Seventeen-year-old Harry Potter watched as his enemy fell to the floor in the middle of the Great Hall. The dull thud was a fitting end to a mad man's twisted life. Harry almost laughed when he realized if the man had just lived his life and not tried to live forever, he would likely have lived another thirty years or so. Cheering broke him from his nearly hysterical thoughts. No one heard the spell that caused silence to fall on the crowd but only Harry didn't see the green light speeding toward his back.
Harry collapsed when the green light hit him. But surprisingly enough he didn't die. Instead, he was writhing on the ground groaning in agony. Yaxley was tackled by no less than seven people. His wand was nearly snapped during the rain of blows he received. Kingsley picked it up and got aurors to help him pull everyone off and arrest the man.
Meanwhile, Hermione had rushed to Harry's side to try and help, "Harry!"
"Hurts!" Harry gasped.
"Pain potion." Poppy shoved a potion bottle into Hermione's hands, "Help him get it down."
Arthur lifted his shoulders as Hermione shakily poured the potion in a bit at a time between his gasps of pain. Once it was all in Harry seemed to relax minutely. He was put on a stretcher and levitated to the Hospital. While most others were sent to St. Mungo's Harry was kept safely at Hogwarts. Hermione was by his bed side and holding his hand as soon as he was placed on a bed. She stayed standing right by his head as the healers bustled around him.
"Hermione you should be resting." Harry tried to pull his hand away, "That bed right beside me is where you need to be. You're exhausted."
"I'm fine." She gave him a small smile.
"That's my line." He chuckled weakly, "Get your own."
"I can borrow it." She bent down and kissed his forehead, "Best friends share all kinds of things. Including key words and phrases amongst other things."
"Ms. Granger, we need you to move out of the way." A healer pulled at Hermione's arm, "Not far just this bed right here."
"You won't cut me off or partition his bed from mine, will you?" she asked but didn't wait for the answer, "Because I'll just get up and come back."
"We won't." Poppy said from across the bed, "You're basically next of kin as far as Mr. Potter is concerned."
"That's right." Harry agreed, "She gets to know everything."
Hermione sat on the bed that was pushed closer to its neighbor and away from Harry. The team of Healers had almost made it to the hospital wing before Harry had, everyone knew that St. Mungo's wouldn't be safe enough for him. The team of Healers worked feverishly to cure him, but in the end their diagnosis was anything but hopeful.
"You're dying." The lead healer spoke, "But it's in slow motion. Usually, it just stops everything all at once. It may be a side effect of your ability to live through You-Know-Who's curses."
"For Merlin's sake it's Voldemort!" Harry huffed, "I refuse to hear any more euphemisms for him. In fact, Voldemort isn't even his real name. His name was Tom Marvolo Riddle, half-blood!"
"Regardless. The latest killing curse is killing you." The man pointed out, "We think this will just continue killing small parts of you until you can't survive any longer. Nothing we do is stopping it."
"Are you just giving up?" Hermione screeched, "You haven't even tried any potions."
"Honestly the only person in Britain that might be capable of stopping this… is dead himself." The healer sighed, "I'm sorry, there isn't anything we can do."
"Thank you for trying." Harry spoke before anyone else could, "Can I have a dreamless sleep potion in a while?"
"Just be careful with them." The lead healer spoke, "They're highly addictive."
"I'm dying." Harry deadpanned, "I won't be addicted for long."
"Ah, yes, well." He paused.
"I will just keep him comfortable if that's alright with you." Poppy rolled her eyes where Harry could see but not the other healers, "Let me know when you're in pain again."
"Thank you, Madam Pomfrey." Harry smiled.
"Call me Poppy dear." She put a hand on his cheek and gave him a small smile, "You as well Ms. Granger."
"Then its Harry and Hermione." Harry told her.
"Very well Harry." She nodded at both teens before she stood to show the other healers out.
Minerva McGonagall sat beside Hermione on the bed next to Harry's. A quick wave of her wand had the bed moving back to its place, "You seem very calm about this Harry."
"Professor…" he began.
"Minerva." She interrupted and nodded at Hermione as well.
"Minerva." Harry agreed then went back to his reasoning, "I never thought I'd live though this. I honestly thought I'd die at Voldemort's wand."
"I thought we all would." Hermione shook her head, "At times anyway."
"Exactly!" Harry nodded at her, "The only sad part is leaving my friends and the end of the Potter line."
"Dreamless sleep." Poppy approached with two cups, "One for each of you."
Minerva stood from Hermione's bed and held the covers for her. Harry had already downed his cup and his eyes were closed. Hermione crawled into her bed and paused to give Harry one last look before she took the potion and went to sleep. In that few seconds pause she decided she was going to need to sleep before she began to research a way to cure Harry. First thing the next morning Hermione headed to the library. When she came back with stacks of books floating behind her Harry was awake.
