The Last Days at Hogwarts

It wasn't until the next afternoon that Susan woke up. They were taking in turns now to sit round her bed, and it was while Dean was sitting with her that her eyes opened. He called for the others, and they crowded round her bedside.

Harry took her hand. "You okay?" She nodded with a shy smile. Harry remembered something Dumbledore had once said to him. "You showed true loyalty there."

"I'm a Hufflepuff, remember?"

"Yeah. But there was more to it than that, wasn't there?"

She nodded again. The others left the two of them of them alone, but Susan was still so exhausted that they said very little.

The day after, the four Gryffindors prepared their things ready to move out of the hospital wing. Susan was staying in for a little longer yet. Dumbledore still had not regained consciousness, although he was said to be still improving.

Dean was folding his pyjamas away when he looked at his watch and said: "Guess what?"

"What?" asked Ron.

"The others will just be beginning their first NEWT exam."

Hermione's hand flew to her mouth. "Oh, no! I mean, have I got time ..."

"You're in no fit state," said Ron.

"But we're missing exams!"

"Yeah, I know. Wonderful, isn't it?"

"But what will we do about our NEWTs? I mean, we won't have any."

"The least they can do," said Dean dryly, "is just to give us 'Outstanding' on all of them."

"Yeah," said Ron enthusiastically.

"Or set some more exams just for us," said Harry.

Ron looked at him as though he thought it was the daftest idea he'd heard yet. But Harry could see that Hermione was half convinced by the idea.

"After all," she said, "we've spent all that time on the work. And we're going to have nothing to show for it."

"I think," said Ron, "that you'll probably have the Order of Merlin First Class to show for it."

Harry hadn't thought about this. "That's a thought," he said. "Then I can show Snape that I really do have something to be arrogant about."

That cracked Dean up so much that they were soon all helpless with laughter. Madam Pomfrey came bustling down the wing.

"Really! And with Miss Bones still asleep!"

"Sorry," said Hermione contritely.

"Away with you all. Go on."

Fame didn't last long, thought Harry, as they tiptoed out of the ward.

But he hadn't anticipated their arrival in the Great Hall at lunchtime. As the four of them came through the doorway, first one student, then another, and another, started to cheer. Harry stood in amazement as the whole Hall rose to their feet yelling in excitement. Ron was scarlet. Dean, ever the more retiring, hung back. Hermione was pink, and obviously more than a little embarrassed. But she nudged him hard in the ribs and hissed: "Say something!"

"What??"

"Say something. Anything. Now."

Harry was momentarily lost for ideas, then he stood up on a table and held up his hands for silence. Slowly the Hall quietened. Speaking as loudly as he could without yelling, he said: "Thank you very much. We're all well, if not entirely fit yet. Susan is still in the hospital wing, but will be with us soon. Professor Dumbledore - well, he's still unconscious, but recovering. It's Dumbledore we have to thank. Now, we'd like some lunch, and I know you're got exams this afternoon."

A great goodnatured groan went up at that, but it helped defuse things - people were sitting down again. Harry climbed down from the table.

"Going to run for Minister?" asked Ron. Harry gave him a slightly sharp look. "No, I wasn't being mean," said Ron. "But you handled that better than I ever could have done."

"I'm not a politician." But was he? Had he really started to behave like that?

Trying to be inconspicuous but failing, Harry made for the Gryffindor table and climbed into the first empty seat he could see. Unfortunately, it was opposite Colin Creevey.

"Wow, Harry, I saw it all. It was fantastic. It really was. It's such a pity I didn't have my camera though, I couldn't get any pictures. Harry, ..."

"Will it wait until I've had some some lunch, Colin?"

"Of course. Sorry, Harry, It's just that it was so ..."

Harry tuned Colin out. Fortunately the noise level in the Hall was still fairly high. And the exams were a distraction too: half the people on the table had books open in front of them, busy with last minute revision. Slowly the Hall began to empty as people went back to their common rooms for quills and ink.

"Congratulations," he heard a quiet voice by his shoulder say.

It was McGonagall. He stood up and smiled. "Thanks, Professor."

"You do not know what this means to so many of us. After all these years ... but still. And you'll no doubt be upset about missing your exams as well."

This was said with a twinkle in her eye.

"Well, maybe. I would think Hermione is. As for Ron and Dean and me - maybe not."

