The End of an Era
Chapter 15
The End of an Era
Harry sat in his darkened hospital room, staring at the curtain. He thought back on what the Healer had said to him.
"Mr. Potter, I have to be honest with you. The curses your knees took were very powerful. Another Reducto curse to your knees and we won't be able to heal them. Your bone structure isn't meant to take blasting spells repeatedly. Your patella and femur are the worst; however the same applies to other major areas of your body. You need to think seriously about a change in vocation, Mr. Potter. I know your story…hell, with the Daily Prophet and Witch Weekly around, everyone knows your story. You have done more for our world than anyone else alive. Don't you think it is time to sit back and relax for a bit and let someone else handle the bad guys?"
"Who knows about this?" Harry asked nervously.
"Only your superior. That is all I'm am required to tell." Healer Strankford answered. "Who else knows will be up to who you tell personally."
"So, what am I up against this time?" Harry inquired with a great deal of hesitation.
"You'll be here at least another week. Then I'll release you on your word of complete bed rest. I don't mean 'get up only when necessary' bed rest. I mean 'someone there at all times, pee in a cup' bed rest. This will especially be important when you cut back on your potions. You'll be awake more and probably antsy. However I must caution you, until you are completely healed, overdoing it will cause you to lose the use of your legs entirely."
"So I've been dismissed from the corps…" sighed Harry.
"I didn't say that. You are on the disabled list until I release you. I expect that will be in about six months. After that, the choice is yours." explained the Healer. "Remember what we've talked about, Mr. Potter." The Healer went on softly, "Harry, I know this is difficult for you, but I think you'll make the right decisions. Just think, if there was another occupation that's always interested you, you have the perfect opportunity to try it.
Harry was so deep in thought, he never heard anyone come in.
"Harry?" Mrs. Weasley started. "Are you awake, dear?" He saw the Weasley parents at the door.
"Yes, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley. Come in, please." he responded.
"How are you feeling, son?" Mr. Weasley asked him gently.
Harry shrugged indifferently.
"Want to talk about it?" she offered. Harry shrugged again. "It does no good to keep things bottled up, dear. What did the Healer say?"
"He said…he said…" Harry wasn't able to continue.
"How about I ask easier questions, then? Did he say when you could leave?"
"Yeah" Harry replied. "I'll be released in about a week."
"Are you going to be okay?" Mr. Weasley asked.
Harry snorted indignantly and answered in a childish tone, "Yes, if I'm a good boy and follow all of the Healer's orders, then I should be able to lead a productive life. Productive, he said. I just feel useless."
"It can't be that bad, Harry dear." She scooped him into her arms. Harry felt his eyes prickle and burn. He relaxed into her maternal embrace and attempted to calm himself.
"You have no idea." he said almost too softly for her to hear.
"Then tell me all about it." she returned with false cheer in her voice. "Son…and I will call you 'son' because you are as good as my own son and NOTHING will ever change that, no matter what you say," she said in a rush before he could object. "When you have something on your mind and you tell someone, one of the reasons you feel better is that now two people are searching for the answers, rather than one."
Harry breathed deeply and relayed the Healers warnings. He could feel the woman's tears drop on his arm. He didn't want to look at Mr. Weasley. "What am I to do? I can't even use the loo by myself for weeks yet. I'm an Auror. It's all I've ever wanted to be. Just when I was almost able to prove to myself that I belong there, I get chucked out!"
Mr. Weasley looked taken by surprise. "You are not chucked out, Harry Potter! You gave that job everything you had. You are the best they've got. You've faced so much for so long that it's no wonder your body has retaliated. You have given your entire life to protect our world. Let us protect you for a bit. You've taught everyone who comes in contact with you what it means to stay alive in the face of danger. You…"
"Mr. Weasley…" Harry interrupted. "Speaking of teaching, Hermione asked me once to skive off field work and help train other Aurors. Do you think I could do that?"
"You'd be brilliant at it, dear." Mrs. Weasley replied proudly. She let him escape her grip and looked him straight in the eye. "You'd be brilliant." Mr. Weasley nodded his agreement.
