AN: Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to everyone out there, and if you celebrate I hope you are having a fantastic time. I would also like to thank everyone who has favourited and followed so far, and I hope you like this story as much as I do. I don't want to spoil anything but I have some fantastic stuff planned so I hope you stick around. As always, all reviews and feedback are appreciated!
-MP-
Chapter Six: The Weasley's
Christmas was rapidly approaching in the Potter household, both parents were eager to welcome their children back and in just a few days' time they would be collecting them from Platform 9 ¾. The pair were frantically buying all of their Christmas gifts to ensure they were all squirreled away before they arrived.
Ginny walked into their bedroom where Harry was getting ready for the day, Christmas music played from the living room and Harry decided what we was wearing for the day, settling on a casual navy blue robe set suitable for both Diagon Alley and muggle shops.
"I think we should pick up Albus's new broom today." Ginny said, pulling on her socks from where she sat on the bed.
Harry stood up and fastened the last of his buttons. "Yeah, good idea Gin." He turned around and pulled her up by shoulders into a kiss.
"Good morning to you too." She smiled, breaking them apart and heading down the stairs to prepare breakfast.
The pair had decided on eggs and toast for breakfast, and whilst Ginny was busy at the stove, Harry met his owl Gale at the kitchen window. Gale was a gorgeous barn owl that he got in memory of Hedwig. He wasn't the same breed as her but it was a fitting tribute for such a special companion.
He instantly recognised the writing on the letter before removing it from the bird's legs. It was Hermione's. Harry opened it, and to his surprise it was an urgent message from the Weasley household saying they needed to see him and Ginny as soon as possible.
He finished reading the letter which left him feeling a little perplexed, so he turned around to Ginny who was leant across the dark wood cabinetry, stretching to clean the side off thoroughly whilst the eggs stirred themselves on the hob. "Ginny." He said, to take her attention away from her current task.
She turned around, she was wearing loose striped trousers that sported autumnal colours with a tight bottle green shirt tucked into it. Her red hair hung loosely down her back.
With just a glance she knew something wasn't right, and her suspicions were confirmed when he told her about their summons to the Weasley house.
"We had better head over there as soon as we have eaten." She responded, using her wand to levitate two plates over to the table ready to take the seat opposite to Harry and tuck in.
He nodded, spooning a hefty amount into his mouth making sounds of approval as he ate.
Still, no matter how good the food was there was something about the letter that was nagging at him. Even if moments before he was lost in thoughts of Christmas and shared meals, he had even mailed out an invitation to Minerva for Christmas Day so we wouldn't have to spend it in the castle.
The pair walked outside and took each other's hand, turning themselves inwards to apparate and feeling the ground leaving them behind rapidly. Taking that ever stomach churning trip feeling squashed and pushed around until their feet thudded back on the ground at their chosen destination.
The Weasleys lived further out in the countryside than the Potter's did, but close enough that each other's children could visit whenever they liked. Their house wasn't haphazardly extended like The Burrow, the pair opting for a stone walled large bungalow which still had plenty of character with its odd shape somewhere between a hexagon and an octagon.
Harry walked ahead of Ginny eager to knock the door and as soon as he did it was opened by Herminone wearing a rather sombre look on her face. Ron wasn't far behind and threw a characteristic knowing look in her direction, pushing past his wife to pull Harry inside quickly.
"Jesus Ron!" Harry exclaimed. "What's with the rush?" Chuckling slightly as the wooden door slammed behind them. Eerily Ginny remained quiet as they filed into the living room where a letter had messily been torn open and scattered onto the low mahogany coffee table.
They all sat down and Harry immediately looked at Ron. " Do you mind telling me what's going on here?"
Hermione furrowed, exhaling as she began to speak. "Well Harry.. well… the thing is.."
Ron nodded to his wife causing her to fall back into silence.
"The thing is mate. We received an owl from Mum this morning." Ron's voice was full of concern, which put Harry on edge as soon as he registered it.
Harry's mind was racing. Was it Arthur? One of the children? He couldn't bear the thought of Molly going through any more grief, instantly hoping that everyone in the Weasley family was okay.
"Okay?" He questioned tentatively. "What was in it? Just tell me, please, Ron!" He fixed his green eyes onto Ron's, his face etched with a subtle sadness. Adding to Harry's confusion at the situation. When Ron didn't answer straight away Harry reverted to his old tendency of nervous chatter, cycling through the list of Weasley family members and getting increasingly obscure as we went. Hermione continued to stare at him with that pitiful look in her eyes, the silence only ending because she gave her husband's leg a sharp squeeze to prompt him.
"It's Minerva." Ron said plainly.
