"If she had been able to handle it, it would have been a positive experience for her to face her fears." Remus added.
"Which was why I endorsed the effort." Madame Pomfrey bustled into the room and glared at the crowd of people surrounding the bed. "You may have to return her to her mind healer, Molly. She's clearly still dealing with the after effects of her experience."
Molly went bright red. "She…we…" she stuttered before getting hold of herself, "Ginny hasn't seen a mind healer. She seemed back to normal and the Headmaster said she was OK so…"
Madame Pomfrey's eyes widened dramatically, her face turning as red as Molly's. "And when did the Headmaster receive his healing qualifications?" She all but shouted.
Harry felt supremely awkward standing in between the two women.
"I told you at the time that your daughter would need…"
Sirius cleared his throat. The mediwitch shot the assembled crowd a look and took a calming breath evidently reigning in whatever she'd been about to yell given the presence of other people.
"I highly recommend that you engage a mind healer now." She said briskly. "If you'll excuse me…" She swept away before anyone could say anything.
Molly's colour hadn't abated at all and she wouldn't look at any of them. "I thought she was fine. She's had a few nightmares over the last year or so but nothing that would indicate a real problem."
Harry had no idea what to say and he had a feeling Ginny would be mortified to hear her mother discussing her problems with so many people.
"Kids are remarkably resilient," Remus assured her gently, "but with her reaction to the Chamber, she obviously hasn't come to terms with her experience. I'm sure a mind healer would be able to help her."
"I can recommend a good one." Sirius added, a little hesitantly.
Ron stirred restlessly. "We can use the money from the basilisk, Mum." He bit his lip, before he continued on anyway. "You can have my share if Ginny's won't cover it."
"That's kind of you, Ronald," Molly patted his hand and smiled at her son, "and you're a good brother for offering but that money's a nest egg for you."
"I'm sure Ginny's share will more than cover it." Remus said. "Basilisk products sell well."
Molly nodded and met Sirius's eyes with a determined expression. "A recommendation for a mind healer would be appreciated."
Sirius smiled. "I'll owl you his details when I get home."
A Hogwarts elf popped into the infirmary and bowed to Sirius. "Professor Babbling is ready to meet with you and your Heir, the Lord Harry Potter, at your convenience, Lord Black."
"Thank you." Sirius said formally.
The elf popped away again.
It was his test results. Harry was assaulted by a rush of nerves; twisting, torturing nerves that writhed in his belly and made him want to throw up. What if he hadn't passed? What if he'd failed? Sirius would be so disappointed in him…
His mouth went dry.
"Come on." Sirius nudged his elbow. "We shouldn't keep Professor Babbling waiting."
Molly managed to dredge up a smile for Harry. "Good luck, Harry."
"Yeah," Ron said, punching Harry's upper arm lightly, "good luck, mate."
"You'll be fine, Harry. You can't have discussed Runes as much as you did at lunch without knowing enough to have passed the requirements for fourth year." Hermione informed him as they wandered out of the infirmary with final farewells to the Weasleys all consisting mainly of hopes that Ginny would feel better shortly.
When they reached the main staircase, Remus paused and nodded at Harry. "Hermione and I will meet you at the entrance. Good luck."
Sirius's firm hand on Harry's shoulder guided him back through Hogwarts' maze of corridors to Professor Babbling's office.
She greeted them warmly and within moments Harry found himself sitting rather uncomfortably on a wooden chair in front of her desk, Sirius beside him.
Professor Babbling smiled a tad nervously. "Well, firstly, I have to admit to making a mistake."
"Oh?" Sirius asked immediately protective.
"I accidentally gave Harry part of the fourth year final exam along with the third year." Professor Babbling confessed ruefully.
So that was why there had been so many questions! But that meant he hadn't had the full time for his third year questions and…Harry bit his lip, nerves rushing him again.
"Now, it has led to some surprising results." Professor Babbling continued. "On the third year material, taking into account your reduced time for the essay question and so removing it from consideration, you scored an Outstanding."
Outstanding!
He'd gotten an Outstanding! He almost drowned in the relief and turned to Sirius with a happy grin.
"I'm so proud of you, Harry." Sirius said, reaching over and gripping his shoulder. "That's excellent work!"
"Yes," Professor Babbling smiled widely at him, "you did very well. Only your friend Hermione and Anthony Goldstein did better on those portions of the exam and I'm sure if you had been given the full time you may have equalled or surpassed them."
Harry flushed warm with the praise and the almost definable paternal pride he could see oozing from Sirius as the Professor continued talking.
"But the really interesting thing for me," Professor Babbling said, "is that you scored an Acceptable on the fourth year material you answered, and really once again, if you'd had the proper time you may well have scored an Exceeds Expectation. Certainly your analyses of the Runic combinations were very well done."
"That's brilliant!" Sirius declared when Harry remained speechless. "So I assume there is no issue with him taking the fourth year class?"
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