A/N- Hey guys, I have been writing this story for you all after consuming a lot of my grey cells and I have had some very positive response from you all but I have not received much in way of reviews telling me if there are any shortcomings or any suggestions from you all. While I like to think that may be, I am writing very well but I like to remain firmly footed on ground and do not attach over importance to me. A little comment here and there would be much appreciated and thank you all for your support.
The story is little slow paced right now but I tend to drift when I start writing and I am not a fan of little details. Here is the next chapter which I hope you will like.
THANK YOU HYPER GYM FOR THE EDIT
Disclaimer- Wish I owned him. Literally nobody out there would refuse such a lucky chance but I do not own Harry Potter. He well and truly belongs to JKR. I am just having a little fun
BLACK TOWNHOUSE, LONDON
Harry Potter arrived in a well lit hall where he fell out of the floo and landed face first and someone barked a laugh. Embarrassed Harry raised himself and saw Sirius standing near him, laughing so hard that he had tears in his eyes.
"Just like James, godson. He too used to make such dramatic entrances from the floo", he said while trying to control his laughter.
Seeing Sirius, he leapt and threw himself into the older man's arms who embraced him tightly and led him to a room, where there was a large table made of pristine black marble that could easily seat 20. There was a chandelier hung from the ceiling with candles burning in the sconces illuminating the room. The room was a dining room where the walls were of lighter color and the lights from the chandelier were dancing on the walls forming patterns of animals like a snake, a hippogriff, a basilisk (Harry shuddered remembering the one he had slain), a unicorn, a dragon and even a mermaid.
Turning to Remus, Sirius said, "How were the muggles? Did they cause any troubles? I hope you had some fun with them."
Remus smirked, "Oh, I had some fun, Padfoot. Mr. Harsh Vardhana was most helpful in suggesting curses to hex them. If we did not know otherwise, I would have said that he was a marauder."
Then he proceeded in detail to tell all that had happened at the Dursley's. By the time he was finished, Sirius was banging the table with his fist laughing and Dumbledore was trying to look stoic but he was losing his facade and when Sirius turned towards him, he lost his calm and started laughing too.
Finally, after sometime when they were all calmed down, Harry turned to Sirius, "What is this place, Sirius?"
"This Harry is the townhouse of the Most Ancient and Noble House of Black and it is your house now."
"My House? But I am a Potter and not a Black", Harry replied, confused.
"You are as much a Potter as you are a Black, Harry. Your grandmother was my great aunt. Also, you are my heir being my godson", he replied.
"But... but you can marry and have a son. Why do I need to be your heir?", he asked.
Sirius started saying, his voice full of pain, "Being the guest of the Dementors for 12 years does that to a person, Harry. They have deprived me of the ability to have an heir. But that point is moot. I had decided on you being my heir when Marlene was killed. She was the only one that I ever thought to marry and I definitely had no plans to have a bastard child."
Harry realised that Sirius had lost much more than his friends in the last war. Sirius had lost a part of himself and his love. He could not imagine a situation in which he met someone who loved him that much and then having to live the rest of his life without her. At least, fate had spared him that pain. He realised in that moment that the wounds of the last war were still raw for most people and perhaps they will never be healed. With time however, may be, people can move on with their lives.
Sirius was still looking morose while Remus was patting his arm and looking grim. He was another broken soul that Harry had never cared about. True the marauder had never tried to find Harry and had kept his distance for a year when he was teaching at Hogwarts but seeing his actions on his behalf at the Dursley's had convinced him that the Marauder truly cared for him. He had read in a book recently how the werewolves could not reproduce amongst themselves and thus, were fiercely protective of children they come to see as their own. Remus considered him his family since he was born and as Dumbledore had told him last year, after that Halloween in 1981 Remus had gone off the deep end. He had some money left to him from Charlus who considered the boy as one of his own and Remus was drunk for the most part for 3 years. Then suddenly one day, he raised himself from his stupor and appeared at the gates of Hogwarts where everyone failed to recognize him until he reached Minerva McGonagall. He had thought that perhaps she had taken little Harry in and was raising him. She did not tell him anything but sent him to the headmaster and Remus had almost lost control over the wolf when he was told that Harry was at the Dursley's. He demanded that Dumbledore let him see Harry but he refused citing Harry's protection. For 3 years, Remus kept coming 3 days a week to Hogwarts and asked Dumbledore to allow him to see Harry. Once he tracked Harry to Privet Drive but could not enter due to the wards around the house and waited for Harry to come. But when he saw Harry finally, his Gryffindor courage failed him. Harry was looking so malnourished, beaten and worn out that he could not go to him due to his shame. He could not face the boy giving him hope of a life away from the Dursley's without any means to do so. That night, he left magical Britain and went to Germany where he did a myriad of jobs to raise money but could not keep a steady job for the fear of his secret being discovered. Germany was more sympathetic to werewolves, but; they still registered, tracked and kept records on werewolves. Remus did not want to give up his freedom in any way so he went from job to job and time flew by. He was in France when he heard of Sirius's breakout from Azkaban and it was there that Dumbledore found him. During the last year, he had been following Peter's tracks when he heard of the fiasco and rushed to his cub.