"Fair enough. Well, I think you've all done your share for the moment. Go out and enjoy the sunshine."

"Thanks, Professor. We'll do that."

They had to move in any case, since the Hall was being cleared so that it could be set up for the afternoon's exams. They went back out into the Entrance Hall, and Harry stopped abruptly, remembering the scene of a few nights ago. Was it only a few nights? But now, with the sunshine streaming in, with students bustling about, it was hard to connect the two. Hermione took his arm.

"Come on."

Outside, it was as if it had never happened. Perhaps one or two of the streams down to the lake were still swollen with water from the storm, but a couple of days of sunshine had just made the grass seem even greener, even if it was still a little damp.

They stopped by the edge of the lake and sat on some rocks that had been warmed in the sun. It was good to be out in the fresh air after being cooped up in the hospital wing. Harry's legs were still a little shaky, though, partly due to the enforced bed rest. Ron began idly pitching pebbles into the water.

"It's wonderful to be out here," said Hermione, leaning back and closing her eyes.

"What? When you could be inside doing exams?" exclaimed Ron.

She ignored him.

It was a pleasant feeling, lying in the sun, thinking of nothing, enjoying the silence - until it was broken by Dean announcing: "I think I'll go and see Mum and Dad tomorrow. Just for the day."

Ron, always surrounded by family, said nothing. Harry, who had no family, also said nothing. But Hermione sat up. "That's a really good idea. You know, I think I'll do the same." Ron rolled over and looked at her. She was staring across the lake.

"You've no idea," she said quietly. "For the last seven years, I've been telling Mum and Dad how wonderful it is at Hogwarts, and how everything's fine, and all the rest of it. Basically, I've been lying to them. Now I'd better go home and tell them the truth."

Harry had nothing to say to this. Neither did Ron.

"Well, it's all over now," said Dean. "And I know my parents will be happy enough now he's gone." Dean didn't need to say who he was referring to. "And me - I can't wait to leave."

"Leave Hogwarts?" asked Ron in a slightly scandalised tone.

"Yeah. There's got to be more to life than Potions lessons. It's okay for you - captain of Quidditch and all. Me - I just want to get out there and do something useful."

"With Ollivander," said Harry.

"Yeah. Doing something. Oh, I know it's more learning, and all that, but I can see where it's getting me."

"What are you going to do when you leave, Harry?" asked Ron.

"Not the faintest idea." Which was the truth. He had no idea at all. "And you?"

"Dunno yet," Ron said, plucking at some blades of grass. "I need to think about it."

"Everything's different now," said Hermione. "And I'm not sorry about that."

"So what are you going to do?" asked Ron.

"You know - I had this idea. Lying in bed in the hospital wing. I was thinking about the Arithmancy exam." There was a snort from Ron. "There's a branch of Arithmancy called Algemancy. No one's got very far with it. But lying in bed - I had some ideas. And I know Gringott's have what you might call a research section in the Arithmancy department. Now that's what I'd like to do."

The others digested this in silence. Then Ron came in with: "Well, you shouldn't have a problem getting a job anywhere after all this."

That brought Hermione bolt upright. "I do not, Ron Weasley, want to get a job because of what I've done or who I know. I want to get the right job because I'm good at it."

There was a lot of passion in her voice. The others were stunned by her vehemence - except Dean, who said: "She's right, you know. You do something because you want to."

"A man's gotta do what a man's gotta do," said Harry in a fake American accent, which cracked up Dean and Hermione, if not Ron, who didn't really get the reference.

The tension was broken - and just as well - by a voice from above them.

"So this is where you all are!"

"Dad!" cried Ron.

Mr Weasley came down the slope and sat on a rock, looking at them all. "And here was I thinking you'd all be in the exam hall."

"Don't start," said Harry. "We've been through all that."

"Oh?" But Mr Weasley sensed the tensions. "Anyway, I wanted to see you lot."

"Good news?" asked Harry, rather cynically.

"Not really from your point of view," said Mr Weasley cheerfully.

"Oh?"

"It's complete mayhem out there - outside Hogwarts, I mean. Everyone knows about the attack, and that You Know Who was faced down, and what's left of him is in a very deep dungeon, but as for you lot ... well, when we said you were in the hospital wing recovering, all sorts of rumours began to circulate. And we think the Prophet's headline for tomorrow is going to be along the lines of: 'Is the Boy Who Lived Dead?' - that sort of thing."

