Moving Day
Chapter 17
Moving Day
"Harry!" Lupin shouted entering the drawing room. "Take a look at these." He held several pictures of houses for sale. The wizarding photographs gave a panoramic view of the homes and of each room.
Harry had been bed-ridden for over a month and was going stir-crazy. He took the pictures he was offered and flipped through them. He sorted them in stacks of no and maybe. Hermione followed Lupin in with another stack. "This has been great fun" she said. "I never knew choosing someone else's home would be so difficult."
She handed her stack to Harry for sorting. Lupin picked up the discarded pictures and tossed them into the rubbish bin.
"What did you think of this one?" Harry asked holding up a picture of a large two-story house.
"That one is very nice, Harry. It has a large fenced yard. It's only the two levels so levitating you won't be a problem, then when you are up and about you'll still have plenty of room to move around." Hermione explained. She nodded to Lupin to show the pictures he was hiding behind his back. "However this one…" Lupin handed the photographs to Harry. "…is perfect for you. I adore it. It is near Hogsmeade. It has a field included that is big enough for a quidditch pitch. It has a balcony for your morning tea. It's just perfect. I would buy it if you didn't and I wanted my own place."
Harry looked at the pictures closely, peered up at his two friends, grinned and said, "Buy it."
"Harry, are you sure you don't want to see it first?" asked a shocked Lupin.
"No, I trust your judgment. Buy it." he replied. "You wouldn't have shown it to me if I couldn't afford it. You know my financial situation better than I do."
Harry's vision went dark except for the very bushy hair that was threatening to smother him. He returned Hermione's hug. She straightened up and went on in a rush, "You won't be sorry, Harry. It is the perfect house. I thought we'd never find one as nice as this, but we did. Oh, Harry, you are going to so pleased when you see it."
"Do you think she likes it, Remus?" Harry asked. Lupin smiled his agreement. Harry sat up gingerly and looked carefully at the pictures. His mind's eye saw the house with his belongings inside. He pictured himself flying across the field and walking hand in hand with Hermione through Hogsmeade. He quickly rejected that vision and lay back down. It wouldn't do to get his hopes up.
"Harry, I need to do your check up. Is now a good time?" Hermione asked.
"I'll check my schedule. Is now a good time, Remus?" he joked.
"Yes, kind sir, you're schedule is perfectly clear" Lupin joked. "I'll leave you to it, then."
Hermione moved her wand slowly along Harry's body. The tip of her wand flashed different colors as she passed it over various areas. "Your ribs have healed nicely" she commented. "Your trachea looks better, as well." She looked into his ears and down his throat before continuing with her wand. Harry noticed he wasn't seeing as much red as he had in the past and wondered if that meant he was healing in those sites. He remained silent and let her get on with her task.
"You're looking really good, Harry. We can begin some basic exercises next week to get you back on your feet. We don't want to rush it, but in a fortnight, we should have you standing briefly."
Harry smiled his gratitude. "I really appreciate all you've done for me, Hermione. Thank you." She was examining his eyes at the time, so he looked into hers and gave her a brief kiss. She dropped her wand and sank into his embrace. He held her close as the kiss deepened.
"Harry, I…oh!" said Lupin as he stepped into the drawing room. He strode right back out. The couple never heard the interruption. Hermione sighed as she pulled away with reluctance.
"Where did that come from?" she asked.
"Hermione, I can't tell you how much it's meant to me having you here these last few weeks. You've been the rock I've clung to when everything was coming at me like hurricane winds. It felt like everything was going to be okay because you were here taking care of me. You, Remus and everyone have been so amazing. I don't know how I'll ever repay you…"
"Don't think about that. After all you've done for us; the last thing we'd want is for you to feel indebted. Our main concerns are to get you better, get you set up in your new house, and get you back on your feet. The rest of the stuff doesn't matter, not to me, not to Remus, Ron or anyone. Well, with the possible exception of Ginny. I cannot believe her!"