Harry could not fault the man for his innate goodness of heart nor did he have the heart to chastise him for something that he could not control. Besides, his father had called Remus his friend and he was not about to scorn one of his only links to his parents.
"So, the next point of order is," Dumbledore's voice broke him out of his musings, "what we are to do before Harry leaves for Bharat (Magical India)."
"I would like to meet my friends", said Harry eagerly, knowing this might be the last time he would see them before the holidays ended.
"It is easily done, my boy", replied Dumbledore cheerfully "who all would you like to meet?"
"I would like to meet Neville, Susan and Hermione", he said eagerly.
"I am afraid you cannot meet Miss Granger quite yet, Harry", said Dumbledore who noticed Ron's omission from the list of friends but chose not to comment, "as I was told, the Grangers have left today to go to Italy on vacation and they are not due to return for two weeks."
Harry was a little disappointed but he did not show it.
"You can meet Miss Bones tomorrow at the ancient manor of the House of Bones.", said Dumbledore, his eyes twinkling, "in fact, I have an invitation to that effect for you and it is quite insistent, I suppose laced with compulsion charms done by Miss Bones pestering me to tell you and not to fall to my old wayward ways."
Harry's face went red while others around him chuckled at the statement of the headmaster.
"Mr. Potter", said Harsh Vardhana, "we have 3 days before we will go. You can tend to all the business that you need to but I must insist that we have to make haste after 3 days from now. Tomorrow, we have a little business in St. Mungo's where Mr. Longbottom and Dowager Longbottom has kindly acquiesced to allow me to see Frank and Alice Longbottom."
Harry was happy to hear that he would have a chance to meet Neville tomorrow and may be his godmother; no matter that she cannot recognise him.
"I must take your leave gentlemen", said Harsh Vardhana who simply disappeared from the room surprising everyone, causing their jaws to drop, except for Harry who did not know why this was such a surprise.
Remus looked at Sirius with his eyes wide, "Umm Padfoot, did you by any means forget to raise the anti-apparition ward?"
"No Moony. They were the first that I raised right before the war wards. He should not have been able to apparate in here. Now that I think about it, he did not come in through the floo either. What do you say, Albus?", Sirius asked Dumbledore who was sitting there looking amused, his twinkling eyes working overtime.
"I believe, we have just seen a power of the Mystics. They are very secretive and have forgotten more secrets than we have ever known. If one of them was ever to work in the Department of Mysteries, they would never let him leave", Dumbledore replied.
It was then Harry understood that like Hogwarts, you cannot directly apparate into this House and the fact that the mystic was able to do so deeply impressed him.
Suddenly the wards chimed, signalling the arrival of someone. Sirius stood, rubbing his hands and looking eager, "I believe the members of the Order of the Phoenix have just arrived."
As if on cue, the door opened and many people entered one after another into the dining room. There were Molly and Arthur followed by Bill, Fred and George, a young woman with a heart shaped face and purple hair who tripped over something unseen, a big black man who was a hulking mass of muscles and a ring in his left ear, a witch with regal looks about her, another stern witch, Dedalus Diggle (he remembered the man he had met when he returned to the wizarding world in the Leaky Cauldron), an old and wheezy looking man, a square jawed wizard who had serious looks about him, Professors McGonagall and Snape, Alastor Moody looking gruff as usual, a little sneaky looking man who was going bald and to his immense surprise, Amelia Bones. The stern witch was casually looking around the table, her monocle in place. There were several others that he did not know.
