A/N Inspiration strikes at peculiar times, and my muse decided to write this small six chapter fic in a day! About 8 hours I think it took before the first draft was done! It's a bit bizarre, it's quite medical, and it's written from the third chapter from Harry's POV.

I wrote this after reading Healing by Leggo My Lego Harry Potter and the idea of Poppy recognising glamour charms came from Snape the Able Seaman by MaritimeStars (which I recommend you read). Both stories can be found in my favourites.

I really struggled with a title for this, so if any of you have ideas, please let me know. :)

Finally, I don't own Harry Potter, much as I would love to. That said, on with the show!

Chapter 1
Harry walked through the Leaky Cauldron, heading out towards Diagon Alley. He never thought that blowing up Aunt Marge could result in him being allowed to stay in the Leaky Cauldron for the last three weeks of the summer holidays. But nevertheless, that's what the Minister had said. Harry wasn't sure why he wasn't being punished this time for doing underage magic, he had received that letter after all last year when it wasn't even his fault, but he wasn't going to question it. He could get three meals a day, there would be no chores and he could even take time on his homework. He was looking forward to it.

"I could really do without everyone staring at me today," he mumbled to himself as he tapped the correct brick behind the dustbin. "It would be really nice if I could just spend a day out shopping. Just shopping. No fans, no fame, no interfering Ministry or teachers. Just me. That would be excellent."

His magic responded in kind to his wish. Even at thirteen, accidental magic could happen if the wish was strong enough. He felt nothing, although a witch, sat just inside the Alley enjoying one of Fortescue's ice creams with her friend, did.

"Somebody just cast a glamour charm" she mentioned to her friend.

"It's Diagon Alley, Poppy" her friend replied "people are allowed to use magic in here you know!"

"Yes, yes alright Minerva." She stood up. "I need to get some more healing books. Dealing with Dementors mainly. I'll see you back at Hogwarts. Thankyou for the ice-cream!"

"No worries. See you later." The Scottish witch vanished with a pop.

Three hours later Poppy found herself in Knockturn Alley. It was the last place she could think of for where the book she required might be. As she headed towards the bookstore, she saw a young boy. She didn't recognise him but he looked like a first year or not even that. He should certainly not be out here on his own.

She approached the boy, expecting to ask him where his parents were when she stopped short. She could make out a faint shimmer around him, as if he were somewhat concealed.

"Good afternoon" she greeted him. "It's not wise for you to be in Knockturn Alley on your own so young. Where are your parents?"

"They died when I was a baby" the boy replied "and I ran away from my aunt and uncle."

"Why was that?"

"They don't like magic."

"Oh. How old are you?"

"I'll be thirteen next week."

Poppy was shocked. A thirteen year old should not look like that. Then she remembered the glamour.

"It's still not safe for you to be down here. Come with me." She led him into the bookstore, glad it was empty.

"Why do you make yourself look younger with a glamour?"

"A glamour ma'am?"

"You didn't know you looked different?"

"No ma'am. What are you looking for in here?"

"A book. Dealing with Dementors. The Headmaster and Minister have decided to station Dementors at Hogwarts until Sirius Black is caught. No doubt I will be the one that has to pick up the mess that the students will be in." She looked up and saw his shocked face. "I'm so sorry Mister..."

"Rettop ma'am. Henry Rettop."

"You are in Hogwarts Mr Rettop?"

"Yes ma'am. Just going into my third year."

"You know who I am then?"

"Yes Madam Pomfrey."

"So you'll understand if I ask you to show me your hand. You've been scratching it for minutes now. I can't see anything but that's probably the glamour. Where are you staying?"

"The Leaky Cauldron. Is this the book you were after ma'am?" He held up a battered copy of Dealing with Dementors.

"Thankyou Mr Rettop. You've been most helpful. Please wait here whilst I pay for this. Knockturn Alley is not safe."

Poppy had insisted on accompanying the young man back to his room. He wasn't happy about it, she could see that, but he had politely accepted.

Once in his room, Poppy locked and silenced the door.

"Harry Potter what an incredibly foolish thing to do!" she scolded. Her wand waved around him and his glamour fell. "You know there are wizards out to get you and yet you strut around Knockturn Alley as if you own it. Anyone could tell that Rettop is just Potter spelt backwards!" Her eyes were drawn to his hand which he was still scratching. There were several large grazes across it. "Hand. Now."

She took it and cast a surface diagnostic. "It's not infected. But I can see it's painful. How did you do it?"

"Trying to weed the rose garden." Harry lifted his shirt sleeve to show the scratches down his arm.

"Sit on the bed and take your shirt off" she commanded.

Harry sighed. He knew how this was going to go. However he also knew that she was only trying to help so he did as she said.

The healer's wand went over his back and chest as she performed the same surface diagnostic as before.

"You are fortunate they are all surface wounds. Nothing is infected and if you keep them clean they should all be healed by the time school starts."

"I will do. Thankyou Madame Pomfrey." Harry reached over and began to put his shirt on again. He had only got one arm in when she stopped him again.

"However much you like gardening Harry, you must remember to eat. You are all skin and bone."

"I will. Thankyou Madame Pomfrey." Harry finished putting his shirt on, wondering if today he would get away with only that.

"Mr Potter, what are those?" She was pointing at Dudley's cast offs that he had just thrown on top of his trunk.

Harry sighed. So close and yet so far. "They're my jeans ma'am. And a couple of t-shirts."

"They are at least four sizes too big for you. Do you believe that you are that size?"

Harry snorted. "No miss. I'm not anorexic." Well at least this was a change in approach.

"Mr Potter. Can I have your permission to do a more thorough diagnostic on you? It shows a-"

"More in depth view of my overall health as well as any significant injuries I've had." Harry finished "yeah, fine go ahead" he added, lying back on his bed.

"How do you know that?" Poppy's voice contained no small amount of shock.

"When someone tells you something lots of times, a body tends to remember it miss. That's the ninth time you've said that by my count. It happens every time I end up in your care."

"I've done this before?"

"Yes. Also sorry to trouble you but I'm quite hungry. Could we get on with this please?"

"Of course Mr Potter, of course." The wand went around his body in a familiar pattern as Harry traced it with his eyes.

"Let me guess," Harry said upon seeing the healer's face pale. "Severe malnutrition, very low calcium, rib four on the left and five on the right improperly healed, bruising to thorax vertebrae four to seven and a hairline skull fracture."

"How do you know all that? And how are you not in pain?"

"You told me. It hasn't changed over three years!" Harry grinned slightly "It's not too bad. They've all practically healed now anyway."

"Why did you not come before?"

"Every time I come to you, you always do this scan, then run to tell Dumbledore. When you come back you just give me a potion for the pain and discharge me."

"Albus Dumbledore has some explaining to do! I shall go talk to him right away!" She turned towards the door.

"Madame Pomfrey?" Harry called out "if I might ask a request please?" Poppy nodded. "Talk to Professor McGonagall instead. Since it involves me I'd like her to know, and Dumbledore would just obliviate you again."

"How do you know of the memory charm Mr Potter? It's not covered until NEWT."

"Lockhart."

"Ah yes. Well I shall talk to your Head of House for now, but this will have to go to the Headmaster eventually."

"I know ma'am. Thankyou."

As the mediwitch left, Harry thought that this once he might have got through to her. This once he might actually have a chance of recovery. He headed downstairs with a smile on his face.