Sherlock's head darted up at the single word as he pulled Evan tighter to himself, "what did you say?"
"I'm sorry he bares a striking resemblance but it can't be…" her words came mumbled as she stared dumb founded at the shaking child before her.
Sherlock felt the shaking increase and returned his attention back to Evan allowing John to deal with the situation. John looked at the woman before him and slowly touched her shoulder, "Ma'am, perhaps we should go to the living room for a cup of tea and allow Evan to calm down?"
McGonagall nodded softly as she backed out of the room after John slowly and took the offered seat in the living room as John went and prepared a cup of tea for the two of them. He returned shortly after and offered her the cup before sitting down across from her and taking a sip of his own cup before proceeding, "Why did you call Evan, Harry?"
She smiled softly, "Harry Potter is known as the boy-who-lived in the wizarding world. His parents died when he was a year old and was taken to live with his aunt and uncle in Surrey. Evan bares a striking resemblance and it took me off guard… I apologize it can't be him as he's living with his relatives but it just…" she trailed off lost in thought.
John looked toward the door to Evan's room and back to the professor, "Ma'am, as I said Evan came to live with us. We do not know his name, he chose the name Evan for himself. We found him huddled under a park bench one day after he had run away from his home… he was abused physically and emotionally and is still getting over it three years later almost. He's doing better, he's adapted to being deaf and to having to use a crutch for the damage done to his leg but the mental abuse was extensive… he's still prone to panic attacks. That is why I asked you to join me for a cup of tea so that he could calm down and we could hopefully avoid a panic attack. What I'm trying to say is you say he bares a resemblance to Harry Potter and we found him after he ran away… I've learned to expect the unexpected after living with Sherlock. We shouldn't dispute it before looking into it." His statement ended in a near whisper as he realized that he was actually admitting that Evan might be this "boy-who-lived" and have living relatives. He could lose Evan if they decided to battle custody… it would ruin Evan and them, they'd grown to love the boy as their own son and he didn't want to part with him.
The professor looked up at him, "I see… Well, I can make some inquiries and return in an hour to finish our meeting. Hopefully I will have some answers and Evan will be calmer, yes?" John nodded in agreement and shook her hand before she disapperated and John proceeded back into Evan's room where he found Sherlock holding a sleeping Evan as Sherlock carded his hand through Evan's untamable hair.
"She's making inquiries and will return in an hour. Sherlock… what if he is this "boy-who-lived", can they claim him… these relatives?" John sat down on the bed next to the two as he said this.
Sherlock sighed, "they could fight for custody but Evan's an abuse case. They wouldn't win, they'd end up in jail first John. We have evidence of Evan's abuse remember? Medical reports of whip marks and multiple broken bones… he barely survived because he was so malnourished and was left having to use a crutch and unable to hear because of those monsters. No John, they wouldn't win if they tried to claim him." Sherlock continued to run his hand through Evan's hair as they sat in silence waiting for the deputy headmistress to return.
After an hour had passed they heard the distinct pop again and John got up waving Sherlock down when he went to stand as well. "Stay with him and try to get him to wake up so we can discuss this." Sherlock sighed dreading the upcoming conversation but nodded slowly as John exited the room to the living room.
Standing there was the deputy headmistress as well as an older gentleman with a long grey beard and a floor length blue robe. The man outstretched his hand toward John, "John I presume? My name is Album Dumbledore, I'm the headmaster at Hogwarts. I hear that you have Harry Potter under your roof. We were not aware he had left Privet Drive and were quite alarmed with this news. May I see Mr. Potter please?"
John nodded, "Has Professor McGonagall filled you in on Harry's deafness?" The headmaster nodded sadly, "I would like to see if there is anything we can do for that as well if I may call our healer to take a look at Mr. Potter." John sighed running his hand down his face, "Evan, doesn't do well with doctors and new people but if you think there may be something that could be done I'm willing to allow it but they must go in with us… too many people will make him panic and he's already come close once today."
The headmaster nodded, "I assure you we mean him no harm. We only wish to help." John nodded, "I know that and Sherlock will know that but Evan is another matter. Let's discuss the school first and magic before introducing a healer into the mix if that's alright?" They all nodded before John lead them into the room.
Sherlock looked up as they entered and kept a calming hand on Evan keeping his other hand free to sign for Evan. The headmaster stepped forward with an outstretched hand toward Evan which he flinched back from and Sherlock quickly squeezed Evan's shoulder sending a glare at the older man. "Go slowly, introduce yourself don't try to get physical touch… my name is Sherlock and this is Evan." The last part Sherlock signed for Evan who waved shyly at the man and woman standing in the room. "Hi, you're from the school for magic?"