"Now that we are here, this is the first meeting of the reconvened Order of the Phoenix", Dumbledore started in a professional manner, "firstly introductions are in order. Harry, this is Nymphadora Tonks", he said indicating the young woman who was scowling at Dumbledore.
"Head Master, my name is Tonks. Wotcher, Cousin", she said, after a moment when she turned to Harry and was grinning at him. Harry was confused but did not say anything.
Dumbledore continued, "This is Kingsley Shacklebolt (the big black Man). He and Tonks are Aurors. This is Emmaline Vance, a hit-witch, this is Hestia Jones, another Auror, sitting next to her is Elphias Doge, then Dedalus Diggle whom I believe you are acquainted with, the one next to him is Sturgis Podmore (the square jawed wizard) and the man next to Professor Snape is Mundungus Fletcher. I believe you are already acquainted with Madam Bones."
Harry exchanged polite nods with everyone while Dedalus Diggle enthusiastically greeted him.
"Continuing on to business, Madam Bones has assured us of her and DMLE's support in all activities which are related to stopping Voldemort (everyone flinched except Dumbledore, Sirius, Remus and Harry). However, if anyone of you is working for his own gain going against the rules of Magical Britain and the Wizengamot, she will not be lenient.", he said sternly, looking on to Mundungus in particular, "next we are here to induct new members into the order. I propose to induct William Weasley, and Misters Fred and George Weasley. I had initially decided to induct Harry Potter as a junior member but seeing as how this will lead others to protest, I am not letting him join but we shall keep him updated on everything that the Order does or knows."
"No, they are still school children. You can't be serious (Serious wanted to intervene that he was serious). I will not allow this", Molly said crossing her arms across her chest.
Harry wanted to protest that he wanted to join the Order but seeing Sirius's subtle shake of head, he kept his silence. Inside he was fuming. The adults around him were again starting to act like always. They were again treating him like a child, trying to protect him and keeping information away from him. Perhaps, today will be recorded as a miracle day when the adults did something for him without his asking.
Arthur, looking haggard and careworn turned towards her, "Molly, you know very well that you can't stop them from letting Harry know everything and if he chooses, to fight this war. People responsible for him have decided that he is eligible."
"No, Harry is just a child. He needs to play Quidditch, go to school, chase after girls and not worry about the war!", she ranted.
"Molly", Sirius started sadly, "in a perfect world, I would have agreed with you. But this is not a perfect world. Voldemort (she gasped) is out there and has already proven that he can get to Harry no matter what we do. Harry has already faced and defeated him four times and that is more than anyone can say. By keeping him away from war and training, we will only do a disservice to him. Being his godfather and responsible for him, I have agreed to this already."
"But you have never been there to care for him, were you Sirius?", she said nastily, "I was there for him when he came to my home looking underfed and malnourished, not having known love.".
"Enough!", snapped Harry, "Mrs. Weasley, I appreciate everything that you and your family did for me but Sirius is my godfather and he has the right to decide.".
"Listen here, young man, I did not raise you this way. You will not talk to me like this", she said sternly.
Harry wanted to shout at her, but was barely keeping control, however, before he could say anything, he was interrupted by Severus Snape of all people, "Molly, Potter is the only one who can defeat the dark lord. Why can't you understand that? I am not in favour of letting children fight wars but look around you; this is the only real resistance that we are able to offer at the moment. We need a leader and Dumbledore cannot lead us anymore, he is not the same as he used to be and no one here is as powerful as Potter who can stand up to the Dark Lord."
Harry was surprised at Snape's defense of him but did not press the point. He looked at the man who seemed to be gloomier than usual. He had dark spots around his eyes and his tone was sad but there was no vitriol in it. By the looks of it, Sirius and Remus also were surprised by the turn of events.
Before they could voice their opinions, they were interrupted by Amelia Bones, "I think it is time that I bring my news before you all now. Earlier today, I was able to secure guardianship of Mr. Potter since I knew that you would be leaving the muggle house forever."
Harry did not know what to say. He had never been that close to Madam Bones or Susan, but; she had gone ahead and secured his freedom from the Dursley's. He was so over-whelmed that he could not speak for sometime, but then he regained his voice, "But how? I mean I am glad that you have done so much for me but do they not require something to grant custody?"
