Heal Thy Blood
Chapter Five - Signs of a Cure
In the following days since discussing accessing the Black family library, both Harry and Hermione had been using their spare time to research as many journals and texts they could get their hands on. Harry focused on the hospital journals which Hermione was not allowed access to, whilst she referred to the Ministry Library. Andi had told Harry that she had spoken to Bill Weasley about procuring his services as a curse-breaker, given her family's darker history and her casting out she didn't want to risk any curse wards going off so they would have a week or two before they could access the library. Meanwhile the cosy living room of his home had been transformed into a library of its own with all the parchment and books that covered every available surface.
One crisp morning, with the sunlight filtering through the sheer curtains, Harry received a message from James Watson. A few minutes later, he found himself in a small examination room within St. Mungo's, facing James, whose expression carried a mix of empathy and concern.
It was in the centre of that chaos of notes and parchment that Harry sat amongst one crisp Saturday morning, a whole week later since his diagnosis and since Astoria had come under his care. The winter sunlight filtered through the living room window, casting a light golden glow that reflected off the papers scattered about. One such paper was a letter from Healer Watson that requested he meet him at his office later that morning. Harry had little doubt his mentor would want to check up on his mental wellbeing and potentially discuss any further findings from the number of tests they had conducted on him over the week. He was thankful that James was the one doing the tests and that the witch who had conducted his medical was the former's niece, so Harry had been assured of privacy and did not risk having his aliment plastered all over the Daily Prophet.
With a small sigh he put down his latest research Journal and made his way to the fireplace, with practised ease he called out the direct floo address for James' office and vanished in a flash of green fire and within moments was flung into the familiar office.
"Harry," voice carrying the weight of their shared journey, "I know that these past two years have been difficult for you. And I want you to know that your dedication, not just as a healer but as a person, has left an indelible mark on all of us here."
With practised ease he brushed the little bits of soot that remained on his person before turning his focus to the office, James was sat at his desk with a small smile that did not quiet reach his eyes.
"Harry, how are you doing?" the older man asked softly as he rose from his seat and stepped around his desk to sat by Harry, his hand coming to rest on his shoulder. A small part of him thought to make a joke, he wasn't doing badly considering he was a dead man walking. Yet he thought better of that.
"I feel fine at the moment, no symptoms or anything like that" he replied.
"I didn't just mean how are you physically, but I won't pry, just know I am here should you need to talk"
"I appreciate that James, but you wanted to see me? I presume it has to do with the recent tests?"
James nodded and gestured towards the two light brown sofas that sat opposite each other at the other side of the office.
"Your condition remains extremely complex. But at the moment, the prognosis remains the same and that you have between roughly eight months to a year" the words strangely didn't hit as hard this time. He had accepted it very quickly, whilst his friends cling to hope, he had not. "Having said that I will not rest trying to find a solution," James added quickly.
Harry met James's gaze, his eyes reflecting a mixture of gratitude and acceptance. "Thank you, James. Just knowing that there's still a chance, no matter how slim, means a lot to me."
James placed a reassuring hand on Harry's shoulder, his touch conveying the depth of their connection. "You're not alone in this, Harry. We're with you every step of the way."
"Thank you" he replied and for a moment the pair just sat in complimentative silence, before Harry broke it. "Change of subject, Astoria Malfoy has a blood curse which we are treating her for the recent episode. What concerns me is that it's been years, and there's been no progress with Astoria Malfoys' condition looking back at what little files we have on her.
James nodded solemnly.
"I understand, Harry, but you know as well as I do that Blood Curses are among the most complex and insidious magical afflictions. It's not as simple as brewing a potion or casting a spell. Otherwise they wouldn't be an issue"
"I get that, but why is there so little research on the matter? She's deteriorating every day, and her family is desperate".
The older man paused, his expression softening.
"Do you remember what I said to you in this office just over two years ago?" he asked kindly. Harry closed his eyes, knowing what was coming next.
"That I cannot save everyone, and sometimes when it's time, it's their time. There is just one problem with your statement"
The older healer lifted his head slightly questioningly.
