Susan had always known that the Hogwarts rumor mill was fast, but she'd never been concerned with it because she'd never been the topic of discussion. Now however, she was getting a very good idea what Harry had had to deal with all these long years as she noticed people gawking at her, whispering, and even Pansy Parkinson calling her a whore, which had earned the Slytherin a bloody lip.
After only one day of it, she felt ready to hex anyone who looked at her funny. When she came back to her room after classes with Hannah in tow, she threw her bag across the room and screamed.
"You knew it was going to happen." Hannah said sadly.
"I know! I know!" Susan shouted. "I just never knew how infuriating it was. All the looks and the whispers. That's actually the worst. Because I don't know if they're whispering about me or something else. I'm so freaking paranoid now, and we've only been back one day!"
Susan sat heavily on one of the sofas in front of the fire with a growl of frustration. Hannah sat across from her, pulling her transfiguration book out of her bag.
"I wish there was something I could do to make people stop talking, but I'm not going starkers in front of the school. Once around the Common room was enough thank you. So you're just going to have to follow Harry's example and ignore it. Speaking of, where is your future hubby?"
Susan shrugged as she leaned back on the sofa and kicked off her shoes and put her feet on the table.
"He's been kind of preoccupied today. He was staring at the Slytherins at Lunch. I don't know. He's like obsessed with Draco Malfoy. He's positive that the little bastard had something to do with what happened to me." Susan sighed. Hannah stared at her friend for a few moments before speaking again.
"You don't think Harry would…" She began but Susan shook her head.
"He had a long talk with Auntie over the holiday and I think she got through to him that he can't act without proof. But he's so sure, I bet he's trying to find some. I don't like that he's so obsessed, and yet, I can't help but believe that he's probably right." Susan sighed.
"Well, they've hated each other since first year." Hannah shrugged. "How was your first night with him in here?"
"Awkward." Susan said heavily. "And embarrassing too."
"Really?" Hannah asked a bit irritated.
"What?" Susan looked scandalous. "Did you think that as soon as we got in here we'd rip each other's clothes off and go at it like… well you and Neville?"
"Excuse me. You have no idea how Neville and I got at it, thank you very much." Hannah folded her arms across her chest. "And for your information when we do go at it…"
"EWWWWWWWWWWWWW!" I don't want to hear it!" Susan said sitting up and waving her hands frantically.
"Maybe you could do with hearing it." Hannah smirked mischievously. "Maybe it might give you the kick in the butt you need."
"Why are you so intent on Harry and I having sex?" Susan asked, rubbing her temples. She'd had a headache all day thanks in large part to the whispers and looks from the rest of the student body.
Hannah gave a deep sigh and her smile faded. "Ok, at first I wanted you to do it because, well I had and I wanted someone to talk to about it. And I don't mean like being gross or whatever. You're my best friend, and I wanted to be able to talk to you about this stuff. But I don't know that you could really understand without experiencing it for your self. Do you remember how we talked that night after you let Harry see you topless?"
Susan nodded, though it felt so long ago. Susan was actually suddenly filled with jealousy as she and Harry flirted a lot, but since that night several months ago, they'd only hand a handful of romantic trysts, and none of them included the removal of clothing. The closest they'd had was the past few nights when they'd slept in the same bed, as Harry only wore shorts or pajama bottoms to bed, and she wore shorts and tank top. She also had to admit that Hannah never stopped smiling when she was with Neville, and Neville seemed more and more confident. Susan wondered if it was because they were intimate, and how doing the same with Harry would affect them.
"But after what you told us on the train, it's had me thinking. You said that Harry told you that his scar feels weird after you two snog, and it got me wondering if that's why Dumbledore gave you these quarters. So you could be more intimate, and break that connection. I mean, Hermione's right in that by having sex, you're showing Harry how deeply you feel for him. Obviously you're not the type to just sleep with anyone, so for you, it means something. So it'll mean something to Harry as well, and it will make his feelings for you stronger as well, and that seems to be what's damaging that connection. At least if I understand it." Hannah said, looking hopeful.
"It makes sense, but I don't know if I'm ready." Susan looked apprehensive. Hannah nodded in understanding.
"I don't mean to make it seem like I'm pushing you." Hannah smiled, getting up and taking a seat next to Susan and giving a smile. "And we're both really lucky that neither of us is dating a guy whose only interest is what's in our knickers. I just think you should follow your heart. I know how strongly you feel for Harry and I also know that it probably scares you because of how everything came about. But I see how Harry looks at you, and I know that Hermione wasn't lying when she told us that Harry loves you."
