The halls of St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries had many corridors, most leading to brightly colored rooms, where residents would be healed by the staff. On the east side of the hospital, on the second floor there was one such corridor, except that this one ended to a dimly lit corridor that turned sharply to the left. At the start of this dim corridor there was a burly looking wizard with a black beard, and dark glasses. He made no sound, no movement; he almost appeared like a statue.
A woman wearing white robes approached him from the lift bank at the opposite end of the corridor. She had a small, feminine frame, and a lovely face. She was a total contrast to the guard.
"Good morning John." She said pleasantly.
"Good morning Sarah." The guard greeted her, much friendlier that one would expect.
"How's our patient today?" She asked the guard.
"Quiet. Doesn't make a sound, that one," the guard said, nodding his head to the end of the long dark corridor behind him.
"Well, I'm off to check on him, I'll see you later." She said, rubbing his arm as she passed.
"How about lunch today, Sarah," the guard asked quickly.
"That sounds nice, let's say, twelve." She said.
"Great, I'll meet you in the cafeteria." John informed her.
"See you then." She agreed.
She walked halfway down the empty corridor, at further inspection; it was obvious that there were no doors, no paintings, no markings of any kind, just cold, ugly, gray stones. She stopped about three quarters of the way down, and placed her wand to the wall. The wall immediately turned into a doorway, not unlike the entrance to Diagon Ally.
At first glance into the room, it was obvious that it was no ordinary hospital room. An oversized bed stood in the middle of the room, accompanied by a smaller, child size bed. The walls were decorated with paintings of people Sarah did not know, and a painting of Hogwarts. There were several overstuffed chairs and sofas lining the room, but Sarah shook her head at the thought that no one ever sat in them.
"And how's our patient today, Nurse Cindy?" Sarah asked.
"Stubborn." Cindy answered.
"Indeed." Sarah said, walking over to the patient in the large bed.
"And how are we, Mr. Potter?" Sarah asked politely.
"Well, you look in marvelous shape, I on the other hand, feel lousy." Harry snapped.
"Oh, be quiet." Sarah said, passing her wand over Harry's entire body.
The wand glowed blue the entire time.
"All healed. You should be free to go in a day or two." Sarah said.
"If I'm all healed, why do I have to wait?" Harry asked, impatiently.
"Because I said so," Sarah said, turning to go.
"I'm sorry Sarah; it's just that I'm growing restless. I've been conscious for two weeks now; I want to get out of this place." Harry said apologetically.
"I understand how you feel Harry, but I don't want to take any chances." She said smiling. "Well I'm off, got to attend to the Minister's daughter." She declared, turning to go.
"What?" Harry yelled.
Sarah froze in her spot. She had never heard Harry yell, and his voice reverberated off the stone walls causing it to be amplified.
"I, um, I said I have to attend to the Minister's daughter." She answered nervously.
"Which daughter," Harry asked impatiently.
"As far as I know, he only has one." Sarah answered.
"He has three! Which daughter," Harry growled, causing the Healer to take a step back.
"Ginny Weasley," Sarah answered, now shaking with fear.
Harry rose from his bed, slowly walked up to Sarah.
"Did you just say that my fiancé is in this hospital?" Harry asked, trying to calm himself down.
"Ginny Weasley's your fiancé?" She asked disbelievingly.
"Yes Sarah, Ginny is my fiancée; now please tell me what's wrong with her." Harry said, trying desperately to maintain his composure, and failing miserably.
"She's catatonic, ever since the day you, well you almost died." Sarah said, hoping not to upset Harry.
"Anything physically wrong with her," Harry asked.
"No, she just doesn't respond to anyone." Sarah said.
Harry relaxed. "That's all, no problem, five minutes with her, and she'll be fine." Harry said, climbing back into bed.
"Harry, this is serious." The Healer said.
"No, only serious for you, I've had success with this before." Harry said vaguely.
"Oh my God, you healed the Longbottoms!" She screeched.
"And only the Longbottoms know, so keep this under our pact of secrecy." Harry commanded.
