When All is Lost One is Found

Chapter 49: Tending

When All is Lost, One is Found

Author: Rinoaebastel

Chapter 49: Tending

Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter and gain no profit from this fanfiction other than writing practice. JK Rowling owns Harry Potter.

AN: This story may contain scenes taken from the Harry Potter movies and books, but it's not exact dialogue, just rewording of dialogue or omission. It is not marked.

The room materialized in front of his eyes as his body solidified. He hadn't been able to get home as quickly as he'd hoped. He'd had to erase an entire muggle family's memories because they were going to call the police after hearing the commotion in the house.

He almost attacked when a high-pitched yell of surprise greeted him as soon as he stepped inside his living room. She was still here despite him telling her to leave. It was clear from her eyes and her more disheveled than usual hair that she'd been asleep. A book fell from her lap as she darted up from the sofa.

"You're back!" She walked over to him and grabbed his arm as if checking him for damage.

He yanked his arm away and removed his mask. "Didn't I tell you to go back to your room?"

"I couldn't. Not when I knew you were going to the Dark Lord so I spent the time reading."

"My books I assume," he snapped. He threw the mask on his winged chair. She was taking too many liberties with his offerings. Too fast for his taste and faster than he'd expected.

"Well, I knew you wouldn't like me to ignore what you told me to do, and I'm sorry for that, but I'm not sorry to have waited." Her tone turned just as hostile as his and she scowled. "I wanted to make sure you didn't pop in half dead."

He was flattered even if it was an absurd action. Both of them knew that his destiny was to perish sooner or later.

He shook his head, hiding a smirk. He couldn't and wouldn't punish her for staying. He'd picked her because she was loyal and stubborn.

"As you can see, I'm still alive, so you can go, Miss Granger," he said as he began removing his Death Eater robes. "I think I'm going to take a nap before breakfast, and it would do you some good to do the same."

His hand hit his shoulder, moving the piece of wood, and he grunted before he could stop himself. She gasped and came closer.

"What are you-?"

She moved her hand in the direction of his shoulder. He flinched when it got close and she jerked her hand away.

"You're covered in blood, sir!"

He clenched his teeth as he removed the robe and tossed it in the same place the mask was resting.

"Sir! You've been stabbed!"

He did his best to ignore the pain along his shoulder, but it ached with every movement. "It's nothing. Don't concern yourself over a small injury."

"Small? That's small to you?"

"Yes." He'd had worse.

"There's a piece of wood sticking out of your shoulder!" she said, half-incredulous and half-angry.