After they had finished breakfast, Harry started to gather the dishes. "No, Harry." Emma said causing Harry to drop the dishes in his hands. Harry's automatic defenses kicked in. He raised his arms to protect his head and backed into a corner to limit where the blows would come from.
"I'm sorry. I'll clean it up. I didn't mean to break them." Fear evident in his voice but not a tear from his eyes.
"Mother!" Hermione scolded her mother. She slowly approached Harry in his corner.
"Harry. It's okay. You didn't do anything wrong." She said softly as she approached.
Harry lowered his arms enough to look at her; her hand out stretched, palm up in a non-threatening way. He looked up into her eyes. "Are you sure?"
"Yes, Harry. I'm very sure. Come here, please?" She held her arms wide, inviting him to enter her embrace.
Slowly lowering his arms, he stepped towards her. He entered the space of her arms and let her close them around him. He put his arms around her waist. "Am I in trouble?"
"No, Harry. You are not in trouble."
"But I broke the dishes."
"That was mums fault. Harry, you are a unique individual here and it seems that we all have some things to learn. Do you remember what I said this morning when you couldn't understand why mum hugged you?"
"Yes."
"You were told that it is your job to do certain things. I was taught just the opposite. Mum is the one that taught me and when she saw you start to do something that she felt was not your responsibility. She was trying to tell you, you didn't have to do that. The problem is she forgot how you were raised and you thought she was scolding you as if you had done something wrong."
Emma approached to two children making sure not to move quickly and staying in Harry's line of sight. She knelt next to the pair. "Harry, I'm sorry I startled you. I was just trying to tell you, you didn't have to do the dishes. It is going to take a while for both of us to get used to each other, but know this Harry, I care for you and would not dream of harming you intentionally."
"Can you forgive me?"
Harry looked at her in total confusion. In his world, adults never asked for forgiveness. Adults did no wrong, only he did anything wrong.
Emma could see the confusion in his eyes. "Harry, you are in a different world now. In this world, the real world, adults do make mistakes, and when we do, we ask for forgiveness."
Harry looked to Hermione for guidance. She simply nodded. "I forgive you. Will you forgive me?" he pleaded.
Emma looked to her daughter, who nodded. "Yes, Harry, I forgive you." She held her arms out as her daughter had for Harry to enter. Hesitantly, Harry stepped away from Hermione and into Emma's arms. She embraced him in a firm but gentle hug. After just a moment, she released him and said, "Now why don't you two go find something fun to do?"
"What would you like to do Harry?"
Harry stood there and thought. "Are the books in your room yours?" She nodded. "Can I read them? There are a lot of books there I hadn't seen before."
"You can read any book in the house, unless you are specifically told differently." She took his hand and led him to her room. "Pick any book you like and if you need help with a word, don't be afraid to ask for help. If I don't know it or can't find the meaning, we can always ask mum or dad."
Harry looked at the books, studying the titles. "Hermione, do you have any books on magic?"
"Not yet. Maybe we can ask McGonagall about getting some the next time she visits."
He continued to look at the book titles to see what his 'Angel' liked to read. Her books covered a ride variety of subjects: history, math, science, and literature. He also noted some science fiction, and fantasy. Knights in armor, wizards, and dragons. "What do think about being a witch?" he asked without thought.
"I don't know. As you can see, I have fantasized about it, but never thought it was real." She responded with a far away look.
Harry finally picked a book on history and settled down on the floor to read. He skimmed through the book, looking for points of interest, stopping at certain sections to read more thoroughly. He closed the book and replaced it on the shelf when Emma called them for lunch. Since it was Sunday, Dan was home as well.
Harry sat at the table deep in thought as he ate. Dan noticed and asked, "What's bothering you, Harry?"
"Why do people go to war?"
"That would depend on what side of the conflict you are on. Initially, wars usually start when one group or nation tries to force another to their way of life."
Harry thought about this for a minute. "Have you ever gone to war?"
"Yes." He said somberly.
"Why?"
"To protect the innocent."
Harry just looked at him with questioning eyes.
"Harry, war is a nasty business. Sometimes you have to do things you're not proud of. You have to live with the nightmares for a long time. What I did was horrible, taking a life always is, but I did it for what I believe were the right reasons. I believe that I'm a good man. I believe that as long as a man that has to kill in defense of others and regrets it every time he does is not a bad person. When they start to like it, or don't feel anything anymore, they are lost. I got out because I didn't want to take another life."
