YourSide, Their Side and the Truth by Mizzy ( )
Part XI - Aftermath (11.45)
Disclaimer: Harry Potter doesn't belong to me, this is a fan fiction, by a fan for the fans. No money has exchanged hands during its production.
I never saw blue like that before across the sky
Around the world you're giving me all you have and more
And no-one else has ever shown me how
To see the world the way I see it now
Oh why, I never saw blue like that
"Never Saw Blue Like That"- Ska"How is he?"
Feeling extremely fuzzy Harry's eyes snapped open. He vaguely remembered taking the Veritaserum, but everything else was a little foggy.
"He's fine, Mr. Weasley, now if you'll just wait till he regains consciousness…"
Harry could hear Madam Pomfrey being her usual self and trying to push his friends out.
"But he's awake, Madam Pomfrey," Hermione persisted quietly. The bustling matron turned suspiciously and saw Harry blinking at her.
"OK," she said, her voice still apprehensive. "Ten minutes. And I mean it! He'll still be under the effects of that Veritaserum he took for at least four more days, so let him rest!"
Still blinking blurrily, Harry saw three… no, four… shapes surround the bed and he screwed up his eyes trying to see who was there.
"Hi," he croaked, frowning.
"His glasses! He can't see without them!"
Harry recognized Ginny's voice and he nodded. Someone passed him them and he slid them on and waited for his eyes to refocus. Standing before him were Ron, Ginny, Hermione and Draco who were all looking quite concerned. Also on the bottom of the bed was a table yet again piled high with get well cards and a few boxes of confectionary from Hogsmeade.
"How long have I been out?" Harry croaked, trying to push himself up and failing miserably.
"Two days," Ron said. "And you got out of a really hard Charms test too!"
Harry pulled a weak smile.
"What on earth did you think you were trying to do?" Draco asked, perplexed. Harry frowned and turned his gaze to a very annoyed young blond.
"I was trying to help everyone understand the severity of the situation… I was wrong, though, Tom's going to be all right. It's the others I'm worried for…" Harry trailed off, coughing suddenly and all four were looking worried.
"It was going to happen," Hermione said; her tone level but with a tremor in it that wasn't there before. "It's three drops, Harry, not an entire mouthful!"
Harry pulled a face. "I tried for three drops," he said, frowning. "No wonder it didn't go very well."
Ginny laughed. "You do realize now that you have to tell the truth for the rest of the week?"
Harry's eyes widened. "Side effect of taking so much?"
Ginny nodded. "And you can't start by answering… Which of my brothers do you think is the cutest?"
"Ginny!" Hermione protested; grabbing the younger girl by the arm. "Don't answer that!"
"Wasn't planning on it," Harry said. "The only boy I think is attractive to me isn't a Weasley so that was really a hard question." Grinning cheekily he was conscious enough of Draco's vivid flush.
"So you can speak what you think is the truth, even though it's wrong. Interesting." This was from Hermione as she had finished kicking Ginny out of the infirmary.
"So what is this I hear about you and Ron pretending to be Goyle and Crabbe three years ago?" Draco asked; folding his arms. Then he stopped, thought for a second and frowned. "Oh no you must have heard me… I really was a git back then wasn't I?"
Harry laughed a little. "You said it," he said, cheering up for the first time in a few days.
"Excuse me?"
Four heads turned to see Cho Chang standing there; blushing faintly.
"Can I… Can I ask you something?"
She seemed extremely nervous and Harry looked away. Sensing he wasn't very comfortable with the whole situation, Draco squeezed Harry's hand gently. This seemed to give him some reassurance and he took a deep breath and turned back to the fidgeting Ravenclaw girl.
"I…" Cho swallowed. "I wanted to thank you for what you said… What you did. I know both of you, and if anything you're more stubborn. If you'd make him take it on his own, it could have been worse, we could have never got his body back… I guess what I wanted to say was… Well, I suppose…" She trailed off.
"Just say it," Harry said flatly.
"I spent the last year pretty much trying to hate you, but I realise I was just wondering… If I could ever … You know, forgive myself…"
"For what?" Harry was confused.
"For being so distrustful… For not dissuading him from putting his name in the cup…" She bit her lip and looked away, tears forming in her eyes. Hermione offered her a tissue and she sniffed into it.