Harry looked at him steadily. "Okay, don't bother telling us what comes next. Yeah, all right, we'll do it. An appearance. All the photographers you like. You write a short statement - a page or so - which I can read out." Mr Weasley blinked at that, but nodded. "We smile, and disappear again. No questions yet. You can have it all later. That okay?"

Mr Weasley stared across the lake and nodded. "Sounds fair enough to me. The rest of you happy with that?"

They all nodded.

"Dad?"

"Yes?"

"What happened - I mean, after ... well, we all passed out, and - " Ron shrugged.

Mr Weasley paused to gather his thoughts. He stared out across the lake again, where a breeze was ruffling the waters.

"Well, it was your friend Snape who raised the alarm. He tried the office, but I'd just gone home. He got me there, told me something was brewing. I got Kingsley at home, and we started putting together a squad. Took about half an hour, I suppose. We arrived in the Hall just as it was all over. You lot were crumpled all over the floor." He stopped for a moment. "I thought - well, it doesn't matter now. And Snape was out there standing guard with his wand over what was left of You Know Who. Complete chaos, as you can imagine. Screaming kids everywhere. McGonagall and the other professors trying to restore some sort of order. You lot being carried up to the hospital wing. Healers arriving trying to get their hands on you. And what to do with You Know Who. Eventually we took him to the deepest dungeon we could find, sealed up the chamber, and put a dozen Aurors around it. He's still there. No one knows what to do with him."

He stopped and sighed.

"I think it took until midnight to get everyone back in their dormitories. Arbuthnot and I were trying to deal with the Healers, the Prophet, heaven knows what. You know, I never did get to bed that night.

"Then coming up to the hospital wing to see you." He looked across to his son. "Your mother was half out of her mind. They kept on telling us you'd all be alright, but it wasn't until Dean woke up that we began to relax a little."

Ron threw another stone into the lake.

"I suppose - being here - we'd no idea. I mean - we were out of it."

"Best place to be," said Mr Weasley frankly. He looked across to Harry. "I'll start on some sort of statement. Attack by You Know Who. You Know Who vanquished. The team exhausted by their ordeal. Plea to be left to recuperate in peace. That sort of thing?"

Harry nodded. "Yeah. That'd be fine."

"You lot have the right idea," said Mr Weasley.

"What's that?" asked Ron.

"Sitting here in the sunshine relaxing."

Harry caught Dean's eye. Mr Weasley obviously wasn't aware of what he'd just interrupted.

Dean asked: "When do you want us to do this? Only Hermione and I want to go and see our parents tomorrow."

"Oh, sorry, I should have said. This evening? About six? You can do your stuff in the Ministry and be back for supper."

"Oh, right. Yeah, that'd be fine."

"I gather Susan won't be up to it, but to have the four of you there will quash a lot of the sillier rumours."

Harry felt another pang of guilt. He should have gone to see how she was rather than laze around out here. He got to his feet and brushed the grass off his jeans. "Speaking of which, I ought to go and see how she is."

"What? All right - I might as well walk back up to the castle with you. I'll have to get things sorted back at base."

"You stay here and enjoy the sunshine while you can," said Harry to the others, and turned to make his way back.

"Extraordinary, the whole business," said Mr Weasley, as they walked back up the hill.

"You can say that again."

"A last throw of the dice, do you think?"

Harry wasn't sure whether he'd used the same phrase himself. He nodded. "I think so. All the plotting and planning got him nowhere, and with all his supporters locked away ... mind you, without the others helping me, I don't know what would have happened. He was a match for me and Dumbledore. The one thing he didn't rely on was loyalty. Trust. And I suppose -" Harry felt slightly silly using the word "- love."

"I think you're quite right," said Mr Weasley. "According the experts, there's no mind left at all. It's as if - I don't know - it's been wiped, or burned out."

Harry nodded again. "Yes. That's what we did. You could feel it shrivelling, so to speak. All that hate, and malice, and heaven knows what, just slowly burning away. It was horrible in one way - but ... oh, I don't know."

"You're going to have to write all this down, you know," said Mr Weasley, as they reached the steps. "Not necessarily to be published - just as a record."