Harry felt his hopelessness ease slightly and gave her a feeble smile. "Thanks for the talk. It helped."
"Anytime, Harry dear. That's what parents are for." she replied with a wink and left Harry to his thoughts.
The next afternoon, Harry was in a cross mood. He was scowling and cursing under his breath when Hermione and Ron came to visit.
"What's up, mate?" Ron asked.
Harry mumbled some more but the words "effing bed pans" were distinguishable.
Ron and Hermione shared a secret smile and changed the subject before Harry got embarrassed.
"We've got news." Hermione piped up. "We've permission to take you outside for some air! Tonks is bringing the chair and we can go up to the terrace straight away!"
Although Harry desperately wanted to see something beyond his bed, he wasn't too chuffed about being toted about in a wheelchair. He tried to hide his displeasure behind a grin. His friends saw right through him.
"Colin stopped by to see you, mate, but you were sleeping, as did Pavarti, Padma, Lavender and Neville. They'll all stop later."
"Alright, Harry?" Hermione asked.
"I'm fine, just tired." he lied. "I'll be getting out of here next week."
"A whole week yet?" asked Ron. "That's going to be expensive. What are they keeping you for?"
Harry ignored the last question. "Since I was hurt in the line of duty, the Ministry covers it." he explained. "It's not a problem."
"What aren't you saying, Harry? It seems like there is loads you aren't telling us. They won't let me even look at your records on your orders. That hasn't happened before."
"Just drop it, Hermione, please?" Harry begged. "I need to get my mind around some things first, and then I'll talk about it. I promise."
"Yeah, Hermione, don't pester the invalid," Ron joked. They both noticed Harry wince at the term.
Tonks arrived with the wheelchair and levitated Harry into it. She whistled as Harry's hospital gown gaped in the back, effectively flashing his visitors. Hermione put a blanket across his lap, her face red.
Ron started humming an old tune by Celestina Warbeck about a full moon and the group burst into giggles. Harry had no idea what was so funny and decided he didn't care.
It felt amazing to be outside. Harry felt the mild spring wind on his face and couldn't help but forget his troubles and enjoy his companions. They talked about nothing for over an hour before Harry was called back for his next examination.
After his ritual prodding session, Harry gave permission for Healer Granger to review his files once she was on duty that evening.
Hermione entered the hospital room late that evening with a thick file in her hand and tears rolling down her face. Harry saw her and bent his head unable to handle the pity he knew he'd find in her eyes.
"It'll be okay, Harry," she reassured him softly. "I'll help you deal with this. It's not the end of the world. I know it feels like it, but you are alive, Harry. You won. You played a major role in capturing most of the remaining Dark Wizards." She held his face tenderly between her hands and looked deep into his tear filled eyes. "You will be fine, Auror or not. You'll see."
Harry sniffed. "It's all I've ever wanted to do with my life and now it's over. I'm not even 25 and I have to retire or quit or whatever. What am I going to do, Hermione?" He was no longer fighting the tears.
Ron came into the room. His jovial expression faded as he took in the scene. "What's up? I leave for a couple of hours and dementors show up?"
Harry laughed feebly at Ron's joke. Hermione just rolled her eyes. "Did you want me to tell him?"
"Yeah, okay" replied Harry. "Can you bring me something to drink? Pumpkin juice would be good," he continued, letting his friends know that he didn't want to hear that particular conversation.
Harry wished he could ask Sirius about what to do. He could owl Lupin, he supposed. He quickly vetoed that idea. Remus Lupin had gone on an ambassadorship to regain rights for dark creatures. Harry couldn't and wouldn't interrupt him. He trusted Ron and Hermione's opinion, yet they could be somewhat biased in their views. He figured they'd seen him arrive home battered and bruised plenty in their lifetime.
Before long his friends returned to his bedside. "Listen, mate" Ron began. "We've got it all sorted out. When you get released, you'll need someone with to help you while you recover. I'm off until the middle of April. I can help you during the day. Luna won't care. She'll probably help some, too. I mean, you don't want to eat my cooking all day. Anyways, Hermione will be there when she's off work and when she works the night shift; Tonks can help out, too. We'll have you up and around in no time."