"Is there still a crowd of well-wishers outside?" Harry asked.
"More now than ever before" Hermione responded.
Harry sighed.
Lupin came back into the room with his hand over his eyes. "Am I interrupting?" he asked.
"No, not at all, Remus" replied Hermione. "Come in, please."
"So, how is our patient?" he questioned.
"Our patient is tired of being talked about as if he weren't here" grumbled Harry.
"He is doing well, Remus. He should be standing on his own in a couple of weeks. Not for long, but it will be an improvement."
"Well, when I wasn't needed in here" Lupin said with a wink. "I spoke to Minerva. She has an abundance of house elves looking for work. There are only two that are free house elves. The others are terrified by the thought. You may remember these two though, a Winky and a Dobby?"
"Merlin!" swore Harry. "Not those two! They are mental!"
"Harry!" admonished Hermione. "Winky is very loyal and Dobby is…Dobby is…I'm sure he'll be fine. He loves you, Harry."
"Fine. Fine!" Harry gave in. "Please ask Winky and Dobby if they'd please come to work for me."
"I was just teasing you, Harry. Hermione would relish the opportunity of freeing more house elves. Minerva is going to speak with them and see who wants to help. She won't mention your name. If Winky or Dobby volunteer, shall I discourage them?"
"No" Harry replied. "Whoever wants to is fine with me, but can't you just see Dobby, if he knew I was laid up?" Harry continued with a chuckle.
"Well, I'd better start packing" stated Lupin. "We should be able to move in within the next couple of weeks."
"Thank you, Remus" Harry said. "Thank you for everything."
Remus raised his hand in acknowledgement and headed to the third floor.
"Hermione…" Harry began. She looked at him unable to read his mood. "Come here" he continued while holding out his arms. She kneeled by his head and relaxed into his arms.
"Just hold me…please?' he finished with uncertainty. She nodded and laid her head on his chest.
"Anytime, Harry, anytime." she replied.
Harry kissed her gently on the temple and said, "I could get used to this."
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"Finally!" Harry thought to himself. Today was the day he could get up off the couch. He wasn't allowed to walk, but he could stand, unaided, for a few seconds. He'd been forbidden to hardly even sit up for the past six weeks and he was going mad. He'd been levitated all over his flat by Lupin. Harry was grateful for his help, yet eager to fend for himself.
Hermione completed her check of Harry's injuries and smiled at his anticipation. "Don't overdo" she cautioned him. "I don't want any setbacks."
"I won't" he replied. "I promise to catch a kip after this, pass or fail."
"And don't worry if you can't bear your weight. We are only testing today. It's alright if you can't do it. It means nothing other than you need more healing time, understand?"
Harry nodded eagerly. He'd been looking forward to this progression for weeks. He gently placed his feet on the floor and grabbed the arm of the sofa for support. He grimaced in pain as his legs took on more pressure.
"Harry! Maybe we should wait a bit longer…" Hermione frantically tried to stop him.
Harry was having none of it. He rose gingerly to a standing position. With a loud crack, he fell to the floor. His legs bent awkwardly the wrong direction. He cried out in agony.
"Lupin! Help me!" Hermione shouted. Remus Lupin came bounding down the stairs and took in the scene in front of him. Harry was howling in pain on the floor. Lupin levitated Harry back onto the couch. Hermione quickly forced a Calming Draught into Harry's mouth before he could stop her. His eyes instantly went glazed as he relaxed. She gingerly straightened his legs and gave him several more potions to relieve his aches.
"I don't know why it didn't work" she cried, tears rolling down her face. "We need to get him to St Mungo's. No, wait! Let him rest. I'll go to St Mungo's. I need to do some more research. He is going to be so devastated. Can you handle him if the draught wears off?"
"We'll be fine. Just go." Lupin responded.
Harry became aware of his surroundings again a short time later. "Where's Hermione?" he asked almost silently.
"She went to St Mungos. She'll be back soon." Lupin responded. "Are you hungry?"
