Summary: After being hit by the killing curse for the second time in his young life, Harry finds himself trapped in another body. He finally gets the chance to see how his life would have been like without his popularity, and where is friends loyalties lie.
Disclaimer: All characters belong to J K Rowling and Warner brothers.
The Boy Who Lived Again: Switch
Chapter 26: While you were sleeping
Dumbledore and Madame Pomfrey sat in the hospital wing trying to decide what to do about Hermione. "The poor girl has been in there all day Albus. I don't want her to be around at his final minutes. I don't know if she could take it."
Dumbledore nodded his head while looking down at his feet. "Poppy, I believe you are correct. I don't know what she will do if she has to see him die." Big circles were starting to become evident under the elderly wizard's eyes. The past week had been especially hard for the older wizard. He had to plan all the arrangements for Harry's funeral, and for his grave. Sirius, Remus, and Mr. and Mrs. Weasley were coming soon to witness Harry's last minutes. They were to be the only other viewers because he believed Harry would have wanted to be surrounded by the ones he loved in his last moments.
"Poppy, lets at least let her have until the rest come so that we can have there support in removal. I do believe we will have a problem when the time comes."
Madame Pomfrey nodded her head diligently, "Of course Albus, I would have never denied her this chance to say goodbye."
They sat silently outside in the waiting room of the Hospital wing. After a couple minutes past, Sirius and Remus came through the door. Sirius had on raggedy black robes, and his hair was long and an unkempt. He appeared to have dark circles under his eyes, and he also had a five o'clock shade on his chin. He seemed deeply depressed, and barely acknowledged Madame Pomfrey or Dumbledore. Remus, on the other hand, kept his polite air, and greeted both of the professors. Although he could keep a good outward face, he too was suffering. His hair had almost totally turned gray, and he appeared to have lost a lot of weight while his clothes stayed the same.
Although million of things were circling each of their minds, none of them said a word until Mr. and Mrs. Weasley arrived. Mrs. Weasley instantly broke the silence as she came through the door wailing. "Poor Harry... He had such a short and hard life... Why is it always the young ones?"
Mr. Weasley went to his wife and wrapped his arms around her, and comforted her. "It's alright sweet heart. We all love Harry."
Mr. Weasley let go of his wife and went over to shake Dumbledore's hand. "I can't believe this bloody happening... I feel as if my son was dying... was dead."
Dumbledore just shook his head in agreement. "I know Author, I know."
After sitting around only with the sound of Mrs. Weasley's weeping, Madame Pomfrey got up, and stated, "I guess its time."
Everyone started to follow Madame Pomfrey into the Hospital wing except Sirius. He stood silent in the back being left by the group. Remus noticed that he was not next to him, and look back calling, "Sirus its time to go..."
Sirius finally spoke, but it did not come out as soft as was usually required in a Hospital Wing. "No... I am not going to let you go kill my Godson...He is not dead, yet. And I will not stand here and let you kill him."
Remus a little disgusted, yet with forced sympathy, "Sirius, we have been over this... Harry's soul has been lost. The whole faculty saw him leave...die. He will not wake up. Do you want to just keep him here forever? You and I both know that is not what he would want."
"Why did he not tell me? I could have helped him... Any one of use could have helped him. He would still be here now...if only..."
Dumbledore decided to get into this conversation. "Sirius, we can't live our lives by 'what ifs.' We have to accept what life brings us, and right now we have to accept that Harry is gone." In his superior manner, Dumbledore ended the discussion.
As he realized the meaning of Dumbledore words, Sirius fell on his knees out of exhaustion. Through his mind he kept repeating over and over. "I have failed James and Lily. I have failed my friends." He clearly had not been eating or sleeping hardly at all. This stress was just starting to be too much for him.
Remus and Madame Pomfrey instantly ran to his side to help him up. Sirius steadied himself and pushed them away. He was clearly still weak, and his face was still very pale. As he stood there proud, he started walking through them to Harry's door. It was time to say goodbye.
Hermione lay by Harry asleep in the same hospital bed. Many hours pass and they both stayed in blissful comfort of sleep.
Sirius barged through the door to find the sleeping couple in the bed. He looked down at Hermione with pity, as the rest of the group came in behind him.
"Dumbledore, see what I mean. She even put his arm around her," Madame Pomfrey commented as she stared at the poor girl.
Dumbledore ignored her comment, and went over and kneeled by Hermione's sleeping form. "Hermione, it is time to wake up. You need to leave."
Hermione awoke to all twelve eyes on her. She looked up confused, and looked at Dumbledore with sleepy eyes. "What's going on?" Harry lay there with only his chest rising and falling.
