Chapter 10: Hardships
After about 7 hours of hell, the door opened. Madam Pomphrey stood there, white and tired looking.
"He's in pretty bad shape. I don't know how he survived without a cover, amazing boy. I don't know what to tell you. He's awake right now, but very weak. I'll let you talk to him, but only because I don't want to leave him alone and I have to go check on my other patients."
She pushed the door open and walked off. Everyone entered the room. It had been transformed into a hospital room. The teacher's desk was covered in a white sheet. Harry was lying there, staring at the ceiling. He didn't look at them when they entered.
"Harry?"
Sirius whispered. His voice sounded terrible, but he didn't care. Harry moved his head slowly and he smiled slightly
"She let you in"
He chocked, taking a deep breath
"I'm surprised, she never allows visitors, I must be dying"
"Don't you dare say that!"
Sirius snapped
"It's not funny, you'll be fine."
Sirius crossed his arms and stared, convinced at Harry. But he wasn't really convinced. Harry looked horrible, even with Madam Pomphrey's help. Harry smiled
"Ok Sirius"
He mumbled, shifting his eyes to Remus. He was pale as a sheet, staring at Harry with a look of pure horror. Harry would have laughed, if it wasn't such a serious situation, and if it didn't hurt so badly.
"Harry."
Hermionie whispered
"Do you feel alright?"
"I feel like a wall fell on me, oh wait, one did"
Harry said sarcastically. Hermionie nodded and glanced at Ron who was turning slightly green.
"Okay Ron?"
Harry asked. Ron shook his head
"She's killing me"
He chocked. Harry looked down at Ron's arm. Hermionie was gripping it so tightly it was turning purple. Hermionie giggled nervously and let go. Harry rolled his eyes and took a deep breath. His eyes finally landed on Daniel who was standing behind Ginny. Strangely he looked the worst. He noticed Harry looking at him and spoke.
"I know I haven't exactly been your uncle for well, your entire life, but I do love you Harry. I want to make something clear. Please don't do anything stupid and heroic without my permission! Your just like James, he used to do heroic stuff that would almost get him killed. We would all stand outside the hospital wing and worry for hours. I'm sure your friends do that all the time! Eventually you'll get yourself killed and I bet you money, if you don't die for some natural reason, you'll die doing something heroic! And believe you me, when I make it up to heaven with you, you'll get the but kicking of your life! I'm too old to worry like this! Your going to give me gray hair!"
Daniel started to pace. Harry smiled slightly at his uncle
"I'm sorry"
He whispered. Daniel stopped pacing
"Don't worry about it, it's my way of saying I'm scared. I used to chew James out all the time"
He said
"Some of the funniest moments of our lives"
Remus muttered, making Sirius chuckle. Daniel glared at them, but still smiled. At that point Madam Pomphrey came walking in. She looked at Harry sitting up and cried out
"You lay back down young man! Now! And the rest of you! Out!"
She forced them all out the door and slammed it, turning back to Harry and muttering to herself. Harry sighed deeply, then spoke
"Am I going to die?"
He asked, staring at Madam Pomphrey. His face was set, but his eyes held fear that was rarely seen in them. Madam Pomphrey turned to face him. Her face softened slightly as she stared at him. She pulled up a chair and sat beside Harry, looking him in the eyes. Harry's breathing quickened, Madam Pomphrey had never sat down to talk to him.
"Potter, your injuries are very serious, if a muggle doctor would have tended to you, you would have died in the chamber. Your body has taken so much in the 17 years you've been alive. I think I'll be able to keep you alive, but you will never be the same. Your personality will, yes, as will your magical ability, but you won't be able to take your body to any physical brinks like you so often do. I'm afraid another bad injury would finish you off. I'll move you to the hospital wing when I think you're strong enough. I think you'll be out of the hospital in maybe 5 days. You won't look the best, nor will you be very comfortable, but you'll be alive. There is still about a month left of school, I'm sure the Headmaster will find many things for you to do, seeing you don't need your classes."
She grinned
"You're an amazing boy Potter, I've thought so since the first time you came crawling into my care. To most people you may seem to be indestructible, which can be good. You're a hero Potter; you've saved the wizarding world and muggle world alike many times. Your parents would be proud; I know the entire school is, along with me. Thank you, Harry"
She stood up and backed away
"Now get some sleep"
She turned away and left the room. Harry could just see Sirius peering into the room when she opened the door. Harry grinned and closed his eyes, falling asleep immediately.
