Author's Note: Thank you for reading and reviewing, my thanks to my Beta(s)
Hermione lay in her bed, awake with her thoughts. It was the boy three beds down that kept her up. She was hyperaware of his presence, knowing she was not alone within the infirmary was both a balm and frustration. She had never seen such a boy like Harry. The potent combination of baggy clothes and those terrible patched up glasses made him look sickly and pale. But he had seemed so completely happy to be here, and Hermione wondered why. Did he want to be here? Where had he come from?
After she had introduced herself, she removed herself from the situation, knowing that Harry had to be tired. But now she lay in the darkness, knowing she wouldn't be able to go back to sleep. She turned to her side, frustrated with herself. She should have just asked him why he was here, instead of leaving. But that would be rude, and Hermione couldn't be rude. That was a wrong thing to do, right?
But now she couldn't sleep. She almost laughed at the thought; she hadn't been able to sleep since she got here! Why was she blaming her problems on Harry?
She quit pretending to sleep, fluffing her pillow for lack of anything to do. She sat up, brushing her hair out of her face. A noise to her right made her turn in surprise. It was the creaking of a bed, and she saw a small figure moving towards her.
Strangely, she wasn't scared, and she waited for the figure to appear. Harry moved to the side of her bed, even in the dark she could see his sheepish smile.
"Hello, Harry," she said softly.
"Can you sleep? 'Cause I can't."
Hermione shook her head, a small smile gracing her face. "I haven't slept well since I've been here. You can come up, if you want," she offered, motioning to the opposite side of the bed. She didn't know why she offered, but Harry interested her, and maybe she was tired of being alone in the dark.
Harry beamed, and Hermione felt her heart stutter for a moment. How did someone look so happy?
"Wait a moment, I'll be right back!" Harry whispered as he disappeared from her sight.
Hermione heard rustling before Harry showed up again with a blanket and pillow in his arms. He was so skinny, the blanket dwarfed him, making it appear like a floating pile of blankets advanced toward her rather than a boy. He tossed the pillow and blanket on the bed. Hermione gave him her arm to help him up to the bed. She pulled him up, dragging him onto the bed.
Harry settled across form her, wrapping the blanket around himself and arranging the pillow to his liking.
"They really made the beds tall, didn't they?" Harry observed, cutting through any tension.
"I thought I was the only one who had a problem with it," Hermione smiled. "I think it is to discourage us from leaving our beds." Hermione did wonder, with all the magic they seemed to have, that they didn't make the bed magically lower for her, but she had thought it a foolish question.
"So you can't sleep at night either?" Harry asked.
Hermione's eyebrows drew down, along with her frown.
"You don't have to answer, if you don't want to." Harry added quickly, seeing her face.
She drew in a breath. For some reason, she didn't want to lie to him. "I have nightmares, sometimes. All the time, honestly. They make it hard to sleep, or want to go to sleep," She lowered her eyes, not wanting to see his reaction. She knew she was weird, but she didn't want to lose her new friend before she even knew him.
The silence drew on, and Hermione chanced a glance up. Harry was nodding, the look in his eyes understanding.
"Y—you don't think t—that's weird?" Hermione asked hesitantly. Harry only shook his head.
"I have nightmares too, I know what you mean," Harry was now the one with downcast eyes, hiding his face from hers. Hermione reached out her hand, touching him lightly on the shoulder. "What are your dreams about?"
Harry looked uncomfortable, shifting his weight. "You don't have to tell me, if you don't want to," Hermione told him, repeating the same phrase he had just said.
Harry smiled a little at the phrase. "Flashes of things, really. Its fuzzy. Flashes of green light, screaming, almost every night. I don't know what it means. What about you?"
Hermione sighed, looking at her hands. "My parents mostly, leaving me, or people taking me. Hurting them, me hurting them."
"Oh," Harry said, eyes downcast.
"Where did they take you from?" Hermione asked curiously.
"A suburb in Little Wingington. They didn't take me; I asked them to take me. Want me to tell you about it?"
