After spending some time with Ginny in his room that afternoon, Harry insisted on more time with Ron and Hermione, despite the potion being ready for the ritual that could possibly cure him. Though he knew delaying was foolish, Harry worried that if the ritual failed, he would regret not speaking to his friends one last time. After some reluctance, the adults conceded, provided Harry promised to tell them immediately if he felt unwell. So Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny sat huddled by Dobby’s grave outside the cottage.
Ginny tenderly tucked the blankets around Harry as he stared at the weathered headstone reading “HERE LIES DOBBY, A FREE ELF.” Flowers already covered part of the mound, a testament to the beauty and peacefulness of Dobby’s final resting place. Harry was struck again by the sadness of Dobby’s absence. I wish you were here with us, my friend, he thought mournfully.
Harry gazed up at the clear blue sky and listened to the crashing waves, their soothing roar muffled by the cliffside. Though at first relaxed by the warm waves, Harry tensed as pain shot through him. He hid it, not wanting to worry his friends. But Ginny noticed his pained expression. “Are you alright?” she asked, Ron and Hermione also looking at Harry with concern.
Harry inhaled deeply and exhaled with a sigh. “I do get pains sometimes,” he confessed hesitantly, loath to admit this to his friends for fear of upsetting them. “But I’m alright!” he added hastily, forcing a weak smile to try and allay their concern.
Ron scrutinized him closely, searching for any sign he was less than fine. “You sure, mate? We could just hang in your room instead. You’d probably feel more at ease there than here.”
Harry shook his head. “I’m sure,” he told them firmly. He ran his hand over Dobby’s grave. “I want to spend some time with him too,” he added softly.
The thought of Dobby’s death caused his hand to tremble as he wondered when—or if—the pain of losing someone so dear would ever fade. Though their memories still circled his mind, both tormenting and comforting him, the loss remained devastating. Having survived Voldemort’s Killing Curse, he knew the shadow of death firsthand. Now it seemed to haunt his every step, even invading his dreams. He couldn’t help but wonder: did it hurt to die?
Ron, Hermione, and Ginny did not object to Harry’s firm statement, so they let the matter drop. Harry slid closer to his girlfriend and she rested her head against his chest. Her body’s warmth comforted him enough to stay put.
“I miss Dobby,” Hermione suddenly said, seeming to read Harry’s mind. “He was a brave house-elf, always willing to risk himself when he knew it was right.”
“I remember he used to call me Wheezy,” Ron said with a quiet chuckle. “At first I didn’t know what he meant.”
“He was a good friend,” Harry whispered, not wanting to disturb Dobby’s peaceful eternal rest. The others nodded in agreement.
“You’re right, Harry,” Hermione agreed thoughtfully, her gaze lingering on Dobby’s grave. “He was extremely devoted to you. I think Dobby saw you as his best friend.”
Harry smiled wistfully. He hoped that was true.
Ron laughed loudly. “His way of showing devotion was really strange. Remember when he hurt and injured Harry, thinking it would save him?”
Harry bowed his head, speaking in a low, miserable tone. “I had forgiven Dobby already. I told him not to try to save me again if he could.” He swallowed hard, lost in grief. “Yet he did… and because of me, he’s gone.”
“Stop that,” Ginny said sternly, squeezing his shoulder and making him wince slightly. “Don’t blame yourself—it wasn’t your fault. If anyone’s to blame, it’s Bellatrix Lestrange.”
“I have immense respect for Dobby,” Ron declared solemnly. “He saved our lives.”
Hermione nodded, struggling to stay positive despite her grief. “Dobby always found ways to help, even if his methods were unorthodox. He was so loyal and hardworking.”
“Yeah,” Harry agreed quietly. Glancing at his friends, he shook off the painful memories threatening to overwhelm him. “Like you three.”
Ron, Hermione, and Ginny looked at Harry in surprise. Harry realized this was the perfect moment to express his deep feelings for his friends.
“Not all people are lucky enough to have such strong friendship,” Harry said thoughtfully, his gaze drifting toward the crashing waves as memories rose in his mind. “For the first eleven years of my life, I had no friends. Dudley bullied me for being different, and I endured the isolation. When I got my Hogwarts letter, I never imagined socializing—why would anyone want to befriend me? But then you showed up at the barrier to Platform Nine and Three-Quarters, and again in my train compartment.”
He smiled over at Ron. “I’ll always remember that day. All the other compartments were full, so you joined me. I must have looked so alone. Given how I isolated myself back then, I’m grateful you reached out.”
