Disclaimer: I do NOT own Harry Potter
Chapter 2: A Helping Hand
The Hogwarts Hospital WIng was not an unfamiliar place to Harry Potter. He had visited it more times than he had cared to imagine. He disliked the all the white coloring and smell. But what he disliked the most was not being able to see, thus he reached over and stuffed his glasses on his face. He was pleasantly surprised to see that they weren't broken from the tussle he'd recently taken part in.
"A simple Repairing Charm, plus an Unbreaking Charm shall ensure that they won't be breaking anytime soon, Mr. Potter." said Professor Dumbledore, startling Harry out of his thoughts. "However, your hand is a totally different matter."
As Dumbledore said that, Harry started to hyperventilate. He raised his left arm to see if he had his hand back, but all there was was a stub ending at his wrist. In seeing this, Harry started to go into shock again. His magic began to pulse rapidly due to it going into a defensive state.
"Severus! Poppy! Mr. Potter is going into shock again! Can someone please bring him a Calming Draught? And quickly!" Asked the Headmaster.
Professor Snape quickly brought one over and force Harry's mouth open. He poured said draught down his throat and pinched his nose to force Harry to swallow it, despite its horrific taste. Within seconds, Harry's breathing started to return to normal and he stopped squirming in his bed.
"What was that? It tasted something akin to flobberworms or dragon dung." spewed the boy.
"Calming Draught. It helps with the nerves." replied Dumbledore.
"Can i have an extra or thirty of those for during the school year? I seem to find myself in… stressful… situations a lot." asked Harry. The Professor gave a chuckle and then turned serious.
"We managed to capture two of your assailants, but the third got away. They were known Death Eaters how managed to escape capture back when you defeated Voldemort. There was a bounty on them and because you defeated them, you are being rewarded with the bounty and an Order of Merlin - Second Class for an endeavor beyond the ordinary. They were both given the Dementor's Kiss as punishment."
"Order of Merlin? Death Eaters?"
"Ah. Sometimes I forget that you grew up with your relatives in the Muggle world. The Death Eaters were the malicious group of evil wizards under Voldemort. The two that you captured were part of the group of five that murdered Fabian and Gideon Prewett, Molly Weasley's brothers. I'm sure that she'll be here to thank you for putting those evil men to justice albeit a horrible way to kick the bucket. I'm not a huge supporter of those vile creatures. An Order of Merlin is a prestigious award that is given to a select few wizards who have done the Magical community a big favor, whether it be inventing a new spell or captured criminals.I believe that your godfather's grandfather got an Order of Merlin - First Class for services to the Ministry. Though, Sirius would tell you that it's for just donating heaps of coin to the Ministry."
"Professor, you have an Order of Merlin, right?"
"Why yes, my boy. I received it for defeating Grindlewald."
"How did you defeat him?"
"That is a chat for a later time, Harry. I must depart right now, but I must inform you of one more thing. You're going to be spending the rest of your summer here at Hogwarts. You are free to explore anywhere you please, just not in the Forbidden Forest. Also, if you want to go to Hogsmead or Diagon Alley, please inform Professor Snape and he will take you as he is the only other professor staying here over the summer."
"WHAT?!" screeched both affronted gentlemen.
"But Snape hates me!" protested Harry.
"I didn't agree to babysit this dunderhead!" said Professor Snape.
"Silence!" yelled Dumbledore, "This is an infirmary, not a playground. Behave yourselves. Now, both of you will adhere to my request and act civil around each other. I will be around at times, but not always. Professor McGonagall will also be around at times. Take advantage of your stay here, Harry. Learn some more magic. You can also practice it here because the Ministry detectors cannot detect who cast the magic in this convoluted environment."
"Thank you, Headmaster" said Harry.
"You are most welcome, my boy" and with that, Dumbledore stood and walked out of the Hospital Wing with Snape in tow.
~MotM~
Harry lay in his bed in the Hospital Wing thinking about what he was going to do while stuck in the infirmary. Madam Pomfrey had told him that he will be confined here for three more days while he recuperates from his ordeal. Thus brought on the thought of what he was going to do. Just as he was about to ask Madam Pomfrey if he could get his books, the doors were slammed open and in strode Professor Snape.
"Potter, due to your confinement to these white walls for the next three days with nothing to do, you must be quite bored. Considering this, I have brought you the first year potions textbook. This should satiate your boredom and also help your abysmal potions making skills." said the Professor. He reached over and placed the text on Harry's bedside. The boy in question was laying there with his mouth agape in shock. "Flies, Potter, close your mouth and please do not grovel at me for bring it to it. It is more for my benefit than for yours. I do not wish for more destroyed equipment and wasted ingredients."
"T-thank you, sir." Stuttered Harry.
"You are to thoroughly read each section all the while memorizing the ingredients mentioned in each section and the results of mixing one ingredient with another. This will greatly help you in the long run. I will be popping in here every so often to check your progress so do make sure that you are actually making progress."
"Yes, sir. Thank you, sir."
"I shall take my leave now. Happy reading, Potter." And with that, the Potions Master moved to leave the room.
"Professor!" Harry yelled. When the professor turned around, Harry asked "Why are you doing this? Helping me, that is."
"Your mother was a brilliant brewer." said the professor with a sad smile.
"You knew my mother that well?" asked Harry flabbergasted. The professor looked Harry in the eyes and promptly walked briskly out of the room. Shaking his head, Harry turned over, grabbed the book, and began to read.