Hermione nodded, playing with the end of the blanket, settling back into the pillow.
OoOoOo
Harry had spent the day gardening in the hot July heat. His Aunt Petunia had riled herself into a cleaning spree, which basically meant ordering him around to do the cleaning for her. Once he had finished the inside of the house, his Aunt ordered him into the garden. Harry thought it a useless garden, with flowers and bushes crowding the backyard. He weeded until his arms felt as if they would fall off at any moment. That in itself was something Harry was used to, but the muggy weather and blazing sun made it all the more miserable. His gray clothes were heavy with sweat, and it took everything he had to drag himself upstairs to shower off at his Aunt's insistence.
Petunia screeched, "Only five minutes, boy! Water is precious!" A soapy pot was almost slammed into him for dragging his feet through the kitchen. Harry knew the muddy footprints were the only reason he was allowed to take a shower.
But he made the most of it, turning the water as cold as he could take. He kept his mouth open, swallowing as much water as he could, knowing when he left the shower he would be back to work. The cold water on his skin was a blessing, and he forced himself to shiver through it. But soon, his Aunt was banging on the door, threatening to drag him out herself. Harry got dressed in a new set of clothes, if they could be called new; he only ever got the hand me downs from Dudley. Dudley was so undecidedly huge that anyone would have trouble fitting in his clothes. Harry bunched the extra material and tied it into a knot, opening the door after rolling up his pant legs.
He dragged himself down the stairs, to find his Aunt and Uncle dressed to go. They had been dressed all morning this way and Harry guessed they only stayed to make sure he did the work.
"Your Aunt and I are going out," Vernon growled angrily. "We are taking Dudley with us. You will stay here, and you will not touch a thing! Do you understand me, boy?"
Harry nodded, trying not to show his excitement.
"Are you sure we should leave him alone? That boy has thief in his blood," his Aunt shrilled worriedly, acting as if Harry was not even in the room.
"No, mummy! Harry would just ruin the entire outing! Leave him here, pleaseeee!" Dudley came up behind Harry, pouting at his mother. Harry edged away from his cousins fists, Dudley didn't care who he hit when he threw a tantrum, and he cared about Harry even less. It was safer then, to take himself as far as he could from Dudley's reach.
"He is right, dear. Besides, if he does try anything," Vernon eyed Harry viciously, poking him in the chest with a meaty finger, "then it will be the shed with nothing to eat for a couple days." Harry gulped. The shed in this heat would be a sauna, and he did not doubt that his uncle would do it too.
"I won't do anything!" Harry protested.
"Quite right you won't," Vernon growled. "Let's go, before we are late. I am this close to closing the deal with the off sea drilling company, and I don't want to make a bad impression."
The family left, throwing Harry dirty looks as they stepped through the threshold. The lock clicked, and Harry was alone. Harry stood still, waiting until he heard the rumble of the car pull out and become nothing but distant background noise.
He burst into action, racing to the kitchen, sliding on the shiny, waxed linoleum. He observed everything in the kitchen, noting what was where. He got out a plate and cup, setting it on the table. He opened the fridge, his mouth watering at all the leftovers preserved in their plastic containers. He grabbed any his arms could hold, placing them on the table as well. He scooped small portions of each on his plate, small enough they wouldn't notice them gone. Soon he had a heaping plate of leftovers, and he poured himself a can of pop. The missing can would be harder to hide, but Harry didn't care, he was starving. He wolfed down the food, trying his hardest to space it out, to enjoy it.
Perhaps, if Harry had not been so engrossed in eating, he would have heard the encroaching rumble of a car. As it was, Harry knew his life may as well be over when he heard the lock on the door retract. He froze, listening in horror at the sound of the door creak open. Harry launched himself in action, throwing everything in the trash, knowing he wouldn't have time to hide it. He looked at the table desperately, looking around the kitchen as well for anything out of place.
But it was too late, and his uncle came into the kitchen, looking at Harry suspiciously. He walked up to the table, and grabbed something on it. It looked like invitation letters. Vernon looked around the kitchen, then back at Harry.
