The next few days passed quickly and without incident. The group had made sure Y/N had two people with him at all times so Katie couldn't get near him.

The task was made easier by the fact Hermione hadn't left the hospital wing at all. She would shower and change in there, Madam Pomfrey having her meals brought in for her. Dumbledore had granted Hermione permission to be absent from classes as she was so far ahead, and Lavender brought her any homework that she missed each day.

The group had decided not to tell Hermione about Katie and her schemes. Hermione had enough stress on her plate as it was.

Lavender had been worried to the point of fear prior to her detentions, which made it all the more shocking when they had been easy, almost pleasant. When Harry had detentions he had been made to scrub cauldrons by hand. All Snape told Lavender to do was revise for her exam. They had sat in silence while he marked papers.

Y/N's recovery had been slower than anticipated. The curse lotion was working, but it was doing so slowly. Madam Pomfrey assured the group, and especially Hermione, that this was fine. It was just due to the fact that Leviathans were Legendary Creatures, dating from the First Age. Their magic (and curses) were much more potent than a simple dragon bite.

-~-

Y/N had been in the coma for a week when Madam Pomfrey said she could wake him. Harry and Hermione were present in the hospital wing at the time.

Madam Pomfrey administered the Wiggenweld Potion and after a few moments Y/N's eyes started to flutter. It took a while for him to wake up and every moment that passed Hermione grew more and more panicky.

After three or four minutes when he didn't open his eyes Hermione was almost hyperventilating. It wasn't how Hermione had imagined it, that he would open his eyes and see her and smile. Instead, he was quite disorientated, his eyes shooting around the room as he groaned raspily.

Hermione began to visibly panic as she fiddled with her hands and her breathing became even more erratic. Madam Pomfrey looked at the girl sympathetically and said:

"I assure you this is completely normal when one awakens from a coma. Y/N will be with us soon".

Hermione nodded at the matron's sweet calming tone, as Harry gently squeezed Hermione's shoulder in support.

After ten minutes Y/N's eyes opened fully as he glanced around the room. His eyes finally found their target- he smiled at Hermione as tears of happiness and relief fell from her eyes.

He tried to speak but his throat was too dry and raspy, Hermione quickly releasing his hand to pass him a glass of water. He downed the whole glass before catching his breath.

Y/N looked at Harry and Hermione and smiled, saying in a still croaky voice:

"Two of my three favourite people"

Hermione dove onto Y/N, squeezing him tightly as she cried in joy. Y/N instantly winced and groaned in pain. Hermione immediately let go and chastised herself, apologising profusely.

"It's ok Hermione, it's ok" Y/N said with a still raspy voice, before looking down at the source of his pain. He immediately noticed the pink scar running the length of his chest, diagonally starting just under his left collarbone downwards. He felt it's end just under his right pectoral, recoiling and hissing somewhat from the tenderness as he touched it, the bruising that covered his torso ranged from deep purple to a sickly yellowy-green colour. As he looked down at it he chuckled, saying quietly:

"That's new"

"It's likely to be permanent, because of the Leviathan's curse" Hermione said in a saddened tone.

Y/N looked up from his chest to Hermione with a slightly concerned frown. He asked gently:

"Do you hate it?"

Hermione instantly shook her head.

"No, no, not at all. I like it"

Hermione spoke quickly and forcefully before she looked down with a blush.

"Still handsome then?" Y/N asked with his back to normal cocky smirk.

Hermione looked up in surprise at him briefly before looking down and nodding, her cheeks even redder.

Y/N chuckled and replied: "I'm glad to hear it".

"If you two are quite finished, how are you feeling Mr. L/N?" Madam Pomfrey asked with a chuckle.

Y/N looked up at the matron with his confident smirk, trying to hide his pain:

"Like hammered shit, Madam. Thank you though, for everything".

Pomfrey smiled, replying:

"Yes, that's to be expected. Just take it easy. You're going to be here for at least another week or so. And you're very welcome Y/N"

A tiny green creature appeared from behind Y/N's pillows, running up and hugging his father's neck tightly. Y/N smiled as he gingerly reached up, gently stroking the Bowtruckle with a finger.

