TITLE: Falling on Deaf Ears

DISCLAMER: I do not own any of the characters or anything else recognisable as that of JK Rowling.

WARNINGS: Contains mentions of abuse and disabilities (Deafness)

PAIRINGS: None planned, Def no slash

SUMMARY: When Harry arrives at platform 9 and 3/4, it is a great surprise to everyone when he is deaf and severely injured. After being healed by Madame Pomfrey, he and Severus work together to reintegrate harry back into society. What will they uncover when they work though the problems of his past.

AUTOR NOTE: I plan to update regularly. Thanks to my beta AlElizabeth. The first three chapters were co written with foreverme98.

WORD COUNT: 2192

Chapter 1 - A lone Journey

1st sept

Vernon drove into the car park of King's Cross. Climbing out of the car, he roughly pulled Harry, his nephew, from the back seat, followed by a small suitcase containing all of his possessions. He proceeded to close the door, get in the car and, drive off, leaving Harry standing there confused and scared. Harry looked around and saw a door that lots of people were going into. Deciding his best bet would be to follow them and hope some answers turned up soon.

No one seemed to notice the small, frightened boy wearing filthy clothes, and sporting a dirty face with messy hair. Reaching the strange building, he saw what he assumed were trains from the models he had seen Dudley with.

Still wondering what to do, and unsure of where he was going, Harry made his way over to a quiet corner. Setting himself down on the floor, he opened his suitcase. There were only two tee shirts, one pair of trousers, some skivvies and socks. On top of all this was a small piece of paper. Since he didn't know how to read, he didn't know what it said, but he grabbed it anyway, and after closing his trunk, he made his way over to the crowd of people.

Realizing that he would need to ask someone for help, he looked around hoping there would be someone he could ask. Narrowing down the options was easy. Men were scary. Youth hurt him. Children were stupid. The only option he felt remotely comfortable with were women. A suit meant busy so he was looking for a woman who wasn't wearing a suit. Spotting a lady over by the opposite wall, who was currently looking after 7 rambunctious children, Harry decided she would do. Hoping she would be willing to help, he pushed his way through the crowd.

The lady noticed him when he was standing about five feet from her. Walking up to him, kneeling in front of him, she smiled and said something he couldn't hear. Placing his case on the floor, he held his hand out and signed for help. Realization flashed across the lady's face when she realized he was deaf.

Again, she smiled at him while gesturing to the piece of paper sticking out of his pocket. Grabbing it, he handed it over, hoping that she would understand. Looking at the paper, to his face, then to his forehead, she reached up to move his hair out of the way. She saw him flinch but also saw the distinctive lightning bolt scar. She led him over to her children, said something to the eldest, then she handed them each a piece of paper- the same as his own. Hugging the girl, she turned back to Harry and took his arm. The next thing he knew; he was being squeezed through a tiny hole.

Finally, being released from the tight pace, Harry looked around and started to panic at the unknown place, and the fact that he had obviously changed locations without having moved. He first noticed a strange man who had white hair flowing down his back and friendly blue eyes.

A short time later, the fire lit up and another woman stepped out. This new woman moved towards him and knelt on the floor in front of him. Before he had a chance to panic, the woman starting signing, "My name is Madam Pomfrey. Are you alright?"

"No, I'm scared and lost and confused. What's happening?" Harry asked fearfully.

The grey-haired lady turned her head to look at the older man. They exchanged glances with each other, and after a moment, she turned her attention back to him. "There is no need to worry. Can you tell me what ails you?"

Harry finally calmed down enough to take in that she was dressed as a nurse. He only knew this because he had seen women dressed similarly on the telly.

"I can't hear, and I can't talk. Is that what you mean?" Harry was slightly puzzled as to what she meant but hoped the answer he gave was right. The lady turned and looked at the other people in the room, he guessed to tell them something. She nodded her head a few times, then looked back at him.

"Why can't you hear, Harry?" she signed. "Did someone hurt you?"

Gathering his courage, he began the short story that led to his deafness, "My uncle hit me when I was really little and my head hit the corner of the unit. Since then I've not been able to hear anything."

A lone tear dripped down Madam Pomphrey's cheek. "I'm sorry, what's wrong?" he questioned, worried that he had said something to make her upset with him.

"Nothing. Would you like me to return your hearing?"

The young boy looked thoughtful for a long time before he very hesitantly nodded his head.

"Alright, it might come as a bit of a shock at first, but after that we should be alright. I just need you to stay calm, please." She looked over to the others for a final time before gently moving a stick in front of his face.

Something warm could be felt through his head. The next thing he knew was the cooing of a bird he hadn't noticed before. Everything was a big shock for him, and Harry wasn't sure what was happening.

"Harry, these are called ear defenders. If you put them on they will block out noises that are too much." Harry reached forward and took the device.

Then for the first time in a very long time someone spoke to him. "Hello, Harry." The woman who had found him asked, "Would you like a hug?"

Not waiting for a reply, she took the small boy in her arms. Not being able to maintain control any longer, he broke down into tears. A few minutes later, he calmed himself. The only reminder of his breakdown being the wet patch on the lady's shoulder and an occasional sniffle.