"Why are you in here, boy? You look suspicious; I hope you didn't do anything that would get you… in trouble." He hissed wickedly at Harry. Vernon smirked when he saw Harry gulp. Harry felt the food he had just eaten turning over in his stomach, anxiety eating away at him.
Vernon turned to leave, having satisfied his anger; only for something catch the view of his eyes. On the corner of Harry's mouth, was something red. Sauce? The boy was eating his food! Vernon turned, his face turning red with anger.
Harry saw the change, his heart falling through his gut. Vernon's face was turning a dark pink. Harry wildly glanced around for what had instigated the change. Vernon gave him no time to wonder, he stomped up to him grabbing his shirt by the front and shaking him. Harry felt as if his brain was being scrambled.
"You blasted boy! Thieving from the man that puts a roof over your head? Biting the hand that feeds you? It will be the shed for this boy!" Vernon raised his hand over him; Harry cringed and turned away from him, anticipating the blow.
"Mr. Dursley, putting a han' on that boy will be downright unadvisable." A voice gruffly warned.
Harry opened his eyes in shock. Standing in the kitchen doorway was the largest person Harry had ever seen. Not a Dudley large, but tall and heavy boned large. He wore a huge overcoat that looked slightly dirty, and he was holding an umbrella. A thick beard and scraggly hair covered most of his face. Harry scrunched his nose in confusion.
Vernon released Harry, causing him to stumble back a few feet against the kitchen wall. His Uncle turned slowly, his face turning a beet red. Harry felt sorry for whoever this man was; he hadn't seen anyone go up against his uncle without apologizing for their behavior at the end.
"Who are the hell are you to come in here telling me how I should discipline my children? How the hell did you get into my house?"
"'Ello Harry, how are ye holding up?" The man completely ignored his uncle.
Harry didn't dare answer with his Uncle being so near. The man didn't seem to be expecting an answer; he just looked around the room with obvious curiosity.
"I demand you get out of my house you… you vagabond! I won't stand for common filth entering my house uninvited!" Vernon threatened.
"Aw, shut your trap Dursley. I been askin' Dumbledore to let me pick up Harry years ago. But no use crying over spilled Bubotuber Pus, as they say. Yeh're a wizard Harry, Iv'e come to take yer away, if you want."
Harry jaw dropped, of all things to say that was the least he expected. "I'm a what?" he stuttered.
"That is quite enough! Stop talking this instant! I will not have this discussion, not at all! Get out of my house, you oaf!" Vernon yelled; his face a dangerous color. His fists curled at his side.
"A wizard. Like yer Mum and Dad. You can use magic. Ain't you ev'r wondere'd how you got tha' lighting scar on your head? Or all the crazy things tha' happen around yea Harry? That's magic at work."
"STOP THIS FOOLISHNESS THIS INSTANT! I WILL CALL THE POLICE UNLESS YOU LEAVE RIGHT NOW!" Vernon roared. "STOP FILLING HIS HEAD WITH NONSENSE, WE SPENT YEARS BEATING THAT SILLINESS OUT OF HIS HEAD, AND I WILL NOT ALLOW YOU TO GO FILLING IT UP AGAIN!"
Harry cringed at the volume; it hurt his ears terribly. But he also hung onto every word the large man spoke.
"I hav' had just bout nough of you, Dursley. I hav' been waiting too long to do this to yer!" The man raised his umbrella and pointed at his uncle. A thin steam of red sparks shot out of the tip and hit his uncle. Harry wasn't sure what it did to his uncle, but Vernon clapped his bum and let out a squeal that sounded unmistakably like a pig.
"I'll be takin Harry with me, and I expec' you will be getting a visit from Professor Dumbledore righ' soon. Now get outta here afore I do something ye will regret!"
Vernon shot a look of pure fury at Harry before running out the door. Harry found himself alone with the mammoth of the man. The man peered closely at him.
"I haven't seen you since yer were a baby, you grown a bit since then. Well, as it is Harry, yeh can either stay here with this lot, or I'll take you off. I'm Hagrid, by the way." The giant man stuck his hand out to Harry.