Harry shook his head. Lupin could see Harry retreating into himself and strived to keep him engaged. "Can I get you anything?" Harry shook his head again.
Lupin noticed blood on the lower portion of Harry's nightshirt and went to get a clean one. He brought a bowl of water. He decided that there was nothing better to get Harry riled than to give him a bath. Frustration was better than the emotionless shell Harry had become. For once, Harry meekly accepted his friend bathing him without protest. Hedwig noticing Harry's distress landed on Harry's shoulder and cooed softly nipping his ear. Harry gave no reaction to his pet's affection. He gave no reaction to anything at all.
Hermione popped back into Harry's kitchen with an armload of books and potions. "How is he?" she asked breathlessly.
"Not good," Remus answered. "The lights are on but there's no one home."
"That's what I was afraid of. I've got Ron coming over, plus his mum. They've gotten him out of it before. Maybe it will help again."
"What did you find out?" Lupin asked.
"Apparently" she relayed, "there wasn't enough strong bone in his legs for the healing to help. This latest attack only sped up the inevitable. He would have faced this years from now, when he was older. Our only option is to remove the bones and grow them back. "
"Skele-Gro?" asked Lupin.
"Precisely," said Hermione. "The tissues are so scarred even that may not be successful. We can grow the bone back, that isn't the issue. The challenging part is two-fold. One, will the new bone be strong enough; and two, will his battered body accept it. I would hate to put him through that only to have it fail. There's just no alternative."
"Why can't we wait until after the move?" asked Lupin. "He's bound to feel better in the new house. He hasn't even seen it. I can imagine he's rather tired of looking at these four walls."
"Excellent idea" grinned Hermione, her face showing optimism for the first time since her return. "We'll go ahead with the move as planned. Harry can help. Healer Strankford agrees with me that Harry can start using simple magic again, as long as he takes it slow. Er…what's up with Hedwig? She's acting strangely."
"She's protecting him, she thinks." Lupin responded drawing an indignant hoot from the snowy owl as she continued her march back and forth on the back of the couch. "She's been on 'guard duty' since you left."
"Hedwig" Hermione said as she approached the bird. "Would you like to see your new home? Hedwig turned her back on Hermione. "I won't make you leave him just now. We'll be moving tomorrow." The bird peered back at Hermione hopefully. "We think Harry will get better quicker in his large new house. Don't you think so?" The snowy owl chirped her approval. Hermione rewarded her with a pat on the head.
Ron entered the room trailed by his mum. "Where is he?" he asked.
Hermione pointed at the sofa. Harry hadn't moved, as if he were sleeping though his eyes were open. Hermione exchanged a look with Remus as they stepped back and let Ron have a go at Harry.
"Harry…" Ron stated softly. "I know this is a bit disappointing…" Harry's face formed a severe scowl. "…bit it isn't that bad. So, you fell on your face again. Big deal. So your legs are a bit wonky, not the end of the world there." Remus and Hermione stood with Mrs. Weasley and watched with interest as Harry's eyes grew fiery with rage. They exchanged a look of awe as Ron continued. "You've got to snap out of it, mate. You should be happy, really. Who else gets to lay around for weeks on end, getting fussed over and served like some sort of royalty…?"
"I will have you know," Harry ranted furiously, "this isn't some lark for me. You don't know how I feel. This…this…this 'lark' has cost me my job, my independence. You think I enjoy being tended like a baby? Merlin, I would give everything I own to just put on my trainers and stroll out the door, leave everything behind and just walk…"
Ron looked at the adults watching from the fireplace. "I believe my work here is done."
Harry realized he'd been played and gave a half-hearted chuckle. "Thanks mate," he said. "I think I needed a good row to get me going again."
"All that's left is to thrash you in a game of chess. Fancy a game?" Ron replied.
As Ron engaged Harry in the game, Lupin and Hermione filled in Mrs. Weasley of their plans. Lupin left to finish the security wards on the new house.
