Chapter 12
The Strength of Pride
Harry was losing his fight to stay conscious, he would slip into darkness every couple of minutes, fighting to open his eyes again, only to be greeted by bouts of nausea and massively blurred vision. He was limited to only being able to see clearly five yards in front of himself and this was only accomplished by a minute of focusing mentally trying to block out the swirls of colour, light and shadow, that made up the distance. Godric had been next to him the first couple of times he had forced himself back to consciousness, but when he had awoken for the fourth time he had no idea where the lion was. He tried to remember what he was doing here, why he was lying in warm puddle of thick liquid, but his conscious mind was working just as ineffectively as his unconscious. His breathing was shallow and spasmodic; his mind felt light and distant, the pain from the large gashes on his arm and chest, both bleeding freely, was nothing more than an ache hardly registering in the mix of erratic visions and bouts of retching. If Harry had been capable of cognitive thought he would have realised he was in shock, and dangerously close to limit of his mental and physical limits.
He saw a black shadow moving across his field of vision from top to centre, hardly capable of seeing at all let alone distinguishing shapes, currently he wasn't even incapable of registering it wasn't something landing, but he was laying on his side. Hope appeared in his mind, this was a rescuer someone from the castle had come for him, they would take him to the infirmary, and he would wake up in a day nothing but a little sore. Then another thought, 'was he dead?' 'Would he get to see Sirrus again?' And 'what about his parents?' 'had a Death Eater finally finished him off?' The black shadow grew slightly larger, but it wasn't right it was too wide and impossibly short; it leapt to the right and appeared to lose width and gain height.
The figure that had been skirting the edge of the paddock, had actually reached half way across one of the long sides. Then seeing the huddled figure on the floor, had deftly leapt over the fence and crouched low checking for signs of a trap, the grass round the bundle was stained red glistening in the afternoon sun.
Harry delirious through blood loss, felt a glimmer as hope as the shadow got larger, attempting to shout, "I'm over here." But the speech that escaped his body was barely more than a soft raspy voice, punctuated with a series of grating coughs, that made him feel like every rib had punctured his lunges and he spat as he felt the coppery taste of blood in the back of his throat. Without the use of any of his muscles however, the heavily blooded spittle, simply ran down the side of his face. The shadowy form grew larger still, finally standing waiting on the edge of Harry's range of vision. When the figure stepped forward again, Harry's heart sank as he saw the black robes and hooded cloak with the ivory mask glinting beneath it.
The tall figure let out an evil laugh. "The famous Harry Potter, how pleased my master will be when he hears of your demise, and that you died in excruciating pain." The voice was familiar, and the Death Eater removed the mask and revealing his face to the young boy. "You and your pathetic friends forced me to spend weeks in Azkaban but the Dark Lord released me, as he did with all his faithful followers, and blessed be further to allow me this revenge."
Harry had given up hope, he had survived death many times before, but had always been able to fight. Currently he was barely able to raise his head, just when he was about to let go of consciousness and submit to the man, someone he vaguely recognised as one of the Death Eaters from the Ministry attack. The just when all hope was lost Harry saw a hint of gold rise slightly from the long grass behind the figure and Harry couldn't help but smile.
"I'm glad you see the amusement in this, this is usually only used for torture, but I doubt you will survive another curse 'Currucccii..." The tall figure had begun the unforgivable curse, but never got to finish.
Godric had known his friend, the funny looking lion had been attacked and lay dying in the middle of the paddock, but Godric was a lion and protecting his territory was pure instinct. He had left his dying friend and patrolled the edge of the paddock marking places where his scent had grown weak. It was on his final return, he had seen the animal try and attack again. It entered his home and was walking to dying lion, he had stalked the animal stealthily and was just five meters behind it when it started making strange bird like noises, human laughter being alien to him. The black bird, as Godric believed it to be, pointed a large talon and started making more funny sounds directed at the dying lion, but it stopped abruptly when Godric finally pounced. Five meters is a short jump for a lion, especially a well fed male, the bird didn't even get chance to turn to face his attacker. The massive lion's claws dug into the flesh of the black creature round the shoulder and down its back and the shear size of the lion forced it to the floor instantly, bones cracking between the weight of Godric and the hard ground. The kill was ended when his enormous jaws closed round the back of the black creatures neck and razor sharp teeth sliced effortless through the spine of the animal leaving blood oozing onto the ground head hanging loosely at an unnatural angle to its body as he ripped his head away taking with it the majority of the black birds neck.
