Disclaimer: All Harry Potter characters and story affiliations mentioned in this fan fiction all belong to JK Rowling and legal associations. I own nothing of it nor am I profiting from it now and planning too in the future in any way. The only exception of profit is to my self for literary improvement.
Author to Reader Note: Dobby is brought further into this chapter. I do not know what skin color a house elf in the HP saga is. I do not remember reading such information, so I have given him one and if you believe I am wrong please feel free to say so in a review. I only use it for reference of recognition during Harry's recovery.
Revised 5/13/03
Harry Potter and the Turmoil Within
Chapter 6
Recovery
Time passed by but how much Harry did not know. Sleep had been comforting and much welcomed by all that made up his existence. There were no nightmares or calling voices. Only a deep slumber without interruption was what Harry's existence had become and he liked it. Though, enjoying sleep, he knew others were waiting for him in another place. It was that and the thought that he wanted those others in his life as well that stopped his disappointment when the light from a sun brought him to awareness.
The lids of his eyes opened slowly with much distress but Harry fought his weariness with whatever strength he had. The blurred room, his eyes began to focus on, had a strong orange tone to it.
-Ron's room- thought Harry.
He started to lift his arm, the same one that had held the orb but a strange weight held it down. He turned his head to see what was there. His blurred vision revealed something small and green with big points on the head.
His voice escaped from the throat he knew what the thing was, "Dobby?"
The small green thing made a frighten squeak and fled out of sight.
Harry laughed inwardly as his body did not have the strength to laugh out loud. He tried to move his arm again which moved a little but stayed limp. Harry flexed his hand and discovered that there was no longer any numbness or intense pain but a strong stiff soreness.
Noise of stomping reach Harry's ears followed by a squeak and a hard thud which told Harry's senses that a door had been violently opened. Then voices and blurred images were all around Harry.
A loud bang sounded in the room and all went quiet.
"Quiet, I need to check him over and I don't want him beguiled with questions!"
It was a voice he still didn't know but he had heard it before.
Without his glasses Harry was not able to make out the face of the person who scolded the loud group. He knew it was female and could make out yellow hair. HHe felt a strange sensation flowing through him and he felt heat grow in different places in his body.
"Well I'm satisfied; he'll be just fine aside from being completely drained. More bed rest, some food and minimum activity then he should be back to normal. I'll be off now; you have the instructions and you know where to contact me if something should arise. Good day and Harry… take things easy."
The unknown female left and the group that had arrived earlier remained.
Hermione looked him over and could see that Harry was extremely pale, even more then when she'd first seen him. He'd lost weight as well but with Mrs. Weasley that wouldn't last long. It bothered her that Harry was awake but she had to admit she wanted to talk to him just as badly as Ron. It so very obvious, Ron was sitting in a chair just twitching to talk but he continued to wait.
Harry finally found his voice and decide he'd seen enough blurry images, "Can I have my glasses now?"
"Of course," answered Ron.
A moment later, Harry felt something slide onto his face and the blurred world became clear again. He saw that Ron and Hermione were both sitting next to his bed patiently but obviously bubbling with the wish to talk.
Harry tried to sit up but found his body had other ideas. Ron quickly moved and slowly lifted Harry's back. Amazingly Ron was able to lift Harry into a sitting position and place enough pillows behind him to keep him upright.
Hermione's face was turned and was a strange dark shade of red during this for some odd reason.
Ron had finished adjusting Harry's positioned and sat back down with rather a proud look on his face.
Being upright had made Harry feel better so started the conversation, "What's with you Hermione?"
Ron's eyes narrowed, a wicked grin crossed his face and answered for her "You're not decent under the blanket, mate. Could be a bit embarrassing you think? He's covered by the way."
Hermione turned back to them, her smile showing her own nervousness to the situation.
Harry had not the strength of mind nor will to dwell on it so he changed the subject.
"So how long have I been asleep, a few hours or most of the day?"
Hermione didn't answer but Ron said it straight, "Five days Harry. One at St. Mungo's then another one here before you woke up the first time, and three more after until now. You've been a bit tired apparently."
