New Chapter! First, I have to thank HpDork FreakaZiod for the help. You are awesome as always!

Also, I put a few notes at the bottom of this story about a pretty cool new forum for Harry Potter. I recommend you check it out, if not enjoy the story! :)


Earlier this morning four people had arrived back at Hogwarts. One more than expected until a few days ago, but that made it all the merrier.

They had arrived earlier in the day than they really needed to, for both Harry and Severus needed a check up from the school nurse. Poppy wanted to check Harry to make sure his core was healing properly and that he was ready for the stress of classes. As for Severus, Poppy wanted to check his arm and make sure it had no gotten any worse then when she had last seen it. Remus had been charged with making sure the man applied a daily numbing cream to it on their little holiday, and Poppy wanted to make sure that Remus had really kept his word.

It was not that Poppy didn't trust Remus with Severus's care, it was just she knew how stubborn that man could be when he wanted. Remus had worked miracles with the dour man in the past and hoped dearly that he had again. For if Severus did not have that numbing cream applied to his arm every day, the man would be in horrible pain and likely not say or do anything about it.

When the four had arrived in the hospital wing that morning Poppy steered Harry and Minerva behind one screen and Severus and Remus behind another. This way her two patients would have a bit of privacy and still have someone with them for moral support.

She was originally going to just going to check them over out in the open since no students were there at the moment, but Severus had insisted on having a bit of privacy. He did not want Harry to see his arm and think less of him. Harry already knew of Severus's dark mark from a conversation he had with both Albus and Minerva, but Severus preferred that Harry not see him in pain or see the actual mark. It was a sensitive subject for Severus and always would be.

Poppy first went to check on Harry. The boy was the easier of the two, or so she had thought. He was just not quite as good at hiding his true emotions from his face as Severus was. She walked over to the bed that Harry and Minerva were sitting on and sat in a chair across from Harry. She hated that Harry was so uncertain about her. She thought she understood why, but that did not stop her hating it any less.

Minerva had been trying to soothe the boy with limited success. He was still slightly shaking and just looking at his face you would think he was going to be sent off to his doom.

The nurse placed a warm hand on Harry's knee, and when he looked up at her, she gave him a small smile.

"I'm just going to make sure you're healing the way you're supposed to, there is nothing to worry about, Harry."

Harry gave a small sigh. "I know, but I just can't help it. When I was five..." As Harry trailed off he realized what he had revealed and his eyes grew wide with panic and he looked down at his lap.

Poppy drew in a deep breath and shared a look with Minerva. Slowly she moved her chair a bit closer to Harry's bed and gave Harry's knee a gentle squeeze.

"Harry, can you please look at me?"

Slowly, Harry's reluctant eyes met Poppy's. As soon as Harry saw the concern and curiosity in her eyes, he had to suppress a flinch. He really didn't want to talk about this, but every time he had seen that look he ended up spilling his guts out to Poppy. He really hoped that would not be the case today.

"You don't have to tell me what you were going to say, but I wish you would tell someone. Telling someone our thoughts and feelings, even if they are in the past, makes us feel better. I'm sure you feel like there is a huge weight on your chest, am I right?"

Harry gave a small nod, for it was the truth. He did feel like there was a weight resting on his chest and recently it seemed to be getting heavier and heavier.

"Taking to someone would help that weight go away. You know you can talk to anyone here about anything, past or present."

Harry gave another small nod to the nurse in front of him.

Poppy let out a small sigh. She had been hoping that the more comfortable Harry felt with them, the more he would open up about his past. Fortunately, he had opened up to Severus about his nightmares and a few other things, but other than that he had not really spoken to anyone. Poppy feared that it might be time to involve a professional Mind Healer to help Harry open up and talk.

"Harry, how would you feel talking to a Mind Healer?"

Violently, Harry shook his head. "I am not crazy!"

Slowly Minerva drew the distressed boy onto her lap and placed her arms around his middle. Before she bent over a little and whispered in Harry's ear, Minerva shared a silent message with Poppy. "No Harry you are not, we never said you were. You need to talk to someone though. Maybe a Mind Healer would be best, he would keep all your secrets to just himself, he would have no judgement, and he would have a fresh view on things."

