Chapter Twenty Six
The next morning Harry awoke to smell the sweet unmistakable scent of flowers. Even though his vision was blurred because he wasn't wearing his glasses, he could make out the different colours on the bedside cabinet. They came into focus as he placed the wire-rimmed spectacles on the bridge of his nose. The flowers had deep golden petals with a rich green stem. Flecks of silver graced the petals elegantly, making the flowers look as if they had been stylishly spray-painted.
As Harry took in their steely scent he heard a dry sob coming from the other side of his hospital bed. Turning he found Hagrid's shaggy black hair, his head bent low towards the marble floor. He looked up and when he saw Harry was awake his face broke into a smile, his eyes lighting up slightly. "'Ello Harry," he said through fresh tears. Harry frowned. "What's wrong?"
"Is my fault! Didn' listen to ye's. You an' Hermione kept goin' on about the Stone and I just ignored ye's. What use am I, eh?" he said roughly hitting his huge fist off his own thigh as if he was trying to cause harm to himself. "It is not your fault," said Harry firmly. "Hagrid…this is all Voldemort's fault," Hagrid winced at the name. "Hagrid…if he does come back, you can't fear his name. It won't do any good. It's not shameful to be afraid of him, almost everybody is. But you can't fear his name."
Hagrid sniffed. "Suppose yer right. But it's hard. Tryin to forget." He stared at the white sheet, as if looking into some distant memory. Then he shook it off. "It sure is nice seein' you awake. Everybody was all shook up when they saw you at firs'. You were as pale as that sheet," he said indicating the white sheet with his head. He then let out a throaty chuckle. "Hermione was near uncontrollable. Frantic, ye might say. Well I told ye to go out and find a good friend and ye sure found a righ' good one there."
Harry looked up slightly, a slight frown on his face. "Is there anything the matter, Harry?" Hagrid said, causing Harry to look away again. Harry seemed to be drifting into some secluded area of his memory, one which he could still see clearly but he had desperately tried to lock away. "Harry?" Hagrid prompted again.
There was a long hesitant silence until Harry started to speak.
"I thought she was dead, Hagrid," he whispered. "Hermione?" asked Hagrid. Harry nodded his head. "I couldn't see her. Or hear her. She was gone. And then there was this moment, this horrible moment where I didn't think I would ever hear her voice again. And I felt like I was lost. Everything that I had gained in the last year…was just stripped from me, like it never existed in the first place." Harry closed his eyes and ran a hand through his messy hair.
Hagrid just looked at him with a sympathetic smile. "She's alright, Harry. Fact, since she's bin here t'visit ye, she's bin looking better than she has in a while." Harry opened his eyes and leaned back into his pillows. "Well, I best be goin. See ya at the feast, maybe." He strode to the end of the ward and then with a wave of his hand walked through the double doors, leaving them to swing on their hinges.
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Harry was released from the Hospital Wing on the day of the feast. The pain in his body was nearly gone, but he felt still weak and had a slightly unbalanced walk. The feast was due to begin at one o'clock and at twelve Hermione, who noticed Harry wasn't in the Gryffindor common room, went in search of him. Most of the students were in their common rooms, spending the remaining day they had left, with their closest friends in Hogwarts. This meant that the corridors were empty; a soft summer silence had descended on the castle.
She found him leaning against an empty window sill staring out at the sunlit grounds. The forest trees seemed to be a brighter green and lay motionless under the clear dazzling blue sky. His usually bright green eyes seemed darker and she somehow knew that there was something troubling him. She approached him noiselessly and placed a hand on his shoulder, starting him. His face broke into a smile, one which seemed slightly rigid and confirmed his uneasiness over something. She knew he had been through a lot in the last few days but she still wished that he hadn't had to take on any tasks because she was terrified that it would change him, just when he had started to live.
"I wondered where you were. I didn't see you in the common room," she said, trying to vanquish the awkward silence. He looked in the direction in which she had come, as if thinking. Then he turned back to her, no longer pretending to smile. "Too many people," he said quickly, his eyes returning to the outside world. "I'm sorry for dragging you into this. For putting your life in danger. It was careless of me and I shouldn't have..." he was cut off by Hermione giving him a hard smack on the shoulder. "Don't you dare say that. I volunteered to help with the Stone. We both did. So whatever happened to me or whatever might have happened to me was not your fault," she shouted, tears now forming pools in her eyes. Harry seemed slightly taken aback. Hermione was desperately trying to wipe away her falling tears with the end of her sleeve.
