He shall have an abnormal partner. They shall be as two halves of one whole, and both shall represent the Phoenix.
- Order of the Phoenix, Phoenix Chronicles, Part III
Harry sighed, and returned his attention – such as it was – to the doctor.
"Now, we'll just mend up those bones," he said, coaching Harry through it and waving his wand with a muttered incantation to bind the bones tight. Harry felt them begin to knit themselves back together as the doctor fetched a potion and bandages to heal the gashes on his skin.
Three minutes later, bandaged and forced to lie immobile, Harry watched the doctor leave to get food and a sleeping draught. Within 30 seconds, a familiar-looking cap of red peered around the corner, checked to be sure the coast was clear, and dashed in to greet Harry.
"Ron," acknowledged Harry weakly. Ron sat and looked at him in surprise. Harry could understand why. What with all the bandages, he looked to be far worse off injury-wise then he really was.
"Hullo, Harry," said Ron brightly. Then he frowned. "Are you up to talking? Shouldn't you be like, resting or something?"
"Nah, I've been suffering from insomnia lately; couldn't sleep if I tried. Doctor's gone to get some food and a sleeping draught." Harry looked at Ron questioningly, "You'll forgive my asking, but since I was unconscious…what happened?"
"Before we came, I don't know. But when we got there…" Ron explained while Harry listened quietly, only once interrupting with a "Sirius is here?!" Altogether though, Ron delivered it fairly quickly, and mentioned that Dumbledore had sent for Harry's things, his relations, and Hermione. When Harry asked why, Ron stared at him incredulously.
"D'you think Dumbledore would leave you with them?! After what they've done? He sent you there to save you, not kill you. and as for Hermione, she has the right to know what's been happening to you, and you'll need your friends for the rest of the summer."
"Where'll I stay?" asked Harry curiously.
"My house of course!" laughed Ron.
"Great! Wait. Did you say Dumbledore's sent for the Dursley's? Why?"
"Well, Dumbledore may not be sending you back to the muggles, but he most certainly isn't letting them get away with beating and trying to KILL a wizard! They'll be put on trial, and suitably punished for abuse. Especially since you're Harry Potter, you know?"
"Oh," said Harry, considering. "Wait! How'd he know??"
"D'you seriously think we'd believe that you crashed through a window or something?! There's proof, Harry, and evidence. You'll be safer away from them, but they can't be allowed to get away with stuff like that. Besides, Dudley mentioned his kicking you, remember?" Ron shrugged, "Anyway, why didn't you tell me?" he asked, voice suddenly sharp. "I'm your friend, remember? You're supposed to inform me of these things. Don't you trust me?"
Harry glowered at him. "Of course I trust you, but I don't like saying I need help, and Vernon was looking over my shoulder the whole time, anyway. I got double punishment when he found out the way I write, you know. And then, everyone always looks out for and worries after the great Harry Potter," his voice became savage, and was laced with fury and self-hatred. "All I ever do is get people hurt or killed, and this episode just shows that no one will ever stop worrying over me again. I thought I could handle it; deal with it." 'And finally get the punishment I deserve for hurting others' he added mentally. "But now none of them or you will EVER trust my judgment. I want to live without people forever looking over my shoulder." He gave a bitter laugh. "Not like that's going to stop now." Ron sat silent. He hadn't known that fame affected Harry so badly. He really hated being famous. Ron had never really believed that until now, when he heard Harry's bitterness and pain echoing across the years.
For the sake of his friend, Ron changed the subject. "Anyway, what I've really been wanting to ask is how you blasted that physician. You didn't even have a wand with you! Wizards are supposed to outgrow accidental magic when they begin formal training, and the only exceptions ever were Merlin, Dumbledore, and You-Know-Who."
"I dunno what happened, but it's occurred before. You know, when I blew up Aunt Marge?"
"You did that wandless? You never said that!" Ron accused.
"I didn't know it was odd. I figured you realized that," said Harry defensively. "I mean, I had already told you they locked my stuff in the cupboard. That did happen to include my wand," he added dryly.
"Well, I figured they wouldn't take your wand away too. I mean; you're a wizard, and-"
"And that's precisely the reason," Harry broke in. "They hate wizards, and prefer for all signs of my-my strangeness to disappear." Ron looked shell-shocked. Harry was treated abnormal everywhere he went, not just school. No wonder he was so upset, what with family like that.
The door opened, and two identical red heads popped in curiously. Seeing Harry awake, they grinned.
"Hiya, Harry! Feeling any better?" asked Fred amiably.
"They've been forever cheerful since some idiot granted a thousand – a thousand! – Galleons toward their joke shop. And for some reason they gave me new, and nicer, dress robes. I still can't figure out why they aren't bewitched," Ron whispered to Harry, who grinned, and winced as a cut re-opened.
"How're you two doing?" he asked. The twins beamed.
"Business is booming; we're thinking of branching out of Diagon Alley to Ireland or France," grinned George.
"Just wait till you see what we've invented! You'll love them. One is even dedicated to you," added Fred.
"Really?" asked Harry guardedly.
"Really! They're called 'Snitch Snatchers.' They come in the form of a snitch, but you can turn them into any small object. And if someone touches it… Snatch! It sprouts wings and grabs them!" George cackled. Harry grinned apprehensively – he'd have to be careful about what he touched from now on – and threw in a new idea.
"Have you seen Sirius about pranks? He was Padfoot you know."
"Sirius Black is Padfoot?! THE Padfoot?! Wow! We'll go ask him right now!" and off they bubbled to hound Sirius for more ideas and tricks.
As soon as they left, Mrs. Weasely entered.
"Hello Harry," she said kindly, "feeling any better?"
"Yes," said Harry tiredly, wondering how many more times he'd have to answer that.
The doctor returned, holding a large tray of food and a sleeping draught.
"Mrs. Weasely, will you see that Harry eats and then takes the draught?" he said distractedly. "We've had another attack, and they need doctors."
"Certainly," replied Mrs. Weasely, taking the tray from him and placing it in Harry's lap. The doctor left quickly.
