Everything is J.K. Rowlings. I only claim the plot. Everything else is hers, all the characters and the magic, all of it. Please let me know what you think though, I encourage feedback of all kinds, just be nice about it!
Hope you enjoy!
Chapter Twenty-Two
Apparating into a small alleyway, Harry straightened his shirt and ran a nervous hand through his hair. What was he doing? He questioned for the millionth time that day. He was meeting Dudley. Dudley wanted to meet with him. Wanted to talk to him. Wrote him a damn letter! The shopping trip a few hours ago had helped as a distraction but now he was full of nerves. He had helped Padma, Neville, and Hannah drop off all of the new pets, changed and now he was back out again. Merlin, he needed a drink.
But remembering all of the new pets that were inhabiting the manor now and how excited the house elves had been and how happy everyone with a new familiar had appeared comforted him slightly. He had even gotten a wolf-dog. That had surprised him and while it had only been an hour or so, Harry was becoming more and more pleased with his decision to get the canine. The fact that it was half dog and half wolf was not lost on him, it was like Sirius and Remus were with him...kind of...in a baby puppy form. But it was comforting nonetheless. Now he just needed a name for it. Harry just couldn't think of anything that seemed to fit.
Gathering his Gryffindor courage because he had defeated the Dark Lord and he was currently living with his former house rivals. He could handle a meal with his cousin. Right? Harry left the security of the alley and walked down the street tense and on high alert but trying to calm himself by thinking of names for his new puppy. His eyes sharp on everyone who passed him and jumping slightly at every car that whizzed by. Groaning, Harry tried to relax. He had to get a grip on himself or this whole thing was going to go up in smoke. Death Eaters and reporters would not be strolling through the outskirts of Muggle London. Everything would be fine.
Abruptly, Harry realized he had almost passed the little pub that Dudley had suggested to meet at. Swallowing against his throat that now was more similar to a desert, Harry stood outfront and stared at the building. It wasn't much to look at, but then the best pubs rarely were. It seemed structurally sound though with a battered porch and a blue door. 'Grog Time' was plastered in fading and chipped lettering on the bricks facing the street. Was it pirate themed? Harry wondered, looking at the name. Harry continued staring at the building for far longer than necessary trying to build up his nerve to move his feet inside it.
Just as he was about to shuffle forward he heard his name. "Harry! Harry is that you?" Stiffly, Harry turned and saw Dudley strolling up the street. At least he could only guess it was Dudley. The bloke before him only barely resembled the cousin he remembered getting into an Order members vehicle last summer. It was the same thick blonde hair but instead of lying like a mop on his head it was cut short and gelled slightly at the front. His watery blue eyes were still present but looked far more open and even pleasant than Harry had ever witnessed in his life. And no more was the overweight, whale-like appearance. In the couple of years before their departure last year, Harry recalled Dudley taking up boxing and apparently being rather good. But despite the gaining muscle, Dudley had still retained his chunkier appearance. The chunk was gone now though. Dudley was pure muscle and reminded Harry of the muggle bouncers or secret service agents he had caught glimpses of on TV.
"Dudley?" Harry gasped in disbelief, his eyes going wide, taking in his cousin who now stood beside him and towered almost a foot over him. Harry had accepted he was on the more average to shorter end of his age group but Dudley had definitely sprouted up or something. Or maybe he had always been rather tall but the massive weight had detracted from that? Or it could be that Harry hadn't really stood close to his cousin in years except when they said goodbye last year and Harry had had other things on his mind then to notice a height disparity between him and Dudley.
"Yeah," Dudley acknowledge pleasantly. Had Dudley ever spoken pleasantly before? Harry's mind was in a whirlwind he almost didn't catch what his cousin was continuing to say. "Thanks again for agreeing to meet with me. And you didn't have to wait outside, I'd have found you," the man commented with a grin. Harry just blinked at the stranger who claimed to be his cousin. Polyjuice was becoming a more and more likely scenario.
"Right…" Harry replied, cautiously accepting the hand that was outstretched to him. "What happened when I got my Hogwarts letter back when I was 11?"
The question obviously caught Dudley off guard but he answered without hesitation despite the obvious confusion. "Dad kept destroying them and they kept coming. And then he moved us out to this little shack in a lake until the giant bloke came and gave me a pigtail for eating your birthday cake." To Harry's surprise, Dudley actually looked sheepish at the admission.
"How many presents did you get on your eleventh birthday?" Harry continued, his voice cold and calculating as he scrutinized the man before him.
"Thirty-six, and I pitched a fit because that was one less than my tenth birthday and so mum promised to buy me two more," Dudley replied, tucking his head a bit between his shoulders and looking at the ground.
