Author's note: This is the last chapter. I'd like to thank Jax for her wonderful work as beta, Terri for her inspiration and IzzieQ, my own personal cheerleader. I couldn't have done it without you. Thank you to all of you who have stuck with me on this. Thanks for reading and for the reviews. Your encouragement keeps this nervous writer posting.
Chapter 9
Hermione dragged herself doggedly into the kitchen. The sun had barely risen and it had been a long night. Between Harry's migraine and the subsequent side effects, she decided that euphoric behavior while hilarious in the mid-afternoon was decidedly less so at four in the morning. Plus with Andrew getting the sniffles, she knew she was in for a long day. She waved her wand at the coffee and teapots to get them going. She carried her cup to the table just as the post owl delivered her morning news. Having placed a Knut in its pouch, she took a sip of her much awaited coffee. She sprayed the mouthful across the room as her eyes widened at the headlines:
"Harry Potter sighted at St. Mungo's for treatment of madness
'No wonder he hasn't confirmed his appearance for the HP Day celebration...' says Minister of Magic. Exclusive Story, see page 4"
As she hastily flipped pages while muttering expletives, Kate walked in to join her. "What's got your wand in a knot this morning?" she asked. Hermione showed her the front page. "Merlin's Beard!" Kate cried as she stared at the written words.
"We can't let him see this…" Hermione said rapidly. "He'll react badly...I know he will…" She got up and started pacing while reading the story to herself. Every once in awhile, her mumblings were punctuated with savage swearing. "That bastard! He's got no right…and…and…and…that BASTARD!" She handed the paper to Kate.
Kate read the story as well. "It could be worse, I suppose. I mean. Ok, Harry was being examined and his eyes were red. He did sound a bit off, but all in all, the Minister could have noticed much more that could be damaging to Harry's reputation." Hermione snorted in derision. "I mean it, Hermione. Let's look at this optimistically. Scrimgeour could have noticed that Harry didn't recognize him. I mean, their arguments were almost legendary. He could have noticed that he can't remember from one minute to the next what he's supposed to be doing, or that he checks out of conversations regularly. That would be devastating. Everyone now thinks that Voldemort hit him with a lasting Confunding Curse that the Healers are curing…"
"Maybe you're right…" Hermione agreed. "I just hate to think what this will do to him…"
"What makes you think it will do anything to him?" Kate responded. "Has he ever cared what the press has said about him?"
"No, but…"
"Has he ever been that sensitive?"
"No, but…"
"Has he ever given a damn about what other people think of him?"
"No, but he's fragile right now…" Hermione retorted.
Kate chuckled. "His health might be a bit fragile; his memory, too, but he's also very proud, arrogant almost. I think he's going to care as much about this as he cares what kind of impression he made on the Minister. Don't baby him, Hermione. Let him get angry. Allow him the same feelings as we all have…He deserves it, don't you think?"
Hermione stared into her empty coffee cup. "I know you're right, of course…It's just so very difficult. I mean I prayed for him to come back to me. My prayers have been answered, but at a price. Yes, he's getting much better, but is it worth it… for him… for me?"
"What are you saying, Hermione?" Harry asked as he entered the kitchen. "Are you going to leave me?"
Kate shifted uncomfortably in her chair. As much as she didn't want to hear the conversation she knew was coming, as Harry's nurse, she had to stay.
"Of course I'm not!" Hermione huffed. "Please don't make asinine assumptions based on a conversation you walked into the middle of…"
"Ah," said Harry reaching for the coffeepot. "I see…"
"And you don't like coffee!" she shouted.
Harry slammed the pot down hard. "Alright, here's the deal…" He walked over to the table and sat down facing her. "Maybe I didn't hear the entire conversation, but what I did hear was that my…issues…are getting to be too much for you. I am getting better, but apparently much too slowly for the perfect Hermione Granger. I can't keep at this for very long, so to make it short, go back to your mother's. Think things over and let me know when or if you feel I'm 'worth it' to you…If I need to learn to live alone, then let me do so sooner rather than later…" Harry swept out of the room without a backward glance.