There was only one practical thing to do in Harry's eyes. This man had just saved him from a beating. Harry walked up to the Hagrid, putting his hand in his. Hagrid's hand was giant, larger than his hand, and as Hagrid shook it happily, his hand was engulfed. "You knew me as a baby?" Harry asked cautiously.
"Oh, aye, just a little lad. You are a spittin image of yer father, but yer eyes. Those are yer mother's eyes. Purest green I ever saw."
Harry just gaped, wishing he could up with something better than just standing there.
"So Harry, what's yer choice? I could leave yea here, if you want. I'd rather not, but Dumbledore said it was your choice. Good man Dumbledore. He's th' Headmaster of Hogwarts."
Harry felt the oddest emotion inside. Someone was asking him for his opinion, his choice? To decide for himself? His mind seemed to unfreeze and thaw, breaking through his stupor.
"Take me with you!" he burst out. A world without working all the day? A world without Dudley pummeling him with his fists? A world with choices? He would go and never look back.
Hagrid chortled, low and deep. "I been thinkin so. Come along then, you got yerself anything you wishin to take? We can talk on the way, if yer like."
Harry nodded, moving past the giant man and walked down the hall to his bed in the broom closet. He didn't have anything he would drag along except for one item. It was a small item; it would fit in his pocket. Years ago, when cleaning the attic he had come across a photo album. There he discovered one crumpled and slightly torn photo. It was a picture of two people Harry had never seen in his life. People he had never seen, but could recognize. The man looked like him and the writing on the back drew his attention.
Petunia, I am sorry you couldn't come to our wedding, but I understand. It was a wonderful day, and I didn't want you to miss it. Your sister, Lily.
It was the only photo Harry had in the world of his parents. He unearthed it from underneath his pillow, tucking it deep into his pant pocket. He reemerged, giving a nod to Hagrid, who waited next to him. "Is that where you slept?" Hagrid asked, outraged.
"Yea, I won't be missing it." Harry answered. He looked at the small broom cupboard, locking it all in place in his mind.
"Well, that's jus' cruel, I'll be tellin' Dumbledore bout this Harry, res' assured." Hagrid appeared appalled, his mouth pulled down in a frown beneath his beard. "Well, if you got everthin', we best head off. Come alon' then." Hagrid opened the front door, squeezing his large frame through the door.
Harry followed him; taking a last glance at the place he had spent so much time. Would he see it again? Harry stepped out into the sun, looking around for Hagrid's car or cab. Instead, a monstrous motorcycle sat in the front lawn. Harry assumed it was Hagrid's, he couldn't see how anyone else could ride such a thing.
Hagrid was already straddling the motorcycle, turning it on and filling the street with a dull roar. He turned to Harry, a smile wide on his face. "And to think," he shouted at Harry, "last time you were on this motorcycle, you were small enough to fit in me arms! Though," he considered, "You could fit in me arms now if I wanted, you're right skinny enough!" Hagrid laughed, booming from him. Hagrid motioned to him, urging to come closer.
Harry did so, though it did take some courage on his part. Hagrid produced a helmet from the bike, setting it of Harry's head. It was a bit big, but Hagrid set about tightening the straps. "Ther' yea are. Now you want to ride in the side car or on the bike?"
Harry looked around at the other side of the bike, and sure enough, a sidecar was connected to the side. Harry considered it quickly, choosing to go in the sidecar. "Side car is good with me," he decided. Harry marveled at the thought. He decided. He climbed in, surprised when Hagrid helped clip all the seatbelts in place. There were quite a lot. He looked up at Hagrid, who was now happily humming.
"Gotta make sure your properly secured," he said vaguely, when he saw Harry looking at him. Hagrid flipped down Harry's visor before climbing onto the bike himself. Harry felt the shifting of his weight. Hagrid pumped the gas, making the engine roar wildly.
Harry gripped the sides of the car as the started off. His visor made everything tinted a little dark, and he turned in his seat to see the last view of Privet drive as they drove away.
