DISCLAIMER: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.

A/N: Sorry it took me so long to update. I have rewritten this chapter a few times, and I still dont like it, I think I can do better, but I know you want an update, and I hope you like it.

Thanks for the reviews everyone.

Chapter 5 The World Held Its Breath

The following morning, Rita released her next story. She hid in the park under Harry's invisibility cloak and watched the whole battle. Her story was riveting, detailing every spell, even including a few pictures, although they were magically edited. If the previous days Quibbler was a sell out, then the next days was insane. The worldwide magical community wanted to know of the battle. The Quibbler was reprinted numerous times to keep up demand. Days later the park's location would become public knowledge and witches and wizards from around the globe would come to see the site of the battle. Some wanted to see the area where their savior attempted to fulfill his destiny while others came to leave flowers and candles to show their support for Harry. The good people in the magical community prayed for Harry's quick recovery. Rita's story showed that Harry had hurt Voldemort and proved that he was not omnipotent. Many witches and wizards showed their support by trying to say Voldemort's name, using it publicly.

At Privet Drive things were hectic. Although a few people didn't like the fact that Ginny had slept next to Harry, none said a thing about it. Everyone banded together to help read all the mail that Harry and the Dursley's were receiving. Everyone except Remus had seemed to forgive the headmaster, or maybe they just decided not to show any hostility towards him, it was hard to tell. The Dursleys were still weary of magic, but ate the delicious food prepared by the elves and Molly just the same. The Ministry was hard at work making the changes to the house as well as helping to finish the warding of the yard and neighborhood including the park to allow for the presence of so many magical folk in close proximity to the muggles. The only person not allowed at the house was Professor Snape. Albus did inform everyone that Severus reported Voldemort was injured, but to what extent was unknown. Bellatrix had taken her master into hiding, not trusting anyone to be near the Dark Lord but herself. Also revealed was that one of the Death Eaters that was killed was a fellow student, Vincent Grabbe. It seems that with the incarceration of their elders, Voldemort had marked the sons. This made everyone uneasy, most especially Molly, who thought the war to be too much for any children, Death Eater children or not.

Everyone did little things to keep busy. Molly of course found some chores for everyone to do but with the house already so clean, and with two house elves present, most everyone was finished by lunch time, so most of the afternoons were spent in and out of Harry's room. Individuals or groups would sit with Harry and just talk to him, or hold his hand, anything to let him know that someone was here for him. The medical personnel would do what they could each morning, and then have to let his body absorb the magic, which took most of the day, so that they could heal all his wounds effectively. The healers estimated that they would have him fully healed after four days, but it would be up to Harry to wake up.

By the end of the week Harry's wounds were healed with only a few minor scars along the side of his throat, rib cage and stomach, although they were very faint. Harry had not awakened yet, and the healers were stumped as to why he hadn't. Rita had stopped by to return Harry's cloak and talk to everyone. She asked and got permission to use some exerts from the letters Harry had written to his friends and family in her next story. The Death Eaters, even without Voldemort or Bellatrix, attempted to attack a few different targets, but half of the attacks failed because the people fought back. They didn't cower as they did in the first war, Harry's words and actions instilling hope where there was fear. During the first war there was no hope, only fear, people scared to stand up for themselves, but they found the strength they needed in Harry.

During the next week, Ginny's nightly visit's continued, and everyone knew but said nothing. Harry reacted very little to stimuli, a twitch at some sounds, usually a familiar voice, or other little things. The most reaction was when his arms would wrap protectively around Ginny at night which the healers thought was a good sign. His subconscious was aware of things and would react to them but Harry just wouldn't wake up. Remus watched over Harry every night. He would be scarce during the day, disappearing for hours, but always showing up to sit with Harry and Ginny while they slept. It was the middle of the week when they first realized something was wrong.

Ginny woke feeling Harry stirring beside her, at first she thought he was waking, and she felt the first real joy in almost two weeks.

'Harry! Oh Harry, please wake up! Remus quick.'

Remus was up and at their side in an instant, the excitement born from the thought that Harry might be awakening died quickly when he saw that Harry was in the throws of pain. Harry began to thrash about as if he was being subjected to the Cruciatus Curse. Soon the fit died down, but then began again. Harry seemed in even more pain, and blood was beginning to trickle from his mouth, he had evidently bit his tongue.

