Chapter 10- Healing
Ron watched his best friend closely over the next couple of weeks. Harry had recovered fully from his injuries, but still exhibited some uncharacteristic behaviors. He interacted with the family and went about each day at the Burrow as he normally would, but something was different. It was as if he had almost completely drawn into himself. He didn't laugh quite as much as he used, and he was still uncomfortable at being touched. Sometimes loud noises would cause Harry to flinch.
Oddly enough, the only thing that seemed to reach Harry was his owl Hedwig. They both seemed to be thrilled to be reunited. Maybe it was because Harry was able to be himself around his beloved pet because she was unable to judge him. He would talk to her in the evenings about random things. Ron believed that their conversations helped him feel more normal. As his one-sided conversations with Hedwig increased, so did his interaction with the Weasley family.
Harry had continued to have nightmares about Sirius. He still had dreams about Cedric and his parents as well, and he blamed himself for their deaths. By far the most horrific ones occurred when Harry awoke from his sleep thinking he was being pursued by his Uncle Vernon. Ron comforted him each time these dreams occurred. It was frustrating not ever being able to get any sleep, but he felt the need to help his best friend in any way that he could. Harry seemed grateful to have him there and forgot about the fight they had when Ron threatened to tell Dumbledore. Their friendship had grown stronger than ever.
Mrs. Weasley and Ginny returned home to the Burrow the instant they heard what had happened to Harry. His mother was constantly hovering around him making sure that he was okay. She offered third and fourth helpings of everything during meals to ensure that he was getting enough to eat. She made him clothes to replace the ones he had lost. She even made it a point to tuck him in at night as if she were able to ward away any nightmares he may have before they had even happened.
Ginny attempted to engage Harry in conversation every chance she got, chattering about things randomly. Fred and George stopped by periodically with samples from their joke shop in a vain attempt to cheer him up. Harry always laughed, but would easily become distracted by his own thoughts. Remus stopped by periodically check up on Harry as he had promised. It seemed as if he were determined to fill the void that Sirius left when he died. He could never be his godfather, but he was going to be a constant presence in his life.
His family and Remus all meant well, but Harry seemed to need something other than what they were able to give him. He needed someone to understand him. To know what he went through first hand so that he could talk to them without pity. Ron knew in his heart that Draco was probably that person. He had also suffered abused from his own family. Unfortunately, the irritating git was currently avoiding Harry for some reason. He didn't seem to know how to make his peace with him, and was acting like his normal brooding arrogant self.
Ron and Harry had been continuing to correspond with Hermione. She was devastated when she heard what happened to her friend. Her letters always arrived with stains from her tears. She wanted to come to the Burrow as well, but she was on holiday with her parents in France. Her parents insisted that they spend the summer together because of what happened at the Department of Mysteries. It wasn't that they wanted to keep her from her friends; it was just that they missed their daughter even more now that they had learned they almost lost her.
Ron had asked Hermione for her advice about Harry. He felt awful for what Harry had to go through, and he wasn't sure how to reach him. She assured him that Harry just needed some more time to come around.
Ron tried his old tactics of playing chess and exploding snap to cheer up Harry, but to no avail. It wasn't until he suggested they play a game of Quidditch did he start to see some of the old Harry that he knew and loved so well. Since his broom had been destroyed by his uncle, he borrowed one from the twins. Harry seemed so much more alive when he was on the back of a broom. He would swoop and dive and make any number of dangerous turns as he soared through the air. Because Harry enjoyed Quidditch so much, they decided to make this their nightly activity. Even Draco had joined in the fun.
Ron finally noticed Draco and Harry interact with one another. Their conversations mostly included light teasing about who would get the snitch first. They even borrowed fake snitches from the twins to confuse one another during the game. They both learned to laugh at themselves and one another during those matches. Draco seemed to particularly enjoy himself flying along beside Harry.
