CHAPTER XXII

Ginny, got up blearily from where the explosion had blasted her into a corner. Everyone was doing the same, scattered across various parts of the room, except Dumbledore, who had of course, remained standing. The scene above her head had disappeared with the explosion.

Harry…

"Harry!" she shouted. She scrambled to her feet and was off sprinting through the doors that had been broken open, even though they were made of metal. When she reached the doors to the grounds she flipped the lock, and tugged them open with some difficulty considering they were huge and solid oak. Behind her, there was the pounding of feet as other students climbed the stairs and followed her to see what had happened. Ginny was completely floored by the scene that met her eyes. The other students and her brothers were stepping outside as well, shocked into silence. The ground was riddled with dead deatheaters and other creatures; it looked like a surreal battlefield out of some huge painting. Off near the forbidden forest, the remaining unicorns paced restlessly. The sky was cloudy and the air was cold. Ginny's eyes scanned across the blood-splattered grass, flinching at every gory detail, until her gaze reached what she was looking for. In the middle of it all stood one figure, torn, bloody, and sagging slightly. He turned, hands hanging limply at his sides and looked at everyone filing out onto the ground. Ginny didn't move, she seemed stuck in one place. He moved to head towards them, stumbled forward onto his knees, coughing. Ron pushed passed her and ran across the grounds, weaving through everything else to his friend and caught him up before he fell over completely.

***

"Thanks," Harry managed, leaning on Ron fully for support.

"You're alive," Ron replied breathlessly.

Harry nodded, he was a complete mess. He was bleeding from gashes everywhere, and his side was scarily caved in slightly, where his abdomen had given up supporting the broken ribs. He was barefoot, shirtless, dirty, and covered in everyone else's blood as well as his own. His hair was slick with grime and his glasses had disappeared somewhere. He was also completely incapable of walking on his own. Ron slung one limp arm over his shoulder and wrapped his free hand around Harry's waist. Harry yelled loudly, and ended his outburst with a fit of coughing. Ron lifted his hand quickly; irked because his hand had sunk in when he had put pressure on Harry's side.

"Bugger, Harry what the hell did you do?" he asked incredulously, eyeing the injured side.

"Something very stupid," said Harry, clearing his torn throat.

"Like what?" Ron asked in amazement.

"Stood in front of a Killing Curse."

Ron almost dropped his friend.

Harry saw the look.

"She was in danger alright?" he said defensively, tasting blood. He spat some out.

Ron shook his head, not quite believing his ears and began to help him forward, seeing Hermione and Ginny sprinting towards them a stretcher trailing complacently behind them. He lifted his hand slightly to tell them to be careful when the neared.

"I doubt he's got a solid bone left," he told them.

The mix of emotions on their faces was unexplainable.

"Oh Harry you look terrible!" Hermione exclaimed, eyes teary.

"Thanks," Harry said sarcastically.

"Or course he looks terrible!" exclaimed Ron, "He took a bloody killing curse that was aimed at Ginny!"

The two girls stared in astonishment. Ginny felt a wave of guilt, she hadn't realized.

"Can we leave it 'till later?" Harry asked. He was breathing heavily, and finally he stopped and collapsed completely.

"Shit," Ron said, trying to support him.

Hermione waved her wand quickly and levitated him onto the stretcher. At that point half the staff had made it to where they stood and had immediately taken charge of the situation. Harry was whisked away to the hospital wing and Ron, Ginny and Hermione followed. The aurors turned into a sort of clean up crew and began clearing the dead off the grounds. Students were ushered back inside, many of them white-faced and nauseous from all the blood. Everyone was wondering what had happened, but questions would have to wait until Harry was awake once again.

***

Several days later, Hogwarts was bustling with work. Builders from the ministry were working on repair work and Saint Mungo's healers scurried around the hospital wing, which had been magically enlarged to accommodate all the injured. Mr. And Mrs. Weasley had returned to the Burrow, but the Weasley brothers had all decided to remain a little longer and help until Harry woke. Ginny refused to leave his bedside, eating and sleeping only when she was forced. Madam Pomfrey had examined him thoroughly head to toe and declared it was a miracle he had survived. Four broken ribs, internal bleeding from them going untended for so long, considerable muscle and tissue damage all over his body, a fractured femur, strained spinal column and several nasty cuts all over his torso, and those were only the serious injuries.