Harry stepped forward cautiously and wiped away a lonely tear that was clinging to her cheek. "I'm sorry…I just," Harry started. She immediately broke in "Harry I know that you've gone through a lot but you can't blame yourself on everything that happens. You can't take responsibility for the whole world. And wherever you go, I'll go…willingly."
He smiled at her, a deep sadness in his eyes. She wrapped her arms around his waist and buried her face in his shoulder. He slowly moved into her hug and they remained in that position for quite a while.
"We better get going or we'll be late for the feast," Harry whispered. "Yeah," said Hermione pulling out of the embrace. Harry straightened his long black robes and together they made their way down to the Great Hall. In honour of Slytherin winning the House Cup, great banners decorated with silver and emerald green hung from the high ceiling. Most of the students were assembled in the hall. The students at the long Slytherin table were shouting congratulations at each other and roaring with innate happiness. The other students were just enjoying the company of their friends and relishing the plentiful feast, yet there were some throwing vicious looks at the cheering Slytherins, often with a dark mutter to their companions.
Harry and Hermione took their seats opposite each other at the end of the table. When Ron entered the hall he gave Harry a quick pat on the shoulder and gave Hermione a nod. It somehow felt different now after they had gone through something that involved death every step along the way. Ron took his seat in the middle of the table with Seamus, Dean and Neville. After a few minutes food appeared on the motionless golden plates and the clatter of cutlery sounded throughout the Hall. "So what are you doing for the holidays? You don't have to go back to the Dursleys, do you?" Hermione asked worriedly. Harry shrugged his shoulders, trying not to make himself worry. He hadn't really thought about it. But now he knew that there was a reason he was put with the Dursley's would he have to return to Privet Drive. He swallowed the meat he had been chewing on. "I don't know. Dumbledore said something about going back to Little Whinging but not to the Dursley's." Hermione frowned, "Maybe there are other wizards living there. Someone Dumbledore trusts," she suggested.
"No, I doubt it. I've never really felt magic in the area. Like here, I know that there is magic. I can feel it, breathe it. It's like… if a muggle could feel oxygen," Harry explained. Hermione smiled sweetly at him. "Are you always this philosophical?" she asked playfully. Harry laughed. "Only on special occasions."
After they had finished dessert, Dumbledore stood to his feet. Silence descended on the Hall as it always did when Dumbledore spoke.
"Another year gone! What a year it has been, hopefully your heads are all a little fuller than they were…you have the whole summer ahead to get them nice and empty before next year starts. As the House Cup points stand, Slytherin House are the winners of this year's celebrated tradition with four-hundred points. Ravenclaw come in a close second with three hundred and eighty points. Gryffindor fit in third with three hundred and twenty points and Hufflepuff place in fourth with three hundred points."
A storm of cheering and stamping broke out from the Slytherin table. Harry spotted Draco Malfoy banging his goblet on the table and stomping his feet. Harry had to admit that it irked his slightly but he had come to realise that the House Cup wasn't all that mattered. He was safe and so were his friends. The cheering subsided and Dumbledore continued. "However there a few changes that need to be made. For instance, recent events need to be taken into consideration. A few days ago, many lives were threatened and this school was put in grave danger. Three students faced that danger and opposed it for the benefit of good and I believe that that needs to be recognised. Many of you know some form of the story, and know who I am speaking of."
Many of students turned their heads towards Harry and Hermione. Then moved on to look at Ron. Hermione just returned their looks with a nervous smile and Ron nodded his head as if he was enjoying it. Harry's face remained impassive. "For that courage shown and the bravery revealed I award Gryffindor House one hundred points." The whole of Gryffindor House jumped to their feet, yelling themselves hoarse. A huge amount of energy seemed to have been released across the Great Hall as Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff joined in with the cheering. Ron was hugging his brothers and bouncing up and down along with Seamus, Dean and Neville. Girls were screaming and running up and down the aisles between the tables, grabbing their friends and screaming delightedly. A fifth year grabbed Hermione, squeezed her and then ran off hysterically leaving Hermione looking shocked.
