Disclaimer I don't own Harry Potter. All rights to the characters and universe the story belongs in belong to JK Rowling

Chapter 28 - Recovery

Harry felt like he was floating, it was a weird sense of detachment from himself he had only encountered a couple of times. There was no pain here as he drifted among the clouds of his mind and that was the problem.

The lack of pain would have been nice if it wasn't counterbalanced by a distinct numbness spread throughout his body. He couldn't feel anything, not the surface he was lying on, the temperature in the air or even the tips of his fingers.

It was dark, wherever he was so he assumed he wasn't dead. No this was nothing like the vision of Kings Cross where he took part in his final conversation with Dumbledore (his old headmaster's portrait didn't count). So, where was he?

The last thing he could remember was imagining that Roza had turned up to torture him. If he could have done, he was sure he would've stiffened at the very thought! right now though, he couldn't bring himself to it. Staying here was surely better than the torture he was going to endure when he returned to consciousness.

Better to remain as he was. Safe. Emotionless. Painless. Yes, much better.

So, what was that melody calling to him through the darkness. It was peaceful, like a phoenix song. It was wooing, he could almost decipher words in the melody, could even hear changes in the tone he somehow recognised.

He felt lost, like a sailor in a Sirens song, he was being steadily drawn in. Despite his earlier proclamation to stay where he was, he couldn't deny the song that was being sang to him. As he got closer to the source, he suddenly felt the air wrap around him. It was cold and he instantly recoiled back to his dark shelter.

The song was there again, warmer this time, enticing him to try again. This time the temperature didn't have the same bite to it as he was warmed by what was sung. It enveloped him like a favourite blanket.

The first thing Harry was truly aware of was a noise just to the left of him that was accompanied by a soft pressure being applied to his hand. He strained himself to concentrate on the noise and realised that someone was talking to him.

'…country. Where we'll raise a family' I know that voice 'of children with red hair and sparkling green eyes. Although I won't hold it against you if some have your messy black hair as well.' The voice broke off laughing slightly. That laugh.

'The only thing I will hold against you is not waking up you prat.' A smile tugged at his lips. Ginny! 'Harry? Are you awake?' She asked with barely repressed urgency. His eyelids fluttered without opening and he groaned slightly.

'Harry? Can you hear me?' This time his hand squeezed hers in response, she couldn't contain her smile. 'Come on Harry,' she coaxed leaning over him 'open your eyes.'

This time he forced his eyes to open and was rewarded by looking straight into the beautiful, yet fairly hazy, face of Ginny Weasley. He took in every inch of it, she was leaning over close enough that he could just about make her out without his glasses.

He could see different colours blurring together in her fiery red hair, the lips that were curved into a loving smile and the deep chocolate eyes staring at him with concern. His smile matched her own as she leaned down resting her forehead on his, her free hand looping around to rest in his hair.

'I love you.' She whispered to him.

He tried to respond, yet his throat was too dry and he couldn't form the words. Ginny smiled and pecked him on the lips before pulling back so she could manoeuvre the bed to get Harry in a sitting position. She then held up a glass of water to him with a straw. He drank quite a bit before he started to cough 'I think that's enough for now Harry. It's been a while since you last drank.

'Are you comfortable?' She asked him. He once again tried to speak, still not finding his voice he tried to nod his head instead, but he hadn't quite got the feeling of his body back yet. He gave out a frustrated groan, closing his eyes as he did so with a furrowed brow.

'Hey, it's OK. Please open your eyes, I've watched you sleep for too long.' That got his attention, he looked directly at her, his question evident in his eyes. 'You've been unconscious for two weeks. You're in St Mungo's now and you've been here for ten days. I arrived shortly after you got here.'

Harry closed his eyes again for a couple of seconds before reopening them. 'That actually leaves me with a bone to pick with you Potter.' Ginny teased 'I thought I said I didn't want to be visiting you in St Mungos.' Harry smiled shyly.

'OK, so whilst you can't nod or speak. How about one squeeze of the hand for yes and two for no?' He squeezed her hand once. 'Now don't worry Leanne's told us everything you're safe Harry. I'll let her explain how you escaped though. OK?' He squeezed her hand once. He was glad to hear Trott was OK.

'Is there anything I can get you?' He squeezed twice. 'Are you in pain?' Again, he signalled for no.

She grinned impishly 'Is your healer more attractive than I am?' Almost chuckling Harry squeezed her hand twice. 'Liar.' She sniffed, 'You haven't even seen him.' This time something of a snort did emanate from the bed ridden Auror.

