Chosha's notes

Well, here we are, the tale soon drawing to a close in the last few chappy's. Thanks for all those lovely reviews – I will be giving a special mention to you all at the end! Anyway, enough with the blabber – here's your next instalment!

Disclaimer: Yeah, yeah, yeah, you know the drill – STOP BUGGING ME!

Last time on RKatPS

Harry and Kenshin faced down Quirrell and Voldemort, but now Harry is unconscious and Kenshin is off to the hospital wing

Chapter Twenty

The Hospital Wing

Kenshin blinked as they entered the room. The sun was beginning to rise above the forbidden forest outside a large, east-facing window (Kami, had they spent so long down that trapdoor?) The room was white painted with large windows and rows of beds draped with white linen sheets lined the walls. A small room came off from it that looked like some kind of office. The owner of that office - a kind looking woman, yet looked as if she could also be as strict as McGonagall - stood in the doorway. She looked cross between distressed at the sight of so many children in need of her expertise, and cross that they could have been hurt like that in the first place.

'Professor Dumbledore! What on… What happened?'

Kenshin was surprised at how fast she turned from distressed to all business. Dumbledore explained the situation to her and quickly she was bustling about getting Kenshin, Harry, Ron and Sanosuke beds, treating them like little kids, despite their protests.

Firstly she went to Harry. Kenshin couldn't see what she was doing as she had her back to him, but she wasn't with the unconscious boy long (except to draw the curtains to change him into pyjamas, making Kenshin blush a little at the thought.) Soon she came to Ron, pronouncing that he had a concussion and would need to stay in the wing overnight to make sure nothing happened. She then turned to Sanosuke, pulling out her wand and muttered something as she pointed it to his arm. He yelped in surprise, before staring, as his arm was as good as new again. However, he was also told he had to stay the night to see if fighting the troll had done anything else. Kenshin privately thought the troll could have done little else to the thick-headed rooster. Then she turned to Kenshin.

She looked shocked as she checked Kenshin over. His arm had a shallow, but long cut ranging from the top of his arm, curving down just above his elbow. His wrists were rubbed raw from his struggles against the ropes. Smaller cuts had scraped him all over his back, some deeper than others from his meeting with the wall and he also felt drained to, from manipulating his life force (though she didn't know that). As predicted, he also had a nice big bruise all across his right side. Thankfully, his ribs had not broken, the bones just bruised a little.

The matron immediately had him change into pyjama bottoms behind a curtain and lie on his stomach on the bed and began to clean the wounds on his back. Kenshin grit his teeth to stop him yelling in pain as she had to scrap out tiny bits of rock and dirt that had become embedded in the cuts. However, he didn't make a sound. She then pulled out her wand and closed all the wounds before turning her attention to his arm. After a bit she glared at Kaoru and Hermione, who were hovering around to see if they would be alright and waved them out of the wing, telling them it was too late for visiting hours and they could come back in the morning. Kaoru looked ready to pull her bokken again, but instead stomped out of the room, glaring through half-moon eyes while Hermione tailed her. Kenshin gave a slightly pained chuckle at their antics.

Unfortunately, they didn't have a spell to instantly heal bruising of bones, so they would have to heal on its own for a little while. Kenshin was ordered to take a potion that could help strengthen the bones that tasted awful to say the least and was forced to stay in the hospital wing for a few days. In short, Kenshin was not amused. However, he did as ordered.

For what was left of the night, Kenshin lay on his side to avoid knocking his other side and glanced over at Harry, pale and unmoving in the bed next to him. Kenshin bit his lip. He hoped Harry would pull through. Even he wasn't sure what had transpired to render the dauntless raven-haired boy unconscious.

o0o

'What are you doing out of bed!' Kenshin cringed as the irate nurse spotted him walking slowly down across the room. Slowly, he turned to face Madam Pomfrey, who stood legs akimbo, hands on her hips and was glaring down at him.

'Sorry, but I needed to use the restroom,' Kenshin replied, giving her an innocent smile.

