1Chapter 10:St. Mungo's

Harry slowly opened his eyes. The last thing he remembered was a flash of brilliant white light. He squinted, trying to bring his surroundings into focus. He brought his hand up to his face. He didn't have his glasses.

'Ah, Mr. Potter', said a voice from his left.

'Where am I? What happened?', asked Harry groggily.

'You're at St. Mungo's, Mr. Potter', said the healer as she approached his bed. Harry could just make out a blur of green that was her uniform.

'Where are my glasses?', he asked weakly.

'Oh. I have them right here', she said as she placed them on his face. Harry blinked a few times before he could bring everything into focus. He shifted in the bed to try to find a more comfortable position and felt a sharp pain.

'Yes, yes. You better lie still. You had a few broken ribs from where that spell hit you', said the healer. Harry gave her a questioning look. 'What spell?', he asked.

'Well . . . we're not really sure what hit you', said the healer. 'We've fixed you up. You'll just have to take it easy.'

Harry groaned, closing his eyes and laid his head back on his pillow. He heard the healer say something about notifying his family and fell asleep once more.

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'You said in your letter that he was awake', said Ginny.

'The potions are making him a little drowsy', said the healer before exiting the room.

Ginny sighed and took Harry's hand. When she received the letter from St. Mungo's that morning, she had rushed around the house waking everyone. When visiting hours started, she and Hermione had come to the hospital only to find Harry asleep. She had been sitting at his bed side ever since.

'Here, Ginny', said Hermione, passing her a cup of tea. 'I've got to get to work. Ron's going to stop in later.'

Ginny nodded, accepting the cup of tea. When Hermione left the room, she leaned back in her chair with her hands wrapped around her cup, taking comfort in its warmth.

'Hey', came a weak voice. Ginny's head jerked up.

'How long have you been here', asked Harry sitting up slowly.

'Not too long', she answered, tears welling up in her eyes. 'I was so worried, Harry.'

'Come here', said Harry, moving over. Ginny got up and carefully slid into the bed next to him, burying her head in his chest. He wrapped his arms around her as she began to cry.

'I don't know what I would do if I lost you', said Ginny, sniffling.

'I'm not going anywhere', he whispered in her ear.

'Do you remember what happened?', she asked, sitting up and wiping her face on her sleeve.

Harry closed his eyes and tried to think back. 'No', he said, shaking his head. 'The last thing I remember is stunning Carrow.'

'Valentine told me no one heard an incantation', said Ginny.

'I don't remember a thing', said Harry.

They both looked up at a knock on the door. Valentine peaked his head around the door.

'Can I have a word, Potter?', he asked.

Harry looked over at Ginny. 'I'll go let the rest of the family know you're awake', said Ginny, leaning down and giving him a kiss and climbing out of the bed. Once she left, Valentine shut the door and moved over to stand next to Harry's bed.

'What do you remember?', he asked Harry.

'Nothing', said Harry. 'I was just telling Ginny. The last thing I remember is stunning Carrow.'

'Avery apparently snuck out the back of the house without anyone noticing. No one heard the incantation for the spell he hit you with during the chaos. Rhodes saw you go down and hit Avery with a particularly strong stunning spell. He was thrown back against the side of the house. It killed him instantly', said Valentine.

'He's dead?', asked Harry in disbelief.

'Yes. And the others were all apprehended'

Harry nodded, leaning his head back against his pillow.

'I'll let you get some rest', said Valentine, moving toward the door. 'I'll send the healer in to discuss your release.'

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He wasn't actually released for two more days. The healers insisted he stay for observation against Harry's numerous protests that he was fine.

He was sitting on his bed waiting for the healer to give him the thumbs up to go home. Molly has been in earlier that day and told him that under no circumstances was he to go back to his flat just yet. She insisted that he come stay at the Burrow for a few days until he was completely back on his feet. Harry knew better then to protest so he agreed. He looked up as the healer came bustling into the room.

