"Okay what do you need to talk to us about?" McGonagall asked.
"Harry. It's gonna take awhile for him to deal with this. The repercussions of the beatings, not to mention Sirius' death are going to be big. I know that your first instinct is to baby him – and he does need that but he also needs to be treated like an adult and not lied to or smothered with protection," Angela stated. The adults all had different expressions and reactions. "What I'm saying is that Harry has never been a child, not really. He was never given that right. He has seen and done more than any fifty-year old – let alone a fifteen-year old. I think sometimes all of you forget that. Harry is going to need time to heal, physically and emotionally, from all of this."
"I hear a plan in your voice, Paws..." Remus said.
"I do have one. I want to take Harry to America with me for the summer," Angela suggested, bracing herself for the response.
"What!"
"No..."
"LISTEN! This is the only way for him to get away and it's totally safe. He has three months left of holiday. I'll take him to the safest place I know– he has to have time to rest and then start his training,"
"What training?" Mrs. Weasley asked.
"Training for facing Voldemort. Harry has to face him – it's his destiny. You heard him mention the prophecy – that's it. He has to kill Voldemort or be killed by him. I don't like anymore than the rest of you and as much as I want to I can't hide him away from the world. He is going to face the bastard – Harry is much too GOOD not to. I would rather he be prepared for that eventuality rather than just lucky. And I know his friends will want to go with him – I think that Harry should first spend a month with Remus, Grandfather and I. And then Ginny, Hermione and Ron can come over for the next two months and train with him," Angela explained. Seeing Molly start to argue with her, "Molly I know you are a great mom and you don't want any of your kids, including Harry, to get hurt. But can you honestly tell me that when Harry goes to fight Voldemort that they won't be there right by his side – no matter if you forbid them or not!!! What will that do to Harry if the only mother-figure he has ever trusted takes her own children away from him? I'm not saying we let them start the fights or fight randomly, but given their history over the past four or five years I think we should prepare them the best we can."
Some looked at her like she was crazy and others were slowly agreeing with her. "Right now I think we just need to concentrate on Harry. See what he wants and the rest of the world be damned!" Remus said emphatically.
"Totally. Harry needs all of us right now, but in small doses. IF we all are crowding around him when he wakes up it could be overwhelming and he'll just retreat all over again. Just let Harry know that you love him and treat him with respect and kindness. No more keeping stuff from him or lying to him," Angela stated.
"But Angela, he is only fifteen. I really don't think we should tell him everything. There are some things fifteen year olds should not know," Minerva held.
"Yes. But those are normal fifteen year olds, not Harry. As much as he wants to be normal – he knows he's not. We need to treat Harry like a fifteen year old who has seen more violence and death than your average fifty year old. A boy who has never had parents, who has just learned that he has to kill the most evil dark wizard since Grindlewald and has seen his one and only father-figure killed in front of him."
"So what do you suggest dear," Molly asked
"I'm not an expert and I don't know Harry all that well, but I did know his parents and I have gone through some of these same experiences. We have to ask him what he wants to do. Tell him what's going on and keep him involved somehow. But also tell him how we feel and not let him make any decisions that are too big for him to handle. He has too much guilt already. But really we just need to treat him like an adult and let him make informed decisions." With that Angela sat down next to her grandparents and fell asleep. The other adults just looked at each other and were lost in their own thoughts.
^*^*^**^*^*^*^
"Well that was interesting," Ron said after the adults left.
"I bet Angela is yelling at them," Hermione said. Ginny smiled as she moved towards Harry. She sat on the bed by his side.
"I don't know about you but I'm tired. That took a lot of energy," Ron said as he and Mione sat in chairs next to Harry's bed.
"Me to," Gin yawned, "I'm gonna close my eyes for a few minutes, k?" Ginny laid down next to Harry, a position she had gotten used to, but only if she wouldn't get caught by her mum or McGonagall.
"Harry, bro I hope you wake up soon. There are a lot of people who really need you," Ron said as he looked at his best friend and slowly fell asleep.
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*
An Hour Later...