*****
Moody fell backwards through the door, magically pulling the three unconscious bodies behind him. Dumbledore quickly helped clear the door and sealed it behind him. "That's the last of us Albus, well apart from that man, who looked like Sirius. I have no idea who he was, but I'm not the only one who owes him my life. Where did he come from?"
"I am extremely worried Alistair, I do not know who this man is, and Harry Potter did not return, we have to find him immediately."
"I believe I may be of some assistance." Responded a voice from behind them. Several heads turned as Madame Bones, descended the stairs quickly and swept past the students, who where huddled together round in the corners of the entrance hall, Hermione in tears being comforted by Ron, Ginny looking truely murderous.
'I solemnly swear, I am up to no good.' She said and handed the parchment to the Headmaster after tapping it with her wand.
Remus who had just been revived by Alistair, sat upright still confused by his surroundings looking round quickly but practically shouting at the Headmaster, "Where's Harry? Is he hurt?"
"Calm yourself Remus, we will find Harry and ensure his safety." Then examining the map added "I do not know about his health Remus, what is the significance of a flashing dot?" the Headmaster paused but when the werewolf paled badly he continued. "He is currently in the paddock next to Hagrid's hut." The half giant was already out of the door sprinting towards the paddock.
"Is he alone Headmaster?" Remus asked quickly.
"Yes it appears the attack has been prevented." Stated the Headmaster, without the usual sparkle in his eyes. "There are three people I believe are Death Eaters on the lawn. Alistair, they haven't moved for the last minute, I think you may find them incapacitated, Madame Bones, will you accompany him."
"Miss Weasley, would you please go to the dungeons and ask Professor Snape to join us?.. Mr Longbottom, will you do the same with Madam Pomfrey?" The two students had started sprinting as soon as they heard the destination and calculated the where abouts of their targets. Obviously neither student believed these sentences were anything other than orders, and when Harry was concerned neither cared.
Mad Eye Moody and the Ex Head of Magical law enforcement, had only left the entrance hall a few seconds earlier, when Hagrid appeared at the door, blood dripping from three cuts on his face. "'eadmaster we 'ave a problem sir."
"Yes Hagrid?" Replied the old wizard.
"It's 'Arry e's hurt, but I can't get 'im. It's Godric, e's livid, wouldn't let me anywhere near 'im. Looks like a Death Eater tried too, bastards almost 'ad 'is 'ead bitten off, blood everywhere can't tell 'ose is 'ose, but..." The half giant was interrupted.
Ron hearing his friend was hurt, had left Hermione, "I'll get him."
"No Ron!" Cried the hysterical girl. "You'll get killed."
"Shut up!" Snapped Ron at her, so abruptly, Hermione's crying stopped immediately and her face was one of sheer terror. "I said I'll get him." Repeated Ron, this time quite forcefully.
Dumbledore looked from the tall red haired boy, then to the Game Keeper, whose brow furrowed and then replied. "'e just might let 'im, only one Godric would ever let in the paddock part from 'Arry."
"Very well, Mr Weasley, but I implore you to take no risks; if you can not manage, we will find another way."
Ron had already bolted out of the door, closely followed by Hagrid, who overtook him quickly, leading the way to the fence that surrounded the paddock.
"Miss Granger, you will wait here for their return with me." Hermione had already broken down again, and was curled in a ball with her back against the wall sobbing.
It was then Neville returned with Madame Pomfrey, and Ginny with Professor Snape. "Serverus; Alistair and Amelia have gone to apprehended three people from the grounds. I suggest you go and assist them and find them a comfortable place in a secure cell and please relieve them of their wands and any other concealed weapons." The last section of the monolog told the Potions Master, this was not a polite request but an order and he exited through the massive doors without question. "Poppy, I believe you should proceed down our Game Keeper's lodgings a student has been injured and may require your immediate attention." The Matron was already walking briskly to the door after the Headmaster had said injured.
