Let Memories Unfold

Chapter 12

"What? No. Absolutely not, I'm not crazy."

"Mr Potter, this is not something you have a choice in." Snape sighed, looking frustrated.

"I'm not crazy, I don't need someone else looking into my head." Harry scowled.

"It is not a matter of if you are 'crazy'," Snape borderline mocked the word as he said it, "It is essential for you and your well-being. I will not listen to anymore complaints about it."

And with that, Snape got up and left the room, leaving Harry rather annoyed.

Harry had woken up a mere hour ago, and was already regretting the decision. He felt awful, like every part of his body and mind was sagged into the bed, and he couldn't bring himself to move. Hermione had told him a little after he had woken that it was magical exhaustion, and then got up to tell Madam Pomfrey he was awake. Snape had proceeded to boast into the room with an attitude Harry could only wish he could swipe off the git's face, and explained in excruciating detail the events of the previous night whilst Harry got increasingly more embarrassed at his own actions.

With everything that had happened in his life, Harry had ultimately decided this was the worst. He couldn't take it much longer, and he just wanted to rest and ignore the humiliation that seemed to douse him in cold water every 10 minutes. Hermione sat beside him, nose tucked in a book whilst Harry looked wistfully up to the ceiling and wondered what it would take to make it crash down upon him. He didn't understand why he felt so lethargic, hold the apathy, he had enough emotion filling in him to take out at least 3 hippogriffs. He had experienced worse, been through worse, so why did he feel permanently melted into the bed?

He grabbed his attention back to the present upon hearing the telltale signs of Madam Pomfrey clicking closer to his bed, her heels louder than Harry thought was necessary as he winced from it. She parted the curtain and peeked in, before stepping in fully and assessing the situation.

"Miss Granger, would it not be beneficial to return to your Friday classes whilst I talk to Mr Potter here?-" She started.

"I am not leaving Harry." Hermione replied, firm as ever.

It seems Madam Pomfrey had learned a little throughout the years of Hermione's insistence and stubborn streak, as she simply sighed and turned to Harry as he shrunk himself impossibly further into the bed.

"Right, then. Mr Potter, how are you feeling?" She asked, looking him up and down.

"Um..." He dropped the eye-contact he had tried so hard to maintain.

"Please, do be honest. It is the only way you can feel better, and I can treat you in the according ways." She said softly.

"I feel.... really tired. I know, I know Hermione said it was magical exhaustion, but I swear- I've never felt more," he struggled to find the words, "Drained. I guess."

"Hm, yes. Part of it is magical exhaustion, that is to be expected. However, after running a few scans I think I have an answer to this."

"What... what is it?" Harry asked nervously.

"It seems that your magical core has been preserving your state, and maintaining you to a point where you can get through the days as you have. However, after the magic you exerted last evening, it took it completely out of you, and it is currently unable to reinstate you to your previous ability." Madam Pomfrey explained, and Harry sucked in a breath.

"Is my magic gone?" He hurried out, wanting to get the worst of the news out of the way if it so be.

"No, no, Mr Potter. Your magic is not gone, it is simply... as you say, drained. You will need bed rest, and lots of it. Potions daily, too,