"I know he does." Susan smiled shyly. Hannah looked at her redheaded best friend in surprise.
"He told me so. We told each other. And I do love him. I know it. I'm sure of it. But… I don't know. Maybe we just need to start building towards it. Maybe we need to act like the hormonal teenagers we are. I have to admit, he's pretty hot looking when he's only wearing his pajama pants. I did kind of want him to take advantage of me a bit."
"You slag." Hannah grinned luridly.
"Shut up." Susan smacked Hannah's arm.
Dumbledore took his seat at the head table at dinner and stared interestedly at the hundreds of students eating and conversing together. With a heavy sigh, Dumbledore decided that it would be this that he would miss. Of all the magic in this world, it would be the young, and their naivety and their brilliance. There was nothing more exciting to watch than children growing up and discovering friendships and love.
But every life must end, and Dumbledore knew that his time was coming. He was not saddened by this, but merely more determined that his final mission was finished before that time came.
Two final Horcruxes remained, and Dumbledore had begun planning to destroy them all. He was no longer clueless as to what the final horcrux to be, he was only ignorant to it's location, though he was sure that he knew someone who would. Unfortunately, it was going to be most difficult in extracting that information.
After that, there was still one final soul anchor to destroy, and Dumbledore knew that it would be the hardest to do. Yet, he had a plan for that one. However, it meant trusting another. Someone who could get close to the Dark Lord.
Dumbledore glanced down the table to where Severus Snape sat, cutting into his steak and kidney pie, ignoring the roar of conversation from the students. Dumbledore sighed again as he watched Snape. For so long Dumbledore believed that all people could be saved. Snape had proven him partially right. But Snape had refused to let go of his hatred. It had become the man's life blood, and it was all directed at the boy Snape had sworn to protect.
Until recently, it had not disturbed Dumbledore too much, as the headmaster was sure that when Harry left Hogwarts, there would be no need for the two ever to set eyes upon one another again. But over the last few weeks, a sliver of doubt had formed in Dumbledore's mind about whether or not he would accomplish his final task. Ever since the discovery of Professor Slughorn's body, Dumbledore worried that Draco Malfoy may actually accomplish the mission set to him by Lord Voldemort. Slim though it was.
Dumbledore knew that his own ego refused to believe it possible, but the rational side of his mind knew that he was getting on in years, and his reflexes weren't what they used to be. If Slughorn had managed to give him the bottle of Rosmerta's oak matured mead, he'd likely have not given it a second thought, and drank the poison.
Dumbledore knew that he was going to have to trust in others, and allow them to help him destroy the greatest dark wizard ever known. And that meant explaining everything. Because there was only one person who would be able to accomplish this task. One person destined to finish off the Dark Lord, ever since the Dark Lord marked him fifteen years ago.
Dumbledore's eyes searched and found Young Harry Potter sitting amongst his friends at the Gryffindor table. He was smiling at his new fiancé, Susan Bones, and Dumbledore could see, even at this distance, the happiness in the boy's eyes. Dumbledore could think of no one who deserved a bit of happiness more than Harry, and the headmaster hated himself for the part he'd played in Harry's upbringing.
It had been he who had decided to place Harry with his Aunt and Uncle. He had never gone to check on the boy, nor had he sent anyone to check on his well being. He had simply believed that Harry's Aunt would love him as her own. His belief in the best of people failing him.
He was not even going to reflect on all the times he'd failed the boy here at school. But as he watched Harry with Susan, two young people who'd been forced on each other, his heart was filled with hope that Harry would indeed find the happiness he deserved. Dumbledore had known since Harry's first year what the boy's deepest desire, since he had discovered him staring into the Mirror of Erised. A family. Love. Now Dumbledore thought that he might actually be finding that love. All thanks to a betrothal contract nearly lost in time.
Dumbledore was hopeful still that the as their emotions got stronger, the link between Harry and Voldemort would weaken, and the horcrux within the boy would die once and for all. Harry had complained that he had experienced discomfort and even pain after spending time with Susan. Dumbledore knew that the time was nearing in which the link would be broken once and for all, especially now that the two had their own quarters. He'd actually been shocked that it hadn't been broken the previous evening. Harry and Susan were teenagers after all, and Dumbledore knew what teenagers got up to throughout the castle over the years. Dumbledore himself had once caught two Ravenclaws in the astronomy tower celebrating the end of exams, or so they had said. It had been very embarrassing for them all, especially Dumbledore.
