The More Things Change
Chapter 4
The More Things Change
After taking the steps at a run, Hermione reached the fourth floor of the hospital. She didn't have the patience for the elevator. Her hands trembled as she read the room numbers. Her eyes lit up as she finally found the correct room. She paused before entering to prepare herself for whatever condition Harry was in. Hearing voices from within, she hesitated further.
"Did you tell her yet, mate?" Ron asked as he took his turn at wizard chess.
"Yeah, I did. I sent her an owl," Harry replied.
"Did you tell her what to expect?"
"I told her I was fine and I'd be going home soon."
Opening the door confidently, Hermione entered.She hadn't prepared herself nearly as well as she thought she had. With bulging eyes, she took in the decidedly pumpkin colored skin of the patient. She fought the urge to giggle and kept her face calm.
"If you are going to laugh, go ahead…." Harry stated as he straightened the blankets that covered him.
"I won't laugh," she replied as a giggle escaped her lips. "What happened?"
"Apparently, I am allergic to graphorn horn powder. I had a reaction to it," he replied.
"Again with the understatements…" said Ron rolling his eyes. "Hermione, since Mr. I-can-handle-everything-myself is going to beat around the bush; I'll just save time and fill you in…"
"Ron…" Harry growled in warning.
"At work, whatever that is, Harry here, got nailed by a cursed…something. The curse caused his skin to become hypersensitive. He was given a Sleeping Draught, so he would be out cold while the field mediwizard applied a potion to counteract the curse. He was brought here when he stopped breathing…" Hermione's mouth dropped open in shock. She gaped at Harry, who seemed to be studying the pattern on his blanket, as Ron continued. "It was touch and go for awhile, but he's going to be fine. He'll just be orange for another week or so, that's all."
"Any residual symptoms from the curse?" she asked looking from Ron to Harry and back again.
"No, not really," replied Harry. "I just have to stay one more night 'for observation'."
"Not really, no or not really, just a bit?" she asked skeptically.
It was Harry's turn to roll his eyes. He heaved a heavy sigh as he answered. "It's fine, really, much better than it was. When I first got here, I couldn't even stand a blanket on me." Harry pulled at the collar of his pajamas, and then looked at Hermione apologetically.
Ron moved to pack away the game. "We'll finish playing later," he said as he discreetly busied himself with his back to the bed.
"Is it okay to touch you?" Hermione asked as she approached the bed.
"Its fine," he said reaching for her hand pulling her toward the hospital bed. While Ron peered out the conjured window, Hermione leaned down to greet the very colorful Harry with a kiss.
After a few seconds, Hermione pulled away quickly with a gasp. "Are you all right?" she asked with concern.
"Yeah," he responded. "That was just. Wow…just a simple kiss …and…Wow!"
Ron began to whistle to remind the couple that he was still present.
"Ron, if you don't mind," said Hermione. "I'd like to skive off lunch tomorrow. If Harry's going to be released, I'd like to see him home."
"No problem," Ron replied. "I was going to take off the morning from work to help him out anyway."
"Guys…" Harry grumbled. "I can make it by myself. I'm not an invalid…"
"Don't be stupid, mate," said Ron. "You aren't able to Apparate, Floo is out, so its muggle transport for you. I'll go along. It'll be fun."
Harry looked unconvinced, but didn't comment further. Hermione looked at him sympathetically. "Think about it, Ron. How is he going to explain to muggles why he's…well, he's…" She searched her brain for a term that wouldn't upset Harry.
"Orange…" Harry completed for her. "I feel like a freaking Oompa Loompa…" he grumbled.
"A what?" Ron asked, while Hermione stifled another giggle.
"Hey, I love that movie!" Hermione exclaimed. "I thought the Oompa Loompas were dead sexy! With that deep voice and that dance…." She sighed audibly.
Harry chuckled and began humming the tune from the movie, causing Hermione to lose control of the laughter she was trying in vain to suppress.
Ron shook his head at the pair. "You lot are mental, I swear!"
The next morning, Hermione arrived just as the nurse was giving Harry a final check to make sure he could tolerate the trip home. She waited outside the door until he was free.
"I just want to sleep in my own bed…I'll be fine…" Harry stated firmly.
