Sorry about the confusion if you just clicked on this expecting chapter one, I'm trying to fix the order.
A/N Still don't own Harry Potter or make any money from him. V.2.0
CH 2
Amelia watched as the Hogwarts Express pulled away from the station for its long trip north. After the train was out of sight she apparated back to Bones Manor and walked right to the fireplace. Taking some floo powder out of the urn beside the fire and threw it into the fire turning the flames emerald green and after sticking her head into the fire she called out "Hogwarts School Hospital Wing." A few nauseating seconds later her head was poking out of the fire of the hospital wing in Hogwarts. Seeing the person she was looking for gong over the potions supply for the coming year she called out to get her attention. "Poppy do you have a few minutes to talk?"
The elderly matron turned around at the sound of her friends voice, a worried expression on her face. "Amelia, isn't this a surprise I thought Susan was starting Hogwarts today is something wrong?"
"No Poppy, everything with Susan is fine; I just got back from the station. Can I come through and talk to you about something. It's important and your discretion would be required for at least the start."
Seeing her old friend put on her investigator face clued the healer that this indeed was a serious matter. "Come on through Amelia, and you can tell me what's wrong."
A few seconds later and Amelia's whole body was in the Hospital Wing. Following Poppy into her office she took a seat at her desk and ordered her thoughts while Poppy ordered tea. "Susan and I ran into someone today at the station. Harry Potter approached us and asked for help getting onto the platform. He was all by himself and dressed like a street urchin."
Poppy's eye's grew wide in excitement. She knew Harry would be starting school this year. She remembered his birth like it was yesterday and had been looking forward to seeing him again. Then what Amelia just said sunk in. "Why was he alone? And what do you mean he was dressed as a street urchin."
"Apparently his Uncle just dumped him at the station and drove off. After talking to him I got the impression that he has not been well treated. His posture was defensive; he flinched away from quick movements in his direction, his clothes were way too big for him and worst of all, when he his shirt slipped down his back you could see a bunch of scars that didn't look all that old."
Poppy paled at the description of the Boy-Who-Lived. Albus always said that he was safe and in the best place for him. She had asked multiple times about him but every time Albus had just said that he was fine and doing well. "Are you sure about this?"
"I'm not sure Poppy, all I have is my observations and what we are trained to look for. If you could get him in here and give him a full checkup, maybe talk to him a little bit we can find the truth. The law states that any sign of abuse needs to be followed up. If you find anything my office can then launch an investigation."
"Of course Amelia, I'll observe him tonight and call him in for a checkup first thing tomorrow morning. Do you want to me to inform Albus?"
"No, let's just keep this between us for now. He was the one to put him with them in the first place. I remember James and Lily never did talk about her sister much but I always got the impression that they didn't get along."
"They didn't, I remember how devastated Lily was when Petunia didn't come to their wedding. Not so much as a card. I am pretty sure that they would be the last people they would like Harry to live with."
"Well now that Susan has her claws in him I'm sure things will start to look up for that boy. If anyone can understand and help him it will be her." Finishing her tea Amelia stood up preparing to leave. "I have to head into the office this afternoon. Let me know what you find out." Stepping into the fire Amelia headed back home and then off to work leaving Poppy alone with her thoughts.
After a few hours of trying to distract her mind from thoughts of James and Lily's son living in an abusive environment she finally heard the train whistle of the arriving Express and started to get ready for the Welcoming Feast.
HC
As Harry, Susan, and Hannah stepped off the train a booming voice rang out across the platforms. "Firs' Years o'er here!" Quickly walking up to the big man Harry happily greeted the man.
"Hi Hagrid, are you taking us to the castle?"
"Sure am Harry. We'll be taking boats across the big lake. Hogwarts is quite the sight from the lake."
Smiling in anticipation Harry waited with Hannah and Susan for the rest of the first years to join them. Harry liked Hagrid a lot and despite his size he felt safe with the big man. He was his first friend and gave him his first birthday present and birthday cake. Probably the main reason was that he had stood up for him to his uncle, so few adults had ever done that. Harry also felt that there was something about him that was familiar and made him feel safe. With all the first years gathered Hagrid led them off towards the lake leading them down a narrow path. They walked around a corner and they got their first view of the castle. Their first view of Hogwarts was amazing with the castle all lit up with the moon rising behind it. Harry had never seen anything so mesmerizing in his life. He stood there staring at the Castle with his eyes wide. It took a gentle nudge from Susan to get him moving again.