Dumbledore guided her out of the bed while replying, "It's time to say goodbye to our good friend. I don't think it is wise for you to watch as you were so close to him."
Hermione looked at them like they were crazy. "You have to be joking. Harry is ok. He woke up. Everything is ok now."
Dumbledore patted her on her shoulder. "Hermione dear, you were sleeping. It must have been a dream. Harry has not awoken. We would have been the first ones to know if he has. Now, could you please leave the room?"
Hermione stood staring at Harry. She thought, 'could that been a dream. Could he still be gone, but it felt so real. He felt so real. It just couldn't be a dream.' Hermione then looked up to Dumbledore. "No, I am telling the truth. Harry is alive and he is just sleeping now. Just wake him up and you will see."
"Hermione..." Dumbledore tried to reason with her again, but she would not let him. She instantly walked over to Harry to shake him awake. "Harry...Come on Harry...It's time to wake."
Remus went over to her and put his hand on her shoulder. "Hermione, he will not wake." Hermione brushed away his hand, but Remus took her arms pulled her back. His wolf strength easily over powered the small teen.
Hermione screamed out. "No...You don't understand."
Madame Pomfrey put her hand over her mouth. "The poor girl has gone insane."
Hermione still struggled in her old professor's grip, but the whole time she kept contemplating. 'Was it a dream...? Please don't make it a dream." Then she saw it... The thing that made her heart jump... He smiled. He thought this was just a big joke. "Harry, come on help me... These people think I am crazy. Open your eyes."
Dumbledore addressed Remus, "Could you please escort Ms. Granger out of the room."
Hermione screamed, "No, Look there... He is smiling. He is awake really, just look at him."
Harry lay in his bed trying to stay as still as possible, but he silently was laughing his head off. This was just too good. He knew he would get it later, but hey, if he could not have fun now, then when.
As Remus started to escort her out, she kept talking. "Harry you bloody prat help me. I know you are awake."
Dumbledore raised his wand as the two went out the door. He pointed it at Harry, and stated quietly, "We will miss you."
Hermione got one arm out of Remus grasp and screamed. "Harry they are going to hurt you if you don't do something."
"Finite In..."
"Ok, ok you got me. Stop the spell I am alive really." At these words, instantly the group jumped back about a foot. They all stared at Harry in shock. Harry sat up in his bed while he held a giant grin on his face. In the shock, Remus let go of his grip of Hermione, and she instantly went running to Harry. But instead of hugging him like she did last time, she started to hit him with all her might. Harry started to laugh uncontrollable while he kept his arms up to defend himself.
"Harry how could you?" Hermione screamed as she tried to hit him.
Through laughter, he tried to apologize. "I'm ... sorry...It was just too good."
The shock started to wear off the others, and Dumbledore was the first to speak. "Ms. Granger, I think Mr. Potter has learned his lesson." They broke away both red faced with little smiles on their faces.
Sirius was the next one to break out of the shock and went straight to Harry enveloping him in a hug. "Don't ever do that to us again, you hear me? You had us so worried... I was so worried."
Harry's face instantly fell as he realized that all these people truly thought he was dead for the past month. "I am sorry." He said while keeping his head low. He knew he was selfish the past month, and now he was going to get it. But he didn't.
Everyone else did not let Sirius have too much time with him because one by one each one came up to hug him and tell him how much they had missed him. Dumbledore was the last one to come up to him. Madame Pomfrey released a short hug, and Dumbledore sat staring at Harry. The older wizard was not accustomed to not knowing everything, and this had come as a great shock. If a boy his age could keep this hidden from him magically, then there was no doubt in his mind that he was even more powerful then he.
Dumbledore went up to Harry as Harry brought up his hand for him to shake. Dumbledore shook his hand, but pulled him in further to hug his young student. "Harry, you know you are a very powerful wizard. I don't know of another person that could have survived what you have gone through, and I am including myself."
He let go of his young pupil, and looked around to the group. "I think we need to let Mr. Potter have some rest. It has been a long day. And yes I mean you too Ms. Granger."
Harry told everyone goodbye as they all reluctantly walked out the door. Before the door was closed, Dumbledore turned to speak to Harry for one last time. "You have done great things in you life Harry, and I know you will do even greater things before it is through... Night."
Dumbledore closed the door, and turned the lights off leaving Harry to ponder in the dark.
*
Epilogue. The end of the end. I hope you like it. It was Katedidnt great idea. She wrote me a review on how I could write it, and I could not resisted. Thanks Katedidnt.
Also a big thanks to my editor, Bob Martin (check out his work).
