Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Daphne Greengrass walked out of the Great Hall. Harry was telling them about his proposal for a repeat 7th year for the graduating class. Hermione was thrilled with the prospect of taking her missing NEWTs. Daphne was thoughtful about it; she was excited about being able to give her NEWTs but she also wanted to start her journey as an adult.
"You both should take some time to reach a decision. Especially you Hermione, I understand that you want to complete your education. But I think your priority should be looking for your parents and reversing the memory charm that you had done on them."
Hermione's excitement dampened as she remembered about her parents. She had missed them a lot during the past year, and she knew that there was a distance between them because of her keeping secrets regarding many of her adventures. She knew that if she had told them about the threats, she had faced then they would pull her from Hogwarts. It would be a major factor in reconciliation between them.
Harry continued speaking, pulling her thoughts back to earth, "I will probably be out of touch till the start of the term. I have decided to go on a long tour. I need to get away from Wizarding Britain for my sanity. I want some relaxation without any chance of disturbance to my mental health. The stress that I have experienced ever since joining Hogwarts is too much. I need a break."
Hermione nodded to his reasoning, and she asked excitedly, "Which places are you thinking about visiting, Harry?"
"I am not sure about the places. I know that I want to visit both Magical and Muggle destinations, and France is also a must because Fleur and her family had previously invited me. Do you guys have any ideas?"
Hermione replied, "Well, I think France is really good. The Delacours would be able to show you both the magical and muggle side of France. I also think you should visit the beaches in Spain. A little bit of sun would be good for your health."
Daphne added her input, "The first place that you should visit is India. Talk with Parvati or Padma before going, they would be able to provide you with a list of places to visit. I am suggesting it because the Indian magical side is famous for its excellent medical facilities. No matter how good Madam Pomfrey is, she is just a school nurse. The amount of dark magic your body has experienced, plus the malnutrition and damage it has suffered is inhuman. Your vast and potent magic reserves have been a key reason why you were even able to function. Anyone else would have become bedridden long ago. Indian Magicals would provide world-class services to you. You might even get some good healing books based on Parselmagic. Only Wizarding Britain considers it 'dark magic', it is a revered bloodline magic everywhere else."
"I had thought of also visiting Japan because of their mastery over body, magic, and soul. What do you think?" inquired Harry.
"Yes, Japan is famous for having a different style of magic. They use seals and scrolls for most of their magic and are an expert in illusion magic. Their fighting style is based on mastery of body and magic. You could find excellent books on mastering mind magics there."
"I would also suggest going to a Chinese or a Native American settlement. The most powerful magical reside there. They don't participate in worldly affairs and are protectors of natural order and leaders of their tribes. If you can get them to help you in using your magic efficiently. Then it would be really good for you. Right now, it feels primal like lava waiting to erupt."
Harry nodded along with her suggestions. It was a great idea to ask her, he already had a list of several places that he could visit. Though his curiosity over Daphne's talent was aroused. "Thank you for the suggestions, I will tell the Goblins to create an itinerary. Can you feel magic? I didn't think that others could do that. I know Dumbledore could, and I developed it after being in contact with the Horcrux locket for so long."
"It is a family magic that I had inherited from my mother's side of the family. I could feel magic from a young age, that is why I had to practice Occlumency early on. Occlumency was needed to create a protection between my emotions and memories which is a must to accurately feel magic."
Harry nodded at her words. It made sense for it to be family magic, it was a rare talent to inherit. Hermione was fascinated by her talent, and a tad bit jealous about Daphne having access to family magic. Harry looked at her, "You know Hermione, I am pretty sure that your eidetic memory is probably family magic. Normally, a person with exceptional memory can remember the smallest details about all the things that they have seen. But in your case, not only your memory is exceptional but the speed at which you parse and understand data should be impossible without magic."
Daphne wondered whether it could be possible. Hermione seemed to be in doubt, "But Harry, how can I have family magic? I am muggle-born. Family magic is a talent that is cultivated through generations of similar aptitude appearing in an old family."
"That is simple, from where do you think a muggle-born gets his or her magic? We all know that a magical human is not simply a muggle with magical abilities. Magicals are fundamentally different, because of our ability to channel and manipulate magic. Our bodies are naturally more resilient, we require more sustenance, we live longer, and we don't get infected by mundane diseases."
"I thought it was a random occurrence. Do you believe there is an actual reason for it?" Hermione was shocked by Harry's words. Daphne looked at Harry intently, she had a clue what was his theory. It was a topic that every pureblood never talked about.
"Yes, I believe that the muggle-borns are descendants of squibs who had to leave the magical world because of the heavy prejudice they faced here. They moved out and started living in the mundane world, married, and had children. Over a couple of generations, you would find a muggle-born in the family. Also, they could be a product of rape committed by some wizard which resulted in the muggle getting pregnant."
Hermione was incensed by Harry's words. "Then why isn't it known? Surely there would be proof to confirm your theory."
