Chapter 27 – His Redhead

Harry woke up. He was frightened and breathless. He had that sensation people have when they woke up from a very realistic dream. On the spur of the moment, the reality seemed wrong and a bit frustrating. He sat abruptly and looked around, trying to recognize the place where he was.

It was the Hospital Wing and he wasn't alone. Ginny heartily stretched beside him as if she was awaking from a pleasant nap. For a moment, what Harry saw was not a ten-year-old girl wearing hospital gowns, but that beautiful woman with long, red hair.

He remembered his dream. It had been a very, very realistic dream. He could remember every single detail… It was odd. He wasn't feeling shy or ashamed when thinking about that dream. It made him feel different, like he was another person, as if he was someone who knew things that he shouldn't know.

Ginny glanced at him, smiling. She was a little pale, which caused her freckles to stand out in her skin, and some strands of her red hair were out of place. Nevertheless, she was gorgeous.

'You got better!' She said.

'I was sick?'

'You almost died, because of that spell. It affected your magical core.'

'Really? I don't remember what happened after I pushed Quirrel. My head was hurting a lot.'

'I was sad when I found out.' She was telling him. 'Nobody would let me see you… That's why I'm here. I came after Madam Pomfrey left. I wanted to be close to you…'

Harry smiled. 'Thanks! I bet it was you, who made me get better.'

She blushed slightly.

'I wanted you to get better, but I don't think I've that power.'

'Maybe you have… I dreamt of you.' He blurted out.

She was intrigued.

'I dreamt of you too.'

'What did you dream?' Harry asked, believing she would tell him about some random dream, nothing alike his. He was wrong.

'It was a different dream, it seemed real…' She began shyly. 'I was in the middle of a forest and there was snow everywhere, but it wasn't cold. There was a leopard, a lake and –'

'– a panther.' He completed.

'Yes... How do you know?'

Harry gazed at her, trying to find the answers he needed. They were as clear as the day.

'I think we had the same dream… But it didn't seem like a dream to me, it seemed like I was actually there.'

She nodded, agreeing. 'Do you remember everything?'

'Every detail.'

'Are you sure?' She asked, feeling insecure.

'In this life and any other we'll live.' He quoted.

'I don't intend to live any life without you.' She completed breathless.

'That was not a normal dream…'

'They woke up!' Someone shouted, frightening Harry and Ginny. It was Ron, who had just entered in the Hospital Wing.

Mrs Weasley and Madam Pomfrey quickly came from the attached office. Coming after them were Dumbledore, McGonagall, Snape, a man and a boy with fiery red hair, whom probably were Weasleys. Obviously, they were having some kind of reunion on Madam Pomfrey's office until Ron alerted them that Harry and Ginny were awoken.

The first one to come to them was Mrs Weasley, but Madam Pomfrey was right behind her.

'Oh, thank Merlin!' She was saying. 'I couldn't handle much more worry.'

Somehow, Mrs Weasley was able to pull both, Harry and Ginny, to a hug.

'How are you two feeling?' She asked, touching their foreheads to feel their temperature. 'Are you alright? Are you in pain or something?'

The children denied.

'Very good.' Madam Pomfrey said. 'Let me see them.' She came near the bed. 'Someone should go and inform Mr Black and Mrs Tonks, please. I'd like her to see them as well.' The healer suggested.

'I'll go!' Ron volunteered. Then, he turned to Harry and Ginny. 'Great to see you whole again.'

Harry smiled. 'Thanks, mate. It feels good to be whole again.'

Ron smiled back and then left the Hospital Wing, running.

'Lay down, Mr Potter.' Madam Pomfrey instructed and Harry did as he was told to.

The woman murmured some spells and poked him sometimes with her wand. It was a similar process to the one after he fell from his broom some months before. Once she finished, she gave him his glasses back and began doing the same process with Ginny.

Harry put the glasses, but he felt weird. His vision turned blurry and a headache was forming. He took off his glasses and realised he was seeing better without them. The healer stepped back from Ginny with a puzzled look on her face.

'Why aren't you wearing your glasses, Harry?' She asked.

He shrugged. 'I'm seeing better without them.'

'That too?' Madam Pomfrey was amazed.

'What is it? Is something wrong?' Mrs Weasley asked.

'I don't know yet.'

Madam Pomfrey moved away to talk to Dumbledore and the other redheads came to hug Ginny and to greet Harry. The oldest one was the first to give the girl a big bear hug.

'You scared so much, my pumpkin sweetie… I was so worried.'

'Dad…' Ginny blushed with embarrassment.

Harry remembered one of Ginny's letters, where she told him that her father called her that and that she was very embarrassed about that nickname when in the presence of strangers.

