Chapter: Twenty-Two

The series of events that followed would be forever imprinted in Harry's memory as a hazy, unclear time. According to Luna he has fought like a brave knight. Lupin, though weak from lack of food and weary from imprisonment was able to fairly judge and say the same thing.

After Harry and Luna entered the rather small abode of Pettigrew, they were confronted by the rat itself. The way they were greeted was unpleasant- falling through the aged floorboards and landing bottom-first on the concrete floor of the basement- makeshift prison. It was there that Harry had brushed himself up and found himself face-to-face with the wretched Pettigrew. There they engaged in a proper wizards' duel while Luna freed the enslaved Lupin.

On the verge of victory, Harry was struck by a dark, golden yellow beam squarely on his Snorkack bite. The potency of both injuries was too much to bear, and Harry's conscious self succumbed to a black out. At this precise moment, a pair of older wizards, well, one a rather colorful-charactered witch stumbled in on the chaotic scene. The wizard, Arthur Weasley, was able to Stupefy Pettigrew in rat form just seconds before he was about to slip away into the damp, dark shadows of the prison.Arthur proudly placed the useless creature in his cloak pocket, sealed it with an unbreakable charm. There was no freedom to roam free and terrorize for Pettigrew any longer. Those days were over.

The journey back to Hogwarts was still a pressing one- that had not changed. But what had changed was the grim feeling in the hearts of a few. Lupin was alive, though barely, the Lovegood girl was in one piece, as was Harry.

Oh. Harry. How would he turn out?

Tonks stared down at his arm as she steered her broom towards the great towers of the castle. It looked almost bruised, with a yellow tint and hint of black. Madam Pomfrey was always able to mend what seemed impossible. Yes, everything would be mended and righted again.

A firm, comforting grip was placed on his shoulder. For a moment it seemed that he was about to wake. But his eyelids were weighed down with exhaustion.

Harry could feel the presence of many eyes on him as he gradually floated into consciousness.

"No, I really think he's waking this time!" The eager voice was unmistakably Ron Weasley's.

Harry mumbled incoherently, causing the grip to tighten involuntarily on his shoulder.

"What did you say, Harry?"

"I said," his voice cracked as he struggled to speak.

Someone lifted his head and pressed a glass of water to his lips. Harry gladly accepted it.

"Is Remus ok?"

"I'm right here, Harry, thanks to you and Ms. Lovegood."

Harry opened his eyes immediately and had Dumbledore not had his hand placed upon his shoulder, Harry would have flown out of his bed. There was a moment of confusion as Harry surveyed his surroundings. There were many people surrounding him: Dumbledore, some of the Weasleys, Hermione, Luna, and Remus, who looked as if he had aged nearly twenty years with a cane propped up next to his seat. Harry looked to Dumbledore for some explanation.

"St. Mungos," he said.

Harry threw him a confused look.

"You're quite fortunate they were able to save your arm."

Harry looked down at his arm to discover it had been tightly bandaged.

"Which is great seeing as you're going to need it when you play seeker!" Ron declared.

"Seeker...what?"

Dumbledore chuckled, "perhaps, Mr. Weasley, we should save that explanation for another time. I imagine Harry is very tired and his thoughts aren't quite clear."

"Professor?"

As if on cue, everyone in the room began to file out in order. Mrs. Weasley shot him a worried glance, but Mr. Weasley urged her forward. Luna Lovegood stopped to kiss him quickly on the cheek. They both turned scarlet upon realization that the whole room has stopped walking to watch. Someone cleared their throat awkwardly and they began to leave once again.

"Mr. Potter, as you can imagine we have much to discuss. Much. But I can think of a more pressing matter that needs attention." Dumbledore glanced towards Lupin. "And perhaps all will be set right soon."

"Sir?"

"Certainly not to how it was before...well, not that all was well in the first place but-"

"Professor.."

"But nonetheless-"

"Sir?"

"Oh..yes Mr. Potter?"

"I think that I was wrong to expect to forgive you."

"Oh, well it's quite all right, Mr. Potter. I am only a foolish man after all. I was just hoping that yo-"

" Professor, please let me finish."

"Oh?" Dumbledore stopped speaking right away.

" I can only hope," Harry said as he struggled to sit up, "that it's not too late to be forgiven myself."

Dumbledore broke out into the widest smile Harry had ever known him to give.

"Every man deserves to be forgiven for the past."

And with that Dumbledore headed out of the door, leaving Harry to face what he had so desperately fought to free.

A/N: I always finish things I care about. Even if it's ages afterward.

It's been an entire year since I dove into Harry Potter fanfiction. And I suppose I'll write another story as soon as an idea hits me over the head. I can never really say when that will be. But I'll keep writing until I'm satisfied with a final product. (This means I'll be writing for all eternity)