"Newt hasn't left your side Y/N, he's been ever so worried" Hermione said with a sad smile. Y/N whispered directly to his tiny friend:

Sorry to have scared you little guy. I'm ok.

Newt squeezed even tighter. After finishing the hug, Y/N tried to pull himself up to a sitting position, groaning as he did. Hermione rushed into him to assist him as Pomfrey stated:

"Easy, easy Y/N"

Y/N ignored her warning as he sat fully and asked:

"How long was I out?"

Poppy sighed at the boy's stubbornness.
He was just like his bloody father. She replied:

"About a week".

"Ok" Y/N replied with a nod before a look of realisation crossed his face, he looked up concerned:

"Wait.... How's Barnaby? How's the Leviathan?"

"How's the Leviathan?" Hermione asked puzzled as Madam Pomfrey spoke reassuringly:

"Mr.Lee is fine, thanks to your quick thinking and bravery. He escaped the incident without injury".

"Oh thank Merlin. Harry can you go to Hagrid's Hut? He should know where Barnaby is. I need to speak to him."

Harry nodded and smiled:

"Of course mate. I'll go now. It's good to see you awake"

Y/N smirked back.

"Good to be back mate. Had a lot of crazy dreams".

"D-dr-Dreams?" Hermione asked slightly nervously. "What kind of dreams?"

"Really weird ones. Just whispers. Voices. Saying they were gonna do... um... things to me. Another one where... I think I saw my Dad. Spoke to him. Can't remember what about though. Strange side effect of the coma I guess"

"Yeah. Did you recognise the voices?" Hermione asked, attempting to be nonchalant.

"No" Y/N replied, trying to remember what he had dreamt.

"Ok" Hermione replied. She silently sighed in relief to herself.

Harry quickly left the hospital wing to find Hagrid as the Unspeakables approached Y/N's cubicle. The two identical men stood at the end of the bed silently until Y/N looked at them.

They bowed deeply, catching Y/N by surprise. He looked at them with a raised eyebrow as Hermione and Poppy looked as puzzled as ever by their behaviour. They spoke in unison:

"Prophesied One. We are pleased to see you are awake. We take our leave. Goodbye."

They turned and left, Y/N staring at the backs of the two men, muttering "Prophesied One?"

Madam Pomfrey chuckled and shook her head, telling the pair:

"I'll be back in a moment. I just need to get you a Pain Relieving Potion"

As the matron left Y/N turned to Hermione who was still giggling at the Unspeakables. Y/N smirked and commented:

"Not big on conversation are they, Unspeakables."

"You have no idea" Hermione grinned as she took his hand again, again interlocking their fingers. Her cheeks flushed:

"So. About the other night..."

Hermione spoke nervously and trailed off, Y/N speaking up:

"Hermione stop. I'm sorry I made a move. It was obviously too much for you. I don't want to ruin what we have. Please say you forgive me?"

Hermione looked at Y/N, straight in the eyes, trying to find the right words.

"Y/N there's-"

Before she could reply fully the hospital wing was nearly thrown into bedlam. A number of students barged into the infirmary freely, now that the guards had left.

"Well look at this" Cedric smiled as he entered the cubicle with Beatrice. She leant over on the opposite side to Hermione and wrapped her arms around Y/N's head.

"We really missed you Y/N. We were really scared" Beatrice whispered. Y/N lifted his free arm, groaning slightly as he hugged back and whispered:

"Sorry to have scared you Bea"

They released the hug and Cedric held his fist out for a bump that Y/N returned.

"Harry's the boy who lived and now you're the boy who won't die".

Y/N laughed at Cedric's comment as Beatrice snapped her head around and shot her fellow 'Puff a dagger. She turned back and looked at Y/N, muttering angrily:

"Not for want of trying"

-~-

Y/N caught up with all of their friends- Maisy, the twins, Lavender, Ron, Neville. It's was nice until Barnaby and an extremely out of breathe Harry returned, bursting through the hospital doors. Barnaby stopped dead, his mouth wide open as he looked at the scarred and bruised boy sitting there, smirking back at him.

"What's up B?" Y/N said with his ever confident smirk.