“Yeah, well...” Ron rubbed his neck, ears flushing as red as his hair. “You did seem really lonely.”
Harry chuckled self-consciously. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to portray myself that way. I was completely overwhelmed when I first entered the Wizarding World, knowing nothing about spells or History of Magic. I felt like an idiot just thrown into this new world.”
Ron grinned as he recalled their early days of friendship. “Yeah, it was a shame you knew nothing back then. But look at you now!” He gestured proudly at Harry. “Savior of the Wizarding World! The Boy Who Lived! The Chosen One! The teenager who defeated You-Know-Who!”
Harry’s face reddened in embarrassment at Ron’s proud declaration. “No, I mean yes, I did defeat Voldemort, but I couldn’t have done most of it without you,” Harry admitted. “You’re much stronger than people realize. If you hadn’t sat with me on the train that first day, I wouldn’t even be here. I’d probably still be stuck at the life-sized chess board from our first year, or expelled for not showing up in our second year since Dobby sealed the entrance to Platform 9 3/4.”
“Blimey, I remember the flying car and the Whomping Willow that broke my wand—not to mention Hagrid’s bloody spiders!” Ron visibly shuddered. Hermione and Ginny laughed. “I was so relieved when we got out of the forest. I’ll never go in there again, I swear!”
“Yeah, or else you’d have peed your pants,” Harry taunted with a grin.
“I’ve told you I nearly did it,” Ron said impatiently over the girls’ laughter, as if everyone needed to know this vital fact.
Harry burst out laughing too, joining Hermione and Ginny in amusement at Ron’s admission, despite another wave of pain coursing through him.
Taking a shuddering breath, Harry turned to his other best friend. “And you, Hermione...” He paused as Hermione inhaled deeply, then continued, “Without you, I wouldn’t realize how reckless I can be. You’ve kept me on the right path this whole time.”
Hermione blushed briefly before rolling her eyes and glaring. “I knew you needed a sister, even when you first thought I was stuck-up and arrogant.”
Shocked, Harry’s jaw dropped open. “What? Are you sure you meant me and not Ron?”
“Hey!” Ron exclaimed defensively. “She was talking about you, Harry, not me. Don’t bring me into this.” He shot Harry a sharp look before giving a playful smirk.
Hermione spoke over their bickering in frustration. “Without me, both of you would likely fail not just in dangerous situations, but in your everyday lives too.”
Realizing the truth in her words, Harry and Ron couldn’t hide their embarrassment.
“You’re absolutely right, as always, Hermione,” Harry conceded as Ron nodded in agreement. “You’ve stood by me through thick and thin, even when Ron couldn’t.”
“Hey!” Ron interjected indignantly. “You wouldn’t consider me your best mate if I wasn’t on your side most of the time.” He huffed, feeling affronted.
“That’s true,” Harry agreed, though his tone quickly turned annoyed. “Except for that time you doubted me about the Goblet of Fire fiasco, while Hermione had my back from the start. You didn’t speak to me until after the First Task. What a git!”
Ron’s jaw dropped open in shock. “That’s not fair!” he protested angrily. “I realized I had completely misjudged the situation and apologized sincerely.” With a heavy sigh, he conveyed his frustration.
Hermione and Ginny giggled at the bickering boys.
“I was just joking with you, Ron,” Harry said reassuringly, grinning from ear to ear. He looked at his best friend apologetically.
“Oh, I see...” Ron replied, his voice laced with mock seriousness. “Well then, I’ll give you a hard time with my sister.” He joked.
Ginny elbowed Ron sharply and glared at him. “Don’t even think about it, Ronald Weasley, or I’ll give you a hard time with Hermione!” She quickly gave Hermione an apologetic look. Hermione just laughed in response.
“I’m your brother!” Ron retorted, annoyed. “I can say whatever I want—”
“Oh, stop with that nonsense!” his sister interrupted sharply, mimicking their mother’s commanding tone. Harry and Hermione burst into laughter at her impression.
“But truly, Ron...” Harry looked up earnestly, his eyes glowing with sincerity. “Our friendship means more to me than anything. Thank you for always standing by my side. You’ve been a true friend through it all—I hope in twenty years we can look back happily at the close bond we forged and the great adventures it led to. You’re the best friend I’ve ever had, and I mean that with all my heart.”
“You’re only saying that because you’re scared of what I’ll do to you for dating my sister,” Ron said suspiciously, a gleam in his eye. Ginny shot him a glare.