'Do you love me?' She asked quietly. Yes. 'Is my last name Potter yet?' Harry smiled sadly as he answered, no. 'Do you want it to be?' Yes. 'Good because I do to.' She leaned in and kissed him, this time it was more lingering than the peck earlier.

She leaned back, noticing a lone tear fall from his eye. She quickly wiped it away with her free hand and cupped his cheek. 'You're going to have to get used to the fact that I love you, I don't care whether you ask today, tomorrow, next year or in ten years-time. Yes?'

He squeezed her hand in the affirmative. 'Ah-Ah… I…l-lo…ve… you.' He managed to say with an immense amount of effort.

His eyes began to droop again, which Ginny immediately picked up on. 'Do you want to lie back down Harry?' He squeezed her hand, so she manoeuvred the bed back to the lying position. He tugged on her hand slightly with a sleepy smile on his face.

'Are you sure? I don't want to hurt you.' He managed a weak chuckle before squeezing on her hand again. Ginny smiled wonderfully as she carefully crawled under the covers next to him. She wrapped her arms around him, resting her head on his shoulder, before drifting off to her most restful sleep in weeks.

When Harry woke up later on it was obvious some of the potions he had been given were wearing off. His back was aching all over and he felt a lot less lethargic than when he had first woken up. He smiled when he realised Ginny was still sleeping, he tightened his arms around her, content to doze for a while longer.

Someone quietly entered the room and Harry's eyes flew open to meet the arrival. He was a middle-aged man, tall with dark hair and round face. The arrival smiled when he noticed Harry was awake 'Good Morning, I'm Healer Poppit. It's good to see you awake Mr Potter.'

'Morning Healer Poppit' Harry rasped with a small smile of his own.

'Ah of course, you must be struggling. Please don't speak for now, we don't want you to strain your voice. Are you in any pain?' Harry nodded 'Ok, I'll get something for your throat, a pain killer and I'll need something to help with your infection to. I'll be back shortly.' Harry nodded as the Healer bustled out of the room.

A short time later Healer Poppit returned carrying an array of vile looking potions which Harry eyed distastefully. He'd spent enough time in the hospital wing to know they weren't going to taste like Pumpkin Juice.

The Healer let out a small chuckle, 'Sorry but you should see your face.' Harry raised his eyebrows good naturedly. 'I promise they don't taste as bad as they look. Do you think we can wake Ginny so you can sit up?' Harry smiled down at his girlfriend and slowly shook his head. 'She hasn't left your side since you got here. She hasn't left that chair even to sleep.'

Harry frowned up at the healer, 'We offered her a bed in the room next door, which she refused saying she wanted to be close to you. She wouldn't even lie on your bed in case she hurt you.' Harry rolled his eyes.

'Do you think you can move the bed to sit me up.' Harry rasped. 'If we do it slowly, I don't think we'll wake her.'

The Healer smiled 'Of course. The poor girl has barely slept, she was worried about you.'

Once he was sat up the Healer handed the first potion to Harry which he downed. After which he threw a murderous glare at the Healer who smiled genially 'I said they aren't as bad as what they look. It's not my fault they're worse.'

Harry shook his head and muttered something that sounded peculiarly like 'Healers' before downing the other two potions. It didn't take long for them to take effect, the pain in his back subsided and he could feel his voice getting stronger.

'Thanks, Healer Poppit.'

'It's my pleasure. Now that your voice is back to normal do you mind if we discuss your treatment?' Harry shook his head, so the Healer dove straight in. He explained to Harry the extend of his injuries both physical and magical, and how they were going to continue treating them.

Harry had suffered some nerve damage from extensive exposure to the cruciatus curse. There was also some internal bleeding to go with the multitude of broken bones inflicted by Blade. The worse of it was the infections that he had incurred thanks to his unhealed wounds. The infections had caused him to become feverish and delusional, it was lucky they had escaped when they did, or the effects could have been lasting.

'Now that's all explained have you got any questions?' Asked Poppit

'When can I leave?'

Poppit snorted 'Ginny said that would be your first question. You'll be here at least a week. We want to keep an eye on you and make sure you don't have any relapses in the infection. Don't worry you'll be back on your feet before you know it. I would sign you off work, from the sound of it though you'll go back anyway.'

Harry smiled sheepishly at him 'You're right, not even Madame Pomfrey could get me to not do anything too strenuous after getting out of the Hospital Wing.'

Poppit smiled kindly 'I know I spoke to her. We're old friends and you happened to come up. I'm glad you didn't spit those potions over me like you did the Skelegrow.'

Harry laughed 'It's not my fault it's horrible.'