Ron reached the fence to the paddock a few seconds after Hagrid. Hurdled it and seeing Godric rise from his position in the middle of the paddock, he sat on the floor. Almost immediately, Ron felt his heart beating so hard, he could feal it ringing in his ears. The mighty lion approach the boy, its' lower jaw stained red with the blood of the Death Eater, more blood dripped from its chest and covered its paws, making the lion look all the more like a psychotic killer. Where Godric had been sat, Ron could roughly see the crumpled form, that he could only presume was Harry. As Godric approach, he roared with such force, that Ron felt his hair blown flat against his head. Fear welling up inside him, but he forced himself to sit still and tried to remember Harry's lesson about the enormous killer.
Godric was agitated after he had killed the black bird, the big, black haired animal, that smelt of the forest had tried to attack and he had fought him off. Now the animal with red fur was on his land, but he remembered him from before he had not threatened his territory and had roamed with his friend the lion, but he was still upset by the constant invasion. He roared telling the red animal to leave but it remained not moving and vulnerable sat on the floor, he wanted to see his friend the lion.
As Godric approached Ron fought the urge to get up and run, he had to help Harry no matter what, the boy met the lions eyes and pleaded with him 'Please Godric let me get him, we can help him.' silent tears running down his face, the pair remained like this, lion stood firm and boy sat motionless crying and talking softly to the huge animal, until final Godric turned and walked towards the tree trunk lying in the middle of the paddock, Ron rose slowly and followed the lion reached Harry he collapsed on his knees next to his friend.
Harry's breath was so shallow it was almost non existent and a fiery pain swept his body with every breath, he couldn't see at all, he didn't no whether he had his eyes opened or closed but didn't have the strength to move a muscle. He felt his head rise and heard a familiar voice muffled and far away and tried to responded but his body resisted and he coughed the pain was too much and his world went black.
Ron was stunned by the amount of blood, Harry's clothes were soaked, there was pools forming all around him Harry was still alive Ron had heard him cough just moments before then shuddered and his movements stopped the only noise from his sound was the rasping of his short irregular gasps for air. Ron knew he had to get him help and risked Godric's reaction, he moved his arms behind his friends back and his knees and struggled to lift him Harry was dead weight and had grown considerably from the previous year, his feet slipped a little on a pool of blood but regained his footing quickly desperate not to drop Harry, he slowly made his way across the paddock towards two figures he saw near Hagrid's hut all the time expecting Godric to bring him down from behind but the lion stayed watching the red haired animal slowly walking away.
Hagrid watch Ron for what seemed like an eternity slowly carrying the limp figure of his best friend towards himself and Poppy the school matron when the pair finally reached fence he lifted Harry from Ron's arms easily and carried him to the waiting women. After several minutes examining Harry with her wand Poppy quickly closing Harry's wounds, she turned to Hagrid "Can you take him carefully to the infirmary Hagrid, he's lost a lot of blood, I've done what I can here I'll follow you up." Then turning to Ron "Mr Weasley I need you to find Professor Snape, I will need a blood multiplying potion as quickly as he can brew it."
Ron turned and ran, closely followed by the long striding Hagrid who was holding Harry so carefully it looked like he thought he would break, bringing up the rear was Madam Pomfrey having to trot to keep up with the Hagrid's expansive gate. There were gasps of shock as Hagrid strode through the entrance hall. The Headmaster looked grave, "Poppy?" was all he said as the matron walked by.
"It's early but he is strong any longer and it would have been too late."
"Serverus is already in his dungeon he will have the potion for you shortly."
"Every second counts." The matron said shortly and followed Hagrid up the stairs to her infirmary, 'what is it with this boy?' she thought to herself I'm a Medi-Witch not a necromancer.
