Chapter 12
Harry woke up with a start, his arm burning in pain. He groaned and gripped at the bandaging. He looked up to see Madam Pomfrey looking over him.
“It’s alright dear. You have been through a lot I would think.” She helped him sit up and gently tucked the blanket around him. Why was she suddenly being so kind and careful with him? He blinked a few times trying to recall what had happened. Things were foggy but as they came into clarity he slowly began to panic Voldemort. The ritual. It all came swimming back.
“Potter dear. The Headmaster is here to see you.”
He looked over to watch the medinurse go and for Dumbledore to step up to him. His eyes twinkling with that soft smile, “Harry my boy. I must say I owe you an apology. Had I known the trap that the tournament was, I would have helped you more.”
Harry looked up at the man, “He’s back. I don’t know why but he attacked me the moment the port key happened. They tied me to a statue and took my blood.”
Dumbledore took his hand, “Harry what happened.”
Green eyes closed as he recalled it in clarity and told the man, “It was awful. He was going on and on about his father and the hypocrisy of the government. He said that he would kill me before all his follower and leave my body as a symbol of his return.” Tears came to his eyes. There was no reasoning with such an evil man. Marcus and Moody had been wrong. No thats right, “He said he had a follower in the castle that put my name in the cup. Someone everybody thought was dead. Professor he is here in the castle some were!”
The man laid a gentle hand on Harry’s shoulder, “We have already located them. Did he say anything else to you Harry? How did you get away?”
Harry swallowed, “He summoned all his followers there, didn’t call any of them by name. He made me bow and gave me my wand back. It was like he was toying with me. There was this terrible sound and I accioed the cup to me and then. It's all dark Professor.”
The man nodded solemnly, “You came back stumbling to the ground screaming that Voldemort had returned before passing out. You were bleeding quite badly but Madam Pomfrey got you treated up. I’m sorry my boy but there will be a scar. The knife he used was very dark magic not even Madam Pomfrey can reverse all the damage of that.” He laid a hand on Harry’s shoulder patting it gently before taking his leave.
Harry shook as he removed the bandage from his forearm. The new scar was a long puckered line from his wrist and half up to his elbow. It looked like an older scar but still it felt so fresh to him. Even his hand had an odd ache. Wait.. his snake! “Araphel!”
“I am fine Hatchling” hissing coming from under his pillow on his right side.
Harry picked up the beautiful snake and kissed the hood gently, “I was worried you were harmed during the fight.”
“It is fine hatchling. Listen closely. Memoria Inversa”
“What did you sa…” His words cut off as his head flooded with new images and memory. The conversation and ritual, Wormtail nearly taking his arm off to get his blood and Voldemort’s anger after the fact.
Flashback
“Potter.”
A cool touch had him slowly coming to. He opened his eyes to look into the cool red tinted brown of the other. The face was palm and sharp with an aristocratic nose and pale lips. The hand was careful as it touched and soothed. His body still felt cold and heavy from blood loss.
“Pettigrew cut you deeply with the ritual blade. I can’t heal it but I stopped the blood long enough to speak to you. I am going to alter your memory so that Dumbledore does not discover what truly transpired tonight. Your memory will revert once you're told a specific keyword. We will speak again Potter, as I promised. Do take care of my servant for me. He will be coming to you.”
The world going black once more.
End Flashback
Altered his memory to cover his tracks. That made sense but now his head was pounding and he really wanted to get out of here. He laid back against the bed and looked down at his familiar, “Did he tell you anything when he sent us back?”
“Yes, hatchling. He said that I was a good familiar and that I should stay closer to you for now on. That you are a hatchling, but I already knew this.”
“You're a hatchling, you know.”
“Yes, but my venom is stronger.”
Harry laughed and just laid back in the bed letting his body rest. He wondered where Marcus and the others were. Surely they would come see him in the hospital wing. Unless Pomfrey wasn’t letting anyone else in.
“Harry!”
He looked up and saw Ginny and Hermione running towards him. He flinched as they both hugged him at the same time. Tears in their eyes.
“Oh Harry, we were so worried. When Professor Deumbledore said you had been taken and hurt by You Know Who we were so worried.” Ginny was near sobbing as she clung to his hand.
“Harry why didn’t you tell us the whole tournament was a plot of You Know Who. We would have helped you.” Hermione looked at him with big brown eyes. He didn’t see Ron anywhere but he was starting to get worried. They had ignored him all year and now suddenly were worried about him?
“What are you two doing here?”
Ginny gasped, “What do you mean Harry? We are your friends.”
Harry glared, “Friends don't insult and abandon each other.”
“Oh pish Harry it was a minor disagreement and then you started hanging out with those snakes. What were we supposed to do?” Hermione said softly, taking his hand.
“One of those snakes is my betrothed. Take care how you speak about him.” Harry pulled his hands from their grips.
