Jade and the Silver Dragon

Chapter 8

Harry woke up several hours later in pain, for a vial of pain reliever potion to be put in his hands. He downed it in one go and slumped back down on the mattress where he instantly fell back into a healing sleep. Devlin snuggled against his back and Raiden spooned in front of him, where some of their magic seeped into Harry's tired body, replenishing his magical core.

When he opened his eyes a few hours later, it was to see Severus sitting at his bedside. Devlin and Raiden nowhere in sight. He was then hauled up to Severus who put his arms around his back, hugging him close. "Thank you, Harry," Severus said quietly rubbing the youth's back.

Harry hugged him back, then pulled away. "It worked then?" He asked looking at Severus' arm.

"Yes," Severus said grinning broadly. "Where there used to always be a tinge of pain, there is nothing. I never thought it would feel like that again."

"I'm glad, Sev," Harry said smiling. "Nice grey hair though," he added teasingly as his fingers brushed the grey hair on Severus's arm.

"I can live with that," Severus said laughing. "Come on. Dev and Raiden are downstairs making you a huge breakfast."

Harry shakily got out of bed, with Severus there to help him stand. "You okay?" Severus asked.

"Yeah. Legs feel a bit rubbery though," Harry replied slowly making his way to the bedroom door. When he entered the kitchen there was Bill and Charlie also sitting at the table, just finishing their breakfast.

"Alright there, Harry?" Charlie asked looking up.

"Yeah, I'm okay," Harry said smiling thankfully to Devlin who placed a plate full of bacon, eggs, and pancakes in front of him. "Are the baskets ready for the snakes?"

"Yes. They're just outside," Bill said. "We were waiting for you so you can make sure they're all there and to reassure them that we won't do them harm."

They all talked about the party the day before and the upcoming school year for Harry as they finished their breakfast. While Harry took his first sip of coffee, Severus handed Harry a vial of revitalizing potion and stood over him to make sure he drank it all. He grimaced at the taste and then made his way out the patio doors onto the deck.

When he went out he saw that Selkis was on the warmed rock by the house. "I will miss our talks Selkis," He hissed to the snake as he sat down on the deck, the basket at his side.

"I will remember you well, Harry Potter, and thank you again for finding a way for us to get home," She hissed back.

Harry then carefully placed the snakes in one at a time in the two baskets with a reassuring hiss, leaving Selkis last. "Are you sure you don't want to stay?" He asked her.

"Although I will miss talking to you as well, I don�t think that I would be able to handle the coldness of your land. I miss the sands of Egypt," She hissed as she slithered up to rub her nose against Harry's cheek affectionately.

He placed her in carefully among the others and secured the lid. Severus had given both Charlie and Bill a potion to drink that would counteract the venom of the snakes in case they were bitten when letting them go, which relieved the two red-headed wizards a great deal. After bidding them a final goodbye, Harry went to change into his shorts for a swim.

Following the swim and a heavy make out session with the two boys on the floating platform, Harry tried some spells and hexes to make sure his magic was okay, with the aid of Severus and Sirius. He realized that his use of some of the spells came a lot easier than before, and wondered if it was maybe some kind of a side effect from when he had removed Severus's dark mark, forming some kind of a link to him. He didn't remember reading of it in his research, but would check his books again before bringing it up with Severus. "I wonder if it would help me improve in potions?" He thought to himself.