The friends spent the rest of the day outside the infirmary Ron sitting a little way away from the others still in shock about what he had done and seen, whenever he had faced danger before it had always been with Harry, this was the first time he had done something life threatening on his own, Hermione wasn't talking to him, but at this point he didn't mind he needed to be on his own, feeling a greater understanding for what his best friend seemed to go through every year. Neville sat with Hermione and she talked constantly recounting tales of the trio exploits and how they always scraped through and how much she had enjoyed studying with Harry this year, then cried for a while. Neville was sat with Hermione because Ginny would not sit down, so he sat and did what he did best in his opinion he listened and paid attention agreeing or disagreeing at the right points. Ginny paced up and down the corridor constantly any attempts to approach her, or get her to sit down would be met with a fiery gaze that could of withered a Basilisk she was still fuming, part of it was at Harry for getting himself hurt, part was because she wish she had been with him to help but she, part of it was at the Death Eaters. Mostly it was because she felt useless; she hated the waiting, thinking about 'what ifs'.
It was approaching 23:00 when Professor McGonagall came down the corridor from the Headmasters Office to the hospital wing worry spread all over her face; she entered the Infirmary and spoke with the Medi-Witch for well over five minutes before returning to the corridor outside.
"I know your opinion on the matter and it is duly noted..." looking in particular at Ginny Weasley "but I would like you to return to your Dormitories and you may return in the morning, Mr Potter will not have awoken before that time."
The question they all wanted the answer to was asked by Hermione her eyes still swollen from crying "Will he be alright Professor?"
"At this point we do not know Miss Granger, Harry lost a significant amount of blood and while this alone left him in a grave state it was combined with the fact he was closer to complete magical burnout than anyone of us has ever seen, the only person who knows what actually happened is Harry himself but it is safe to say, whatever he did stretched the limits of his magical power very close to breaking point."
"Now, I believe you should go to bed and try and rest, Mr Potter will be most uncharitable if he awakes, for the second time in a week and finds his friends have damaged the reputation of either his house or his Society." She added forcing a small smile, hoping it succeeded in giving them something positive to think about, that and more confidence than she herself was feeling.
*****
The Strength of Pride
Harry was losing his fight to stay conscious, he would slip into darkness every couple of minutes, fighting to open his eyes again, only to be greeted by bouts of nausea and massively blurred vision. He was limited to only being able to see clearly five yards in front of himself and this was only accomplished by a minute of focusing mentally trying to block out the swirls of colour, light and shadow, that made up the distance. Godric had been next to him the first couple of times he had forced himself back to consciousness, but when he had awoken for the fourth time he had no idea where the lion was. He tried to remember what he was doing here, why he was lying in warm puddle of thick liquid, but his conscious mind was working just as ineffectively as his unconscious. His breathing was shallow and spasmodic; his mind felt light and distant, the pain from the large gashes on his arm and chest, both bleeding freely, was nothing more than an ache hardly registering in the mix of erratic visions and bouts of retching. If Harry had been capable of cognitive thought he would have realised he was in shock, and dangerously close to limit of his mental and physical limits.
He saw a black shadow moving across his field of vision from top to centre, hardly capable of seeing at all let alone distinguishing shapes, currently he wasn't even incapable of registering it wasn't something landing, but he was laying on his side. Hope appeared in his mind, this was a rescuer someone from the castle had come for him, they would take him to the infirmary, and he would wake up in a day nothing but a little sore. Then another thought, 'was he dead?' 'Would he get to see Sirrus again?' And 'what about his parents?' 'had a Death Eater finally finished him off?' The black shadow grew slightly larger, but it wasn't right it was too wide and impossibly short; it leapt to the right and appeared to lose width and gain height.
The figure that had been skirting the edge of the paddock, had actually reached half way across one of the long sides. Then seeing the huddled figure on the floor, had deftly leapt over the fence and crouched low checking for signs of a trap, the grass round the bundle was stained red glistening in the afternoon sun.