Harry was the only one that had remained seated. He looked instinctively up at the staff table at Snape, who had a sour look on his face and forced a smile as he shook hands with Professor McGonagall. Snape moved his head and Harry locked eyes with him. Then Snape turned back to his glass which held a blood red wine and took a long mouthful of it, as if it was a pain reliever.
The Slytherin table all looked shocked and sullen. Their anger was shown on their faces, yet some of them clapped, but only a handful. They stopped as they received glares from other students.
Looking up Harry noticed that the great banners and hangings that were once green with silver serpent turned to a great roaring lion surrounded by scarlet. It was a Gryffindor affair now and they were certainly celebrating it. "Are you alright?" screamed Hermione over the cheering. Harry smiled at her and jumped over the wooden table. Pulling her close to him he whispered into her ear. "I'm fine. Thank you, for everything. You have changed my life." Hermione smiled, a redness appeared on her cheeks and tears sprung to her eyes. She wrapped her arms around his neck. "No. Thank you," she said through tears.
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The next morning Harry awoke early and lay in bed for a few minutes. The sun was already bright outside and Harry could hear the singing of birds from the forest. Thinking of all that had happened since his birthday Harry thought how lucky he was to be alive. And now he had something lurking in his future that could easily destroy it. Climbing out of bed, he quickly dressed and descended the winding staircase into the common room. He made his way out of the portrait hole and headed towards Professor Dumbledore's office. After a minute he realised he had no idea where that was. Then he met Snape.
As his long black cloak appeared around the corner, Harry stopped dead in his tracks. Snape also halted. His eyes boring into Harry's. Harry felt a slight apprehension to continue, not knowing how Snape would react. After a few moments of silence passed Snape placed his hands behind his back and strode forward. "What are you doing walking around the castle at this time of morning, Potter?" he said in a bored idle voice.
"I need to see Professor Dumbledore…Sir," Harry replied with mock politeness. Snape's black brow furrowed. "Why?" he asked lazily. Harry wondered how to react. He didn't want to find trouble, he wanted to find Dumbledore. "It's private. Between the Headmaster and myself," he said resolutely.
"And do you know where the Headmaster's office is, Potter?" Snape enquired his lip curling into an evil sneer. Harry face remained unreadable and he turned away from Snape, heading back towards Gryffindor Tower. "Three floors down, fourth left off the main corridor," came Snape voice from behind him. Harry spun around to see Snape's long cloak whip around the corner.
Once again Harry was left mystified about Snape. Following his instructions Harry ended up standing in a long corridor leading to an enormous stone gargoyle. Even though the gargoyle didn't move when he faced it, Harry knew that this was definitely the entrance to where Dumbledore lived. Then Harry heard a deep scraping noise and the gargoyle sprung to life and hopped aside as the wall behind him split in two. A spiral staircase was positioned behind the hidden opening and there, standing tall at the last stone step was Professor Dumbledore in long deep purple robes, speckled with stars that glittered in the morning light.
"Ah Harry," he said kindly. "Back up we go." Harry stepped onto the stair and the staircase immediately started grinding upwards. "Sorry Professor. I know it's early and I didn't mean to disturb. I just needed to speak to you," Harry apologized.
"There is no need to feel sorry, for it has not even reached seven o'clock," Dumbledore explained. "So I don't believe you are disturbing me. Actually…" he said walking now towards a great oak door and opening it into a large circular room. "…I like being disturbed at this hour of the morning as I have absolutely nothing else to do. What did you wish to speak about?" he finished, taking a seat behind a deep oak desk and motioning for Harry also to take a seat. "Er…I was wondering where I would be going during the summer, Professor. Its just I know I'm supposed to be going back to Privet Drive because of the protection it offers me, but…I…"Dumbledore looked at him intently over his gold spectacles.
"There is no need to worry Harry. You are right; the protections placed there are of the utmost importance. But for now, as Voldemort had not yet arisen, it is safer than it would be. Therefore I am placing you under the care of someone else that lives in Little Whinging."
"What! But no one else there is a wizard or a witch. No one knows what I am!" Harry said astounded.
Dumbledore chuckled. "There is one person in Little Whinging that knows you are a wizard. Are you aware of an Arabella Figg?" he asked with a knowing smile.
"Mrs Figg!" Harry whispered to himself. "But…she can't be a witch," he said disbelievingly.