"Its as if he walked straight through a tornado full of flying heavy objects and shards of glass," she'd told them exasperatedly.

"That may not be very far from the truth," Dumbledore had murmured, his eyes twinkling.

"He doesn't seem to have eaten for about five days, he's completely dehydrated, I cannot even begin to understand where he found enough magic to perform that spell," she said indignantly, as though saying Harry had no right to be able to accomplish such a feat considering his condition. "And what's more," she continued loudly, "I'm told he survived yet another killing curse. It drained all of his magic, and it's responsible for almost all his injuries. He received only two of the serious ones in the actual battle!" she said, glaring at Dumbledore as though it was his fault. "He's been carrying these injuries around for goodness knows how long! Does anyone know how difficult to heal this makes everything?" she'd wanted to know angrily.

Hermione, Ron and Ginny had only smiled, feeling glad that he was alive regardless.

Ginny watched Harry sleep; munching a sandwich that Hermione had brought her. He'd been out for a week. She was impatient to hear the sound of his voice again.

"Ginny?"

Ginny nearly fell out of her seat; she had not heard anyone come in. She turned. It was Bill.

"Good grief Bill you nearly gave me a heart attack," she said panting.

Bill came over and smoothed her hair, smiling.

"Your jumpy and exhausted Gin," he said looking at her red-rimmed eyes. "Why don't you go try and get some rest?"

Ginny shook her head stubbornly.

"No," she said, "I want to be here when…" A yawn interrupted what she was saying, and she swayed slightly.

Bill chuckled.

"See?" he said, "You're only proving my point, now off with you."

Ginny grumbled but stopped arguing. She got up and looked back at Harry.

Bill pushed her gently in the direction of the door.

"Go on," he said. She left, and he followed her, pausing before he closed the door.

"There you go mate, some peace and quiet," he said to Harry's sleeping form.

He closed the door quietly.

"Poor bloke."

***

Harry woke up feeling very stiff, and all he could see was white. His first thought was that he'd gone blind, but when he turned his head he realized it was only the hospital wing, except about two times larger. He looked around, seeing that the room was empty except for one or two sleeping patients. Harry sat up painfully. Someone had changed him into white cotton hospital pants, and a white button up shirt that was left open owing to the huge bandage that wrapped completely around his torso, beginning at the top of his ribcage, down past his belly button. Harry swung his bare feet over the edge of the bed very slowly and gingerly lowered them to the ground, flinching when the touched the cold tile floor. He really wanted to see his friends, and most of all Ginny. He wanted to talk to her, and he figured there wasn't a part of his body that didn't already hurt so he didn't need to worry about injuring himself any more. The only obstacle appeared to standing up. After several tries, Harry was beginning to think he'd have to give up and lie back down, but on the fifth try he made it, gripping the headboard of the bed for balance. With lots of effort he managed to then get himself out the door, but once he had loosened up a bit, walking wasn't so hard. His muscled had been cramped in one position before, but now there was only the pain of everything else. Judging by the light in the windows, it was morning, so Harry made his way slowly towards the great hall, thinking either everyone would be at breakfast, or he could get something to eat himself.

***

Ginny, reached the hospital wing feeling much better after having slept. She opened the door; letting herself in, and heading for Harry's bedside. When she saw the vacant sheets her mind filled with terrible visions of him being, kidnapped and killed for real this time and how she would have to relive all the feelings. As the terrible thoughts swirled through her head she rushed out of the hospital wing, checking any open door as she hurried around, looking for any sign of him. When she reached the great hall she poked her head through the door, and saw a figure standing in the middle of the large room. It was Harry, clad in hospital clothing, looking up at the clouds drifting lazily across the ceiling.

"Harry!" she said loudly. He turned, looking at the source of the voice, and a huge smile split his face. Ginny ran to him, ready to jump on him, when she remembered his fragile state. She stopped abruptly a foot away from him, looking hesitant. Harry, still smiling, stepped forward carefully and put his arms around her. Ginny couldn't help herself: she began to cry. She sobbed her heart out, harder than she had any time in the past month, tears soaking through the thin cotton of his shirt and onto his skin.

