Chapter 12

I entered the house and flew carefully from room to room, making sure I was alone in the building. Though not visible from the outside, the entry hall was a wreck and there was a large, fresh bloodstain on the carpet. Apparently Lucius and Bellatrix had been able to blast their way in there. I continued down to the kitchen on the lowest level, and having found no sign that anyone else was there, transformed back to my human state.

I had not found Moony anywhere on my fly-through so I hoped that meant Hermione had understood my message and gotten help for him; and I especially hoped it meant he was still alive. The cauldron of Wolfsbane Potion I had left in the kitchen for him was also gone, and I hoped that was a good sign that he was being taken care of.

I began a thorough walk-through of the place, collecting anything that any of us had left laying around, including Harry and Moony's wands. I didn't think anyone would be allowed to return here soon, if ever, so this might be our only chance to retrieve our belongings. In the attic I found some photo albums of people I didn't recognize, but in case they might have meaning for Moony or Harry, I brought them along as well and then toted my assembled collection down to the fireplace in the kitchen. I conjured a net to engulf all the various items I had accumulated, grabbed a handful of Floo powder, stepped in the fireplace and declared, "The Burrow!" With a flash of light I was gone, spinning dizzily to my destination. A few moments later, I was deposited coughing into the Weasley's parlor and Harry hurried forward to help me up from my seat on the floor.

He looked at me soberly and told me, "Mr. Weasley says Dumbledore took Moony to St. Mungo's. He was badly hurt, but he's alive. Luckily Hermione was able to figure out your cryptic message." I nodded with relief and shoved my bundle at him.

"I collected anything I thought anyone would want. I'll go to St. Mungo's and see how he's doing," I answered.

He made to stop me, "You should rest. Let one of us..."

But I shook my head, "No. I want to make sure he's all right. I can rest later." I kissed him lightly, "I'll be back when I know something. I may have to wait til morning. He'll be transformed right now so I won't be able to talk to him til then, if he's up to it."

He relented with a grateful smile. He knew he couldn't go himself, so I was certainly his second choice.

I smiled at Draco and moved over to give him another hug. He was standing separately from everyone, and I had little doubt this was an uneasy alliance on all sides. I said quietly in his ear, "Thank you. If no one else appreciates what you've done, at least know that I do." He gave a small smile and hugged me back, gratefully.

After a moment I stepped back to the fireplace and was soon on my way to St. Mungo's. A glance at my watch told me it was after midnight when I touched down in the St. Mungo's fireplace. The reception area was deserted, not surprising at that hour. I moved toward the reception desk and was looking to see if the notebook on the desk showed what room Moony was in when a Healer came charging at me, "What do you think you're doing?"

I stepped back and smiled at her, "Oh, there is someone here. I was wondering about a friend of mine who was brought in earlier this evening, Remus Lupin." She glared at me, "Visiting hours are long over with, young lady. You have no business being here!"

I tried to stay pleasant as I asked, "Well, then if you could just tell me if he's all right and when I might come back to visit later, I'll call it a night."

She looked at me a little warily but replied, "He's out of danger. He's in room 412. Visiting hours begin at 7:00 tomorrow, er...today, I guess it is."

I nodded and turned as if to go, but after she bustled out of sight, I transformed to an owl and headed off for room 412. No one looked twice at owl post and I was unencumbered. Luckily, the door to his room was open when I arrived and I came to rest on the headboard of the bed, where he was curled in wolf form and wrapped in bandages. I didn't know if he could hear me, but I hooted softly, just in case. Then I settled in to sleep and wait.

I got a few curious looks from Healers and hospital personnel during the night, but no one attempted to chase me away, and I was able to rest a little, though I was looking forward to stretching out in a bed and staying there for a very long time when this was all over.

With daylight came Moony's transformation back to human form and, when no one could see, mine as well. I settled in a chair by his bed and took his hand in mine. There was no indication he was aware of my presence but I talked to him anyway, reassuring him that everyone was safe and we were anxious for his speedy recovery. About a half hour later, a Healer came in, apparently on rounds, and was outraged to find me sitting there, well before 7:00 visiting hours were to begin.

"What do you think you're doing?" she demanded.

I didn't look at her, "Visiting...Remus."

"Visiting hours aren't until 7:00! And only immediate family is allowed in here!" she snapped at me. "You must leave at once!"

I turned to look her in the eye and said with steely resolve, "I'm not going anywhere, not until I'm sure he's okay. And I am family...he's my...father." My jaw clenched, hoping she bought the lie, but even if she didn't she was going to have to drag me kicking and screaming from the room.

She turned on her heel and stormed out, "We'll see about this!" Once she left the room, I sealed the door shut and returned my attention to Moony. Suddenly I saw a slight smile trying to tug at his mouth and felt the merest of squeezes on my hand. Quickly I stood and leaned closer, "Hey, you! Don't think I didn't feel that! Why don't you come out and talk to me?" I brushed his hair back from his forehead and kissed his cheek. The smile strengthened a bit and he struggled to open his eyes.

Finally, I saw a sliver of blue peeking out and he stared at me, trying to focus. I smiled warmly at him, "Welcome back!"

Hoarsely, he whispered, "Water?"

I looked around and reached for the pitcher on his bedstand, pouring him a cup. I slipped my arm under his head and shoulders and helped him raise up sufficiently to sip it down. After a few swallows he seemed to have had enough and leaned back, and I lowered him back to the pillow and set the cup down.

He peered anxiously at me, "Harry?"

"He's fine, he's safe," I assured him, taking his hand again. He nodded in understanding, closing his eyes with weariness.

There was suddenly a banging on the door and when I looked there was the Healer with two burly companions, outraged that they could not get into the room. I turned back to him with a grin, and commented, "Your bodyguards have arrived and I'm likely to be tossed out any minute, but I wanted to make sure you were all right before I left. There's a lot to tell you, but I'll fill you in later. For now, just know that everyone is safe. I doubt they'll let Harry come visit you, but I'll try to get back if I can - in one form or another!"

He opened his eyes and nodded, in amusement and understanding, then whispered, "I always enjoy having my...daughter...visit me!" I returned his conspiratorial grin and kissed him on the cheek again. "See ya soon, dad! Rest easy."

His eyes slipped closed and reluctantly I removed the spell from the door and allowed the brute squad to charge in and demand my departure. I sweetly acquiesced and headed down the hall to the fireplace in the lobby and returned to the Burrow.