'You're on strict bed rest until your wounds have healed enough to keep from running the risk of becoming worse and even breaking if you knocked them when you move around. You aren't allowed to walk around on your own until Thursday, at the earliest! How many times do I have to tell you! Now go back to your bed before you hurt yourself Mr Himura.' The Matron glared at him. 'You had better be there when I get back!' With that, she turned on her heel and stalked back to her office. Somehow, she reminded Kenshin of a vulture, swooping round her prey in circles.

Kenshin had been in the hospital wing for a day now. Ron and Sanosuke had been given the all-clear earlier on in the day and had promptly scarped once they found out Harry was stable, leaving Kenshin alone, bored out of his mind in the ward, worried about Harry and with no way to take his mind off things. Coupled with the fact that Pomfrey had refused point-blank to let him even set one foot on the floor unattended – it was driving Kenshin stir-crazy.

Someone laughed and Kenshin glanced round to find Kaoru in the doorway of the wing. She had visited Kenshin as much as she could when she wasn't needed to be in lessons, for which Kenshin was eternally grateful, though a little guilty at having taken up her free time. "You really like to get her all riled up, don't you? You only try to walk around when she's doing her rounds," Kaoru giggled as she approached him. Kenshin continued down the room at a slow pace so he could stretch his legs a little more.

"Iie, she's just the only one who really cares whether or not I'm out of bed. My side is getting better, and I'm not doing anything that would cause them to get hurt more, so I don't really see what the problem is. I suppose it doesn't matter. In a few more days, she won't have to worry about me. I heard her talking with Professor Dumbledore yesterday evening. It sounds like Harry might wake up either tomorrow or the day after!"

"Really?" Kaoru said happily. "The other's will be really pleased. They've been worrying about him."

"Along with just about the rest of the school," Kenshin added as he eyed what looked like half a sweet shop stacked high on a table beside him that kept growing larger every minute as a new 'well-wishers' came in to visit him. Kenshin was rather surprised Harry hadn't been buried under the teetering mountain yet. Not that Kenshin himself could say anything. Not only had some of the picture's subjects from around the school checked in on him through the large painting above the door, but he also seemed to have got the other half of the sweet shop that Harry had got.

Kaoru nodded, "You know nearly everyone knows what happened already! None of us have said anything, but somehow even some of the other houses have come to us to ask if I had helped you lot get passed Fluffy or if Sanosuke really beat up the troll or not. Even the Slytherins have asked!"

"The pictures have been gossiping," Kenshin noted.

"Sanosuke keeps telling people to lay off coming in here to ask you what really happened in the last chamber, cause he thinks it isn't time yet."

This made Kenshin grin. "Told them with his fists, I bet!" he laughed.

"There's still been some pretty wild roomers going round. Someone mentioned something about you guys having had to wrestle with a dragon or something."

Kenshin spluttered, unsure whether to laugh or to choke in indignation and it came out something like a hacking cough that made his ribs ache.

Kaoru looked a little concerned until she realised what had transpired and waited for him to control himself. After a moment, she said "Will you be coming out of here soon?"

Kenshin shrugged. "I'm really not sure. I feel like I should have gone out yesterday, but Madam Pomfrey is determined I stay here."

'MR HIMURA!'

Kenshin winced and they both turned to find a rather vexed Madam Pomfrey storming towards them.

'Mr. Himura! When I say go back to your bed again, I MEAN go back to your bed again!' she practically yelled at a cringing Kenshin. She then rounded on Kaoru, whose eyes were now the size of plates. 'You're his friend, why didn't you make him get back into bed? He could be making his side worse! You want him to heal faster, don't you!' she said, looking at Kaoru accusingly.

"Ano…" Kaoru stuttered, not expecting to be caught in the crossfire and now not sure how to get out.

'Sorry,' Kenshin apologised, finding the floor suddenly very interesting.

Kaoru, not wanting to get involved any further, decided that it was time to go. "Well, I've got to get back to the dormitories now, or I'll get in trouble for staying up passed curfew, but I'll see you later, Kenshin!"