***

Harry rested his head on hers and inhaled the flowery scent in her hair, and help her close, ignoring any pain.

"Hey," he said, laughing slightly. "Shh, it's okay, I'm not going anywhere," he told her.

Ginny looked up at him, sniffling, tears still rolling down her cheeks every now and then.

"You damn well better not," she said, her voice thick.

Harry examined her face, trailing his thumb over her cheeks softly.

"Can I kiss you?" he asked almost inaudibly.

Ginny nodded and leaned in as he bent down, his lips meeting hers ever-so softly. She sighed. Harry heard it, and smiled. His eyes traveled to her throat.

"You've still got the talisman," he said, delighted.

Ginny realized he was talking about the little blue stone. She nodded.

"It didn't work though," she told him, "It took me all the way out near London a while from this old lady's house."

Harry looked concerned.

"Oh, I'm so sorry It probably wasn't meant for two people," he said, mumbling on about being so sorry that she'd had even more to deal with, and how it must have sent them awry which is why they ended up in two different places. Ginny interrupted him.

"Wait what are you talking about?" she asked. "Snape and Malfoy saw your body, you were in Azkaban. Everyone thought you were dead," she said, looking upset.

Harry hugged her closer, hoping she wasn't going to cry again.

"Nah that wasn't me," he said. "I conjured a body and left with you, but it looks like the talisman wasn't meant for two people."

Ginny stared up at him, mouth slightly open.

"But…" she said

Harry silenced her with another kiss, this time a more passionate one. His hands cupped her face gently, thumbs stroking her cheeks. Ginny smiled against his lips. Maybe things were looking up.

***

Ron and Hermione skidded into the great hall panting. They had just been to the hospital wing to find Harry missing. Ron sighed in relief when he saw Harry and Ginny in the middle of the room…his mind backtracked immediately.

"What the…" he said loudly.

Hermione clapped a hand over his mouth and shushed him, then grabbed his arm with her other hand and dragged him back out of the room.

"Hermione wait I want to…"

"Let's leave them alone for a few minutes, why don't we?" she told him firmly, dragging him in the opposite direction.

Ron looked at her indignantly, pointing at the great hall.

"But they're k…"

"Yea, they are," said Hermione loudly. "Is there a problem?"

She planted her hands on her hips and stared at him tight lipped. Ron contemplated his answer.

"No but…"

"Good!" Hermione said and grabbed his arm again, dragging him farther away.

When she had successfully gotten him all the way onto the grounds she stopped. Ron removed his wrist from her hand, scowling and rubbing it.

"Jeez Hermione you didn't have to drag all the way to bloody nowhere."

Hermione glared at him.

"Of course I did, Harry hasn't been up longer than half an hour and your already ready to go hounding after him about your little sister!"

Ron looked hurt.

"I was only trying to see if he was okay," he said. "Ginny was hugging him right around the middle, last time I touched him there he practically fainted so excuse me," he said indignantly, "for wanting to help!"

Hermione looked at him suspiciously.

"And I wasn't about to go off about him dating my little sister, I got enough hell for not telling him when you and I started dating."

He whirled a marched back into Hogwarts.

"Wait what about us?" Hermione called after him, hurrying to keep up.

Ron shook his head. Hermione growled in frustration. They entered the great hall again to find Ginny supporting Harry, who was half lying on the floor. She had a cup of water to his lips, but looked up when she heard pounding feet.

"He's alright he just shouldn't have been out of bed," she told them when they came over looking concerned.

Harry waved a hand weakly.

"I collapsed on Ginny, it's a miracle that ankle of hers didn't break again."

Hermione knelt, taking his pulse professionally.

"Harry you havn't had a square meal since before Azkaban, your about fifteen pounds underweight I doubt Ginny is hurt at all," she said.

"She was there too!" he protested.

Hermione tutted and made sure his bandage was secure. At that moment Madam Pomfrey, Remus Lupin and Dumbledore came hurrying in. When Madam Pomfrey saw him she went berserk, ranting on about how sick patients shouldn't be allowed to leave the hospital wing, much less be crowded by students all the time and why was Mr. Potter lying on the ground? And did anyone think to give him something to eat or drink? The three students barely had time to explain before Harry was whisked back to the hospital wing, the hospital matron muttering furiously to herself, heels clicking quickly across the floor as she followed the stretcher. Dumbledore and Lupin remained, smiling slightly.