Harry jumped up from his seat immediately. "What?" He shouted. "Is she okay?" His voice tinged with desperation, imagining every horrible scenario in his head.
Hermione remained seated, looking just as sorrowful as her husband and even though her eyes seemed glossy she strained for a comforting tone as she spoke. "Minerva is in St Mungo's. She's contracted dragon pox." She looked away from Harry before she finished, avoiding the pain that would be contouring his features.
"No no no no no…." Harry found himself saying, repeating, as he started to pace around the Weasley's living room. Battling a sudden wave of powerful nausea. Dragon Pox was never good but not in the least for an elderly witch such as Minerva McGonagall.
Hermione attempted to absolve herself of her sadness, and guilt for not telling Harry sooner. Over a week ago, Molly had contacted them because St Mungo's were searching for Minerva's family and friends. Hermione had put off telling Harry for as long as possible because she didn't want to worry him but now the situation had grown so dire she knew exactly what she had to do.
Meanwhile, Ginny had a blazing look in her eyes aimed directly at her brother. Before she went to comfort Harry she passed Ron and leaned in close. "You could have given me some bloody warning." She breathed, anger flaring her nostrils.
Ron nodded in agreement. "I should have." He turned his body away from his best friend and sister, looking just as guilty as Hermione now.
Harry continued to pace around the room, his eyes focused on his hands giving him a rather manic look. She said his name a few times in a low voice before eventually grabbing his shoulder to stop him moving.
"Harry sweetheart, we should go to St Mungo's." Her expression now mirrored his own worry, he nodded and without argument left the Weasley's behind to enter the field which surrounded their house.
Seconds later he let go of Ginny's hand and violently emptied his stomach onto the grass. Standing up to wipe his face and look urgently at Ginny. "This can't be happening Gin."
Tears fell down her face as she hugged him tightly against herself. Soothing both herself and Harry in the process. "I want her to be okay too."
Harry felt a lick on anger within him. "Where are her family? They should have been there with her. I know they had all met up recently in Hogsmeade and she was so happy about that. I can't believe they would abandon her now."
Ginny looked at him sympathetically. "I think we know better than anyone that family can be an awfully complicated thing."
-MP-
They broke apart and Harry took the lead in the apparition to St Mungo's. The entrance was the same as always, a red bricked abandoned looking shop front which hid the true purpose of the building from muggles.
After speaking to the dummy to gain entry they quickly made their way to the reception area of the hospital, Harry spotting the welcome witch from a distance placed himself directly in front of her before asking where Minerva McGonagall was.
The Welcome Witch was different from what he remembered previously, but somehow still had the same impatience and disdain of their predecessor. Without looking up from her records she spoke in a thick, unemotional voice. "Minerva McGonagall. Fourth Floor. Private rooms to the left for the long term and despairful."
Harry was immediately taken aback by the lack of empathy from the welcome witch, who hadn't even bothered to ask him who he was or provide any information on Minerva's condition. Instead, callously labelling her as "despairful".
She looked up from the records book. "Look, Mr?" She spoke dully up from the desk.
"Potter. Mr Potter." Harry bit back forcefully. Anger flaring inside of him again, acknowledged by a reassuring arm squeeze from Ginny.
"Mr Potter." The welcome witch repeated. "I am not allowed to divulge any information about a patient. You will find Ms McGonagall on the ward I already stated."
With disgust he pulled himself away from the desk, as the pair walked towards the signpost and followed the stairs down to the fourth floor. Many busy Witches and Wizards donning their lime green uniforms brushing past them, almost as if they weren't there at all.
Harry remembered the main corridor well with its numerous portraits, some he recalled and some new faces he didn't recognise. As the double doors approached the fourth floor ward, it dawned on him that he had been here once before, when he came across Neville's parents and his old Professor. Naively, at the time, thinking he would never have a reason to come back.
He glanced around the main ward but couldn't see McGonagall, Ginny also coming to the same realisation approached the nearest Medi-Witch and asked her where Minerva was. Explaining they are close friends and wished to see her immediately.
Hearing the word friends caused a lump to form in his throat. Minerva felt like a lot more than the term friend could describe.
Ginny turned back to him and said she was in the ward through the next set of doors, not marked, but it was obvious to them it's where they kept the 'despairful' patients. The doors were tall and black, with two square frosted windows at the top to allow some light to pass through. He raced towards the door pushing them open forcefully which revealed a corridor with many private rooms adjoined.
All the rooms were labelled with patient names so himself and Ginny began to scour every nameplate until they came across Minerva's, but he didn't push this door open with the same force as the previous, he found himself frozen against it, his palm resting against it tentatively.
"We don't have to go in until you are ready." Ginny offered apologetically.