"Yes Harry, I will, but how?" She asked, really wanting to know, to help others. "There's a really nice patient we'd all love to heal, his name is Gilderoy, Gilderoy Lockhart." She added.
Harry's face turned to stone. "And do you know why he is like that?" Harry asked in a menacing tone.
"No." Sarah answered fearfully.
"Because he used a faulty wand, he tried to obliterate my mind in my second year at Hogwarts, in the Chamber of Secrets, where incidentally, is where I saved Ginny Weasley. So, you will forgive me if I don't rush to tell you how to heal him." Harry said with an anger Sarah had never heard.
"I'll, um; I'll just go to my next patient." She said, practically running from the room.
"Daddy, she could cause trouble." Cindy said, in a very adult-like voice.
"No Cindy, she won't remember a thing." Harry said, waving his hand in the air.
"Daddy, can I ask you something?" Cindy asked, climbing onto Harry's bed.
"Of course, sweetheart," Harry answered warmly.
"How strong with magic are you? I see how people are almost afraid of you, like you're something dangerous. Are you really that strong?" Cindy asked.
"Baby," Harry began, taking her in a tight hug. "I can do things other wizards and witches can't, but I'm just daddy, no one who isn't evil should ever fear me. I don't like to hurt people, not even bad people. I only do what I do because it needs to be done. Can you understand?" Harry asked Cindy hopefully.
"I think so daddy. You try to stop the bad men, and if you can't, you have to hurt them so they don't hurt other people." Cindy said, in a most child-like interpretation.
"Exactly, now, how about a game of Exploding Snap," Harry asked his daughter.
"Goody." She squealed, and ran to get the cars.
Sarah walked up to John the guard. "Still on for this afternoon?" She asked pleasantly.
"Absolutely," John answered excitedly.
"Bye." She said, not remembering anything of her conversation with Harry.
That night, a man in black pants, black shirt, and an open black robe walked down the dimly lit passageway leading to the guard blocking the dark corridor that lead to the entrance to Harry's room, as he walked passed an open door, a woman with violently yellow hair walked into him clumsily.
"Oh, I'm so sorry." The woman said.
The man eyed her, she was very lovely, and had an athletic body, he seemed taken.
"That's just fine by me, you can run into me anytime you like." The man said flirtatiously.
She blushed. "Tonks," she said, introducing herself, and thrusting out her hand.
"Michael." The man said, taking her hand and kissing it. She blushed even more.
"Visiting someone?" She asked.
"You could say that." He answered vaguely.
"You're American." She said; sounding surprised.
"People keep telling me that." He answered playfully.
"Want to get some tea?" Tonks asked.
"I'd love to, but I have to see my friend, before it gets any later." Michael said, kissing her hand once again, and continuing down the hall.
"Wait a minute." Tonks said to herself. "It's after visiting hours, where is he going?" She wondered.
She watched as he walked up to the guard, waved his hand, and the guard fell. All at once, she had a terrible feeling. She took off after Michael, but by the time she reached the guard's desk, Michael had vanished.
She walked up and down the corridor, but found nothing, no door, passageway, or even painting to hide a door. She ran back towards Neville.
"You look pretty good for a dead guy." Michael joked, walking into Harry's hospital room.
"I hide it well." Harry joked back.
"And this must be the Cindy everybody's talking about." Michael said, smiling at Cindy.
"Daddy, he talks funny." Cindy said to Harry. Harry and Michael laughed.
"You're right Cindy, I do talk funny. My name is Michael; I'm a friend of your father's." Michael explained.
"Are you a wizard?" Cindy bluntly asked.
"No sweetheart, Michael is no wizard, he's a Magi." Harry answered for Michael.
"Ah, you've been speaking to Albus." Michael deduced.
"Yes I have, now tell me, what the hell is a Magi?" Harry asked sounding angry.
"That's a long story, and very few people know it completely." Michael attempted to divert the question.
"Well then, ten minutes from now, I'll be one of them." Harry said shortly.
"And Cindy," Michael added.
"Don't worry, Cindy can keep a secret." Harry said surly.
