NORMALCY, TAKE TWO
The next week past by Harry faster than he would have liked. He didn't do much but fly on his Firebolt out in the back garden, finish up his homework, and try hard to gain some weight for he was going to have a follow-up check-up from Hr. Delmhar on August 26th. He did however have an appointment with the optometrist she had suggested two days ago; Dr. Chesney examined Harry's eyes and found out he had Astigmatism (which Harry already knew but forgot about over the years) and was fitted for new glasses; his frames were smaller and more of an oval shape, silver wire frames for the eyes and black plastic for the ears. Harry found them rather nice and showy and Sirius and Remus agreed it was worth the £360.
Harry sighed on the morning of August the ninth as he walked downstairs. Right next to his bowl of Cocoa Puffs were his daily potions. He was getting tired of taking them and hoped he would be off them when he saw his Healer in a couple weeks. He had been eating more and he had to have gained some weight. He took them as quickly as he could and began on his cereal while Remus scooped some wet food in a cat dish for Wronski Feint to have breakfast as the kitten would not stop meowing that he was hungry.
Suddenly a large barn owl flew in the open window of the kitchen over to Remus who was just about to pick up his plate of food to sit down and eat. He took the envelope from the bird and looked to see what it was. He smiled.
"Oh Harry, I have something you might like to take a look at," he said wisely, concealing the envelope behind his back.
Harry looked up from his cereal. "Whad isth it?" he asked, milk dribbling off his chin.
"Guess," Remus teased.
"I dunno, what is it?"
"Guess," Remus answered again.
Harry frowned. "Come on Moony; tell me, what is it? Is it from Hermione or something?"
"You'd like that wouldn't you? Nope, guess again."
"Come on Remus, I don't feel like guessing. What is it? Oh! It's my Hogwarts letter isn't it?" Harry asked grinning, one foot on the floor, about to get up to grab it.
"Yes it's your Hogwarts letter." Remus handed it to the boy.
Harry tore open the letter. "I need two new books this term. The standard Book of Spells: Grade 5 and Defensive Magical Theory by Wilbert Slinkhard.
"Well, I guess our day is planned," Sirius spoke up as he spread his toast with marmalade. "We're going to Diagon Alley."
"Today? Great!" Harry beamed. Any trip to the wizarding shopping area in England was a cause for celebration.
After breakfast Harry took a quick bath and got dressed for the trip. He threw an old robe over himself to look a bit presentable as he was to step into the world of magic today. He followed after Sirius into Diagon Alley, Remus coming in after them and landing in the grate of the Leaky Cauldron. Sirius took out his wand and raped the brick wall behind the pub and the magical passageway to the main street of wizard shops came into view.
"Let's get the school shopping over with first Harry so we can stop by Florean Fortescue's and Quality Quidditch Supplies and wherever else you might like to go. Sound like a plan?" Remus asked Harry who was gazing idly at a full set of robes used by the Kenmare Kestrels the last season displayed in the Quidditch shop window.
"Remus, could I make a stop at my vault and get some gold?" Harry asked, not tearing his eyes from the shop window.
Remus smirked. "I hope you're not thinking of getting hundreds of galleons from your vault to blow on a set of Quidditch robes."
"I'm not going to blow it on that Remus! It's just that… d'you know how cool it will be and how jealous everyone will be at school if I come wearing these robes worn by the actual Irish Side?" Harry told him, a bit of proud glimmer in his bright eyes.
"Yes, I'm pretty sure that's every boy's dream but I don't care if you have the money, I don't want you to spend so that much on robes. Now let's get you fitted for ones you do need- school robes."
Harry sighed. "I haven't grown much if at all Remus. This robe I have on right now is from third year and you can't even tell. I think I grew two inches only since third year. It was actually a waste of money to get robes last year; I could've just worn these again."
Remus frowned. "Well, I'll take your word for it cub, however; I'll take them to Molly so she can fix them up a bit. Sew any tears and beat out the scruffy look and the dust and make it look new."
Harry nodded and the three of them went to the apothecary to gather some more ingredients Harry was running low of. After they traveled off to Flourish and Blott's where they were surprised to see the Grangers at. Both Granger parents beamed as they saw Harry with Sirius and Remus. Harry and Hermione hugged quickly, both looking a little pink in the cheeks before Harry shook hands with Mr. Granger and Mrs. Granger.
"You're very polite for someone who has grown up in the environment you have," Daniel Granger said with a hint of amusement.
Harry shrugged. "Sorry Mr. Dr. Granger."
