By Loralee
Disclaimer: HP belongs to JKR
Chapter 5At seven o'clock the next morning, Sandy eased open the door to Harry's room intending to wake him for breakfast. Harry was already wide awake and doing pushups beside the bed. He sprang to his feet.
"Good morning, ma'am," he said politely.
"Oh, good morning, Harry, breakfast will be ready in just a bit and the bathroom is free now if you want to shower," she said.
He grinned at her and grabbed up the clothes he'd laid out on the bed and rushed down the hall when she stepped back out of the doorway.
In a very short amount of time Harry appeared in her kitchen, hair still rather damp.
"Is there anything I can do to help, ma'am?" he asked politely.
"Oh, no, Harry, just sit down and I'll have it ready in a minute. I hope you like bacon and eggs. Have you been awake long this morning?" she asked.
"Reveille is at 5:30 ma'am. I woke up and did my PT. I wouldn't want Sergeant Fields to think I was shirking when I get back. He says if we don't exercise every day we'll get fat and lazy," said Harry.
Sandy eyed Harry's small, thin body and said, "I think you could use some fattening."
"Oh, yes, but it should be muscle not blubber, you know," said Harry. "I hope I didn't make to much noise and disturb you."
"No I thought you were asleep," she said with a smile. "If you're up that early you don't have to stay in your room either," she added setting a plate in front of him.
HPHPHPHPHP
Harry went with George to the Salem branch of Gringotts. George apparated them into the employee entrance and took the elevator down to the training section. George told Harry how the bank had two lobbies. One opened on to the magical section and had goblins for tellers and the other opened on to a mundane street. You could use the bank to go from one to the other.
"This is the training room you'll be using, Harry," said George as they entered the room, "and this is Mr. Pike. Jack this is Harry."
Mr. Pike was rather short and round, with a fringe of white hair surrounding a big bald place on the top of his head.
"Hello there, Harry, pleased to meet you," greeted Mr. Pike.
"Hello, sir," said Harry taking an instant liking to the friendly man.
"Well I'll leave the two of you to get started. I'll be back at lunch time," said George.
"Well, Harry, let me explain what we are going to do, have a seat," he pointed to a chair not far from his own. "First, I'm going to show you a charm and have you try it. Then well discuss how and why it works. When you can do the charm and understand it. We'll move on to the next. Okay?"
"Yes, sir," said Harry eager to get started.
Mr. Pike grinned, "Good, we've got about four hours, lets see how much we can get done. Now the first thing we're going to look at is the light spell, the incantation is Lumos and the wand movement is thus."
By the time lunch rolled around Harry had learned a dozen charms and was making headway on the theory.
"I see George is here to pick you up, Harry, you did an excellent job today."
"Thanks, Mr. Pike, I had a lot of fun," said Harry flushed with success.
"He's a natural, George," said Pike in an undertone to George as Harry gathered his coat and picked up a leather-clad book from the table.
"What's that, Harry?" asked George as they walked out of the room.
"Mr. Pike gave the book to me. I'm supposed to write down all the spells I learned today in it. It's my own personal Grimoire. Mr. Pike says I should write down every spell as I learn it. If I see something I want to learn I can write it in the research section and move it to the learned section once I know it. Then, before I go back to the Academy, Mr. Pike is going to show me how to enchant it so only I can read it," said Harry excitedly.
"Wow, so you enjoyed your lessons today?" asked George.
"Yeah, magic is so cool and I'm good at it," enthused Harry bouncing along beside George as they exited the mundane side of the bank. "Where are we going?"
"I though we'd grab some lunch and then you have an appointment with a healer," said George. "Would you like McDonalds or Pizza Hut?"
Harry stopped and stared at George forcing him to stop as well. George frowned and asked, "What's wrong, Harry?"
"Why do I have to see a healer? I feel fine. I'm not sick and I don't need any shots. I had a whole bunch before I came here to school," said Harry in a rush.
George smiled slightly and said, "No shots, I promise, I want you to see a healer because I'm concerned about your size. You're small for your age, you know."
"Oh, okay," said Harry starting to walk again.
"Good, now, what would you like to eat?"
"I don't know. I've never had either," said Harry.
HPHPHPHPHP
After lunch they walked to a large building and as they were going up the elevator George said, "This clinic is a mix of magical and mundane, Harry."
They entered a large waiting room half filled with people. Harry stepped a little closer to George as he checked them in.
A woman in teddy bear scrubs led them back into a warren of rooms, once in one of the rooms she weighed Harry, helped him up on the end of a padded table and told them Healer Mack would be with them shortly.
Healer Mack was a big man with short brown hair and a wide smile wearing a white coat and a stethoscope around his neck.
"Hi, I'm Healer Mack. You must be Harry," he said as he stuck out a large hand. He nodded at George.
Harry shook his hand hesitantly.
The healer drew out his wand and said; "Now I'm going to do some scans. This won't hurt a bit."