'It looks like the Cruciatus, but how I don't know. Ginny, go wake the healer!'

The healer confirmed Remus' suspicions that it was indeed the Cruciatus Curse. The attack lasted only for about 5 minutes of off and on fits. Dumbledore thought Voldemort was attacking Harry through their connection, cursing him in his dreams, which because of their magical link was as effective as the physical curse. This had never been heard of before, no one had ever been cursed in their dreams as the connection between Harry and Tom had never existed before. Remus pulled Albus to the other side of the room and cast spells to keep their conversation private.

'Ok Albus, what do you know of Lily's family?'

'Alas I am just as lost as you are Remus. I have not been able to trace her blood.'

'That's not good enough!' Remus interrupted. 'I checked the muggle records. Neither of Lily's parents had family with red hair or green eyes, nor could have been veela. I know for certain there was never any veela blood in the Potter line.'

Sighing Albus rubbed his chin, 'Yes I tried what I could as well. All I know for certain is that Lily was adopted, but it seems the trail ends there. Her parents had been obliviated so that they wouldn't remember who gave them the baby.' Seeing Remus's shocked expression, Albus reached and grasped his shoulder, 'When I heard the prophecy, I researched each child and the families to see why these two would be a threat to Tom. When I hit a dead end with Lily, I was certain that Harry would be the one, although Neville has a very interesting bloodline as well, I felt the unknown heritage of Lily was where fate would decide. I believe that Lily had discovered this as well, but I do not know if she took steps to find out herself.'

Albus was about to speak again when he noticed Hermione scowling at them just a few feet away. She could not hear them nor them her, but it was obvious she wanted in on this conversation. With a flick of his wand, Albus included Hermione in the privacy charms.

'Thank you, that's much nicer' she said annoyed. She steadied her self then eyed each of them, working out just how to say what she was thinking. 'I have wanted to talk with you about something and now seems like the perfect time. I didn't want the others to find out if I am wrong. Since Harry saved Dudley last year, Dudley has began to see things a little differently than his parents, so when I asked him about Harry's childhood he was very informative. I have also researched the others, well Ron, Ginny and Neville's childhood to compare to mine and Harry's being raised as muggles.' She began to pace back and forth using her hands to emphasize her points.

'Now Harry's story in the Quibbler was the basis of my research along with the things not mentioned that I learned from Dudley. I believe there are parts of Harry's childhood that he either cannot remember or does not want to remember.' Seeing the raised eyebrows of her professors, she held up a hand and began ticking off fingers for her points of reasoning.

'First thing is that Harry's story jumped around a lot during his early childhood. Sure we can not all recall those memories, but he doesn't seem to recall before five years old. And have you ever noticed that Harry has trouble with common, simple spells, but excels at complex advance magic? From my research I found that most magical children do simple spells growing up. Summoning, banishing, and other charms come as early as one year when the baby wants something extremely bad. I myself summoned my toys at three. Ginny was charming her dolls to play with her at two! The point is Harry should have as well, and I believe he did, but was punished for it.'

Both Albus and Remus had worried looks as the weight of what this may mean began to sink in.

'So you think that Harry has trouble with some spells because subconsciously he thinks he will be punished for doing them?' Remus was pacing now, although unheard of, this could be correct. He had noticed that Harry seemed to have trouble with spells that most magically raised students knew from childhood. It was common knowledge that the Ministry didn't always enforce the underage restriction in homes of all magical families because it was harder to detect who cast which spells in those high magic areas. Muggle areas were much easier to track though, so the reversal squads would have quick repair times.

'I have never had a student whose magic was hindered in this way, maybe a few who lacked inspiration or faith, but I do not know where to begin to help Harry deal with this problem if it truly exists. Do you have any ideas Miss Granger?' Albus was again showing his age as his fear for Harry's well being began to weigh him down.

'I have a few ideas sir, but I think right now I would like to figure out how to help Harry keep Voldemort out of his head first.'

'As do I Miss Granger, as do I.'

Most everyone stayed up with Harry for the rest of the night, lending support the only way they could. Remus, intent to help Harry anyway he could was studying books on occulmency. He was determined to help Harry learn it after Snape's failure last year. Hermione, Ron, Neville and Ginny decided to study as well hoping they could all help keep Voldemort out of Harry's mind.