"The summer of our fourteenth birthday, when the Weasleys came for me. What did the twins drop on the ground before they left?"
Dudley winced at this memory but still answered, his eyes firmly on the ground now. "They left sweets and I ate one and it made my tongue swell up really bad and it hurt something awful."
Harry barely gave a nod to acknowledge the accuracy of the statements but he didn't say more, just staring in shock. He was having an incredibly hard time wrapping his head around this whole situation. "Do you want to go inside?" Dudley asked after the silence seemed to stretch. For the first time, Dudley seemed to appear to as nervous and hesitant as Harry felt. Harry just gave a short nod and watched as Dudley moved inside, following a few steps behind.
The two were silent as they grabbed a two-topper table in the far corner. Harry was grateful for the darker solitude of the location but it just heightened his unease. At least in a dark corner he could maybe get a spell or two out before the muggles noticed. Fingering his wand that was shoved up his sleeve, Harry slid into his seat and accepted a menu from the bored, middle-aged waitress dressed like a grungy pirate, confirming Harry's previous theories about the pub's theme. And only just had the presence of mind to whisper a 'muffliato' around their table.
"So what was with the question, Harry?" Dudley finally asked, not even glancing at the menu.
"Had to make sure it was really you. And not some Death Eater using polyjuice," Harry replied shortly, glancing up from his menu briefly to take in his cousins reaction which was more brief surprise followed by solemn understanding.
"Death Eaters? Those are the evil blokes that you lot had to go fight right?" Harry gave a slow nod, his eyes watching his cousin critically. "Yeah the guards that stayed with us kept us filled in on what was happening out in your world." Dudley looked rather unease and shifted in his seat, glancing away from the table. Harry glanced through the menu but kept an eye on his cousin. This was far too bizarre to not be a hoax or something.
The waitress returned and Harry order fish and chips with a large Guinness, Dudley also got a Guinness but partnered it with a burger instead. The two fell into silence, Harry watching Dudley and Dudley watching the pub. "So what's the deal, Dudley? Why did you ask me here?" Harry finally asked, to break the silence.
"I'm sorry!" Dudley blurted out. Harry blinked, his mind felt like it was short-circuiting. "I'm sorry for all of it. We were shit to you Harry. The things my folks did, the things I did. Damn, it was awful and I'm sorry. And then the guys watching us were teaching me about all that was happening in your world and kept telling me all this shit you'd done. And on top of all that we did to you. And I just wanted to say I'm sorry and you didn't deserve what we did. Hell, no one would deserve what we did. And I just...I'd like to try again? I mean, I get it if you want nothing to do with me or my folks but I want to show you how sorry I really am."
Harry stared, his eyes wide and face slack. What the hell? Was the only thought running through his mind. "Is it only because you've heard about what else I had to do that you feel sorry?"
"No!" the blonde man cried vehemently, shaking his head. "No, I started realizing what total dicks we were those couple years ago when you saved me from those things. What did you call 'em? Demonteas?"
"Dementors," Harry corrected in a daze.
"Yeah, dementors. I started realizing it then. And I've been thinking on it ever since. And I've been really trying to change. All this last year when we were in hiding, I really buckled down on school and my fitness and I talked to those blokes a lot because other than them it was just mum and dad. And we would listen to the radio that kept tabs on you when it was on. I've even gone and tried apologizing to some of the kids I picked on."
Harry stared and didn't even care that his mouth was hanging open. He was starting to consider the possibilities of alien abduction since polyjuice had been ruled out. Thankfully the meal was brought and as soon as the beer was placed before him, Harry had it to his mouth and drained in seconds. "Another, please," he gasped to the waitress, who stared wide eyed at the feat but wordlessly nodded and brought another.
"Look, Harry, I realize that you probably don't believe me. And I realize that you have every right to not trust me and to just never see me again after this. But please, I'd really appreciate you giving me the chance to show you that I've changed. That I'm not like what I was." Harry gazed into the blue eyes of his cousin. And accepted the refilled beer. Dudley's eyes were incredibly sincere and his voice was anguished and genuine and Harry had a hard time not believing him. But he had been living with Slytherins for a couple months now and survived a war and so was far more cautious about things.
Slowly though, Harry gave a small nod. "How about we make it through this meal, and see where it goes from there?" He made sure his voice was controlled and smooth. He imagined Narcissa and Andromeda being rather pleased at how well he was holding things together.
Dudley beamed at him and nodded eagerly. "Yes, that is great. Yes. Thank you." Harry just gave another short nod and drained his beer again. He really needed the alcohol to make it through this lunch. As he waited for a refill, he began picking at his fish and chips while Dudley set about eating his burger. There was silence and Harry felt the awkward silence pressing down on him. Should he start a conversation? What should he ask? Dudley was the one who wanted this reconciliation, he should start the conversation, right? So, uncertain with how to proceed, Harry just sat silently and ate. "You're looking really good, Harry. Are those new clothes?" Dudley seemed to have made the decision in the conversation starters and politely Harry accepted the topic.
