Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, I juat write for fun!

Chapter 7:

Harry slowly came around, his body feeling like it was on fire, he wanted to curl up, scream or cry, yet his body didn't obey his commands. He only had nominal control over his eyes which he instantly screwed closed in agony.
He was able to focus on Madam Pomfrey's voice. Barely.

"Harry, can you hear me? squeeze my hand if you can, it's in your right hand." It was then he realised he could feel her hand, and had a modicum of movement in his hand as well.
He squoze Madam Pomfrey's hand as much as his fingers were allowed to move.

"Very good, now I'm going to explain some things to you, squeeze my hand once if you can understand me."

Squeeze

"Now, when I continue, if at any point you don't understand something squeeze my hand twice." She instructed him, just as a cool cloth was dabbed on his brow, wiping away some of the sweat.

Squeeze.

"Very good. Now, I know it doesn't feel like it right now, but the surgery was a success. The pain you're feeling is your lung regrowing. We were able to vanish the damaged lung without opening you up. This means there's less chance of infection. Do you understand?"

Squeeze.

"Now, the one big problem we had is when we vanished your lung there were some … complications." She hurried on and through his pain addled thoughts Hary would like to think she used a calming caring tone, just as another bout of fire engulfed his body.
The cruciatus from Voldemort didn't hurt this much!

"We found your liver and a kidney were more damaged than we thought, so we had to vanish those and give you the regrowth potions for them as well. I'm sorry to say what should have taken a week and at only one third of the pain you're feeling now - Had to happen like this."

Squeeze.

"Y - you should be okay in a couple of days, after that, we'll still keep you in until your weeks up - we need to keep you under observation, make sure all the damage has healed. Okay?"

Squeeze.

Another wave of liquid pain shot through his abdomen, he managed to squeak out a tiny sound that should have been a scream.
"Merlin! That modified body-bind should keep you from making any sound! I wish there was something I could do for the pain Harry, but I'm afraid if I give you anything it'll only serve to slow down your healing." Harry could tell just from the sound of her voice how much this was upsetting her.

He tightened his grip of her hand once more, but this time didn't let go, he wanted her to realise not only did he understand, but he didn't blame her. This was his last conscious thought as another wave of agony shot through his veins.

-o.O.O.o-

Katie led Hermione up to her room and over to the bed. Carefully she sat down on it, leaning against the headboard, pulling the chestnut haired beauty into her arms as Hermione seemed lost. Katie knew why of course, Harry was in trouble and Hermione couldn't do a single thing to help. Hermione would normally deal with this helplessness by going to the library, unfortunately that wasn't an option. Nothing they could research would be able to help him.

Gently she started to stroke Hermione's back as she cradled the upset bookworm, when a knock from the bedroom door which stood open caught the chaser's attention. Katie looked up straight into Emma's eyes, nodding to the edge of the bed Katie indicated for the woman who had become a mother figure to her to take a seat.

Emma came over and sat down, taking her daughters free hand in hers. Hermione's other hand was currently busy holding on to Katies top in a vice grip.

"Hermione, come on love, Harry will be fine." Katie tried to reassure her, at the same time wondering if those words were aimed for herself more than they were Hermione. Emma's voice interrupted her thoughts as the woman spoke.

"Hermione, you have told us of all the adventures you've faced. I have to believe that Harry will be fine. He promised that to you, and aren't you the one that always told me he never breaks his promises?" Hermione's head moved slightly against Katie's shoulder in a tiny nod, but nothing more.

Katie understood this silence, it was Hermione's way of keeping her emotions under check, if she was to try and speak just one syllable then she would lose that modicum of control. In this katie felt she was the lucky one, because of how Hermione was, she could focus her energies on trying to help her, distracting her from her own fears for Harry.