'Ok, Mr. Potter. You're free to go', she said. 'You are to take these potions twice a day for the pain', she added, handing him two bottles. 'You may still feel dizzy at times. If any of these things get worse, you come back in immediately.'

'Ok', said Harry, standing up just as Ginny entered the room.

'Ready?', she asked from the doorway.

'You have no idea', said Harry, picking up his things.

'Just remember what I said, Mr. Potter. Take it easy for a while. And you are not to return to work for two weeks', said the healer.

Harry nodded and walked over to Ginny, taking her by the hand as she led him to the apparition point.

'I'm going to side-along you this time', she said, smiling up at him. Harry gripped her hand more firmly and allowed her to turn on the spot and take them back to the Burrow.

Once there, Harry was bombarded by Mrs. Weasley fussing over him. She had Ron take Harry's things up to Bill's old bedroom, which she had set up for him.

'Mrs. Weasley, I'm fine, really', said Harry as he took a seat at the kitchen table with a cup of tea. In truth he was feeling a bit dizzy from apparating, but he didn't want to worry anyone. Besides, the healer had told him that he would feel like this for a few days.

'The MLE was by earlier and lifted the wards they set around the house and while they were here, they got rid of the reporters. At least for now', said Mrs. Weasley.

"I wonder how they managed that?', asked Harry in astonishment.

'No idea', said Mrs. Weasley, shaking her head before she headed out into the back garden.

Ron re-entered the kitchen a moment later and flopped down in the chair next to Harry.

'This is exactly why I decided not to become a Auror', said Ron shaking his head.

'Ronald', said Hermione as she entered the kitchen.

'What?', asked Ron. 'He knew what he was getting into.'

Hermione crossed her arms over her chest.

'It's ok, Hermione. Ron's right. I did know what I was getting myself into. I just didn't think I would get hurt after only a couple of days on the job', he added.

Hermione sat down across the two of them and rested her head in her hand. Turning to Harry she said, 'Ginny was worried sick about you. I've never seen her like that.'

'I know, I really need to talk to her', said Harry, sighing. Ever since they returned home, Ginny had been distant toward him. She had gone straight up to her bedroom after helping Harry into the house.

Harry looked over at his two best friends, desperate to change the subject. 'So what's going on with the two of you?', he asked. Both Ron and Hermione's face turned red.

Hermione looked down at her hands. 'I don't know what you mean Harry?', she said, avoiding looking at him.

'Oh come off it', said Harry. 'I know you two like each other. Remember, I did see you snogging at Hogwarts a few months', he added.

'Well, actually mate. We did go out a few times while we were in Australia', said Ron, also avoiding his gaze.

'That's great', said Harry. Both Hermione and Ron looked up at him.

'You really think so?', asked Ron.

'Of course. Why wouldn't I?', said Harry.

'Ronald was under the impression that you wouldn't approve', said Hermione, glaring daggers at Ron.

'Why would you think that?', asked Harry, furrowing his brow at Ron.

'I don't know', said Ron, shaking his head.

'It's not up to me to approve of', said Harry. 'I've known you two liked each other for ages. We all have.'

'I guess I have been kind of thick headed', said Ron.

Harry laughed, wincing slightly at the pain in this ribs. Mrs. Weasley chose that moment to re-enter the kitchen.

'All right Harry. Up to bed with you. You need your rest', she said.

'But . . .', said Harry.

'No buts. You heard what the healer said. You need to take it easy', said Mrs. Weasley, cutting across him.

Harry stood slowly, griping the edge of the table until the room stopped spinning, and made his way out of the kitchen. He met Arthur once he entered the sitting room.

'Molly still fussing over you?', he asked, looking up from his newspaper.

'Yeah', sighed Harry.

'Just go along with it for a day or so', said Arthur, smiling up at the Harry.

Harry grinned. 'I don't think I have much of a choice', he said.

'No', said Arthur. 'I guess not.'

Using the wall as a guide, Harry slowly made his way up the stairs. When he opened the door to his room, he found Ginny sitting on the bed. She looked up from her lap as he entered.

'Harry, we need to talk.'

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A/N: Review please!!! :)