Ginny shook her head, “You can’t be betrothed to a boy Harry. It doesn’t work like that. If you want a betrothed, we can sign the contract. I would be such a wonderful wife for you Harry.”
His stomach churned and he gripped his hands into fists, “Ginny, I will never marry you. I don’t feel that way for you. I love Marcus and you can’t convince me otherwise. Our courtship is legal.”
Hermione and Ginny looked at him and the former patted his hand, “It’s okay Harry. You're in shock. You just need to rest and remember all the good times. Come on Ginny let's let him get some rest.”
They both hugged him again and Harry didn’t move or relax until they were gone. He groaned and fell back against the pillow, “I need to get out of here.”
The snake slid up and curled around his neck. Harry slowly sat up with his head spinning but he didn’t care. He threw back the covers and was relieved he was still dressed in his battle robe. His leg still bandaged from the bite he checked to make sure his knife was still there and hidden before grabbing his wand and standing. His head swam more and he swayed on his feet. He barely got two steps before his vision spotted and he had to grab the bedpost tightly. He gripped it tightly and took another step. Finding his footing slowly but surely.
“Careful there Harry.” Warm arms wrapped about him and pulled him against a hard warm chest. He looked up to see an unfamiliar man holding him. He was draped in a dark cloak, brown eyes and shaggy brown hair and a grin on the slim face. He was tall and held him firmly. Something about the other was so very familiar and he watched the others tongue dart out and run along his bottom lip.
“Moody?”
“Barty actually.” He smiled at Harry, “I knew you would recognize me even without that old aurors face. I am sorry for the deception Harry. I have truly come to see you as my friend.”
Harry tried pulling away but the other held fast, “You put my name in the Goblet. You tried to have me killed.”
Barty held him a bit tighter, “At first yes but then I got to know you. It was always my intention to ask my Lord to spare you. But then you came to me about wanting to go neutral. It was perfect. It was why I told him to speak to you.”
“You, wait… I told Dumbledore that he had a spy here. They will find you.”
“Calm, they are looking for me now. I am afraid I confiscated your broom. I only came to check on you before I leave. Be safe Harry. I will be in touch soon.” He kissed Harry’s forehead and released him before heading to the window.
Harry could hear shouting and screaming and the doors to the medical wing burst open just as Barty crashed through the window and took off on the broom. Harry’s broom. Shit. He swayed and watched as the adults began to bark orders and people from the Ministry were there as well. He grit his teeth and slipped out the door and began to head towards the Dungeons. He had to get away from it all. The way they were talking about him just needing rest and to remember the good times made a knot rest in his stomach. Voldemort had altered his memories so easily. Dumbledore could probably do the same.
The journey was slow and agonizing. His leg throbbed and though healed, his wrist and hand were not much better. Now he knew why his hand hurt. He finally made it to the portrait and gave the password. Stumbling through the door and smacked right into Malfoy who looked to be coming out.
“Potter? What the hell?” The blonde grabbed him and Harry felt himself getting lifted or dragged to a soft surface and laid down.
“Marcus?” Harry gasped out.
“He is not here. He was trying to go see you in the hospital wing.”
Harry shuttered and curled tighter, “Hurts. I want Marcus.” His vision blurred again.
“By Merlin's balls he is not looking good. Why did they let him out of the Hospital Wing like this? Some on go get Higgs! Now!” Malfoy looked him over, “Let’s get his robes off. He might have other wounds that the one we see bandaged. Careful, don't let his head hit anything.
A few minutes later left Harry shivering in a pair of shorts and no shirt, tucked under a few blankets by the fire. Terrence hovering over him as he cast a few diagnostic spells.
“Acromantula venom. He took a potion for it but it wasn't enough. It only delayed it. Traces of ritual magic. Mind altering spells and traces of a potion I don’t know. It was given recently too.”
Harry groaned, “Dumbledore, I think. Hermione and Ginny came to the Hospital wing. They were talking about me sleeping and remembering the good times. Something about marrying Ginny. I can’t … it's foggy.”
Terrence hushed him, “Don’t worry. We will get you healed up. I can do a cleansing. You're not going to have a good night though. Malfoy, I need you to go get some water and an empty bin. I can’t give him potions while trying to purge his system. I will need people to sit with him in case it goes wrong.”
“Whats going to happen.” one of the younger Slytherins asked softly.
Malfoy was the one who answered, “His body has to throw up all the toxins and potions in his system. It is similar to a detox. It really isn’t a fun experience.”
Terrence nodded, “Alright Harry you ready? I need you to roll on your side to face the bin so that you don’t choke.”
Harry moved slowly and adjusted himself, wincing in pain. “Ganna suck.”
“Yes it is. Alright drink this and it will start.”
He took the potion and downed it quickly. He felt it hit his stomach and warmth rushed through his body before the heavy nausea kicked in. Then he was greeting the potion and everything else for a second time.