"Thanks. Yeah, some of the people I'm now living with took me shopping. But you're looking really great yourself. You said you did fitness while in hiding. Was it just the boxing?" Harry dipped his lightly battered fish into the tartar sauce and savored the flavors as he watched his cousin blush at the compliment.
"Definitely still boxing, it's actually really helpful for me to redirect my former pastimes into something constructive. But I've taken up some martial arts as well and running, gave me something to do when I wasn't studying for my A Levels." Harry raised his eyebrows in surprise. His cousin had never been academically inclined. Dudley must have noticed the surprise and gave smirk as he popped a fry in his mouth. "I told you, I've changed. It helps when you are stuck in a safe house with only four other people," he added with a shrug.
"So what are you wanting to study then?" Harry asked, genuinely curious. This person before him was incredibly new and Harry found that he was actually starting to enjoy the mans company. Just the thought had him almost draining his next beer.
"Not sure yet, I wouldn't mind something in engineering. I like making things. Gives me something to do with my hands I guess," Dudley gave a shrug, hunching over slightly with his elbows on the table as he leaned over his plate, knocking his fries about his plate. "But I missed the cut off for uni this term. So I'll try for it next term, I suppose. In the meantime, I've just been looking for work. But not many people want to higher a bloke who has never held a job and disappeared off the face of the earth for a year." Harry felt a twinge of guilt at the admission that being in hiding was ruining job prospects but he didn't know what to say, so stayed silent on that matter. "So that makes it harder to get an apartment and move out from mum and dad, but it's going."
Harry nodded, still impressed by his cousins goals. "And...um...how are they? Ergm….your mum and dad?" Harry kept his eyes on his food, picking at a fry, trying not to fidget as he asked the question. It was the appropriate follow up after all.
Dudley's eyes softened and he watched his cousin. "They're alright, I suppose. Glad to be out of the safe house. Dad had a heart attack while we were in hiding. All the magic I suppose got to him. He is still recovering but I think it just made him hate it all the more. Mum...I don't know. I don't really know what she thinks about things anymore. She hardly spoke this whole year. And she always looked so sad. I think having to take care of dad is good for her because it gives her something to do. Makes her not have to think about things. They found a little house, not of the same caliber of the old one," Dudley said with a roll of his eyes that made Harry think that he had heard that phrase from his parents far too often in the past couple of months which brought a smirk to his lips. "But it's not bad."
"And what do you think about magic now?" Harry asked quietly, his eyes guarded as he finished the last of his fries.
Dudley was silent for a moment, draining his glass. "I'm not afraid of it anymore. The guards we had used it all the time and I kinda got used to it I suppose. Even started asking them about it. They gave me some of your basic books and while I couldn't wrap my head around it. It sounded cool. Actually really cool and impressive that you lot can do all of this stuff with just a few words and a flick of the wrist." Harry smirked a little at the simple description and could imagine Hermione negating the simplicity by going on a lecture about how it was far more than just words and wrist movements but Harry didn't feel like mentioning it.
The two fell into silence and Harry accepted another beer while Dudley also asked for his first refill. "So what about you? What do you do now that the bad guy is defeated?"
Harry watched the dark amber of the beer swirl around his glass as he debated the question. "I'm still trying to figure that out," he finally answered. "A lot of shit has happened in the past few months and hell we are all still trying to recover from the past year or so." Harry looked up from his beer to see Dudley watching him, completely open and seemingly genuinely interested. The look tugged at his chest a bit and Harry found himself starting to talk about the past few months in a way he hadn't to anyone else. Maybe because all of his friends were all tied in and related to what was going on and Dudley was just a passive bystander with no influence or say on anything?
So, Harry talked about the Right of Conquest. He talked about what he had come to inherit and the deal he made with the Slytherins. He talked about the press conference and the others who came to live with him. He talked about the birthday party. He skimmed out a few details, like how the nightmares never ceased and the guilt only intensified with each day and how rebuilding Hogwarts had been one of the hardest things he had to do or that he couldn't go a meal without something stronger in his drink. Harry didn't say any of that, just sticking to the main points but he talked.
At some point Harry wondered if Dudley had slipped Veritaserum into his beer when he wasn't looking but dismissed that. The beer had been in sight the entire time, even when it was being refilled Harry could still see the waitress filling it from behind the counter. But surprisingly, it felt good. Harry felt his chest lighten slightly at just being free to talk. Dudley interrupted occasionally for clarification or to ask about specific people, but besides that he just listened.