"You'd think I'd feel as strong as Hagrid after all that, "Harry chuckled with difficulty, "Well out with it I'm sure there's something you want to ask me knowing you two."
"What's it like being dead?" stated Ron.
Hermione gasped and surprisingly, was lost for words.
Harry however could see the humor… and difficulty… in Ron's eyes. Harry got the impression that this was all bothering Ron really bad and he wanted to get past it. Harry decided that he wanted that for himself as well.
"Relaxing"
Hermione apparently decided that scolding Ron was not worth the trouble for the moment and decide to ask what she had waited to do.
"How did know that orb would help you and how?" asked Hermione anxiously.
"Well you said a really strong spell might break through the stone and the orb was called Colossus… the recording said it amplifies magic... It was the only idea I got when everything started… Seems to have worked?" responded Harry slowly in his still weakened state.
"It nearly killed you, "retorted Hermione.
"I said it was something stupid, "chuckled Harry.
Before Hermione could say anything more there was squeak at the door and voice whimpered out, "Potter sir, can I see you?"
Harry wanted to laugh but didn't have the strength.
-When will that elf stop calling me that? - Thought Harry humorously to himself.
"Of course Dobby, you can see me when ever you like."
The elf squeal with delight and trotted up to the bed. With him, he had a tray of bowls and cups. He hopped up on to the bed and placed the tray at the foot of it. Dobby handed Ron and Hermione each a cup of tea but he had other intentions with Harry.
"What's all that, Dobby," asked Harry.
"Harry Potter must eat," stated Dobby and in an instant had a spoonful of some substance in Harry's mouth.
Harry swallowed before he tasted the substance and before say anything Dobby had another spoon in Harry's mouth.
"Harry Potter must eat," stated Dobby again.
Whatever the stuff was, one thing for sure about it was that was absolutely disgusting. It had a similar taste to the Polyjuice potion only more like runny roofing tar. Which Harry knew the taste of from patching a leak on the Dursleys' rooftop during a summer before his time at Hogwarts.
Surprisingly, though it had wretched taste, his stomach seemed to want more of it and Harry was starting to feel stronger suddenly. So he didn't resist the elf but could hear Ron laughing uncontrollably and Hermione giggling. Harry realized it must look pretty funny to have small elf practically shoveling some kind of white slop into a larger male human.
Dobby would not stop until all of the contents of the substance had been consumed. Dobby scraped madly at the bowl getting every morsel he could and finished by getting the last drop onto the spoon with magic. The bowl might as well go back in the cupboard considering how clean it looked now.
Harry was able to swallow the last bit while clearing his throat to try and thank the enthusiastic elf for his efforts.
"Er… thanks Dobby it was delicious," lied Harry with the best smile he could muster with the current taste in his mouth.
Dobby didn't seem delighted at first though in fact he seemed to have a knowing grin on his face, which worried Harry. He didn't want to lie to elf and hurt his feelings for trying to be helpful. Unfortunately Harry could see from the look on Dobby's face that his polite attempt had failed.
Dobby started gathering things back onto his tray but responded, "Dobby knows Potter sir not tell the truth. Dobby knows the porridge taste bad. It suppose to taste bad, the worst the better."
Harry sat there not sure what to say or do. Ron continued to laugh but if as on cue Hermione's curiosity manifested and she inquired upon the elf.
"Why is it required to taste bad?"
Dobby glanced at her, pondering whether to answer revealed by the twitching of his ears.
"This called Bulanu, elf pudding," cautiously answered Dobby.
Ron stopped laughing and was still in his position. Hermione seemed unaffected and Harry seemed a bit surprised both by everyone's reaction and to how well he felt. Harry felt completely normal aside from his sore hand. His vision was normal and his body didn't seem to agonizing to sleep some more.
"Well it seems to be working whatever it is," said Hermione.
Ron didn't respond so well though, "Dobby you understand that Harry's human right and the Ministry…"
Hermione cut him off, "Ron its working what worried you on about?"
Dobby answer Hermione question before Ron could, "Some foods we eat poisonous to humans. But Dobby knows that Bulanu not hurt humans... just taste bad. Dobby used it on last master many times. Elves give to their young when they sick. Ministry not like it when Elves use their recipes on humans poisons not easily found."