"I'll be fine," Harry said. "You guys don't need to go to all that trouble. I can get by on spells. I can summon anything I want. I'll be fine."
"Oh no you don't, Harry Potter! You will accept our help whether you think you need it or not. How will you cook from your bed? And besides, you are not to do any magic. Healer Strankford put that in your instructions." Hermione argued.
"I can just summon some fruit or something. I'll be fine." he charged back ignoring what Hermione had said.
"What about bathing?" smiled Hermione triumphantly.
"Er…" mumbled Harry. "No way. No effing way! I'll hire someone before I allow that!"
Hermione smiled at him mischievously. "You'd rather some stranger wash you than your best friend? Harry, I'm a Healer. It's not a big deal. Please let us help you."
Harry felt beaten. He knew he'd never win against her. She knew him too well. His shoulders slumped in defeat.
"Here's how it will work," Hermione explained. "I've taken a leave of absence for three weeks. That's how long you'll probably need the most medical attention. For four more weeks after that, while you're laid up, we'll take it in turns helping you. Then for five more weeks we'll stop in now and again to make sure you are alright. I've got schedules already made." Hermione passed around little colorful calendars.
Harry shared an eye roll with Ron. He knew he was in for the most humiliating experience of his life. Ron couldn't hide the humor he found at Harry's apprehension. Harry had missed half of what Hermione was saying, but that was nothing new.
"Ron, your mum wants to help as well. She can send a couple of portions of whatever she makes for dinner on the evenings when I have to go back to work. Ginny will want to help, too, so she can…"
"NO!" Harry interjected. "Absolutely not."
"What's the matter?" Ron asked. "Don't want to appear helpless in front of your ex-girlfriend?"
"It's not that. It's just…" Harry couldn't explain why. He was sure Ginny would insist that she bring along a couple of friends to cheer him up and before long he would be hosting a party from his bed. He didn't want anyone else seeing him like this.
Before long, everything had been arranged for Harry's release the following day. Ron had hired a muggle taxi to take Harry back to his flat. As Harry was signing his release papers, a familiar face appeared at the door.
"Harry!" exclaimed Remus Lupin. "I came as soon as I heard. Are you alright?"
"I'm fine," Harry fibbed. "I was just about to head home. How was your trip?"
"We can talk about my trip later. Let me see you home, and then we can talk." Lupin stated.
Harry was wheeled out to the cab and assisted into the backseat. Lupin rode along with him, while Hermione and Ron apparated.
"It feels good to be in regular clothes," Harry said. "I've had about enough of flashing my bum every time I move."
Lupin chuckled. "Do you own any nightshirts? You'll be needing several over the next weeks."
"I've still got some of Dudley's old t-shirts. They come to my knees after all."
"I'll still get you some and bring them by. Nothing gets one on the mend quicker than the feel of a new nightshirt." Lupin described.
While Harry was happy to be going home, he was anxious of the ramifications of his injuries.
Ron and Hermione met the cab with a wheelchair. Lupin and Ron pretended to lift Harry into it; however they mainly just directed him while levitating. Hermione paid the driver and followed the men into the building.
"The door is open. Ron and I will watch for muggles, while you get him upstairs." Hermione explained.
Harry breathed a sigh of relief when he was inside his flat. It was just like he left it nearly four weeks prior.
"Let's get you into bed," Hermione ordered. "Do you want the couch or up in the bedroom?"
"The couch is fine" Harry sighed.
"Harry…" Lupin started. "May I stay with you a bit? Just until the full moon, obviously. I want to help you."
"That would be lovely, Remus," Hermione beamed. "Harry has been a bit self-conscious at the thought me helping with certain things."
Harry went red in the face and nodded, his head bent low. His friends chuckled at his discomfort. They got Harry settled on the soft sofa as he closed his eyes in exhaustion. He barely heard Hermione going over his prognosis with Lupin and pulled the blanket over his head.