"Right then, Harry. I am happy that you are well enough to get ready for the term ahead, however, I would like to see you later, please." The lady looking like a nurse spoke to him as well as signed, to make sure he would understand what was being said. "This is Mrs. Wesley and she will take you to a place called Diagon Alley in a moment to get all of the things that you will need. She will bring you back here later on; do not worry. Just so you know, she does not know how to sign so she won't necessarily know what you are saying. Come along, Harry."

He stood up and slowly made his way over to the lady. He saw her outstretched hand and recognized it as the same one that Aunt Petunia always used to give Dudley. Placing his hand inside her's, hesitantly; he finally looked up and smiled at the kind looking woman. Signing a quick thank you to the lady, he looked around waiting for what would happen next. "Mrs. Wesley, here is the key for his vault. I assume you know what to get." After receiving a quick nod in response, she continued, "Feel free to use the Floo. Please be back before 7 in time for the feast."

"I will be looking forward to having you join us tonight, Harry," the twinkly-eyed man spoke up, his deep voice warming Harry's insides. "Have fun preparing for the school year."

Mrs. Wesley reached down, picked the small boy up, pushed his head into her neck, and quickly got into the fire before Harry had a chance to be worried about what was happening.

Walking out into the Leaky Cauldron, she placed Harry on the floor and took his hand in her own, leading him to the back of the shop and through the wall at the back. She watched as the young boy in her care saw the magical street for the first time. Because many of the people usually residing in Diagon Alley were parents, either still at the station or enjoying the time without the children, the alley was fairly quiet.

She saw that the child wanted to be let down when he unwrapped his tiny arms from around her neck. Setting him down gently, she took his hand in her much larger one and set off down the familiar street. She couldn't help but smile at his wide eyes as he took everything in. He kept turning his head here and there, seemingly not wanting to miss out on anything they passed by.

Squeezing his hand, Mrs. Wesley spoke up, "All of this must seem very strange to you."

Another goblin came scurrying to their side. Taking the key, Grip hook took them through one of the numerous doors that led off from the hall. "Right this way," he instructed.

Reaching for Harry's hand once more, she encouraged him to keep up with the goblin's hurried pace. The stone passageway greeted them, and she could tell that the shadows the torches created, scared the dark-haired child.

"Have courage," she spoke softly. "No one will hurt you here."

Looking less afraid, Harry followed the goblin down the passageway, stumbling slightly when the ground began to slope downwards. After a few more steps, the goblin whistled shrilly and a cart came barreling towards them, a set railroad tracks keeping it on course.

She encouraged Harry to step in first, then she followed after him. Once everyone was safely inside, the cart raced through connecting passageways, turning so quickly Mrs. Wesley was left dizzy and Harry was left feeling a heady mixture of fear and exhilaration.

Eventually, the cart slowed to a stop, for which Mrs. Wesley was very grateful. She was glad she hadn't had the time to eat lunch yet or it would have ended up all over the stone floor.

The goblin opened the final door. Gobs of green smoke flew out, and when it cleared the pair took in piles and piles of gold coins, silver, and bronze Knuts. It was overwhelming and more than a little wonderful to the mute child, who hadn't seen so much money in his entire life.

Harry looked up at Mrs. Wesley. Questions clouded his dark eyes. Pulling a small bag out, she set about filling it up with what she thought would be the necessary amount. "All of this is yours," she told him kindly. "You're well taken care of thanks to your parents."

His dark eyes looked around the vault. She stood back and waited for him to process everything. For someone who grew up with nothing, the amount of money contained in the safe would be a shock for anyone, much less an 11-year-old boy.

After a bit, he turned to face her. Sweetly reaching out his arm to her, he willingly followed her back out into the damp passageway. They all hopped back into the wooden cart. The next ride was just as fast and as crazy as the last, but it led them back out into the great outdoors.

Righting herself, Mrs. Wesley huffed out a relieved sigh. "Right, Harry, we are going to go and get you some robes." Walking down the street towards Madam Malkin's shop they opened the door and stepped inside.

Mrs. Wesley had seen inside his suitcase earlier, so even though it was left in the office, she knew what was needed. Madam Malkin had obviously heard them enter and had come from the back room. "Hello, how can I help you today?" she spoke from behind the counter.

"Please, can I have five sets of plain black work robes, one plain black pointed hat, one back summer cloak with silver fastenings, one black winter cloak with silver fastenings, five white shirts, three grey cardigans, three grey jumpers, three charm able ties, two charm able scarves, five pairs of trousers, ten pairs of grey socks, and ten pairs of skivvies." Mrs. Wesley told the lady. "I also need general, everyday clothes, the poor fellow has nothing but what he is wearing. Professor Dumbledore sent me to get all his things. What would you suggest to get?"

"Well, for someone his age and size, I would suggest getting an assortment of t-shirts, shirts, trousers, jumpers and slacks. I can get all of that ready for you." The lady smiled "Could you hop up on the platform please dear so I can take your measurements then I will get everything sorted for you." Harry had been unable to follow the conversation so far and so now didn't know what they were expecting him to do.

Lifting his hands to start signing that he didn't understand, he remembered that these people would not understand what he was saying and so dropped them back by his side. Realizing that he didn't understand what had been asked Mrs. Wesley pointed towards the platform and gently pushes his back.

After getting all the measurements they did the lady good-bye and continued obtaining the rest of the supplies harry needed.