"Cho, look…" Harry managed. "He was so happy when he… When he died," he finally managed the words. "There was nothing any of us could have really done. If anyone is to blame that would be me."
"No! You can't think that, Harry," Cho said firmly. "That was Voldemort, or whatever you think possessed him. It's his fault. And I know you'll get the revenge we all sorely deserve. That's another thing I have to say. Whatever the ministry say or do, however they try to ignore what's happening, know this. We all believe in you. We know you can do it."
Harry just blinked at her. "Thanks," he mumbled.
Cho just stared at him for a few wordless seconds before bowing slightly and walking away.
"That was friendly," Ron remarked. "Especially since she knew you used to have a crush on her."
Harry glared at Ron quickly.
Draco bit his lip. "When was this?" He finally demanded.
"Before the Triwizard tournament…" Harry admitted. "But it was just a crush… I didn't feel anything like what I feel for you." Harry's face was blushing beet red by this time.
"Oh," Draco said softly, smiling.
Ron rolled his eyes. "Could you two get more soppier?"
Harry pulled a face. "Could. Would. Probably shouldn't."
"So you can only speak the truth…" Apparantly Hermione's mind was still on that topic. "So hen's lay…"
"G- G-" Harry spluttered and frowned. "Eggs. They lay eggs."
"And in Quidditch, how many team members are there?" Ron quizzed.
"F-f-f- Seven!" Harry glared at them. "Stop it!"
"Well it would be easier if you didn't lie then it wouldn't hurt so much," Hermione pointed out.
Thankfully for Harry they weren't allowed to ask him any more questions as Madam Pomfrey bustled in.
"Right, you've had your ten minutes, now out Mr. Potter has more visitors," she said sternly.
"But-" Ron immediately protested.
"OUT NOW MR. WEASLEY!" Madam Pomfrey roared. Ron jumped in shock and Harry looked on in surprise. Hermione, Ron and Draco immediately complied, flocking together to leave quickly.
"Oh, and Draco?"
Draco turned in the doorway, his cheeks still glowing from earlier.
"I really do love you, you know," Harry said softly, speaking the truth and speaking it from his heart.
Draco flushed crimson and he mouthed 'love you too' before being bundled out by the stern Infirmary nurse.
Madam Pomfrey bustled back in, dusting her hands on her black and white clothing. "You up to any more visitors? Because I can send them away if you're too tired."
"I'm f- Arg, I mean I'm not too tired," Harry said, pushing himself up against the headboard.
Madam Pomfrey's eyes narrowed but unfortunately Harry was still under the effects of the Veritaserum and he had to tell the truth.
"Very well," she said softly.
Harry craned his neck to see who was coming in this time and was faintly surprised to see Professor Dumbledore, Professor Figg and Professor Snape stride in. He frowned and wished he could pretend he was asleep, but no he doubted even the Veritaserum would let him do that.
"Hullo Harry," Professor Figg said kindly, smiling. "See it worked, just like I said it would. The entire school's been thinking and Vincent and Gregory came to see us for… whatsisname… Asylum? Sanctuary? Anyways, you've saved a couple of innocent lives Potter."
Harry pulled a face. "They'll have just been scared of Pansy before to come forwards."
"Ah, Pansy," Dumbledore pulled a face. For a second Harry thought he was being mean and referring to him, but he rolled his eyes. Dumbledore wasn't like that. "Unfortunately she's been pulled out of school by her parents. She's now gone to Durmstrangs."
Harry looked up to see Professor Snape just perched on the edge of a table looking quite mortified.
"I can't believe you've never been inside my private potion stores, Potter… Spill it. Who did it?"
Harry blinked and looked to Professor Dumbledore for help, although even the headmaster looked a little interested. Morosely, Harry couldn't help his mouth opening. "Professor Figg took the Veritaserum, Dobby stole the Gillyweed and the Boomerang stuff or whatever it was, that was…." Harry made some kind of dreadful face; appearing to try and fight the effects of the potion as it tried to close his throat up again. "Hermione. It was Hermione."