"We Harry, are an ancient race, we were not even born of your world. We came thousands of years before man truly developed. Many of our kind disliked your race, a breed bred of apes, with only food and sex on their minds." Michael paused to sit. "I have lived on this Earth for thousands of years. I once commanded the army that fought to protect man, many of my kind died. Unlike humans, we are spiritual beings; we don't carry our souls inside like you do, so when one of us dies, they are gone forever. We have gone by many names over the eons, once we were even called gods, but we're not, nor ever have been. I always liked archangel, that was my favorite." Michael explained.
"Archangel, as in St. Michael the Archangel," Harry asked astounded.
"Indeed. But that was before magic. Now many humans can do what I do naturally, you call them witches and wizards, but they're just men and woman who can do what we do. The word magic actually means, like the Magi. But you Harry, you are the first to take magic to heart. No one has ever told you "it can't be done," you walk around finding new and exciting ways of mimicking what the Magi do. Our leaders are quite afraid of you, you know, they think this is a new evolution for man, for wizards. And it is, isn't it?" Michael asked.
Harry knew immediately what he meant. "Yes, Cindy is quite powerful." Harry said.
"There you have it, wizards are evolving, and soon the Magi will have true competition. And I will welcome it with open arms." Michael said, trailing off.
"Something wrong," Harry asked.
"Someone's coming, your healer, I have to go Harry, keep my secret safe, I'll come back after your friend Riddle is dead. Farewell my friend." Michael said, vanishing.
"Good bye Michael." Harry said to the spot Michael had just vacated.
Sarah walked into the room.
"I thought I heard voices." Sarah said, looking around.
"Nope, just me and Cindy," Harry said, smiling at his daughter.
"And you, young lady, aren't you supposed to be in bed?" She asked Cindy.
"Daddy is letting me stay up until eleven tonight." Cindy declared.
"Really," Sarah asked Harry.
"Yeah, I want her to sleep very well tonight; it may be our last night here." Harry lied.
Sarah passed her wand over Harry, it glowed blue. "Excellent, I think you'll be ready to leave tomorrow." Sarah said happily.
"Good night Sarah." Harry said warmly.
"Good night Harry, good night Cindy." She said.
"Good night." Cindy said distractedly, as she played with her doll.
The wall did not have time to close, when a familiar voice echoed in the room.
"Nice try Potter." Hermione said smiling.
"I knew I could never fool you Granger, you're too smart for your own good." Harry joked, standing and hugging Hermione tightly.
Hermione started to cry. "I've missed you." She wailed.
"I'm sorry; things just didn't work out like I planned." Harry said, holding her tighter.
"Aunt 'Mione!" Cindy screamed.
"Cindy!" Hermione screamed back, hugging her goddaughter as tightly as she could.
"You know, she may need to breathe, sooner or later." Harry joked at the spectacle.
Hermione stood, and slapped Harry across the face.
"Hey, what was that for?" Harry said, rubbing the spot.
"Everyone's been so worried. Ginny is in the hospital, Ron, Draco and Dumbledore have been scouring the countryside looking for Cindy, and you've both been here, safe and sound." Hermione admonished him.
"I said I was sorry. I needed it to look real; I just didn't expect the damage to be so severe." Harry tried explaining.
"I don't care, Harry Potter, the entire country is mourning your death, it was wrong!" She yelled.
"Alright, I'm sorry, next time I'll be sure to tell you my plan." Harry conceded.
"Good, now give me a hug." She demanded, breaking down, and crying again.
Hermione sat on the edge of Harry's bed, as he lay back down. She stroked his hair absentmindedly.
"When did you recover?" She asked quietly.
"About two weeks ago. I was pretty bad for a while." Harry said honestly.
"Have you heard about Ginny?" Hermione asked.
"Just this morning," Harry answered quietly.
"Can you help her?" Hermione asked hopefully.
"Yeah, she'll be fine by morning. Who else knows about me?" Harry asked, changing the subject.
"Only Neville and Tonks, they've been searching the hospital for me for the last two days." Hermione said.
"You're the most incredible witch that has ever lived. Only you could see through the most accurately planned scheme I could have ever come up with." Harry said, causing Hermione to blush. "Bring them in to see Cindy; I've got to go help Ginny." Harry instructed; and then apparated away.
