Learning to Vanquish

Chapter 15

Time to Start Living

Harry woke up slowly. His head didn't hurt any more, but he felt strangely empty. He opened his eyes and found himself in the Hospital Wing. Wondering how he'd returned to Hogwarts, he struggled to sit up. He felt himself pushed back down and heard Snape say, "Wait until Madam Pomfrey checks you over, Potter."

"Can I have my glasses, then?" Harry asked, not really wanting to argue. He found he was feeling rather shaky.

"Your manners are atrocious," Snape complained as he handed Harry his glasses. "That is something we'll have to work on."

Harry put his glasses on and looked at Snape. He looked surprisingly good, Harry decided, at least for Snape. His hair was still greasy and his skin still sallow, but he looked younger than Harry could remember seeing him. "Er, Professor, are you all right? After what happened . . ."

"Hm, let's see," Snape said, smirking as he leaned back in the chair. "You have removed a permanent Mark that displayed one of the worst decisions of my life. You have destroyed a madman who would have taken over the entire Wizarding world and, quite likely, destroy it in the process. You eliminated all of the Dark Lord's followers so that cleaning up is primarily a matter of burying the bodies. And, because you decided to confront the Dark Lord in my presence, I have been informed that I will be receiving an Order of Merlin First Class for my work and heroism. No, Mr. Potter, I'm doing terribly badly." He sneered, stood up and left Harry's bed, calling for Madam Pomfrey.

Madam Pomfrey bustled up to Harry's bed almost immediately and began running her wand over him. Shaking her head and muttering about children who would get themselves injured no matter how everyone tried to keep them safe, she proceeded to give Harry about a dozen potions. He swallowed the last one and, before he could ask her any more questions, fell asleep.

Every time Harry woke throughout the night, there was somebody different sitting with him. He was never able to stay awake long enough to talk to them. As soon as his eyes opened, the person sitting beside him would insist that he take another potion before they could talk and the potion would send him straight back to sleep.

Madam Pomfrey checked him over after Harry woke up the next morning. When he asked when he'd be allowed to leave the Hospital Wing, she sniffed and said, "It's a wonder you survived channelling all that magic through yourself. You'll stay here until I'm sure you won't relapse. Now, the Headmaster would like to speak with you."

A few minutes later, Dumbledore walked into the Hospital Wing, transfigured the chair next to Harry's bed into a chintz-covered armchair and set the tray of food he was carrying on the bedside table. "I thought I could talk with you while you have your breakfast," he said smiling.

"OK," Harry agreed, digging into the food. "What day is it?"

"Madam Pomfrey hasn't told you? Well, then, it's Tuesday morning. You gave us all quite a fright. Why don't you ask me your questions and then I'll ask mine?" Dumbledore's blue eyes twinkled merrily over his half-moon glasses.

Harry thought for a moment. "Snape-,"

"Professor Snape, Harry."

"Sorry. Professor Snape said that I destroyed Voldemort. Did I hear that right or was I dreaming?"

Dumbledore nodded. "You did indeed destroy Voldemort. We're still trying to determine exactly what it was that you did, but he is most definitely dead. His body is currently under observation in the Department of Mysteries; they wish to be entirely certain he is dead for good. Once you are recovered, they wish to speak with you." Dumbledore's smile got a little broader as he leaned over and said, "That conversation is likely to take a while; in addition to the fact that you have destroyed the most powerful Dark wizard in over a century, you have also broken both his Death Eaters' Dark Marks and your own connection. That's unprecedented. Might I ask, do you know what you did?"

Harry thought how to explain it. "The only way I can explain it is that I pulled the connections to his Death Eaters out and then the one to me. I did Professor Snape's first; that's how I knew I could do it."

Dumbledore's eyebrows drew together. "Did you do anything different when you broke Severus's connection than when you broke the other Death Eaters? And your own?"

Harry nodded. "Professor Snape's I broke at his end, I guess you'd say. As soon as I had, the Dark Mark started just flaking off his arm. The other Death Eaters' connections I broke at Voldemort's end. I'm not entirely sure whether or not I broke them completely or just disrupted them. Mine, I broke at my end. That's when I collapsed."