"And don't call us that," he continued lightly. "We get called 'doctor' enough as it is at work. Daniel is fine."
"Are you sure? I've never really called adults by their first name before."
"It's fine, really," the man smiled.
Harry gave off a small smile and nodded making Hermione laugh.
"Hello Daniel, Emma," smiled Remus to the two Muggles. "I just promised Harry here some ice cream after we shopped for his school supplies, would you care to join us?"
Daniel looked to his wife. "Well, as we did plan the whole day out anyway…hell, why not? It's good to treat your sweet tooth now and again. We'd be happy to join you."
After all their school books were paid for, the two small families went off to the ice cream parlor.
"How about you tell me what you want and you and Hermione find us a place to sit okay Harry?" Sirius told him as they walked inside the crowded shop. Harry nodded.
"I want Sweet Merlin in a waffle bowl with the chocolate sauce on the side," Harry requested.
After Hermione told her father what she wanted she went with Harry to find a place to sit. They found the last two tables outside the shop and each hurried to sit at both so no one could take them. Harry and Hermione turned around in their chairs to face each other and began to talk. Sirius came out a little while later with a chocolate-sauce dipped waffle bowl ice cream for Harry and one in a regular cone for himself and Remus walking out with a caramel apple pie shake and the two sat with Harry while Daniel came out with Hermione's ice cream and one for himself and Emma. Emma sighed after a while when her husband began to explain the fundamentals of football to the two wizards who leaned in to listen so she joined the kids.
"Hello Hermione, Harry. Your father is explaining football to Sirius and Remus," she rolled her eyes.
"Knew it was going to happen soon enough," Hermione said. "I was talking to Harry about how I might want to take another year in Muggle studies before I graduate. I think it's important if you know a lot of the wizarding world's views on Muggles. I don't want my life as a Muggle to go to waste."
Emma nodded. It was a bit upsetting to know she could not say anything entirely useful about her daughter's career path for she would likely take one for the wizarding world.
She smiled and the three chatted about nothing in particular and Daniel motioned to his wife after a bit and she walked over to him and Sirius and Remus. They shared a small conversation and got up and walked over to the kids.
"Hey Harry, you and Hermione can go wherever you want for now okay?" Sirius told the boy. "Moony and I want to have some time getting to know Hermione's parents. Just don't wander off too far alright? Here's fifteen galleons, knock yourself out," Sirius spoke and handed Harry fifteen gold coins.
Harry smiled at his godfather in thankfulness and pocketed the money and he and Hermione waved good-bye to their parents and went off to look around. They walked over to the Magical Menagerie for some Owl Nuts and kitty toys for Hedwig, Crookshanks, and now Wronski Feint then over to the junk shop to see if they could find any cool cheap items there. Hermione found a book that was full of beautiful pictures done by famous wizard artist Beau Lebooh for only a galleon so Harry got her that and he found a vintage Quidditch magazine from way back in 1912 and got that for two galleons.
They met up with Sirius, Remus, Daniel, and Emma an hour later at Ollivander's Wand Shop where Sirius went in to purchase himself a wand holster. While Sirius was explaining the wands to the Grangers, Remus pulled Harry aside; he bore a look as if he wasn't quite sure how to break news to Harry.
"Remus, what is it?" Harry asked.
Remus sighed. "Well, we were talking to Daniel and Emma and Sirius started to explain his job as a runner to them and I explained my job as Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher third year and editing books now. Naturally they talked about their job as well. Daniel majors in full-scale orthodontics, procedures and does all kinds of dental surgery. Emma is a dentist and, well, we got to talking and everything and"-
Harry sighed; he knew what he was trying to lead to. "Remus, are you trying to tell me you've scheduled an appointment with me with them?"
Remus deflated a tiny bit. "Well, yes. Well we didn't 'schedule' anything yet; Emma just asked if it was something you'd be interested in. It's your decision. They're your teeth. We were just wondering if you wanted to get them checked out now that you have the chance," he said lightly.
Harry looked down at his feet in thought. He knew when he was little he wanted to get them checked out because he knew it was important. He learned about the importance of it in primary school and wanted to go just because he didn't want to be the only kid in class to be left out of another life necessity. He would get jealous whenever Dudley came back from a check-up for he would come bearing a balloon or sticker or a little toy. But Vernon and Petunia would say they only had enough money to take Dudley. Harry never believed this, those kinds of things were paid by the National Health Service in Britain; he knew they didn't want to take him. As he grew older, the idea of going to the dentist faded. He knew it was important, but that was the extent of it. He knew he would never get a chance to go and that was that.