"He came out on his own I promise!" Ginny explained.

Lupin patted her back.

"We believe you," he said quietly.

"And where have you been all year?" Hermione asked indignantly. "We havn't had a word from you since last year!"

Lupin smiled mysteriously.

"I've been busy," he said.

Hermione planted one hand firmly on her hip and cocked an eyebrow skeptically. Lupin pretended not to notice. Ron slipped his hand around his nosy girlfriend and whispered something in her ear about going back to the common room. Hermione blushed furiously, but went, Ron leading her. Just before the exited, Ron turned and winked and everyone and then grinned.

"He is so bad," Ginny whispered to the two men next to her.

They chuckled.

"Why don't you go eat some breakfast Ms. Weasley? Now that Harry is awake I'm sure everyone will be wanting some explanations."

***

That evening at dinner, everyone sat around gossiping, now that the news that Harry was awake had spread. Ginny was quietly consuming her second bowl of lentil soup and listening idly to the chatter. One of the huge doors that led to the great hall creaked open slowly. Ginny looked up eagerly. It was Harry looking tired, but clean and dressed in a loose red polo shirt and jeans. He may be underweight, but he sure is still attractive, thought Ginny, admiring his dark toned arms. He was walking with the aid of Lupin, who was gripping him under the arms with one hand and was holding Harry's arm slung over his shoulder with the other. Not many students looked up when the door opened, but those that did spread the word quickly, and everyone else looked up eagerly, especially those who had not gotten a very clear view of him after the battle. Harry had a small half-smile on his lips, and he looked relieved to be out of the hospital wing. Lupin was helping him slowly to the Gryffindor table, speaking to him quietly and smiling because the Gryffindors were smiling. Harry grinned and waved weakly at them. This seemed to prompt all of them because one by one, they all began to clap and then cheer, and in several moments the entire school, except for many of the Slytherins had followed them. The hall rang with applause, and Harry blushed deeply, looking at the floor and biting his lip. Several girls around Ginny sighed heavily and started giggling. She felt a stab of irritation, which she suppressed. When Lupin reached the bench she, Ron, and Hermione were sitting on, Ginny scooted over to leave a space between her and Ron. Harry eased himself slowly into the seat and reached for his plate, but Hermione was already serving him a little bit of everything.

"Thanks," Harry began. Hermione waved the mashed potatoes spoon at him and told him to eat up. Ron chuckled and slipped his arm around his girlfriend. Dinner was chaos at the Gryffindor table, everyone clamoring to hear how he'd defeated an entire dark army and everyone trying to get their word in. Harry managed to answer everyone meanwhile completely avoiding giving out any real information about the situation. Ginny was silently impressed. Hermione had assumed the role of Harry's manager, and would shoot glares at anyone who's question was too daring or would interrupt when things got too noisy.

"Thank you," Harry mouthed to her fervently when no one was looking.

Hermione mimed strangling Parvarti Patil behind her back, who had been swooning over Harry all night. They both started laughing, Harry clutching his side painfully. He was also confused though. Ron and Hermione seemed to be trying extra hard to please him tonight, but they looked as though they were hiding something; they kept shooting secretive glances at each other and smiling. Ginny too seemed in on it, although she was more discrete. Harry shook his head, thinking it was probably just them being in a good mood. He was about to find out.

There was the cling of Dumbledore tapping his glass for attention, and the hall went gradually silent. When he had everyone's attention, Dumbledore stood up.

"Thank you for your attention," he said to everyone. "I have several things to say, some good and some bad," he began. "For the sake of the mood I will begin with the good. As most of you undoubtedly know, we are pleased to welcome back Mr. Harry Potter from his recent escapades." Dumbledore smiled as everyone applauded again. Ron and Hermione grinned at each other.

"What?" asked Harry, but the only shook their heads.

"You'll see," whispered Ginny.

"I would also like to say that the Ministry of Magic has recently registered three more animagi. And not just regular animagi, but magical animagi."

Everyone quieted, listening interestedly. Harry stared at his friends

"We would like to congratulate Ms. Ginny Weasley, Mr. Ron Weasley, and Ms Hermione Granger on this achievement. They were working on it along with Mr. Potter, whom you have all already seen in one of his forms."