It soon became obvious that just being held by Katie was all that Hermione needed so Emma got up to leave.
Just before she pulled the door closed she spoke to Katie.
"Dinner will be in a couple of hours. If Hermione doesn't feel up to joining the family, just ask Dobby or Winky to bring your food up here." Katie nodded, a small sad smile on her face as she caught Emma's gaze, mouthing the words 'Thank you.'
Emma nodded, quietly pulling the door closed.

-o.O.O.o-

Hermione held on tight to the blue blouse that Katie wore, her other arm wrapping about the chaser, pulling herself tighter into the embrace.

On some level she knew that she shouldn't be worried this much, but just couldn't stop herself.
The nutrient potions Madam Pomfrey had given Harry in the week leading up to the surgery were, to Hermione's knowledge, last used in the medieval times when severely malnourished children would arrive at Hogwarts requiring treatment before anything else. This was the curse of being a bookworm - sometimes the knowledge she had did less to re-assure and more to cause concern.

She didn't realise at first her mother had left. Noticing Katie hadn't once tried to loosen the embrace. It was in these arms of the chaser that Hermione came to the realisation. Katie too was hurting just as much as she, and was using Hermione's pain and worry to mask her own.
Even so, she couldn't do anything to help, lost in her own worry as she was it was difficult enough to stay in the here and now.

She didn't know how long she sat there in her girlfriends embrace, but it was dark outside when she heard the *tic-tic* of an owl tapping the window. Managing to rouse herself enough she saw the owl outside had a special medallion about it from St. Mungo's, one that stopped any tampering of post, these owls were only used if the information they were carrying was of a sensitive nature.

Quickly she climbed out of Katie's lap and opened the window to let the owl in, turning to follow it's flight as Katie extended her arm for the bird to land on. Hermione carefully approached so as not to startle the bird before taking the little envelope tied to the birds leg.
Katie transferred the bird to her shoulder as she watched Hermione take her wand and tap it to the envelopes seal, expanding it to it's normal size.

It was addressed to the girls and their parents. "Are you waiting for a reply?" Hermione asked the owl on Katies shoulder, getting a definitive bob in answer, much like a head nod.
Turning to her Katie, Hermione spoke. "I'm just going to quickly wash up, I must look a right mess." She said with a small grimace. Katie just nodded and let her know she'd hang on a moment for her.

Hermione darted into the bathroom attached to Katie's room and grabbed one of the facecloths from the little cupboard by the door before turning to face the mirror as she ran the cold tap.
A mess was an understatement, her eyes were red and puffy, with tear tracks marking her face.

Sighing she dampened the cloth and ran it over her face wiping most of the tears away, before pulling her wand and muttering a quick charm that erased all traces of her emotional breakdown.

Leaving the room she headed straight for the door to the hallway, holding it open for Katie as she went out trying to balance the bird on her shoulder.
Following they headed down to the living room where the three parents were.
"Mum," Hermione called as they entered, going over to the spare couch, waiting for Katie to sit next to to her before she passed the scroll over to her parents, Emma started reading it aloud right away.

To Mr & Mrs Granger, Miss Granger, Mr Bell & Miss Bell,

We were successfully able to vanish the most damaged lung from mr Potters body, however once that was done there were some...complications.

The damage to mr Potter from his mistreatment at his relatives was even more severe than we originally believed, because of this, we have had to remove both his damaged liver and kidney at this time.
It will take three days before the potions finish regrowing his new organs.

His other lung however was less damaged than our first estimates, and we are confident that one will not need to be removed and re-grown.

Although visitors may be allowed, we must stress that mr Potter is going to be in a considerable amount of pain and there is nothing that we can do for him for that at this time. This is understandably difficult for people to see who care for him, if they wish, they may find it easier to visit in three days time instead of tomorrow.

Please contact me and let me know when you will be visiting,

Madam Pomfrey
Senior Healer

Hearing the letter being read out Hermione couldn't help but collapse against the chaser next to her, grateful of the strong, yet gentle grip of the arm that came about her shoulders.
Trying not to allow the tears to fall she looked to her parents.
"I . . .I want to see him. Tomorrow. Please?" She asked, her voice quiet and thick with emotion.