"Well I feel great Dobby, thanks" said Harry.
Dobby made a sound of delight and bounced out of the room.
Harry, now feeling much better, decided he wanted a few answers about some things as well.
"When did Dobby get here?"
Ron started snickering while Hermione answered.
"A little while after the first day you were brought here. He pretty much took over all the housework much to Mrs. Weasley's dislike. Apparently elf magic is pretty strong," began Hermione.
Ron decided he had to add his own comments to it.
"He's been driving mum crazy... to have a house elf, they need to be registered with the ministry. Dobby uses his magic and some sort of alarm goes off sending ministry people here but the apparition charm makes it worse."
Harry had to ask, "Apparition charm?"
Hermione continued on, "Like at Hogwarts, no one is able to apparate in or out of the charmed area. They kept popping out at the end of the street confused. So they'd have to go back to find where and then come back."
Ron was chuckling, "Should have seen the looks on their faces as mum kept having to explain why Dobby was here and all. Finally Dumbledore just fixed it all with them at some point. But it didn't stop there. Dobby fusses with everything and has cleaned every room in this house at least hundred times. Well maybe actually fifty times."
Hermione now added with a giggled sigh, "The worst had to be with the ghoul in the addict."
Harry wondered if he should ask but wanted to know what had been going with him asleep and if Dobby was involved it couldn't be missed.
"The ghoul?"
Hermione opened her mouth, looked at Ron's face and decided to forfeit to him.
Ron gave a laugh and began, "Well you know how the ghoul is always making noise? Well Dobby decided it was disturbing things and decided it was his job to 'dissuade' the ghoul from it."
"Basically he got into a fight with the ghoul," stated Hermione.
"A fight!" responded Ron, "More like a bar brawl! The house was shaking! They went at like Malfoy and me only they're a lot rougher. Mom kept trying to break them up but it wasn't working. She had Dad put a silencing charm in here; they were going at it pretty bad. Mom finally dragged Dobby down here kicking and screaming. I never knew that House Elves could swear but they can and it's funny to hear it. Soon as mum tried to put Dobby down he go for the attic again, she finally had to stun him. The ghoul had a few words to say too but he seems to respect Dobby's wish and has kept it pretty quiet. I think Dad made a deal with him. Definitely gave the reporters something to write about."
Harry tried to hold back but couldn't when picturing Dobby brawling with a ghoul and swearing like a drunk at it. He kept laughing even to the point of tears, stopping when he noticed that Ron was nursing the calf of his leg after having been kicked. Hermione was giving him a murderous glare. Harry wondered what Ron said or did that would make her react like that until remembered something Ron said.
"Reporters?"
Hermione's glare at Ron only got worse and Ron had a nervous grin on his face. Harry got the impression they didn't want him to know about the reporters.
Ron defended himself, "Well he was going to find out sooner or later, might as well be from us right?"
"I suppose," answered Hermione stiffly.
Harry felt bad now, worried that he had caused a lot of trouble for the Weasleys yet again. He wasn't sure how he was going to apologize for this.
As if Ron and Hermione could sense Harry's thoughts, Ron quickly added, "It's been good in a way... Finally gives Dobby something to do aside from driving mum mad... They keep trying to find ways in, from transfiguring themselves into stuff to sneaking in all sorts of ways. Dobby's pretty good at sniffing them out before they get near you... We can't leave without being barraged; mum's hexed a few of them pretty good so far."
"I'm sorry Ron; I didn't mean to drag you and your family in more of my crazy life," apologized Harry.
Ron looked very hard at Harry and corrected him, "Don't be stupid Harry. We knew very well what we were getting ourselves into the first year. Besides these past few days have been hilarious with Dobby and the nutty reporters."
"Okay," was all Harry could say for the moment.
Hermione decided that time was up.
"Alright, you should rest some more and we'll leave you it. Dobby is as bad as Madam Pomfrey, he'll shoo us out of here soon anyways. So we'll go now," announced Hermione getting up and she pulled Ron with her.
With that they were gone with the door shut. Harry knew she was right but that didn't stop him from wanting her here still.