Harry gulped exaggeratedly before nodding. “Yeah, you could say that,” he conceded with a nervous grin. But Ron smiled back approvingly.
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Startling them all, Hermione suddenly burst into tears.
Ron turned to her with concern etched on his face. “Don’t cry! There’s no need for tears,” he said, perplexed by her unexpected hysteria.
Hermione embraced her friends in a warm hug, conveying her emotions more profoundly than words could.
“Let Harry breathe,” Ron said with a smile. She released them and sat back down, wiping away her tears.
“Thanks, Hermione.” She looked up at Harry at the mention of her name. “You are the most caring friend I could ever ask for. Your constant encouragement uplifts me; you see my inner strength and remind me of it, even when I lose sight of it myself. Our friendship has helped me grow into a braver, more confident person. You inspire me with your own courage and resilience. Our journeys together have bonded us closely despite life’s challenges. I’m so grateful to have you as the sister I never had. Your faith in me means everything.”
Overwhelmed by emotion, she could not stem the flow of tears streaking down her flushed cheeks.
Ron stared at Harry, shocked and disbelieving of Hermione’s sudden outburst of emotions. “Look what you did,” he said, shaking his head as he wrapped his arm around Hermione to comfort her trembling body.
After some time embracing her, Hermione’s sobs softened and she regained her composure. She gave Harry a knowing look. “I understand why you’re being sentimental,” she said gently, wiping away the last of her tears.
Harry simply shrugged and stared at them. Through their close friendship bonds, he had gained a million memories, a thousand inside jokes, and a hundred shared secrets. Ron and Hermione had always been there to lend a helping hand whenever he needed it, supporting him with care and love even during his strangest ideas and stunts. Despite every obstacle thrown their way and the many who had tried to tear them apart, their friendship has withstood the test of time. Now, though, Harry felt suffocated and couldn’t stop trembling. He didn’t want to leave them. He was afraid to die, no matter how much he denied it. He wanted to grow old at their side, experiencing life’s endless roller coaster, not knowing when the ride would finally end. But knowing his time was near drained any strength to keep going. Clinging to each moment with his illness, he feared every breath could be his last.
Harry’s words were tinged with sadness as he spoke. “I fear I may not have another chance like this to tell you both how grateful I am for you. I don’t want to miss this opportunity to truly express myself before it’s too late.”
“It will never be too late, Harry,” Hermione said reassuringly, reaching over to pat his arm comfortingly. “You will have all the time in the world to tell us how you feel. You will experience so much more, and we will make sure you do, because you’re going to live to see so many more days, with so many more chances to express yourself however you want, whenever you want. And we’ll want to be with you on those days too, Harry.”
Harry desperately wanted to believe Hermione, but what if she was wrong this time? There was certainly no guarantee that he’d be alright after his friends drank the potion. The truth was, Harry had no idea what would happen next.
Before anyone realized, Harry broke down crying, releasing all the pain and anguish that had built up inside him over the past weeks in muffled sobs. Ginny held his hand tightly as he let out the pent-up emotions that had knotted within until his cries faded to sniffles. He looked at Ron, Hermione, and Ginny, eyes red and swollen, his heart overflowing with pure love and understanding. He pictured their lives together once this was behind them. They’re right, he thought hopefully. I’ll get through this and spend my life surrounded by those who care for me most. This is just the beginning. I vow to have faith in each of them and hope for the best.
The four friends talked, shared memories, laughed, and cried for the rest of the hour. As Harry gazed up at the darkening sky, he felt the wind gently brush his face and tenderly ruffle his hair, filling him with peace and contentment.
Lowering his eyes, he saw his friends looking back at him with new understanding. He nodded and they nodded in return, a silent promise that they were ready for what was to come.
The salty sea air had already clung to their skin as Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny bid farewell to Dobby. Supported by his steadfast friends, Harry slowly trudged back to the cottage, the four of them carrying renewed hope to see another day and wishing only for good things and dreams of a better life ahead.
----------------------------------------
Though everyone at the dining table appeared casual, tension hung heavily in the air. They kept their eyes fixed on their plates, even Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, who usually chatted over meals. Harry found their silence slightly unusual but understandable, given the circumstances. Lost in anxious thought, the group feared what the evening might bring. For several long minutes, Harry couldn’t bring himself to speak, certain they all wondered the same thing—whether the potion and ritual would succeed or fail. Their goal was to begin mending his soul, but the process could cost the four teenagers their lives. The quiet was deafening, broken only by the occasional cough from Harry, jolting them back to the painful reality that they still sat eating at the table.