Hermione smiled when she saw Cindy sound asleep on her bed. She stood, and walked over to the wall, tapped it with her wand, and it formed the doorway. Standing on the other side, looking white with anticipation, were Neville and Tonks, with the healer lying unconscious on the floor.
"Come in quietly, Cindy is sleeping." Hermione instructed.
"Where's Harry?" Neville asked, seeing the empty bed.
"He went to help Ginny." Hermione answered quietly.
"When will he be back?" Tonks asked.
"In a minute or so," Neville answered, remembering how long it took Harry to help his parents.
Harry stepped into Ginny's hospital room; Molly was sitting next to the bed, with her head in her hands, fast asleep. Harry quickly made himself invisible, a trait from one of the other timelines.
He walked over to the other side of the bed, and touched Ginny's forehead, instantly he found himself in Cindyland. He looked around; this version was almost identical to the actual house.
"Good memory." Harry said to himself.
He walked into the kitchen, and found Ginny cooking for Cindy.
"Ginny dear," Harry said to her.
"Oh Harry, you're home." Ginny greeted him, hugging and kissing him deeply.
"What are you up to?" Harry asked politely.
"Oh, just cooking dinner." Ginny answered, going back to the stove.
"What have you been doing since you saw me die?" Harry asked bluntly.
"What are you on about Harry, you're not dead, you're right in front of me." Ginny said smiling.
"I'm right in front of you because I'm alive, but the real you doesn't know that, the real you thinks I'm dead." Harry explained.
"What do you mean the real me, I'm the real me, and this is our house." Ginny said surly, motioning to the walls.
"So, did you quit school, or did you graduate?" Harry asked, pressuring her to remember.
"I, um, graduated." Ginny answered.
"Really, in you fifth, sixth or seventh year," Harry pressed on.
"In my, um," Ginny continued to think.
"And what is the last memory you have of Hogwarts?" Harry asked.
"Um, Death Eaters, but you took care of them." She answered.
"And what happened, just as I took care of them?" Harry kept pushing.
"Um, Cindy went to you." Ginny said.
"Why?" Harry asked, knowing it was about to happen.
"Because you, um, because you, because you died!" She wailed.
Harry grabbed her quickly, and began to sooth her with words like "it's ok" and "I'm alive" and "don't cry."
Ginny composed herself after what seemed to Harry to be several hours.
"Where am I Harry?" She asked, looking around.
"In your mind, you have to wake up. Here, take my hand." Harry instructed, helping her to stand. "Ready?" She asked.
"Yes, but are you sure you're all right, and Cindy too?" She checked one last time.
"I'm sure, but you may have to wait until morning to see me, it is the middle of the night." Harry answered smiling.
The moment Ginny nodded to Harry, she was awake on the hospital bed.
She looked down, and saw Molly still sleeping in her hands.
"Mum? Mummy," she prodded her mother.
Molly opened her eyes, and shrieked. "Ginny!" She hugged her daughter as tightly as she could.
"Mum, I'm still weak." Ginny said.
Molly backed off, wiping the tears from her eyes. "I'm sorry dear, it won't happen again." Molly said.
"I have to call your father this instant." Molly said, standing.
"Mum, please wait, I want to see Harry and Cindy first." Ginny said.
Molly couldn't contain herself; she began crying again, and managed to say four words through her sobs. "Harry, dead, Cindy missing."
Ginny gave her a moment, and then interrupted.
"They're fine mum, they're in this hospital." Ginny said, perfectly sure of herself.
"No dear, Harry's dead, and Cindy's been missing since May." Molly explained.
"Mother, you're starting to annoy me, Hermione, tell her please." Ginny said, turning her attention to the girl who just walked in.
Molly turned with a jerk.
"Molly, Ginny is right. Harry is recovering in a room downstairs, and Cindy is with him. It was Harry who brought Ginny back to us." Hermione explained unable to hide her happiness.
"Show me." Molly said disbelievingly.
"No Hermione, show us." Ginny added, attempting to stand, and failing miserably.