"Mr. Polkiss, you mustn't Apparate or Floo. That means the underground with people shoving you this way and that. It will be very uncomfortable for you…"
"I'll be fine. It won't be that long of a ride, anyway, I can call a taxi….
"The Healer wants you to stay another day to see if the hypersensitivity has lessened. Please reconsider…."
"I'm going home as soon as my friends arrive. I'm going to get dressed now and I'm not shy, so…" Harry said as he boldly tucked his thumbs into the waistband of his pajama pants, raising his eyes to her in a silent dare.
"Here," she answered. "Let me help you…"
"NO!" shouted Harry. "I can do it for myself, just please leave!"
"His skin isn't the only thing touchy…." The nurse mumbled exiting the room. "Good luck," she said to Hermione. "He's a bit prickly this morning…"
"I'm sure we'll get him home just fine," Hermione laughed. "He's just very independent."
"On your head be it…" said the nurse.
Hermione knocked at the door. "Are you decent?" she asked.
"Come in," said Harry. Hermione entered as Harry was pulling a jumper over his head and down his orange torso. With an attempt to lighten his mood, she began to sing, "Oompa Loompa. Doo pa dee dee," while she bent her knees and then raised up again in dance.
"Very funny, Hermione…" he stated as he adjusted his jeans, trying to pull them away from his skin.
"You are uncomfortable," she noticed before rummaging through her bag. "I brought you some softer trousers to wear. They were my dad's so they'll be big on you…" She pulled the sweatpants from her bag and tossed them to Harry.
"Thanks, Hermione. That was really thoughtful…I'll go change and be right back." He stepped into the adjoining loo. Hermione heard Harry make many sounds of discomfort before he returned.
"Everything okay?" she asked him.
"Yeah, fine…" he answered vaguely. "Ron should be here any minute, and then we can decide how we are going to do this. My wards won't let a taxi within a mile of the house, so we'll have to walk."
"I brought Mum's car. I can drive us," she answered.
"Oh, brilliant!" he exclaimed. "I can have you stop at the gate and adjust the wards to recognize your car. I didn't want to do that with a public taxi…"
Hermione smiled at him. "Walking a mile with your condition isn't the best of ideas. Oh, and just wear your slippers. They'll be better than your trainers…"
"Yes, Mum…" Harry chided with a grin. Hermione raised an eyebrow at him. They were prevented from further banter by the arrival of Ron.
"You ready" asked Ron as he entered.
"Merlin, yes," Harry answered lifting his head to the ceiling and raising his closed eyes to let the idea of going home wash over him.
"Well, let's get to it, then…" said Hermione as she began packing the remainder of Harry's things.
Upon arriving home, Harry immediately placed his owl post in a drawer. Hermione and Ron shared an eye roll at his secrecy. Harry, sweat rolling down his face, sat on the couch. He removed the sopping sweater. His torso was a red-orange color, almost like a sunburned pumpkin. Hermione noticed as Harry removed his slippers and socks that his feet were blistered and bleeding.
"Why didn't you say something?" she asked angrily as she poured potion into a large bowl for him to soak his feet.
"What good would it have done?" he asked. "We had to get home. Dwelling on it before that would have made it worse…" He lowered his feet into the bowl, sucking air through his teeth as the medicine stung his sores.
"Is there anywhere else that's bad?" she asked.
"Nowhere that I wish to discuss…" Harry grumbled.
"It's his bum, I'd wager," said Ron evenly. "The closer we got the more he squirmed about."
"Thanks, Ron…" Harry snarled.
Hermione repressed the urge to reprimand him. She walked determinedly into the bathroom and began to fill the enormous tub with warm bubbly water. With a wave of her wand, she summoned the powder she'd gotten from the Healer and directed it into the water.
She found Harry alone when she returned to the other room. "Where's Ron?" she asked.
"He Apparated home," replied Harry. "He thought…well…who knows what he thought, but he was uncomfortable, so I told him it was fine to go home."
"I've got your bath ready. I charmed the tub deeper, so you can just float. You really should have told me it was that bad, Harry…Anyway, let's get you into the bath…"
"I've been bathing by myself for quite awhile. If you wanted to leave as well, I'll be fine," Harry stated uncomfortably.
"Nonsense! Honestly, Harry! I'm here to help you. I can rub the other potion on after you finish…." Harry gingerly strode over to look out the window and peered out. "What's wrong?" Hermione asked him.