Professor Snape looked at him wordlessly for a few seconds before sighing. "I knew that damn potion was working… I know you, Potter, you think you and your friends are above the rules…" He trailed off and Harry stared, perplexed. "Never mind," Snape growled and turned, stalking out of the infirmary.
Harry watched him go sadly.
"I must admit Harry, whatever you meant when you talked to the Professor has really got him to think," Dumbledore said thoughtfully.
"He was in love with my father," Harry said without thinking, then quickly snapped his mouth shut. "Stupid potion!" He yelled.
Professor Figg grinned. "You shouldn't have taken so much. I haven't seen you look so green, even when I made you sit down and look through all the pictures of the wizards I've guarded."
"What?" Harry stared, confused.
The elderly witch let out a cheeky grin. "You know the cats? Weren't cats at all. They were unregistered animagi, caught by the ministry and I were given the job of looking after 'em, weren't I?"
Harry opened his mouth and shut it again. "Is that the punishment or something?"
"Lordy, no!" Professor Figg stifled a grin. "Just thems were the ones that didn't do it properly. They got stuck as cats, so I got 'em to look after."
"Oh," Harry said. He had no idea how to respond to that bizarre statement.
"I suppose you were wondering why we were here," Professor Dumbledore said finally.
"Actually I was wondering when I was going to be allowed back to lessons," Harry said absent-mindedly before groaning. "Is this part of the potion's effects? To make me blurt out true things all over the place?"
"I'm afraid so, Harry," Professor Dumbledore said. "What else did you expect? Something like what happened with young Barty Crouch? I'm afraid not. He was rather stunned when he took the correct small dose of Veritaserum. Whilst you took a rather large dose and were in a state of emotional high so I'm afraid you will be like this for about four days."
"That's why you'll go back to lessons next week," Professor Figg said, scratching her nose.
"But that's not why we're here," Professor Dumbledore said; finally dropping to a chair besides the bed as Harry smiled thankfully at his old babysitter.
"Why are you here?" Harry asked, apprehensive.
"It's because of what happened in Professor Figg's lesson. You do realise she cast Cruciatus on you, aren't you?"
Harry nodded. "I wasn't aware at the time though."
Professor Dumbledore nodded. "Well.. Although now you have an extraordinary reputation around school, you're not immune to Cruciatus at all. It was just that once."
"I was afraid that would be the case," Harry said softly, nodding.
Dumbledore bit his lip and looked away. "Remember when you cast Cruciatus on Tom a few weeks ago?"
Harry nodded. "How could I forget?"
"Yes. Well, that's the thing about Cruciatus. You use it and you get a certain amount of immunity from it. It's not always that reliable though, so don't get any ideas. Besides, it will not be cast again by any member of Hogwarts. It's too dangerous. I will continue the allowed use of Imperius in Defence Against the Dark Arts because that's a necessary skill to be able to fight against it," Dumbledore explained.
"So was I just lucky it didn't effect me?" Harry asked; confused.
"No," Professor Figg. "Not entirely. The other factor in it all was pretty clever actually. You were paying absolutely no attention, even when it struck. Normally victims of Cruciatus know when they're about to be hit, and even when you don't you know as soon as it has hit. But honestly, Harry, you mustn't have been paying much attention to anything at all."
Harry laughed. "Sorry."
Professor Figg shrugged. "It's all right. I'd pay more attention, though, if I wanted to pass any of your OWLs."
That thought stayed with Harry as Professor Figg and Professor Dumbledore wished him a speedy recovery and left him alone with his thoughts. He had to admit to Madam Pomfrey that he really was feeling tired and the nurse had nodded and dimmed the lights. He really did need to pass his OWLs, and he had missed a lot of school this year already.
"Time for some more study," he reminded himself slowly before sleep overtook him and he drifted off to sleep.
Over the next four days while Harry recovered, Hermione dropped some books in for him to study out of, and Ron helped him catch up on his homework. Draco actually found it quite amusing that he couldn't lie and they even one day had a pillow fight in the infirmary because Harry had thrown his pillow at the blond in ultimate defeat.
The next Monday Harry was allowed into the real world, fully able to lie his head off again.
"And what do hens lay, Harry?" Draco asked teasingly as they walked outside; Hedwig perched on Harry's arm and Ron and Hermione in front of them, bickering like anything.