Dumbledore sighed. He would simply have to be patient. He knew that Harry was quite a noble young man, and he understood that becoming intimate with someone for the first time could be quite nerve wracking.
Dumbledore looked again to Professor Snape. He decided that he would have to begin making plans. He could not push Harry and Susan anymore. Giving them their own quarters had been quite a kick in their pants. Dumbledore suspected that he'd revealed too much of his hand in doing so. He knew Harry could be quite tenacious in solving puzzles, and with and Aunt like Amelia Bones, Dumbledore was sure Susan Bones was likely trying to understand why she and Harry were given such a privilege.
Dumbledore finished his meal and rose from the table. As he passed Severus, he requested the Defense Teacher to come to his office later that evening. Dumbledore hated to admit it, even to himself, but time was running out, and he needed help.
The Hogwarts Headmaster felt totally exhausted as he walked towards his office. An entire month had passed since the night he had revealed everything to Severus Snape and they had put together their plan. One month since he'd figured out what the hidden horcrux might be, and whom might know of it's location. One whole month in which Draco Malfoy had all but disappeared from classes. Two of the longest weeks in Dumbledore's very long life.
As he walked slowly through the halls of the great school, Dumbledore realized just how tired he was and how grateful he would be for a nice long rest. He had been considering a nice retirement lately. Someplace quiet and near the sea. A place where he could write a book, and share his vast knowledge with the world.
He felt that he was much closer to finding the last horcrux and ending this war once and for all. Although his source was being very difficult, he felt they would reveal the location of the final horcrux soon. Snape had agreed to destroy the snake, and Dumbledore thought that Snape had agreed because he thought it might be a suicide mission. That had saddened Dumbledore, but he was tired of trying to make the man see the good in life. In many ways, Dumbledore was certain that Snape had died the same night as Lily Potter.
The thing that weighed so heavily on Dumbledore's mind was Draco's absence. The boy was hardly ever seen. Snape had reported that Draco was not even sleeping in his own bed, and had only been seen in the Slytherin dormitory twice. The Hogwarts Headmaster knew that Draco must have bee punished by his master and encouraged to focus more on whatever it was that the boy was supposed to be doing.
This had bothered Dumbledore deeply. With no indication of what the boy was planning, it was difficult to prepare to counter it. Dumbledore had asked the teachers to keep their eyes open for any sign of the boy, and they had searched the castle several times over. But no sign of the Malfoy scion.
Dumbledore's mind turned to the secret horcrux. The one that only three people knew of. The one hidden within Harry Potter's scar. Just that morning, Minerva McGonagall had reported to Dumbledore that Potter had been wincing in pain and rubbing his forehead during class the day before. Dumbledore had watched Harry during dinner that evening, and noted significant looks passing between Harry and Susan Bones. Dumbledore had been hopeful that perhaps the two had given in to their base nature, though he was unsure of what he expected to happen.
Lost in thought, Dumbledore rounded a corner and was quite forcibly knocked to the ground. His old heart began to beat faster as he tried to sit up having landed on his back. He feared that Draco Malfoy had decided to act tonight. Dumbledore panicked as he'd not yet told Harry and Susan anything, nor had he accomplished his mission.
Thankfully it was not Malfoy, but Susan Bones who was getting to her feet in front of him and apologizing to the headmaster. The girl looked very frightened, and tears were streaming from her eyes. She was clutching her dressing gown shut, having not even tied it around her middle.
"Miss Bones? What are you doing out of bed at this hour?" Dumbledore asked.
"I need help. It's…it's Harry. He had a fit or something and now I can't wake him." Susan said very quickly. "I was going to get Madam Pomfrey. I didn't know what to do. All I could think was to get Madam Pomfrey."
Susan was quite hysterical. Dumbledore got to his feet a bit shakily. He wanted to ask her more, but he was sure that until the girl got help for Harry that he was going to get very little in the way of explanation.
"Go and fetch Madam Pomfrey and return to your quarters. I will met you both there." Dumbledore had said. Susan sprinted off still clutching her dressing gown. Dumbledore hurried down the hall towards Harry and Susan's private quarters.
When he arrived, Dumbledore gave the password and entered the sitting room. There was no sign of Harry there, so Dumbledore entered the bedroom, waving his wand to light the torches.