Harry shifted. Now however, he had a chance to go. He didn't know what to do. Should he go? What's the worst that can happen? Spoke a small voice in his head.
"Um, I don't really know what to do Remus," Harry finally spoke up. "I mean, I know I should go, but I dunno…I've never been to one and I don't know what to expect. What should I do?"
Remus thought. "Well, I don't know what to tell you cub. I'm not trying to tell you to not go nor am I trying to persuade you to go. It's your decision."
Harry shifted again. "I know it's the right thing to do but, well, I don't think anything's exactly wrong with me. I don't want to waste anyone's time."
Remus smiled half-way. "Did you or did you not think anything was wrong with you before you saw Hr. Delmhar? Beside the injuries from Vernon? Did you feel you were healthy?"
"Pretty much, yeah."
"Since you saw her she has helped you with all areas of your health. It's been reliving to hear you don't have anything wrong but your weight as of now. Anything can be happening inside our bodies and until we have them checked out we may not find out until it is too late."
Harry frowned. "You think something serious could be wrong with my teeth?"
"No, I'm not saying that at all."
"So are you saying I should go?"
Remus placed a hand on the boy's shoulder. "To tell you the truth Harry, I think it would be a good idea. You had your eyes checked out last week. All that's left really are your teeth."
Harry shrugged a shoulder. "When you put it that way… now that I have the chance… well, sure, I'll do it."
Remus smiled back warmly. "Good choice Harry. Let's go back to everyone."
Remus talked to the Grangers about Harry's decision before Sirius had to break things up for he needed to head to the Ministry for runner duties.
"All right, well it was good to meet up with all of you, especially you Harry," smiled Daniel to the boy who smiled weakly back.
"Yeah, it was good to see you Mister- I mean Daniel."
Emma smiled warmly at Harry. "Looks like I'll be looking you over dear."
Harry shrugged. "Yeah, guess so."
"I look forward to seeing you on the fifteenth then Harry. And you don't have to worry, I promise to be gentle. I know how intimidating and scary it might be to go to the dentist, especially if this is your first time! But I assure you that everything will go by smoothly."
Harry nodded with the same weak grin. "Yeah, but I figured it's for the best."
Daniel smiled and nodded and shook hands with everyone and after Emma and Hermione said good-bye as well, Sirius, Remus and Harry flooed back home. Once there Harry took out the things from his little shopping trip with Hermione to show Remus while Sirius raced upstairs to change as he only had twenty minutes to do so.
"I got this great dragon toy I know Weinki will get a kick out of, plus dragon shaped kitty treats. Oh! And look at this magazine I found at the junk shop- it's great. It's a copy of an old Quidditch magazine that used to be sold here called Everything, Everyday Quidditch. Look at this, there's pictures of the new Flying Star broom and the new Racer 400. I was flipping through it and it said only 200 were ever made of the Racer 400 because the owner passed away and never told anyone else how he made his signature brooms. And look at this, an overview of the twelve new rules enlisted in the official Quidditch rulebook. And look here- info on the new owner of the Falmouth Falcons and this huge birthday party that was held for Seeker of the Kestrels and an ad on how locals could attend. It was this huge contest and everything," Harry said in one breath almost.
Remus smiled at the excited teenager as he showed him the cover of the magazine which held a picture of a crowd and the words IRELAND CELERBRATES CRAIG LOSSBURG'S BIRTHDAY! (Details on how YOU could attend inside!) in flashing red letters.
Nothing much happened to Harry on the days leading up to his dental appointment except him trying to gain as much weight as he could without getting fat so Helena would be happy with how much healthier he looked on the twenty-sixth. He spent the days getting adjusted to living in a house with two people who cared greatly for him. It was nice to have meals talking with people who were interested in what he had to say and who wanted to spend quality time with him. They would great him warmly each morning and even made sure he was comfortable in bed at night. Harry was used to doing everything himself and making himself happy. It was wonderful to have someone else do those things for him now, even if he would soon be old enough to provide everything he needed himself.
Harry was watching TV the night of August fourteenth which was becoming a ritual. He didn't want to miss any episodes of the Simpsons which he had quickly fallen in love with nor anything else now that he owned his very own television.
Just then his door opened and Sirius walked in. "Come on Harry, turn off the TV and get ready for bed."
Harry sighed and got up from his stomach and turned the box off and went to brush his teeth and put on pajamas and climbed into bed.
"So, how are you feeling about tomorrow?" Sirius asked, brushing back Harry's fringe.
Harry didn't look at him. "A bit scared to tell you the truth."
"Scared?" Sirius was surprised, his godson never admitted to being scared.