Dan looked over to Katie the obvious question going unsaid. Hermione felt movement to her left as she felt Katie nod. The dentist looked over to Jeremy and spoke.
"are you on duty tomorrow?" Jeremy shook his head before he seemed to catch on to what Dan was truly asking.
"I'll be happy to go to St Mungo's, what about you two?" Jeremy asked indicating the elder grangers.

"Unfortunately we've got clinic tomorrow, but we'll be free the day after." Jeremy nodded before Hermione saw him turn back to her and Katie.
"That settles it, you've got me taking you tomorrow, Emma and Dan will take you the day after okay?" Hermione gave a small sad smile as she nodded, snuggling into Katies side as she felt her eyes go heavy. With the emotional rollercoaster she had been on, she felt her energy had drained away.

Before she knew it, the knowledge that Harry had survived the most dangerous part of the surgery, along with the secure feeling of safety in Katie's embrace pulled her to sleep.

-o.O.O.o-

Katie felt Hermione become a deadweight leaning against her and looked down to the girl who she had her arm wrapped about, what she saw made her smile.
Hermione was fast asleep against her.

Carefully she moved to lie Hermione down in her lap, gently running her fingers through the silky chestnut hair. She watched as Dan got up and came over, carefully lifting Hermione's legs from the floor to the sofa before removing her shoes. a gentle expression of care on his face.

He resumed his seat as Emma folded into his arms while Jeremy seemed to look on slightly wistfully, before getting up and heading to the kitchen, bringing back a tea set with Dobby and winky trailing.
The two seats that were now known as the elves seats soon had said elves occupying them, each with a small cup of tea.

"Dobby," Jeremy said getting the little elfs attention before going on to explain the scroll.
"Now, I know how much you care about Harry and the girls. Do you want to go with them when they visit." Only Winky's hand shooting over to Dobby's kept the excitable elf on his seat as he suddenly started nodding rapidly.

"Very well, I believe Tonks will be picking the girls up in the morning. I'll go and have a word with Shacklebolt and make sure he passes on the information to Tonks." With that he got up and headed out to where the dark skinned auror was talking with one of the police officers about the training they have to go through for their firearms.

Katie felt herself losing her ability to focus, she was more tired than she realised as she put her head back against the couch, closing her eyes as sleep claimed her, her hand still gently resting in Hermione's silken locks.

She stirred at the sensation of someone running their fingers through her hair and blearily opened her eyes to see her father had draped a blanket over her and Hermione, being careful not to bury Hermione's head. Closing her eyes she let the embrace of sleep claim her for the night.

-o.O.O.o-

Hermione awoke to the sun hitting her face, wrapped in the strong arms of her chaser girlfriend. Looking about she saw they were in her queen sized bed, smiling she realised the elves must have moved them with her last memory of leaning against the dark haired woman next to her.
Looking beneath the covers she rolled her eyes at the elves. They knew both she and Katie preferred sleeping in the nude, and yet they'd still put them to bed with a T-Shirt and knickers. Well thongs.

Hermione never used panties since she was 14, and it seemed Katie was of the same mindset.
Shaking her head she carefully extricated herself from the bed, once stood she turned to see Kate was actually awake wearing an amused smile on her face.
Smiling back Hermione leaned down to place a small kiss on the chasers lips.

After the kiss Katie looked at her and then herself and rolled her eyes before getting out of the bed and coming around to pull Hermione into her arms, backing her up to the wall as she locked her lips with her once more, moving her hands down to caress the exposed flesh of Hermione's butt.

Hermione groaned and moved her hands from where they were at Katies waist and slid them beneath her top, taking possession of the two perfect breasts under there.
All too soon their kiss broke so they could breath as Katie gasped "Shower."
Smiling Hermione nodded and moved her hands from beneath Katies top, moving towards the en-suit room, dropping her thong as she walked away, glancing back she smirked at Katie's lustful gaze.

