A/N: Hey everyone! I really appreciated the kind reviews on the last chapter! All the interaction with the story has been SO far beyond what I expected, and it's been a very pleasant surprise. I wanted to get this one out Sunday, but a good friend/mentor of mine passed away a few days ago, and it's thrown me for a bit of a loop. Just one of those things that puts everything else on pause. I'm still hoping to get a good chunk of writing done before next semester starts, and I'll be editing the already written chapters as I go.

Chapter 26

December 28, 1995

Harry stayed busy the few days after Christmas, unwilling to miss anything on his long to-do list. Remus held him accountable, however, and forced the teen to take breaks to simply enjoy his time at home. He was grateful for it, and he soaked in the happiness while he could.

He was not, however, looking forward to his agenda this morning. Sirius agreed to go with him to see the Dursleys, as his Mum's message to her sister weighed heavily on Harry's mind. He decided not to share the memory with Petunia, unwilling to let his time with his parents be tainted by the woman's assuredly poisonous reaction. Instead, he wrote the message out, planning to let her read it and respond before walking back out of the hateful family's lives for the final time.

They apparated to the park in Little Whinging, canceling their disillusionment spells when they saw the coast was clear. Sirius immediately turned towards Privet Drive, but Harry stopped him with a hand to his arm.

"Pads," he began seriously. "I want this to be as brief as possible, so let me do the talking."

"Are yousure you wanna do this at all?"

"Healer Wilson said it might be helpful," Harry answered with a shrug. "He wrote back last night saying sometimes facing past trauma can be healing. I'm honestly feeling okay about it even if it goes poorly, and Mum wanted me to try."

"I don't like it, kiddo," Sirius replied darkly. "Those assholes deserve nothing from you. I really think you should just mail it to them."

"I know… but I want to do this."

"Fine," the man relented with a frustrated sigh. "But if Vernon says anything out of line, my silence isn't guaranteed."

Harry nodded, leading his godfather towards Number 4. As they approached the door, he turned to Sirius once more.

"Don't hit him."

"I'll try."

Harry rolled his eyes at the stubborn expression the man carried and knocked on the front door. After a moment the door cracked open, Petunia's shocked face visible in the slim opening.

"Aunt Petunia," he greeted before she could speak. "I need just a few minutes of your time, then I'll be out of your hair. May we come in?"

The woman seemed to think for a minute, her expression distasteful, before opening the door fully and stepping backwards. Harry entered first, moving towards the empty kitchen while Sirius scanned the house. Before Harry could sit at the table, the bathroom door opened and Vernon made his appearance. Harry had hoped the man would be at work, but clearly he took some time off for the holidays.

"BOY!" the man raged, storming towards him as quickly as his obese frame allowed. "What the devil do you…"

The rest of the question would remain a mystery, as the angry man was taken off his feet by Sirius' haymaker. He was clearly unconscious, and his wife screamed shrilly at the sudden violence. Harry silenced her with a wave of his hand and shook his head at his grinning godfather.

"What?" the man defended indignantly. "I tried!"

"Thanks for the attempt," Harry offered dryly, unable to hide his smirk at the man's actions. "You get to babysit him while I speak to Petunia. Keep an eye out for Dudley, though I'd bet he's out of the house."

The man grinned evilly, and Harry realized that he may not be the most qualified minder. Deciding not to care, he turned back to his aunt who was quickly turning red.

"You're only silenced," he explained with another roll of his eyes. "You can still breathe. Have a seat at the table, and I promise I'll reverse the magic and make sure Vernon is okay."

The panicked woman did so and Harry pulled out the transcript from his memory of his mother. He placed it on the table between them and looked at his aunt. She was clearly terrified, her eyes darting between him, Sirius, and her husband. Harry wasn't sure he liked being a source of terror, but knew his actions so far had been nothing short of exemplary considering what the family had put him through.

"You understand that magic can do all sorts of things," Harry began gently, drawing the distracted woman's gaze. "Somehow, through magic, I was given a message to you from my Mum."

