Harry slid down beside Bella under the oak tree. It had been a week since he had found her crying and bleeding under the same tree, and the local Doctor had come to confirm that, yes, she had lost the baby. Every evening since she would come out to the tree, cuddle Baxter and cry. Joanne said it was normal. She was grieving. She had spent a lot of time talking to Joanne, sorting through her emotions. As Harry sat down, Bella glanced up from the fur on Baxters neck.
"Hey," she said quietly, wiping tears from her eyes. Baxter barked a greeting and began a series of wiggling his entire body to show he was happy to see Harry, who reached over and petted the dog.
"Hey," Harry responded. "Salek is nearly ready to go."
Salek was leaving for San Fransisco to attend a Vulcan school. Since there was a lot of Vulcan children on Earth, and no suitable structure had yet been constructed on New Vulcan, the children would be attending school in a specialy prepared section of Starfleet Academy. He would return every weekend to continue his magical education, after Harry and co had finished their own school work.
Bella nodded, and returned her face to Baxters fur. Harry sat beside her in silence for a few moments. When he got up to leave, she spoke again.
"Harry, I am sad I lost the baby. But... is it wrong that I feel releaved?" she asked.
"What do you mean?"
Absentmindedly, Bella started rubbing her stomach. Harry had to force himself not to stare at the soft flesh that was expose, to notice the light tan. Now was not the time.
"I do want children some day, just not the way I was about to have one. I was afraid that every time I would look at him, I would be reminded of what my family did and that I would be a horrible mother, unable to love my own child. I was afraid that I would look at him and be sad that I would pity him for not been able to do what every other child could do because of the enevatble deformities he would have. Is that wrong of me?" she asked.
Harry reached over and took her hand.
"I really don't know Bella," he answered. "But I can tell you, you won't be going down this road alone. You have people who care for you. A real family."
000
School was a lot harder than Harry thought it would be. He could only imagine how hard it was for the others. At least he had expierence in muggle schools before, albeit in a different country and several hundred years in the past. The people were really nice here, but, like every school, there were bullies, mainly of the dumb, knuckle dragging, testosterone driven, Neanderthal variety. The muggle versions of Crabbe and Goyle.
Harry was jogging to his last class of the day, double biology, when it happened. A few of the jocks had gotten it into their heads to have "fun" with the new students. It was mild, mostly. Comments and sniggers about their accents. The occasional, crude comment abot Bella that Harry was happy neither she nor Sebastian heard, or else Seb would be expelled. Now, one of them took it further. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw one of them raise his arm and throw something at Harry.
Out of pure instinct, Harry turned, reached out and plucked the football out of the air before it hit his head. The bosterous laughter of the jocks died. Harry brought his arm back and threw the ball back to the leed guy. He caught it and lazily threw it back to Harry. For the next two minutes, a lazy game of toss happened, until the final bell rang. The game stopped when a sour faced man approached Harry and eyed him.
"You lot, get to class," he barked over his shoulder, and the jocks scattered. The guy reached out a hand towards Hary. "The names Coach Flintstock. You wouldn't be interested in attending some tryouts would you? Bring that other kid, the tall blond one. This Friday, just after school lets out."
000
That Saturday, as they waited for Harry to finish organising his noted for Defense against the Dark Arts, Sebastian was happily telling Salek how they had secured a place on the football team- Sebastian as an offensive tackle and Harry in a position yet to be announced. Salek only cocked an eyebrow and said "Fasinating." For some unknown reason, he really was fasinated by the story.
It was after class that Saleks true interest came to light. After the others had trooped out to get lunch, Salek approached Harry.
"Professor Potter, may I talk to you?" he asked. Harry groaned.
"Salek, how many times do I have to tell you, call me Harry," Harry said, smiling.
"Technically, you are a professor," Salek said.
"Technically, I will be attending Potions next, where I will be a student," Harry retorted, still smiling. Salek tilted his head to one side.
"Point taken," he conceded.
"Now what was your question?" Harry asked.
"I was curious to know whether there is any coralation between a persons physical and mental health and their ability to perform magic? I have been studying our performance as a group. While Scorpius seems able, in accordance with my limited knowledge, to perform powerful spells, and thus, have good access to his magical core, both you and Sebastian are able to put more power into your spells. Since both Sebastian and Scorpius have the same level of knowledge and expierence, is the power difference down to Sebastians larger and more muscular size or a difference in the power in their magical core? Also, while Bella was able to surpass her brothers and myself in several demonstrations, the trauma she suffered last week..." Salek faultered, as if his knowledge of English had run out.
Harry sat back in his seat.
"I really don't know Salek. I know that magic aids us in our health- longer life expectancy, slowing the affects of old age, an ability to overcome some illnesses faster. I don't see why it shouldn't happen the other way round," Harry said. "Maybe Professor Dumbledore would have more insight."
000
"Ah yes. I believe the answer to that question is yes. A very prominent member of the magical medical community published a paper on how the more athletic members of our community, regardless of powers level, had less trouble performing magic than the more unhealthy members. Also, he tested those with mental troubles and found the results were the same. His findings are in the library," Professor Dumbledore stated serenely, after Harry and Salek presented him with their theory.
"Um, would this be relevant to Starfleet Medical?" Harry asked uncertainly.
Salek look confused for a moment.
"It may be of interest for physic evaluations," he said after a moments hesitation.
000
Harry was in the barn with Sebastian when he found something priceless- a 2011 Harley Davidson Dyna Street Bob- the bike of Harrys dreams. it needed a hell of a lot of work, but Harry was sure it would be worth it.
"Oh no. I've seen that look before. You're in love," Seb said.
"This babies a classic Seb," Harry whispered.
"Yeah, well, at least it's stopped you looking at my sister that way," Seb muttered.
"Sorry, what?" Harry asked, looking up, confusion written on his face.
"Your in love with Bella," Seb said.
Harry's response was an incoherent jumble of sounds. Seb grinned as he walked up behind Harry and drew him into a hug, holding him tight against his chest.
"My best friend is in love with my sister," he chuckled, resting his head on Harry's shoulder. He momentarily tightened his arms around Harry's stomach- just tight enough for Harry to notice and realise he was in a vunerable position, but not tight enough to be painful.
"You are my best friend dude, but you hurt my sister..." he started, his hands balling the front of Harry's shirt into his fists.
"Never," Harry promised.
Seb glanced at the bike.
"How much work,is it going to need?" he asked.