"Yeah. Most of the time I'm nervous about something but now, when I think of it, I think I actually might be scared…"
"What's the difference?"
"Nervous is hiding in your nerves but being scared you're more likely to show them," Harry said tonelessly.
Sirius frowned at the boy.
"It's just the whole idea that I've never been to the dentist before. I'm scared about what they might find. Oh my god, what if there's a cavity in every tooth?" Harry panicked.
"Hey, it'll be all right kid," Sirius smiled. "Everything will turn out fine. Moony and I will be there the whole time. We'll never leave the building. Don't get worked up about this, it'll only make matters worse."
"I know, I know. It's weird knowing I'm being treated like a normal human being for once, you know? I'm not used to being looked over and checked out."
"It's something you will have to get used to soon kid now that you're adopted," Sirius patted his shoulder. "You'll be fine. Get some sleep."
Remus woke Harry up around 7:30 the next morning. Harry moaned for a bit and buried his face in his fluffy pillows before deciding to stumble downstairs for breakfast which consisted of boring porridge. He quickly downed his porridge and went to take a bath. After getting dressed he pursued his 'new' old Quidditch magazine for the time being. By 11 AM his stomach dropped when Remus called him downstairs-it was time to leave. He slowly placed the magazine in the drawer of his bedside cabinet and laced up his shoes and walked downstairs.
"Feeling okay cub?" Remus asked, placing a hand on the boy's back. Harry shrugged, trying to not look down or it would make him look like he wasn't.
Sirius, Remus and Harry left the house and caught a bus and traveled down to Granger Family Dentistry and Orthodontics twenty minutes away. Once they hoped off the bus at a local tiny café, they walked onward to find the building, Remus pulling out the business card Daniel had given him so he could find the place. They finally found the building that was off the cross streets Parkway Drive and Abaney Hill Way. The office was one level and had a flat roof and was painted brown and white with two large windows with vertical white blinds on either side giving it that traditional English feel. Harry was surprised, all the dental offices he ever passed, whether in a car or walking, was built into another building so it looked rather snug, but this solitary building looked a bit like a house. They stepped inside.
Remus checked Harry in at reception while Harry took a moment to look at the layout. There were four chair seated against the right side of the large right window while nothing was by the left large window but a wall. In the corner of the chairs was a small box of toys, building blocks and children's books. On the wall next to this was a large fish tank with a large plant in the corner. Across from the four chairs were four more and in the middle was a low table with a few magazines. A door was closed right next to the four chairs across from the table. On it was a sign nailed to it reading: The Doctor is IN. Harry's lips pulled into a small smile and he sat down on a maroon cushioned chair by the large window. He looked down at his feet which rested on pale blue carpet. He felt Sirius sit next to him a moment later. No one said anything at all; all aware at how nervous Harry appeared to be. He kept his head bowed and his hands gripping the other.
At 11:45 the door by the other wall opened and a nurse with soft red brown hair dressed in pink-colored scrubs stepped out and read off her clipboard, "Harry Potter?"
Harry sprang his head up.
"Harry dear, Dr. Granger told me it was okay for you to take one of your guardians with you while we get set up," the woman explained.
Harry felt his face flush. Did everyone take along someone for comfort during their first dental exam, even if they were fifteen? He would never admit it to anyone but he did want to take along someone. He looked at his new guardians.
"Remus can go with you Harry, I don't mind, really," Sirius told the boy with a pleasant smile.
Remus looked at Harry and he nodded so Harry had no choice; Remus followed the boy who followed the nurse to a small room where a dentist chair lay in the middle, apparently waiting for Harry to sit in it. Harry was gently pushed forward by Remus.
"Hello Harry, I'm Jennifer, I'm going to be helping Emma out today by examining you and taking your x-rays," the nurse smiled.
Harry gave a small grin in return and shook her offered hand. He only then noticed there were little pictures of teeth, toothbrushes, floss and smiling children printed on the scrubs. He had no clue if they were in any way supposed to calm someone down.
"Okay Harry, we all know the circumstances of everything so you don't have to worry about anything. We'll be as gentle as possible and aren't going to hurt you," the nurse continued.
Harry didn't say anything. His mouth had gone surprisingly dry.
"Now the first thing I'm going to do is take a full set of X-rays of your teeth so I need you to take a seat in the chair please," Jennifer instructed.
"X-rays? Of my teeth? Are you serious?"
She smiled. "Yes I am Harry dear. It won't hurt at all; it might look as if nothing is even happening. Please take a seat."
