Demigods At Hogwarts

Chapter 13

Happy New Year!

Harry POV

We arrived at Grimmauld Place, spooky as ever. Sirius greeted us and asked for an explanation. Fred, George and Ginny all wanted one too. I explained the dream. They all seemed worried but relived that Mr Weasley could be saved. Sirius went and got us some butterbeer. He asked if we wanted to go to bed. The glares of the Weasley children gave him his answer. We sat in the room, waiting for dawn.

The sky was beggining to lighten when Mrs Weasley came in

"He's still alive" she said breathlessly

That didn't sound good, she made it sound like he was was on a knife's edge, between life and death.

"I'm so sorry" I began

"Don't be silly" she interrupted "we don't blame you, he would still be down there if you hadn't told Dumbledore. She looked around and saw the bags under our eyes.

"To bed for you" She decreed and bustled us all up the stairs and into our rooms.

Later that afternoon we set off for St Mungo's Hospital. As it was close to Grimmauld Place we went by foot. When we arrived we went straight to Mr Weasley's floor. It was decided that the Weasley family would go in first so the room didn't get overcrowded. Mrs Weasley dragged me along too, apparently Mr Weasley wanted to thank me. He ended up getting in trouble with Mrs Weasley for using muggle medication or his wound. After a conversation the children (including me) were sent out into the corridor. The adults went in and closed the door. As soon as the door shut Fred and George whipped out extendable ears and handed them out. We put them under the doors

"What if Potter is being possessed" someone whispered, evidently afraid of eavesdroppers (no idea why)

"Voldemort might be using him" another one chipped in

There may have been more but I couldn't hear it over my own breathing. Everyone else turned to stare at me. Percy tried to say something, I beat him to it

"I'm going to the tea shop" I said quickly, I couldn't bear being near them, I needed time to think, alone.

I ascended the stairs. I was speedwalking along a corridor when I saw a familiar face. It was ex-Professor Lockhart. He came over to me and offered autographs (he may have lost his memory but his ego remained intact). I was going to leave before a nurse walked out and asked if I was a visitor. I didn't want to be impolite so I went into his room. He sat himself down and began writing. I was awkwardly standing there when Percy came in.

"Wha" I began. He gestured to me to be quiet so we wouldn't disturb the other patients. We  sat down awkwardly. I was ignoring him and he was trying to talk to me. The nurse was busy putting a bush on the bedside table of another patient. I relised this was the ward for people with permanent magical mental problems. I snuck a look at Percy, he looked sad. I was going to turn away again but he began talking.

"I had a friend whose mum was like this. She was lovely and tried to do what she wanted but she was cursed. Her son ran away but she always expected him to come home" he said, choked with emotion

"Did he go back" I asked quietly

"Twice, but not out of kindness" he let out a small, merciless laugh "the first time he needed help for his friends and the second time he needed something from her. He, he died soon after the second time" Percy finished

I looked at him then noticed something. Neville was coming out from behind the curtain. A lady followed him, proud in an old dress. Neville looked distraught

"Oh" he mumbled "hello Harry, Percy"

"What are you doing here Neville" I asked

"My parents" he said as his grandmother pulled him away.

Lockhart gave us his signatures and we took our leave. We were still silent when we met back with the others. I still couldn't look at them.