Thanks to all my reviewers I really appreciate your support.
So Long, Farwell
Monday
Disclaimer: All characters belong to J K Rowling and Warner brothers.
The Boy Who Lived Again: Switch
Chapter 26: While you were sleeping
Dumbledore and Madame Pomfrey sat in the hospital wing trying to decide what to do about Hermione. "The poor girl has been in there all day Albus. I don't want her to be around at his final minutes. I don't know if she could take it."
Dumbledore nodded his head while looking down at his feet. "Poppy, I believe you are correct. I don't know what she will do if she has to see him die." Big circles were starting to become evident under the elderly wizard's eyes. The past week had been especially hard for the older wizard. He had to plan all the arrangements for Harry's funeral, and for his grave. Sirius, Remus, and Mr. and Mrs. Weasley were coming soon to witness Harry's last minutes. They were to be the only other viewers because he believed Harry would have wanted to be surrounded by the ones he loved in his last moments.
"Poppy, lets at least let her have until the rest come so that we can have there support in removal. I do believe we will have a problem when the time comes."
Madame Pomfrey nodded her head diligently, "Of course Albus, I would have never denied her this chance to say goodbye."
They sat silently outside in the waiting room of the Hospital wing. After a couple minutes past, Sirius and Remus came through the door. Sirius had on raggedy black robes, and his hair was long and an unkempt. He appeared to have dark circles under his eyes, and he also had a five o'clock shade on his chin. He seemed deeply depressed, and barely acknowledged Madame Pomfrey or Dumbledore. Remus, on the other hand, kept his polite air, and greeted both of the professors. Although he could keep a good outward face, he too was suffering. His hair had almost totally turned gray, and he appeared to have lost a lot of weight while his clothes stayed the same.
Although million of things were circling each of their minds, none of them said a word until Mr. and Mrs. Weasley arrived. Mrs. Weasley instantly broke the silence as she came through the door wailing. "Poor Harry... He had such a short and hard life... Why is it always the young ones?"
Mr. Weasley went to his wife and wrapped his arms around her, and comforted her. "It's alright sweet heart. We all love Harry."
Mr. Weasley let go of his wife and went over to shake Dumbledore's hand. "I can't believe this bloody happening... I feel as if my son was dying... was dead."
Dumbledore just shook his head in agreement. "I know Author, I know."
After sitting around only with the sound of Mrs. Weasley's weeping, Madame Pomfrey got up, and stated, "I guess its time."
Everyone started to follow Madame Pomfrey into the Hospital wing except Sirius. He stood silent in the back being left by the group. Remus noticed that he was not next to him, and look back calling, "Sirus its time to go..."
Sirius finally spoke, but it did not come out as soft as was usually required in a Hospital Wing. "No... I am not going to let you go kill my Godson...He is not dead, yet. And I will not stand here and let you kill him."
Remus a little disgusted, yet with forced sympathy, "Sirius, we have been over this... Harry's soul has been lost. The whole faculty saw him leave...die. He will not wake up. Do you want to just keep him here forever? You and I both know that is not what he would want."
"Why did he not tell me? I could have helped him... Any one of use could have helped him. He would still be here now...if only..."
Dumbledore decided to get into this conversation. "Sirius, we can't live our lives by 'what ifs.' We have to accept what life brings us, and right now we have to accept that Harry is gone." In his superior manner, Dumbledore ended the discussion.
As he realized the meaning of Dumbledore words, Sirius fell on his knees out of exhaustion. Through his mind he kept repeating over and over. "I have failed James and Lily. I have failed my friends." He clearly had not been eating or sleeping hardly at all. This stress was just starting to be too much for him.
Remus and Madame Pomfrey instantly ran to his side to help him up. Sirius steadied himself and pushed them away. He was clearly still weak, and his face was still very pale. As he stood there proud, he started walking through them to Harry's door. It was time to say goodbye.
Hermione lay by Harry asleep in the same hospital bed. Many hours pass and they both stayed in blissful comfort of sleep.
Sirius barged through the door to find the sleeping couple in the bed. He looked down at Hermione with pity, as the rest of the group came in behind him.
"Dumbledore, see what I mean. She even put his arm around her," Madame Pomfrey commented as she stared at the poor girl.
Dumbledore ignored her comment, and went over and kneeled by Hermione's sleeping form. "Hermione, it is time to wake up. You need to leave."
Hermione awoke to all twelve eyes on her. She looked up confused, and looked at Dumbledore with sleepy eyes. "What's going on?" Harry lay there with only his chest rising and falling.