Harry looked at the table for a moment, and then he looked at Emma. "Mrs. Granger? Did you know this about him?"
"I don't know the details Harry, but I do know about the nightmares. He still has them every now and then."
"How do you deal with them?"
"I hold him tight and tell that everything will be all right."
He looked at Hermione, "Will you do that for me?"
To say the Grangers were shocked by his question would be putting it mildly. "Harry, why would you ask such a question?" asked Emma.
"I don't know really. I read one of Hermione's history books. I remember what Mrs. McGonagall said about my parents. Someone out there wants me dead. That means that I may have to kill to protect myself or others. If what Mr. Granger said is true, I'll probably have nightmares too. At least I hope so."
"Aren't you a little young for such deep thought?" asked Emma.
"Maybe."
"May I go outside?" He asked.
"Sure Harry, but please stay in the yard. We wouldn't want you to get lost."
Harry went out to the backyard and drifted, looking at the flowerbeds, stopping occasionally to pull a weed here and there. He would often stop and smell a flower. Sometimes he would just take a deep breathe. Dan and Emma watched him through the kitchen window.
"He looks so lost."
"He is." Hermione said. "He not used to being able to just wonder. You heard him last night. He worked from the time he got up in the morning until he went to bed."
"We need to buy him some clothes and swim wear. Do you think he knows how to swim?"
"I seriously doubt it mum." Hermione slipped out the backdoor and joined Harry. She slipped her hand in his as he walked around the yard.
"Mum and dad want to take you and but some clothes and swimwear. Would you mind?"
"I have no money." He said dejectedly.
"So? You're part of the family now. They won't mind. Then we can teach you how to swim. Would you like that?"
"That would be great!"
"Come on then, let's go shopping."
Meanwhile in Southeast Scotland.
"Hello Andi. May I come in?"
"Minerva, what are you doing here?" The woman exclaimed. "Of course, come in, come in." Andi was a woman in her mid-forties, average height, black hair and the air of nobility about her.
They entered the small kitchen and sat. "It's been a long time Minerva, What brings you to this neck of the country? Dora not in trouble is she?"
"School has been out for a month, Andi. No, she is not in trouble. Where is she by the way?"
"Out with some friends. What's up Mini? You didn't come out here for gossip."
"To tell the truth, I need your help."
"You know you can count on me for anything. What do you need?"
"Andi," she paused, "this is very serious business, and I don't know how dangerous it might be."
"Go on." Andi said, curiosity spiked.
"Before I can tell you anything, I need an oath from you."
The woman called Andi looked at her. "Mini, what are you into?"
Minerva shook her head, "I can't say without an oath. You know me; I wouldn't ask if this wasn't serious."
"What oath?"
"That you will not repeat what you learn today to anybody. Not your husband, not your daughter, nobody, in any way shape or form."
The woman drew her wand, pointed it at the ceiling, "I, Andromeda Tonks nee Black, swear on my life and magic not to discuss what I learn from Minerva McGonagall this day with anybody without her leave to do so, so mote it be."
"Now what is so important to need such an oath?"
"I need a healer for a very special patient. You can not discuss him at all."
"Who and where?"
"Harry Potter."
Andi laughed. "I never figured you for a prankster, Mini." Mini never moved. Her features never changed. Andi looked at her. "You're serious aren't you?"
"Deadly serious. I need you to treat him where he is. He is with a first generation family. I know you know how to deal with a family like this because of Ted."
"How bad is he?"
"I don't know. He hides his injuries. He has had numerous broken bones that were never treated. I saw his back, or at least part of it. It was horrible. I don't know how he stood it."
"Who did this Mini?"
"I can't tell you yet. We have things in the works to try to help him, but if anything happens to the ones that did this to him, we will be exposed before we are ready. Someone in our world is protecting them."
"What do I need to bring with me?"
"I'm not a healer Andi. You will have to examine him yourself and decide for yourself."
"When can I see him?"
"Are you free tomorrow? I need to talk to the family and let them know that you are coming."
"Yes, I don't have any patients to see tomorrow."
"I'll go see them an owl you what time I'll be here to take you there. It may be late."
"I'll wait for your owl."