"Okay," agreed Harry.
After a few minutes the Healer sat back and made some notes on the file.
"Well," he said turning to George, "there is some cause for concern but overall Harry appears to be mostly in good shape. I'd like Harry to take a nutritional potion for the next ten days and then you'll need to monitor his diet."
George glanced at Harry who was frowning and said, "Harry attends boarding school. He is in charge of his own diet."
The Healer turned back to Harry and noticed the frown himself. "I'm sorry Harry I didn't realize that. In that case I'd like to give you a nutrition booklet." He opened a drawer that was filled with little booklets and pulled one out.
"Um, why, sir?" asked Harry.
The healer glanced at George once and then said to Harry, "You are underweight and very small for your age, Harry. My scans show that you've just started recovering from a severe case of malnutrition. The potion regimen will jumpstart your metabolism; make your body use the nutrients more effectively. If you then eat a balanced diet it will cause a growth spurt in the next six months. You should begin to gain weight and grow a little. Now I won't lie to you. You probably will never be tall. I doubt you'll reach you're natural height because of the malnutrition in your formative years. When you get older you may have other problems. Your bones will become brittle sooner. I notice you've had several broken bones. You may have pain, as you get older in the form of arthritis. You understand?"
"Yes, sir," said Harry nodding.
"Good, I'm also going to give you a booklet on magical puberty," said the healer ignoring Harry's blush, "The potion may jump start that as well." He pulled another booklet and sorted through drawer pulling several more as well. "Here is one on magical hygiene. This one is on controlling accidental magic and this one is preventing magical maladies. Do you have any questions?"
Harry blinked at the pile and said, "I'm learning to use a wand I shouldn't have problems with accidental magic should I?"
"Well, that helps but stress and emotional upset can cause accidental magic all through your teen years. The pamphlet discusses ways of combating that. Now I'm going to give you my contact information for your school nurse. If you have any questions you can call me, okay?"
After Healer Mack left the room the nurse came back in with the potion prescription, a card with the Healers information and a letter for the school nurse. She also had a bag for Harry to carry his booklets in and a sucker.
They walked the few blocks back to the bank. George checked his messages and then they went to the Arcade and spent the rest of the afternoon on rented brooms.
Chapter 6
The next day George took Harry to the cafeteria in Gringotts after his charms lesson and smiled through the recitation of Harry's morning, often having to remind Harry to eat. After lunch he took Harry to an office on the same floor as his own. Harry thought the office looked more like someone's living room than an office but didn't say anything.
"Harry this is Mrs. Whitefish," George. "She is an expert in mind magic and she's going to check you out and see if you are ready to learn that kind of magic."
Harry stared at the old witch. She was very old and wrinkled, with white hair in a braid down her back and twinkly black eyes.
She stared back and then grinned at him, "Come in, child, I won't bite."
Harry sat down on the fat chair she pointed to and George left.
"Do you know what mind magic is?" she asked.
"No, ma'am," said Harry.
She chuckled, "You best call me Grandma, child, everybody does and you look as if you could use a grandma."
Harry blinked not sure how to respond. She chuckled again and pushed a plate toward him.
"Have a cookie, child. Georgie said that you were tested for talents and had several that fall into the mind magic area. Those would be Empathy, Healing, and to a degree Mage Sense." Harry just nodded as his mouth was full of chocolate chip cookie. She smiled and continued, "The Empathy is the one we are going to be most concerned with at this time simply because it can cause the most trouble if left untrained. The others will get better or more refined with training but can be left to develop on their own if need be."
Harry nodded again, "I think I understand ma'am," she gave him a look and Harry added, "er, grandma."
"Now I want you to come over here beside me so I can touch your head and have a look at your mind and see just how developed your Empathy is and if you've any kind of shields. It may feel a little funny if you feel anything at all," she gestured with her hand.
Harry knelt at her feet leaning into the arm of the chair without another thought. Her hands on his head were warm and smooth and made him feel funny in his stomach as one cupped his cheek and the other brushed through his hair.
She chuckled again and he felt warm, "Oh, my, yes," she said, "You're ready for training. You may have some natural ability at Occlumency as well, that will be helpful but a little extra I think might be in order. Well that's done, child, go back to your seat and well talk about what comes next."
Harry smiled and said, "Thank you, Grandma," as he returned to his seat.
They spent the rest of the time discussing what he could expect and how he would train and just what he could do with the talent. He would visit her three more times during the holiday.
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The next afternoon Harry spent with Brent Saylor, a metamorphmagus who told him how to begin training his ability. With a 50 percent metamorph ability he thought that Harry could expect to be able to change his hair color, length and texture, his eye color, and his complexion with enough practice. Brent gave him a list of exercises to do in front of a mirror and told him the most important aspect was that he believe in himself.
HPHPHPHP
Christmas morning, Sandy woke to find Harry seated in the living room gazing at the tree and packages.