Even though Minerva was trying to soothe the boy on her lap Harry was still shaking with fear. Just the prospect of laying his past out on the table in front of him frightened him. He had gone through that awful trial where just the basics were told, but he had been spared from actually having to talk about anything, and he was grateful. He wanted nothing more in the world to just keep it all inside, inside it would stay safe and hidden.

Poppy again rested a hand on Harry's knee. "Harry there is nothing to be ashamed about seeing a mind healer and absolutely nothing to fear."

When Poppy saw that she was still not getting through to the boy she tried another tactic. "You know Harry, in my line of work I see a lot of injured people. When I had to work shifts in the emergency room at St. Mungos, when I was younger, I often saw people so hurt that I could not save them. It always hurt me deeply, so deeply in fact I started having nightmares, and I could see them blaming me for not doing more. The nightmares would not go away, I kept seeing all the people I could not save and it was eating me up inside because I would not tell anyone. I was young and proud and didn't want to show any of my superiors or co-workers that I was weak."

Poppy took a deep breath and looked over at Harry to make sure he was listening. When she was ensured that he was, she continued on with her story.

"My supervisor, though, noticed how tired I was all the time and the growing bags under my eyes. He pulled me aside one day and told me I had an appointment with Healer Madison, a Mind Healer, and there was no arguments. I had to go or I would lose my job. So I went and I talked to Healer Madison that very day. At first I was nervous and didn't want to talk about anything, but then, as I became more comfortable, I started to talk to him. When I went home that night I admit I still had a nightmare, but it was much better then it had been. I went back to Healer Madison and talked with him once a week. My nightmares eventually did go away and the weight on my chest was lifted. It really helped me to talk with someone and I think it would help you too."

Harry looked up at Poppy and looked at her intently. "Why can't I just talk to one of you? Why do I have to see a Mind Healer?"

"There have been plenty of opportunities to open up to us Harry and you have a little, but not enough help that weight on your chest. I know how hard it is to talk to someone and I think it might be easier for you to talk to someone you don't have to see every day."

The boy on Minerva's lap lowered his head and looked down at his lap. Minerva still had her arms tightly around his middle to try to bring comfort to the boy. Fortunately, Harry seemed to be calming down and thinking over what Poppy was offering.

Suddenly Harry looked up again and looked at Poppy. "Who would I talk to?"

Poppy smiled at the boy in front of him. She was so proud of him, he was finally accepting help with his own free will. "I have someone in mind Harry, he is someone that I used to work with. When you meet him though, or if you don't feel comfortable with him, we can always find someone else."

Harry gave a small nod. "When would I meet him?"

"I can fire call him right now if you want."

Harry looked nervous, but nodded at her offer. He then pivoted in Minerva's arms and rested his head on her shoulder surprising Minerva.

When Minerva recovered from her shock she looked down at the boy in her arms. He was still shaking, but now he had a slight greenish tinge to his very pale face. Worriedly she looked up at Poppy who only gave her a reassuring look. Poppy had seen the greenish tinge, but thought it might be better for Healer McNeal to handle it. She didn't really know if the stomach soother would react with any of the calming magic he was sure to give Harry, and it was always better to consult with the other Healer before doing anything.

Minerva sighed and then looked again at the boy in her arms. Gently she brushed his hair out of his face and rested a calming hand on his cheek.

"Look at me Harry."

Harry looked up at Minerva with nervous eyes and she let out a soft sigh.

"You know Harry, we only want what's best for you. You are always welcome to come and talk to any of us, but this will give you another outlet."

Harry nodded but still looked sick to his stomach.

With that small nod, Poppy got out of her chair and headed to the fireplace. "I think I'll call Healer McNeal now."

Minerva gave a small nod to show that she had heard and then turned back to Harry to try to comfort him.

When Poppy came back to the two, there was a new man following her. From where Harry was, still in Minerva's arms, he peaked out and studied the new person in the room. He looked young and kind and not at all like a Healer. He looked quite handsome and had fine, fair hair and had warm brown eyes. As soon as Harry saw the new Healer, he relaxed considerably and started to feel like this was not such a bad idea after all.

The new Healer, just by walking in the room, had given Harry a sense of comfort and safety. He had never before in his life immediately felt so safe around someone. With everyone at Hogwarts he felt comfortable with them now, but it had taken time for him to see they would not hurt him. With this man though, he just instinctively felt like he could trust him, at least a little.