~*~
Madam Pomphrey moved Harry to the hospital wing the very next night. He spent six days in the hospital wing, not seeing anyone. Madam Pomphrey told him everything that Dumbledore told the staff and students. Twenty students had been killed, and many more injured. Dumbledore had told no one of Harry. He had told them that the one who had killed Voldemort would be speaking in a few classes and on the final day of school. When Madam Pomphrey finally let Harry out he went straight to Dumbledore's office, still wearing the cloak and hood he had worn since arriving. When he reached the gargoyle, well, there was no gargoyle. It had been blown apart. In its place was a statue of a stag. Harry smiled broadly and put his hand on it. The stag immediately began to move. It looked down at Harry and after a few seconds it moved aside. Harry walked passed it and up the stairs. He knocked quietly on the door and pushed it open. Dumbledore was sitting at his desk, a piece of paper in his hands. Cornelius Fudge's head was floating in the fire. They both looked at him as soon as he entered. Dumbledore smiled and stood up
"Harry"
He said, motioning to a chair in front of his desk. Harry sat down and dropped his hood. Fudge was grinning at Harry
"Harry Potter, a hero to us once again"
He muttered, still beaming. Harry forced a small smile at Fudge. He didn't really like the Minister. His actions at the end of Harry's fourth year did Harry in. Cornelius turned back to Dumbledore
"Is that all of them Dumbledore?"
He asked. Dumbledore nodded
"Yes Minister, that is all"
"All right, I'll be at Hogwarts in a few weeks. I have to send letters and awards to all the students families"
The Minister bowed his head then disappeared. Dumbledore sighed and turned back to Harry.
"We lost twenty students"
He mumbled sadly
"We informed the parents only day's ago. A funeral for them all is going to be held as soon as we can make time. Harry, I'm afraid we lost Seamus.I believe he is the only one you were well acquainted with. The parents of all the students that survived got letters telling them what happened. They know a student killed Voldemort; they all want to meet this mystery man, the man who saved their children from terrible deaths. You will have to reveal yourself to the world soon Harry. The minister agreed not to tell the media who exactly killed Voldemort and got rid of all those death eaters, but he says that the Daily Prophet will be here on the final day of school. The world needs to know, Harry. But until then you can keep yourself a secret. On graduation, you can tell them all who you really are. I know it will be difficult, but I trust you will be fine. Classes will resume in 4 days. Until then feel free to do what you wish. I'm sure Sirius and everyone else will want to see you, they don't know your out of the hospital wing yet."
Harry nodded
"Yes, thank you Professor"
Harry turned to walk out but stopped
"Professor?"
He asked, turning around
"Yes, Harry?"
Dumbledore asked. Harry sighed
"I like the stag"
He said, turning back around and leaving the room. Dumbledore chuckled and stood up. He walked to the portrait of an old headmistress. He pushed it aside and entered the room. It was like a jail cell, and in the corner sat Lavender Brown. She looked up at Dumbledore and scooted farther back. Dumbledore sat down on a chair beside the door.
"You do know what the punishment is, for being a death eater?"
He asked. Lavender nodded her head
"I have told your parents that you died in the attack, they will never have to suffer the disappointment of knowing their daughter worked for Voldemort. As for your classmates, only a few will know, Ron and Hermionie will both know, along with Ginny, and Harry."
Lavender gasped
"H-harry?"
She whispered. Dumbledore nodded
"Yes Harry, the one who killed Voldemort, and almost lost his life in the prosess, will know who you are and what you caused. I must warn you, he will not take it well. I'm sorry that you had to be dragged into such a bad spot Miss Brown, but bad decisions are never rewarded"
Without another word Dumbledore exited the room and locked the door. He sat down at his desk and bowed his head
"No more"
He whispered. He opened the top drawer of his desk and pulled out a picture. There were five people in the picture. Dumbledore himself was in it, though he was much younger. At his side was a man with light brown hair and soft chocolate eyes. He had his arm around a woman with long black hair and blue eyes. Two young boys, about 8 years old stood in front of them. The taller boy had black hair, glasses and brown eyes. Beside him was a boy with black hair and grayish blue eyes. Dumbledore sighed, this was a picture of the Potter family, plus Sirius and himself. He had been very close to Nathan and Sherry Potter. Also with James and Sirius. They were wonderful people, and now, only one Potter lives, and only one Black. The Marauders that he had known for so long were gone. Peter had reduced himself to nothing. He would spend the rest of his life in Azkaban. Remus lost his mischief in his years alone, without James or Sirius. Sirius, who, Dumbledore was sure, would be himself again, once Harry got better, still had a missing piece. And James, James, the original Marauder, the king of mischief, was dead. But Harry would grow to be just like James, and he was sure that Harry, Sirius and Remus would cause plenty of trouble together. And, after so much, the Marauders will live on.
(And thats that chapter! Yes, again it's rather short, but ah well! Next chapter should be up soon. Harry talks to Sirius, Lavender and Ginny....~ Kay)
After about 7 hours of hell, the door opened. Madam Pomphrey stood there, white and tired looking.