"If you truly believed that then you wouldn't still be look for a way to help me"
James chuckled, the last thing Harry expected.
"You could've just called me a hypocrite and have been done with it" James smiled before leaning back. "Blood curses are different to anything else in our world, they can be manifested in any form the caster wishes. Unlike a blood boiling curse which we know the counter for and how to treat the symptoms because of the catalyst" he began.
"You will know from your studies that the notes and studies on blood curses never went far because of that, take Mrs Malfoy, we don't have much on her history other than the curse is in the Greengrass line and that it is a inherited curse, that and it only affects the women, but not all of them as her sister shows. Her curses manifestation causes her to bleed severely internally completely randomly, whereas another individual might have other symptoms. And then you have the elephant in the room".
"Which is?"
"Stigma, in pureblood circles in the olden days a family would be shunned if they heard about a curse. Worse if you were a half blood or muggleborn. So people hid it, if you look at muggle medicine that has evolved over hundreds of years, with historical studies maintained up into today. Could you imagine if people did not come forward for cancer? Or simple things such as infections? It wasn't so long ago that getting a cut could kill a person if it festered. That is the issue with blood curses, too many variations, no counter curses and no real historical data.
"Astoria doesn't deserve this fate," Harry muttered.
"No she does not, for the curse to linger in a family bloodline means whoever received the first curse must have really had a grievance with the family, and been very powerful. Alas Astoria is being punished for something she did not do"
"I am getting access to the Black family library soon I hope, maybe there will be something in there. Anything"
"The Black family is very old, though I wouldn't suggest you will find any healing magic within the family tomes my boy"
"No but maybe they will have details on blood curses, it could be a start I have burned through everything we have" Harry countered.
"If you haven't already I would recommend trying to find out if the Greengrass family know when the curse was cast, its not something we would retain and Astoria has been treated privately for years. Though I doubt a noble Pureblood family would be willing to share its personal history so lightly"
"Mr Greengrass invited me for dinner actually, he was very grateful for use saving her life that night"
"You saved her life, and perhaps you might be able to gain some insight. But please Harry, do be careful not to give them false hope. Hope can be beautiful, but also what kills you"
As Harry left the examination room, his emotions were a whirlwind of gratitude, hope, and the weight of his reality. Eight months, give or take. The estimate was both a countdown and a reprieve. He had time, not as much as he'd hoped for, but time nonetheless. And he had the next steps for his idea to try and help Astoria! As he walked through the bustling corridors of St. Mungo's, he replayed his conversation with James, drawing strength from the unwavering support he had received.
Later that day, Harry found himself seated back in his living room, lost in thought.
The idea of exploring the Black Family Library was both promising and daunting. It was a place steeped in dark magic, a reflection of the family's troubled history. And yet, if there was even a remote possibility of finding a cure, Harry was willing to face whatever challenges lay ahead. Long hours during the last week of relentless research had blurred the boundaries between days and nights. In the confines of his home, surrounded by piles of ancient texts and a softly crackling fire, Harry's focus remained unyielding.
It was during one such evening that Hermione's presence brought a welcome interruption.
As the scent of brewing tea wafted through the air, Hermione sat across from Harry, her expression a mixture of excitement and weariness. She took a sip from her cup before speaking. "Harry, I think I've found something that might be relevant to our research."
Harry leaned forward, his interest piqued. "Tell me."
Hermione set down her cup and picked up a worn parchment. "It's a mention of the Resonance Restoration spell. Have you heard of it?"
Harry's brow furrowed as he recalled the term. "Yes, I've come across it before. It's an old healing spell, but it fell out of use because it's incredibly dangerous."
Hermione nodded. "That's exactly what these notes say".
The spell creates a resonance between the healer's magic and the curse, effectively neutralising the curse. However, it's not commonly used because it requires an immense amount of power and skill. If performed incorrectly, it can result in the death of the patient and even the healer.