Harry turned to look at her. "Nothing, really…just…" He turned back toward the window with a shrug.
Hermione walked over and lightly laid a hand on his shoulder. "Talk to me." Harry shrugged again. She continued, "Tell me what you are thinking..."
He took a deep breath and laid his head against the pane. "It's just…I…Dammit, Hermione, I'm orange…all over! I don't want that in your memory the next time we…if we…well, I just don't want you to see…"
Hermione laughed softly. "Honestly, Harry! You've seen me as a cat coughing up fur balls! Did you think of that when we made love?"
"We were seventeen! I wasn't thinking about anything other than what we were doing," Harry complained.
"It'll be the same again, I swear it. Let me help you…" Hermione gently tugged him away from the window. She knew he was unconvinced yet she could sense he was minutely more receptive. She steered him into the bath.
Once he entered the loo, she told him sensitively, "Get in and then call me, okay?"
"No, it's okay, just…" Harry made small circles with his finger indicating she should turn around. His eyes went wide as she faced the other direction and began disrobing. Harry slid his clothing off and dropped into the bath.
"Okay, you can look now," he called to her.
She slipped into the tub as well. "Tell me about what you felt when I kissed you yesterday," she said as she approached him as he floated in the water.
He grinned at her. "That was amazing," he crooned almost dreamily. "It was just a simple kiss, yet it felt like it was so much more than that…"
"Care to try another one?" she asked silkily as she slid up behind him. He turned and pulled her close, lowering his lips to hers softly. She pulled away after a few seconds not wanting to overload his senses. "I don't want to hurt you…"
"I'll worry about that. Besides, it hurts in a good way…" He said with a smirk before he swam away from her daring her to chase him.
Hermione watched carefully as he swam away from her. She caught a fleeting glimpse of Harry's feet, which looked much better after the soak as well as the bath potion. Attempting to tell herself it was only for his health that she was staring, she was rewarded with a glimpse of his bright orange, otherwise perfectly healthy, bum as he dove toward the bottom of the pool.
By the next week, Harry was looking and feeling much better. He was only slightly colored, making him look like he'd used a weak tanning charm. Since he'd been back to work for a few days, he found himself the subject of an inquiry. Sabotage was suspected in the mission in which he was injured. Sitting at his desk, pondering recent events, he found himself even more reluctant, if that were possible, to discuss his profession with Hermione, even in the broadest generalities.
"Why would they suspect me?" he asked himself quietly. "I'm bankrolling the entire operation. Surely if I wanted to toss galleons away, I'd find another avenue…" He gave a small humorless laugh at the thought. "Someone knows who we are and what we are doing."
He'd developed PED Assistance with many checks and balances to ensure those who worked for him stayed within the letter of the law as much as possible. No one knew of the company, with the exception of certain Aurors and the Ministry. They were called in when the Aurors were outmatched. They were the crème de la crème of Dark wizard fighters. With the initials of the people he'd lost in the last war, who meant the most to him, in the company name, he didn't dare do otherwise.
No one was more surprised than himself with his choices of employees. Neville Longbottom and Draco Malfoy were good choices in hindsight, yet he'd had a difficult time with the selections. Those two, together, were responsible for keeping them all, even Harry himself, on the level. If, at times, desperate measures were needed, they would approve or deny the action and then assist with the backlash, should there be any. If things went unfavorable, they investigated to see what went wrong.
As Harry considered the implications of the inquiry, the sun had set on the horizon. His musing was interrupted by the sound of his name. "Potter!" shouted Malfoy as if he'd been calling awhile.
"Sorry, Malfoy," Harry responded. "I was just thinking…"
"The investigation is done. Thought you'd want to know…." Malfoy stated evenly, clearly enjoying putting his superior on edge. He'd been hoping for the opportunity since taking the post.
"What did you find out?" Harry asked casually.
"You're in the clear, if that what's troubling you…"Malfoy sneered.
Harry sighed. He'd hoped Malfoy would get over his hostility toward him eventually. That clearly wasn't to be. "Was it an inside job?" Harry asked ignoring the jibe.
"We don't have enough information to know that for sure," Malfoy said as he leaned indifferently against the door jamb. "It could be two distinct coincidences. It's unlikely, yet possible."
"You are going to keep at it, aren't you?" Harry inquired.
