Harry Potter and the Galator Chapter 30
Disclosure
Harry woke up and found Hermione slumped down on an armchair next to his bed sleeping. It didn't take him long to figure out he was in the hospital wing. He'd been in it so many times, it had become like his second room at Hogwarts. He smiled at the sight of his girlfriend and imagined what kind of ruckus she'd made for Madame Pomfrey to make her stay near him.
He felt a little weak, but didn't feel anything wrong with his body. He closed his eyes trying to remember what happened in the forbidden forest. He remembered Hermione's body just lying on the cold ground of the forbidden forest and feeling helpless because he was unable to help her out. He remembered the confrontation with Voldemort or what seemed like Voldemort. Then he'd remembered the two Sirius, one was Wormtail and that he'd actually stepped in front of him to save him from the Crustatcius Curse.
He wondered now if he got away when his world turned black, and he wondered why he blacked out. The last thing he remembered was trying to heal Hermione. He wondered if he'd been able to heal her or if the others just got to them on time.
Hermione stirred from the armchair and noticed Harry staring up at the ceiling with his brows furrowed. She got up slowly and sat next to him. She looked at him when he turned to face her. "How are you feeling, love?"
"A little weak, but I don't feel any pain any where. But I was sure there was something stuck on my thigh before I passed out. Other than that, I am happy to see you alive and looking well."
"Well, all thanks to you. I could have bled to death out there."
"What do you mean?"
"Don't you remember healing me?"
"I remember trying, but then I blacked out so I don't remember if I succeeded or not."
"I'm here aren't I?" He smiled. She kissed him lightly on the lips, just a brush. "And I owe everything to you. I wasn't much help during the little battle, I'm sorry."
"Don't. If it weren't for me and what I thought was a foolproof plan, you wouldn't have gotten hurt in the first place. I should be the one telling you how sorry I am. I am truly sorry, Hermione. I let my big ego get in the way and put you in harms way."
"Oh, stop it Harry. I knew what I was getting into. We all did. I wanted to help you in any way I can. I want to fight beside you no matter what. I don't ever want to lose you, but I don't want you to have to fight by yourself."
He lifted his hand to her face. "I don't deserve anyone like you."
"We deserve each other, Harry. I love you and don't you dare try to push me away just to protect me from anything. I'm a big girl and I am getting into everything with my eyes wide open. And the only thing that I want to get into right now is your arms."
He pulled her to him then. He really didn't deserve her, but he knew that she was stubborn and that he loved her so. He wouldn't decide anything for her. If she wanted out of their relationship, she had to choose it on her own, otherwise she was stuck with him because there was no way he was ever letting her go.
"So, are you going to tell me what happened?"
"I'll wait until Professor Dumbledore arrives."
"Ah, Miss Granger, no need to wait. I am here." Dumbledore appeared as if on cue.
"Hello, Professor." They both said at the same time.
"Hello to the both of you. Tell me Harry, how are you feeling?"
"A little weak, sir, but getting stronger every second. I'd like to know what happened after I blacked out though."
"Well, Miss Granger, why don't you do the honors?"
"Okay then. Well, you blacked out and I was suddenly awakened. You fell right on top of me, but I figured you must have healed me and that my injuries were so back that it caused you to black out. Anyway, I looked around and saw no one there and you were a little too heavy for me to lift. I did see Wormtail near us and I was looking for my wand, when the others appeared. Ron and Malfoy levitated you off of me and I had Ginny put Wormtail in a full body bind before he escaped. Besides, if he was still there then it meant that Voldemort didn't really care what happened to him. He didn't bother to take him when he somehow summoned the other death eaters from what I gathered from the others. They said the death eaters just started disappearing in front of them."
Harry nodded. He remembered how Bellatrix disappeared right before he could hex her one more time.
"So, Ginny and Neville levitated Wormtail and we all walked slowly back to the castle. We saw Professor Dumbledore halfway to the castle."
"Yes, I am sorry I was a bit late to come to the rescue."
"It's all right, sir. You didn't know and we kept it from you. Sorry."
"No matter Harry. You know I have my ways of finding things out. You must have had a very good way of blocking things out this time. I didn't have any idea until I felt a rush of panic coming from the forest and I didn't know whom it was coming from. Continue Miss Granger."
