The Power

Three weeks later, Harry was still in the hospital wing. He had finally managed to open his eyes fully without any pain the day before, although everything was blurry, even with his glasses.

The school year had ended the week before and the only people left in the school were Hermione, Ron and his family, and several professors including Dumbledore and McGonagall. Madame Pomfrey had told him that he could transfer to St. Mungo’s if he wanted to, but he refused because he did not want reporters and fans handing around all the time.

Hermione and Ron stayed with him almost every day, while the rest of the Weasleys dropped in occasionally. Fred and George had let off a bunch of fireworks when they arrived, pulling pranks constantly, and generally lifting everyone’s spirits, especially Harry’s.

Hermione told him everything that was going on in the wizarding world. There were parties and celebrations for him and everyone was basically on a long holiday. There was a new article about him in the Daily Prophet daily, with Rita Skeeter behind most of them. The Quibbler printed a few articles, and were the closest to the truth, as Luna had been present at the Final Battle.

Ron spent most of his time with Harry talking about Quidditch and his prospects at joining the Chudley Cannons. Ron had gone to a tryout and had progressed to the final three, but had not received any results yet. Harry was hoping that Ron would get the spot, as he knew how much it meant to him.

Madame Pomfrey had been working hard trying to find a way to heal Harry’s burns. After the first few days, she had gone through every healing book she possessed, and had even contacted St. Mungo’s to see if they had any suggestions. A Healer had come and tried, but there was no change.

Hermione had gone to Muggle London several times and bought various treatments for him to try after that. Creams had only minimal effect, and became useless after a while. Tomorrow Harry was to be moved to a Muggle hospital where they would try some of their newest techniques.

Which didn’t work.

The treatments would help for a few days, then would revert back to their original state. The Muggle doctors were stumped as to why there was no progress. The best burn doctor they could find didn’t have a clue either. It was the fact that he was a Muggle-born wizard that caused Harry to finally give up hope that the burns would heal. Hermione tried to remain optimistic for him, always suggesting another treatment or another doctor.

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It had been four months since the Final Battle and Harry was back at Hogwarts, staying in one of the guest suites with Hermione. Each day he took a potion from Madame Pomfrey so that he could get past the pain. His eyesight had returned to normal and he was gaining minimal use of his hands.

Since the new school year started, Harry avoided the parts of the castle that the students usually inhabited. Professor Dumbledore had retired at the end of the last year. He moved on to take the vacant spot of Minister of Magic when Fudge resigned. Fudge had not reacted to the threat of Voldemort and the public demanded that he resign. Harry and Hermione had been sad to see Professor Dumbledore leave, but still visited him often when he wasn’t busy with the daily affairs of being the Minister. Professor McGonagall became the new Headmistress.

Dobby brought him and Hermione their meals each day. Although Hermione had fussed at first when she learned that Dobby had quit working at Hogwarts and was now working for Harry for free, she had calmed down when Harry explained to her that he tried to pay Dobby but he absolutely refused to accept.

Ginny and Luna stopped by often to chat and work on their assignments with help from Hermione. Harry was studying to take his NEWTs, since he had been unable to do so with the rest of the seventh years due to his injuries. Hermione received her results three weeks before the new term started and had achieved an “Outstanding” in all of her subjects. The biggest surprise, however, was Harry’s early birthday present to her. He had talked to Professor McGonagall a few weeks before term started when Hermione was off visiting her parents. He had suggested that since there was a vacant spot for the Transfiguration Professor, who better to fill it than Hermione. She was already going to be staying in the castle anyways since she refused to leave Harry along there. Professor McGonagall readily agreed and added the request in her NEWTs scores.

When she read the letter, she let out a squeal of delight, and turned to share the letter with him. He couldn’t keep the smile off of his face however, and she immediately knew that it was him. She jumped him and proceeded to snog him thoroughly.

Their relationship had progressed extremely well after Harry was released from the hospital. Madame Pomfrey had requested that he stay close so she could monitor him for any progress and Professor McGonagall had offered them a room in the castle with a sly grin on her face.

He had often asked her why she stayed with him. The first day he had seen himself in a mirror he turned to her and asked if she was taking pity on him. The hurt look on her face and the three days after that trying to get her to talk to him convinced him otherwise. When she finally started talking to him again, she explained that the real reason she was in love with him was not his looks or skills, but for who he was inside. His loyalty, honesty, and bravery, qualities which made him a Gryffindor, were the true reason she fell in love with him.

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