-Why do I want her here so bad? - Thought Harry.
Harry took his glasses off and lay back down. Surprisingly he fell asleep quickly but he also had a plan ready.
The next day Ron couldn't hold himself back, Harry was awake and he wanted to talk to him some more. Unfortunately his desire would have to wait considering the sight that greeted him in the bedroom.
Harry was gone, the bed was made and his trunk was open but no Harry in sight.
Ron ran down the stairs to the kitchen. Hermione came out her room ready to scold him on his manner in the morning but saw Ron's worried face and instead headed to Ron's room. In the kitchen, Harry was still not to be found.
"Where's Harry," yelled Ron?
"What do you mean where's Harry," shrieked Mrs. Weasley?
"He's not in the room, "Ron gave another look and continued, "Where's Dobby?"
Hermione appeared, breathless and worried. Before she could say anything Ron turned and ran. He stopped by the front door when a small breeze brushed by him. A thought came to mind.
-He wouldn't, would he? - Thought Ron.
Ron opened the door just as Hermione came up next to him.
As the door opened, there were flashing lights and constant chatter. Among the voices was Harry's.
Hermione gasped and Ron stood stunned. There was Harry, with a menacing looking Dobby right in front of him, answering questions.
"Have you been in a lot of pain?"
"No, my friends here have been wonderful."
"Harry, why here and not the hospital?"
"The hospital has more important matters to deal with than babysitting me and I would rather be here."
"They don't have much money wouldn't you…?"
"Riches can't buy friends… I'd rather not be a wizard than not be with a wonderful family like this."
"Do you remember a lot of the Museum?"
"No"
"Rumor has it you used a Dark Arts talisman?"
"Yes I did"
"Don't you think it sets a bad example for your peers and younger students?"
"Probably I didn't say it was right but something had to be done and I paid the price of my actions… Thankfully I had wonderful friends that helped me through it"
"Do you think the ministry is going to press any charges on you?"
"I don't know it's up to them I'm sure I'll hear from them soon."
"What is your actual condition?"
"You'll have to ask a doctor because I'm not one."
"Will you be going to Hogwarts?"
"I haven't been told otherwise."
The reporters were scribbling away on their parchments. The ones in the front kept eyeing Dobby nervously waiting for him to strike.
Harry gave a sigh, "Right then I answered all your questions if have more please owl me. Now, not to be rude but will you please leave so the Weasley's can some peace for a while?"
Without a single bit of resistance, the reports trotted off. Harry turned around to go back into the house with Dobby backing in cautiously. Harry looked at Ron standing at the open doorway with an unpleased looking Hermione standing there as well. No one said a word until Ron had shut the door.
"What did you do that for," demanded Ron?
Harry looked surprised at Ron's question but answered anyways, "Exactly as I said, so we'd get some peace… I looked out the window and saw them all camped out there… So I got dressed and headed down. Dobby would only let me go if I agreed to let come with me... So I said I'd answer all their questions if they would leave afterwards. They agreed so…"
Whatever Harry was going to say he didn't finish as his legs gave out as his mind suddenly became dull. Harry nearly fell except Ron grabbed him in time. Hermione let off a near scream. Ron easily carried Harry to a chair and sat him down. Harry shook his head and became alert again.
"Guess I'm not as recovered as I thought," chuckled Harry," Lets get some breakfast."
Hermione had other plans, "Like hell you are! You're staying in that chair if I have to make you part of it. "
-She must really have feelings for him if she breaking rules to use magic here? - Thought Ron.
He watched Harry having a fit as Hermione petrified his legs with her wand and levitated him into the kitchen where he was greeted with laughter.
"This should be a very interesting year with those two," Ron said quietly to himself, "I may very well owe a sickle to Ginny if she's right... Girls, they're too weird."
Ron headed for the kitchen to see Harry pleading with others to reverse Hermione's spells and Hermione sitting proudly munching toast ignoring Harry.
He reminded himself that there were still things Harry needed to know about the Talismans and… Malleck.
-Well for now it's a perfect time, - thought Ron sitting and reaching for toast, - for… Recovery. -
Next Chapter:
Showdown at Diagon Alley