In a couple of hours the Healers from St. Mungos had healed Harry to the best of their ability. It was way past midnight. The Healers stepped out of the Hospital Wing and Madam Pomfrey guided them to Professor McGonagall's office.
Minerva hadn't slept the night. Dolores Umbridge had crossed the line but it didn't seem that Cornelius had said anything to her. Jeopardizing a student's life and not allowing medical facilities sounded outrageous. It could surely give a few months at least in Azkaban. She was pulled from her thoughts when Healers Standler and Crew walked in along with Poppy.
"Professor. I am John Standler and this is Amanda Crew. We have healed Mr. Potter to the best of our ability. However, there can be lasting mobility issues. His spine was crushed and the prolonged time under the rocks has done a number to his lungs."
McGonagall's words stuck in her throat. She had have seen such cruelty towards any student. "How bad? Will Harry ever walk?"
"Currently, he is on a magical life support which will be lifted in a day or two. He might need to use a ventilator for next few days. His legs however, we cannot determine. Potter's spinal injury is incomplete so there is a chance of him being able to move or feel a part of his waist down or it could ensure mobility. We can't say much right now," Crew explained.
"Alright. My gratitude for you to come on such short notice. We will communicate about any further issues soon when Harry wakes up. I am very thankful for your time."
"Of course, Professor."
/
The next morning, after breakfast, Ginny had gone to visit Harry. She had taken a risk to bunk the Defense Against the Dark Arts period.
Ron and Hermione missed their Potions class because McGonagall called them to her office. Neither of them slept the might before.
"Professor McGonagall!"
"Ah, yes. Weasley, Ms. Granger. Take a seat. Biscuit? "
Ron and Hermione awkwardly sat down. "No, thank you, ma'am." Hermione said. Ron, however, accepted the biscuit, nibbling on it.
"Mr. Potter was severely injured. His spine was crushed. Right now, he is on a life support spell because of his lungs and once he wakes up, the Healers will hook him to a ventilator if required. His legs however, are assumed to be paralyzed. The injury is incomplete and there is a very slim chance that he will recover fully." McGonagall said, her expression unreadable.
Hermione gasped. "What does that mean? Madam Pomfrey told us he may never walk again!"
"It is true Ms. Granger. Now, I need to contact Harry's godfather. So, off you go."
Ron huffed in annoyance. He had just heard how severely his best friend was injured and now they were being thrown out of the office. Hermione quietly pulled Ron out of the room.
There was a bit of risk to contact Sirius through the fireplace as the Floo Network was being monitored, but Minerva knew that she had to take that risk. The boy had already suffered enough, he ought to have his godfather beside him.
She lit the fire, throwing floo powder in the fireplace. She stepped in clearly commanding, "Number 12, Grimmauld Place!"
/
Sirius, who was currently alone at Grimmauld Place, was alerted when the fireplace lit up. He walked quietly, vigilantly into the living room, only to find Minerva McGonagall. She looked like she was there to talk to him. Something had happened he was sure of it. She wouldn't pay him a visit for no reason. Her expression was much too grave.
"What is it, Minerva?"
"Your godson."
What? What did she mean? What happened to Harry? Is he okay? Thoughts coursed faster in his mind than what he could formulate. Sirius' words stuck in his throat. "Harry?"
Minerva explained the situation to him. Sirius was fuming at the end. Umbridge had not changed a single bit since he last remembered her 14 years ago. "How dare she?! How the fucking hell was she tolerated? Where is Dumbeldore?"
"Dumbeldore is currently unavailable."
"What do you mean, McGonagall? I want to see my godson this instant." Sirius demanded.
"Of course, Mr. Black. Just say 'Minerva McGonagall's Office, Hogwarts' in the floo."
/
In the next five minutes, Sirius, in his animagus form, sprinted to the Hospital Wing from his former head of house's office. He made sure no one saw him, drawing the curtains, he changed back to his human form.
The life support charm held a faint aura around Harry. Sirius stroked his head, kissing his forehead. "Harry, hold on, okay? I'm here. I will always be here. I love you, son."
Sirius heard shuffling of shoes. He quickly switched back to Padfoot, shuffling under the bed. Sirius was thankful because an unknown wizard, probably a healer walked in to administer Harry's daily potions.
/
Two days.
Two days Sirius stayed in his dog. He had only one meal that morning in Minerva's office.
It was six pm. He heard footsteps approaching. Surprisingly, it was McGonagall herself. He quickly transformed to his human form.
"Mr. Black, you need to eat. I shall arrange for food here." McGonagall said sternly.
"I'm not hungry."
"Sirius, you need to eat. For Harry. "
"No, I don't! It's my fault."
McGonagall was about to say something when they heard shallow, loud breaths.
"Harry," Sirius whispered. Tears sprung to his eyes. "Call the Healer."
Minerva walked out quickly. Moments later Pomfrey walked in. "The healers on their way. Transform, Black."
Sirius shook his head. "No."
"Now!"
Sirius obeyed unwillingly.
Just then the Healers came in. "He's gaining consciousness. We need to start the process for supporting ventilator, Amanda."
"Yes, of course, John. Madam Pomfrey, the dog needs to go."
Pomfrey shuffled, implying Padfoot to leave. She and Sirius left. Sirius rushed to Minerva's office, transforming to his human form as soon as he entered. "The healers are working on him. Lifting the life support, will put him on a ventilator, maybe. Where is Umbridge?"
Sirius' suppressed rage was surfacing. He hated to see his godson so vulnerable because of a woman who was supposed to teach him. He wanted to kill her. He didn't care about Azkaban anymore.
The next sight was beyond astonishing for Minerva. Sirius, ever since he was a child had very precise control over his magic. Never had his accidental magic caused any issues. It had never erupted. It had made Orion and Walburga Black furious because it was believed he was a squib. That's when Sirius' slowly estranged from his parents. But what she saw here what that every glass in the room shattered, artifacts rumbled.
"Sirius calm down. If Dolores finds out, she will have it."
"WHY THE FUCK ARE YOU AFRAID OF HER? SHE'S JUST A BITCH WHO WANTED NOTHING more than to kill Harry..." Sirius' voice faltered.
Just then Poppy burst into the room. "He's awake. I have to perform some physical tests but you can be there. The healers have left. Keeping him on a ventilator for a few days until his spine is completely fixed."
Sirius ran out. He didn't even bother to change into Padfoot. He ran like he'd never ran before. He just needed to see his godson. He reached the hospital wing, pushing the gigantic doors open...