Harry drank an Invigoration Draught to stay awake through the strained evening ahead, but it only worsened his condition. With the wind howling outside and anxious thoughts swirling, he lost his appetite entirely. Pain gripped him—severe nausea, a throbbing headache, a fiery ache in his chest with each breath. He rubbed his temples futilely as the agony became unbearable. Harry felt his tenuous hold on life slipping away, and hopelessness set in. He was simply too weary to fight anymore. If this was his fate, he accepted it with numb resignation. At least he would die here, in this beloved place surrounded by caring people. Now he yearned only for the oblivion of sleep.
Harry was jolted from his pained daze when several people at the table began calling his name, concern evident in their voices.
“Harry!”
“Harry?”
“Harry, are you okay?” Ginny’s gentle voice cut through the others as she lightly shook him.
“I’m fine,” Harry rasped, his voice cracking as he slowly lifted his head.
Peering at him anxiously, Ginny pressed, “You don’t look fine. Would you like to rest in bed?”
Harry didn’t want to be rude by leaving the table while others were still eating, but he was exhausted and longing for his bed. He gave Ginny a small, silent nod, and the others stopped eating, looking at him worriedly as he cast them an apologetic glance. Though Hagrid immediately offered to carry Harry to bed, he declined, asking weakly, “Could you just help me walk, Hagrid?” With tremendous effort, Harry managed to haul himself to his knees, then slowly and painstakingly rose to his feet.
“Slowly,” Ginny cautioned. “One step at a time.”
Following her advice, Harry waited cautiously for a moment before taking a tentative step forward. Wobbling unsteadily like a toddler’s first hesitant steps, he finally made his way to his room, motivated only by the thought of his waiting bed. Ron, Hermione, and Ginny trailed behind, while Hagrid supported Harry’s elbow.
On the way, Harry noticed Hagrid’s unusual silence and concluded he was suppressing strong emotions. Hugging the giant tightly, Harry saw relief in Hagrid’s face, but by the time they reached the bed, Hagrid broke into loud, messy sobs. He desperately tried to wipe away the ceaseless tears that seemed to unleash all his bottled feelings at once.
“Hagrid,” Harry said gently, placing a hand on his massive arm.
“S-sorry,” Hagrid stammered, dabbing at his eyes with a large, spotted handkerchief as tears streamed down his face. “It’s jus’—yer gettin’ weaker and weaker, and I can’t stand it.” Ron, Hermione, and Ginny stood solemnly around Harry’s bed.
Harry gently patted Hagrid’s arm. “I’ll be alright, Hagrid, don’t worry.”
“I know, I know,” came Hagrid’s muffled reply through the handkerchief as he wiped his eyes. He tenderly lifted Harry into his warm, comforting arms and sat down with him on the bed. “I have faith in yer friends, Harry. Everythin’ will be okay. It’s just—yeh been like a son ter me.”
As Harry spoke, tears glistened in the eyes of everyone gathered. Tightening his embrace of Hagrid, Harry continued, “You’ve been like a father to me. You were the first wizard I met and so kindly introduced me to the magical world. You’ve always looked out for me and helped me through so many tough times. If it wasn’t for you, Hagrid, I’d be a very different person today. I can’t thank you enough.” Harry looked up into Hagrid’s eyes, his own brilliant green ones shining with sincerity and gratitude.
Hagrid forced a smile, but his face quickly darkened with grave concern as tears welled in his eyes again. Harry’s heart ached at the giant’s open display of fear and pain—emotions Harry had seldom seen in his friend’s face, except when Hagrid thought Harry had died in the forest. From their first meeting, Harry had known Hagrid as an incredibly warm, kind man, though his large size might suggest otherwise. Hagrid wore his gentle heart openly, bursting into tears at any misfortune despite his imposing looks. Harry longed to comfort him but simply stayed close until the sobs subsided. Behind them, he heard Hermione and Ginny crying softly too.
“Yeh been through so much already, Harry,” Hagrid choked out. “I can’t even count how many times yeh ended up in the hospital wing—knocked out, with broken bones, or recovering from a fall off yer broom.”
Harry’s cheeks flushed red as he leaned into Hagrid’s massive arms. Hagrid’s words rang true. Though Harry tried to avoid trouble, it seemed to find him at every turn during his perilous adventures; he felt like a magnet, pulling dangers toward himself no matter how he struggled to break free.