The two wizards nodded, "yes, my name is Albus Dumbledore I'm the headmaster and this is Professor McGonagall, she teaches transfiguration and is deputy headmaster and Gryffindor head of house." The words were spoken but Sherlock signed them for Evan's benefit and to help keep him calm. Evan nodded, "So you expect me to believe magic is real?"
The two wizards nodded, "may i demonstrate something for you Evan?" asked Dumbledore.
Evan nodded slowly fearful of what would happen but Sherlock squeezed his shoulder eager to see what would happen. Dumbledore took out a wand and pointed it at a book on Evan's desk causing it to turn into a bouquet of flowers before he turned it back to the book. He looked to Evan with an eyebrow raised, "do you believe now?" Evan nodded softly staring back over at his book.
Evan looked back, "so magic is real and I can apparently do this magic and you want me to come to a school to learn how to do this magic? Do I have that correct?" The headmaster nodded, "yes, you will attend Hogwarts from September to May. Holidays are up to the students if they return home or remain in the castle and the summer months students return home. We have four houses, Gryffindor for the brave, Slytherin for the cunning, Ravenclaw for the studious, and Hufflepuff for the loyal. You will take classes in a number of subjects from transfiguration to potions to charms." Sherlock signed this all for Evan and he nodded in acknowledgement.
"What about my parents? Can i call them or text them?" Evan asked. Dumbledore shook his head, "i'm sorry Evan but technology doesn't work around all the magic there's something in it that interferes so it would be impossible to use a cell phone in Hogwarts."
Evan nodded softly, "I need to think on this if that's okay with you Sir." The headmaster nodded, "Yes, quite understandable. You do not own an owl so when you have made a decision please let Mycroft know and he will get in contact with us." Sherlock and John nodded.
"I have one final question to ask, would you mind a healer seeing you? She may be able to help you with your hearing and your leg." Evan shook his head immediately curling into Sherlock's side and mumbling no. John immediately moved to him rubbing his back, "Why did you have to ask him… we could have brought it up slowly…" the words were directed at the headmaster who looked alarmed at the response Evan had to his question. This certainly was not the boy he expected. "I apologize John it was not my intention, I simply wanted to help. Should i let you explain to him that he's Harry Potter as well?"
John glared at the man, "we will do so if Evan decides he wants to attend Hogwarts. If you could please take the time to write down a brief history of Harry Potter and share it with us via Mycroft so that we may share it should we choose it would be appreciated." The headmaster sighed but nodded.
Evan slowly calmed and looked out from Sherlock's shoulder at the headmaster, "I apologize Evan I didn't mean to alarm you I only wished to help you." Evan looked at John and Sherlock, "the healer might be able to help me, yes?" John nodded softly, 'yes, but you don't have to see her if you don't want to Evan.' Evan sighed, "I'll see her as long as John and Sherlock are here."
The headmaster nodded in response, "i'll send her along shortly gentlemen. Thank you for your time, Evan it was a pleasure meeting you." Evan nodded as the headmaster left the room along with the professor and John followed them seeing them out as they disapperated.
A few minutes later a short plump woman appeared who smiled warmly at John, "Hi my names Madame Pomphrey. I'm here to take a look at Evan, Dumbledore explained that he's deaf and has to use a crutch due to damage in his leg from past abuse and that's left some mental complications as well. What has been done for Evan so far?"
John smiled liking her immediately she didn't try to call him Harry first off and obviously cared for Evan.
"That is correct, we found him on a park bench when he was 8 years old and took him in. I myself am a doctor and oversaw his healing. When I brought him in he had four broken ribs, three broken fingers, a broken tibia in three places and his leg was broken in four places. He also had severe damage done to his inner ear causing deafness to the point that surgery and hearing aids would either not help or only cause more pain. I was able to heal all but his leg physically, it's healed but he can't put his full weight on it there was just too much damage and scar tissue as it had been damaged in the past. Mentally he's still healing, he used to see a therapist twice a week however, now it's on a needed basis as he isn't struggling so much however he still has panic attacks on occasion. Sherlock is a huge help in calming Evan, there minds work differently than most in how they organize and receive information so Evan suffers from sensory overrides on occasion and Sherlock has taught him techniques to calm himself and get through them." John explained all of this to the healer who nodded and sighed.
"You've done more than most would John, you are truly a kind soul. I'll do what I can to keep the child calm, Dumbledore mentioned he doesn't react well to doctor checkups and such? I can imagine why. I do know minimal BSL so I would appreciate if you could translate for me if it's needed." John nodded in response and lead Madame Pomphrey into Evan's room.