Amelia smiled at the confused teen, "Yes, they require authentication and my brother Edgar Bones and his wife and their legal successors were named as prospective parties to take you in, in case of your parent's death in James and Lily's will. I believe the order of preference was Alice Longbottom followed by Sirius Black, then Edgar and Ellie Bones and their successors and lastly there was mention of Minerva McGonagall, not that her being on that list surprises me considering she was James's' godmother." Minerva who was present in the meeting, sniffed loudly and Harry saw the usually stern mannered stoic professor wiping her eyes furiously with her tartan handkerchief. Harry was surprised to see the usually stern professor crying but his mind was occupied with another thought.
"Will? My parent's had a will?", his anger flared, "I didn't know that they had a will. Why wasn't I told about it?"
"Harry, no one knew that they had a will. They had made the will and a copy of it was kept in the office of their solicitors, Tonks and Vaughan, which burned to the ground a week before your parents died and their copies were in your family vault. In fact, if I could have found the will, I would have taken you to the Longbottom's or the Bones's instead of taking you to your muggle relatives.", Dumbledore replied, sombrely, "however, recently Madam Bones and your godfather were able to persuade the goblins to bring the wills from your family vault and it was read and executed. It will be given to you when you go to Gringott's tomorrow."
Harry was angry but he could not take his anger out on anyone present. These people were not out to harm him but they were protecting him. Things were starting to turn around now and may be soon he could have some semblance of happiness.
Madam Bones continued, "So, as I said, I am the guardian of Harry Potter now. And in the capacity of his guardian, I allow him to be acquainted with all the intelligence the order has and I consent to him being trained for war. So I said so mote it be." Upon saying those words, golden light surrounded her and then vanished in her body.
Molly sighed in defeat. She had loved Harry Potter like her son and wanted to save him like her children but no one backed her up. Sometimes, she had even dreamt of him marrying her daughter and becoming a part of the family seeing how smitten Ginny was with him. But that hope had been dashed with Ginny's disenchantment with the "boy-who-lived" she had known in her childhood books. Still Molly felt protective of him and wanted to save him. She had lost her brothers in the first war and did not want to lose anyone else but they were in the middle of another war and could not escape it anyway.
Dumbledore started, "Now, if the new inductees would repeat after me, "I (state your name) hereby agree to join the Order of the Phoenix and to keep the secrets told onto me from anyone and everyone. I shall be loyal to the order and serve it with all my power. So I say, so mote it be."
After the inductions were done, they discussed everything that was happening outside and then the meeting was dismissed except for a few members and Amelia Bones (who had not taken up membership).
"The next thing on the agenda is the Department of mysteries. We will have to keep a guard posted at the entrance of the department at all times. We will make a roster and keep a rotation so that every night someone different will have the duty to guard it", said Dumbledore, "and we have to keep watch so that nobody who should not be there sneaks in."
"What is the thing in the Department of Mysteries?", asked Harry, interested.
"If we are able to determine that you mind is your own, I would tell you what is in the department of Mysteries or maybe we would sit on this secret for a little longer", said Dumbledore cryptically and others smirked seeing Harry getting frustrated. It was not that they were getting any overt pleasure in this but they knew that Harry was growing up too fast and there were only moments that they could relish seeing him act his own age.
After that everyone took their leave while Sirius took Harry upstairs to Regulus's old bedroom which had been transformed by the elves working day and night. The room was decorated in cream coloured walls with Gryffindor crimson and red thrown in. At some place, the badger yellow also could be seen. On the wall behind the bed, there was a crest. It was two Griffins in flight with wands crossed on a red background. There was another crest which was a simple triangle with a circle within and a drawn between the triangle dividing it and the circle into two halves.
Sirius kept talking to him until late in the night with Remus chipping in every now and then and they told Harry of many pranks that they had played in Hogwarts and how often the target of the pranks were those who turned out to be death eaters later. What astonished Harry was that not all of them were from Slytherin but the house of Snakes had some decent beings among them. Listening to his father's attempts to keep asking Lily out and her rejecting his advances dubbing him "arrogant little toe-rag" made him smile but he did wonder how did his mother fall for his father.