'I know they tried adding sugar once, it tasted even worse. Is there anything else?'

'I must have come in with another Auror, Leanne Trott. Is she OK?'

Poppit frowned slightly 'She's OK, in fact she was discharged last week. She's still been popping in for check-ups and to check in on you. Luckily she didn't have any signs of physical torture, what she did go through still shook her up though.'

Harry nodded 'There were dementors there. From what I could gather she was left alone in a room with them for hours on end. I'm glad I didn't have to do that, it would have been horrible.'

'So that's why she looks like she's just come out of Azkaban.' Mused the Healer 'She didn't mention that.'

'With the effects of dementors, does that surprise you?'

'No perhaps not. Anyway, I'm sure you'll see her soon so you can ask her then.' Just then the door opened slightly and a turquoise headed boy peered into the room from the arms of his grandmother. Poppit smiled, noticing Teddy 'I'll leave you to your family.'

'Unca Hara!' Exclaimed Teddy as Andy brought him into the room.

'Wotcher Teddy. Shhh, Aunt Gee Gee's sleeping.' Whispered Harry smiling 'Hi Andy.'

'Hi Harry, how are you feeling?

'I'm Ok. Better to be out of there.'

Teddy started squirming and reaching for Harry. 'Settle down Teddy, Harry can't hold you now.' Andy tried to tell him.

'It's Ok, do you want to come lie with us Ted?' Whispered Harry. The boy nodded, so Andy rolling her eyes, lifted him onto the bed. He crawled up to Harry's side where Harry snaked an arm around him.

'What happened Harry? You had us worried sick.' Andy told him once they were settled.

'I'm sorry, we got sucker punched.'

'How do you mean?'

'You see there's a secret entrance to Hogsmeade used by the group we have been tracking. They've created a whole underground trainline underneath the country. We found it and placed an alarm on each entrance. That alarm got triggered on the night we disappeared. It should alert about 6 or 7 of us but it looks as though only me and Leanne got the message.

'Not realising that at the time we scouted around until we went through to the underground where we heard someone greet us.' Harry's face darkened 'I shouldn't have left my guard down, I knew there was a mole, I just thought I had ruled him out. He must've stunned us and then we were taken somewhere. I still don't know where.'

'Who was the mole?'

'David O'Manda.' Harry said bitterly.

Andy looked furious 'He was at Dora's funeral. She spoke highly of him.'

'I know, I thought we could trust him too. Obviously not.'

'How long do you think he has been working for them?'

'No idea, longer than I've been with the Aurors though. I just wish I had kept my wand up, then maybe this would never of happened.'

Andy reached over and squeezed his hand 'It's OK, you both got out of there.'

'I know, I can't wait to get him and bring him in. It makes me realise why Sirius went after Pettigrew, I feel betrayed by him after months never mind years.'

'Sirius wouldn't have left you alone if he had known Harry. He loved your parents, I think losing them broke him for a while.'

'I know, I miss him.'

Andy smiled knowingly 'Like Teddy, would miss you if you were gone.' Harry looked down to see that Teddy had managed to sprawl himself across his chest where he had fallen asleep almost nose to nose with Ginny.

'Oh congratulations, when did that happen?' Asked Andy noticing the ring on Ginny's ring finger.

'Oh, we're not engaged.' Said Harry a little sadly 'It's a promise ring.'

'A promise ring? What are you messing around with one of those for?'

'It's that, I'm not sure I'm ready. I never had a loving home when I was a kid, what if I'm a terrible dad.' Andy lightly slapped him on the top of his head. 'What was that for?' he asked a little taken aback.

'Look down and tell me you think you'll be a bad husband and father.' She demanded. He looked down and smiled as Teddy had started drooling in his sleep. He had clenched one fist around part of Harry's hospital gown and the other in Ginny's hair. Harry already knew that he would do anything for the two of them so what was Andy getting at?

'Well?' Prompted Andy gently. 'What do you see?'

'Well Teddy's started drooling.'

'Not that you muppet. If someone burst through that door and threatened either one of those two what would you do?'

'Apart from make sure they never saw the light of day again?' He answered darkly. 'I'd protect them. From anything.' Still not sure where you're going with this.

'Right, and you love them both?'

'Course I do.' He answered still confused.

'You're not getting this are you?' He shook his head slowly. 'You know for someone really quite clever you are an absolute idiot. Think on it, I'm getting a coffee. Want one?'

'Nah I'm good, could you grab one for Gin though, I think she'll wake up soon.'

Andy smirked at him 'What makes you think that?'

'She's started fidgeting slightly. What?' he asked when he saw Andy's smirk grow wider.