Everyone nodded fervently, remembering the night of the Yule Ball. Harry looked at his feet.

"You guys took the potions?" he whispered to them.

Hermione nodded happily.

"We did it while you were gone. They're not supposed to be left when they're ready, so we had to. I put a time-stopping charm on Ginny's when you had both disappeared though, so hers didn't go bad." She whispered back.

Harry was pleased for his friends. Dumbledore's face turned grave, and the mood changed slightly.

"As most of you already know, the damage to Hogwarts during the recent events, and the fatalities or casualties as well have been considerable,"

Several people sniffled around the room.

"Many parents have already made the decision to remove their children from Hogwarts for as long as necessary. It is my duty, though I regret it, to inform you all that although it has only been a week and a half since the beginning of the new term, Hogwarts will be shutting down. The news of Harry Potter's survival will have undoubtedly reached other ears besides our own…" everyone knew who he was talking about, "…and the school advisors and I have determined the risk to great to run. It is for this reason that until further notice, the activity at Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardy has been suspended. Please extend my deepest apologies to your families, and know that I hope very much to reopen the school within six months time. You may contact any of the teachers in this school for private, or perhaps group tutoring. Also all seventh years who wish to take their Newts on time, the ministry is providing a special course that will take up where we have left off. Portkeys will be made to return you all to you homes during the next two days. Thank you."

Dumbledore stepped down, looking sad. Harry looked at his friends. He was disappointed that Hogwarts was shutting down, and more than a little sorry for all the other students who were right in the middle of their studies. He couldn't help but think…

"Harry Potter I know that look on your face," Hermione interrupted his thoughts tersely. Ron and Ginny looked on with a similar expression.

"What?" asked Harry defensively.

"You're blaming yourself. Well, don't even think about it."

Harry frowned and looked away. He didn't want to talk about it.

"Harry stop…" Ginny began, but Harry interrupted her.

"I don't want to talk about it okay?" he asked, looking at all three of them. He got up and walked from the room as quickly as he could, needing some time to himself. He knew he wasn't the only one suffering, everyone seemed to have forgotten about Ginny's kidnapping, and that at least, he knew he could blame himself for. If he hadn't alienated her completely, if he'd been there for her, if he hadn't been such a complete idiot then he would have been the one walking beside her the night the deatheaters came to try and take her away. He would have held them off, Harry thought defiantly.

Several hours later, Harry found himself sitting moodily in Dumbledore's office with Ron, Hermione and Ginny and Lupin sitting around in various chairs. He had discovered the others had already heard Ginny's account of what had happened to her in Azkaban and they wanted to hear his story as well.

"I am particularly interested," Dumbledore told him, "In how you found Ms. Weasley once you were in Azkaban. I know personally that it is no easy place to find one's way through."

"I had a focus," Harry told the room.

Dumbledore raised his white eyebrows.

"Something of Ms. Weasley's?" he asked.

"Wait you had something of mine?" asked Ginny in surprise. "But I never gave you anything, where'd you get it from?"

Harry shrugged.

"Yes that's something of a mystery in itself," he said to her.

"I don't exactly know how I got it. One minute I was wondering how on earth I was going to find you and the next there was this necklace, jingling in my pocket."

Dumbledore looked intrigued.

"How peculiar," Hermione murmured.

"I've heard of clothing that can be charmed to retrieve lost or stolen items," Remus put in. "The charm is woven into the pockets."

"A necklace?" Ginny asked breathlessly. She looked hopeful. "What did it look like? Do you have it?"

Harry reached up a unclasped the small silver chain from around his neck, where he had put it for safe keeping. He held the necklace out to Ginny. She looked extremely relieved.

"I thought I'd lost this. I was so disappointed," she said. "Mum and Dad gave it to me, it's the only really nice jewelry I own."

She fastened it around her own neck smiling happily. Harry's mood lightened slightly.

"Anyway," said Harry, "That's how I found her, and then I went off looking, because the spell I used allowed me a brief look into the present. I saw Voldemort's plans towards me."

Dumbledore nodded wisely.

"A truly ingenious potion," he said.

Harry shrugged.

"Wait…where is Draco Malfoy?"