"He's in pretty bad shape. I don't know how he survived without a cover, amazing boy. I don't know what to tell you. He's awake right now, but very weak. I'll let you talk to him, but only because I don't want to leave him alone and I have to go check on my other patients."
She pushed the door open and walked off. Everyone entered the room. It had been transformed into a hospital room. The teacher's desk was covered in a white sheet. Harry was lying there, staring at the ceiling. He didn't look at them when they entered.
"Harry?"
Sirius whispered. His voice sounded terrible, but he didn't care. Harry moved his head slowly and he smiled slightly
"She let you in"
He chocked, taking a deep breath
"I'm surprised, she never allows visitors, I must be dying"
"Don't you dare say that!"
Sirius snapped
"It's not funny, you'll be fine."
Sirius crossed his arms and stared, convinced at Harry. But he wasn't really convinced. Harry looked horrible, even with Madam Pomphrey's help. Harry smiled
"Ok Sirius"
He mumbled, shifting his eyes to Remus. He was pale as a sheet, staring at Harry with a look of pure horror. Harry would have laughed, if it wasn't such a serious situation, and if it didn't hurt so badly.
"Harry."
Hermionie whispered
"Do you feel alright?"
"I feel like a wall fell on me, oh wait, one did"
Harry said sarcastically. Hermionie nodded and glanced at Ron who was turning slightly green.
"Okay Ron?"
Harry asked. Ron shook his head
"She's killing me"
He chocked. Harry looked down at Ron's arm. Hermionie was gripping it so tightly it was turning purple. Hermionie giggled nervously and let go. Harry rolled his eyes and took a deep breath. His eyes finally landed on Daniel who was standing behind Ginny. Strangely he looked the worst. He noticed Harry looking at him and spoke.
"I know I haven't exactly been your uncle for well, your entire life, but I do love you Harry. I want to make something clear. Please don't do anything stupid and heroic without my permission! Your just like James, he used to do heroic stuff that would almost get him killed. We would all stand outside the hospital wing and worry for hours. I'm sure your friends do that all the time! Eventually you'll get yourself killed and I bet you money, if you don't die for some natural reason, you'll die doing something heroic! And believe you me, when I make it up to heaven with you, you'll get the but kicking of your life! I'm too old to worry like this! Your going to give me gray hair!"
Daniel started to pace. Harry smiled slightly at his uncle
"I'm sorry"
He whispered. Daniel stopped pacing
"Don't worry about it, it's my way of saying I'm scared. I used to chew James out all the time"
He said
"Some of the funniest moments of our lives"
Remus muttered, making Sirius chuckle. Daniel glared at them, but still smiled. At that point Madam Pomphrey came walking in. She looked at Harry sitting up and cried out
"You lay back down young man! Now! And the rest of you! Out!"
She forced them all out the door and slammed it, turning back to Harry and muttering to herself. Harry sighed deeply, then spoke
"Am I going to die?"
He asked, staring at Madam Pomphrey. His face was set, but his eyes held fear that was rarely seen in them. Madam Pomphrey turned to face him. Her face softened slightly as she stared at him. She pulled up a chair and sat beside Harry, looking him in the eyes. Harry's breathing quickened, Madam Pomphrey had never sat down to talk to him.
"Potter, your injuries are very serious, if a muggle doctor would have tended to you, you would have died in the chamber. Your body has taken so much in the 17 years you've been alive. I think I'll be able to keep you alive, but you will never be the same. Your personality will, yes, as will your magical ability, but you won't be able to take your body to any physical brinks like you so often do. I'm afraid another bad injury would finish you off. I'll move you to the hospital wing when I think you're strong enough. I think you'll be out of the hospital in maybe 5 days. You won't look the best, nor will you be very comfortable, but you'll be alive. There is still about a month left of school, I'm sure the Headmaster will find many things for you to do, seeing you don't need your classes."
She grinned
"You're an amazing boy Potter, I've thought so since the first time you came crawling into my care. To most people you may seem to be indestructible, which can be good. You're a hero Potter; you've saved the wizarding world and muggle world alike many times. Your parents would be proud; I know the entire school is, along with me. Thank you, Harry"
She stood up and backed away
"Now get some sleep"
She turned away and left the room. Harry could just see Sirius peering into the room when she opened the door. Harry grinned and closed his eyes, falling asleep immediately.