She left the room shaking her head muttering 'Absolute muppet. Promise ring, really?' As she went.

What was that all about? He looked down to see Teddy's natural dark eyes staring back up at him. 'Hey, Teddy. Sleep well?'

The young boy grinned up at him and nodded. 'Unca Harra OK?'

'Yeah I'm OK thanks Teddy. Sorry I haven't been around.'

'OK.' Teddy titled his head at him and then looked at Ginny 'Ant Gee Gee OK?'

'Yeah, She's OK just sleeping.' Teddy continued staring at her. 'Shall we wake her up?' He nodded enthusiastically.

'Kiss her on the nose. Go on.' He encouraged as Teddy looked at him blankly. 'Like this.' Harry demonstrated by kissing Teddy on the nose then pointing at Ginny. Teddy seemed to get it because he leaned in and kissed her.

Nothing. Teddy looked up expectantly. 'Go on try again.' He did.

Ginny stirred grumbling something incoherently in her sleep. Teddy kissed her again, giggling when Ginny wrinkled her nose. She slowly opened her eyes and got a face full of Teddy laughing at her. 'Hello handsome.' She said kissing him back on the nose then tickling his stomach causing him to laugh louder.

She pulled Teddy to her in a hug and shifted to look up at Harry. 'You look better.'

'I feel better.' He smiled down at the two of them, wrapping both arms around them. 'Thank you for staying with me.'

'No place I'd rather be, you know that. I'm just glad you're OK.' She snuggled further into his embrace sighing contentedly.

'Healer Poppit said you haven't been sleeping well.'

'I've been worried. I slept better just though. How long was I out for?'

'About eight hours.'

'Mmm, no wonder I feel more awake. I'm glad your back.'

'Me too.' He looked away from her and stared at the ceiling. 'There was a part of me that didn't think I was going to come back. I couldn't see a way out. I almost gave up, I'm so sorry Ginny.'

'It's OK.'

'No, it's not. I shouldn't have even thought about giving up.'

'You kept going Harry, that's what counts. It doesn't matter whether you thought it was hopeless, you kept fighting. Trott said you were the reason she didn't go mad, helping her, even a small amount, in a dire situation counts for something Harry.'

'I suppose.'

'Definitely. Now I could murder a coffee.'

There was a chuckle at the door. 'We've got you covered there.'

They all looked up. 'Hi Andy.' Greeted Ginny.

'Hi Ginny, here. Milk with two sugars yeah?'

Ginny got up taking Teddy with her. 'Thanks.' She said as she sat down, taking the offered coffee before setting Teddy in her lap.

'No trouble at all.' She looked sternly at Harry. 'You figured it out yet?'

'Figured what out?' Asked Ginny.

'Why I think your boyfriend is such a muppet.' Ginny snorted.

'She saw your promise ring.' Harry told her. 'Then slapped me on the head when I told her it wasn't an engagement ring.'

'Actually, I hit you when you told me your reason it's not an engagement ring.'

'What reason did he give?' Asked Ginny intrigued.

'That he's a bad father.' Said Andy rolling her eyes.

'Yeah, wait that's not what I said. I'm not a dad yet.' Exclaimed Harry.

'You know I would have thought you would have worked this out by now.' Andy told him tutting playfully.

'He is being rather thick isn't he.' Said Ginny evidently cottoning on to what Andy was saying.

'What are you talking about?'

Ginny took pity on him 'Harry you're not a terrible dad.'

'How do you know? I'm not one.'

'But you are Harry.' Said Andy, 'You're Teddy's father.'

'What? No? Can't? Not me? How? What?'

'Harry you're babbling dear.' Said Ginny with a small smile.

Harry looked at Teddy. 'I can't be his dad. Remus is his dad, I can't replace him.'

'No one will ever replace Remus and Dora.' Said Andy gently. 'That doesn't mean you can't be a dad to Teddy. If Sirius had raised you from the age of one, do you really think you wouldn't see him as a father?'

'Course I would.'

'Exactly, and might I say you are great with Teddy. He loves you, the pair of you. You make a great father. You're everything Dora and Remus would have wanted for Teddy if something would have happened to them.'

'I… I never'

Andy cut him off 'I know you never wanted to replace them. That doesn't change that we have to be there for Teddy as they should have got the chance to be.'

'She's right Harry. You don't have to be blood to be a father.' Ginny told him gently.

Teddy chose this point to reach out for him. 'Unca Hara.'

'Come here Teddy.' He picked him up and sat him on the bed next to him.

'Luv u.' Teddy told him with his eyes drooping again.

'I love you too Teddy.'