Chapter Seven: Accepted
Harry's P.O.V.
"How long do I have to wait until I can take the cast off doc?" I asked, looking out the window and wishing to go out. I've been stuck in this hospital for three days because the healers wanted to make sure I was healing correctly and that the cast was helping instead of harming me. I was thankful that Uncle Padfoot had managed to get me to St. August, but the healers there had decided that it would be best for me to heal the muggle way. I think Aunt Rose bribed them into it because she doesn't want me on a horse so soon after the whole rodeo fiasco.
The silver thing I had saw turned out to be a voice recorder that had been tinkered with to go off whenever something ran by it. They were still looking for the person responsible since none of the fingerprints were salvageable and all they had found on it were the initials D.D. It could've been Randy's father, Damien Degross, or his mother, Darlene Degross. It also could have been one of the rodeo clowns, Daniel Dreamer, or the man who ran the whole rodeo, Dale D'Angelo. I really didn't think it was Dale or Darlene. Dale had been away on business on the day of the rodeo and Darlene had been stuck in the hospital for nearly two weeks. That left Damien and Daniel, who were both present at the rodeo. Or some mystery person that probably came from out of town. If that was the case we'd probably never catch the man, or woman, behind the whole thing.
In total, ten people had been hurt in some way during the whole thing. Some were still unconscious, including the rodeo clown who had saved me. He had gone back to help with Butterscotch and got a hard kick to the head. I was going to make it up to him. He saved me from getting another kick to the head and that would definitely end my cowboy career. I'd probably go visit him in the muggle hospital and give him some chocolates, maybe thank him if he was awake. Heck, I'd probably thank him even if he was still unconscious.
"You'll probably have to wear the cast for another four to six weeks before we can remove it," the doctor said, "For now we'll give you crutches to move around so you won't be completely bed ridden. I would also suggest taking calcium to strengthen the bone. Don't take showers and always keep your cast wrapped up if you are going to bathe. If the cast gets wet or if it starts to smell like mold or mildew, come back and we'll replace the cast with a dry, clean one. I'll be telling this to your godfather and godmother so they'll be aware of how to care for the cast. Your godfather will probably be here within the next ten minutes to release you, so I'll be giving you your items back,"
"I'm going to guess my pants are ruined, huh?" I said, giving a dry chuckle.
"That they are Mr. Potter," the healer said, "We had to cut them off in order to see and repair the leg. I'm sure your godfather will be bringing an extra pair so you'll be decent in the company of other people,"
When he left I rolled my eyes. Four to six weeks? More like two to three. Healer Weeks, our family doctor, said I had better healing magic then any one he knows. He keeps telling me to be a healer, but I want to be a magical vet. I want to help animals because they can't speak up and tell us what's wrong. They can only whimper and whine and most of the time we ignore their pleas. I just want to make them better so they won't have to keep giving their silent please. They needed my help more than any wizard or witch does. I know I can't save every single animal that comes into my care, but I can try to save everyone I can. As long as I'm doing my best, they'll appreciate my help.
I grinned when Uncle Padfoot came in with my stuff and the crutches. I hate hospitals, their so dull and boring. When I open my veterinarian office it's going to be colorful and all the animals will have something to do while their sick. "Hey Uncle Padfoot," I said, sitting up, "Can we go now? This place is so dull and I want to make sure Butterscotch and that rodeo clown are alright. You know the one that rescued me? Do you think we can visit him? So I can thank him for getting me off of Butterscotch and stuff?"
"Slow down Harry!" Uncle Padfoot said, laughing. "I can't understand a word you're saying! Now, yes, were leaving as soon as you get some clean clothes on and get use to your crutches. Yes, you can visit Butterscotch and Mr. Thompson. He woke up last night and he's been waiting to get word on your condition. Now, come on scamp, go get dressed,"
About twenty minutes later, and three different falls, we were driving in the truck. "So, have the kids been behaving Uncle Padfoot?" I asked.