OoOoOo
"But the amazing thing was, when we got off my street, Hagrid started going to all these dark alleys and roads in the middle of nowhere," Harry explained in awe. "And then all of a sudden, we weren't on the ground anymore."
Hermione's jaw dropped. "What?"
"It started slow at first, I didn't notice it. But soon we were just skimming the ground, and then Hagrid pulled up and we were in the sky, above the clouds. It was really cold. My lips turned blue. It gave me such a fright at first, but I really enjoyed myself after I got over it," Harry continued.
"After a while we stopped and talked a bit about my mum and dad. Then he brought me here." Harry motioned to their surroundings.
"Wow, that's quite a story, Harry." Hermione sat up, pushing her hair out of the way.
"What about you?" Harry asked, nudging her with his foot. "How did you get here?"
"There is not much to tell really, Professor McGonagall, a teacher here, she is really nice, came to my house and told me and my parents I was a witch. They were upset, and they left me with McGonagall. Th… they were just upset, they didn't really mean the things they said. McGonagall brought me here. Since then I been here, I've walked the grounds once, they are really pretty. I blew up this," Hermione motioned to area around them.
"What, really? How did you manage that?" Harry asked, interested.
"I just was really upset, and it sorta exploded. Are you scared?" Hermione scrunched her nose worriedly.
Harry shook his head no. "I made a glass pane in the zoo disappear once. A bunch of snakes got out, I thought it was weird, but I think it was me, now. "
"Why were your parents upset?" Harry asked, punching his pillow in a better shape before laying his head down.
"Strange stuff happened all the time around me, they don't like it when that happens. I guess that made them even more upset when Professor McGonagall came and said it was all true. I was different." Evil, McGonagall proved you were evil, she thought to herself.
Harry pulled the blankets around himself tighter. "Well, they sound like reasonable people Hermione, I am sure your parents will calm down soon. I'm starting to feel sleepy, what about you?"
Hermione nodded, snuggling down into her blanket. Hermione felt relief at Harry's words. Maybe it wasn't as bad as it seemed, her parents would take her back. She just had to wait.
Within moments of each other, Hermione and Harry fell asleep, not feeling quite as alone.
OoOoOo
Morning came with the expected light. But what woke Hermione was the feeling of warmth draped across her legs. She shifted sleepily, moving her legs closer to the warmth. She heard an exasperated laugh, and her eyes shot open. She rose balancing her body on her elbows. She peered over the mass of blankets to see what the source of laughter was. Madame Pomfrey was sitting in her usual conjured chair, and Harry was up and eating as well. She realized it was Harry who had laughed; she had shifted her legs into Harry lap, and almost onto his tray! Hermione blushed in embarrassment, removing her feet carefully as to not upset his tray.
Harry flashed a smile, showing her he hadn't taken offence.
"Ah, Hermione, I am glad to see you awake, you didn't miss breakfast. I hope you are not too upset that I didn't wake you before the sun, but you seem tired. Eat up!" Madame Pomfrey handed her the tray, with a bowl of her favorite oatmeal.
Hermione mouth watered as it always did, and she started to eat. She felt a bit better after eating. She snuck glances at Harry, noticing that he had bacon and eggs. His mouth was full, and he seemed to eat in great amount. Hermione was pleased they had taken him from such a bad environment, starving a child seemed a wildly cruel thing to do. She wondered what had happened to Harry's parents that he ended up in such a spot, but somehow she doubted Harry knew any more than she did. Hermione was sad Harry had never experienced the love of parents, and was distressed of his cousin's treatment of him.
Madame Pomfrey rose, startling Hermione from her musings. "Alright, you two, I have something for you." She gathered the trays, whipping her wand to make them disappear. "I am going to let you roam the castle grounds, but there are conditions."
She pulled several objects out of her robes. She held up a necklace, a silver circle on a white linen cord. "This right here is a Danger Tracker. There are some dangerous places around the grounds. Hermione, any area McGonagall avoided on your walk, those are the areas I expect you to steer clear of, do you understand? But, in case you do get in trouble, put two fingers on the circle, and I or McGonagall will come to your aid. I do not need to stress that these are not toys do I?"