Dumbledore nodded. "From what we can tell, you didn't completely break Voldemort's connections with his Death Eaters; however, you did disrupt them. Severus said he had told you that all Marked Death Eaters, other than himself, were also killed. Do you remember that?"

Harry swallowed. How many people had he killed? "To be honest, Professor, I was hoping I'd dreamed that bit. I really killed all those people?" His voice sounded very small to him, as small as he felt.

Dumbledore wasn't smiling as he patted Harry on the arm. "I don't believe it was you who killed the other Death Eaters, Harry. We're still trying to figure out exactly what happened, but it appears that Voldemort himself killed them, by draining their magic, their energies and, finally, their lives. I wish I could tell you otherwise."

Harry swallowed. Then, something Dumbledore said caught his attention. "He drained them. Was anyone hurt by my pulling power through the rings? I took a lot of power."

"Yes, you did," Dumbledore said gently. "However, no one who donated that power has any argument with what you took and why. Several people collapsed, but even the most strongly affected had regained consciousness before we'd brought you back to Hogwarts. Within an hour or so. Everyone has been back to normal for several days. There are two exceptions to that." At Harry's frightened look, the Headmaster smiled gently. "Nothing bad, Harry; you needn't worry. First, everyone who was wearing one of your rings during your fight now bears a mark on the finger their ring was on."

He held up his right hand. Harry could see a design on his finger, right where a ring would sit. Harry gulped. "You had one of the rings? I didn't know."

"Yes, well, I obtained mine rather indirectly, through Remus. I knew the implications of the rings worried you, quite sensibly I might add, and I thought you'd be under less pressure this way."

Harry's glare didn't dim the Headmaster's twinkle at all. Then, he looked sourly at the mark on Dumbledore's finger. "Is that like . . .?" Harry really didn't want to ask the question.

"The Dark Mark?" Dumbledore finished for him. "Fortunately, not at all. Both parties must be wearing their rings for the connection to exist. We were able to test that much while you were unconscious."

"And the other exception?"

"Ah, yes. There are two rings that appear to have become permanently attached. "Yours," Dumbledore indicated Harry's ring, "and Severus's. We believe his became permanent to prevent Voldemort from reinstating the Dark Mark. We're not at all certain of that; it's one of several things the Department of Mysteries wishes to look into."

Harry looked down at his own ring. It looked like a normal ring that had become a part of his finger. "All that power," he said quietly. "It feels . . . really good. I don't want the others to be wearing their rings; that power scares me."

Dumbledore's expression had sobered. "As well it should, Harry; as well it should. The Unspeakables wish to do more research on the rings and the connections they forged with you but, when they are done, we plan to disenchant all of the rings. We hope to include yours and Severus's when we do so. Now," he briskly brought his hands together, "do you have any other questions?"

"One, for now. Professor Snape said he was getting an Order of Merlin; is that true?"

"Oh, yes, Harry," Dumbledore said, with a broad smile. "You and Severus are both getting Orders of Merlin, First Class. There is some discussion on whether everyone who was wearing a ring will get an Order of Merlin, Second Class, but that's still being discussed. We are indebted to you for what you have done and the Wizarding world wishes to demonstrate their gratitude. Any other questions?"

"What was the ritual Voldemort was going to perform with Draco?"

"He was going to drain Draco's youth and life force." When Harry gasped, horrified, Dumbledore nodded, "Oh, yes, a terrible spell and Mr. Malfoy was quite unaware of what was to happen to him. The spell would have made Voldemort more difficult, if not impossible, to defeat. That is why Severus risked himself to prevent the ritual from being completed."

"I'll bet Draco was thrilled to hear his parents were willing to let him be killed," Harry said. "Is that why Voldemort told them to have another baby?"

Dumbledore shook his head. "No, he actually told them what he was going to do. He offered them great influence in return for Draco; little Orion was their own idea. And now, both boys are orphaned."

It took Harry a minute to understand. "Both Lucius and Narcissa were Marked?"