"Coming?" Hermione asked as she turned in the doorway and pulled her top off, silhouetted by the light from the bathroom.
"You. Are. Evil." Katie moaned as she walked up to the now nude Hermione.
Smiling Hermione turned and lead the way into the shower.

-o.O.O.o-

Amelia Bones sighed as she sat back in her chair the report she had received on Harry's updated treatment. She got up and headed out her office to the ministry holding cells, where Dumbledore was still in their care.

He would be for the remaining of his 30 day stretch if he didn't answer her questions fully.
She had heard Fawkes had been seen in the cell with him, yet had refused to flame him out.
Getting to the cell she opened it to reveal the aged headmaster sat on his bunk.

"Ah, Amelia I believe -" Dumbledore started when the stern faced witch cut him off.
"That's Madam Bones to you Dumbledore. I have some questions for you." She said sternly.
Dumbledore blinked before inclining his head, as if he were giving her permission to continue.
Shaking her head a moment at the thought she continued.

"What is your interest in Harry Potter?" she asked, her tone saying she wanted an answer.
"I am afraid I cannot tell you that." Dumbledore responded, before he tried his own question.
"Surely you do not intend to keep me here for the full 30 days? that law hasn't been used since the 17th century." He finished in a quiet voice.

Amelia didn't answer his question, only stood there, arms crossed as she looked at him.
What she saw didn't impress her. They had taken his gaudy robes and given him some plain grey overalls, the man didn't look anywhere as impressive as his legend she thought.

"Okay, next question - if we were to tell you Potters location what would you do when you left?" She asked.
"You know where Harry is? You must tell me!" Dumbledore said forcefully making to stand as she whipped out her wand pointing it unwaveringly at the mans chest.
"Sit down Dumbledore." She commanded, glaring at him.

"I will tell you this as you need to know as his Headmaster." She told him in a harsh tone, remembering the injuries Harry had suffered were because of this man leaving the lad there.
"When Harry returns to school on September the first, you are to stay away from him, this is not a request, he will be returning with an Auror guard, they will be seeing to his safety."

"I am afraid I cannot allow that Amelia, Aurors permanently in my school would frighten the children unnecessarily. After all, Hogwarts is the safest place in Britain." Amelia shook her head.
"Dumbledore, if a school where you hire the worst dark lord in history for a professor is the safest in Britain I hate to think what an unsafe place would be."

Amelia stopped to think a moment before coming to a decision, she was already fairly confident the three were developing some kind of bond, if this were the case then what she was going to insist on now would have to be done anyway.
"Because of this, I am going to have to insist before I allow mr Potter to return to the school, that he is given a private suite I will not have my auror unable to do their job because of their gender."

Dumbledore once more tried to argue the point but Amelia didn't even stay to let him finish, walking out she wondered what it would take to get the man to see reason.

-o.O.O.o-

Harry fought the waves of pain, losing track of the time. He wasn't aware when someone else came into his room as he fought to control his breathing.
When a cool cloth was placed on his sweat-dampened forehead he opened his eyes trying to focus on the figures next to him.

As he did, he made out the forms of both Katie and Hermione before another spasm waved through his body.
Hermione was gently running the cloth over his face as Katie took his hand.
"Hey, they say the worst will be over soon." Hermione's quiet voice said. Harry applied gentle pressure to the hand in his grasp, letting Katie know he'd heard Hermione.

"Dobby's here too, he wanted to see you." Katie said quietly, Harry opened his eyes to look at her, only to see she had the elf on her lap, holding him steady with her free arm.
"Dobby promises to make you the bestest welcome home meals ever." Dobby said, obviously trying not to show how seeing Harry like this was upsetting him.
Harry tried to smile even though it was more of a grimace.

