Disclaimer: All characters herein except those otherwise noted belong to J.K. Rowling, who I think, on occasion, to be some sort of goddess. Inspired by another fic of mine, and throught out while sitting through much boredom at work. Spoilers for all five books, I suppose.

Notes: Thanks so much to Kathy, for beta, and for helping over rough spots plotwise. Love ya, babe. Thank you to everyone who has reviewed and given me such wonderful feedback. Thanks also to my mom, who has asked me so many times whether I've written more, and maintains that it will always be Ron/Hermione. Even though… eww.

Through Time

Fourteen: Saved

Harry Potter woke, but he did not open his eyes.

"If it weren't for that Malfoy boy, he would be dead," he could hear Madam Pomfrey saying. "As for the two of the, there will be little scarring, but there was nothing we could do about..."

"No," said another voice. "He'll bear that scar for the rest of his life. Sort of funny matched pair."

Madam Pomfrey made a noise that might have been a laugh. "They've sent both Longbottom and the Weasley girl to St. Mungo's." she told the unknown person. "The girl should be back in class shortly after the holidays. The boy… he's in shock."

"Neither are being held accountable for the death of Bellatrix Lestrange and Blair Zabini." The strange person said.

"Longbottom's parents are in St. Mungo's because of excessive use of the Cruciatus Curse. It broke their minds," Pomfrey said. She was lifting Harry's wrist and checking his pulse. "The doctors do have hope for helping the boy. They've at least gotten him to stop speaking the curse over and over again."

"And as for the ones Dumbledore brought through time?" the voice asked.

"He is waiting until Potter wakes to send them back." Madam Pomfrey said.

He heard the sharp clicking of the healer's heels as she walked away, and the soft thud of boots and the sound of fading voices. Harry opened his eyes and looked around.

Next to him was a curtained bed. There were two across. He slid from his own bed, eager to see who shared the infirmary with him. The bed beside him held the pretty, dark haired Blaise Zabini, whose brother had been killed by Ginny Weasley. Her face was paler than he remembered when he first met her, and there was a sort of shimmering blue light dancing around her face. Harry assumed it to be the Wizarding equivalent of an oxygen tube.

In the bed across the aisle from Harry was Hannah Abbott, who seemed to have the same problem as Blaise. Harry wondered what had happened to the two girls.

"Bad stunning hex," said a voice, and the curtains that surrounded the third occupied bed pulled back. "Pomfrey can't quite figure out why they're not waking up. A couple more days, and they're sending them to St. Mungo's."

Harry turned to see Draco standing next to the third bed, his blonde hair much shortened, burned away, Harry realized, and wearing a heavy gray woolen robe over his pajamas. Harry realized that it had been Draco the voice had spoken of bearing a scar.

The white scar traced its way down the side of Draco's otherwise smooth cheek. The Slytherin boy must have noticed Harry looking.

"I went back in after you," Draco said. "When I was pulling you out—and you're quite heavy, I must say, Potter—one of the beams in the ceiling fell, and… well." He gestured at the white line on his cheek.

"Sorry," Harry mumbled, though he didn't really feel that sorry at all, and even though Malfoy had been injured saving Harry's life, when he normally would have.

"Don't be. It was stupid of me." Draco said, smirking. "If I'd any sense, I'd've left you there. Alas." He clicked his tongue. Harry frowned, and opened his mouth to say something.

"Ahh, Harry, good to see you're out of bed," said a tired, wheezy voice. Both Harry and Draco turned to see Dumbledore walking toward them.

"Uh, yeah." Harry said. "How long have I been… unconscious?"

"Approximately two weeks," Dumbledore said. "As you can see," he gestured to the piles of candies and gifts, "you have many admirers."

"Er…" Harry said. "Yeah."

"Harry, I certainly hate to press something so emotionally stressing on you at a delicate time such as this," Dumbledore said, "but there is an urgent need to send your parents back to their own time."

Harry nodded, somewhat unhappy.

"But that will wait until tomorrow. For now, rest." Dumbledore said. "Back to bed with you. And you as well, Draco."

Harry and Draco both retreated to their beds, and as Draco went, Harry could have sworn he saw the blond boy smile—a real smile.

~`~

The morning dawned clear and cold, and Harry made his way up the stairs to Dumbledore's office, Hermione and Ron at his side. Hermione held his hand tightly.

The small, cluttered office was packed with people. Dumbledore sat behind his desk, McGonagall and Snape behind him. The adult Remus Lupin, and Charlie and Bill Weasley—the Weasleys who were off Ginny-detail for the time—were leaning against the far wall. They were the only members of the Order of the Phoenix present. Luna Lovegood was standing with Cho Chang, Ernie McMillan, and several of the other members of Dumbledore's Army.

Ron broke away and went to stand beside Padma as they entered the room. The dark haired girl gripped his hand tightly. Draco came in shortly after them, along with the Weasley twins, who were playing bookends to their baby sister. Harry smiled when he saw Ginny, but the red-headed girl slipped from between her brothers and moved to shadow Draco as he took a seat on a wooden bench beside the large, empty space in front of the windows. Harry imagined steam issuing from Ron and the twins's ears. Ron was gritting his teeth.

Hermione was smiling, and Harry took her hand and stepped forward.

James, Lily, Sirius, and Remus came from the small room off of Dumbledore's office. Harry was happy to see his mother holding on to James's arm. Remus was scanning the room, and Sirius looked very annoyed, indeed.

Hermione pushed Harry forward, and Lily reached out to her son. Harry stepped into the red-haired girl's arms, and let her hug him, holding on. He didn't want to let go, didn't want her to leave, even though she was so young to be his mother.

Lily finally, reluctantly, let him go. She pressed a quick kiss into his cheek, then stepped away, tears beginning to slide down her cheeks. James looked at Harry, but said nothing. He went into the empty floor space with Lily. Sirius trailed after them.

Remus caught Lily's eye, and the girl nodded. The werewolf walked over to Ginny, who was leaning against Draco's shoulder, the blond boy's arm wrapped tightly around her waist. He pressed a small, silver object into her hand.

"I always thought I'd lost this, but now I know where it went," Remus said. Ginny looked up at him, startled. "Take care of her, will you?" he asked Draco, then leaned forward and kissed Ginny, before retreating, red-faced, back to his friends.

"It is now time to return things to their rightful place," Dumbledore said, standing. "Goodbyes have been said, and so, without further ado…"

Dumbledore raised his wand. Everyone made sure they were out of the square of floor that would become the portal back through time.

At the last moment, as Dumbledore began to speak the incantation, James raised his hand in a silent wave to his son.

Tears streaked down Harry's cheeks, and he waved at his father, knowing this would be the last time he ever saw them, while he was living.

"I love you Harry!" Lily called, as Dumbledore continued to recite the spell.

There was a burst of light, and the occupants of the room were temporarily blinded.

Harry blinked away spots, and when he could see again…

Lily, James, Sirius, and Remus remained in the room, still standing within the square.

The spell had not worked.