Harry gingerly sat on the chair as though it were crawling in snakes. He didn't want to look like some idiot scared kid so he sat all the way back in the chair.
"I'm going to place this heavy padding on your chest okay? And I'm going to be placing a little plastic strip at various parts of your mouth so I can get an x-ray at every angle. All you have to do is bite down on the strips when I say. Is that all right?" Jennifer explained, showing him the little plastic strips.
Harry nodded, face set. The nurse placed a strip in the very back of his teeth on the left side and began the round of X-rays. It was all over with a half hour later and Harry was pretty glad, he was tired of opening and closing his mouth plus the strips dug into his gum a few times and sometimes it didn't even fit in right making the nurse re-do some.
"I'll go get these developed Harry. Dr. Granger should be here to see you shortly." And with that, she was gone.
Remus hadn't said anything yet but his presence calmed Harry down somewhat. Truth be told, he was more afraid what Dr. Granger might find than if anything was going to hurt but no one seemed to know that was why he was scared. Close to ten minutes past and the door opened and Dr. Emma Granger walked in with a warm smile on her face and a clipboard. Harry grinned weakly back and sat up straighter to shake hands with the her, and Remus shook hands after him.
"Good afternoon Harry, Ramas."
"It's Re-mus," the werewolf grinned.
"Oh, sorry, it's kind of hard to remember how to say all of these wizard names. They're pretty unique, although Harry here has a normal name. Okay then, I'm going to ask you some questions, is that all right dear?" Emma asked, turning to Harry, holding up a clipboard.
"I- I guess so," Harry said. He didn't know he was going to have a questioner like he did on his first appointment with Helena Delmhar.
"Just some background info Harry, nothing to worry about. First thing I'd like to know is how often do you brush?" Emma inquired.
"Um, twice a day ma'am."
"Okay and how often do you floss?"
Harry swallowed. "Um, I don't; I haven't in a while actually. I- I think I used to use at one time and it made my aunt very angry with me so she forbade me to um, use anymore after that."
Emma frowned at this. "You're own aunt forbade you to use floss?"
"Yeah, I was around seven," Harry said looking at his hands.
Emma frowned as she wrote this down, then she looked back at the teen. "How many sweets a day do you like to eat son?"
Harry was still looking at his hands. "Um, not much, a general amount depending on how much is around. I like to have something chocolaty every week if I can. I really like chocolate."
"That's fine, my husband does too," Emma smiled. "Now, do any of your teeth ever bother you honey?"
Remus looked at Harry at this question. Harry twisted his hands in his lap. Remus rubbed his temples; something was bothering him all this time and he didn't even say anything about it. Didn't he know he could trust him?
"Er, um, there have been a- a couple for a- a little while…" Harry said with difficulty.
"Harry, why didn't you tell us?" Remus had to ask.
Harry shrugged. "Didn't feel I needed to."
Remus rubbed his eyes again; typical response from the boy. He hoped one day he wouldn't shrug things off so quickly.
Emma cleared her throat. "Could you tell me how long they've been bothering you Harry?"
"Well, one started to hurt at the end of second year; this other one began to bother me some time during school last year. It's nothing big but it's been a bit of a- a bugger…" Harry finished softly, looking at his hands.
Emma decided to take this lightly as to not alarm the child. "Could you please point them out to me Harry?"
Harry nodded mutely and opened his mouth a bit, though he was asked to have it wider a few times for the doctor to see anything. Emma glanced around a bit at the two teeth that Harry pointed out: one in the back on his bottom left side and one in the top of his right side. Harry shut his mouth as soon as Emma's hands moved from his face.
"I can see a pretty deep cavity there on the bottom I'm sorry to say dear, but I can take care of that later. Anything else that bothers you? Do your gums bleed sometimes?"
Harry started to shake again. He didn't want to reveal anything else to the woman for fear it might be horrible news. It was embarrassing and he hadn't gotten over the thought this was really happening in the first place.
"Not really, they have sometimes but barely," Harry answered quickly.
Emma nodded and wrote this down, then proceeded with more questions. She asked him if he ever had any problems chewing and Harry answered no, if he ever broke his jaw, Harry answered no to that as well but went on to say he was hit several times in the face when he was with Dudley; she asked when he lost his last baby tooth, Harry answered when he was around ten which shocked the woman. Harry admitted several teeth became lose all thanks to the many times Dudley had hit him in his youth.
Finally, Emma got up to examine him. She felt around Harry's neck and jaw which Harry desperately tried to not let it bother him- no one ever touched his neck in his life, and asked him to move his jaw around a bit. She felt satisfied that she didn't feel nor hear any clicking or bumps.