It was Daphne who answered her, "Hermione, squibs are considered a shame of the wizarding family. It doesn't matter if you are a light or a dark family. No wizarding family would ever keep proof of a squib, they would even go out of their way to not even mention them."
Harry pointed out, "Do you remember when Ron once mentioned that they had a squib relative who was an accountant? He said that his family doesn't contact him. It had seemed such a simple statement at the time, but after knowing about squibs. I couldn't help but think that not keeping contact was a choice and not a necessity. You might have had a squib ancestor from a family of Ravenclaws. Hence, your love for books and excellent grasp of understanding theoretical concepts and magics."
"There was even an old house called Dagworth-Granger in Wizarding Britain. Hector Dagworth-Granger founded the Most Extraordinary Society of Potioneers. You may be distantly related to them," mentioned Daphne.
"I remember Slughorn asking me if I am related to Dagworth-Granger house. At the time, I had denied and mentioned that I was a muggle-born," exclaimed Hermione.
Daphne thought for a second, before she replied, "You should try to do an inheritance test in Gringotts. It would not be worth anything in the ministry because they consider blood magic as dark magic. But there may be galleons and some priceless tomes in the family vault. There is no harm in trying."
Harry interjected when it seemed that Hermione would go to Gringotts immediately, "You should do the inheritance test after talking with your parents, love. It would be good to consult them. It is not something that you should decide by yourself."
Hermione nodded at his words. The trio had reached the infirmary by now. Daphne and Hermione were confused by Harry's actions. He had suddenly straightened up and was holding both the door handles.
Harry smirked at their confused expressions before slamming open the infirmary door.
"My dear Poppy, I, Harry Potter, your favourite patient has returned. Please grace me with your beauty and shower me with your presence." Harry spoke loudly. The various patients lying on beds were startled. They looked at Harry as if he was a lunatic.
Harry heard the clacking of shoes before Madam Pomfrey appeared. She was trying to look stern but he could see that she had a grin tugging on her face at his words. He could hear Hermione and Daphne giggling at his words.
"Mr. Potter, I was wondering when you would show up." She pointed at an empty bed, "See, I have kept an empty bed just for you. I knew you could never end a year without getting injured. I have even created a plaque of your name."
Harry blanched at her words; he could see that there was a plaque with his name atop the empty bed. He could hear laughter behind him now. He cleared his throat and turned his face to the side to hide his blush before flashing her a bright smile, "Now that is slander, dear Poppy. It is only your presence that is the reason for my repeated visits." Everyone was outright laughing at his words now.
Madam Pomfrey had grabbed his forearm by now and had escorted him to sit on his bed. "I didn't that you had been taking lessons from Gilderoy Lockhart, Mr. Potter." He could see the others were trying and failing to stifle the laughter. Daphne and Hermione didn't even try, they were holding their stomach and laughing out loud.
Harry grinned at her reply. Madam Pomfrey waved her wand in an intricate pattern and muttered a long spell. After checking the results, she started writing the results on a parchment. He could see that it was a long list.
'I will need to spend the night in the infirmary,' Harry thought with a sigh.
Madam Pomfrey pulled the curtains on the side bed and mumbled a spell for privacy.
"Well, Mr. Potter, it is a miracle that you are even able to walk right now. Your magic is working overtime to compensate for year-long malnutrition. Then there is physical damage, multiple broken bones, and hairline fractures throughout the body—extensive damage to nerves through repeated Cruciatus Curse. And then, in addition, your magical core which was in a solid state because of magical maturity is back in flux. I can repair most of the damage, but the amount of stress your body has suffered will have long-term consequences." Madam Pomfrey looked into his eyes; he could see that she worried about the future.
'My magic back in flux? That must be because of Horcrux. It is a creation of soul magic, that is the only way which my magic would have gone through such changes,' Harry thought deeply.
"Daphne mentioned going to India for medical treatment. Do you think the damage is reversible if I go there?"
Madam Pomfrey blinked at my words, before she smiled, "Yes, the treatment they would provide will help you out a lot. If you get a healer who uses Parselmagic for treatment, it will have the best results. I will give you a note with the facility's name where you should go. It's famous worldwide for quality treatment, but it only admits a select number of patients at a time. It has been speculated that they use a divination to determine their future patients. So, they might even be expecting your arrival."
Harry realized that he had lived his whole life in an insulated bubble. It always took him by surprise that there were other Wizarding cultures. It was a humbling experience for him, but it also brought great joy to him. He could experience different cultures, and witness various ways of using magic.
"Thank you for help, Madam Pomfrey."
"You can thank me by lying down and taking these potions since you are going to India. Then I will tweak your treatment plan to solve only the simple problems," He made to protest, but she pushed him on his back, "Lie down, Mr. Potter. Stop being a baby," She waved her wand and several potions floated out of the potion cabinet. "Take these potions. I would get a house elf to bring you dinner after you have taken them."