Hermione and Harry both shook their heads.
"Good, try them out, both of you, fingers here and here alright?" Pomfrey corrected their fingers. She showed her matching piece lighting up when she placed their fingers on their medallions. She gave one to each of them. "Don't be afraid to use them, we will come and get you."
Pomfrey held up a paper with colorful dots on them.
"These are stickers, I am going to put one on your skin, and they will heat up when it is time for you to come back inside. They won't burn you, but they will get steadily warmer the longer you stay out when you're called. Don't worry, you will start to notice them before you need to come inside. I ask that when they begin to warm, you bring yourselves inside quickly," she instructed firmly.
She tuned to Harry, "What color do you want, dear?" Harry chose a light green, and Hermione choose a blue sticker.
"What if we get them wet?" Hermione asked, thinking of the lake. Pomfrey turned to her in surprise, Hermione didn't ask things unless she was asked specifically.
"They are waterproof, and you can't take them off, I have the spell to remove them. Now, remember, you two, if you need anything, you can always come back here. And I am always here to talk. Just knock on my door."
"Thank you," Harry murmured, holding the medallion up, turning it over in his hands. Hermione looked at her own. She held it in her hands, measuring the weight of it. In a blink of an eye, where once was smooth silver, was a figure etched in the medallion. She gasped in surprise, hearing Harry mirror her. An immaculately carved otter floated on its back in shallow water, its belly being warmed by the small sun etched in the sky. Reeds poked through the water, and lily pads dotted the background, the flowers reaching up toward the sun. The otter held a small lily flower in its hand. It looked utterly peaceful and beautiful, Hermione wished herself to be the otter on the medallion, it looked exceptionally at peace.
Hermione turned her medallion so Harry could see, as Harry did the same thing for her. Harry's was just as beautiful, a fully formed stag stood proudly amidst pines and ferns. Hermione could see moss on the bark, small stones and fallen pine needles on the ground. The stag's chest puffed out defiantly, its antlers strong and straight. It felt like it possessed such unquestionable confidence and loyalty. In between the trees she could just make out tiny squirrels and rabbits, wildlife so realistic it was breathtaking.
"It's beautiful, Harry," she said in awe. Harry smiled, his eyes sparkling. "Yours as well Hermione, they are breathtaking. "
Hermione flipped her medallion, staring in confusion at the back. A bird that appeared on fire had its wings open, every detail etched perfectly, on the right a tabby cat was mid jump it's claws outstretched. On the left a weasel arched its back, all three looked especially fierce.
"Well, let's take a look," Madame Pomfrey broke the silence, taking each of their medallions in her hand. "Mmm, how beautiful. So much detail. An otter and stag. It fits." She let them fall against their chests.
"The animal on the front represents your animal self. These medals have a unique property of showing what you want most in the world, if you can interpret it, very interesting. On the back are the representations of those connected to your medallion if you get in trouble. Dumbledore, Professor McGonagall and I are on it. I am sure you can puzzle out who is who." She turned over her medallion, showing them an immaculate weasel frolicking in the snow. She flipped it over again, showing them a rearing stag and snarling otter.
"Off you go, now, try not to get into trouble." Madame Pomfrey waved her wand at the door, and it opened with a loud groan. "Make sure you wear shoes before you leave." Pomfrey left, leaving them alone with each other.
They looked at each other for a moment, and then bolted out of the bed, throwing on their shoes. They raced down the hall, Hermione taking the lead, knowing Harry hadn't a clue where they were going. But Hermione had her sights on a specific place. There was a tree near the lake that interested her. There were thick branches low enough for her to climb onto.
They raced across the lawn, laughing at each other's happy expressions. They made it to the lake easily. Hermione slowed, taking in deep breaths to slow her breathing. She could hear Harry doing the same. She looked at the tree, it was a strong looking tree, and Hermione walked to the base.
"What are you doing?" Harry called out breathlessly.