Harry lay on the center of the bed, quite naked. Sweat glistened on his chest and head. His arms were splayed out and there was blood on his forehead. Dumbledore peered closer at the blood and noted that it looked much darker than normal blood, and it had come from the lightning shaped scar. Dumbledore touched Harry's neck and found a pulse. Breathing a sigh of relief, he waved his wand and the bed sheet rose up to cover Harry. Dumbledore then smiled hopefully. The boy was alive, and it appeared that all of his hopes for the boy had finally occurred. It was still to early to tell, but Dumbledore was sure that the horcrux had been broken at last.
"My word." Madam Pomfrey said as she and Susan entered the bedroom. The school matron slipped passed Dumbledore and began waving her wand trying to diagnose the boy.
"Miss Bones, perhaps we should allow Madam Pomfrey to work." Dumbledore said, guiding a very hysterical Susan back into the sitting room. Susan was seated upon on of the sofas, her eyes locked on the doorway where Madam Pomfrey was working on Harry.
"Miss Bones, I need to know what happened to Harry." Dumbledore said. Susan's face went scarlet and she shook her head.
"Miss Bones, it is vital that I know." Dumbledore tried again. Susan's face burned more crimson and she gave a squeak and she clutched at her dressing gown more tightly. She refused to look at the headmaster. She couldn't. She just couldn't tell Dumbledore what had happened. It was far too embarrassing.
"Finished!" Harry had said as he wrote the last few words on his Defense homework. "Seriously, twenty four inches on inferi. I don't know if I'll be able to sleep after that."
Harry gave a little shiver and Susan laughed, giving him a playful shove with her foot. She was sitting on the other end of the sofa reading her Runes book. Harry turned and took her feet and placed them in his lap before he began massaging them. Susan moaned with pleasure and gave Harry a grateful smile.
"That's heaven." She sighed and Harry grinned. Susan gave another moan as Harry found a painful knot and rubbed it away.
"When did you learn to do that?" Susan asked.
"I'm winging it here. I figure I'm doing ok by the noises you're making." Harry smirked cockily.
"Cheeky bugger." Susan smiled.
"I'm a little surprised that we're here by ourselves. Usually everyone's here until just before curfew.." Harry said. Susan nodded.
"I know Hannah and Neville were going to get a bit of alone time tonight, but I don't know where everyone else is." Susan admitted.
"Lavender kept giving Ron these looks and whispering stuff to him in classes today." Harry shrugged. "Maybe they're getting some time together away from the rest of us as well. But Hermione isn't dating anyone…or is she?"
Susan suddenly looked like a deer in headlights. She tried to smile and shake her head, but Harry saw through it.
"Suze?" He arched an eyebrow.
"Ok!" Susan said, pulling her feet out of Harry's hands and folding them under herself as she sat up straighter. "Alright, you'll find out eventually anyway. So me and Hannah and Lavender kind of pestered Hermione in telling us if there were any boys she liked. She's been feeling really lonely."
"Really?" Harry asked feeling guilty for not spending more time with his friend.
"Don't feel bad." Susan said as if reading his thoughts. "She's not feeling lonely because we're ignoring her or anything like that. She's jealous of all of us because she doesn't have a boyfriend. So we kind of got her to tell us who she liked. She finally told us that she was attracted to Kevin Summerby. So, Hannah and I talked to him, and it turned out he wasn't seeing anyone. So we got him to ask her out."
Harry gave a puzzled look as he tried to work out who Kevin Summerby was. Susan allowed him to think for a bit before she provided the information.
"He's the seeker on the Hufflepuff team. He's in seventh year and he's very nice. Nicer than Zach, and more mature."
Harry nodded as he pictured the tall blonde boy. Harry obviously didn't know the boy, but if Susan felt he was ok, and more importantly, Hermione liked him, what did it matter.
"So this is the first time we've been alone in quite some time." Susan said with a coy smile. She leaned forward so that she was now on her hands and knees at Harry's side. She leaned in and gave him a very soft kiss.
"And we're all caught up on our homework." Harry smirked and Susan gave another nod and kissed him again. She then moved herself into Harry's lap, never breaking the kiss and smiling inwardly as Harry's arms wrapped around her, cradling her.
"Since we're all alone, maybe this would be a very good time to catch up on each other." Susan grinned. Harry nodded as they continued kissing. Susan felt shivers up her spine as Harry's began kissing her neck. The soft hairs on his face tickling her and making her squirm a bit. She was then filled with warmth when his lips captured her earlobe, and she gave a soft whine.