An astonished Hermione looked at Kate who was struggling to keep quiet. "Hermione," she began. "What do you want, really? Is it for Harry to be the way he was? Because I can tell you right here and now that it isn't going to happen…"
"You both misunderstood me. While I'd love for him to be all better, I'm realistic. That's where the concerns come in. Take a look down the road a few years and you'll see what I mean. Our plan was to get married and have two or three more babies. That won't happen now. He's got plenty of money, but that won't be enough for him. Like you said, he's prideful. He won't be able to hold a job and that will kill him. I can't watch that. He won't be happy and there's not a damn thing I can do about it…." Tears of frustration rolled down her cheeks.
"Have you talked about that with him?" Kate asked.
"No, I keep waiting for him to bring it up, but…." Her eyes lit up as if something had just dawned on her. "But he has memory problems and probably thinks we've discussed it…" She slapped a hand against her forehead. "Has he discussed it with you?"
"Yes, as a matter of fact, he has…" Kate responded. "I know you've seen his journal." Hermione nodded. "He's remembered quite a bit. He's taking his memories and writing them into lists and outlines, then filling in the blanks as he remembers them. He's writing a book, Hermione. He wants the public to know the truth about his godfather, his life, everything. Ask him about it. He's really a good writer."
Hermione beamed. "Thank you for telling me, Kate. In case I forgot to tell you, you've been a really good friend through all of this. I really appreciate it…"
"I've enjoyed it myself. And you are right, Harry was and is amazing…While we are on the subject and we don't need to talk about it now, but I've been preparing Harry for when I leave. He won't need me around the clock soon and I'm looking forward to getting back to my own house. That's probably why he reacted the way he did."
Just then Harry walked into the kitchen. Hermione jumped up and fetched him a cup of tea before he could go to the coffeepot. "Thanks, Hermione," he said accepting the cup.
Harry sat down and grabbed the newspaper. Kate and Hermione tensed as he scanned the front page. He looked up to find them both staring at him expectantly. "This is good, right? Better than the truth?"
Kate let out a breath that she did realize she was holding. "We think so…"
"Alright, then…It's done, isn't it?" he replied. He rinsed his cup and placed it in the sink.
Once he'd left the room, Kate turned to Hermione. "See what he did there?" she asked. "He felt anger and was looking for a reaction from us. He realizes that some of his emotions get confused, so he looks to see if anyone else is angry. He's still angry, although he's probably forgotten why by now; but since we weren't angry he left to deal with it on his own. That should make arguing with him interesting…One of us should go and talk to him. Shall I, or would you rather have a go at it?"
"I'll go…" said Hermione. "I suppose I need the practice…"
She found Harry in his room. "Can I have a word?"
"Okay, yeah…" he answered.
"I'm sorry about the newspaper. "It's alright if you're upset about it…"
"Oh, that…" he shrugged, "…what difference would it make?"
"The difference is that it would be an honest emotion. I, myself, had a right tantrum when I read it and it wasn't even about me."
"All right," he admitted, "I'm angry. I had forgotten why, but I knew I was. I appreciate you reminding me, so that now I can be angry and know why. Is that better?"
"You tell me," she suggested. "Would you rather be angry for a reason or just be angry? It makes no difference to me either way…Or…" she smiled slyly, "You can give me a proper 'Good morning'…"
He grinned as he approached her. Lowering his lips to hers, he heard a whimper from the bedroom across the way. He swore softly.
"We seriously need to think about a nanny…" she groaned.
Kate's last duty as Harry's full-time nurse was to accompany him to his appointment at St. Mungo's. Andrew was staying alone with his nanny, Lizbeth, who was a young witch who had recently left Hogwarts. She and Harry arrived at a hidden door in the back of the hospital. Security wizards were waiting in case of trouble; luckily there was none. Kate took the Disillusionment charm off of Harry and led him to an examining room.
After a thorough and exhausting assessment, the Healer smiled. "Harry," he began. "I'm really happy with your progress. I feel that the time is right to release your magic again."