Harry delirious through blood loss, felt a glimmer as hope as the shadow got larger, attempting to shout, "I'm over here." But the speech that escaped his body was barely more than a soft raspy voice, punctuated with a series of grating coughs, that made him feel like every rib had punctured his lunges and he spat as he felt the coppery taste of blood in the back of his throat. Without the use of any of his muscles however, the heavily blooded spittle, simply ran down the side of his face. The shadowy form grew larger still, finally standing waiting on the edge of Harry's range of vision. When the figure stepped forward again, Harry's heart sank as he saw the black robes and hooded cloak with the ivory mask glinting beneath it.
The tall figure let out an evil laugh. "The famous Harry Potter, how pleased my master will be when he hears of your demise, and that you died in excruciating pain." The voice was familiar, and the Death Eater removed the mask and revealing his face to the young boy. "You and your pathetic friends forced me to spend weeks in Azkaban but the Dark Lord released me, as he did with all his faithful followers, and blessed be further to allow me this revenge."
Harry had given up hope, he had survived death many times before, but had always been able to fight. Currently he was barely able to raise his head, just when he was about to let go of consciousness and submit to the man, someone he vaguely recognised as one of the Death Eaters from the Ministry attack. The just when all hope was lost Harry saw a hint of gold rise slightly from the long grass behind the figure and Harry couldn't help but smile.
"I'm glad you see the amusement in this, this is usually only used for torture, but I doubt you will survive another curse 'Currucccii..." The tall figure had begun the unforgivable curse, but never got to finish.
Godric had known his friend, the funny looking lion had been attacked and lay dying in the middle of the paddock, but Godric was a lion and protecting his territory was pure instinct. He had left his dying friend and patrolled the edge of the paddock marking places where his scent had grown weak. It was on his final return, he had seen the animal try and attack again. It entered his home and was walking to dying lion, he had stalked the animal stealthily and was just five meters behind it when it started making strange bird like noises, human laughter being alien to him. The black bird, as Godric believed it to be, pointed a large talon and started making more funny sounds directed at the dying lion, but it stopped abruptly when Godric finally pounced. Five meters is a short jump for a lion, especially a well fed male, the bird didn't even get chance to turn to face his attacker. The massive lion's claws dug into the flesh of the black creature round the shoulder and down its back and the shear size of the lion forced it to the floor instantly, bones cracking between the weight of Godric and the hard ground. The kill was ended when his enormous jaws closed round the back of the black creatures neck and razor sharp teeth sliced effortless through the spine of the animal leaving blood oozing onto the ground head hanging loosely at an unnatural angle to its body as he ripped his head away taking with it the majority of the black birds neck.
*****
Moody fell backwards through the door, magically pulling the three unconscious bodies behind him. Dumbledore quickly helped clear the door and sealed it behind him. "That's the last of us Albus, well apart from that man, who looked like Sirius. I have no idea who he was, but I'm not the only one who owes him my life. Where did he come from?"
"I am extremely worried Alistair, I do not know who this man is, and Harry Potter did not return, we have to find him immediately."
"I believe I may be of some assistance." Responded a voice from behind them. Several heads turned as Madame Bones, descended the stairs quickly and swept past the students, who where huddled together round in the corners of the entrance hall, Hermione in tears being comforted by Ron, Ginny looking truely murderous.
'I solemnly swear, I am up to no good.' She said and handed the parchment to the Headmaster after tapping it with her wand.
Remus who had just been revived by Alistair, sat upright still confused by his surroundings looking round quickly but practically shouting at the Headmaster, "Where's Harry? Is he hurt?"
"Calm yourself Remus, we will find Harry and ensure his safety." Then examining the map added "I do not know about his health Remus, what is the significance of a flashing dot?" the Headmaster paused but when the werewolf paled badly he continued. "He is currently in the paddock next to Hagrid's hut." The half giant was already out of the door sprinting towards the paddock.
"Is he alone Headmaster?" Remus asked quickly.
"Yes it appears the attack has been prevented." Stated the Headmaster, without the usual sparkle in his eyes. "There are three people I believe are Death Eaters on the lawn. Alistair, they haven't moved for the last minute, I think you may find them incapacitated, Madame Bones, will you accompany him."