"How long have you been in the library?" he asked
She looked at her watch as she directed the books to the floor between her bed and the empty one next to it, "Half an hour. I would have been quicker, but I had to convince Madam Pence to let me borrow more than the normal five book limit."
"I didn't know there was a limit." Harry observed.
"Because you've never taken more than one book." Hermione grinned at him.
"Very true." He nodded in agreement, "Are you studying for NEWTs?"
"No." she gave him a determined look, "I'm looking for a cure."
"Hermione, you heard the healer." Harry sighed, "The only man capable is dead, I'd rather spend time talking with you."
"I'll read when you're sleeping." She huffed and sat on her bed, "Besides he was most likely talking about Snape. And I'm not nearly as good as he was but I've got a very big incentive. Do not give up on me."
"I'm dying Hermione." Harry reached for her hand, she grabbed his and held on, "I know what it feels like. I've come close to dying too many times not to know how it feels. This is like the first stages of the basilisk venom."
"Phoenix tears." Hermione grinned, "We can get some and put it…"
"We don't have a Phoenix any longer." Harry pointed out with a sad smile.
"I'm not giving up." She insisted, "But you're awake now so what are we going to talk about?"
"Breakfast." Harry grinned, "I need some food I'm starving!"
Over the next hours and days Hermione would pick up a book and read any time Harry slept. She only left to use the loo when he was awake and to the library when he slept otherwise, she was in the hospital wing. She didn't attend any of the funerals or the parties. Few visitors stopped by during that time. They'd been able to keep the news of Harry's imminent demise out of the paper. However, after a week the news got out. The morning paper had the news that the last Potter would die childless, and the family fortune would be up for grabs.
Harry was still asleep when the paper came. Hermione took one look at it and tossed it in the bin. She then headed to the shower before breakfast; afterwards she had a promising looking medical book to read. It was one of the first ones she'd read that had anything on the unforgivables. Hopefully it would help her find a cure for Harry.
The bathroom had excellent silencing spells on the walls. They prevented people's showers from disturbing other patient's rest. It also prevented Hermione from hearing the chaos that had descended on the usually quiet and pristine hospital wing. She opened the door and was hit with the noise of fifty screaming women all vying for Harry's attention. Minerva and Poppy were the only things between those women and Harry all three of them were producing shields trying to protect themselves. Hermione pushed and shoved her way to Poppy's office where she dove for the fire.
"Kingsley Shacklebolt." She yelled after throwing in the floo powder. She found herself in Kingsley's office, "Get a contingent of aurors here now! They've stormed the Hospital!"
"Who?" Kingsley was already on his feet.
"Women who have found out Harry's dying!" She screeched at him, "They all want to be the one to carry the next Potter. There must be fifty or sixty women in there."
"Get out of the way we'll be right there." He opened the door to his office and bellowed, "Get in here you two."
Hermione pulled from the floo and went to the door and was just opening it when Kingsley ran through the floo and right past her. He was followed by two aurors and all three had their wands out. Hermione followed them out the door shutting it behind her.
A few loud bangs from Kingsley's wand didn't even make a dent in the noise. He finally used a sonarus and yelled, "Everyone out or you'll be arrested!" That quieted them but they didn't leave. Kingsley quieted his voice but glared and turned to one of the aurors with him, "Go back and get at least four more aurors. I'll start stunning these people and you six can cart them off to cells."
That was heard without yelling and women began to leave. There were a few stubborn ones and one had to open her mouth.
"What about her." She pointed at Hermione, "Why aren't you making her leave? She's a stupid mud-blood and doesn't deserve the Potter fortune."
"I'm trying to cure him you gold digging bitch." Hermione growled at the idiotic woman, "I want my friend alive; I am not after his gold."
"She is also a patient." Poppy spoke up and sent a stinging hex at the girl.
"Stupify." Kingsley was tired of the hassle and was ready to arrest someone. The four remaining girls were all taken into custody, "Any idea how they got in?"
"Not yet." Minerva sighed, "I thought our security was back up to full but evidently not."
"Either the secret tunnels or a floo got left open." Hermione offered, "The only other ways I can think of is portkey or elf."
"All the floo entrances were sealed." Minerva told her, "All the secret tunnels were collapsed. The portkey ward is operational. I have no idea how to stop elves."
"The riot seems to be over my money." Harry rubbed his eyes, "I could just make a will and that should curb it."
"If a woman was pregnant with your child a will could be contested." One of the aurors shook his head, "A will wouldn't slow them down in the least."
"Let me get in touch with Gringotts." Kingsley told him, "They may be able to help with wards on the hospital wing if nothing else."