"Well Harry, here comes your cooperation, I'm going to have to check around your mouth now. I need you to sit back; I'm going to lower the chair a little bit so I can see your teeth better. I'm going to use this little stick mirror to look at your teeth at various angles. How does that sound?" Emma asked with a soft smile.
Harry swallowed. "I- I guess so ma'am."
"You don't have to call me ma'am, you may call me Emma," Emma said pleasantly.
Harry nodded. He gripped the leather of the chair as it lowered back but not as far as Harry thought it would be, he was leaning back slightly further than he would in a normal chair. He watched Remus' kind face for reassurance the whole time. Emma moved a big bright light that was hanging overhead so Harry's mouth could be viewed better. Harry had to squint as it was positioned over his face. His eyes grew wide as he saw Emma snap on latex gloves and reach for the little mirror.
"Open your mouth for me Harry, don't be afraid dear, I won't hurt you. Please open your mouth for me."
Harry was in a state of shock. Deciding it would be pointless to not follow directions he drew in a deep breath and opened, although it took more convincing for him to open it wide enough. Again, no one had ever put their own fingers in his mouth before. Finally, after Dr. Granger was satisfied enough, she began to look around Harry's mouth. Harry kept trying to close his mouth every so often but having fingers in your mouth made it kind of hard to do so. Finally she was done after looking around after ten minutes. Emma sat up and took off her gloves and set aside the little stick mirror and she set the chair Harry was laying in back up. Harry and Remus waited apprehensively to hear what Emma had to say.
"Well," she started, sitting in a rolling chair. "I can already count out two cavities, both pretty deep. The X-rays should be ready by now so I'll see how many he has altogether. I'll have to do some cleaning. He has some buildup of calculus- otherwise known as tarter in his back teeth so that needs to be dealt with. I think you need to brush a bit longer Harry, your teeth look a little stained and your gums look a bit irritated," Emma explained clinically.
Harry looked down. By the sound of everything, he was in pretty bad shape.
Just then, Jennifer poked her head in the room. "Harry's X-rays are done doctor."
Emma nodded and stood. "Thanks Jennifer." She left. "How about you two and your godfather, Harry come join me in the office. We'll go over everything in there."
Harry didn't like the sound of that 'everything' but called Sirius in. The four of them went into an office across from the room Harry was in and Dr. Granger took out several X-ray films and placed them on a light box built into the wall where they could all see the images of Harry's teeth together. Sirius and Remus of course looked a little puzzled at what the pictures meant. Emma studied all of the images, arms crossed and frowning- apparently in deep thought. Finally she turned to the awaiting family.
"I count four cavities, two of them pretty deep. Believe me; this is not bad for someone who hasn't seen a dentist his whole life." She pointed them out; both were the teeth Harry had said bothered him most.
"Right, this is what I think we should do about it"- began Emma, about to take a seat but Sirius cut across her.
"Whoa whoa, whoa- wait: what do you mean 'do about it'? I thought we agreed to have Harry looked over but that was it. I don't recall saying you could do your weird Muggle thing and cure him," Sirius said crossly.
Emma tried not to look surprised at his tone. "I thought it was agreed upon when we met last week. When my husband and I explained what we did you said you would like it if we could help Harry out with what we thought best."
"I thought it was a good idea," Remus mentioned. "Teeth isn't high up on the list of things our Healers deal with. I think it is something that we need to draw more attention to. I feel it's the better choice to allow them to do what they need to for Harry here."
Harry looked at Sirius. Sirius was thinking hard. He looked skeptical at his friend and muttered, "I don't remember that at all…" but allowed the dentist to continue.
"Now, as I was saying…I think I should do some cleaning today and then finish off with a filling of one of his teeth on the right side here, see?" she said pointing out to an image. "I think it's best to get that one over with soon because any delaying it could cause it to become deeper and call for a root canal and I'm sure you don't want that today Harry."
Harry nodded and then looked up. "Um, you said I had two deep cavities and just now you said that the one tooth you want to do a filling can get deeper and call for a root canal. Do I- I mean, will you have to do two on me already 'cause I already have two deep ones?" the teenager asked uncertainly.
The doctor sighed. "I'm afraid so Harry, but not right this minute. I'll schedule an appointment sometime before school and sometime around your Christmas holiday. The sooner I fix it the better."
Harry sighed but nodded.
Dr. Granger put her hands together and said, "Well then, I think that's all there is to tell you. His teeth are a little crooked so when we have more time I think it would be a good idea for my husband to look at him. But I think you deserve a break right now hon."
