. "As you said, only a couple of days anyway. I just...I just don't want to leave Aunt Petunia. Maybe, when I get back, she'll have gain consciousness" he finished hopefully.

Dumbledore peered at him in admiration. "I wish I had your strength, Harry. You truly are a remarkable young man. And don't worry about your aunt, she and your cousin will be well looked after, I give you my word"

Harry nodded his head.

Dumbledore stood up. "Shall we then" He extended his hand.

"I though you weren't allowed to apparate inside the castle. Hermione told me that" He added for verification.

"She's right" Dumbledore said before he shot him a smirk and his eyes twinkled brightly. "But being me, has it's perks, however, this is not one of them"

Harry's lips curved into a smile as he grasped his hand.

"Ready?"

"Ready"

"Headmaster?" Harry whipped around and found himself staring at none other than Snape. His normally narrow slits turned slightly wider as they landed on him. "And Potter"

Snape shifted his gaze back to Dumbledore, with Harry craning his neck to look up at him as well to find him rubbing his forehead with closed eyes as he released a tired sigh.

"Oh Bugger"

A/N: So guys, as always post your comments and let me know your thoughts, whatever they may be and I'll catch you in the next chapter.