Chapter 21 - One More Friend

The police officers left in the police cars leaving the magical beings in the now abandoned house. Not wanting to hang around they walked out of the house and back up the street. All the neighbours were staring at the strangers, some in anger thought they had framed the Dursleys. Harry who knew most of the neighbours walked quickly and quietly not wanting to make a scene. They then returned to Mrs Figs house and used the floo network to get back to Hogwarts.

"Would you all like to take a seat, there are a few things I would like to discuss before departing this afternoon" Everyone took a seat and looked up at the lady "Gentlemen, after reviewing the evidence today we have a very strong case against the Dursleys. There aren't many magical cases of this magnitude so a court hearing with the full Wizanganmot will need to be organised. There we will be reviewing the evidence before asking the defendants to speak if they wish. We will need to hear from you Harry is that okay?"

"yes Mrs, Thank you Mrs"

"There is no need to thanks, what they did to you is wrong. While we are on this matter a new guardian must step in to take over the protection of Mr Potter. Healer Richards, you have enquired into this and we will need a full statement and analysis of your living arrangements before the hearing. I think it would be wise for Harry to spend some time with you and your partner over the next couple of days, so he is used to the prospect."

"That can be arranged, Healer Richards and your partner may use the room of requirement to stay with Harry for the next two days, Harry will still go to class but will return to the room of requirement afterwards" said Dumbledore

"That would be brilliant headmaster, thank you"

"Right that seems to be organised, while you are at Hogwarts the analysis can be carried out on your property, if everyone could write a statement by Thursday afternoon, we will be able to proceed with the trial on Friday. Does anyone have any questions?"

"No, thank you Amelia for everything you have done today" replied Dumbledore

"No problem, I think the sooner this is all over the better it will be for Harry" replied Amelia. "Now I need to get back to the office to compose a document to report this. Don't worry Harry everyone working on this case will be under the wizards oath, there is no way that anyone from the media or anything can get ahold of this" she continued as she stood up to use the floo network.

Once Amelia had left Gareth was adressed by Dumbledore. "Gareth would you like to take Harry back to the room of requirement. You can floo home from there too. I will notify you of the proceedings as I get knowledge."

"Thank you Headmaster, and Severus for helping with this, I cannot express my relief that the house visit is over" Harry nodded his thanks, he had yet to say a word since he had seen his Uncle, Gareth hoped that he wasn't pressing the eelings all down, he neededd to talk with Harry about what happened as soon as possible.

It wasn't long before Harry and Gareth were back in their room, Harry sat on his usual chair with his blanket wrapped around his shoulders. He stared into space as if he couldn't see what was reality. Harry was numb, he couldn't feel anymore, not physically, not mentally but all he wanted to do was to go and hide and never come out, he was such a burden on the world. The whole situation kept flashing across his eyes, the sounds of the police cars, his uncle approaching him and taking him away from Gareth.

Gareth sat opposite the boy and looked him up and down. Harry looked lost, like he didn't know what to do with himself. Carefully and gently he started to speak "Do you want to talk about today?" the raven haired boy didn't reply. "Harry, its okay to be frightened and unsure but you cant push everything down all the time, you need to talk to me" Harry looked up at Gareth the spark inside the emerald eyes he had seen the previous day diminished, finally Harry replied

"I just want the images and sounds to stop" he muttered, barely audiable but Gareth heard every word. "It all keeps replaying over and over."

"i Know Harry and that's okay, you've just got to focus on the present. How about we get some paints out and do some painting?" Harry nodded. "Gareth took out some paints that had appeared over the other side of the room and covered the table with old newspaper. They then took out some canvas that was on some isles. There were a range of different colours and paint brushes on the table. Gareth watched as Harry carefully picked up a pencil and started to sketch.

It wasn't long until big splodges of paint were being splattered on the canvas, it didn't make any sense to Gareth but it doid to Harry. Gareth watched the raven-haired boy finally merge the colours into a a rounded circle around a long white thing that was dripping. Soon there was a black frame around it and finally Gareth knew what it was.

"What does the lantern mean Harry?"

It was as if someone had let the gates open because Harry replied, "The wooden crate around the light is stopping some of the light shining through, and the more framework there is the less the light can shine and the more it reflects in on itself. If someone drops it, the wood could catch fire and everything explodes."

"How close is the lantern to dropping and exploding?"

"Quite close today, but the person making sure it doesn't fall is there making sure that no one or nothing knocks it over"

"That's good Harry. Shall we pack it up for today, have some food and have an early night?" Harry nodded yawning. "we will be eating here" Harry nodded again as he cleaned up the paintbrushes. A house elf popped into the room carrying their food on plates. The elf presented the food, bowed and left. The two sat down at the table and started to eat. Harry pushed his food around his plate. "I know today has been hard Harry, but you need to eat at least half, here take your potion and hopefully that will help"

Harry took his potion and before long ate what he could. It was sufficient for Gareth to let him leave the table. Harry then took out the homework that had been given to him earlier before he had left the headmasters office. Gareth observed as Harry ruffled his own hair in frustration before seeing the young boy scratching at his arm to concentrate. Gareth soon joined Harry on the table he was working on.