~*~
Madam Pomphrey moved Harry to the hospital wing the very next night. He spent six days in the hospital wing, not seeing anyone. Madam Pomphrey told him everything that Dumbledore told the staff and students. Twenty students had been killed, and many more injured. Dumbledore had told no one of Harry. He had told them that the one who had killed Voldemort would be speaking in a few classes and on the final day of school. When Madam Pomphrey finally let Harry out he went straight to Dumbledore's office, still wearing the cloak and hood he had worn since arriving. When he reached the gargoyle, well, there was no gargoyle. It had been blown apart. In its place was a statue of a stag. Harry smiled broadly and put his hand on it. The stag immediately began to move. It looked down at Harry and after a few seconds it moved aside. Harry walked passed it and up the stairs. He knocked quietly on the door and pushed it open. Dumbledore was sitting at his desk, a piece of paper in his hands. Cornelius Fudge's head was floating in the fire. They both looked at him as soon as he entered. Dumbledore smiled and stood up
"Harry"
He said, motioning to a chair in front of his desk. Harry sat down and dropped his hood. Fudge was grinning at Harry
"Harry Potter, a hero to us once again"
He muttered, still beaming. Harry forced a small smile at Fudge. He didn't really like the Minister. His actions at the end of Harry's fourth year did Harry in. Cornelius turned back to Dumbledore
"Is that all of them Dumbledore?"
He asked. Dumbledore nodded
"Yes Minister, that is all"
"All right, I'll be at Hogwarts in a few weeks. I have to send letters and awards to all the students families"
The Minister bowed his head then disappeared. Dumbledore sighed and turned back to Harry.
"We lost twenty students"
He mumbled sadly
"We informed the parents only day's ago. A funeral for them all is going to be held as soon as we can make time. Harry, I'm afraid we lost Seamus.I believe he is the only one you were well acquainted with. The parents of all the students that survived got letters telling them what happened. They know a student killed Voldemort; they all want to meet this mystery man, the man who saved their children from terrible deaths. You will have to reveal yourself to the world soon Harry. The minister agreed not to tell the media who exactly killed Voldemort and got rid of all those death eaters, but he says that the Daily Prophet will be here on the final day of school. The world needs to know, Harry. But until then you can keep yourself a secret. On graduation, you can tell them all who you really are. I know it will be difficult, but I trust you will be fine. Classes will resume in 4 days. Until then feel free to do what you wish. I'm sure Sirius and everyone else will want to see you, they don't know your out of the hospital wing yet."
Harry nodded
"Yes, thank you Professor"
Harry turned to walk out but stopped
"Professor?"
He asked, turning around
"Yes, Harry?"
Dumbledore asked. Harry sighed
"I like the stag"
He said, turning back around and leaving the room. Dumbledore chuckled and stood up. He walked to the portrait of an old headmistress. He pushed it aside and entered the room. It was like a jail cell, and in the corner sat Lavender Brown. She looked up at Dumbledore and scooted farther back. Dumbledore sat down on a chair beside the door.
"You do know what the punishment is, for being a death eater?"
He asked. Lavender nodded her head
"I have told your parents that you died in the attack, they will never have to suffer the disappointment of knowing their daughter worked for Voldemort. As for your classmates, only a few will know, Ron and Hermionie will both know, along with Ginny, and Harry."
Lavender gasped
"H-harry?"
She whispered. Dumbledore nodded
"Yes Harry, the one who killed Voldemort, and almost lost his life in the prosess, will know who you are and what you caused. I must warn you, he will not take it well. I'm sorry that you had to be dragged into such a bad spot Miss Brown, but bad decisions are never rewarded"
Without another word Dumbledore exited the room and locked the door. He sat down at his desk and bowed his head
"No more"
He whispered. He opened the top drawer of his desk and pulled out a picture. There were five people in the picture. Dumbledore himself was in it, though he was much younger. At his side was a man with light brown hair and soft chocolate eyes. He had his arm around a woman with long black hair and blue eyes. Two young boys, about 8 years old stood in front of them. The taller boy had black hair, glasses and brown eyes. Beside him was a boy with black hair and grayish blue eyes. Dumbledore sighed, this was a picture of the Potter family, plus Sirius and himself. He had been very close to Nathan and Sherry Potter. Also with James and Sirius. They were wonderful people, and now, only one Potter lives, and only one Black. The Marauders that he had known for so long were gone. Peter had reduced himself to nothing. He would spend the rest of his life in Azkaban. Remus lost his mischief in his years alone, without James or Sirius. Sirius, who, Dumbledore was sure, would be himself again, once Harry got better, still had a missing piece. And James, James, the original Marauder, the king of mischief, was dead. But Harry would grow to be just like James, and he was sure that Harry, Sirius and Remus would cause plenty of trouble together. And, after so much, the Marauders will live on.
(And thats that chapter! Yes, again it's rather short, but ah well! Next chapter should be up soon. Harry talks to Sirius, Lavender and Ginny....~ Kay)