'No, no… After worrying so much I've the right to call you every cute nickname I want.' Then, Mr Weasley turned to Harry. 'Hello, Harry.' He greeted, while shaking the boy's hand. 'My name is Arthur Weasley. It's a pleasure to meet you.'

'The pleasure is all mine, sir.'

The other redhead man was Bill Weasley, Harry discovered.

'Hello, Harry. Nice to meet you.' Bill greeted.

Ron returned with three persons, two men and a woman. Both men were familiar at the first sight, but Harry couldn't remember from where he knew them. One of them was tall with black hair and grey eyes. He wore elegant and fitted clothes that gave him an aristocratic air. The other man seemed nice and tired, and he had light-brown hair freckled with grey and amber eyes. Unlike his friend, his clothes looked ragged.

'Hey mate, look at whom I brought.' Ron joked.

Harry looked at those people with more attention. Suddenly, he recognized the two men, though they seemed a bit different from the photographs.

'Sirius?' Harry asked, confused. 'Sirius Black? How long was I asleep?'

He couldn't believe it, Sirius was free… He was surprised when the man pulled him into a hug similar to Mrs Weasley's hugs.

'Harry!' Sirius said. 'It's such a relief to see you awake. I've been so worried since I knew about what happened. Are you feeling alright?'

'Yes, thank you.' Harry lamely replied. He wasn't used to having many people worried about him.

The other man came nearer them in a less comfortable way.

'Hello, Harry.' The man said. 'I'm not sure if you know who I am, but –'

'You're Remus Lupin,' Harry interrupted, 'or Moony for the Marauders… I know who you are.'

'Then… would you let me hug you? The last time I saw you, you were just a baby…'

Harry nodded and Remus hugged him.

'You must have heard this a lot, but you look just like your dad at your age.'

'But the eyes are from the redhead.' Sirius completed, staring at a smiling Ginny, who was watching them. 'Speaking of redheads… this one here, she's yours, isn't she?'

'Hmm, what?' Harry was confused.

'Ah, boy, I've heard the whole story. I know about the love letters and all…'

Harry turned red.

'Sirius, don't you think it's too early to embarrass Harry?' Remus reprimanded.

However, Ginny giggled.

'Yes, I'm his redhead.' She replied jokingly. 'Ginevra, much pleasure.'

'I already like her.' Sirius laughed, while shaking her hand. 'Harry, let me introduce you my cousin Andromeda. She's lovely despite being a Black.'

A middle-age woman with brown hair and kind eyes came nearer them.

'Hello, Harry. It's nice to meet you.'

'The pleasure is all mine, Ma'am.'

'Ma'am?' She laughed. 'Ma'am was my mother. You can call me Dromeda. We're cousins after all, aren't we?'

'We are?'

'Well, your grandmother was my great-aunt. I'm not sure how that places us in the genealogical tree, but I think cousins sums it up quite well.'

Harry laughed. She was funny.

'I agree.' He told her.

Madam Pomfrey came to them again.

'Andromeda, could you check them too, please? I'd like a second opinion.'

'Are you a healer?' Harry wondered.

'I studied for it, but I don't work at St Mungo's.' She explained. 'I chose to take care of my family full time. I have a few patients, but I usually don't charge.'

'She's an admirable healer, Potter,' Madam Pomfrey corrected, 'but prefers the voluntary service. Would you allow her to check you?'

Harry shrugged. 'I don't mind. Is there any problem?'

'Perhaps.'

A/N: Yes, I'm finally updating this story. It took me a long time, which I'm sorry for. I actually thought I'd post this chapter at the end of June.

Anyway, if you're still following this story, I hope you enjoyed the chapter. To the new readers, be welcomed to the 27th chapter of Owl Post.

The next chapter's title is Soul-Bond and I'm not sure when I'll post it. Hopefully soon. Have a good summer.

Inês

scrappy8: Thanks! I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Have a great summer!

Guest: I'm so sorry I didn't update sooner. I'm glad you like this story.

Miss Millie: I'm glad you like this story. I'm really sorry it's been so long without updating it. I hope you're still here. I never forget the readers. I like the twins too, but I'm just translating the story. The original story right now is still in the summer before Harry's second year (it's an interesting summer). So, we'll still have to wait to see if the twins will have a bigger role or not. Thanks for reviewing. Have a great summer.

Peggie: I'm glad you like this. I'm sorry it took me so long to translate more.

Guest: I'm not kidding. English is my second language and my first language is Portuguese. Thanks for the compliments, though I've to say I've help from beta-readers. I'm glad you like my writing, especially coming from an ex-teacher. Honestly, I think English is an easier language than Portuguese, but that is my opinion. Thanks for reading.