Slavery chapter 7

The next time Harry awoke, it was dark outside, the room was lit by a few scattered candles. There were quiet voices coming from the end of Harry's bed. Squinting without his glasses on he made out the form of Albus Dumbledore talking to Mrs Weasley.

"Hi." Harry said sleepily. The two adults came over to the bed.

"Harry! Good to see you awake. How are you feeling?"

"uh - a bit achy but I'm ok."

"Do you need another pain potion?" Molly asked, "or something to drink maybe"?

Harry greatfully replied "Some water?"

"I'll be back in a minute." Molly replied and bustled out of the room.

Albus sat down by the bed.

"Did you get everyone out alive professor?"

"There were some ... casualties. But most of the students are safe and recovering from their ordeals at St Mungo's"

"Mary?" Harry asked fearing the worst.

"She's alive Harry. Her parents are with her at the hospital. She expressed her wish not to return to Hogwarts. Her parents have arranged for her to transfer to her local muggle school"

"Thank goodness she's alright." Harry breathed.

"She asked me to pass on her thanks for trying to help her and she asked me if it would be alright for her to write to you sometimes. I told her that you would probably be glad to hear from her."

Harry smiled "That would be nice."

Albus looked critically at Harry's slumped position in bed and began fluffing his pillows.

"Thanks Sir."

"I must say that I did not expect to see you alive when I went to the school." Albus said thoughtfully, smoothing Harry's hair in an almost parental way.

"How did I get out of there?" Harry asked.

"We stormed the castle. And just in time. We found while you receiving the cruciatus curse." Dumbledore's voice shook as he continued "You had no idea what was going on. Remus tried to lift you up, you became extremely distressed so I had to stun you."

"It was you!" Harry said in realisation.

"I'm just glad that we were able to save you."

"Who didn't make it?" Harry asked

"Two of the Hufflepuff first years, Sarah and Liam."

Harry looked down. At that moment Molly came bustling in with a glass of water and some soup.

"I'll have to help you with these Harry, until you regain full use of your limbs."

Harry reddened as molly held the water up to his face and guided a straw that was in it towards Harry's lips. Sensing his discomfort Albus wished them both a goodnight and left.

"I thought you might want something with a bit more nutrition as well as water." Molly said gesturing to the soup. You don't have to eat it all, I just don't want you to go hungry."

Harry smiled around the straw. Being cared for when he had returned with Snape that time had felt awkward, but Harry felt at the moment as though he was wrapped in a warm blanket. For the first time in too long, he felt safe.

-- -- -- -- Next day - -----

Harry was next awoken by Madame Pomfrey casting healing spells on his body. "Morning Potter." She said briskly as she worked.

"Good morning."

"How have you been feeling since you have been here"?

"Not too bad - but I wish I could move a bit more." Poppy waved her wand over Harry

"I think I can remove the spell from your arms, the worst of the damage is repaired there"

"The rest of you will be free to move again in two days. I'll give you strengthening potions and muscle restorative so you be able to walk and so on."

"Thanks"

Poppy smiled. "I'll tell Molly that its ok for you to be moved into a chair if you want or carried downstairs, so long as people are careful." Harry smiled "I imagine you're sick and tired of laying down in here."

Harry nodded

"I'll see you in a couple of days then Potter. If you feel in any way unwell I can be reached at any time, ok?"

"Ok."

Poppy left the room, and Harry practiced flexing his arms and reached across for his glasses. His hands were shaking as he put them on his face, but he was just glad to be able to move again.

Ten minutes passed, and Harry began to feel extremely bored. Someone knocked softly on his door.

"Come in." Harry called, glad for a reprieve from the silence.

"We've set up an armchair in the kitchen downstairs with some pillows and blankets if you'd like to come downstairs." Remus said as he entered

"Definitely. Its so dull up here."

Remus waved his wand over Harry and his pyjamas were replaced with jeans and a t-shirt. Remus then lifted Harry from the bed, and asking him to put his arms sround his neck, lifted Harry from the bed. Harry shivered in the cold air as he was carried downstairs.

The kitchen was occupied by Ron and Hermione doing work at the dining table and Molly arranging the food cupboard. Remus carried Harry over to a comfy looking armchair and placed him on it, Harry leant against the squashy cushions and pillows. He watched as Remus lifted his legs onto a footrest at the end of the armchair, and covered him with a thick duvet.

Harry gave his thanks and looked over at Ron and Hermione who had turned to face him upon his entrance. "Hi." Harry said quietly, deciding to break the ice.

"Hello" They replied

"feeling better now?" Hermione asked

"Yeah." harry replied,

"Game of chess?" Ron asked

"ok. What were you two doing?"

"Mc Gonagall sent all of the students that escaped Hogwarts several assignments, so that we could carry on with the theory parts of our lessons even though Hogwarts was not a school anymore."

"Have I missed a lot?"

"not that much. I'll help you catch up when you're better."

The fire place glowed green and a dark figure stepped out. "Him!" Ron virtually spat.

Professor Snape approached Harry. "Good morning."

"Get away from Harry!" Ron exclaimed, placing himself between Snape and Harry. "You can't hurt him anymore!"

Snape raised an eyebrow.

"Ronald Weasley!" Molly exclaimed. "Professor Snape did his best to protect Harry he has not done him any harm!"

"But-" Ron said

"But nothing." Molly said "you and Hermione are going to go and help me clean the drawing room. Remus I think that we've got another boggart in the cupboard upstairs, could you take care of that."

"Certainly Molly" Remus replied, catching on to the fact Harry needed to be alone with Snape. Hermione followed Molly from the room without complaint, dragging Ron after her by the wrist.

Harry looked at Snape hoping that he would start this conversation.

"I am reliably informed that you are well on the way to recovery."

Harry nodded.

"Good." Snape conjured himself a chair opposite Harry's and the two stared at each other for a few minutes.

"I would like you to know that I am proud of you." Snape said slowly, looking at the wall above Harry's head.

Harry's mouth fell open slightly "You went through hell there, and you acted like a man, not a snivelling youth. What I believed about you before this - ordeal, I now know to be untrue. You are a powerful wizard, with a strong character, and I was prepared to die at your side. I would not like your freedom to be the end of our - association."

"I wouldn't like that either." Harry said quietly.

"I would like you to know that once school starts again you are welcome in my rooms at any time. If you want to talk, or if you are finding the transition of the building being a prison then a school difficult."

"Thank you." Harry said.

"I have also given the matter a lot of thought, and I wondered if you'd like me to teach you to play the piano. I find it most relaxing when I am stressed, and I thought it might hold similar benefits for you."

Harry smiled "My original opinion of you has changed as well. You kept me safe and as comfortable as possible at your own risk. You saved me. I would also like to see you sometimes out of class."

"And the piano?"

"I'd love to" Snape gave Harry an extremely rare smile and moved over to him. He held out his hand.

"Its agreed then." Snape said. Harry shook his hand then hugged him, impulsively.

Snape stiffened, then hugged back briefly.

"I have to go for now. Remember, if you need anything-"

"I'll owl you."

Snape went back over to the fireplace and returned to Hogwarts.