Before Harry could really realize what was happening, the new Healer had knelt in front of Harry and before putting his hand on his forehead had said something Harry could not quite understand. As soon as the Healer had placed his hand on Harry, warmth flowed through him and he felt all his muscles relax.

The Healer withdrew his hand after a few minutes of warmth and looked at Harry with a warm smile.

"Hi Harry. My name is Healer John McNeal, but you can just call me John. I'm sorry to have invaded your personal space just now, but you were lost in your mind, weren't you, and didn't hear me ask for permission?"

Harry gave a small nod. "I'm sorry."

John smiled warmly at the boy. "There is nothing to be sorry for Harry. It can be very nerve racking talking to a Mind Healer the first time."

Another nod came from Harry.

"Are you still feeling sick to your stomach, Harry?"

"Yes, sir."

Turing to Poppy, John quietly asked her to get a stomach soother for Harry. He then turned back to Harry and gave him another warm look.

"None of this sir business Harry, please call me by my first name."

"Ok, si..John."

Poppy then came bustling back in and handed the potion to John, who uncorked it immediately. He then handed it to Harry and motioned him to drink it.

Harry hesitated for a few moments, but then drank the potion down in one gulp. Just a few seconds after taking the potion Harry's whole body seemed to relax and the green tinge disappeared from his face.

"Feel better Harry?"

Looking up at John, Harry nodded. "Thank you."

"My pleasure Harry." John then reached a hand out to help harry off of Minerva's lap. "Why don't we go somewhere more private to talk?"

Harry looked up at Minerva for permission and she gave him a warm smile and a nod. "Go on Harry, I'll wait for you here, ok?"

With that Harry took the offered hand and allowed himself to be helped off of Minerva.

"That's it Harry."

As soon as Harry was up and on his two feet, John turned to Poppy.

"Do you still have that private room?"

Poppy gave him a small smile. "It's just as you left it."

John then turned back to Harry, gave him a warm smile, and placed a hand on his shoulder. He then led Harry to a small room on the side of the hospital wing.


When they entered the small room, Harry was surprised to find it looked very homey and cozy. On one side of the room there was a very comfortable looking plush chair and in front of it was a small table. On the other side of that table there was a very soft looking small couch, almost a love seat.

James motioned to the love seat. "Why don't you have a seat Harry?"

Harry gave a small nod and went over to the small couch and sat down on the very edge. He may have calmed down from before, but he was still nervous about talking.

John came and sat down across from Harry and gave him a reassuring look.

"There is nothing to be nervous about Harry, I won't bite you."

Harry smiled at the small joke, but didn't relax.

"Before we begin though, we should go over some ground rules. Ok?"

A nod came from the boy across from John.

"First, everything you say here is in confidence. Nothing you say to me will leave this room, except if it concerns your immediate health and safety. Also only truth is allowed in this room, if you don't want to talk about something just simply say so, don't try to cover anything up. I will not judge you for anything you say, I am just here to help. Are you ok with all of that?"

Yet another nod came from Harry.

"A verbal answer please, Harry."

"Y..yes, it's fine."

"What are you so nervous about Harry?"

Harry shrugged his shoulders and looked down at his lap. John let out a small sigh. He knew this was not going to be easy, it never was, but the realization hit him just as hard every time. He could see it was time for a different tactic.

"Are you scared Harry?"

A hesitant nod came from the boy while he was still looking down at his lap.

"Are you scared that I won't like what you have to say?"

Harry shyly looked up at John and gave another hesitant nod.

"What do you think would happen if you said something I didn't like? Please tell me the truth Harry, I promise I won't be mad."

"I...I don't know."

"...and that's why you're so nervous and scared, you don't know how I will react if I don't like what you have to say. Can I tell you what I would do?"

Looking down at his lap Harry closed his eyes, but meekly nodded his head ashamed that he felt this way.

"Harry please look at me when I tell you this."

Harry looked up into John's kind face and relaxed a little when he saw the man was not mad. He had been expecting that John would be angry at him for admitting that was very scared if he said something wrong and how he would react.

"Listen to me Harry when I say this. It is true, something you may say might make me sad, angry, or upset, but I will not take it out on you. I will not harm you, I will not yell at you, and I will not cast you away and ignore you. I am here to talk to, to listen, and to help you with your problems."

