Chapter 5
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A week passed, as different family members could be seen sitting at Harry's bedside. He was never alone. The most constant visitor after Sirius, Molly, and Cissa, was Albus Dumbledore. But, it wasn't until the third day that he was allowed to actually be near Harry. It had taken him that long to gain control of his emotions. His anger at Draco had rolled off of him in waves, thus he had not even been allowed on the second floor of the manor, let alone in Harry's presence.
Between Neville, Hermione, Poppy, and Severus, it was all they could do to keep him from hunting down the young man himself and doing to him, what he had done to Grindlewald all those years ago. No one had in recent memory ever seen him so furious. Once they told him that Draco had been found and was in custody at the Ministry, he was finally able to calm himself--with a little help from some Calming Draught-laced lemon drops Severus had provided for him.
Albus sat at his side, talking, telling Harry about all the happenings at the school, the recent Quidditch matches, the pranks pulled after the last Hogsmeade weekend, by both students, and a few of the professors, Hagrid's newest pets, and the latest DADA professor; anything normal and everyday, just so Harry could hear his voice and know he was there with him.
He continued to tell stories for the next three weeks. He even talked about some of his own youth with his brother Aberforth and the infamous goat. Then, there was the time puppy Fang chased Minerva, in Animagus form, up the Whomping Willow, and the time Filius had had a crush on an elfin princess.
Then he told stories of Harry's parents and his grandparents; Happier times in the Potter family.
"Your mother wanted you to take piano lessons. Of course, your godfather and father wouldn't hear of it. They said that honor would be for the next child. Your father, and godfather, declared that you, Prongs Jr., would be the next generation of the Marauders. You were such a happy baby. When you had your first magical outburst, it was I who bore the brunt. My dear boy, you turned my beard red and green. It was quite the feat. I remember it took three weeks for it to wear off."
"Should... have.." Harry's raspy voice started, as his hand tighten around Albus', "that I was the perfect mix... of Gryff and Slytherin... then."
Tears ran down the aged and wrinkled face, "Oh my dear boy, welcome back." He whispered, his voice full of emotion.
"Can't get...rid of me... that easy."
"Hello, Harry." Healer Hermione Granger-Weasley said, as her face came into Harry's field of view. "Lie still while I check you over."
First, touching a bracelet on her wrist, causing it to glow, she then pulled her wand and started casting diagnostic spells over Harry's body. She smiled, seemingly pleased with the results.
"Water?" She conjured a small glass of fresh water, with a straw. When he nodded, she helped him drink in slow sips, as Albus helped gently lift his head.
Sirius came running in first. Hermione didn't even stop what she was doing, as she glared at him He sat down in the first chair in his path and stayed quiet. Others trickled in slowly and kept far away from her work area. Remus came around the corner immediately after, and got the same glare. By the time Molly and Cissa arrived, Arthur and Lucius also sat quietly at the end of the bed, and Hermione stood over Harry, with a smug look on her face. Surveying the scene, the two women stifled grins of amusement.
Severus walked up behind them and smirked as he took in the scene. He even noted a bit of mirth in the tired green eyes. "I see Hermione, that you have learned more than potion-making in my classes. Fifty points to Gryffindor."
"Now he gives points." Harry commented weakly from the bed, as he looked at his former Potions Professor.
Hermione stepped back, and picked up the parchment that detailed Harry's progress and current condition. She smiled, "Looks good, Harry." She looked to the others in the room, "No overtaxing him while I make my report to the Head Healer."
Hermione stepped away and was out of the room swiftly to make her report before returning to her patient. Poppy would also be very happy to hear Harry had finally awakened.
Harry tried to shift on the bed, but Molly and Cissa stood up to stop him. "Oh Harry don't move. Not until Hermione comes back." Molly admonished gently.
"This time was bad...?" Harry searched the faces around him, horrified that the secret had been exposed.
Severus snorted. "Harry, it would be easier to list the parts of your person that had not been bruised, lacerated, ruptured, broken, or concussed by my sorry excuse for a godson."
Cissa frowned at his bluntness, but said nothing.
"Don't worry yourself, Kid. Everything is going to be fine." Sirius said from his chair, patting a spot on his cast-encased leg.
"Where is Draco?" He asked, looking around, puzzled at the absence of his bonded's.
After quickly exchanging worried glances with the others, Lucius spoke. "Draco is no longer welcome here. I will not allow him to hurt you ever again."
"But this is his home."
"My son has, by his actions, given up his right to be here." Cissa added, as she held his hand and covered it with her other.
"When you bonded, Harry, this became your home as well. Draco also broke the contract when he hurt you..."
"Son, when Draco hurt you and thereby breaking the contract, it became Ministry business." At the horrified look, Arthur hurried on to placate Harry, "NO one knows. I've made very sure of it. The records are sealed."
Albus leaned into Harry's line of vision again. "Only those I trust are handling the case and are doing so under a Wizard's Oath." He whispered.
"Let me up. Please! I must be at my Husband's side. He must know I can still fulfill my duties!" Harry tried in vain to sit up, but his condition and Hermione's gentle pressure kept him down.
"WHAT!!" Sirius roared, as several pairs of eyes widened in realization.
"He wouldn't," Lucius whispered, and in that moment, all their questions were answered.
Tbc…