"I'm not too sure they'll be up for helping me right now." Harry gave them a weary grin, "I'm not sure if they're madder about the break in or taking the dragon."
"Tell them it's to keep him in and not let him have visitors." Hermione sat back on her bed, "I think they'll jump at the chance to help then."
"Actually, they're not that angry." Kingsley grinned, "They were being fined for that dragon. It was past the age allowed for their work; it was supposed to be retired two years ago. The trouble is getting rid of the old ones without killing them or just letting them loose, which is illegal. We've agreed to drop the fines if they agreed you did them a service. Pay for the service is the same they want to fix the damage left behind."
"I can't believe there is this much ruckus over one measly vault. It was impressive when I was eleven, but I've been using it for the last seven years." Harry sighed after Kingsley left, "There really can't be that much left."
"Vault?" Minerva asked slightly confused.
"My trust vault." Harry sighed, "It's been paying for Hogwarts and all my books, clothes and stuff. I've not been in it for several years but there can't be a lot left."
"Harry trust vaults are set up for each child." Minerva tilted her head at him, "They're supplied from the family vault. You're Hogwarts tuition came from the family vault the day you were born. The only money removed from your trust vault was for books and things."
"Are you sure?" Harry asked.
"I am positive." She gave him a rather rare but small smile, "I have a really good idea what those women are hoping to get."
"So, the first to get to me is going to get it all?" Harry was getting angry, "I don't even get a choice?"
"I'm sorry I can't give you a contraceptive draft on top of everything else." Poppy shrugged, "Its either contraception or pain relief. They conflict."
"Right now, I'm leaning to being in pain." Harry huffed.
"Good we beat the crowd." Molly Weasley stormed into the wing followed by the rest of the family.
George was being pulled along by Charlie, but he didn't look like he was really aware of anything. Harry noticed that they were all dressed in nice robes, and he wondered if they'd just come from a funeral. However, Ginny walking with Arthur, wasn't wearing black at all. It was a lovely white set of robes, and her hair was piled up.
"What's going on?" Harry asked in confusion as the small wizard he barely recognized from Bill's wedding came in just before Bill and Fleur.
"We're here to help." Molly stated and began to set everyone in place, "You can't allow the Potter line to die. You and Ginny are in love, so you'll marry, have a small honeymoon and you won't have to worry at all."
A gaping Harry turned to Minerva and Hermione who were standing beside him. They were gaping as well, but Poppy had her lips pursed. Ron had moved past his family to stand beside Harry.
"Mr. Potter is not in any shape for this." Poppy began as she stalked across the room where Molly was redirecting beds and cabinets out of her way.
"He's not getting any better." Ron added too softly for his family, but Hermione and Harry heard, "Better his friends benefit rather than some stranger."
"Ron!" Hermione gasped.
"Don't worry we'll share with you too." He offered with a salacious grin, "We can marry next."
"I can't believe you." Hermione hissed.
"Not happening." Harry shook his head as everyone continued to talk over him, "This is not going to happen!"
"Ron, help Harry out of bed." Molly ordered.
"No!" Harry jerked his arm from where Ron and grabbed and pulled, "This isn't going to happen."
"Harry dear, we just want what's best…" she began.
"NO!" he yelled, and everyone stopped, "You are not forcing me to get married, I am not going to marry Ginny and I'm not going on a stupid honeymoon. I am confined to a bed, and I will stay right here."
"Harry!" Molly gasped.
"Mum if he doesn't want to, we can't make him." Bill realized what was happening, "If you force this it could be construed as line theft."
"Of course, he wants to get married." Ginny turned to glare at Bill, "He loves me."
"We are both too young for this." Harry stated loudly, "There has to be another way."
"There isn't." Molly huffed at Harry, "Now do as you're told."
"No!" Harry glared, "Hermione would you…"
Harry didn't get to finish as Kingsley entered the hospital followed by several goblins, "What's going on?"
"We're trying to hold a wedding." Molly huffed.
"We are not!" Harry had well and truly lost his patience.
Ginny burst into tears and clutched at her father. Percy sent him a glare that Harry was sure was supposed to be intimidating. Arthur, glanced at his two older boys with an odd acceptance as Ron grabbed Harry's shirt and pulled him up.
"I've had just about enough of this." He growled, "You'll do what you're supposed to do, you've cost us enough that you should just give it all to me. You owe me for that horcrux hunt."
Hermione hit his hand with a stinging hex and Harry fell back to the bed with a grimace, "Out now."
He didn't move so she sent a series of stinging hexes at him, and he began to move away. Molly screeched and went for her own wand in an effort to hurt Hermione but found Minerva's wand in her face.