"Of course," said Malfoy. "Just because we can't prove it yet, doesn't mean it doesn't exist."
"Thanks," muttered Harry.
"I'd appreciate the thanks in the form of a stipend in my next envelope, Potter…" suggested Malfoy.
"Find who's behind all of this and that is a distinct possibility, Malfoy…" countered Harry.
Harry's weekly outing with Ron was cut short as Harry had received an owl that there was an emergency at work. Apparating directly into his office, he flung open the door and bounded out at a run.
As he approached Neville's office, he called out, "What's happened? Where is she?"
"Harry, thank Merlin you're here! Get to the hospital, mate. They've got her there," Neville told him gently.
"Thanks, Neville!" Harry called as he apparated away.
He arrived at St Mungo's within seconds. "Ming? Where is she?" he asked the desk clerk panting.
"Ms. Inoh is on the fourth floor, Mr. Potter, in the Dilys Derwent Wing," stated the clerk.
Harry raced to the staircase, hurdling the railing he took as many as 4 steps at a time. The Healer was waiting for him at the top.
"I'm so sorry, Mr. Potter. We did the best we could…" the Healer consoled as they walked down the hallway.
"Can I see her? Where's Mee Tao?" Harry asked breathlessly.
"I wouldn't advise going in there. She's in pretty bad shape. Molly Weasley picked up your daughter. She's at the Burrow."
Harry nodded his understanding, however he ignored the advice. He stepped into the room and took in the sight of his marred but beautiful ex-wife. Carved into the flat plane of her stomach were the words:
WHO IS NEXT, POTTER?
Harry knelt by the bed. "I'm so sorry, Ming," he said. "I'll get whoever did this to you. I swear it…"
An ice cold rage filled him before he tamped it down. He signed the necessary paperwork and headed for the office. His eyes burning, he composed himself enough to find Neville.
"How is she?" Neville asked gently.
"She's gone," Harry answered with no hint of emotion.
"I'm so sorry, Harry…" Neville said with compassion. "Is there anything I can do?"
"Yes, as a matter of fact, there is…" said Harry. "Contact Colleen, Deirdre, Ellen and the rest. Get them out of the country. Talk to Griphook, tell him it's a Code Lily. He'll get you the money you need. If anyone refuses, get Ron and have him escort them to my house. Tell them to STAY THERE! Can you do that, Neville?"
"I'm on it, Boss!" Neville affirmed. "Where are you going? It's dangerous out there for you…"
"I've got to get to Mee Tao. She needs me now."
Harry arrived at the Burrow. Molly Weasley was watching for him. "Come in, Harry dear," she said as he approached.
"How is she?" he asked in a whisper.
"She's sleeping, the poor dear," clucked Mrs. Weasley. "She cried herself to sleep. I just pray she won't remember what happened…."
"I'll get her some help," Harry stated. "Hermione will know who to contact…Oh, God…Hermione!" Harry rushed to the fireplace, throwing in a handful of Floo powder. "Hogwarts Library!" he shouted as he stuck his head into the flames.
"Shhhh! Harry! What's wrong?" she asked seeing his face among the flames.
"There's been trouble. I can't talk now, but meet me at my house at…" Harry raised his arm to look at his watch, "…nine. I'll explain everything then. Floo straight there. Don't Apparate. The password is baby doll. That'll get you in."
"Is everything okay?" she asked gently.
"I can't talk now, just please, do as I ask…" Hermione nodded her assent before Harry pulled his head from the flames.
"It's starting again, isn't it, Harry?" said Mr. Weasley as he entered the room.
"Yeah, it is…" said the devastated man.
Harry arrived home with the sleeping toddler to find his house had been taken over by women and children. He quieted the children. Estelle took MeeTao from him and carried her up to her room. Harry smiled his thanks.
He sent the other children to the playroom so he could bring his ex-wives up to speed.
When Estelle returned, the group adjourned to the dining room for a conference. Meetings such as this weren't a regular occurrence, yet this wasn't the first. Harry normally told his exes of his impending marriages this way, so the other women could welcome the new bride to the group and offer assistance.
Harry paced by the head of the table, wringing his hands. "What's happening, darling," soothed Estelle.
Harry drew a deep breath. "Ming was murdered tonight." A gasp sounded from the ladies. "It was directed at me." He looked each woman in the eye. "I am so sorry for this. I was only trying to help. I truly thought all this…stuff was behind me."