"Ginny dear, you shouldn't try standing." Molly said, rushing to pick up her daughter.
"I'll take her Molly, you just follow." Hermione instructed.
They made it to the secret doorway without anyone seeing. The guard still lay on the floor from when Michael had knocked him out. Hermione tapped the wall with her wand, and the doorway appeared.
The moment Harry saw Ginny, no one could have stopped him, he grabbed her tightly, lifted her up off the floor, and placed her on his bed.
"Harry, you're not supposed to be out of bed, let alone picking anybody up." Hermione scolded him.
"For Ginny, I'll suffer any pain, or death." Harry said seriously, still staring into Ginny's eyes.
"Molly could not move, there in front of her was the "dead" Harry Potter, the "missing" Cindy Potter, and the "comatose" Ginny Weasley, all as fine as can be.
"It's ok Molly, it's not a dream." Tonks said, placing a comforting hand on Molly's shoulder.
"How can you be alive? Everyone saw you get hit with the killing curse, from you-know-who?" Molly asked Harry.
"Well, why don't we let Hermione answer, she seems to have managed to figure everything else out." Harry said smiling. "Hermione," he added, motioning to her.
"Let me see, Voldemort couldn't kill you, because you're an animagus." Hermione said.
"Very good, go on." Harry pressed.
"Not just any animagus, but a griffin, and a special griffin at that." Hermione continued.
"That's my girl, keep going." Harry said smiling warmly at Hermione.
"Harry's a Gryffindor." Hermione clarified.
"We're all Gryffindors Hermione." Neville interjected.
"No, not in Gryffindor house, he's a Gryffindor, a griffin d' ore, a griffin of gold, a magical creature. One who cannot die by magic. Godric was also a griffin of gold, that's where he gets his last name. Back when he lived, people didn't use last names, they were titled by what they were, or did. Like Potter." Hermione explained, using Harry's last name.
"Ten points to Gryffindor." Harry said jokingly.
"So, when Harry was fighting the Death Eaters, he changed all but his outward appearance into a griffin, thereby becoming impervious to magical killing." Hermione said proudly.
"That's why I consider you the smartest human on the planet Hermione; you use knowledge like a tool instead of a weapon." Harry said warmly, making Hermione blush.
"My plan was to make Voldemort think I was dead, unfortunately, his curse hurt me more than expected, I was unconscious until about two weeks ago, the healer just gave me a clean bill of health tonight." Harry explained.
"Why didn't you tell us?" Molly asked, sounding hurt.
"I'm sorry Molly; I wanted everyone's reaction to be spontaneous, if Voldemort thought for a moment that it was a trick, the plan would have failed. Even now it could fail, if word gets out that I'm alive, then everything I've worked for will be for naught." Harry explained.
"Well, we have to tell the family." Molly declared.
"Not the whole family Molly, I only want you, Arthur, Ron, and Ginny to know right now. And also Dumbledore, Draco and those present, I want to keep those who know to a minimum." Harry said somewhat sternly.
"Why Draco," Hermione asked.
"If he's willing to search for my missing daughter, he's more than trustworthy in my book, and deserves to know. Besides, how would you explain your sudden lack of mourning on my behalf, he'd be able to tell, you know." Harry said.
"Point taken," Hermione conceded.
"Now, for the immediate future, we'll keep Ginny here." Harry turned to Tonks. "Notify Arthur of Ginny's recovery, and bring him here." Then turned to Hermione, "Notify Ron that Cindy's been found, and to go to DA headquarters." He said.
"You know about our new headquarters?" Hermione asked stunned.
"Hermione, it's constantly in the Daily Prophet, and I've had lots of time to kill." Harry answered her.
"Ginny." He said turning to her.
"Yes Harry?" She asked.
"Kiss me." He said slyly, and kissed her deeply.
"Let's leave these two alone." Molly said, causing Hermione to do a double take.
Harry and Ginny spent the next two hours alone in bed. Harry knew Arthur would be by soon, so he tried desperately to control himself around her. She did not cooperate.
"Ginny." Harry warned for the third time. "Your father will be here any minute." He warned again.
