Chapter fourteen

'When you passed out, your back was covered in blood,' Ron lifted Harry's clothes, 'That's when we realised how badly hurt you were. So Bill helped me bring you here before they went to speak with Ginny. I don't know how you didn't feel that Harry.'

'I didn't think it was that bad, then I got home, made myself a light dinner. Sat on the couch with a drink then I woke up to all of you there. But I felt the pain in my back then, never thought much about it. So they said an old injury, must be the one that Voldemort did.' Harry noticed Hermione look away and realised which injury got hit, 'Anyway, are you going back to work tomorrow Ron?'

'Yeah, I spoke to Michael before, explained everything after I apologised. He's still not happy with me, so he said I will be doing the worst duties for a while.'

'Oh great, thanks Ron, that's all I need.'

'You're not doing them Harry, that's what Michael said. He's splitting us up for a while because of this. When I can prove to keep our personal lives out of the work place, then he might let us work together again. But I agree with him Harry, we're close, been friends for years. We spend a lot of time together away from the office. So seeing you at the office is like seeing you at home.'

'So you'll probably partner with everyone else but me, for a while at least. Did Michael say who I will be partnered with?'

'He said he'd talk to you about that later. But he said he's noticed how well you seem to work with everyone, so he might just keep it random, no specific partner.'

'Yeah, maybe, anyway, did the healer say when I could go home?'

'He said he'd be back later to check on you, so he'll tell you then.'

'Did Michael say anything about Colin's funeral?'

'Just that we'll all be there in full auror dress robes, but he does want any one that has medals or awards, he wants them worn.'

'Oh great, I'm going to be weighed down and glitter so much you won't be able to look at me.'

Ron and Hermione laughed, 'It's not that bad Harry.'

'Not that bad, I've got three order of merlins because I saved you, Ginny and your dad, one for killing Voldemort, then the order of Dumbledore, the order of the phoenix, the order of Potter, blast I hate that, then there's the others, for my parents, for Sirius and even for Dobby since he had no family.'

'Well when you put it that way, yeah, you're going to sparkle,' Ron smirked, 'But that's what Michael wants, to show our respect to a colleague. He wants full robes and awards worn.'

'I get that, I'm just not looking forward to all the staring.'

Just then an elder man stepped into the room, 'Mr. Potter, I'm Healer Linwood, how are you feeling?'

'Pretty good, just a slight pain in the back, not too bad.'

'Take your potion, then I'll check it once more. If it looks like it's healing then you can go home. But I have already spoken with your boss about some time off. You need at least two day's rest, more would be better, but I know all the aurors are busy.'

'Yeah, we are,' Harry drank the potion grimacing with the taste but saw Hermione and Ron laugh softly as they turned away, 'Stop it, you don't have to drink this stuff.'

'You should be used to it, so don't complain Harry,' Hermione grinned.

Healer Linwood moved his wand all over Harry, 'It's healing nicely, but you need to rest or it could start bleeding again. So you will be able to leave, but I wanted to talk to you about something,' the healer picked up Harry's glasses and handed them to him, 'I've been working with a few other healers, we've finally perfected a potion for people that need glasses. Now at the moment it has to be taken daily, but we all believe we should have it down to a weekly potion within the next couple of months, then to a monthly potion over the next year or so. I used to wear glasses and very strong ones, but this potion works perfectly. So we're going to put an advertisement in all the major papers to let anyone that wears glasses know they can get this potion.'

'So if I take that every day, I wouldn't need to wear these. It would be better at work. I usually have to use a temporarily sticking charm so they don't fall off when I'm fighting.'

'Yes, I removed the charm when you were brought in. So if you did want to try it, I could give you a month's worth. Now if you happen to forget just one day, you will automatically notice the difference with your eyesight.'

'I think that is wonderful Healer Linwood, especially for people like Harry who loses or breaks his glasses a lot. How many pairs have you gone through since we've met Harry?' Hermione asked.

'Um, about seven I think, four over the last few years, that's due to the fights I get into. So yeah, it would save me having to keep going back to buy more glasses and I wouldn't need to worry about losing them. So I definitely would like to try this potion.'