Harry looked at him with a confused stare. "We bound your magic to aid the healing process of your brain. I feel I can safely say that you are ready to rejoin the magical world…"
"That's wonderful news, isn't it, Harry?" Kate beamed. "We can start working on spells again…won't that be wonderful?" Harry smiled blankly. He hoped Kate would explain it once they got home.
"How's the book coming along?" the Healer asked politely as a distraction. As he spoke he silently cast the charm freeing Harry's magic. Harry stared open-mouthed as his magical aura swirled around him.
Kate answered the Healer. "It's just about finished. He needs to fill in some more blanks first, but the main part of the story is finished. He's moved into some fiction, as well…"
"Good…good…" responded the Healer. "Kate, before you leave, make sure he still has good control. He'll be a bit wild for a bit until he gets used to it."
When Kate and Harry arrived back home, she let him rest for a bit before getting down to work. She explained again about magic and reminded him that she and Hermione use it all the time. Andrew was even starting to do a bit accidentally on occasion. He surprised himself by remembering the categories and several spells, but the first practical application was a disaster. She'd had him attempt to light a candle and he'd nearly torched his office.
Seeing the flames, Harry was reminded of the end of his sixth year and pointed his wand at the fire and called, "Aguamenti!" It was as if his wand had turned into a high pressure fire hose. Harry struggled to hang on to the wand.
"Finite!" shouted Kate. The room and its occupants were drenched. She gave her wand a complicated little wave and hot air poured out of it. She aimed it at herself, Harry and the rest of the room. Steam arose as fabric and paper dried. "Now, then…" Kate said in a voice full of false patience. "Let me handle the accidents; you concentrate on control. Let's try it again…Remember: Think small. Maintain your focus on control."
"I'm losing focus, Kate. I can't do this just now…" Harry complained.
Kate looked at her watch and was stunned to notice that Harry had maintained his concentration for nearly a half hour. She smiled warmly at him. "Sounds like a good time for a break then, wouldn't you say?"
"I wouldn't say no to a bite of lunch either…" Harry smiled.
"Shall we see how Lizbeth and Andrew are getting along?"
Kate and Harry arrived in the kitchen to find Andrew raising a fuss as he obstinately refused to eat. "Da!!" Andrew shrieked as he spotted Harry.
"Andrew likes whatever Harry's eating better than his own food," Kate explained. "It's easiest in the long run to just let Harry feed him…"
"Is that safe?" Lizbeth asked. "I mean…." The nanny blushed a bright red.
"It's a valid question," Harry answered. "The safety of my son lies in your hands and I appreciate your candor. It is perfectly safe for me to share my meal with Andrew. I am forgetful, not barmy. While I may attempt to feed him twice or something, I can be trusted with him. I can even watch him briefly if there's something you need to do…"
Lizbeth smiled gratefully at Harry. "I meant no disrespect…"
"I know that," he returned. "This all new to you and most of the time it's new to me, too, but if we work together, he'll be fine."
Harry sat down with the plate of sandwiches he'd made. He took a bite before offering it to Andrew, who ate the rest eagerly. Harry helped himself to another. "Crisps?" He offered the bag to the young boy, who took as large of a handful as he could manage.
"You really are amazing with him," said Lizbeth. "I'm sorry I doubted you…"
"Giving a boy junk food isn't exactly "Father of the Year' stuff…I do alright…" Harry said before grabbing a second sandwich from the plate.
When lunch was finished, Harry returned to the office while Kate remained behind to speak to Lizbeth. When she returned to the office, she saw that Harry had much greater control than before and didn't seem to be struggling half as much. It was then that she noticed his wand laying on the floor. "Harry…" she called. Harry looked over at her. While he did so he lowered his hands causing the nine feathers he was levitating to float gently back onto the table. "You aren't using your wand," she said astonished.
"Er…yeah…I forgot…" he stuttered in return.
"Well, whatever works, I always say, but most wizards can hardly do anything without a wand to focus the magic."