He watched as the woman's eyes widened in disbelief, but knew his mother's words would more than prove they were truly her own.

"I thought about not even bothering…" Harry continued, his voice growing darker. "You deserve nothing from me after how I was treated… an innocent orphan was treated as less than human at your hands. I wonder how you'd feel if the roles were reversed, and it was Dudley being treated that way after your death.

"My Mum's message isn't something you deserve, but I felt duty-bound to deliver it. I thought about waiting around to see if you had a response, but as I sit here looking at you, I'm realizing it's best I leave before my anger gets the better of me. If you have anything to say afterwards, you may leave a message with Mrs. Figg. She'll know how to contact me."

Albus had given him that idea, something he was now grateful for. He doubted his aunt would ever see the truth of her actions, but he didn't plan on coming back to check.

Harry stood, satisfied with his explanation and wanting to be rid of this place. He turned and saw Vernon finally coming to, moaning while holding his head, and Sirius caught his eye with a comforting smile. Before he could break the silence, the pair heard the front door open with a creak. They drew their wands, training them on the entranceway, but quickly lowered them when Dudley rounded the corner.

"Ha… Harry?" Dudley's wide eyes took in the scene, his lip twitching slightly at the sight of his father groaning in pain.

"Hey Dudley," he answered as neutrally as possible, turning back to Sirius. "We were just leaving."

"Wait! I… I thought you wouldn't come around again. Mum and Dad said you were out for good."

"That's the plan," Harry agreed, feeling the awkwardness Dudley was clearly struggling with. "Just had to drop something off."

"I'm glad I caught you, then. I don't really know what to say…"

"'Goodbye' is more than enough."

"It's not," his cousin argued, his expression slightly pained. "When they said you weren't coming back, it made me think, ya know? I just… I guess I'm just sorry, Harry. I shouldn't have treated you like I did."

"You shouldn't treat anyone the way you have, Dudders," Harry countered, unwilling to forgive his tormentor so easily. "Eventually you're gonna mess with the wrong person."

"It happened at the start of school, actually. New kid moved in, I tried my normal routine, and he beat the absolute shit out of me. He's given me a fraction of what me and my friends did to you growing up, and it's been a bit eye opening."

"Couldn't happen to a nicer bloke."

"I know," Dudley agreed with a shrug. "But I think I needed it. How I treated you eats at me…"

"I appreciate that," Harry relented. "I'll choose to believe you're sincere, and say there's no hard feelings. We were both messed up by your parents."

"Couldn't agree more." Dudley glanced warily at Sirius before turning back. "Will they be alive for dinner?"

"Vernon'll have a headache, but they'll both be perfectly healthy otherwise."

"More than they deserve, probably. I'll head out while you finish up, yeah?"

"Thanks."

Dudley turned to the door, but stopped before turning the corner. "How am I supposed to reach out in the future? We're gonna have wives and kids at some point…"

Harry was a bit shocked by the thought of Dudley wanting him in his future family's life, but wasn't so coldhearted to deny his only surviving relative who seemed to actually be trying.

"Write a letter and give it to Mrs. Figg down the street… I'll figure something else out eventually."

"Fair enough. See ya, Harry," he said with a grin, turning back towards the door. "Take the mass murderer with you when you go, would you?"

"I'll put him back in his cage," Harry promised with a chuckle, hearing the front door open and close once more.

"You ready?" Sirius asked with a smile.

"More than."

He cleared his mind in order to apparate, but Sirius stopped him with a hand. His godfather turned to his aunt, his grin quickly evaporating.

"Just so you know," he hissed dangerously. "Those of us that actually care for your nephew wanted this to go very differently. I almost came here last night and burned your house down around you, just so he wouldn't have to deal with you. I'm gonna reverse his silencing spell, because as much as I'd enjoy leaving it, he'd regret it."

Sirius cast the Finite, and turned to Harry. His angry eyes cleared, and he nodded at the teen supportively. Harry sent him a nod in return, the two wizards disapparating without another thought.

—

When they reappeared in the Manor, Sirius pulled Harry into a tight hug.