Harry felt as though he had been in a fog for the past... who knows how long. When Angela had come into his head he had freaked out. But he immediately sensed that this was a different type of incursion. Angela hadn't seen anything or forced anything upon him – she just talked. About her. About his friends. And then he had felt his friends – the only people who had ever been his family. He had heard their words and their true feelings. When he choose to walk into the light he felt an odd sense of peace and an intense strength seep into his soul. He knew that he had made the right decision. That together with his friends he would be able to face whatever came his way.
After passing through the light he felt very tired – like he had just taken his OWLS and NEWTS while running a marathon. As his mind slowly regained consciousness he wasn't sure what to expect – but at least he knew that only his three most trusted friends would be there when he woke up.
Harry blinked a couple of times and tried to move, but found that something was on top of him. Looking down he saw a pile of auburn red hair sprayed across his chest. Ginny. He smiled wondering how she had gotten away with lying next to him – in a bed. He turned his head and was greeted by another redhead staring back at him.
"She's been sleeping like that since we brought you here," Ron explained looking at his little sister. "She still loves you, you know. She never left your side – it was like trying to please a hippogriff to get her to leave the hospital wing!" Ron exclaimed looking at his best friend - who was looking down at Ginny. Harry looked up at Ron and saw tears in his eyes, "I've missed you, ya bloody prat! Don't you dare do that again," Ron said as he gave his friend an enormous hug.
Unfortunately the hug displaced Ginny and both her and Hermione woke up. As Ron and Harry's hug broke, Harry found himself practically tackled by Hermione.
"Hey Herm."
"Ron and Ginny find you practically dead, you've been in a coma for two weeks and it took a psychic telepath to get you to wake up and all you can say is 'hey!'?" Hermione said still hugging Harry. Harry just nodded into her hair not able to trust his voice. Finally she let go and Harry fell back onto the bed.
"Guys? Give us a few okay?" Ginny asked. As the two left, Ginny got up and turned to Harry – who was swinging his legs over the edge of his bed. He always hated being in the hospital.
"First I wanna say welcome back - it's about bloody time. Secondly I want to say that I love you and have always loved you."
"I love you to, Ginny. But, I'm worried."
"Worried about what, Harry?"
"Worried that I won't know what to do or what to say. I've never been in a relationship before. I barely even know what love is, Ginny. How do you know that I'll be a good boyfriend, that I'll even be there for you? I mean emotionally. I'm just so out of it. I've been alone for so long, I'm not sure if I know how to be there for someone else."
"First of all Harry – you do know what love is, you give it everyday. It's the reason you went to the Ministry, it's the reason you taught DA and it's the reason you came back to me. And the fact that you're worried about if you'll be there for me is a good sign. I realize that you don't know about relationships Harry and I realize that your emotions have literally been put through the shredder, but I'm taking this decision away from you. It's now mine. My decision Harry is to love you forever. No matter what you say I know, KNOW, that you have it within you to love and I'm going to prove it to you. We'll take things slow and steady, but whether you like it or not Mr. Potter, I am your girlfriend! And you are never going to be alone again!"
Harry looked at the fierce, determined and loving young woman in front of him. He was torn between laughing at the look on her face and crying because finally someone knew exactly how he felt. So, he did both.
"Harry. I'm sorry I didn't mean to make you upset. I'm sorry," Ginny said coming up to him.
"No it's fine. Ginny I'm fine," Harry said getting out bed and holding her at arms length. "I just needed to cry and to laugh. I think I'll be able to handle the fact that I'm with you. If you realize that I may be a dunce sometimes..."
Ginny laughed and hugged Harry. "I already think you're a dunce Harry – but we'll work on it. Oh by the way – if you ever leave me again like that, without even saying goodbye, so help me you'll think the twins are pussycats!!!"
"If I leave I'll just take you with me," Harry said looking into caramel brown eyes that held the depths of the universe within. As the two teens looked at each other they moved closer until they were so incredibly close. Ginny leaned against the bed, even with her standing and Harry sitting, he was still taller. Amongst all of the hospital beds, get well-cards and gifts and healing potions, the-boy-who-lived and the-girl-he-loved shared their first kiss. A sweet romantic deeply-felt kiss that expressed their feelings better than any mere words could ever do.
"I told you Herm," the two heard Ron say. "You owe me a kiss now!"
"Okay okay. You know… I really did agree with you," Hermione said as they walked into the room.
"Then why did you argue with me?"