"Well, far be it from me to do anything the normal way…" he groused. His eyes lit up. "It was so much easier this time!" He picked up his wand and positioned it in his right hand. "What if I hold it…like so…then… 'Wingardium Leviosa…' The feathers all rose. Harry looked like a kneazle with a bucket of cream.
"Hey, with a slight repositioning of your hand, no one will notice you aren't using your wand…very ingenious, Mr. Potter!" Kate praised. "Just wait until Remus can see what you can do now!"
"Who?" Harry asked.
"Remus Lupin…He's a friend of yours. He's going to helping you along with your magic."
"Is he the kindly looking bloke…a bit peaky…sort of…hairy…?"
"Very good, again!" said Kate. "I think that photo album you made is helping more than you realize…" Harry returned her grin. "I think that's enough for today, though. You look like a nice flight would do you good. Come sit over here…close your eyes…"
When Hermione got home from work, she found Harry sleeping in his office with his son curled up next to him. She went to look for Kate. She located her in her room packing. "I'm really going to miss you around here…" she said.
"Well, silly, it's not like I'm turning him loose forever. I'll be back every weekday for a couple of hours at least."
"I know," Hermione replied, "but it won't be the same. You've been a true friend."
"Just because our living arrangement is ending, there's no reason that the friendship we've established has to."
"I know that and I'm just being silly. Are you leaving after dinner then?"
"Yes, I am. So what are you going to do with that handsome man all to yourself…wink, wink, nudge, nudge…?" Kate smiled slyly.
Hermione reddened and gave a snort. "I only wish…I never knew him to such a prude…"
"It'll all work out, I promise. It was just awkward for him with me in the next room. He looked at me as an authority figure. It happens all the time. Trust your instincts, Hermione. If you have any trouble, just Floo…"
"What if he has a really bad migraine again?" She paced around the room anxiously. To cover her nervousness, she started helping Kate to pack.
"You know all of the potions by heart. Keep a supply of the ones he'll need." Kate stopped packing and looked at her friend. "It'll be fine, I promise. He's come a very long way."
"I know that, truly I do, but with you gone and me working…I just worry, that's all."
"You love him, it comes with the territory. And just think there's no madman trying to kill him anymore. Keep the signs up, encourage him to get his books published, keep an eye on him and everything will turn out." She gave Hermione a reassuring hug.
Dinner that evening was a subdued affair. Harry, who'd forgotten about Kate's imminent departure, was very quiet. He had a feeling changes were coming and was uncomfortable with it. Hermione distracted him by rubbing his leg under the table, while Andrew gurgled in his chair nicking from Harry's untouched plate.
"Harry," Kate began, "I'm leaving right after dinner back to my flat. Is there anything you need to talk about before I go?" Harry shook his head. "Good, just remember I'm only a Floo away. If you need me, just call, alright?" Harry shook his head again. Kate shared a look with Hermione. Andrew, who was having less fun since his father wasn't eating, raised his arms toward Harry. Harry scooped up his son and held him close.
"Can you help me with my things, Hermione?"
"Yes, yes of course…" Hermione replied as she followed Kate from the room.
"He's going to be withdrawn for a bit until he gets used to Lizbeth being here and me gone. Don't be alarmed if he regresses as well."
"What can I do to help?"
"Give him a distraction. Let him know that changes aren't necessarily bad."
"You are suggesting that I seduce him…"
Kate feigned a shocked look before she smirked. "Did I say that? Besides can you think of a better distraction?"
After Kate had gone, Hermione went to Harry in the drawing room. He'd given Andrew his bath and put him to bed. Now he was absently staring into the fire. Hermione sat on the arm of his chair. "Want to talk about it?" she asked.
"Talk about what?"
"Kate's leaving…"
"She left? When will she be back?"
Hermione realized that Harry had overdone things and needed to rest his mind. "Why don't you take a few minutes to yourself and we can talk later, alright?"
"Don't go…" he said sounding as if he were a small boy rather than the adult he really was.
"I'm not going anywhere…" she replied as she slid closer and kissed him. Lifting her head, she said, "Lie back now. Take a nice long mental flight. I'll still be here when you return."