When another wave of fire shot through his veins his grip on Katie's hand tightened.
"It's alright Harry, it's alright. Madam Pomfrey promised the pain will stop soon." Katie said quietly as Hermione took the cloth away to rinse it out.
"I wish there was something we could do to help." Hermione said quietly.
"Actually there is." Madam Pomfrey's voice came from the doorway as Hermione reapplied the cloth.

"How?" Katie's voice was full of determination, that one word demanding answers.
Madam Pomfrey came into the room fully to stand by the bed while Hermione worked, the cloth helping to sooth his headache.
"I did some research, and I found that if you transferred some of your magic into him, it'll help the re-growth finish faster. There is a danger however."

Those words more than anything else helped Harry to fight the pain as he managed to tug on Katie's hand catching the chasers attention.
"How dangerous?" He mouthed. Katie repeated the question to the medi-witch.
"There is the possibility that you could create a bond between the three of you. You would be able to feel each others emotions,maybe even talk to each other mind to mind."

"There's no danger then." Hermione said, her tone that of when she knew what she was on about.
"We're already forming the heart-bond you describe, this will just speed it up. If Katie's willing then I'm happy to do it." Hermione said, before leaning down to place a gentle kiss on Harry's forehead.

"Hey, if that's what it takes to help Harry I'm all for it." Katie said quietly, catching his gaze, her blue eyes holding no trace of doubt, until Harry caught her look and mouthed out. "Too dangerous."
"No Harry, it's not. We love you, and want to do this for you." Katie said quietly, tears starting to well in her eyes.
"Don't you tell me it's too dangerous, let us do this. please." Harry tried looking away from her gaze only to end up looking in Hermione's chestnut eyes, begging for the same.
"Please Harry." Hermione said quietly.

He could fight one pair of eyes, but not both and gave Katie's hand a gentle squeeze.
"Okay, he'll let us. How do we do this." Katie asked.
"Place a hand on him, and just push your magic to him, thinking about how much you love him. If this works, then he should be fully healed within the hour, the pain though will remain until the hour's finished. I'm sorry."

Harry tried to nod as another wave of pain engulfed him causing him to squeeze his eyes closed.
"Come on, the somone we do this the sooner he's out of pain." Hermione's voice said beyond the roaring in his ears.
He was dimly aware of feeling two hands on his shoulders before the fire took hold and he lost all sense of self.

-o.O.O.o-

Hermione watched as Harry's body started to glow with the magic she and Katie were pouring into him, and each other as their aura's mixed. When Harry's mouth opened in a silent scream Hermione fought not to let go, knowing she was the cause of the uptake in his pain tore at her heart.

Dimly she was aware of another set of emotions paralleling her own, along with a sense of doubt. Realising they were Katie's she sent a tingle of determination down the link, looking up and catching the chasers eye as she did. When their eyes locked she felt the doubt drop away as Katie nodded before looking back to Harry.

They kept at it for a good ten minutes before Madam Pomfrey stopped them.
"That should be enough - He'll be alright within the hour." she told them before setting a monitoring charm and heading out.
Hermione re dampened the cloth and gently wiped Harry's brow, hoping not to wake him as he'd passed out just a couple of minutes into their magical push.

She felt a pair of arms encircle her waist and leaned back against the taller woman, her head against her shoulder. She could still felt something in the back of her mind like a far off feeling.
Reaching towards it she felt a welcoming warmth and realised Katie was doing the same.
Smiling they just stood there watching over Harry as the potions and magic repaired the damage.

Katie's arms about her felt like a safe haven for her, with all that had happened, all that had been done, she wondered what was next.
An hour later Harry's eyes opened and he gasped in a breath, without seemingly to feel pain. his eyes settled upon them smiling at the sight of Hermione wrapped in Katie's arms as she took his hand.

Before anyone could say anything Madam Pomfrey bustled in and cast a diagnostic charm smiling at the results as she spoke.
"Well Harry, it looks like that did the trick, I'm going to lift the body bind spell now - Finite"
Harry sat up, going to stand before nearly collapsing, only Katie and Hermione's fast reflexes stopping him hitting the floor.