Harry looked up and smiled gratefully.
"I could have you come back in around, let's see here…" Emma pulled out a planner from her desk and thumbed through it making sure she wasn't booked for anyone else. "Around five? You'll be my last patient for the day. Is five fine with you?" she asked, looking back up at the men.
Sirius and Remus looked at each other.
"I think it is," said Remus, turning back to Emma.
"Okay then, 5:20 P.M. for some cleaning and a filling. I'll see you then." After some handshakes and a few shared words, Remus, Sirius and Harry walked out into the busy London street.
Remus made a quick late lunch for the three of them, in which Harry only ate half of because he still had the feeling as if wild Snitches were flying around in his stomach. He was asked if he wanted to do anything but he said he wasn't up to it. He spent the next two hours at home watching TV and trying to take a nap which was hard to do because Weinki kept bugging him and wouldn't stop scratching at his door if he took him out. Harry finally gave up and lay flat on his back mindlessly petting the kitten as he purred contently on his master's chest, dozing off. Harry fell asleep like this and slept for almost forty minutes before Sirius poked his head through his godson's door to get him up. He sighed when he saw the boy asleep. It pained him to have to wake both child and kitten because they looked very relaxed. Sirius walked over to the bed and shook Harry's shoulder.
"Hey, kiddo, we need to get going. We have to be back at the dentistry soon. It's almost five."
Harry scrunched his face in annoyance and rubbed at his eyes. He slowly sat up, forgetting Wronski Feint was on his chest, causing the kitten to meow as if offended.
Harry yawned. "Sorry Weinki but I have to go and get tortured at the dentist. I'll see you later." Harry kissed the cat on his fuzzy forehead which seemed to make Wronski Feint forget about being rudely awoken. Five minutes later he went with Remus and Sirius back to the dentistry.
Harry was called in by the same nurse as before and this time Sirius went with him despite how many times Harry pleaded for him to not come. Sirius wasn't having a word of it; he insisted it would be best for Harry to have the moral support of his godfather. Harry didn't need him to be there. The boy now sat nervously in the same chair as before, gripping his hands together to calm himself down. Sirius was rubbing his shoulder to let him know he wasn't alone making Harry feel like he was five which he really did not like and was one of the reasons he didn't want Sirius there with him.
"Okay Harry," the nurse, Jennifer smiled. "I'm going to be cleaning your teeth now. I'll polish them and make them look nice and bright again. I'll also be flossing them for you."
Harry raised a brow. "You're going to be flossing my teeth? Really? Dentists do that?"
Jennifer smiled. "We do but I'm not a dentist Harry, I'm a hygienist. I don't do the work that Daniel and Emma do. I assist them and clean patient's teeth. Before Emma and another nurse- Hailey does your filling you're going to have some of the build-up on your teeth scraped away all right? She'll finish up when she sees you before school starts."
Harry nodded. Jennifer readied herself and when she faced him again Harry was a bit put off. She was now wearing latex gloves and a mask over her mouth and nose.
"I- I didn't know you wear that stuff. I thought only doctors performing surgery wore them," Harry said shakily.
"We all have to wear them my dear. I doubt you have any germs or illnesses that can harm me but we need to do it just as a safety measure. Now would you please sit back for me? Good. Let me place this bib on you so I don't spill anything on your shirt." She fastened a blue bib over his neck and set the chair back. It went further back than when Emma peeked inside his mouth the first time. This was what he was afraid of all day, the actual lowering of the chair and work. He didn't realize he was gripping the chair so tightly.
Jennifer only smiled and told him to relax, that nothing was going to be painful. Harry obviously had no choice but to believe her. The next thirty minutes went better than Harry would've guessed. The polish and cleaning solution tasted like bubble gum and tickled a bit. He didn't like the sounds of the tools she was using but he was happy she was true to her word about there not being any pain. What he really didn't enjoy was the flossing. It got stuck a few times and hurt slightly when it touched his gums. His eyes grew wide when he saw her pull out the waxy string that was tinged with blood.
"Someone hasn't been flossing," said Jennifer smiling a bit. "I'm sure Emma will tell you how to do it once she sees you. Well, I think I'm finished here dear, Emma will be in shortly." She put the chair back up again and took off her gloves and apron when Harry caught her off guard.
"Thanks for, well, helping me," he told her shyly.
She beamed. "Oh, it was nothing Harry; it's my job- but thanks for saying that. You're very welcome." With that, she left the door, that thank-you making her day.