"Yeah. I will. But not just yet."

"Don't leave it too long."

"I won't," he promised. "It's just that - well, it's a little raw at the moment."

"I can understand that."

They stopped in the entrance hall. "It's hard to believe now - in the sunshine like this," Mr Weasley commented, looking around.

"I know exactly what you mean," said Harry. "Where shall we meet this evening?"

"I would think Professor McGonagall would be happy for you to use her fireplace. In the Gryffindor common room? I'll be there at half past five."

Harry looked at his watch. Just past three. "Sounds good."

He left Mr Weasley to head up to the hospital wing. Madam Pomfrey was nowhere to be seem, so he headed over to Susan's bed. She was still sleeping, but as he reached for her hand, she stirred.

"Harry?"

He gave her hand a small squeeze. "Yeah." Her eyes opened. "How are you?"

"Getting some strength back."

"Good. Takes it out of you, doesn't it?"

"I didn't feel anything at the time. But Dumbledore went down, then you, and I don't remember anything after that."

"None of us do," he assured her.

"So - You Know Who - he's dead?"

"Not quite. I gather he still breathes, his heart still beats, but that's it."

"Right." She shivered. "It was awful."

"I know."

"Not that. His mind. All that hate. And he just wanted to obliterate us."

"That's what we did to him instead."

"But that was different."

"Why?"

"We did it for each other - not for ourselves."

Harry thought about that. "I suppose so."

"I didn't want to kill him - but I wanted to stop him killing you."

He gave her hand another squeeze. "Thanks."

There was a silence, then she asked: "How's Dumbledore?"

"Still unconscious, but getting better, they say."

Madam Pomfrey swept in at that moment, obviously having heard their voices. "Ah, Miss Bones. Awake? I have some more potion for you. And, Mr Potter, I'm afraid I'm going to have to ask you to leave us. I need to examine my patient, and take her for a wash."

"Of course," said Harry, relinquishing Susan's hand, and standing up. He looked at her. "Catch you later, okay?"

She smiled up at him. "Right."

He turned to Madam Pomfrey. "Can I look in on Professor Dumbledore?"

"Of course. Though he hasn't woken yet."

"I won't disturb him," Harry promised.

He slipped out through the curtains and walked down the deserted ward towards the small door. He paused, then gently turned the handle and looked in. The healer sitting on the chair looked up, and his eyes widened when he realised who it was. Harry put a finger to his lips, then closed the door behind him, and knelt down by Dumbledore's bed as he had before.

It was difficult to say whether there had been any change. The old man seemed to be breathing peacefully enough. Again Harry reached out and laid his hand on top of Dumbledore's. Again he felt that moment of contact. There was silence, then suddenly a very faint whispered 'Harry?'

"Yes, Professor."

Dumbledore's eyes hadn't opened, but he gave a sudden sigh and shifted in the bed. Then he seemed to subside back into sleep.

Harry looked up at the healer.

"That's the first sign of life from him," the healer said in slight astonishment.

Harry gave the hand a very slight squeeze. "It won't be the last," he promised, then stood up.

He gazed down at the sleeping figure. He knew how Dumbledore had orchestrated the assault on Voldemort's mind: had probed for weaknesses, shown Harry openings, had deflected attacks. He wouldn't be here now if it weren't for the old man.

"Sleep well," he whispered, then slipped out through the door again.

He looked at his watch: past four now. The youngsters would be out of lessons, although those doing exams would still be busy. He made his way along the corridors to Gryffindor tower, smiled at the Fat Lady, who gave him a smile in return, and muttered "NEWTs are fun". It really was time someone other than Hermione was given the task of setting the passwords.

"If you say so, dear. And why aren't you in the exams?"

"Been excused. Oh, and Dumbledore just spoke to me."

"Oh, did he?"

"Just my name. But he's not properly awake yet."

"We've missed him."

"So have we."

"Right, well, I'll let you in, then go and spread the news."

"Thanks."

There were some youngsters in the common room, who stared at him as he went in. He gave them a smile, then went up to the dormitory. Seamus and Neville would still be in the exams. He sat on his bed, still tired, then lay down. The next thing he knew Ron was shaking him awake.

"Sorry," he mumbled. "What time is it?"

"Quarter past five. Time to be moving."

"Right."

