Chapter Nineteen: Interlude
The muggle children were returned to their parents, with slightly changed memories. The parents were told their children had gotten lost, and had spent the day and night with some people who found them before being able to bring them back to their parents. The parents were so glad to have their children back that they didn't even question the story.
Little Tom seemed to have attached himself to Harry, which was a source of great amusement to his friends. But Little Tom started calling Harry 'daddy' and this had Harry crying. At first they were confused, but then they could hit themselves, after all, Harry would never be a 'daddy' and Little Tom shouldn't get too attached to him. Petunia took Little Tom and handed him to Remus, who seemed to have a very calming effect on the little boy. Petunia just hugged Harry and let him cry. She knew he had kept himself together for everyone else, but now everything was catching up to him, and it was time for him to let it all out. She was very grateful for Remus' support though.
Poppy finally declared Harry healthy enough to leave the Infirmary, but did tell him he should stay with his aunt in her rooms, as they were quieter and it would be better for him. Nobody needed to be told that this meant Harry's condition was getting worse. Not long after that Remus decided to also move into the rooms, as Harry had requested his uncle to stay with him. Remus had actually cried from happiness that Harry really considered him an uncle. Seeing this reaction, Harry decided to postpone how he really thought of both his aunt and unofficial uncle.
Harry started having trouble moving as everything kept hurting. He took as much painkillers as possible, but they weren't really helping anymore. Severus didn't get anywhere with his idea of combining muggle and magical medicine, and Harry told him to stop it for now. He had trouble sleeping as well, since that hurt too. They had already made his bed extra soft and comfortable, but with Harry loosing so much weight, it didn't really help either. Everyone could see he was getting worse. He only followed one or two classes a day, if he even managed to do so much, and he was not required to do any homework. In fact, the teachers just told him to help out other students, and not to do anything strenuous himself. He agreed with much happiness, glad he could still help others. This surprised many people, as they had thought Harry would be disappointed in not being able to follow classes like he wanted to.
Harry just explained to them, that he rather enjoyed helping others and seeing them succeed was good enough.
Many students spent as much time as possible with him, either in the Common Room, where he also had a bed waiting, or in the rooms with his aunt. They cheered him up with stories about things that happened in class (usually what went wrong) or about their homes. Unknown to Harry, Colin took many pictures and with the help of Harry's friends, was making an entire album.
It was about a month later that Harry couldn't get up the energy to sit in his wheelchair. He would have to stay in bed from now on. Poppy cried when she had to tell him this, and really, nobody was surprised when Harry was the one to comfort her. He just seemed to know how to act around people who were upset. He assured Poppy that he didn't blame her one little bit for not being able to do more to help him. In fact, he thanked her for all the care she had given him over the years. This seemed to help her collect herself, and she softly stroked his hair and cheeks, before straightening up and rattling of instructions which he should follow himself. Harry just laid back into his pillows and smiled at her.
The next day he asked Remus and Petunia to come and talk to him, as he needed to ask them as well as tell them something he had managed to arrange. He wanted to tell them before it was made public knowledge in the newspaper.
Remus and Petunia settled on the chairs next to his bed, and Little Tom went to sit next to Harry on the bed, snuggling up to his big brother (as Harry had made Tom call him).
"I just wanted to tell you something, and I think you'll like it. You see Remus; I have decided to use my 'fame' (he pulled a face) for something I feel is important. I have persuaded the ministry to change the laws regarding werewolves. You will now be able to get Wolfsbane for just a little fee. You will be allowed to marry and to adopt. And when the ministry has looked over the old information books I have found about werewolves, you will most likely be able to have your own children, provided that werewolves don't pass the infection in that way." Remus was crying very hard by now, and Petunia hugged him.
Harry started looking nervous by now, and fiddled with the blankets. "What is it Harry? Is there more news like this?" Petunia asked, with a trembling smile.
He nodded. "I was just wondering, and wanted to ask... I know you really like each other, and I was wondering if perhaps Remus would want to become my official uncle? And you could adopt Tom, as he sees you as his parents anyway, but then you would be making it official? Mr Weasley helped me get the papers ready for that part, but of course, if you don't want to?"
Remus hugged Harry gently to him. He gave kisses on top of his now shiny red hair, and kept whispering, "we love you so much, we love you so much." Petunia included Tom in the hug as well, and they said at the exact same time, "we agree". Then Remus decided to do the rest more officially, and dropped down on one knee. "Will you marry me Petunia Evans?" he softly asked, while taking her hand.
Petunia smiled through her tears, and whispered "Yes, I will."
Harry was the one nearly squealing in joy at this. Seeing as how this was rather out of character for him, Remus and Petunia kept looking at him in surprise, until he hid himself under the blankets, his face beet red.
Remus and Petunia would marry as soon as possible, which happened to be in two days. They agreed to sign the adoption papers after they were married, so that there would be no confusion with their married names. When they left the room to pronounce this news to their friends and the students, Harry called in Dumbledore, to finalize his will. The man had agreed to help him with this, as well as being a representative of the wizarding world to make sure the will would be completely legal.
Harry told Dumbledore everything he wanted to happen and Dumbledore wrote it all down on a large scroll. He would work it out very neatly on official papers later, and Harry would then need to sign those papers and use some of his blood to seal them.
Harry had decided that both Remus and Petunia would go and run the orphanage, and he would leave most of the money to them, part of it in a trust fund to enable to finance the orphanage. He would also gift them with two smaller homes, where they could go to if they wished to leave the orphanage for a while. He would leave the Weasleys a lot of money, as well as Draco and Hermione. He left most of his books (the Potter and Black library) to Hermione, with the limitation that she would need to make most of these books available to the public and start a library if possible. Draco would become co-owner of the orphanage and would inherit some houses, since he didn't have one right now.
The rest of his belongings (which weren't too personal) would go to Hogwarts itself. It was mostly money, but also some portraits, and the Marauder's Map for instance. This was to improve and invest in unity activities. Severus would get holdings he had in some potion companies, while McGonagall would receive the Marauder's Book of Rules, which included all their pranks, pictures to go with it, and some neat little spells they had used. He was sure she could use a good laugh by now. Madame Hooch would see an improved Quidditch supply. The other teachers would be able to order some things for their classes they had always wanted. Harry just left them the money to provide for it.
Dumbledore promised to arrange it all, after he had hugged Harry carefully. Harry told him he was going to add several personal letters as well, and Dumbledore would keep them safe until the will was read.
Harry fell asleep quickly after that, glad that most was arranged before he was dead. He was as ready for death as he would ever be after the wedding, and now it was time for him to sleep some more.
He never saw Dumbledore leave the room crying, and walking stooped over as the old man he really was.
A/N: Yes, I know many of you hoped that miraculously a cure would be found, and some of you had the idea that the cancer and Voldemort were connected, so Harry would be cured. I don't know where you got that idea, since I never even hinted at something like that. I give a warning out for the next chapter, as most of you will start crying their eyes out (I did twice already), but chapter 21, is going to be more cheerful (in my opinion). After that, it's finished! So I will post chapter 20 tomorrow, and chapter 21 on sunday. (or perhaps tomorrow too?)