"Quite right, Harry. She is a Squib. She has no real magical power yet she was born into a wizarding family." He paused for a few moments letting Harry comprehend it all before continuing. "I know you have seen Arabella's more stern side through the years. But I assure you she is a very kind woman and she has a spare room in which she will accommodate you. She also knew your parents."
Harry looked up at this. It struck him how he still didn't know that much about his parents. "So…I'm living with Mrs Figg from now on," he said, still in a tone of disbelief.
"Indeed," replied Dumbledore simply. Harry was sitting on the edge of his seat by this point in the conversation. He kept staring at the floor in deep thought. "What about the Dursley's? Do they know where I have been? I mean, it's inevitable that I'll see them," Harry pondered.
"They are aware that you have been studying magic and also that you will be staying with Mrs Figg," explained Dumbledore. "Is there anything else you wished to speak about, Harry?"
"You offered to help me in anyway you could against Lord Voldemort. I wondered whether you would agree to train me in more attacking and defensive magic, next year. In private, of course," Harry said nervously. Everything about the future and his destiny seemed to become more real in that minute. Dumbledore removed his spectacles from his bright blue eyes and wiped them. He sighed.
"I will of course agree to teach you, Harry. Even though I wish not to." Harry knew that Dumbledore didn't want to be teaching him while so young how to become a dueller or to fight in anyway. And he was deeply grateful for his agreeing to do so. "I am deeply obliged. Thank you, Sir."
Dumbledore gave him a sad smile before replacing his spectacles on his face. "Well, you best be getting ready. I am sure there are some things you wish to pack at the last minute."
Harry thanked him again and then left the beautiful office. There were a few shouts of goodbye from the hanging portraits that surrounded the office walls.
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By twelve o'clock, Harry was packed and ready at the train station with the other students. Hedwig was perched in her cage with a gloomy look on her face. Hermione, Harry noted, also looked miserable. When the scarlet train pulled into the station, brakes screeching, and blowing steam over the passengers, they boarded quietly, finding an empty compartment near the back of the train. Both Harry and Hermione laid out on the seats in silence, just enjoying each others company. They didn't really need words anymore. She had been delighted when he told her about his arrangements for the summer. She had also said that she would hopefully see him during their break.
After an hour Ron entered their compartment. They talked for awhile about everything that had happened in the past year and Ron told them of his plan for the summer. He was supposed to be going to Ireland with his family.
When they reached the station, a deep sadness hit Harry. One he had been dreading since boarding the train. He said goodbye to all the Weasleys and then walked out with Hermione to the main entrance. Her parents were there waiting, both looking positively gleeful at the thought of their daughter returning home. Also there was Mrs Figg looking also delighted at seeing Harry. To Harry she looked completely different, even though she wore the same clothes and was still wearing her pink slippers.
She walked forward to greet him. "I am sorry I never told you. I was forbidden to," was the first words that came out of her mouth. She did look slightly guilty and remorseful. Harry gave her a lopsided smile. "It's alright Mrs Figg. And thank you for taking me in. This is Hermione, by the way," he said when he noticed Mrs Figg smile at her. "Oh hello dear," she said shaking Hermione's hand. "Maybe you could come and stay during the summer."
Hermione's eyes lit up. "That would be wonderful. Thank you." Hermione parents strode forward and enveloped Hermione in a hug. "Hello Mr. Granger," Harry said shaking his hand. They stood there for a few minutes talking and then the Grangers went to get the car leaving Hermione with Mrs Figg and Harry.
"How are we getting back?" asked Harry. "We'll drive. Actually I best get the car now too," Mrs Figg said.
"I didn't know that you drove a car,' said Harry surprised.
"Well I can drive and I borrowed the car from my brother, who broke his hip and is unable to drive," she explained leaving in search of the car.
There was the beep of a car horn and they turned to see the Grangers sitting in blue Renault Laguna. "Well I guess this is it," said Hermione tearfully. Harry turned to look at her and felt a tug at his heart. She enveloped him in a tight hug and after a few seconds he heard her sob slightly. "Hey, it's alright," he said consolingly rubbing her back, "this isn't the end. If anything it's the beginning," he whispered.
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The End
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Sorry this took so long. I had this course where I learned to make a website, if you want to check it out then it's at http://www.computing.dcu.ie/~user15-cty/
Anyhow, this is the end. I don't know how long you'll have to wait before the next fic will be up.
Once again I would love to thank you all for reading and posting reviews which have been a great asset.
Take Care
Radagast
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