It was after one of their mock Quidditch games that they decided to surprise Harry. He had been at the Dursleys during his birthday and it was understood that he had not received any of this gifts. Ron kept him out playing later than usual so that everyone had time to prepare. Hoping he had waited long enough, he dismounted his broom and motioned to the others that it was probably time to go in.
When they walked into the dark kitchen, the guests illuminated the room with their wands and yelled, "Surprise! Happy Birthday Harry!"
Harry was shocked to say the least. His mouth was hanging wide open. He glanced around to see all the smiling faces. The entire Weasley family (excluding Charlie and Percy) were there as well as Professor Dumbledore, Madame Pomfrey, Professor McGonagall, Remus, Tonks, Kingsley, and Arabella Figg. "But it's not my birthday," he said.
"We know that dear, but we missed your real birthday so we thought we would throw you a belated party," said Mrs. Weasley.
"You didn't have to do that," said Harry quietly.
"No, but we wanted to," said Ron.
The night was a happy event. Harry looked happier than he had been in a long while. Ron hoped that this would be the first step in Harry being able to heal emotionally. They enjoyed the cake and ice cream and waited for Harry to begin opening his gifts. He had a mountain of presents, and he seemed very shy about opening them. Ron realized that this was probably the only birthday party Harry has ever had. Harry smiled and thanked each person after each present he opened.
Many of his gifts were things he needed to replace that had been destroyed by the Dursleys: robes, a cauldron, books, parchment and quills, and other miscellaneous supplies. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley gave Harry some Weasley jumpers. Ron had gotten him a snitch that he could practice with, and the twins gave Harry a Weasley Whizzes sampler. Remus had given Harry a journal that Sirius had kept when they were marauders in school. The gesture brought a tear to both their eyes, and they embraced each other warmly.
What was most surprising was the fact that Draco had gone out of his way to get Harry a gift as well. Ron couldn't quite figure out how he had gotten it. Harry was caught off guard when Draco quietly handed him the present. They rarely interacted outside of their Quidditch games. He looked at it as if the gift might explode at any second. He slowly took off the wrappings to reveal a small ornate wooden box. It had rich, dark wood and it was quite beautiful. Inside, Harry discovered a long silver chain in which a small intricately carved dragon was attached. There was a small emerald gem in each eye.
"Wow, this is really beautiful. Thank you, but you didn't have to get me anything," said Harry.
"It's alright. It's a magical amulet. You're supposed to wear it close to your heart. It will alert you when danger is near by getting really warm. I thought you might need it," said Draco softly.
"Wow, what a cool gift. Thanks again," Harry said looking at it in wonder. Draco nodded, evidently pleased with himself. Harry looked like he didn't want to be rude so he put the chain around his neck and slipped it under his shirt.
After a joyous evening, the guests started departing. Each one made it a point to give Harry a fond farewell. Everyone had left except Dumbledore, who remained behind to speak with Harry and the Weasleys. They had all been waiting for quite a while now to hear what would happen to Vernon Dursley, and it looked as if the time had finally come.
"I am sorry that I now have to ruin this wonderful occasion, but I deem it necessary. Harry, I need to discuss with you what will happen to your uncle," Dumbledore said gently.
"Dear, would you like to speak with the Professor Dumbledore alone or would you like us to stick around for moral support?" asked Mrs. Weasley.
"I guess it doesn't matter. You will find out in the end anyway," said Harry. They decided to sit down all together in the living room. Some were sitting on the couch and chairs, and others were sitting on the floor.
Finally Dumbledore began to speak. "Harry, as you know, Madame Pomfrey collected evidence of your injuries in the form of a wizarding camera. These pictures were taken to a trusted friend I have at the Ministry of Magic who works in the Department of Family Law. After much deliberation, we decided that you definitely had a case regardless of the fact the injuries were inflicted by a muggle. We would rather have you press charges under our wizarding law than under the local law enforcement in Surrey because we would be able to control what happened to you afterwards. If convicted your uncle would be sent to Azkaban for 10 years. The ministry would have to obliviate the memories of your Aunt Petunia and your cousin Dudley. Their memories would be altered to think that your uncle had run out on his family. This way they won't try to go to the police themselves with wild stories about wizards kidnapping their loved one. It's quite a tricky manner."