'Evan this is Madame Pomphrey, she knows some BSL so she can communicate but we will be right here if you need us okay?' John signed as he sat down next to Evan on the bed where he was reclined against Sherlock as it was the easiest position to keep Evan calm in. John turned to Madame Pomphrey, "can you look him over like this? It's easiest to keep him calm as he can feel Sherlock's heart this way and feel protected." Madame Pomphrey nodded, "he's fine." She then turned to Evan, 'hi Evan, my name's Madame Pomphrey. How are you doing today?' Evan shrugged feeling shy and a little vulnerable around the healer.
She nodded, 'i'm just going to cast a diagnostic spell okay? It's not going to hurt, it may feel a bit tingly though. If anything hurts at all let me know and if you need me to stop at any point just say so okay? We'll take this at your pace, sound good?' Evan nodded relaxing at her words, she was willing to work with him, this was new.
She slowly trailed her wand along his body as a parchment nearby recorded the readings. When she finished she sat her wand down and picked up the parchment perusing it verifying what John had said about the past injuries. She sighed softly before setting the parchment down, 'okay everything seems to be in order I'm going to get a closer look at your leg and ears to see if I can help you in anyway okay? You still doing okay?' Evan nodded as he watched her pick up the wand again and focus it on his leg for a few minutes before she turned to the parchment and sighed. 'It doesn't look like there is much that I can do for your leg Evan I'm sorry, the nerve damage is too extensive, if it was bone related it'd be fixable but your leg has too much scar tissue and muscle damage to do much for it. Are you still in pain over it though?' Evan nodded softly looking down sadly, John picked his chin up, 'hey, it's fine she said she was going to try it wasn't a for sure thing.' Evan looked back to the healer, 'I might not be able to heal it fully but i can give you a potion to help with the pain so that while you have to use a crutch you won't be in as much pain.'
Evan smiled, "Thank you." John looked amazed, "you can do that?" The healer nodded, "I wouldn't say it if I could not."
She turned to Evan's head now, 'now stay still I'm going to take a look at your ears okay?' Evan nodded closing his eyes and focusing on his breathing he really didn't like people near his face.
He felt the tingles he'd felt during the other diagnostics but these were more intense and seemed to be increasing. He gripped Sherlock's arm suddenly and the tingling stopped, his breathing was slightly labored and Sherlock placed his hand against Evan's chest pushing him against his own causing him to slowly calm. Evan opened his eyes and looked at Madame Pomphrey, 'you okay Evan? Did something hurt?' Evan shook his head, "It was just really tingling and got intense. I think I'm okay though, did you see anything?"
Madame Pomphrey shook her head, 'I wasn't able to finish the reading, do you think you can handle the tingling so I could finish or no?' Evan shook his head slowly, "I think I can manage. Just keep going unless I say stop, if there's a way I want to know."
She nodded softly looking at Sherlock and John who both nodded softly, "If he says he can, he can but I will also tell you to stop if I think it gets to much for him." She sighed feeling relief. 'Okay, I'm going to try again.'
Evan closed his eyes holding onto Sherlock as the tingling started again and once again increased but he held on. It increased until their was a tightness in his ears and all at once it stopped and he opened his eyes slowly looking at Madame Pomphrey. "So?"
Madame Pomphrey looked down at the parchment, 'I got a clear reading and while I cannot restore your hearing fully I could make it so you could use a hearing aid and it would enable you to hear some noise.'
"Really? I'd be able to hear?" Evan asked smiling softly.
'Not fully, but partially yes I believe so. I don't want to do it yet though as school starts soon and if you do come to Hogwarts I don't want you to miss the first part of classes as you will have to acclimate for a week or so slowly introducing hearing back in. We can look to do it during the winter holidays if you like though.' Evan nodded, "I'd like that. Thank you."
She smiled, 'my pleasure dear. Now whether you go to Hogwarts or not I'd like to see you once every few months for a check up just to make sure you're doing fine if that's alright with you. I know your pa said you were doing better but you are still a little small for your age and I'd like to make sure your leg isn't worsening at all. Would that be okay with you?'
Evan nodded, "That'd be fine Madame Pomphrey, thank you."
The two fathers nodded as well, "we can't thank you enough Madame." She waved them off, "It's no problem. Now I must return to the school but I will see you in 3 months or at school, alright Evan?" She had signed the last part and Evan nodded. "yes Ma'am".
With that she disapperated from the room and Evan snuggled back into his fathers, he would think on magic and the school later for now he just wanted to sleep and sleep he did curled up in Sherlock's arms with John rubbing his back.