Harry's lips made their way back down her neck until they stopped at the collar of her shirt. Susan reached up and undid her tie and quickly opened the top two buttons on her shirt so Harry could continue kissing down her neck. She then reached for Harry's tie and began undoing it.
"Maybe we should…" Susan panted heavily as she shuddered with pleasure as Harry kissed her collarbone. "Go someplace less confining."
"Less confining?" Harry asked, looking up at Susan. She smiled shyly and her eyes shot to the bedroom door meaningfully and then back at Harry.
"Are you sure?" Harry asked, a little nervously. Susan stood up and took Harry's hands, pulling him off the sofa. She then led him to their bedroom, which had hitherto been used solely for sleeping. Susan looked forward to when it was time to go to bed each day. She loved the feeling of Harry next to her, and waking up in his arms. Some nights she would wake in the night and being sixteen years old, would often think of what it might feel like to be wrapped in Harry's arms without a stitch of clothing between them It did not help that Hannah and now Lavender would hint that she and Harry should be taking more advantage of their special circumstances.
But until this moment, Susan had been afraid. She was still filled with anxiety, but for some reason, she really wanted to be with Harry. Maybe it had been the fact they were alone tonight, and possibly the fact he'd massaged her feet had a part to play. But no matter the reason, Susan felt ready. In truth she felt she was ready since the night they'd admitted aloud their feelings for each other. But fear stayed her. In the past weeks she had made sure they weren't alone in their room to often as she didn't want to be tempted. All the while, she'd been weighing the pros and cons and working up her nerve.
But now, tonight, she felt ready. And she couldn't see any reason to wait. She was going to be his wife, and she loved him very deeply. She wanted him to know just how much.
She guided him to their bed, and slipped off her jumper before unbuttoning the rest of her shirt. Harry could not take his eyes off of her, and Susan blushed a bit. As she slid her shirt off, she slipped her wand out of her pocket and gave it a slight wave, extinguishing the torches and candles.
Susan placed her wand on the bedside table and then crawled onto the bed, pulling Harry to her. Their lips came together in a very passionate kiss. Susan began to lie back on their bed, pulling Harry down on top of her. Harry's hand fell on her stomach and began to move in soft circles, making Susan swoon. She took his hand in her own and moved it up her body until he was cupping her right breast over the soft lace of her bra.
Harry began kissing her neck once again and Susan could not stop herself from making soft moans of pleasure. She nearly tore off his shirt and began running her fingers up and down his warm torso. Susan wrapped her right leg around Harry, drawing him closer to her, and began kissing his chest. Harry gave a soft growl, and Susan smiled to herself. Susan began pulling his shirt off of him completely, laughing at his reluctance to let go of her chest long enough for her to get his arm out of his sleeve. She did manage it at last, and Harry's hand took her right breast again, rubbing it gently and making her nipple stiffen.
Susan gave a soft sigh as Harry moved down and kissed her chest where it was exposed. His lips felt hot on her skin and her breath became heavy. Susan cursed herself for not allowing this to happen sooner. Hannah had not been joking. This was amazing.
Susan moved herself a bit and with a snap, undid the clasp of her bra. With Harry's help she managed to slip out of it. She then rolled Harry onto his back and straddled him, leaning down to capture his lips, crushing herself into him.
They spent a very long time exploring each other's body. Susan discovered a spot just above Harry's collarbone that when she licked, made Harry squeak like a mouse. Susan could not help but gasp and clutch Harry's head when his mouth found her nipples.
It wasn't much longer before they were devoid of all their clothing and Harry was poised over his fiancé' staring into her eyes as she positioned him at her entrance. He held himself above her, shaking. Susan could see the same anxiety she felt reflected in his eyes, and yet, her desire and her love for him was at such a peak, that she could not deny him, or herself this next moment. Wrapping both her legs around him, she drew him into her, wincing and gasping with startled pain as he entered her for the first time. Harry looked deeply frightened, but Susan had had the talk with her aunt, and knew it was going to happen. Hannah had also mentioned experiencing a moment of discomfort at the start, but had gone on and on about how quickly it disappeared.
When she gave a nod to Harry that she was ready, he began to move within her. It took a bit but soon, they found their rhythm and Susan had begun arching her back and moaning in Harry's ear that he was doing amazing things to her. Susan could not believe that she had waited for this. He was promised to her, and she to him, and yet she had waited. All their time together had been moving towards this moment, and Susan started thanking her ancestors for drawing up the marriage contract between House Bones and House Peverell.