"Yes. Draco is now responsible for his little brother. A responsibility he seems to be taking quite seriously; I have high hopes that this entire matter, however tragic, may ultimately be good for him." Dumbledore smiled at Harry again. "I would also like to discuss the events with you in greater detail myself. Professor Snape has been able to tell me most of what happened, but I still have some questions." He stood up. "But that can wait until you've had some time to digest what you've heard today. Rest well, Harry; you've earned it." Dumbledore left the Hospital Wing, his step livelier than it had been in quite some time.

Later, when classes had ended for the day, Ron, Hermione and Ginny came into the Hospital Wing to visit. "How much have you heard?" Hermione asked.

"Professor Dumbledore brought me up to date on the basics. Why don't you lot tell me what you want to know?"

Harry sat back and listened to the three of them chattering happily about the events of the last four days. Hermione had saved her Daily Prophets and showed them to him. Sunday's headline took up the entire front page: YOU-KNOW-WHO DEAD.

"Saturday night was scary, mate," Ron said with a shiver. "I was half asleep when you started screaming. You couldn't seem to hear anything I said and, then, you pulled your wand from under your pillow and vanished. Neville went for the Headmaster and we tracked you."

"Hogwarts: A History will have to print a revision," Hermione added. "Apparently, a very powerful, very desperate wizard can punch a hole in Hogwarts' Anti-Apparation wards. Professor Dumbledore couldn't decide whether he should be impressed or horrified."

"When they finally brought you back," Ginny said, "and started piecing things together, Snape wanted to take hundreds of points for your 'wanton destruction of school magical protections.'" She giggled. "I don't think his heart was in it, though."

"Yeah," agreed Ron. "He hasn't taken points from anyone, since. It's been great."

"Oh," Hermione suddenly said. "We finally talked to Professor Gillespie about the way he treats Muggle-borns. Do you know, he didn't even realize he was doing it?"

"Turns out he's scared of them," Ron said, shaking his head. "He started in on loads of statistics, all about how Muggle-borns and half-bloods are generally more powerful than purebloods and Squibs are always pureblood. A cousin of his is a Squib, so he did a lot of research on the subject." Ron grinned. "He told me I was very sensible to consider marrying a Muggle-born girl; our children are much more likely to be healthy and powerful."

"Which isn't necessarily true," Hermione said precisely, "but is the way the statistics work. He's going to loan me some books on the subject; it sounds fascinating."

"Is he staying?" Harry asked. With the exception of the way he treated the Muggle-born students, he'd always rather liked Gillespie.

Ginny shook her head. "No. He's been given a post at some school in the United States. California, I think he said."

"But he says he'll be hours away from Hollywood, so he probably won't see anybody famous," Ron added.

"What's up with Draco?" Harry asked. He couldn't quite get his mind around the idea of Draco raising a baby.

"Oh, Orion is so cute!" was Ginny's comment. "He hasn't had time to find an appropriate nanny, so he's been bringing the baby everywhere with him."

"He really hates having all the girls around him cooing," Ron said, looking disgruntled. "Snape won't let him in Potions for the rest of the year; he says it's too dangerous. The rest of the teachers are allowing it, though."

"They don't cover much after exams," Hermione said. Like Ginny, she had a fond smile on her face. "And Orion is awfully cute. Draco always looks tired, these days. Apparently his little brother sleeps most of the day and wants to play all night."

"Not much he can do yet," said Ron. "Except for eating, filling nappies and making a racket."

While his friends were in classes the next day, he had a visitor from the Ministry. "Good morning, Harry," Percy Weasley said, holding out his hand.

Harry shook it and looked at him closely. He looked thinner than Harry remembered, and more tired. "Madam Pomfrey said you're here from the Ministry?"

"Yes, I'm here on behalf of the Ministry." Percy picked up a quill and a roll of parchment. "We understand you're still recovering, so you're to let me know immediately if you're getting tired, but we would like to find out exactly what happened last Saturday night."

Harry thought about it. "There may be some questions I want to discuss with Professor Dumbledore or another member of the Order, before I answer them."

Percy nodded, looking eager. "Of course, Harry. Would you prefer I ask the Headmaster to come in now?"

Harry shook his head. "No, I'm sure he's busy," he answered.

Percy smiled in a rather superior way. "I think he could make time to discuss Voldemort's defeat, but that's your decision. By the way," and here Percy looked down, "thank you for accepting my apology. What I wrote to Ron last year was completely out of line and I'm grateful to you for trying to smooth things out with my family."