While talking, Harry drifted into sleep and Sirius tucked him into bed before retiring to his own room.
ST. MUNGO'S HOSPITAL
Next day, Sirius woke Harry early in the morning and hauled him to the bathroom. While Harry was an early riser, the excitement the previous day had left him fatigued and since he had holidays, he had decided to sleep. But, that was not to be because Padfoot bounded into the room and started licking him furiously trying to wake him up. Grumbling Harry got up and retired to the bathroom. When he emerged, Dobby had laid down clothes for him but these were not the hand-me-downs from the Dursley's. He knew that the elf did everything to the best of his ability to keep his master happy but he was astonished by the clothes. These were brand new clothes which he had never seen before. There were black trousers, a shirt and a robe, all made of the finest silk. There was also a gleaming new pair of dragon hide boots.
"Dobby.", he called and the excitable elf popped in with a crack.
"Master calls for Dobby. What Dobby can do's for Master?"
"Dobby, whose clothes are these and who bought them?" he asked.
"Master's Dogfather be giving Dobby money and telling to buys clothes for master", said the elf, excited, "Dogfather said master cannot visit his Missy wearing rags."
"My missy? What are you talking about?", he asked the elf who did not answer but popped away.
When he finally reached downstairs, Sirius was sitting at the dining table with Remus who was looking equally sleepy eyed as Harry, Dumbledore who looked fresh and Harsh Vardhana who was impassive as usual.
"Good Morning Mr. Potter, are you ready to tempt fates, start knocking down doors and in general cause mayhem?", asked Harsh Vardhana while Dumbledore sat smiling and Sirius snorted and Remus had a smirk.
"Uh...", said Harry.
"Very eloquent Harry, just like James", Sirius chortled, "he was like you when faced with something he could not understand but he always had a comeback ready. I am waiting to hear yours, godson."
Harry stood there dumbly thinking of an equally witty response when finally Remus had mercy upon him and steered him to a chair and served him some proper breakfast. Harry was happy sitting at that table sharing a meal with the men present. Outside of Hogwarts, he never had opportunity to share a meal with anyone except the Weasley's but this was better. He was with his godfather and uncle who loved him more than anything.
"Professor, where are we going?", he asked Dumbledore.
"You, not we, Harry are going to St. Mungo's to meet your godmother and your god brother Mr. Longbottom and Mr. Harsh Vardhana will accompany you there."
"How are we going? I mean by floo or portkey or what?" he asked.
"We are going to fly, Mr. Potter.", Harsh Vardhana said, smiling.
"You mean brooms? But that would violate the statute of secrecy, if we are seen", he said.
"No, Mr. Potter, I can literally fly like a bird but today, we are going to ride the bike Sirius gave to Hagrid when he took you away from the cottage at Godric's Hollow", Harsh Vardhana replied.
Harry was excited to know about the bike, knowing from Sirius that the bike was once owned by him and James Potter but what really fascinated him was that Harsh Vardhana could fly. May be, they will teach him to fly.
After breakfast Sirius took all of them to the garden where there was a shed in which the bike was parked. In another shed, the hippogriff Buckbeak was tethered and eating dead ferrets. Harsh Vardhana brought the bike out and started it. It gave such a loud roar that it reminded Harry of the Horntail he had faced last year.
"Semantics, Mr. Black.", Harsh Vardhana chuckled, "making the bike sound like dragon roar. I wonder if dragon fire erupts from the exhaust?"
Sirius grinned impishly, "I was adding modifications to it 13 years ago. Dragon Fire was next up, but I never quite got that far. Maybe I can get back to that now."
Soon, Harry and Harsh Vardhana were cruising the streets, feeling the exhilaration as the wind whipped through their hair. Then, with a jolt of speed, the bike lifted into the air. Suddenly, the bike lurched forward and started lifting in to the air. Harry was astonished at first, then eager to see what the bike could do, then concerned,, he began, "uh, Mr. Harsh Vardhana, won't the muggles be able to see us? I mean we are flying on a motorcycle."
"Don't worry, Mr. Potter. We cannot be seen. One of the modifications on this bike makes it invisible to others. I believe you met one such car a couple of years ago", he laughed as Harry's face turned red, remembering the fiasco of the Weasley's Flying Ford Anglia.