"Merry Christmas, Harry, are you excited for presents?" asked Sandy.
Harry blinked at her with surprise and asked, "There are presents for me?"
"Haven't you looked?" she asked playfully.
Harry shook his head frantically and protested, "Oh, no, ma'am. I didn't touch anything. I wouldn't."
Sandy was rather taken aback but quickly covered her surprise, "Well let's make some cocoa to hold us over. George will be up in a few minutes and we can open gifts. I'm sure that there is something under the tree for you."
Harry looked doubtful but followed her into the kitchen and helped with the cocoa.
"Did you get many presents last year?" Sandy asked casually.
"No, ma'am. Aunt Petunia said presents are only for good boys and I was never good enough," said Harry without looking at her.
"Well, I think you are a very good boy, Harry," said Sandy.
When she heard George, she led Harry back into the living room where they sat down and George handed Harry a gift. Harry turned it over and over in his hands looking at the paper, saying 'thank you' until Sandy said, "If you don't open it, George can't give you the next one Harry."
Harry's look of amazement troubled both George and Sandy and a shared look promised to talk about it later.
Harry opened the present to find a gameboy and several games. His mouth dropped open in surprise. He'd never played one but several of the older boys in his barracks had them.
"Wow, I, wow, thank you," he sputtered.
"So you like it?" asked Sandy. He looked up at her with wide eyes and nodded frantically. "Well I saw several boys drooling over them in the store and the clerk said they were a hot item."
"Here's another one, Harry," said George trying to hand a long package to Harry. Harry blinked at him; he hadn't really believed there could be more than one present for him.
Harry pulled the paper off of a Powerstar 600 broom and burst into tears.
"Harry, honey, what's matter," asked Sandy pulling him into a hug.
"Aw, gee Harry, I thought this was the one you liked," said George.
"It's too much, I don't deserve this. I'm a freak and freaks don't get presents, I didn't get you anything," said Harry into Sandy's shoulder.
Sandy looked horrified and George shook his head.
"I've been sort of expecting this," he said to Sandy. He rose to his knees and scooted closer so he could pat Harry's back while Sandy cuddled him.
"Harry, the Dursleys were the freaks, not you. You do deserve presents and to be happy. So many things have changed for you in the last six months. I'm sure it's overwhelming," he said.
Harry sniffed and mumbled into Sandy's shoulder, "I sorry I'm such a wuss, are you going to send me away?"
"No we aren't going to send you away, do you want to leave?" said George.
Harry shook his head. "I like it here," he answered then pulled away from Sandy. He hung his head. "I'm sorry I cried on you."
"It's okay, Harry, anytime," she said smoothing his hair.
He scrubbed at his face and picked up the broom, "Thank you, I do like it," he paused, "but I can't keep it at school can I?"
George smiled and said, "No, you can't take it to school but it can stay here in your room. You can fly on Easter break and in the summer."
Harry nodded and smiled caressing the broom.
George moved back to the presents and picked one off a different pile this time.
"Let see, this one is for Sandy."
She squealed and grabbed it out of his hand and he made a show of counting his fingers while Harry laughed.
The rest of the day was a bit of a roller coaster of emotions as the Wilson's tried to reassure Harry that he was worthy of their attention. Along with his games and broom he'd been amazed to get several sets of clothing.
He been almost embarrassed to find one box containing boxer shorts and socks until he saw George had gotten one too. Sandy explained that it was a tradition in her family.
Another present he really like was a hard plastic mobile bookshelf.
It was three feet long with a handle at one end. The front slid up into the top edge to reveal a line of books or pulled down and locked for safekeeping or travel. The fact that it was magical and much bigger on the inside was great.
George told him it would hold hundreds of books in a rotating space and his bunkmates would only see what they expected to see, school books and a few paperbacks of no interest.
HPHPHPHP
Harry woke thirsty. He padded toward the bathroom for a drink and heard voices from George and Sandy's bedroom. He paused to listen
"I cannot believe anyone would treat a child like that," she said.
There was a mumble in response.
"George, pay attention, I want to keep him."
"Sandy—"
"I know it hasn't been very long but I want to keep him!"
"Sandy—"
"We can adopt, he can go to school here."
"Sandy we can't adopt--"
"He's a great kid, George, you said so yourself. I want him."
"Sandy—"
"I love him already and I want to keep him, please."
"Love, I know, I'd like to keep him too but we can't adopt him. He's not free. All we can do is offer him a place to stay and love him. Just because he can't be ours legally doesn't mean we can't be there for him."
"We can keep him?"
There was a low chuckle, "I am his guardian, Sandy, as long as he wants to spend his vacation time here, he'll be welcome. Now go to sleep."
"Yes, dear, love you."
Harry wiped the tears from his face and retreated to his room with a strange feeling in his chest.
AN: This is the last chapter that is already written so the wait will be a little longer this time. Thanks for the great reviews and to Evan for betaing.