"Damn. You weren't kidding. A lot has been going on." Harry just nodded at the proclamation. Their dishes had been cleared away and they were both just resting in their chairs, drinking their beers and Harry was struck again with the bizarreness of the situation. They made small talk for a while after that. A fragile truce forming between them in the pirate themed pub. However, a small glance at his watch, had his eyes widening.
"Oh, Merlin. I should probably be heading back. It's been almost three hours. The others are probably back from the robe shop by now." Dudley nodded and stood with Harry as they each paid their bills and walked out of the pub. They stood outside the pub facing each other in awkward silence, not really certain how to end the outing.
"This wasn't bad," Dudley began with a nervous grin. "I mean, I appreciate you coming to meet with me. But I wouldn't mind doing this again sometime?" Harry found himself nodding at the question.
"Sure, yeah, it wasn't bad," he heard his mouth saying the words but his brain still wasn't comprehending the fact that he was actually OK about meeting Dudley again. What was the world coming to? Feeling awkward about just leaving things like this, Harry added. "Why don't I walk with you to the bus stop?"
Dudley looked surprised. "You sure? I mean, do you not need to catch your ride? You said you were running late."
Harry shrugged with a smirk. "Nah, I can just apparate out once you're gone." Realization dawned on Dudley and he closed his eyes in amusement.
"Right. Magic. It still doesn't always click," he chuckled. "So sure, the stops just a few blocks this way," he said, pointing his hand over his shoulder. Harry gave a nod and fell into step beside the hulking blonde. They made idle chatter but for the most part walked in silence.
It was two blocks of walking when heard the sounds of apparatition and his head went up and on alert, stopping on the sidewalk. "Harry?" Dudley asked, stopping a few feet ahead of him. "You alright?"
Harry shushed his cousin sharply, his eyes noting everything and his head on a swivel. His fingers tightening around his wand, ready to draw it if needed. Movement in the nearest alley had him crouching into a defensive position and stalking closer. He heard Dudley's worried questions and feet following him. But Harry ignored him. His adrenaline was starting to race and he had his wand fully out now, stalking closer.
"Down!" he shouted, hitting the ground as a jet of purple light raced towards him. Hoping Dudley had heard him and would be hiding behind something for protection. Harry fired off a few spells of his own before ducking behind a trash can. Another spell had the trashcan up in flames and Harry scrambled backwards, throwing a few cutting hexes followed by a shield before he sprinted forward into the alley.
There were five dark cloaked figures, each with the a Death Eater mask of red instead of silver. Harry sneered slightly at the sight of them but didn't wait a moment longer before he was dueling the lot. He incapacitated one with petrification and bound another, leaving him with just three left. His blood was pumping and Harry felt a small smirk on his face, he hadn't felt this alive in months!
Hissing in pain as one of the hexes hit is knee, Harry rolled out of the way of another before throwing up his shield again. When one of the masked figures went down, revealing Dudley standing behind where the figure had stood with his fists raised. "Need some help?" he asked, his voice cracked a little ruining the attempt at humor. But Harry was too surprised at the assistance to do more.
"Filthy muggle!" One of the remaining two Death Eaters shouted out in a croaking voice shooting a hex at Dudley. A moment of panic and Harry had the shield spell up to block Dudley from the curse. Sadly his distraction left him open and the other Death Eater took the chance to hit him with the cruciatus.
Caught by surprise, Harry screamed as the pain overpowered him, consuming him to the point of delirious. All he could comprehend was the pain, it felt like he was being stabbed by white hot knives on every inch of his skin. Vaguely, Harry heard Dudley also being hit by the torture curse and his cousins screams joined his. While it was nothing like being put under by Voldemort, this Death Eater had some serious anger to get out on Harry.
After what felt like hours, the spell let up and Harry was left panting, gasping for breath curled in a ball on the ground. He was getting little reprieve as he was put under again and then a third time. Each time was worse and more intense. After the curse stopped for a third time, Dudley's screams cut through his pain addled mind, enough to get a spell shot off at his attacker to buy him more time.
His Death Eater shot another hex at him but Harry ducked just in time to send a blasting hex that hit the bloke square in the chest and knocking the robed figure into the brick wall of the alley. Dudley's attacker was gearing up for another round of the curse to use on Dudley as Harry staggered to his knees. His pain too intense to realize the added pain that putting weight on his bad knee gave him. Crawling forward because he was aware enough that he couldn't stand, Harry through a hex at the Death Eater.
Not waiting to see if his spell hit its mark, Harry lurched forward, grabbed Dudley's ankle and disapparated.