"So what are you saying? If I want to press charges than I have to go to court?" asked Harry. Ron watched his friend carefully who was sitting by his side.
"I am afraid so. It is the only way to ensure that your uncle receives the proper punishment for all the harm he has caused you."
"If I go to court, will I have to answer their questions about what happened?"
"Yes, you may even be placed under the veritaserum if the court finds it necessary. Unfortunately, neither you nor I have many people on our side at the ministry. It was one of the reasons why I created the Order of the Phoenix," said Dumbledore.
"Will the press be allowed to attend the trial?" Ron asked for his friend. He knew that Harry had been worrying about this. He had somehow ended up in the papers every year. Most of the stories about him were not flattering and they caused more problems for him than anything else.
"Unfortunately, the press have ways of retrieving information whether they are present in the court or not. I will not lie to you, there are so many leaks at the ministry that the information from the trial is bound to get out to the public. We would like to bring Vernon Dursley into custody as soon as possible. I just need to know how you would like to proceed."
"What will happen to me if I don't press charges? Will I have to go back there next year?" asked Harry. The tension in the room was overwhelming. Everyone was glancing at one another nervously. Ron had been worrying about this very fact since Harry had come to the Burrow. He promised his friend that he would never have to go back to that hell hole, and he meant it. He would even go so far as to rescue him and run away if necessary. There was nothing that he wouldn't do for Harry.
"I will never let that happen. We will find a suitable placement for you until you come of age. I must strongly express that bringing forth charges on your uncle is the best thing to do. He needs to be punished for his crimes. Do you need time to make your decision?" said Dumbledore.
"No," said Harry.
"So you already know what you want to do?" he asked.
"No, I will not press charges. I can't take any more negative publicity. I don't ever want anyone else to know what happened to me. I don't care that he walks around free. I just don't ever want to go back there," said Harry emotionally. Ron reached out to his friend and put his hand on his shoulder for support.
"Harry, if you don't press charges your uncle may ask that you return to his custody," said Dumbledore.
"But you said that you wouldn't let that happen!" said Mrs. Weasley angrily.
"Yes, and I won't let it happen. However, the situation could get pretty ugly and the ministry holds a different set of values than I do when it comes to family. By not pressing charges the ministry has no other course of action than to send you back to the Dursleys if they request you to. I will do everything in my power not to let that happen, but it may escalate into an unfavorable situation. There is also the possibility that the story will get out to the press."
"Damn it. I am screwed not matter what I do! I don't care! I will not go forward and tell the entire wizarding world what my bastard of an uncle did to me! It's bad enough that all of you know," shouted Harry. He was getting visibly upset and was shaking like a leaf.
"I understand Harry, but it is the best thing to do. He needs to be punished," said Dumbledore. Everyone looked to Harry. They were very worried about him.
"No, I won't press charges. They can't know!" And with that Harry got up very abruptly. "I need to be alone," he said. His face was red with frustration and tears were threatening to spill over his cheeks.
Harry walked out of the Burrow into the darkness. Ron went to jump up to follow him, but felt his father's hand on his shoulder.
"Ron, let him be. He needs some time," he said.
He sighed, knowing that he was right. The rest of the family was quietly talking to one another. His mother was speaking to Dumbledore now in the kitchen. He suspected that she was probably requesting that Harry return to the Burrow during the holidays and each summer.
Draco remained where he was seated, looking quite distracted. Ron wondered what he was thinking about. Was he thinking about Harry just now? Or was he thinking about his own father and what had happened to him? Either way, the blond haired boy looked lost in his tumultuous thoughts.
Ron just hoped that Harry would be okay. He was stronger than anyone else he knew, but everyone has their limits. Hopefully, Harry hadn't reached his.