He went to wash his face, then came back and rummaged in his wardrobe for something to wear.

"Dean's downstairs. I'll see you down there," said Ron, hovering by the doorway.

"Okay. Won't be a minute."

He changed and looked at himself critically in the mirror. He was always pale, but he seemed paler than usual. And nothing could hide the rings round his eyes. Or the scar on his forehead. That was something else. No twinges. And, he hoped, no more twinges at all ever again. And there was still nothing he could do to make his hair look smooth and respectable. Shrugging, he went down to the common room where the others were waiting for him.

"I forgot to tell Dad the password," said Ron, "so we'd better go and meet him. He'll be with McGonagall."

Which he was. They knocked, and heard 'Enter!'. Mr Weasley was talking to Professor McGonagall, but broke off as they went in. Harry noticed he was clutching a piece of parchment, which he handed to Harry.

"The statement - can you check it through?"

Harry scanned it quickly. It was succinct and to the point, describing the main events without too much detail, and without any purple prose.

"Looks fine to me."

"Excellent. Now, the plan is this. First of all, we go to my study, where the Minister joins us. We then go to the conference room, where there'll be mayhem. The Minster introduces you all. Then I would like each of you to step forward and say who you are. Harry goes last, because he has to read the statement, then he steps back, the Minster says thank you, and we get off the stage as quickly as we can. We want to keep things short and simple for your sake. Is that alright by everyone? Are you happy doing that?"

They all nodded. Harry looked at the others: Ron was looking rather white, Hermione was biting her lip - only Dean seemed unmoved, but then he was fairly imperturbable at the best of times.

Mr Weasley turned to Professor McGonagall.

"Thanks for the use of your fireplace. It's very kind."

She nodded. "I can expect them back soon?"

"I should think we'll be about an hour."

"They need some peace and quiet. Not a bear garden."

"You know we've got to do it, Minerva."

She sighed. "I suppose so." She turned to her four students. "I haven't had time to say 'well done' yet. I'm sorry - as you can imagine, there's a lot I've had to do. But I'm very proud of you all." They shuffled their feet. "And I'll forgive you for pushing past me in the Hall that evening," she said to Ron and the others.

"Sorry, Professor - but we couldn't leave Harry there by himself."

"I know. Don't fret. It's worked out well enough in the end. Now, along with you."

They followed Mr Weasley through the fireplace into his office. Harry could see the portraits on the wall whispering to each other at their appearance.

"I'll just go and tell the Minister we're here," said Mr Weasley, and went through to the other room.

Harry could feel that ball of apprehension building in his stomach. This was worse than facing Voldemort. He had faced the press before, he knew, but at the moment he didn't feel he had the strength for something quite like this. To occupy his mind, he started reading and re reading the statement in his hand.

Mr Weasley came back with Arbuthnot, who strode forward to greet them.

"Well done, all of you," he said softly. "I'm sorry I haven't been to see you again. Madam Pomfrey is a terror when roused."

The small joke helped defuse some of the tension.

"Now," said Mr Weasley practically, "we have some security people outside, who'll escort us to the conference hall. The Minister goes on first, then you four, then me. Okay?"

He led them out. Harry could hear the noise of the assembled crowd long before they got there.

"Plenty of guards in the hall, Eric?" Mr Weasley asked one of their escort.

"All we could get our hands on."

"All right then." They stopped by the entrance to the stage. "Minister?"

Arbuthnot strode forward. Harry pushed Ron in front of him. He didn't want to be leading the way. Typically, Dean was the last in line.

The noise and lights almost overwhelmed him. Voices were shouting out questions, flashbulbs were going off all around the hall.

"Harry, what was it like ...? Minister, is it true that ...? Look this way, will you - all of you."

Arbuthnot had to cast a Sonorus charm on his voice to made himself heard, and even so, it took several minutes before things began to subside. Harry could see the security guards holding people back from the stage as they tried to get closer.

"Thank you all," Arbuthnot said in a more normal voice, as the room quietened a little. The room fell quieter still as his audience strained to hear what he was saying. "We have with us this evening some of those who helped in the downfall of the creature who called himself Lord Voldemort." There was a gasp from the crowd at the name - part apprehension, part amazement. "They have had quite an ordeal, and they are still recovering. I must therefore ask you to show some restraint, difficult though it might be in circumstances like these. As you can imagine, an encounter such as theirs was a great strain, and Madam Pomfrey - who many of you will remember -" there was laughter from the audience - "will not be happy if I return them tired out. Now, I am going to ask them to introduce themselves, then say a few words."