"Golf balls!" Harry yelled, surprising Neville who was walking the other way. The round-faced boy looked at him and dropped the armful of bulbs he was carrying.
"What are all these?" Hermione asked as they all bent down to help pick them up.
"For Professor Sprout," Neville explained. "I'm her new assistant."
"Really? Good on you," Draco said warmly, helping Neville to his feet. The brunet nodded his thanks and grinning sped off towards the greenhouses.
Hermione and Ron began to bicker again and Harry smiled at Draco.
"It's fantastic to have you human again," Harry said, linking his arms with Draco's as they crunched their way across the gravel paths.
"What was I before? A zombie?" Draco asked sarcastically.
Harry laughed. "You see people for who they are, not who their parents are. And I think it's made you a nicer person."
"But you would have still fallen in love with me even if I was an arrogant sod still?" Draco looked at Harry questioningly.
Harry blushed. "Probably," he admitted quietly. Draco looked quite stunned.
"So it's me," he said, wonderingly. "That means a lot," he added, his tone low so the others wouldn't hear. Hermione and Ron had finally stopped arguing, instead ignoring each other staunchly. Harry sighed and was just about to intervene as they rounded a corner and Hedwig flapped a little. Harry spluttered as feathers went into his mouth and Hedwig ruffled herself, annoyed. The appearance of Lavender Brown and Seamus Finnegan was what Hedwig had appeared started about. Seamus had his arm around Lavender's waist and the pretty Gryffindor girl was blushing.
"Seamus!" Ron exclaimed. "You and Lavender? Since when?"
Seamus flushed. "Since this morning when I asked her to the dance," he admitted. Lavender giggled.
"Dance?" Harry sounded curious. "What dance?"
Seamus frowned. "Oh, right, I noticed you weren't there at the end of dinner when Professor Sinistra announced there is going to be a dance for the fifth years and seventh years after the OWLs and NEWTs have been completed."
"Oh great," Harry moaned. "Wasn't one dance enough?"
Draco laughed. "At least you have someone to go with this time," he pointed out.
"You?" Harry grinned when Draco nodded. "I suppose it might be all right then."
"Have a nice night," Lavender said; smiling as she walked past with Seamus.
Draco smiled reflectively. "It'll be a nice social event for after the exams while we're waiting for the marks," he commented.
Harry nodded, then frowned. "Ron, are you all right?"
Suddenly all the interest was focused on the redhead as he was starting to go very pink and his face was slightly screwed up. It looked like he was going through some tremendous inner struggle.
"Ron?" Hermione's question was soft on the breeze and Ron paused and took a breath.
"Hermionewillyougotothedancewithme?" He asked very quickly in one breath, looking very red.
Hermione immediately went pink and both Harry and Draco laughed. Ron shot them a despairing look.
"You won't go gay on me will you?" Hermione finally asked in a timid voice.
Ron blushed harder. "No."
"Well… Uh…" Hermione floundered for a little; looking extremely pleased. "Yes."
Ron stood still and stared; his mouth hanging open. "She said yes," he said; sounding shocked as he started to wander off a little dazed. Blushing Hermione watched him go, before reminding Ron that a) they were supposed to meet Professor Dumbledore for a new lesson soon and b) he was about to crash into a tree after having walked off the path.
Harry watched this scene for a few minutes silently before just grabbing Draco and hugging him unexpectedly.
"What was that for?" Draco asked curiously, not unpleased.
"Just because," Harry said; leaning against the ex-Slytherin and watching his best friends. "Because, because, because."
"That's your reason for everything," Draco said flatly.
"It's a very good reason," Harry said firmly, checking to see that no-one was looking and kissing Draco softly before disentangling himself. Draco stood there startled for a few seconds.
"Are you coming or not?" Harry asked impishly. Draco's face paled a little before he laughed.
"Sure," he said. Harry took his hand and started tugging him along to where he was supposed to go.
They surreptitiously entered Professor Dumbledore's office ten minutes later, after giving the correct password ("Liquorice Allsorts") and the headmaster was waiting for them there.