"Well I needed some reason to kiss you," Hermione said impishly, as she winked at Ginny. Ginny was laughing hysterically at the look on her brother's face. Harry looked at Ron, at Hermione and then back at Ron and joined in the laughter – although it hurt his ribs to laugh that much.
"Well it's good to see you up. Hope Ginny here didn't tire you out already. We get a chance to talk to you to, you know," Ron teased.
"Oh hush," Ginny shot back. "I think the adults are probably clambering to know something. I'm gonna go tell them that your awake, okay Harry?" Ginny asked looking down at the raven-locked, green-eyed boy holding her hand. He didn't let go. "Harry? What's the matter?" she asked looking at him.
"Harry they're not going to be mad at you, if that's what you're afraid of," Hermione told him.
"Yeah bro. I bet I can even predict the reactions, let's see, who first? Dumbledore will just smile with that all-knowing twinkle in his eyes; McGonagall will beraid you for scaring her, but smile and give Gryffindor a ton of points this year. Mum will tackle and try to suffocate you. Remus… Remus will probably hug you and tell you he doesn't want to lose you to," Ron said smiling. "Bro – they are anything but mad. Just like we're not. You know I'm not one for sappiness Har – but I love you. You're my best friend – you don't get rid of me THAT easy!"
"Hey, I love you to ya know. You're my brother, my best friend – the only friend I have that's not a Weasley. Besides you know that both of us would follow into Hell Harry – even if it is one of your making. Besides you can't leave me alone with him," she said pointing at Ron, "He'll drive me batty by the time I'm 20!"
"Hey. I resent that," Ron cried. His girlfriend just smiled while Ginny just laughed some more.
Harry was just looking at the two people who had always been there for him. Ron and Hermione had been his friends since the beginning and had never asked for anything besides friendship and trust. "I know… I just… I just didn't want anyone else to get hurt, so in my mind I started to believe the lies Voldemort and Malfoy and my Uncle were telling me… and pretty soon I was in my own Hell. Part of me knew you weren't really my friends, but even the part of me that knew you were… didn't want you to get hurt anymore. I didn't want you guys in any danger so that part of me that still believed in friendship decided it was better to be in Hell than to have you guys in danger, so I didn't fight the darkness. Rather I accepted it. My uncle and cousin beating me just added to it. I felt I deserved it – for all of the horrible things I had done. I'm sorry you guys had to see me like that – I didn't think Hedwig would get to you in time. I knew it was over – I knew I was going to hurt you guys, dying and all, but at that moment all I could think of was that finally it was all over," Harry said with his head hung in shame.
"Harry. Look at me, please," Ginny said reaching down and guiding his head up. "None of what has happened has been your fault. Everything , EVERYTHING, is because of Voldemort Harry. It is ALL his fault. You have done nothing but try to stop his evil plans from the start. And as for you choosing to protect us – who do you think you are? I mean it Harry. It's my choice to be your friend. DON'T you dare take that away from me. I would rather be in love with you for a day than to never have been with you for eternity, Harry. It's my choice – you don't have the right or the responsibility to take that away from me," Ginny told him looking into his eyes so he would know she was speaking from the heart.
"Gin is right Harry. We're your friends by choice and by right not because we feel obligated. We love you Harry. And none of this bloody mess is your fault. Voldemort is evil Harry. He has no compassion, no humility and no heart. All of which you do – and those are your greatest traits Harry. It is because of those things, Harry that we are your friends and love you so much," Hermione said with tears in her eyes as she went to hug Harry.
"Yeah mate. Voldemort – yeah I can say his name now – is pure evil. Do you realize that by believing his lies and by letting the darkness take you – you are letting him WIN. The very thing you have been fighting since you were one is the very thing you are allowing him to do. And that is to have power of good. With alive and willing to fight his evil – we ARE safe Harry. But if you give up, who do we have to save us. We'll fight by your side forever Harry – but we don't stand a chance without you," Ron said looking at his best friend with a mixture of pride, love and compassion shining in his eyes.
Harry just looked at the three determined people around him. They were all a far cry from the scared first years they had been a mere five (four) years ago. He knew that nothing short of death would separate them and even that was debatable. "Thanks guys. I'm sorry for being this way… I just don't want to lose you the way I lost… the way I lost Sirius," Harry mumbled, too emotional to clarify his words.
