Disclaimer: Harry Potter and all of its characters belong to JK Rowling. I own nothing but the original characters I make.
Chapter 79: St Mungo
---Arthur Weasley POV---
Arthur Weasley had been assigned to guard the orb at the Department of Mysteries, a duty given by Dumbledore to members of the Order of the Phoenix. It wasn't exactly an exciting post—in fact, it was quite the opposite. Dumbledore had told them the possibility of Death Eater trying to get the orb or will go to that place.
One person needed to always guard the place and inform the other order member through Patronus. Though they were told to expect a possible attack, months had passed by without an attack or someone suspicious like Death Eater come by this place.
It was late at night, and Arthur had been stationed alone for hours. The silence was deafening, and the longer he was here he feel more sleepy. The dim dim lighting of the department of mysteries make him feel more sleepy. He tried to focus, sometimes cast revelio but nothing happen, the anxious feeling he felt earlier was replaced with a sleepiness.
"This is the second time tonight it's slipped from my hand," Arthur muttered to himself, yawning as he bent down to retrieve his wand. His grip was looser than usual, the exhaustion setting in. He rubbed his eyes to keep from dozing off, but it was no use.
Suddenly, Cruck!
A flash of pain shot through his arm. Something had bitten him. The wand clattered to the floor again.
"What in Merlin name—?"
Another bite sank into his side. The pain was searing, spreading quickly as his muscles tightened. He stumbled backward and tried to focus his gaze, but it took him a moment to realize what he was seeing.
A massive Snake. Coiling, silent, its eyes glowing with malevolence. It moved with eerie grace, and Arthur knew at once—this was no ordinary snake. This was an attack from Voldemort side. .
His thoughts began to blur as the venom coursed through his veins. The burning sensation made it hard to breathe, hard to think. He was losing strength rapidly, and he couldn't even lift his arms.
I should have stayed alert. I should have kept my wand in hand...
Regret surged within him, more painful than the bites.
"I love you, Molly," he whispered before darkness claimed him.
---St. Mungo's Hospital---
He didn't know how long he had been unconscious. But when Arthur finally opened his eyes, he was surrounded by familiar voices.
"Dad's awake!"
"Arthur!"
"Daddy!"
"Mr. Weasley!"
The voices echoed in his ears like a chorus of warmth. His vision was blurry at first, but then it cleared just enough for him to make out the faces gathered around his bed: Molly, Bill, Fred, George, Ron, Ginny, Harry, and Sirius Black. Even Remus Lupin stood at the foot of his bed, his arms crossed with visible relief in his expression.
"Don't crowd him! Let the healer through," came the stern voice of a woman. It took him a moment to realize it was a healer, dressed in pale green robes with a wand ready in her hand.
She stepped forward and waved her wand in a circular motion over his chest. Arthur felt a soothing warmth spread through his ribcage, easing the tightness in his lungs.
"Mr. Weasley, can you hear me?"
"Yes," he croaked. His throat felt raw, as though he'd swallowed hot ash.
"Good. Drink this," she said gently, handing him a goblet filled with a silver-blue potion that shimmered like moonlight.
He drank it slowly, each gulp easing the burning in his body. As he swallowed the last of it, his mind began to clear, and he took in the sight of his family more fully. Their worried faces softened into expressions of hope.
The healer cast several diagnostic charms, then finally nodded with satisfaction. "He'll recover. Just no hugging for now. Let him rest," she instructed firmly.
"Thank you," the Weasley family responded in near unison.
With a professional nod, the healer turned and quietly exited the room.
Molly gently took Arthur's hand, tears streaming down her cheeks. Her voice trembled as she asked, "Does it still hurt?"
"I'm sorry, Molly," he rasped, not answering her question directly. "I was too sleepy… I didn't even notice the enemy coming."
"It's not your fault," said Sirius Black as he stepped forward. "Everyone who's guarded that place has known the risks. You did your best."
Arthur blinked slowly. "Thank you, Sirius."
Harry, Fred, George, Ginny and Ron are wandering what are they hiding, but Dudley are not because he knows what they are guarding.
"Arthur, go on and rest," said Remus Lupin. "We'll leave you with your family now."
"Oh, right," murmured Sirius, realizing it was best to give them privacy.
"Let's go, Harry, Dudley," he added.
"Madam, we'll be heading out first," said Dudley politely to Molly.
"Yes… Ron, take care of your father," Harry added, glancing at his best friend with a small smile.
"Thank you," Molly whispered, her voice thick with emotion.
But just before they reached the door, Arthur spoke up again. "Who… who saved me?"
Sirius turned and explained everything. "Harry had a vision. He saw you being attacked and told Dudley. Dudley called Kreacher immediately. I reached the Ministry just in time. You were already bitten, but we managed to stop the bleeding and stabilize you before the venom spread too far."
Remus added gravely, "You were incredibly lucky. A few more minutes, and your injuries might have been irreversible."
Arthur exhaled slowly. "I owe all of you my life."
"You owe Harry and Dudley," Sirius said with a smile. "They saved you tonight."
Arthur turned his head toward Harry. "Thank you, Harry. I… I don't know how to repay you."
Harry shook his head gently. "You don't have to. I was just glad I saw it in time."
Just then, the door creaked open again.
The healer stepped back inside. "That's enough excitement for now. Mr. Weasley needs to rest and we need to check his condition first, come again in 1 hour."
Dudley feel annoyed, didn't this healer just checked Arthus condition earlier and now they wanted to check again.
Molly bent down and kissed Arthur gently on the forehead. "We'll be right here in 1hour. I promise."
Arthur smiled weakly as his eyelids grew heavy again. "I love you all," he whispered.
After they left the room, Arthur suddenly remember what Vision Harry saw that Sirius just told him earlier.
As his family began to quietly leave the room one by one, Harry lingered for a moment near Sirius.
"Do you think he'll be okay?" he asked quietly.
Sirius nodded. "He's strong, Harry. He just needs time."
Harry gave one last glance at Mr. Weasley before turning to leave, walking beside Sirius and Dudley in silence. Though the night had been terrifying, there was a sense of relief in the air—like they had won a small battle, even if the war wasn't over.
In the corridor outside the hospital room, Dudley spoke up softly. "We stopped one tragedy tonight… but there's no telling what might come next."
Harry nodded slowly, his thoughts clouded with unease. "Voldemort is moving… and we need to be ready."
Author Notes: To read advanced chapter you can go to my patreon.
Chapter 107: Amelia In Danger
Chapter 108: Escape
Chapter 109: Ambush
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