He stepped back, and looked at the four of them. Harry saw Ron gulp, then step forward.

"I'm another Weasley," Ron began, and there was laughter from the audience. "We're all Gryffindors in our last year, and one of the advantages to all of this was that we missed our NEWT exams." This time the laugh was louder. "But maybe the Minister will overlook this." He stepped back.

Now it was Hermione's turn. "I'm Hermione Granger. I'm not sorry we missed our NEWTs!" That too got a laugh, then, suddenly, a round of applause. Hermione blinked, obviously taken aback. But she went on, suddenly in a stronger voice: "I hope there's one thing we've all learned - to be vigilant, and prevent someone like Voldemort ever happening again!"

This brought a roar of approval, and blinking again in the camera flashes, she stepped back.

It was Dean's turn.

"I'm Dean Thomas." His voice was very quiet, and the hall hushed to hear him. "My parents are Muggles, and until I was eleven I didn't know anything about wizards, Dark or otherwise. But I'm glad I was able to help Harry and Professor Dumbledore. Thank you."

More applause. Now it was Harry's turn.

He stepped forward, the parchment in his hand, and stopped and surveyed the crowd. Cameras were going off left, right and centre. Then he took a deep breath and looked down at the parchment, then back up at the crowd.

"I'm Harry Potter." This was a little laughter at this statement of the obvious. "I've a short statement which tells you exactly what happened that night." It didn't take long to read. Then he took another deep breath and added:

"Susan Bones is not with us tonight because she is still resting, although she is quite unharmed. I'd like to pay tribute to her and my friends here. Without them, I would not be here tonight.

"And also to Professor Dumbledore. The Professor is not yet fully recovered, although he did speak to me very briefly this afternoon."

He stopped as the buzz in the room grew louder, and waited for things to subside.

"We'll tell you more when we can, but at the moment we are all very tired, and would be very grateful to have the chance to recuperate in peace." He stopped and smiled. "The more you disturb us, the shorter the story you'll get. So be patient."

He stepped back, and Arbuthnot began winding things up. He felt a tug on his sleeve; Hermione was pulling him away. They were off the stage before questions could be thrown at them.

Mr Weasley was looking relieved. "Now that went far better than I could have possibly hoped for. Well done, Harry; well done, all of you."

Arbuthnot joined them in the corridor. "We've a pack of journalists out there baying for more, but they'll have to make do with what they've got. Come back to my office."

When they had reached the relative calm of the Minister's office, Arbuthnot smiled at them all.

"I'd like to ask you all to stay for a small celebration, but I know that McGonagall would have my head if I did. We'll arrange something for when term's over." They muttered their thanks. "Would you escort them back, Arthur?"

"With pleasure. Come on, you lot, or you'll miss your supper."

Mr Weasley took them through into his own office and then through the fireplace to Hogwarts. Professor McGonagall was waiting for them.

"It went well?"

"Very well, thank you, Minerva. It was an exercise in showing that our heroes and heroines escaped unscathed."

She looked at him sternly. "Unscathed is hardly the word I would use, Arthur."

"It could have been a lot worse."

"True."

"Well, I'd better be getting back to Molly. Hardly seen her since this business began. I'll catch you when term ends," he said to Ron, "and the rest of you too."

"Thanks, Mr Weasley," said Harry.

"On the contrary, I think we all owe a big thanks to you - all of you. Well done."

"Off you go for supper now," Professor McGonagall said to them. "And remember - the others have exams tomorrow, so no late night celebrations. All right?"

If the truth were told, Ron and Harry were slightly at a loose end the next day. Dean and Hermione had gone off home, and everyone else was in exams. Harry knew he was fit enough now to go and sit an exam, but he could imagine Ron's reaction if he suggested it.

Instead they got out their brooms for some impromptu flying, and it was good to feel the wind in their faces. But even flying low over the Forest and looping the loop palled after a time, and their muscles were still aching. They put their brooms away, and Ron suggested a visit to the hospital wing to see how Susan and Professor Dumbledore were.