Emma walked in with another assistant, Hailey five minutes later. "Hello again Harry, how are you holding up?" she greeted and shook the boy's hand.
Harry shrugged. "Okay for now."
"Happy to hear. How was the cleaning?" she asked, getting a tray of tools ready.
"Pretty good actually, my mouth feels better already."
All three adults smiled at the statement. Emma and Hailey both turned around like Jennifer did and faced Harry a minute later- both downed in masks and latex gloves. Harry didn't like this look at all. Was it honestly that necessary?
"Well then Harry, I'm going to be touching up the cleaning right now," Emma began. "I'm going to be scraping away some of the calculus on your back teeth. It might take a little while, we'll see. I'll finish it up when I do your root canal before school. Right, I'm going to be using this little guy to scrape it away okay?" she told Harry, holding up a tool with a pointed end.
"It shouldn't hurt. It may touch your gum off and on, but only for a second. Ready honey?"
Harry swallowed and looked at Sirius, although wishing he didn't. It would only make him think he needed him there.
"You'll do okay kiddo, I know you, you're not in Gryffindor for nothing," Sirius whispered to him.
Harry grinned meekly and leaned back in the chair, this time going even further back than the first and second time. It took a small bit of convincing before he was able to leave his mouth open long enough and wide enough for Emma to work. How was someone able to easily leave his mouth open for someone else's fingers and tools to be inside if they've never experienced it before? He did however avoid Sirius's hand for reassurance. He didn't need it. It bothered him when he felt the tool touch the outline of his gums and he tried hard to make the tiniest gasps and jerks as he could. Finally, he was done.
"How does that happen anyway?" Sirius asked, frowning.
"Getting calculus and plaque on his teeth? He probably doesn't brush long enough at the back causing build up. His left side looks a bit better than his right but that's to be expected if he's right-handed. Now if you make sure you brush in the back longer Harry, we won't have to go through that again," Emma said with a warm smile.
Harry nodded. "I'll try to brush longer then."
"I'm glad to hear. Now let's get onto that filling and you're out of here Harry."
Once again Harry went back down and had to calm himself down a couple more times before he could leave his mouth open long enough. He kept thinking of home and sitting by the fire in his pajamas with a mug of cocoa after this and it distracted him slightly, although he still couldn't get over the fact of someone else's fingers in his mouth. He couldn't help but jump when he saw Emma pull out a syringe although he barely felt it but he really didn't like the sound of the drill. Finally it was over a half hour later. He sat up with a great sigh when the chair was back into position. His right cheek felt very odd and puffy. He tried to pinch himself there but didn't feel it. It was the oddest sensation. His tongue was sore still where the injection hit him and he couldn't talk properly.
"All done Harry. You did very well today," praised Emma, taking off the bib from the boy's neck.
Harry looked at the lady skeptically.
"I'm not just saying it Harry. I've had a lot more trouble with people older than you who have seen a dentist their whole life. You did remarkably well for your first visit. Hermione's going to be proud."
This statement made Harry's face burn. He had to remind himself this was his best friend's mother and more importantly he didn't have feelings for his best friend!
"I really did well?" Harry said thickly around the puffy right side of his face.
"I wouldn't lie, that would be cruel," Emma passed off. "I'd ask if you'd like a little toy from the chest in my office but I think you're a bit too old for that aren't you?" she smiled. "Oh before I forgot, let me show you how to properly brush and floss okay dear?" She pulled out a model of teeth, a toothbrush and floss and showed him how to properly take care of his teeth. After that Hailey gave Harry a new toothbrush and a little packet of floss.
"You can still use the electric one we gave you for your birthday Harry, if you want," said Emma with a smile.
Harry smiled up at her and shook her hand.
"Tha'ks for ever'thing taday miss - I mean, Emma," Harry smiled.
"No problem Harry, my pleasure. Your right side might be a little sore the rest of the night unfortunately. Be sure to not eat for about an hour though okay? I'll um, 'owl' you as you say, Sirius about his next appointment."
Sirius nodded. "Good to know. Come on Harry, let's go home."
Harry, Sirius and Remus traveled back home where Harry helped Remus with dinner which was a simple meal of chicken soup; the injection spot wasn't feeling any better and was hard for Harry to chew on the right side. Harry fell asleep not long after, Weinki deciding to snooze upon his chest, both happy they finally wouldn't be disturbed from sleep.
Originally I had Hermione's father as the one who examines Harry and does his first dental work but I decided to have him be the orthodontist of their practice and Hermione's mother the dentist. Keep reading on but only after each chapter is updated of course! Thanks.
Magical love, Rose: June 12, 2013