"I've never climbed a tree before, I stayed inside a lot." Hermione grabbed the lowest branch, jumping to get some momentum. She dragged herself up. Harry was waiting at the bottom; she offered her hand to him.
He took it without hesitation, jumping up and slinging his leg over. Hermione scooted as far back as she could, giving him room to settle. She rose to her feet, testing her balance. She felt small twitches in her back, but nothing that caused her to worry.
"How far up do you plan to go?" Harry asked, looking for the next branch.
"Far up as I can," Hermione answered. Hermione just knew she wanted a little height, to get way from the ground. Freedom seemed to intoxicate her with adrenaline, daring herself to do something out of the ordinary.
So she started to climb, limb after limb pushing and reaching, she paid no mind to the receding grass. Finally she stopped, and looked out into the sky. It was beautiful. She was up higher, higher than she had realized, and suddenly all her courage fled her. The ground was really far away, the lake a lot bigger than she realized.
She felt Harry sit next to her on a different branch, catching his breath. They were silent for a while, looking around the grounds with a bird's eye view, they could see a lot.
"You want to keep going to the top?" Harry asked, peering up at the branches above them. Hermione shook her head quickly.
"Ok, can I pick where we go next? I want to see what those things sticking out of the ground are." Harry explained. Hermione looked at Harry, who was sitting relaxed against the trunk.
Hermione nodded in agreement. "I could see myself with a book up here."
"Yeah, that sounds nice. I wonder if we could swim in that lake?" Harry thought aloud.
"We could, if you didn't mind the giant squid. But McGonagall said it stays in the deep water."
Harry looked at her in horror. "I think I'll hold off on that, then," he decided. He looked at the ground, "Ready to go?"
"I don't think I can get down." Hermione admitted. Her limbs seemed frozen in place. Harry turned to her, confusion is his face. "Are you hurt? I can get Madame Pomfrey!" he moved to get his medallion.
"No, no." Hermione said quickly. "I'm… I'm just scared." She swallowed, feeling stupid.
"Oh," Harry looked at her, understanding coming across his face. "Well, I'll just go down first, that way, if you start to fall, I can stop you. We aren't that far up, we will be on the ground in moments," Harry reassured.
Harry rolled off his tree limb, setting his feet firmly on the lower branch. "I have a lot of experience in trees, hiding from Dudley and all. He was so big; he'd snap the branches on most of the trees around my house. I won't let you fall, Hermione."
Hermione nodded, forcing herself to move one leg at a time. And so, Harry would go down one branch at a time, and wait for her to follow. It was slower than going up, but Hermione didn't mind. She did not want to fall.
Her feet landed on the ground a second after Harry's. She smiled shyly at him. "Thanks for that, I don't think I would have been able to get down on my own."
Harry just tipped his head solemnly. "Come on, I'll race you to the things in the air." He challenged her, pushing the thick framed glasses back in place. He didn't wait for her answer; he just shot across the lawn. Hermione wasted no time before chasing after him.
OoOoOoOo
Dumbledore showed up in the infirmary last, McGonagall and Pomfrey already having transfigured chairs and a table. They both were at the dubbed 'Hermione's sun window,' looking across the grounds. Dumbledore joined them, looking at the lawn. Two children raced across the grass, headed for the Quidditch goalposts. Hermione's hair trailed looked a flag through the wind, Harry's clothes flapping. The boy was frightfully skinny.
"It would appear that Miss Granger and Mr. Potter are enjoying themselves. Shall we start the meeting?" Dumbledore hated to pull the two women who had seen firsthand the pain of both from the happiness of the sight, but pressing matters were just that, pressing.
"She isn't that relaxed with me," McGonagall sighed, tuning toward the table and seating herself.
"She just needs time, Minerva, don't take as a slight upon you. Children need children their own age. When she comes and starts talking about her ordeal, you'll be wishing you had enjoyed these quiet moments." Pomfrey advised.
"I admit, when we found her on the floor my heart nearly stopped. Those things she said were disturbing, but pushing won't do any good until she says it on her own will." McGonagall mused.