"Now Harry with all the times you've been in my care you should know better by now. You'll still be weak as a kitten for the next few days, I want to keep you in for a couple of days observation, if all goes well, I'll send you home in the next couple of days.
Harry nodded with an embarrassed smile.

Hermione let Harry go moving to sit with Dobby as Katie helped him back up to the bed.
"How are you two?" Harry asked quietly, looking at Katie.
"We're doing okay, missing you like crazy back home." Katie said with a small smile, dropping her lips to his for a short chaste kiss.

Hermione looked on with a small smile, feeling the echoes of Harry and Katie's love down the bond, a love that included her. getting up she picked Dobby up and settled him on her hip as she would a child before coming over to the bedside, taking his free hand catching his attention.
"Hey, got someone here who was desperate to see you were okay." She said quietly.
Harry's genuine smile eased her worries for him as he spoke.
"He Dobby, I'll look forward to those meals okay?" Dobby nodded so fast that Hermione had to move her head away as not to be hit by his flapping ears making Harry chuckle before a yawn interrupted him.

"Get some sleep Harry, we'll see you tomorrow." Hermione said gently, leaning down to give him her own kiss.
"Hurry up and get your strength back, I love you." She said quietly, placing one last love filled kiss on his lips while sending a burst of her feelings for him down the bond.
As the kiss broke she caught his emerald eyes looking up to her and then Katie in wonder.
"I - I -" Katie gave his shoulder a quick squeeze as she spoke.
"It's alright Harry, we understand." She said with a small smile before moving away heading to the door, Hermione and Dobby following.
She looked back over her shoulder as they left. "See you tomorrow."

-o.O.O.o-

Later that evening as Hermione had gone upstairs for her shower Katie warned her she would be talking to their parents, before going into the living room where they were all sat.
"Dad, Emma, Dan, can I talk to you a minute." She said determination in her voice.

Jeremy looked up from the paper he was reading as Emma and Dan looked up from the book they were sharing.
"Sure, what's up?" Jeremey asked. Steeling herself for what she was about to say she felt a burst of reassurance coming from Hermione.

"It's about Harry. You, know who he was raised by." She said as she sat down, her statement earning dark looks from the other three as Jeremy nodded.
"Well, you see…" She trailed off, blushing as she looked to the floor, before she felt a weight settle on the couch next to her. She looked to see Hermione had joined her, wearing one of her shorter silk robes.

"Whenever we try to do anything more than hug or kiss, Harry retreats. He's scared of what he's feeling. He's been made to believe that desiring us in a more...physical...way is wrong." Hermione said bluntly, calmly ignoring the blushes on their parents faces when Katie spoke up.
"Because of this, we," She indicated Hermione and herself" Have decided to adopt Hermione's lifestyle more outside her room."

"How exactly do you mean?" Jeremy asked cautiously.
"Well, we'll still be wearing either thongs or bikini bottoms about the house, but that'll be it, we're hoping that seeing us like that every day will help Harry get over what his...relatives...beat into him." Hermione said, her voice going hard on the last few words.

"And if we were to say no?" Dan said, his eyes locking with his daughters, Katie instinctively knew if she were to say anything now it wouldn't help, Hermione would need to win this argument on her own, but that didn't mean Katie couldn't support her silently as she took one of Hermione's hands in her own.

"I would respect that decision outside my room, but inside - well you know my preference." Dan nodded, seemingly understanding the underlying message, she would hardly ever leave her room.
"The same would go for me as well." Katie said to her father.

Girls, can you give us some time to talk,? We'll let you know what we decide either tonight or in the morning" Jeremy said with a groan running his hand through his hair. Katie nodded, pulling Hermione up with her as she stood.
"We'll be upstairs." She said, leading Hermione out the room and up to the chasers bedroom.

A/N: Liked it, Hated it let me know.
Constructive criticism welcome,
Flames will be ignored.