"I'm so sorry I left you to them," he whispered miserably.

"I'm okay, Pads," Harry replied firmly. "Everything in my life has led me to where I am today. And looking around at our very confused audience, I'd go through a thousand times worse to have this group in my life."

Sirius pulled back, not having registered his surroundings in his concern for his godson, and smiled at Remus, Albus, and the Greengrass' minus Astoria.

"That bad, Harry?" Remus asked concernedly

"It was fine… just a chapter that I'm glad is over. Sirius decked Vernon good," he finished with a grin.

"You said you'd try to remain calm," Remus accused.

"He also told me he'd try not to hit him."

"It seems we'll need to be much more careful in our instructions to Lord Black," Daniel interjected with a grin. "He clearly exploits loopholes."

"That's what they're there for," Sirius countered.

Harry opened his arms to an approaching Daphne, letting go of some of his confusing emotions as he hugged her. She was content to stay quiet, but didn't seem like she planned on ending the embrace anytime soon. He would be insane to convince her otherwise, and decided to enjoy it.

"Harry," Emily began gently. "I don't know what you dealt with in your childhood, but I'm guessing it wasn't great. Have you talked about it?"

"I've seen a mind healer," he smiled in response over Daphne's head.

"Your great aunt?" the woman asked, causing Harry's eyebrows to rise.

"You signed the contract?"

"This morning. I couldn't bear not knowing."

"I'm glad you did," he replied sincerely, glad to not have to hide things from her any longer. "And yes, my Aunt Dorea was the first mind healer I saw, but I've also been seeing Healer Wilson since the summer. I think that's why I'm not falling to pieces right now."

"I'm happy to hear that," Emily countered with a smile. "And you can always talk to us if you feel like you need to."

"Thanks, I'll keep that in mind. And I'm sure I'll tell the story of The Orphan Under the Stairs to Daphne someday. She's more than welcome to share it with you."

"Only when you're ready," Daphne argued, her voice a bit muffled. "I want to know everything about you, but I'm in no rush."

Harry squeezed his girlfriend tighter in response, and placed a brief kiss on the top of her head. He noticed Albus smiling happily at the girl's statement, and the older man winked at him when he caught his eye.

"We can push back checking on the house," Daniel offered gently. "It doesn't need to be today."

"I'm happy to go now," Harry replied confidently. "It makes for an emotional morning, but I'm fine with it. If you want to push it back we can, but don't do so for my benefit."

"I'd rather get it out of the way, I guess."

Albus stood to approach, and Daphne released Harry so he could do the same.

"Dad?" she said confidently as her father prepared to apparate the three, just in case the wards remained. "I'd like to see it."

Daniel's eyes quickly filled with concern, clearly torn on letting her daughter see the almost guaranteed wreckage.

"Daph," he began gently. "It's not going to be good. I don't want you…"

"Let her go, Dan," Emily interrupted. "I'd go myself, but I don't wanna leave Astoria. It'll be a chance for her to say goodbye."

Daniel relented immediately, though he'd run out of arms. Dobby appeared, seeming to feel the need for his assistance.

"You take Harry, Mr. Daniel. I'll follow with Mr. Albus and Daphne."

"Thanks, Dobby," Harry said with a smile. "I'll call for you as soon as we get there."

He moved to grab Daniel's arm and the two quickly disappeared. As Harry gathered his bearings after reappearing just inside the gates of the property, he was nearly knocked over by the presence of evil magic. He scanned the area carefully, but couldn't see or feel anybody in the area other than the two of them. He silently called for Dobby, and turned his attention to the house.

"It's still here," he heard Daniel whisper in wonder, as he started to move jerkily towards the house.

Harry immediately regretted calling for Dobby, knowing something was off. It felt wrong, and the feeling was coming from the house itself. He cursed to himself as he saw Daniel take off in a jog towards the front door.

"Daniel, wait!"

The man either didn't hear or ignored him, and kept moving forward. Without hesitation, Harry drew his wand and petrified his friend, planning to apologize after. He turned as he felt Dobby pop in behind him, and Albus and Daphne immediately moved forward, ignoring Harry's presence altogether.