Kenshin gave her a pleading look that said don't-leave-me-to-deal-with-her-on-my-own. Kaoru shrugged apologetically as if to say hey-she's-your-nurse-not-mine before turning and bolted from the room as if her life depended on it. Pomfrey turned back to Kenshin, who cringed, wondering how she could look so much like an enraged Hiko in just one look. I think I'd rather fight Quirrell and Voldemort all over again…

'Now, Mr. Himura, I expect full co-operation from you from now on while you are still in my care, or I will have you strapped to that bed to ensure you follow my orders!' she said, staring at him as if daring him to argue.

"Oro!"

o0o

Kenshin sat up on his bed, legs crossed and his breathing slow an even in meditation out of having nothing else better to do. His nerves had already been worn rather thin by his strict orders and the fact he was almost bouncing off the walls as it was. If anything, the Hiten Mitsurugi had given him almost limitless stores of energy and he had nothing to get rid of it. It was the worst thing that could happen to someone who was so used to practising every day. He was almost worried he'd get out of practice. So, the only thing he could do short of sneaking off and getting into trouble with the over-zealous matron was to practice on his ki reading. He had to say, once this was all over, Hiko might be shocked with the progress, seeing as this was what he seemed to have been practising the most since he got here.

It was as he was sitting like that when he felt a strong presence enter the room. However, he decided not to acknowledge it. Kenshin had already heard that Dumbledore would be visiting the wing at some point during the day to check on Harry.

'Good afternoon, Mr Himura'

Kenshin almost fell off the bed. He hadn't expected the Headmaster to actually acknowledge him. Quickly, he stuttered a good afternoon back as soon as he got a hold of himself.

The professor was sitting on a small, three-legged stool between Harry's bed and his own, facing him and looking at him over his half-moon glasses, mirth twinkling in his eyes. 'I see you are recovering nicely, Kenshin.' He observed.

'I'm much better, thank you, but Madam Pomfrey says I should stay in a little longer to make sure I don't damage my side any more.' Kenshin answered politely.

'Ah, yes, our matron is somewhat overprotective at times'

Kenshin glanced at him in disbelief. That was not what he expected him to say. He thought he would have taken a similar approach. Kenshin licked his lips. Perhaps he wouldn't mind telling him what he had missed, isolated as he had been.

'Professor? If you forgive me for asking, but could you tell me a little about what has been happening since we came in?'

'There is no need to ask for forgiveness for simple curiosity, Kenshin, as long as it doesn't harm another, intentionally or not. What would you like to know about?'

The old man again surprised Kenshin. Kami, he was even more of an enigma than his shishou. He just couldn't get a solid reading of the guy. Yet one thing he did know – this man was someone to be respected and to be trusted. Kenshin turned on the bed, dangling his feet off the side so he could face the headmaster.

'Could you tell me… what happened to Quirrell and the stone after we left? I don't think that Voldemort got it…'

'Ah, good, good. I must say it is refreshing to hear someone speak Voldemort's name.'

Kenshin blushed. 'Well, to fear a name is a little foolish. To fear a name only increases the fear of the thing itself.'

'Quite right, Kenshin.' Dumbledore seemed to look at him respectfully.

He paused for a second, glanced at the professor, then said. 'Um, what kind of name is Voldemort anyway? It's a little, well, silly, especially since so many people are scared of it.'

'Ah! Well, I suppose you would have to ask him yourself. Though I suggest that wouldn't be wise,' said Dumbledore. His expression was serious, but there was a hint of mirth in his eyes. Finally, he answered Kenshin's previous question. 'You are also correct in assuming that Voldemort did not get the stone. You and Harry managed to protect it long before I arrived. You two were doing well on your own, I must say. The stone has been destroyed.'

Kenshin's eyes widened. 'Destroyed? But what about your friend, Nicolas Flamel?'