"I know how important family is," Harry said quietly.

Percy nodded. "I should have remembered." He was quiet a moment, and then asked, "Were there really bars on your window?"

Harry nodded and Percy shook his head. It turned out that he had an entire list of questions for Harry. Harry answered them as best he could, but did tell Percy he wanted to talk to Dumbledore before he gave the list of people who had had the rings. "I'm not even sure who had them," Harry told him. Percy looked startled. "For instance, I didn't find out until later that Dumbledore had one."

"Professor Dumbledore," Percy corrected primly. "He doesn't surprise me in the least. Would you prefer I just ask him?" After Harry nodded, Percy made a note to himself. "How many members of my family have them?" he asked.

Harry thought about it. "I'm sure of Ron and Ginny and I think Fred and George have them, too. I don't know about the rest of them."

Percy nodded and continued asking his questions. "Did you know who all the Death Eaters were?"

Harry shook his head. "No, I was just breaking the connections," he said. "I had no idea who they were. Why?"

Percy looked unsettled. "Some of the people we found, the ones with Dark Marks . . ." He broke off and took a deep breath. "It turns out there were a number of Death Eaters within the Ministry, especially within the Aurors. Some of them were people I knew and admired," he admitted. "It's hard knowing they were fooling us all."

"Was Fudge . . .?" Harry started.

Percy shook his head. "No, Fudge wasn't a Death Eater. But most of his chief advisors, especially the unofficial ones, were. The Ministry is in an uproar; we have no idea who will be taking over. For the moment, Madam Bones is running things. She seems to know what she's doing and isn't letting public opinion sway her."

Percy finally finished his questions and stood up, extending his hand for Harry to shake. "Thank you for your time, Harry. I know that Gideon Croaker, with the Department of Mysteries, wishes to speak with you but he plans to give you a few weeks to recover. If we need any further information, we'll owl you." As he was leaving the Hospital Wing, he turned to face Harry again. "Thank you. I know the Ministry hasn't been at all fair to you, but you've been more than fair to us." He turned and left, his ears going pink.

Harry had lots of visitors to keep him company while he stayed in the Hospital Wing. Even after he had recovered enough to be walking around and staying out of bed most of the time, Madam Pomfrey insisted he stay there. "There's too much chaos right now," she told him. "You're better off where you can lie down and nap whenever you need to."

"They're also keeping the press away from you," Ron told him Friday afternoon. "As long as you're here, they can say you're still recovering and aren't up to meeting the press. They're talking to everyone else, though."

Harry knew that. He'd read interviews with most of his classmates and teachers. There was very little new in the stories, but Harry found it entertaining to see what different people emphasized. He also noticed that the rings weren't mentioned at all.

When Madam Pomfrey finally released him, after the party in the Gryffindor common room, Harry pulled both mirrors out of his trunk. He looked at the broken one for several long moments before putting it back saying, "I hope you're proud of me, Sirius. I still miss you so much."

Then, he pulled the other mirror out and called for the other Sirius. When his image appeared, he grinned happily at Harry. "There you are. You have no idea how happy I am to see you in one piece!" He explained that Ron had told him on Sunday what had happened the night before. Harry told him what he knew about what had happened. When he finally said good-bye, Sirius told him, "You now have a duty to act like a kid and drive all the adults in your life mad. It's a moral imperative!"

The train ride home was merry. With Voldemort and his Death Eaters gone, one of the biggest worries everyone had had for the last months and years was over. The compartment Harry was sharing with Ron, Hermione, and Ginny was visited by almost everyone on the train at one time or another.

Even Malfoy came by, flanked as usual by Crabbe and Goyle. Malfoy walked up to Harry and held out his hand. "I understand you make your own friends," he said, smirking, "but I thought you might be willing to make new ones." Then, the smirk fading, he said, "I can't believe I owe Harry Bloody Potter a life debt."

Harry shrugged but then thought about it. "Raise Orion to know that you judge people on their actions, not who their parents are or how they were raised. Then we'll call it even."

"And people say you're a soft touch," Draco said, sneering. He turned and left, Crabbe and Goyle on his heels.