"Mum!" Bill left Fleur's side and gently pulled her away. Ron was jerked without any thoughts to his comfort, "It's time to go. Harry I'm sorry, I was given the wrong information. I thought you wanted and expected this wedding to be taking place."
"No." Harry shook his head, but his glare softened, "Just keep the three of them away. How is George?"
"I will." Bill agreed as George approached followed closely by Fleur, "George isn't well."
Charlie was helping Arthur and Kingsley herd the rest of them out with Molly protesting loudly. When George reached them, he laid himself across Harry's chest and cried.
"He's gone." Fat tears made their way down his face, "He's gone."
"I'm so sorry George." Harry wrapped his arms around his friend, "I'm sorry."
"Mr. Potter." One of the Goblins that came with Kingsley approached, "Since the ministry has force a compromise on us, we've decided not to do your banking."
Another goblin was pulling out and resizing trunk after trunk leaving them scattered around the bed.
"Therefore, we have emptied all your vaults into these trunks." He gave Harry a malicious grin, "Good luck."
"Thanks." Harry told them evenly, "I hope I am the only one affected by this."
"You are the one responsible." The goblin glared, "Mr. Weasley still has his store account, but the amount moved to your vault will be stopped. This Mr. Weasley still has a job."
"Thank you." Harry said again and the goblins left. Harry waited until they were gone, "I doubt they would have done that had I asked for it."
"You would have been charged." Bill agreed, "A tremendous amount."
"Then I won't tell them I want to empty my vaults so that I can hand out what I want to who I want." Harry grinned, "I was wondering how I would get it."
"I'm kind of surprised you don't want to get married and have kids before you die." Bill said after a few moments of silence.
"Getting married this young, isn't going to make the lack of a father any better." Harry huffed, "I just wish I could do what the muggles do."
"Which is?" Fleur asked finally speaking.
"They can freeze sperm and use it later." Harry shrugged, "Then it could be used by someone mature enough to handle being a single parent."
"I'm with you." Hermione agreed, "I want kids but not for at least five to ten years."
"We can do it." Fleur grinned, "The French have a spell to pull out the sperm and preserve it for up to twenty years. It's a well-kept secret but I know who owns the process."
"Why would anyone invent that?" Bill asked.
"If you were an only child going off to war you could preserve the family in case you were killed." Fleur smiled, "Then they would use a temporary sterilizer for when they were promiscuous after battles. The French have used this for centuries."
"When can we do it?" Harry asked as George finally sat up.
"I can do it right now." She offered, "My grandmother's clan developed it."
"You'll be fine Harry." George took a deep breath, "You always make it through with just a scratch."
"Hermione is trying and I'm not giving in." He touched George's arm, "But I'm getting prepared because I must. And just in case I do die my orders as silent partner stand."
"Which ones?" George chuckled, "Make them beg for mercy?"
"Prank them until they cry?" Hermione asked, "Or don't tell Molly."
"Laughter is the best medicine." Harry told them, "Just make sure you're the one laughing. You can tell your mum any time you want."
"I will." George sighed.
"Promise me one thing." Harry grinned, "I'll give you an out this year but every year after you make sure students can get their mischief managed."
"I solemnly swear." George gave a small laugh and wiped the tears from his face.
A small pinch in his lower area had Harry's attention drawn to Fleur. After another moment she held up a vial and handed it over, "Preserved for twenty years or until opened."
Harry took the vial and turned to Hermione, "You're in charge. You can use it yourself or find someone you consider worthy. Neither blood status, magic nor money matter."
Hermione took it gingerly and gave a wobbly smile, "I'll give it back when you're well."
"It's charmed unbreakable, and I've placed the temporary sterilizing spell." Fleur explained.
"Good now we need to deal with these trunks." Harry glanced around, "I count twenty."
"I've got twenty-three." Bill waved his wand and the trunks stacked up, obviously they were being held up by magic, "How do you want it sorted because they're going to want their expanded trunks back."
"No, they all have the Potter crest." Fleur pointed out.
"I need to see what's in them." Harry sighed as Hermione moved his bed to help him sit up.
"Need a hand?" Charlie asked as he returned, "I sent them off and decided to come back in case they try again."
"Thanks." Harry grimaced.
Bill and Fleur were tapping the trunks as Charlie arrived. Soon enough they each had a hand full of parchment. They then sat down and started writing on another parchment. They then gave Harry one consolidated list.
His eyes nearly bugged out of his head, "Are you sure it's this much?"
"We double checked." Bill answered with a grin, "We should probably shrink them all back up and keep them locked up somewhere."
"Or the next time a horde of women storm the castle they'll start taking trunks." Hermione added.
"I'm going to need a few bags. I want to leave some to specific people, but I don't have a way to transfer it." Harry looked at the trunks tiredly.
"Just write it down and we'll insure it gets to them." Hermione told him.
