The-Boy-Who-Lived-Again…
Epilogue
Ron, Hermione and Ginny approached the door to Saint Mungo's. It was pouring down rain and just above freezing. Overall, the weather just couldn't be any worse. Yet strangely enough, the weather was perfect for the occasion.
Remus had discovered Harry in the pottery shack after the battle a week ago, and all they were told was he was being treated in St. Mungo's. The entire Order of the Phoenix except Tonks and Mad-Eye Moody had visited him yesterday. (Tonks and Mad-Eye passed away in Diagon Alley.) They had returned in such a gloomy mood nobody asked them a word about it.
Ron and Ginny had to Argue for hours before Mrs. Weasley would agree to let them go. Of all people, Snape was the one who convinced their mother to agree.
They walked quietly together up to the front desk. Ron spoke up.
"We're here to see Harry. He's in-" Ron said.
"Ron Weasley?" The lady at the desk asked.
"Yes, that's me." Ron replied.
"Follow me please." The lady said.
The lady lead them through winding corridors and up different staircases. When they arrived, they instantly knew where they were. It was the room for hopeless cases. The room with Neville's parents and Gilderoy Lockhart.
Silent tears ran down Ginny's face as they walked in. Harry was sitting in a padded area all to himself wearing a straitjacket. His eyes were open but he seemed to be taking in no recognition of the surrounding area.
"Harry?" Hermione called.
Harry didn't move. Ginny walked over to sit next to him.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you." A voice told them from the other side of the room.
Ginny and the others turned. It was a nurse who spoke.
"He's earned that straitjacket of his. And in all my thirty-five years, I have never seen someone as messed up as he is." The nurse told them.
She was a fairly old lady. Probably in her early 60's. She had a fairly fresh bandage across her neck.
"He has the worst case of schizophrenia I have ever seen. He argues with himself in his sleep. Not to mention the A.D.H.D, the paranoia and the fact he's gone bipolar. Before we put the strait jacket on him, he tried to take a piece out of my neck. He lunged at me, just like a rabid dog. Other times he's as nice as can be. We had a long talk about Hogwarts just the other day, and we played wizards chess an hour ago." The Old lady told them. "But he's still mad as a hatter that one. Last night he started laughing and wouldn't stop. Scared old Frank Longbottom into hysterics."
With no comment from the others, the old nurse continued to show her observations.
"He left a letter for you before he went crazy. Nobody's been able to open it. Would you three like to open it?" The lady asked.
"Yes please." Hermione choked back from behind her tears.
The nurse produced an envelope with the names Ron, Hermione and Ginny on the front. Ron opened the letter easily and read aloud.
Dear Ron, Hermione and Ginny,
My dearest friends, I'm sorry to have to leave you this way. I used a powerful magical ability to trap Voldemort inside my body. He will never be able to leave my body unless I let him. I know that is difficult to believe but it is total truth. I will never be myself again. I hate to ask this of you, but I must.
Forget about me. Find new friends, and most importantly, find happiness. I will never be myself again, and I don't want you to be forever grieved by staying around me.
Goodbye,
Harry James Potter
Silent as a funeral, all three of them left the room and flooed back to the Burrow.
The End