Harry sighed. "That's why it was dropped, you won't find many healers willing to die for a patient. Or any organisations willing to risk being sued if something went wrong."
Hermione's gaze remained determined. "Yes, but considering your patient's condition, it might be worth exploring. You have access to the patient's magical signature, which could allow a more tailored spell."
Harry nodded slowly, his mind racing with the possibilities. "It's a long shot, Hermione. But you're right, we might be able to adapt the spell to minimise the risks. Again, if it goes wrong then two people die and as I said very few will be willing to do it"
Hermione sighed, her heart heavy with the reality of their situation. "I understand your hesitation, Harry. But if we don't try, the patient will die for certain."
Harry locked eyes with Hermione, his voice calm and measured. "I get that. But let me ask you, Hermione, if it were you in that bed, with only a limited time left, would you risk what little you had left for something that very likely will not work, and could potentially harm someone else in the process? Who would risk that?
Suddenly a memory from an old passage of text he read during his first year came to him, causing a sigh of frustration.
"That and there has to be a personal connection, for example you couldn't cast it with any effect. It would just drain you until you let up the spell or … well.
Hermione's expression dropped but her face grew focused and she pulled another book before her from the sofa, causing Harry to smile as they returned to their research. As they delved deeper into the intricacies of the Resonance Restoration spell, their determination remained unshaken. Each detail, each theory they explored, would bring them closer to a breakthrough. The gravity of their research was not lost on them; they were delving into uncharted territory, seeking a solution that might rewrite the fate of not just one patient, but many more who could benefit from their discoveries.
With Hermione's thirst for knowledge and Harry's expertise as a healer, they worked tirelessly, piecing together fragments of information and weaving them into a cohesive whole.
—
One evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, Harry was working his shift at St. Mungo's once again, standing by Astoria Malfoy's bedside on the ward. The room was bathed in the soft glow of enchanted lanterns, casting gentle shadows on the walls.
Astoria's recovery had been slow but steady, a testament to her determination and the skilled care she had received. Her voice held a note of gratitude as she spoke. "Potter, you've given me the chance to keep on living. I can't thank you enough."
Harry's gaze met hers, his expression sincere. " Astoria. Your recovery is a testament to your resilience."
"You can take a compliment, can't you?"
"What's one of those" he chuckled
"How anyone thought you arrogant is beyond me Harry, I wish I'd have met you sooner and under better circumstances"
"I am not sure how your husband would have felt about that"
"Are you flirting with me, Healer Potter" she said in false shock, her hand coming to rest on her chest.
"Not in the slightest, I can just imagine a younger Draco spitting feathers at his wife talking to a jumped up Potter" he smiled.
Astoria's lips curved into a smile, and her eyes sparkled with mischief. "Nice save Mr Potter, however I should remind you that my family are eager to host the man responsible for my miraculous recovery properly. Father keeps asking me to remind you about the dinner plans. I even think Draco is excited."
Harry chuckled, a warmth settling in his chest. "You had me until the last point"
Astoria's laughter filled the room, a sound that was music to Harry's ears. "I did say he is trying to make up for his past remember"
"I'm sure," Harry replied with a grin. "I will speak to your father, it would be rude not to accept his offer. Will it be all of you or just your parents, your husband and yourself?"
"Well the only person you've missed off is Daphne and she will be there if that's what your trying to dig out of me" she replied with a smirk.
"You've been stuck in this hospital for two weeks, it's clearly getting to you, truth be told I didn't think about Daphne, which is bad of me"
"Oh she wants to thank you as well, saving her little sister and all that. Be warned however, Daphne is single and whilst mother and father are not those purebloods, mother make make implications as I know your single as well"
"How do you-"
"Oh don't play stupid it does suit you, If Harry Potter had a lady in his life we would all know before you did" she chuckled.
As their conversation continued, Harry's heart was light, lifted by the genuine connection he shared with his patients. The bond forged through the trials of illness and recovery was a reminder of the impact healers could have on the lives of others.
…
Hope you enjoyed.
…
Hope you enjoyed.