The two landed on the grassy hill just outside the Manors apparition point. Harry was still panting and shaky from the fight. His adrenaline was wearing off and the pain was enough to almost pass out. Glancing at Dudley, Harry felt his body go numb. There was blood everywhere. Dudley had gotten splinched when Harry apparated them out.
"HELP!" Harry shouted. His voice rough and hoarse from the screaming under the cruciatus. "SOMEONE HELP!" he screamed again. Harry pulled himself closer to his cousin, trying to determine the source of the bleeding.
A terrified shriek followed a short popping noise. "Master! What's been happened, Master?"
"Get Padma!" Harry yelled, hysteria breaching his voice. Padma wanted to be a trauma Healer. Padma would know what to do, his mind chanted. "Get Padma here now! GO!" He screamed at the tiny elf, not caring at how harsh he was being towards the creature. "Dudley, I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. Stay with me. Come on." Dudley coughed and wretched, he gave a few distraught screams of pain but he was losing blood fast and his breathing was becoming labored. "HELP!" Harry screamed again before lowering his voice to plead with his cousin, his voice cracking in his desperation. "Please, Dudley, please. Come on, Big D. You can do it. Just hold on. Help is coming."
"Move aside!" A brisk voice suddenly shouted. "Move." Harry was pushed backwards from his cousin as Padma knelt beside the blonde muggle and began casting spells.
"Harry, what happened?" Hands were on him, shaking his shoulders but he couldn't tear his eyes off of his cousins bloodied form. "Harry!" The shaking intensified and Harry pulled his eyes away from the blood and looked into the warm brown ones of Hermione. "Talk to me. What happened."
"Death Eaters," Harry mumbled. A numb feeling settling over him and he barely winced when he was jostled and moved once more so that Tracey and Luna could assist Padma. The rest of the group went silent at this statement but Harry didn't notice.
"What are you talking about? What about Death Eaters?" Hermione pressed. Harry felt cold and his vision was blacking out. He felt another shake of his shoulders and he tried to focus on his best friend. "Don't you dare, Harry Potter. Stay awake. Tell me what happened." Harry couldn't remember hearing her sound so stern before.
"Five of them. An alley. Walking Dudley to the bus. Red masks. Attacked. Crucio'd us. Got them all. Splinched him trying to apparate out." His sentences were short and choppy and Harry wasn't entirely sure if he was actually saying the words at all. "Tried to save him. Save him Padma." He breathed the last words before he finally succumbed to the darkness that had been creeping up on him.
The first thing Harry noticed was that the light was really bright even with his eyes closed. The second was that his body hurt. The third was that he was lying on something soft that he guessed was a bed. And the fourth was a warmth pressed into his side. Groaning slightly, he tried opening his eyes but gave up because it hurt to do that too. He heard voices and then there was movement near him. Someone was whispering words and then there was someone putting weight on the bed he was on opposite the warm side and grabbing his hand.
"Harry? Can you hear me? Squeeze my hand if you can." It sounded like Hermione. Grateful to not have to talk right now because it felt like his throat was comprised of shards of glass, Harry gave a weak squeeze of the hand. "Great. OK. Padma is just running a few more diagnostics. But I need you to open your eyes." Harry groaned at that. He didn't want to open his eyes. The light hurt but he couldn't say that because that hurt to.
"Try closing the curtains," he heard another voice say that sounded like Daphne. There was movement and the sound of curtains being closed, shutting out the blinding light.
"Better?" Hermione asked and Harry gave her hand a squeeze. "Try opening your eyes now." He still didn't want to but now he didn't have much of an excuse. So breathing deeply, Harry peeled his eyelids open slowly.
He was in his room, on his bed. Hermione sat on the bed next to him, Padma stood over him with her wand still raised and looking rather relieved to see him awake, Daphne sat on one of his chairs that had been pulled over to be right next to the bed. He saw Neville leaning against one of the far walls looking tense. And his new familiar laid stretched out against his side, head resting on its paws, dark eyes watching him intently. He received a lick from the dog upon opening his eyes.
"How are you feeling, Harry?" Padma asked, her voice was soft though laced with amusement at the actions of the familiar.
"Hurts," he rasped out, reaching his free hand to run it through the canines thick fur, and was rewarded by a steady thump of its tail against the bed.
She nodded sympathetically. "I expect so. You have the effects of the cruciatus still on you but I was able to heal your knee, but-"
"Dudley," Harry cut her off. His eyes searched hers, trying to see anything that she might not be telling him.
"He's alive," she replied simply. Harry let out a breath but stared at her until she told him more. "He's still recovering, and should make a full recovery," for some reason her tone didn't match her words and Harry felt a flicker of unease. "It will just take longer, muggles heal differently and they don't respond to all of our potions," she insisted pressing onwards. "So Draco and I have been experimenting on how to adjust the potions we can give him. He is still knocked out now though."
