Sorry for the late update guys, I've just recovered from a throat infection + post university work load stress!

Chapter 22:

"We'll be fine Bella dear" my mother said calmly as she soothingly stroked my hand through the healing shield. My father gave me a comforting nod as they both lay down on the hospital beds. Medi-witches and wizards woked tirelessly, continuously strengthening the healing forcefield that surrounded my parents with a green glow, and concocting and administering various potions.

James' parents, along with James and Lily had been with me the entire time but had just left the room to allow us to be alone together for some time.

After spending some time talking with them, I looked outside and saw that the sky was darkening. Preparing to leave, the others came back into the room and we said our goodbyes.

I kissed both of them on the foreheads, willing myself not to shed any more tears than I had already.

"Excuse me" a medi-witch called me after we left the ward. "I'd just like to update you on Mr and Mrs Harper's condition.

I listened eagerly.

"It will be a slow process I'm afraid, as they were incapacitated for a lengthened period of time, stronger spells that take time to work must be administered, but we are fully confident they will recover fully in around about three months." She said kindly.

I blinked as I processed this.

Mrs Potter burst into tears. "If only we had come and found them sooner" she sobbed into her handkerchief. Mr Potter rubbed her back as she cried.

"Don't cry Mrs P," I said, "It's not your fault! And if it weren't for you both, who knows what would have happened to them!" I said.

"That's right Mrs Potter!"

"Yeah mum"

James and Lily agreed at the same time.

James took this opportunity to grin at Lily, who blushed and turned away.

I continued to visit my parents regularly, after a month rolled by I was finally getting over the initial shock of the incident and accepting that they would recover soon.

Rodger was ever sympathetic and sweet, always willing for me to lean on him when I needed comfort.

I began to regain my focus for school work, which was a good thing as the load was increasing.

And as we were nearing the end of sixth year, we had to take apparition lessons.

It seemed simple enough, stand next to the hoop, think of the destination which is inside the hoop, take a half turn and voila!

But once we started practising, we realised it wasn't as easy as it looks, and by the third week, only two people had shown any sort of positive result. Those two were Remus and Severus Snape.

After out fifth lesson, I had managed to visualise the destination more clearly, and happy with my progress, I decided to practice some more by myself. Lily had a prefect meeting, and James was practising quidditch so I headed to the beech tree on the shore of the Great Lake, and began rehearsing the steps.

Half an hour ticked by with no progress.

"Doing great" a snide voice called.

I turned to see Sirius leaning against a tree a few feet away from me, legs crossed at the ankles, and a smirk gracing his face.

I tilted my head, "very funny" I said sarcastically.

He grinned, after a pause he pushed himself off the tree with grace and approached me.

"Here let me help" he said. I remembered that he had been able to master the art of apparition last week. Leaving just James and I the only ones who couldn't quite conquer it yet.

"You have to visualise the destination clearly-"

"I know, I am." I said impatiently.

He chuckled, "alright then. Now when you take your half turn, step heavily with your right foot, while balancing with your left, make sure you leave no room to stumble."

He gently guided me by holding my shoulders (which, in retrospect, was completely unnecessary, but not wholly unwelcome).

After the fifth attempt, I did it.

I squealed and embraced him in a hug, which quickly turned awkward when he stiffened, and then I stiffened and pulled away.

I looked to the ground, "um thanks.." I mumbled.

"No problem" he said, scratching the back of his neck.

After an awkward pause, he suddenly grabbed my hand and made me sit next to him on the ground, and rested his back against the tree. He stretched his legs out in front of him and put his hands behind his head.

"So, I was meaning to ask you, are you alright?"

I gave him a quizzical look. "What do you mean?"

He leaned forward, "your parents Bells, I never got the chance to see how you were doing. I'm really sorry for what happened."

"Oh, no problem, thank you for asking. They're doing well, recovering slowly but surely" I smiled up at him while tucking a lock of dark hair behind my ear, squirming momentarily under his intense gaze. "They should be fine in about a month, according to the healers."

"That's great news Bella" he smiled encouragingly.

"Yeah" I smiled back, then looked down at him hands and sighed.

"What is it?" he asked curiously.

"Nothing, it's just, I've been realising all the complications now. The bill for the hospital and the costs of repairing the house are going to be enormous, and mum and dad are worried because they spent a lot of galleons on their holiday to France last spring. "But we'll work it out!" I said more cheerfully. "I'm just so glad they're going to be okay."

He wrapped an arm around my shoulder and whispered, "I'm glad too."

Review please!

- Sugar :)