Barnaby charged, wrapping Y/N in an unnaturally tight hug as tears leaked from his eyes.

"Y/N I'm sorry, I'm sorry"

Y/N groaned as he felt tears hit his shoulder, the tightness of the hug hurting him immensely.

Barnaby released the hug and panicked as Y/N gripped his chest and moaned.

"Y/N shit, I'm sorry I-"

Y/N held his other hand up to Barnaby, as he still gripped his chest in pain:

"It's ok B. It's alright"

Barnaby nodded, still looking guilty, as Cedric said to the other students:

"Alright guys, I think we should give these two some space"

The group for the most part nodded, Hermione though leant in, kissed Y/N on the cheek and whispered:

"I'll be back soon"

Y/N smiled before looking to the others:

"Thanks for coming everyone, but Ced can I have a word with you, alone."

"Oh yeah of course Y/N" Cedric smiled. The others turned to leave, but Y/N called out:

"You can stay B"

Y/N smirked as Barnaby nodded and took a seat. When the others left Cedric turned to Y/N and smiled, asking:

"So what's up Y/N? What do you need?"

Cedric's happy demeanour changed to a nervous one as Y/N's eyes narrowed. He asked Cedric calmly:

"You know Beatrice is basically a sister to me, right"

"Yes?" Cedric replied nervously.

"You two are getting very close."

Cedric looked at Y/N puzzled and asked:
"How did you..."

Y/N stared at him blankly:

"I know everything Ced. Don't change the subject."

Cedric nodded quickly:

"Oh um right. Sorry. Yes. Well I like her a lot."

"Are you dating?"

"No just...."

Y/N's eyes narrowed even further before he spoke again, slowly, seriously: "Two things Cedric".

"Y...Yeah"

Y/N held a finger up:

"One. Break her heart, I'll break your neck."

Cedric gulps. Y/N could be extremely intimidating when he wanted to be.

"What's the other thing?" Cedric asked nervously. Y/N smiled a genuine smile. It caught Cedric completely off guard as Y/N spoke again:

"I'm genuinely really happy for the both of you. I hope you both nothing but the best".

A huge feeling of relief and happiness soared over Cedric. Y/N's opinion meant a lot to him. Y/N's blessing meant so much more:

"Thanks Y/N. It means a lot. I haven't told her yet, but it means a lot".

Y/N smiled back, adding:

"Don't rush it man, just do it when it feels right."

Cedric nodded.

"Ok I will. I'll leave you two alone. Glad you're ok, Y/N".

Cedric left the infirmary, leaving Y/N and Barnaby alone, other than Madam Pomfrey who was fussing around Y/N's bed, bringing potions and elixirs as well as his next dose of Cherubim infused cream. Barnaby looked at Y/N, tears still in his eyes:

"Y/N, when we were down there, when we saw the Leviathan, I-I froze. If you hadn't.."

Barnaby looked down, emotion flooding his face as he pushed back tears.

"I can't ever thank you enough for-"

Y/N lifted his hand, cutting off Barnaby mid sentence:

"B enough. You're my brother. Thanks aren't necessary, ok"

Barnaby looked at the sincerity in Y/N's eyes and nodded, replying quietly "ok"

Y/N smiled, looking at Barnaby intently before he spoke again:

"Good. Although you do owe me a favour. I intend on calling it in now".

Barnaby looked at Y/N with eyes widened in shock. He nodded quickly, replying:

"Of-of course Y/N. Anything"

Y/N chuckled, glancing at the curious eyes of Madam Pomfrey who was 'sorting' his medications as well as eavesdropping. Y/N looked back at Barnaby and said straightforwardly:

"Tell her."

"Tell...what?" Barnaby's eyes went even wider in fear. Y/N smiled gently.

"Tell her man. If you've ever trusted me trust me now. Liz is in love with you dude. Trust me". Y/N tapped his temple as he spoke.

Barnaby looked down and sighed.

"Ok. I'll tell her when she gets back next month."

Y/N smiled happily, absentmindedly rubbing his chest.

"Good man. Trust me. You two will make beautiful babies one day. I also expect to have your first son named after me, and be at least a groomsman in your wedding".