'Oh, you know about Nicolas?' Was it just Kenshin's imagination, or did Dumbledore sound positively delighted? 'You did do the thing properly, didn't you?' He went on to explain that they had spoken and it was all for the best in Flamel's opinion. 'It will be just like going to sleep after a very, very, long day.' He concluded

'I guess it's better to shine brightly, even for a second, than to live a dull, grey life for eternity.' Kenshin added, a little reluctantly. In Kenshin's opinion, death wasn't the answer to anything, but he could see the sense in this.

'Professor Quirrell, on the other hand, Voldemort left to die.'

Kenshin froze at this. He was dead? Quirrell was dead? He didn't… did he?

'No, you didn't,' Dumbledore said, causing Kenshin to jump. How did he know what he was thinking! 'It was Voldemort. It goes to show just how little mercy he shows to, not only his enemies, but to his followers as well.'

Kenshin shuddered, wondering how anyone could be so harsh. He decided not to continue down that track. 'I had thought that… perhaps Snape was also Voldemort's follower. But Quirrell said he wasn't… so, why did he seem to hate Harry so much?'

'Its Professor Snape, Kenshin'

'Ah…Sorry.'

Dumbledore smiled a little, then said, 'Well, it had something to do with his dislike for Harry's father. They did rather detest each other, much like Harry and Mr Malfoy. However, James also saved his life. I don't think Snape was too happy, being in James' debt, which it why he tried so hard to save Harry's life this year.'

Oh! So that was why Snape had been chanting along with Quirrell – he was chanting a counter curse! Kenshin felt a little bad for suspecting him. Still…

'Seems a silly reason to hate Harry though…'

'Mm. Funny, the way people's minds work, isn't it?' Kenshin could only nod in agreement, deciding not to think on it too much, it was just making his head spin. Instead, he decided to as him the last thing that had been plaguing him since they had returned through the trap door.

'Professor? There is one last thing…'

'Just the one?'

'Why…why did Voldemort, when he spoke to me, call me Battosai?'

Dumbledore, however, rather than answering, sighed rather deeply this time. 'Alas, the last thing you ask, I cannot tell you. Not today. Not now. You will know, one day… put it from your mind for now, Kenshin. When you are older… I know you hate to hear this… when you are ready, you will know.'

Kenshin opened his mouth to argue, then closed it again. Dumbledore, just then, seemed as if he could halt all questions with a mere look. He knew he would get nothing out of arguing with him. Reluctantly, Kenshin put the question away, locking it up until the time came, and he would find his answer.

'Ah, and now it seems is time for Madam Pomfrey to check your side once more.' Dumbledore said, nodding over his shoulder. Kenshin promptly found himself dragged off by said matron.

By the time Kenshin had got back, it seemed that Harry was now awake and finishing speaking with Dumbledore. Harry glanced up as Kenshin got near.

'Harry-kun! You're awake – Are you okay?'

Harry smiled and gave Kenshin a thumb's up. "Yeah, more or less. We're alive right?" Kenshin smiled at that.

'Well, I must get going now. After all, there are things that need to be done and a feast to be prepared. However, before I go…' Suddenly, Dumbledore spotted something among the pile of goodies next to Harry's bed. 'Ah! Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans! I was unfortunate enough in my youth to come across a vomit-flavoured one, and since then I'm afraid I've rather lost my liking for them-but I think I'll be safe with a nice toffee one, don't you?'

Kenshin merely stared as Dumbledore smiled and popped the golden-brown bean into his mouth. Then he choked and said, "Alas! Ear wax!"

Yes… Kenshin and Harry could only stare…

To be continued…

Chosha's notes

Anything you lot would like to know, mention or complain about? Please review! Oh, a little note on the sequel – yes, there is going to be one, but it might take a wile because of upcoming A-levels, but still, I will try to start it within the next few months. Anywho…

Next time on RKatPS

Harry and Kenshin receive visitors and the house cup is about to be rewarded. Sano has a bone to pick and Kaoru meets up with a certain cousin. The story draws to a close in: the Leavers Feast

Ja ne minna-san! See you next time!

Chosha Kurenai xXx