"Well, Professor Dumbledore helped us get you into the hospital wing. The others were treated for the scratches and scrapes. Madame Pomfrey looked me over and couldn't find any trace of injury on me. She told me I was the lucky one of the lot. I didn't tell her you healed me. It didn't matter anyway, because as soon as she started trying to heal you after the others left, you did something amazing Harry."
"What?"
"Well, Madame Pomfrey was scared at first, but Professor Dumbledore calmed her down and explained to her that you have the power of healing and that no one else knew or is allowed to know about it. She locked the door and would not allow any visitors, except for me Ron, Lavender and Ginny."
"But, what did I do to scare her? I was a bit dead to the world wasn't I?" Dumbledore smiled and his blue eyes twinkled from the thought of seeing a frightened Poppy to tend to. Luckily Professor McGonagall wasn't there as well or he probably would have had two hysterical women running around the hospital wing.
"Well, Harry. As soon as you were laid down on the bed, your injuries started to heal by themselves. Madam Pomfrey was about to put something on your leg after the stick was removed, but the wound started to close by itself. Your scratches as well." Harry stared at her wide-eyed.
"I don't understand."
"Well, my boy. You do have the power of healing. It's only natural that you're able to heal yourself as well. You just needed to be relaxed and rested in order for your healing powers to work on your own body. After you healed Hermione, I am sure you needed a little time to recuperate that is why you didn't instantly start healing until you were brought here."
"What does Madame Pomfrey think about all this?"
"She said she's glad that you can heal yourself that way she needn't fuss over you so much now, but you are still welcome to spend some time in the hospital wing if you need to."
Harry smiled at the idea, but a little baffled at what it would all mean in the future. It would mean any mortal wound that was inflicted on him would be healable by itself. That would cut the time he'd spend in the hospital wing. He had to smile at that thought.
"Professor, I did have a little question about Voldemort's presence."
"Ah, yes. He just disappeared when Wormtail passed out right?"
"Yes sir."
"Well, have either of you heard of Astral Projection?"
"Oh, it is when one's spirit leaves one's body and travel to wherever one wants?"
"You are correct Miss Granger."
"But what does that have to do with Voldemort?"
"Well, for astral visits while you are awake, one would need some kind of connection to another's mind at the target point. Since Wormtail became unconscious, Voldemort lost his connection because he was using Wormtail's mind. You see, in order for another being to use another's mind during an astral visit, the host, Wormtail in this case, must have agreed and well really have a weaker will so to speak. The other death eaters would not have allowed such probing in their minds and therefore would have fought off the connection. Wormtail, was a bit weak and did not fight it at all."
"Sir, but if it was only Voldemort in spirit, then how was it that he was able to perform magic."
"Well, magic is really controlled not by your physical being but your mind and spirit, therefore his powers were able to be transmitted as well. However, your power during your astral projections is only as strong as your mind and spirit. The down side is that it weakens your physical body when the spirit returns to its vessel."
"Wow." Hermione sighed. "I just never dreamed it was possible to astral travel while one was awake."
"Well, now we know eh?"
"Thanks Professor. I have one more question if you don't mind."
"Go ahead Harry. I have time for one more."
"What happened to Wormtail?"
"Ah, there is good news after all this tragedy. He has been delivered to the Ministry and he has issued a statement clearing Sirius of all charges. He had learned his lesson well and although he feels that Voldemort may still become too strong for us to contain or defeat, he was more frightened of the fact that he would have to serve him a minute longer than he needed to. He told the ministry he had tried to get out, but for some reason his plans were always thwarted. The opportunity presented itself by helping you Harry and what better way to pay you back for losing your parents. He did say that he knows that it will not necessarily bring them back or be enough, but he said it was a start. He's been sent to a prison that is an undisclosed location just in case Voldemort tries to find him and execute him."
Harry would have preferred that, but he knew in his heart killing Wormtail would not bring his parents back nor would it help him find where Sirius was if he was just stuck in some other dimension.
"Thank you professor."
"Oh and Harry, nice job without the use of your wand, Merlin would be very proud. That was a great demonstration of your training, even if Bellatrix believed it had something to do with the galator. We know better, right?" He gave Harry a knowing smile.
"Thank you, sir." He felt proud of himself as well. He didn't think he was going to pull it off, but he knew he couldn't let Hermione down. Nor could he let his mentor and ancestor down by not simply trying.