Dumbledore guided her out of the bed while replying, "It's time to say goodbye to our good friend. I don't think it is wise for you to watch as you were so close to him."
Hermione looked at them like they were crazy. "You have to be joking. Harry is ok. He woke up. Everything is ok now."
Dumbledore patted her on her shoulder. "Hermione dear, you were sleeping. It must have been a dream. Harry has not awoken. We would have been the first ones to know if he has. Now, could you please leave the room?"
Hermione stood staring at Harry. She thought, 'could that been a dream. Could he still be gone, but it felt so real. He felt so real. It just couldn't be a dream.' Hermione then looked up to Dumbledore. "No, I am telling the truth. Harry is alive and he is just sleeping now. Just wake him up and you will see."
"Hermione..." Dumbledore tried to reason with her again, but she would not let him. She instantly walked over to Harry to shake him awake. "Harry...Come on Harry...It's time to wake."
Remus went over to her and put his hand on her shoulder. "Hermione, he will not wake." Hermione brushed away his hand, but Remus took her arms pulled her back. His wolf strength easily over powered the small teen.
Hermione screamed out. "No...You don't understand."
Madame Pomfrey put her hand over her mouth. "The poor girl has gone insane."
Hermione still struggled in her old professor's grip, but the whole time she kept contemplating. 'Was it a dream...? Please don't make it a dream." Then she saw it... The thing that made her heart jump... He smiled. He thought this was just a big joke. "Harry, come on help me... These people think I am crazy. Open your eyes."
Dumbledore addressed Remus, "Could you please escort Ms. Granger out of the room."
Hermione screamed, "No, Look there... He is smiling. He is awake really, just look at him."
Harry lay in his bed trying to stay as still as possible, but he silently was laughing his head off. This was just too good. He knew he would get it later, but hey, if he could not have fun now, then when.
As Remus started to escort her out, she kept talking. "Harry you bloody prat help me. I know you are awake."
Dumbledore raised his wand as the two went out the door. He pointed it at Harry, and stated quietly, "We will miss you."
Hermione got one arm out of Remus grasp and screamed. "Harry they are going to hurt you if you don't do something."
"Finite In..."
"Ok, ok you got me. Stop the spell I am alive really." At these words, instantly the group jumped back about a foot. They all stared at Harry in shock. Harry sat up in his bed while he held a giant grin on his face. In the shock, Remus let go of his grip of Hermione, and she instantly went running to Harry. But instead of hugging him like she did last time, she started to hit him with all her might. Harry started to laugh uncontrollable while he kept his arms up to defend himself.
"Harry how could you?" Hermione screamed as she tried to hit him.
Through laughter, he tried to apologize. "I'm ... sorry...It was just too good."
The shock started to wear off the others, and Dumbledore was the first to speak. "Ms. Granger, I think Mr. Potter has learned his lesson." They broke away both red faced with little smiles on their faces.
Sirius was the next one to break out of the shock and went straight to Harry enveloping him in a hug. "Don't ever do that to us again, you hear me? You had us so worried... I was so worried."
Harry's face instantly fell as he realized that all these people truly thought he was dead for the past month. "I am sorry." He said while keeping his head low. He knew he was selfish the past month, and now he was going to get it. But he didn't.
Everyone else did not let Sirius have too much time with him because one by one each one came up to hug him and tell him how much they had missed him. Dumbledore was the last one to come up to him. Madame Pomfrey released a short hug, and Dumbledore sat staring at Harry. The older wizard was not accustomed to not knowing everything, and this had come as a great shock. If a boy his age could keep this hidden from him magically, then there was no doubt in his mind that he was even more powerful then he.
Dumbledore went up to Harry as Harry brought up his hand for him to shake. Dumbledore shook his hand, but pulled him in further to hug his young student. "Harry, you know you are a very powerful wizard. I don't know of another person that could have survived what you have gone through, and I am including myself."
He let go of his young pupil, and looked around to the group. "I think we need to let Mr. Potter have some rest. It has been a long day. And yes I mean you too Ms. Granger."
Harry told everyone goodbye as they all reluctantly walked out the door. Before the door was closed, Dumbledore turned to speak to Harry for one last time. "You have done great things in you life Harry, and I know you will do even greater things before it is through... Night."
Dumbledore closed the door, and turned the lights off leaving Harry to ponder in the dark.
*
Epilogue. The end of the end. I hope you like it. It was Katedidnt great idea. She wrote me a review on how I could write it, and I could not resisted. Thanks Katedidnt.
Also a big thanks to my editor, Bob Martin (check out his work).
Thanks to all my reviewers I really appreciate your support.
So Long, Farwell
Monday