"Where?" Harry managed to ask, before accepting the drink Daphne held out to him. She placed the rim of the glass to his lips and tipped gently so he could gulp down his fill. It was cold. The cold hurt his throat but gave it a little wetness to help with the shards of glass.
"We have him in the spare guest on the second floor." Harry gave a small nod and relaxed onto the bed, tightening his grip in the dogs fur. Dudley was alive and would heal. He hadn't killed his cousin, too. He doubted that Dudley would be as open to rebuilding a relationship now but at least he was still alive.
"I want to see him," Harry demanded weakly, trying to push his covers off of him. Only to be forced back down by Hermione and Daphne accompanied by a sharp bark from the dog.
"No you don't," Padma warned. "You are staying in that bed until I determine you are fit enough to leave it. I will put a body bind on you. Just see if I won't." Harry was about to retort but caught the stern look in her eye and thought better of it. He saw Neville smirking from his position on the wall and Harry glared at his friend. "Astoria, Tracey and Greg are with him. When he wakes I will let you know. I promise. But you do him no good if you aren't healing too." Harry sighed and threw his head back onto his pillows in aggravated defeat, ignoring the pain that movement caused him. "Great," Padma chirped happily, seeing him give in. "Now, take these potions and I'll get Lopsy to bring your food."
Harry glared at the curtained off window. "How long has it been?" he questioned.
"It's early morning now," Hermione answered, her eyes filled with worry and fear and concern. He hadn't seen that look since they were on the run. "You've been out for the past eighteen hours."
There was a pop and Harry tensed up, reaching for his wand only to realize it wasn't where it was supposed to be. "You're wands here," Daphne answered his unasked panicked question, pointing to the holly wand resting on the bedside table. "And it's only Lopsy with your food. Don't worry," she added, softly. Harry felt heat rise in his cheeks at her words but said nothing, focusing on the tray of food that Lopsy was placing over his legs. The dog readjusted itself to make room for the tray legs but remained firmly stationed next to him. The tray held some soup and toast with a glass of water and orange juice.
Seeing the food, he felt his stomach rumble in response. Bringing his hand up he scooped a spoonful and began blowing on the soup while he listened to Padma continue with her Healer routine. "Right, so this is your pain potion," she said placing a vial on his tray, "this one is to continue the healing in your knee. You aren't going to want to put any weight on it for the next two days to make sure it's fully healed," she continued placing another vial down. "Take this to stock up on your nutrients. You have missed a few meals after all. And you'll finish it off with this one, it's a simple sleep potion," she said placing the fourth vial on the tray, looking rather pleased with herself. "Well go on, eat up. Oh, and I feel I should remind you. No alcohol can be consumed while using these potions." Harry had a vivid imagination of Padma cackling with devil horns as she made that proclamation and Harry felt himself craving the burning liquors even stronger now that she said he couldn't have any. "Eat up, you guys watch him. I'm going to go check on his cousin," she said turning briskly and leaving the room.
Groaning, Harry took a spoonful of soup. "She is almost as bad as Madam Pomfrey," he muttered. Neville snorted and Hermione rolled her eyes. Daphne just snickered, settling back into her chair. A few bites later, Harry dropped his spoon. "Oh shit! Eighteen hours! We have to contact Petunia and Vernon. They're probably worried sick about Dudley."
"I'll write them a letter," Hermione said, summoning some parchment from the coffee table.
"Try to make it with as little references to magic as possible. You know how bad they are about that. And apparently Vernon had a heart attack do to the influx of magic around him this past year. So make it gentle. And try to get the owl to just deliver to Petunia, when Vernon is out of the room." Hermione just nodded, scribbling out a note of reassurance. The soup was definitely helping his throat, Harry thought briefly but as he took a small break from the soup, he downed the pain and nutrient vials.
"So how did it go?" Neville asked from the wall. "I mean before the attack."
Harry frowned slightly as he recalled the previous day. "Bizarre. He apologized. Said he wanted to start over. That he had changed and I actually think he has," he continued, feeling dazed just remembering it all. His free hand absently stroking his familiars fur. "Now that's probably gone up in smoke. Not like he'll want to meet up again if this is what happens when he does."
Hermione sighed at his bitterness and Daphne frowned slightly. "Well, they caught the group. At least I think they did, we'll find out hwen they get here. Once you had passed out," Harry flinched at remembering that, "Neville called the Aurors and we told them all we knew. It helped that the two of you were pretty bruised up. But Hermione told them where you had met up and so they scouted the area and found the five. Now, on top of Death Eater charges, they are charged with attacking the Chosen One and a 'defenseless' muggle in a muggle suburb. So they'll have a quick trial and be gone for the rest of their lives."