Madam Pomfrey was nowhere to be seen, so they crept along to the door to the room where their headmaster was being treated. The Healer inside looked up as they came in, and nodded to them. Dumbledore certainly looked better: his face seemed to have more colour.

Harry knelt down by Dumbledore's bedside as before and took his hand.

"He was awake earlier," said the Healer quietly.

Harry nodded. Slightly more awkwardly, Ron knelt down on the other side of the bed and took Dumbledore's other hand. Harry felt an odd sensation - as if some of his own strength was being transferred to the old man. And by the way Ron's eyes widened, the same was happening to him.

Then Harry felt his hand being grasped in return: Dumbledore's eyes opened slowly, and a slight smile appeared around his lips. They looked at each other for a long moment, before Dumbledore's eyes closed again, and he relaxed his grip.

Harry looked across to the Healer.

"He's on the mend," the Healer said quietly. "It'll be some time before he'll be up and about, but he's on the mend."

Harry stood up again, and Ron followed.

"Yeah. He'll be okay," said Harry.

"Did you feel that?" Ron whispered as they left.

"Drawing strength? Yeah."

Harry pulled the door shut behind him, and as he did so, they saw Madam Pomfrey bearing down on them.

"He's getting better," Harry told her.

"Indeed he is. It will take time, but there's no reason to suppose he won't be fully recovered in the end." She stopped and looked at them carefully. "I need to have a word with you two in private. My study would probably be the best place."

Harry and Ron looked at each other in surprise, then followed Madam Pomfrey. She closed the door behind them, and then turned to look at them, a serious expression on her face.

"This is not good news, I'm afraid." She sighed. "It's Susan."

"What about her?" Harry asked quickly.

"Yesterday - we discovered that there could be some long lasting damage to her nervous system after what happened. Some of the nerves ... they seem to be - well, burned out. Now we can repair quite a lot of the damage, but nerves are tricky things."

"What does that mean - for her?"

"We really don't know as yet. At best, she will have some impairment of the limbs. Find it awkward to move, that sort of thing."

"And the worst?"

Madam Pomfrey frowned. "We really can't say."

"The worst?" Harry insisted.

"Well, the worst could be - I don't know. A wheelchair?"

Harry looked at her aghast. Susan in a wheelchair? He didn't believe he was hearing this.

"You're serious?"

Madam Pomfrey nodded. "I'm afraid so."

Suddenly all that had happened seemed tainted now: their victory had come at a price. Harry gulped.

"Do you want to go and see her?" asked Madam Pomfrey quietly. Harry nodded. "This way."

As they stood in the wing, Ron looked at Harry hesitantly. "Would you prefer to be alone?"

Harry nodded. "Yeah. If you don't mind." He looked at Madam Pomfrey. "Is that all right?"

She nodded. "Of course."

He looked at the drawn curtains around the bed further down the wing and braced himself. This would not be easy. But it had to be done. He walked forward and ducked behind the curtains.

He wasn't sure whether Susan had been awake, but her eyes flickered open as he came in, and an attempt at a smile appeared. Her face was white and drawn, her eyes dark ringed.

"Hi," he said.

"Hi," in return.

"Can I ... can I sit down?"

"Course you can."

He drew up the seat, sat down, and leaned forward to take her hand. At least it was warm. He did his best to smile.

"How's Dumbledore?" she asked.

"Getting better. Still out of it most of the time, but he wakes now and then."

"Good."

There was a horrid silence which seemed to stretch out interminably. He tried to think of something to say, but the most obvious question of all was one he didn't want to ask: how are you?

"You know, don't you?" Susan asked.

"Know what?"

She gave him a slightly sad smile. "About me."

"Madam Pomfrey did say something," he hedged.

"They're getting an expert in from St Mungo's - a specialist."

"Oh, well, perhaps he can do something."

Again that smile. "Maybe something. But ..."

They were interrupted by the curtains being drawn back. Madam Pomfrey was there with someone he didn't recognise.

"You'll have to excuse us, Harry," she said. "Someone's here to examine Susan."

This must be the specialist - he gave Harry a slight smile.

"Oh, right." He stood up, then turned back to Susan. "I'll be back - okay?"

"Okay. And don't worry."

He slipped out of the curtains. Don't worry! How could he not worry? He stopped and looked down the wing: Ron had disappeared. He walked slowly down to the door leading out.