Chapter 26: “Awakening and Revelations”

In the serene sanctuary of Cordelia Fawley's cottage, nestled among the mystical mountains of northern England, Harry Potter slept soundly. The warm morning light filtered through the windows, casting a comforting glow across the room where Harry lay, his breathing steady and deep. The injuries that had once marred his small body were now healing, thanks to Cordelia's skilled magical interventions.

The cottage, a haven of knowledge and healing, was alive with the sounds of bubbling cauldrons and the rustling of potion ingredients. Cordelia, her auburn curls now streaked with silver, moved about with a grace that defied her age. Each step and gesture spoke of her deep connection to the magical world and her mastery over the healing arts.

As she prepared a potion, her thoughts were on Harry. She pondered the challenges he would face in recovering not just physically, but also emotionally from the traumas of his past. The child had been subjected to much, and Cordelia was determined to provide a nurturing environment for his recovery.

Mira, the loyal house elf, watched over Harry with a mix of concern and admiration. Her devotion to the young wizard was evident in her every action. She had been instrumental in bringing Harry to Cordelia, and she now took her role as her master's protector very seriously.

"Mira, how is he doing this morning?" Cordelia asked, her voice gentle yet carrying an undercurrent of strength.

"Master Harry is much better, Mistress Fawley," Mira replied, her eyes shining with relief. "Master Harry sleeps peacefully, and his magic is stronger today."

Cordelia nodded, satisfied. "Good. Let him rest. Healing is as much about the mind as it is about the body. He needs time to recover fully."

A day and a half later, Harry Potter awoke in an unfamiliar place that resembled a hospital room. As consciousness returned, a flood of memories overwhelmed him. It was confusing as if he had been reborn as Harry Potter two times. He remembered his life before, his rebirth as Harry Potter, the days at Hogwarts with his younger brother Charles, and the stark shift to living with the Dursleys.

The stark contrast of his experiences, culminating in the recent car accident, painted a vivid picture of his tumultuous journey. The recollection of the car accident and his subsequent rescue brought a rush of emotions.

Harry felt a wave of frustration and anger wash over him. He was angry at himself for being too trusting, for seeing Dumbledore as a decent person despite all the negative things he'd read about him in various fan fiction. He knew for sure that Dumbledore was behind this and had thought even he would not stoop to the level of separating a child from his parents. He decided to trust his instincts and the character assessments from those stories more in the future.

But Harry's disappointment wasn't just with Dumbledore. Realizing that his own parents had agreed to send him to the Dursleys, and then ignored him, made Harry feel deeply betrayed. He had expected better from them, given their intelligence. He made a solemn vow never to forgive them, a decision that irrevocably altered his perception of family bonds.

Yet, Harry didn't feel any anger towards his younger brother, Charles. He knew Charles, still a baby, wasn't to blame for the decisions that changed Harry's life so much. But their brotherly bond was lost. Harry saw Charles as a stranger now, and at best, they might become friends if Harry liked who Charles became.

Harry didn't envy Charles for getting all their parents' love. He didn't even want their love in the first place. He could have lived with being ignored, but being sent to the Dursleys while having his memories erased just to keep him there was something he couldn't forgive. Remembering his time as a servant at the Dursleys and the bullying at school made Harry's decision firm. The suffering he had gone through made it impossible for him to forgive his parents or anyone else involved in sending him there.

As Harry contemplated the lost years and opportunities, Mira, his loyal house-elf, entered the room. Her joy at seeing him awake was palpable.

"Mira is so happy to see Master Harry awake," she exclaimed with a bounce.

Harry, seeing Mira, felt a wave of gratitude. He was sure she played a big part in getting him out of trouble. He was very thankful for his decision to form an elf bond with Mira that day. He did not know what could have happened otherwise. 

He said "It's because of you I'm alive, Mira. I owe you my life. How can I ever thank you?"

Mira's response was simple and heartfelt. "Mira is just happy Master Harry is well. Madam Cordelia Fawley saved you, not Mira."

Cordelia entered the room just then, her presence bringing a calming aura. Harry thanked her, remembering her from a visit with his grandmother in his younger years. "Thank you, Madam Fawley, for saving my life," he said sincerely.

Cordelia, with a wave of her hand, dismissed the formalities. "Your gratitude is appreciated, but unnecessary. I did what any healer would. It is Mira here who deserves your thanks. The bond you share with her is quite extraordinary."

Harry's smile towards Mira was full of affection and a silent promise to repay her loyalty.

Harry sat up slowly, his body still weak but responding to the healing he had received. He looked around, taking in the details of the room – the shelves lined with potions, the cauldrons simmering with magical concoctions, and the comforting presence of Cordelia and Mira.

Cordelia conducted a thorough examination of Harry. "You are recovering well, Harry. In a day or so, you should be able to move around. But we must tread carefully with the block on your magic; it's a delicate process and your body should heal to normal before we fully unlock it," she explained.

Harry nodded, acknowledging the need for patience in regaining his strength and magical abilities.

Cordelia then presented Harry with a pair of glasses, addressing his need for a visual aid. "I noticed you're near-sighted during my examination. I've ordered these glasses for you," she said, handing them over.

Once Harry put on the glasses and glimpsed his reflection, he couldn't help but notice his striking resemblance to the Harry Potter he knew from the books, especially now, appearing thin and somewhat malnourished like the canon Harry.

Harry then broached the subject of his presence causing trouble for Cordelia. He expressed his concern about Dumbledore's reaction and his intention to leave soon for safety.

Cordelia, with a reassuring tone, dispelled his fears. "Dumbledore is under the impression you've passed away. Mira and I have seen to that," she revealed.

Mira enthusiastically shared their daring escapade, explaining how they crafted a golem to mimic Harry, fooled the Dursleys, and convincingly staged Harry's supposed demise. Cordelia added details on how she altered the Dursleys' memories and erased any evidence of their scheme.

Feeling a wave of relief and gratitude, Harry said, "Thank you for everything. What do I owe you for all this help?"

Cordelia waved off his concern with a light-hearted remark, "You owe me nothing. Thwarting Dumbledore's plans was quite a delight. Besides, Mira has compensated me generously from your trust vault."

Harry was more than content, knowing his life was worth any price. The conversation then turned to precautions. Harry was advised to avoid magic and dangerous situations until his recovery was complete.

After Cordelia excused herself to continue her work and Mira went to help her, Harry was left alone with his thoughts, contemplating his future moves. He knew he couldn't remain at Cordelia's indefinitely without risking discovery. A visit to Gringotts was essential to look at his options and secure a new accommodation.

Lying in bed, Harry felt invigorated by a sense of autonomy he hadn't experienced before. Freed from the constraints of the Dursleys and Dumbledore's machinations, he was poised to navigate his path, one marked by self-reliance and determination.

The wizarding world, with its myriad challenges and opportunities, lay ahead, and Harry Potter was ready to embrace whatever came his way. The experiences he had endured had taught him the value of caution and the importance of being prepared. This time, as he prepared to step back into the magical community, he did so with a newfound resolve to approach each situation with extra care and to have multiple contingency plans in place.