As Daphne passed close by him, Harry noticed her eyes were unusually glossy. Glancing at Albus, he saw the same.

"What the fuck is going on?"

"It's the house, Harry," Daphne replied without turning. "It's still here!"

He petrified his girlfriend before she could take another step, knowing she was somehow fighting a magic that hadn't affected him. He turned to Dumbledore to repeat the spell, but noticed the man standing still. He seemed to be fighting an internal battle, and Harry rushed over to place his hands on the man's shoulders.

"Albus," he called loudly in the man's face. "You need to shake off whatever you're feeling. This is a trap, and I think you're under a compulsion of some sort. Clear your mind, sir!"

"Harry… the house…"

"I know! But if you clear your mind, you'll feel the magic it's emitting. Raise your shields! Don't make me stun you."

The man seemed to struggle desperately for a few seconds, his eyes eventually closing. When they opened a few moments later, they appeared much more clear. Harry conjured a chair for the man, as he sagged forwards into the teen's body.

"Sit down, sir. Dobby, are you okay?"

"Dobby not be liking this place. Dobby be wanting to touch the front door very much, and be finding it hard to fight."

Harry crossed over to his friend, knowing the magic must be powerful to affect him so strongly. He leaned down in front of the confused elf, and wrapped him into a tight hug.

"Listen to me," he whispered seriously. "I know I promised to not give you any orders, but I'm gonna have to break that promise. I order you to ignore the magic you're feeling. Push it away, I need you right now."

Harry felt the tense elf's body relax a bit, and leaned back to see his big eyes were immediately clear.

"Harry!" his refreshed friend exclaimed immediately. "We's need to be going. This is bad magic."

"I know, buddy. I'm going to walk with you, and you're going to pop Daphne and Daniel back to the Manor. Have Remus cancel my spells and make them stay there. Tell everyone I'll be back with Albus in a minute, but listen for my call."

The elf nodded firmly, and Harry grabbed his hand to make sure he could help his friend fight the compulsion if it grabbed him again. They reached Daphne first, and Harry carefully lifted the rigid girl into his arms from where she stood. He gently lowered her to the ground at her father's feet, and grabbed the man's shoulders to do the same. When they were both lying safely, he nodded to Dobby.

"Take them, please."

The elf did so, and Harry breathed a sigh of relief. He stood and returned to Albus, noticing the man rubbing his temples with a wince.

"Sir, you need to get out of here."

"I'm fine, my boy," he replied weakly. "Though this magic is unlike anything I've ever felt. It's definitely Voldemort, but I can't seem to figure it out."

"I noticed it as soon as I got here, but it doesn't seem to affect me. It's obviously a trap, but I don't know what it does. It's concentrated on the exterior doors, and I know for a fact it would be a mistake to touch them."

"I believe you're right," the man agreed. "But if the house still stands, there may be a way to counter the magic. Do you feel up to casting a Fidelius?"

"I feel completely normal. You head to the Manor, I'll cast it and return after."

Dumbledore nodded exhaustedly and disappeared. Harry drew his wand, calling his magic forward for the complicated spell. Before he could cast it, he felt a new presence apparate outside the fence and raised his wand.

"Lord Potter," he heard a familiar voice call out.

Harry cursed Roger Greengrass' timing, his grip on his wand tightening.

"I only want to talk," the Death Eater called somberly. "I mean you no harm today, I swear it on my magic. I ask for but a moment."

Harry approached the gate, knowing he outclassed the older man even if his oath wasn't specific enough. He stopped a few meters away, wand in hand and his senses searching for anything that he would need to react to.

"What do you want?" he asked coldly.

"I set a ward to alert me if anyone appeared," the man replied distractedly. "But I was unable to get here as quickly as I wished. I assume you somehow managed to ignore the Dark Lord's compulsion?"

"Sharp as a tack. What do you want?"

"My brother's family to be safe," he hissed. "To show them that resistance will only lead to their deaths. Following you will be the end of them."

