Author's Note: The muse instructed me to split this vignette into three parts, but I can't duplicate chapter titles. Boo. So, I'm posting 3 chapters at once. Since I'm behind in my updates, I hope this makes up for my inattention. Enjoy!

Chapter 26

Harry sat quietly on his bed as he waited for Charity to return. He did not understand nor believe the sudden turn of events in his life. Madame Pomfrey had said that morning that he was on the mend, he had a safe place to live, food to eat, and something like a family. Didn't Miss give him hugs willingly? She even brought him presents to celebrate his birthday. And didn't the Dark Man sit with him last night during his nightmares? They did! 'This must be what a real family is like,' he mused inwardly. He didn't know about all this hocus pocus, though it seemed real. He wasn't crazy – was he? Suddenly the child started to question himself and his grasp on reality. Maybe he'd suffered too much at Uncle Vernon's hand. Maybe he couldn't think straight any longer. Maybe this was all a dream.

"A penny for your thoughts," Charity interjected.

Harry looked up and smiled at the young witch standing in the doorframe of his room with bags in hand.

"It's nothing," he replied.

"Oh…come on, luv…you can tell me…it'll be our secret," she grinned.

Harry pursed his lips, mulling over whether he should ask the real question that was troubling him. Not wanting to make her uncomfortable, however, he chose the safer question.

"Is magic really real?"

Charity's eyebrows lifted.

"What do your eyes tell you?"

"I don't see very well, Miss."

Charity laughed heartily.

"You are a truly charming boy, Harry Potter! Much like your father, I might add."

Harry beamed at the compliment. Miss knew his dad and the Dark Man knew his mum. It was all too much. Charity brought the bags over to the bed and placed them down. Sitting beside him on the bed, she held out her hand, palm up.

"Since you don't see very well, let's find out how you feel?"

Harry stared at her blankly.

"Go ahead, touch my hand and tell me what you feel?"

Crimson stained Harry's cheeks. He'd never held a woman's hand before, especially not someone so pretty. Seeing his reluctance, Charity gently took Harry's small hand and placed it in hers.

"Ok, now close your eyes. Give yourself a minute and then tell me what you feel."

Charity, unbeknownst to everyone but Mimzy and her parents, was able to do some wandless magic and just as Harry's skin touched hers she channeled a little into her fingertips and palm. Harry could feel the energy and a smile of contentment washed over his face.

"So, what do you feel?" the young witch whispered.

"Tingling," Harry said shyly, his eyes still closed, "and heat."

Charity smiled faintly.

"Magic is energy, Harry. It exists everywhere. Some people can channel it and some can't. I can. And, so can you."

Harry opened his eyes, his hand still upon Charity's.

"Is that why my family hated me and my parents? Because we can channel magic, and they can't. Maybe it's not good to have magic," he frowned.

"I never met your Aunt and Uncle, but you could be right." Charity held his hand tighter and the heat in her touch increased as if to make a point. Harry could only stare at her grasp. "People would kill for this gift, but it can't be stolen or thwarted. You either have it, or you don't. Why anyone is born with magic, like we have been, is a mystery…you just have to be thankful for it and do good things with it. Will you do that?"

Harry was almost alit with the energy buzzing between his and the young witch's touch. His heart felt light, and it had never felt that way ever! It seemed like she was showing him his future.

"Yes, Miss…I want my magic to help others!" he cried.

Charity's eyes smiled gently, and she let go of his hand.

"Then you have lots to learn…if you're ready,"

"I am."

The young witch wasn't sure if he really was, but the boy's heart was in the right place and that was what mattered most. The troubles Harry had seen in his young life could have made him bitter, but instead, they made him hopeful and kind. For this reason alone, she knew he'd be a powerful wizard one day. Lily and James would be so proud of him. A contemplative smile graced her face as she pulled out his first present from one of the bags.

"Open it!"

Harry took the thin square box from the young witch and slowly began to unwrap. The paper was so pretty – he didn't want to wreck it. Charity didn't grow impatient, however. She simply waited and let him strip the paper at his own pace.

"A picture frame?" he asked, a puzzled look on his face.

Charity nodded her head toward the picture of Lily leaning against his night lamp.

"Ohhhh…Miss…it's great!"

"I'm glad you like it. Put the picture in."

Gingerly, Harry opened the back of the frame and fixed the treasured photo. He placed it back on the nightstand and took a long look.

"She's really pretty, isn't she, Miss?"

Charity nodded her agreement, eyeing a dark figure in the doorway.

"All the young wizards thought so too, didn't they Professor Snape?" she remarked.

Severus scowled at the young witch, but responded nonetheless, "Your mother was very popular, Mr. Potter."

Harry glowed at the Dark Man's praise as he showed off the picture. Charity, however, felt a twinge of something odd in her belly. Jealousy? Resentment? Bitterness? She wiped the feelings from her face before Harry or the Potions professor noticed and wondered why.

"Would you like to open some more presents?" she asked kindly.

"More presents?"

Charity nodded.

"Ok!" Harry replied, blown away by her generosity.

She handed Harry the bags from Marks and Spencer.

"I didn't wrap these," she chuckled.

"That's ok," the child replied sympathetically.

Harry reached into the bags and pulled out a whole new wardrobe: trousers, jeans, collared shirts, jumpers, tees, socks, and underclothes – all in his size. Charity even bought him a new jacket warm enough for autumn and a new pair of trainers.

"Miss," Harry declared, "this must have cost a lot of money."

"I spin gold in my spare time, luv. It's nothing!"

Harry's eyes popped, understanding the reference.

"Is the story of Rumplestiltskin true too?" he queried.

"No, it is not, Potter," the Potions professor scoffed.

"Oh…that's too bad," Harry replied honestly.

"It really is," Charity added scornfully. "Nonetheless, you need to try all this on. I think they'll fit." In fact, she knew they would since she'd placed a sizing charm on them to shrink or grow as was needed.

"They will, Miss!" Harry beamed. "I just know it."

"Well…we'll get out of your way, so you can give 'em a try. Go on then. Show us when you're ready."

Charity patted Harry's hand and rose from the bed. Moving toward Severus, who was leaning against the doorjamb, she passed him casually and headed toward the kitchen. The Potions professor pulled the door shut and followed the young witch down the hall.