"They've been pretty quiet since you were put in the hospital," he said, "The triplets spend all day in the barn with their ponies or Butterscotch. Holly just stares out the window and asks when her Harry is going to be home. Georgia, Draco, Ron, and Neville come over from time to time to see how you're doing. Actually, Draco should still be there since his mum is out of the country for a little bit,"
"Does it have something to do with Draco's father?" I asked. Whenever I thought about Mr. Malfoy I felt sick to my stomach. If he could hurt me like that in front of my godfather, then I don't even want to imagine what he'd do to Draco when they were alone. I never wanted Mr. Malfoy to touch Draco like that. No kid deserved to be beaten or starved, not even Randy.
"She's fighting for custody of Draco," he said, "She's trying to drag it out for another week, hoping that Jennifer has her baby and that it's a boy. He'll drop the whole custody thing once he has a rightful heir. I really hope she gets Draco. He'll never adjust to being pureblood fanatic. You know how he is,"
"Loyal to the bone and looks at everyone like equals," I said, remembering when he had stopped Randy from harassing a poor Mexican girl who barely spoke English. He had helped her around town and was her first friend. She had moved away the next summer but they still wrote each other. Dray would never make it with that man. He'd probably run away and hide on a boat to America if Mr. Malfoy did get custody of him. He could never leave Froid. It was in his home, the state of Montana. Everyone knew everyone and Dray was the best kid anyone could ask for. "We'll hide him if his momma loses him," I said, "They won't ever take him away!"
Uncle Padfoot sighed at that. "If it was only that simple buddy," he said.
"Can't we testify Padfoot?" I asked, "He attacked us and he obviously only wants Draco for an heir. He might hurt Dray!"
"I'm going with your aunt to testify tomorrow," he said, "Moony will watch you kids while we're gone. Promise me you will behave for him while we're gone,"
"But Paddy!" I whined playfully, "You know how much fun it is to prank him! He never expects it anymore and he should know better, I am the son and the godson of Marauders,"
He rolled his eyes, but I saw the smirk on his face. "Pranks are okay," he said, "I mean, do what he says as long as it's reasonable,"
"We'll behave Paddy," I said as he parked the truck. Uncle Padfoot got out and grabbed my crutches from the back. Then he helped me out of the truck and helped me get the crutches all right so I could move around myself. He laughed when I landed face first, but karma was on my side and he tripped over one of the crutches. I laughed at him as Aunt Rose came out the house.
She straightened us out and held me tight. I could feel her shivering and I knew she was scared that I was hurt worse than I was at the rodeo. I was the oldest child in her brood and losing me would be a hard blow. "Are you alright baby?" she asked, checking me over.
I laughed at her and gave her a peck on the cheek. "I'm fine Aunt Rose," I said, "Just got to keep this stupid cast on for a few weeks. So, did Draco get his acceptance letter from Griffin Academy yet?"
"It's not a letter," Aunt Rose said, smiling. She handed me a necklace with the Griffin Academy crest on it, which were the nine elements, Fire, Water, Plant, Ground, Ice, Wind, Animal, Electricity, and Death. They split the students up into the nine categories, but for the most part, at least from what I had heard from Georgia's brothers, you stick with your year mates, not your housemates.
Suddenly, the necklace exploded with light and a lady I recognized as Professor McGonagall appeared. It was just a small hologram, but it was quite amazing compared to what Hogwarts did. "I welcome you, Harry Potter, to join us at Griffin Academy this year," she said, "Your list of supplies can be found within the necklace. School will begin September fourth, if you have arrangements to attend another school, please owl us as soon as possible, so we will not be waiting for you at the sorting ceremony. We look forward to making your acquaintance this year and, hopefully, many more years to come,"
The hologram disappeared and the necklace popped open, revealing a list of school supplies. I smiled at that, at least we didn't have to wait for the first day of school to get our school supplies list, like we have to at the muggle schools nearby.
"Congrats Harry," Uncle Padfoot said, "You made it in!"
I laughed at him. "Was there any doubt Paddy?"
Aunt Rose handed me another letter and I gasped. It was the Hogwarts letter and neither Padfoot nor Rose looked happy about it. I knew they would be happy no matter where I went, but going to Hogwarts would mean moving back to England and being surrounded by former Death Eaters. "I'm going to Griffin, Aunt Rose," I said, smiling, "There's nowhere else I want to be!"
They smiled at that and Aunt Rose went to take care of the Hogwarts business. I hobbled inside and quickly fell asleep on the couch, too much excitement for one day.