Harry turned his back on the man, unwilling to have this conversation. He was ready to apparate out at a moment's notice, but wanted Daniel's brother to feel his lack of respect. Before he could take more than a couple steps, Roger called out in desperation.

"Wait! Let me finish."

"Let you finish, or give you time for Riddle to join us?" he called over his shoulder sarcastically. "You've made your choice. You turned your back on your family years ago, so don't pretend to care now."

"He promised to spare my brother."

"What?"

"He promised me he only wanted to convert Randolph, not kill him."

Harry turned back, seeing the man's obvious regret, though he was unwilling to trust it.

"Yeah, I guess that's what happens when you trust a megalomaniac. You expect me to feel sorry for you? Your devotion to that piece of shit killed Daphne's grandfather before she even got to meet him. It took Daniel's father from him during his fucking honeymoon. I'd rather kill you where you stand than feel an ounce of pity for you."

"I expect nothing less, but I set my ward to try to protect Danny. No more Greengrass blood needs to be spilled."

"That's always the thing with you fuckers, isn't it? You couldn't care less about the masses, but god forbid the wrong person dies. How 'bout this? I'll promise to protect the four Greengrass' that I know and love, and swear to end your life the next time I see your pathetic face."

"Your confidence is wasted," the man countered, frustration evident in his voice. "You're trick with the elves won't last long, and you'll never be a match for the Dark Lord."

"Maybe. Maybe not. But you'll never be a match for me. Maybe you can be part of the welcoming party when I send your master to hell. He may take me with him, but I swear I'm gonna kill the bastard."

The man appeared to deflate slightly, his anger dissipating.

"Protect them. I've made my choice, but I don't want to see them punished for theirs."

"I will, and I'll treat any further visits from you as an attack on them. If you're unwilling to leave your half-blood master, I'll treat you as the enemy you are. Mercilessly."

Roger met his gaze soberly, and Harry refused to break eye contact. He forced his magic to rise powerfully, knowing his eyes were glowing. The man seemed to accept the promise, as he nodded resolutely and disapparated without another word.

"Harry," Dobby said as he popped to his side, his expression incredibly pained by the evil magic. "We need to leave."

"I'm leaving now, buddy. Thanks for checking on me, but head on back while I cast the spell."

The worried elf gave him a stubborn look, and Harry smiled at him in understanding. He stepped closer to the house, careful not to catch Dobby in his spell, and used the excess magic he'd pulled to cast the Fidelius. He named himself as the secret keeper, and looking back to the house, made a promise to himself to figure out a way to make it safe in the future. He disapparated with a pop, reappearing in the chaotic den in the Manor, quickly followed by Dobby.

Sirius was the first to reach him, grabbing him by the shoulders to check him over.

"I'm fine, Pads."

Daphne was next, leaping into his arms. He pulled her close, whispering soothingly into her ear.

"What kept you?" Dumbledore asked seriously.

Harry looked around the room, noting Emily and Astoria's absence. He didn't want to upset the younger girl further, and was glad she wasn't here.

"Roger showed up outside the gates as soon as you left. We spoke briefly."

"Harry," Daniel began, but quieted at a sharp wave of the teen's hand.

"I know what you're about to say, and I'll ask you to rethink it before you do," he replied firmly. "I can detect when people enter the area and any spells fired, and I was ready to call Dobby at a moment's notice. You had completely lost your senses. Our situations are not the same."

He watched his friend's shoulders relax slightly, and the anger left his eyes.

"You're right. It was just a scary couple minutes waiting on you," he replied with a grimace.

"I'm sorry for that, but I felt safe enough to see what he wanted. Your uncle seems to be conflicted between his master and your safety."

Daniel scoffed sarcastically, obviously not believing the claim.

"I promised to kill him the next time I saw him. I will say this for the man, he did honestly seem to want your family to survive this, though his method for that survival is… unacceptable to me."

"How were you not affected like we were?" Daphne asked from his chest.