Harry, Susan and Hannah all climbed into a boat with a round faced boy who introduced himself as Neville. Hannah and Susan seemed to know the boy and chatted amongst themselves while Harry couldn't take his eyes off the magnificent castle. It reminded Harry of the castle he saw one time when he sneaked a look at a Disney movie while his cousin was watching it. Soon the boats came to a small underground dock with a big door leading up into the castle. Getting out of the boat the first years all followed Hagrid to the doors.
Knocking on the doors, they slowly opened revealing a stern looking grey hair witch waiting for them. "Here are the First Years Professor."
"Thank you Hagrid, I will take them from here." The professor turned on her heals and walked into the castle with the first years close behind. As she walked towards the hall she gave a brief explanation about the Houses being like your family and the rules guiding house points. Harry was really hoping that whichever house he was sorted into wouldn't be like his family. Deep down he was hoping they would be like a real family and he would no longer feel so alone in the world. They waited in a small room for the hall to be ready for them. As they were waiting a group of ghosts floated through the walls and floated by. Harry jumped in surprise never believing that ghost might actually exist. Turning to a sound of giggling he saw Susan coving her mouth trying to hold back a giggle.
"Sorry Harry, it's just I forgot that in the muggle world ghosts don't exists. We are so used to seeing them and talking to them that it is a little funny to see people's reaction to them the first time."
Smiling at his friend Harry admitted that it probably was a sight to see. Finally the door opened and the first years walked in the Great Hall. Harry's first impression was that there was no roof on the hall. The ceiling matched the sky. Seeing his gob smacked expression Susan leaned over and whispered in his ear "The ceiling is enchanted to match the sky outside. Auntie told me about it. It is quite impressive though to see it firsthand."
HC
The first years stepped in front of the Head Table and Poppy got her first look at James and Lily's son. Her first thought was how much like James he looked, but the vibrant green of his eyes was all Lily. She noticed how small he looked for his age. He was the smallest first years by a wide margin and his glasses looked undersized and beat up. The glasses where a surprise, she remembered that James had just had to get glasses for reading shortly after graduation and Lily had perfect eye sight and she couldn't remember any of her scans she gave baby Harry during his checkup indicating any future need for glasses. Professor McGonagall placed a stool and a tattered looking hat in front of everyone and walked to the side.
HC
Harry was just wondering if they would have to pull a rabbit out of the hat when the brim opened up and it started to sing. The Hat sang a song about the 4 founders and each of their houses. Susan's and Hannah's explanation of the houses and founders came to mind and Harry glanced at Susan and they smiled together. Finally the hat ended its song and after the applause died down Professor McGonagall stepped forward with a long piece of parchment.
"When I call your name, step forward and sit on the stool. Abbott, Hannah."
Hannah quickly stepped forward and tried on the hat. After a few moments the brim opened up again and shouted out "HUFFLEPUFF!" The far table cheered loudly as Hannah walked over to sit with her new house mates. The names continued until Harry heard "Bones, Susan" Stepping forward and trying on the hat, she soon also joined the Hufflepuff table. After sitting with Hannah she pointedly looked at Harry and scooted over opening a spot for him next to her. Smiling at the thought that someone actually seemed to want his company he waited for his name to be called.
Finally the time came "Potter, Harry!" All noise in the hall stopped for a heartbeat. Then the whispers began. Coloring at all the attention he was getting Harry nervously walked forward and placed the hat on his head. A small voice in his head spoke to him, "Well Mr. Potter you are an interesting person. You will be difficult. You have courage for Godric's house and intelligence to fit in with Rowena's Eagles. If only you would use it." Harry remembered the first time he brought home a report card with top grades. He was so proud of himself. 'Surely now Aunt Petunia will love me.' But when he got home and handed his aunt his report card instead of being happy she had yelled at Harry. Then when his uncle got home he was dragged out of his cupboard and given a beating. "HOW DARE YOU OUTPREFORM DUDLEY?" His uncle would yell as he swung his belt at Harry. "THIS WILL TEACH YOU TO DO BETTER THEN HIM IN SCHOOL!" each word emphasized with the sting of the belt. That was the last time Harry ever tried to do well in school even going so far as to redo his homework so that he had wrong answers.
"You poor boy, that will never happen here. Strive for your full potential here." This surprised Harry and in a panic he thought back to the hat.
"You saw that. Please don't tell anybody I don't want to get anybody in trouble."
"Don't worry young man, I won't. I am honor bound to not discuss anything that is in your head. But you should there are people here who care about you and will do what they can to help you and two of them are already awaiting you. No point disappointing them. I think the house of the Badgers will be good for you. They are full of friendly people and you already have two friends there. So without further ado, HUFFLEPUFF!"
