What's in a memory?

Chapter Two

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Harry turned and looked into the faces of Ron and Hermione. Quickly discerning no threat, Harry returned to his search.

"Harry, you're up mate!" Ron encroached a step or two with his arms spread wide in greeting, but Harry's back was to him as he looked under the pillow.

"What are you doing up?" Hermione huffed.

Ron glared at her, spoil sport.

"I didn't mean- It's great he's awake but he should be in bed. Resting." Hermione justified.

"Where is it?" Harry grumbled as he crouched to look under the bedframe."Where is it!"

"What are you looking for?" Echoed from behind him in harmony.

"My wand. I can't find it"

"Harry, stop. You're gonna hurt yourself!" Hermione comanded as Harry crawled further under the bed.

"Seriously mate, don't worry about that. We haven't seen you in a week." Ron moaned.

"Merlin Harry get out from under there! We have your wand."

At that Harry began wriggling back out, he winced as more pain flared in his chest.

"You do?"
"Harry James Potter, Bed. Now." Hermione's stare was relentless and followed Harry's every movement.

Harry sat back on the bed, feet dangling off the side and held out his palm, awaiting his wand.
Ron, the moron, just high fived it with an affectionate slap. Harry glared at Hermione, like seriously.

"I'll just inform the staff you're up and " she huffed, flicking her hair off her face "moving."

She looked disapprovingly down at him. Ron chuckled. "They clearly don't know as they hadn't said when we checked in."

"Ron, watch him."

With that, Hermione turned and closed the door gently on her way out.

"You look like shite" Ron said, plopping himself beside Harry making the mattress bounce a little.

"Gee thanks. Wait. Did you say a week?"

"Yeah, it was rough. Weren't sure you were gonna wake up. So thanks for that" he said with a mild shove, but he was smiling so Harry knew he meant no malice.

"Shit, what did Robards say? Is he mad? Christ, a week to make up."

Harry thought about Head auror Robards and his concern about Harry starting training.

Robard's been tailing Harry since the first day, looking for the slightest slip up that Harry wasn't ready for the force.

A whole week missing from training certainly doesn't look good for prospecting arouras.

Godric he's screwed.

Harry felt his heartrate elevate with each thought. How was he gonna fit an extra week into his already grueling training schedule?

Ron just grabbed his shoulder and applied pressure.

"Hey! hey! calm down. It's not as bad as that. He'll just be glad you're back on your feet." Ron offered a grin.

"No but Ron, they're looking for a reason to cut me. Fuck, what am I gonna do?"

"Cut you? Mate, Robards loves you. You're fine, you're job's fine. Stop overreacting mate." Ron continued to look so calm and relaxed, while Harry imagines his carer slipping away.

How could Ron be so caviler about this? So calm. He should be freaking out too.

"Fine? It's not fine, I really can't go through training again, and certainly not without you!" Harry was sure of that. He couldn't watch Ron, a year behind.

"Merlin, Harry calm down! Spiraling is not helping. No one will ask you do redo training."

"But Ron-"

Whatever he was gonna say got interrupted as Hermione walked in with a group of people in tow.

"Mione tell him his job is fine!" Ron turned to his girlfriend, uncaring for the audience, and trying to get Hermione on his side.

Well Harry can play that game too.

"Mione tell Ron he doesn't know that!"

"Boys! stop it. Ron, off the bed. Harry, the healers are here to help. We can talk about the force after."

She smiled belatedly as if she realised she was still ordering them about like kids, "Okay?"

Everyone turned to Harry at that, so he just nodded dumbly.

Ron muttered a "told you" and Harry, still feeling petulant, elbowed him.

"oi"

"So Harry, how're you feeling?" A tall, male healer stepped forward from the crowd.

Harry shrugged, "Alright."

"No pain? Nausea? Dizziness?" Staring at the parchment in his hand, rather than looking at him.

Harry shrugged (again).

"Tell him Harry" Hermione urged.

"Tell him what? I'm fine" Harry faced her, finally noting how strange her hair looks. Her hair was shorter than he recalled it to be, weird that she changed it so suddenly. And while he'd been unconscious, weird choice whilst your friends in hospital.

"Harry, we need you to be honest here. You've given us all a scare." Healer Johnsen finally looked up, pulling  Harry's attention away from Hermione's sudden appearance change.

"Look I'm sorry about that, but there's really nothing to tell."

"You've had an elevated heart rate in the last ten minutes" He noted staring at the vitals and then with a flick of his wand he brought up more airborne numbers.

"He's been stressing a bit." Hermione justified for him.

"Look, I'm fine, just worried about my wand and work is all?"

"hmm..." he said jotting something down on his parchment.

"He was a bit maniac though" Ron added.

"Hey" Harry said defensively, sending a glare his way.

"No seriously dude, calm down. You should know work'll be alright, they all love you."

Harry groaned, head in hands.

"Harry, are you experiencing pain?" One of the healers asked.

"No, it's just- Ron seriously stop it. You know how they all see me. The way they stare, just waiting for me t-to slip up."

"What're you on?"

"What are you on! Get off it."

"Harry, could you tell us when this paranoia about work started?" A third healer piped up.

"What! wait! no. It's not paranoia!"

"Is he usually like this?" She turned to his friends.

"No!" Ron immediately answered-"Not in years." Hermione furthered

"hmm" more parchment noting. The scratch of each quill irritating Harry further. Each scribble grating away at his nerves. His breathing turning erratic again.

"No. No. I will not sit here and be made to feel crazy. This is real, okay? Ever since the war, there's been questions about my judgement and sanity. I won't take it, okay? This is not new. You" He pointed at Ron and Hermione "Should know that. I tell you all the time, how bias it all is. I told you just the other day about how Robards gave me a second medical screening because of this.... this theory that I'm not fit for the job. I am though. I can do it. "

"Harry, calm down, okay?" Hermione reached out for him but Harry jerked away, ignoring the stabbing pain that came with it.

"No, I worked really hard okay? I can't redo it. I can't repeat this year."

"What year?" A healer broke through. 

"Training, obviously."

"Training!" Harry heard Hermione gasp, Ron groan, but Healer Johnsen just asked:

"Training for what?"

"Work." Harry exasperated then continued, "You know, Auror work. Training."

Harry froze when he saw their expressions.

"Harry." Mione gently started. Everyone seemed to freeze. "What, what year is it?"

Just then steps could be heard and a knock came on the already open door.

They all turned and Harry saw who was there sweaty faced. He'd know that face anywhere.

"Hey sorry I'm late,what did I-" he stopped, "Harry! You're up?"

"What the fuck are you doing here Malfoy!"

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