"I don't know. I'd say it was my Occlumency shields, but Daniel's and Albus' are as strong as mine, if not stronger. Even Dobby was affected. You okay, buddy?" he called to his friend who was curled up in a chair near the fire.

"Dobby not liking that magic, Harry," the elf replied without moving a muscle, his voice worryingly weak.

Daphne quickly released him, as she felt the worry suffuse his body. Harry rushed to his friend's side, noticing Sirius and Remus join him. He knelt by the chair, taking Dobby's hand in his own.

"Dobby," he asked gently. "What's wrong?"

"Dobby not feeling his best," the elf admitted weakly. "I's never felt magic like this before. I's… I's very cold."

Harry gently picked the elf up out of the chair, cradling him in his arms as he took the seat. He pulled his friend to him tightly, rubbing his thin arms to provide warmth. Dobby's body was cold to the touch, and his limbs were limp throughout the movement. Sirius quickly conjured a thick blanket and Remus cast a warming charm.

"Winky!" Harry called desperately, his heart sinking at the state of his friend.

The elf popped in, her eyes quickly growing larger at what she saw.

"What Silly Dobby be doing to his-self?" she cried worriedly as she approached.

"I's helping Harry," Dobby managed with a small smile, before his eyes rolled back in his head.

Harry could feel the little elf's heartbeat and knew he had only fainted, but he still couldn't help the tears that filled his eyes.

"I don't know what happened, Winky," he answered despondently. "There was some really evil magic, and Dobby felt it the most, but he seemed okay when he left."

"Silly Dobby be overdoing his own magic to fight it," Winky replied, her eyes widening in horrified realization. "Dobby's magic be empty, and he's not surviving without it!"

Harry's heart shattered at the elf's words, and he hugged his friend tighter to him, tears quickly pooling in his eyes.

"Dobby," he whispered, willing the elf to recover. "It's over, buddy. You're okay now."

Harry looked up in desperation, seeing matching expressions of horror all around him.

"Albus, what do I do?"

"I don't know, my boy," the man replied miserably.

"NO! That's not good enough. Someone help me. Dobby, hold on buddy. Just hold on."

Daphne rushed to kneel in front of him, tears streaming down her face. She wrapped them both in a hug, but Harry continued to search for help. Sirius, Remus, and Daniel all stood dumbfounded as well, clearly at a loss. Harry sobbed into Daphne's shoulder, feeling more helpless than he ever had, as he felt his friend's heartbeat begin to slow.

"What do I do, Daph?" he whispered desperately.

Daphne shook her head in response, before growing completely still. After a moment, she looked up at him confidently, tears still streaking down her face.

"He needs magic, Harry," she said firmly. "Give him some."

Harry stared at his girlfriend in confusion, not understanding what she meant. Daphne rolled her watery eyes, and roughly pulled him into a searing kiss. Harry was momentarily stunned by the action, until realization finally popped into his mind. He returned the kiss passionately, allowing his magic to build at the feeling. When Daphne pulled away, he quickly pushed the magic into his hand.

His eyes glowed brightly as his left hand found the little elf's chest, and with a moment of concentration, he forced the raw magic into his friend. He pushed for well over a minute, until he couldn't force any more out, and pulled the elf tight to his chest.

"Dobby," he whispered desperately. "Wake up, please. I need you."

Dobby didn't respond. Harry moved to try again, knowing he didn't have the magic to do so, but paused with his hand on the elf's chest when he felt the heartbeat grow stronger.

"I's here, Harry," the elf replied weakly after a moment, forcing Harry to deflate in the chair in relief.

"Holy shit, buddy," he breathed exhaustedly. "I'm so sorry I made you come back to the house."

"Dobby chose to come back. I's always come back."

The elf's eyes closed again at the words, and Harry's shot towards Winky worriedly.

"Silly Dobby is being fine," the elf replied with a smile, tears streaming from her large eyes. "He's sleeping."

Harry smiled weakly, thinking the idea of sleep sounded incredible. He briefly felt his eyes unfocus, and darkness claimed him.

