The Family that Chooses You

Chapter 55: The Turning Point

Pomfrey had taken one look at the team when they burst into the Infirmary and immediately sprang into action.  She directed the twins next to a bed and she magically lifted Harry out of the stretcher and onto it.  She directed Oliver to set Alicia down on the next bed over and she immediately set a diagnostic charm running on Harry.

"He's magically drained.  Dementors?"  The team nodded and she cursed loudly.  "Must have been more than one.  What happened?"  She cast more diagnostic charms on the team while they told her the story.  Her eyes widened as she listened and she looked at all of them with shock and respect.  "You all should be proud of yourselves.  That's incredible teamwork and spell-craft."

Katie wrung her hands.  "Is, is Harry okay?  Is his soul okay?"

"His what?!" the twins cried out together.

"Dementors can suck out a person's soul," Pomfrey explained with disgust.  "It's awful.  The people who have been Kissed by a Dementor become empty shells, unable to do anything but die soon after."  She cast another spell, breathing a sigh of relief at the white flame that glowed in Harry's chest.  "His soul is fine.  They must not have been able to Kiss him up.  He's very drained and will be very weak for some time, but he will recover."  She looked at each of them one by one.  "Thanks to all of you."

Katie buried her face into Harry's chest, her shoulders shaking as she hiccupped fitfully.  Angelina burst into tears, sliding down onto the stone floor, sobbing with relief.  The twins fell over, sprawling out on the ground, coughing and gasping.  Oliver felt all the tension leave his body and he almost slumped over himself.  Alicia dragged her arms around him, burying her face into his side as she too wept.  Oliver's arms encircled her and he held her, rubbing her back.

Pomfrey waved her wand over the still unconscious boy.  "I can't do too much for him right now.  Essentially I need to keep him warm and try to stabilize his magic."

"Mum said there is a way for you to share magic," Katie said, her eyes red.  "That someone can use yours to stabilize theirs."

"Yes there is," Pomfrey said, a tear growing in her eye.

Katie took Harry's wand hand in both of hers and looked up at Pomfrey.

The Matron cast another spell.

Katie felt a slight tugging from deep within, a gentle flow of her magic out of her.  It was not the cold harsh feeling the Dementors had.  It was small and slow, somewhat pleasant.  Her hands grew warm and so did Harry's.  She sighed with relief when the boy breathed easier, and seemed to rest more easily.

Pomfrey checked the results from the rest of the team and she gently restored bruises and sprains with simple charms one by one.

"You also drained your reserves," she observed when she got to Alicia.  "You need rest and plenty of it to recover, but you should be back to normal tomorrow."

The door to the Medical Ward opened and Dumbledore strode in followed by McGonagall and Snape.  Two more figures scurried after them, Ron and Hermione.  The third year girl squeaked with alarm at how pale Harry looked and rushed to him.  Ron stared at Harry with wide eyes as he approached his brothers, checking on them.

"I see he is being well taken care of," Dumbledore said pleasantly.

Katie felt something grow warm in her chest, not the warmth of her magic.  Something else, something more primal.

"I warned you this would happen," Pomfrey said angrily.  "Why on earth did the Dementors storm the grounds?"

"They were hungry," Dumbledore said with a moue of distaste.  "Apparently they haven't fed in some time so they became desperate.  All the emotion of the Quidditch game overwhelmed them and they couldn't help themselves.  It won't happen again; I have been assured."