"Being held at the ministry until his trial, why?" Dumbledore looked interested to know.

Harry straightened in alarm.

"What? Why?" he asked.

Ron stared at him as though he'd gone mad.

"Harry you prat he's a criminal!" he said in surprise.

Harry spun and pointed at Ron.

"No, he's not, he's a bastard but he's not a criminal. Gosh I hadn't even thought about it!" Harry added to himself.

"He's not a criminal! He practically saved my life! He created a diversion so I could get to Ginny, and at on his own damn head as well," Harry said quickly.

He looked at Dumbledore.

"Professor you've got to warn the ministry, the deatheaters will be out for his blood! He was the prime reason why I got away, tell them I'll bear witness, that's got to count for something."

"Bugger Harry you're acting like you're about to become best friends with the wanker," Ron said ungraciously.

"Will you stop Ron?" Hermione asked him. "Give the boy some credit, he may be a complete git but if he helped Harry that's got to count for something. At least he's got some good in him."

Ron glared but did not answer.

Meanwhile, Dumbledore had moved to the fireplace and was conversing silently with a ministry official. The couple stopped fighting in time to hear a bit of the conversation.

"Yes Mr. Potter is prepared to bear witness in court," Dumbledore said quietly.

"Alright but…what? Harry Potter did you say? Well of course, whatever you ask Mr. Dumbledore… Harry Potter, at the Malfoy trial of all things…"

Hermione rolled her eyes and grinned at Harry. He poked his tongue out at her, feeling pleased that he could be so carefree. And then he remember something, something he had not had a chance to think about, because he had only woken up a day and a half ago.

"Bugger! …" He trailed off. Harry concentrated, not knowing whether he should be doing any serious magic in his condition. Ignoring that caution he balled up his magic inside him, and then threw it out like a net over the Hogwarts grounds.

White…White? White are you there?

I am here, heir of Merlin.

Why do you call me that?

It is what you are, is it not?

Well yea but…

What do you seek, Harry Potter?

I wanted to thank you, for all your help…you and your clan.

It is our natures to help those who are in need…

White?

Yes?

Shut up and accept the thank you.

…

I'm leaving tomorrow.

I know. I have foreseen it.

Come visit me sometime at Privet Drive. I'll give you some carrots.

How amusing, but you will not be with your relatives.

How do you…

It is not my place to say, the wolf man will tell you. Go now, your friends are calling you.

But will you come?

Perhaps…

White?

…

White?

"Harry?"

…

Ron grabbed his shoulder, shaking gently.

"Earth to Harry…Hello?"

Harry looked up abruptly.

"Wha…?" he voiced confusedly.

"We lost you for a second," put in Ginny.

Harry shook his head.

"Sorry…I was talking to…"

"To Dryhten, lord of the unicorns no less," said Dumbledore in surprise.

"Hang on, what's this about unicorns?" Ron asked, confused.

"I'd like to know that myself," put in Lupin.

"And I," said Dumbledore.

"He found me," Harry told them. "Found me and saved my life when I couldn't walk on my own."

He sighed.

"I was thanking him," he said vaguely, and then looked up at Remus.

"What's this about me not staying at the Dursley's?" he asked curiously.

Remus looked astonished.

"How did you…?"

"I believe we can thank Dryhten or 'White' as Harry affectionately calls him for that."

"Oh yes, affectionate, because he's certainly a loveable character," Harry muttered sarcastically. "So?" he reminded Lupin.

Lupin scratched his head.

"Yes well, you see Harry you're seventeen now," he said.

Harry nodded, as though to a small child. He was only joking though.

"The protection on the Dursley's house is somewhat lessened now that you are magically an adult, able to take care of yourself. Albus and I think it's best if you stay at…well somewhere else. Somewhere that Voldemort will never think to look."

Harry filled with dread. Ron, Hermione and Ginny all looked worried as well.

"It's not Grimmauld Place is it?" he asked desperately. Having to live with Sirius's memory hovering over his head terrified him.

"No no," Remus said. "It's a bit of a surprise."

Harry blew out a huge sigh of relief. Then he began to feel happy.

"So it's not the Dursley's and it's not Grimmauld Place," he said. "Can't be terrible then."

Lupin smiled genuinely.

"No, no it can't."