It wasn't long before they landed in a deserted alley where two men seemed to appear out of thin air., Dressed all in black muggle clothing and saluted the pair of them.
"Greetings master and Mr. Potter.", said one in a deep baritone voice, "we have secured the area and there are no threats nearby. We met a few wearing mark of that abomination who were scouting the hospital and they have since been neutralised."
"Good work, Himvat. Take them to safe house and interrogate them for any information that may be useful for the Order of the Phoenix."
Harsh took out a piece of wood bearing the Black crest which he put on the seat and muttered Activate while touching it with his wand. The bike disappeared a moment later.
As Harry was ogling at the mystic, he shrugged, "It was a portkey made by Dumbledore and took the bike back to the townhouse. Now come along, Harry."
Taking Harry by his hand, he led him to a store front which had a "renovation in progress" sign up. Speaking to a mannequin in the store window, he disappeared as he passed through the window and Harry was prodded to do the same by one of the men who had come to meet them.
He passed through the glass, a sensation like taking a cold shower, and found himself, warm and dry, standing in the reception area of the hospital where Harsh was waiting for him.
"Umm Mr. Harsh Vardhana who are these men and what were they talking about captives?", he asked the mystic in a hushed whisper.
"I will detail you about it later but for now, they are our escort for the day", Harsh Vardhana replied.
Harry passed through the reception area of the magical hospital following the mystic who was keeping some distance from him. People around him were gawking at him openly. Some were talking in hushed whispers seeing him while a few tried to avert their eyes. One old and frail man, who was looking ancient even by Dumbledore's standards came up to him and said in a wheezy voice, "Mr. Potter! It's an honour to have met you. I am Octavius Ryne and I believe that you and Dumbledore are speaking the truth. I believe that the monster has returned. You have lost so much at his hands that it makes no sense that you would lie about such a thing. I know in my heart that you can finish him off. I implore you to send him back where he came from. In the last war, I lost my entire family to him. My son was an auror who was killed by one of his lieutenants, Antonin Dolohov and my daughter-in-law was killed in a raid in Diagon Alley. I have only my grand-son left who is working in France as a technomancer. He has already pled to come back and fight for you, if the chance comes."
Harry was touched by the old man's words. Here he was, a total stranger who walked up to him and told him how he believed Harry and even offered his grandson to him knowing there was a big chance that he can lose him. Not wanting to make a blunder, Harry only pressed his hands warmly and moved towards the reception desk following Harsh Vardhana who was striding forward imperiously, but Harry had a feeling that he knew everything that was being said and done. By the time Harry finished crossing the room to the reception desk several other people walked up to him and offered their support and expressed their faith in Harry.
By the reception desk, Neville Longbottom was waiting for him with his grandmother, Dowager Lady Longbottom who had stern features and wore a black gown and the "now familiar" stuffed vulture hat.
"Gran, this is Mr. Harsh Vardhana, who has sought the favour of an audience with you", Neville made the introduction, his faced flushed with hope.
"Lady Longbottom.", said Harsh Vardhana, taking her right hand and pretending to kiss her knuckles, "I believe young Mr. Longbottom intimated the purpose for which I sought you audience. If mother magic is merciful, I believe I can cure your son, Lord Longbottom and Lady Longbottom."
Harry followed suit, bowing to her, taking her right hand and pretending to kiss her knuckles when she suddenly embraced him warmly. Harry flinched for a second before returning her embrace.
She turned towards Harsh and started in a soft voice, "Please call me Augusta. If you can even make them conscious of us, House Longbottom will consider it a debt owed. Over the years, it has caused immense pain to me to think that Frank cannot see his son growing up and Alice cannot fuss over her son like other mothers. I have had my fill of Frank for my life and I have enough memories to live by but poor Neville here has not a single memory. I have tried all my life to provide him with the love and nurture of a parent but I know I have failed my children in this. Blinded by my belief, I even had him use a wand that was not his. I am just relieved that Neville does not think horribly of me for all the ridicule that he has faced for not being as good as others."
By the time she ended, her face was streaked with tears and Neville had embraced his godmother trying to console her.
