Harry Potter and the Wrath of the Fallen

Chapter 17: Trials and Tribulations

Harry had woken to find the hospital wing was bathed in early morning sunlight. He could hear a commotion coming from the other side of the doors that Alicia was still guarding. Harry guessed that word of the attack had spread quickly throughout the school.

"What's going on, Alicia?" asked Harry, as he noticed the tired and drawn look on the Auror's face. Harry realised she must have been awake all night as she kept watch over them.

"Apparently some concerned people would like to see you," said Alicia, stifling a yawn.

"Who?" asked Harry.

"Um... everyone, I think," replied Alicia with a grin, extracting a small bottle from her pocket and taking a sip from it.

Harry was astonished as he saw the young Auror instantly liven up. Harry had heard of the tonics which could help you stay awake for days, but they were banned at the school so he had never seen any of them used before. Harry shook the thought off as he contemplated what he should do.

"Kreacher," said Harry, as he smiled at the old house-elf who was curled up asleep on the chair beside the hospital bed.

"Yes, Master," said Kreacher, as he stirred and turned his head towards Harry.

"I'm sorry to wake you, Kreacher, but I was hoping you could do something for me."

"Of course, Master," replied Kreacher, hopping down onto the tiled floor.

"Could you please fetch a change of clothes for Ginny and I, and bring them back here?" asked Harry.

Kreacher grinned at Harry. "Right away, Master."

Kreacher clicked his fingers and was gone.

Alicia had watched the exchange with fascination. She had rarely come into contact with house-elves, and she was curious about their abilities ever since she had been startled by the sudden appearance of Harry's house-elf in her room last night, asking for her assistance.

"Harry," she ventured, "I hope you don't mind me asking, but how did you get a house-elf?"

Harry smiled. "Kreacher was left to me by my godfather. He had been the house-elf of the Black Family, but he belongs to me now."

"He didn't leave your side all night," said Alicia. "It was good thinking sending him to get Gawain and I last night."

"I didn't send him," explained Harry. "I sent him to alert Minerva, but Kreacher decided on his own to fetch more help."

Alicia was amazed. "That," she commented, "is a very handy friend."

As Harry laughed, Ginny stirred as the bed shook. She rolled over to see Harry lying on his back, propped up on his elbows as he chuckled. Ginny touched her forehead and felt that the gash had almost healed during the night. It was still there, but it felt very small compared to the feeling she had when she touched it last night.

Ginny sat up and leaned over to kiss Harry, putting her hand against his neck. She was a little taken aback when Harry quickly broke the kiss. She looked at him and saw he was blushing.

"Uh, Gin, we're not alone," said Harry with a grin, as he looked towards the other side of the room.

Ginny followed Harry's gaze and saw Alicia seated by the doors to the hospital wing. Alicia grinned and gave her a small wave. Ginny's face now matched Harry's as she also blushed.

"It's quite alright, you two," said an amused Alicia.

"In that case...," said Harry, and put his hand on Ginny's cheek, turning her head back towards him before giving Ginny a long kiss good morning. When they broke apart Harry looked at the cut on Ginny's forehead.