"I wouldn't say defenseless. Dudley took one of them out with just his fists," Harry replied with a smirk. "Who were they? Do we know them?"
Hermione shook her head with a small frown creasing her brow. "No, they didn't seem familiar. But the Aurors were saying they weren't marked either."
"Sympathizers? Or a new insurgence group?" Neville questioned, his face hard and his eyes cold. Harry could see how he had become the new leader of the rebellion during the last year. He looked like a commander, filled with a quiet confidence that inspired those around him.
Harry pondered the question. "Not sure. The masks were red, not silver. So a new group might be likely."
"The Aurors will be by later today for questioning and back again when your cousin wakes up," Daphne added, handing him the potion for his knee when he finished off the soup. He grimaced at the foul taste and had only just washed it down with the orange juice before she was handing him the sleep potion. She gave him a no nonsense look. "Take it. You need to rest and sleep. The Aurors will be here later today to talk to you and you can discuss theories then. For now you need rest."
Grumbling to himself, Harry took the vial and drained it. Handing the empty container back, he watched Daphne banish the tray and vials away as he grabbed his wand and slipped it under his pillow. He yawned, feeling the potions effects already. "We'll stay here with you," Hermione promised him as he fell deeper into sleep. He blinked blearily and saw a blurry flash of Daphne's blue-grey eyes before finally drifting off. His hand resting on the warm fur of his canine. He felt rather peaceful as he drifted off.
When Harry next woke up shaking from a nightmare and sweating, Neville were gone. But Hermione and Daphne were still there and Padma was back. To his surprise, Ron was also there dressed in Auror-in-training robes with two actual Aurors standing at the foot of his bed looking like they had just arrived and Harry jolted at the sight of them. Hermione laid a comforting hand on his arm. And his dog scooted closer to him, resting its head on his chest in comfort.
"Mr. Potter," the older of the Aurors said, the bloke was wrinkled and old but hardened with wispy dark grey hair and a thin mustache. "I'm Auror Robbins. This is Auror Baz and Auror-in-training Weasley." Harry felt a flicker of pride for his friend for a moment before focusing on Aurors Robbins and Baz. Baz was younger with fair blonde hair tied in a man bun, with scruff along his chin. Baz was the tallest but Ron looked the most muscular of the group. Harry was pleased to see how well Ron seemed to fit with the Aurors, he looked comfortable with himself for once.
"Pleasure to meet you," Harry replied but his throat was dry again. Wordlessly, Padma handed him a glass of water and another pain potion. Grimacing, Harry drank the water and potion without complaint. And gave Padma a questioning look as he waited for the potions to take effect on his throat.
She shook her head with a sigh. "Your cousin is still asleep but he should be waking tomorrow." He tried not to think to hard on how worried Padma looked as she said this and looked back at the Aurors.
"Mr. Potter, we were alerted to an attack on your person in accompaniment with your muggle cousin, yesterday afternoon around half past four, correct?" Auror Robbins began when Harry's attention was focused. Harry gave a nod. "Please explain what happened, in your own words."
Harry sighed and tossed his mind back once again. "We had grabbed lunch at this pub called the "Grog Time"? Or something. It was pirate themed. Anyway, I was walking him to the bus stop when I heard apparatition and stopped to see if I saw anything. Well, I saw this cloak in the shadows of the alley and so went to investigate." He was rather certain he heard the three witches give frustrated huffs and Daphne mutter something about Gryffindors but continued on as Auror Baz took notes. "One of them shot a hex and I shouted at Dudley to duck. Shot a few spells and took cover behind a trash can but they set that on fire. So I made it into the alley and there were five of them. But instead of silver Death Eater masks they wore red masks. I got two out of the game and was dealing with the other three when Dudley came up and knocked one of them out with his fists. My knee got hit but I can't remember if it was before or after Dudley knocked the bloke out. Well one guy got me with the cruciatus and the other got Dudley. I don't know how long we were under but I think Dudley got more rounds of it than I did. I managed to blast my bloke back and I hexed Dudley's bu I don't know if it hit. I grabbed Dudley's ankle and disapparated. We got here and I realized Dudley had gotten splinched and shouted for Padma because I knew she was training to be a Healer."
"There were only four attackers in the alley, Mr. Potter," Auror Baz informed him, the serious tone contradicting the hippy appearance. Harry swore and he saw Ron looking how he was feeling.
"Do you know if they were just sympathizers or if it as a whole new group?" Harry asked, repositioning on the bed to sit straighter. The dog moved to place its head in his lap now that he was sitting up.
