Harry slowly opened his eyes to the dim light filtering through the curtains of the hospital room. He blinked against the brightness, focussing his gaze on the figure next to him. Hagrid lay curled up in an uncomfortable position, his thick beard and tangled hair giving the impression of a giant teddy bear. Harry made an effort not to disturb him as he attempted to sit up, only to be met with an overwhelming ache throughout his body. Every movement resonated with pain, reminding him of how weak he felt. He winced, trying to ease himself into a better position without waking Hagrid.
However, even the slightest shift sent a ripple of awareness through Hagrid, who jolted awake with a start. His eyes were wide, and he looked around the room with frantic urgency, as if expecting danger to emerge from the shadows.
"Harry?" he whispered, his deep voice barely rising above the silence of the room.
With a gentle smile, Harry relaxed at the sight of Hagrid's concerned expression. "Hello, Hagrid. I'm sorry if I woke you," he replied, his voice hoarse yet comforting as he leaned into Hagrid's massive arm, the warmth of the giant reassuring him amid the discomfort.
"It's alrigh'. How're yeh feelin'?" Hagrid's brow furrowed with worry as he surveyed Harry's pale face and frail body.
"Like I've been hit by a full body-bind curse," Harry joked lightly, trying to infuse some humour into the situation. "I'm as stiff as a board." He attempted to stretch his arm but winced as a sharp pain shot through him.
"I think the antidote is workin'," Hagrid said, a hint of optimism in his voice. "The poison will be gone soon, I expect."
Nodding, Harry glanced around the room, taking in the whitewashed walls and the faint scent of antiseptic. "Is this St. Mungo's, Hagrid?" he asked, noting the privacy of the room. It was a stark contrast to the usual bustling wards filled with chaos, providing him with much-needed solace.
"Yes, we brought yeh here," Hagrid confirmed, his baritone voice echoing slightly in the stillness.
Harry furrowed his brow, perplexed. "We?" he echoed, wanting clarity on who else was involved.
Hagrid nodded solemnly. "Yer friends brought yeh 'ere, Harry," he explained, his tone growing serious.
A flutter of hope and anxiety rose within Harry. "Where are they?" he asked, unable to shake off the concern gripping him.
"In the waitin' room," Hagrid replied softly. "The healers insisted on no visitors fer now."
Harry's heart sank a little, mixed with gratitude that he had at least Hagrid by his side. "But you're here," he noted, feeling the warmth of Hagrid's loyalty.
Hagrid cleared his throat, his massive shoulders slightly hunched. "They made an exception fer me because I wasn't leavin' yeh," he said matter-of-factly. "I think I scared 'em when I checked meself in earlier."
Harry's eyes widened, a sudden sharp pain coursing through his neck as he turned to face Hagrid. "Check in? Hagrid, what happened?" He noticed the bandages wrapped around Hagrid's arms and chest, stirring a sense of dread.
"I was attacked, yeh see," Hagrid murmured, his voice dropping as if recalling a haunting memory. He recounted the tale of danger in the cave, how he had narrowly escaped, and sent a letter to Ron.
"But are you okay, Hagrid?" Harry pressed, concern etching lines on his forehead. "I'm sorry if we caused you so much trouble. We shouldn't have—"
"I'm alrigh'," Hagrid interrupted, waving his massive hand dismissively. "It's yeh I'm worried about. Ron and Hermione sure gave me a heart attack when I found out about yer soul." Tears glimmered in Hagrid's eyes, and his voice choked a little, but he quickly composed himself. "I wanted ter come an' see yeh meself... and now I'm 'ere with yeh."