"It isn't your fault," said Ellen.
Harry gave her a small sad smile. "I wish that were true, but as it stands, I need you all as far away from me as possible. It's the only way I can keep you safe…" The women expressed loud dissent. "I'll give you enough for your relocation and to start you out, but…"
"We won't leave you, Harry…" stated Deirdre. "We're all in this together…"
"I won't risk the kids!" Harry exclaimed. "It's too dangerous. Mee Tao witnessed her mother's murder. I won't put anyone else through that if I can help it…"
The group grew silent in consideration. Hermione rushed into the room and pulled Harry close to her. "Ron is on his way,"
Harry just buried his face in her bushy hair and breathed. She held onto him and allowed him to gather strength from her.
"Just give me a minute…" he whispered in her ear. "I'll be fine."
"Take all the time you need, Harry," answered Ellen giving the other ladies a knowing look. They gazed at each other as if saying, "So this is what Harry Potter looks like in love…"
A few seconds later, Harry raised and cleared his throat. A pitiful cry came from upstairs. "Want me to get her, Harry?" asked Deirdre.
"No, I'll go," he answered. "Just fill Hermione in on everything, if you would."
Harry bound up the stairs and into his youngest daughter's room. He picked her up gently. "Daddy's here, princess. I won't let anyone hurt you…"
The toddler, recognizing her father's voice, settled immediately and went back to sleep in his arms. He attempted to replace her in the cot, but she opened he eyes unhappily each time. He quickly found the sling Ming provided for the baby and put it on, supporting and cuddling her against his chest.
He walked carefully down the stairs and rejoined the group. Ron had arrived and was conferring with Hermione in the corner. Upon seeing Harry, they rushed over to him. Harry allowed Ron to remove the sling and don it himself.
Harry sat at the head of the table and buried his face in his arms. Hermione placed a strong drink by his elbow. Harry raised his head and gazed at her. "Relax your rules for the night. We'll take care of the kids…."
Harry nodded and downed the drink in one swallow. A Ministry owl flew into the room and dropped an official looking parchment before Harry. Harry winced before opening it. He knew what would be inside. He scanned the letter briefly.
"That was fast…" he said as he looked at his sleeping daughter safe in Ron's arms. "This is good…" he added in an unconvincing tone. "Ming's parents will be here shortly. They are taking Mee Tao back to China with them. She'll be safe there…."
Harry heard gasps of "No!" and "They can't take her!"
He looked at each of them determinedly. "They can and they will. Ming must have told them of our…er…arrangement. They've ordered a paternity charm…" Harry shook his head to clear his thoughts. "That's her squared away. What about the rest of you?"
"Harry, you can't push every one away! It didn't work when we were younger and it won't work now!" exclaimed Hermione.
"What options are left?" he asked her heatedly. "With Voldemort, the evil had a name and a face. I don't even know who did this! I went into this to help, not to risk people getting killed and worse…" Harry sighed and continued in a soft almost inaudible voice, "You didn't see her, Hermione. You didn't see what they did to her…"
Several hours of discussion proceeded with no decisions being made. Harry was firm in his belief that they should all be as remote from him as possible, while everyone else argued just as adamantly that they wouldn't.
"Harry," said Hermione at last. "We aren't getting anywhere with this. It's very late. Let's just sleep on it and talk more tomorrow…"
"That's a good idea, Harry," agreed Estelle. "We can each kip in the kids' rooms. Things may look different after a good night's sleep…"
Harry's ex-wives made their way upstairs, leaving the trio as the lone adults in the room. Ron mumbled something about putting Mee Tao to bed before he left and followed. Hermione took Harry by the hand and led him up the stairs.
"Which one is yours?" she asked having only been in Mee Tao's room. Harry inclined his head to the right. The double doors at the end of the hallway opened to a large suite. She started to comment on the opulence of the room, but glimpsing Harry's dazed expression, she refrained.
She quietly disrobed and slid into the cool sheets. Meeting her there, he pulled her close. With a wave of his hand, the lights dimmed. "I don't think I can go through this again," he sighed.
"We'll figure this out, my love. We always have before…" she crooned.
She stroked his hair as he lay across her bare chest. Soon his breathing evened out and she drifted off as well.