AN – Here's a pretty long chapter to make up for the shortness and tardiness of the last one!
Chapter 53 – In The Wake of Battle
Peter watched the duel in fascination, he was completely in awe of James' son. He was hardly long into his teens, yet already shouldering the weight of the world. With mixed emotions he watched the triumph of the boy he had once betrayed.
Once the duel was over Peter started making his way around to where Lucius Malfoy had frozen, in the same trance-like state as his master. Peter knew that Malfoy would have to be taken out if Harry was to escape.
Procyon took the opposite direction, his job was to get Harry back to Hogwarts, after all, that was hardly a job Peter could do himself.
He came around, feeling his way along the wall nervously. He was standing behind Arabella when Harry finally regained his body.
Procyon was just about to go for Harry when he noticed Lord Voldemort's hand twitch.
In a complete panic Procyon Equuleus froze on the spot, fear clouding his vision.
When he noticed that both the Dark Lord and Arabella Figg were moving towards Harry, he snapped out of his trance… The boy! He had to save him.
With adrenaline pulsating through him he leapt after them both.
Peter saw Malfoy's body shudder and knew that he was coming out of the trance. With a shaking hand Pettigrew lifted his wand and cast the stunning spell before the Death Eater even knew he was there.
Peter then hurried back to help Procyon.
The first thing he saw as he rounded the corner was the blinding flash of spells.
Three figures were on the floor surrounding a very dazed and frightened looking Arabella Figg.
Peter ran forward yelling.
"Arabella! Quickly! Lets take Harry and Procyon and Go before the Death Eaters surround us!"
Grabbing Harry's cloak, Procyon's sleeve and Arabella's arm Peter activated the portkey and they were transported instantly away from the dark fortress of Azkaban.
*~~~*~~~*~~~*
The forest was dark and dense about them as they materialised at the end of the portkey. Arabella was still dumb with incomprehension. She couldn't seem to shift the green haze that lingered around her vision ever since that dreadful curse had been sent towards her.
"We're safe." Gasped Peter beside her.
"Peter Pettigrew." She mumbled suddenly noticing the man that had taken her away… away from Azkaban and the dangers it held.
"Yes. It's me. I'm going to go to the Ministry straight away. …I made a promise, and this time… This time I mean to keep it."
Arabella watched sadly as Peter glanced at Harry's slumbering form with defeat and self-loathing liberally spread across his countenance.
"I think that you could earn Harry's forgiveness more easily than you'd imagine. He's always been like his parents in that respect. He'd never ask anything of anybody if he could avoid it, but I do know that what he wants most is family… And that is what Sirius is to him."
The words seemed to escape from her as Arabella felt pity for the hapless figure before her, but she also knew that they were true words.
Peter smiled weakly at her before seeming to snap out of his trance. He knelt down and turned Procyon over. The man was quite obviously dead, his lifeless eyes stared back at them blankly. Arabella had to fight down a sob.
"He saved my life… And Harry's too." She murmured weakly.
Peter looked up at her and nodded. With a sigh he took one last glance at Harry then turned back to Arabella.
"You're in the Forbidden Forest, you and Harry need to get back up to Hogwarts. Good Luck."
And with that he disappeared with a sudden pop taking Procyon with him, leaving Arabella and Harry alone in the trees.
Arabella watched Harry as he mumbled incoherently and shifted slightly in his deep sleep.
Taking a deep breath to focus, she knelt beside him on the leafy ground and checked him over.
He seemed fine, although the cloak around his shoulders was a heavy black material, much like a death eater cloak, but covered with intricate embroidery of snakes all over it, and the silver clasp, which was shaped like a snake coiled around itself, made her shudder as she inspected it.
Deciding that Harry might get too cold without it she wrapped the cloak around him gently before trying to pick him up.
She jumped as a hand fell on her shoulder and almost dropped Harry.
"Don't be alarmed." Said the centaur. "I'm here to help you."
*~~~*~~~*~~~*
Harry was warm and comfortable, and he noticed first the blessed absence of pain as his eyes fluttered open.
As the mists of slumber lifted from his brain Harry managed to sit up slowly and he couldn't help but laugh in wonder and delight.
He had his body back! And best of all his back had been healed.
Fingering his way down the skin of his back he could hardly feel were the wound had been and there wasn't even the slightest twinge of pain as he twisted from side to side.
Elated from these initial encouragements Harry pulled his legs out of the bed and gingerly stood on his feet for the first time in what felt like years.
With the amazement of a toddler taking his first steps he stumbled across the room. He realised for the first time since waking that he had no idea where he was.
"Hello? Can anyone hear me?" He called softly, his throat felt rather dry and raspy.
No-one replied so Harry made his way back to the bed sitting a little heavily on the deep red coverlet, feeling quite tired after his exertion.
Biting his lip he wondered momentarily if he would be able to conjure a drink but he wasn't given time to attempt because suddenly the door to the room burst open and Sirius Black rushed in.
His Godfather ran over to him and grabbed him into a bear hug.
"You're up!" He said sounding surprised.
"Albus said that Muane didn't think you'd wake for another couple of days."
Harry grinned up at him
"Hey Sirius." He said throwing his arms around him.
They were joined by Dumbledore soon after and Harry was given a full explanation.
"…So after Arabella allowed Muane to heal your back injury and give you a restorative tea she brought you up to the castle.
We decided to let you get your energy back rather than force you awake so you've been here ever since.
What do you think of it Harry?"
"It's a lovely room Sir." Said Harry looking around at the Gryffindor motifs and elaborately carved furniture.
"It's believed to be where Godric himself used to reside. Quite fitting that you should spend your recovery time in here after defeating Salazar's ghost."
Harry flushed,
"I still can't believe that I carried him around with me all that time. And I didn't even know it!"
Sirius put his hand on Harry's shoulder.
"It was hard for me to believe to Dragon-boy." He chuckled.
"I feel really… strange." said Harry, frowning.
"Like, a part of me is lighter somehow."
"Is that really so surprising?" Asked Dumbledore, his familiar twinkle brightening as he smiled.
"I guess not… but… does this mean."
"Harry, don't worry. The powers you began using this year are your own. You didn't just borrow them from Slytherin. Do you really think that Salazar would have helped you at all?" Said Dumbledore intuitively.
Deciding to test it out, just to be sure, Harry waved his hand and conjured the glass of water he'd been thirsting for.
"See Harry! You're Gryffindor's heir. I'm sure you could still drench all the greasy Slytherins you'd like." Said Sirius grinning.
"Just so long as you don't stop my pupil from getting to his classes."
Harry's eyes went wide
"Your pupil?" He asked.
Sirius face lit up like a filibuster firework
"I'm tutoring Draco Malfoy." He said proudly.
Harry spluttered "What on Earth did Malfoy do that was so bad?" he asked in amazement.
Sirius tried to frown but he couldn't help but laugh along with his godson.
"Yeah, yeah, alright! I've heard it all already from Moony. Anyway, I think it's time you got back to sleep Harry. You'll need all your strength before we let your friends in here to see you."
Ruffling Harry's hair affectionately Sirius stood up to leave.
"Okay. See you later Sirius." Said Harry snuggling under his blankets again.
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AN
Hope you enjoyed that!
As you can see we're nearing the end (at last!)
Lotsa luv
Jona
xxx
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Thankyou all sooo much!