"You won't Harry. That was not your fault – one more tragic death that is all Voldemort's fault. Besides, I promised to never leave, remember? If there's one thing having six brothers taught me – don't break promises!" Ginny told her boyfriend.
"Yeah we won't leave you either. And neither will Sirius or your parents, Harry. They are always with you in your heart," Hermione said hugging her best friend again.
Harry sighed and nodded. "Well I think I've been melancholy enough for one day, don't you? Hey," he said looking around, "Where's Aunt Petunia?"
"Your aunt is fine Harry. She's outside waiting with the others for you to wake up – which apparently you have," Remus said coming in through the door.
"We heard voices. We wanted to make sure you were up to seeing more visitors before they come barging in," Professor McGonagall said with tears apparent in her eyes.
"It is good to see your eyes Harry," his favorite professor said.
"It is good to your face for real," Harry responded voice full of emotion
"I'll just go let the others know that you are awake Mr. Potter," Professor McGonagall said, quietly leaving the ward with one last look at Harry.
"Do you want us to stay Harry?" Ron asked.
"Umm I think I'll be okay. Do you think I could get some actual clothes instead of this hospital gown?" he asked his friends. He felt bad about kicking them out, but he and Remus needed to talk.
"Sure. One last question and then we'll get out of here – Do you wanna talk to Professor Dumbledore or do I keep him out?" Ginny asked.
"I don't know?" Harry said tentatively. He still wasn't sure how he felt about the Headmaster. He had kept so many things from him and yet had always been there in the end.
"Why don't we take it one person at a time and go from there. I know you've been 'asleep' for two weeks but your bound to get tired," Remus said. "You don't have to have to see or talk to anyone you don't want to." Harry agreed with that plan.
"Okay – we'll be outside if you need us," Hermione said ushering two reluctant redheads out the door.
As Harry watched his friends walk out the door, Remus watched him. He looked fine, but long experience had taught him that the Potter family was very good at hiding emotions. "Harry I know that we're not close – not like you and Padfoot were – and that you think I'm just being nice because your James' son, but I love you. Please don't scare me like that again – I don't think this old heart of mine can take it. I don't want to lose you to," Remus said taking a seat next to Harry.
Harry started to laugh, he couldn't help. And the confused expression on Remus' face didn't help him to stop. "That's what Ron predicted you would say. I think Trelawney's lessons are paying off," Harry laughed – a magical sound to Remus' ears. It was a sound seldom heard as of late.
"Well I'm glad I could entertain you," Remus grinned. "And I know you were probably all serious with your friends, but is there anything you want to talk to me about?"
Harry thought about. Remus was his favorite teacher, but he was also Sirius' and his father's best friend. Remus, out of anybody besides Angela, would probably know what he was going through. "I miss Sirius."
"Oh I know you do, Harry. I do to. He was my last best friend ya know. It's hard being the last Marauder," Remus sighed, lost in his memories for a moment.
"Does the pain ever go away, Professor?"
"Call me Remus, or at least Moony. I don't think it goes away, but it does get more manageable. It may take a while but one day you'll be able to remember Sirius and not cry," Remus said looking at the boy who reminded him so much of all of his best friends.
"Whose Angela? Why haven't I ever heard about her before?" Harry asked.
"Angela is a great person Harry. Let me guess – you feel like you trust her and feel that you shouldn't because you just met her? She has that affect on everyone. But you really can trust her – I did and so did the rest of us."
"Moony, I know that Aunt Petunia is probably still my legal guardian, but do think that if I needed to talk to you I could… like I did with Sirius?"
Shocked for a second, "Of course Harry. I'll always be here for you. Whenever – I hope I can be as good of a friend as Sirius was, although I'll never be able to replace him," Remus told Harry and with tears in their eyes they hugged. At that moment both let lose of their tears they held for their lost friend and grieved with each other.
"Harry there is something I need to discuss with you. It actually has to do with where your going to be living; because, you are definitely not going back to…that house again," Remus said with more anger in his voice than he had for Peter. Harry let out a breath of relief – that was the best news he had heard all day. "Actually, Angela wants to take you back with her to her house – in America."