Harry laid his head back against the soft cushions. He closed his eyes and soared through the sky. The confusing thoughts melted away. As his mind cleared and he felt himself return to the present, he opened his eyes to see the love of his life kneeling on the floor between his legs.
"I wanted to relax you further...May I?" she asked giving him a look that left no doubt as to her intention.
"I…but…Andy…Lizbeth?" he sputtered.
Hermione giggled softly at his stammering. She knew it was in response to her forwardness rather than caused by his injuries. "Lizbeth has the night off and will be back in the morning. And Andrew is in bed, thanks to you. Am I missing anything?" Harry shook his head. "Good, now that is settled, want to stay here or go to the bedroom?"
"Go…" he mumbled. She led him by the hand into his room before gently pushing him backward until he sat on his bed. She kneeled at his feet and unbuttoned his trousers. He stilled her hands and pulled her up to him.
"What's wrong?" she asked feeling a little hurt, "Don't you want to?"
"Are you barking?" he asked in astonishment as he grinned at her. "It might be a bit overused in my case, but I can't remember ever wanting anything more…I just…I mean, I can't…Well, I don't want to take advantage of you, do I? I mean, actually I'm not sure what I mean, but I'm just…Are you sure about this?"
"Honestly, Harry," she laughed. "I've come in here every night to make myself available to you. I've done everything but spell it out. Don't you remember that?"
Harry blushed as he reached to check his journal. "Oh…" he said when he returned his gaze to her.
"Let me see…" she teased.
"No, I…well…alright." He handed the book to her before walking over to the window. She scanned the pages, reading how he reminded himself not to risk losing her by making a move that might be unwanted. He'd written about her visits, kisses and how much he wanted to make love to her. Seeing his feelings in the messy handwriting he'd had since his injury meant more to her than she ever thought possible. She knew that it didn't matter whether he ever remembered their time together. The Harry that he was now loved her. Tears glistened in her eyes as she followed him. Overcome with emotion, she launched herself at him and kissed him fervently.
She pulled her wand from her pocket and cast a silencing charm on the walls before sliding back to her previous position on her knees. "Shall I continue what I started?" she purred as she tugged mischievously on his open fly.
"Er…no," he said. "Not just yet…I…damn…"
She decided to play even more unfairly. She walked to his trunk and took out his invisibility cloak. "Where did you go?" he asked as she covered herself with the cloak.
"Follow my voice…" she said from the opposite side of the room. As he came closer, he reached for her. She darted away.
"I can't see you…" he complained. She gave him a hint by tossing her blouse and hitting him square in the face. He caught it, sat on the bed and looked around enthusiastically for her. She giggled as she awkwardly removed her lacy bra. She dropped it right in his lap and scampered away.
He laughed as he reached out for her clutching his prizes. He felt the other side of the bed lower and turned that direction. "You cheat…" he whispered.
"I've only just begun…" she replied in a silky voice as she wrapped the legs of the jeans she was wearing only moments prior, around his waist. She moved away from the bed a second before he reached for her.
He heard her husky snigger coming from the door to the loo and he followed it. His arms stretched before him as he felt around for her. He then felt silky-smooth lips kissing a trail up his inner thigh. He grabbed at the cloak and removed it just as her mouth had reached its goal. He flung the cloak away and rested his hands on her shoulders, closing his eyes against the sensations that coursed through him. "You are trying to kill me…" he whimpered.
She laughed softly as she stood to face him. "No, I just remember what you like and want to remind you..."
He smiled. "You have me at a disadvantage then, don't you?"
"I'm sure you'll figure out something…" she teased. He scooped her up in his arms and carried her to the bed nibbling at her neck as he progressed. "And that's a very good start…"
Ron arrived early the next morning to take Harry to the Quidditch match at Hogwarts. He looked from Harry to Hermione and back again as he helped himself to breakfast. Harry finished quickly and returned upstairs to get ready. "Are you alright?" Ron asked Hermione once they were alone.
"Couldn't be better…" she said dreamily.
"Anything you'd want to share?" Ron prompted with a knowing grin.