"Lady Longbottom, I am not doing any favour to anyone. House Longbottom has done so much good for society that it will be a shame to not do everything in my power to help you. Besides, I owe a very old debt to your house which I can never settle. If I do this, maybe I would be able to repay a part of it", Harsh replied, his eyes staring far off in the distance.
Nodding her head, Augusta took them to the fourth floor where they entered the permanent spell damage ward, where Harry noticed a person in one of the beds, having long blond hair which was looking dull and his face innocent as a baby was Gilderoy Lockhart. Harry has honestly forgotten about him and never expected to see him there. He felt a small wave of pity for the man but next moment remembered what he was about to do and all feelings of pity vanished. Lockhart beamed at him and Neville and dragged them to his bed where he started handing them signed photos making Harry and Neville grin at each other as if to say, "some things will never change."
At the far end of the ward, a portion was separated by walls and in that portion were Frank and Alice. They looked pale and their eyes looked glazed and vacant. Seeing Neville, Alice's eyes lit up for a moment but it happened so fast that no one noticed it except for Harsh who was observing them very closely. Frank reached forward and held Neville for a moment before letting go, making Neville morose. Harry could not even imagine the pain that Neville must have felt all his life. Not having parents was something he could relate with but having parents who would never recognise you was incomprehensible for him. He was lost in his musings when he was startled by a hand on his shoulder. Turning around, he saw Alice looking at him closely before giving him a smile and turning away.
"Healer Lynn, I would like to perform some diagnostic spells on them, I believe my credentials have been vouched for by Madam Pomfrey," came Harsh Vardhana's voice and Harry recognised the healer in the room who immediately nodded her assent.
Taking out his wand, he started his chanting and casting some spells at Frank and Alice and after a few moments, an ethereal glow was surrounding them. The healer was in awe of the situation and she could not speak for a whole minute before she eventually found her voice, "How do you know this? I mean I have read about his phenomenon in some really old healer books but I have never seen anyone doing this."
"These spells are complicated and I will explain it to you later, if you so desire, but right now I would like to discuss the results with you.", Harsh Vardhana said smiling at the look of awe on the healer's face.
"Yes, yes. I would like to discuss the results with you", she said snapping to attention.
"There is a cure possible for them but I need to make some special arrangements before that happens. I would require a room fortified to withstand any amount of magical backlash which would be caused when they become conscious. Their magical cores are over saturated and it will be heavy. I need to prepare the room by engraving my own runes in the room so that it would remain standing despite what may happen. If the place is connected to any of the ley-lines, it will be better since then the extra energy can be sent to earth directly preventing any damage.", he said, "and I will need your assistance in the process since when they come out of their unconsciousness, they would be weak, disoriented for a while and of course, they would need proper medical care to make their body as fit as it was before they were attacked. They will need to be cared for 24 hours round the clock."
The healer was downcast hearing his requirements, "we do not have any room like that. In fact, I think what you are describing is a ritual and we do not have any ritual rooms here. I can of course provide for a medi-witch who would take care of them restoring them to full health once they are conscious and I would like to offer my assistance in the healing."
"Pardon my interruption, but I could not help myself", said Augusta Longbottom, "I think you need a room where you can perform this ritual which would help to cure my children. In the hereditary seat of House Longbottom which is built on two ley-lines, there is a room which has been fortified for duelling and training and it can withstand any amount of magical backlash. You can engrave your runes on the walls there and after your treatment, I can keep them there and treat them. Thank you for your offer Healer Lynn but I will hire a house elf to look after them and administer them the treatment as per your schedule."
Both of the other adults nodded their consent. Harry and Neville just looked on while everything transpired. After they were done and leaving, Alice handed a Drobbles gum wrapper to Neville who slid it into his pocket and a chocolate frog card to Harry featuring Albus Dumbledore, making him remember the first card he ever saw was of Dumbledore.
As they were leaving the hospital, Harsh Vardhana asked Augusta if he could take Neville with him to visit the Bones manor. While she was initially reluctant, she acquiesced later when he assured her that by 9 in the evening; he would bring Neville to Green Hues, the manor of the Longbottoms however before they could leave she apologised to Harry for not giving him more time and invited him to visit the seat of House Longbottom the following day with Harsh Vardhana.
After leaving the hospital, the three of them were again shadowed by the two escorts who escorted them to the deserted alley, where Harsh took hold of their hands and vanished with a pop.
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