"Shut up" Barnaby laughed at his young friend. It filled Y/N's heart with joy to see him happy. His smile faded as he steadied himself for what was to come next. He spoke with a serious expression:

"Now to business, B. Please, don't tell me they've killed the Leviathan".

Barnaby shook his head and opened his mouth to speak, instead another voice spoke loudly:

"No. The creature is alive. Good to see you awake Y/N".

Y/N looked up to see the Headmaster at the foot of his bed.

"Anyone ever tell you you're like a damn ninja, Headmaster" Y/N smiled at the aged man who chuckled.

"Not in a long time. You were correct that the Leviathan was bewitched. We have removed the hexes, but it is still tearing up and down the Ocean Reserve. It seems to be anxious. There is a tense stand-off within the Ministry at the moment. The Creatures office wants it destroyed. The Department of Mysteries is following your wishes and pushing for it to be left alive. As it is a Legendary Creature, the Magical Heritage Department also wants it left alone. I might also add Newt and Tina are petitioning the Minister day and night".

Y/N smiled.

"All right Scamanders. I've met 311 once or twice. Is he still head of the Department of Mysteries?" Y/N asked. Dumbledore nodded.

"He's uh. He's different isn't he. Not sure why the Department of Mysteries is obsessed with me but I'll take it. What do we have to do to sate the Magical Creatures Department Headmaster?"

Albus smiled. He knew Y/N would do the right thing. Y/N was just like Newt in that way. He could always be depended on. Barnaby spoke quickly and in frustration:

"We aren't doing anything Y/N. You are resting in your hospital bed".

Albus continued:

"We need to demonstrate that the animal can be calmed, can exist peacefully in the enclosure, without being a risk to any of our staff. The enchantments we have in place mean that it can't hurt other creatures in the biome, but given that it is beyond even a 5x level of dangerousness the Minister is nervous about it".

"Fudge would be nervous about his own shadow in a darkened room" Y/N scowled. He despised Cornelius Fudge, a gutless sycophantic worm of a man, who pandered to fascist Pure Bloods to protect his own position. How he managed to rise to Minister was a mystery. Y/N exhaled deeply, trying to remain focused on the task at hand.

"So we need to talk to the Leviathan? Show that it's safe to keep alive. Prove to the Ministry that it isn't a danger to people.?" Y/N asked, the cogs already turning in his head.

"Precisely" the Headmaster smiled.

"Madam Pomfrey" Y/N yelled out abruptly. The matron reentered his cubicle, muttering loudly as she did:

"Mr. L/N! You need to rest- oh hello Headmaster. What is it Y/N?"

Y/N looked at her in earnest:

"When can I get out of here? Minimum time frame?"

The nurse looked like she wanted to explode, but held her tongue as she glanced towards Dumbledore. She answered in a forced, polite, but frustrated tone:

"You need to heal. We need to keep your course of Cherubic cream continuing, we need to get Nourishment potions into you... I suppose four days, Mr. L/N. Absolute minimum!"

Y/N sighed. He wanted to go down to the Reserve immediately.

"Hmmm. Headmaster can you tell Newt our timeline? Make sure nothing happens until then? I've got to get back in the water".

"What?"

"Absolutely not!"

Barnaby and Pomfrey yelled at the same time. The Headmaster nodded. Y/N looked at the pair of protestors:

"B.... I have to try and save his life. He may be the last of his kind. It's worth the risk... and Madam Pomfrey, you won't tell anyone of this, of course, because of, what's the expression... patient confidentiality?"

Pomfrey glared at the boy before turning with a hmmpf and exiting the cubicle.

Albus chuckled at Y/N. If nothing else he admired his courage.

"You are certainly a Gryffindor, Y/N. Of that there can be no doubt"

Barnaby sighed and nodded in agreement. Albus smiled.

"I will owl Newt immediately".

He nodded and turned to leave the cubicle before stopping abruptly.

"Remember, Y/N... Ms.Granger is only concerned with your safety".

He left after allowing his sentence to hang in the air. Y/N sighed.

"What did that mean?" Barnaby asked in confusion. Y/N looked at his friend sadly.

"That meant, B, that it's not gonna be a pleasant conversation with Hermione".