"Quite right Minerva, just be there when she needs you." Dumbledore added. "How is Mr. Potter holding up?"
"He seems to be a happy boy, bitterness towards his adopted family of course, but nothing in extreme quantities. But with cases like these, we can't sure he just isn't just happy about leaving, and keeping something deeper hidden. Much like Miss Granger is experiencing right now. I still stand by my initial diagnosis that they both should really see a mind healer at Saint Mungos. Miss Granger will have another breakdown, as her confusion gets the better of her."
"She is a strong girl, but facing that abuse for so long will have lasting effects." Pomfrey summarized. "The same with Mr. Potter, perhaps on a smaller scale.
"That is a troubling diagnostic. Have you administering the calming potion steadily?" Dumbledore asked.
"Of course, a small dose each morning in their breakfast along with the Gaudium exlir. They are so small, anything larger would knock them out. It is extremely hard to get the dosage right. Too much happiness and all Miss Granger becomes a bit more talkative. Which is explains a lot, since she is so tight lipped. I'm afraid all the potion is doing for Miss Granger is keeping her head above water. Too little and you have the result of yesterday."
"And their medallions?" McGonagall asked, studying the one in her hand. The fierce little otter on the back reminded her explicitly of Hermione's essence.
Pomfrey waved her wands, and her notes appeared before her. She shared them with Dumbledore and McGonagall. "Otter and stag."
"Like his father? Very interesting. Good work, Poppy." Dumbledore already knew the shape of their animal form from the medallion already, but the other information Poppy provided gave him great insight to the way young Mr. Potter's and Miss Granger's minds worked.
"The court has approved of your temporary guardianship of Hermione Jean Granger, and all you have to do now is sign. A year from this date there will be another hearing, to decide if it will turn into permanent placement." Dumbledore slid the stack of papers toward McGonagall, still engrossed in Poppy's report.
McGonagall signed without a second thought. She had no doubts that she would at least be a better parent to Hermione than her parents ever were. She snorted. If she didn't talk to Hermione at all after signing this she would make a better parent than the Grangers.
She pushed the signed papers away from her. Dumbledore smiled and gathered them together. "Congratulations, Minerva, it is a girl."
"Oh, quiet you," she snapped jokingly.
Dumbledore simply chuckled. "Mr. and Mrs. Granger's trial can now be voted upon in a Wizard Council, now that the child of a witch has been harmed. The sentence will now be much stricter than before. Miss. Granger is legally Minerva's daughter, and such harm to a magical child demands a Wizard trial. Miss Granger's memory is not strictly needed for the case, but it would be a great influencing factor.
The Dursley's trial however, will have to wait until a later date. The law is shady there, as they are his legal guardians, and he was put there in trust by a wizard." Dumbledore frowned at that part, knowing in was his fault Harry had to go through so much.
"Now that Hermione is your daughter, what treatment would you like to go through? This is her file." Poppy handed her a thick folder.
"And these are all her certificates and documents." Albus pushed a thick file to her as well.
McGonagall barely scanned over the medical folder, having already read it herself. "I need to schedule an appointment immediately with Saint Mungos, I will schedule one for Harry as well. Keep giving them what you were administering before, until I can get recommendations from the specialty doctors," she told Poppy.
Poppy nodded approvingly.
"Now, does anyone have any new theories of Thoth's scroll? Severus suggested the scroll was tampered with. But by whom…" Albus trailed off.
"Thoth's scroll is extremely powerful, Albus, and all the names in red were in mortal danger. Perhaps the scroll decided to save them?" McGonagall repeated the exact same thing she said last time.
"Perhaps…" Albus contemplated. "Nevertheless, the information uncovered by you both has been invaluable. May I have the memory of the medallions, Poppy?"
"I knew you would ask," Poppy teased, taking a vial out of her apron.
McGonagall rolled her eyes, rising from the table. She gathered all the information on Hermione. "Excuse me, but I have several errands to run."
"I too, must go." Albus rose.
"I had better call the children in for lunch." Poppy finished.