"It was wonderful, Ron…Just like before, but then again altogether different. I can't explain it…but for the first time, I truly feel that it's all going to sort itself out…"
"And he's okay with everything?"
"Yes, he's adjusted to his limitations well. Just keep an eye on him today. His right side is still very affected. His wand work isn't improving, but he more than makes up for it with wandless magic. If there's any trouble, stay on his right side…"
"Yes, mum. I'll watch out for him." Ron rolled his eyes. "It's just a school Quidditch match, Hermione. He'll be fine."
Hermione smiled. "I know…" Just then Harry returned with a dressed Andrew in his arms. Hermione turned her attention to her son. "Good morning, love," she cooed as she served him his bacon and eggs.
Harry put on his traveling cloak and readied himself to leave with Ron. Hermione made sure the cloak was fastened properly before she allowed him to kiss her goodbye.
"Be a good boy for…L-l-l…your minder, alright?" He kissed the boy's cheek and the two men left.
"I do hope they'll be alright…" she sighed. She assisted her son before getting ready for work. Lizbeth arrived back in plenty of time to help.
Harry arrived home much later than Hermione anticipated. He and Ron were heard singing long before they entered the house. They staggered through the door arm in arm.
"How was the match?" Hermione asked.
"It was brilliant!" exclaimed Harry. "They flew so fast and the one chasing the…the…thing…He was amazing!" He slid down the wall and rested his head on his arms.
Ron giggled drunkenly. "He mostly watched the Seeker, if you can imagine it…You aren't angry with me, are you, Hermione?"
Hermione smiled. "No, honestly Ron…you've only been planning since our fifth year for the two of you to watch a match and then get filthy pissed after…I'm just glad nothing happened."
"Of course nothing happened," Ron snorted. "I mean, okay, he zoned out a couple of times and did his 'Why?' routine, but all in all he did really well. He acted a little weird about his invisibility cloak though. Strange, that…"
The Minister of Magic smiled at the gathered crowd, but, of course, on him it looked more like a grimace. "Welcome," he began, "Welcome to the Fourth Annual Celebration of victory against Dark Forces, formerly known as Harry Potter Day." A loud cheer went up. "Our guest of honor, Mr. Harry Potter himself, and I wholeheartedly support the change in the name because it reflects the cooperation and sacrifices we all faced to bring about the end of the war. It's been two years since he was returned to us and our first opportunity to show our appreciation. Our guest of honor, who is now a best-selling author, has declined to give a speech, but I've convinced him to give us a wave…Mr. Potter, if you please…"
Harry walked up to the stage, grinning widely as he waved to the assembled group. His war medals glittered from the front of his dress robes. As he descended the stairs he was quickly surrounded by autograph seekers brandishing copies of the book, 'Choosing What's Right over What is Easy-Learning from Past Mistakes by Harry Potter'. He gracefully declined to sign, still being a bit touchy about his messy left-handed scrawl. He rejoined his wife with a kiss on the cheek and placed a hand on her gently rounded stomach.
"Do you need to get away for a bit?" she asked him. "I can cover for you…"
"Thanks," he smiled. "I'll be right back…" Harry snuck into the men's room and sank to his knees. When he opened his eyes a few minutes later, he saw Ron standing guard over him with his wand raised. "Hey, mate…" he said as he got to his feet.
"You should've asked me…" Ron grumbled. "I'd have come straight away…"
"Bloody likely, that!" Harry laughed. He assumed a falsetto voice, "Go with me to the loo, Ron, we can powder our noses…"
"Er…maybe not…" Ron grinned. "Fred and George would have fun with that…"
"Who stayed with Hermione? That lot out there is a bit rowdy. I don't want her hurt, nor the baby…"
"Mum is with her. She's fine. You know how Mum is fussing over pregnant women…drove Luna mad, I tell you…"
The two men left the bathroom laughing and joking. They found the rest of their group easily. "Are you alright, Harry dear," asked Mrs. Weasley concerned. A sleeping Andrew was in her arms.
"Fine, thanks," he responded with a loving look at his wife, and then his son. "Never better…"
Finite