"Good, good, on time for your lesson," he said; nodding. "As you all know your first intended animals I think we should start with a basic lesson in their habits. As you are going to transform into a specific animal you need to know how they behave and I think you can help each other learn. So I thought we'd go through one by one, surveying them in their natural habitat."
"Cool!" Ron exclaimed, despite himself.
"Yes, yes," Dumbledore agreed, a twinkle in his eyes. "So first of all, we're going to Romania."
"ROMANIA?" Everyone turned to stare at Hermione, who had immediately gone bright red. "Sorry," she mumbled.
"It's quite all right. Before you ask," he said quickly; before Harry could say anything, "I have arranged a Portkey. On three, I want you to touch the bin lid on my desk. Understand?"
Four heads nodded and Professor Dumbledore relaxed and sat down.
"Aren't you going with us?" Draco asked quickly.
Dumbledore smiled. "I have too much work to do. But I leave you in capable hands. Hurry along. Do you want to go or not? One, two, three."
As he spoke three four hands hurriedly touched the Portkey and the four teenagers disappeared. Albus laid back in his chair; smiling. They were in for a tough ride overall, but at least they'd have quite an enjoyable time for one night.
"CHARLIE!"
As soon as they had landed, Ron had immediately recognised the rakish figure that stood to greet them and the redhead fairly flew through the air to hug his brother.
"Hey Ron," Charlie said warmly, squeezing his brother before letting him go. "I know what he's teaching you," he added as well in a lower tone. "I won't tell mum. It's dangerous, Ron, it really is." Before Ron could protest Charlie looked at him, grinning. "It's also as cool as hell, and he wouldn't teach you if it wasn't necessary for you to know."
"Hullo Charlie," Harry greeted when Ron had finally moved away.
"Harry," Charlie replied. "You certainly did give that Norwegian Horntail a run for its money and all. I was so glad to have seen that. Sorry I missed the final task, but Bill said from what he saw all your hexes were way beyond your level."
Harry smiled warmly.
"Hermione, are you going out with my lil bro yet or what?" Charlie asked bluntly. Hermione flushed. "Don't tell me you haven't asked her yet Ron?"
Ron blushed and started to stutter.
"Actually he asked me to the dance," Hermione said demurely with an impish smile.
"You better have said yes," Charlie said. "Or I'll set the Horntail on you!"
Hermione looked slightly alarmed before grinning. "Probably a good thing I said yes then, isn't it?"
Charlie grinned again, running one grime-soaked hand through his flame-red hair before he looked over at Draco and took a double-take.
"Draco Malfoy? I knew Professor Dumbledore said there were four, but I was expecting I don't know, Neville or something? What are you doing here?" Charlie looked shocked.
"How long have you been out of the loop?" Ron laughed. Charlie looked offended. "He's renounced his evil ways and joined us," Ron explained quickly. Charlie still looked suspicious. "Harry can vouch for him," he added.
Charlie looked at Harry questioningly. Harry blushed. "We're going out," he explained, his face red.
"Ah," Charlie laughed. "You may like to meet an acquaintance of mine, actually, Ron you too…"
Ron looked at his brother curiously then up at a tree where there was someone else standing there he hadn't noticed before. He was tall, with blue eyes and a shock of black hair which looked rather singed. Probably a casualty of the day job, Harry thought casually.
"This is Simon, Simon Harding," Charlie introduced. The black-haired man laughed easily and slipped an arm around Charlie's waist.
"Och, must ye be so formal, Charlie?" He asked with a strong Scottish accent as he kissed Charlie on the cheek soundly. Charlie blushed and looked away
Ron rolled his eyes.
"C'mon, we have some dragon watching to do," Charlie said; laughing as he disentangled himself from his partner.
As they followed Charlie and Simon curiously, Hermione stopped Ron with a dig in the ribs.
"Are you sure you're not going to turn gay on me?" She asked suspiciously.
Ron shook his head and leaned forwards and gave her a quick peck on the cheeks. Blushing he pulled back and grinned rakishly. "Nope," he said airily.
"Ron, come on."
Turning his head quickly, Ron grabbed Hermione's hand and pulled her. She squeaked but followed him all the same. The sight that met their gaze made Hermione squeal in excitement.
"Oh Ron," she cried excitedly. "It's Norbert!"