“An’ now this,” Hagrid continued, peering down at him with worry etched on his face. “I don’ know how yeh handle it. Normally a bit o’ rest puts yeh right, but not this time. I feel as if I’ll lose yeh any minute. I don’ want ter relive that awful time I carried yer limp body in my arms, thinkin’ yeh were dead. I don’ want that again, Harry.”
With a sad sigh, Harry patted Hagrid’s arm reassuringly. “It’s not going to happen again, Hagrid. Yes, this is scary, but I must believe everything will be okay. I want you to think that too - for my sake,” he said, grasping Hagrid’s hand and looking into his eyes earnestly. “Can you do that for me, Hagrid?”
Hagrid continued sobbing loudly but acknowledged Harry with a nod of recognition.
Hermione spoke reassuringly from beside Hagrid, “Don’t worry, we’ll do our best like always.” She gave him an encouraging smile.
“Yeah,” Ron chimed in, peeking around Hermione with a grin. “When have I ever let you down?” he added sarcastically.
Hermione turned to Ron, her face filled with concern. “That doesn’t really inspire confidence, Ron.”
“I’m just trying to lighten the mood,” he replied with a weak smirk. “All this emotion is draining.”
Jabbing Ron in the ribs with her elbow, Hermione said sarcastically, “Oh, I forgot how tactful and sensitive you are, Ronald. Just you wait—if this attempt fails—”
“Is that going to happen?” Ron blurted out suddenly, his face contorted in genuine horror.
Hermione rolled her eyes. “I’m not sure what we’ll encounter once we cast this spell, so you should brace yourself in case you lose your lack of tact and sensitivity.”
Ron gulped and gazed at her apprehensively.
As he entered Harry’s bedroom, Professor Slughorn wished the three of them good luck. The rest of the Weasley family had gathered behind him near the door of Shell Cottage. “I hope you all can get through this,” he added somberly.
Slowly, the rest of the Weasleys made their way to Ron, Ginny, and Hermione, embracing their youngest son, only daughter, and Hermione in turn. They offered words of comfort and encouragement to the three young people about to embark on their perilous quest.
“You can do this; you just have to believe in yourselves,” Mr. Weasley began gently, as Mrs. Weasley nodded with tear-filled eyes. “We trust you both and Hermione. We have faith in all of you no matter what.” They kissed their children and Hermione tenderly on the forehead.
Mr. and Mrs. Weasley made their way to Harry and enveloped him in a warm embrace. No words were needed to express their love and care for him. Being held by the two people he considered his true parents overwhelmed Harry with emotion. He had never experienced such unconditional love from the Dursleys. Tears welled up in his eyes as he whispered, “Thank you.” They planted tender kisses on his forehead before letting him go.
Meanwhile, Professor Slughorn retrieved the potion from the dining table. Ron, Hermione, and Ginny stood around Harry’s bed, exchanging anxious glances and fidgeting nervously, unsure of what to say after witnessing the emotional moment.
Harry cleared his throat and turned to face his friends. “Thank you, all of you, for everything,” he said, his voice thick with emotion. “I don’t know what’s coming next, but I’m so proud of you. We’ll make it through this—we’ll see another day.” He flashed back to his half-hearted promise from earlier and saw the worry etched on their faces, but he couldn’t stop smiling. Surrounded by his makeshift family, Harry felt incredibly fortunate.
The four shared a heartfelt embrace until Slughorn returned, three cups in hand. Ron, Hermione, and Ginny each accepted one gently.
Slughorn raised the Anima book, showing Ron, Hermione, and Ginny the incantation ‘emenda eum animum’. You must all drink the potion,” he instructed, “then speak the spell aloud in unison while pointing your wands at Harry.” They nodded in understanding and clinked their cups. “To Harry!” They cheered softly before drinking.
With one final exchange of nervous glances, they lifted the cups to their trembling lips and drank the bitter potion in unison, coughing as it burned down their throats. Raising their wands with hesitant yet resolute expressions, they aimed at Harry and declared in chorus, “Emenda eum animum!”
As soon as the incantation left their mouths, a burst of silver light shot from their wands, enveloping them in a leaden glow before zooming directly into Harry’s limp body. The moment the light made contact, Harry, propped up in bed by Hagrid, went completely slack.
For an instant, everyone in the room was paralyzed with shock. Then, without warning, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny also suddenly collapsed, falling unconscious to the floor.
To be continued...