"Miss Weasley, would you please go to the dungeons and ask Professor Snape to join us?.. Mr Longbottom, will you do the same with Madam Pomfrey?" The two students had started sprinting as soon as they heard the destination and calculated the where abouts of their targets. Obviously neither student believed these sentences were anything other than orders, and when Harry was concerned neither cared.
Mad Eye Moody and the Ex Head of Magical law enforcement, had only left the entrance hall a few seconds earlier, when Hagrid appeared at the door, blood dripping from three cuts on his face. "'eadmaster we 'ave a problem sir."
"Yes Hagrid?" Replied the old wizard.
"It's 'Arry e's hurt, but I can't get 'im. It's Godric, e's livid, wouldn't let me anywhere near 'im. Looks like a Death Eater tried too, bastards almost 'ad 'is 'ead bitten off, blood everywhere can't tell 'ose is 'ose, but..." The half giant was interrupted.
Ron hearing his friend was hurt, had left Hermione, "I'll get him."
"No Ron!" Cried the hysterical girl. "You'll get killed."
"Shut up!" Snapped Ron at her, so abruptly, Hermione's crying stopped immediately and her face was one of sheer terror. "I said I'll get him." Repeated Ron, this time quite forcefully.
Dumbledore looked from the tall red haired boy, then to the Game Keeper, whose brow furrowed and then replied. "'e just might let 'im, only one Godric would ever let in the paddock part from 'Arry."
"Very well, Mr Weasley, but I implore you to take no risks; if you can not manage, we will find another way."
Ron had already bolted out of the door, closely followed by Hagrid, who overtook him quickly, leading the way to the fence that surrounded the paddock.
"Miss Granger, you will wait here for their return with me." Hermione had already broken down again, and was curled in a ball with her back against the wall sobbing.
It was then Neville returned with Madame Pomfrey, and Ginny with Professor Snape. "Serverus; Alistair and Amelia have gone to apprehended three people from the grounds. I suggest you go and assist them and find them a comfortable place in a secure cell and please relieve them of their wands and any other concealed weapons." The last section of the monolog told the Potions Master, this was not a polite request but an order and he exited through the massive doors without question. "Poppy, I believe you should proceed down our Game Keeper's lodgings a student has been injured and may require your immediate attention." The Matron was already walking briskly to the door after the Headmaster had said injured.
Ron reached the fence to the paddock a few seconds after Hagrid. Hurdled it and seeing Godric rise from his position in the middle of the paddock, he sat on the floor. Almost immediately, Ron felt his heart beating so hard, he could feal it ringing in his ears. The mighty lion approach the boy, its' lower jaw stained red with the blood of the Death Eater, more blood dripped from its chest and covered its paws, making the lion look all the more like a psychotic killer. Where Godric had been sat, Ron could roughly see the crumpled form, that he could only presume was Harry. As Godric approach, he roared with such force, that Ron felt his hair blown flat against his head. Fear welling up inside him, but he forced himself to sit still and tried to remember Harry's lesson about the enormous killer.
Godric was agitated after he had killed the black bird, the big, black haired animal, that smelt of the forest had tried to attack and he had fought him off. Now the animal with red fur was on his land, but he remembered him from before he had not threatened his territory and had roamed with his friend the lion, but he was still upset by the constant invasion. He roared telling the red animal to leave but it remained not moving and vulnerable sat on the floor, he wanted to see his friend the lion.
As Godric approached Ron fought the urge to get up and run, he had to help Harry no matter what, the boy met the lions eyes and pleaded with him 'Please Godric let me get him, we can help him.' silent tears running down his face, the pair remained like this, lion stood firm and boy sat motionless crying and talking softly to the huge animal, until final Godric turned and walked towards the tree trunk lying in the middle of the paddock, Ron rose slowly and followed the lion reached Harry he collapsed on his knees next to his friend.
Harry's breath was so shallow it was almost non existent and a fiery pain swept his body with every breath, he couldn't see at all, he didn't no whether he had his eyes opened or closed but didn't have the strength to move a muscle. He felt his head rise and heard a familiar voice muffled and far away and tried to responded but his body resisted and he coughed the pain was too much and his world went black.