Harry nodded, summoning all the courage he could muster and with sadness gently pushed the door open to reveal Minerva in the centre of the room lying in bed.
Minerva didn't stir when they entered, which Harry was thankful for in a way, allowing him the opportunity to take the situation in.
Her skin was tinged a sickly green from head to toe, and on top of that were even darker green boils which were dotted up her arms and legs, they had even begun to encroach upon her face from her chest.
Harry grabbed the small brown stool with wheels that stood nearby and took a seat next to Minerva's face choosing to gently stroke the hair around her ear. He could see the pockmarks beginning to form in her hairline and knew it wouldn't be long until she had blisters there too.
Her chest raised and fell lazily with a rattling sound which put Harry on edge. She had clearly lost weight as she looked so small under the sheets where she was resting.
He turned his head to look at Ginny when a Medi-Witch entered the room, looking slightly surprised to see them there.
"Oh Hello." The witch greeted them, she wore the same lime green uniform with her blonde hair tied tightly into a bun. She glanced between the pair and decided to introduce herself. "Hi, my name is Hestia Jenkins and I am the head witch in charge of Minerva's care."
Both Harry and Ginny nodded silently, both of them more fixed on Minerva's bedside.
The witch carried on speaking as she attended to her various tasks, firstly asking the pair who they were.
Harry's nose crinkled, today seemed to be a particularly taxing day for describing his relationship with McGonagall. Not understanding why that was suddenly the case, but true to form Ginny stepped in for him with an answer. "I'm Ginny Potter and this is my Husband Harry." She stated, gesturing to Harry who was still sitting down.
"We are both very good friends of Minerva and right now she has us very worried."
The Medi-Witch nodded. "Very well, then I am afraid I do not come bearing good news for the two of you."
Hestia explained that Minerva had been brought to hospital over a week ago from Hogwarts but has been declining ever since, she has been dosed regularly with potions to regulate her breathing and temperature as well as pain relief for the pox themselves but up to yet she hadn't shown any evidence of her body fighting the illness.
Ginny fixed her eyes on Harry who had paled considerably as the witch spoke.
"We have reached out to her known family members and friends but apart from a singular visit from her niece and nephews, she's been rather alone."
Harry's paleness seemed to be exacerbated by this. Finding another familiar flicker of anger rising up. "What?" He said, louder than intended. "She thinks the world of her brothers and their children. I don't understand why they aren't here."
The Medi-Witch withdrew her wand and transfigured two stools to match Harry's, taking one for herself and Ginny taking the other.
Hestia placed her notes down in her lap and searched Harry's face until her eyes found his, her own oozing sympathy, for both him and the situation they were faced with.
"Mr Potter. In my experience, some families find this kind of thing very hard to deal with. To be confronted with their loved one being so sick, perhaps never getting better, can cause some people to retreat."
Harry shook his head disdainfully. "I could never do that."
She nodded. "That is noble of you, but I think we can all empathise with those who cannot say the same."
He looked at the Medi-Witch thoughtfully, glancing between her face and Ginny's. Who had urged him not to hold this against the McGonagall's, which Harry accepted, pushing the anger back down from his mind.
Ginny moved her stool to be by Harry's side, lacing her fingers into his as she prepared herself for what the Medi-Witch would say next.
"You should both know that Minerva's situation is quite dire at the moment."
They both looked at Minerva immediately who still hadn't woken up even with all the discussion in the room.
"I need you to both understand that it is very unlikely that Minerva will ever leave this room."
They had both been expecting this news but still it hit them like a punch in the stomach, Harry noticeably breathing harder by her side.
"Do you understand me?" The Medi-Witch emphasised.
Harry nodded. "Yes, Ms Jenkins, we do." Ginny also nodded in agreement.
He looked at Minerva sadly, then back towards the Medi-Witch who had stood up to leave. "Just one more question Ms Jenkins." He asked.
She flashed a light smile. "Please, call me Hestia and yes you may ask one more question."
Harry reached over to squeeze Minerva's hand. "Please, just tell me that she's comfortable, that she isn't feeling any pain?" His voice cracked with emotion as he finished, his full attention on the woman lying on the bed.
"We have her on regular high doses of Painless Potion." The Medi-Witch answered before leaving the room and the pair finally alone with Minerva.
He stroked Minerva's hand as he just stared at her, still breathing lazily and her face emotionless.
"I can't fucking believe this Gin." Harry whispered, letting his forehead hall onto Minerva's hand.
Ginny felt tears sting her eyes and she shook her head roughly in agreement. "Me either Harry. Me either."
Without lifting his head Harry finished the conversation simply. "I can't leave her."
"I know." Ginny responded. Rubbing Harry's back as he began to cry too. "I know."
-MP-