"I can't believe that git had the nerve to remind you of our first day," Ron fumed. "Why were you so nice?"

Harry looked at Ron and smiled calmly. "Everyone deserves a second chance, Ron."

Ron turned away, pulling out a deck of Exploding Snap cards. "Dumbledore," he muttered, just loud enough for Harry to hear him. "He's turning into bloody Dumbledore!"

As always, the train arrived at King's Cross station where the parents were waiting to take their children home. The Dursleys were standing a little apart from the crowd, looking appalled. Remus was also there, as was Snape.

After greeting their own children, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley came up to Harry. "We're so very proud of you, dear," Mrs. Weasley told him. "Now, Professor Dumbledore still wants you to stay with the Dursleys for a bit but we'll have you over to visit as soon as possible."

"Thanks, Mrs. Weasley," Harry said, enjoying the hug she gave him. "I'll look forward to it." He walked over to Remus. "Hi, Remus. Am I going to see you this summer?"

"Quite a bit, I think," Remus answered, smiling. He looked tired and a bit ill, but happy to see Harry. "I'll be the one bringing Gideon Croaker by to talk with you, among others. We'll be looking into what happened for a very long time, I think."

Harry looked over at Snape. He was dressed in Muggle clothes, black trousers and a dark grey jumper, that made him look even more dangerous than he looked in his Death Eater robes. He nodded at Harry and then turned to the Dursleys. "Mr. and Mrs. Dursley, I am Professor Severus Snape, Potions Master at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Our Headmaster, Professor Albus Dumbledore, has asked me to give you some information for this summer."

Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia both looked horrified at Professor Snape. Having seen him looking truly menacing, Harry thought they were lucky that he was only sneering a little.

"First, Mr. Potter has been through something of an ordeal and will need to rest quite a bit." Snape pulled several sheets of parchment from a pocket. "Here are Madam Pomfrey's instructions as to his care. Mostly, he needs to rest."

Harry had gone from staring at Snape to exchanging incredulous looks with his friends. Hermione had greeted her parents and brought them over to witness Snape intimidating the Dursleys.

"Second, you remember the wizard who murdered your sister and brother-in-law?" When Aunt Petunia nodded, Snape gave Harry an unreadable look. "Harry destroyed him a little under two weeks ago; you will no longer need to worry that the Dark Lord will attack your family. Of course, you may wish to keep in mind that Potter is strong enough to defeat the most powerful Dark wizard in over a century." Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon were exchanging horrified looks while Harry's mood was lightening by the minute.

"Yes, but he can't do m-m-magic away from that school of his," Uncle Vernon said, his voice wavering.

Snape pulled another sheet of parchment from his pocket. "Mr. Potter has been granted an exemption from the Decree for the Reasonable Restriction of Underage Sorcery for the last month before he turns seventeen, when he is considered an adult. He will be permitted to do magic and is unlikely to be punished for even the most egregious uses of it. Something you should keep in mind."

Snape turned to Harry. "Have a good summer, Mr. Potter, and make certain you finish your summer homework. Pay particular attention to your Potions homework; you are still a little behind the class in that subject." He turned once more to the Dursleys. "Good day." He whirled around and left the platform.

"Well, Severus certainly covered the essentials," Remus said, smiling cheerfully. "Wouldn't you say, Arthur?"

Mr. Weasley nodded, smiling. "He seems to have hit the high points. We'll be getting in touch with you later, Harry," he said to Harry. Then, after Ron and Ginny had said their good-byes, Ron with a handshake and Ginny with a kiss on his cheek, the Weasleys left with Remus.

"Take care of yourself, Harry," Hermione said, her smile looking a little teary. "I'll ring you up in a day or two, all right?"

Harry nodded and gave her a hug. "Summer will be over before you know." He turned and led the Dursleys out of the station.

"Harry," Dudley asked, "was that one of your professors?" Harry nodded, and Dudley looked horrified. "I'll bet Potions is the hardest subject at your school."

Harry grinned, feeling mischievous. "Yeah, but the lessons in combat magic were wicked," he said. As they got into the car, the Dursleys looking quite thoroughly horrified, Harry felt happier than he could ever imagine. He could get on with the job of living.