John then stood up from his chair and sat next to Harry on the small couch. Gently he reached out and placed a strong, kind hand over Harry's heart.

"I am here to help heal the hurt in your heart. Just looking at you I can tell you have more hurt in your life than any child should, and I want to make it bearable for you."

John then removed his hand from Harry's chest and looked into his eyes.

"Now Poppy said something about when you were five, do you want to tell me about it?"

Harry felt a little calmer after John's actions and not as nervous. He felt like, maybe, he could trust this man, he really hoped that he was not wrong. He let out a deep breath and closed his eyes for a moment to gather his thoughts.

"When...when I was five the school made my Aunt take me to the doctors to get a physical check up, it was standard. At first I thought it was great because my Uncle didn't beat me for two whole weeks before the appointment. They didn't want anyone to get suspicious if I had open wounds or many marks."

Harry paused and took a deep breath. John saw his struggle to continue, so he silently placed a gentle hand on Harry's shoulder and sent a bit of calming magic into him.

"Take a minute Harry, try to relax."

Looking up at John gratefully, Harry nodded and took another breath before continuing. He had started and now he had to finish getting this off his chest.

"When we got to the office I didn't really know what to expect; I had never been to the doctor's before. The waiting room was fine and the nurse seemed nice, she even smiled at me. As she led my Aunt back and me to the examination room, I was a bit nervous. All the while we were going back to the room and while the nurse took records of my height and weight, Aunt Petunia told the nurse what a horrible little boy I was and that I was a pathological liar. The nurse's smile faded little by little as she checked me over and by the time to doctor came in she was scowling at me. Aunt Petunia didn't even stop when the doctor frowned at her, he even asked her to leave the room for a moment. She huffed, but let the nurse lead her outside the room."

Harry closed his eyes, and John immediately placed his hand back on Harry shoulder to send him some calming magic.

"It's ok Harry, take a deep breath."

Harry did as he was told and took a deep breath and many after. He had never told anyone what had happened before and honestly didn't know if he could, but he had never gone this far before. So with a final deep breath Harry opened his mouth to finish his story.

"After my Aunt left, the doctor stood in front of me and asked if anyone had ever hurt me. At first I didn't know what to say. My Aunt and Uncle had always told me to deny everything and anything, but my heart was telling me to tell him. I...I followed my heart and told him, everything. When I had finished talking he just nodded and picked up a phone. He called a social worker to come talk to me. That was the first social worker I talked to, she told me that she would get me out of there and not to worry. I...believed her, but the next day she was gone. My Aunt and Uncle were furious that I told; that night I got the worst beating yet and for the next two weeks they locked me in my cupboard with no food. I didn't know if I was going to live. I hurt everywhere and was so hungry. It was awful."

Harry had lowered his head again and, unbeknownst to him tears, were streaming down his face. John noticed though and moved to place the hand that had been resting on his shoulder down to his chest. Gently he sent more calming magic into the boy, hoping to soothe the child.

"Harry, look at me please."

Harry did as he was told and looked up at John. As soon as his eyes met John's, the man across from his lifted his hand that was on his chest to rest under his cheek. Harry felt warmth in his touch and lent into it. It felt so nice and soothing.

"You know that the doctor was just trying to help you, right?"

"I..I know.."

"You're still nervous around Madam Pomfrey though. Can you tell me why?"

"I don't really know..." Harry shrugged his shoulders. "Every time I see a doctor or nurse it feels like I am back in that office and Aunt Petunia is saying awful things about me."

"You have a flashback?"

"I guess so..."

John nodded and looked thoughtful. "Ok, do you have any good, happy memories of Madam Pomfrey?"

Harry nodded and thought of his first year and how kind she had been to him every time he had gotten hurt. She had even assigned him a special bed near her office. Sure, he had been scared to death every time he had been in the hospital wing, but he could still remember her trying to keep him calm.

Taking another deep breath Harry looked up at John, who was smiling warmly at him.

"I see you have your memory, that is if the smile on your face says anything."

Harry's smile grew a bit and he nodded again.

"I hear you're very good at the patronus charm?"

"Yes"

"This is going to be very similar to summoning that charm. Every time you feel yourself slipping back into that office I want you to summon your good memory and think of just that. Focus your mind away from the scary thoughts and only think of the good. Can you do that?"