Ron was stunned by the amount of blood, Harry's clothes were soaked, there was pools forming all around him Harry was still alive Ron had heard him cough just moments before then shuddered and his movements stopped the only noise from his sound was the rasping of his short irregular gasps for air. Ron knew he had to get him help and risked Godric's reaction, he moved his arms behind his friends back and his knees and struggled to lift him Harry was dead weight and had grown considerably from the previous year, his feet slipped a little on a pool of blood but regained his footing quickly desperate not to drop Harry, he slowly made his way across the paddock towards two figures he saw near Hagrid's hut all the time expecting Godric to bring him down from behind but the lion stayed watching the red haired animal slowly walking away.
Hagrid watch Ron for what seemed like an eternity slowly carrying the limp figure of his best friend towards himself and Poppy the school matron when the pair finally reached fence he lifted Harry from Ron's arms easily and carried him to the waiting women. After several minutes examining Harry with her wand Poppy quickly closing Harry's wounds, she turned to Hagrid "Can you take him carefully to the infirmary Hagrid, he's lost a lot of blood, I've done what I can here I'll follow you up." Then turning to Ron "Mr Weasley I need you to find Professor Snape, I will need a blood multiplying potion as quickly as he can brew it."
Ron turned and ran, closely followed by the long striding Hagrid who was holding Harry so carefully it looked like he thought he would break, bringing up the rear was Madam Pomfrey having to trot to keep up with the Hagrid's expansive gate. There were gasps of shock as Hagrid strode through the entrance hall. The Headmaster looked grave, "Poppy?" was all he said as the matron walked by.
"It's early but he is strong any longer and it would have been too late."
"Serverus is already in his dungeon he will have the potion for you shortly."
"Every second counts." The matron said shortly and followed Hagrid up the stairs to her infirmary, 'what is it with this boy?' she thought to herself I'm a Medi-Witch not a necromancer.
The friends spent the rest of the day outside the infirmary Ron sitting a little way away from the others still in shock about what he had done and seen, whenever he had faced danger before it had always been with Harry, this was the first time he had done something life threatening on his own, Hermione wasn't talking to him, but at this point he didn't mind he needed to be on his own, feeling a greater understanding for what his best friend seemed to go through every year. Neville sat with Hermione and she talked constantly recounting tales of the trio exploits and how they always scraped through and how much she had enjoyed studying with Harry this year, then cried for a while. Neville was sat with Hermione because Ginny would not sit down, so he sat and did what he did best in his opinion he listened and paid attention agreeing or disagreeing at the right points. Ginny paced up and down the corridor constantly any attempts to approach her, or get her to sit down would be met with a fiery gaze that could of withered a Basilisk she was still fuming, part of it was at Harry for getting himself hurt, part was because she wish she had been with him to help but she, part of it was at the Death Eaters. Mostly it was because she felt useless; she hated the waiting, thinking about 'what ifs'.
It was approaching 23:00 when Professor McGonagall came down the corridor from the Headmasters Office to the hospital wing worry spread all over her face; she entered the Infirmary and spoke with the Medi-Witch for well over five minutes before returning to the corridor outside.
"I know your opinion on the matter and it is duly noted..." looking in particular at Ginny Weasley "but I would like you to return to your Dormitories and you may return in the morning, Mr Potter will not have awoken before that time."
The question they all wanted the answer to was asked by Hermione her eyes still swollen from crying "Will he be alright Professor?"
"At this point we do not know Miss Granger, Harry lost a significant amount of blood and while this alone left him in a grave state it was combined with the fact he was closer to complete magical burnout than anyone of us has ever seen, the only person who knows what actually happened is Harry himself but it is safe to say, whatever he did stretched the limits of his magical power very close to breaking point."
"Now, I believe you should go to bed and try and rest, Mr Potter will be most uncharitable if he awakes, for the second time in a week and finds his friends have damaged the reputation of either his house or his Society." She added forcing a small smile, hoping it succeeded in giving them something positive to think about, that and more confidence than she herself was feeling.
*****