"That remains to be seen," Auror Robbins replied gruffly. "We will take all accounts into consideration and start up an investigation. We will alert you if you are needed for further questioning and we will return to question the muggle when he awakes."
Harry gaped at the older man. "Wait. That's it? Will you at least keep me informed about what happens?"
"I'm sorry, Mr. Potter," though Auror Robbins didn't seem to bothered. "But we can not disclose private investigation details to civilians and especially not to the victims." Harry glowered at the man at the term victim and was tempted to scream that he was Harry Fucking Potter and should have every right to know if there was a new Death Eater group out there.
Hermione must have noticed his anger flaring up and so she quickly gripped his hand tightly, trying to will him to calm down as his dog emitted a soft growl. Gritting his teeth, Harry took a few deep breaths. "So I am not permitted to know as a civilian or as a victim if there could be more attacks me or my companions?" he spat out, breathing heavy.
"You will be alerted if it is determined you were a target," Auror Baz replied coolly.
Hermione scoffed, breaking her silence. "How could he not have been the target? He is Harry Potter. I would suspect that any attack against him by those in Death Eater masks, regardless of color, would be ample evidence to support that he would be the target. How many wizards do you know that hang out in muggle suburbs decked out in robes and masks and just happen upon a wizard. And not just any wizard but the Chosen One?" her words were harsh and hissed out, containing her fury.
"I'm going to have to request you leave. My patient is still recovering and your presence is disturbing his healing," Padma added stiffly.
"We can not rule out any possibilities, miss. We cannot disclose private investigations and any information that Mr. Potter can provide will be asked for if it appears to be required," Auror Robbins ground out to Hermione before giving a nod to Padma's request and continuing to Harry. "We wish you a swift recovery, Mr. Potter, good day." He lead his team out of the room, only stopping at the door. "And be aware that no Aurors, no matter how friendly they might be with you, are prohibited from disclosing any information. Understood?" The old man cast a glance at Ron whose ears went red and Harry's glare just intensified.
Aurors Robbins and Baz left the room but Ron hung back, grabbing the door and turning back to face Harry and the rest, looking sheepish. "I'm glad you're awake now, Harry. I'm sorry I can't stay. But I'll be back after my shifts over. I'm really sorry about all of this. Rest up and I'll see you later."
"Dicks," Padma huffed once the door was closed. "Well that wasn't helpful at all. And we get to deal with them again when your cousin wakes." Letting out a suffering sigh, she turned back to a still pissed Harry. "I'll go get Lopsy for your food. Try not to do anything destructive while I'm gone." She quickly left the room and Harry flopped back onto his pillows.
"How are you feeling?" Daphne asked, watching him carefully.
"Great. Do you think she'll let me out of my bed?"
Hermione snorted. "Not likely." Harry groaned and began stroking the canine that was slowly creeping to cover his lap, finding it calmed him slightly.
"What time is then?" he sighed, staring fondly at the black mass of fur, reveling in the softness of it and the warmth radiating out of the small body.
"Around 5," Daphne replied. "Have you thought of a name yet?"
He sighed and shook his head. "No not yet. I don't know what would fit him. What did you name yours?"
"Circe," she replied with a smirk, twirling a lock of her hair. "She is rather enchanting." The words 'just like her owner' almost fell from his lips but he bit them back and just looked at his familiar. His cheeks still heating up at the thought.
His head was pounding but he knew it had nothing to do with the attack yesterday. Merlin, he needed a drink. His throat was parched and water wasn't going to solve it. Maybe he'd name the dog Whiskey? Was that healthy to name a familiar after his favorite drink? Maybe Patron? Also a favorite drink but could be passed off as something else. Patrono? Patronus? He did look like Sirius's patronus.
"What are your thoughts for names?" Hermione asked, getting comfortable in her chair and placing the book she had been reading while Harry slept on her lap.
Harry shrugged. "Whiskey? Patronus?"
Hermione considered the choices. "I think my neighbor had a dog named Whiskey. It's not uncommon," she shrugged. "But I think Patronus is nice. It's different, holds meaning," she continued.
"Agreed. You don't want the dog to have a common name because it is definitely not a common dog," Daphne chimed in.
"What do you think? Do you like Patronus?" The dog gave a bark and wagged its tail. And Harry smirked. "Patronus it is then," he whispered. Padma entered the room with a tray of food.
"Here we are. I want you to eat this and take another sleeping potion. That should be the last one you need and tomorrow we can discuss movement. Deal?" Harry nodded with an innocent look on his face. She scoffed, not buying the innocence.
Dutifully, Harry ate the sandwich he had been provided and drank his potions. Patronus shifted and curled up to share his pillow, giving his face a couple licks as the potion took hold once more.