Susan was really enjoying what Harry was doing to her when she remembered Hannah mentioning how much better it was when she was on top. Susan, already feeling that things were perfect decided to see if they could improve on perfection. She made Harry get off of her, and giggled slightly at his look.
"Are you alright?" He asked quickly.
"I'm… there aren't words. Lay down, I want to try something." She whispered. Harry complied, and Susan positioned herself.
"I will never question Hannah again." Susan sighed as she began moving on Harry again. His hand found her chest and began working their magic upon her breasts. Susan's breathing became ragged as she continued. She looked deep into Harry's eyes and gave him a look of deepest love, which he returned. She placed her hands flat on his chest and leaned down to kiss him.
"I love you, Harry Potter." She whispered in his ear.
She began feeling something in her stomach. A warm tingle that was building inside of her. She had an idea of what it might be, and moved her hips a bit. She found a spot that made her toes curl and that tingle in her stomach grew.
And then it happened. Harry gave a wince, and then a hiss. His hands flew to his forehead and he grimaced. Susan stopped and tried to ask what was happening. Then she saw something dark on his forehead as Harry groaned and shuddered. Susan tried to pull his hands away from his face to see what was happening, but he suddenly arched, and knocked her off of him. Susan nearly fell out of the bed. She tried again to ask Harry what was happening but all she got in answer was louder and louder cries of pain.
Harry sat bolt upright and gave the loudest cry of pain yet, and his scar tore open. His eyes rolled into the back of his head and a second scream, one that did not belong to Harry could be heard.
Harry fell back onto the bed and fell silent.
Susan stared at Harry. Her heart pounding in her chest. She tentatively reached out and touched his forehead. Her fingers touched hot sticky blood, and her heart leapt into her throat. She shook him and called his name, but he didn't even moan. She began to cry as she shook him harder and harder calling his name.
Susan realized that she needed help. She slipped off her bed grabbed her dressing gown and quickly slipped into it before running as fast as she could towards the hospital wing.
"And then I ran into Professor Dumbledore." Susan sighed, taking a sip of her tea. Her Aunt smiled sadly at her niece who sat across from her in the private quarters. Amelia had come the next morning after receiving an owl from the headmaster. She and the Headmaster had finally gotten the full story from a very anxious and embarrassed Susan. The girl had avoided their eyes throughout the conversation. Amelia understood that this must have been very humiliating for the teen, and hoped she would not be scarred by it. She also hoped that Susan would not swear off intimacy because of this one instance.
"You say you heard a scream that did not belong to Harry, and some dark substance on his forehead?" Dumbledore asked. Susan gave a nod and Dumbledore, who had been sitting quite still up until now stood up and began pacing. Both Susan and Amelia turned to watch the old headmaster.
"Albus?" Amelia asked. Dumbledore stopped and to both ladies' surprise, he looked triumphant.
"I think the thing we have been hoping for has happened." He said. "I think Miss Bones has broken the connection."
"I did?" Susan looked up at Dumbledore. "I thought it was our feelings that would do it."
"It was. But sometimes our actions are the clearest sign of our feelings. There is a reason Miss Bones, why they call it 'making love'." Dumbledore blushed slightly as did Susan.
"So all this time you were waiting for them to have sex?" Amelia asked incredulously.
"I thought it might come to that when Harry told me that his scar was acting funny after moments with Susan. Harry would likely have felt a very strong surge of love for you Susan and the thing that kept Harry and Voldemort tied to each other, likely weakened already for the growing love you shared these past few months was destroyed."
"But what was it?" Susan asked curiously. "And will Harry be alright?"
"Oh yes." Dumbledore smiled. "In fact, I think he will be better than alright. If my guess is correct, then when Harry awakens, he will be much stronger than he has ever been. This thing, this most evil bit of magic that was hidden within Harry's scar was feeding off his magic. Now that it is gone, I believe that Harry will be much more powerful. It will be most interesting to see just how powerful."
"And Voldemort?" Amelia asked. "You had said this could hurt Voldemort."
"I believe that it has, though to what extent, I do not know. But, I suspect that the next time Voldemort attempts to finish Harry off, he will find that they are more evenly matched than he ever could have guessed. Lord Voldemort is in for a very disappointing surprise when next he meets Harry potter." Dumbledore smiled with a mad gleam in his eye.