Madam Pomfrey removed the privacy bubble and pulled open the curtains. Daphne and Hermione were huddled in a corner whispering to each other. He looked happy that they both were getting along. He had expected that since both of them had been competing against each other over the years for the top position.
Madam Pomfrey walked over to them, before gesturing Hermione to an empty bed. She pulled the privacy curtain as both of their voices suddenly cut off. Daphne walked over to him, "How extensive is the damage?" She eyed the number of potions, easily deducing that Harry had suffered a lot in the last year.
Harry exhaled heavily; his shoulders dropped down. He had been acting as if everything was fine, but he knew that it was not. Daphne rubbed his shoulders; it soothed his tattered mind. "Madam Pomfrey said that the damage the amount of stress that my body has suffered will have long-reaching consequences. She was not sure that it could be fixed."
Daphne hugged Harry to provide comfort. He felt angry at the cards that he had been dealt throughout his life. He had not even lived such a long life, but the things he had experienced would make even a grown man break down.
It was his greatest reason for loving Hermione. He knew she had some glaring flaws, but she had been the only one who had been by his side since they had become friends. The things he had suffered through made it easy for everyone to keep a distance from him. People suffered just because of associating with him. It was the reason he forgave Ron so easily, no matter what anyone said Ron was just an 18-year-old kid whose whole family had been a target. Even then he always came back to stand by him. It showed his strength of character and bravery, he stood back up every time he made a mistake. If that is not bravery then Harry didn't know what else was.
But it was Hermione who upended her whole life for Harry, even going as far as Memory charming her parents. She could have easily escaped out of the country to continue her studies. He knew that she loved studying and had a respect for authorities. But whenever it came down to choosing between them and Harry, she had always chosen him. She had been tortured, starved, and beaten for being his best friend. But she never faltered in his support. Was it any wonder that he was head over heels in love with her?
Harry tightly hugged Daphne, he felt really peaceful in her embrace. Hermione joined them after a while and lay down on the adjacent bed. He smiled at Hermione before kissing Daphne on her head and leaving her embrace.
"Madam Pomfrey said that if I would need to go to India to reverse the trauma my body has suffered since my childhood." Harry waved his wand to cast the privacy charm. His gaze grew hazy as it seemed he was looking at something distant.
"My childhood was not pleasant. The Dursleys were not physically abusive, but I suffered a lot. Did you know my Hogwarts letter had my room penned down as 'The cupboard under the stairs'? It had been my room till I was 11. Hermione might have deduced some of my living conditions, but I had not told anyone the reality. I started cooking for them when I was 4 years old. The cleaning and gardening started at 6. I didn't even know my name until I didn't answer the roll call at school. All I had been called was 'Freak'."
Hermione had rushed from her bed and had hugged him tightly on one side. Daphne occupied the other side; both were crying heavily to his suffering. Harry's eyes turned teary, he understood that he needed to get it all out of his chest.
"It is easy to judge them for their actions but I had a lot of time to think from their perspective. It made me realize that not everything is black and white. They were a newly married couple who just had a baby when another was dropped on them. Petunia didn't even know that her sister was murdered till then. She received the news through a letter. However long she might have hated her sister, but they still had been sisters. Both had grown up together till magic and jealousy drove them apart. Imagine the scenario from their point of view, suddenly having to care for two babies instead of one. And that too a magical baby, I had been a powerful baby even as a child. Sirius told me I used to perform accidental magic even then. Now, you can imagine caring for one in an electrified environment. They didn't have a choice but to make the cupboard my room. It was out of the way and wouldn't destroy things whenever I cried."
They both had stopped crying but still held me tightly. Both listened intently, "I was not starved by them. They gave me the same amount of food that Dudley got, but what no one told them was that magicals are different. We required more sustenance in our childhood. They didn't have a clue about it, all they saw was me crying even after eating everything. And slowly they started to hate what my existence represented, magic. It took the last family from Petunia; it had made their normal and peaceful life a living hell. So, as I grew older, they made me suffer for it. Aunt Petunia coddled Dudley because she didn't want him to experience what she had suffered when my mother received the Hogwarts letter. She didn't want him to feel jealousy over the absence of magic. So, she compensated for it by being extra loving to him."
Hermione and Daphne were rubbing his back now, both knew how difficult was for me. Suddenly, I started crying loudly, in between I continued my story slowly, "Do you know what is the most infuriating thing in all of this? Even when they suffered so much because of my arrival. I am pretty sure that my aunt had plans for giving Dudley a brother or sister, but she couldn't do it because I was an extra mouth to feed. It was an additional expense that they had not been ready for. They had to save for my future schooling and other expenses. It was not an exaggeration to say that whatever they had imagined for the future was destroyed by my arrival. But they still took me in, they still fed me, taught me, and educated me. Dumbledore was wrong for a lot of things, but one thing that I had always agreed with him is that Love is the most powerful magic. The only magic which Voldemort never understood, and it was my most powerful weapon against him."