"Let me try to talk to him," Mrs. Weasley offered. "I've brought a nice blueberry crumble," she added as if it would solve all of life's problems.
"Harry, dear," she began. "Tell me about this new home of yours."
Harry started in on everything he knew of the house. He pulled the pictures from under his pillow ands shared them with his friends. He ate two servings of blueberry crumble before Mrs. Weasley introduced the topic of his health. Harry closed off immediately and changed the subject. She tried several times to steer the conversation back to him to no avail.
At last, she conceded and went to the kitchen to start dinner. "Sorry about that," Ron apologized. "Since I moved out, she's been barmy for someone to look after."
Remus returned in time for dinner and the group formed a circle of chairs around Harry to eat. Ron and Mrs. Weasley took their leave, promising to return the next day to help with the move.
Hermione tried with Lupin's help to get Harry engaged in conversation regarding his recovery. Harry would have none of it. He basically retreated into himself whenever they attempted. Nothing could regain his attention.
Finally, Hermione resorted to extreme measures. She kneeled beside the sofa by Harry's head and tried again to talk to him, while Lupin looked on.
"Excuse me a moment, please" she said with a sigh and retreated to the guest room she'd been using. She returned a few minutes later. "I'll get him to talk one way or another. Desperate times call for desperate measures" she muttered as if she was trying to convince herself. Lupin stayed in the background puzzled at her statement.
"Harry look at me," she said. "I want to talk to you…" There was no response. She kneeled again, grabbed the ring on her zipper and gave a hard tug. Harry's eyes widened at the exposed breasts before his face. Remus gasped and covered his face with both hands, stifling the urge to laugh. Hermione zipped her top again, looked Harry in the eye and said firmly, "Talk to me if you want to see more." Harry lifted his eyes to her face with an expression of awe.
"Er…er…what did you want to talk about? he asked timidly.
Lupin could not restrain himself anymore. "I'll be just upstairs, if you need anything," he said, laughing as he raced from the room.
"Honestly, Harry" she complained, "if I knew showing you my muffins would get your undivided attention like this, I'd have done it ages ago."
"Such exceptional muffins they are…" Harry responded amazed.
Hermione explained what procedures he had to look forward to and why they were necessary. He was told of the inherent risks and the pain involved, which he was well aware of having had experience with Skele-Gro in his youth.
"In the meantime" she continued, "let's just worry about getting you moved into that lovely house."
The next morning, Harry awoke to a pair of green eyes the size of tennis balls right in front of his face. He startled back into the cushions.
"Harry Potter, sir" said the house elf. "Dobby is most pleased to be serving you. Dobby has seen Harry Potter's new house, sir, and Dobby is happy to help Harry Potter get moved."
"Thanks, Dobby" Harry said, still panting from his awakening. "What's left to move?"
"Just Harry Potter, sir. Everything is in order, sir." replied Dobby.
Harry looked around in astonishment. Dobby was correct. Nothing remained, as far as Harry could see, except for the sofa he'd been sleeping on.
"Ah, Harry" greeted Lupin. "Now that you are awake, we can get you ready to go. Would you like me to assist you or would it be more comfortable to have Dobby help?"
Harry gave Lupin a look that made it clear that Lupin was mad if he thought Dobby was coming anywhere near him with a razor. Lupin chuckled and levitated Harry into the loo for their morning routine.
Harry felt good to be wearing actual clothing again, even if he was stuck in a wheelchair under an disillusionment charm. He had on his trainers! He was tired of nightshirts. He would burn them all when he got better…if he got better. He peppered Lupin with questions about the new house and if he had checked this cubby hole or that hiding place. It felt odd to be moving into a house sight unseen, without helping with the move, but there was nothing to be done for that.
"So…" Lupin began. "Shall we stop for breakfast? I can pop in the tea shop and bring you a muffin or two. Hermione said you were partial to them."
Harry reddened as they waited for the cab.