"I...I think so."

"Let's try it, hmmm?"

With a swift nod from Harry, John led him from the room and over to where Madam Pomfrey was sitting near the bed he had vacated almost an hour before.

The closer they got to Madam Pomfrey, the stronger the memory became. At one point, about half way to Madam Pomfrey, John stopped the boy and knelt before him.

"Remember the good memory Harry and take a deep breath."

Harry did as he was told and focused on the good memory of Madam Pomfrey smiling at him, to try to calm him.

When John felt that Harry was calm enough, he stood up and placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.

"Ready Harry?"

A reluctant nod came from Harry and John took that as a cue to step aside giving him full view of the nurse.

Another deep breath from Harry, and he continued on towards Poppy. It became harder and harder the closer Harry walked towards the nurse, but the ever-present hand on Harry's shoulder helped him stay in the present.

A few feet from the nurse Harry stopped and looked at her shyly. "Hi Madam Pomfrey."

The nurse gave Harry a warm look and flashed him a smile. "Hi Harry. How are you feeling?"

He looked over at John, who was still standing next to him. "Better...a lot better."

"That's great to hear Harry. Do you want to continue to meet with John?"

Harry shyly lowered his head, but gave a soft nod.

John looked down at the boy and gave his shoulder a soft squeeze. "How about every Tuesday after your classes? Would that be alright?"

Harry gave another small nod and John searched in his pocket for something. Quickly he pulled out a card and put it in Harry's hand.

"That's my card Harry. If you ever need to contact me for any reason what-so-ever my office floo and home floo are open to you. You just have to throw some floo powder in the fireplace and call out my location and the password written there."

"Th...thank you."

"You are very welcome Harry and remember what we talked about. Now why don't you let Madam Pomfrey perform her scan to make sure your core is mending?"

Harry gave a small nod, and Madam Pomfrey started to wave her wand over Harry's head. A few seconds later she stopped and looked at Harry reassuringly.

"Your core is healing very nicely Harry, but I think a certain witch over there would like to make sure you're ok for herself."

Harry turned around and saw Minerva looking at him worriedly. He walked over to her and fell into her hug.

"I'm glad you feel better Harry."

John then quietly took his leave not wanting to disturb the two who were still hugging. When the two released each other Harry shyly looked at Madam Pomfrey and asked how Severus was doing.

"He is fine Harry, he left a half hour ago with Remus. I believe Severus mumbled something about making sure Albus had really removed all those cats."

Harry couldn't help, but laugh. He had an idea what Severus was talking about, he had spent enough time in Umbridge's office after all.

Minerva raised an eyebrow at the boy in front of her. "Care to explain, or shall we check you into a mental hospital after all?"

All Harry could get out between laughs was, "Umbridge's office...cats!"

Minerva smiled and let out a small chuckle finally realizing what Severus had meant. The only person who still did not understand was Poppy, and she was just looking at the two in confusion.

"I know I'm missing something here, but I dare not ask."

That set the two off even more and Harry was almost in tears from laughing so hard. Minerva was just chuckling harder, very glad that Severus, even when not in the room, could cheer the boy up.

When Minerva had calmed down she placed a warm hand on Harry's back to gain his attention and when he turned to look at her, she smiled at him.

"I believe it's time for some lunch. Do you want to go to the Great Hall?"

Harry gave a small nod, so the two made their way to the Great Hall to enjoy some lunch.


And now for the promised information! :)


A new Harry Potter forum has opened! King's Cross Station has been created to serve as a fun, friendly, and easygoing place for Harry Potter fans to get together to talk about the books and express themselves through fanfiction and fanart.

King's Cross Station is free to join, easy to use and wonderful way to get in touch with other Harry Potter fans. King's Cross Station can be found at / kingscrossstation. proboards. com (Just copy and paste this into your address bar and remove the spaces)

Some of King's Cross Station's useful features include:

- Separate sections for all areas of Harry Potter discussion.
- Boards devoted entirely to Fanfiction and Fanart
- Sections to talk about anything not relating to Harry Potter.
- Competitions, Games, Events, as well as fanfiction and fanart Prompts.

King's Cross Station is a friendly place open to all Harry Potter fans – readers, writers and reviewers – and we look forward to seeing you there!

Sincerely,

The King's Cross Staff