'Then I'll have some ready for when you leave. But I will tell you though, our ultimate aim is to cure bad eyesight completely, hopefully with just a potion or maybe a healing charm to go with it. That might take a while though. It takes a lot of time and research money to keep out team going. But at least we do know we'll have a weekly one, probably in another couple of months.'

'You do wonderful work Healer Linwood. So how much does it cost to keep your team going?'

'Quite a lot, just the last two years that it has taken to perfect this potion, took two million galleons. We can do part of that work while we are working as healers, but we get too distracted. I would like to do research full time even if I do love being a healer. But I've seen some people that could do with cures and at the moment, nothing will cure them. I was never a fighter like you, but I always wanted to help our world in other ways and curing people is a way I can help.'

'That is what you're good at Healer Linwood, so you should work at what you love and are good at. You're helping me right now and that helps our world. This fight I got into today, I got hit the first time because I never got a chance to do the sticking charm, so my glasses came off. Finally I got it done, so taking this potion will definitely help.'

'Yes, that's why I wanted to mention it to you. Now remember, rest for the next couple of days and pick up your potion on your way out.'

Harry stuck his hand out and shook the healers, 'Thanks and I'll rest.'

The three friends watched the healer leave, 'You're going to donate to his work aren't you Harry, that's why you asked?' Hermione asked.

'Yep, he's doing our world good Hermione, so he should have the money. I don't need it and it's not like I've ever going to use all that. So why not give some to people like Healer Linwood who can do so much good with it. But have I got anything to put on or do I have to wear my dirty clothes?'

Hermione lifted a bag, 'I went and grabbed you some clothes. So I'll step outside and let you dress, I do not need to see that,' Hermione kissed Harry's cheek then handed him the bag before stepping out of the room.

Ron gave Harry a hand to dress, then the two friends stepped out. Harry went and got his potion, then saw Michael talking to Abner, so he walked over to them.

'Hi, how is she?'

'She's going to be alright, but will need to stay here for a week at least. Healer Linwood said you need two days off, so head home and I'll see you in a couple of days. But you might be able to fill out an incident report while you're home.'

'I can do that boss, if you need anything, let me know,' Harry shook his boss's hand then Abner's before following Ron and Hermione out of St Mungo's.

As soon as Harry, Ron and Hermione stepped into Harry's flat, Hermione went straight into the kitchen to fix some breakfast while Harry and Ron sat down. Harry realised Ron was trying to make it up to him and even though he can forgive Ron because Ginny did lie to him, he still couldn't ever be as close as he used to be, but he'll keep that to himself.

'So when are you going to take the potion?'

'I've been thinking about that. At first I thought as long as it's a routine I'll remember to always take it. So I thought of a night, but then sometimes I get distracted, so that wouldn't work. So I think mornings right before I head to work. Since it's now morning, I should take it now.' Harry poured a small amount of potion into a vial then drank the potion, shuddering at the taste, then took his glasses off and looked around, 'It's instant, so that's good, the taste isn't though.'

'What's worse, breaking or losing your glasses or having to take a potion every day?'

'I know Ron, but I hope he can make it taste better if he had time. But since I am sitting here and I can see perfectly, how do I look without my glasses?'

'Not bad, one thing though, you can really see how green your eyes are. I never noticed that before.'

'Well it's not very often you saw me with my eyes open and no glasses on. What do you think Hermione?' Harry called.

'Ron's right, you're eyes really stand out now. But I always liked the colour of your eyes, that's why I told you I thought they were gorgeous.'

'You what, when?' Ron asked started between Hermione and Harry.

'I'm not saying a thing Hermione, that's your story to tell your boyfriend. So I might have a shower while you two talk, but thanks for helping,' Harry smiled then walked into his bathroom. He stripped off and stared in the mirror, at all the blood over his lower back. He shook his head to rid his mind of the memory, then stood under the water and let that help relieve the tension he'd been feeling over the last couple of weeks, but he knew now it would get better.