"You know that they aren't due until next week?"

"I know, I just cant sit and do nothing"

"I understand" replied Gareth as he took out some parchment and started to write a statement for the trial on Friday. Few hours past before they spoke again, Harry had finished his two essays and put them back in his bag. He then went into the shower.

In the shower his stripped of everything and put the water on hot, he then sat in the bath the shower was connected to and curled into a ball. The heat of the water stung the still painful welts on his back and cuts on his arm. It helped, Harry did not know what it was that did it but for the first time that day since they had come back from his Uncles house that he wasn't experiencing memories. It was nice and somewhat peaceful.

"Harry, are you alright in there?" came Gareth's voice after some time had passed.

"Yeah, just finishing" harry replied, slightly panicking, he had not been careful enough. He quickly turned off the water and dried off before putting on a long sleeved top and some old pyjama bottoms before going out of the bathroom. "Sorry Gareth. I didn't realise I was taking so long"

"It's okay Harry, you know if you want to talk about today anytime I'm here." Harry nodded and made his way into his room and into bed after drinking some warm milk. The small boy was soon asleep, Gareth sighed, he had been through so much for a twelve year old, and no one could ever imagine what had happened. Gareth was glad that he put some dreamless sleep potion into Harry's milk, at least for tonight he would have a good, undisturbed sleep. Though tomorrow was bound to bring some difficulties, his fiancé was coming to Hogwarts for dinnertime to help with the statement and meet harry for teatime.

The following morning was a rather quiet affair with Harry being rather grouchy because of the dreamless sleep, but didn't want to admit it. The pair ate in silence before a quick hug goodbye as the bell went to signal 10 minutes before first class. Gareth smiled sadly as harry left the room to go to classes.

Ron and Hermione were very glad to see Harry and spent most of Charms telling Harry what had happened in the common room last night. Apparently Fred and George Weasley had charmed some paper aeroplanes to follow Percy around the common room and poke him in the head every time he snapped at someone to be quiet. All three had to stifle their laughter when retelling the story. Harry felt normal, though flashes of memories disturbed him now and again. Luckily everyone was so busy no one seemed to notice Harry going off into a daze and coming back to realisation with a rather haunted expression on his face. At lunch, Oliver Wood who asked him if he was able to play the match on Saturday hunted down Harry. Harry obviously said yes-leaving Mr Wood with a spring in his step.

After lessons were finished for the day Harry explained that, he would be staying with Gareth until the weekend both of his friends looked at him concerned but didn't ask any questions. Harry went back up to the room of requirement and was surprised for a minute that there was a beautiful young, blonde haired woman sitting by Gareth on the sofa but then he remembered Gareth was going to introduce him to his fiancé.

"Hey Harry, How was school?" asked Gareth

It was alright thanks, how was your day? And It is a pleasure to meet you Miss"

"There's no need to call me Miss Harry, you can call me Danielle or Dani"

"Our day was fine Harry, come on in and we can finish off your painting" Harry nodded and gave them both a small smile before going to get changed into some of his clothes which were far too big for him. By the time, Harry had returned from his room the paints were out again and both Gareth and Dani were getting set up. Harry took some of the paint and carefully mixed the paints to the right colours before adding detail to his canvas.

"Whats your favourite subject Harry?" asked Dani

"Umm, I like them all, potions I think but everything is so interesting here"

"My favourite was transfiguration. Has your professor turned herself into a cat yet?"

"Yeah she did it once last year."

While Harry was painting all three of them had a conversation about school and painting and stuff they liked to do. Harry soon realised that Dani was very friendly and nice, like Gareth she accepted him for who he was and didn't ask or react when Harry rolled his sleeves up when paint was going everywhere showing them his scars. Gareth smiled at Harry knowing that the young boy in front of him did not have any confidence in him to do that when they first met. After they had finished Dani was asked to go back to their house for an hour to do a few things and so Gareth could talk to Harry. The pair sat where they usually sat and Gareth started the conversation.

"The images are still happening?"

Harry nodded "They just come suddenly and there's nothing I can do to stop them, I then cant focus in class or anything. Its frustrating."

"I know it is, do you want to share with me what happens in the images?" Harry shook his head, he didn't want Gareth to not like him anymore and see that he really was a freak and everything that had happened was in fact all his fault. Gareth seemed to know what he was thinking as usually "None of what has happened is your fault Harry, I will remind you of that every time we meet if you need to. What did you think of Dani?"

"She's nice"

"She is my fiancé and once we have all the documents signed and the trial on Friday over you can come home for Christmas"

"Thank you"

"Do you want to prepare what you need to say on Friday?" Harry shook his head, the less he had to think about it the less images will happen. "Ok, come on lets have food and we can have a game of exploding snap before bed" Harry smiled and sat down on the table as Dani returned. All three enjoyed their meal; Harry obviously tried his best with the help of the potion but still could not finish it all. Afterwards the game of exploding snap was fun and all three thoroughly enjoyed it. Gareth was so glad a smile had etched itself maybe only temporarily on Harrys face but it was there. Knowing that he had made a difference to Harry's life made Gareth happy, after Friday hopefully things will become a little better and he could finally have a family.