"I'll leave you two alone. The others will soon be here to greet you." With that Dumbledore left the hospital wing.
Madame Pomfrey went in soon after to check on Harry and told him the good news. She told him he was healed and could leave the hospital wing in the afternoon no thanks to her. She was still muttering to herself when Ron, Lavender, Ginny, Neville and Malfoy came in.
"Hey, mate," Ron cheerfully greeted him. "You gave us a little scare there." Harry gave him a smile.
"Sorry, but thanks to all of you. I couldn't have done it without you. You too Draco." For the first time in a long time Harry didn't call him Malfoy just for spite. He was actually beginning to understand what Draco Malfoy was all about. Anyone who could love is not all bad. He looked at Ginny and Draco, standing hand in hand and raised his eyebrow.
"We decided to go public," Ginny answered.
"Thank Merlin. I thought I'd have to lie to your parents throughout the holidays." Ginny, Ron and Draco turned crimson.
"Don't tell me. You haven't told your parents yet?" They all shook their heads and Harry rolled his eyes heavenward. "When are you planning to tell them?"
"Well, for sure I am not going to tell my parents." Draco answered him. "I don't want my father going after the Weasleys just because I fell in love with one of them." Ginny squeezed his hand and Ron cringed at the Draco's profession of love.
"What about the other students who might tell you parents?"
"I threatened them if they leaked a word to my father."
"How will you make sure they don't say a word without your knowledge?"
"Listen Harry, don't worry about it. I'll take care of it."
"Okay, let me know if you need help. What about your parents?" He asked Ginny and Ron.
"Well, we were hoping to tell my parents during the holidays when you come visit," Ron added. "We thought it would hold better if you were there as witness seeing as you can feel things. You can tell them how Draco actually feels for Ginny." That almost made sense in Harry's mind, Hermione's too.
"Well, then we'll have to wait to see if Dumbledore will allow me to go over there for the holidays. You know I still have to go back to the Dursleys for a time." They all nodded in acceptance.
"Well, it's good to see you're doing okay, Harry," Neville told him from behind Lavender. "Now I hope you can explain some things to us. Like how come the hexes were bouncing off of us and how Hermione managed to get better when you passed out."
"Okay, first of all. Anything you hear from me here stays in this room. I don't want too many people to know and I am trusting you with secrets that may be used against me in the long run. Of course, knowing such information would also put you in danger as well so before I say anything you must accept that part of it as well."
They all nodded, but Harry felt their apprehension upon hearing about the danger they would be in except from Hermione and surprisingly from Neville. He waited, looked at each of them in the eye as if to search in their souls to make sure he can trust them with information that may end up falling in the enemy's hand. He didn't start until he felt all of them at ease.
"Okay, first question was why you were unaffected by the hexes. That was because I put a shielding bubble on all of you." They gasped. They knew Harry was becoming powerful, but they hadn't realized just how powerful he'd become. "It is in the same sense as the shielding charm, but the only difference is it is controlled by me and does not wear away until I take it off. The person within the bubble can let out hexes, but hexes pointed at the person will not get through. Unfortunately, it is not strong enough for the unforgivable curse, that is why Hermione got hurt."
"Wow," was the consensus all around.
"Now as for the other question, how Hermione got better. Most of you already know about this, so this is for those who are not aware. I want to reiterate the danger and the sensitivity this information." They all nodded in acceptance. "I have the gift of healing. But depending on how bad the injury is, I am weakened after such process. Hermione's injuries were so extensive that it drained most of my strength and since I'd been hurt and tired as well, I passed out."
"Wow, Harry. That is a very rare gift. You have my word this stays between us," Neville told him.
"Draco, you have to learn to blank out your mind when you are near your father."
"I know. I have learned some basics. How do you think I kept Ginny a secret for long, but I am going to need to practice more to keep this from escaping my mind."
"I can either alter your memory if you don't want it, or I can perform a spell to protect you from being an open book in your sleep."
"I will practice first, but I will let you know if I will need your assistance."
"Okay, then. What do you say we get out of here?"
A/N: Thanks for your reviews. To answer a few questions: I do use spell checker, Word automatically spell checks, however if I inadvertently put the wrong word but it is spelled correctly I apologize. Let me know where the words are so that I may correct them. As to why I am posting this fast, it's because it's already done, otherwise it will probably once a week update. Thanks anyways for all the great comments and great ratings.