—

December 29, 1995

Harry woke to a bedroom bathed in early morning sunshine, his eyes struggling to focus as he searched for his friend. He found Dobby sleeping peacefully to his right, tucked under the blankets and snoring softly. He breathed a huge sigh of relief at the sight, and willed his heart to calm.

"Well that was something," he heard Remus say dryly from his left.

"Is he okay?" Harry asked, turning to the man.

"As far as we can tell," the man replied soothingly. "Winky and Pocky agree. I think you'll both be fine."

"Thank god," he breathed, relaxing a bit. "How long was I out?"

"Just the day. You passed out yesterday afternoon. I'm glad you chose my shift to rejoin us, though I had a fight on my hands when I told Daphne to go to bed a few hours ago."

"Is she okay?"

"Everyone's fine, Harry," Remus said calmly. "You and Dobby were the only two with any lasting effects, and whatever you did to save him sapped your reserves. I don't need to tell you how much magic you must've cast to manage that. Dobby's even grown a few inches from the influx."

"Really?"

"That'd be a weird thing to lie about. He's now a bit taller than Pocky, something the elf wasn't happy to see. Winky said she could feel Dobby's own magic returning, and that it felt stronger than it had before."

"Good," Harry replied with a smile. "We could use another freak of nature around the house."

"You aren't a freak," Remus argued sternly. "Neither is Dobby. You're just two young men that have led interesting lives, and have adapted to them as best you can."

"I was so broken when I thought I was losing him," he admitted seriously. "I don't want anyone to die in this mess, but Dobby deserves it even less than most. What he's been through, and what he's become despite it, really tugs at me you know?"

"I imagine it would, Harry. Your stories are remarkably similar, and he's a good friend. He refused an order from Albus when he popped back to check on you. His loyalty to you is incredible."

"As mine is to him."

"You don't say?" Remus countered with a grin. "Though you scared the life out of everyone else when you fainted. I had to sneak Padfoot a sleeping draught."

"I'll apologize, but I'd do it again," Harry offered firmly.

"I know you would, and that's something we all love about you. But you need to realize it's likely we'll lose people in this war. Save who you can, but understand that you are the most important person in all of this."

"I don't believe that, Moony," he argued quietly. "I don't put any stock in that fucking prophecy, and I don't agree that I'm any better than anyone else not following Voldemort."

"I know you don't, but the people that follow you do. I'm not asking you to change who you are, I'm just asking you to realize what you mean to us. You're the reason we'll fight. The reason we'll give our lives if it's required of us... Dobby proved that yesterday coming back for you. We love you Harry, and we trust you. We believe that you'll end this mess when you're able, and we know the world you'll build afterwards will be better."

"That's a lot to deal with."

"I know it is," he answered with a smile. "That's why you'll lean on me. Or Sirius, Albus, Daphne, Daniel, Dobby, or any of the others that have dedicated themselves to you. We're here to help."

Before Harry could respond, the Manor wards pinged his consciousness. He threw the blankets off of him, jumping to his feet. He wobbled momentarily, but was steadied by a hand from Remus.

"What's wrong?"

"Winky just popped Neville into my office," he answered as he rushed to the door.

Remus followed quickly, making sure the teen didn't fall down the stairs. Harry led the way to the office, flinging the door open in worry. Neville sat in a chair, his eyes wide in shock, though they cleared as he noticed the new arrivals.

"Harry, you look like shit, mate."

"Back at you, Nev," he countered cautiously. "Where's your Gran?"

"She wouldn't leave," the teen answered, his shock quickly turning to grief. "She told me that I was ready, and that she refused to run. It was Voldemort. I saw the bastard right before Winky popped me away."

A/N: I hated to do that to Neville, but it's necessary for later on. I'm not very happy with how this chapter came out, and rewrote a ton of it in the last couple nights. My original version of the moment with Dobby slipping away was twice as long and FAR too dramatic. I'm pretty sure I originally wrote it after a few drinks, and I'm definitely not Hemingway when inebriated. 27 should be here before Christmas, but if not, I'll say happy holidays to all!