"You remember Harry Potter; I'm of age, according to the Minister." Ginny teased.
"Yeah, but not even I'll survive if your brothers find us like this." Harry said seriously
"Maybe, but even they won't have a prayer, if they try to keep me from my man." She said, slyly rubbing his leg. "Or my urges," she added, sliding her hand up his leg.
"They're here." Harry said suddenly, and Ginny stopped.
The doorway magically appeared, and Arthur ran into the room.
"Ginny!" He bellowed, hugging his daughter.
After a moment, he pulled away but froze in place when he saw the person next to Ginny.
"A ghost, you're a ghost?" Arthur asked astonished to see Harry.
"Not yet, but maybe after I die." Harry said smiling.
"But you did die." Arthur said surly.
"No he didn't daddy. Long story, don't ask." Ginny answered.
"So the hospital finally healed you." Arthur said looking lovingly at his youngest child.
"Ha! This hospital couldn't cure a cold. Harry did." Ginny said huffy.
"Thank you Harry, you saved her again." Arthur said smiling.
"Arthur, she's my fiancée, I would die to keep her safe." Harry said seriously.
"I know you would Harry, I would never doubt your love for my daughter, but her being with you has its ups and downs." Arthur said only half joking.
"It's because of me she's always in danger Arthur, but one day, she'll be my wife, and we could live together, and I could keep her safe twenty four hours a day." Harry said, staring into Ginny's eyes.
"Well then marry her already, I want my daughter safe." Arthur said smiling.
Harry stared at the Minister. Was he kidding? Was he serious? Did he just give his permission to marry Ginny now? Harry was confused. Luckily he was saved by Ginny.
"Daddy, what did you just say?" Ginny asked.
Arthur grabbed both their hands, and looked between them. "I married Molly when we were sixteen, I've loved her from the day we met, and I love her even more now. Nothing meant more to me than the day we were married. We were poor, and our families did not approve, so we eloped, Molly never did get a proper wedding." Arthur was saying, but got cut off.
"But being married to you has been the best years of my life." Molly said, entering the room and sitting at his side.
"I give you my permission to marry whenever you think you're ready." Arthur said warmly.
Harry looked deeply into Ginny's eyes. "I want to wait." Harry said honestly.
Ginny looked saddened by the information. "You do?" She asked sadly.
"Yeah, I don't think we could find a preacher at this time of night, but by morning we should be able to." Harry said as seriously as he could.
"Harry Potter!" Ginny yelled, slapping him with her pillow. Arthur and Molly laughed the most they had laughed in a long time.
"But Harry, what about the secrecy," Molly asked.
"A slight oversight, but if we let Annie and Peggy know, I think the others would understand if they were left out." Harry said, hoping the compromise was acceptable to Molly.
"Good plan Harry. It's always a good idea to keep the mother in law happy." Arthur said jokingly, receiving a playful slap from Molly.
"That would work; besides, do you really want Fred and George at the wedding?" Molly asked jokingly.
"Where do you have in mind for the wedding?" Arthur asked.
"My island off Australia," Harry said quickly.
"You own an Island?" Arthur asked amazed by the news.
"Yeah, it's in the Whitsunday Island chain in Queensland Australia. It's called, Long Island. Its several square kilometers of lush woods, with some of the most beautiful beaches you have ever seen, oh, and that's where I built my castle." Harry added.
"You have been busy." Arthur said astounded. "Well, if Molly has no objections, how about Saturday, you both can wait two days, can't you?" He asked playfully.
"Honestly daddy, no. But if that's what you and mum want, I'll live with it." Ginny said, kissing her mother and father on the cheek.
"So, does Ginny change her name to Potter, or do I change my name to Weasley?" Harry asked jokingly.
They all laughed.
"Well, we'll leave you two lovebirds alone, goodnight Ginny, goodnight, son." Arthur said smiling.
"Good night, dad, mum." Harry said, hugging the Weasleys.
When they reached the doorway, Arthur turned back to Harry. "So, who's the lucky one who gets to tell Ron?" He jokingly asked.
"Ginny." Harry said smiling.